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diff --git a/old/62687-0.txt b/old/62687-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b286d04..0000000 --- a/old/62687-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,47297 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Arabian Nights' Entertainments, 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: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: July 18, 2020 [EBook #62687] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS *** - - - - -Produced by Mohammad Aboomar for the QuantiQual Project; -Project ID: COALESCE/2017/117 (Irish Research Council) - - - - - - - -[Transcriber's Notes - -This text is based on what is called the Grub Street edition of the -One Thousand and One Nights, that first appeared in London in 1706. -It was translated indirectly by anonymous translator(s) from the -French translation of Antoine Galland titled Les mille et une nuits. - -The table of contents was moved from the end of the book to the -beginning to better suit the ebook format. - -Footnotes appearing throughout the text were numbered sequentially -and collected at the end of the ebook under _Footnotes_.] - - - - -FRONTISPIECE - - -“The lady happening at the same time to look up to the tree, saw -the two princes, and made a sign to them with her hand to come down -without making any noise. Their fear was extreme when they found -themselves discovered, and they prayed the lady, by other signs, to -excuse them; but she, after having laid the monster’s head softly -down on the ground, rose up, and spoke to them, with a low, but -eager voice, to come down to her; she would take no denial. They -made signs to her that they were afraid of the genie, and would fain -have been excused. Upon which she ordered them to come down, and if -they did not make haste, threatened to awake the genie, and bid him -kill them.” - - - - -THE -ARABIAN NIGHTS’ -ENTERTAINMENTS. - -EMBELLISHED WITH - -NEARLY ONE HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS. - -A NEW EDITION, - -CAREFULLY REVISED AND CORRECTED. - -COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. - -STEREOTYPED BY JAMES CONNER. - -PHILADELPHIA: - -PUBLISHED BY THOMAS WARDLE, - -NO. 13 MINOR STREET. - -1835. - - - - -CONTENTS - - -The Story of the Genie, and the Lady shut up in a Glass Box - -The Fable of the Ass, the Ox, and the Labourer - -The Fable of the Dog and the Cock - -The Story of the Merchant and the Genie - -The History of the first Old Man and the Hind - -The Story of the second Old Man and the two Black Dogs - -The Story of the Fisherman - -The Story of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban - -The Story of the Husband and the Parrot - -The Story of the Vizier that was punished - -The History of the young King of the Black Isles - -The History of the three Calenders, Sons of Kings; and of the five -ladies of Bagdad - -The History of the first Calender, a King’s Son - -The Story of the second Calender, a King’s Son - -The Story of the Envious Man, and of him that he envied - -The History of the third Calender, a King’s Son - -The Story of Zobeide - -The Story of Amine - -The Story of Sinbad, the Sailor - -His first Voyage - -His second Voyage - -His third Voyage - -His fourth Voyage - -His fifth Voyage - -His sixth Voyage - -His seventh and last Voyage - -The Story of the Three Apples - -The Story of the Lady that was murdered, and of the Young Man, her -husband - -The Story of Noureddin Ali and Bedreddin Hassan - -The Story of the little Hunch-back - -The Story told by the Christian Merchant - -The Story told by the Sultan of Casgar’s Purveyor - -The Story told by the Jewish Physician - -The Story told by the Tailor - -The Story of the Barber - -The Story of the Barber’s eldest Brother - -The Story of the Barber’s second Brother - -The Story of the Barber’s third Brother - -The Story of the Barber’s fourth Brother - -The Story of the Barber’s fifth Brother - -The Story of the Barber’s sixth Brother - -The History of Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, and Schemselnihar, -favourite of Caliph Haroun Alraschid - -The Story of the Amours of Camaralzaman, Prince of the Isles of the -Children of Khaledan, and of Badoura, Princess of China - -The History of the Princess of China - -The Story of Marzavan, with the sequel of that of the Prince -Camaralzaman - -The Story of the Princess Badoura, after her separation from Prince -Camaralzaman - -The Story of the Princes Amgiad and Assad - -The Story of Prince Amgiad and a Lady of the City of the Magicians - -The sequel of the Story of Prince Assad - -The Story of Noureddin and the Fair Persian - -The Story of Beder, Prince of Persia, and Giahaure, Princess of -Samandal - -The History of Ganem, Son of Abou Ayoub, and known by the surname of -Love’s Slave - -The History of Prince Zeyn Alasnam, and the King of the Genii - -The History of Codadad and his Brothers - -The History of the Princess of Deryabar - -The Story of the Sleeper awakened - -The Story of Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp - -The Adventures of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid - -The Story of the Blind Man, Baba Abdalla - -The Story of Sidi Nonman - -The Story of Cogia Hassan Alhabbal - -The Story of Ali Baba, and the Forty Robbers destroyed by a Slave - -The Story of Ali Cogia, a Merchant of Bagdad - -The Story of the Enchanted Horse - -The Story of Prince Ahmed, and the Fairy Pari Banou - -The Story of the Sisters who envied their youngest Sister - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Numerous as are the editions of the Arabian Nights’ -Entertainments, and frequently as they have received the -embellishments of the artist, yet an Edition was still wanting, more -easily accessible to the general reader, and which, while it -combined economy, should not be deficient in elegance or -illustration. To supply this chasm in the Literature of Romance, is -the object of the Edition now offered to the public; and it can -scarcely be necessary to observe, that although the Engravings are -more numerous than in any preceding Edition, the vigour and spirit -with which they are executed, will recommend them even to the -admirers of the arts. These Engravings, the whole of which are from -original designs, made expressly for this work, are nearly one -hundred in number. The subjects have been very happily selected, and -it will be seen with how much skill the Artist has embodied the -humour and spirit of the Author. Under these circumstances, the -Publisher has no doubt but that he will enjoy the double -gratification of giving to the public the cheapest Edition of the -Thousand and One Tales of the inimitable Oriental Story Teller, and -of supplying a work, which, in point of embellishment, may be found -worthy of a place in the best libraries. - -Of the merits of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, their -popularity would be sufficient evidence alone, had not the language -of praise both in poetry and prose, long been exhausted on them. -They are still the admiration of every person who can appreciate -curious and useful information conveyed through the medium of -fiction. “They are,” says Colonel Capper, in his Observations on -the Passage to India, “by many people erroneously supposed to be a -spurious production, and are therefore slighted in a manner they do -not deserve. They were written by an Arabian, and are universally -read and admired throughout Asia by all ranks of men, both old and -young: considered, therefore, as an original work, descriptive as -they are of the manners and customs of the East in general, and also -of the Arabians in particular, they surely must be thought to merit -the attention of the curious; nor are they, in my opinion, destitute -of merit in other respects: for, although the extravagance of some -of the stories is carried too far, yet, on the whole, one cannot -help admiring the fancy and invention of the author, in striking out -such a variety of pleasing incidents; pleasing I will call them, -because they have frequently afforded me much amusement; nor do I -envy any man his feelings, who is above being pleased with them. But -before any person decides upon the merit of these books, he should -be eye-witness of the effect they produce on those who best -understand them. I have more than once seen the Arabians in the -desert sitting round a fire listening to these stories with such -attention and pleasure, as totally to forget the fatigue and -hardship with which an instant before they were entirely overcome. -In short, not to dwell any longer on this subject, they are in the -same estimation all over Asia, that the adventures of Don Quixote -are in Spain; and it is presumed, no man of genius or taste would -think of making the tour of that country without previously reading -the work of Cervantes.” - -Nor is the picture of Oriental manners and customs, as exhibited in -the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, that of a remote age; on the -contrary, Mr. Dallaway, one of the recent travellers in the East, in -his “Constantinople Ancient and Modern,” says, “Much of the -romantic air which pervades the domestic habits of the persons -described in the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, particularly in -inferior life, will be observed in passing through the streets of -that city. And we receive with additional pleasure a remembrance of -the delight with which we at first perused them, in finding them -authentic portraits of every Oriental nation.” - -Mr. Hole, in his remarks on these Tales, considers the Sindbad as -the Arabian Odyssey, and as descriptive of real places and manners; -and he takes no small pains to ascertain the precise local -situations of the islands which Sindbad is supposed to visit; but -the beauties of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments have never been -better described than in the following Sonnet to the Author, by Mr. -Thomas Russell, Fellow of New College, Oxford: - - “Blessed child of Genius, whose fantastic sprite - Rides on the vivid lightning’s flash, or roves - Through flowery valleys and elysian groves; - Or, borne on vent’rous pinions, takes its flight - To those dread realms, where, hid from mortal sight, - Fierce Genii roam, or where in bright alcoves - Mild Fairies reign, and woo their secret loves: - Whate’er thy theme, whether the magic might - Of the stern kings that dwell ’mid Ocean’s roar, - Or Sindbad’s perils, or the cruel wiles - Of Afric’s curst enchanters, charm us more, - Or aught more wond’rous still our ear beguiles; - Well pleased we listen to thy fabling lore, - And Truth itself with less attraction smiles.” - -The present translation is from the _Contes Arabes_ of M. Galland, -who appears to have imbibed no inconsiderable portion of the spirit -of the Oriental writer; and the utmost care has been taken to render -it as correct as possible, consistent with the simplicity of the -narration, and the luxuriance of its descriptions. - -Although it cannot now be necessary to enter into a critical -examination of a work which is equally admired by the learned and -the unlearned, the young and the old, yet as the Genii and Fairies -form so considerable a part of the machinery of these Tales, it may -not be improper to say something respecting them. - -The _Genn_ or _Ginn_ of the Arabians, is the same with the _Div_ or -_Ganman_ of the Persians, the _Deuta_ of the Indians, and the -Turks’ _Ginler_, and signifies a genie or demon, who has a body -formed of a more subtle matter than those of men, and like -elementary fire. They are supposed to have been created and to have -governed the world before Adam, and are divided into good and evil -angels, and even giants, who, in the early times, made war against -men, but have since been confined to one region, denominated from -them _Gimristan_, the fairy land of our old romances. _Gian ben -Gian_ was the sovereign of these creatures, or of the _Peris_ or -fairies, who governed the world two thousand years; after which -Eblis was sent by God to drive them into a distant part of the -world, and there confine them, because of their rebellion. The -shield of this prince is as famous as that of Achilles among the -Greeks, and, like it, seven-fold and destructive of all -enchantments, and was possessed by three successive Solomons, who -performed with it marvellous but fabulous exploits, and fell at last -into the hands of a hero named Tahmurath, surnamed _Divbend_, or the -Conqueror of Giants. - -Solomon, the son of David, is said by the eastern historians to have -had not only men, but good and evil spirits, the birds and the -winds, subjected to him by God; and to have been possessed of a ring -of wonderful virtues, which seems to be nothing more than the -extraordinary wisdom with which he was divinely endowed. All that we -find in these writers about the marvellous actions and unrivalled -empire of Solomon over men and devils, is drawn from the Scripture -account of the extraordinary wisdom, and virtues, and throne of this -monarch. - -_Peri_ are those beautiful creatures, which are neither men, angels, -nor devils. Some have supposed them the female genies, but the -_Peris_ are of both sexes, and are good beings; on whom the _Div_ or -genies frequently make war, and shut up their prisoners in cages -suspended on the highest trees, where their companions come and feed -them with the finest odours, which are their common food, and defend -them from the _Div_, who feel a sudden change to melancholy as soon -as they approach them. - -_Benon_, or _Beni al Giam_, is another name for these good spirits, -who separated from the rebellious ones headed by Eblis or Lucifer. ---D’Herbelot, voc. _Genn, Gian, Peri. Solomon_. - - - - -ARABIAN NIGHTS’ -ENTERTAINMENTS. - - -The chronicles of the Sussanians, the ancient kings of Persia, who -extended their empire into the Indies, over all the islands -thereunto belonging, a great way beyond the Ganges, and as far as -China, acquaint us, that there was formerly a king of that potent -family, the most excellent prince of his time: he was as much -beloved by his subjects for his wisdom and prudence, as he was -dreaded by his neighbours, because of his valour, and his warlike -and well disciplined troops. He had two sons; the eldest, Schahriar, -the worthy heir of his father, and endowed with all his virtues. The -youngest, Schahzenan, was likewise a prince of incomparable merit. - -After a long and glorious reign, this king died, and Schahriar -mounted his throne. Schahzenan, being excluded from all share of the -government by the laws of the empire, and obliged to live a private -life, was so far from envying the happiness of his brother, that he -made it his whole business to please him, and effected it without -much difficulty. Schahriar, who had naturally a great affection for -that prince, was so charmed with his complaisance, that out of an -excess of friendship, he would needs divide his dominions with him, -and gave him the kingdom of Great Tartary. Schahzenan went -immediately, and took possession of it, and fixed the seat of his -government at Samarcande, the metropolis of the country. - -After they had been separated ten years, Schahriar, having a -passionate desire to see his brother, resolved to send an ambassador -to invite him to his court. He made choice of his prime vizier for -the embassy, sent him to Tartary with a retinue answerable to his -dignity, and he made all possible haste to Samarcande. When he came -near the city, Schahzenan had notice of it, and went to meet him -with the principal lords of his court, who, to put the more honour -on the sultan’s minister, appeared in magnificent apparel. The -king of Tartary received the ambassador with the greatest -demonstrations of Joy; and immediately asked him concerning the -welfare of the sultan his brother. The vizier having acquainted him -that he was in health, gave him an account of his embassy. -Schahzenan was so much affected with it, that he answered thus:-- -Sage vizier, the sultan, my brother, does me too much honour; he -could propose nothing in the world so acceptable; I long as -passionately to see him, as he does to see me. Time has been no more -able to diminish my friendship than his. My kingdom is in peace, and -I desire no more than ten days to get myself ready to go with you; -so that there is no necessity for your entering the city for so -short a time; I pray you to pitch your tents here, and I will order -provisions in abundance for yourself and your company. - -The vizier did accordingly, and as soon as the king returned, he -sent him a prodigious quantity of provisions of all sorts, with -presents of great value. - -In the meanwhile, Schahzenan made ready for his journey, took orders -about his meet important affairs, appointed a council to govern in -his absence, and named a minister, of whose wisdom he had sufficient -experience, and in whom he had an entire confidence, to be their -president. At the end of ten days, his equipage being ready, he took -his leave of the queen his wife, and went out of town in the evening -with his retinue, pitched his royal pavilion near the vizier’s -tent, and discoursed with that ambassador till midnight. But willing -once more to embrace the queen, whom he loved entirely, he returned -alone to his palace, and went straight to her majesty’s apartment, -who, not expecting his return, had taken one of the meanest officers -of her household to her bed, where they lay both fast to sleep, -having been in bed a considerable while. - -The king entered without any noise, and pleased himself to think how -he should surprise his wife, who, he thought, loved him as entirely -as he did her: but how great was his surprise, when by the light of -the flambeaux, which burn all night in the apartments of those -eastern princes, he saw a man in her arms! He stood immoveable for a -time, not knowing how to believe his own eyes; but, finding that it -was not to be doubted, How! says he to himself, I am scarce out of -my palace, and but just under the walls of Samarcande, and dare they -put such an outrage upon me! Ah! perfidious wretches! your crime -shall not go unpunished. As king, I am to punish wickedness -committed in my dominions; and as an enraged husband, I must -sacrifice you to my just resentment. In a word, this unfortunate -prince, giving way to his rage, drew his scimitar, and, approaching -the bed, killed them both with one blow, turning their sleep into -death; and afterwards taking them up, threw them out of a window, -into the ditch that surrounded the palace. - -Having avenged himself thus, he went out of town privately, as he -came into it; and, returning to his pavilion, without saying one -word of what had happened, he ordered the tents to be struck, and to -make ready for his journey. This was speedily done; and before day -he began his march, with kettle-drums and other instruments of -music, that filled every one with joy, except the king, who was so -much troubled at the disloyalty of his wife, that he was seized with -extreme melancholy, which preyed upon him during his whole journey. - -When he drew near the capital of the Indies, the sultan Schahriar -and all his court came out to meet him; and the princes were -overjoyed to see one another, and alighting, after mutual embraces, -and other marks of affection and respect, they mounted again, and -entered the city, with the acclamations of vast multitudes of -people. The sultan conducted his brother to the palace he had -provided for him, which had a communication with his own, by means -of a garden; and was so much the more magnificent, that it was set -apart as a banqueting-house for public entertainments, and other -diversions of the court, and the splendour of it had been lately -augmented by new furniture. - -Schahriar immediately left the king of Tartary, that he might give -him time to bathe himself, and to change his apparel; and as soon as -he had done, he came to him again, and they sat down together upon a -sofa or alcove. The courtiers kept at a distance, out of respect, -and those two princes entertained one another suitably to their -friendship, their nearness of blood, and the long separation that -had passed betwixt them. The time of supper being come, they ate -together, after which they renewed their conversation, which -continued till Schahriar, perceiving that it was very late, left his -brother to rest. - -The unfortunate Schahzenan went to bed; and though the conversation -of his brother had suspended his grief for some time, it returned -upon him with more violence; so that, instead of taking his -necessary rest, he tormented himself with cruel reflections. All the -circumstances of his wife’s disloyalty presented themselves afresh -to his imagination, in so lively a manner, that he was like one -beside himself. In a word, not being able to sleep, he got up, and -giving himself over to afflicting thoughts, they made such an -impression upon his countenance, that the sultan could not but take -notice of it, and said thus to himself: What can be the matter with -the king of Tartary, that he is so melancholy? Has he any cause to -complain of his reception? No, surely; I have received him as a -brother whom I love, so that I can charge myself with no omission in -that respect. Perhaps it grieves him to be at such a distance from -his dominions, or from the queen his wife. Alas! if that be the -matter, I must forthwith give him the presents I designed for him, -that he may return to Samarcande when he pleases. Accordingly, next -day Schahriar sent him part of those presents, being the greatest -rarities and the richest things that the Indies could afford. At the -same time he endeavoured to divert his brother every day, by new -objects of pleasure, and the finest treats; which, instead of giving -the king of Tartary any ease, only increased his sorrow. - -One day, Schahriar, having appointed a great hunting match, about -two days’ journey from his capital, in a place that abounded with -deer, Schahzenan prayed him to excuse him, for his health would not -allow him to bear him company. The sultan, unwilling to put any -constraint upon him, left him at his liberty, and went a hunting -with his nobles. The king of Tartary being thus left alone, shut -himself up in his apartment, and sat down at a window that looked -into the garden. That delicious place, and the sweet harmony of an -infinite number of birds which chose it for a place of retreat, must -certainly have diverted him, had he been capable of taking pleasure -in any thing; but being perpetually tormented with the fatal -remembrance of his queen’s infamous conduct, his eyes were not so -often fixed upon the garden, as lifted up to heaven to bewail his -misfortunes. - -While he was thus swallowed up with grief, an object presented -itself to his view, which quickly turned all his thoughts another -way. A secret gate of the sultan’s palace opened all of a sudden, -and there came out of it twenty women, in the midst of whom walked -the sultaness, who was easily distinguished from the rest by her -majestic air. The princess, thinking that the king of Tartary was -gone a hunting with his brother the sultan, came up with her retinue -near the windows of his apartment; for the prince had placed himself -so that he could see all that passed in the garden, without being -perceived himself. He observed, that the persons who accompanied the -sultaness threw off their veils and long robes, that they might be -at more freedom; but was wonderfully surprised when he saw ten of -them to be blacks, and that each of them took his mistress. The -sultaness, on her part, was not long without her gallant. She -clapped her hands, and called Masoud, Masoud; and immediately a -black came down from a tree, and ran to her in all haste. - -Modesty will not allow, nor is it necessary, to relate what passed -between the blacks and the ladies. It is sufficient to say, that -Schahzenan saw enough to convince him that his brother was as much -to be pitied as himself. This amorous company continued together -till midnight, and having bathed all together, in a great piece of -water which was one of the chief ornaments of the garden, they -dressed themselves, and re-entered the palace by the secret door, -all except Masoud, who climbed up his tree, and got over the garden -wall the same way as he came in. - -All this having passed in the king of Tartary’s sight, occasioned -him to make a multitude of reflections. How little reason had I, -says he, to think that no one was so unfortunate as myself! It is -certainly the unavoidable fate of all husbands, since the sultan, my -brother, who is sovereign of so many dominions, and the greatest -prince of the earth, could not escape it. The case being so, what a -fool am I to kill myself with grief! I am resolved that the -remembrance of a misfortune so common shall never more disturb my -quiet. - -From that moment he forbore afflicting himself. Being unwilling to -sup till he saw the whole scene that was acted under his window, he -called then for his supper, eat with a better appetite than he had -done at any time since his coming from Samarcande, and listened with -some degree of pleasure to the agreeable concert of vocal and -instrumental music, that was appointed to entertain him while at -table. - -He continued after this in very good humour; and when he knew that -the sultan was returning, he went to meet him, and paid him his -compliments with great gayety. Schahriar at first took no notice of -this alteration; but politely expostulated with him, why he would -not bear him company at hunting the stag; and without giving him -time to reply, entertained him with a relation of the great number -of deer and other game they had killed, and what pleasure he had in -the sport. Schahzenan heard him with attention, gave answer to every -thing, and being free from that melancholy which formerly -overclouded his wit, he said a thousand agreeable and pleasant -things to the sultan. - -Schahriar, who expected to have found him in the same state as he -left him, was overjoyed to see him so cheerful, and spoke to him -thus: Dear brother, I return thanks to Heaven for the happy change -it has made in you during my absence; I am extremely rejoiced at it; -but I have a request to make to you, and conjure you not to deny me. ---I can refuse you nothing, replied the king of Tartary; you may -command Schahzenan as you please; speak, I am impatient till I know -what you desire of me. --Ever since you came to my court, replied -Schahriar, I found you swallowed up by a deep melancholy, and I in -vain attempted to remove it by all sorts of diversion. I imagined it -might be occasioned by reason of your distance from your dominions, -or that love might have a great share in it, and that the queen of -Samarcande, who, no doubt, is an accomplished beauty, might be the -cause of it. I do not know if I be mistaken; but I must own, that it -was for this very reason I would not importune you upon the subject, -for fear of making you uneasy. But without my having contributed any -thing towards it, I find now, upon my return, that you are in the -best humour that can be, and that your mind is entirely delivered -from that black vapour which disturbed it. Pray do me the favour to -tell me why you were so melancholy, and why you are no longer so. - -Upon this, the king of Tartary continued for some time, as if he had -been meditating, and contriving what he should answer; but at last -replied as follows: You are my sultan and master; but excuse me, I -beseech you, from answering your question. --No, dear brother, said -the sultan, you must answer me; I will take no denial. Schahzenan, -not being able to withstand these pressing instances, answered, -Well, then, brother, I will satisfy you, since you command me; and -having told him the story of the queen of Samarcande’s treachery, -This, says he, was the cause of my grief; judge whether I had not -reason enough to give myself up to it. - -Oh! my brother, says the sultan, (in a tone which showed what an -interest he took in the king of Tartary’s story,) what a horrible -story do you tell me! How impatient was I till I heard it out! I -commend you for punishing the traitors who offered you such an -outrage. Nobody can blame you for that action: it was just; and, for -my part, had the case been mine, I should scarce have been so -moderate as you. I would not have satisfied myself with the life of -one woman; I verily think I should have sacrificed a thousand to my -fury. I cease now to wonder at your melancholy. The cause of it was -too sensible and too mortifying, not to make you yield to it. O -heaven! what a strange adventure! Nor do I believe the like ever -befel any man but yourself. But, in short, I must bless God, who has -comforted you; and since I doubt not but your consolation is well -grounded, be so good as to let me know what it is, and conceal -nothing from me. Schahzenan was not so easily prevailed upon in this -point, as he had been in the other, because of his brother’s -concern it; but being obliged to yield to his pressing instances, -answered, I must obey you, then, since your command is absolute; yet -I am afraid that my obedience will occasion your trouble to be -greater than ever mine was. But you must blame yourself for it, -since you force me to reveal a thing which I should otherwise have -buried in eternal oblivion. What you say, answers Schahriar, serves -only to increase my curiosity. Make haste to discover the secret, -whatever it be. The king of Tartary being no longer able to refuse, -gave him the particulars of all that he had seen of the blacks in -disguise; of the ungoverned passion of the sultaness and her ladies; -and he did not forget Masoud. After having been witness to those -infamous actions, says he, I believed all women to be naturally -inclined thereto, and that they could not resist their inclination. -Being of this opinion, it seemed to me to be an unaccountable -weakness in men to place any confidence in their fidelity. This -reflection brought on many others; and, in short, I thought the best -thing I could do was to make myself easy. It cost me some pains, -indeed, but at last I effected it; and if you will take my advice, -you will follow my example. - - - - -THE LADY OF THE GLASS CASE. - - -Though the advice was good, the sultan could not relish it, but fell -into a rage. What! says he, is the sultaness of the Indies capable -of prostituting herself in so base a manner? No, brother, I cannot -believe what you say, except I saw it with my own eyes; your’s -must needs have deceived you: the matter is so important, that I -must be satisfied of it myself. Dear brother, answers Schahzenan, -that you may without much difficulty. Appoint another hunting match; -and when we are out of town with your court and mine, we will stop -under our tents, and at night let you and I return alone to my -apartments; I am certain the next day you will see what I saw. The -sultan, approving the stratagem, immediately appointed a new -hunting-match; and that same day the tents were set up at the place -appointed. - -Next day the two princes set out with all their retinue; they -arrived at the place of encampment, and staid there till night. Then -Schahriar called his grand vizier, and without acquainting him with -his design, commanded him to stay in his place during his absence, -and suffer no person to go out of the camp upon any account -whatever. As soon as he had given this order, the king of Grand -Tartary and he took horse, passed through the camp incognito, -returned to the city, and went to Schahzenan’s apartment. They had -scarce placed themselves in the same window where the king of -Tartary had beheld the scene of the disguised blacks, but the secret -gate opened, the sultaness and her ladies entered the garden with -the blacks, and she, having called upon Masoud, the sultan saw more -than enough to convince him fully of his dishonour and misfortune. - -O heavens! cried he, what an indignity! what horror! Can the wife of -a sovereign such as I am, be capable of such an infamous action? -After this, let no prince boast of his being perfectly happy. Alas! -my brother, continued he, (embracing the king of Tartary,) let us -both renounce the world; honour is banished out of it; if it -flatters us one day, it betrays us the next! Let us abandon our -dominions and grandeur; let us go into foreign countries, where we -may lead an obscure life, and conceal our misfortunes. Schahzenan -did not at all approve of this resolution, but did not think fit to -contradict Schahriar in the heat of his passion. Dear brother, says -he, your will shall be mine; I am ready to follow you whither you -please: but promise me that you will return if we can meet with any -one that is more unhappy than ourselves. I agree to it, says the -sultan, but doubt much whether we shall. I am not of your mind in -this, replies the king of Tartary; I fancy our journey will be but -short. Having said thus, they went secretly out of the palace by a -different way from that by which they came. They travelled as long -as it was day, and lay the first night under trees; and getting up -about break of day, they went on till they came to a fine meadow -upon the bank of the sea, that was besprinkled with great trees. -They sat down under one of those trees to rest and refresh -themselves, and the chief subject of their conversation was the -infidelity of their wives. - -They had not sat long, before they heard a frightful noise from the -sea, and a terrible cry, which filled them with fear; then, the sea -opening, there arose up something like a great black column, which -reached almost to the clouds. This redoubled their fear, made them -rise speedily, and climb up into a tree to hide themselves. They had -scarce got up, till looking to the place from whence the noise came, -and where the sea opened, they observed that the black column -advanced, winding about towards the shore, cleaving the water before -it. They could not at first think what it should be; but in a little -time they found that it was one of those malignant genii that are -mortal enemies to mankind, and are always doing them mischief. He -was black, frightful, had the shape of a giant, of a prodigious -stature, and carried on his head a great glass box, shut with four -locks of fine steel. He entered the meadow with his burden, which he -laid down just at the foot of the tree where the two princes were, -who looked upon themselves to be dead men. Meanwhile the genie sat -down by his box, and opening it with four keys that he had at his -girdle, there came out a lady magnificently apparelled, of a -majestic stature, and a complete beauty. The monster made her sit -down by him, and eying her with an amorous look, Lady, says he, nay, -most accomplished of all ladies who are admired for their beauty, my -charming mistress, whom I carried off on your wedding-day, and have -loved so constantly ever since, let me sleep a few moments by you; -for I found myself so very sleepy, that I came to this place to take -a little rest. Having spoken thus, he laid down his huge head upon -the lady’s knees, and stretching out his legs, which reached as -far as the sea, he fell asleep presently, and snored so that he made -the banks echo again. - -The lady happening at the same time to look up to the tree, saw the -two princes, and made a sign to them with her hand to come down -without making any noise. Their fear was extreme when they found -themselves discovered, and they prayed the lady, by other signs, to -excuse them; but she, after having laid the monster’s head softly -down on the ground, rose up and spoke to them with a low, but eager -voice, to come down to her; she would take no denial. They made -signs to her that they were afraid of the genie, and would fain have -been excused. Upon which she ordered them to come down, and if they -did not make haste, threatened to awake the genie, and bid him kill -them. - -These words did so much intimidate the princes, that they began to -come down with all possible precaution, lest they should awake the -genie. When they came down, the lady took them by the hand, and -going a little farther with them under the trees, made a very urgent -proposal to them. At first they rejected it, but she obliged them to -accept it by her threats. Having obtained what she desired, she -perceived that each of them had a ring on his finger, which she -demanded of them. As soon as she received them, she went and took a -box out of the bundle, where her toilet was, pulled out a string of -other rings of all sorts, which she showed them, and asked them if -they knew what those jewels meant. No, said they, we hope you will -be pleased to tell us. These are, replied she, the rings of all the -men to whom I have granted my favours. There are full fourscore and -eighteen of them, which I keep as tokens to remember them; and asked -your’s for the same reason, to make up the hundred. So that, -continued she, I have a hundred gallants already, notwithstanding -the vigilance of this wicked genie, who never leaves me. He may lock -me up in this glass box, and hide me in the bottom of the sea; I -find a way to cheat his care. You may see by this, that when a woman -has formed a project, there is no husband or lover that can hinder -her putting it into execution. Men had better not put their wives -under such restraint, as it only serves to teach them cunning. -Having spoken thus to them, she put their rings upon the same string -with the rest, and sitting down by the monster, as before, laid his -head again upon her lap, and made a sign for the princes to be gone. - -They returned immediately by the same way they came, and when they -were out of sight of the lady and genie, Schahriar says to -Schahzenan, Well, brother, what do you think of this adventure? Has -not the genie a very faithful mistress? And do not you agree that -there is no wickedness equal to that of woman? Yes, brother, answers -the king of Tartary; and you must also agree that the monster is -more unfortunate, and more to be pitied than we. Therefore, since we -have found what we sought for, let us return to our dominions, and -let not this hinder us from marrying. For my part, I know a method -by which to keep inviolable the fidelity that my wife owes me. I -will say no more of it at present, but you will hear of it in a -little time, and I am sure you will follow my example. The sultan -agreed with his brother; and continuing their journey, they arrived -in the camp the third night after they left it. - -The news of the sultan’s return being spread, the courtiers came -betimes in the morning before his pavilion, to wait on him. He -ordered them to enter, received them with a more pleasant air than -formerly, and gave each of them a present: after which he told them -he would go no farther, ordered them to take horse, and returned -speedily to his palace. - -As soon as he arrived, he ran to the sultaness’s apartment, -commanded her to be bound before him, and delivered her to his grand -vizier, with an order to strangle her, which was accordingly -executed by that minister without inquiring into her crime. The -enraged prince did not stop here, but cut off the heads of all the -sultaness’s ladies with his own hand. After this rigorous -punishment, being persuaded that no woman was chaste, he resolved, -in order to prevent the disloyalty of such as he should afterwards -marry, to wed one every night, and have her strangled next morning. -Having imposed this cruel law upon himself, he swore that he would -observe it immediately after the departure of the king of Tartary, -who speedily took leave of him, and being laden with magnificent -presents, set forward on his journey. - -Schahzenan being gone, Schahriar ordered his grand vizier to bring -him the daughter of one of his generals. The vizier obeyed; the -sultan lay with her, and putting her next morning into his hands -again, in order to be strangled, commanded him to get him another -next night. Whatever reluctance the vizier had to put such orders in -execution, as he owed blind obedience to the sultan his master, he -was forced to submit. He brought him then the daughter of a -subaltern, whom he also cut off next day. After her he brought a -citizen’s daughter; and, in a word, there was every day a maid -married, and a wife murdered. - -The rumour of this unparalleled barbarity, occasioned a general -consternation in the city, where there was nothing but crying and -lamentation. Here, a father in tears, and inconsolable for the loss -of his daughter! and there, tender mothers, dreading lest their -daughters should have the same fate, making the air to resound -beforehand with their groans: so that, instead of the commendations -and blessings which the sultan had hitherto received from his -subjects, their mouths were now filled with imprecations against him. - -The grand vizier, who, as has been already said, was the executioner -of this horrid injustice, against his will, had two daughters, the -eldest called Scheherazade, and the youngest Dinarzade. The latter -was a lady of very great merit; but the elder had courage, wit, and -penetration infinitely above her sex. She read much, and had such a -prodigious memory, that she never forgot any thing she had read. She -had successfully applied herself to philosophy, physic, history, and -the liberal arts; and for verse exceeded the best poets of her time. -Besides this, she was a perfect beauty, and all her fine -qualifications were crowned by solid virtue. - -The vizier passionately loved a daughter so worthy of his tender -affection; and one day, as they were discoursing together, she says -to him, Father, I have one favour to beg of you, and most humbly -pray you to grant it me. I will not refuse it, answers he, provided -it be just and reasonable. For the justice of it, says she, there -can be no question, and you may judge of it by the motive which -obliges me to demand it of you. I wish to stop the course of that -barbarity which the sultan exercises upon the families of this city. -I would dispel those unjust fears which so many mothers have of -losing their daughters in such a fatal manner. Your design, -daughter, replies the vizier, is very commendable; but the evil you -would remedy to me seems incurable; how do you pretend to effect it? ---Father, says Scheherazade, since by your means the sultan makes -every day a new marriage, I conjure you by the tender affection you -bear to me, to procure me the honour of his bed. The vizier could -not hear this without horror. O heavens! replied he, in a passion, -have you lost your senses, daughter, that you make such a dangerous -request to me? You know the sultan has sworn by his soul that he -will never lie above one night with the same woman, and to order her -to be killed next morning: and would you have me propose you to him? -Consider well to what your indiscreet zeal will expose you. --Yes, -dear father, replies the virtuous daughter, I know the risk I run; -but that does not frighten me. If I perish, my death will be -glorious; and if I succeed, I shall do my country an important piece -of service. No, no, says the vizier, whatever you can represent to -engage me to let you throw yourself into that horrible danger, do -not think that ever I will agree to it. When the sultan shall order -me to strike my poinard into your heart, alas! I must obey him; and -what an employment is that for a father! Ah! if you do not fear -death, yet at least be afraid of occasioning me the mortal grief of -seeing my hand stained with your blood. Once more, father, says -Scheherazade, grant me the favour I beg. Your stubbornness, replies -the vizier, will make me angry; why will you run headlong to your -ruin? They that do not foresee the end of a dangerous enterprise, -can never bring it to a happy issue. I am afraid the same thing will -happen to you that happened to the ass, which was well, and could -not keep himself so. What misfortune befell the ass? replies -Scheherazade. I will tell you, says the vizier, if you will hear me. - - - - -FABLE. -The Ass, the Ox, and the Labourer. - - -A very wealthy merchant possessed several country-houses, where he -kept a large number of cattle of every kind. He retired with his -wife and family to one of these estates, in order to improve it -under his own direction. He had the gift of understanding the -language of beasts, but with this condition, that he should not, on -pain of death, interpret it to any one else. And this hindered him -from communicating to others what he learned by means of this -faculty. - -He kept in the same stall an ox and an ass. One day as he sat near -them, and was amusing himself in looking at his children who were -playing about him, he heard the ox say to the ass, Sprightly, O! how -happy do I think you, when I consider the ease you enjoy, and the -little labour that is required of you. You are carefully rubbed down -and washed, you have well-dressed corn, and fresh clean water. Your -greatest business is to carry the merchant, our master, when he has -any little journey to make, and were it not for that you would be -perfectly idle. I am treated in a very different manner, and my -condition is as deplorable as yours is fortunate. Daylight no sooner -appears than I am fastened to a plough, and made to work till night, -which so fatigues me, that sometimes my strength entirely fails. -Besides, the labourer, who is always behind me, beats me -continually. By drawing the plough, my tail is all fleaed; and in -short, after having laboured from morning to night, when I am -brought in they give me nothing to eat but sorry dry beans, not so -much as cleansed from dirt, or other food equally bad; and to -heighten my misery, when I have filled my belly with such ordinary -stuff, I am forced to lie all night in my own dung; so that you see -I have reason to envy your lot. - -The ass did not interrupt the ox; but when he had concluded, -answered, They that called you a foolish beast did not lie. You are -too simple; you suffer them to conduct you whither they please, and -show no manner of resolution. In the mean time, what advantage do -you reap from all the indignities you suffer? You kill yourself for -the ease, pleasure, and profit of those who give you no thanks for -your service. But they would not treat you so, if you had as much -courage as strength. When they come to fasten you to the stall, why -do you not resist? why do you not gore them with your horns, and -show that you are angry, by striking your foot against the ground? -And, in short, why do you not frighten them by bellowing aloud? -Nature has furnished you with means to command respect; but you do -not use them. They bring you sorry beans and bad straw; eat none of -them; only smell and then leave them. If you follow my advice, you -will soon experience a change, for which you will thank me. - -The ox took the ass’s advice in very good part, and owned he was -much obliged to him. Dear Sprightly, added he, I will not fail to do -as you direct, and you shall see how I will acquit myself. Here -ended their conversation, of which the merchant lost not a word. - -Early the next morning the labourer went for the ox. He fastened him -to the plough, and conducted him to his usual work. The ox, who had -not forgotten the ass’s counsel, was very troublesome and -untowardly all that day, and in the evening, when the labourer -brought him back to the stall, and began to fasten him, the -malicious beast, instead of presenting his head willingly as he used -to do, was restive, and drew back bellowing; and then made at the -labourer, as if he would have gored him with his horns. In a word, -he did all the ass had advised him. The day following, the labourer -came as usual, to take the ox to his labour; but finding the stall -full of beans, the straw that he had put in the night before not -touched, and the ox lying on the ground with his legs stretched out -and panting in a strange manner, he believed him to be unwell and -pitied him, and thinking that it was not proper to take him to work, -went immediately and acquainted his master with his condition. The -merchant perceiving that the ox had followed all the mischievous -advice of the ass, determined to punish the latter, and accordingly -ordered the labourer to go and put him in the ox’s place, and to -be sure to work him hard. The labourer did as he was desired. The -ass was forced to draw the plough all that day, which fatigued him -so much the more, as he was not accustomed to that kind of labour; -besides, he had been so soundly beaten, that he could scarcely stand -when he came back. - -Meanwhile, the ox was mightily pleased; he ate up all that was in -the stall, and rested himself the whole day. He rejoiced that he had -followed the ass’s advice, blessed him a thousand times for the -kindness he had done him, and did not fail to express his obligation -when the ass had returned. The ass made no reply, so vexed was he at -the ill-treatment he had received; but he said within himself, It is -by my own imprudence I have brought this misfortune upon myself. I -lived happily, every thing smiled upon me; I had all that I could -wish; it is my own fault that I am brought to this miserable -condition; and if I cannot contrive some way to get out of it, I am -certainly undone. As he spoke, his strength was so much exhausted -that he fell down in his stall, as if he had been half dead. - -Here the grand vizier addressed himself to Scheherazade, and said, -Daughter, you act just like this ass; you will expose yourself to -destruction by your erroneous policy. Take my advice, remain quiet, -and do not seek to hasten your death. Father, replied Scheherazade, -the example you have set before me will not induce me to change my -resolution. I will never cease importuning you until you present me -to the sultan as his bride. The vizier, perceiving that she -persisted in her demand, replied, Alas! then, since you will -continue obstinate, I shall be obliged to treat you in the same -manner as the merchant whom I before referred to, treated his wife a -short time after. - -The merchant understanding that the ass was in a lamentable -condition, was desirous of knowing what passed between him and the -ox, therefore, after supper he went out by moonlight, and sat down -by them, his wife bearing him company. After his arrival, he heard -the ass say to the ox, Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what you intend -to do to-morrow, when the labourer brings you meat? What will I do! -replied the ox, I will continue to act as you taught me. I will draw -back from him and threaten him with my horns, as I did yesterday: I -will feign myself ill, and at the point of death. Beware of that, -replied the ass, it will ruin you; for as I came home this evening, -I heard the merchant, our master, say something that makes me -tremble for you. Alas! what did you hear? demanded the ox; as you -love me, withhold nothing from me, my dear Sprightly. Our master, -replied the ass, addressed himself thus to the labourer: Since the -ox does not eat and is not able to work, I would have him killed -to-morrow, and we will give his flesh as an alms to the poor for -God’s sake; as for the skin that will be of use to us, and I would -have you give it the currier to dress; therefore be sure to send for -the butcher. This is what I had to tell you, said the ass. The -interest I feel in your preservation, and my friendship for you, -obliged me to make it known to you, and to give you new advice. As -soon as they bring you your bran and straw, rise up, and eat -heartily. Our master will by this think that you are recovered, and -no doubt will recall his orders for killing you; but, if you act -otherwise, you will certainly he slaughtered. - -This discourse had the effect which the ass designed. The ox was -greatly alarmed, and bellowed for fear. The merchant, who heard the -conversation very attentively, fell into a loud fit of laughter. His -wife was greatly surprised, and asked, Pray, husband, tell me what -you laugh at so heartily, that I may laugh with you. Wife, replied -he, you must content yourself with hearing me laugh. No, returned -she, I will know the reason. I cannot afford you that satisfaction, -answered he, and can only inform you that I laugh at what our ass -just now said to the ox. The rest is a secret, which I am not -allowed to reveal. What, demanded she, hinders you from revealing -the secret? If I tell it you, replied he, I shall forfeit my life. -You only jeer me, cried his wife; what you would have me believe -cannot be true. If you do not directly satisfy me as to what you -laugh at, and tell me what the ox and the ass said to one another, I -swear by heaven that you and I shall never bed together again. - -Having spoken thus, she went into the house, and seating herself in -a corner, cried there all night. Her husband lay alone, and finding -next morning that she continued in the same humour, told her, she -was very foolish to afflict herself in that manner; that the thing -was not worth so much; that it concerned her very little to know, -while it was of the utmost consequence to him to keep the secret: -therefore, continued he, I conjure you to think no more of it. I -shall still think so much of it, replied she, as never to forbear -weeping till you have satisfied my curiosity. But I tell you very -seriously, answered he, that it will cost me my life if I yield to -your indiscreet solicitations. Let what will happen, said she, I do -insist upon it. I perceive, resumed the merchant, that it is -impossible to bring you to reason, and since I foresee that you will -occasion your own death by your obstinacy, I will call in your -children, that they may see you before you die. Accordingly he -called for them, and sent for her father and mother, and other -relations. When they were come, and heard the reason of their being -summoned, they did all they could to convince her that she was in -the wrong, but to no purpose: she told them that she would rather -die than yield that point to her husband. Her father and mother -spoke to her, and told her that what she desired to know was of no -importance to her; but they could produce no effect upon her, either -by their authority or entreaties. When her children saw that nothing -would prevail to draw her out of that sullen temper, they wept -bitterly. The merchant himself was half frantic, and almost ready to -risk his own life to save that of his wife, whom he sincerely loved. - -Now, my daughter, continued the vizier to Scheherazade, this -merchant had fifty hens, and one cock, with a dog, that gave good -heed to all that passed. While the merchant was, as I said, -considering what he had best do, he saw his dog run towards the cock -as he was treading a hen, and heard him say to him: Cock, I am sure -heaven will not let you live long; are you not ashamed to act thus -to-day? The cock standing up on tiptoe, answered fiercely: and why -not to-day as well as other days? If you do not know, replied the -dog, then I will tell you, that this day our master is in great -perplexity. His wife would have him reveal a secret which is of such -a nature, that the disclosure would cost him his life. Things are -come to that pass, that it is to be feared he will scarcely have -resolution enough to resist his wife’s obstinacy; for he loves -her, and is affected by the tears she continually sheds. We are all -alarmed at his situation, while you only insult our melancholy, and -have the impudence to divert yourself with your hens. - -The cock answered the dog’s reproof thus: What, has our master so -little sense? he has but one wife, and cannot govern her, and though -I have fifty I make them all do what I please. Let him use his -reason, he will soon find a way to get rid of his trouble. How? -demanded the dog; what would you have him to do? Let him go into the -room where his wife is, resumed the cock, lock the door, and take a -stick and thrash her well; and I will answer for it, that will bring -her to her senses, and make her forbear to importune him to discover -what he ought not to reveal. The merchant had no sooner heard what -the cock said, than he took up a stick, went to his wife whom he -found still crying, and shutting the door, belaboured her so -soundly, that she cried out “Enough, husband, enough, forbear, and -I will never ask the question more.” Upon this, perceiving that -she repented of her impertinent curiosity, he desisted; and opening -the door her friends came in, were glad to find her cured of her -obstinacy, and complimented her husband upon this happy expedient to -bring his wife to reason. Daughter, added the grand vizier, you -deserve to be treated as the merchant treated his wife. - -Father, replied Scheherazade, I beg you would not take it ill that I -persist in my opinion. I am nothing moved by the story of this -woman. I could relate many, to persuade you that you ought not to -oppose my design. Besides, pardon me for declaring, that your -opposition is vain, for if your paternal affection should hinder you -from granting my request, I will go and offer myself to the sultan. -In short, the father, being overcome by the resolution of his -daughter, yielded to her importunity, and though he was much grieved -that he could not divert her from so fatal a resolution, he went -instantly to acquaint the sultan, that next night he would bring him -Scheherazade. - -The sultan was much surprised at the sacrifice which the grand -vizier proposed to make. How could you, says he, resolve to bring me -your own daughter? Sir, answered the vizier, it is her own offer. -The sad destiny that awaits her could not intimidate her; she -prefers the honour of being your majesty’s wife for one night, to -her life. But do not act under a mistake, vizier, said the sultan; -to-morrow when I place Scheherazade in your hands, I expect you will -put her to death; and if you fail, I swear that your own life shall -answer. Sir, rejoined the vizier, my heart without doubt will be -full of grief to execute your commands; but it is to no purpose for -nature to murmur. Though I am her father, I will answer for the -fidelity of my hand to obey your order. Schahriar accepted his -minister’s offer, and told him he might bring his daughter when he -pleased. - -The grand vizier went with the intelligence to Scheherazade, who -received it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable -information she could have received. She thanked her father for -having so greatly obliged her; and perceiving that he was -overwhelmed with grief, told him, for his consolation, that she -hoped he would never repent of having married her to the sultan; and -that, on the contrary, he should have reason to rejoice at his -compliance all his days. - -Her business now was to adorn herself to appear before the sultan; -but before she went, she took her sister Dinarzade apart, and said -to her, My dear sister, I have need of your assistance in a matter -of great importance, and must pray you not to deny it me. My father -is going to conduct me to the sultan: do not let this alarm you, but -hear me with patience. As soon as I am in his presence, I will pray -him to allow you to lie in the bride-chamber, that I may enjoy your -company this one night more. If I obtain that favour, as I hope to -do, remember to awake me to-morrow an hour before day, and to -address me in these or some such words, “My sister, if you be not -asleep. I pray you that till day-break, which will be very shortly, -you will relate to me one of the entertaining stories of which you -have read so many.” I will immediately tell you one; and I hope by -this means to deliver the city from the consternation it is under at -present. Dinarzade answered that she would with pleasure act as she -required her. - -The grand vizier conducted Scheherazade to the palace, and retired, -after having introduced her into the sultan’s apartment. As soon -as the sultan was left alone with her, he ordered her to uncover her -face; he found her so beautiful, that he was perfectly charmed; but -perceiving her to be in tears, demanded the reason. Sir, answered -Scheherazade. I have a sister who loves me tenderly, and I could -wish that she might be allowed to pass the night in this chamber, -that I might see her, and once more bid her adieu. Will you be -pleased to allow me the consolation of giving her this last -testimony of my affection? Schahriar having consented, Dinarzade was -sent for, who came with all possible expedition. - -An hour before day, Dinarzade failed not to do as her sister had -ordered. My dear sister, cried she, if you be not asleep, I pray -that until day-break, which will be very shortly, you will tell me -one of those pleasant stories you have read. Alas! this may perhaps -be the last time that I shall enjoy that pleasure. - -Scheherazade, instead of answering her sister, addressed herself to -the sultan; Sir, will your majesty be pleased to allow me to afford -my sister this satisfaction? With all my heart, replied the sultan. -Scheherazade then bade her sister attend, and afterwards addressing -herself to Schahriar, proceeded as follows. - - - - -FIRST NIGHT. - -The Merchant and the Genii. - - -Sir, --There was formerly a merchant, who had a great estate in -lands, goods, and money. He had abundance of deputies, factors, and -slaves. He was obliged from time to time to take journeys, and talk -with his correspondents: and one day, being under a necessity of -going a long journey, about an affair of importance, he took horse, -and put a portmanteau behind him, with some biscuits and dates, -because he had a great desert to pass over, where he could have no -manner of provisions. He arrived, without any accident, at the end -of his journey; and having dispatched his affairs, took horse again, -in order to return home. - -The fourth day of his journey, he was so much incommoded by the heat -of the sun, and the reflection of that heat from the earth, that he -turned out of the road, to refresh himself under some trees, that he -saw in the country. There he found, at the foot of a great walnut -tree, a fountain of very clear running water; and alighting, tied -his horse to a branch of a tree, and sitting down by the fountain, -took some biscuits and dates out of his portmanteau; and as he ate -his dates, threw the shells about on both sides of him. When he had -done eating, being a good Mussulman, he washed his hands, his face, -and his feet, and said his prayers. He had not made an end, but was -still on his knees, when he saw a genie appear, all white with age, -and of a monstrous bulk; who, advancing towards him with a scimitar -in his hand, spoke to him in a terrible voice thus: Rise up, that I -may kill thee with this scimitar, as you have killed my son; and -accompanied those words with a frightful cry. The merchant, being as -much frightened at the hideous shape of the monster as at those -threatening words, answered him, trembling, Alas, my good lord, of -what crime can I be guilty towards you, that you should take away my -life? I will, replies the genie, kill thee, as thou hast killed my -son. O, heaven! says the merchant, how should I kill your son? I did -not know him, nor ever saw him. Did not you sit down when you came -hither? replies the genie. Did not you take dates out of your -portmanteau, and, as you ate them, did not you throw the shells -about on both sides? I did all that you say, answers the merchant; I -cannot deny it. If it be so, replied the genie, I tell thee that -thou hast killed my son; and the way was thus: when you threw the -nutshells about, my son was passing by, and you threw one of them -into his eye, which killed him, and therefore I must kill thee. Ah! -my lord, pardon me, cried the merchant. No pardon, answers the -genie, no mercy: is it not just to kill him that has killed another? -I agree to it, says the merchant, but certainly I never killed your -son; and if I have, it was unknown to me, and I did it innocently; -therefore I beg you to pardon me, and suffer me to live. No, no, -says the genie, persisting in his resolution; I must kill thee, -since thou hast killed my son; and then, taking the merchant by the -arm, threw him with his face upon the ground, and lifted up his -scimitar to cut off his head. - -The merchant, all in tears, protested he was innocent, bewailed his -wife and children, and spoke to the genie in the most moving -expressions that could be uttered. The genie, with his scimitar -still lifted up, had so much patience as to hear the wretch make an -end of his lamentations, but would not relent. All this whining, -says the monster, is to no purpose; though you should shed tears of -blood, that shall not hinder me from killing thee, as thou hast -killed my son. Why, replied the merchant, can nothing prevail with -you? Will you absolutely take away the life of a poor innocent? Yes, -replied the genie, I am resolved upon it. As she had spoken these -words, perceiving it was day, and knowing that the sultan rose -betimes in the morning to say his prayers, and hold his council, -Scheherazade held her peace. Lord! sister, says Dinarzade, what a -wonderful story is this! The remainder of it, says Scheherazade, is -more surprising; and you will be of my mind, if the sultan will let -me live this day, and permit me to tell it you the next night. -Schahriar, who had listened to Scheherazade with pleasure, says to -himself, I will stay till to-morrow, for I can at any time put her -to death, when she has made an end of her story. So, having resolved -not to take away Scheherazade’s life that day, he rose, and went -to his prayers, and then called his council. - -[Illustration: THE MERCHANT AND GENIUS.] - -All this while the grand vizier was terribly uneasy. Instead of -sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and groans, bewailing the loss -of his daughter, of whom he believed that he himself should be the -executioner. And as, in this melancholy prospect, he was afraid of -seeing the sultan, he was agreeably surprised when he saw the prince -enter the council chamber, without giving him the fatal orders he -expected. - -The sultan, according to his custom, spent the day in regulating his -affairs; and when night came, he went to bed with Scheherazade. Next -morning, before day, Dinarzade failed not to address herself to her -sister thus: My dear sister, if you be not asleep, I pray you, till -day-break, which must be in a very little time, to go on with the -story you began last night. The sultan, without staying till -Scheherazade asked him leave, bid her make an end of the story of -the genie and the merchant, for I long to hear the issue of it. Upon -which Scheherazade spoke, and continued the story, as follows: - - - - -SECOND NIGHT. - - -When the merchant saw that the genie was going to cut off his head, -he cried out aloud, and said to him, For heaven’s sake, hold your -hand! Allow me one word: be so good as to grant me some respite; -allow me but time to bid my wife and children adieu, and to divide -my estate among them by will, that they may not go to law with one -another, after my death; and when I have done so, I will come back -to the same place, and submit to whatever you shall please to order -concerning me. But, says the genie, if I grant you the time you -demand, I doubt you will never return. If you will believe my oath, -answers the merchant, I swear by all that is sacred that I will come -and meet you here without fail. What time do you demand then? -replies the genie. I ask a year, says the merchant; I cannot have -less to order my affairs, and to prepare myself to die without -regret. But I promise you, that this day twelvemonths I will return -under those trees, to put myself into your hands. Do you take heaven -to be witness to this promise? says the genie. I do, answers the -merchant, and repeat it, and you may rely upon my oath. Upon this, -the genie left him near the fountain, and disappeared. - -The merchant, being recovered from his fright, mounted his horse, -and set forward on his journey; and as he was glad, on the one hand, -that he had escaped so great a danger, so he was mortally sorry, on -the other, when he thought on his fatal oath. When he came home, his -wife and children received him with all the demonstrations of -perfect joy; but he, instead of making them suitable returns, fell -to weeping bitterly; from whence they readily conjectured that -something extraordinary had befallen him. His wife asked the reason -of his excessive grief and tears: We are all overjoyed, says she, at -your return, but you frighten us to see you in this condition; pray -tell us the cause of your sorrow. Alas! replies the husband, the -cause of it is, that I have but a year to live; and then he told -what had passed between him and the genie, and that he had given him -his oath to return at the end of the year, to receive death from his -hands. - -When they had heard this sad news, they all began to lament -heartily. His wife made a pitiful outcry, beat her face, and tore -her hair. The children, all in tears, made the house resound with -their groans: and the father, not being able to overcome nature, -mingled his tears with theirs; so that, in a word, it was the most -affecting spectacle that any man could behold. - -Next morning, the merchant applied himself to put his affairs in -order, and, first of all, to pay his debts. He made presents to his -friends; gave great alms to the poor; set his slaves of both sexes -at liberty; divided his estate among his children; appointed -guardians for such of them as were not come of age; and, restoring -to his wife all that was due to her by contract of marriage, he gave -her, over and above, all that he could do by law. - -At last the year expired, and go he must. He put his burial clothes -in his portmanteau; but never was there such grief seen as when he -came to bid his wife and children adieu. They could not think of -parting, but resolved to go and die with him; but finding that he -must be forced to part with those dear objects, he spoke to them -thus: My dear wife and children, says he, I obey the order of Heaven -in quitting you; follow my example, submit courageously to this -necessity, and consider that it is the destiny of man to die. Having -said these words, he went out of the hearing of the cries of his -family; and taking his journey, arrived at the place where he -promised to meet the genie on the day appointed. He alighted, and -setting himself down by the fountain, waited the coming of the genie -with all the sorrow imaginable. Whilst he languished in this cruel -expectation, a good old man, leading a hind, appeared, and drew near -him. They saluted one another; after which the old man says to him, -Brother, may I ask you why you are come into this desert place, -where there is nothing but evil spirits, and by consequence you -cannot be safe? To look upon these fine trees, indeed, one would -think the place inhabited; but it is a true wilderness, where it is -not safe to stay long. - -The merchant satisfied his curiosity, and told him the adventure -which obliged him to be there. The old man listened to him with -astonishment, and when he had done, cried out, This is the most -surprising thing in the world; and you are bound with the most -inviolable oath; however, I will be witness of your interview with -the genie. And sitting down by the merchant, they talked together. -But I see day, says Scheherazade, and must leave off; yet the best -of the story is to come. The sultan, resolving to hear the end of -it, suffered her to live that day also. - - - - -THIRD NIGHT. - - -Next morning, Dinarzade made the same request to her sister as -formerly: My dear sister, says she, if you be not asleep, tell me -one of those pleasant stories that you have read. But the sultan, -willing to understand what followed between the merchant and the -genie, bid her go on with that, which she did, as follows: - -Sir, while the merchant, and the old man who led the hind, were -talking, they saw another old man coming to them, followed by two -black dogs. After they had saluted one another, he asked them what -they did in that place. The old man with the hind, told him the -adventure of the merchant and genie, with all that had passed -between them, particularly the merchant’s oath. He added, that it -was the day agreed on, and that he was resolved to stay and see the -issue. - -The second old man, thinking it also worth his curiosity, resolved -to do the like: he likewise sat down by them; and they had scarce -began to talk together, but there came a third old man, who -addressing himself to the two former, asked why the merchant that -sat with them looked so melancholy. They told him the reason of it, -which appeared so extraordinary to him, that he also resolved to be -witness to the result; and for that end sat down with them. - -In a little time, they perceived in the field a thick vapour, like a -cloud of dust raised by a whirlwind, advancing towards them, which -vanished all of a sudden, and then the genie appeared; who, without -saluting them, came up to the merchant with a drawn scimitar, and -taking him by the arm, says, Get thee up, that I may kill thee, as -thou didst my son. The merchant and the three old men, being -frightened, began to lament, and to fill the air with their cries. -Here Scheherazade, perceiving day, left off her story; which did so -much whet the sultan’s curiosity, that he was absolutely resolved -to hear the end of it, and put off the sultaness’s execution till -the next day. - -Nobody can express the grand vizier’s joy when he perceived that -the sultan did not order him to kill Scheherazade: his family, the -court, and all the people in general, were astonished at it. - - - - -FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Towards the end of the following night, Dinarzade failed not to -awake the sultaness. My dear sister, says she, if you be not asleep, -pray tell me one of your fine stories. Then Scheherazade, with the -sultan’s permission, spoke as follows: - -Sir, when the old man who led the hind saw the genie lay hold of the -merchant, and about to kill him without mercy, he threw himself at -the feet of the monster, and, kissing them, says to him, Prince of -genies, I most humbly request you to suspend your anger, and do me -the favour to hear me. I will tell you the history of my life, and -of the hind you see; and if you think it more wonderful and -surprising than the adventure of the merchant you are going to kill, -I hope you will pardon the poor unfortunate man the third of his -crime. The genie took some time to consult upon it, out answered at -last, Well, then, I agree to it. - -The History of the first Old Man, and the Hind. - -I shall begin, then, says the old man; listen to me, I pray you, -with attention. This hind you see is my cousin; nay, what is more, -my wife: she was only twelve years or age when I married her, so -that I may justly say, she ought as much to regard me as her father, -as her kinsman and husband. - -We lived together twenty years without any children; yet her -barrenness did not hinder my having a great deal of complaisance and -friendship for her. The desire of having children only made me buy a -slave, by whom I had a son, who was extremely promising. My wife -being jealous, conceived a hatred for both mother and child, but -concealed it so well, that I did not know it till it was too late. - -Mean time my son grew up, and was ten years old, when I was obliged -to undertake a journey. Before I went, I recommended to my wife, of -whom I had no mistrust, the slave and her son, and prayed her to -take care of them during my absence, which was for a whole year. She -made use of that time to satisfy her hatred; she applied herself to -magic, and when she knew enough of that diabolical art to execute -her horrible contrivance, the wretch carried my son to a desolate -place, where by her enchantments, she changed my son into a calf, -and gave him to my farmer to fatten, pretending she had bought him. -Her fury did not stop at this abominable action, but she likewise -changed the slave into a cow, and gave her also to my farmer. - -At my return, I asked for the mother and child: Your slave, says -she, is dead; and as for your son, I know not what has become of -him. I have not seen him these two months. I was troubled at the -death of the slave, but my son having only disappeared, as she told -me, I was in hopes he would return in a little time. However, eight -months passed, and I heard nothing of him. When the festival of the -great Bairam happened, to celebrate the same, I sent to my farmer -for one of the fattest cows, to sacrifice, and he sent me one -accordingly. The cow which he brought me was my slave, the -unfortunate mother of my son. I tied her, but as I was going to -sacrifice her, she bellowed pitifully, and I could perceive streams -of tears run from her eyes. This seemed to me very extraordinary; -and finding myself, in spite of all I could do, inspired with pity, -I could not find in my heart to give her a blow, but ordered my -farmer to get me another. - -My wife, who was present, was enraged at my compassion, and, -opposing herself to an order which disappointed her malice, she -cries out, What are you doing, husband? Sacrifice that cow: your -farmer has not a finer, nor one fitter for that use. Out of -complaisance to my wife, I came again to the cow, and, combating my -compassion, which suspended the sacrifice, was going to give her the -fatal blow, when the victim, redoubling her tears and bellowing, -disarmed me a second time. Then I put the mallet into the farmer’s -hands, and bid him take and sacrifice her himself, for her tears and -bellowing pierced my heart. - -The farmer, less compassionate than I, sacrificed her; and when he -flayed her, found her to be nothing but bones, though to us she -seemed very fat. Take her to yourself, says I to the farmer, I quit -her to you; give her in alms, or which way you will; and if you have -a very fat calf, bring it me in her stead. I did not inform myself -what he did with the cow; but, soon after he took her away, he came -with a very fat calf. Though I knew not the calf was my son, yet I -could not forbear being moved at the sight of him. On his part, as -soon as he saw me, he made so great an effort to come to me, that he -broke his cord, threw himself at my feet, with his head against the -ground, as if he meant to excite my compassion, conjuring me not to -be so cruel as to take his life; and did as much as was possible for -him to do, to signify that he was my son. - -I was more surprised and affected with this action, than with the -tears of the cow; I felt a tender pity, which made me interest -myself for him, or, rather, nature did its duty. Go, says I to the -farmer, carry home that calf, take great care of him, and bring me -another in his place immediately. - -As soon as my wife heard me say so, she immediately cried out, What -do you do, husband? Take my advice, sacrifice no other calf but -that. Wife, says I, I will not sacrifice him; I will spare him, and -pray do not you oppose it. The wicked woman had no regard to my -desire; she hated my son too much to consent that I should save him. -I tied the poor creature, and taking up the fatal knife --Here -Scheherazade stopped, because she perceived daylight. - -Then Dinarzade said, Sister, I am enchanted with this story, which -so agreeably calls for my attention. If the sultan will suffer me to -live to-day, answers Scheherazade, what I have to tell to-morrow -will divert you abundantly more. Schahriar, curious to know what -would become of the old man’s son that led the hind, told the -sultaness he would be very glad to hear the end of that story next -night. - - - - -FIFTH NIGHT. - - -When day began to draw near, Dinarzade put her sister’s orders in -execution very exactly, who, being awaked, prayed the sultan to -allow her to give Dinarzade that satisfaction; which the prince, who -took so much pleasure in the story himself, willingly agreed to. - -Sir, then, says Scheherazade, the first old man who lead the hind, -continuing his story to the genie, to the other two old men, and the -merchant, proceeded thus: I took the knife, says he, and was going -to strike it into my son’s throat; when turning his eyes bathed -with tears, in a languishing manner towards me, he affected me so -that I had no strength to sacrifice him, but let the knife fall, and -told my wife positively that I would have another calf to sacrifice, -and not that. She used all endeavours to make me change my -resolution; but I continued firm, and pacified her a little, by -promising that I would sacrifice him against the Bairam next year. - -Next morning my farmer desired to speak with me alone, and told me, -I come, says he, to tell you a piece of news, for which I hope you -will return me thanks. I have a daughter that has some skill in -magic. Yesterday, as I carried back the calf which you would not -sacrifice, I perceived she laughed when she saw him, and in a moment -after fell a weeping. I asked her why she acted two such contrary -parts at one and the same time. Father, replied she, the calf you -bring back is our landlord’s son: I laughed for joy to see him -still alive, and I wept at the remembrance of the sacrifice that was -made the other day of his mother, who was changed into a cow. These -two metamorphoses were made by the enchantments of our master’s -wife, who hated both the mother and son. This is what my daughter -told me, said the farmer, and I come to acquaint you with it. - -At these words, the old man adds, I leave you to think, my lord -genie, how much I was surprised: I went immediately to my farmer, to -speak with his daughter myself. As soon as I came, I went forthwith -to the stall where my son was: he could not answer my embraces, but -received them in such a manner as fully satisfied me he was my son. - -The former’s daughter came: My good maid, says I, can you restore -my son to his former shape? Yes, says she, I can. Ah! says I, if you -can, I will make you mistress of all my fortune. She replied to me, -smiling, You are our master, and I know very well what I owe to you; -but I cannot restore your son into his former shape but on two -conditions: the first is, that you give him me for my husband; and -the second is, that you allow me to punish the person who changed -him into a calf. For the first, says I, I agree to it with all my -heart; nay, I promise you more --a considerable estate for yourself, -independent of what I design for my son: in a word, you shall see -how I will reward the great service I expect from you. As to what -relates to my wife, I also agree to it; a person who has been -capable of committing such a criminal action deserves very well to -be punished: I leave her to you, only I must pray you not to take -her life. I am just going then, answers she, to treat her as she has -treated your son. I agree to it, says I, provided you restore my son -to me beforehand. - -Then the damsel took a vessel full of water, pronounced over it -words that I did not understand, and, addressing herself to the -calf, O, calf, says she, if thou wast created by the almighty and -sovereign Master of the World such as you appear at this time, -continue in that form; but, if thou be a man, and art changed into a -calf by enchantment, return to thy natural shape, by the permission -of the sovereign Creator. As she spoke these words, she threw water -upon him, and in an instant, he recovered his first shape. - -My son, my dear son, cried I, immediately embracing him, with such a -transport of joy that I knew not what I was doing: it is Heaven that -has sent us this young maid, to take off the horrible charm by which -you were enchanted, and to avenge the injury done to you and your -mother. I doubt not but, in acknowledgment, you will take your -deliverer to wife, as I have promised. He consented to it with joy: -but, before they married, she changed my wife into a hind; and this -is she whom you see here. I desired she should have this shape, -rather than another less agreeable, that we might see her in the -family without horror. - -Since that time, my son is become a widower, and gone to travel; -and, it being several years since I heard of him, I am come abroad -to inquire after him; and not being willing to trust any body with -my wife till I should come home, I thought fit to carry her every -where with me. This is the history of myself and this hind: is it -not one of the most wonderful and surprising that can be? --I agree -to it, says the genie, and upon that account I forgive the merchant -the third of his crime. - -When the first old man, sir, continued the sultaness, had finished -his story, the second, who led the two black dogs, addressed himself -to the genie, and says to him: I am going to tell you what happened -to me and those two black dogs you see by me, and I am certain you -will say that my story is yet more surprising than that which you -have just now heard; but, when I have told it you, I hope you will -be pleased to pardon the merchant the second third of his crime. -Yes, replies the genie, provided your story surpass that of the -hind. Then the second old man began in this manner. But, as -Scheherazade pronounced these words, she saw it was day, and left -off speaking. - -O, heaven! sister, says Dinarzade, these adventures are very -singular. Sister, replies the sultaness, they are not comparable to -those which I have to tell you next night, if the sultan, my lord -and master, be so good as to let me live. Schahriar answered nothing -to that; but rose up, said his prayers, and went to council, without -giving any order against the life of the charming Scheherazade. - - - - -SIXTH NIGHT. - - -The sixth night being come, the sultan and his lady went to bed. -Dinarzade awaked at the usual hour, and, calling to the sultaness, -says, Dear sister, if you be not asleep, I pray you, until it be -day, to satisfy my curiosity: I am impatient to hear the story of -the old man and the two black dogs. The sultan consented to it with -pleasure, being no less desirous to know the story than Dinarzade; -and Scheherazade continued it as follows: - - - - -The Story of the second Old Man and the two Black Dogs. - - -Great prince of genii, says the old man, you must know that we are -three brothers, I and the two black dogs you see. Our father, when -he died, left each of us one thousand sequins. With that sum we all -entered into the same way of living, and became merchants. A little -time after we had opened shop, my eldest brother, one of these two -dogs, resolved to travel, and trade in foreign countries. With this -view, he sold his estate, and bought goods proper for the trade he -intended. - -He went away, and was absent a whole year; at the end of which, a -poor man, who I thought had come to ask alms, presented himself -before me in my shop. I said to him, God help you. God help you -also, answered he: is it possible you do not know me? Upon this I -looked at him narrowly, and knew him. Ah, brother, cried I, -embracing him, how could I know you in this condition? I made him -come into my house, and asked him concerning his health and the -success of his travels. Do not ask me that question, says he: when -you see me, you see all: it would only renew my grief to tell you -all the particulars of the misfortunes that have befallen me, and -reduced me to this condition, since I left you. - -I immediately shut up my shop, and carrying him to a bath, gave him -the best clothes I had by me; and, examining my books, and finding -that I had doubled my stock, that is to say, that I was worth two -thousand sequins, I gave him one half: With that, says I, brother, -you may make up your loss. He joyfully accepted the proffer, -recovered himself, and we lived together as before. - -Some time after, my second brother, who is the other of these two -dogs, would also sell his estate. I, and his other brother, did all -we could to divert him from it, but without effect. He sold it, and -with the money bought such goods as were suitable to the trade he -designed. He joined a caravan, and took a journey. He returned, at -the end of the year, in the same condition as my other brother; and -I, having gained another thousand sequins, gave him them, with which -he furnished his shop, and continued to follow his trade. - -Some time after, one of my brothers came to me to propose a trading -voyage with them. I immediately rejected their proposal. You have -travelled, says I, and what have you gained by it? Who can assure me -that I shall be more successful than you have been. They represented -to me, in vain, all that they thought fit, to prevail upon me to -engage in that design with them, for I constantly refused: but they -importuned me so much, that after having resisted their -solicitations five whole years, they overcame me at last. But, when -we were to make preparations for our voyage, and to buy goods -necessary to the undertaking, I found they had spent all, and that -they had not one farthing left of the thousand sequins I had given -each of them. I did not, however, upbraid them in the least. On the -contrary, my stock being six thousand sequins, I shared the half of -it with them, telling them, My brothers, we must venture these three -thousand sequins, and hide the rest in some sure place; that, in -case our voyage be no more successful than your’s was formerly, we -may have wherewith to assist us, and to follow our ancient way of -living. I gave each of them a thousand sequins, and, keeping as much -for myself, I buried the other three thousand in a corner of my -house. We bought our goods, and, after having embarked them on board -of a vessel, which we freighted betwixt us three, we put to sea, -with a favourable wind. After a month’s sail --But I see day, says -Scheherazade; I must stop here. - -Sister, says Dinarzade, this story promises a great deal; I fancy -the rest of it must be very extraordinary. You are not mistaken, -says the sultaness; and, if the sultan will allow me to tell it you, -I am persuaded, it will very much divert you. Schahriar got up, as -he did the day before, without explaining his mind, but gave no -order to the grand vizier to kill his daughter. - - - - -SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -When the seventh night drew near a close, Dinarzade awaked the -sultaness, and prayed her to continue the story of the second old -man. I will, answered Scheherazade, provided the sultan, my lord and -master, does not oppose it. Not at all, says Schahriar; I am so far -from opposing it, that I desire you earnestly to go on with it. - -To resume the thread of the story, says Scheherazade, you must know, -that the old man who led the two dogs, continued his story to the -genie, the other two old men, and the merchant, thus: In short, says -he, after two months’ sail, we arrived happily at port, where we -landed and had a very great vent for our goods. I, especially, sold -mine so well, that I gamed ten to one, and we bought commodities of -that country, to transport and sell in our own. - -When we were ready to embark, in order to return, I met upon the -bank of the sea a lady, handsome enough, but poorly clad. She came -up to me presently, kissed my hand, prayed me, with the greatest -earnestness imaginable, to marry her, and take her along with me. I -made some difficulty to agree to it; but she said so many things to -persuade me that I ought to make no objection to her poverty, and -that I should have all the reason in the world to be satisfied with -her conduct, that I yielded. I ordered proper apparel to be made for -her; and after having married her, according to form, I took her on -board, and we set sail. During the navigation, I found the wife I -had taken had so many good qualities, that I loved her every day -more and more. In the mean time, my two brothers, who had not -managed their affairs so well as I did mine, envied my prosperity; -and their fury carried them so far as to conspire against my life; -so that, one night, when my wife and I were asleep, they threw us -both into the sea. - -My wife was a fairy, and, by consequence, a genie, you know well she -could not be drowned; but for me, it is certain I had been lost -without her help. I had scarce fallen into the water when she took -me up, and carried me to an island. When it was day, the fairy said -to me, You see, husband, that, by saving your life, I have not -rewarded you ill for your kindness to me. You must know, that I am a -fairy, and that, being upon the bank of the sea when you were going -to embark, I found I had a strong inclination for you: I had a mind -to try your goodness, and presented myself before you in that -disguise wherein you saw me. You have dealt very generously with me, -and I am very glad to have found an opportunity of testifying my -acknowledgment to you. But I am incensed against your brothers, and -nothing will satisfy me but their lives. - -I listened to this discourse of the fairy with admiration; I thanked -her, as well as I could, for the great kindness she had done me: -but, madam, says I, as for my brothers, I beg you to pardon them; -whatever cause they have given me, I am not cruel enough to desire -their death. I told her the particulars of what I had done for them, -which increased her indignation so that she cried out, I must -immediately pursue those ungrateful traitors, and take speedy -vengeance on them: I will drown their vessel, and throw them into -the bottom of the sea. No, my good lady, replied I, for Heaven’s -sake, do not so; moderate your anger; consider that they are my -brothers, and that we must do good for evil. - -I pacified the fairy by those words; and, as soon as I had spoken -them, she transported me, in a moment, from the island where we were -to the roof of my own house, which was terrassed, and disappeared in -a moment. I went down, opened the doors, and dug up the three -thousand sequins I had hid. I went afterwards to the place where my -shop was, which I also opened; and was complimented by the -merchants, my neighbours, upon my return. When I went to my house, I -perceived two black dogs, which came to me in a very submissive -manner: I knew not what it meant, but was much astonished at it. But -the fairy, who appeared immediately, says to me, husband, be not -surprised to see these two black dogs by you; they are your two -brothers. I was troubled at these words, and asked her by what power -they were so transformed. It was I who did it, says she; at least, I -gave commission to one of my sisters to do it, who at the same time -sunk their ship. You have lost the goods you had on board, but I -will make it up to you another way. As to your two brothers, I have -condemned them to remain five years in that shape: their -perfidiousness too well deserves such a penance. And, in short, -after having told me where I might hear of her, she disappeared. - -Now, the five years being out, I am travelling in quest of her; and, -as I passed this way, I met this merchant and the good old man that -led the hind, and sat down by them. This is my history, O prince of -genii! do not you think it very extraordinary? I own it, says the -genie; and, upon that account, I remit the merchant the second third -of the crime which he committed against me. - -As soon as the second old man had finished his story, the third -began, and made the like request of the genie with the two first; -that is to say, to pardon the merchant the other third of his crime, -provided the story he had to tell him exceeded the two he had -already heard for singular events. The genie made him the same -promise as he had done the other two. Hearken, then, says the old -man to him --but day appears, says Scheherazade; I must stop here. - -I cannot enough admire, sister, says Dinarzade, the adventures you -have told me. I know abundance more, says the sultaness, that are -still more wonderful. Schahriar, willing to know if the story of the -third old man would be as agreeable as that of the second, put off -the execution of Scheherazade till the next day. - - - - -EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -As soon as Dinarzade perceived it was time to call the sultaness, -she says, sister, I have been awake a long time, and had a great -mind to awake you, I am so impatient to hear the story of the third -old man. The sultan answered, I can hardly think that the third -story will surpass the two former ones. - -Sir, replies the sultaness, the third old man told his story to the -genie: I cannot tell it to you, because it is not come to my -knowledge; but I know that it did so much exceed the two former -stories, in the variety of wonderful adventures, that the genie was -astonished at it, and no sooner heard the end of it, but he said to -the third old man, I remit the other third part of the merchant’s -crime upon the account of your story. He is very much obliged to all -three of you for having delivered him out of this danger, by your -stories, without which he had not now been in the world. And, having -spoke thus, he disappeared to the great contentment of the company. - -The merchant failed not to give his three deliverers the thanks he -owed them. They rejoiced to see him out of danger; after which they -bade him adieu, and each of them went on his way. The merchant -returned to his wife and children, and passed the rest of his days -with them in peace. But, sir, added Scheherazade, now pleasant -soever these stories may be, that I have told your majesty hitherto, -they do not come near that of the fisherman. Dinarzade, perceiving -that the sultaness demurred, says to her, sister, since there is -still some time remaining, pray tell us the story of the fisherman, -if the sultan is willing. Schahriar agreed to it; and Scheherazade, -resuming her discourse, pursued it in this manner: - - - - -The Story of the Fisherman. - - -Sir --There was a very ancient fisherman, so poor, that he could -scarce earn enough to maintain himself, his wife, and three -children. He went every day to fish betimes in a morning; and -imposed it as a law upon himself, not to cast his nets above four -times a day. He went one morning by moonlight, and coming to the -sea-side, undressed himself, and cast in his nets. As he drew them -towards the shore, he found them very heavy, and thought he had a -good draught of fish, at which he rejoiced within himself; but in a -moment after perceiving, that, instead of fish, there was nothing in -his nets but the carcass of an ass, he was much vexed. Scheherazade -stopped here, because she saw it was day. - -Sister, says Dinarzade, I must confess, that the beginning of the -story charms me, and I foresee that the result of it will be very -agreeable. There is nothing more surprising than the story of this -fisherman, replied the sultaness; and you will be convinced of it -next night, if the sultan will be so gracious as to let me live. ---Schahriar being curious to hear the success of such an -extraordinary fishing, would not order Scheherazade to be put to -death that day. - - - - -NINTH NIGHT. - - -My dear sister, cried Dinarzade, next morning, at the usual hour, if -you be not asleep, I pray you go on with the story of the fisherman; -I am ready to die till I hear it. I am willing to give you that -satisfaction, says the sultaness: but, at the same time she demanded -leave of the sultan, and having obtained it, began the story again -as follows: - -Sir, when the fisherman, vexed to have made such a sorry draught, -had mended his nets, which the carcass of the ass had broken in -several places, he threw them in a second time; and when he drew -them, found a great deal of resistance, which made him think he had -taken abundance of fish; but he found nothing except a basket full -of gravel and slime, which grieved him extremely. O, fortune! cries -he, with a lamentable tone, be not angry with me, nor persecute a -wretch who prays thee to spare him. I came hither from my house to -seek for my livelihood, and thou pronouncest death against me. I -have no other trade but this to subsist by; and, notwithstanding all -the pains I take, I can scarcely provide what is absolutely -necessary for my family. But I am to blame to complain of thee; thou -takest pleasure to persecute honest people, and to leave great men -in obscurity, while thou showest favour to the wicked, and advancest -those who have no virtue to recommend them. - -Having finished this complaint, he threw away the basket in a fret, -and washing his nets from the slime, cast them the third time; but -brought up nothing, except stone, shells, and mud. Nobody can -express his disorder; he was almost beside himself. However, when -day began to appear, he did not forget to say his prayers, like a -good Mussulman, and afterwards added this petition: “Lord, thou -knowest that I cast my nets only four times a day; I have already -drawn them three times, without the least reward for my labour: I am -only to cast them once more; I pray thee to render the sea -favourable to me, as thou didst to Moses.” - -The fisherman having finished this prayer, cast his nets the fourth -time; and when he thought it was time, he drew them as formerly, -with great difficulty; but instead of fish, found nothing in them -but a vessel of yellow copper, which, by its weight, seemed to be -full of something; and he observed that it was shut up and sealed -with lead, having the impression of a seal upon it. This rejoiced -him: I will sell it, says he, to the founder, and with the money -arising from the produce, buy a measure of corn. He examined the -vessel on all sides, and shook it, to see if what was within made -any noise, but heard nothing. This circumstance, with the impression -of the seal upon the leaden cover, made him think there was -something precious in it. To try this he took a knife, and opened it -with very little labour. He presently turned the mouth downward, but -nothing came out; which surprised him extremely. He set it before -him, and while he looked upon it attentively, there came out a very -thick smoke, which obliged him to retire two or three paces from it. - -The smoke ascended to the clouds, and extending itself along the sea -and upon the shore, formed a great mist, which, we may well imagine, -did mightily astonish the fisherman. When the smoke was all out of -the vessel, it re-united itself, and became a solid body, of which -there was formed a genie twice as high as the greatest of giants. At -the sight of a monster of such an unsizeable bulk, the fisherman -would fain have fled, but was so frightened that he could not go one -step. - -Solomon, cried the genie immediately, Solomon, the great prophet, -pardon, pardon; I will never more oppose your will, I will obey all -your commands.-- - -Scheherazade, perceiving day, broke off her story. - -Upon which Dinarzade said, Dear sister, nobody can keep their -promise better than you have done yours. This story is certainly -more surprising than all the former. Sister, replies the sultaness, -there are more wonderful things yet to come, if my lord the sultan -will allow me to tell them to you. Schahriar had too great a desire -to hear out the story of the fisherman, to deprive himself of that -pleasure; and therefore put off the sultaness’s death another day. - - - - -TENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade called her sister next night, when she thought it was -time, and prayed her to continue the story of the fisherman; and the -sultan being also impatient to know what concern the genie had with -Solomon, Scheherazade continued her story thus: - -Sir, the fisherman, when he heard these words of the genie, -recovered his courage, and said to him, Proud spirit, what is it -that you say? It is above eighteen hundred years since the prophet -Solomon died, and we are now at the end of time. Tell me your -history, and how you came to be shut up in this vessel. - -The genie, turning to the fisherman, with a fierce look, says, you -must speak to me with more civility; thou art very bold to call me a -proud spirit. Very well, replies the fisherman, shall I speak to you -with more civility, and call you the owl of good luck? I say, -answers the genie, speak to me more civilly before I kill thee. Ah! -replies the fisherman, why would you kill me? Did not I just now set -you at liberty, and have you already forgotten it? Yes, I remember -it, says the genie, but that shall not hinder me from killing thee: -I have only one favour to grant thee. And what is that? says the -fisherman. It is, answers the genie, to give thee thy choice, in -what manner thou wouldst have me take thy life. But wherein have I -offended you? replies the fisherman. Is that your reward for the -good services I have done you? I cannot treat you otherwise, says -the genie; and that you may be convinced of it, hearken to my story. - -I am one of those rebellious spirits that opposed the will of -Heaven; all the other genii owned Solomon, the great prophet, and -submitted to him. Sacar and I were the only genii that would never -be guilty of a mean thing: and, to avenge himself, that great -monarch sent Asaph, the son of Barakhia, his chief minister, to -apprehend me. That was accordingly done. Asaph seized my person, and -brought me by force before his master’s throne. - -Solomon, the son of David, commanded me to quit my way of living, to -acknowledge his power, and to submit myself to his command; I -bravely refused to obey, and told him, I would rather expose myself -to his resentment, than swear fealty, and submit to him, as he -required. To punish me, he shut me up in this copper vessel; and to -make sure of me, that I should not break prison, he himself stamped -upon this leaden cover his seal, with the great name of God engraved -upon it. Then he gave the vessel to one of the genii who submitted -to him, with orders to throw me into the sea, which was executed to -my sorrow. - -During the first hundred years imprisonment, I swore that if any one -would deliver me before the hundred years expired, I would make him -rich, even after his death: but that century ran out, and nobody did -me that good office. During the second, I made an oath, that I would -open all the treasures of the earth to any one that should set me at -liberty; but with no better success. In the third, I promised to -make my deliverer a potent monarch, to be always near him in spirit, -and to grant him every day three requests, of what nature soever -they might be: but this century ran out as well as the two former, -and I continued in prison. At last, being angry, or rather mad, to -find myself a prisoner so long, I swore, that if afterwards any one -should deliver me, I would kill him without mercy, and grant him no -other favour but to choose what kind of death he would die; and, -therefore, since you have delivered me to-day, I give you that -choice. - -This discourse afflicted the poor fisherman extremely; I am very -unfortunate, cries he, to come hither to do such a piece of good -service to one that is so ungrateful. I beg you to consider your -injustice, and revoke such an unreasonable oath: pardon me, and -heaven will pardon you; if you grant me my life, heaven will protect -you from all attempts against yours. No, thy death is resolved on, -says the genie, only choose how you will die. The fisherman, -perceiving the genie to be resolute, was extremely grieved, not so -much for himself, as for his three children; and bewailed the misery -they must be reduced to by his death. He endeavoured still to -appease the genie, and says, Alas! be pleased to take pity on me, in -consideration of the good service I have done you. I have told thee -already, replies the genie, it is for that very reason I must kill -thee. That is very strange, says the fisherman, are you resolved to -reward good with evil? The proverb says, “That he who does good to -one who deserves it not, is always ill rewarded.” I must confess, -I thought it was false; for in effect there can be nothing more -contrary to reason, or the laws of society. Nevertheless, I find now -by cruel experience, that it is but too true. Do not lose time, -replies the genie; all thy reasoning shall not divert me from my -purpose: make haste and tell me which way you choose to die. - -Necessity is the mother of invention. The fisherman bethought -himself of a stratagem. Since I must die, then, says he to the -genie, I submit to the will of heaven; but before I choose the -manner of death, I conjure you by the great name which was engraven -upon the seal of the prophet Solomon, the son of David, to answer me -truly the question I am going to ask you. - -The genie finding himself obliged to a positive answer by this -abjuration, trembled; and replied to the fisherman, Ask what thou -wilt, but make haste. Day appearing, Scheherazade held her peace. - -Sister, says Dinarzade, it must be owned that the more you speak, -the more you surprise and satisfy. I hope our lord, the sultan, will -not order you to be put to death, till he hears out the fine story -of the fisherman. The sultan is absolute, replies Scheherazade, we -must submit to his will in every thing. But Schahriar being as -willing as Dinarzade to hear an end of the story, did again put off -the execution of the sultaness. - - - - -ELEVENTH NIGHT. - - -Schahriar, and the princess his spouse, passed this night in the -same manner as they had done the former; and before break of day, -Dinarzade awaked them with these words, addressed to the sultaness: -I pray you, sister, to resume the story of the fisherman. With all -my heart, said Scheherazade, I am willing to satisfy you, with the -sultan’s permission. - -The genie, continued she, having promised to speak the truth, the -fisherman says to him, --I would know if you were actually in this -vessel: dare you swear it by the name of the great God? Yes, replied -the genie, I do swear by that great name that I was, and it is a -certain truth. In good faith, answered the fisherman, I cannot -believe you; the vessel is not capable of holding one of your feet, -and how should it be possible that your whole body could lie in it? -I swear to thee, notwithstanding, replied the genie, that I was -there just as you see me here: Is it possible, that thou dost not -believe me after this great oath that I have taken? Truly, not I, -said the fisherman; nor will I believe you, unless you show it me. - -Upon which the body of the genic was dissolved, and changed itself -into smoke, extending itself as formerly upon the sea and shore: and -then at last being gathered together, it began to re-enter the -vessel, which it continued to do successively by a slow and equal -motion, after a smooth and exact way, till nothing was left out; and -immediately, a voice came forth, which said to the fisherman, Well, -now, incredulous fellow, I am all in the vessel, do not you believe -me now. - -The fisherman, instead of answering the genie, took the cover of -lead, and having speedily shut the vessel, Genie, cries he, now it -is your turn to beg my favour, and to choose which way I shall put -you to death; but not so, it is better that I should throw you into -the sea, whence I took you: and then I will build a house upon the -bank, where I will dwell, to give notice to all fishermen who come -to throw in their nets, to beware of such a wicked genie as thou -art, who hast made an oath to kill him that shall set thee at -liberty. - -The genie, enraged at those expressions, did all he could to get out -of the vessel again; but it was not possible for him to do it; for -the impression of Solomon’s seal prevented him. So perceiving that -the fisherman had got the advantage of him, he thought fit to -dissemble his anger; Fisherman, said he, in a pleasant tone, take -heed you do not do what you say, for what I spoke to you before was -only by way of jest, and you are to take it no otherwise. O, genie! -replies the fisherman, thou who wast but a moment ago the greatest -of all genie, and now art the least of them, thy crafty discourse -will signify nothing to thee, but to the sea thou shalt return. If -thou hast staid there already so long as thou hast told me, thou -mayst very well stay there till the day of judgment. I begged of -thee in God’s name, not to take away my life, and thou didst -reject my prayers; I am obliged to treat thee in the same manner. - -The genie omitted nothing that could prevail upon the fisherman; -Open the vessel, says he, give me my liberty, I pray thee, and I -promise to satisfy thee to thy own content. Thou art a mere traitor, -replies the fisherman; I should deserve to lose my life, if I were -such a fool as to trust thee; thou wilt not fail to treat me in the -same manner as a certain Grecian king treated the physician Douban. -It is a story I have a mind to tell thee, therefore listen to it. - -The Story of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban. - -There was in the country of Zouman, in Persia, a king, whose -subjects were originally Greeks. This king was all over leprous, and -his physicians in vain endeavoured his cure; and when they were at -their wits end what to prescribe to him, a very able physician, -called Douban, arrived at his court. - -This physician had learned his science in Greek, Persian, Turkish, -Arabian, Latin, Syriac, and Hebrew books; and besides that, he was -an expert philosopher, and fully understood the good and bad -qualities of all sorts of plants and drugs. As soon as he was -informed of the king’s distemper, and understood that his -physicians had given him over, he clad himself in the best habits he -could procure, and found means to present himself to the king. Sir, -says he, I know that all your majesty’s physicians have not been -able to cure you the leprosy; but if you will do me the honour to -accept my service, I will engage myself to cure you without potions, -or external applications. - -The king listened to what he said, and answered, If you be able to -perform what you do promise, I will enrich you and your posterity; -and besides the presents I shall make you, you shall be my chief -favourite. Do you assure me, then, that you will cure me of my -leprosy, without making me take any potion, or applying any external -medicine? Yes, sir, replies the physician; I promise myself success, -through God’s assistance, and to-morrow I will make trial of it. - -The physician returned to his quarters, and made a mallet, hollow -within, and at the handle he put in his drugs: he made also a ball -in such a manner as suited his purpose, with which, next morning, he -went to present himself before the king, and falling down at his -feet, kissed the ground. Here Scheherazade, perceiving day, -acquainted the sultan with it, and held her peace. - -I wonder, sister, says Dinarzade, where you learn so many fine -things. You shall hear a great many others to-morrow, replies -Scheherazade, if the sultan, my master, will be pleased to prolong -my life farther. Schahriar, who longed as much as Dinarzade, to hear -the sequel of the story of Douban, the physician, did not order the -sultaness to be put to death that day. - - - - -TWELFTH NIGHT. - - -The twelfth night was far advanced, when Dinarzade called, and says, -sister, you owe us the continuation of the agreeable history of the -Grecian king and the physician Douban. I am very willing to pay my -debt, replied Scheherazade, and resumed the story as follows: - -Sir, the fisherman, speaking always to the genie, whom he kept shut -up in the vessel, went on thus. The physician Douban rose up, and -after a profound reverence, says to the king, he judged it meet that -his majesty should take horse, and go to the place where he used to -play at mall. [1] The king did so, and when he arrived there, the -physician came to him with the mall, and says to him, Sir, exercise -yourself with this mall, and strike the ball with it until you find -your hands and your body in a sweat. When the medicine I have put up -in the handle of the mall, is heated with your hand, it will -penetrate your whole body; and as soon as you shall sweat, you may -leave off the exercise, for then the medicine will have had its -effect. As soon as you are returned to your palace, go into the -bath, and cause yourself to be well washed and rubbed; then go to -bed, and when you rise to-morrow you will find yourself cured. - -The king took the mall, and struck the ball, which was returned by -his officers that played with him; he struck it again, and played so -long, that his hand and his whole body were in a sweat, and then the -medicine shut up in the handle of the mall had its operation, as the -physician said. Upon this the king left off play, returned to his -palace, entered the bath, and observed very exactly what his -physician had prescribed him. - -He was very well after it, and next morning, when he arose, he -perceived, with equal wonder and joy, that his leprosy was cured, -and his body as clean as if he had never been attacked with that -distemper. As soon as he was dressed, he came into the hall of -audience, where he ascended his throne, and showed himself to his -courtiers, who, eager to know the success of the new medicine, came -thither betimes; and, when they saw the king perfectly cured, did -all express great joy. The physician Douban entered the hall, and -bowed himself before the throne, with his face to the ground. The -king, perceiving him, called him, made him sit down by his side, -showed him to the assembly, and gave him all the commendation he -deserved. His majesty did not stop here; but, as he treated all his -court that day, he made him eat at his table alone with him. At -these words, Scheherazade, perceiving day, broke off her story. -Sister, says Dinarzade, I know not what the conclusion of this story -will be, but I find the beginning admirable. That which is to come -is yet better, answered the sultaness; and I am certain you will not -deny it, if the sultan gives me leave to make an end of it to-morrow -night. Schahriar consented, and rose very well satisfied with what -he had heard. - - - - -THIRTEENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, willing to keep the sultan in ignorance of her design, -cried out as if she had started out of her sleep: O, dear sister, I -have had a troublesome dream, and nothing will sooner make me forget -it than the remainder of the story of the Grecian king and doctor -Douban. I conjure you by the love you always bore me, not to defer -it a moment longer. I shall not fail, good sister, to ease your -mind; and if my sovereign will permit me, I will go on. Schahriar, -being charmed with the agreeable manner of Scheherazade’s telling -her stories, says to her, You will oblige me no less than Dinarzade, -therefore continue. [2] - -The Grecian king, says the fisherman to the genie, was not satisfied -with having admitted the physician Douban to his table, but towards -night, when he was about dismissing the company, he caused him to be -clad in a long rich robe, like those which his favourites usually -wore in his presence; and besides that he ordered him two thousand -sequins. The next day and the day following, he continued his favour -to him; in short, the prince, thinking that he could never enough -acknowledge the obligations he lay under to that able physician, -bestowed every day new favours upon him. But this king had a grand -vizier, who was avaricious, envious, and naturally capable of all -sort of mischief. He could not see, without envy, the presents that -were given to the physician, whose other merits had already began to -make him jealous, and therefore he resolved to lessen him in the -king’s esteem. To effect this, he went to the king, and told him -in private, that he had some advice to give him, which was of the -greatest concern. The king having asked what it was, Sir, said he, -it is very dangerous for a monarch to put confidence in a man whose -fidelity he never tried. Though you heap favours upon the physician -Douban, and show him all the familiarity that may be, your majesty -does not know but he may be a traitor, and come on purpose to this -court to kill you. From whom have you this, answered the king, that -you dare to tell it me? Consider to whom you speak, and that you -advance a thing which I shall not easily believe. Sir, replied the -vizier, I am very well informed of what I have had the honour to -represent to your majesty; therefore do not let your dangerous -confidence grow to a farther height: if your majesty be asleep, be -pleased to awake; for I once more repeat it, that the physician -Douban did not leave the heart of Greece, his native country, nor -come here to settle himself at your court, but to execute that -horrible design which I have just now hinted to you. - -No, no, vizier, replies the king; I am certain that this man, whom -you treat as a villain, and a traitor, is one of the best and most -virtuous men in the world, and there is no man I love so much. You -know by what medicine, or rather by what miracle, he cured me of my -leprosy; if he had a design upon my life, why did he save me? He -needed only have left me to my disease; I could not have escaped it; -my life was already half gone. Forbear, then, to fill me with unjust -suspicions: instead of listening to you, I tell you, that from this -day forward I will give that great man a pension of a thousand -sequins per month for his life; nay, though I were to share with him -all my riches and dominions, I should never pay him enough for what -he has done for me: I perceive it to be his virtue which raises your -envy; but do not think that I will be unjustly possessed with -prejudice against him. I remember too well what a vizier said to -king Sinbad, his master, to prevent his putting to death the prince, -his son. But, sir, says Scheherazade, day light appears, which -forbids me to go any further. - -I am very well pleased that the Grecian king, says Dinarzade, had so -much firmness of spirit, to reject the false accusation of the -vizier. If you commend the firmness of that prince to-day, says -Scheherazade, you will as much condemn his weakness to-morrow, if -the sultan be pleased to allow me time to finish this story. The -sultan, being curious to hear wherein the Grecian king discovered -his weakness, did further delay the death of the sultaness. - - - - -FOURTEENTH NIGHT. - - -An hour before day, Dinarzade awaked her sister, and says to her, -You will certainly be as good as your word, madam, and finish the -story of the fisherman; to assist your memory, I will tell you where -you left off: it was where the Grecian king maintained the innocence -of his physician Douban against his vizier. I remember it, says -Scheherazade, and am ready to give you satisfaction. - -Sir, continues she, addressing herself to Schahriar, what the -Grecian king said about king Sinbad raised the vizier’s curiosity, -who says to him, sir, I pray your majesty to pardon me, if I have -the boldness to ask what the vizier of king Sinbad said to his -master to divert him from cutting off the prince, his son. The -Grecian king had the complaisance to satisfy him: That vizier, says -he, after having represented to king Sinbad, that he ought to -beware, lest on the accusation of a mother-in-law, he should commit -an action which he might afterwards repent of, told him this story. - - - - -The Story of the Husband and the Parrot. - - -A certain man had a beautiful wife, whom he loved so dearly, that he -could scarce allow her to be out of his sight. One day being obliged -to go abroad, about urgent affairs, he came to a place where all -sorts of birds were sold, and there bought a parrot which not only -spoke very well, but could also give an account of every thing that -was done before it. He brought it in a cage to his house, desired -his wife to put it in his chamber, and to take care of it during a -journey he was obliged to undertake; and then went out. - -At his return, he took care to ask the parrot concerning what had -passed in his absence, and the bird told him things that gave him -occasion to upbraid his wife. She thought some of her slaves had -betrayed her, but all of them swore they had been faithful to her; -and they all agreed that it must have been the parrot that had told -tales. - -Upon this, the wife bethought herself of a way how she might remove -her husband’s jealousy, and at the same time revenge herself on -the parrot, which she effected thus: her husband being gone another -journey, she commanded a slave in the night-time to turn a hand-mill -under the parrot’s cage; she ordered another to throw water, in -form of rain, over the cage; and a third to take a looking-glass, -and turn it to the right and to the left before the parrot by -candle-light. The slaves spent great part of the night in doing what -their mistress commanded them, and acquitted themselves very -dexterously. - -Next night the husband returned, and examined the parrot again about -what had passed during his absence. The bird answered, Good master, -the lightning, thunder, and rain, did so much disturb me all night, -that I cannot tell how much I suffered by it. The husband, who knew -that there had been neither thunder, lightning, nor rain, that -night, fancied that the parrot, not having told him the truth in -this, might also have lied to him in the other; upon which he took -it out of the cage, and threw it with so much force to the ground -that he killed it. Yet, afterwards, he understood by his neighbours, -that the poor parrot had not lied to him, when it gave him an -account of his wife’s base conduct, which made him repent he had -killed it. Scheherazade stopped here, because she saw it was day. - -All that you tell us, sister, says Dinarzade, is so curious, that -nothing can be more agreeable. I shall be willing to divert you, -answers Scheherazade, if the sultan, my master, will allow me time -to do it. Schahriar, who took as much pleasure to hear the -sultaness, as Dinarzade, rose and went about his affairs, without -ordering the vizier to cut her off. - - - - -FIFTEENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade was punctual this night, as she had been the former, to -awaken her sister, and begged of her, as usual, to tell her a story. -I am going to do it, sister, says Scheherazade: but the sultan -interrupted her, for fear she should begin a new story, and bid her -finish the discourse between the Grecian king and his vizier about -his physician Douban. Sir, says Scheherazade, I will obey you; and -went on with the story, as follows: - -When the Grecian king, says the fisherman to the genie, had finished -the story of the parrot; and you, vizier, adds he, because of the -hatred you bear to the physician Douban, who never did you any hurt, -you would have me cut him off; but I will take care of that, for -fear I should repent it, as the husband did the killing of his -parrot. - -The mischievous vizier was too much concerned to effect the ruin of -the physician Douban to stop here. Sir, says he, the death of the -parrot was but a trifle, and, I believe, his master did not mourn -for him long; but why should your fear of wronging an innocent man, -hinder your putting this physician to death? Is it not enough to -authorize you to take away his life, that he is accused of a design -against your life? When the business in question is to secure the -life of a king, bare suspicion ought to pass for certainty; and it -is better to sacrifice the innocent than to spare the guilty. But, -sir, this is not an uncertainty; the physician Douban has certainly -a mind to assassinate you. It is not envy which makes me his enemy; -it is only my zeal, and the concern I have for preserving your -majesty’s life, that makes me give you my advice in a matter of -this importance. If it be false, I deserve to be punished in the -same manner as a vizier was formerly punished. What had the vizier -done, says the Grecian king, to deserve punishment? I will inform -your majesty of that, says the vizier, if you will be pleased to -hear me. - - - - -The Story of the Vizier that was punished. - - -There was a king, says the vizier, who had a son that loved hunting. -He allowed him to divert himself that way very often; but gave -orders to his grand vizier to attend him constantly, and never to -lose sight of him. - -One hunting-day, the huntsman having roused a deer, the prince, who -thought the vizier followed him, pursued the game so far, and with -so much earnestness, that he was left quite alone. He stopped, and -finding he had lost his way, endeavoured to return the same way he -came, to find out the vizier, who had not been careful enough to -follow him, and so wandered farther. - -Whilst he rode up and down, without keeping any road, he met by the -way-side a handsome lady, who wept bitterly. He stopped his horse, -asked who she was, how she came to be alone in that place, and what -she wanted. I am, says she, daughter to an Indian king. As I was -taking the air on horseback, in the country, I grew sleepy, fell -from my horse, who is run away, and I know not what is become of -him. The young prince taking compassion on her, asked her to get up -behind him, which she willingly accepted. - -As they passed by the ruins of a house, the lady signified a desire -to alight on some occasion. The prince, stopped, and suffered her to -alight; then he alighted himself, and went near the ruins with his -horse in his hand. But you may judge how much he was surprised, when -he heard the lady within say these words: “Be glad, my children, I -bring you a handsome young man, and very fat;” and other voices, -which answered immediately, “Mamma, where is he, that we may eat -him presently, for we are very hungry!” - -The prince heard enough to convince him of his danger, and then he -perceived that the lady who called herself daughter to an Indian -king, was an Ogress, wife to one of those savage demons, called -Ogres, who live in remote places, and make use of a thousand wiles -to surprise and devour passengers; so that the prince being -frightened, mounted his horse as soon as he could. - -The pretended princess appeared that very moment, and perceiving she -had missed her prey, she cries, Fear nothing, prince: who are you? -whom do you seek? I have lost my way, replies he, and am seeking it. -If you have lost your way, says she, recommend yourself to God, he -will deliver you out of your perplexity. Then the prince lifted up -his eyes towards heaven. But, sir, says Scheherazade, I am obliged -to break off, for day appears. - -I long, says Dinarzade, to know what became of that young prince: I -tremble for him. I will deliver you from your uneasiness to-morrow, -answers the sultaness, if the sultan will allow me to live till -then. Schahriar, willing to hear an end of this adventure, prolonged -Scheherazade’s life for another day. - - - - -SIXTEENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade had such a desire to hear out the story of the young -prince, that she awaked that night sooner than ordinary, and said, -Sister, pray go on with the story you began yesterday: I am much -concerned for the young prince, and ready to die for fear that he -was eaten up by the Ogress and her children. Schahriar having -signified that he had the same fear, the sultaness replies, Well, -sir, I will satisfy you immediately. - -After the counterfeit Indian princess had bid the young prince -recommend himself to God, he could not believe she spoke sincerely, -but thought she was sure of him: and therefore, lifting up his hands -to heaven, said, “Almighty Lord, cast thine eyes upon me, and -deliver me from this enemy.” After this prayer, the Ogress entered -the ruins again, and the prince rode off with all possible haste. He -happily found his way again, and arrived safe and sound at his -father’s court, to whom he gave a particular account of the danger -he had been in through the vizier’s neglect: upon which the king, -being incensed against the minister, ordered him to be immediately -strangled. - -Sir, continued the Grecian king’s vizier, to return to the -physician Douban, if you do not take care, the confidence you put in -him will be fatal to you: I am very well assured, that he is a spy -sent by your enemies to attempt your majesty’s life. He has cured -you, he will say: but alas! who can assure you of that? He has, -perhaps, cured you only in appearance, and not radically; who knows -but the medicine he has given you may, in time, have pernicious -effects? - -The Grecian king, who had naturally very little sense, was not able -to discover the wicked design of his vizier, nor had he firmness -enough to persist in his first opinion. This discourse staggered -him. Vizier, says he, thou art in the right; he may be come on -purpose to take away my life, which he may easily do by the very -smell of some of his drugs. We must consider what is fit for us to -do in this case. - -When the vizier found the king in such a temper as he wished, Sir, -said he, the surest and speediest method you can take to secure your -life, is to send immediately for the physician Douban, and order his -head to be cut off as soon as he comes. In truth, says the king, I -believe that is the way we must take to prevent his design. When he -had spoken thus, he called for one of his officers, and ordered him -to go for the physician; who, knowing nothing of the king’s -design, came to the palace in haste. - -Know ye, says the king, when he saw him, why I sent for you; No, -sir, answers he; I wait till your majesty be pleased to inform me. I -sent for you, replied the king, to rid myself of you by taking your -life. - -No man can express the surprise of the physician, when he heard the -sentence of death pronounced against him. Sir, said he, why would -your majesty take my life? What crime have I committed? I am -informed by good hands, replies the king, that you come to my court -only to attempt my life; but to prevent you, I will be sure of -yours. Give the blow, says he to the executioner, who was present, -and deliver me from a perfidious wretch, who came hither on purpose -to assassinate me. - -When the physician heard this cruel order, he readily judged that -the honours and presents he had received from the king had procured -him enemies, and that the weak prince was imposed on. He repented -that he had cured him of his leprosy; but it was now too late. Is it -thus, replied the physician, that you reward me for curing you? The -king would not hearken to him, but a second time ordered the -executioner to strike the fatal blow. The physician then had -recourse to his prayers: Alas! sir, cries he, prolong my days, and -God will prolong yours; do not put me to death lest God treat you in -the same manner. The fisherman broke off his discourse here, to -apply it to the genie. Well, genie, says he, you see what passed -then betwixt the Grecian king and his physician Douban, is acted -just now betwixt us. - -The Grecian king, continues he, instead of having regard to the -prayers of the physician, who begged him for God’s sake to spare -him, cruelly replied to him, No, no; I must of necessity cut you -off, otherwise you may take my life away with as much art as you -cured me. The physician melted into tears, and bewailing himself for -being so ill rewarded by the king, prepared for death. The -executioner bound up his eyes, tied his hands, and was going to draw -his scimitar. - -Then the courtiers, who were present, being moved with compassion, -begged the king to pardon him, assuring his majesty that he was not -guilty of the crime laid to his charge, and that they would answer -for his innocence: but the king was inflexible, and answered them so -as they dared not to say any more of the matter. - -The physician, being on his knees, his eyes tied up, and ready to -receive the fatal blow, addressed himself once more to the king: -Sir, says he, since your majesty will not revoke the sentence of -death, I beg at least, that you would give me leave to return to my -house, to give order about my burial, to bid farewell to my family, -to give alms, and to bequeath my books to those who are capable of -making good use of them. I have one particularly I would present to -your majesty: it is a very precious book, and worthy to be laid up -very carefully in your treasury. Well, replies the king, why is that -book so precious as you talk of? --Sir, says the physician, because -it contains an infinite number of curious things; of which the chief -is, that when you have cut off my head, if your majesty will give -yourself the trouble to open the book at the sixth leaf, and read -the third line of the left page, my head will answer all the -questions you ask it. The king being curious to see such a wonderful -thing, deferred his death till next day, and sent him home under a -strong guard. - -The physician, during that time, put his affairs in order: and the -report being spread that an unheard-of prodigy was to happen after -his death, the viziers, emirs, officers of the guard, and, in a -word, the whole court, repaired next day to the hall of audience, -that they might be witnesses of it. - -The physician Douban was soon brought in, and advanced to the foot -of the throne, with a great book in his hand: there he called for a -basin, upon which he laid the cover that the book was wrapped in, -and presented the book to the king. Sir, says he, take that book, if -you please, and as soon as my head is cut off, order that it be put -into the basin upon the cover of the book; as soon as it is put -there, the blood will stop: then open the book, and my head will -answer your questions. But, sir, says he, permit me once more to -implore your majesty’s clemency; for God’s sake grant my -request; I protest to you that I am innocent. Your prayers, answers -the king, are in vain; and, were it for nothing but to hear your -head speak after your death, it is my will you should die. As he -said this, he took the book out of the physician’s hand, and -ordered the executioner to do his duty. - -The head was so dexterously cut off, that it fell into the basin, -and was no sooner laid upon the cover of the book, but the blood -stopped; then, to the great surprise of the king, and all the -spectators, it opened its eyes, and said, Sir, will your majesty be -pleased to open the book? The king opened it, and finding that one -leaf was as it were glued to another, that he might turn it with the -more ease, he put his finger to his mouth, and wet it with spittle. -He did so till he came to the 6th leaf, and finding no writing on -the place where he was bid to look for it, Physician, says he to the -head, there is nothing written. Turn over some more leaves, replies -the head. The king continued to turn over, putting always his finger -to his mouth, until the poison, with which each leaf was imbued, -coming to have its effect, the prince finding himself all of a -sudden taken with an extraordinary fit, his eye-sight failed, and he -fell down at the foot of the throne, in violent convulsions. At -these words, Scheherazade, perceiving day, gave the sultan notice of -it, and forbore speaking. Ah, dear sister, says Dinarzade, how -grieved am I that you have not time to finish the story: I should be -inconsolable if you lose your life to-day. Sister, replies the -sultaness, that must be as the sultan pleases; but I hope he will be -so good as to suspend my death till to-morrow. And accordingly, -Schahriar, far from ordering her death that day, expected the next -night with much impatience; so earnest was he to hear out the story -of the Grecian king, and the sequel of the fisherman and the genie. - - - - -SEVENTEENTH NIGHT. - - -Though Dinarzade was very curious to hear the rest of the story of -the Grecian king, she did not awake that night so soon as usual, so -that it was almost day before she called upon the sultaness; and -then she said, I pray you, sister, to continue the wonderful story -of the Grecian king; but make haste, I beseech you, for it will -speedily be day. - -Scheherazade resumed the story where she left off the day before: -Sir, said she to the sultan, when the physician Douban, or rather -his head, saw that the poison had taken effect, and that the king -had but a few moments to live; Tyrant, it cried, now you see how -princes are treated, who, abusing their authority, cut off innocent -men: God punishes soon or late their injustice and cruelty. Scarcely -had the head spoken these words, when the king fell down dead, and -the head itself lost what life it had. - -Sir, continued Scheherazade, such was the end of the Grecian king -and of the physician Douban. I must return now to the story of the -fisherman and the genie; but it is day. The sultan, who always -observed his hours regularly, got up; and wishing to hear the sequel -of the story of the genie and the fisherman, bid the sultaness -prepare to relate it to him the next night. - - - - -EIGHTEENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade made amends for the last night’s neglect; she awoke long -before day, and calling upon Scheherazade, sister, said she, if you -be not asleep, pray give us the rest of the story of the fisherman -and the genie; you know the sultan desires to hear it as well as I. - -I shall soon satisfy his curiosity and yours, answered the -sultaness, and then addressing herself to Schahriar, Sir, continued -she, as soon as the fisherman had concluded the history of the Greek -king and his physician Douban, he made the application to the genie, -whom he still kept shut up in the vessel. If the Grecian king, said -he, had suffered the physician to live, God would have continued his -life also: but he rejected his most humble prayers, and the case is -the same with thee, O, genie! Could I have prevailed with thee to -grant me the favour I supplicated, I should now take pity on thee; -but since, notwithstanding the extreme obligation thou wast under to -me, for having set thee at liberty, thou didst persist in thy design -to kill me, I am obliged, in my turn, to be equally hard-hearted to -thee. - -My good friend fisherman, replied the genie, I conjure thee once -more, not to be guilty of such cruelty; consider, that it is not -good to avenge one’s self, and that on the other hand, it is -commendable to do good for evil; do not treat me as Imama formerly -treated Ateca. And what did Imama to Ateca? inquired the fisherman. -Ho! says the genie, if you have a mind to be informed, open the -vessel: do you think that I can be in a humour to relate stories in -so strait a prison? I will tell you as many as you please, when you -have let me out. No, said the fisherman, I will not let thee out; it -is in vain to talk of it: I am just going to throw thee into the -bottom of the sea. Hear me one word more, cried the genie: I promise -to do thee no hurt; nay, far from that, I will shew thee a way to -become exceedingly rich. - -The hope of delivering himself from poverty, prevailed with the -fisherman. I could listen to thee, said he, were there any credit to -be given to thy word; swear to me by the great name of God, that you -will faithfully perform what you promise, and I will open the -vessel; I do not believe you will dare to break such an oath. - -The genie swore to him, upon which the fisherman immediately took -off the covering of the vessel. At that instant, the smoke ascended, -and the genie having resumed his form, the first thing he did was to -kick the vessel into the sea. This action alarmed the fisherman. -Genie, said he, will not you keep the oath you just now made? And -must I say to you, as the physician Douban said to the Grecian king, -suffer me to live, and God will prolong your days. - -The genie laughed at the fisherman’s fear, and answered, No, -fisherman, be not afraid, I only did it to divert myself, and to see -if thou wouldst be alarmed at it: but to convince thee that I am in -earnest, take thy nets and follow me. As he spoke these words, he -walked before the fisherman, who having taken up his nets, followed -him, but with some distrust. They passed by the town, and came to -the top of a mountain, from whence they descended into a vast plain, -which brought them to a lake, that lay betwixt four hills. - -When they reached the side of the lake, the genie said to the -fisherman, Cast in thy nets, and catch fish; the fisherman did not -doubt of taking some, because he saw a great number in the water; -but he was extremely surprised, when he found they were of four -colours, that is to say, white, red, blue, and yellow. He threw in -his nets, and brought out one of each colour. Having never seen the -like before, he could not but admire them, and judging that he might -get a considerable sum for them, he was very joyful. Carry those -fish, said the genie to him, and present them to thy sultan; he will -give thee more money for them. Thou mayest come every day to fish in -this lake; but I give thee warning not to throw in thy nets above -once a day, otherwise thou wilt repent. Having spoken thus, he -struck his foot upon the ground, which opened, and after it had -swallowed him up, closed again. - -The fisherman being resolved to follow the genie’s advice, forbore -casting in his nets a second time; and returned to the town very -well satisfied; and making a thousand reflections upon his -adventure. He went immediately to the sultan’s palace, to offer -his fish. But, sir, said Scheherazade, I perceive day, and must stop -here. - -Dear sister, said Dinarzade, how surprising are the last events you -have told us? I can hardly believe that any thing you have to say -can be more surprising. Sister, replied the sultaness, if the -sultan, my master, will let me live till tomorrow, I am persuaded -you will find the sequel of the history of the fisherman more -wonderful than the beginning of it, and incomparably more diverting. -Schahriar, being curious to know if the remainder of this story -would be such as the sultaness said, put off once more the execution -of his cruel sentence. - - - - -NINETEENTH NIGHT. - - -Towards morning, Dinarzade called the sultaness, and said, Dear -sister, it will be day speedily, therefore pray continue the history -of the fisherman; I am extremely impatient to know what the issue of -it was. Scheherazade having demanded permission, resumed her -discourse as follows: I leave it to your majesty to think how much -the sultan was surprised, when he saw the four fish which the -fisherman presented. He took them up one after another, and viewed -them with attention; and after having admired them a long time, Take -those fish, said he to his vizier, and carry them to the cook, whom -the emperor of the Greeks has sent me. I cannot imagine but that -they must be as good as they are beautiful. - -The vizier carried them as he was directed, and delivering them to -the cook, said, Here are four fish just brought to the sultan; he -orders you to dress them: he then returned to the sultan his master, -who ordered him to give the fisherman four hundred pieces of gold of -the coin of that country, which he did accordingly. - -The fisherman, who had never seen so much money, could scarcely -believe his good fortune, but thought the whole must be a dream, -until he found it otherwise, by being able to provide necessaries -for his family with the produce of his fish. - -But, sir, said Scheherazade, having told you what happened to the -fisherman, I must acquaint you next with what befel the sultan’s -cook, whom we shall find in great perplexity. As soon as she had -gutted the fish, she put them upon the fire in a frying pan, with -oil, and when she thought them fried enough on one side, she turned -them upon the other; but, O, monstrous prodigy! scarcely were they -turned, when the wall of the kitchen divided, and a young lady of -wonderful beauty entered from the opening. She was clad in flowered -satin, after the Egyptian manner, with pendants in her ears, a -necklace of large pearls, and bracelets of gold set with rubies, -with a rod in her hand. She moved towards the frying-pan, to the -great amazement of the cook, who continued fixed by the sight, and -striking one of the fish with the end of the rod, said, “Fish, -fish, are you in duty?” The fish having answered nothing, she -repeated these words, and then the four fish lifted up their heads, -and replied, “Yes, yes: if you reckon, we reckon; if you pay your -debts, we pay ours; if you fly, we overcome, and are content.” As -soon as they had finished these words, the lady overturned the -frying-pan, and entered again into the open part of the wall, which -shut immediately, and became as it was before. - -The cook maid was mightily frightened at this, and coming a little -to herself, went to take up the fishes that had fallen on the -hearth, but found them blacker than coal, and not fit to be carried -to the sultan. This grievously troubled her, and she fell to weeping -most bitterly. Alas! said she, what will become of me! If I tell the -sultan what I have seen, I am sure he will not believe me, but will -be enraged against me. - -While she was thus bewailing herself, the grand vizier entered, and -asked her if the fish were ready? She told him all that had -occurred, which we may easily imagine astonished him; but without -speaking a word of it to the sultan, he invented an excuse that -satisfied him, and sending immediately for the fisherman, bid him -bring four more such fish, for a misfortune had befallen the others, -so that they are not fit to be carried to the sultan. The fisherman, -without saying any thing of what the genie had told him, in order to -excuse himself from bringing them that day, told the vizier he had a -great way to go for them, but would certainly bring them on the -morrow. - -Accordingly the fisherman went away by night, and coming to the -pond, threw in his nets betimes next morning, took four fish like -the former, and brought them to the vizier at the hour appointed. -The minister took them himself, carried them to the kitchen, and -shutting himself up with the cook, she gutted them, and put them on -the fire, as she had done the four others the day before. When they -were fried on one side, and she had turned them upon the other, the -kitchen wall again opened, and the same lady came in, with the rod -in her hand, struck one of the fish, spoke to it as before, and all -four gave her the same answer. But, sir, said Scheherazade, day -appears, which obliges me to leave off. What I have told you, is -indeed very singular; but if I be alive to-morrow, I will tell you -other things, which are yet better worth your hearing. Schahriar, -conceiving that the sequel must be very curious, resolved to hear -her next night. - - - - -TWENTIETH NIGHT. - - -Next morning, the sultan prevented Dinarzade, and said to -Scheherazade, madam, I pray you finish the story of the fisherman, I -am impatient to hear it; upon which the sultaness continued thus: - -After the four fish had answered the young lady, she overturned the -frying-pan with her rod, and retired into the same place of the wall -from whence she came out. The grand vizier being witness of what had -passed; This is too wonderful and extraordinary, said he, to be -concealed from the sultan: I will inform him of this prodigy; which -he did accordingly, and gave him a very faithful account of all that -had happened. - -The sultan, being much surprised, was impatient to see this himself, -he sent immediately for the fisherman, and said to him, Friend, -cannot you bring me four more such fish? The fisherman replied, If -your majesty will be pleased to allow me three days’ time, I will -do it. Having obtained his time, he went to the pond immediately, -and at the first throwing in of his net, he caught four such fish, -and brought them presently to the sultan: who was so much the more -rejoiced, as he did not expect them so soon, and ordered him other -four hundred pieces of gold. As soon as the sultan had the fish, he -ordered them to be carried into the closet, with all that was -necessary for frying them; and having shut himself up there with the -vizier, the minister gutted them, put them into the pan, and when -they were fried on one side, turned them upon the other; then the -wall of the closet opened, but instead of the young lady, there came -out a black, in the habit of a slave, of a gigantic stature, with a -great green baton in his hand. He advanced towards the pan, and -touching one of the fish with his baton, said with a terrible voice, -“Fish, are you in your duty?” At these words, the fish raised up -their heads, and answered, “Yes, yes; we are: if you reckon, we -reckon; if you pay your debts, we pay ours; if you fly, we overcome, -and are content.” - -The fish had no sooner finished these words, than the black threw -the pan into the middle of the closet, and reduced the fish to a -coal. Having done this, he retired fiercely, and entered again into -the aperture, it closed, and the wall appeared just as it did before. - -After what I have seen, said the sultan to the vizier, it will be -impossible for me to be easy in my mind; these fish, without doubt, -signify something extraordinary, in which I have a mind to be -satisfied. He sent for the fisherman, and when he came, said to him, -Fisherman, the fish you have brought us, make me very uneasy; where -did you catch them? Sir, answered he, I fish for them in a pond -situated betwixt four hills, beyond the mountain that we see from -hence. Know’st not thou that pond? said the sultan to the vizier. -No, sir, replied the vizier, I never so much as heard of it, -although I have for sixty years hunted beyond that mountain. The -sultan asked the fisherman, how far the pond might be from the -palace? The fisherman answered, it was not above three hours -journey; upon this assurance, and there being day enough beforehand, -the sultan commanded all his court to take horse, and the fisherman -served them for a guide. They all ascended the mountain, and at the -foot of it, they saw, to their great surprise, a vast plain, that -nobody had observed till then, and at last they came to the pond, -which they found actually to be situated betwixt four hills, as the -fisherman had described. The water was so transparent, that they -observed all the fish were like those which the fisherman had -brought to the palace. - -The sultan stood upon the bank of the pond, and after beholding the -fish with admiration, he demanded of his emirs and all his -courtiers, if it were possible they had never seen this pond, which -was within so short a distance of the town. They all answered, that -they had never so much as heard of it. - -Since you all agree, said he, that you never heard of it, and as I -am no less astonished than you are, at this novelty, I am resolved -not to return to my palace till I know how this pond came here, and -why all the fish in it are of four colours. Having spoke thus, he -ordered his court to encamp; and immediately his pavilion, and the -tents of his household, were planted upon the banks of the pond. - -When night came, the sultan retired under his pavilion, and spoke to -the grand vizier, by himself, thus: Vizier, my mind is very uneasy: -this pond transported hither, the black that appeared to us in my -closet, and the fishes that we heard speak, all this does so much -excite my curiosity, that I cannot resist the impatient desire which -I have to be satisfied in it. To this end, I am resolved to withdraw -alone from the camp, and I order you to keep my absence secret; stay -in my pavilion, and tomorrow morning, when the emirs and courtiers -come to attend my levee, send them away, and tell them that I am -somewhat indisposed, and have a mind to be alone; and the following -day tell them the same thing, till I return. - -The grand vizier said several things to divert the sultan from this -design: he represented to him the danger to which he might be -exposed, and that all his labour might perhaps be in vain; but it -was to no purpose, the sultan was resolved on it, and would go. He -put on a suit fit for walking, and took his scimitar; and as soon as -he saw that all was quiet in the camp, he went out alone, and went -over one of the hills without much difficulty. He found the descent -still more easy, and when he came to the plain, walked on till the -sun arose, and then he saw before him, at a considerable distance, a -great building. He rejoiced at the sight, in hopes to be informed -there of what he wanted to know. When he came near, he found it was -a magnificent palace, or rather a very strong castle, of fine black -polished marble, and covered with fine steel, as smooth as a -looking-glass. Being highly pleased that he had so speedily met with -something worthy his curiosity, he stopped before the front of the -castle, and considered it with attention. - -He afterwards came up to the gate, which had two leaves, one of them -open; though he might have entered when he would, yet he thought it -best to knock. He knocked, at first softly, and waited for some -time; seeing nobody, and supposing they had not heard him, he -knocked harder the second time, but neither seeing nor hearing any -body, he knocked again and again, but nobody appearing, it surprised -him extremely; for he could not think that a castle in so good -repair was without inhabitants. If there be nobody in it, says he to -himself, I have nothing to fear; and if there be, I have wherewith -to defend myself. - -At last he entered, and when he came within the porch, he cried, Is -there nobody here to receive a stranger, who comes in for some -refreshment as he passes by? He repeated the same two or three -times; but though he spoke very high, nobody answered. The silence -increased his astonishment: he came into a very spacious court, and -looking on every side, to see if he could perceive any body, he saw -no living thing. But, sir, says Scheherazade, day appears, and I -must stop. - -Ah! sister, says Dinarzade, you break off at the very best of the -story. It is true, answered the sultaness; but, sister, you see I am -forced to do so. If my lord, the sultan, pleases, you may hear the -rest tomorrow. Schahriar agreed to this, not so much to please -Dinarzade, as to satisfy his own curiosity, being impatient to know -what adventure the prince met with in the castle. - - - - -TWENTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, to make amends for her neglect the night before, never -closed her eyes, and when she thought it was time, awaked the -sultaness, saying to her, My dear sister, pray give us an account of -what happened in the fine castle where you left us yesterday. - -Scheherazade forthwith resumed her story, and addressing herself to -Schahriar, said, sir, the sultan perceiving nobody in the court, -entered the great halls, which were hung with silk tapestry, the -alcoves and sofas were covered with stuffs of Mecca, and the porches -with the richest stuffs of India, mixed with gold and silver. He -came afterwards into an admirable saloon, in the middle of which -there was a great fountain, with a lion of massy gold at each -corner: water issued from the mouths of the four lions, and this -water, as it fell, formed diamonds and pearls, that very well -answered a jet of water, which, springing from the middle of the -fountain, rose as high almost as the bottom of a cupola painted -after the Arabian manner. - -The castle, on three sides, was encompassed by a garden, with -flower-pots, water-works, groves, and a thousand other fine things -concurring to embellish it; and to complete the beauty of the place, -an infinite number of birds filled the air with their harmonious -notes, and always stayed there, nets being spread over the trees, -and fastened to the palace to keep them in. The sultan walked a long -time from apartment to apartment, where he found every thing very -grand and magnificent. Being tired with walking, he set down in an -open closet, which had a view over the garden, and there reflecting -upon what he had already seen, and then saw, all of a sudden he -heard the voice of one complaining accompanied with lamentable -cries. He listened with attention, and heard distinctly these sad -words: “O, fortune! thou who wouldest not suffer me longer to -enjoy a happy lot, and hast made me the most unfortunate man in the -world, forbear to persecute me, and by a speedy death put an end to -my sorrows. Alas! is it possible that I am still alive, after so -many torments as I have suffered.” - -The sultan, being affected with these pitiful complaints, rose up, -and made toward the place where he heard the voice; and when he came -to the gate of a great hall, he opened it, and saw a handsome young -man, richly habited, set upon a throne raised a little above the -ground. Melancholy was painted on his looks. The sultan drew near -and saluted him; the young man returned him his salute, by a low bow -with his head; but not being able to rise up, he said to the sultan, -My lord, I am very well satisfied that you deserve I should rise up -to receive you, and do you all possible honour; but I am hindered -from doing so, by a very sad reason, and therefore hope you will not -take it ill. My lord, replies the sultan, I am very much obliged to -you for having so good an opinion of me; as to the reason of your -not rising, whatever your apology be, I heartily accept it. Being -drawn hither by your complaints, and afflicted by your grief, I come -to offer you my help; would to God that it lay in my power to ease -you of your trouble; I would do my utmost to effect it. I flatter -myself that you would willingly tell me the history of your -misfortunes; but pray tell me first the meaning of the pond near the -palace, where the fishes are of four colours? what this castle is? -how you came to be here? and why you are alone? - -Instead of answering these questions, the young man began to weep -bitterly. How inconstant is fortune! cried he: she takes pleasure to -pull down those she had raised up. Where are they who enjoy quietly -the happiness which they hold of her, and whose day is always clear -and serene? - -The sultan, moved with compassion to see him in that condition, -prayed him forthwith to tell him the cause of his excessive grief. -Alas! my lord, replies the young man, how is it possible but I -should grieve, and my eyes be inexhaustible fountains of tears? At -these words, lifting up his gown, he shewed the sultan that he was a -man only from the head to the girdle, and that the other half of his -body was black marble. Here Scheherazade broke off and told the -sultan that day appeared. - -Schahriar was so much charmed with the story, and became so much in -love with Scheherazade, that he resolved to let her live a month. He -rose, however, as usual, without acquainting her with his resolution. - - - - -TWENTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade was so impatient to hear out the story, that she called -her sister next morning sooner than usual, and said to her, sister, -pray continue the wonderful story you began, but could not make an -end of yesterday morning. I agree to it, replies the sultaness; -hearken, then: - -You may easily imagine, continued she, that the sultan was strangely -surprised, when he saw the deplorable condition of the young man. -That which you show me, says he, while it fills me with horror, -excites my curiosity, so that I am impatient to hear your history, -which, no doubt, is very extraordinary, and I am persuaded that the -pond and the fishes make some part of it; therefore I conjure you to -tell it me; you will find some comfort in it, since it is certain, -that unfortunate people will find some sort of ease in telling their -misfortunes. I will not refuse you this satisfaction, replies the -young man, though I cannot do it without renewing my grief. But I -give you notice beforehand, to prepare your ears, your mind, and -even your eyes, for things which surpass all that the most -extraordinary imagination can conceive. - - - - -The History of the young King of the Black Isles. - - -You must know, my lord, continued he, that my father, who was called -Mahmoud, was king of this country. This is the kingdom of the Black -Isles, which takes its name from the four little neighbouring -mountains; for those mountains were formerly isles: the capital, -where the king my father had his residence, was where that pond you -now see is. The sequel of my history will inform you of all those -changes. - -The king my father died when he was seventy years of age; I had no -sooner succeeded him, but I married, and the lady I chose to share -the royal dignity with me, was my cousin. I had all the reason -imaginable to be satisfied in her love to me; and, for my part, I -had so much tenderness for her, that nothing was comparable to the -good understanding betwixt us, which lasted five years, at the end -of which time I perceived the queen, my cousin, had no more delight -in me. - -One day, while she was at the bath, I found myself inclined to sleep -after dinner, and lay down upon a sofa. Two of her ladies, who were -then in my chamber, came and sat down, one at my head, and the other -at my feet, with fans in their hands, to moderate the heat, and to -hinder the flies from troubling me in my sleep. They thought I was -fast, and spoke very low; but I only shut my eyes, and heard every -word they said. - -One of them says to the other, Is not the queen much in the wrong, -not to love such an amiable prince as this? Certainly, replies the -other; for my part, I do not understand it; and I know not why she -goes out every night, and leaves him alone! Is it possible that he -does not perceive it! Alas! says the first, how would you have him -perceive it? She mixes every evening in his drink, the juice of a -certain herb, which makes him sleep so sound all night, that she has -time to go where she pleases; and as day begins to appear, she comes -and lies down by him again, and wakes him by the smell of something -she puts under his nose. - -You may guess, my lord, how much I was surprised at this -conversation, and with what sentiments it inspired me; yet, whatever -emotions it excited in me, I had command enough over myself to -dissemble, and feigned to awake without having heard one word of it. - -The queen returned from the bath, we supped together, and before we -went to bed, she, with her own hand, presented me with a cup full of -such water as I was accustomed to drink: but instead of putting it -into my mouth, I went to a window that was open, and threw out the -water so quickly, that she did not perceive it, and I put the cup -again into her hands, to persuade her that I had drank it. - -We went to bed together, and soon after, believing that I was -asleep, though I was not, she got up with so little precaution, that -she said so loud that I could hear it distinctly, Sleep, and may you -never wake again! She dressed herself speedily, and went out of the -chamber. As Scheherazade spoke these words, she saw day appear, and -stopped. - -Dinarzade had heard her sister with a great deal of pleasure, and -Schahriar thought the history of the king of the Black Isles so -worthy of his curiosity, that he rose up full of impatience for the -rest of it. - - - - -TWENTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -An hour before day, Dinarzade being awake, failed not to call upon -the sultaness, and said, Pray, dear sister, go on with the history -of the young king of the four Black Islands; Scheherazade, calling -to mind where she had left off, resumed the story thus: - -As soon as the queen my wife went out, continued the king of the -Black Islands, I got up, dressed me in haste, took my scimitar, and -followed her so quick, that I soon heard the sound of her feet -before me, and then walked softly after her, for fear of being -heard. She passed through several gates, which opened upon her -pronouncing some magical words; and the last she opened was that of -the garden, which she entered. I stopped at that gate, that she -might not perceive me as she crossed a plat, and looking after her -as far as the darkness of the night permitted, I perceived that she -entered a little wood, whose walks were guarded by thick pallisades. -I went thither by another way, and slipping behind the pallisades of -a long walk, I saw her walking there with a man. - -I was very attentive to their discourse, and heard her say thus to -her gallant: I do not deserve to be upbraided by you for want of -diligence; you know very well what hinders me; but if all the tokens -of love that I have already given you, be not enough, I am ready to -give you greater: you need but command me, you know my power. I -will, if you desire it, before sun-rising, change this great city, -and this fine palace, into frightful ruins, which shall be inhabited -by nothing but wolves, owls, and ravens. If you wish me to transport -all the stones of those walls so solidly built, beyond mount -Caucasus, and out of the bounds of the habitable world, speak but -the word, and all those places shall undergo a change. - -As the queen finished these words, her gallant and she came to the -end of the walk, turned to enter another, and passed before me. I -had already drawn my scimitar, and her gallant being next me, I -struck him in the neck, and made him fall to the ground. I thought I -had killed him, and therefore retired speedily, without making -myself known to the queen, whom I chose to spare because she was my -kinswoman. - -The blow I had given her gallant was mortal; but she preserved his -life by the force of her enchantments; in such a manner, however, -that he could not be said to be either dead or alive. As I crossed -the garden, to return to the palace, I heard the queen cry out -lamentably; and judging by that now much she was grieved, I was -pleased that I had spared her life. - -When I returned to her apartment, I went to bed, and being satisfied -with having punished the villain that did me the injury, I went to -sleep; and when I awaked next morning, found the queen lying by me. -Scheherazade was obliged to stop here because she saw day. - -O, heaven! sister, says Dinarzade, how it troubles me that you can -say no more. Sister, replies the sultaness, you ought to have awaked -me more early, it is your fault. I will make amends next night, -replies Dinarzade, for I doubt not out the sultan will be as willing -to hear out the story as I am; and I hope he will be so good as to -let you live one day more. - - - - -TWENTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade was actually as good as her word. She called the sultaness -very early, saying, Dear sister, if you be not asleep, pray finish -the agreeable history of the king of the Black Isles; I am ready to -die with impatience to know how he came to be changed into marble. -You shall hear it, replies Scheherazade, if the sultan will give me -leave. - -I found the queen lying by me, says the king of the Black Islands: I -cannot tell you whether she slept or not; but I got up without -making any noise, and went to my closet, where I made an end of -dressing myself. I afterwards went and held my council, and at my -return, the queen, clad in mourning, her hair hanging about her -eyes, and part of it torn off, presented herself before me, and -said: Sir, I come to beg your majesty not to be surprised to see me -in this condition; three afflicting pieces of news, I have just now -received all at once, are the cause of my heavy grief, of which the -tokens you see are but very faint expressions. Alas! what is that -news, madam, said I. The death of the queen, my dear mother, -answered she; that of the king, my father, killed in battle; and -that of one of my brothers, who is also fallen down a precipice. - -I was not ill pleased that she made use of this pretext to hide the -true cause of her grief, and I thought she had not suspected me of -having killed her gallant. Madam, says I, I am so far from blaming -your grief, that I assure you, I take my share in it. I should very -much wonder if you were insensible of so great a loss: mourn on; -your tears are so many proofs of your good nature; I hope, however, -that time and reason will moderate your grief. - -She retired into her apartment, where giving herself wholly up to -sorrow, she spent a whole year in mourning, and afflicting herself. -At the end of that time, she begged leave of me to build a burying -place for herself, within the bounds of the palace, where she would -continue, she told me, to the end of her days; I agreed to it, and -she built a stately palace, with a cupola, that may be seen from -hence, and she called it the Palace of Tears. When it was finished, -she caused her gallant to be brought thither, from the place whither -she had caused him to be carried the same night that I wounded him; -she had hindered his dying, by a drink she gave him, and carried to -him herself every day after he came to the Palace of Tears. - -Yet, with all her enchantments, she could not cure the wretch; he -was not only unable to walk and to help himself, but had also lost -the use of his speech, and gave no sign of life, but by his looks. -Though the queen had no other consolation but to see him, and to say -to him all that her foolish passion could inspire, yet every day she -made him two long visits. I was very well informed of all this, but -pretended to know nothing of it. - -One day I went out of curiosity to the Palace of Tears, to see how -the princess employed herself; and going to a place where she could -not see me, I heard her speak thus to her gallant: I am afflicted to -the highest degree to see you in this condition; I am as sensible as -yourself of the tormenting pain you endure; but, dear soul, I always -speak to you, and you do not answer me; How long will you be silent. -Speak only one word: Alas! the sweetest moments of my life are these -I spend here in partaking of your grief. I cannot live at a distance -from you, and would prefer the pleasure of always seeing you, to the -empire of the universe. - -At these words, which were several times interrupted by her sighs -and sobs, I lost all patience; and discovering myself, came up to -her and said, Madam, you have mourned enough, it is time to give -over this sorrow, which dishonours us both; you have too much -forgotten what you owe to me and to yourself. Sir, said she, if you -have any kindness or complaisance left for me, I beseech you to put -no restraint upon me; allow me to give myself up to mortal grief, -which it is impossible for time to lessen. - -When I saw that my discourse, instead of bringing her to her duty, -served only to increase her rage, I gave over and retired. She -continued every day to visit her gallant, and for two whole years -gave herself up to excessive grief. - -I went a second time to the Palace of Tears, while she was there. I -hid myself again, and heard her speak thus to her gallant: It is now -three years since you spoke one word to me; you return no answer to -the expressions of love I give you by my discourse and groans. Is it -from insensibility, or contempt? O, tomb! hast thou abated that -excessive love he had for me? Hast thou shut those eyes that showed -me so much love, and were all my joy? No, no, I believe nothing of -it. Tell me rather, by what miracle thou becamest the depository of -the rarest treasure that ever was in the world. - -I must confess, my lord, I was enraged at these words; for, in -short, this gallant so much doted upon, this adored mortal, was not -such a one as you would imagine him to have been. He was a black -Indian, a native of that country. I say, I was so enraged at that -discourse, that I discovered myself all of a sudden, and addressing -the tomb in my turn: O, tomb! cried I, why dost not thou swallow up -that monster in nature, or rather, why dost not thou swallow up the -gallant and his mistress? - -I had scarce finished these words, when the queen, who sat by the -black, rose up like a fury. Cruel man! said she, thou art the cause -of my grief; do not you think that I know it? I have dissembled it -but too long; it is thy barbarous hand which hath brought the object -of my love into this lamentable condition; and you are so -hard-hearted as to come and insult a despairing lover. Yes, said I, -in a rage, it was I who chastised that monster, according to his -desert; I ought to have treated thee in the same manner; I repent -now that I did not do it; thou hast abused my goodness too long. As -I spoke these words, I drew out my scimitar, and lifted up my hand -to punish her; but she, steadfastly beholding me, said, with a -jeering smile, Moderate thy anger. At the same time, she pronounced -words I did not understand; and afterwards added, By virtue of my -enchantments, I command thee immediately to become half marble and -half man. Immediately, my lord, I became such as you see me already, -a dead man among the living, and a living man among the dead. Here -Scheherazade, perceiving day, broke off her story. - -Upon which Dinarzade says, Dear sister, I am extremely obliged to -the sultan: it is to his goodness I owe the extraordinary pleasure I -have in your stories. My sister, replies the sultaness, if the -sultan will be so good as to suffer me to live till to-morrow, I -shall tell you a thing that will afford as much satisfaction as any -thing you have yet heard. Though Schahriar had not resolved to defer -the death of Scheherazade a month longer, he could not have ordered -her to be put to death that day. - - - - -TWENTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -Towards the end of the night, Dinarzade cried, Sister, if I do not -trespass too much upon your complaisance, I would pray you to finish -the history of the king of the Black Islands. Scheherazade having -awaked upon her sister’s call, prepared to give her the -satisfaction she required, and began thus: - -The king, half marble and half man, continued his history to the -sultan thus: After this cruel magician, unworthy of the name of a -queen, had metamorphosed me thus, and brought me into this hall, by -another enchantment she destroyed my capital, which was very -flourishing, and full of people; she abolished the houses, the -public places and markets, and reduced it to the pond and desert -field, which you may have seen: the fishes of four colours in the -pond are the four sorts of people, of different religions, who -inhabited the place. The white are the Mussulmen; the red, the -Persians, who worshipped the fire; the blue, the Christians; and the -yellow, the Jews. The four little hills were the four islands that -gave name to this kingdom. I learned all this from the magician, -who, to add to my affliction, told me with her own mouth those -effects of her rage. But this is not all: her revenge was not -satisfied with the destruction of my dominions, and the -metamorphosis of my person; she comes every day, and gives me over -my naked shoulders a hundred blows with an ox-pizzle, which makes me -all over blood: and when she has done, covers me with a coarse stuff -of goat’s hair, and throws over it this robe of brocade that you -see, not to do me honour, but to mock me. - -After this part of the discourse, the young king could not withhold -his tears; and the sultan’s heart was so pierced with the -relation, that he could not speak one word to comfort him. A little -time after, the young king, lifting up his eyes to heaven, cried -out, “Mighty Creator of all things, I submit myself to thy -judgments, and to the decrees of thy providence: I endure my -calamities with patience, since it is thy will it should be so; but -I hope thy infinite goodness will reward me for it.” - -The sultan being much moved by the recital of so strange a story, -and animated to avenge this unfortunate prince, says to him, Tell me -whither this perfidious magician retires, and where may be her -unworthy gallant, who is buried before his death. My lord, replies -the prince, her gallant, as I have already told you, is in the -Palace of Tears, in a handsome tomb in form of a dome, and that -palace joins to this castle on the side of the gate. As to the -magician, I cannot precisely tell whither she retires, but every day -at sun-rising she goes to see her gallant, after having executed her -bloody vengeance upon me, as I have told you; and you see I am not -in a condition to defend myself against so great a cruelty. She -carries him the drink with which she has hitherto prevented his -dying, and always complains of his never speaking to her since he -was wounded. - -Unfortunate prince, says the sultan, you can never enough be -lamented! Nobody can be more sensibly touched with your condition -than I am; never did such an extraordinary misfortune befal any man, -and those who write your history will have the advantage to relate -something that surpasses all that has ever yet been written. There -wants but the vengeance which is due to you, and I will omit nothing -that can be done to procure it. - -While the sultan discoursed upon the subject with the young prince, -he told him who he was, and for what end he entered the castle, and -thought on a way to avenge him, which he communicated to him. They -agreed upon the measures they were to take for effecting their -design, but deferred the execution of it till the next day. In the -mean time, the night being far spent, the sultan took some rest; but -the poor young prince passed the night without sleep, as usual, -having never slept since he was enchanted; but conceived some hopes -of being speedily delivered from his misery. - -Next morning the sultan got up before day, and, in order to execute -his design, he hid in a corner his upper garment, which would have -encumbered him, and went to the Palace of Tears. He found it -enlightened with an infinite number of flambeaux of white wax, and a -delicious scent issued from several boxes of fine gold of admirable -workmanship, all ranged in excellent order. As soon as he saw the -bed where the black lay, he drew his scimitar, killed the wretch -without resistance, dragged his corpse into the court of the castle, -and threw it into a well. After this he went and lay down in the -black’s bed, took his scimitar with him under the counterpane, and -waited there to execute his design. - -The magician arrived in a little time. She first went into the -chamber where her husband, the king of the Black Islands, was, -stripped him, and beat him with the ox-pizzle in the most barbarous -manner. The poor prince filled the palace with his lamentations to -no purpose, and conjured her in the most affecting manner to take -pity on him; but the cruel woman would not give over till she had -given him a hundred blows. You had no compassion on my lover, said -she, and you are to expect none from me. Scheherazade, perceiving -day, stopped, and could go no further. - -O, heavens! says Dinarzade, sister, this was a barbarous enchantress -indeed! but must we stop here? Will you not tell us whether she -received the chastisement she deserved? My dear sister, says the -sultaness, I desire nothing more than to acquaint you with it -to-morrow; but you know that depends on the sultan’s pleasure. -After what Schahriar had heard, he was far from any design to put -Scheherazade to death; on the contrary, he said to himself, I will -not take away her life until she has finished the surprising story, -though it should last for two months. It will always be in my power -to keep the oath I have made. - - - - -TWENTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -As soon as Dinarzade thought it time to call the sultaness, she said -to her, How much should I be obliged to you, dear sister, if you -would tell us what passed in the Palace of Tears. Schahriar having -signified that he was as curious to know it as Dinarzade, the -sultaness resumed the story of the young enchanted prince as follows: - -Sir, after the enchantress had given the king, her husband, a -hundred blows with the ox-pizzle, she put on again his covering of -goat’s hair, and his brocade gown over all. She went afterwards to -the Palace of Tears, and as she entered the same, she renewed her -tears and lamentations; then approaching the bed where she thought -her gallant was, What cruelty, cries she, was it to disturb the -satisfaction of so tender and passionate a lover as I am? O, thou -who reproachest me that I am too inhuman, when I make thee feel the -effects of my resentment! Cruel prince! Does not thy barbarity -surpass my vengeance? Ah, traitor! in attempting the life of the -object which I adore, hast thou not robbed me of mine? Alas! says -she, addressing herself to the sultan, while she thought she spoke -to the black, my sun, my life! will you always be silent? Are you -resolved to let me die, without giving me the comfort of telling me -that you love me? My soul, speak one word to me, at least, I conjure -you. - -The sultan, making as if he had awaked out of a deep sleep, and -counterfeiting the language or the blacks, answered the queen with a -grave tone, “There is no strength or power but in God alone, who -is almighty.” At these words the enchantress, who did not expect -them, gave a great shout, to signify her excessive joy. My dear -lord, cried she, do not I deceive myself? Is it certain that I hear -you, and that you speak to me? Unhappy wretch! said the sultan, art -thou worthy that I should answer thy discourse? Alas! replies the -queen, why do you reproach me thus? The cries, replied he, the -groans and tears of thy husband, whom thou treatest every day with -so much indignity and barbarity, hinder me from sleeping night and -day. I should have been cured long ago, and have recovered the use -of my speech, hadst thou disenchanted him. That is the cause of my -silence, which you complain of. Very well, says the enchantress; to -pacify you, I am ready to do what you will command me: would you -have me restore him as he was? Yes, replies the sultan; make haste -to set him at liberty, that I be no more disturbed with his cries. - -The enchantress went immediately out of the Palace of Tears: she -took a cup of water, and pronounced words over it, which caused it -to boil, as if it had been on the fire. She went afterwards to the -hall to the young king, her husband, and threw the water upon him, -saying, “If the Creator of all things did form thee so as thou art -at present, or if he be angry with thee, do not change: but if thou -art in that condition merely by virtue of my enchantments, resume -thy natural shape, and become what thou wast before.” She had -scarce spoken these words, when the prince, finding himself restored -to his former condition, rose up freely, with all imaginable joy, -and returned thanks to God. The enchantress then said to him, Get -thee gone from this castle, and never return here on pain of death! -The young king, yielding to necessity, went away from the -enchantress, without replying a word, and retired to a remote place, -where he patiently awaited the success of the design which the -sultan had so happily begun. Meanwhile the enchantress returned to -the Palace of Tears; and, supposing that she still spoke to the -black, says, Dear lover, I have done what you ordered; let nothing -now hinder you from giving me that satisfaction of which I have been -deprived so long. - -The sultan continued to counterfeit the language of the blacks: That -which you have just now done, said he, is not sufficient to my cure. -You have only eased me of part of my disease; you must cut it up by -the roots. My lovely black, replies she, what do you mean by the -roots? Unfortunate woman, replies the sultan, do not you understand -that I mean the town, and its inhabitants, and the four islands, -which thou hast destroyed by thy enchantments? The fishes every -night at midnight raise their heads out of the pond, and cry for -vengeance against thee and me. This is the true cause of the delay -of my cure. Go speedily, restore things as they were, and at thy -return I will give thee my hand, and thou shalt help me to rise. - -The enchantress, filled with hopes from these words, cried out in a -transport of joy, My heart! my soul! you shall soon be restored to -your health, for I will immediately do what you command me. -Accordingly she went that moment; and when she came to the brink of -the pond, she took a little water in her hand, and sprinkling it ---Here Scheherazade saw day, and stopped. - -Dinarzade says to the sultaness, Sister, I am much rejoiced to hear -that the young king of the four Black Islands was disenchanted, and -I already consider the town and the inhabitants as restored to their -former state; but I long to know what will become of the -enchantress. Have a little patience, replies the sultaness; you -shall have the satisfaction you desire tomorrow, if the sultan, my -lord, will consent to it. Schahriar, having resolved on this -already, as was said before, rose up, and went about his business. - - - - -TWENTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -At the usual hour, Dinarzade called upon the sultaness thus: Dear -sister, pray tell us what was the fate of the magician queen, as you -promised us. Upon which Scheherazade went on thus: The enchantress -had no sooner sprinkled the water, and pronounced some words over -the fishes and the pond, but the city was immediately restored. The -fishes became men, women, and children: Mahometans, Christians, -Persians, or Jews; freemen or slaves, as they were before; every one -having recovered their natural form. The houses and shops were -immediately filled with their inhabitants, who found all things as -they were before the enchantment. The sultan’s numerous retinue, -who found themselves encamped in the largest square, were astonished -to see themselves in an instant in the middle of a large, handsome, -well-peopled city. - -To return to the enchantress: as soon as she had effected this -wonderful change, she returned with all diligence to the Palace of -Tears, that she might reap the fruits of it. My dear lord, cried -she, as she entered, I come to rejoice with you for the return of -your health. I have done all that you required of me; then pray -rise, and give me your hand. Come near, said the sultan, still -counterfeiting the language of the blacks. She did so. You are not -near enough, replied he; come nearer. She obeyed. Then he rose up, -and seized her by the arm so suddenly, that she had not time to -discover who it was, and with a blow of his scimitar cut her in two, -so that one half fell one way and the other another. This done, he -left the carcass upon the place; and going out of the Palace of -Tears, he went to seek the young king of the Black Isles, who waited -for him with great impatience; and when he found him, Prince, said -he, embracing him, rejoice; you have nothing to fear now, your cruel -enemy is dead. - -The young prince returned thanks to the sultan in such a manner as -shewed that he was thoroughly sensible of the kindness that he had -done him, and in return, wished him a long life and all happiness. -You may henceforward, said the sultan, dwell peaceably in your -capital, except you will go to mine, which is so near, where you -shall be very welcome, and have as much honour and respect shewn you -as if you were at home. Potent monarch, to whom I am so much -indebted, replied the king, you think, then, that you are very near -your capital? Yes, said the sultan, I know it; it is not above four -or five hours’ journey. It will take you a whole year’s journey, -said the prince. I do believe, indeed, that you came hither from -your capital in the time you spoke of, because mine was enchanted; -but since the enchantment is taken off, things are changed: however, -this shall not prevent my following you, were it to the utmost -corners of the earth. You are my deliverer; and that I may give you -proofs of my acknowledging this during my whole life, I am willing -to accompany you, and to leave my kingdom without regret. - -The sultan was extremely surprised to understand that he was so far -from his dominions, and could not imagine how it could be. But the -young king of the Black Isles convinced him beyond the possibility -of doubt. Then the sultan replied, It is no matter, the trouble of -returning to my own country is sufficiently recompensed by the -satisfaction of having obliged you, and by acquiring you for a son: -for since you will do me the honour to accompany me, as I have no -child, I look upon you as such; and from this moment I appoint you -my heir and successor. - -This discourse between the sultan and the king of the Black Islands -concluded with the most affectionate embraces; after which the young -prince was totally taken up in making preparations for his journey, -which were finished in three weeks’ time, to the great regret of -his court and subjects, who agreed to receive at his hands one of -his nearest kindred for their king. - -At last the sultan and the young prince began their journey, with a -hundred camels laden with inestimable riches from the treasury of -the young king, followed by fifty handsome gentlemen on horseback, -perfectly well mounted and dressed. They had a very happy journey; -and when the sultan, who had sent couriers to give advice of his -delay, and of the adventure which had occasioned it, came near his -capital, the principal officers he had left there came to receive -him, and to assure him that his long absence had occasioned no -alteration in his empire. The inhabitants came out also in great -crowds, receiving him with acclamations, and made public rejoicings -for several days. - -Next day after his arrival, the sultan gave all his courtiers a very -ample account of the events which, contrary to his expectation, had -detained him so long. He acquainted them with his having adopted the -king of the four Black Islands, who was willing to leave a great -kingdom, to accompany and live with him; and, in short, in reward of -their loyalty, he made each of them presents according to their rank. - -As for the fisherman, as he was the first cause of the deliverance -of the young prince, the sultan gave him a plentiful fortune, which -made him and his family happy the rest of their days. - -Here Scheherazade made an end of the story of the Fisherman and the -Genie. Dinarzade signified that she had taken a great deal of -pleasure in it; and Schahriar having said the same thing, the -sultaness told them, that she knew another which was much finer, and -if the sultan would give her leave, she would tell it them next -morning, for day began to appear. Schahriar, bethinking himself that -he had granted the sultaness a month’s reprieve, and being curious -moreover to know if this new story would be as agreeable as she -promised, got up, with a desire to hear it next night. - - - - -TWENTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, according to custom, did not forget to call the sultaness -when it was time. Madam, said she, I know not what is the matter -with me, but I know very well, that one of the stories which you -tell so agreeably would be a great relief against that melancholy -which eats me up. Scheherazade, without answering her, began -immediately, and told the sultan the following story: - - - - -The Story of the Three Calendars, [3] sons of Kings, and of the Five -Ladies of Bagdad. - - -Sir, said she, in the reign of Caliph Haroun Alraschid, there was at -Bagdad, the place of his residence, a porter, who, notwithstanding -his mean and laborious business, was a fellow of wit and good -humour. One morning, as he was at the place where he usually plied, -with a great basket, waiting for employment, a handsome young lady, -covered with a great muslin veil, accosted him, and said, with a -pleasant air, Hark ye, porter, take your basket, and follow me. The -porter, charmed with those few words, pronounced in so agreeable a -manner, took his basket immediately, set it on his head, and -followed the lady, saying, O, happy day! O, day of good luck! - -The lady stopped presently before a gate that was shut, and knocked: -a Christian, with a venerable long white beard, opened the gate, and -she put money into his hand, without speaking one word: but the -Christian, who knew what she wanted, went in, and in a little time -after brought a large jug of excellent wine. Take this jug, said the -lady to the porter, and put it in your basket. This being done, she -commanded him to follow her; and as she went on, the porter said -still, O, happy day! this is a day of agreeable surprise and joy! - -The lady stopped at a fruit shop, where she bought several sorts of -apples, apricots, peaches, quinces, lemons, citrons, oranges, -myrtles, sweet basil, lilies, jessamin, and some other sorts of -flowers and fragrant plants; she bade the porter put all into his -basket, and follow her. As she went by a butcher’s stall, she made -him weigh her twenty-five pounds of his best meat, which she ordered -the porter to put also into his basket. At another shop she took -capers, tarragon, cucumbers, sasafras, and other herbs, to be -preserved in vinegar; at another shop she bought pistachios, -walnuts, filberts, almonds, kernels of pine apples, and such other -fruits; and at another she bought all sorts of confectionary. When -the porter had put all those things into his basket, and perceived -that it grew full, My good lady, said he, you ought to have given me -notice that you had so much provision to carry, and then I would -have got a horse, or rather a camel, to have carried them; for if -you buy ever so little more, I shall not be able to carry it. The -lady laughed at the fellow’s pleasant humour, and ordered him -still to follow her. - -Then she went to a druggist, where she furnished herself with all -manner of sweet-scented waters, cloves, musk, pepper, ginger, and a -great piece of ambergris, and several other Indian spices. This -quite filled the porter’s basket, and she ordered him to follow -her. They walked till they came to a magnificent house, whose front -was adorned with fine columns, and which had a gate of ivory. There -they stopped, and the lady knocked softly. Here Scheherazade, -perceiving day, broke off. - -I must own, sister, says Dinarzade, the beginning of this story has -a great deal of curiosity; I fancy the sultan will not deprive -himself of the pleasure of hearing the rest of it. And, indeed, -Schahriar was so far from ordering the sultaness to be put to death, -that he longed impatiently for next night, to know what passed in -the fine house. - - - - -TWENTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade being awake before day, addressed the sultaness thus: -Sister, if you be awake, I would pray you to continue the history -you began yesterday; and Scheherazade went on with it thus: - -While the young lady and the porter staid for the opening of the -gate, the porter had a thousand thoughts: he wondered that such a -fine lady should come abroad to buy provisions: he concluded she -could not be a slave, her air was too noble; and therefore he -thought she must needs be a woman of quality. Just as he was about -to ask her some questions upon that head, another lady came to open -the gate, and appeared to him so beautiful, that he was perfectly -surprised, or rather so much struck with her charms, that he had -like to have let his basket fall, for he had never seen any beauty -that equalled her. - -The lady who brought the porter with her, perceiving his disorder, -and what occasioned it, diverted herself with it, and took so much -pleasure to examine his looks, that she forgot the gate was opened. -Upon this the beautiful lady said to her, Pray, sister, come in; -what do you stay for? Do you not see this poor man so heavily laden, -that he is scarcely able to stand under it? - -When she entered with the porter, the lady who opened the gate shut -it, and all three, after having gone through a very fine porch, came -into a spacious court, encompassed with an open gallery, which had a -communication with several apartments on a floor, and -extraordinarily magnificent. There was at the farther end of the -court a sofa richly adorned, with a throne of amber in the middle of -it, supported by four columns of ebony, enriched with diamonds and -pearls of an extraordinary size, and covered with red satin -embroidered with Indian gold of admirable workmanship. In the middle -of the court there was a great fountain, faced with white marble, -and full of clear water, which fell into it abundantly out of the -mouth of a lion of brass. - -The porter, though heavy laden, could not but admire the -magnificence of this house, and the excellent order that every thing -was placed in; but that which particularly captivated his attention -was a third lady, who seemed to be a greater beauty than the second, -and was seated upon the throne just now mentioned. She came down -from it, as soon as she saw the two former ladies, and advanced -towards them; he judged by the respect which the others showed her, -that she was the chief, in which he was not mistaken. This lady was -called Zobeide, she who opened the gate was called Safie, and Amine -was the name of her who went out to buy the provisions. - -Zobeide said to the two ladies, when she came to them, Sisters, do -not you see that this honest man is ready to sink under his burden? -Why do not you ease him of it? Then Amine and Safie took the basket, -the one before and the other behind, and Zobeide also lent her hand, -and all three together set it on the ground; then emptied it; and -when they had done, the beautiful Amine took out money, and paid the -porter liberally. Day-light appearing, Scheherazade was obliged to -keep silence; but Schahriar, having a great desire to hear the rest -of the story, ordered the sultaness to go on with it next night. - - - - -THIRTIETH NIGHT. - - -Next morning Dinarzade being awaked by her impatience to hear the -rest of the story, said to the sultaness: For the sake of heaven, -sister, if you be not asleep, give us an account of what the ladies -did with the provisions brought by Amine. You shall quickly hear it, -said Scheherazade, if you listen to my story, which she resumed as -follows: - -The porter, very well satisfied with the money he had received, was -to have taken up his basket, and be gone; but he could not tell how -to think on it. Do what he could, he found himself stopped by the -pleasure of seeing three such beauties, who appeared to him equally -charming; for Amine having now laid aside her veil, was as handsome -as either of them. What surprised him most was, that he saw no man -about the house, yet most of the provisions he brought in, as the -dry fruits, and the several sorts of cakes and confections, were fit -chiefly for those who could drink and make merry. - -Zobeide thought at first, that the porter staid only to take breath; -but perceiving that he staid too long, What do you wait for? said -she: are you not well enough paid? And turning to Amine, said, -Sister, give him something more, that he may depart satisfied. -Madam, replied the porter, it is not that which keeps me, I am over -and above paid; I am sensible that I am unmannerly to stay longer -than I ought, but I hope you will be so good as to pardon me, if I -tell you, that I am astonished to see that there is no man with -three ladies of such extraordinary beauty; and you know that a -company of women without men is as melancholy a thing as a company -of men without women. To this he added several other pleasant -things, to prove what he said, and did not forget the Bagdad -proverb, That the table is not completely furnished, except there be -four in company: and so concluded that since they were but three, -they wanted a fourth. - -The ladies fell a laughing at the porter’s discourse; after which, -Zobeide said to him very gravely, Friend, you are a little too bold; -and though you do not deserve that I should enter into particulars -with you, yet I am willing to tell you, that we are three sisters, -who do our business so secretly, that no body knows any thing of it. -We have too great reason to be cautious of acquainting indiscreet -persons with it; and a good author that we have read, says, “Keep -your secret and do not reveal it to any body. He that reveals it is -no longer master of it. If your own breast cannot keep your secret, -how do you think that another person will keep it?” - -My ladies, replied the porter, by your very air, I judged at first -that you were persons of extraordinary merit, and I conceive that I -am not mistaken; though fortune has not given me wealth enough to -raise me above my mean profession, yet I have not failed to -cultivate my mind as much as I could, by reading books of science -and history: and allow me, if you please, to tell you, that I have -also read in another author a maxim which I have always happily -practised: “We do not conceal our secrets,” says he, “but from -such persons as are known to all the world to want discretion, and -would abuse the confidence we put in them; but we make no scruple to -discover them to prudent persons, because we know they can keep -them.” A secret with me is as sure as if it were in a closet, -whose key is lost, and the door sealed up. - -Zobeide perceiving that the porter did not want sense, but -conceiving he had a mind to share in their treat, she replied to -him, smiling, You know that we are about to have a treat, and you -know also that we have been at a considerable expense, and it is not -just that you should have a share of it, without contributing -towards it. The beautiful Safie seconded her sister, and said to the -porter, Friend, have you never heard that which is commonly said, -“If you bring any thing with you, you shall be welcome; but if you -bring nothing, you must get you gone with nothing?” - -The porter, notwithstanding his rhetoric, must in all probability -have retired in confusion, if Amine had not taken his part, and said -to Zobeide and Safie, My dearest sisters, I conjure you to let him -stay with us; I need not tell you that he will divert us, you see -well enough that he is capable of that; I must needs tell you, that -unless he had been very willing, as well as nimble, and hardy enough -to follow me, I could not have done so much business in so little -time: besides, should I repeat to you all the obliging expressions -he used to me by the way, you would not be surprised at my -protecting him. - -At these words of Amine, the porter was so much transported with -joy, that he fell on his knees, kissed the ground at the feet of -that charming person, and raising himself up, said, Most beautiful -lady, you began my good fortune to-day, and now you complete it by -this generous action; I cannot enough testify my acknowledgment for -it. As to what remains, my ladies, said he, addressing himself to -all three sisters, since you do me so great honour, do not think -that I will abuse it, or look upon myself as a person that deserves -it. No, I shall always look upon myself as one of your most humble -slaves. When he had spoken these words, he would have returned the -money he had received, but the grave Zobeide ordered him to keep it. -That which we have once given, said she, to reward those who have -served us, we never take again. --Here day began to dawn, which put -Scheherazade to silence. - -Dinarzade, who listened with a great deal of attention, was much -troubled at it, but had this comfort, however, that the sultan, who -was as curious as she to know what passed betwixt the three -beautiful ladies and the porter, ordered the sultaness to go on with -the rest of the story next night, and rose up to go about his -business. - - - - -THIRTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -The next morning, Dinarzade did not fail to awaken the sultaness at -the ordinary time, and said, Dear sister, if you are not asleep, I -would pray you, (until break of day, which is near at hand,) to go -on with that agreeable story you began. Upon which Scheherazade -addressed the sultan thus: Sir, with your leave, I am willing to -satisfy my sister’s curiosity; and at the same time, went on with -the story of the Three Calenders. - -Zobeide would not take back the money from the porter, but said, My -friend, in consenting that you stay with us, I must forewarn you, -that it is not only on condition that you keep secret what we have -required you, but also that you observe exactly the rules of good -manners and civility. In the mean time the charming Amine put off -the apparel she went abroad with, put on her night-gown that she -might be more easy, and covered the table, which she furnished with -several sorts of meat, and upon a side-board she set bottles of wine -and cups of gold. Soon after the ladies took their places, and made -the porter sit down by them, who was overjoyed to see himself at -table with three such admirable beauties. After they had eaten a -little, Amine, who sat next the sideboard, took up a bottle and a -cup, filled out wine, and drank first herself, according to the -custom of the Arabians; then she filled the cup to her sisters, who -drank in course as they sat; and at last she filled it the fourth -time to the porter, who, as he received it, kissed Amine’s hand; -and before he drank, sung a song to this purpose: That as the wind -brings along with it the sweet scents of the perfumed places through -which it passes, so the wine he was going to drink, coming from her -fair hands, received a more exquisite taste than what it had of its -own nature. This song pleased the ladies so much, that each of them -sung another in their turn. In short, they were very merry all -dinner-time, which lasted a long while, and nothing was wanting that -could make it agreeable. The day being almost spent, Safie spoke in -the name of the three ladies, and said to the porter, Arise, and be -gone; it is time for you to depart. But the porter, not willing to -leave so good company, cried, Alas! ladies, whither do you command -me to go in the condition I am in? I am quite beside myself, by what -I have seen since I came hither, and having also drank above my -usual quantity, I shall never find the way home: allow me this night -to repose in any place where you please, for no less time is -necessary for me to recover myself; but go when I will, I shall -leave the best part of myself behind me. - -Amine pleaded the second time for the porter, saying, Sisters, he is -in the right; I am pleased with the request, he having already -diverted us so well; and, if you will take my advice, or if you love -me as much as I think you do, let us keep him, to pass away the -remaining part of the night. Sister, answered Zobeide, we can refuse -you nothing; and then turning to the porter, said, We are willing -once more to grant your request, but upon this new condition, that -whatever we do in your presence relating to ourselves or any thing -else, take heed you do not once open your mouth to ask the reason of -it; for if you ask questions about that which does not belong to -you, you may chance to know that which will be no way pleasing to -you; beware, therefore, and do not be too curious to dive into the -motives of our actions. - -Madam, replied the porter, I promise to observe this condition with -such exactness, that you shall have no cause to reproach me with -breaking it, and far less to punish my indiscretion: my tongue shall -be immoveable on this occasion, and my eye like a looking-glass, -which retains nothing of the object that is set before it. And to -show you, said Zobeide with a serious countenance, that what we -demand of you is not a new thing among us, rise up, and read what is -written over our gate on the inside. - -The porter went thither, and read these words, written in large -characters of gold: “He who speaks of things that do not concern -him, shall hear of things that will not please him.” Returning -again to the three sisters, Ladies, said he, I give you my oath, -that you shall never hear me speak any thing which does not concern -me, or wherein you may have any concern. - -This agreement being made, Amine brought in supper, and after the -room was set round with tapers, that were mixed with aloes and -ambergris, which gave a most agreeable scent, as well as a delicate -light, she sat down at table with her sisters and the porter. They -began again to eat and drink, sing, and repeat verses. The ladies -took pleasure to fuddle the porter, under pretext of causing him to -drink their healths, and abundance of witty sentences passed on both -sides. In short, as they were all in the best humour in the world, -they heard a knocking at the gate. - -Scheherazade was obliged to stop here, because she observed -day-light appearing. - -The sultan, not doubting the sequel of this history deserved to be -heard, put it off till the day following, and so arose. - - - - -THIRTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -The next night being almost at an end, Dinarzade called to the -sultaness; for heaven’s sake, sister, if you are awake, let me -pray you to continue the story of the three fair ladies: I am very -impatient till I know who it was that knocked at their gate. You -shall hear it immediately, said she; I am sure that what I am now -going to relate is worthy of my lord the sultan’s attention. - -When the ladies, said she, heard the knocking, they all three got up -to open the gate; but Safie, to whom this office particularly -belonged, was the nimblest; which her other two sisters perceiving, -sat down till she came back, to acquaint them who it could be that -had any business with them so late. Safie returning, said, Sisters, -we have here a very fine opportunity to pass a good part of the -night with much satisfaction, and if you be of the same mind with -me, we shall not let it slip. There are three calenders at our gate, -at least they appear to be such by their habit; but that which you -will most admire is, they are all three blind of the right eye, and -have their heads, beards, and eye-brows shaved, and, as they say, -are but just come to Bagdad, where they never were before; and it -being night, and not knowing where to find any lodging, they -happened by chance to knock at this gate, and pray us, for the love -of heaven, to have compassion on them, and receive them into the -house; they care not what place we put them in, provided they may be -under shelter; they would be satisfied with a stable; they are young -and handsome enough, and seem also to be men of good sense; but I -cannot without laughing think of their pleasant and uniform figure. -Here Safie fell a laughing so heartily, that it put the two sisters -and the porter into the same mood. My dear sisters, said she, are -you content that they come in? it is impossible but with such -persons as I have already described them to be, we shall finish the -day better than we began it; they will afford us diversion enough, -and put us to no charge, because they desire shelter only for this -night, and resolve to leave us as soon as day appears. - -Zobeide and Amine made some difficulty to grant Safie’s request, -for reasons they well knew; but she having so great a desire to -obtain this favour, they could not refuse her. Go then, said -Zobeide, and bring them in; but do not forget to acquaint them that -they must not speak of any thing which does not concern them, and -cause them to read what is written over the gate. Safie ran out with -a great deal of joy, and in a little time after returned with the -three calenders in her company. - -At their entrance they made a profound bow to the ladies, who rose -up to receive them, told them most obligingly that they were very -welcome, that they were glad to have met with an opportunity to -oblige them, and to contribute towards relieving them from the -fatigue of their journey, and at last invited them to sit down with -them. - -The magnificence of the place, and the civility they received in it, -made the calenders conceive a great idea of these handsome ladies; -but, before they sat down, having by chance cast their eyes upon the -porter, whom they saw clad almost like one of those other calenders -with whom they are in controversy about several points of -discipline, because they never shave their beards nor eyebrows; one -of them said, Look here, I believe we have got one of our revolted -Arabian brethren. - -The porter being half asleep, and having his head warm with wine, -was affronted at these words, and with a fierce look, without -stirring from his place, answered, Sit you down, and do not meddle -with what does not concern you. Have you not read the inscription -over the gate? Do not pretend to make people live after your -fashion, but follow ours. - -Honest man, said the calender, do not put yourself in a passion; we -should be very sorry to give you the least occasion; on the -contrary, we are ready to receive your commands. Upon which, to put -an end to the dispute, the ladies interposed, and pacified them. -When the calenders sat down at table, the ladies served them with -meat; and Safie, being most pleased with them, did not let them want -for drink. - -Scheherazade stopped her discourse, because she saw day appear, and -the sultan got up to follow his affairs, and promised to hear the -rest of the story next day; for he had a great desire to know why -those three calenders were blind, and all three of the same eye. - - - - -THIRTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -An hour before day, Dinarzade being awake, said to the sultaness, -Dear sister, pray let me know what passed between the ladies and the -calenders. With all my heart, replied Scheherazade, and continued -her story in the manner following: - -After the calenders had eaten and drank liberally, they signified to -the ladies, that they had a great desire to entertain them with a -concert of music, if they had any instruments in the house, and -would cause them to be brought: they willingly accepted the proffer, -and fair Safie going to fetch them, returned again in a moment, and -presented them with a flute of her own country fashion, another of -the Persian sort, and a tabor. Each man took the instrument he -liked, and all three together began to play a tune. The ladies, who -knew the words of a merry song that suited the air, joined the -concert with their voices; but the words of the song made them now -and then stop, and fall into excessive laughter. - -In the height of this diversion, and when the company were in the -midst of their jollity, somebody knocked at the gate. Safie left off -singing, and went to see who it was. But, sir, said Scheherazade to -the sultan, it is fit your majesty should know why this knocking -happened so late at the ladies’ house. Now the reason was this: -The Caliph Haroun Alraschid was accustomed to walk abroad in -disguise very often by night, that he might see with his own eyes if -every thing was quiet in the city, and that no disorders were -committed in it. - -This night the caliph went out pretty early on his rambles, -accompanied by Giafar his grand vizier, and Mesrour the chief of the -eunuchs of his palace, all disguised in merchant’s habits; and -passing through the street where the three ladies dwelt, he heard -the sound of the music and great fits of laughter; upon which he -commanded the vizier to knock, because he would go in, to know the -reason of that jollity. The vizier told him in vain, that it was -some women merry making; that without question their heads were warm -with wine, and that it would not be proper he should expose himself -to be affronted by them; besides, it was not yet an unlawful hour, -and therefore he ought not to disturb them in their mirth. --No -matter, said the caliph, I command you to knock. So it was the grand -vizier Giafar that knocked at the ladies’ gate by the caliph’s -order, because he himself would not be known. Safie opened the gate, -and the vizier perceiving, by the light that she held in her hand, -that she was an incomparable beauty, he acted his part very well, -and with a very low bow and respectful behaviour, told her, Madam, -we are three merchants of Mossoul, who arrived about ten days ago -with rich merchandize, which we have in a warehouse at a khan, or -inn, where we have also our lodging. We happened this day to be with -a merchant of this city, who invited us to a treat at his house, -where we had a splendid entertainment; and the wine having put us in -humour, he sent for a company of dancers. Night being come on, and -the music and dancers making a great noise, the watch came by in the -mean time, caused the gate to be opened, and some of the company to -be taken up; but we had the good fortune to escape by getting over a -wall. Now, said the vizier, being strangers, and somewhat overcome -with wine, we are afraid of meeting another, and perhaps the same -watch, before we get home to our khan, which lies a good way from -hence. Besides, when we come there, the gates will be shut, and not -opened till morning: wherefore, madam, hearing, as we passed by this -way, the sound of music, we supposed you were not yet going to rest, -and made bold to knock at your gate, to beg the favour of lodging -ourselves in the house till morning; and if you think us worthy of -your good company, we will endeavour to contribute to your diversion -to the best of our power, to make some amends for the interruption -we have given you; if not, we only beg the favour of staying this -night under your porch. - -Whilst Giafar held this discourse, fair Safie had time to observe -the vizier and his two companions, who were said to be merchants -like himself, and told them that she was not mistress of the house; -but if they would have a minute’s patience, she would return with -an answer. - -Safie acquainted her sisters with the matter, who considered for -some time what to conclude upon: but being naturally of a good -disposition, and having granted the same favour to the three -calenders, they at last consented to let them in. Scheherazade -intending to continue her story, saw daylight appear, which made her -break off: but the quality of these new actors which the sultaness -had brought upon the stage excited the curiosity of Schahriar, who -looking for some singular event, expected the next night with -impatience. - - - - -THIRTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, being as curious as the sultan to know what the arrival -of the caliph at the house of those three ladies might produce, did -not forget to awaken the sultaness very early next morning, and -prayed her earnestly to resume the story of the calenders, whilst -Scheherazade, with leave of the sultan, pursued in the following -manner: - -The caliph, his grand vizier, and the chief of the eunuchs, being -introduced by the fair Safie, very courteously saluted the ladies -and the calenders. The ladies returned them the like civilities, -supposing them to be merchants. Zobeide, as the chief, said to them -with a grave and serious countenance, which was natural to her, You -are welcome. But before I proceed farther, I hope you will not take -it ill if we desire one favour of you. --Alas! said the vizier, what -favour? We can refuse nothing to such fair ladies. --Zobeide -replied, It is, that you would only have eyes, but no tongues; that -you put no question to us about the reason of any thing you may -happen to see, and speak not of any thing that does not concern you, -lest you come to hear of things that will by no means please you. - -Madam, replied the vizier, you shall be obeyed. We are not -censorious, nor impertinently curious; it is enough for us to take -notice of that which concerns us, without meddling with that which -does not belong to us. Upon this they all sat down, and the company -being united, they drank to the health of the new comers. - -While the vizier Giafar entertained the ladies in discourse, the -caliph could not forbear admiring their extraordinary beauty, -graceful behaviour, pleasant humour, and ready wit; on the other -hand, nothing was more surprising to him than the calenders being -all three blind of the right eye. He would gladly have been informed -of this singularity; but the conditions so lately imposed upon -himself and his companions would not allow him to speak. This, with -the richness of the furniture, the exact order of every thing, and -the neatness of the house, made him think it was some enchanted -place. - -Their conversation happening to turn upon diversions and different -ways of making merry, the calenders arose, and danced after their -fashion, which augmented the good opinion the ladies had conceived -of them, and procured them the esteem of the caliph and his -companions. - -When the three calenders had made an end of their dance, Zobeide -arose, and taking Amine by the hand, said, Pray, sister, rise up, -for the company will not take it ill if we use our freedom, and -their presence need not hinder our performance of what we are wont -to do. Amine, understanding her sister’s meaning, rose from her -seat, carried away the dishes, the table, the flasks and cups, -together with the instruments which the calenders had played upon. - -Safie was not idle, but swept the room, put every thing again in its -place, snuffed the candles, and put fresh aloes and ambergris to -them, and then prayed the three calenders to sit down upon the sofa -on one side, and the caliph with his companions on the other. As to -the porter, she said to him, Get up and prepare yourself to serve in -what we are going about; a man like you, who is one of the family, -ought not to be idle. The porter, being somewhat recovered from his -wine, got up immediately, and having tied the sleeve of his gown to -his belt, answered, Here am I, ready to obey your commands in any -thing. Very well, replied Safie, stay till you are spoken to; you -shall not be idle very long. A little time after, Amine came in with -a chair, which she placed in the middle of the room; and then went -to a closet, which having opened, she beckoned to the porter, and -said to him, Come hither and help me; which he obeying, entered the -closet, and returned immediately, leading two black bitches, with -each of them a collar and chain; they looked as if they had been -severely whipped with rods, and he brought them into the middle of -the room. - -Then Zobeide rising from her seat between the calenders and the -caliph, marched very gravely towards the porter:-- Come on, said -she, with a great sigh; let us perform our duty; then tucking up her -sleeves above her elbows, and receiving a rod from Safie, Porter, -said she, deliver one of the bitches to my sister Amine, and come to -me with the other. - -The porter did as he was commanded; the bitch that he held in his -hand began to cry, and turning towards Zobeide, held her head up in -a begging posture; but Zobeide, having no regard to the sad -countenance of the bitch, which would have moved pity, nor her -cries, that resounded through the house, whipped her with the rod -till she was out of breath; and having spent her strength, that she -could strike no more, she threw down the rod, and taking the chain -from the porter, lifted up the bitch by her paws, and looking upon -her with a sad and pitiful countenance, they both wept; after which, -Zobeide, with her handkerchief, wiped the tears from the bitch’s -eye, kissed her, returned the chain to the porter, bade him carry -her to the place whence he took her, and bring her the other. The -porter led back the whipped bitch to the closet, and receiving the -other from Amine, presented her to Zobeide, who bade the porter hold -her as he did the first, took up the rod, and treated her after the -same manner; and when she had wept over her, dried her eyes, and -kissed her, and returned her to the porter: but lovely Amine spared -him the trouble of leading her back into the closet, and did it -herself. The three calenders and the caliph, with his companions, -were extremely surprised at this execution, and could not comprehend -why Zobeide, after having so furiously whipped those two bitches, -that by the mussulman religion are reckoned unclean animals, should -cry with them, wipe off their tears, and kiss them: they muttered -among themselves, and the caliph, who being more impatient than the -rest, longed exceedingly to be informed of the cause of so strange -an action, and could not forbear making signs to the vizier to ask -the question; the vizier turned his head another way; but being -pressed by repeated signs, he answered by others, that it was not -yet time for the caliph to satisfy his curiosity. - -Zobeide sat still some time in the middle of the room, where she had -whipped the two bitches, to recover herself of the fatigue; and fair -Safie called to her, Dear sister, will you not be pleased to return -to your place, that I may also act my part? Yes, sister, replied -Zobeide; and then went, and sat down upon the sofa, having the -caliph, Giafar, and Mesrour on her right hand, and the three -calenders, with the porter, on her left. - -Here, said Scheherazade to the sultan, Sir, what has been hitherto -told your majesty must, without doubt, appear very strange; but what -yet remains is more wonderful; and I am persuaded your majesty will -think so, if you will be pleased to give me leave to finish the -story next night: the sultan agreed to it, and got up because it was -day. - - - - -THIRTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade was no sooner awake next morning, but she called, Sister, -if you are not asleep, pray continue the fine story of the three -sisters. The sultaness remembering where she left off, addressed -herself to the sultan, and went on as follows: Sir, after Zobeide -sat down, the whole company was silent for a while; at last Safie, -sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, spoke to her sister -Amine --Dear sister, I conjure you to rise up; you know well enough -what I would say. Amine rose, and went into another closet, near to -that where the bitches were, and brought out a case covered with -yellow satin, richly embroidered with gold, and green silk: she came -near Safie, and opened the case, from whence she took a lute, and -presented it to her; and after some time spent in tuning it, Safie -began to play, and accompanying it with her voice, she sung a song -about the torments that absence creates to lovers, with so much -sweetness, that it charmed the caliph and all the company. Having -sung with a great deal of passion and action, she said to lovely -Amine, Pray take it sister, for I can do no more; my voice fails me: -oblige the company with a tune, and a song, in my room. Very -willingly, replied Amine, who, taking the lute from her sister -Safie, sat down in her place. - -Amine, after some small trial, to see whether the instrument was in -tune, played and sung almost as long upon the same subject, but with -so much vehemency, and she was so much affected, or rather -transported, by the words of the song, that her strength failed her -as she made an end of it. - -Zobeide, willing to testify her satisfaction, said, Sister, you have -done wonders, and we may easily see that you feel the grief you have -expressed in so lively a manner. Amine was prevented from answering -this civility, her heart being so sensibly touched at the same -moment, that she was obliged, for air, to uncover her neck and -breast, which did not appear so fair as might have been expected -from such a lady as she, but on the contrary, black and full of -scars, which frighted all the spectators. However, this gave her no -ease, but she fell into a fit. --Here Scheherazade stopped, saying, -Sir, I had almost forgot that it is day. With this she ended her -discourse, and the sultan arose from bed. And though this prince had -not resolved to defer the death of the sultaness, he could not, at -this time, have determined to take away her life; his curiosity was -so great to hear out the story, which had so many unheard-of events. - - - - -THIRTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade awaked her sister as formerly, saying, Dear sister, I pray -you to continue the story of the ladies and the calenders. Upon -which she resumed her discourse in the manner following:-- - -When Zobeide and Safie ran to help their sister, one of the -calenders could not forbear to say, We had better have slept in the -streets than have come hither, had we thought to have seen such -spectacles. The caliph, who heard this, came to him and the other -calenders, and asked them what might be the meaning of all this. -They answered, Sir, we know no more than you do. What! says the -caliph, are you not of the family? nor can you resolve us concerning -the two black bitches, and the lady that fainted away, and has been -so basely abused? Sir, said the calenders, this is the first time -that ever we were in the house, and we came in but a few minutes -before you. - -This increased the caliph’s astonishment. It may be, says, he, -this other man that is with you may know something of it. One of the -calenders made a sign for the porter to come near, and asked him -whether he knew why those two black bitches had been whipped, and -why Amine’s bosom was so scarred? Sir, said the porter, I can -swear by heaven, that if you know nothing of all this, I know as -little as you do. It is true, I live in this city, but I never was -in the house until now; and if you are surprised to see me here, I -am as much to find myself in your company; --and that which -increases my wonder is, that I have not seen one man with these -ladies. - -The caliph and his company, as well as the calenders, supposed the -porter had been one of the family, and hoped he could inform them of -what they desired to know; but finding he could not, and resolving -to satisfy his curiosity, cost what it would, he said to the rest, -Look ye, we are here seven men, and have but three women to deal -with; let us try if we can oblige them to satisfy us, and if they -refuse it by fair means, we are in a condition to force them to it. - -The grand vizier Giafar was against this method, and shewed the -caliph what might be the consequence of it; but, without discovering -the prince to the calenders, addressed him as if he had been a -merchant, thus: Sir, consider, I pray you, that our reputation lies -at stake. You know very well upon what conditions these ladies were -ready to receive us, and we also agreed to them; what will they say -of us if we break them? We shall be still more to blame, if any -mischief befall us, for it is not likely that they would demand such -a promise of us, if they did not know themselves to be in a -condition to make us repent the breaking of it. - -Here the vizier took the caliph aside, and whispered to him thus: -Sir, the night will soon be at an end; and if your majesty will only -be pleased to have so much patience, I will take these ladies -to-morrow morning, and bring them before your throne, where you may -be informed of all that you desire to know. Though this advice was -very judicious, the caliph rejected it, bade the vizier hold his -tongue, and said he would not stay till then, but would have -satisfaction in the matter presently. - -The next business was to know who should carry the message. The -caliph endeavoured to prevail with the calenders to speak first, but -they excused themselves; and at last they agreed that the porter -should be the man: and as they were consulting how to word this -fatal question, Zobeide returned from her sister Amine, who was -recovered of her fit, drew near them, and, having overheard them -speaking pretty loud, and with some passion, said, Gentlemen, what -is the subject of your discourse? what are you disputing about? - -The porter answered immediately, Madam, these gentlemen pray you to -let them understand wherefore you wept over your two bitches after -you whipped them so severely, and how that lady’s bosom, who -lately fainted away, comes to be so full of scars? This is what I am -ordered to ask in their name. - -At these words, Zobeide looked with a stern countenance; and, -turning towards the caliph and the rest of the company, Is this -true, gentlemen, said she, that you have given him order to ask me -this question? All of them, except the vizier Giafar, who spoke not -a word, answered, Yes. On which she told them, in a tone that -sufficiently expressed her resentment, Before we granted you the -favour of being received into our house, and to prevent all occasion -of trouble from you, because we are alone, we did it upon condition -that you should not speak of anything that did not concern you, lest -you might come to hear that which would not please you; and yet, -after having received and entertained you as well as we possibly -could, you make no scruple to break your promise. It is true that -our easy temper has occasioned this, but that shall not excuse you, -for your proceedings are very unhandsome. As she spoke these words, -she gave three hard knocks with her foot, and clapping her hands as -often together, cried, Come quick. Upon this, a door flew open, and -seven strong, sturdy black slaves, with scimetars in their hands, -rushed in; every one seized a man, threw him on the ground, and -dragged him into the middle of the room, in order to cut off his -head. - -We may easily conceive what a fright the caliph was in: he then -repented, but too late, that he had not taken his vizier’s advice. -In the mean time, this unhappy prince, Giafar, Mesrour, the porter, -and the calenders, were upon the point of losing their lives by -their indiscreet curiosity. --But before they would strike the fatal -blow, one of the slaves said to Zobeide and her sisters, High, -mighty, and adorable mistresses, do you command us to cut their -throats? Stay, says Zobeide, I must examine them first. The -frightened porter interrupted her thus: In the name of heaven, do -not make me die for another man’s crime! I am innocent --they are -to blame. Alas! said he, crying, how pleasantly did we pass our -time! Those blind calenders are the cause of this misfortune; there -is no town in the world but suffers wherever these inauspicious -fellows come. Madam, I beg you not to destroy the innocent with the -guilty, and consider, that it is more glorious to pardon such a -wretch as I am, who have no way to help myself, than to sacrifice me -to your resentment. - -Zobeide, notwithstanding her anger, could not but laugh within -herself at the porter’s lamentation; but, without answering him, -she spoke a second time to the rest: Answer me, said she, and tell -me who you are, otherwise you shall not live one moment longer. I -cannot believe you to be honest men, nor persons of authority or -distinction in your own countries; for if you were, you would have -been modest and more respectful to us. - -The caliph, who was naturally impatient, was infinitely more -impatient than the rest, to find his life depend upon the command of -a lady justly incensed; but he began to conceive some hopes, when he -saw she would know who they were; for he imagined she would not take -away his life, when once she came to be informed who he was; ---therefore he spoke with a low voice to the vizier, who was near -him, to declare speedily who he was; but the vizier, being more -prudent, resolved to save his master’s honour, and not let the -world know the affront he had brought upon himself by his own -weakness; and therefore answered, We have what we deserve. - -But if he would have spoke in obedience to the caliph, Zobeide did -not give him time, for, having turned to the calenders, and seeing -them all three blind with one eye, she asked if they were brothers. -One of them answered, No, madam, no otherwise than as we are -calenders; that is to say, as we observe the same rules. --Were you -born blind of the right eye? replied she. No, madam, answered he; I -lost my eye in such a surprising adventure, that it would be -instructive to every body were it in writing. After that misfortune, -I shaved my beard and eyebrows, and took the habit or a calender, -which I now wear. - -Zobeide asked the other two calenders the same question, and had the -same answer; but he who spoke last added, Madam, to show you that we -are no common fellows, and that you may have some consideration for -us, be pleased to know, that we are all three sons of kings; and -though we never met together till this evening, yet we have had tune -enough to make that known to one another; and I assure you, that the -kings from whom we derive our being made some noise in the world. - -At this discourse, Zobeide assuaged her anger, and said to the -slaves, Give them their liberty awhile, but stay here. Those who -tell us their history, and the occasion of their coming, do them no -hurt, let them go where they please: but do not spare those who -refuse to give us that satisfaction. --Here Scheherazade stopped; -and her silence, as well as day-light, giving the sultan to know -that it was time for him to rise, he got up, and resolved to hear -the rest of the story next night; for he was impatient to know who -these three one-eyed calenders were. - - - - -THIRTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, who also took a great deal of pleasure to hear the -sultaness’s stories, said to her, about the close of the following -night, Dear sister, if you be not asleep, I conjure you to go on -with the agreeable story of the three calenders. - -Scheherazade asked leave of the sultan, and having obtained it, Sir, -said she, the three calenders, the caliph, the grand vizier Giafar, -the eunuch Mesrour, and the porter, were all in the middle of the -hall, seated upon a foot-carpet, in the presence of the three -ladies, who sat upon a sofa, and the slaves stood ready to do -whatever their mistresses should command. - -The porter, understanding that he might extricate himself from -danger by telling his history, spoke first, and said, Madam, you -know my history already, and the occasion of my coming hither; so -that what I have to say will be very short. My lady, your sister -there, called me this morning at the place where I plied as porter -to see if any body would employ me, that I might get my bread. I -followed her to a vintner’s, then to an herb-shop, then to one -that sold oranges, lemons, and citrons, then to a grocer’s, next -to a confectioner’s, and a druggist’s, with my basket upon my -head as full as I was able to carry it: then I came hither, where -you had the goodness to suffer me to continue till now, a favour -that I shall never forget. This, madam, is my history. - -When the porter had done, Zobeide said to him, Go, march, let us see -you no more here. Madam, replied the porter, I beg you to let me -stay: it would not be just, after the rest have had the pleasure to -hear my history, that I should not also have the satisfaction to -hear their’s. And, having spoken thus, sat down at the end of the -sofa, glad at heart to have escaped the danger that had frightened -him so much. After him, one of the three calenders, directing his -speech to Zobeide, as the principal of the three ladies, and the -person that commanded him to speak, began his story thus:-- - - - - -The History of the First Calender, a King’s Son. - - -Madam, in order to inform you how I lost my right eye, and why I was -obliged to put myself into a calender’s habit, I must tell you, -that I am a king’s son born: the king my father had a brother that -reigned, as he did, over a neighbouring kingdom; and the prince his -son and I were nearly of the same age. - -After I had learned my exercises, and the king my father granted me -such liberty as suited my dignity, I went regularly every year to -see my uncle, at whose court I amused myself for a month or two, and -then returned again to my father’s. These several journies -cemented a firm and intimate friendship between the prince my cousin -and myself. The last time I saw him he received me with greater -demonstrations of tenderness than he had done at any time before; -and, resolving one day to give me a treat, he made great -preparations for that purpose. We continued a long time at table; -and after we had both supped, Cousin, said he, you will hardly be -able to guess how I have been employed since your last departure -from hence, now about a year past. I have had a great many men at -work to perfect a design I have in my mind: I have caused an edifice -to be built, which is now finished so as to be habitable; you will -not be displeased if I show it you. But first you are to promise me, -upon oath, that you will keep my secret, according to the confidence -I repose in you. - -The affection and familiarity that subsisted between us would not -allow me to refuse him any thing. I very readily took the oath -required of me: upon which he said to me, Stay here till I return ---I will be with you in a moment; and accordingly he came with a -lady in his hand, of singular beauty, and magnificently apparelled. -He did not intimate who she was, neither did I think it was polite -in me to inquire. We sat down again with this lady at table, where -we continued some time, conversing upon indifferent subjects, and -now and then filling a glass to each other’s health. After which -the prince said, Cousin, we must lose no time; therefore pray oblige -me by taking this lady along with you, and conducting her to such a -place, where you will see a tomb newly built in form or a dome. You -will easily know it, the gate is open; go in there together, and -tarry till I come, which will be very speedily. - -Being true to my oath, I made no farther inquiry, but took the lady -by the hand, and, by the directions which the prince my cousin had -given me, I brought her to the place, by the light of the moon, -without missing one step of the way. We were scarcely got thither, -when we saw the prince following after, carrying a little pitcher -with water, a hatchet, and a little bag with plaster. - -The hatchet served him to break down the empty sepulchre in the -middle of the tomb; he took away the stones one after another, and -laid them in a corner. When all this was taken away, he digged up -the ground, where I saw a trap-door under the sepulchre, which he -lifted up, and underneath perceived the head of a staircase leading -into a vault. Then my cousin, speaking to the lady, said, Madam, it -is by this way that we are to go to the place I told you of. Upon -which the lady drew nigh, and went down, and the prince began to -follow; but first, turning to me, said, My dear cousin, I am -infinitely obliged to you for the trouble you have taken; I thank -you. Adieu. I cried, Dear cousin, what is the meaning of this? Be -content, replied he; you may return back the same way you came. - -Scheherazade having proceeded thus far, saw day appear, which -prevented her proceeding any farther. The sultan got up, but longed -very much to know the design of the prince and his lady, who seemed -as if they had a mind to bury themselves alive; and impatiently -waited for next night, that he might be thoroughly informed of it. - - - - -THIRTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade awaked the sultaness next night as usual, and prayed her -to continue the history of the first calender. Schahriar having also -signified to the sultaness, that it would be very pleasing to him, -she resumed the thread of her discourse as follows: - -Madam, said the calender to Zobeide, I could get nothing farther -from him, but was obliged to take leave of him. As I returned to my -uncle’s palace, the vapours of the wine got up into my head; -however, I got to my apartment, and went to bed. Next morning, when -I awaked, I began to reflect upon what had happened the night -before; and after recollecting all the circumstances of such a -singular adventure, I fancied it was nothing but a dream. Full of -these thoughts, I sent to see if the prince, my cousin, was ready to -receive a visit from me; but when they brought word back that he did -not lie in his own lodgings that night, they knew not what was -become of him, and were in much trouble about it, I conceived that -the strange event of the tomb was but too true. I was sensibly -afflicted at it; and stealing away privately from my people, I went -to the public burying-place, where there was a vast number of tombs -like that which I had seen. I spent the day in viewing them one -after another, but could not find that I sought for, and thus I -spent four days successively in vain. - -You must know, that all this while the king my uncle was absent, and -had been hunting for several days; and I grew weary of staying for -him, and having prayed his ministers to make my apology to him at -his return, I left his palace, and set out towards my father’s -court, from which I had never been so long absent before. I left the -ministers of the king my uncle in great trouble, to think what was -become of the prince my cousin: but because of the oath I had made -to keep his secret, I durst not tell them of any thing that I had -seen or knew, in order to make them easy. - -I arrived at my father’s capital, the usual place of his -residence, where, contrary to custom, I found a great guard at the -gate of the palace, who surrounded me as I entered. I asked the -reason, and the commanding officer replied, Prince, the army has -proclaimed the grand vizier king, instead of your father, who is -dead, and I take you prisoner in the name of the new king. At these -words the guards laid hold of me, and carried me before the tyrant. -I leave you to judge, madam, how much I was surprised and grieved. - -This rebel vizier had long entertained a mortal hatred against me, -for this reason: when I was a stripling, I loved to shoot in a -cross-bow; and being one day upon the terrace of the palace with my -bow, a bird happening to come by, I shot, but missed him, and the -ball by misfortune hit the vizier, who was taking the air upon the -terrace of his own house, and put out one of his eyes. As soon as I -understood it, I not only sent to make my excuses to him, but did it -in person: yet he always resented it, and, as opportunity offered, -made me sensible of it: but now, madam, that he had me in his power, -he expressed his resentment in a very barbarous manner; for he came -to me like a madman, as soon as ever he saw me, and thrusting his -finger into my right eye, pulled it out himself; and so, madam, I -became blind of one eye. - -But the usurper’s cruelty did not stop here; he ordered me to be -shut up in a box, and commanded the executioner to carry me into the -country, to cut off my head, and leave me to be devoured by the -birds of prey. The executioner and another man carried me thus shut -up on horseback into the country, in order to execute the -usurper’s barbarous sentence; but by my prayers and tears, I moved -the executioner’s compassion. Go, said he to me, get you speedily -out of the kingdom, and take heed of ever returning to it, otherwise -you will certainly meet your own ruin, and be the cause of mine. I -thanked him for the favour he did me; and as soon as I was left -alone, I comforted myself for the loss of my eye, by considering -that I had very narrowly escaped much greater danger. - -Being in such a condition, I could not travel far at a time: I -retired to remote places while it was day, and travelled as far by -night as my strength would allow me. At last I arrived in the -dominions of the king my uncle, and came to his capital. - -I gave him a long detail of the tragical cause of my return, and of -the sad condition he saw me in. Alas! cried he, was it not enough -for me to have lost my son, but must I have news also of the death -of a brother I loved so dearly, and see you also reduced to this -deplorable condition? He told me how uneasy he was, that he could -hear nothing of his son, notwithstanding all the diligence and -inquiry he could make. At these words the unfortunate father burst -out into tears, and was so much afflicted, that, pitying his grief, -it was impossible for me to keep the secret any longer; so that, -notwithstanding my oath to the prince my cousin, I told the king his -father all that I knew. - -His majesty listened to me with some sort of comfort; and when I had -done, Nephew, said he, what you tell me gives me some hope. I knew -that my son ordered that tomb to be built, and I can guess pretty -near at the place; and with the idea you still have of it, I fancy -we shall find it; but since he ordered it to be built privately, and -you took your oath to keep his secret, I am of opinion that we ought -to go in quest of it alone, without saying any thing. But he had -another reason for keeping the matter secret, which he did not then -tell me, and an important reason it was, as you will perceive by the -sequel of my discourse. - -We disguised ourselves, and went out by a door of the garden which -opened into the field, and soon found what we sought for. I knew the -tomb, and was the more rejoiced at it, because I had formerly sought -it a long time in vain. We entered, and found the iron trap pulled -down upon the entrance of the staircase; we had much ado to raise -it, because the prince had fastened it on the inside with the water -and plaster formerly mentioned, but at last we did get it up. - -The king my uncle descended first, I followed, and we went down -about fifty steps. When we came to the foot of the stairs, we found -a sort of ante-chamber, full of a thick smoke, of an ill scent, -which obscured the lamp that gave a very faint light. - -From this ante-chamber we came into another, very large, supported -by great columns, and lighted by several branched candlesticks. -There was a cistern in the middle, and provisions of several sorts -standing on one side of it; but we were very much surprised to see -nobody. Before us there appeared an high sofa, which we mounted by -several steps, and over this, there appeared a very large bed, with -the curtains drawn close. The king went up, and opening the -curtains, perceived the prince his son and the lady in bed together, -but burnt and changed to a coal, as if they had been thrown into a -great fire, and taken out again before they were consumed. - -But what surprised me most of all was, that though this spectacle -filled me with horror, the king my uncle, instead of testifying his -sorrow to see the prince his son in such a frightful condition, spit -on his face, and said to him with a disdainful air, ‘This is the -punishment of this world, but that of the other will last to -eternity;’ and not content with this, he pulled off his sandal, -and gave his son a great blow on the cheek with it. - -But, sir, said Scheherazade, it is day. I am sorry your majesty’s -time will not allow you to hear me farther. This story appearing -very strange to the sultan, he got up resolved to hear the rest of -it next night. - - - - -THIRTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade being awake sooner than ordinary, called her sister -Scheherazade. My good sultaness, said she, I pray you make an end of -your story of the first calender, for I am ready to die with -impatience till I know the issue of it. Well then, said -Scheherazade, you remember how the first calender continued his -story to Zobeide: I cannot enough express, madam, said he, how much -I was astonished when I saw the king my uncle abuse the prince his -son thus after he was dead. Sir, said I, whatever grief this dismal -sight is capable to impress upon me, I am forced to suspend it, on -purpose to ask your majesty what crime the prince my cousin may have -committed, that his corpse should deserve this sort of treatment? ---Nephew, replied the king, I must tell you, that my son (who is -unworthy of that name) loved his sister from his infancy, as she did -him; I did not hinder their growing love, because I did not foresee -the pernicious consequence of it. This tenderness increased as they -grew in years to such a height, that I dreaded the end of it. At -last I applied such remedies as were in my power. I not only gave my -son a severe reprimand in private, laying before him the horrible -nature of the passion he entertained, and the eternal disgrace he -would bring upon my family, if he persisted in such criminal -courses, but I also represented the same to my daughter; and I shut -her up so close that she could have no conversation with her -brother. But that unfortunate creature had swallowed so much of the -poison, that all the obstacles which by my prudence I could lay in -the way served only to inflame her love. - -My son, being persuaded of his sister’s constancy, on pretence of -building a tomb, caused this subterraneous habitation to be made, in -hopes to find one day or other an opportunity to possess himself of -that object which was the cause of his flame, and to bring her -hither. He took advantage of my absence to enter by force into the -place of his sister’s confinement; but this was a circumstance -which my honour would not suffer me to make public: and after so -damnable an action, he came and shut himself up with her in this -place, which he has supplied, as you see, with all sorts of -provisions, that he might enjoy his detestable pleasures for a long -time, which ought to be a subject of horror to all the world; but -God, who would not suffer such an abomination, has justly punished -them both. At these words, he melted into tears, and I joined mine -with his. - -After a while, casting his eyes upon me, Dear nephew, cried he, -embracing me, if I have lost that unworthy son, I shall haply find -in you what will better supply his place. The reflections he made on -the doleful end of the prince and princess his daughter, made us -both fall into a new fit of weeping. - -We went up the same stairs again, and departed at last from that -dismal place. We let down again the trap-door, and covered it with -earth, and such other materials as the tomb was built of, on purpose -to hide, as much as lay in our power, so terrible an effect of the -wrath of God. - -We had not been very long got back to the palace, unperceived by any -one, but we heard a confused noise of trumpets, drums, and other -instruments of war. We soon understood by the thick cloud of dust, -which almost darkened the air, that it was the arrival of a -formidable army: and it proved to be the same vizier that had -dethroned my father, and usurped his throne, who, with a vast number -of troops, was also come to possess himself of that of the king my -uncle. - -That prince, who then had only his usual guards about him, could not -resist so many enemies; they invested the city, and the gates being -opened to them without any resistance, they very soon became masters -of the city, and broke into the palace where the king my uncle was, -who defended himself till he was killed, and sold his life at a dear -rate: for my part, I fought as well as I could for a while; but -seeing we were forced to submit to a superior power, I thought on my -retreat and safety, which I had the good fortune to effect by some -back ways, and got to one of the king’s servants, on whose -fidelity I could depend. - -Being thus surrounded with sorrows, and persecuted by fortune, I had -recourse to a stratagem, which was the only means left me to save my -life; I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaved, and putting on a -calender’s habit, I passed, unknown by any, out of the city; after -that, by degrees, I found it easy to get out of my uncle’s -kingdom, by taking the by-roads. - -I avoided passing through towns, until I was got into the empire of -the mighty governor of the mussulmen, the glorious and renowned -Caliph Haroun Alraschid, when I thought myself out of danger; and -considering what I was to do, I resolved to come to Bagdad, -intending to throw myself at the feet of that monarch, whose -generosity is every where applauded. I shall move him to compassion, -said I to myself, by the relation of my extraordinary misfortunes, -and without doubt he will take pity on such an unfortunate prince, -and not suffer me to implore his assistance in vain. - -In short, after a journey of several months, I arrived yesterday at -the gate of this city, into which I entered about the dusk of the -evening; and stopping a little while to revive my spirits, and to -consider which way I was to turn, this other calender you see here -next to me came up: he saluted me, and I him. --You appear, said I, -to be a stranger, as I am. --You are not mistaken, replied he. He -had no sooner returned this answer, but that third calender you see -there overtook us. He saluted us, and told us he was a stranger -newly come to Bagdad; so as brethren we joined together, resolving -not to separate from one another. - -Meanwhile it was late, and we knew not where to seek a lodging in -the city, where we had no acquaintance, and had never been before. -But good fortune having brought us before your gate, we made bold to -knock, when you received us with so much kindness, that we are -incapable to return you suitable thanks. This, madam, said he, is in -obedience to your commands, the account I was to give you why I lost -my right eye, wherefore my beard and eyebrows are shaved, and how I -came to be with you at this present time. - -It is enough, said Zobeide; you may retire to what place you think -fit. The calender made his excuse, and begged the ladies’ leave to -stay till he had heard the relations of his two comrades, whom I -cannot, said he, leave with honour; and till he might also hear -those of the three other persons that were in company. - -Here Scheherazade said to the sultan, Sir, the daylight which you -see prevents me from going on with the story of the second calender; -but if your majesty will hear it to-morrow, you will find as much -satisfaction in that as in the story of the first. To which the -sultan gave consent, and so got up, in order to go to council. - - - - -FORTIETH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, not doubting to find as much delight in the story of the -second calender as she had in the first, failed not to call upon the -sultaness before day. If you be not asleep, sister, said she, I -would pray you to begin the story that you promised me; upon which -Scheherazade addressed her discourse to the sultan, and spoke as -follows: - -Sir, the story of the first calender seemed very strange to the -whole company, but especially to the caliph; who, notwithstanding -the slaves stood by with their scimeters in their hands, could not -forbear whispering to the vizier --Many stories have I heard, but -never any thing that came near the story of the calender. Whilst he -was saying this, the second calender began, addressing his speech to -Zobeide. - - - - -Story of the Second Calender, a King’s Son. - - -Madam, said he, to obey your command, and to show you by what -strange accident I became blind of the right eye, I must of -necessity give you the whole account of my life. - -I was scarce past my infancy, when the king my father (for you must -know, madam, I am a prince by birth) perceived that I was endowed -with a great deal of sense, and spared nothing that was proper for -improving it: he employed all the men in his dominions that excelled -in science and art, to be constantly about me. - -No sooner was I able to read and write, but I learnt the Alcoran -from the beginning to the end by heart; that admirable book, which -contains the foundation, the precepts, and the rules of our -religion; and that I might be thoroughly instructed in it, I read -the works of the most approved authors, by whose commentaries it had -been explained. I added to this study that of all the traditions -collected from the mouth of our prophet, by the great men that were -contemporary with him. I was not satisfied with the knowledge of all -that had any relation to our religion, but made also a particular -search into our histories. I made myself perfect in polite learning, -in the works of poets, and versification. I applied myself to -geography, chronology, and to speak our Arabian language in its -purity; not forgetting in the mean time all such exercises as were -proper for a prince to understand. But one thing which I was fond -of, and succeeded in to admiration, was, to form the characters of -our Arabian language, wherein I surpassed all the writing masters of -our kingdom that had acquired the greatest reputation. - -Fame did me more honour than I deserved, for she not only spread the -renown of my talents through all the dominions of the king my -father, but carried it as far as the Indian court, whose potent -monarch, desirous to see me, sent an ambassador with rich presents, -to demand me of my father, who was extremely glad of this embassy -for several reasons; he was persuaded that nothing could be more -commendable in a prince of my age, than to travel and visit foreign -courts; and he was very glad to gain the friendship of the Indian -sultan. I departed with the ambassador, but with no great retinue, -because of the length and difficulty of the journey. - -When we had travelled about a month, we discovered at a distance a -great cloud of dust, and under that we saw very soon fifty horsemen, -well armed, that were robbers, coming towards us on full gallop. -Scheherazade perceiving day, told the sultan of it, who got up; but -desiring to know what passed between the fifty men on horseback and -the Indian ambassador, this prince was somewhat impatient till next -night came. - - - - -FORTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -It was almost day when Dinarzade awoke next morning, and called to -her sister, If you be not asleep, dear sister, I pray you continue -the story of the second calender. Scheherazade began in this manner: - -Madam, said the calender, (always speaking to Zobeide,) as we had -ten horses laden with baggage and other presents, that I was to -carry to the Indian sultan from the king my father, and my retinue -was but small, you may easily judge that these robbers came boldly -up to us; and not being in a posture to make any opposition, we told -them, that we were ambassadors belonging to the sultan of the -Indies, and hoped they would attempt nothing contrary to that -respect that is due to them, thinking by this means to save our -equipage and our lives: but the robbers most insolently replied, For -what reason would you have us show any respect to the sultan your -master? We are none of his subjects, nor are we upon his -territories. Having spoken thus, they surrounded and fell upon us: I -defended myself as long as I could; but finding myself wounded, and -seeing the ambassador, with his servants and mine, lying on the -ground, I made use of what strength was yet remaining in my horse, -who was also very much wounded, and separated myself from the crowd, -and rode away as fast as he could carry me; but he happening all of -a sudden to fall under me, by weariness and the loss of blood, he -fell down dead. I got rid of him in a trice; and finding that I was -not pursued, it made me judge the robbers were not willing to quit -the booty they had got. - -Scheherazade, perceiving day coming on, was obliged to stop here. O -sister, said Dinarzade, to-morrow I shall be more diligent, in hopes -you will make reparation to the sultan for the loss that his -curiosity has sustained through my neglect. Schahriar arose without -saying one word, and went to his usual consultation. - - - -FORTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade failed not to call the sultaness a good while before day. -My dear sister, said she, if you be not asleep, I pray you resume -the story of the calender. I consent to it, said Scheherazade; and -so continued it in these words: - -Here you see me, said the calender, alone, wounded, destitute of -help, and in a strange country: I durst not betake myself to the -high road, fearing I might fall again into the hands of these -robbers. When I had bound up my wound, which was not dangerous, I -walked on the rest of the day, and arrived at the foot of a -mountain, where I perceived a passage into a cave; I went in, and -staid there that night with little satisfaction, after I had eaten -some fruits that I gathered by the way. - -I continued my journey for several days following, without finding -any place of abode; but after a month’s time, I came to a large -town, well inhabited, and situated so much the more advantageously, -as it was surrounded with several rivers, so that it enjoyed -perpetual spring. - -The pleasant objects which then presented themselves to my view -afforded me some joy, and suspended for a time the sorrow with which -I was overwhelmed to find myself in such a condition. My face, -hands, and feet, were black and sun-burnt; and, by my long journey, -my shoes and stockings were quite worn out, so that I was forced to -walk bare-footed; and besides, my clothes were all in rags. I -entered into the town to inform myself where I was, and addressed -myself to a tailor that was at work in his shop; who, perceiving by -my air that I was a person of more note than my outward appearance -bespoke me to be, made me sit down by him, and asked me who I was, -from whence I came, and what had brought me thither? I did not -conceal any thing of all that had befallen me, nor made I any -scruple to discover my quality. - -The tailor listened with attention to my words; but after I had done -speaking, instead of giving me any consolation, he augmented my -sorrow. Take heed, said he, how you discover to any person what you -have now declared to me; for the prince of this country is the -greatest enemy that the king your father has, and he will certainly -do you some mischief, when he comes to hear of your being in this -city. I made no doubt of the tailor’s sincerity, when he named the -prince: but since the enmity which is between my father and him has -no relation to my adventures, I must beg your pardon, madam, if I -pass it over with silence. - -I returned the tailor thanks for his good advice, and showed myself -inclinable wholly to follow his counsel, and assured him that his -favours should never be forgotten by me. And as he believed I could -not but be hungry, he ordered something to be brought for me to eat, -and offered me at the same time a lodging in his house, which I -accepted. Some days after, finding me pretty well recovered of the -fatigue I had endured by a long and tedious journey, and reflecting -that most princes of our religion did apply themselves to some art -or calling that might be serviceable to them upon occasion, he asked -me if I had learned any thing whereby I might get a livelihood, and -not be burdensome to any man? I told him that I understood the laws, -both divine and human; that I was a grammarian and poet; and above -all, that I understood writing perfectly well. By all this, said he, -you will not be able in this country to purchase yourself one morsel -of bread: nothing is of less use here than those sciences; but if -you will be advised by me, said he, dress yourself in a labourer’s -habit; and since you appear to be strong, and of a good -constitution, you shall go into the next forest, and cut fire wood, -which you may bring to the market to be sold: and I can assure you -it will turn to so good an account that you may live by it, without -dependance upon any man; and by this means you will be in a -condition to wait for the favourable minute, when Heaven shall think -fit to dispel those clouds of misfortune that thwart your happiness, -and oblige you to conceal your birth: I will take care to supply you -with a rope and a hatchet. - -The fear of being known, and the necessity I was under of getting a -livelihood, made me agree to this proposal, notwithstanding all the -meanness and hardships that attended it. The day following the -tailor bought me a rope, a hatchet, and a short coat, and -recommended me to some poor people who gained their bread after the -same manner, that they might take me into their company. They -conducted me to the wood, and the first day I brought in as much -upon my head as brought me half a piece of gold, which is the money -of that country: for though the wood is not far distant from the -town, yet it was very scarce there, by reason that few or none would -be at the trouble to go and cut it. I gained a good sum of money in -a short time, and repaid my tailor what he had advanced for me. - -I continued this way of living for a whole year; and one day, that -by chance I was gone farther into the wood than usual, I happened to -light on a very pleasant place, where I began to cut down wood; and -in pulling up the root of a tree, I espied an iron ring, fastened to -a trap-door of the same metal. I took away the earth that covered -it, and having lifted it up, saw stairs, which I went down, with my -axe in my band. - -When I was come to the bottom of the stairs, I found myself in a -large palace, which put me into great consternation, because of a -great light, which appeared as clear in it as if it had been above -ground, in the open air. I went forward along a gallery, supported -by pillars of jasper, the base and capitals of massy gold; but -seeing a lady of a noble and free air, and extremely beautiful, -coming towards me, my eyes were taken off from beholding any other -object but her alone. - -Here Scheherazade stopped, because day appeared: but Dinarzade said, -Dear sister, I confess I am extremely well pleased with what you -have told us to-day, and I imagine that the following part must be -no less surprising. --You are not mistaken, said the sultaness, for -the remainder of this story of the second calender is better worth -my ford the sultan’s attention, than all that he has hitherto -heard. --I doubt that, said Schahriar, as he was getting up; but we -shall know that to-morrow. - - - - -FORTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -The sultaness being awakened as usual, gave the sultan an account -that the second calender continued his story thus: Being desirous, -said he, to spare the lady the trouble to come to me, I made haste -to meet her: and as I was saluting her with a low bow, she asked me, -What are you, a man or a genie? --A man, madam, said I: I have no -correspondence with genies. --By what adventure, said she, fetching -a deep sigh, are you come hither? I have lived here these -twenty-five years, and never saw any man but yourself during that -time. - -Her great beauty, which had already smitten me, and the sweetness -and civility wherewith she received me, emboldened me to say to her, -Madam, before I have the honour to satisfy your curiosity, give me -leave to tell you, that I am infinitely satisfied with this -unexpected meeting, which offers me an occasion of consolation in -the midst of my affliction; and perhaps it may give me an -opportunity to make you also more happy than you are. I gave her a -true account by what strange accident she saw me, the son of a king, -in such a condition as then I appeared in her presence; and how -fortune directed that I should discover the entrance into that -magnificent prison where I had found her, but, according to -appearance, in an unpleasant situation. - -Alas! prince, said she, sighing once more, you have just cause to -believe this rich and pompous prison cannot be otherwise than a most -wearisome abode; the most charming place in the world being no way -delightful when we are detained there contrary to our will. It is -not possible but you have heard of the great Epitimarus, king of the -isle of Ebene, so called from that precious wood it produces in -abundance; I am the princess his daughter. - -The king, my father, had chosen for me a husband, a prince that was -my cousin: but, on my wedding-night, in the midst of the rejoicing -that was in the court and the capital city of the kingdom of the -isle of Ebene, before I was given to my husband, a genie took me -away. I fainted at the same moment, and lost my senses; but when I -came to myself again, I found myself in this place. I was a long -time inconsolable, but time and necessity have accustomed me to see -and receive the genie. Twenty-five years, as I told you before, I -have continued in this place; where, I must confess, I have every -thing that I can wish for necessary to life, and also every thing -that can satisfy a princess fond of dress and fashions. - -Every ten days, said the princess, the genie comes hither to lie -with me one night, which he never exceeds; and the excuse he makes -for it is, that he is married to another wife, who would grow -jealous if she came to know how unfaithful he was to her. Meanwhile, -if I have occasion for him by day or night, as soon as I touch a -talisman, which is at the entrance into my chamber, the genie -appears. It is now the fourth day since he was here, and I do not -expect him before the end of six more: so, if you please, you may -stay five days and keep me company, and I will endeavour to -entertain you according to your quality and merit. I thought myself -too fortunate, to have obtained so great a favour without asking it, -to refuse so obliging a proffer. The princess made me go into a -bagnio, which was the most handsome, the most commodious, and the -most sumptuous that could be imagined; and when I came forth, -instead of my own clothes, I found another very costly suit, which I -did not esteem so much for its richness, as because it made me look -worthy to be in her company. We sat down on a sofa covered with rich -tapestry, with cushions to lean upon of the rarest Indian brocade; -and some time after she covered a table with several dishes of -delicate meats. We ate together, and passed the remaining part of -the day with much satisfaction; and at night she received me to her -bed. - -The next day, as she contrived every means to please me, she brought -in, at dinner, a bottle of old wine, the most excellent that ever -was tasted; and out of complaisance, she drank some part of it with -me. When my head grew hot with the agreeable liquor, Fair princess, -said I, you have been too long thus buried alive: follow me, and -enjoy the real day, from which you have been deprived so many years, -and abandon this false light that you have here. --Prince, replied -she, with a smile, leave this discourse; if you out of ten days will -grant me nine, and resign the last to the genie, the fairest day -that ever was would be nothing in my esteem. --Princess, said I, it -is the fear of the genie that makes you speak thus; for my part, I -value him so little, that I will break in pieces his talisman, with -the conjuration that is written about it. Let him come, I will -expect him; and how brave or redoubtable soever he be, I will make -him feel the weight of my arm: I swear solemnly that I will -extirpate all the genies in the world, and him first. The princess, -who knew the consequence, conjured me not to touch the talisman; for -that would be a means, said she, to rum both you and me: I know what -belongs to genies better than you. The fumes of the wine did not -suffer me to hearken to her reasons; but I gave the talisman a kick -with my foot, and broke it in several pieces. - -At these words Scheherazade perceiving day, grew silent, and the -sultan got up, not doubting but the breaking of the talisman had -some remarkable event, and therefore resolved to hear that story to -the end. - - - - -FORTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade being awaked somewhat before day, said to the sultaness, -Sister, if you are not asleep, I pray you acquaint us with what -happened in the subterranean palace after the prince had broken the -talisman. --I am just going to relate it, said Scheherazade. Upon -which, resuming her narrative, she continued her discourse thus, in -the person of the second calender. - -The talisman was no sooner broken, but the palace began to shake, -and was ready to fall, with a hideous noise like thunder, -accompanied with flashes of lightning, and a great darkness. This -terrible noise in a moment dispelled the fumes of my wine, and made -me sensible, but too late, of the folly I had committed. Princess, -cried I, what means all this? She answered in a fright, and without -any concern for her own misfortune, Alas! you are undone, if you do -not escape presently. - -I followed her advice, and my fears were so great, that I forgot my -hatchet and cords. I was scarcely got to the stairs by which I came -down, when the enchanted palace opened at once, and made a passage -for the genie; he asked the princess, in great anger, What has -happened to you, and why did you call me? --A qualm at my stomach, -said the princess, made me fetch this bottle which you see here, out -of which I drank twice or thrice, and by mischance made a false -step, and fell upon the talisman, which is broken, and that is all. - -At this answer, the furious genie told her, You are a false woman, -and a liar: how came that axe and those cords there? --I never saw -them till this moment, said the princess. Your coming in such an -impetuous manner has, it may be, forced them up in some place, as -you came along, and so brought them hither without your knowing it. - -The genie made no other answer but what was accompanied with -reproaches and blows, of which I heard the noise. I could not endure -to hear the pitiful cries and shouts of the princess, so cruelly -abused: I had already laid off the suit she made me put on, and -taken my own, which I had laid on the stairs the day before, when I -came out of the bagnio: I made haste up stairs, more distracted with -sorrow and compassion, as I had been the cause of so great a -misfortune; and by sacrificing the fairest princess on earth to the -barbarity of a merciless genie, I was become the most criminal and -ungrateful of mankind. It is true, said I, she has been a prisoner -these twenty-five years; but, liberty excepted, she wanted nothing -that could make her happy. My folly has put an end to her happiness, -and brought upon her the cruelty of an unmerciful devil: I let down -the trap-door, covered it again with earth, and returned to the city -with a burden of wood, which I bound up without knowing what I did, -so great was my trouble and sorrow. - -My landlord, the tailor, was very much rejoiced to see me: Your -absence, said he, has disquieted me very much, by reason you had -entrusted me with the secret of your birth, and I knew not what to -think; I was afraid somebody had discovered you: God be thanked for -your return. I thanked him for his zeal and affection, but not a -word durst I say of what had passed, nor the reason why I came back -without my hatchet and cords. - -I retired to my chamber, where I reproached myself a thousand times, -for my excessive imprudence: Nothing, said I, could have paralleled -the princess’s good fortune and mine, had I forborne to break the -talisman. - -While I was thus giving myself over to melancholy thoughts, the -tailor came in. An old man, said he, whom I do not know, brings me -here your hatchet and cords, which he found in his way, as he tells -me, and understood by your comrades that go along with you to the -woods, that you lodge here; come out and speak to him, for he will -deliver them to none but yourself. - -At this discourse I changed colour, and fell a trembling. While the -tailor was asking me the reason, my chamber door opened at once, and -the old man, having no patience to stay, appeared to us with my -hatchet and cords. This man was the genie, the ravisher of the fair -princess of the isle of Ebene, who had thus disguised himself, after -he had treated her with the utmost barbarity. I am a genie, said he, -son of the daughter of Eblis, prince of genies: is not this your -hatchet? said he, speaking to me, and are not these your cords? - -Here Scheherazade saw day, and left off. The sultan found the story -of the second calender too curious not to desire that he might hear -it out; and therefore got up, with an intention to hear the rest -next morning. - - - - -FORTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -The day following, Dinarzade called upon the sultaness, My dear -sister, pray tell us how the genie treated the prince. --I wish to -satisfy your curiosity, replied Scheherazade; and then resumed her -story of the second calender thus: - -The calender continuing his discourse to Zobeide, Madam, said he, -after the genie had put the question to me, he gave me no time to -answer, nor was it in my power, so much had his terrible aspect -disordered me. He grasped me by the middle, dragged me out of the -chamber, and mounting into the air, carried me up to the skies with -such swiftness, that I perceived I was got so high without being -able to take notice of the way he carried me in so few moments. He -descended again in like manner to the earth, which on a sudden he -caused to open with a stroke of his foot, and so sunk down at once, -where I found myself in the enchanted palace, before the fair -princess of the isle of Ebene. But alas! what a spectacle was there! -I saw what pierced me to the heart; this poor princess was quite -naked, weltering in her blood, and laid upon the ground, more like -one dead than alive, with her cheeks bathed in tears. - -Perfidious wretch, said the genie to her, pointing at me, is not -this your gallant? She cast her languishing eyes upon me, and -answered mournfully, I do not know him; I never saw him till this -moment. --What! said the genie, he is the cause of thy being in the -condition thou art justly in; and yet darest thou say thou dost not -know him? --If I do not know him, said the princess, would you have -me make a lie on purpose to ruin him? --Oh then, said the genie, -pulling out a scimitar, and presenting it to the princess, if you -never saw him before, take the scimitar and cut off his head. ---Alas! replied the princess, how is it possible that I should -execute what you would force me to do? My strength is so far spent -that I cannot lift up my arm; and if I could, how should I have the -heart to take away the life of an innocent man, and one whom I do -not know? --This refusal, said the genie to the princess, -sufficiently informs me of your crime. Upon which, turning to me, -And thou, said he, dost thou not know her? - -I should have been the most ungrateful wretch, and the most -perfidious of all mankind, if I had not shown myself as faithful to -the princess as she was to me, who had been the cause of her -misfortunes; therefore I answered the genie, How should I know her, -when I never saw her till now? --If it be so, said he, take the -scimitar, and cut off her head: on this condition I will set thee at -liberty, for then I shall be convinced that thou didst never see her -till this very moment, as thou sayest. --With all my heart, replied -I, and took the scimitar in my hand. - -But sir, said Scheherazade, it is day, and I ought not to abuse your -majesty’s patience. --These are wonderful events, said the sultan -to himself. We shall know tomorrow if the prince was so cruel as to -pay obedience to the genie’s command. - - - - -FORTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -When the night was near at an end, Dinarzade said to the sultaness, -Sister, if you be not asleep, I would pray you to continue the story -which you could not finish yesterday. --I will, says Scheherazade, -and without loss of time you shall understand that the second -calender went on thus: - -Do not think, madam, that I drew near to the fair princess of the -isle of Ebene to be the executioner of the genie’s barbarity. I -did it only to demonstrate by my behaviour, as much as possible, -that as she had shown her resolution to sacrifice her life for my -sake, I would not refuse to sacrifice mine for her’s. The -princess, notwithstanding her pain and suffering, understood my -meaning; which she signified by an obliging look, and made me -understand her willingness to die for me; and that she was satisfied -to see how willing I was also to die for her. --Upon this, I stepped -back and threw the scimitar on the ground. I shall forever, said I -to the genie, be hateful to all mankind, should I be so base as to -murder, I do not only say a person whom I do not know, but a lady -like this, who is ready to give up the ghost: do with me what you -please, since I am in your power: I cannot obey your barbarous -commands. - -I see, said the genie, that you both outbrave me, and insult my -jealousy; but both of you shall know, by the treatment I give you, -what I am capable to do. At these words the monster took up the -scimitar, and cut off one of her hands, which left her only so much -of life as to give me a token with the other that she bid me adieu -for ever: for the blood she had lost before, and that which gushed -out then, did not permit her to live above one or two moments after -this barbarous cruelty, the sight of which threw me into a fit. When -I was come to myself again, I expostulated with the genie, why he -made me languish in expectation of death; Strike, cried I, for I am -ready to receive the mortal blow, and expect it as the greatest -favour you can show me. But instead of agreeing to that, Look ye, -said he, how genies treat their wives whom they suspect of -unfaithfulness: she has received thee here; and were I certain that -she had put any further affront upon me, I would put thee to death -this minute: but I will content myself to transform thee into a dog, -ape, lion, or bird; take thy choice of any of these, I will leave it -to thyself. - -These words gave me some hopes to mollify him: O genie, said I, -moderate your passion, and since you will not take away my life, -give it me generously: I shall always remember your clemency, if you -pardon me, as one of the best men in the world pardoned one of his -neighbours that bore him a mortal hatred. The genie asked me what -had passed between those two neighbours and said he would have -patience till he heard the story, which I told him thus; and I -believe, madam, you will not take it ill if I also relate it to you. - - - - -The Story of the envious Man, and of him that he envied. - - -In a considerable town, two persons dwelt next door to one another: -one of them conceived such a violent hatred against the other, that -he who was hated resolved to remove his dwelling farther off, being -persuaded that their being neighbours was the only cause of his -animosity; for though he had done him several pieces of service, he -found, nevertheless, that his hatred was nothing diminished; -therefore he sold his house, with what goods he had left, and -retired to the capital city of that kingdom, which was not far -distant. He bought a little spot of ground, which lay about half a -league from the city; he had a house convenient enough, with a fine -garden, and a pretty spacious court, wherein there was a deep well, -which was not in use. - -The honest man having made this purchase, put on a dervise’s or -monk’s habit, to lead a retired life, and caused several cells to -be made in the house, where in a short time he established a -numerous society of dervises. He soon came to be publicly known by -his virtue, through which he acquired the esteem of many people, as -well of the commonalty as of the chief of the city: in short, he was -extremely honoured and cherished by every one. People came from afar -to recommend themselves to his prayers; and all who came to live -with him published what blessings they received through his means. - -The great reputation of this honest man having spread to the town -from whence he came, it touched the envious man so much to the -quick, that he left his house and affairs with a resolution to go -and ruin him. With this intent he went to the new convent of -dervises, of which his former neighbour was the head, who received -him with all imaginable tokens of friendship. The envious man told -him that he was come on purpose to communicate a business of -importance to him, which he could not do but in private; and that -nobody may hear us, let us, said he, take a walk in your court; and -seeing night begins to draw on, command your dervises to retire to -their cells. The head of the dervises did as he required. - -When the envious man saw that he was alone with this good man, he -began to tell his errand, walking side by side in the court, till he -saw his opportunity; and getting the good man near the brink of the -well, he gave him a thrust, and pushed him into it, without any body -being witness to so wicked an action. Having done thus, he marched -off immediately, got out at the gate of the convent without being -known to any one, and went home to his own house, well satisfied -with his journey, being fully persuaded that the object of his -hatred was no more in this world; but he found himself highly -mistaken. - -Scheherazade could go no farther, because day began to appear. The -sultan conceived great indignation against the envious man, and said -to himself, I heartily wish that no hurt may have come to this -honest man: I hope to hear to-morrow that Heaven did not forsake him -on this occasion. - - - - -FORTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -If you be not asleep, sister, said Dinarzade, next morning, I -conjure you to tell us if the honest dervise came safe and sound out -of the well. --Yes, replied Scheherazade, and the second calender -pursued his story thus: This old well, said he, was inhabited by -fairies and genies, which happened luckily for the relief of the -head of the convent: for they received and supported him, and -carried him to the bottom, so that he got no hurt. He perceived well -enough that there was something extraordinary in his fall, which -must otherwise have cost him his life; whereas he neither saw nor -felt any thing. But he soon heard a voice, which said, Do you know -what honest man this is, to whom we have done this piece of service? -Another voice answered, No. To which the first replied, Then I will -tell you. This man, out of charity, the greatest that ever was -known, left the town he lived in, and has established himself in -this place, in hopes to cure one of his neighbours of the envy he -had conceived against him; he had acquired such a general esteem, -that the envious man, not able to endure it, came hither on purpose -to ruin him, which he had performed, had it not been for the -assistance which we have given this honest man, whose reputation is -so great, that the sultan, who keeps his residence in the -neighbouring city, was to pay him a visit tomorrow, to recommend the -princess his daughter to his prayers. - -Another voice asked, What need had the princess of the dervise’s -prayers? To which the first answered, You do not know, it seems, -that she is possessed by genie Maimoun, the son of Dimdim, who is -fallen in love with her. But I know well how this good head of the -dervises may cure her; the thing is very easy, and I will tell it -you. He has a black cat in his convent, with a white spot at the end -of her tail, about the bigness of a small piece of Arabian money; -let him only pull seven hairs out of the white spot, burn them, and -smoke the princess’s head with the fume, she will not only be -presently cured, but be so safely delivered from Maimoun, the son of -Dimdim, that he will never dare to come near her a second time. - -The head of the dervises remembered every word of the discourse -between the fairies and the genies, who were very silent all the -night after. The next morning by break of day, when he could discern -one thing from another, the well being broken down in several -places, he saw a hole, by which he crept out with ease. - -The other dervises, who had been seeking for him, were rejoiced to -see him: he gave them a brief account of the wickedness of that man -to whom he had given so kind a reception the day before, and retired -into his cell. It was not long till the black cat, of whom the -fairies and the genies had made mention in their discourses the -night before, came to fawn upon her master, as she was accustomed to -do: he took her up, and pulled out seven hairs of the white spot -that was upon her tail, and laid them aside for his use when -occasion should serve. - -The sun was not high, when the sultan, who would leave no means -untried that he thought could restore the princess to perfect -health, arrived at the gate of the convent. He commanded his guards -to halt, whilst he with his principal officers went in. The dervises -received him with profound respect. - -The sultan called their head aside, and said, Good sheich, it may be -you know already the cause of my coming hither. --Yes, sir, replied -he very gravely, if I do not mistake, it is the disease of the -princess which procures me this unmerited honour. - -That is the very thing, replied the sultan. You will give me new -life, if your prayers, as I hope they will, can procure my -daughter’s health. --Sir, said the good man, if your majesty will -be pleased to let her come hither, I am in hopes, through God’s -assistance and favour, she shall return in perfect health. - -The prince, transported with joy, sent immediately to fetch his -daughter, who very soon appeared with a numerous train of ladies and -eunuchs, but masked, so that her face was not seen. The chief of the -dervises caused a pall to be held over her head, and he had no -sooner thrown the seven hairs upon the burning coals, but the genie -Maimoun, the son of Dimdim, gave a great cry, without any thing -being seen, and left the princess at liberty; upon which she took -off the veil from her face, and rose up to see where she was, -saying, Where am I, and who brought me hither? At which words, the -sultan, overcome with excess of joy, embraced his daughter, and -kissed her eyes? he also kissed the chief of the dervises’ hands, -and said to his officers, Tell me your opinion, what reward does he -deserve, that has thus cured my daughter? They all cried, he -deserves her in marriage. --This is what I had in my thoughts, said -the sultan; and I make him my son-in-law from this moment. Some time -after the prime vizier died, and the sultan conferred the place on -the dervise. The sultan himself also died without heirs male; upon -which, the religious orders and the militia gathered together, and -the good man was declared and acknowledged sultan by general consent. - -Day light appearing, Scheherazade was obliged to break off her -story. Schahriar looked upon the dervise to be worthy of the crown -he had got, but was desirous to know if the envious man did not die -for spite; and got up with an intention to hear it next night. - - - - -FORTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, when it was time, addressed her speech to the sultaness -thus: My dear sister, said she, if you be not asleep, I would pray -you to continue the story of the hated and envious man. With all my -heart, answered Scheherazade. The second calender continued his -story thus: The honest dervise, said he, being mounted on the throne -of his father-in-law, as he was one day in the midst of his -courtiers upon a march, he espied the envious man among the crowd of -people that stood as he passed along, and calling one of the viziers -that attended him, whispered him in his ear thus; Go bring me that -man you see there; but, take care you do not frighten him. The -vizier obeyed, and when the envious man was brought into his -presence, the sultan said, Friend, I am extremely glad to see you. -Upon which he called an officer, Go immediately, said he, and cause -to be paid the man out of my treasury one hundred pieces of gold: -let him have also twenty loads of the richest merchandize in my -storehouses, and a sufficient guard to conduct him to his house. -After he had given this charge to the officer, he bid the envious -man farewell, and proceeded on his march. - -When I had finished the recital of this story to the genie, the -murderer of the princess of the isle of Ebene, I made the -application to himself thus: O genie! you see here, that this -bountiful sultan did not content himself with forgetting the design -of the envious man to take away his life, but treated him kindly, -and sent him back with all the favours which I just now related. In -short, I made use of all my eloquence, praying him to imitate so -good an example, and to grant me pardon; but it was impossible for -me to move his compassion. - -All that I can do for thee, said he, is, that I will not take thy -life: do not flatter thyself that I will send thee safe and sound -back; I must let thee feel what I am able to do by my enchantments. -So saying, he laid violent hands on me, and carried me across the -vault of the subterranean palace, which opened to give him passage; -he flew up with me so high, that the earth seemed to be only a -little white cloud; from thence he came down again like lightning, -and alighted upon the ridge of a mountain. - -There he took up a handful of earth, and pronounced or rather -muttered some words which I did not understand, and threw it upon -me: Quit the shape of a man, said he to me, and take on thee that of -an ape. He vanished immediately, and left me alone, transformed into -an ape, overwhelmed with sorrow, in a strange country, not knowing -whether I was near or far from my father’s dominions. - -I went down from the top of the mountain, and came into a plain -country, which took me a month’s time to travel through, and then -I came to the sea-side. It happened to be then a great calm, and I -espied a vessel about half a league from the shore: unwilling to -lose this good opportunity, I broke off a large branch from a tree, -which I carried with me to the sea-side, and set myself astride upon -it, with a stick in each hand to serve me for oars. - -I launched out in this posture, and advanced near the ship. When I -was nigh enough to be known, the seamen and passengers that were -upon the deck thought it an extraordinary sight, and all of them -looked upon me with great astonishment. In the mean time I got -aboard, and laying hold of a rope, I jumped upon the deck, but -having lost my speech, I found myself in great perplexity; and -indeed the risk I ran then was nothing less than when I was at the -mercy of the genie. - -The merchants, being both superstitious and scrupulous, believed I -should occasion some mischief to their voyage, if they received me; -therefore, said one, I will knock him down with a handspike; says -another, I will shoot an arrow through his guts: says a third, Let -us throw him into the sea. Some of them would not have failed to -have executed their design, if I had not got to that side where the -captain was, when I threw myself at his feet, and took him by the -coat in a begging posture. This action, together with the tears -which he saw gush from my eyes, moved his compassion, so that he -took me under his protection, threatening to be revenged on him that -would do me the least hurt; and he himself made very much of me, -while I on my part, though I had no power to speak, showed all -possible signs of gratitude by my gestures. - -The wind that succeeded the calm was gentle and favourable, and did -not change for fifty days, but brought us safe to the port of a fine -city, well peopled, and of great trade, the capital of a powerful -state, where we came to an anchor. - -Our vessel was speedily surrounded with an infinite number of boats -full of people, who came to congratulate their friends upon their -safe arrival, or to inquire for those they had left behind them in -the country from whence they came, or out of curiosity to see a ship -that came from a far country. - -Amongst the rest, some officers came on hoard, desiring to speak -with the merchants, in the name of the sultan. The merchants -appearing, one of the officers told them, The sultan, our master, -hath commanded us to acquaint you, that he is glad of your safe -arrival, and prays you to take the trouble, every one of you, to -write some lines upon this roll of paper: and that his design by -this may be understood, you must know that we had a prime vizier, -who, besides a great capacity to manage affairs, understood writing -to the highest perfection. This minister is lately dead, at which -the sultan is very much troubled: and since he can never behold his -writing without admiration, he has made a solemn vow, not to give -the place to any man but to him who can write as well as he did. -Many people have presented their writings; but, to this day, nobody -in all this empire, has been judged worthy to supply the vizier’s -place. - -Those merchants that believed they could write well enough to -pretend to this high dignity, wrote one after another what they -thought fit. After they had done, I advanced, and look the roll out -of the gentleman’s hand; but all the people, especially the -merchants, cried out, He will tear it, or throw it into the sea; -till they saw how properly I held the roll, and made a sign that I -would write in my turn: then they were of another opinion, and their -fear turned into admiration. However, since they had never seen an -ape that could write, nor could be persuaded that I was more -ingenious than other apes, they offered to snatch the roll out of my -hand; but the captain took my part once more. Let him alone, said -he; suffer him to write. If he only scribbles the paper, I promise -you that I will punish him upon the spot; if, on the contrary, he -writes well, as I hope he will, because I never saw an ape so clever -and ingenious, and so quick of apprehension, I do declare that I -will own him as my son. I had one that had not half the wit that he -has. Perceiving that nobody opposed my design, I took the pen, and -wrote six sorts of hands used among the Arabians, and each specimen -contained an extemporary distich or quatrain in praise of the -sultan. My writing did not only excel that of the merchants, but, I -venture to say, they had not before seen any such fair writing in -that country. When I had done, the officers took the roll, and -carried it to the sultan. - -Thus far was Scheherazade come in her story, when day-light -appeared. Sir, said she to Schahriar, if I had time to continue, I -would give your majesty an account of things far more surprising -than what I have already told. The sultan, who had resolved to hear -the end of the story, got up without saying a word. - - - - -FORTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -The next morning, Dinarzade, being awake before day, called the -sultaness, and said, Sister, if you be not asleep, pray let us hear -the rest of the adventures that befel the ape. I believe my lord the -sultan is no less curious to know it than myself. You shall both be -soon satisfied, answered Scheherazade. The second calender continued -his story thus:-- - -The sultan took little notice of any of the other writings, but -considered mine, which was so much to his liking, that he said to -the officers, Take the finest horse in my stable, with the richest -harness, and a robe of the most sumptuous brocade, to put upon that -person who wrote the six hands, and bring him hither to me. At this -command the officers could not forbear laughing; the sultan grew -angry at their boldness, and was ready to punish them; till they -told him, Sir, we humbly beg your majesty’s pardon: these hands -were not written by a man, but by an ape. What do you say? said the -sultan: those admirable characters, are they not written by the -hands of a man? No, sir, replied the officers: we do assure your -majesty that it was an ape, who wrote them in our presence. The -sultan was too much surprised at this account not to desire a sight -of me; and therefore said, Do what I command you, and bring me -speedily that wonderful ape. - -The officers returned to the vessel, and shewed the captain their -order, who answered, The sultan’s command must be obeyed. -Whereupon they clothed me with that rich brocade robe, and carried -me ashore, where they set me on horseback, whilst the sultan waited -for me at his palace, with a great number of courtiers, whom he -gathered together to do me the more honour. - -The cavalcade being begun, the harbour, the streets, the public -places, windows, terraces, palaces, and houses, were filled with an -infinite number of people of all sorts, who flocked from all parts -of the city to see me; for the rumour was spread in a moment, that -the sultan had chosen an ape to be his grand vizier; and after -having served for a spectacle to the people, who could not forbear -to express their surprise by redoubling their shouts and cries, I -arrived at the palace of the sultan. - -I found the prince on his throne in the midst of the grandees: I -made my bow three times very low, and at last kneeled and kissed the -ground before him, and afterwards sat down on my seat in the posture -of an ape. The whole assembly admired me, and could not comprehend -how it was possible that an ape should understand so well to pay the -sultan his due respect; and he himself was more astonished than any. -In short, the usual ceremony of the audience would have been -complete, could I have added speech to my behaviour; but apes do -never speak, and the advantage I had of having been a man did not -allow me that privilege. - -The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and none remained by him but the -chief of the eunuchs, a little young slave, and myself. He went from -his chamber of audience into his own apartment, where he ordered -dinner to be brought. As he sat at table, he gave me a sign to come -near and eat with them: to show my obedience, I kissed the ground, -stood up, sat down at table, and ate with discretion and moderation. - -Before the table was uncovered, I espied a writing-desk, which I -made a sign should be brought me: having got it, I wrote upon a -large peach some verses after my way, which testified my -acknowledgment to the sultan; who having read them after my -presenting him the peach, it increased his astonishment. When the -table was uncovered, they brought him a particular liquor, of which -he caused them to give me a glass. I drank and wrote upon it some -new verses, which explained the state I was reduced to, after many -sufferings. The sultan read them likewise, and said, A man that was -capable of doing so much would be above the greatest of men. - -The sultan caused them to bring in a chess-board, and asked me by a -sign, if I understood that game, and would play with him? I kissed -the ground, and laying my hand upon my head, signified that I was -ready to receive that honour. He won the first game, but I won the -second and third; and perceiving he was somewhat displeased at it, I -made a quatrain to pacify him; in which I told him, that two potent -armies had been fighting furiously all day, but that they made up a -piece towards the evening, and passed the remaining part of the -night very peaceably together upon the field of battle. - -So many circumstances appearing to the sultan far beyond what ever -any one had either seen or known of the cleverness or sense of apes, -he determined not to be the only witness of those prodigies himself, -but having a daughter, called the Lady of Beauty, on whom the chief -of the eunuchs, then present waited, Go, said the sultan to him, and -bid your lady come hither: I am desirous she should share my -pleasure. - -The eunuch went, and immediately brought the princess, who had her -face uncovered; but she was no sooner come into the room, than she -put on her veil, and said to the sultan, Sir, your majesty must -needs have forgotten yourself: I am very much surprised that your -majesty has sent for me to appear among men. How, daughter! said the -sultan, you do not know what you say: here is nobody but the little -slave, the eunuch your governor, and myself, who have the liberty to -see your face; and yet you lower your veil, and blame me for having -sent for you hither. --Sir, said the princess, your majesty shall -soon understand that I am not in the wrong. That ape you see before -you, though he has the shape of an ape, is a young prince, son of a -great king; he has been metamorphosed into an ape by enchantment. A -genie, the son of the daughter of Eblis, has maliciously done him -this wrong, after having cruelly taken away the life of the princess -of the isle of Ebene, daughter to the king Epitimarus. - -The sultan, astonished at this discourse, turned towards me, and -spoke no more by signs, but in plain words asked me, if it was true -what his daughter said? Seeing I could not speak, I put my hand to -my head to signify that what the princess spoke was true. Upon this -the sultan said again to his daughter, How do you know that this -prince has been transformed by enchantment into an ape? --Sir, -replied the Lady of Beauty, your majesty may remember that when I -was past my infancy, I had an old lady waited upon me; she was a -most expert magician, and taught me seventy rules of magic, by -virtue of which I can transport your capital city into the midst of -the sea in the twinkling of an eye, or beyond mount Caucasus. By -this science I know all enchanted persons at first sight; I know who -they are, and by whom they have been enchanted; therefore do not be -surprised if I should forthwith relieve this prince, in spite of the -enchantment, from that which hinders him to appear in your sight -what he naturally is. Daughter, said the sultan, I did not believe -you to have understood so much. --Sir, replied the princess, these -things are curious and worth knowing: but I think I ought not to -boast of them. --Since it is so, said the sultan, you can dispel the -prince’s enchantment. --Yes, sir, said the princess, I can restore -him to his first shape again. --Do it then, said the sultan, you -cannot do me a greater pleasure; for I will have him to be my -vizier, and he shall marry you. --Sir, said the princess, I am ready -to obey you in all that you should be pleased to command me. - -Scheherazade, as she spoke, espied day, and broke off her story of -the second calender: and Schahriar, judging the sequel would be as -diverting as the former part of it, resolved to hear it next day. - - - - -FIFTIETH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade called the sultaness at the usual hour, saying, Sister, if -you be not asleep, pray do us the favour to tell us how the Lady of -Beauty restored the second calender to his former shape. You shall -hear it, said Scheherazade: The calender resumed his discourse thus: - -The princess, the Lady of Beauty, went into her apartment, from -whence she brought in a knife, which had some Hebrew words engraven -on the blade; she made the sultan, the master of the eunuchs, the -little slave, and myself, go down into a private court of the -palace, and there left us under a gallery that went round it. She -placed herself in the middle of the court, where she made a great -circle, and within it she wrote several words in Arabian characters, -some of them ancient, and others of those which they call the -characters of Cleopatra. - -When she had finished and prepared the circle as she thought fit, -she placed herself in the centre of it, where she began abjurations, -and repeated verses out of the Koran. The air grew insensibly dark, -as if it had been night, and the whole world about to be dissolved: -we found ourselves struck with a panic, and this fear increased the -more when we saw the genie, the son of the daughter of Eblis, appear -on a sudden in the shape of a lion of a frightful size. - -As soon as the princess perceived this monster, You dog, said she, -instead of creeping before me, dare you present yourself in this -shape, thinking to frighten me? --And thou, replied the lion, art -thou not afraid to break the treaty which was solemnly made and -confirmed between us by oath, not to wrong or do one another any -hurt? --O! thou cursed creature! replied the princess, I can justly -reproach thee with doing so. --The lion answered fiercely, Thou -shalt quickly have thy reward for the trouble thou hast given me to -return: with that he opened his terrible throat, and ran at her to -devour her; but she, being on her guard, leaped backward, got time -to pull out one of her hairs, and by pronouncing three or four -words, changed herself into a sharp sword, wherewith she cut the -lion through the middle in two pieces. - -The two parts of the lion vanished, and the head only was left, -which changed itself into a large scorpion. Immediately the princess -turned herself into a serpent, and fought the scorpion, who, finding -himself worsted, took the shape of an eagle, and flew away; but the -serpent at the same time took also the shape of an eagle, that was -black and much stronger, and pursued him, so that we lost the sight -of them both. - -Some time after they had disappeared, the ground opened before us, -and out of it came forth a cat, black and white, with her hair -standing upright, and mewing in a frightful manner; a black wolf -followed her close, and gave her no time to rest. The cat, being -thus hard beset, changed herself into a worm, and being nigh to a -pomegranate that had accidentally fallen from a tree that grew on -the side of a canal, which was deep, but not broad, the worm pierced -the pomegranate in an instant, and hid itself, but the pomegranate -swelled immediately, and became as big as a gourd, which mounting up -to the roof of the gallery, rolled there for some space, backward -and forward, fell down again into the court, and broke into several -pieces. - -The wolf, who had in the meantime transformed itself into a cock, -fell to picking up the seeds of the pomegranate one after another; -but finding no more, he came towards us with his wings spread, -making a great noise, as if he would ask us whether there was any -more seed. There was one lying on the brink of the canal, which the -cock perceiving as he went back, ran speedily thither; but just as -he was going to pick it up, the seed rolled into the river, and -turned into a little fish. - -But I see day, sir, said Scheherazade; had it not come so suddenly, -I am persuaded what I had farther to say would have given your -majesty a great deal of satisfaction. Upon this she stopped, and the -sultan arose: but his thoughts being altogether taken up with such -unheard-of adventures, he was extremely impatient till he heard the -rest of the story. - - - - -FIFTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade made no scruple to disturb the sultaness next morning, and -called to her, Sister, if you be not asleep, pray begin where you -left off that wonderful story last night: I am very desirous to know -what followed after all those metamorphoses. Scheherazade -recollected where she had stopped, and addressing her discourse to -the sultan, Sir, said she, the second calender continued his story -after this manner. - -The cock jumped into the river and was turned into a pike, that -pursued the small fish; they continued both under water above two -hours, and we knew not what was become of them, but all on a sudden -we heard terrible cries, which made us tremble, and a little while -after we saw the genie and princess all in flames. They threw -flashes of fire out of their mouths at each other, till they came to -close quarters; then the two fires increased, with a thick burning -smoke, which mounted so high, that we had reason to fear it would -set the palace on fire. But we very soon had a more pressing -occasion of fear, for the genie having got loose from the princess, -came to the gallery where we stood, and blew flames of fire upon us. -We had all perished if the princess, running to out assistance, had -not by her cries forced him to retire, and defend himself against -her; yet, notwithstanding all her exertions, she could not hinder -the sultan’s beard from being burnt, and his face spoiled, the -chief of the eunuchs from being stifled, and burnt on the spot, and -a spark from entering my right eye, and making it blind. The sultan -and I expected nothing but death, when we heard a cry of Victory, -victory! and on a sudden the princess appeared in her natural shape, -but the genie was reduced to a heap of ashes. - -The princess came near to us, that she might not lose time, called -for a cup-full of water, which the young slave, who had received no -damage, brought her. She took it, and after pronouncing some words -over it, threw it upon me, saying, if thou art become an ape by -enchantment, change thy shape, and take that of a man, which thou -hadst before. These words were hardly uttered, till I became a man -as I was before, one eye only excepted. - -I was preparing myself to give thanks to the princess, but she -prevented me by addressing herself to her father, thus; Sir, I have -gained the victory over the genie, as your majesty may see; but it -is a victory that costs me dear; I have but a few minutes to live, -and you will not have the satisfaction to make the match you -intended; the fire has pierced me during the terrible combat, and I -find it consumes me by degrees. This would not have happened, had I -perceived the last of the pomegranate seeds, and swallowed it, as I -did the other when I was changed into a cock; the genie had fled -thither as to his last entrenchment, and upon that the success of -the combat depended, which would have been successful, and without -danger to me. This slip obliged me to have recourse to fire, and to -fight with those mighty arms as I did between heaven and earth, in -your presence: for, in spite of all his redoubtable art and -experience, I made the genie know that I understood more than he: I -have conquered and reduced him to ashes, but I cannot escape death, -which is approaching. - -Here Scheherazade broke off the story of the second calender, and -said to the sultan, Sir, daylight appears, which forbids me to say -any more; but if your majesty thinks fit to let me live till to -morrow, you shall hear the end of this story. Schahriar consented, -and got up according to custom to take care of the affairs of his -empire. - - - - -FIFTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade awaking some time before day, called upon the sultaness, -and said, My dear sister, if you be not asleep, I would pray you to -finish the story of the second calender. Scheherazade resumed her -discourse, and went on as follows: - -The calender always directing his speech to Zobeide, told her, -Madam, the sultan suffered the princess, the Lady of Beauty, to go -on with the recital of her combat, and when she had done, he spoke -to her in a tone that sufficiently testified his grief. My daughter, -said he, you see in what condition your father is; alas! I wonder -that I am yet alive! Your governor, the eunuch, is dead; and the -prince whom you have delivered from his enchantment has lost one of -his eyes. He could speak no more, for his tears, sighs, and sobs, -made him speechless; his daughter and I were exceeding sensible of -his sorrow, and wept with him. - -In the mean time, while we were vying with each other in grief, the -princess cried, I burn! I burn! She found that the fire which -consumed her, had at last seized upon her whole body, which made her -still cry, I burn, until death had made an end of her intolerable -pains. The effect of that fire was so extraordinary, that in a few -moments she was wholly reduced to ashes, as was the genie. - -I cannot tell you, madam, how much I was grieved at so dismal a -spectacle; I had rather all my life have continued an ape or a dog, -than to have seen my benefactress thus miserably perish. The sultan -being afflicted beyond all that can be imagined, cried out -piteously, and beat himself on his head and stomach, until being -quite overcome with grief, he fainted away, which made me fear for -his life. In the mean time the eunuchs and officers came running at -the sultan’s cries, and with very much ado brought him to himself -again. There was no need for that prince and me to give them a long -narrative of this adventure, in order to convince them of their -great loss. The two heaps of ashes, into which the princess and the -genie had been reduced, were sufficient demonstration. The sultan -was hardly able to stand, but was forced to be supported by them -till he could get to his apartment. - -When the noise of the tragical event had spread itself through the -palace and the city, all the people bewailed the misfortune of the -princess, the Lady of Beauty, and were much affected by the -sultan’s affliction. Every one was in deep mourning for seven -days, and many ceremonies were performed. The ashes of the genie -were thrown into the air, but those of the princess were gathered -into a precious urn, to be kept, and the urn was set in a stately -tomb, which was built for that purpose on the same place where the -ashes had lain. - -The grief which the sultan conceived for the loss of his daughter -threw him into a fit of sickness, which confined him to his chamber -for a whole month. He had not fully recovered strength when he sent -for me: Prince, said he, hearken to the orders that I now give you; -it will cost you your life if you do not put them into execution. I -assured him of exact obedience; upon which he went on thus: I have -constantly lived in perfect felicity, and was never crossed by any -accident; but by your arrival all the happiness I possessed is -vanished: my daughter is dead, her governor is no more, and it is -through a miracle that I am yet alive. You are the cause of all -those misfortunes, for which it is impossible that I should be -comforted; therefore depart from hence in peace, without further -delay, for I myself must perish, if you stay any longer: I am -persuaded that your presence brings mischief along with it. This is -all I have to say to you. Depart, and take care of ever appearing -again in my dominions; no consideration whatsoever shall hinder me -from making you repent of it. I was going to speak, but he stopped -my mouth by words full of anger: and so I was obliged to remove from -his palace, rejected, banished, an outcast from the world, and not -knowing what would become of me. Before I left the city I went into -a bagnio, where I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaved, and put -on a calender’s habit. I began my journey, not so much deploring -my own miseries, as the death of the two fair princesses, of which I -have been the occasion. I passed through many countries without -making myself known; at last I resolved to come to Bagdad, in hopes -to get myself introduced to the commander of the faithful, to move -his compassion by giving him an account of my strange adventures. I -came hither this evening, and the first man I met was this calender, -our brother, who spoke before me. You know the remaining part, -madam, and the cause of my having the honour to be here. - -When the second calender made an end of his story, Zobeide, to whom -he had addressed his speech, told him, It is well, you may go which -way you please; I give you leave: but instead of departing, he also -petitioned the lady to show him the same favour she had vouchsafed -to the first calender, and went and sat down by him. But, sir, said -Scheherazade, as she spoke these words, it is day, and I must not -proceed: I dare however assure you, that how agreeable soever this -story of the second calender may seem to you, that of the third will -be no less worthy of your hearing, if your majesty be pleased to -have patience. The sultan being desirous to know whether it would -appear so wonderful as the last, got out of bed with a resolution to -prolong Scheherazade’s life farther, though the delay he had -granted was determined several days before. - - - - -FIFTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -About the latter end of the following night, Dinarzade addressed -herself to the sultaness thus: Dear sister, I pray, until day -appear, which will be very soon, be pleased to relate some of the -fine stories you have read. --I would willingly, said Schahriar, -hear the story of the third calender. --Sir, replied Scheherazade, -you shall be obeyed. The third calender, perceiving it was his turn -to speak, addressed his speech as the rest had done, to Zobeide, and -began in this manner: - - - - -The History of the Third Calender, a King’s Son. - - -My story, most honourable lady, very much differs from what you have -heard already. The two princes that spoke before me have each lost -an eye by the pure effects of their destiny, but mine I lost through -my own fault, and by hastening to seek my own misfortune, as you -shall hear by the sequel of the story. My name is Agib, and I am the -son of a king who was called Cassib. After his death I took -possession of his dominions, and resided in the same city where he -lived before. The city is situated on the sea-coast, has one of the -finest and safest harbours in the world, an arsenal capable of -fitting out for sea one hundred and fifty men of war that are always -ready, and fifty merchantmen, and light frigates, and pleasure-boats -besides. My kingdom is composed of several fine provinces upon the -main land, besides a number of spacious islands, every one of which -lies almost in sight of my capital city. - -The first thing I did was to visit the provinces. I afterwards -caused my whole fleet to be fitted out and manned, and went to my -islands to gain the hearts of my subjects by my presence, and to -confirm them in their loyalty; and some time after I returned, I -went thither again. These voyages giving me some taste for -navigation, I took so much pleasure in it, that I resolved to make -some discoveries beyond my islands; to which end I caused only ten -ships to be fitted out, embarked on board them, and set sail. - -Our voyage was very successful for forty days together: but on the -forty-first night the wind became contrary, and withal so -boisterous, that we were near being lost in the storm. About break -of day the wind grew calm, the clouds dispersed, and the sun having -brought back fair weather, we came close to an island, where we -remained two days to take in fresh provisions; after which we put -off again to sea. After ten days’ sail, we were in hopes of seeing -land; for the tempests we had gone through had so much abated my -curiosity, that I gave orders to steer back to my own coast; but I -perceived at the same time, that my pilot knew not where we were. -Upon the tenth day, a seaman being sent to look out for land from -the main-mast head, gave notice that on starboard and larboard he -could see nothing but the sky and the sea, which bounded the -horizon; but just before us, upon the stern, he saw a great -blackness. - -The pilot changed colour at this relation; and, throwing his turban -on the deck with one hand, and beating his breast with the other, -cried, Oh, sir! we are all lost! not one of us will escape! and, -with all my skill, it is not in my power to prevent it. --Having -spoke thus, he fell to crying like a man who foresaw unavoidable -ruin: his despair put the whole ship’s crew in fear. I asked him -what reason he had thus to despair? He told me the tempest, which he -had outlived, had brought us so far out of our course, that -to-morrow about noon we should come near to that black place, which -is nothing else but the black mountain, that is, a mine of adamant, -which at this very minute draws all your fleet towards it, by virtue -of the iron and the nails that are in your ships; and when we come -to-morrow at a certain distance, the strength of the adamant will -have such a force, that all the nails will be drawn out of the sides -and bottoms of the ships, and fasten to the mountain; so that your -vessel will fall to pieces, and sink to the bottom: and as the -adamant has a virtue to draw all iron to it, whereby its attraction -becomes stronger, this mountain on the side of the sea is covered -over with nails, drawn out of an infinite number of vessels that -have perished by it; and this preserves and augments its virtue at -the same time. - -This mountain, continued the pilot, is very rugged: on the top of it -there is a dome of fine brass, supported by pillars of the same; and -upon the top of that dome there stands a horse of the same metal, -with a rider on his back, who has a plate of lead fixed to his -breast, upon which some talismanic characters are engraven. Sir, the -tradition is, that this statue is the chief cause that so many ships -and men have been lost and sunk in this place, and that it will ever -continue to be fatal to all those who have the misfortune to come -near to it, until it shall be thrown down. - -The pilot, having ended his discourse, began to weep afresh, and all -the rest of the ship’s company did the like. I had no other -thought but that my days were there to have an end. In the mean -time, every one began to provide for his own safety, and to that end -took all imaginable precautions; and, being uncertain of the event, -they all made one another their heirs, by virtue of a will, for the -benefit of those that should happen to be saved. - -The next morning we perceived the black mountain very plain, and the -idea we had conceived of it made it appear more frightful than it -was. About noon we were come so near, that we found what the pilot -had foretold to be true; for we saw all the nails and iron about the -ships fly towards the mountain, where they fixed, by the violence of -the attraction, with a horrible noise: the ships split asunder, and -sunk into the sea, which was so deep about the place, that we could -not sound it. All my people were drowned; but God had mercy on me, -and permitted me to save myself by means of a plank, which the wind -drove ashore just at the foot of the mountain. I did not receive the -least hurt; and my good fortune brought me to a landing place, where -there were steps that went up to the top of the mountain. - -Scheherazade would have gone on with her story, but day appearing, -she was obliged to keep silence. The sultan was convinced by this -beginning that the sultaness had not deceived him; and therefore we -are not to wonder that he did not order her to die that day. - - - - -FIFTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -For heaven’s sake, cried Dinarzade, next morning, if you be not -asleep, sister, go on with the story of the third calender. My dear -sister, said Scheherazade, the prince renewed his discourse thus:-- - -At the sight of these steps, said he, for there was not a bit of -ground, either on the right or left, whereon a man could set his -foot, I gave thanks to God, and recommended myself to his holy -protection, as I began to mount the steps, which were so narrow, -rugged, and hard to get up, that had the wind blown ever so little, -it would have thrown me down into the sea. But at last I got up to -the top, without any accident. I came into the dome, and, kneeling -on the ground, gave God thanks for his mercies to me. - -I passed the night under the dome; and in my sleep, an old grave man -appeared to me, and said, Hearken, Agib: as soon as thou art awake, -dig up the ground under thy feet; thou shalt find a bow of brass, -and three arrows of lead, that are made under certain -constellations, to deliver mankind from the many calamities that -threaten them. Shoot the three arrows at the statue, and the rider -shall fall into the sea, but the horse will fall down by thy side, -which thou must bury in the same place from whence thou tookest the -bow and arrows. This being done, the sea will swell and rise up to -the foot of the dome that stands upon the top of the mountain: when -it comes up so high, thou shalt see a boat with one man holding an -oar in each hand; --this man is also of metal, but different from -that thou hast thrown down; step on board to him, without mentioning -the name of God, and let him conduct thee. He will in ten days’ -time bring thee into another sea, where thou shalt find an -opportunity to get home to thy country safe and sound, provided, as -I have told thee, thou dost not mention the name of God during the -whole voyage. - -This was the substance of the old man’s discourse. When I awoke, I -was very much comforted by the vision, and did not fail to observe -every thing that he had commanded me. I took the bow and arrows out -of the ground, shot at the horseman, and, with the third arrow, I -overthrew him: he fell into the sea, and the horse fell by my side, -which I buried in the place whence I took the bow and arrows. In the -mean time, the sea swelled, and rose up by degrees; when it came as -high as the foot of the dome that stood upon the top of the -mountain, I saw afar off a boat rowing towards me, and I returned -God thanks that every thing succeeded according to my dream. - -At last the boat made land, and I saw the man was made of metal, as -I had dreamt. I stepped aboard, and took great heed not to pronounce -the name of God, neither spoke I one word. I sat down, and the man -of metal began to row off from the mountain. He rowed without -ceasing till the ninth day, when I saw some islands, which gave me -hopes that I should escape all the danger that I feared. The excess -of my joy made me forget what I was forbidden to do: Blessed be God! -said I; God be praised! - -I had no sooner spoken these words, but the boat sunk with the man -of metal; and, leaving me upon the surface, I swam the remaining -part of the day towards that land which appeared nearest to me. A -very dark night succeeded; and not knowing where I was, I swam at a -venture. My strength at last began to fail, and I despaired of being -able to save myself; when the wind began to blow hard, and a wave, -as big as a mountain, threw me on a flat, where it left me, and drew -back. I made haste to get ashore, fearing another wave might wash me -back again. The first thing I did was to strip, and wring the water -out of my clothes, and then laid them down on the dry sand, which -was still pretty warm by the heat of the day. - -Next morning the sun dried my clothes early; I put them on, and went -forward to see where I was. I had not walked very far, till I found -I was got upon a little desert island, though very pleasant, where -there grew several sorts of trees and wild fruits; but I perceived -it was very far from the continent, which much diminished the joy I -conceived for having escaped the danger of the seas. I -notwithstanding recommended myself to God, and prayed him to dispose -of me according to his good will and pleasure. At the same time I -saw a vessel coming from the main land, before the wind, directly to -the island. I doubted not but they were coming to anchor there; and -being uncertain what sort of people they might be, whether friends -or foes, I thought it not safe for me to be seen. I got up into a -very thick tree, from whence I might safely view them. The vessel -came into a little creek, where ten slaves landed, carrying a spade -and other instruments fit for digging up the ground. They went -towards the middle of the island, where I saw them stop and dig the -ground a long while; after which I thought I saw them lift up a -trap-door. They returned again to the vessel, and unladed several -sorts of provisions and furniture, which they carried to that place -where they had broken ground, and so went downward; which made me -suppose it was a subterraneous dwelling. - -I saw them once more go to the ship, and return soon after with an -old man, who led a very handsome young lad in his hand, of about -fourteen or fifteen years of age --They all went down at the -trap-door; and, being come up again, having let down the trap-door, -and covered it over with earth, they returned to the creek where the -ship lay: but I saw not the young man in their company. This made me -believe that he staid behind in that place under ground, at which I -could not but be extremely astonished. - -The old man and the slaves went aboard again, and the vessel being -got under sail, steered its course towards the main land. When I -perceived they were at such distance that they could not see me, I -came down from the tree, and went directly to the place where I had -seen the ground broken. I removed the earth by degrees, till I found -a stone that was two or three feet square. I lifted it up, and saw -that it covered the head of the stairs, which were also of stone. I -went down, and came into a large room, where there was laid a -foot-carpet, and a couch covered with tapestry, and cushions covered -with rich stuff, upon which the young man sat, with a fan in his -hand. I saw all this by the light of two tapers, together with the -fruits and flower-pots he had standing about him. The young lad was -startled at the sight of me; but to rid him of his fear, I said to -him as I came in, Whoever you be, sir, do not fear any thing: a -king, and the son of a king, as I am, is not capable of doing you -any prejudice; on the contrary, it is probable that your good -destiny has brought me hither to deliver you out of this tomb, where -it seems they have buried you alive, for reasons unknown to me. But -that which makes me wonder, and what I cannot conceive, (for you -must know that I have been witness to all that hath passed since -your coming into this island), is, that you suffered yourself to be -buried in this place without any resistance. - -Scheherazade broke off here, and the sultan arose, very impatient to -know why this young lad was thus abandoned in a desert island, as to -which he promised himself satisfaction next night. - - - - -FIFTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade perceiving it was time to call upon the sultaness, said, -Sister, if you be not asleep, pray resume the story of the third -calender. Scheherazade gave her no occasion to repeat her request, -and went on in this manner:-- - -The young man, continued the third calender, recovered himself at -these words, and prayed me, with a smiling countenance, to sit down -by him; which when I had done, he said, Prince, I am to acquaint you -with a matter so extraordinary in itself, that it cannot but -surprise you. - -My father is a merchant jeweller, who, through his ingenuity in his -calling, has acquired a great estate. He has many slaves and also -deputies, whom he employs to go as supercargoes to sea with his own -ships, on purpose to maintain the correspondence he has at several -courts, which he furnishes with such precious stones as they want. - -He had been married a long while, and without issue, when he -understood by a dream that he should have a son, though his life -would be but short; at which he was very much concerned when he -awoke. --Some days after, my mother acquainted him that she was with -child: and what she supposed to be the time of her conception agreed -exactly with the day of his dream. She was brought to bed of me at -the end of nine months, which occasioned great joy in the family. - -My father, who had observed the very moment of my birth, consulted -astrologers about my nativity, who told him, Your son shall live -very happily till the age of fifteen, when he will be in danger of -losing his life, and hardly be able to escape it: but if his good -destiny preserve him beyond that time, he will live to grow very -old. It will be (said they) when the statue of brass, that stands -upon the top of the mountain of adamant, shall be thrown down into -the sea by prince Agib, son of king Cassib; and, as the stars -prognosticate, your son shall be killed fifty days afterwards by -that prince. - -As the event of this part of the prediction about the statue agrees -exactly with my father’s dream, it afflicted him so much, that he -was struck to the very heart with it. In the mean time, he took all -imaginable care of my education until this present year, which is -the fifteenth of my age; and he had notice given him yesterday, that -the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea about ten days ago, -by that same prince I told you of. This news has cost him so many -tears, and has alarmed him so much, that he looks not like himself. - -Upon these predictions of the astrologers, he has sought by all -means possible to falsify my horoscope, and to preserve my life. It -is not long since he took the precaution to build me this -subterranean habitation to hide me in till the expiration of the -fifty days after the throwing down of the statue; and therefore, -since it was ten days ago that this had happened, he came hastily -hither to hide me, and promised at the end of forty days to come -again, and fetch me out. As for my own part, I am in good hope, and -cannot believe that prince Agib will come to seek for me in a place -under ground in the midst of a desert island. This, my lord, is what -I have to say to you. - -While the jeweller’s son was telling me this story, I laughed -within myself at those astrologers who had foretold that I should -take away his life; for I thought myself so far from being likely to -verify what they said, that he had scarce done speaking, when I told -him, with great joy, Dear sir, put your confidence in the goodness -of God, and fear nothing: you may consider it as a debt you was to -pay, but that you are acquitted of it from this very hour. I am glad -that, after my shipwreck, I came so fortunately hither to defend you -against all those that would attempt your death. I will not leave -you till the forty days are expired, of which the foolish -astrologers have made you apprehensive; and, in the mean while, I -will do you all the service that lies in my power; after which, I -shall have the benefit of getting to the main land in your vessel, -with leave of your father, and yourself; and when I am returned into -my kingdom, I shall remember the obligations I owe you, and -endeavour to demonstrate my acknowledgments in a suitable manner. - -This my discourse encouraged the jeweller’s son, and inspired him -with confidence in me. I took care not to tell him I was the very -Agib whom he dreaded, lest I should put him into a fright, and took -as much care not to give him any cause to suspect it. We passed the -time in several discourses till night came on: I found the young lad -of ready wit, and partook with him of his provisions, of which he -had enough to have lasted beyond the forty days, though he had more -guests than myself. After supper we continued some time in -discourse: at last we went to bed. The next day, when we got up, I -held the basin and water to him; I also provided dinner, and set it -on the table in due time; after we had done, I invented a play to -divert ourselves, not only for that day, but for those that -followed. I prepared supper after the same manner as I had prepared -dinner; and having supped, we went to bed as formerly. We had time -enough to contract friendship. I found he loved me, and for my part, -I had so great a respect for him, that I have often said to myself, -Those astrologers who predicted to his father, that his son should -die by my hand, were impostors; for it is not possible that I could -commit so base an action. In short, madam, we spent thirty-nine days -in the pleasantest manner that could be, in a place like that under -ground. - -The fortieth day appeared; and in the morning, when the young man -awoke, he said to me, with a transport of joy that he could not -restrain, Prince, this is the fortieth day; I am not dead, thanks to -God and your good company. My father will not fail to be here anon, -to give you a testimony of his gratitude for it, and shall furnish -you with all that is necessary for your return to your kingdom: but -in the mean time, said he, I beg you to get ready some water very -warm, to wash my whole body in that portable bagnio, that I may -clean myself, and change my clothes, to receive my father more -cheerfully. - -I set the water on the fire, and when it was hot, put it into the -moveable bagnio; the youth went in, and I myself washed and rubbed -him. At last he came out, and laid himself down in his bed that I -had prepared, and covered him with his bed clothes. After he had -slept a while, he awoke, and said, Dear prince, pray do me the -favour to fetch me a melon and some sugar, that I may eat some, and -refresh me. - -Out of several melons that remained, I took the best, and laid it on -a plate; and because I could not find a knife to cut it with, I -asked the young man if he knew where there was one. There is one, -said he, upon this cornice over my head. I accordingly saw it there, -and made so much haste to reach it, that while I had it in my hand, -my foot being entangled in the covering, I fell most unhappily upon -the young man, and the knife run into his heart in a minute. - -At this spectacle I cried out most hideously; I beat my head, my -face, and breast; I tore my clothes; I threw myself on the ground -with unspeakable sorrow and grief. Alas! I cried, there were only -some hours wanting to have put him out of that danger from which he -sought sanctuary here; and when I myself thought the danger past, -then I became his murderer, and verified the prediction. But, O -Lord! said I, lifting up my face and hands to heaven, I intreat thy -pardon, and if I be guilty of his death, let me not live any longer. - -Scheherazade perceiving day, was obliged to break off this doleful -story. The sultan of the Indies was moved with it, and felt very -uneasy to think what would become of the calender after this; and -resolved that Scheherazade should not die that day, because she was -the only person that could resolve him. - - - - -FIFTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade awaked the sultaness next morning as usual. If you be not -asleep, sister, said she, pray tell us what passed after the death -of the young man. She went on as follows: - -Madam, continued the third calender, addressing himself to Zobeide, -after this misfortune, I would have embraced death without any -reluctance, had it presented itself to me. But what we wish to -ourselves, whether good or bad, will not always happen. -Nevertheless, considering with myself that all my tears and sorrows -would not bring the young man to life again, and the forty days -being expired, I might be surprised by his father, I quitted the -subterranean dwelling, laid down the great stone upon the entry of -it, and covered it with earth. - -I had scarce done, when casting my eyes upon the sea towards the -main land, I perceived the vessel coming to fetch home the young -man. I began then to consider what I had best do; I said to myself, -if I am seen by the old man, he will certainly lay hold of me, and -perhaps cause me to be massacred by his slaves when he has seen that -his son is killed: all that I can allege to justify myself will not -persuade him of my innocence. It is better for me then to withdraw, -since it is in my power, than to expose myself to his resentment. - -There happened to be near that subterranean habitation a large tree -with thick leaves, which I thought fit to hide me in --I got up to -it, and was no sooner fixed in a place where I could not be seen, -than I saw the vessel come to the same place where she lay the first -time. - -This old man and his slaves landed immediately, and advanced towards -the subterranean dwelling, with a countenance that showed some hope; -but when they saw the earth had been newly removed, they changed -colour, particularly the old man. They lifted up the stone, and went -down; they called the young man by his name, but he not answering, -their fears increased; they went down to seek him, and at length -found him lying upon the bed, with the knife in his heart, for I had -not power to take it out. At this sight they cried out lamentably, -which increased my sorrow: the old man fell down in a swoon. The -slaves, to give him air, brought him up in their arms, and laid him -at the foot of the tree where I was; but notwithstanding all the -pains they took to recover him, the unfortunate father continued a -long while in that condition, and made them oftener than once -despair of his life, but at last he came to himself. Then the slaves -brought up his son’s corpse, dressed in his best apparel, and when -they had made a grave, they put him into it. --The old man, -supported by two slaves, and his face covered with tears, threw the -first earth upon him, after which the slaves filled up the grave. - -This being done, all the furniture was brought up from under ground, -and, with the remaining provisions, put on board the vessel. The old -man, overcome with sorrow, and not being able to stand, was laid -upon a sort of litter, and carried to the ship which stood out to -sea, and in a short time was out of sight. The daylight which began -to enter the sultan’s apartment, obliged Scheherazade to stop -here; Schahriar arose at the usual hour; and for the same reason as -before, he prolonged the sultaness’s life, and left her with -Dinarzade. - - - - -FIFTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -The next morning, before day, Dinarzade addressed herself to the -sultaness in these words; My dear sister, if you be not asleep, be -pleased to continue the adventures of the third calender. You must -know then, sister, said Scheherazade, that the prince went on with -the relation of his story to Zobeide and the company as follows: - -After the old man and his slaves were gone with the vessel, I was -left alone upon the island. I lay that night in the subterranean -dwelling, which they had shut up; and when the day came, I walked -round the island, and stopped in such places as I thought most -proper to repose in. - -I led this wearisome life for a whole month; after which I perceived -the sea to be mightily fallen, the island to be much larger, and the -main land seemed to be drawing near me. In fact, the water grew so -low, that there was but a small stream between me and the main land. -I crossed it, and the water did not come above the middle of my leg. -I walked so long upon the slime and sand, that I was very weary; at -last I got upon firm ground, and when at a good distance from the -sea, I saw a good way before me somewhat like a great fire, which -gave me some comfort; for I said to myself, I shall find somebody or -other, it not being possible that this fire should kindle of itself; -but when I came nearer hand, I found my error, and saw that what I -had taken for a fire was a castle of red copper, which the beams of -the sun made to look at a distance as if it had been in flames. - -I stopped near the castle, and sat down to admire its admirable -structure, and to rest awhile: I had not taken such a full view of -this magnificent building as it deserved, when I saw ten handsome -young men coming along, as if they had been taking a walk; but what -most surprised me was, that they were all blind of the right eye: -they accompanied an old man, who was very tall, and of a venerable -aspect. - -I could not but wonder at the sight of so many half-blind men all -together, and every one blind of the same eye; as I was thinking in -my mind by what adventure all these men could come together, they -came up to me, and seemed very glad to see me. After the first -compliments, they inquired what had brought me thither? I told them -my story would be somewhat tedious, but if they would take the -trouble to sit down, I would satisfy their request. They did so, and -I related to them all that had happened unto me since I left my -kingdom, which filled them with astonishment. - -After I had ended my discourse, the young gentlemen prayed me to go -with them into the castle; I accepted the proffer, and we passed -through a great many halls, antechambers, bedchambers, and closets, -very well furnished, and came at last into a spacious hall, where -there were ten small blue sofas set round, separate from one -another, upon which they sat by day, and slept by night. In the -middle of this circle stood an eleventh sofa, not so high as the -rest, but of the same colour, upon which the old man before -mentioned sat down, and the young gentlemen made use of the other -ten; but as each sofa could only contain one man, one of the young -men said to me, Comrade, sit down upon that carpet in the middle of -the room, and do not inquire into any thing that concerns us, nor -the reason why we are all blind of the right eye; be content with -what you see, and let not your curiosity go any farther. - -The old man having sat a little while, rose up and went out; but he -returned in a minute or two, brought in supper to those ten -gentlemen, distributed to each man his portion by himself, and -likewise brought me mine, which I eat by myself, as the rest did; -and when supper was almost ended, he presented to each of us a cup -of wine. - -They thought my story so extraordinary, that they made me repeat it -after supper, and it furnished conversation for a good part of the -night. One of the gentlemen observing that it was late, said to the -old man, You see it is time to go to bed, and you do not bring us -that with which we may acquit ourselves of our duty. At these words -the old man arose, and went into a closet, from whence he brought -out upon his head ten basins one after another, all covered with -blue stuff: he set one before every gentleman, together with a light. - -They uncovered their basins, in which there were ashes, coal-dust, -and lamp-black; they mixed all together, and rubbed and bedaubed -their faces with it, in such a manner that they looked very -frightful. After having thus blacked themselves they fell a weeping -and lamenting, beating their heads and breasts, and cried -continually, This is the fruit of our idleness and debauches. - -They continued thus almost the whole night, and when they left off, -the old man brought them water, with which they washed their faces -and hands; they changed all their clothes, which were spoiled, and -put on others; so that they did not look in the least as if they had -been doing so strange an action. - -You may judge, madam, how uneasy I was all the while: I wished a -thousand times to break the silence which those young gentlemen had -imposed upon me, and ask questions; nor was it possible for me to -sleep that night. - -After we got up next day we went out to walk, when I told them, -Gentlemen, I declare to you, that I must renounce that law which you -prescribed to me last night, for I cannot observe it. You are men of -sense, and do not want wit; you have convinced me of this; yet I -have seen you do such actions as none but madmen could be capable -of. Whatever misfortune befals me, I cannot forbear asking, why you -bedaubed your faces with black? How it comes that each of you have -but one eye? Some singular circumstance must certainly be the cause -of it; therefore I conjure you to satisfy my curiosity. To these -pressing instances they answered only, that it was no business of -mine to ask such questions, and that I should do well to hold my -peace. - -We passed that day in conversation upon indifferent subjects; and -when night was come, and every man had supped, the old man brought -in his blue basins, and the young gentlemen bedaubed their faces, -wept and beat themselves, crying, This is the fruit of our idleness -and debauches, as before, and continued the same actions the -following night. At last, not being able to resist my curiosity, I -earnestly prayed them to satisfy me, or show me how to return to my -own kingdom; for it was impossible for me to keep them company any -longer, and to see every night such an odd spectacle, without being -permitted to know the reason. - -One of the gentlemen answered in behalf of the rest, Do not wonder -at our conduct in regard to yourself, and that hitherto we have not -granted your request: it is out of mere kindness to save you the -pain of being reduced to the same condition with us. If you have a -mind to try our unfortunate destiny, you need but speak, and we will -give you the satisfaction you desire. I told them I was resolved on -it, let what would be the consequence. Once more, said the same -gentleman, we advise you to restrain your curiosity: it will cost -you the loss of your right eye. No matter, said I; I declare to you, -that if such a misfortune befal me, I will not impute it to you but -to myself. - -He farther represented to me, that when I had lost an eye, I must -not hope to stay with them, if I were so minded, because their -number was so complete, and no addition could be made to it. I told -them, that it would be a great satisfaction to me never to part from -such honest gentlemen, but if there were necessity for it, I was -ready to submit; and let it cost what it would, I begged them to -grant my request. - -The ten gentlemen perceiving that I was so fixed in my resolution, -took a sheep and killed it, and after they had taken off the skin, -presented me with a knife, telling me it would be useful to me on a -certain occasion, which they should tell me of presently. We must -sew you into this skin, said they, and then leave you; upon which a -fowl of monstrous size, called a roc, will appear in the air, and -taking you to be a sheep, will come down upon you, and carry you up -to the very sky; but let not that frighten you; he will come down -with you again, and lay you on the top of a mountain. When you find -yourself upon the ground, cut the skin with the knife, and throw it -off. As soon as the roc sees you, he will fly away for fear, and -leave you at liberty: do not stay, but walk on till you come to a -prodigious large castle, covered with plates of gold, large -emeralds, and other precious stones: go up to the gate, which always -stands open, and walk in: we have been in the castle as long as we -have been here; we will tell you nothing of what we saw, or what -befel us there: you will learn it yourself; all that we can inform -you, is, that it hath cost each of us our right eye, and the penance -which you have been witness to, is what we are obliged to do, -because we have been there. The history of each of us in particular -is so full of extraordinary adventures, that a large volume would -not contain them. But we must explain ourselves no farther. - -Here Scheherazade broke off the discourse, and said to the sultan of -the Indies, Sir, my sister called upon me this morning sooner than -ordinary; I fear I have wearied your majesty’s patience. But now -day appears in very good time, and commands my silence. -Schahriar’s curiosity still prevailed upon him to dispense with -his cruel oath. - - - - -FIFTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade did not call so early this night as she did the last, yet -she called upon the sultaness before day: If you be not asleep, -sister, pray continue the story of the third calender. Scheherazade -resumed it thus, personating the calender in his discourse to -Zobeide. - -Madam, when the gentleman had ended this discourse, I wrapt myself -in the sheep’s skin, held fast the knife which was given me; and -after those young gentlemen had been at the trouble to sew the skin -about me, they retired into the hall, and left me on the spot. The -roc they spoke of was not long coming; he fell upon me, took me in -his talons like a sheep, and carried me up to the top of the -mountain. - -When I found myself upon the ground, I made use of the knife, cut -the skin, and throwing it off, the roc at the sight of me flew away. -This roc is a white bird, of a monstrous size; his strength is such, -that he can lift up elephants from the plains, and carry them to the -tops of mountains, where he feeds upon them. - -Being impatient till I reached the castle, I lost no time; but made -so much haste that I got thither in half a day’s journey, and I -must say that I found it surpassed the description they had given me -of it. - -The gate being open, I entered into a court that was square, and so -large that there were round it ninety-nine gates of wood of sanders -and aloes, with one of gold, without reckoning those of several -magnificent stair-cases, that led to apartments above, besides many -more, which I could not see. The hundred doors which I spoke of -opened into gardens or store-houses full of riches, or into places -which contained things wonderful to be seen. - -I saw a door standing open just before me, through which I entered -into a large hall, where I found forty young ladies of such perfect -beauty that imagination could not surpass it; they were all most -sumptuously apparelled; and as soon as they saw me rose up, and -without expecting my compliments, said to me, with demonstrations of -joy, noble sir, you are very welcome. And one spoke to me in the -name of the rest, thus: We have been in expectation a long while of -such a gentleman as you: your mien assures us, that you are master -of all the good qualities we can wish for; and we hope you will not -find our company disagreeable or unworthy of your’s. - -They forced me, notwithstanding all the opposition I could make, to -sit down on a seat that was higher than their own, and though I -signified that I was uneasy; That is your place, said they; you are -at present our lord, master, and judge, and we are your slaves, -ready to obey your commands. - -Nothing in the world, madam, did so much astonish me as the passion -and eagerness of those fair ladies to do me all possible service. -One brought hot water to wash my feet; a second poured sweet scented -water on my hands; others brought me all sorts of necessaries, and -change of apparel; others brought in a magnificent collation; and -the rest came with glasses in their hands to fill me delicious -wines, all in good order, and in the most charming manner possible. -I ate and drank; after which the ladies placed themselves about me, -and desired an account of my travels. I gave them a full relation of -my adventures, which lasted till night came on. - -Scheherazade making a stop here, her sister asked her the reason. Do -you not see it is day? said the sultaness; wherefore did you not -call me sooner? - -The sultan, expecting some pleasant adventures from the arrival of -the third calender at the palace of the forty ladies, would not -deprive himself of the pleasure of hearing them; and therefore again -put off the death of the sultaness. - - - - -FIFTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade slept as long this night as she did the last; and when it -was almost day, she called to the sultaness, Dear sister, if you be -not asleep, pray tell us what passed in the fine castle where you -left us yesterday. I will, said Scheherazade; and, addressing her -speech to the sultan, said, Sir, the calender resumed his narrative -after this manner:-- - -When I had made an end of my story, which I related to the forty -ladies, some of them that sat nearest to me staid to keep me -company, whilst the rest, seeing it was dark, rose up to fetch -tapers. They brought a prodigious quantity, which made such a -wonderful light, as if it had been day, and they were so properly -disposed, that nothing could be more beautiful. - -Other ladies covered a table with dry fruits, sweetmeats, and every -thing proper to relish the liquor; a sideboard was set out with -several sorts of wine and other liquors. Some of the ladies came in -with musical instruments; and when every thing was ready, they -invited me to sit down to supper. The ladies sat down with me, and -we continued a long while at supper. They that were to play upon the -instruments and sing rose up, and formed a most charming concert. -The others began a sort of ball, and danced two and two, one after -another, with a wonderful good grace. - -It was past midnight ere those divertisements ended. At length one -of the ladies said to me, You are doubtless wearied by the journey -you have taken to-day; it is time for you to go to rest --your -lodging is prepared; but before you depart, make choice of any of -us you like best to be your bed-fellow. I answered, that I knew -better than to offer to make my own choice, since they were all -equally beautiful, witty, and worthy of my respects and service, -and that I would not be guilty of so much incivility as to prefer -one before another. - -The same lady that spoke to me before, answered, We are very well -satisfied of your civility, and find you are afraid to create a -jealousy among us, which occasions your modesty: but let not this -hinder you; we assure you that the good fortune of her whom you -choose shall cause no jealousy; for we are agreed among ourselves, -that every one of us shall have the same honour till it go round; -and when forty days are past, to begin again; --therefore make your -free choice, and lose no time to go and take the repose you stand in -need of. I was obliged to yield to their intreaties, and offered my -hand to the lady that spoke; she, in return, gave me her’s, and we -were conducted to a sumptuous apartment, where they left us; and -then every one retired to their own apartment. But day appears, sir, -said Scheherazade to the sultan; and your majesty, I hope, will -permit me to leave the calender prince with his lady. Schahriar -returned no answer, but said to himself, as he got up, I must allow -that the story is extraordinary, and I should be very much to blame -not to hear it out. - - - - -SIXTIETH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade did not fail about the latter end of the next night to -address the sultaness thus: If you be not asleep, sister, pray -relate to us the remaining part of the wonderful story of the third -calender. --Most willingly, said Scheherazade. The prince continued -it thus: I was scarce dressed next morning, when the other -thirty-nine ladies came into my chamber, all in different dresses -from those they had on the day before: they bade me good-morrow, and -inquired after my health; after which they carried me to a bath, -where they washed me themselves, and whether I would or no, served -me with every thing I stood in need of; and when I came out of the -bath, they made me put on another suit much richer than the former. - -We passed the whole day almost constantly at table; and when it was -bed-time, they prayed me again to make choice of one of them to keep -me company. In short, madam, not to weary you with repetitions, I -must tell you that I continued a whole year among those forty -ladies, and received them into my bed one after another: and during -all the time of this voluptuous life, we met not with the least kind -of trouble. When the year was expired, I was strangely surprised -that these forty ladies, instead of appearing with their usual -cheerfulness to ask how I did, entered one morning into my chamber -all in tears. They embraced me with great tenderness one after -another, saying, Adieu, dear prince, adieu! for we must leave you. -Their tears affected me; I prayed them to tell me the reason of -their grief, and of the separation they spoke of. For God’s sake, -fair ladies, let me know, said I, if it be in my power to comfort -you, or if my assistance can be any way useful to you. Instead of -returning a direct answer, Would to God, said they, we had never -seen or known you! Several gentlemen have honoured us with their -company before you; but never one of them had that comeliness, that -sweetness, that pleasantness of humour, and that merit which you -possess; we know not how to live without you. After they spoke these -words, they began to weep bitterly. My dear ladies, said I, be so -kind as not to keep me in suspense any longer: tell me the cause of -your sorrow. --Alas, said they, what but the necessity of parting -from you could be capable of grieving us? It may so happen that we -shall never see you again; but if you be so minded, and possess -sufficient self-command, it is not impossible for us to meet again. ---Ladies, said I, I understand not your meaning; pray explain -yourselves more clearly. - -Oh then, said one of them, to satisfy you, we must acquaint you that -we are all princesses, daughters of kings: we live here together in -such a manner as you have seen; but at the end of every year we are -obliged to be absent forty days upon indispensable duties, which we -are not permitted to reveal; and afterwards we return again to this -castle. Yesterday was the last of the year, and we must leave you -this day, which is the cause of our grief. Before we depart we will -leave you the keys of every thing, especially those belonging to the -hundred doors, where you will find enough to satisfy your curiosity, -and to sweeten your solitude during our absence: but for your own -welfare, and our particular concern in you, we recommend unto you to -forbear opening the golden door: for if you do we shall never see -you again: and the fear of this augments our grief. We hope, -nevertheless, that you will follow the advice we give you, as you -tender your own quiet, and the happiness of your life; therefore -take heed that you do not give way to indiscreet curiosity, for you -will do yourself a considerable prejudice. We conjure you not to -commit this fault, but to let us have the satisfaction of finding -you here again after forty days. We would willingly carry the key of -the golden door along with us; but that it would be an affront to a -prince like you to question your discretion and modesty. ---Scheherazade wished to go on; but she saw day appear, and stopped. -The sultan being curious to know what the third calender would do -when the forty ladies were gone, and had left him alone in the -castle, deferred the hearing of it till next day. - - - - -SIXTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -The officious Dinarzade being awake long before day, called to the -sultaness; If you be not asleep, sister, consider that it is time to -tell the remaining part of the story to our lord the sultan. -Scheherazade, addressing herself to the sultan, said, Sir, your -majesty may be pleased to know that the calender pursued his story -thus: - -Madam, said he, this discourse of the fair princesses grieved me -extremely. I omitted not to make them sensible how much their -absence would afflict me. I thanked them for their good advice, and -assured them that I would follow it, and willingly do what was much -more difficult in order to secure the happiness of passing the rest -of my days with ladies of such rare qualifications. We took leave of -one another with much tenderness, and having embraced them all, they -departed, and I was left alone in the castle. - -Their agreeable company, the good cheer, the concert of music, and -other pleasures, had so much diverted me during the whole year, that -I neither had time nor the least desire to see the wonderful things -contained in this enchanted palace. I did not so much as take notice -of a thousand rare objects that were every day in my sight; for I -was so occupied with the charming beauty of those ladies, and took -so much pleasure in seeing them wholly employed to oblige me, that -their departure afflicted me very sensibly; and though their absence -was to be only forty days, it seemed to me an age to live without -them. - -I promised myself not to forget the important advice they had given -me, not to open the golden door; but as I was permitted to satisfy -my curiosity in every thing else, I took the first of the keys of -the other doors, which were hung in good order. - -I opened the first door, and came into an orchard, which I believe -the universe could not equal. I could not imagine any thing that -could surpass it, but that which our religion promises us after -death: the symmetry, the neatness, the admirable order of the trees, -the abundance and diversity of a thousand sorts of unknown fruits, -their freshness and beauty, ravished my sight. - -I ought not to forget, madam, to acquaint you, that this delicious -orchard, was watered after a very particular manner; there were -channels so artificially and proportionably dug, that they carried -water in abundance to the roots of such trees as wanted it for -making them produce their leaves and flowers. Others carried it to -those that had their fruit budded; some carried it in lesser -quantities to those whose fruits were swelling, and others carried -only so much as was just requisite to water those which had their -fruit come to perfection, and only wanted to be ripened. They far -exceeded the ordinary fruits of our gardens in bigness. Lastly, -those channels that watered the trees, whose fruit was ripe, had no -more moisture than just what would preserve them from withering. - -I could never be weary of looking at and admiring so sweet a place; -and I should never have left it, had I not conceived a great idea of -the other things which I had not seen. I went out at last with my -mind filled with those wonders; I shut that door, and opened the -next. - -Instead of an orchard, I found a flower-garden, which was no less -extraordinary in its kind. It contained a spacious plot, not watered -so profusely as the former, but with greater niceness, furnishing no -more water than just what each flower required. The roses, -jessamines, violets, daffodills, hyacinths, anemonies, tulips, -crows-foots, pinks, lilies, and an infinite number of flowers, which -do not grow in other places but at certain times, were there -flourishing all at once, and nothing could be more delicious than -the fragrant smell of this garden. - -I opened the third door, where I found a large aviary, paved with -marble of several fine uncommon colours. The cage was made of sandal -wood and wood of aloes. It contained a vast number of nightingales, -goldfinches, canary-birds, larks, and other rare singing-birds, -which I never heard of; and the vessels that held their seed and -water were of the most precious jasper or agate. - -Besides, this aviary was so exceedingly neat, that considering its -extent, one would think there could not be less than a hundred -persons to keep it so clean; but all this while not one soul -appeared, either here or in the gardens where I had been; and yet I -could not perceive a weed, or any superfluous thing there. The sun -went down, and I retired, charmed with the chirping notes of the -multitude of birds, who then began to perch upon such places as -suited them to repose on during the night. I went to my chamber, -resolving to open all the rest of the doors the days following, -excepting that of gold. - -I failed not to open the fourth door next day, and if what I had -seen before was capable of surprising me, that which I saw then put -me in a perfect ecstasy. I went into a large court surrounded with -buildings of an admirable structure, the description of which I will -pass by, to avoid prolixity. - -This building had forty doors, all open, and through each of them -was an entrance into a treasury, several of which would purchase the -largest kingdoms. The first contained heaps of pearls; and, what is -almost incredible, the number of those stones which are most -precious, and as large as pigeons’ eggs, exceeding the number of -those of the ordinary size. In the second treasury there were -diamonds, carbuncles, and rubies; in the third, emeralds; in the -fourth, ingots of gold; in the fifth, money; in the sixth, ingots of -silver; in the two following there was also money. The rest -contained amethysts, chrysolites, topazes, opals, turquoises, and -hyacinths, with all the other stones unknown to us, without -mentioning agate, jasper, cornelian, and coral, of which there was a -storehouse filled, not only with branches, but whole trees. - -Transported with amazement and admiration, I cried out to myself, -after having seen all these riches, If all the treasures of the -kings of the universe were gathered together in one place, they -could not come near this: what good fortune have I to possess all -this wealth with so many admirable princesses. - -I shall not stay, madam, to tell you the particulars of all the -other rare and precious things I saw the following days. I shall -only say that thirty-nine days afforded me but just as much time as -was necessary to open ninety-nine doors, and to admire all that -presented itself to my view; so that there was only the hundredth -door left, the opening of which was forbidden to me. - -Day began to appear in the apartments of the sultan of the Indies, -which imposed silence upon Scheherazade. But Schahriar was too much -taken with this pleasing story, not to hear the remainder of it next -day, and accordingly he got up with that resolution. - - - - -SIXTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade, who had as ardent a desire as Schahriar to hear what -wonderful things were locked up by the key belonging to the golden -door, called the sultaness very early. If you be not asleep, sister, -pray make an end of that amazing story of the third calender. He -went on thus, said Scheherazade; I was come to the fortieth day -after the departure of those charming princesses, and had I but -retained so much power over myself as I ought to have had, I should -have been this day the happiest of all mankind, whereas now I am the -most unfortunate. They were to return next day, and the pleasure of -seeing them again ought to have restrained my curiosity: but through -my weakness, which I shall ever repent, I yielded to the temptation -of the evil spirit, who gave me no rest till I had involved myself -in those misfortunes that I have since suffered. - -I opened that fatal door, which I promised not to meddle with, and -had not moved my foot to go in, when a smell that was pleasant -enough, but contrary to my constitution, made me faint away. -Nevertheless, I came to myself again, and instead of taking notice -of this warning to shut the door, and forbear satisfying my -curiosity, I went in, after I had stood some time in the air, to -carry off the scent, which did not incommode me any more. I found a -large place, very well vaulted; the pavement was strewed over with -saffron; several candlesticks of massy gold, with lighted tapers -that smelled of aloes and ambergris, lighted the place; and this -light was augmented by lamps of gold and silver, that burnt with oil -made of several sorts of sweet-scented materials. - -Among a great many objects that engaged my attention, I perceived a -black horse, of the handsomest and best shape that ever was seen. I -went nearer, the better to observe him, and found he had a saddle -and bridle of massy gold, curiously wrought. One side of his trough -was filled with clean barley and sesame, and the other with -rose-water: I took him by the bridle, and led him forth to view him -by the light; I got on his back, and would have had him move; but he -not stirring, I whipped him with a switch I had taken up in his -magnificent stable; and he had no sooner felt the stroke, than he -began to neigh with a horrible noise, and extending his wings which -I had not seen before, he flew up with me into the air, quite out of -sight. I thought on nothing then but to sit fast; and considering -the fear that had seized upon me, I sat very well. He afterwards -flew down again towards the earth, and lighting upon the terrace of -a castle, without giving me any time to dismount, he shook me out of -the saddle with such force, that he threw me behind him, and with -the end of his tail struck out mine eye. - -Thus I became blind of one eye; and then I began to remember the -predictions of the ten young gentlemen. The horse flew again out of -sight. I got up very much troubled at the misfortune I had brought -upon myself; I walked upon the terrace, covering my eye with one of -my hands, for it pained me exceedingly, and then came down, and -entered into a hall, which I knew presently by the ten sofas in a -circle, and the eleventh in the middle, lower than the rest, to be -the same castle from whence I was taken away by the roc. - -The ten half-blind gentlemen were not in the hall when I came in, -but came soon after, with the old man. They were not at all -surprised to see me again, nor at the loss of my eye; but said, We -are sorry that we cannot congratulate you upon your return, as we -could have desired; but we are not the cause of your misfortune. --I -should be in the wrong to accuse you, said I; for I have drawn it -upon myself, and I can charge the fault upon no other person. --If -it be a consolation to the unfortunate, said they, to have -companions, this example may afford us a subject of rejoicing. All -that has happened to you, we have also undergone; we tasted all -sorts of pleasure, during a year successively; and we had continued -to enjoy the same happiness still, had we not opened the golden -door, when the princesses were absent. You have been no wiser than -us, and have had likewise the same punishment. We would gladly -receive you among us, to perform such penance as we do, though we -know not how long it may continue; but we have already declared the -reasons that hinder us; therefore depart from hence, and go to the -court of Bagdad, where you shall meet with him that can decide your -destiny. They told me the way I was to travel, and I left them. - -On the road I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaven, and assumed -a calender’s habit. I have had a long journey, but at last I -arrived this evening in this city, where I met these my brother -calenders at the gate, being strangers as well as myself. We -wondered much at one another to see we were all three blind of the -same eye; but we had not leisure to discourse long of our common -calamities. We had only so much time as to come hither, to implore -those favours which you have been generously pleased to grant us. - -The third calender having finished this relation of his adventures, -Zobeide addressed her speech to him and his fellow calenders thus: -Go wherever you think fit; you are all three at liberty. But one of -them answered, Madam, we beg you to pardon our curiosity, and permit -us to hear those gentlemen’s stories, who have not yet spoke. Then -the lady turned to that side where the caliph, the vizier Giafar, -and Mesrour stood, whom she knew not; but said to them, It is now -your turn to tell me your adventures, therefore speak. - -The grand vizier Giafar, who had always been the spokesman, answered -Zobeide thus: Madam, in order to obey you, we need only to repeat -what we have said already, before we entered your house. We are -merchants of Moussoul, that came to Bagdad to sell our merchandize -that lies in the khan where we lodge. We dined to-day with several -other persons of our profession, at a merchant’s house of this -city; who, after he had treated us with choice dainties and -excellent wines, sent for men and women dancers, and musicians. The -great noise we made brought in the watch, who arrested some of the -company, and we had the good fortune to escape; but it being already -late, and the door of our khan shut up, we knew not whither to -retire. It was our hap, as we passed along this street, to hear -mirth at your house, which made us determine to knock at your gate. -This is all the account that we can give you, in obedience to your -commands. - -Zobeide having heard this discourse, seemed to hesitate upon what -she should say; which the calenders perceiving, prayed her to grant -the same favour to the three Moussoul merchants as she had done to -them. Well, then, said she, I give my consent, for you shall all be -equally obliged to me: I pardon you all, provided you depart -immediately out of this house, and go whither you please. - -Zobeide having given this command in a tone that signified she would -be obeyed, the caliph, the vizier, Mesrour, the three calenders, and -the porter, departed, without saying one word; for the presence of -the seven slaves with their weapons kept them in awe. When they were -out of the house, and the door shut, the caliph said to the -calenders, without making himself known, You gentlemen strangers, -that are newly come to town, which way do you design to go, since it -is not yet day? It is that which perplexes us, sir, said they. -Follow us, replied the caliph, and we will bring you out of danger. -After saying these words, he whispered to the vizier, Take them -along with you, and to-morrow morning bring them to me; I will cause -their history to be put in writing, for it deserves a place in the -annals or my reign. - -The vizier Giafar took the three calenders along with him, the -porter went to his quarters, and the caliph and Mesrour returned to -the palace. The caliph went to bed, but could not get a wink of -sleep, his spirits were so perplexed by the extraordinary things he -had seen and heard: but, above all, he was most concerned to know -who Zobeide was, what reason she could have to be so severe to the -two black bitches, and why Amine had her bosom so mortified. Day -began to appear whilst he was thinking upon these things; he arose -and went to his council-chamber, where he used to give audience, and -sat upon his throne. - -The grand vizier came in a little after, and paid his respects as -usual. Vizier, said the caliph, the affairs that we have to consider -at present are not very pressing; that of the three ladies and the -two black bitches is much more so: my mind cannot be at ease till I -am thoroughly satisfied in all those matters that have surprised me -so much. --Go, bring these ladies and the calenders at the same -time; make haste, and remember that I impatiently expect your return. - -The vizier, who knew his master’s quick and fiery temper, made -haste to obey, and went to the ladies, to whom he communicated, in a -civil way, the orders he had to bring them before the caliph, -without taking any notice of what had passed the night before at -their house. - -The ladies put on their veils, and went with the vizier. As he -passed by his own house, he took the three calenders along with him; -and they in the mean time, had got notice that they had both seen -and spoke with the caliph without knowing him. The vizier brought -them to the palace with so much diligence, that the caliph was much -pleased. This prince, that he might keep decorum before all the -officers of his court who were then present, gave orders that those -ladies should be placed behind the hanging of the door of the room -next his bedchamber, and kept by him the three calenders, who, by -their respectful behaviour, gave sufficient proof, that they were -not ignorant before whom they had the honour to appear. - -When the ladies were placed, the caliph turned towards them, and -said, Ladies, when I shall acquaint you that I came last night -disguised in a merchant’s habit into your house, it will certainly -alarm you, and make you fear that you have offended me; and perhaps -you believe that I have sent for you for no other purpose but to -show some marks of my resentment; but be not afraid; you may rest -assured that I have forgotten all that has past, and am very well -satisfied with your conduct. I wish that all the ladies of Bagdad -had as much discretion as you have given proof of before me. I shall -always remember the moderation you made use of, after the incivility -that we had committed. I was then a merchant of Moussoul, but am at -present Haroun Alraschid, the seventh caliph of the glorious house -of Abbas, that holds the place of our great prophet. I have only -sent for you to know who you are, and to ask you for what reason one -of you, after severely whipping the two black bitches, did weep with -them? And I am no less curious to know why another of you has her -bosom so full of scars. - -Though the caliph pronounced these words very distinctly, and the -three ladies heard him well enough, yet the vizier Giafar did, out -of ceremony, repeat them over again. - -But, sir, said Scheherazade, it is day; and if your majesty thinks -fit that I shall go on with the rest of this story, you will be -pleased to prolong my life until to-morrow. The sultan agreed to it, -knowing that Scheherazade would relate the history of Zobeide, which -he had a great desire to hear. - - - - -SIXTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -Dear sister, said Dinarzade, about break of day, if you be not -asleep, pray tell us the story of Zobeide, for, doubtless, that lady -told it to the caliph. She certainly did, said Scheherazade, after -that prince by his discourse had encouraged her to it. And it was in -this manner that she satisfied his curiosity:-- - - - - -The story of Zobeide. - - -Commander of the faithful, said she, the relation which I am about -to give your majesty is one of the strangest that ever was heard. -The two black bitches and myself are sisters by the same father and -mother; and I shall acquaint you by what strange accident they came -to be metamorphosed. The two ladies who live with me, and are now -here, are also my sisters by the father’s side, but by another -mother; she that has the scars upon her breast is named Amine, the -other’s name is Safie, and mine Zobeide. - -After our father’s death, the estate that he left us was equally -divided among us; and as soon as these two sisters received their -portions, they went from me to live with their mother. My other two -sisters and myself staid with our mother, who was then alive, and -when she died, left each of us a thousand sequins. As soon as we -received our portions, the two elder, (for I am the youngest,) being -married, followed their husbands, and left me alone. Some time -after, my eldest sister’s husband sold all that he had, and with -that money and my sister’s portion, they went both into Africa, -where her husband, by riotous living and debauchery, spent all; and, -finding himself reduced to poverty, he found a pretext for divorcing -my sister, and put her away. - -She returned to this city; and, having suffered incredible hardships -by the way, came to me in so lamentable a condition, that it would -have moved the hardest heart to compassion. I received her with all -the tenderness she could expect; and, inquiring into the cause of -her sad condition, she told me with tears how inhumanly her husband -had dealt by her. I was so much concerned at her misfortune that it -drew tears from my eyes. I put her into a bath, and clothed her with -my own apparel, and spoke to her thus: Sister, you are the elder, -and I esteem you as my mother; during your absence, God has blest -the portion that fell to my share, and the employment I follow to -feed and bring up silk-worms. Assure yourself there is nothing I -have but is at your service, and as much at your disposal as my own. - -We lived very comfortably together for some months; and as we were -often discoursing together about our third sister, and wondering we -heard no news of her, she came in as bad a condition as the elder; -her husband had treated her after the same manner, and I received -her likewise with the same affection as I had done the former. - -Some time after, my two sisters, on pretence that they would not be -chargeable to me, told me they had thoughts to marry again. I -answered them, that if their putting me to charge was all the -reason, they might lay those thoughts aside, and be very welcome to -stay with me; for what I had would be sufficient to maintain us all -three in a manner answerable to our condition. --But, said I, I -rather believe you have a mind to marry again; which if you have, I -am sure it will very much surprise me; after the experience you have -had of the small satisfaction there is in wedlock, is it possible -you dare venture a second time? You know how rare it is to meet with -a husband that is a real honest man. Believe what I say, and let us -live together as comfortable as we can. All my persuasion was in -vain; they were resolved to marry, and so they did. But after some -months were past, they came back again, and begged my pardon a -thousand times for not following my advice. You are our youngest -sister, said they, and abundantly more wise than we; but if you will -vouchsafe to receive us once more into your house, and account us -your slaves, we shall never commit such a fault again. My answer -was, Dear sisters, I have not altered my mind in respect to you -since we last parted from one another; come again, and take part of -what I have. Upon this I embraced them again, and we lived together -as we did formerly. - -We continued thus a whole year in perfect love and tranquillity; -and, seeing that God had increased my small stock, I projected a -voyage by sea, to hazard somewhat in trade. To this end I went with -my two sisters to Balsora, where I bought a ship ready fitted for -sea, and laded her with such merchandise as I brought from Bagdad. -We set sail with a fair wind, and soon cleared the Persian gulf; and -when we got into the ocean, we steered our course to the Indies, and -the twentieth day saw land. --It was a very high mountain, at the -bottom of which we saw a great town; and, having a fresh gale, we -soon reached the harbour, where we cast anchor. - -I had not patience to stay till my sisters were dressed to go along -with me, but went ashore in the boat by myself; and making directly -to the gate of the town, I saw there a great number of men upon -guard, some sitting, and others standing with batons in their hands; -and they had all such dreadful countenances that it frightened me; -but perceiving they had no motion, not so much as with their eyes, I -took courage, and went nearer, and then found they were all turned -into stones. I entered the town, and passed through the several -streets, wherein stood every where men in various attitudes, but all -motionless and petrified. On that side where the merchants lived I -found most of the shops shut, and in such as were open I likewise -found the people petrified. I looked up to the chimnies, but saw no -smoke, which made me conjecture that the inhabitants, both within -and without, were all turned into stone. - -Being come into a vast square, in the heart of the city, I perceived -a great gate, covered with plates of gold, the two leaves of which -stood open, and a curtain of silk stuff seemed to be drawn before -it; I also saw a lamp hanging over the gate. After I had well -considered the fabric, I made no doubt but it was the palace of the -prince who reigned over that country; and being very much astonished -that I had not met with one living creature, I went thither in hopes -to find some. I entered the gate, and was still more surprised when -I saw none but the guards in the porches, all petrified, some -standing, some sitting, and some lying. - -I crossed over a large court, where I saw a stately building just -before me, the windows of which were inclosed with gates of massy -gold. I supposed it to be the queen’s apartment, and went into a -large hall, where there stood several black eunuchs turned into -stone. I went from thence into a room richly hung and furnished, -where I perceived a lady in the same situation. I knew it to be the -queen by the crown of gold that hung over her head, and a necklace -of pearl about her neck, each of them as big as a nut: I went up -close to her to view it, and never beheld a finer sight. - -I stood some time, and admired the riches and magnificence of the -room; but, above all, the foot-cloth, the cushions, and the sofas, -which were all lined with Indian stuff of gold, with pictures of men -and beasts, in silver, admirably executed. - -Scheherazade would have continued longer, but day-light put a stop -to her discourse. The sultan was highly pleased with the story: I -must, said he, as he was getting out of bed, know what all this -wonderful petrifaction of men will come to. - - - - -SIXTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade was so extremely pleased with the beginning of this story -of Zobeide, that she did not fail to call the sultaness before day. -If you be not asleep, sister, pray let us know what Zobeide saw more -in this strange palace. Scheherazade answered, The lady continued -the story to the caliph in this manner:-- - -Sir, said she, I went out of the chamber where the petrified queen -was, and passed through several other apartments and closets richly -furnished, and at last came into a vast large room, where was a -throne of massy gold, raised several steps above the floor, and -enriched with large inchased emeralds, and a bed upon the throne of -rich stuff, embroidered with pearls. What surprised me more than all -the rest was a sparkling light which came from above the bed. Being -curious to know from whence it came. I mounted the steps, and, -lifting up my head, I saw a diamond as big as the egg of an ostrich, -lying upon a low stool; it was so pure, that I could not find the -least blemish in it, and it sparkled so bright, that I could not -endure the lustre of it when I saw it by day. - -On each side of the bed’s head there stood a lighted flambeau, but -for what use I could not comprehend; however, it made me imagine -that there was some living creature in this place, for I could not -believe that these torches continued thus burning of themselves. -Several other rarities detained my curiosity in this room, which was -inestimable, were it only for the diamond I mentioned. - -The doors being all open, or but half shut, I surveyed some other -apartments, that were as fine as those I had already seen. I looked -into the offices and store-rooms, which were full of infinite -riches, and I was so much taken with the sight of all the wonderful -things, that I forgot myself, and did not think on my ship or my -sisters; my whole design was to satisfy my curiosity: mean time -night came on, which put me in mind that it was time to retire. I -was for returning the same way I came in, but I could not find it; I -lost myself among the apartments; and finding I was come back again -to that large room where the throne, the couch, the large diamond, -and the torches stood, I resolved to take my night’s lodging -there, and to depart the next morning betimes, to get aboard my -ship. I laid myself down upon the couch, not without some dread to -be alone in a desolate place; and this fear hindered my sleep. - -About midnight I heard a voice like that of a man reading the Koran, -after the same manner, and in the same tone which we read in our -mosque. Being extremely glad to hear it, I got up immediately, and -taking a torch in my hand to light me, I passed from one chamber to -another, on that side where the voice came from: I came to the -closet door, where I stood still, nowise doubting that it came from -thence. I set down my torch upon the ground, and looking through a -window, I found it to be an oratory. In short, it had, as we have in -our mosques, a niche that shows where we must turn to say our -prayers; there were also lamps hung up, and the two candlesticks -with large tapers of white wax burning. - -I saw a little carpet laid down, like those we have to kneel upon -when we say our prayers, and a comely young man sat upon this -carpet, reading with great devotion the Koran, which lay before him -upon a desk. At the sight of this I was transported with admiration. -I wondered how it came to pass that he should be the only living -creature in a town where all the people were turned into stones, and -I did not doubt but there was something in it very extraordinary. - -The door being only half shut, I opened it and went in, and standing -upright before the niche, I said this prayer aloud; “Praise be to -God, who has favoured us with a happy voyage, and may he be -graciously pleased to protect us in the same manner, until we arrive -again in our own country. Hear me, O Lord, and grant my request.” - -The young man cast his eyes upon me, and said, My good lady, pray -let me know who you are, and what has brought you to this desolate -city? And in return I will tell you who I am, what happened to me, -why the inhabitants of this city are reduced to that state you see -them in, and why I alone am safe and sound in the midst of such a -terrible disaster. - -I told him in few words from whence I came, what made me undertake -the voyage, and how I safely arrived at the port after twenty -days’ sailing; and when I had done, I prayed him to perform his -promise, and told him how much I was struck by the frightful -desolation which I had seen in all places as I came along. - -My dear lady, said the young man, have patience for a moment. At -these words he shut the Koran, put it into a rich case, and laid it -in the niche. I took that opportunity to observe him, and perceived -so much good nature and beauty in him, that I felt such strange -emotions in myself as I had never done before. He made me sit down -by him; and before he began his discourse, I could not forbear -saying to him, with an air that discovered the sentiments I was -inspired with, Amiable sir, dear object of my soul, I can scarce -have patience to wait for an account of all those wonderful things -that I have seen since the first time I came into your city; and my -curiosity cannot be satisfied too soon; therefore, pray sir, let me -know by what miracle you alone are left alive among so many persons -that have died in so strange a manner. - -Scheherazade broke off here, and said to Schahriar, Sir, perhaps -your majesty does not perceive it is day; should I continue my -discourse any longer, I should trespass on your patience. The sultan -got up, resolving next night to hear the remainder of this wonderful -story. - - - - -SIXTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -If you be not asleep, sister, said Dinarzade, next morning, before -it was day, I would pray you to resume the story of Zobeide, and -acquaint us with what passed between her and the young man that she -found alive in the palace you gave us so fine a description of. --I -will immediately satisfy you, said the sultaness. Zobeide went on -with her story thus: - -Madam, said the young man, you have given me to understand you have -a knowledge of the true God, by the prayer you just now addressed to -him. I will acquaint you with the most remarkable effect of his -greatness and power. You must know, that this city was the -metropolis of a mighty kingdom, over which the king my father did -reign. That prince, his whole court, the inhabitants of the city, -and all his other subjects, were magi, worshippers of fire, and of -Nardoun, the ancient king of the giants, who rebelled against God. - -And though I was begotten and born of an idolatrous father and -mother, I had the good fortune in my youth to have a governess who -was a good mussulman; I had the Koran by heart, and understood the -explanation of it perfectly well. Dear prince, would she oftentimes -say, there is but one true God; take heed that you do not -acknowledge and adore any other. She taught me to read Arabic, and -the book she gave me to preach upon was the Koran. As soon as I was -capable of understanding it, she explained to me all the heads of -this excellent book, and infused piety into my mind, unknown to my -father, or any body else. She happened to die, but not before she -had perfectly instructed me in all that was necessary to convince me -of the mussulman religion. After her death, I persisted with -constancy in the belief I was in; and I abhor the false god Nardoun, -and the adoration of fire. - -It is about three years and some months ago, that a thundering voice -was heard all of a sudden so distinctly through the whole city, that -nobody could miss hearing it. The words were these: ‘Inhabitants, -abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire, and worship the only -God that shows mercy.’ - -This voice was heard three years successively, but nobody was -converted; so the last day of the year, at four o’clock in the -morning, all the inhabitants in general were changed in an instant -into stone, every one in the same condition and posture they -happened to be then in. The king, my father, had the same fate, for -he was metamorphosed into a black stone, as he is to be seen in this -palace; and the queen, my mother, had the like destiny. - -I am the only person that did not suffer under that heavy judgment, -and ever since I have continued to serve God with more fervency than -before. I am persuaded, dear lady, that he has sent you hither for -my comfort, for which I render him infinite thanks; for I must own -that this solitary life is very uneasy. - -All these expressions, and particularly the last, increased my love -to him extremely. Prince, said I, there is no doubt but Providence -hath brought me into your port, to present you with an opportunity -of withdrawing from this dismal place. The ship that I came in may -in some measure persuade you that I am in some esteem at Bagdad, -where I have left also a considerable estate; and I dare engage to -promise you sanctuary there, until the mighty commander of the -faithful, who is vice-regent to our prophet, whom you acknowledge, -show you the honour that is due to your merit. This renowned prince -lives at Bagdad, and as soon as he is informed of your arrival in -his capital, you will find that it is not in vain to implore his -assistance. It is impossible you can stay any longer in a city where -all the objects you see must renew your grief: my vessel is at your -service, where you may absolutely command as you shall think fit. He -accepted the offer, and we discoursed the remaining part of the -night about our embarkment. - -As soon as it was day we left the palace, and came aboard my ship, -where we found my sisters, the captain, and the slaves, all very -much troubled for my absence. After I had presented my sisters to -the prince, I told them what had hindered my return to the vessel -the day before, how I had met with the young prince, his story, and -the cause of the desolation of so fine a city. - -The seamen were taken up several days in unlading the merchandise I -brought along with me, and embarking, instead of that, all the -precious things in the palace, as jewels, gold, and money. We left -the furniture and goods, which consisted of an infinite quantity of -plate, &c. because our vessel could not carry it, for it would have -required several vessels more to carry all the riches to Bagdad that -we might have chosen to take with us. - -After we had laded the vessel with what we thought fit, we took such -provisions and water aboard as were necessary for our voyage (for we -had still a great deal of those provisions left that we had taken in -at Balsora:) at last we set sail with a wind as favourable as we -could wish. - -Here Scheherazade saw day, and stopped her discourse; the sultan -arose without speaking a word; but he proposed to himself to hear -the end of Zobeide’s story, and the wonderful deliverance of this -young prince. - - - - -SIXTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -When the ensuing night was almost past, Dinarzade, impatient to know -the success of Zobeide’s voyage, called the sultaness: My dear -sister, day begins to break; for God’s sake continue the story of -yesternight, and tell us whether the prince and Zobeide arrived safe -at Bagdad. I will, said Scheherazade. - -Zobeide, addressing herself to the caliph, went on thus: - -Sir, said she, the young prince, my sisters, and myself, enjoyed -ourselves for some time very agreeably: but alas! this good -understanding did not last long, for my sisters grew jealous of the -friendship between the prince and me, and maliciously asked me one -day, what we should do with him when we came to Bagdad? I perceived -immediately that they put this question to me on purpose to discover -my inclinations; therefore resolving to put it off with a jest, I -answered them, I will take him for my husband; and upon that, -turning myself to the prince, Sir, I humbly beg of you to give your -consent; for as soon as we come to Bagdad, I design to offer you my -person to be your slave, to do you all the service that is in my -power, and to resign myself wholly to your commands. - -The prince answered, I know not, madam, whether you be in jest or -no; but for my own part, I seriously declare, before these ladies, -your sisters, that from this moment I heartily accept your offer, -not with any intention to have you as a slave, but as my lady and -mistress; nor will I pretend to have any power over your actions. At -these words my sisters changed colour, and I could perceive -afterwards that they did not love me as formerly. - -We were come into the Persian gulf, and not far from Balsora, where -I hoped, considering the fair wind, we might have arrived the day -following; but in the night, when I was asleep, my sisters watched -their time, and threw me overboard. They did the same to the prince, -who was drowned. I swam some minutes on the water; but by good -fortune, or rather miracle, I felt ground. I went towards a black -place, that, by what I could discern in the dark, seemed to be land, -and actually was a flat on the coast; which, when day came, I found -to be a desert island, lying about twenty miles from Balsora. I soon -dried my clothes in the sun; and as I walked along, I found several -sorts of fruit, and likewise fresh water, which gave me some hopes -of preserving my life. - -I laid myself down in a shade, and soon after I saw a winged -serpent, very large and long, coming towards me, wriggling to the -right and to the left, and hanging out his tongue, which made me -think he had got some hurt. I arose, and saw a larger serpent -following him, holding him by the tail, and endeavouring to devour -him. I had compassion on him, and instead of flying away, I had the -boldness and courage to take up a stone that by chance lay by me, -and threw it with all my strength at the great serpent, whom I hit -on the head and killed him. The other, finding himself at liberty, -took to his wings and flew away. I looked a long while after him in -the air, as an extraordinary thing; but he flew out of sight, and I -lay down again in another place in the shade, and fell asleep. - -When I awaked, judge how I was surprised to see by me a black woman, -of a lively and agreeable complexion, who held tied together in her -hand, two bitches of the same colour. I sat up and asked her who she -was. I am, said she, the serpent whom you delivered not long since -from my mortal enemy. I knew not how to acknowledge the great -kindness you did me, but by doing what I have done. I knew the -treachery of your sisters, and to avenge you on them, as soon as I -was set at liberty by your generous assistance, I called several of -my companions together, fairies like myself. We have carried into -your storehouses at Bagdad all your lading that was in your vessel, -and afterwards sunk it. - -These two black bitches are your sisters, whom I have transformed -into this shape, but this punishment is not sufficient; for I will -have you treat them in such a manner as I shall direct. - -At those words the fairy took me fast under one of her arms, and the -two bitches in the other, and carried me to my house in Bagdad, -where I found in my storehouses all the riches which were laden on -board my vessel. Before she left me, she delivered me the two -bitches, and told me, If you will not be changed into a bitch as -they are, I ordain you, in the name of him that governs the sea, to -give each of your sisters every night a hundred lashes with a rod, -for the punishment of the crime they have committed against your -person, and the young prince whom they drowned. I was forced to -promise that I would obey her order. Since that time I have whipped -them every night, though with regret, whereof your majesty has been -a witness, I give evidence by my tears with how much sorrow and -reluctance I must perform this cruel duty; and in this your majesty -may see I am more to be pitied than blamed. If there be any thing -else, with relation to myself, that you desire to be informed of, my -sister Amine will give you the full discovery of it, by the relation -of her story. - -[Illustration: ZOBEIDE AFTER RESCUING THE FAIRY.] - -After the caliph had heard Zobeide with a great deal of -astonishment, he desired his grand vizier to pray fair Amine to -acquaint him wherefore her breast was marked with so many scars. - -But, sir, said Scheherazade, it is day, and I dare not detain your -majesty any longer. Schahriar being persuaded that the story which -Scheherazade was to relate would explain the former, said to -himself, I must have the pleasure of hearing this story out: upon -which he arose, and resolved that Scheherazade should live one day -longer. - - - - -SIXTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -Dinarzade longed to hear the story of Amine, and therefore waked the -sultaness a long while before day, saying, Dear sister, pray let us -know why fair Amine had her breast so covered with scars. --I -consent to it, said the sultaness; and that no time may be lost, you -may know that Amine addressed herself to the caliph, and began her -story after this manner: - - - - -The story of Amine. - - -Commander of the faithful, said she, to avoid repeating what your -majesty has already heard by my sister’s story, I shall only add, -that after my mother had taken a house for herself to live in during -her widowhood, she gave me in marriage, with the portion my father -left me, to a gentleman that had one of the best estates in the city. - -I had scarce been a year married, when I became a widow, and was -left in possession of all my husband’s estate, which amounted to -ninety thousand sequins. The interest of this money was sufficient -to maintain me very honourably. In the mean time, when my first six -months’ mourning was over, I caused to be made me ten suits of -clothes, very rich, so that each suit came to a thousand sequins; -and when the year was past, I began to wear them. - -One day as I was busy alone about my domestic affairs, I was told -that a lady desired to speak to me. I ordered her to be brought in. -She was a person advanced in years: she saluted me by kissing the -ground, and told me, kneeling, dear lady, excuse the freedom I take -to trouble you; the confidence I have in your charity makes me thus -bold. I must acquaint your ladyship, that I have an orphan daughter, -who is to be married this day: she and I are both strangers, and -have no acquaintance in this town; which much perplexes me, for we -wish the numerous family with whom we are going to ally ourselves to -think we are not altogether strangers, and without credit; -therefore, most beautiful lady, if you would vouchsafe to honour the -wedding with your presence, we shall be infinitely obliged to you, -because the ladies of your country will then know that we are not -looked upon here as despicable wretches, when they shall come to -understand that a lady of your quality did us that honour. But alas, -madam, if you refuse this request, we shall be altogether disgraced, -and dare not address ourselves to any other. - -This poor woman’s discourse, mixed with tears, moved my -compassion. Good woman, said I, do not afflict yourself; I am -willing to grant you the favour you desire; tell me what place I -must come to, and I will meet you as soon as I am dressed. The old -woman was so transported with joy at my answer, that she kissed my -feet without my being able to hinder it. Good charitable lady, said -she, rising up, God will reward the kindness you have showed to your -servants, and make your heart as joyful as you have made theirs. It -is too soon yet to give yourself that trouble: it will be time -enough when I come to call you in the evening. So farewell, madam, -said she, till I have the honour to see you again. - -As soon as she was gone, I took the suit I liked best, with a -necklace of large pearl, bracelets, pendents in my ears, and rings -set with the finest and most sparkling diamonds; for my mind -presaged what would befal me. - -When night drew on, the old woman came to call me, with a -countenance full of joy; she kissed my hands, and said, My dear -lady, the relations of my son-in-law, who are the principal ladies -of the town, are now met together; you may come when you please, I -am ready to wait on you. We went immediately, she going before, and -I followed her, with a good number of my maids and slaves, very well -dressed. We stopt in a wide street, newly swept and watered, at a -spacious gate with a lantern before it, by the light of which I -could read this inscription over the gate in golden letters: “Here -is the abode of everlasting pleasures and content.” The old woman -knocked, and the gate was opened immediately. - -They brought me to the lower end of the court, into a large hall, -where I was received by a young lady of admirable beauty. She came -up to me, and after having embraced me, she made me sit down by her -upon a sofa, where there was a throne of precious wood, set with -diamonds. Madam, said she, you are brought hither to assist at a -wedding; but I hope this marriage will prove otherwise than what you -expected. I have a brother, one of the handsomest men in the world: -he is fallen so much in love with the fame of your beauty, that his -fate depends wholly upon you, and he will be the unhappiest of men -if you do not take pity on him. He knows your quality, and I can -assure you he is in nowise unworthy of your alliance. If my prayers, -madam, can prevail, I shall join them with his, and humbly beg you -will not refuse the offer of being his wife. - -After the death of my husband, I had no thought of marrying again: -but I had no power to refuse the offer made by so charming a lady. -As soon as I had given consent by silence, accompanied with a blush, -the young lady clapt her hands; and immediately a closet door -opened, out of which came a young man of a majestic air, and so -graceful a behaviour, that I thought myself happy to have made so -great a conquest. He sat down by me, and by the discourse we had -together, I found that his merits far exceeded the account his -sister had given me of him. When she saw that we were satisfied with -one another, she clapt her hands a second time, and out came a cadi, -or scrivener, who wrote our contract of marriage, signed it himself, -and caused it to be attested by four witnesses he brought along with -him. The only thing that my new spouse made me promise, was, that I -should not be seen by nor speak with any other man but himself; and -he vowed to me, upon that condition, that I should have no reason to -complain of him. Our marriage was concluded and finished after this -manner; so I became the principal actress in a wedding whereunto I -was only invited as a guest. - -After we had been married a month, I had occasion for some stuffs. I -asked my husband’s leave to go out and buy them, which he granted; -and I took that old woman along with me, of whom I spoke before, she -being one of the family, and two of my own female slaves. - -When we came to the street where the merchants dwell, the old woman -told me, Dear mistress, since you want silk stuffs, I must carry you -to a young merchant of my acquaintance: he has of all sorts, and it -will prevent your wearying yourself by going from one shop to -another. I can assure you that he is able to furnish you with that -which nobody else can. I was easily persuaded, and we entered into a -shop belonging to a young merchant who was tolerably handsome. I sat -down, and bade the old woman desire him to show me the finest silk -stuffs he had. The woman bade me speak myself; but I told her it was -one of the articles of my marriage contract, not to speak to any man -but my husband, which I ought to keep. - -The merchant shewed me several stuffs, of which one pleased me -better than the rest; but I bade her ask the price. He answered the -old woman, I will not sell it for gold or money, but I will make her -a present of it, if she will give me leave to kiss her cheek. I -ordered the old woman to tell him that he was very rude to propose -such a thing; but instead of obeying me, she said, What the merchant -desires of you is no such great matter; you need not speak, but only -present him your cheek, and the business will soon be done. The -stuff pleased me so much that I was foolish enough to take her -advice. The old woman and my slaves stood up, that nobody should -see, and I put up my veil; but instead of a kiss, the merchant bit -me till the blood came. - -The pain and surprise were so great, that I fell down in a swoon, -and continued in it so long, that the merchant had time to shut his -shop, and fly for it. When I came to myself, I found my cheek all -bloody; the old woman and my slaves took care to cover it with my -veil, that the people who came about us could not perceive it, but -supposed it to be only a fainting fit. - -Scheherazade, as she spoke these words, perceived day, and held her -peace. The sultan finding the story both extraordinary and pleasant, -rose up, with a design to hear the rest of it. - - - - -SIXTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -When next night was near at an end, Dinarzade awaked and called to -the sultaness, If you please, sister, pray continue the story of -Amine. Scheherazade answered, the lady resumed it thus: - -The old woman who was with me, being extremely troubled at this -accident, endeavoured to comfort me; My dear mistress, said she, I -beg your pardon, for I am the cause of this misfortune, having -brought you to this merchant, because he is my countryman; but I -never thought he would be guilty of such a villanous action. But do -not grieve: let us make haste to go home; I will give you a medicine -that shall perfectly cure you in three day’s time, so that the -least mark shall not be seen. The fit had made me so weak that I was -scarce able to walk: but at last I got home, where I had a second -fit, as I went into the chamber. Meanwhile, the old woman applied -her remedy, so that I came to myself, and went to bed. - -My husband came to me at night, and seeing my head bound up, asked -me the reason. I told him I had the head-ache, and hoped he would -inquire no further; but he took a candle, and saw my cheek was hurt. -How comes this wound? said he. And though I was not very guilty, yet -I could not think of owning the thing; besides, to make such a -confession to a husband, I thought was somewhat indecent; therefore -I told him, That as I was going to seek for that stuff you gave me -leave to buy, a porter carrying a load of wood came so close by me, -as I went through a narrow street, that one of the sticks gave me a -rub on the cheek; but it is not much hurt. This put my husband in -such a passion, that he vowed he should not go unpunished; for I -will to-morrow give orders to the lieutenant of the police to seize -upon all those brutes of porters, and cause them to be hanged. Being -afraid to occasion the death of so many innocent persons, I told -him, Sir, I should be sorry that so great a piece of injustice -should be committed. Pray do not do it; for I should deem myself -unpardonable if I were the cause of so much mischief. Then tell me -sincerely, said he, how came you by this wound? I answered, That it -came through the inadvertency of a broom-seller upon an ass, who -coming behind me, and looking another way, his ass gave me such a -push that I fell down, and hurt my cheek upon some glass. --Is it -so? said my husband; then to-morrow morning, before sun-rising, the -grand vizier Giafar shall have an account of this insolence, and he -shall cause all the broom-sellers to be put to death. --For the love -of God, sir, said I, let me beg of you to pardon them, for they are -not guilty. --How, madam, said he, what is it I must believe? Speak, -for I am absolutely resolved to know the truth from your own mouth. ---Sir, said I, I was taken with a giddiness in my head, and fell -down, and that is the whole matter. - -At these last words, my husband lost all patience. Oh! cried he, I -have given ear to your lies too long; with that, clapping his hands, -in came three slaves: Pull her out of bed, said he, and lay her in -the middle of the floor. The slaves obeyed his orders, one holding -me by the head, and another by the feet: he commanded a third to -fetch him a scimitar; and when he had brought it, Strike, said he; -cut her in two in the middle, and then throw her into the Tigris to -feed the fishes. This is the punishment I give to those to whom I -have given my heart, if they falsify their promise. When he saw that -the slave made no haste to obey his orders, Why do you not strike? -said he. Who is it that holds you? What are you waiting for? - -Madam, then said the slave, you are near the last moments of your -life; consider if you have any thing to dispose of before you die. I -begged leave to speak one word, which was granted me. I lifted up my -head, and looking wistfully to my husband, Alas! said I, to what -condition am I reduced! must I then die in the prime of my youth? I -could say no more, for my tears and sighs prevented me. My husband -was not at all moved, but, on the contrary, went on to reproach me; -so that to have made answer would have been in vain. I had recourse -to entreaties and prayers; but he had no regard to them, and -commanded the slaves to proceed to execution. The old woman who had -been his nurse came in just at that moment, fell down upon her -knees, and endeavoured to appease his wrath. My son, said she, since -I have been your nurse, and brought you up, let me beg the favour of -you to grant me her life; consider that he who kills shall be -killed, and that you will stain your reputation, and lose the esteem -of mankind. What will the world say of such a bloody rage? She spoke -these words in such an affecting manner, accompanied with tears, -that she prevailed upon him at last. - -Well then, said he to his nurse, for your sake I will spare her -life; but she shall carry some marks along with her to make her -remember the crime. With that, one of the slaves, by his order, gave -me so many blows as hard as he could strike, with a little cane, -upon my sides and breast, that he fetched both skin and flesh away, -so that I lay senseless. After that he caused the same slaves, the -executioners of his fury, to carry me into a house, where the old -woman took care of me. I kept my bed four months; at last I -recovered; the scars you saw yesterday, against my will, have -remained ever since. - -As soon as I was able to walk, and go abroad, I resolved to go to -the house which was my own by my first husband, but I could not find -the place. My second husband, in the heat of his wrath, was not -content to have razed it to the ground, but caused all the street -where it stood to be pulled down. I believe such a violent -proceeding was never heard of before; but against whom should I make -my complaint? The author had taken such care that he was not to be -found, neither could I know him again if I saw him; and suppose I -had known him, is it not easily seen that the treatment I met with -proceeded from absolute power? How then dared I make any complaint? - -Being desolate, and unprovided of every thing, I had recourse to my -dear sister Zobeide, who gave your majesty just now an account of -her adventures; to her I made known my misfortune; she received me -with her accustomed goodness, and advised me to bear it with -patience. This is the way of the world, said she, which either robs -us of our means, our friends, or our lovers, and oftentimes of all -at once. And at the same time, to confirm what she had said, she -gave me an account of the loss of the young prince, occasioned by -the jealousy of her two sisters; she told me also by what accident -they were transformed into bitches; and in the last place, after a -thousand testimonials of her love towards me, she showed me my -youngest sister, who had likewise taken sanctuary with her after the -death of her mother. - -Thus we gave God thanks, who had brought us together again, -resolving to live a single life, and never to separate any more, for -we have enjoyed this peaceable way of living a great many years; and -as it was my business to mind the affairs of the house, I always -took pleasure to go myself, and buy in what we wanted. I happened to -go abroad yesterday, and the things I bought I caused to be brought -home by a porter, who proved to be a sensible and jocose fellow, and -we kept him with us for a little diversion. Three calenders happened -to come to our door as it began to grow dark, and prayed us to give -them shelter till the next morning. We gave them entrance, but upon -certain conditions, which they agreed unto; and after we had made -them sit down at the table by us, they gave us a concert of music -after their fashion, and at the same time we heard knocking at our -gate. These were the three merchants of Moussoul, men of a very good -mien, who begged the same favour which the calenders had obtained -before. We consented to it upon the same conditions, but neither of -them kept their promise; and though we had power as well as justice -on our side to punish them, yet we contented ourselves with -demanding from them the history of their lives, and consequently -confined our revenge to dismissing them after they had done, and -depriving them of the lodging they requested. - -The caliph Haroun Alraschid was very well satisfied with these -strange stories, and declared publicly his astonishment at what he -had heard. - -But, sir, said Scheherazade, day begins to break; so that I have not -time to acquaint your majesty what the caliph did to put an end to -the enchantment of the two black bitches. Schahriar supposing that -the sultaness would finish the story of the five ladies and the -three calenders the next night, rose up, and suffered her to live -till next morning. - - - - -SIXTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -For the love of heaven, sister, said Dinarzade, before it was day, -if you be not asleep, tell us how the two black bitches were brought -to their former shape, and what became of the three calenders. --I -will satisfy your curiosity, said Scheherazade. Then addressing her -discourse to Schahriar, she pursued it thus: - -Sir, the caliph having satisfied his curiosity, thought himself -obliged to give some marks of grandeur and generosity to the -calender princes, and also to give the three ladies some proofs of -his bounty. He himself, without making use of his minister, the -grand vizier, spoke to Zobeide: Madam, this fairy, that shewed -herself to you in the shape of a serpent, and imposed such a -rigorous command upon you, did she not tell you where her place of -abode was? Or rather, did she not promise to see you, and restore -those bitches to their natural shape? - -Commander of the faithful, answered Zobeide, I forgot to tell your -majesty, that the fairy left with me a bundle of hair, saying -withal, that her presence would one day be of use to me; and then, -if I only burnt two tufts of this hair, she would be with me in a -moment, though she were beyond mount Caucasus. --Madam, said the -caliph, where is the bundle of hair? She answered, ever since that -time, I have had such a particular care of it, that I always carry -it about me. Upon which she pulled it out, just opened the case -where it was, and showed it to him. Well then, said the caliph, let -us make the fairy come hither; you could not call her in a better -time, for I long to see her. - -Zobeide having consented to it, fire was brought in, and she threw -the whole bundle of hair into it. The palace began to shake at that -very instant, and the fairy appeared before the caliph, in the shape -of a lady very richly dressed. - -Commander of the faithful, said she to the prince, you see I am -ready to come and receive your commands. The lady who gave me this -call by your order did me a particular piece of service; to make my -gratitude appear, I revenged her of her sisters inhumanity by -changing them into bitches; but if your majesty commands it, I will -restore them to their former shape. - -Handsome fairy, said the caliph, you cannot do me a greater -pleasure; vouchsafe them that favour, and after that I will find -some means to comfort them for their hard penance. But besides, I -have another boon to ask in favour of that lady, who has had such -cruel usage from an unknown husband; and as you undoubtedly know a -great many things, we have reason to believe that you cannot be -ignorant of this. Oblige me with the name of this barbarous fellow, -who could not be contented to exercise his barbarous cruelty upon -her person, but has also most unjustly taken from her all her -substance. I only wonder how such an unjust and inhuman action could -be performed in spite of my authority, and not come to my ears. - -To oblige your majesty, answered the fairy, I will restore the two -bitches to their former state, and I will so cure the lady of her -scars, that it shall never appear she was so beaten; and at last I -will tell you who it was that did it. - -The caliph sent for the two bitches from Zobeide’s house; and when -they came a glass of water was brought to the fairy by her desire; -she pronounced over it some words, which nobody understood; then -throwing some part of it upon Amine, and the rest upon the bitches, -the latter became two ladies of surprising beauty, and the scars -that were upon Amine vanished away. After which, the fairy said to -the caliph, Commander of the faithful, I must now discover to you -the unknown husband you inquire after; he is very near related to -yourself, for it is prince Amin, your eldest son, who falling -passionately in love with this lady, by the fame he had heard of her -beauty, by an intrigue got her brought to his house, where he -married her. As to the strokes he caused to be given her, he is in -some measure excusable; for the lady, his spouse, had been a little -too easy, and the excuses she had made were capable of making him -believe she was more faulty than she really was. This is all I can -say to satisfy your curiosity; and at these words she saluted the -caliph, and vanished. - -The prince being filled with admiration, and having much -satisfaction in the changes that had happened through his means, did -such things as will perpetuate his memory to all ages. First, he -sent for his son Amin, and told him that he was informed of his -secret marriage, and how he had wounded Amine upon a very slight -cause. Upon this the prince did not wait for his father’s -commands, but received her again immediately. - -After which the caliph declared that he would give his own heart and -hand to Zobeide, and offered the other three sisters to the -calenders, who were sons of kings, who accepted them for their -brides with much joy. The caliph assigned each of them a magnificent -palace in the city of Bagdad, promoted them to the highest dignities -of his empire, and admitted them to his counsels. - -The town-clerk of Bagdad being called, with witnesses, wrote the -contracts of marriage; and the famous caliph Haroun Alraschid, by -making the fortune of so many persons that had suffered such -incredible calamities, drew a thousand blessings upon himself. - - - - -The Story of Sindbad, the Sailor. - - -Dinarzade having awakened her sister the sultaness, as usual, and -prayed her to tell another story, Scheherazade asked leave of the -sultan, and having obtained it, began thus: - -Sir, in the reign of the same caliph Haroun Alraschid, whom I -formerly mentioned, there lived at Bagdad a poor porter called -Hindbad. [4] One day, when the weather was excessively hot, he was -employed to carry a heavy burden from one end of the town to the -other. Being very weary, and having still a great way to go, he came -into a street where a delicate western breeze blew on his face, and -the pavement of the street being sprinkled with rose-water, he could -not desire a better place to rest in; therefore, laying off his -burden, he sat down by it, near a great house. - -He was mightily pleased that he stopt in this place, for an -agreeable smell of wood of aloes, and of pastils, that came from the -house, mixing with the scent of rose-water, did completely perfume -and embalm the air; besides, he heard from within a concert of -several sorts of instrumental music, accompanied with the harmonious -notes of nightingales, and other birds, peculiar to that climate. -This charming melody, and the smell of several sorts of victuals, -made the porter think there was a feast, and great rejoicings within. - -His occasions leading him seldom that way, he knew not who dwelt in -the house; but to satisfy his curiosity, he went to some of the -servants, whom he saw standing at the gate in magnificent apparel, -and asked the name of the master of the house. How, replied one of -them, do you live in Bagdad, and know not that this is the house of -Signor Sindbad, the sailor, that famous traveller, who has sailed -round the world? - -The porter, who had heard of this Sindbad’s riches, could not but -envy a man whose condition he thought to be as happy as his own was -deplorable; and his mind being fretted with those reflections, he -lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, loud enough to be heard, -Almighty Creator of all things, consider the difference between -Sindbad and me: I am every day exposed to fatigues and calamities, -and can scarce get coarse barley-bread for myself and my family, -whilst happy Sindbad profusely expends immense riches, and leads a -life of continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain from thee a -lot so agreeable? And what have I done to deserve one so miserable? -Having finished his expostulation, he struck his foot against the -ground, like a man swallowed up of grief and despair. - -Whilst the porter was thus indulging his melancholy, a servant came -out of the house, and taking him by the arm, bid him follow him, for -Signor Sindbad, his master, wanted to speak with him. --Here day -beginning to appear, Scheherazade broke off her story, but resumed -it again next morning as follows: - - - - -SEVENTIETH NIGHT. - - -Sir, your majesty may easily imagine that poor Hindbad was not a -little surprised at this compliment; for, considering what he had -said, he was afraid Sindbad had sent for him to punish him; -therefore he would have excused himself, alleging that he could not -leave his burden in the middle of the street. But Sindbad’s -servants assured him they would look to it, and pressed the porter -so, that he was obliged to yield. - -The servants brought him into a great hall, where abundance of -people sat round a table covered with all sorts of fine dishes. At -the upper end, there sat a grave, comely, venerable gentleman, with -a long white beard, and behind him stood a number of officers and -domestics, all ready to serve him; this grave gentleman was Sindbad. -The porter, whose fear was increased at the sight of so many people, -and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted the company trembling. -Sindbad bid him draw near, and sitting him down at his right hand, -served him himself, and gave him excellent wine, of which there was -a good store upon the side board. - -When dinner was over, Sindbad began his discourse to Hindbad: and -calling him brother, according to the manner of the Arabians when -they are familiar one with another, he asked him his name and -employment, --Signor, answered he, my name is Hindbad. --I am very -glad to see you, replied Sindbad, and I dare say the same for all -the company; but I would be glad to hear from your own mouth what it -was you said awhile ago in the street. For Sindbad had heard it -himself through the window, before he sat down at table, and that -occasioned his calling for him. - -Hindbad, being surprised at the question, hung down his head, and -replied, Signor, I confess that my weariness put me out of humour, -and occasioned me to speak some indiscreet words, which I beg you to -pardon. --Oh! do not think I am so unjust, replied Sindbad, to -resent such a thing as that; I consider your condition, and instead -of upbraiding you with your complaints, I commiserate you: but I -must rectify your mistake concerning myself. You think, no doubt, -that I have acquired without labour and trouble the ease and -conveniency which I now enjoy: but do not mistake; I did not attain -to this happy condition without enduring more trouble of body and -mind, for several years, than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen, -added he, speaking to the whole company, I can assure you my -troubles were so extraordinary, that they were capable of -discouraging the most covetous man from undertaking such voyages as -I did, to acquire riches. Perhaps you have never heard a distinct -account of my wonderful adventures, and the dangers I met with in my -seven voyages; and since I have this opportunity, I am willing to -give you a faithful account of them, not doubting but it will be -acceptable. - -And because Sindbad was to tell this story, particularly upon the -porter’s account, he ordered his burden to be carried to the place -appointed, and began thus: - - - - -The story of Sindbad, the Sailor. -His first Voyage. - - -My father left me a considerable estate, the best part of which I -spent in debauchery during my youth; but I perceived my error, and -reflected that riches were perishable, and quickly consumed by such -ill managers as myself. I farther considered, that by my irregular -way of living I wretchedly mispent my time, which is the most -valuable thing in the world. I remembered the saying of the great -Solomon, which I had frequently heard from my father: That death is -more tolerable than poverty. Struck with those reflections, I -collected the remains of my furniture, and sold all my patrimony by -public auction to the highest bidder. Then I entered into a contract -with some merchants, who traded by sea: I took the advice of such as -I thought most capable to give it me; and resolving to improve what -money I had, I went to Balsora, [5] and embarked with several -merchants on board a ship which we jointly fitted up. - -We set sail, and steered our course towards the East Indies, through -the Persian gulf, which is formed by the coasts of Arabia Felix on -the right, and by those of Persia on the left, and, according to -common opinion, is seventy leagues at the broadest place. The -eastern sea, as well as that of the Indies, is very spacious; it is -bounded on one side by the coasts of Abyssinia, and is 4500 leagues -in length to the isles of Vakvaq. [6] At first I was troubled with -the sea-sickness, but speedily recovered my health, and was not -afterwards troubled with that disease. - -In our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold or -exchanged our goods. One day, whilst under sail, we were becalmed -near a little island, even almost with the surface of the water, -which resembled a green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be -furled, and permitted such persons as had a mind to land upon the -island, amongst whom I was one. But while we were diverting -ourselves with eating and drinking, and recovering ourselves from -the fatigue of the sea, the island on a sudden trembled, and shook -us terribly. - -Here Scheherazade stopped, because day appeared, but resumed her -discourse next morning as follows. - - - - -SEVENTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -Sir, Sindbad pursued his story thus: They perceived the trembling of -the island on board the ship, and called us to re-embark speedily, -or we should all be lost; for what we took for an island was only -the back of a whale. The nimblest got into the sloop; others betook -themselves to swimming; but, for my part, I was still upon the back -of the whale when he dived into the sea, and had time only to catch -hold of a piece of wood that we had brought out of the ship to make -a fire. Meanwhile, the captain, having received those on board who -were in the sloop, and taken up some of those that swam, resolved to -improve the favourable gale that was just risen, and hoisting his -sails, pursued his voyage, so that it was impossible to recover the -ship. - -Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves, and struggled for my -life all the rest of the day and the following night. Next morning I -found my strength gone, and despaired of saving my life, when -happily a wave threw me against an island. [7] The bank was high and -rugged, so that I could scarcely have got up, had it not been for -some roots of trees, which fortune seemed to have preserved in this -place for my safety. Being got up, I lay down upon the ground half -dead, until the sun appeared: then, though I was very feeble, both -by reason of my hard labour and want of food, I crept along to seek -some herbs fit to eat, and had not only the good luck to find some, -but likewise a spring of excellent water, which contributed much to -recover me. After this I advanced farther into the island, and came -at last into a fine plain, where I perceived a horse feeding at a -great distance. I went towards him, between hope and fear, not -knowing whether I was going to lose my life or save it. When I came -near, I perceived it to be a very fine mare, tied to a stake. Whilst -I looked upon her, I heard the voice of a man from under ground, who -immediately appeared to me, and asked who I was. I gave him an -account of my adventure; after which, taking me by the hand, he led -me into a cave, where there were several other people, no less -amazed to see me than I was to see them. - -I eat some victuals which they offered me, and then, having asked -them what they did in such a desert place, they answered, that they -were grooms belonging to king Mihrage, sovereign of the island; and -that every year, at the same season, they brought thither the -king’s mares, and fastened them as I saw that mare, until they -were covered by a horse that came out of the sea, who, after he had -done so, endeavoured to destroy the mares; but they hindered him by -their noise, and obliged him to return to the sea; after which they -carried home the mares, whose foals were kept for the king’s use, -and called sea-horses. They added, that they were to get home -to-morrow, and had I been one day later, I must have perished, -because the inhabited part of the island was at a great distance, -and it would have been impossible for me to have got thither without -a guide. - -Whilst they entertained me thus, the horse came out of the sea, as -they had told me, covered the mare, and afterwards would have -devoured her; but upon a great noise made by the grooms, he left -her, and went back to the sea. - -Next morning, they returned with their mares to the capital of the -island, took me with them, and presented me to king Mihrage. [8] He -asked me who I was? By what adventure I came into his dominions? -And, after I had satisfied him, he told me he was much concerned for -my misfortune, and at the same time ordered that I should want -nothing; which his officers were so generous and careful as to see -exactly fulfilled. - -Being a merchant, I frequented with men of my own profession, and -particularly inquired for those who were strangers, if perhaps I -might hear any news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return -thither: for king Mihrage’s capital is situated on the bank of the -sea, and has a fine harbour, where ships arrive daily from the -different quarters of the world. I frequented also the society of -the learned Indians, and took delight to hear them discourse; but -withal, I took care to make my court regularly to the king, and -conversed with the governors and petty kings, his tributaries, that -were about him. They asked me a thousand questions about my country; -and I being willing to inform myself as to their laws and customs, -asked them every thing that I thought worth knowing. - -There belongs to this king an island named Cassel: they assured me, -that every night a noise of drums [9] was heard there, whence the -mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial. [10] I had a -great mind to see this wonderful place, and in my way thither saw -fishes of 100 and 200 cubits long, [11] that occasion more fear than -hurt; for they are so fearful, that they will fly upon the rattling -of two sticks or boards. I saw likewise other fishes about a cubit -in length, that had heads like owls. [12] - -As I was one day at the port, after my return, a ship arrived, and, -as soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the -merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the -magazine. As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked to the name, -I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the same that I had -embarked at Balsora. I also knew the captain: but being persuaded -that he believed me to be drowned, I went and asked him whose bales -these were. He replied, that they belonged to a merchant of Bagdad, -called Sindbad, who came to sea with him; but one day, being near an -island, as we thought, he went ashore, with several other -passengers, upon this supposed island, which was only a monstrous -whale that lay asleep upon the surface of the water: but as soon as -he felt the heat of the fire they had kindled upon his back to dress -some victuals, he began to move, and dived under water: most of the -persons who were upon him perished, and among them unfortunate -Sindbad. Those bales belonged to him, and I am resolved to trade -with them until I meet with some of his family, to whom I may return -the profit. Captain, said I, I am that Sindbad whom you thought to -be dead, and those bales are mine. --Here Scheherazade stopt till -next morning, and went on as follows: - - - - -SEVENTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -Sindbad, pursuing the story, said to the company, When the captain -heard me speak thus, O heaven! said he, whom can we ever trust -now-a-days? There is no faith left among men. I saw Sindbad perish -with my own eyes, and the passengers on board saw it as well as I; -and yet you tell me you are that Sindbad. What impudence is this! To -look on you, one would take you to be a man of probity; and yet you -tell a horrible falsehood, in order to possess yourself of what does -not belong to you. Have patience, captain, replied I; do me the -favour to hear what I have to say. Very well, said he, speak; I am -ready to hear you. Then I told him how I escaped, and by what -adventure I met with the grooms of king Mihrage, who brought me to -his court. - -He began to abate of his confidence upon my discourse, and was soon -persuaded that I was no cheat; for there came people from his ship -who knew me, paid me great compliments, and expressed much joy to -see me alive. At last he knew me himself, and, embracing me, Heaven -be praised, said he, for your happy escape; I cannot enough express -my joy for it. There are your goods; take and do with them what you -will. I thanked him, acknowledged his probity, and, in requital, -offered him part of my goods as a present, which he generously -refused. - -I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented it to -king Mihrage, who, knowing my misfortune, asked me how I came by -such rarities? I acquainted him with the whole story. He was -mightily pleased at my good luck, accepted my present, and gave me -one much more considerable in return. Upon this, I took leave of -him, and went aboard the same ship, after I had exchanged my goods -for the commodities of that country. I carried with me wood of -aloes, sandal, camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger. We -passed by several islands, and at last arrived at Balsora, from -whence I came to this city, with the value of 100,000 sequins. [13] -My family and I received one another with all the transports of -sincere friendship. I bought slaves of both sexes, fine lands, and -built me a great house; and thus I settled myself, resolving to -forget the miseries I had suffered, and to enjoy the pleasures of -life. - -Sindbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to go on with their -concerts, which his story had interrupted. The company continued to -eat and drink till the evening, when it was time to retire; when -Sindbad sent for a purse of one hundred sequins, and giving it to -the porter, said, Take this, Hindbad; return to your home, and come -back to-morrow to hear some more of my adventures. The porter went -home, astonished at the honour done him, and the present made him. -The relation of it was very agreeable to his wife and children, who -did not fail to return thanks to God for what providence had sent -him by the hand of Sindbad. - -Hindbad put on his best clothes next day, and returned to the -bountiful traveller, who received him with a pleasant air, and -caressed him heartily. When all the guests were come, dinner was set -upon the table, and continued a long time. When it was ended, -Sindbad, addressing himself to the company, said, Gentlemen, be -pleased to give me audience, and listen to the adventures of my -second voyage; they deserve your attention better than the first. -Upon which every one held his peace, and Sindbad went on thus:-- - - - - -Second Voyage of Sindbad, the Sailor. - - -I designed, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days at -Bagdad, as I had the honour to tell you yesterday; but it was not -long ere I grew weary of a quiet life. My inclination to trade -revived. I bought goods proper for the commerce I intended, and put -to sea a second time, with merchants of known probity. We embarked -on board a good ship, and, after recommending ourselves to God, set -sail. We traded from island to island, and exchanged commodities -with great profit. One day we landed on an island covered with -several sorts of fruit-trees, but so unpeopled, that we could -neither see man nor beast upon it. We went to take a little fresh -air in the meadows, and along the streams that watered them. Whilst -some diverted themselves with gathering flowers, and others with -gathering fruits, I took my wine and provisions, and sat down by a -stream betwixt two great trees, which formed a curious shape. I made -a very good meal, and afterwards fell asleep. I cannot tell how long -I slept, but when I awaked the ship was gone. Here Scheherazade -broke off, because day appeared, but next night continued the story -thus: - - - - -SEVENTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -I was very much surprised, said Sindbad, to find the ship gone. I -got up, and looked about every where, and could not see one of the -merchants who landed with me. At last I perceived the ship under -sail, but at such a distance, that I lost sight of her in a very -little time. - -I leave you to guess at my melancholy reflections in this sad -condition; I was ready to die with grief. I cried out sadly, beat my -head and breast, and threw myself down upon the ground, where I lay -some time in a terrible agony, one afflicting thought being -succeeded by another still more afflicting. I upbraided myself a -hundred times for not being content with the produce of my first -voyage, that might well have served me all my life. But all this was -in vain, and my repentance out of season. - -At last I resigned myself to the will of God; and not knowing what -to do, I climbed up to the top of a great tree, from whence I looked -about on all sides to see if there was any thing that could give me -hopes. When I looked towards the sea, I could see nothing but sky -and water; but looking towards the land, I saw something white; and -coming down from the tree, I took up what provisions I had left, and -went towards it, the distance being so great that I could not -distinguish what it was. - -When I came nearer, I thought it to be a white bowl, of a prodigious -height and bigness; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and -found it to be very smooth. I went round to see if it was open on -any side, but saw it was not, and that there was no climbing up to -the top of it, it was so smooth. It was at least fifty paces round. - -By this time the sun was ready to set, and all of a sudden the sky -became as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud. I was -much astonished at this sudden darkness, but much more when I found -it occasioned by a bird of a monstrous size, that came flying -towards me. I remembered a fowl, called _roc_, that I had often -heard mariners speak of, and conceived that the great bowl, which I -so much admired, must needs be its egg. In short, the bird alighted, -and sat over the egg to hatch it. As I perceived her coming, I crept -close to the egg, so that I had before me one of the legs of the -bird, which was as big as the trunk of a tree. I tied myself -strongly to it with the cloth that went round my turban, in hopes -that when the roc [14] flew away next morning, she would carry me -with her out of this desert island. And after having passed the -night in this condition, the bird actually flew away next morning, -as soon as it was day, and carried me so high that I could not see -the earth; she afterwards descended all of a sudden, with so much -rapidity that I lost my senses: but when the roc was settled, and I -found myself upon the ground, I speedily untied the knot, and had -scarce done so when the bird, having taken up a serpent of a -monstrous length in her bill, flew away. [15] - -The place where it left me was a very deep valley, encompassed on -all sides with mountains, so high that they seemed to reach above -the clouds, and so full of steep rocks that there was no possibility -of getting out of the valley. This was a new perplexity; so that -when I compared this place with the desert island from which the roc -brought me, I found that I had gained nothing by the change. - -As I walked through this valley, I perceived it was strewed with -diamonds, some of which were of a surprising bigness. I took a great -deal of pleasure to look upon them; but speedily I saw at a distance -such objects as very much diminished my satisfaction, and which I -could not look upon without terror; that was, a great number of -serpents, so big and so long, that the least of them was capable of -swallowing an elephant. They retired in the day-time to their dens, -where they hid themselves from the roc, their enemy, and did not -come out but in the night-time. - -I spent the day in walking about the valley, resting myself at times -in such places as I thought mast commodious. When night came on, I -went into a cave, where I thought I might be in safety. I stopped -the mouth of it, which was low and strait, with a great stone, to -preserve me from the serpents, but not so exactly fitted as to -hinder light from coming in. I supped on part of my provisions; but -the serpents, which began to appear, hissing about in the mean time, -put me into such extreme fear, that you may easily imagine I did not -sleep. When day appeared the serpents retired, and I came out of the -cave trembling. I can justly say, that I walked a long time upon -diamonds, without feeling an inclination to touch any of them. At -last I sat down, and notwithstanding my uneasiness, not having shut -my eyes during the night, I fell asleep, after having eaten a little -more of my provisions: but I had scarce shut my eyes, when -something, that fell by me with great noise, awaked me. This was a -great piece of fresh meat; and at the same time I saw several others -fall down from the rocks in different places. - -I always looked upon it to be a fable, when I heard mariners and -others discourse of the valley of diamonds, and of the stratagems -made use of by merchants to get jewels from thence; but then I found -it to be true. For, in reality, those merchants come to the -neighbourhood of this valley when the eagles have young ones, and -throwing great joints of meat into the valley, the diamonds, upon -whose points they fall, stick to them; the eagles, which are -stronger in this country than any where else, pounce with great -force upon those pieces of meat, and carry them to their nests upon -the top of the rocks, to feed their young with; at which time the -merchants, running to their nests, frighten the eagles by their -noise, and take away the diamonds that stick to the meat. [16] And -this stratagem they make use of to get the diamonds out of the -valley, which is surrounded with such precipices that nobody can -enter it. - -I believed till then that it was not possible for me to get out of -this abyss, which I looked upon as my grave; but then I changed my -mind, for the falling in of those pieces of meat put me in hopes of -a way of saving my life. --Here day began to appear, which obliged -Scheherazade to break off; but she went on with it next night as -follows: - - - - -SEVENTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Sir, said she to the sultan, Sindbad continued the story of the -adventure of his second voyage thus: I began to gather together the -largest diamonds that I could see, and put them into the leathern -bag in which I used to carry my provisions. I afterwards took the -largest piece of meat I could find, tied it close round me with the -cloth of my turban, and then laid myself upon the ground, with my -face downward, the bag of diamonds being tied fast to my girdle, so -that it could not possibly drop off. - -I had scarce laid me down before the eagles came: each of them -seized a piece of meat, and one of the strongest having taken me up, -with a piece of meat on my back, carried me to his nest on the top -of the mountain. The merchants fell straightway to shouting, to -frighten the eagles; and when they had obliged them to quit their -prey, one of them came to the nest where I was. He was very much -afraid when he saw me; but recovering himself, instead of inquiring -how I came thither, he began to quarrel with me, and asked why I -stole his goods. You will treat me, replied I, with more civility, -when you know me better. Do not trouble yourself; I have diamonds -enough for you and myself too, more than all the other merchants -together. If they have any, it is by chance; but I chose myself in -the bottom of the valley all those which you see in this bag: and -having spoken these words, I showed them to him. I had scarce done -speaking, when the other merchants came trooping about us, much -astonished to see me; but they were much more surprised when I told -them my story. Yet they did not so much admire my stratagem to save -myself, as my courage to attempt it. - -They carried me to the place where they staid all together, and -there having opened my bag, they were surprised at the largeness of -my diamonds, and confessed that in all the courts where they had -been they never saw any that came near them. I prayed the merchant -to whom the nest belonged whither I was carried (for every merchant -had his own) to take as many for his share as he pleased. He -contented himself with one, and that too the least of them; and when -I pressed him to take more, without fear of doing me any injury: No, -said he, I am very well satisfied with this, which is valuable -enough to save me the trouble of making any more voyages, to raise -as great a fortune as I desire. - -I spent the night with those merchants, to whom I told my story a -second time, for the satisfaction of those who had not heard it. I -could not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered from the -danger I have mentioned: I thought myself to be in a dream, and -could scarce believe myself to be out of danger. - -The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley for -several days: and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds -that had fallen to his lot, we left the place next morning all -together, and travelled near high mountains, where there were -serpents of a prodigious length, which we had the good fortune to -escape. We took the first port we came at, and came to the isle of -Roha, where the trees grow that yield camphire. This tree is so -large, and its branches so thick, that a hundred men may easily sit -under its shade. The juice, of which the camphire is made, runs out -from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is received in a -vessel, where it grows to a consistency, and becomes what we call -camphire; and the juice thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies. - -There is in this island the rhinoceros, a creature less than the -elephant, but greater than the buffalo; they have a horn upon their -nose, about a cubit long; this horn is solid, and cleft in the -middle from one end to the other, and there is upon it white lines, -representing the figure of a man. The rhinoceros fights with the -elephant, runs his horn into his belly, and carries him off upon his -head; but the blood and the fat of the elephant running into his -eyes, and making him blind, he falls to the ground; and then, -strange to relate, the roc comes and carries them both away in her -claws, to be food for her young ones. - -I pass over many other things peculiar to this island, lest I should -be troublesome to you. Here I exchanged some of my diamonds for good -merchandise. From thence we went to other isles; and at last, having -touched at several trading towns of the main land, we landed at -Balsora, from whence I went to Bagdad. There I immediately gave -great alms to the poor, and lived honourably upon the vast riches I -had brought, and gained with so much fatigue. Thus Sindbad ended the -story of the second voyage, gave Hindbad another hundred sequins, -and invited him to come next day to hear the story of the third. The -rest of the guests returned to their houses, and came again the next -day at the same hour; and one may be sure the porter did not fail, -having by this time almost forgot his former poverty. When dinner -was over, Sindbad demanded attention, and gave them an account of -his third voyage, as follows: - - - - -Sindbad, the Sailor’s third Voyage. - - -The pleasures of the life which I then led soon made me forget the -risks I had run in my two former voyages; but being then in the -flower of my age, I grew weary of living without business; and -hardening myself against the thought of any danger I might incur, I -went from Bagdad, with the richest commodities of the country, to -Balsora: there I embarked again with the merchants. We made a long -voyage, and touched at several ports, where we drove a considerable -trade. One day, being out in the main ocean, we were attacked by a -horrible tempest, which made us lose our course. The tempest -continued several days, and brought us before the port of an island, -where the captain was very unwilling to enter; but we were obliged -to cast anchor there. When we had furled our sails, the captain told -us that this and some other neighbouring islands [17] were inhabited -by hairy savages, who would speedily attack us; and though they were -but dwarfs, yet our misfortune was such that we must make no -resistance, for they were more in number than the locusts; and if we -happened to kill one of them, they would all fall upon us, and -destroy us. --Here day beginning to appear, Scheherazade broke off -her story, and continued it next night, as follows: - - - - -SEVENTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -This discourse of the captain, said Sindbad, put the whole company -into a great consternation; and we found very soon, to our cost, -that what he had told us was but too true: an innumerable multitude -of frightful savages, covered all over with red hair, and about two -feet high, [18] came swimming towards us, and encompassed our ship -in a little time. They spoke to us as they came near, but we -understood not their language; they climbed up the sides of the ship -with so much agility as surprised us. We beheld all this with mortal -fear, without daring to offer to defend ourselves, or to speak one -word to divert them from their mischievous design. In short, they -took down our sails, cut the cable, and hauled to the shore, made us -all get out, and afterwards carried the ship into another island, -from whence they came. All travellers carefully avoided that island -where they left us, it being very dangerous to stay there, for a -reason you shall hear anon; but we were forced to bear our -affliction with patience. - -We went forward into the island, where we found some fruits and -herbs to prolong our lives as long as we could; but we expected -nothing but death. As we went on, we perceived at a distance a great -pile of building, and made towards it. We found it to be a palace, -well built, and very lofty, with a gate of ebony of two leaves, -which we thrust open. We entered the court, where we saw before us a -vast apartment, with a porch, having on one side a heap of men’s -bones, and on the other a vast number of roasting spits. We trembled -at this spectacle, and being weary with travelling, our legs failing -under us, we fell to the ground, being seized with deadly fear, and -lay a long time motionless. - -The sun was set, and whilst we were in the lamentable condition just -mentioned, the gate of the apartment opened with a great noise, and -there came out the horrible figure of a black man, as high as a tall -palm tree. He had but one eye, and that in the middle of his -forehead, where it looked as red as a burning coal. His foreteeth -were very long and sharp, and stood out of his mouth, which was as -deep as that of a horse; his upper lip hung down upon his breast; -his ears resembled those of an elephant, [19] and covered his -shoulders; and his nails were as long and crooked as the talons of -the greatest birds. At the sight of so frightful a giant we lost all -sense, and lay like dead men. [20] - -At last we came to ourselves, and saw him sitting in the porch, -looking at us. When he had considered us well, he advanced towards -us, and laying his hands upon me, he took me up by the nape of my -neck, and turned me round as a butcher would do a sheep’s head. -After having viewed me well, and perceiving me to be so lean that I -had nothing but skin and bone, he let me go. He took up all the -rest, one by one, viewed them in the same manner, and the captain -being the fattest, he held him with one hand, as I would do a -sparrow, and thrusting a spit through him, kindled a great fire, -roasted, and eat him in his apartment for his supper; which being -done, he returned to his porch, where he lay and fell asleep, -snoring louder than thunder. He slept thus till morning. For our -parts, it was not possible for us to enjoy any rest; so that we -passed the night in the most cruel fear that can be imagined. Day -being come, the giant awaked, got up, went out, and left us in the -palace. - -When we thought him at a distance, we broke the melancholy silence -we had kept all night, and every one grieving more than another, we -made the palace resound with our complaints and groans. Though there -were a great many of us, and we had but one enemy, we had not at -first the presence of mind to think of delivering ourselves from him -by his death. This enterprise, however, though hard to put in -execution, was the only design we ought naturally to have formed. - -We thought of several other things, but determined nothing; so that -submitting to what it should please God to order concerning us, we -spent the day in running about the island for fruit and herbs to -sustain our lives. When evening came, we sought for a place to lie -in, but found none; so that we were forced, whether we would or not, -to return to the palace. - -The giant failed not to come back, and supped once more upon one of -our companions; after which he slept, and snored till day, and then -went out, and left us as formerly. Our condition was so very -terrible, that several of my comrades designed to throw themselves -into the sea, rather than die so strange a death; and those who were -of this mind argued with the rest to follow their example: upon -which one of the company answered, that we were forbidden to destroy -ourselves; but allowing it to be lawful, it was more reasonable to -think of a way to rid ourselves of the barbarous tyrant who designed -so cruel a death for us. - -Having thought of a project for that end, I communicated the same to -my comrades, who approved it. Brethren, said I, you know there is a -great deal of timber floating upon the coast: if you will be advised -by me, let us make several floats of it that may carry us; and when -they are done, leave them there till we think fit to make use of -them. In the mean time we will execute the design to deliver -ourselves from the giant; and if we succeed, we may stay here with -patience till some ship pass by, that may carry us out of this fatal -island; but if it happen to miscarry, we will speedily get to our -floats, and put to sea. I confess, that by exposing ourselves to the -fury of the waves, we run a risk of losing our lives; but if we do, -is it not better to be buried in the sea, than in the entrails of -this monster, who has already devoured two of us? My advice was -relished, and we made floats capable of carrying three persons each. - -We returned to the palace towards the evening, and the giant arrived -a little while after. We were forced to conclude on seeing another -of our comrades roasted. But at last we revenged ourselves on the -brutish giant thus: After he had made an end of his cursed supper, -he lay down on his back and fell asleep. As soon as we heard him -snore, [21] according to his custom, nine of the boldest among us, -and myself, took each of us a spit, and putting the points of them -into the fire till they were burning hot, we thrust them into his -eye all at once, and blinded him. The pain occasioned him to make a -frightful cry, and to get up and stretch out his hands, in order to -sacrifice some of us to his rage: but we ran to such places as he -could not find us; and after having sought for us in vain, he groped -for the gate, and went out, howling dreadfully. --Scheherazade -stopped here, but next night resumed her story thus: - - - - -SEVENTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -We went out of the palace after the giant, continued Sindbad, and -came to the shore, where we had left our floats, and put them -immediately into the sea. We waited till day, in order to get upon -them, in case the giant came towards us with any guide of his own -species; but we hoped if he did not appear by sun-rising, and gave -over his howling, which we still heard, that he would die; and if -that happened to be the case, we resolved to stay in that island, -and not to risk our lives upon the floats; but day had scarce -appeared, when we perceived our cruel enemy, accompanied with two -others almost of the same size, leading him, and a great number more -coming before him with a very quick pace. - -When we saw this, we made no delay, but got immediately upon our -floats, and rowed off from the shore. The giants, who perceived -this, took up great stones, and running to the shore, entered the -water up to the middle, and threw so exactly, that they sunk all the -floats but that I was upon, and all my companions, except the two -with me, were drowned. We rowed with all our might, and got out of -the reach of the giants: but when we got out to sea, we were exposed -to the mercy of the waves and winds, and tossed about, sometimes on -one side, and sometimes on another, and spent that night and the -following day under a cruel uncertainty as to our fate; but next -morning we had the good luck to be thrown upon an island, where we -landed with much joy. We found excellent fruit there, that gave us -great relief, so that we pretty well recovered our strength. - -In the evening we fell asleep on the bank of the sea, but were -awaked by the noise of a serpent as long as a palm tree, whose -scales made a rustling as he crept along. He swallowed up one of my -comrades, notwithstanding his loud cries, and the efforts he made to -rid himself of the serpent; which, shaking him several times against -the ground, crushed him; and we could hear him gnaw and tear the -poor wretch’s bones, when we had fled a great distance from him. -Next day we saw the serpent again, to our great terror; when I cried -out, O Heaven, to what dangers are we exposed! We rejoiced yesterday -at our having escaped from the cruelty of a giant and the rage of -the waves, and now are we fallen into another danger altogether as -terrible. - -As we walked about we saw a large tall tree, upon which we designed -to pass the following night, for our security; and having satisfied -our hunger, we mounted it accordingly. A little while after the -serpent came hissing to the root of the tree, raised itself up -against the trunk of it, and meeting with my comrade, who sat lower -than I, swallowed him at once, and went off. - -I staid upon the tree till it was day, and then came down, more like -a dead man than one alive, expecting the same fate with my two -companions. This filled me with horror, so that I was going to throw -myself into the sea; but nature prompting us to a desire to live as -long as we can, I withstood this temptation to despair, and -submitted myself to the will of God, who disposes of our lives at -his pleasure. - -In the mean time I gathered together a great quantity of small wood, -brambles, and dry thorns, and making them up into faggots, made a -great circle with them round the tree, and also tied some of them to -the branches over my head. Having done this, when the evening came I -shut myself up within this circle, with this melancholy piece of -satisfaction, that I had neglected nothing which could preserve me -from the cruel destiny with which I was threatened. The serpent -failed not to come at the usual hour, and went round the tree, -seeking for an opportunity to devour me, but was prevented by the -rampart I had made; so that he lay till day, like a cat watching in -vain for a mouse that has retired to a place of safety. When day -appeared he retired, but I dared not leave my fort until the sun -arose. - -I was fatigued with the toil he had put me to, and suffered so much -by his poisonous breath, that death seemed more eligible to me than -the horror of such a condition. I came down from the tree, and not -thinking on the resignation I had made to the will of God the -preceding day, I ran towards the sea, with a design to throw myself -into it headlong. --Here Scheherazade stopt, because day appeared; -and next night continued her story thus: - - - - -SEVENTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -Sindbad pursued the account of his third voyage thus: God, said he, -took compassion on my desperate state; for just as I was going to -throw myself into the sea, I perceived a ship at a considerable -distance. I called as loud as I could, and taking the linen from my -turban, displayed it, that they might observe me. This had the -desired effect; all the crew perceived me, and the captain sent his -boat for me. As soon as I came aboard, the merchants and seamen -flocked about me to know how I came to that desert island; and after -I had told them of all that befell me, the oldest of them said to -me, they had several times heard of the giants that dwelt in that -island, that they were cannibals, and eat men raw as well as -roasted; and as to the serpents, they added, that there were -abundance in the isle, that hid themselves by day, and came abroad -by night. After having testified their joy at my escaping so many -dangers, they brought me the best of what they had to eat; and the -captain, seeing that I was all in rags, was so generous as to give -me one of his own suits. We were at sea for some time, touched at -several islands, and at last landed on that of Salabat, [22] where -there grows sanders, a wood of great use in physic. We entered the -port, and came to an anchor. The merchants began to unload their -goods, in order to sell or exchange them. In the mean time, the -captain came to me, and said, Brother, I have here a parcel of goods -that belonged to a merchant, who sailed some time on board this -ship; and he being dead, I design to dispose of them for the benefit -of his heirs, when I know them. The bales he spoke of lay on the -deck, and showing them to me, he said, There are the goods; I hope -you will take care to sell them, and you shall have factorage. I -thanked him that he gave me an opportunity to employ myself, because -I hated to be idle. - -The clerk of the ship took an account of all the bales, with the -names of the merchants to whom they belonged: and when he asked the -captain in whose name he should enter those he gave me the charge -of, Enter them, said the captain, in the name of Sindbad the sailor. -I could not hear myself named without some emotion; and looking -steadfastly at the captain, I knew him to be the person who, in my -second voyage, had left me in the island where I fell asleep by a -brook, and set sail without me, or sending to see for me: but I -could not remember him at first, he was so much altered since I saw -him. - -And as for him, who believed me to be dead, I could not wonder at -his not knowing me. But, captain, said I, was the merchant’s name -to whom these bales belonged, Sindbad? --Yes, replied he, that was -his name; he came from Bagdad, and embarked on board my ship at -Balsora. One day, when we landed at an island to take in water and -other refreshments, I know not by what mistake, I set sail without -observing that he did not re-embark with us; neither I nor the -merchants perceived it till four hours after. We had the wind in our -stern, and so fresh a gale, that it was not then possible for us to -tack about for him. --You believe him then to be dead? said I. ---Certainly, answered he. --No, captain, said I; look upon me, and -you may know that I am Sindbad, whom you left in that desert island. -I fell asleep by a brook, and when I awaked, I found all the company -gone. At these words the captain looked steadfastly upon me. --Here -Scheherazade perceiving day, broke off her story, and next day -resumed it thus: - - - - -SEVENTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -The captain, continued Sindbad, having considered me attentively, -knew me at last, embraced me, and said, God be praised that fortune -has supplied my defect. There are your goods, which I always took -care to preserve, and to make the best of them at every port where I -touched. I restore them to you, with the profit I have made of them. -I took them from him, and at the same time acknowledged how much I -owed to him. - -From the isle of Salabat we went to another, where I furnished -myself with cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. As we sailed from -that island we saw a tortoise that was twenty cubits in length and -breadth. [23] We observed also a fish which looked like a cow, and -gave milk, [24] and its skin is so hard that they usually make -bucklers of it. I saw another which had the shape and colour of a -camel. [25] in short, after a long voyage, I arrived at Balsora, and -from thence returned to the city of Bagdad, with so much riches that -I knew not what I had. I gave a great deal to the poor, and bought -another great estate in addition to what I had already. - -Thus Sindbad finished the history of his third voyage; gave another -hundred sequins to Hindbad, and invited him to dinner again next -day, to hear the story of his fourth voyage. Hindbad and the company -retired, and next day, when they returned, Sindbad, after dinner, -continued the story of his adventures. - - - - -Sindbad, the Sailor’s, fourth Voyage. - - -The pleasure, said he, and the divertisements I took after my third -voyage, had not charms enough to divert me from another. I was again -prevailed upon by my passion for traffic, and curiosity to see new -things. I therefore settled my affairs, and having provided a stock -of goods fit for the places where I designed to trade, I set out on -my journey. I took the way of Persia, of which I travelled over -several provinces, and then arrived at a port, where I embarked. We -set sail, and having touched at several ports of the main land, and -some of the eastern islands, we put out to sea, and were overtaken -by such a sudden gust of wind as obliged the captain to furl his -sails, and to take all other necessary precautions to prevent the -danger that threatened us: but all was in vain; our endeavours had -no effect, the sails were torn in a thousand pieces, and the ship -was stranded; so that a great many of the merchants and seaman were -drowned, and the cargo lost. - -Scheherazade perceiving day, held her peace; but resumed her story -next night, as follows: - - - - -SEVENTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -I had the good fortune, continued Sindbad, with several of the -merchants and mariners, to get a plank, and we were carried by the -current to an island which lay before us; there we found fruit and -spring-water, which preserved our lives. We staid all night near the -place where the sea cast us ashore, without consulting what we -should do, our misfortune had dispirited us so much. - -Next morning, as soon as the sun was up, we walked from the shore, -and advancing into the island, saw some houses, to which we went; -and as soon as we came thither we were encompassed by a great number -of blacks, who seized us, shared us among them, and carried us to -their respective habitations. [26] - -I, and five of my comrades, were carried to one place: they made us -sit down immediately, and gave us a certain herb, which they made -signs to us to eat. My comrades not taking notice that the blacks -eat none themselves, consulted only the satisfying of their own -hunger, and fell to eating with greediness: but I, suspecting some -trick, would not so much as taste it, which happened well for me; -for in a little time after I perceived my companions had lost their -senses, and that when they spoke to me they knew not what they said. - -The blacks fed us afterwards with rice, prepared with oil of -cocoa-nuts; and my comrades, who had lost their reason, eat of it -greedily. I eat of it also, but very sparingly. The blacks gave us -that herb at first on purpose to deprive us of our senses, [27] that -we might not be aware of the sad destiny prepared for us; and they -gave us rice on purpose to fatten us; for, being cannibals, their -design was to eat us as soon as we grew fat. They did accordingly -eat my comrades, who were not sensible of their condition; but my -senses being entire, you may easily guess, gentlemen, that instead -of growing fat, as the rest did, I grew leaner every day. The fear -of death under which I laboured, turned all my food into poison. I -fell into a languishing distemper, which proved my safety; for the -blacks, having killed and eat up my companions, seeing me to be -withered, lean, and sick, deferred my death till another time. - -Mean while I had a great deal of liberty, so that there was scarce -any notice taken of what I did; and this gave me an opportunity one -day to get at a distance from the houses, and to make my escape. An -old man who saw me, and suspected my design, called to me as loud as -he could to return; but instead of obeying him, I redoubled my pace, -and quickly got out of sight. At that time there was none but the -old man about the houses, the rest being abroad, and not to come -home till night, which was pretty usual with them: therefore, being -sure that they could not come time enough to pursue me, I went on -till night, when I stopped to rest a little, and to eat some of the -provisions I had taken care of; but I speedily set forward again, -and travelled seven days, avoiding those places which seemed to be -inhabited, and lived for the most part upon cocoa-nuts, which served -me both for meat and drink. On the eighth day I came near the sea, -and saw all of a sudden white people like myself gathering pepper, -[28] of which there was great plenty in that place. This I took to -be a good omen, and went to them without any scruple. --Scheherazade -broke off here, and went on with the story next night, as follows: - - - - -EIGHTIETH NIGHT. - - -The people who gathered pepper, continued Sindbad, came to meet me -as soon as they saw me, and asked me, in Arabic, who I was, and -whence I came. I was overjoyed to hear them speak in my own -language, and satisfied their curiosity by giving them an account of -my shipwreck, and how I fell into the hands of the blacks. Those -blacks, replied they, eat men; and by what miracle did you escape -their cruelty? I told them the same story I now tell you, at which -they were wonderfully surprised. - -I staid with them till they had gathered their quantity of pepper, -and then sailed with them to the island from whence they came. They -presented me to their king, who was a good prince. He had the -patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which surprised him; -and he afterwards gave me clothes, and commanded care to be taken of -me. - -The island was very well peopled, plentiful in every thing, and the -capital was a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was very -comfortable to me after my misfortune, and the kindness of this -generous prince towards me completed my satisfaction. In a word, -there was not a person more in favour with him than myself; and, by -consequence, every man in court and city sought to oblige me; so -that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a native than -a stranger. - -I observed one thing which to me appeared very extraordinary. All -the people, the king himself not excepted, rode their horses without -bridle or stirrups. This made me one day take the liberty to ask the -king how that came to pass. His majesty answered, that I talked to -him of things which nobody knew the use of in his dominions. - -I went immediately to a workman, and gave him a model for making the -stock of a saddle. When that was done, I covered it myself with -velvet and leather, and embroidered it with gold. I afterwards went -to a locksmith, who made me a bridle according to the pattern I -showed him, and then he made me also some stirrups. When I had all -things completed, I presented them to the king, and put them upon -one of his horses. His majesty mounted immediately, and was so -pleased with them, that he testified his satisfaction by large -presents to me. I could not avoid making several others for his -ministers and principal officers of his household, who all of them -made me presents that enriched me in a little time. I also made for -the people of best quality in the city, which gained me great -reputation and regard. - -As I made my court very constantly to the king he said to me one -day, Sindbad, I love thee; and all my subjects who know thee treat -thee according to my example. I have one thing to demand of thee, -which thou must grant. --Sir, answered I, there is nothing but what -I will do, as a mark of my obedience to your majesty, whose power -over me is absolute. --I have a mind thou shouldst marry, replied -he, that so thou mayst stay in my dominion, and think no more of thy -own country. --I dared not resist the prince’s will, and so he -gave me one of the ladies of his court, a noble, beautiful, chaste, -and rich lady. The ceremonies of marriage being over, I went and -dwelt with the lady, and for some time we lived together in perfect -harmony. I was not, however, very well satisfied with my condition, -and therefore designed to make my escape on the first occasion, and -to return to Bagdad, which my present settlement, how advantageous -soever, could not make me forget. - -While I was thinking on this, the wife of one of my neighbours, with -whom I had contracted a very strict friendship, fell sick, and died. -I went to see and comfort him in his affliction, and finding him -swallowed up with sorrow, I said to him as soon as I saw him, God -preserve you and grant you a long life. --Alas! replied he, how do -you think I should obtain that favour you wish me? I have not above -an hour to live. --Pray, said I, do not entertain such a melancholy -thought; I hope it will not be so, but that I shall enjoy your -company for many years. --I wish you, said he, a long life; but for -me, my days are at an end, for I must be buried this day with my -wife. [29] This is a law which our ancestors established in this -island, and always observed it inviolably. The living husband is -interred with the dead wife, and the living wife with the dead -husband. Nothing can save me; every one must submit to this law. - -While he was entertaining me with an account of this barbarous -custom, the very hearing of which frighted me cruelly, his kindred, -friends, and neighbours came in a body to assist at the funerals. -They put on the corpse the woman’s richest apparel, as if it had -been her wedding-day, and dressed her with all her jewels; then they -put her into an open coffin, and lifting it up, began their march to -the place of burial. The husband walked at the head of the company, -and followed the corpse. They went up to a high mountain, and when -they came thither, took up a great stone, which covered the mouth of -a very deep pit, and let down the corpse, with all its apparel and -jewels. Then the husband, embracing his kindred and friends, -suffered himself to be put into another open coffin without -resistance, with a pot of water, and seven little loaves, and was -let down in the same manner as they let down his wife. The mountain -was pretty long, and reached to the sea. The ceremony being over, -they covered the hole again with the stone, and returned. - -It is needless, gentlemen, for me to tell you that I was the only -melancholy spectator of this funeral, whereas the rest were scarcely -moved at it, the practice was so customary to them. I could not -forbear speaking my thoughts of this matter to the king: Sir, said -I, I cannot but wonder at the strange custom in this country, of -burying the living with the dead. I have been a great traveller, and -seen many countries, but never heard of so cruel a law. --What do -you mean, Sindbad? said the king: it is a common law. I shall be -interred with the queen, my wife, if she die first. --But, sir, said -I, may I presume to ask your majesty, if strangers be obliged to -observe this law? --Without doubt, replied the king, (smiling at the -occasion of my question,) they are not exempted, it they be married -in this island. - -I went home very melancholy at this answer; for the fear of my -wife’s dying first, and that I should be interred alive with her, -occasioned me very mortifying reflections. But there was no remedy; -I must have patience, and submit to the will of God. I trembled, -however, at every little indisposition of my wife: but alas! in a -little time my fears came upon me all at once, for she fell sick, -and died in a few days. - -Scheherazade stopt here for that time, and resumed the thread of her -story next night thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-FIRST NIGHT. - - -You may judge at my sorrow, continued Sindbad; to be interred alive, -seemed to me as deplorable an end as to be devoured by cannibals. -But I must submit; the king and all his court would honour the -funeral with their presence, and the most considerable people of the -city did the like. When all was ready for the ceremony, the corpse -was put into a coffin, with all her jewels and magnificent apparel. -The cavalcade began, and as second actor in this doleful tragedy, I -went next the corpse, with my eyes full of tears, bewailing my -deplorable fate. Before I came to the mountain, I made an essay on -the minds of the spectators: I addressed myself to the king in the -first place, and then to all those who were round me and bowing -before them to the earth, to kiss the border of their garments, I -prayed them to have compassion upon me. Consider, said I, that I am -a stranger, and ought not to be subject to this rigorous law, and -that I have another wife and children in my own country. [30] It was -to no purpose for me to speak thus, no soul was moved at it; on the -contrary, they made haste to let down my wife’s corpse into the -pit, and put me down the next moment in an open coffin, with a -vessel full of water, and seven loaves. In short, the fatal ceremony -being performed, they covered up the mouth of the pit, -notwithstanding the excess of my grief, and my lamentable cries. - -As I came near the bottom, I discovered, by help of the little light -that came from above, the nature of this subterraneous place; it was -a vast long cave, and might be about fifty fathom deep. I -immediately smelt an insufferable stench, proceeding from the -multitude of dead corpses which I saw on the right and left; nay, I -fancied that I heard some of them sigh out their last. However, when -I got down, I immediately left my coffin, and getting at a distance -from the corpses, held my nose, and lay upon the ground, where I -staid a long time, bathed in tears. Then, reflecting on my sad lot, -It is true, said I, that God disposes all things according to the -decrees of his providence; but, poor Sindbad, art not thou thyself -the cause of thy being brought to die so strange a death? Would to -God thou hadst perished in some of those tempests which thou hast -escaped! Then thy death had not been so lingering and terrible in -all its circumstances. But thou hast drawn all this upon thyself by -thy cursed avarice. Ah! unfortunate wretch, shouldst thou not rather -have staid at home, and quietly enjoyed the fruits of thy labour? - -Such were the vain complaints with which I made the cave to echo, -beating my head and stomach out of rage and despair, and abandoning -myself to the most afflicting thoughts. Nevertheless, I must tell -you, that instead of calling death to my assistance in that -miserable condition, I felt still an inclination to live, and to do -all I could to prolong my days. I went groping about, with my nose -stopped, for the bread and water that was in my coffin, and I took -some of it. Though the darkness of the cave was so great that I -could not distinguish day and night, yet I always found my coffin -again, and the cave seemed to be more spacious and fuller of corpses -than it appeared to me at first. I lived for some days upon my bread -and water, which being all spent at last, I prepared for death. --At -these words Scheherazade left off, but resumed the story next night -thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-SECOND NIGHT. - - -As I was thinking of death, continued Sindbad, I heard the stone -lifted up from the mouth of the cave, and immediately the corpse of -a man was let down. When men are reduced to necessity, it is natural -for them to come to extreme resolutions. While they let down the -woman, I approached the place where her coffin was to be put, and as -soon as I perceived they were covering again the mouth of the cave, -I gave the unfortunate wretch two or three great blows over the -head, with a large bone that I found; which stunned, or, to say the -truth, killed her. I committed this inhuman action merely for the -sake of the bread and water that was in her coffin, and thus I had -provisions for some days more. When that was spent, they let down -another dead woman, and a live man: I killed the man in the same -manner, and, as good luck would have it for me, there was then a -sort of mortality in the town, so that by this means I did not want -for provisions. - -One day, as I despatched another woman, I heard something walking, -and blowing or panting as it walked. I advanced towards that side -from whence I heard the noise, and upon my approach the thing puffed -and blew harder, as if it had been running away from me. I followed -the noise, and the thing seemed to stop sometimes, but always fled -and blew as I approached. I followed it so long, and so far, till at -last I perceived a light, resembling a star; I went on towards that -light, and sometimes lost sight of it, but always found it again, -and at last discovered that it came through a hole in the rock, -large enough for a man to get out at. - -Upon this I stopped some time to rest myself, being much fatigued -with pursuing this discovery so fast: afterwards coming up to the -hole, I went out of it, and found myself upon the bank of the sea. I -leave you to guess the excess of my joy: it was such, that I could -scarce persuade myself of its being real. - -But when I was recovered from my surprise, and convinced of the -truth of the matter, I found the thing which I had followed, and -heard puff and blow, to be a creature which came out of the sea, and -was accustomed to enter at that hole to feed upon the dead -carcasses. [31] - -I examined the mountain, and perceived it to be situated betwixt the -sea and the town, but without any passage or way to communicate with -the latter, the rocks on the side of the sea were so rugged and -steep. I fell down upon the shore to thank God for this mercy, and -afterwards entered the cave again to fetch bread and water, which I -did by day-light, with a better appetite than I had done since my -interment in the dark hole. - -I returned thither again, and groped about among the biers for all -the diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold bracelets, and rich stuffs I -could find; these I brought to the shore, and tying them up neatly -into bales, with the cords that let down the coffins, I laid them -together upon the bank, waiting till some ship passed by, without -fear of rain, for it was not then the season. - -After two or three days, I perceived a ship that had but just come -out of the harbour, and passed near the place where I was. I made a -sign with the linen of my turban, and called to them as loud as I -could. They heard me, and sent a boat to bring me on board, when the -mariners asked by what misfortune I came thither: I told them that I -had suffered shipwreck two days ago, and made shift to get ashore -with the goods they saw. It was happy for me that those people did -not consider the place where I was, nor inquire into the probability -of what I told them; but, without more ado, took me on board with my -goods. When I came to the ship, the captain was so well pleased to -have saved me, and so much taken up with his own affairs, that he -also took the story of my pretended shipwreck upon trust, and -generously refused some jewels which I offered him. - -We passed by several islands, and among others that called the isle -of Bells, [32] about ten days’ sail from Serendib, with a regular -wind, and six from that of Kela, where we landed. This island -produces lead mines, Indian canes, [33] and excellent camphire. - -The king of the isle of Kela is very rich and potent, and the isle -of Bells, which is about two days’ journey in extent, is also -subject to him. The inhabitants are so barbarous that they still eat -human flesh. After we had finished our commerce in that island, we -put to sea again, and touched at several other ports: at last I -arrived happily at Bagdad with infinite riches, of which it is -needless to trouble you with the detail. - -Out of thankfulness to God for his mercies, I gave great alms for -the support of several mosques, and for the subsistence of the poor, -and employed myself wholly in enjoying my kindred and friends, and -making merry with them. - -Here Sindbad finished the relation of his fourth voyage, which was -more surprising to the company than all the three former. He gave a -new present of a hundred sequins to Hindbad, whom he prayed to -return with the rest next day at the same hour, to dine with him, -and hear the story of his fifth voyage. Hindbad and the rest of his -guests took leave of him, and retired. Next morning when they all -met, they sat down at table, and when dinner was over, Sindbad began -the relation of his fifth voyage, as follows: - - - - -The fifth voyage of Sindbad the sailor. - - -The pleasures I enjoyed had again charms enough to made me forget -all the troubles and calamities I had undergone, without curing me -of my inclination to make new voyages. Therefore I bought goods, -ordered them to be packed up and loaded, and set out with them for -the best sea-port; and there, that I might not be obliged to depend -upon a captain, but have a ship at my own command, I staid till one -was built on purpose, at my own charge. When the ship was ready, I -went on board with my goods; but not having enough to load her, I -took on board with me several merchants of different nations, with -their merchandize. - -We sailed with the first fair wind, and, after a long navigation, -the first place we touched at was a desert island, where we found an -egg of a roc, equal in bigness to that I formerly mentioned. There -was a young roc in it, just ready to be hatched, and the bill of it -began to appear. - -At these words Scheherazade stopt, because day began to enter the -sultan’s apartment; but next night she resumed her story thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-THIRD NIGHT. - - -Sindbad, the sailor, said she, continued the relation of his fifth -voyage as follows: The merchants whom I had taken on board my ship, -and who landed with me, broke the egg with hatchets, and made a hole -in it, from whence they pulled out the young roc, piece after piece, -and roasted it. I had earnestly persuaded them not to meddle with -the egg, but they would not listen to me. - -Scarcely had they made an end of their treat, when there appeared in -the air, at a considerable distance from us, two great clouds. The -captain whom I hired to manage my ship, knowing, by experience, what -it meant, cried that it was the male and female roc that belonged to -the young one, and pressed us to re-embark with all speed, to -prevent the misfortune which he saw would otherwise befall us. We -made haste to do so, and set sail with all possible diligence. - -In the mean time, the two rocs approached with a frightful noise, -which they redoubled when they saw the egg broken, and their young -one gone. But having a mind to avenge themselves, they flew back -towards the place from whence they came, and disappeared for some -time, while we made all the sail we could, to prevent that which -unhappily befell us. - -They returned, and we observed that each of them carried between -their talons, stones, or rather rocks, of a monstrous size. When -they came directly over my ship, they hovered, and one of them [34] -let fall a stone; but by the dexterity of the steersman, who turned -the ship with the rudder, it missed us, and, falling by the side of -the ship into the sea, divided the waters so, that we almost could -see to the bottom. The other roc, to our misfortune, threw the stone -so exactly upon the middle of the ship, that it split in a thousand -pieces. The mariners and passengers were all killed by the stone, or -sunk. I myself had the last fate; but as I came up again, I -fortunately caught hold of a piece of the wreck, and sometimes -swimming with one hand, and sometimes with the other, but always -holding fast my board, the wind and the tide favouring me, I came to -an island, whose shore was very steep. I overcame that difficulty, -however, and got ashore. - -I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself a little from the -fatigue; after which I got up, and went into the island to view it. -It seemed to be a delicious garden. I found trees every where, some -of them bearing green, and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh -pure water, with pleasant windings and turnings. I ate of the -fruits, which I found excellent, and drank of the water, which was -very pleasant. - -Night being come, I lay down upon the grass in a convenient place -enough, but I could not sleep an hour at a time, my mind was so -disturbed with the fear of being alone in so desert a place. Thus I -spent the best part of the night in fretting, and reproached myself -for my imprudence in not staying at home, rather that undertaking -this last voyage. These reflections carried me so far, that I began -to form a design against my own life; but daylight dispersed those -melancholy thoughts, and I got up, and walked among the trees, but -not without apprehensions of danger. - -When I was a little advanced into the island, I saw an old man, [35] -who appeared very weak and feeble. He sat upon the bank of a stream, -and at first I took him to be one who had been shipwrecked like -myself. I went towards him and saluted him, but he only bowed his -head a little. I asked him what he did there; but, instead of -answering me, he made a sign for me to take him upon my back, and -carry him over the brook, signifying that it was to gather fruit. - -I believed him really to stand in need of my help, so took him upon -my back, and, having carried him over, bid him get down, and for -that end stooped, that he might get off with ease; but instead of -that, (which I laugh at every time I think of it,) the old man, who -to me appeared very decrepit, clasped his legs nimbly about my neck, -and then I perceived his skin to resemble that of a cow. He sat -astride upon my shoulders, and held my throat so tight, that I -thought he would have strangled me, the fright of which made me -faint away, and fall down. - -[Illustration: THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA.] - -Day appearing, Scheherazade was obliged to stop here, but pursued -her story thus next night: - - - - -EIGHTY-FOURTH NIGHT. - - -Notwithstanding my fainting, continued Sindbad, the ill-natured old -fellow kept fast about my neck, but opened his legs a little to give -me time to recover my breath. When I had done so, he thrust one of -his feet against my stomach, and struck me so rudely on the side -with the other, that he forced me to rise up against my will. Being -got up, he made me walk under the trees, and forced me now and then -to stop, to gather and eat fruit such as we found. He never left me -all day, and when I lay down to rest me by night, he laid himself -down with me, holding always fast about my neck. Every morning he -pushed me to make me awake, and afterwards obliged me to get up and -walk, and pressed me with his feet. You may judge, then, gentlemen, -what trouble I was in, to be loaded with such a burden, which I -could by no means rid myself from. - -One day I found in my way several dry calabashes that had fallen -from a tree; I took a large one, and after cleaning it, pressed into -it some juice of grapes, [36] which abounded in the island; having -filled the calabash, I set it in a convenient place, and coming -hither again some days after, I took up my calabash, and setting it -to my mouth, found the wine to be so good, that it made me presently -not only forget my sorrow, but I grew vigorous, and was so -light-hearted, that I began to sing and dance as I walked along. - -The old man perceiving the effects which this drink had upon me, and -that I carried him with more ease than I did before, made a sign to -me to give him some of it. I gave him the calabash, and the liquor -pleasing his palate, he drank it all off. There being enough of it -to fuddle him, he became drunk immediately, and the fumes getting up -into his head, he began to sing after his manner, and to dance with -his breech upon my shoulders. His jolting made him vomit, and he -loosened his legs from about me by degrees; so finding that he did -not press me as before, I threw him upon the ground, where he lay -without motion, and then I took up a great stone, with which I -crushed his head to pieces. - -I was extremely rejoiced to be freed thus for ever from this cursed -old fellow, and walked upon the bank of the sea, where I met the -crew of a ship that had cast anchor to take in water to refresh -themselves. They were extremely surprised to see me, and to hear the -particulars of my adventures. You fell, said they, into the hands of -the old man of the sea, and are the first that ever escaped -strangling by him. He never left those he had once made himself -master of, till he destroyed them, and he had made this island -famous by the number of men he has slain; so that the merchants and -mariners who landed upon it dared not to advance into the island but -in numbers together. - -After having informed me of those things, they carried me with them -to the ship: the captain received me with great satisfaction when -they told him what had befallen me. He put out again to sea, and -after some days’ sail we arrived at the harbour of a great city, -whose houses were built with good stone. - -One of the merchants of the ship who had taken me into his -friendship, obliged me to go along with him, and carried me to a -place appointed for a retreat for foreign merchants. He gave me a -great bag, and having recommended me to some people of the town, who -used to gather cocoa-nuts, he desired them to take me with them to -do the like: “Go,” said he, “follow them, and do as you see -them do, and do not separate from them, otherwise you endanger your -life.” Having thus spoke, he gave me provisions for the journey, -and I went with them. - -We came to a great forest of trees, extremely straight and tall, and -their trunks so smooth, that it was not possible for any man to -climb up to the branches that bore the fruit. All the trees were -cocoa-trees, and when we entered the forest, we saw a great number -of apes, of several sizes, that fled as soon as they perceived us, -and climbed up to the top of the trees with surprising swiftness. - -Scheherazade would have gone on, but day appearing, prevented her, -and next night she resumed her discourse as follows: - - - - -EIGHTY-FIFTH NIGHT. - - -The merchants with whom I was, continued Sindbad, gathered stones, -and threw them at the apes on the top of the trees. I did the same, -and the apes, out of revenge, threw cocoa-nuts at us as fast, and -with such gestures, as sufficiently testified their anger and -resentment: we gathered up the cocoa-nuts, and from time to time -threw stones to provoke the apes; so that by this stratagem we -filled our bags with cocoa-nuts, which it had been impossible for us -to have done otherwise. - -When we had gathered our number, we returned to the city, where the -merchant who sent me to the forest gave me the value of the cocoas I -brought: Go on, said he, and do the like every day, until you have -got money enough to carry you home. I thanked him for his good -advice, and insensibly gathered together so many cocoa-nuts as -amounted to a considerable sum. - -The vessel in which I came, sailed with merchants, who loaded her -with cocoa-nuts. I expected the arrival of another, which landed -speedily for the like loading. I embarked on board the same all the -cocoa-nuts that belonged to me, and when she was ready to sail, I -went and took leave of the merchant who had been so kind to me; but -he could not embark with me, because he had not finished his -business. - -We set sail towards the islands, [37] where pepper grows in great -plenty. From thence we went to the isle of Comari, [38] where the -best sort of wood of aloes grows, and whose inhabitants have made it -an inviolable law to themselves, to drink no wine, nor to suffer any -place of debauch. I exchanged my cocoa, in those two islands, for -pepper and wood of aloes, and went, with other merchants, a pearl -fishing. [39] I hired divers, who fetched me up those that were very -large and pure. I embarked joyfully, in a vessel that happily -arrived at Balsora; from thence I returned to Bagdad, where I made -vast sums of my pepper, wood of aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth -of my gains in alms, as I had done upon my return from other -voyages, and endeavoured to ease myself from my fatigues by -diversions of all sorts. - -When Sindbad had finished his story, he ordered one hundred sequins -to Hindbad, who retired with all the other guests; but next morning, -the same company returned to dine with rich Sindbad, who, after -having treated them as formerly, demanded audience, and gave the -following account of his sixth voyage: - - - - -The sixth Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor. - - -Gentlemen, said he, you long, without doubt, to know, how after -being shipwrecked five times, and escaping so many dangers, I could -resolve again to try my fortune, and expose myself to new hardships: -I am astonished at it myself when I think on it, and must certainly -have been induced to it by my stars. But be that as it will, after a -year’s rest, I prepared for a sixth voyage, notwithstanding the -entreaties of my kindred and friends, who did all that was possible -to prevent me. - -Instead of taking my way by the Persian gulf, I travelled once more -through several provinces of Persia and the Indies, and arrived at a -sea-port, where I embarked on board a ship, the captain of which was -resolved on a long voyage. - -It was very long indeed, but at the same time so unfortunate, that -the captain and pilot lost their course, and knew not where they -were. They found it at last, but we had no reason to rejoice at it. -We were all seized with extraordinary fear, when we saw the captain -quit his post, and cry out. He threw off his turban, pulled the hair -of his beard, and beat his head like a madman. We asked him the -reason, and he answered, that he was in the most dangerous place in -all the sea. A rapid current carries the ship along with it, and we -shall all of us perish in less than a quarter of an hour. Pray to -God to deliver us from this danger; we cannot escape it, if he does -not take pity on us. At these words, he ordered the sails to be -changed; but all the ropes broke, and the ship, without its being -possible to help it, was carried by the current to the foot of an -inaccessible mountain, where she run ashore, and was broken to -pieces, yet so that we saved our lives, our provisions, and the best -of our goods. - -This being over, the captain said to us, God has done what pleased -him; we may every man dig our grave here, and bid the world adieu; -for we are all in so fatal a place, that none shipwrecked here did -ever return to their homes again. His discourse afflicted us sorely, -and we embraced each other with tears in our eyes, bewailing our -deplorable lot. - -The mountain, at the foot of which we were cast, was the coast of a -very long and large island. This coast was covered all over with -wrecks, and by the vast number of men’s bones we saw every where, -and which filled us with horror, we concluded, that abundance of -people had died there. It is also incredible to tell, what a -quantity of goods and riches we found cast ashore there. All those -objects served only to augment our grief. Whereas, in all other -places, rivers run from their channels into the sea, here a great -river of fresh water [40] runs out of the sea into a dark cave, -whose entrance is very high and large. What is most remarkable in -this place is, that the stones of the mountain are of crystal, -rubies, or other precious stones. Here is also a sort of fountain of -pitch or bitumen, [41] that runs into the sea, which the fishes -swallow, and then vomit it up again, turned into ambergris; and this -the waves throw up on the beach in great quantities. Here also grow -trees, most of which are wood of aloes, equal in goodness to those -of Comari. - -To finish the description of this place, which may well be called a -gulf, since nothing ever returns from it --it is not possible for -ships to get off from it, when once they come within such a distance -of it. If they be driven thither by a wind from the sea, the wind -and the current ruin them; and it they come into it when a land-wind -blows, which might seem to favour their getting out again, the -height of the mountain stops the wind, and occasions a calm, so that -the force of the current runs them ashore, where they are broken to -pieces, as ours was; and that which completes the misfortune is, -that there is no possibility to get to the top of the mountain, or -to get out any manner of way. - -We continued upon the shore like men out of their senses, and -expected death every day. At first, we divided our provisions as -equally as we could, and thus every one lived a longer or shorter -time, according to their temperance, and the use they made of their -provisions. - -Scheherazade perceiving day, left off speaking, but next night she -resumed the story as follows: - - - - -EIGHTY-SIXTH NIGHT. - - -Those who died first, continued Sindbad, were interred by the rest, -and as for my part, I paid the last duty to all my companions: nor -are you to wonder at this, for besides that I husbanded the -provision that fell to my share better than they, I had provisions -of my own, which I did not share with my comrades, yet when I buried -the last, I had so little remaining, that I thought I could not hold -out long, so that I dug a grave, resolving to lie down in it, -because there was none left alive to inter me. I must confess to you -at the same time, that while I was thus employed, I could not but -reflect upon myself as the cause of my own ruin, and repented that I -had ever undertaken this last voyage; nor did I stop at reflections -only, but had well nigh hastened my own death, and began to tear my -hands with my teeth. - -But it pleased God once more to take compassion on me, and put it in -my mind to go to the bank of the river which ran into the great -cave; where, considering the river with great attention, I said to -myself, This river, which runs thus under ground, must come out -somewhere or other. If I make a float, and leave myself to the -current, it will bring me to some inhabited country, or drown me. If -I be drowned, I lose nothing, but only change one kind of death for -another; and if I get out of this fatal place, I shall not only -avoid the sad fate of my comrades, but perhaps find some new -occasion of enriching myself. Who knows but fortune waits upon my -getting off this dangerous shelf, to compensate my shipwreck with -usury? - -I immediately went to work on a float. I made it of large pieces of -timber and cables, for I had choice of them, and tied them together -so strong, that I had made a very solid little float. When I had -finished, I loaded it with some bales of rubies, emeralds, -ambergris, rock-crystal, and rich stuffs. Having balanced all my -cargo exactly, and fastened them well to the float, I went on board -it with two little oars that I had made, and leaving it to the -course of the river, I resigned myself to the will of God. - -As soon as I came into the cave, I lost all light, and the stream -carried me I knew not whither. Thus I floated some days in perfect -darkness, and once found the arch so low that it very nigh broke my -head, which made me very cautious afterwards to avoid the like -danger. All this while I eat nothing but what was necessary to -support nature; yet, notwithstanding this frugality, all my -provisions were spent. Then a pleasing sleep seized upon me. I -cannot tell how long it continued; but when I awakened, I was -surprised to find myself in the middle of a vast country, at the -brink of a river, where my float was tied amidst a great number of -negroes. I got up as soon as I saw them, and saluted them. They -spoke to me, but I did not understand their language. I was so -transported with joy, that I knew not whether I was asleep or awake; -but being persuaded that I was not asleep, I recited the following -words in Arabic, aloud: Call upon the Almighty, he will help thee; -thou needest not perplex thyself about any thing else: shut thy -eyes, and while thou art asleep, God will change thy bad fortune -into good. - -One of the blacks, who understood Arabic, hearing me speak thus, -came towards me, and said, Brother, be not surprised to see us; we -are inhabitants of this country, and came hither to-day to water our -fields, by digging little canals from this river, which comes out of -the neighbouring mountain. We perceived something floating upon the -water, went speedily to see what it was, and perceiving your float, -one of us swam into the river, and brought it hither, where we -fastened it, as you see, until you should awake. Pray tell us your -history, for it must be extraordinary; how did you venture yourself -into this river, and whence did you come? I begged of them first to -give me something to eat, and then I would satisfy their curiosity. -They gave me several sorts of food; and when I had satisfied my -hunger, I gave them a true account of all that had befallen me, -which they listened to with admiration. As soon as I had finished my -discourse, they told me, by the person who spoke Arabic, and -interpreted to them what I said, that it was one of the most -surprising stories they ever heard, and that I must go along with -them, and tell it their king myself; the story is too extraordinary -to be told by any other than the person to whom it happened. I told -them I was ready to do whatever they pleased. - -They immediately sent for a horse, which was brought in a little -time; and having made me get upon him, some of them walked before me -to show me the way, and the rest took my float and cargo, and -followed me. - -Here, Scheherazade was obliged to stop, because day appeared; but -towards the close of the next night, resumed the thread of her story -thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-SEVENTH NIGHT. - - -We marched thus altogether, till we came to the city of Serendib, -[42] for it was in that island I landed. The blacks presented me to -their king; I approached his throne, and saluted him as I used to do -the kings of the Indies; that is to say, I prostrated myself at his -feet, and kissed the earth. The prince ordered me to rise up, -received me with an obliging air, and made me come up, and sit down -near him. He first asked me my name, and I answered, They call me -Sindbad the sailor, because of the many voyages I had undertaken, -and I am a citizen of Bagdad. But, replied he, how came you into my -dominions, and from whence came you last? - -I concealed nothing from the king; I told him all that I have now -told you, and his majesty was so surprised and charmed with it, that -he commanded my adventure to be written in letters of gold, and laid -up in the archives of his kingdom. At last my float was brought in, -and the bales opened in his presence: he admired the quantity of -wood of aloes and ambergris; but, above all, the rubies and -emeralds, for he had none in his treasury that came near them. - -Observing that he looked on my jewels with pleasure, and viewed the -most remarkable among them one after another, I fell prostrate at -his feet, and took the liberty to say to him, Sir, not only my -person is at your majesty’s service, but the cargo of the float, -and I would beg of you to dispose of it as your own. He answered me -with a smile, Sindbad, I will take care not to covet any thing of -yours, nor take any thing from you that God has given you; far from -lessening your wealth, I design to augment it, and will not let you -go out of my dominions without marks of my liberality. All the -answer I returned, was prayers for the prosperity of that prince, -and commendations of his generosity and bounty. He charged one of -his officers to take care of me, and ordered people to serve me at -his own charge. The officer was very faithful in the execution of -his orders, and caused all the goods to be carried to the lodgings -provided for me. - -I went every day, at a set hour, to make my court to the king, and -spent the rest of my time in seeing the city, and what was most -worthy of notice. - -The isle of Serendib is situated just under the equinoctial line; -[43] so that the days and nights there are always of twelve hours -each, and the island is eighty parasangs [44] in length, and as many -in breadth. - -The capital city stands in the end of a fine valley, formed by a -mountain in the middle of the island, which is the highest in the -world. [45] It is seen three days sail off at sea. There are rubies -and several sorts of minerals in it, and all the rocks are for the -most part emery, a metalline stone made use of to cut and smooth -other precious stones. There grow all sorts of rare plants and -trees, especially cedars and cocoa-trees. There is also a pearl -fishery in the mouth of its river, and in some of its valleys there -are found diamonds. I made, by way of devotion, a pilgrimage to the -place where Adam was confined after his banishment from paradise, -and had the curiosity to go to the top of it. - -When I came back to the city, I prayed the king to allow me to -return to my country, which he granted me in the most obliging and -most honourable manner. He would needs force a rich present upon me; -and when I went to take my leave of him, he gave me one much more -considerable, and at the same time charged me with a letter for the -commander of the faithful, our sovereign, saying to me, I pray you -give this present from me, and this letter, to Caliph Haroun -Alraschid, and assure him of my friendship. I took the present and -letter in a very respectful manner, and promised his majesty -punctually to execute the commission with which he was pleased to -honour me. Before I embarked, this prince sent for the captain and -the merchants who were to go with me, and ordered them to treat me -with all possible respect. - -The letter from the king of Serendib was written on the skin of a -certain animal, of great value, because of its being so scarce, and -of a yellowish colour. [46] The characters of the letters were of -azure, and the contents as follows: - -‘The king of the Indies, before whom march a hundred elephants, -who lives in a palace that shines with a hundred thousand rubies, -and who has in his treasury twenty thousand crowns, enriched with -diamonds, to Caliph Haroun Alraschid: - -‘Though the present we send you be inconsiderable, receive it -however as a brother and a friend, in consideration of the hearty -friendship which we bear for you, and of which we are willing to -give you proof. We desire the same part in your friendship, -considering that we believe it to be our merit being of the same -dignity with yourself. We conjure you this in quality of a brother. -Adieu.’ - -The present consisted, first, of one single ruby [47] made into a -cup, about half a foot high, an inch thick, and filled with round -pearls of half a dram each. Second, the skin of a serpent, whose -scales were as large as an ordinary piece of gold, and had the -virtue to preserve from sickness those who lay upon it. [48] Third, -fifty thousand drams of the best wood of aloes, with thirty grains -of camphire as big as pistachios. And fourth, a she slave of -ravishing beauty, whose apparel was all covered over with jewels. - -The ship set sail, and after a very long and successful navigation, -we landed at Balsora; from thence I went to Bagdad, where the first -thing I did was to acquit myself of my commission. Scheherazade -stopt because day appeared, and next night proceeded thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. - - -I took the king of Serendib’s letter, continued Sindbad, and went -to present myself at the gate of the commander of the faithful, -followed by the beautiful slave, and such of my own family as -carried the presents. I gave an account of the reason of my coming, -and was immediately conducted to the throne of the caliph. I made my -reverence by prostration, and after a short speech, gave him the -letter and present. When he had read what the king of Serendib wrote -to him, he asked me if that prince was really so rich and potent as -he had said in his letter? I prostrated myself a second time, and -rising again, Commander of the faithful, said I, I can assure your -majesty he doth not exceed the truth on that head. I am witness of -it. There is nothing more capable of raising a man’s admiration -than the magnificence of his palace. When the prince appears in -public, he has a throne fixed on the back of an elephant, and -marches betwixt two ranks of his ministers, favourites, and other -people of his court; before him, upon the same elephant, an officer -carries a golden lance in his hand; and behind the throne there is -another, who stands upright, with a column of gold, on the top of -which there is an emerald half a foot long, and an inch thick; -before him march a guard of a thousand men, clad in cloth of gold -and silk, and mounted on elephants richly caparisoned. - -While the king is on his march, the officer who is before him on the -same elephant, cries, from time to time, with a loud voice, Behold -the great monarch, the potent and redoubtable sultan of the Indies, -whose palace is covered with a hundred thousand rubies, and who -possesses twenty thousand crowns of diamonds. Behold the crowned -monarch greater than the great Solima [49] and the great Mihrage. -[50] After he had pronounced those words, the officer behind the -throne cries in his turn, This monarch, so great and so powerful, -must die, must die, must die. And the officer before replies, Praise -be to him who lives for ever. - -Farther, the king of Serendib is so just, that there are no judges -in his dominions. His people have no need of them. They understand -and observe justice exactly of themselves. - -The caliph was much pleased with my discourse. The wisdom of that -king, said he, appears in his letter, and after what you tell me, I -must confess, that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and his -people deserve so wise a prince. Having spoken thus, he dismissed -me, and sent me home with a rich present. - -Sindbad left off speaking, and his company retired, Hindbad having -first received a hundred sequins; and next day they returned to hear -the relation of his seventh and last voyage, as follows: - - - - -The seventh and last Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor. - - -Being returned from my sixth voyage, I absolutely laid aside all -thoughts of travelling any farther; for, beside that my years now -required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risk -as I had run; so that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of -my days in quiet. One day as I was treating a parcel of my friends, -one of my servants came, and told me, that an officer of the caliph -asked for me. I rose from the table and went to him. The caliph, -said he, has sent me to tell you, that he must speak with you. I -followed the officer to the palace, where being presented to the -caliph, I saluted him, by prostrating myself at his feet. Sindbad, -said he to me, I stand in need of you; you must do me the service to -carry my answer and present to the king of Serendib. It is but just -I should return his civility. - -This command of the caliph to me was like a clap of thunder. -Commander of the faithful, replied I, I am ready to do whatever your -majesty shall think fit to command me; but I beseech you most humbly -to consider what I have undergone. I have also made a vow never to -go out of Bagdad. Hence, I took occasion to give him a large and -particular account of all my adventures, which he had the patience -to hear out. - -As soon as I had finished, I confess, said he, that the things you -tell me are very extraordinary, yet you must, for my sake, undertake -this voyage which I propose to you. You have nothing to do but to go -to the isle of Serendib, and deliver the commission which I give -you. After that you are at liberty to return. But you must go; for -you know it would be indecent, and not suitable to my dignity, to be -indebted to the king of that island. Perceiving that the caliph -insisted upon it, I submitted, and told him that I was willing to -obey. He was very well pleased at it, and ordered me a thousand -sequins for the charge of my journey. - -I prepared for my departure in a few days, and as soon as the -caliph’s letter and present were delivered to me, I went to -Balsora, where I embarked, and had a very happy voyage. I arrived at -the isle of Serendib, where I acquainted the king’s ministers with -my commission, and prayed them to get me speedy audience. They did -so, and I was conducted to the palace in an honourable manner, where -I saluted the king by prostration, according to custom. That prince -knew me immediately, and testified very great joy to see me. O -Sindbad, said he, you are welcome; I swear to you I have many times -thought of you since you went hence; I bless the day upon which we -see one another once more. I made my compliment to him, and after -having thanked him for his kindness to me, I delivered the -caliph’s letter and present, which he received with all imaginable -satisfaction. - -The caliph’s present was a complete set of cloth of gold, valued -at one thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred other -of white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez, Cusa, [51] and -Alexandria; [52] a royal crimson bed, and a second of another -fashion; a vessel of agate broader than deep, an inch thick, and -half a foot wide, the bottom of which represented in bas-relief a -man with one knee on the ground, who held a bow and an arrow, ready -to let fly at a lion. He sent him also a rich table, which, -according to tradition, belonged to the great Solomon. The -caliph’s letter was as follows: - -‘Greeting in the name of the sovereign guide of the right way, to -the potent and happy sultan, from Abdallah Haroun Alraschid, whom -God hath set in the place of honour, after his ancestors of happy -memory: - -‘We received your letter with joy, and send you this from the -council of our port; the garden of superior wits. We hope, when you -look upon it, you will find our good intention, and be pleased with -it. Adieu.’ - -The king of Serendib was highly pleased that the caliph answered his -friendship. A little time after this audience, I solicited leave to -depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it. I obtained it however -at last, and the king, when he dismissed me, made me a very -considerable present. I embarked immediately to return to Bagdad, -but had not the good fortune to arrive there as I hoped. God ordered -it otherwise. - -Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by corsairs, -who easily seized upon our ship, because it was no vessel of force. -Some of the crew offered resistance, which cost them their lives. -But for me and the rest, who were not so imprudent, the corsairs -saved us, on purpose to make slaves of us. - -Day beginning to appear, Scheherazade was obliged to keep silence, -but next night resumed the story thus: - - - - -EIGHTY-NINTH NIGHT. - - -Sir, said she to the sultan of the Indies, Sindbad continuing his -story, told the company, We were all stripped, and instead of our -own clothes, they gave us sorry rags, and carried us into a remote -island, where they sold us. - -I fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who, as soon as he bought -me, carried me to his house, treated me well, and clad me handsomely -for a slave. Some days after, not knowing who I was, he asked me if -I understood any trade? I answered, that I was no mechanic, but a -merchant, and that the corsairs who sold me, robbed me of all I had. -But tell me, replied he, can you shoot with a bow? I answered, that -the bow was one of my exercises in my youth, and I had not yet -forgot it. Then he gave me a bow and arrows, and taking me behind -him upon an elephant, carried me to a vast forest some leagues from -the town. We went a great way into the forest, and when he thought -fit to stop, he bid me alight; then showing me a great tree, Climb -up that tree, said he, and shoot at the elephants as you see them -pass by, for there is a prodigious number of them in this forest, -and if any of them fall, come and give me notice of it. Having -spoken thus, he left me victuals, and returned to the town, and I -continued upon the tree all night. - -I saw no elephant during that time, but next morning, as soon as the -sun was up, I saw a great number: I shot several arrows among them, -and at last one of the elephants fell; the rest retired immediately, -and left me at liberty to go and acquaint my patron with my booty. -When I had told him the news, he gave me a good meal, commended my -dexterity, and caressed me highly. We went afterwards together to -the forest, where we dug a hole for the elephant; my patron -designing to return when it was rotten, and to take his teeth, &c. -to trade with. - -I continued this game for two months, and killed an elephant every -day, getting sometimes upon one tree, and sometimes upon another. -One morning, as I looked for the elephants, I perceived with an -extreme amazement, that, instead of passing by me across the forest -as usual, they stopped, and came to me with a horrible noise, in -such a number that the earth was covered with them, and shook under -them. They encompassed the tree where I was, with their trunks -extended, and their eyes all fixed upon me. At this frightful -spectacle I continued immoveable, and was so much frightened, that -my bow and arrows fell out of my hand. - -My fears were not in vain; for after the elephants had stared upon -me some time, one of the largest of them put his trunk round the -foot of the tree, and pulled so strong, that he plucked it up, and -threw it on the ground; I fell with the tree, and the elephant -taking me up with his trunk, laid me on his back, where I sat more -like one dead than alive, with my quiver on my shoulder: he put -himself at the head of the rest, who followed him in troops, and -carried me to a place where he laid me down on the ground, and -retired with all his companions. Conceive, if you can, the condition -I was in: I thought myself to be in a dream; at last, after having -lain some time, and seeing the elephants gone, I got up, and found I -was upon a long and broad hill, covered all over with the bones and -teeth of elephants. I confess to you that this object furnished me -with abundance of reflections. I admired the instinct of those -animals; I doubted not but that was their burying-place, and that -they carried me thither on purpose to tell me that I should forbear -to persecute them, since I did it only for their teeth. I did not -stay on the hill, but turned towards the city, and, after having -travelled a day and a night, I came to my patron; I met no elephant -in my way, which made me think they had retired farther into the -forest, to leave me at liberty to come back to the hill without any -obstacle. - -As soon as my patron saw me; Ah, poor Sindbad, said he, I was in -great trouble to know what had become of you. I have been at the -forest, where I found a tree newly pulled up, and a bow and arrows -on the ground, and after having sought for you in vain, I despaired -of ever seeing you more. Pray, tell me what befell you, and by what -good hap thou art still alive. I satisfied his curiosity, and going -both of us next morning to the hill, he found to his great joy that -what I had told him was true. We loaded the elephant upon which we -came with as many teeth as he could carry; and when we were -returned, Brother, said my patron, for I will treat you no more as -my slave, after having made such a discovery as will enrich me, God -bless you with all happiness and prosperity. I declare before him -that I give you your liberty. I concealed from you what I am now -going to tell you. - -The elephants of our forest have every year killed us a great many -slaves, whom we sent to seek ivory. For all the cautions we could -give them, those crafty animals killed them one time or other. God -has delivered you from their fury, and has bestowed that favour upon -you only. It is a sign that he loves you, and has use for your -service in the world. You have procured me incredible gain. We could -not have ivory formerly, but by exposing the lives of our slaves, -and now our whole city is enriched by your means. Do not think I -pretend to have rewarded you by giving you your liberty; I will also -give you considerable riches. I would engage all our city to -contribute towards making your fortune, but I will have the glory of -doing it myself. - -To this obliging discourse I replied, Patron, God preserve you. Your -giving me my liberty is enough to discharge what you owe me, and I -desire no other reward for the service I had the good fortune to do -to you and your city, but leave to return to my own country. Very -well, said he, the monsoon [53] will in a little time bring ships -for ivory. I will send you home then, and give you wherewith to bear -your charges. I thanked him again for my liberty, and his good -intentions towards me. I staid with him, expecting the monsoon; and -during that time, we made so many journeys to the hill, that we -filled all our warehouses with ivory. The other merchants, who -traded in it, did the same thing, for it could not be long concealed -from them. At these words Scheherazade, perceiving day, broke off. - - - - -NINETIETH NIGHT. [54] - - -Sir, said she to the sultan of the Indies, Sindbad went on with his -seventh voyage thus: - -The ships arrived at last, and my patron himself having made choice -of the ship wherein I was to embark, he loaded half of it with ivory -on my account, he laid in provisions in abundance for my passage, -and besides obliged me to accept a present of the curiosities of the -country of great value. After I had returned him a thousand thanks -for all his favours, I went aboard. We set sail, and as the -adventure which procured me this liberty was very extraordinary, I -had it continually in my thoughts. - -We stopped at some islands to take in fresh provisions. Our vessel -being come to a port on the main land in the Indies, we touched -there, and not being willing to venture by sea to Balsora, I landed -my proportion of the ivory, resolving to proceed on my journey by -land. I made vast sums of my ivory, I bought several rarities, which -I intended for presents, and when my equipage was got ready, I set -out in company of a large caravan of merchants. I was a long time on -the way, and suffered very much; but endured all with patience, when -I considered that I had nothing to fear from the seas, from pirates, -from serpents, nor of the other perils I had undergone. - -All these fatigues ended at last, and I came safe to Bagdad. I went -immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account of my -embassy. That prince told me he had been uneasy, by reason I was so -long in returning, but that he always hoped God would preserve me. -When I told him of the adventure of the elephants, he seemed to be -much surprised at it, and would never have given any credit to it -had he not known my sincerity. He reckoned this story, and the other -relations I had given him, to be so curious, that he ordered one of -his secretaries to write them in characters of gold, and lay them up -in his treasury. I retired very well satisfied with the honours I -received, and the presents which he gave me; and after that I gave -myself up wholly to my family, kindred, and friends. - -Sindbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage, -and then, addressing himself to Hindbad, Well, friend, said he, did -you ever hear of any person that suffered so much as I have done, or -of any mortal that has gone through so many perplexities? Is it not -reasonable that, after all this, I should enjoy a quiet and pleasant -life? As he said this, Hindbad drew near to him, and kissing his -hand, said, I must acknowledge, sir, you have gone through terrible -dangers; my troubles are not comparable to yours: if they afflict me -for a time, I comfort myself with the thoughts of the profit I get -by them. You not only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy besides -of all the riches you enjoy, because you make such a good and -generous use of them. May you therefore continue to live in -happiness and joy, till the day of your death. Sindbad gave him a -hundred sequins more, received him into the number of his friends, -and desired him to quit his porter’s employment, and come and dine -every day with him, that he might all his days have reason to -remember Sindbad the sailor. - - - - -The three Apples. - - -The Caliph Haroun Alraschid one day commanded the grand vizier -Giafar, to come to his palace the night following. Vizier, said he, -I will take a walk around the town, to inform myself what people -say, and particularly how they are pleased with my officers of -justice. If there be any against whom they have reason of just -complaint, we will turn them out, and put others in their stead who -shall officiate better. If, on the contrary, there be any that have -gained their applause, we will have that esteem for them which they -deserve. The grand vizier being come to the palace at the hour -appointed, the caliph, he, and Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs, -disguised themselves so that they could not be known, and went out -all three together. - -They passed through several places, and by several markets; and as -they entered a small street, they perceived, by the light of the -moon, a tall man, with a white beard, who carried nets on his head, -and a club in his hand. The old man, said the caliph, does not seem -to be rich; let us go to him, and inquire into his circumstances. -Honest man, said the vizier, who art thou? The old man replied, Sir, -I am a fisher, but one of the poorest and most miserable of the -trade; I went from my house about noon to go a fishing, and from -that time to this I have not been able to catch one fish; and at the -same time I have a wife and small children, and nothing to maintain -them. - -The caliph, moved with compassion, said to the fisherman, Hast thou -the courage to go back and cast thy net once more? We will give thee -a hundred sequins for what thou shalt bring up. At this proposal, -the fisherman, forgetting all his day’s toil, took the caliph at -his word; and with him, Giafar and Mesrour, returned to the Tigris; -he saying to himself: These gentlemen seem to be too honest and -reasonable not to reward my pains; and if they give me the hundredth -part of what they promise me, it will be a great deal. - -They came to the bank of the river, and the fisherman throwing in -his net, when he drew it again, brought up a trunk, close shut, and -very heavy. The caliph made the grand vizier pay him a hundred -sequins immediately, and sent him away. Mesrour, by his master’s -order, carried the trunk on his shoulder; and the caliph was so very -eager to know what was in it, that he returned to the palace with -all speed. When the trunk was opened, they found in it a large -basket made of palm leaves, shut up, and the covering of it sewed -with red thread. To satisfy the caliph’s impatience, they would -not take time to unrip it, but cut the thread with a knife, and they -took out of the basket a bundle wrapt up in a sorry piece of -hanging, and bound about with a rope, which being untied, and the -bundle opened, they found, to their great amazement, the corpse of a -young lady, whiter than snow, all cut in pieces. - -The astonishment of the caliph at this dreadful spectacle may be -more easily imagined than expressed; his surprise was instantly -changed into passion, and darting an angry look at the vizier, Ah! -thou wretch, said he, is this your inspection into the actions of my -people? Do they commit such impious murders under thy ministry in my -capital city, and throw my subjects into the Tigris, that they may -cry for vengeance against me at the day of judgment? If thou dost -not speedily revenge the murder of this woman by the death of her -murderer, I swear by heaven, that I will cause thee to be hanged, -and forty more of thy kindred. Commander of the faithful, replied -the grand vizier, I beg your majesty to grant me time to make -inquiry. I will allow thee no more, said the caliph, than three -days; therefore, thou must look to it. - -The vizier Giafar went home in great confusion of mind. Alas! said -he, how is it possible, that in such a vast and populous city as -Bagdad, I should be able to detect a murderer, who undoubtedly -committed the crime without witness, and perhaps may be already gone -from hence? Any other but I would take some wretched person out of -prison, and cause him to die, to satisfy the caliph; but I will not -burden my conscience with such a barbarous action; I will rather die -than save my life at that rate. - -He ordered the officers of the police and justice to make strict -search for the criminal; they sent their servants about, and they -themselves were not idle, for they were no less concerned in this -matter than the vizier. But all their endeavours amounted to -nothing; what pains soever they took they could not find out the -murderer; so that the vizier concluded his life to be gone, unless -some remarkable providence hinder it. - -The third day being come, an officer came to this unfortunate -minister with a summons to follow him, which the vizier obeyed. The -caliph asked him for the murderer. He answered, with tears in his -eyes, Commander of the faithful, I have not found any person that -could give me the least account of him. The caliph, full of fury and -rage, gave him many reproachful words, and ordered that he and forty -Bermecides [55] more should be hanged up at the gate of the palace. - -In the mean while, the gibbets were preparing, and orders were sent -to seize forty Bermecides more in their houses; a public crier was -sent about the city to cry thus, by the caliph’s order:-- Those -who have a desire to see the grand vizier Giafar hanged, and forty -more Bermecides of his kindred, let them come to the square before -the palace. - -When all things were ready, the criminal judge and a great many -officers belonging to the palace, brought out the grand vizier with -the forty Bermecides, and set each of them at the foot of the gibbet -designed for them, and a rope was put about each of their necks. The -multitude of people that filled the square, could not without grief -and tears behold this tragical sight; for the grand vizier and the -Bermecides were loved and honoured on account of their probity, -bounty, and impartiality, not only in Bagdad, but through all the -dominions of the caliph. - -Nothing could prevent the execution of this prince’s too severe -and irrevocable sentence, and the lives of the most honest people in -the city were just going to be taken away, when a young man of -handsome mien and good apparel, pressed through the crowd till he -came where the grand vizier was, and after he had kissed his hand, -said, Most excellent vizier, chief of the emirs of this court, and -comforter of the poor, you are not guilty of the crime for which you -stand here. Withdraw, and let me expiate the death of the lady that -was thrown into the Tigris. It was I who murdered her, and I deserve -to be punished for it. - -Though these words occasioned great joy to the vizier, yet he could -not but pity the young man, in whose look he saw something, that -instead of being ominous, was engaging; but as he was about to -answer him, a tall man, pretty well in years, who had likewise -forced his way through the crowd, came up to him, saying, Sir, do -not believe what this young man tells you; I killed that lady who -was found in the trunk, and this punishment ought only to fall upon -me. I conjure you in the name of God not to punish the innocent for -the guilty. Sir, said the young man to the vizier, I do protest that -I am he who committed this vile act, and nobody else had any hand in -it. --My son, said the old man, it is despair that brought you -hither, and you would anticipate your destiny. I have lived a long -time in the world, and it is time for me to be gone; let me, -therefore, sacrifice my life for yours. Sir, said he again to the -vizier, I tell you once more I am the murderer; let me die without -any more ado. - -The controversy between the old man and the young one obliged the -grand vizier Giafar to carry them both before the caliph, which the -judge criminal consented to, being very glad to serve the vizier. -When he came before the prince, he kissed the ground seven times, -and spake after this manner: Commander of the faithful, I have -brought here before your majesty this old man and this young man, -who both confess themselves to be the sole murderers of the lady. -Then the caliph asked the criminals, which of them it was that so -cruelly murdered the lady, and threw her into the Tigris. The young -man assured him it was he, but the old man maintained the contrary. -Go, said the caliph to the grand vizier, and cause them both to be -hanged. But, sir, said the vizier, if only one of them be guilty, it -would be unjust to take the lives of both. At these words, the young -man spoke again --I swear by the great God, who has raised the -heaven so high, that I am the man who killed the lady, cut her in -quarters, and threw her into the Tigris about four days ago. I -renounce my part of happiness amongst the just at the day of -judgment, if what I say be not true; therefore I am he that ought to -suffer. The caliph being surprised at this oath, believed him, -especially since the old man made no answer to this. Whereupon, -turning to the young man, Thou wretch, said he, what was it that -made thee commit that detestable crime, and what is it that moves -thee to offer thyself voluntarily to die? Commander of the faithful, -said he, if all that has passed between that lady and me were set -down in writing, it would be a history that might be very useful for -other men. I command thee, then, to relate it, said the caliph. The -young man obeyed, and began. His history was thus: - - - - -The Story of the Lady that was murdered, and of the young Man, her -Husband. - - -Commander of the faithful, your majesty may be pleased to know, that -this murdered lady was my wife, the daughter of this old man you see -here, who is my own uncle by the father’s side. She was not above -twelve years old when he gave her to me, and it is now eleven years -ago. I have three children by her, all boys, yet alive; and I must -do her that justice to say, that she never gave me the least -occasion for offence. She was chaste, of good behaviour, and made it -her whole business to please me; and, for my part, I loved her -entirely, and rather prevented her in granting any thing she -desired, than opposed it. - -About two months ago, she fell sick; I took all imaginable care of -her, and spared nothing that could procure her a speedy recovery. -After a month she began to grow better, and had a mind to go to the -bath. Before she went out of the house, Cousin, said she, (for so -she used to call me out of familiarity,) I long for some apples; if -you would get me any, you would please me extremely. I have longed -for them a great while; and I must own it is come to that height, -that if I be not satisfied very soon, I fear some misfortune will -befall me. With all my heart, said I, I will do all that is in my -power to make you easy. - -I went immediately round all the markets and shops in the town to -seek for apples, but I could not get one, though I offered to pay a -sequin a-piece. I returned home very much dissatisfied at my -disappointment; and for my wife, when she returned from the bagnio, -and saw no apples, she became so very uneasy, that she could not -sleep all night I got up betimes in the morning, and went through -all the gardens, but had no better success than the day before; only -I happened to meet an old gardener, who told me that all my pains -would signify nothing, for I could not expect to find apples any -where but in your majesty’s garden at Balsora. As I loved my wife -passionately, and would not have any neglect to satisfy her -chargeable upon me, I dressed myself in a traveller’s habit, and -after I had told her my design, I went to Balsora, and made my -journey with so great diligence, that I returned at the end of -fifteen days, with three apples, which cost me a sequin a-piece; -there were no more left in the garden, so that the gardener would -not let me have them cheaper. As soon as I came home, I presented -them to my wife; but her longing was over, so she satisfied herself -with receiving them, and laid them down by her. In the mean time, -she continued sickly, and I knew not what remedy to get for her. - -Some few days after I returned from my journey, I was sitting in my -shop in the public place where all sorts of fine stuffs are sold, -and saw an ugly, tall, black slave come in, with an apple in his -hand, which I knew to be one of those I had brought from Balsora. I -had no reason to doubt it, because I was certain there was not one -to be had in all Bagdad, nor in any of the gardens about it. I -called to him, and said, Good slave, prithee tell me where thou -hadst this apple? It is a present, said he, smiling, from my -mistress. I went to see her to-day, and found her out of order. I -saw three apples lying by her, and asked her where she had them. She -told me, the good man, her husband, had made a fortnight’s journey -on purpose for them, and brought them her. We had a collation -together, and when I took my leave of her, I brought away this apple -that you see. - -This discourse put me out of my senses. I rose, shut up my shop, ran -home with all speed, and going to my wife’s chamber, looked -immediately for the apples; and seeing only a couple, asked what was -become of the third. Then my wife turning her head to the place -where the apples lay, and perceiving there were but two, answered me -coldly, Cousin, I know not what is become of it. At this answer, I -did verily believe what the slave told me to be true; and at the -same time, giving myself up to madness and jealousy, I drew my knife -from my girdle, and thrust it into the unfortunate creature’s -throat. I afterwards cut off her head, and divided her body into -four quarters, which I packed up in a bundle, and hiding it in a -basket, sewed it up with a thread of red yarn, put all together in a -trunk, and when night came, I carried it on my shoulder down to the -Tigris, where I sunk it. - -The two youngest of my children were already put to bed and asleep, -the third was gone abroad; but at my return, I found him sitting by -my gate, weeping very sore. I asked him the reason: Father, said he, -I took this morning from my mother, without her knowledge, one of -those three apples you brought her, and I kept it a long while; but -as I was playing some time ago with my little brother, in the -street, a tall slave that went by, snatched it out of my hands, and -carried it with him. I ran after him, demanded it back, and besides, -told him, that it belonged to my mother, who was sick, and that you -had made a fortnight’s journey to fetch it; but all to no purpose ---he would not restore it. And as I still followed him, crying out, -he turned and beat me, and then ran away as fast as he could from -one lane to another, till at length I lost sight of him. I have -since been walking without the town expecting your return, to pray -you, dear father, not to tell my mother of it, lest it should make -her worse; and when he had said these words, he fell a weeping again -more bitterly than before. - -My son’s discourse afflicted me beyond all measure. I then found -myself guilty of an enormous crime, and repented too late of having -so easily believed the calumnies of a wretched slave, who, from what -he had learnt of my son, invented that fatal lie. - -My uncle here present, came just at the time to see his daughter; -but instead of finding her alive, understood from me that she was -dead, for I concealed nothing from him; and without staying for his -censure, declared myself the greatest criminal in the world. - -Upon this, instead of reproaching me, he joined his tears with mine, -and we wept three days together, without intermission; he for the -loss of a daughter whom he always loved tenderly, and I for the loss -of a dear wife, of whom I had deprived myself after so cruel a -manner, by giving too easy credit to the report of a lying slave. - -This, commander of the faithful, is the sincere confession your -majesty commanded from me. You have heard now all the circumstances -of my crime, and I most humbly beg of you to order the punishment -due for it; how severe soever it may be, I shall not in the least -complain, but esteem it too easy and gentle. - -The caliph was very much astonished at the young man’s relation. -But this just prince, finding that he was rather to be pitied than -condemned, began to speak in his favour: This young man’s crime, -said he, is pardonable before God, and excusable with men. The -wicked slave is the sole cause of this murder --it is he alone that -must be punished; wherefore, said he, looking upon the grand vizier, -I give you three day’s time to find him out; if you do not bring -him within that space, you shall die in his stead. The unfortunate -Giafar, who thought himself now out of danger, was terribly -perplexed at this new order of the caliph; but as he durst not -return any answer to this prince, whose hasty temper he knew too -well, he departed from his presence, and retired to his house with -tears in his eyes, persuading himself he had but three days to live; -for he was so fully persuaded that he should not find the slave, -that he made not the least inquiry about him. Is it possible, said -he, that in such a city as Bagdad, where there is an infinite number -of negro slaves, I should be able to find him out that is guilty? So -that unless God be pleased to bring it about, as he hath already -detected the murderer, nothing can save my life. - -He spent the two first days in mourning with his family, who sat -around him weeping and complaining of the caliph’s cruelty. The -third day being come, he prepared himself to die with courage, as an -honest minister, and one that had nothing to trouble his conscience; -he sent for notaries and witnesses, who signed the last will he made -in their presence. After which, he took leave of his wife and -children, and bid them the last farewell. All his family were -drowned in tears, so that there never was a more sorrowful -spectacle. At last, the messenger came from the caliph to tell him -that he was out of all patience, haring heard nothing from him, nor -concerning the negro slave which he had commanded him to search for; -I am therefore ordered, said he, to bring you before his throne. The -afflicted vizier made ready to follow the messenger; but as he was -going out, they brought him his youngest daughter, about five or six -years of age. The nurses that attended her, presented her to her -father to receive his last blessing. - -As he had a particular love for that child, he prayed the messenger -to give him leave to stop for a moment; and taking his daughter in -his arms, he kissed her several times. As he kissed her, he -perceived she had somewhat in her bosom that looked bulky, and had a -sweet scent. My dear little one, said he, what hast thou in thy -bosom? My dear father, said she, it is an apple, upon which is -written the name of our lord and master, the caliph; our slave Rihan -[56] sold it me for two sequins. - -At these words apple and slave, the grand vizier cried out with -surprise, intermixed with joy, and putting his hand into the -child’s bosom, pulled out the apple. He caused the slave, who was -not far off, to be brought immediately; and when he came, Rascal, -said he, where hadst thou this apple? My lord, said the slave, I -swear to you, that I neither stole it in your house, nor out of the -commander of the faithful’s garden, but the other day, as I was -going along a street where three or four small children were at -play, one of them having it in his hand, I snatched it from him, and -carried it away. The child ran after me, telling me it was none of -his own, but belonged to his mother, who was sick, and that his -father, to save her longing, had made a long journey, and brought -home three apples, whereof this was one, which he had taken from his -mother, without her knowledge. He said what he could to make me give -it him back, but I would not; and so I brought it home, and sold it -for two sequins to the little lady, your daughter; and this is the -whole truth of the matter. - -Giafar could not enough admire, how the roguery of a slave had been -the cause of an innocent woman’s death, and almost of his own. He -carried the slave along with him; and when he came before the -caliph, he gave that prince an exact account of all that the slave -had told him, and the chance that had brought him to the discovery -of his crime. - -Never was any surprise so great as that of the caliph, yet he could -not prevent himself from falling into excessive fits of laughter. At -last, he recovered himself, and with a serious mien, told the -vizier, that since his slave had been the occasion of a strange -accident, he deserved an exemplary punishment. Sir, I must own it, -said the vizier, but his guilt is not irremissible. I remember a -strange story of a vizier of Cairo, called Nourreddin Ali, [57] and -Bedreddin Hassan, [58] of Balsora; and since your majesty delights -to hear such things, I am ready to tell it, upon condition, that if -your majesty finds it more astonishing than that which gives me -occasion to tell it, you will be pleased to pardon my slave. I am -content, said the caliph; but you undertake a hard task, for I do -not believe you can save your slave, the story of the apples being -so very singular. Upon this, Giafar began his story thus: - - - - -The Story of Nourreddin Ali and Bedreddin Hassan. - - -Commander of the faithful, there was in former days a sultan of -Egypt, a strict observer of justice, gracious, merciful, and -liberal; and his valour made him terrible to his neighbours. He -loved the poor, and protected the learned, whom he advanced to the -highest dignities. This sultan had a vizier, who was prudent, wise, -sagacious, and well versed in other sciences. This minister had two -sons, very handsome men, and who, in every thing, followed his own -footsteps. The eldest was called Schemseddin [59] Mohammed, and the -younger Nourreddin Ali. The last especially was endowed with all the -good qualities that any man could possess. - -The vizier, their father, being dead, the sultan sent for them; and -after he had caused them both to put on the usual robes of a vizier, -I am as sorry, said he, for the loss of your father as you -yourselves; and because I know you live together, and love one -another entirely, I will bestow his dignity upon you conjunctly. Go, -and imitate your father’s conduct. - -The two new viziers humbly thanked the sultan, and went home to -their house, to make due preparation for their father’s interment. -They did not go abroad for a month, and then went to court, where -they appeared continually on council days. When the sultan went out -a hunting, one of the brothers went along with him, and this honour -they had by turns. One evening, as they were talking after supper, -the next day being the elder brother’s turn to go a hunting with -the sultan, he said to his younger brother, Since neither of us is -yet married, and we live so lovingly together, a thought is come -into my head: let us both marry in one day, and let us choose two -sisters out of some family that may suit our quality; --what do you -think of this fancy? I must tell you, brother, answered Nourreddin -Ali, that it is very suitable to our friendship --there cannot be a -better thought; for my part, I am ready to agree to any thing you -should think fit. But hold, this is not all, said Schemseddin -Mohammed; my fancy carries me farther: suppose both our wives should -conceive the first night of our marriage, and should happen to be -brought to bed on one day, yours of a son, and mine of a daughter ---we will give them to one another in marriage, when they come to -age. Nay, said Nourreddin Ali, aloud, I must acknowledge that this -prospect is admirable; such a marriage will perfect our union, and I -willingly consent to it. But then, brother, said he farther, if this -marriage should happen, would you expect that my son should settle a -jointure on your daughter? There is no difficulty in that, replied -the other; for I am persuaded, that besides the usual articles of -the marriage contract, you will not fail to promise, in his name, at -least three thousand sequins, three good manors, and three slaves. -No, said the younger, I will not consent to that: are we not -brethren, and equal in title and dignity? Do not you and I both know -what is just? The male being nobler than the female, it is your part -to give a large dowry with your daughter. By what I perceive, you -are a man that would have your business done at another man’s -charge. - -Although Nourreddin Ali spoke these words in jest, his brother, -being of an ill-temper, was offended at it, and falling into a -passion, A mischief upon your son, said he, since you prefer him -before my daughter! I wonder you had so much confidence as to -believe him worthy of her; --you must needs have lost your judgment -to think you are my equal, and say we are colleagues. --I would have -you to know, you fool, that since you are so impudent, I would not -marry my daughter to your son, though you would give him more than -you are worth. This pleasant quarrel between two brothers about the -marriage of their children before they were born, went so far, that -Schemseddin Mohammed concluded with threatening: Were I not -to-morrow, said he, to attend the sultan, I would treat you -according as you deserve; but at my return, I shall make you -sensible that it does not become a younger brother to speak so -insolently to his elder brother, as you have done to me. Upon this, -he retired to his apartment, and his brother went to bed. - -Schemseddin Mohammed rose very early next morning, and goes to the -palace to attend the sultan, who went to hunt about Cairo, near the -pyramids. As for Nourreddin Ali, he was very uneasy all the night; -and, considering that it would not be possible for him to live -longer with a brother, who treated him with so much haughtiness, he -provided a good mule, furnished himself with money, jewels, -provisions and victuals, and having told his people that he was -going on a private journey for two or three days, he departed. - -When he was out of Cairo, he rode by the desert towards Arabia; but -his mule happening to tire by the way, he was forced to continue his -journey on foot. A courier that was going to Balsora, by good -fortune, overtaking him, took him up behind him. As soon as the -courier came to Balsora, Nourreddin Ali alighted, and returned him -thanks for his kindness. As he went about to seek for a lodging, he -saw a person of quality, with a great retinue, coming along, to whom -all the people showed the greatest respect, and stood still till he -passed by; Nourreddin Ali stopt among the rest. This was the grand -vizier to the sultan of Balsora, who walked through the city to see -that the inhabitants kept good order and discipline. - -This minister casting his eyes by chance on Nourreddin Ali, found -something extraordinary in his aspect, looked very attentively upon -him, and as he came near him, and saw him in a traveller’s habit, -he stood still, asked him who he was, and from whence he came. Sir, -said Nourreddin Ali, I am an Egyptian, born at Cairo, and have left -my country because of the unkindness of a near relation, and am -resolved to travel through the world, and rather to die than to -return home again. The grand vizier, who was a reverend old -gentleman, after hearing these words, said to him, Son, beware; do -not pursue your design; there is nothing but misery in the world; -you are not sensible of the hardships you must endure: come, follow -me; I may perhaps make you forget the thing that has forced you to -leave your own country. - -Nourreddin Ali followed the grand vizier who soon perceived his good -qualities, and fell so much in love with him, that one day he said -to him in private, My son, I am, as you see, so far gone in years, -that there is no likelihood I shall live much longer. Heaven has -bestowed only one daughter upon me, who is as beautiful as you are -handsome, and now fit for marriage. Several people of the greatest -quality at this court have desired her for their sons, but I could -not grant their request. I have a love for you, and think you so -worthy to be received into my family, that, preferring you before -all those that have sought her, I am ready to accept you for my -son-in-law. If you like the proposal, I will acquaint the sultan my -master that I have adopted you by this marriage, and I will pray him -to grant you the reversion of my dignity of grand vizier in the -kingdom of Balsora. In the mean time nothing being more requisite -for me than ease in my old age, I will not only put you in -possession of my estate, but leave the administration of public -affairs to your management. - -When the grand vizier had made an end of this kind and generous -proposal, Nourreddin Ali fell at his feet, and expressing himself in -terms that demonstrated his joy and gratitude, told the vizier that -he was at his command in every thing. Upon this the vizier sent for -his chief domestics, ordered them to furnish the great hall of his -palace, and prepare a great feast: he afterwards sent to invite the -nobility of the court and city to honour him with their company; and -when they were all met, (Nourreddin Ali having now told him who he -was,) he said to those lords, for he thought it proper to speak thus -on purpose to satisfy such of them to whom he had refused his -alliance, --I am now, my lords, to discover a thing to you which -hitherto I have kept secret. I have a brother, who is grand vizier -to the sultan of Egypt, as I am to the sultan of this kingdom. This -brother has but one son, whom he would not marry in the court of -Egypt, but sent him hither to marry my daughter, that both our -branches may be re-united. His son, whom I knew to be my nephew as -soon as I saw him, is the young gentleman I here present to you, and -is to be my son-in-law. I hope you will do me the honour to be -present at this wedding, which I am resolved to celebrate this day. -The noblemen, who could not take it ill that he preferred his nephew -before all the great matches that had been proposed to him, said -that he had very good reason for what he did, were willing to be -witnesses to the ceremony, and wished that God might prolong his -days to enjoy the satisfaction of the happy match. - -The lords met at the vizier of Balsora’s house, having testified -their satisfaction at the marriage of his daughter with Nourreddin -Ali, sat down to dinner, which lasted a long while; and the latter -course was sweetmeats, of which every one, according to custom, took -what they thought fit. The notaries came in with the marriage -contract, the chief lords signed it, and when the company departed, -the grand vizier ordered his servants to prepare a bath, and had -every thing in readiness for Nourreddin Ali to bathe. He had fine -new linen, and every thing else provided for him in the most curious -manner. When he had washed and dried himself, he was going to put on -his former apparel, but had an extraordinary rich suit brought him. -Being dressed and perfumed with the most odoriferous essences, he -went to see the grand vizier, his father-in-law, who was exceedingly -well pleased with his genteel mien; and having made him sit down, My -son, said he, you have declared unto me who you are, and the quality -you had at the court of Egypt. You have also told me of a difference -betwixt you and your brother, which occasioned you to leave your -country. I desire you to make me your entire confidant, and to -acquaint me with the cause of your quarrel; for now you have no -reason either to doubt me, or to conceal any thing from me. - -Nourreddin Ali gave him an account of every circumstance of the -quarrel; at which the vizier burst out into a fit of laughter, and -said, This is one of the oddest things that I ever have heard: is it -possible, my son, that your quarrel should rise so high about an -imaginary marriage? I am sorry you fell out with your elder brother -upon such a frivolous matter; but I find he is in the wrong to be -angry at what you only spoke in jest, and I ought to thank Heaven -for that difference which has procured me such a son-in-law. But, -said the old gentleman, it is late, and time for you to retire; go -to your bride, my son, she expects you; to-morrow I will present you -to the sultan, and hope he will receive you in such a manner as -shall satisfy us both. - -Nourreddin Ali took leave of his father-in-law, and went to his -spouse’s apartment. It is remarkable, continued Giafar, that -Schemseddin Mohammed happened also to marry at Cairo the very same -day that this marriage was solemnized at Balsora, the particulars of -which are as fellow: - -After Nourreddin Ali left Cairo, with an intention never to return, -Schemseddin Mohammed, his elder brother, who was gone a hunting with -the sultan of Egypt, did not come back in a month; for the sultan -loved that game extremely, and therefore continued the sport all -that while. Schemseddin at his return ran to Nourreddin Ali’s -apartment, but was much surprised when he understood, that under -pretence of taking a journey of two or three days, he went away on a -mule the same day that the sultan went a hunting, and had never -appeared since. It vexed him so much the more, because he did not -doubt but the hard words he had given him were the cause of his -going away. He sent a messenger in search of him, who went to -Damascus, and as far as Aleppo, but Nourreddin was then at Balsora. -When the courier returned, and brought word that he heard no news of -him, Schemseddin Mohammed intended to make further inquiry after him -in other parts, and in the mean time had a fancy to marry, and -matched with the daughter of one of the greatest lords in Cairo, -upon the same day his brother married the daughter of the grand -vizier of Balsora. - -But this is not all, said Giafar: at the end of nine months -Schemseddin Mohammed’s wife was brought to bed of a daughter at -Cairo, and on the same day Nourreddin’s wife brought forth a son -at Balsora, who was called Bedreddin Hassan. - -The grand vizier of Balsora testified his joy by great gifts and -public entertainments for the birth of his grandson: and to show his -son-in-law the great esteem he had for him, he went to the palace, -and most humbly besought the sultan to grant Nourreddin Ali his -office, that he might have the comfort before his death to see his -son-in-law made grand vizier in his stead. - -The sultan, who had taken a great liking to Nourreddin, when his -father presented him after his marriage, and had ever since heard -every body speak well of him, readily granted his father-in-law’s -request, and caused Nourreddin immediately to put on the robe of -grand vizier. - -The next day, when the father saw his son-in-law preside in council, -as he himself had done, and perform all the offices of grand vizier, -his joy was complete. Nourreddin Ali behaved himself so well in -every thing, that one would have thought he had been all his -lifetime employed in such affairs. He continued afterwards to assist -in council every time when the infirmities of age would not permit -his father-in-law to appear. - -The old gentleman died about four years after, with great -satisfaction to see a branch of his family that promised so fair to -support the grandeur of it. - -Nourreddin Ali performed his last duty to him with all possible love -and gratitude. And as soon as his son Bedreddin Hassan had attained -to the age of seven years, he provided him a most excellent tutor, -who taught him such things as became his birth. The child had a -ready wit, and a genius capable of receiving all the good -instructions that could be given. - -After Bedreddin Hassan had been two years under the tuition of his -master, who taught him perfectly to read, he learnt the Koran by -heart. His father, Nourreddin Ali, put him afterwards to other -tutors, by whom his mind was cultivated to such a degree, that when -he was twelve years of age he had no more occasion for them; and -then, as his physiognomy promised wonders, he was admired by all -that looked upon him. - -Hitherto, Nourreddin Ali had kept him to his study, and had not yet -brought him in public; but now he carried him to the palace, on -purpose to have the honour of kissing the sultan’s hand, who -received him very graciously. The people that saw him in the streets -were charmed with his gentle mien, and gave him a thousand blessings. - -His father proposing to make him capable of supplying his place, -spared no cost for that end, and brought him up to business of the -greatest moment, on purpose to qualify him betimes. In short, he -omitted nothing to advance a son he loved so well. But as he began -to enjoy the fruits of his labour, he was all of a sudden taken with -a violent fit of sickness; and finding himself past recovery, -disposed himself to die a good mussulman. - -In that last and precious moment he forgot not his son Bedreddin, -but called for him, and said, My son, you see this world is -transitory; there is nothing durable but in that which I shall -speedily go to. You must therefore from henceforth begin to fit -yourself for this charge, as I have done; you must prepare for it -without murmuring, and so as to have no trouble of conscience for -not acting the part of a real honest man. As for your religion, you -are sufficiently instructed in it by what you have learnt from your -tutors and your own study; and as to what belongs to an honest man, -I shall give you some instructions, which I hope you will make good -use of. As it is a necessary thing to know one’s self, and that -you cannot come to that knowledge without you first understand who I -am, I shall now tell it you. - -I am, said he, a native of Egypt; my father, your grandfather, was -first minister to the sultan of that kingdom. I myself had the -honour to be vizier to that same sultan, and so has my brother, your -uncle, who I suppose is yet alive; his name is Schemseddin Mohammed. -I was obliged to leave him, and come into this country, where I have -raised myself to the high dignity I now enjoy. But you will -understand all these matters more fully by a manuscript that I shall -give you. - -At the same time Nourreddin Ali pulled out his pocket-book, which he -had written with his own hand, and carried always about him, and -giving it to Bedreddin Hassan, Take it, said he, and read it at your -leisure; you will find, among other things, the day of my marriage, -and that of your birth; these are such circumstances as perhaps you -may hereafter have occasion to know, therefore you must keep it very -carefully. - -Bedreddin Hassan being most afflicted to see his father in that -condition, and sensibly touched with this discourse, could not but -weep when he received the pocket-book, and promised at the same time -never to part with it. - -That very moment Nourreddin Ali fainted, so that it was thought he -would have expired; but he came to himself again, and uttered these -words: - -My son, said he, the first instruction I give you is, not to make -yourself familiar with all sorts of people. The way to live happy is -to keep your mind to yourself, and not to tell your thoughts easily. - -Secondly, Not to do violence to any body whatever; for in that case -you will draw every body’s hatred upon you. You ought to consider -the world as a creditor, to whom you owe moderation, compassion, and -forbearance. - -Thirdly, Not to say a word when you are reproached: for, as the -proverb says, He that keeps silence is out of danger. And in this -case particularly you ought to practise it. You also know what one -of our poets says upon this subject, That silence is the ornament -and safeguard of life; That our speech ought not to be like a storm -of rain that spoils all. Never did any man yet repent of having -spoken too little, whereas many have been sorry that they spoke so -much. - -Fourthly, To drink no wine, for that is the source of all vices. - -Fifthly, To be frugal in your way of living: if you do not squander -your estate away, it will maintain you in time of necessity. I do -not mean you should be either too liberal or too niggardly; for -though you have never so little, if you husband it well, and lay it -out on proper occasions, you shall have many friends; but if, on the -contrary, you have great riches, and make but a bad use of them, all -the world will forsake you, and leave you to yourself. - -In short, Nourreddin Ali continued till the last moment of his -breath to give good advice to his son; and when he was dead, he was -magnificently interred with all the honours due to his quality. -Bedreddin Hassan, of Balsora, for so he was called, because born in -that town, was so overwhelmed with grief for the death of his -father, that instead of a month’s time to mourn, according to -custom, he kept himself close shut up in tears and solitude about -two months, without seeing any body, or so much as going abroad to -pay his duty to the sultan of Balsora; who, being displeased at his -neglect, looked upon it as a slight put on his court and person, -suffered his passion to prevail, and in his fury, called for the new -grand vizier, (for he had created a new one as soon as Nourreddin -Ali died,) commanded him to go to the house of the deceased, and -seize upon it, with all his other houses, lands, and effects, -without leaving any thing for Bedreddin Hassan, and to bring him -prisoner along with him. - -The new grand vizier, accompanied with a great many messengers -belonging to the palace, justices, and other officers, went -immediately to execute his commission. But one of Bedreddin -Hassan’s slaves happening accidentally to come into the crowd, no -sooner understood the vizier’s errand, but he ran before in all -haste to give his master warning. He found him sitting in the porch -of his house, as melancholy as if his father had been but newly -dead. He fell down at his feet out of breath, and after he had -kissed the hem of his garment, cried out, My lord, save yourself -immediately. Bedreddin Hassan, lifting up his head, What is the -matter? what news dost thou bring? --My lord, said he, there is no -time to be lost; the sultan is horribly incensed against you, and he -has sent people to take all you have, and also to seize your person. - -The words of this faithful and affectionate slave put Bedreddin -Hassan into great confusion. May not I have so much time, said he, -as to take some money and jewels along with me? --No, sir, replied -the slave; the grand vizier will be here this moment: begone -immediately; save yourself. Bedreddin Hassan rose up from his sofa -in all haste, put his feet in his sandals, and after he had covered -his head with the tail of his gown, that his face might not be -known, he fled, without knowing what way to go, to avoid the -impending danger. - -The first thought that came into his head was to get out of the next -gate with all speed. He ran without stopping till he came to the -public burying-ground, and since it was growing dark, he resolved to -pass that night on his father’s tomb. It was a large edifice, in -form of a dome, which Noureddin Ali built when he was alive. -Bedreddin met a very rich Jew by the way, who was a banker and -merchant, and was returning from a place where his affairs had -called him to the city. - -Isaac, the Jew, after he had paid his respects to Bedreddin Hassan, -by kissing his hand, said, My lord, dare I be so bold as to ask -whither you are going at this time of night all alone, and so much -troubled? Has any thing disquieted you? --Yes, said Bedreddin; a -while ago I was asleep, and my father appeared to me in a dream, -looking very fiercely upon me, as if he were extraordinarily angry. -I started out of my sleep very much frightened, and came out -immediately to go and pray upon his tomb. - -My lord, said the Jew (who did not know the true reason why -Bedreddin left the town,) your father of happy memory, and my good -lord, had store of merchandize in several vessels, which are yet at -sea, and belong to you; I beg the favour of you to grant me the -first refusal of them before any other merchant I am able to pay -down ready money for all the goods that are in your ships: and to -begin, if you will give me those that happen to come in the first -ship that arrives in safety, I will pay you down in part of payment -a thousand sequins. And drawing out a bag from under his gown, he -showed it him, sealed up with one seal. - -Bedreddin Hassan being banished from home, and dispossessed of all -that he had in the world, looked upon this proposal of the Jew as a -favour from heaven, and therefore accepted it with a great deal of -joy. My lord, said the Jew, then you sell unto me, for a thousand -sequins, the lading of the first of your ships that shall arrive in -port. --Yes, answered Bedreddin, I sell it you for a thousand -sequins; it is done. Upon this the Jew delivered him the bag of a -thousand sequins, and offered to count them, but Bedreddin Hassan -saved him the trouble, and said he would trust his word. Since it is -so, my lord, said he, be pleased to favour me with a small note in -writing of the bargain we have made. And having said this, he pulled -the inkhorn from his girdle, and taking a small reed out of it -neatly cut for writing, he presented it to him, with a piece of -paper he took out of his letter-case; and whilst he held the -inkhorn, Bedreddin Hassan wrote these words: - -“This writing is to testify, that Bedreddin Hassan of Balsora has -sold to Isaac the Jew, for the sum of one thousand sequins, received -in hand, the lading of the first of his ships that shall arrive in -this port. - - “Bedreddin Hassan of Balsora.” - -This note he delivered to the Jew, who put it in his letter-case, -and then took his leave of him. - -While Isaac pursued his journey to the city, Bedreddin Hassan made -the best of his way to his father Nourreddin Ali’s tomb. When he -came to it, he bowed his face to the ground, and, with his eyes full -of tears, deplored his miserable condition. Alas! said he, -unfortunate Bedreddin, what will become of thee? Whither canst thou -fly for refuge against the unjust prince that persecutes thee? Was -it not enough to be afflicted for the death of so dear a father? -Must fortune needs add new misfortunes to just complaints? He -continued a long time in this posture, but at last rose up again, -and leaning his head upon his father’s sepulchre, his sorrows -returned more violently than before; so that he sighed and mourned, -till, overcome with heaviness, he stretched himself all along upon -the floor, and fell asleep. - -He had not slept long, when a genie, who had retired to that -cemetery during the day, and was intending, according to his custom, -to range about the world at night, espying this young man in -Nourreddin Ali’s tomb, he entered, and finding Bedreddin lying on -his back, was surprised at his beauty. When the genie had -attentively considered Bedreddin Hassan, he said to himself, To -judge of this creature by his good mien, he would seem to be an -angel of the terrestrial paradise, whom God has sent to put the -world in a flame with his beauty. At last after he had satisfied -himself with looking upon him, he took a flight into the air, where -meeting by chance with a fairy, they saluted one another; after -which, he said to her, Pray descend with me into the cemetery, where -I stay, and I will show you a prodigious beauty, which is worthy -your admiration as well as mine. The fairy consented, and both -descended; in an instant they came into the tomb. Look ye, said the -genie to the fairy, showing her Bedreddin Hassan, did you ever see a -young man of a better shape, and more beautiful than this? - -The fairy having attentively observed Bedreddin, returned to the -genie: I must confess, said she, that he is a very handsome man; but -I just now came from seeing an object at Cairo, more admirable than -this, and if you will hear me, I will tell you a strange story -concerning her. You will very much oblige me in so doing, answered -the genie. You must know then, said the fairy, (for I will tell it -you at length), that the sultan of Egypt has a vizier called -Schemseddin Mohammed, who has a daughter of about twenty years of -age, the most beautiful and complete person that ever was known. The -sultan having heard of this young lady’s beauty, sent the other -day for her father, and told him, I understand you have a daughter -to marry; I have a mind to marry her: will not you consent to it? -The vizier, who did not expect this proposal, was troubled at it; -and instead of accepting it joyfully, which another in his place -would certainly have done, he answered the sultan, May it please -your majesty, I am not worthy of the honour you confer upon me, and -I most humbly beseech you to pardon me, if I do not agree to your -request. You know I had a brother called Nourreddin Ali, who had the -honour, as well as myself, to be one of your viziers: we had some -difference together, which was the cause of his leaving me on a -sudden, and since that time I have had no account of him till within -these four days, that I heard he died at Balsora, being grand vizier -to the sultan of that kingdom. - -He has left a son behind him, and there having been an agreement -between us to match our children together, if ever we had any, I am -persuaded he intended that match when he died, and being desirous to -fulfil the promise on my part, I conjure your majesty to grant me -leave. You have in your court many other lords who have daughters as -well as I, on whom you may please to bestow that honour. - -The sultan of Egypt, provoked at this bold denial of Schemseddin -Mohammed, said to him in a passion, which he could not restrain, Is -this the way you requite my proposal to stoop so low as to desire -your alliance? I know how to revenge your daring to prefer another -to me, and I swear that your daughter shall be married to the most -contemptible and ugly of all my slaves; and having spoken those -words, he angrily bid the vizier begone, who went home to his house -full of confusion, and extraordinarily sad. - -This very day, the sultan sent for one of his grooms who is -hump-backed, big-bellied, crook-legged, and as ugly as a hobgoblin; -and after having commanded Schemseddin Mohammed to consent to marry -his daughter to this ghastly slave, he caused the contract to be -made and signed by witnesses in his own presence. The preparations -for this fantastical wedding are all ready, and this very moment all -the slaves belonging to the lords of the court of Egypt are waiting -at the door of a bath, each with a flambeau in his hand, for the -crook-backed groom, who is bathing himself, to go along with them to -his bride, who is already dressed to receive him; and when I -departed from Cairo, the ladies met for that purpose were going to -conduct her in her nuptial attire to the hall, where she is to -receive her hump-backed bridegroom, and is this minute now expecting -him. I have seen her, and do assure you, that no person can look -upon her without admiration. - -When the fairy left off speaking, the genie said to her, Whatever -you think or say, I cannot be persuaded that the girl’s beauty -exceeds that of this young man. I will not dispute it with you, -answered the fairy; for I must confess he deserves to be married to -that charming creature which they design for hump-back. And I think -it were a deed worthy of us to obstruct the sultan of Egypt’s -injustice, and to put this young gentleman in the room of the slave. ---You are in the right, answered the genie; I am extremely obliged -to you for so good a thought, let us deceive him. I consent to your -revenge upon the sultan of Egypt; let us comfort a distressed -father, and make his daughter as happy as she thinks herself -miserable. I will no my utmost endeavour to make this project -succeed, and I am persuaded you will not be backward. I will be at -the pains to carry him to Cairo before he awake, and afterwards -leave it to your care to carry him elsewhere, when we have -accomplished our design. - -The fairy and the genie having thus concerted what they had to do, -the genie lifted up Bedreddin Hassan gently, and with an -inconceivable swiftness carried him through the air, and set him -down at the door of a public house, next to the bath, whence -hump-back was to come with the train of slaves that waited for him. -Bedreddin Hassan awaked that very moment, and was mightily surprised -to find himself in the middle of a city he knew not. He was going to -cry out, and to ask where he was; but the genie touched him gently -on the shoulder, and forbid him to speak a word. Then he put a torch -in his hand, and bid him go and mix with the crowd at the door of -the bath --follow them till you come into a hall, where they are -going to celebrate a marriage. The bridegroom is a hump-backed -fellow, and by that you will easily know him. Put yourself at the -right hand as you go in, and then immediately open the purse of -sequins you have in your bosom, and distribute them among the -musicians and dancers as they go along; and when you are got into -the hall, give money also to the female slaves you see about the -bride, when they come near you; but every time you put your hand in -your purse, be sure to take out a whole handful, and do not spare -them. Observe to do every thing exactly as I have told you, with -great presence of mind; be not afraid of any person or thing, and -leave the rest to a superior power, who will order matters as he -thinks fit. - -Young Bedreddin being well instructed in all that he was to do, -advanced towards the door of the bath; the first thing he did was to -light his torch as that of a slave; and then mixing among them as if -he belonged to some nobleman of Cairo, he marched along as they did, -and followed hump-back, who came out of the bath, and mounted a -horse out of the sultan’s own stable. - -Bedreddin Hassan coming near to the musicians, and men and women -dancers, who went just before the bridegroom, pulled out time after -time whole handfuls of sequins, which he distributed among them; and -as he thus gave his money with an unparalleled grace and engaging -mien, all who received it cast their eyes upon him; and after they -had a full view of his face, they found him so handsome and comely, -that they could not look off again. - -At last they came to Schemseddin Mohammed’s gate, who was -Bedreddin Hassan’s uncle, and little thought his nephew was so -near. The doorkeepers, to prevent any disorder, kept back all the -slaves that carried torches, and would not let them come in. -Bedreddin was likewise refused; but the musicians, who had free -entrance, stood still, and protested they would not go in, if they -hindered him from going along with them. He is not one of the -slaves, said they: look upon him, and you will soon be satisfied as -to that. He is certainly a young stranger who is curious to see the -ceremonies observed at weddings in this city; and saying thus, they -put him in the midst of them, and carried him in, whether the -porters would or no; they took his torch out of his hand, and gave -it to the first they met: having brought him into the hall, they -placed him at the right hand of the hump-backed bridegroom, who sat -near the vizier’s daughter on a throne most richly adorned. - -She appeared very lovely in all her dresses, but in her face there -was nothing to be seen but vexation and mortal grief. The cause of -this was easy to be guessed at, when she had by her side a -bridegroom so very deformed; and so unworthy of her love. The throne -of that ill matched couple was in the midst of a sofa. The ladies of -the emirs, viziers, and those of the sultan’s bedchamber, and -several other ladies of the court and city, were placed on each -side, a little lower, every one according to their quality, and all -of them so finely and richly dressed, that it was one of the -pleasantest sights that could be seen, each of them holding a large -wax taper in their hand. - -When they saw Bedreddin Hassan come into the room, they all fixed -their eyes upon him, and admiring his shape, his behaviour, and the -beauty of his face, they could not forbear looking upon him. When he -was set down, every one left their seats and came near to him to -have a full view of his face, and almost all of them, as they turned -to their seats, found themselves moved with tender passion. - -The disparity between Bedreddin Hassan and the hump-backed groom, -who made such a horrible figure, occasioned a great murmuring among -the company, insomuch that the ladies cried out, We must give our -bride to this handsome young gentleman, and not to this ugly -hump-back. Nor did they rest here, but uttered imprecations against -the sultan, who, abusing his absolute power, would unite ugliness -and beauty together. They did also upbraid the bridegroom, so as -they put him quite out of countenance, to the great satisfaction of -the spectators, whose shouts for some time put a stop to the concert -of music in the hall. At last, the musicians began again, and the -women who had dressed the bride came all about her. - -At the sound of the instruments, the bride changed her dress seven -different times, and each time that she did so, she rose up from her -seat, followed by her bride-woman, and passed by hump-back, without -giving him one look, and went towards Bedreddin Hassan, before whom -she presented herself in her new attire. On this occasion, -Bedreddin, according to the instructions given him by the genie, -failed not to put his hands in his purse, and pulled out handfuls of -sequins, which he distributed among the women that followed the -bride. Nor did he forget the players and dancers, but also threw -money to them. It was pleasant to see how they pushed one another to -gather it up. They showed themselves very thankful, and made him -signs that the young bride should be for him, and not for the -hump-back fellow. The women that attended her, told her the same -thing, and did not value whether the groom heard them or not; for -they put a thousand tricks upon him, which very much pleased the -spectators. - -When the ceremony of changing habits was passed, the music ceased -and went away, but made a sign to Bedreddin Hassan to stay behind. -The ladies did the same, and went all home, but those that belonged -to the house. The bride went into a closet, whither her woman -followed to undress her, and none remained in the hall but the -hump-back groom, Bedreddin Hassan, and some of the domestics. - -Hump-back, who was furiously mad at Bedreddin, suspecting him to be -his rival, gave him a cross look, and said, And thou, what dost thou -wait for? Why art thou not gone as well as the rest? Begone. -Bedreddin having no pretence to stay, withdrew, not knowing what to -do with himself. But he was not gone out of the porch, when the -genie and the fairy met and stopped him. Whither are you going? said -the fairy; stay, for hump-back is not in the hall, he is gone out -about some business; you have nothing to do but return, and -introduce yourself into the bride’s chamber. As soon as you are -alone with her, tell her boldly that you are her husband, that the -sultan’s intention was only to make sport with the groom; and to -make this pretended bridegroom some amends, you had caused to be -prepared for him in the stable, a good dish of cream. And then tell -her all the fine things you can think on to persuade her; for being -so handsome as you are, little persuasion will do; she will think -herself happy in being deceived so agreeably. In the mean time, we -will take care that the hump-back shall not return, and let nothing -hinder you from passing the night with your bride, for she is yours, -and none of his. - -While the fairy thus encouraged Bedreddin, and instructed him how he -should behave himself, hump-back was really gone out of the room: -for the genie went to him in the shape of a great cat mewing at a -most fearful rate. The fellow called to the cat, he clapped his -hands to make her flee; but instead of that the cat stood upon her -hinder feet, staring with her eyes like fire, looking fiercely at -him, mewing louder than she did at first, and growing bigger till -she was as large as an ass. At this sight, hump-back would have -cried out for help, but his fear was so great, that he stood gaping, -and could not utter one word; and that he might have no time to -recover, the genie changed himself immediately into a large buffalo, -and in this shape, called to him with a voice that redoubled his -fear, Thou hump-backed villain! At these words, the affrighted groom -cast himself upon the ground, and covering his face with his gown, -that he might not see this dreadful beast, Sovereign prince of -buffaloes, said he, what is it you want of me? --Wo be to thee, -replied the genie; hast thou the boldness to venture to marry my -mistress? O my lord, said hump-back, I pray you to pardon me; if I -am guilty, it is through ignorance; I did not know that this lady -had a buffalo to her sweetheart; command me in any thing you please, -I give you my oath that I am ready to obey you. --By death, replied -the genie, if thou goest out from hence, or speakest a word till the -sun rises, I will crush thy head to pieces; but then I give thee -leave to go from hence: I warn thee to make despatch, and not to -look back, but if thou hast the imprudence to return, it shall cost -thee thy life. When the genie had done speaking, he transformed -himself into the shape of a man, took hump-back by the legs, and -after having set him against the wall, with his head downwards, if -thou stir, said he, before the sun rise, as I have told thee -already, I will take thee by the heels again, and dash thy head in a -thousand pieces against the wall. - -To return to Bedreddin Hassan, who being prompted by the genie and -the presence of the fairy, got into the hall again, from whence he -slipt into the bride-chamber, where he sat down, expecting the -success of his adventure. After a while, the bride arrived, -conducted by an old matron, who came no farther than the door, -exhorting the bridegroom to do his duty like a man, without looking -in to see if it was hump-back or another, and then locked the door, -and retired. - -The young bride was mightily surprised, instead of hump-back, to -find Bedreddin Hassan, who came up to her with the best grace in the -world. What! my dear friend, said she, by your being here at this -time of night, you must be my husband’s comrade? --No, madam, said -Bedreddin, I am of another sort of quality than that ugly hump-back. -But, said she, you do not consider that you speak degradingly of my -husband. --He your husband, madam! replied he; can you retain those -thoughts so long? Be convinced of your mistake, madam, for so much -beauty must never be sacrificed to the most contemptible of all -mankind. It is I, madam, that am the happy mortal for whom it is -reserved. The sultan had a mind to make himself merry by putting -this trick upon the vizier your father, but he chose me to be your -real husband. You might have observed how the ladies, the musicians, -the dancers, your women, and all the servants of your family, were -pleased with this comedy. We have sent that hump-backed fellow to -his stable again, where he is just now eating a dish of cream; and -you may rest assured that he will never appear any more before your -eyes. - -At this discourse, the vizier’s daughter, who was more like one -dead than alive when she came into the bride-chamber, put on a gay -air, which made her so handsome that Bedreddin was perfectly charmed -with her. - -I did not expect, said she, to meet with so pleasing a surprise; and -I had condemned myself to live unhappily all my days. But my good -fortune is so much the greater that I possess in you a man that is -worthy of my tenderest affection. - -Having spoken thus, she undressed herself and stept into bed. -Bedreddin Hassan, overjoyed to see himself possessor of so many -charms, made haste to follow her, and laid his clothes upon a chair, -with the bag that he got from the Jew; which, notwithstanding all -the money he had pulled out, was still full. He likewise laid off -his turban, and put on a night-cap that had been ordained for -hump-back, and so went to bed in his shirt and drawers. [60] His -drawers were of blue satin, tied with a lace of gold. - -Whilst the two lovers were asleep, the genie, who had met again with -the fairy, told her that it was high time to finish what was begun, -and so successfully carried on hitherto: then let us not be -overtaken by daylight, which will soon appear; go you and bring off -the young man again without awaking him. - -The fairy went into the bed-chamber where the two lovers were fast -asleep, and took up Bedreddin Hassan just as he was, that is to say, -in his shirt and drawers; and in company with the genie, with a -wonderful swiftness flew away with him to the gates of Damascus, in -Syria, where they arrived just at the time when the officers of the -mosques, appointed for that end, were calling the people to come to -prayers at break of day. The fairy laid Bedreddin Hassan softly on -the ground, and leaving him close by the gate, departed with the -genie. - -The gate of the city being opened, and a great many people assembled -to get out, they were mightly surprised to see Bedreddin Hassan -lying in his shirt and drawers upon the ground. One said, He has -been hard put to it to get away from his mistress, that he could not -get time to put on his clothes. --Look ye, said another, how people -expose themselves: sure enough he has spent most part of the night -in drinking with his friends, till he has got drunk; and then, -perhaps, having occasion to go out, instead of returning, is come -this length, and not having his senses about him, was overtaken with -sleep. Others were of another opinion; but nobody could guess what -had been the occasion of his coming thither. - -A small puff of wind happening to blow at the same time, uncovered -his breast, that was whiter than snow. Every one being struck with -admiration at the fineness of his complexion, they spoke so loud -that it awaked the young man. - -His surprise was as great as theirs, when he found himself at the -gate of a city where he had never been before, and encompassed by a -crowd of people gazing at him. Gentlemen, said he, for God’s sake -tell me where I am, and what you would have of me? One of the crowd -spoke to him, saying, Young man, the gates of the city were just now -opened, and as we came out we found you lying here in this -condition, and stood still to look on you: Have you lain here all -night? and do not you know that you are at one of the gates of -Damascus? --At one of the gates of Damascus! answered Bedreddin; -sure you mock me. When I lay down to sleep last night I was at -Cairo. When he said these words, some of the people, moved with -compassion for him, said, It is pity that such a handsome young man -should have lost his senses! and so went away. - -My son, said an old gentleman to him, you know not what you say. How -is it possible that you, being this morning at Damascus, could be -last night at Cairo? --It is true, for all that, said Bedreddin; for -I swear to you, that I was all day yesterday at Balsora. He had no -sooner said these words, but all the people fell into a fit of -laughter, and cried out, He’s a fool, he’s a madman. There were -some, however, that pitied him because of his youth; and one among -the company said to him, My son, you must certainly be crazed; you -do not consider what you say. Is it possible that a man could -yesterday be at Balsora, the same night at Cairo, and next morning -at Damascus? Sure you are asleep still: come, rouse up your spirits. ---What I say, answered Bedreddin Hassan, is so true, that last night -I was married in the city of Cairo. All those that laughed before -could not forbear laughing again, when he said so. Call yourself to -mind, said the same person that spoke before; you have sure enough -dreamt all this, and that fancy still possesses your brain. --I am -sensible of what I say, answered the young man. Pray can you tell me -how it was possible for me to go in a dream to Cairo, where I am -very certain I was in person, and where my bride was seven times -brought before me, each time dressed in a different habit: and where -I saw an ugly hump-backed follow, to whom they intended to give her? -Besides, I want to know what is become of my gown, my turban, and -the bag of sequins I had at Cairo. - -Though he assured them that all these things were matter of fact, -yet they could not forbear to laugh at him; which put him into such -confusion, that he knew not what to think of all those adventures. - -After Bedreddin Hassan had confidently affirmed all that he said to -be true, he rose up to go into the town, and every one that followed -him called out, A madman, a fool. Upon this some looked out at their -windows, some came to their doors, and others joined with those that -were about him, calling out as they did, A madman; but not knowing -for what In this perplexity of mind the young gentleman happened to -come before a pastrycook’s shop, and went into it to avoid the -rabble. - -This pastrycook had formerly been captain to a troop of Arabian -robbers, who plundered the caravans; and though he was become a -citizen of Damascus, where he behaved himself to every one’s -content, yet he was dreaded by all those that knew him; wherefore, -as soon as he came out to the rabble that followed Bedreddin, they -dispersed. - -The pastrycook seeing them all gone, asked him who he was, and what -brought him thither? Bedreddin Hassan told him all, not concealing -his birth, nor the death of his father, the grand vizier. He -afterwards gave him an account why he left Balsora; now, after he -had fallen asleep the night following upon his father’s tomb, he -found himself when he awaked at Cairo, where he had married a lady; -and at last, in what amazement he was, when he found himself at -Damascus, without being able to penetrate into all those wonderful -adventures. - -Your history is one of the most surprising, said the pastrycook; but -if you will follow my advice, you shall let no man know those -matters you have revealed to me, but patiently expect till heaven -think fit to put an end to your misfortunes; you shall be free to -stay with me till then; and since I have no children, I will own you -for my son, if you consent to it; and after you are so adopted, you -may freely walk up and down the city, without being exposed any more -to the insults of the rabble. - -Though this adoption was below the son of a grand vizier, Bedreddin -was glad to accept of the pastrycook’s proposals, judging it the -best thing he could do, considering his then circumstances. The cook -clothed him, called for witnesses, and went before a notary, where -he acknowledged him for his son. After this Bedreddin staid with him -by the name of Hassan, and learned the pastry trade. - -Whilst this passed at Damascus, Schemseddin Mohammed’s daughter -awaked, and finding Bedreddin gone out of bed, supposed he had risen -softly for fear of disturbing her, but he would soon return. As she -was in expectation of him, her father, the vizier (who was mightily -vexed at the affront put upon him by the sultan) came and knocked at -her chamber-door with a resolution to bewail her sad destiny. He -called her by her name, and she knowing him by his voice, -immediately got up, and opened the door. She kissed his hand, and -received him with so much satisfaction in her countenance as -surprised the vizier, (who expected to find her drowned in tears, -and as much grieved as himself.) Unhappy wretch! said he in a -passion, do you appear before me thus? After the hideous sacrifice -you have just consummated, can you see me with so much satisfaction? - -The new bride seeing her father angry at her pleasant countenance, -said to him, For God’s sake, sir, do not reproach me wrongfully; -it is not the hump-back fellow, whom I abhor more than death; it is -not that monster I have married; every body laughed him to scorn, -and put him so out of countenance, that he was forced to run away -and hide himself, to make room for a charming young gentleman, who -is my real husband. --What fable do you tell me? said Schemseddin -Mohammed, roughly. What! did not crook-back lie with you to-night? ---No, sir, said she; it was that young gentleman I told you of, who -has large eyes and black eyebrows. At these words, the vizier lost -all patience, and fell into a terrible passion. --Ah! wicked woman, -said he, you will make me distracted! --It is you, father, said she, -that put me out of my senses by your incredulity. --So it is not -true, replied the vizier, that hump-back --Let us talk no more of -hump-back, said she; a curse upon hump-back! must I always have him -cast in my dish? Father, said she, I tell you once more, that I did -not bed with him, but with my dear spouse, who, I believe, is not -very far off. - -Schemseddin Mohammed went out to seek him, but instead of seeing him -was mightily surprised to find hump-back with his head on the -ground, and his heels uppermost, as the genie had set him against -the wall. What is the meaning of this? said he; who placed you thus? -Crook-back, knowing it to be the vizier, answered, Alas! alas! it is -you then that would marry me to the mistress of a buffalo, the -sweetheart of an ugly genie; I won’t be your fool; you shan’t -put a trick upon me. - -Schemseddin Mohammed, when he heard hump-back speak thus, thought he -was raving, and bid him move, and stand upon his legs. I will take -care how I do that, said hump-back, unless the sun be risen. --Know, -sir, that when I came hither last night, on a sudden, a black cat -appeared to me, and in an instant grew as big as a buffalo. I have -not forgot what he said to me; therefore, you may go about your -business, and leave me here. The vizier, instead of going away, took -him by the heels, and made him get up. Then hump-back ran off as -fast as he could, without looking behind him; and coming to the -palace, presented himself to the sultan, who laughed heartily when -he told him the story how the genie had served him. - -Schemseddin Mohammed returned to his daughter’s chamber more -astonished than before. Well, then, my abused daughter, said he, can -you give me no farther light into this matter? --Sir, said she, I -can give you no other account than what I have done already. Here -are my husband’s clothes, which he left upon the chair; perhaps -you may find somewhat there, that may solve your doubt. Then she -showed him Bedreddin’s turban, which he took and examined narrowly -on all sides. I should take this to be a vizier’s turban, if it -were not made after the Moussoul [61] fashion. But perceiving -somewhat to be sewed between the stuff and the lining, he called for -scissors, and having unript it, found the paper which Nourreddin Ali -gave Bedreddin, his son, as he was dying, and which he had put into -his turban for more security. - -Schemseddin Mohammed having opened the paper, knew his brother -Nourreddin’s hand, and found this superscription, ‘For my son, -Bedreddin Hassan.’ Before he could make any reflections upon it, -his daughter delivered him the bag that lay under his clothes, which -he likewise opened, and found it full of sequins; for, as I told you -before, notwithstanding all the liberality of Bedreddin, it was -still kept full by the genie and fairy. He read these following -words upon a note in the bag: ‘A thousand sequins belonging to -Isaac the Jew.’ And these lines underneath, which the Jew wrote -before he parted from Bedreddin Hassan. ‘Delivered to Bedreddin -Hassan, for the cargo of the first of those ships that formerly -belonged to Nourreddin Ali, his father, of worthy memory, sold unto -me upon its arrival in this place.’ He had scarce read these -words, when he gave a shout, and fainted away. - -The vizier, Schemseddin Mohammed, being recovered from his fit by -the help of his daughter, and the woman she called to her -assistance. Daughter, said he, do not frighten yourself at this -accident; the reason of it is such as you can scarcely believe. Your -bridegroom is your cousin, the son of Nourreddin Ali. The thousand -sequins in the bag puts me in mind of a quarrel I had with my dear -brother; it is, without doubt, the dowry he gives you. God be -praised for all things, and particularly for this miraculous -adventure, which demonstrates his almighty power. Then looking again -upon his brother’s writing, he kissed it several times, shedding -abundance of tears. - -He looked over the book from one end to the other, where he found -the date of his brother’s arrival at Balsora, of his marriage, and -of the birth of Bedreddin Hassan; and when he compared the same with -the day of his own marriage, and the birth of his daughter at Cairo, -he admired how every thing did agree so exactly. - -The happy discovery put him into such a transport of joy, that he -took up the book, with the ticket of the bag, and showed it to the -sultan, who pardoned what was past, and was so much pleased with the -relation of this adventure, that he caused it, with all its -circumstances, to be put in writing for the use of posterity. - -Meanwhile, the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed could not comprehend the -reason why his nephew did not appear; he expected him every moment, -and was impatient to have him in his arms. After he had expected him -seven days in vain, he searched for him through all Cairo, but could -hear no news of him, which perplexed him very much. This is the -strangest adventure, said he, that ever man met with, and not -knowing what alteration might happen, he thought fit to draw up in -writing with his own hand, after what manner the wedding had been -solemnized; how the hall and his daughter’s bed-chamber were -furnished, and other circumstances. He likewise made the turban, the -bag, and the rest of Bedreddin’s things, into a bundle, and locked -them up. - -After some days were past, the vizier’s daughter perceived herself -with child, and was brought to bed of a son after nine months. A -nurse was provided for the child, besides other women and slaves to -wait upon him; and his grandfather called him Agib. [62] - -When young Agib had attained the age of seven, the vizier, instead -of teaching him to read at home, put him to school with a master, -who was in great esteem; and two slaves were ordered to wait upon -him. Agib used to play with his schoolfellows, and as they were all -inferior to him in quality, they showed him great respect, according -to the example of their master, who many times would pass by faults -in him, that he would not pass by in the rest. This complaisance -spoiled Agib, so that he became proud and insolent, would have his -playfellows bear all from him, and would bear nothing from them, but -be master every where; and if any one took the liberty to thwart -him, he would call them a thousand names, and many times beat them. - -In short, all the scholars were weary of his company, and complained -of him to their master. He answered, that they must have patience. -But when he saw that Agib still grew more and more insolent, and -occasioned him a great deal of trouble, Children, said he to his -scholars, I find Agib is a little insolent gentleman; I will show -you a way how to mortify him, so as he shall never torment you any -more: nay, I believe it will make him leave the school. When he -comes again to-morrow, and that you have a mind to play together, -set yourselves round him, and do one of you call out, Come, let us -play, but upon condition, that they who desire to play shall tell -his own name, and the names of his father and mother, and they who -refuse it shall be esteemed bastards, and not suffered to play in -our company. - -Next day, when they were gathered together, they failed not to -follow their master’s instructions; they placed themselves round -Agib, and one of them called out, Let us begin a play, but on -condition, that he who cannot tell his own name, and that of his -father and mother, shall not play at all. They all cried out, and so -did Agib, We consent to it. Then he that spoke first asked every one -the question, and all fulfilled the condition except Agib, who -answered, my name is Agib; my mother is called the lady of beauty, -and my father Schemseddin Mohammed, vizier to the sultan. - -At these words all the children cried out, Agib, what did you say? -That is not the name of your father, but your grandfather. A curse -on you, said he in a passion; what! dare you say that the vizier -Schemseddin Mohammed is not my father? No, no, cried they, with -great laughter, he is but your grandfather, and you shall not play -with us. Nay, we will take care how we come into your company. -Having spoken thus, they all left him, scoffing him, and laughing -among themselves, which mortified Agib so much that he wept. - -This schoolmaster, who was near, and heard all that passed, came -just at the nick of time, and speaking to Agib, said he, Agib, do -not you know that the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed is none of your -father, but your grandfather, and the father of your mother, the -lady of beauty? We know not the name of your father no more than you -do. We only know that the sultan was going to marry your mother to -one of his grooms, a hump-back fellow; but a genie lay with her. -This is hard upon you, and ought to teach you to treat your -schoolfellows with less haughtiness than you have done hitherto. - -Little Agib being nettled at this, ran hastily out of the school, -and went home crying. He came straight to his mother’s chamber, -who being alarmed to see him thus grieved, asked him the reason. He -could not answer for tears, his grief was so great; and it was but -now and then he could speak plain enough to repeat what had been -said to him, and occasioned his sorrow. - -When he came to himself, Mother, said he, for the love of God be -pleased to tell me who is my father. My son, said she, Schemseddin -Mohammed, that every day makes so much of you, is your father. You -do not tell me truth, said he; he is your father, and none of mine. -But whose son am I? At this question, the lady of beauty calling to -mind her wedding-night, which had been succeeded by a long -widowhood, began to shed tears, repining bitterly at the loss of so -lovely a husband as Bedreddin. - -Whilst the lady of beauty and Agib were both weeping, in comes the -vizier, who demanded the reason of their sorrow. The lady told him -the shame Agib had undergone at school, which so much affected the -vizier, that he joined his tears with theirs, and judging from this, -that the misfortune which had happened to his daughter was the -common discourse of the town, he was quite out of patience. - -Being thus afflicted, he went to the sultan’s palace, and falling -prostrate at his feet, most humbly prayed him to give him leave to -make a journey into the provinces of the Levant, and particularly to -Balsora, in search of his nephew Bedreddin Hassan. For he could not -bear any longer that the people of the city should believe a genie -had got his daughter with child. - -The sultan was much concerned at the vizier’s affliction, approved -his resolution, and gave him leave to go. He caused a passport also -to be written for him, praying, in the most obliging terms that -could be, all kings and princes, in whose dominions the said -Bedreddin might sojourn, to grant that the vizier might bring him -along with him. - -Schemseddin Mohammed, not knowing how to express his thankfulness to -the sultan for this favour, thought it his duty to fall down before -him a second time, and the floods of tears he shed gave him -sufficient testimony of his gratitude. At last, having wished the -sultan all manner of prosperity, he took his leave, and went home to -his house, where he disposed every thing for his journey; and the -preparations for it were carried on with so much diligence, that in -four days after he left the city, accompanied by his daughter the -lady of beauty, and his grandson, Agib. - -They travelled nineteen days without stopping any where; but on the -twentieth, arriving in a very pleasant mead, at a small distance -from the gate of Damascus, they stopped there, and pitched their -tents upon the banks of a river, that runs through the town, and -gives a very agreeable prospect to its neighbourhood. - -The vizier Schemseddin Mohammed declared he would stay in that -pleasant place two days, and pursue his journey on the third. In the -mean time he gave leave to his retinue to go to Damascus: and almost -all of them made use of it: some influenced by curiosity to see a -city they had heard so much of, and others by the opportunity of -vending there the Egyptian goods they had brought with them, or -buying stuffs, and the rarities of the country. The beautiful lady -desiring her son Agib might share in the satisfaction of viewing -that celebrated city, ordered the black eunuch that acted in quality -of his governor, to conduct him thither, and take care he came to no -harm. - -Agib, in magnificent apparel, went along with the eunuch, who had a -large cane in his hand. They had no sooner entered the city, than -Agib, fair and glorious as the day, attracted the eyes of the -people. Some got out of their houses to gain a nearer and narrower -view of him; others put their heads out of the windows, and those -who passed along the street were not satisfied in stopping to look -upon him; but kept pace with him, to prolong the pleasure of the -agreeable sight: in fine, there was nobody that did not admire him, -and bestow a thousand benedictions on the father and mother that had -given being to so fine a child. By chance the eunuch and he passed -by the shop where Bedreddin Hassan was, and there the crowd was so -great, that they were forced to halt. - -The pastrycook, that had adopted Bedreddin Hassan, had died some -years before, and left him his shop and all his estates. So -Bedreddin became master of the shop, and managed the pastry trade so -dexterously, that he gained great reputation in Damascus. Bedreddin -seeing so great a crowd before his door, that were gazing so -attentively upon Agib, and the black eunuch, stepped out to see them -himself; and having cast his eyes particularly upon Agib, presently -found himself moved, he knew not how, nor why. He was not struck, -like the people, with the brilliant beauty of the boy: another -cause, unknown to him, gave rise to the uneasiness and emotion he -felt. It was the force of blood that wrought in this tender father; -who laying aside his business, made up to Agib, and with an engaging -air, said to him: My little lord, who hast won my soul, be so kind -as to come into my shop, and eat a bit of such fare as I have; that -I may have the pleasure of admiring you at my ease. These words he -pronounced with such tenderness, that tears trickled from his eyes. -Little Agib was moved when he saw it, and turning to the eunuch, -This honest man, said he, has a face that pleases me; he speaks in -such an affectionate manner, that I cannot avoid complying with his -request; let us step into his house and taste his pastry. It would -be a fine thing truly, replied the slave, to see the son of a -vizier, like you, go into a pastrycook’s shop to eat; do not -imagine that I will suffer any such thing. --Alas! my little lord, -cried Bedreddin, it is a great piece of cruelty to trust the conduct -of you in the hands of a person who treats you so harshly. Then -applying himself to the eunuch, My good friend, continued he, pray -do not hinder this young lord from granting me the favour I ask; do -not put that piece of mortification upon me: rather do me the honour -to walk in along with him, and by so doing, you will let the world -know, that, though your outside is brown like a chestnut, your -inside is as white. Do you know, continued he, that I am master of -the secret to make you white, instead of being black as you are? -This set the eunuch a laughing, and then he asked Bedreddin what -that secret was. I will tell you, replied Bedreddin, and so he -repeated some verses in praise of black eunuchs, implying, that it -was by their ministry that the honour of princes and of all great -men was secured. The eunuch was so charmed with these verses, that, -without further hesitation, he suffered Agib to go into the shop, -and went in with him himself. - -Bedreddin Hassan was overjoyed in having obtained what he had so -passionately desired, and falling again to the work he had thus -discontinued, I was making, said he, cream-tarts; and you must, with -submission, eat of them. I am persuaded you will find them very -good; for my own mother, who makes them incomparably well, taught me -to make them, and the people send to buy them of me from all -quarters of the town. This said, he took a cream tart out of the -oven, and after strewing upon it some pomegranate kernels and sugar, -set it before Agib, who found it very delicious. - -Another was served up to the eunuch, and he gave the same judgment. - -While they were both eating, Bedreddin Hassan minded Agib very -attentively; and after looking upon him again and again, it came -into his mind, that for any thing he knew, he might have such a son -by his charming wife, from whom he had been so soon and so cruelly -separated; and the very thought drew tears from his eyes. He was -thinking to have put some question to little Agib about his journey -to Damascus; but the child had no time to gratify his curiosity, for -the eunuch pressing him to return to his grandfather’s tents, took -him away as soon as he had done eating. Bedreddin Hassan, not -contented with looking after him, shut up his shop immediately, and -went after him. - -Bedreddin Hassan ran after Agib and the eunuch, and overtook them -before they were got to the gate of the city. The eunuch perceiving -he followed them was extremely surprised. You impertinent fellow, -you, said he, with an angry tone, what do you want? My dear friend, -replied Bedreddin, do not you trouble yourself. I have a little -business out of town, that is just come into my head, and I must -needs go and look after it. This answer, however, did not at all -satisfy the eunuch, who, turning to Agib, said, This is all owing to -you; I foresaw I should repent of my complaisance; you would needs -go into the man’s shop --it was not wisely done in me to give you -leave. Perhaps, replied Agib, he has real business out of town, and -the road is free to every body. While this passed, they kept walking -together, without looking behind them, till they came near the -vizier’s tents, upon which they turned about to see if Bedreddin -followed them. Agib, perceiving he was within two paces of him, -reddened and whitened alternately, according to the different -emotions that affected him. He was afraid the grand vizier, his -grandfather, should come to know he had been in the pastry shop, and -had eaten there. In this dread, he took up a pretty large stone that -lay at his foot, and throwing it at Bedreddin Hassan, hit him in the -forehead, which gave him such a wound, that his face was covered -with blood. Then he took to his heels, and ran under the eunuch’s -tent. The eunuch gave Bedreddin to understand, he had no reason to -complain of a mischance that he had merited and brought upon himself. - -Bedreddin turned towards the city, stanching the blood of this wound -with his apron, which he had not put off. I was a fool, said he -within himself, for leaving my house, to take so much pains about -this brat; for doubtless he would never have used me after this -manner, if he had not thought I had some ill design against him. -When he got home, he had his wound dressed, and softened the sense -of his mischance by the reflection, that there was an infinite -number of people upon the earth that were yet more unfortunate than -he. - -Bedreddin kept on the pastry trade at Damascus, and his uncle, -Schemseddin Mohammed, went from thence three days after his arrival. -He went by way of Emaus, Hanah, and Halep; then crossed the -Euphrates, and, after passing through Mardin, Moussoul, Singier, -Diarbeker, and several other towns, arrived at last at Balsora; and -immediately after his arrival, desired audience of the sultan, who -was no sooner informed of Schemseddin’s quality than he gave him -audience, received him very favourably, and asked him the occasion -of his journey to Balsora. Sir, replied the vizier Schemseddin -Mohammed, I come to know what is become of the son of Nourreddin -Ali, my brother, who has had the honour to serve your majesty. -Nourreddin Ali, said the sultan, has been dead a long while; as for -his son, all I can tell you of him is, that he disappeared all on a -sudden, about two months after his father’s death, and nobody has -seen him since, notwithstanding all the inquiry I ordered to be -made. But his mother, who is daughter of one of my vizier’s, is -still alive. Schemseddin Mohammed desired leave of the sultan to see -her, and carry her to Egypt; and having obtained his request, -without tarrying till the next day for the satisfaction of seeing -her, inquired after her place of abode, and that very hour went to -her house, accompanied with his daughter and his grandson. - -The widow of Nourreddin Ali lived still in the same place where her -husband had lived. It was a fine stately house, adorned with marble -pillars; but Schemseddin did not stop to view it. At his entry, he -kissed the gate, and the piece of marble upon which his brother’s -name was written in letters of gold. He asked to speak with his -sister-in-law, and was told by her servants that she was in a small -building in form of a dome, which they showed to him, in the middle -of a very spacious court. This tender mother used to spend the -greatest part of the day and night in that room, which she had built -for a representation of the tomb of Bedreddin Hassan, whom she took -to be dead after so long absence. At that very minute she was -pouring tears over the thoughts of that dear child, and Schemseddin -Mohammed entering, found her buried in the deepest affliction. - -He made his compliment, and after beseeching her to suspend her -tears and sighs, informed her, he had the honour to be her -brother-in-law, and acquainted her with the reason of his journey -from Cairo to Balsora. He also acquainted his sister-in-law with all -that had passed at Cairo on his daughter’s wedding night, and -after informing her of the surprise occasioned by the discovery of -the paper sewed up in Bedreddin’s turban, presented to her Agib -and the beautiful Lady. - -The widow of Nourreddin Ali, who had still continued sitting like a -woman dejected and weaned from the affairs of this world, no sooner -understood by his discourse that her dear son, whom she lamented so -bitterly, might still be alive, than she arose, and repeatedly -embraced the beautiful lady and her grandchild, Agib, and perceiving -in the youth the features of Bedreddin, shed tears of a quite -different stamp from what she had been so long accustomed to shed. -She could not forbear kissing the youth, who, for his part, received -her embraces with all the demonstrations of joy he was capable of. -Madam, said Schemseddin Mohammed, it is time to wipe off your tears, -and cease your groans; you must think of going along with us to -Egypt. The sultan of Balsora gives me leave to carry you thither, -and I doubt not you will agree to it. I am in hopes we shall at last -find out your son, my nephew; and if that comes to pass, the history -of him, of you, of my own daughter, and of my own adventures, will -deserve to be committed to writing, and transmitted to posterity. - -The widow of Nourreddin Ali heard this proposal with pleasure, and -from that minute, ordered preparations to be made for her departure. -While that was doing, Schemseddin Mohammed desired a second -audience; and after taking leave of the sultan, who dismissed him -with ample marks of respect, and gave him a considerable present for -himself and another of great value for the sultan of Egypt, set out -from Balsora for the city of Damascus. - -When he arrived in the neighbourhood of Damascus, he ordered his -tents to be pitched without the gate, at which he designed to enter -the city; and gave out he would tarry there three days, to give his -suite rest, and buy up the best curiosities he could meet with, and -such as were worthy of being presented to the sultan of Egypt. - -While he was employed in looking upon and picking out the finest -stuffs that the principal merchants had brought to his tents, Agib -begged the black eunuch, his governor, to carry him through the -city, in order to see what he had not leisure to view as he passed -before, and to know what was become of the pastry cook that he had -wounded with a stone. The eunuch complying with his request, went -along with him towards the city, after leave obtained of the -beautiful lady his mother. - -They entered Damascus by the Paradise gate, which lay next to the -tents of the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed. --They walked through the -great squares and the public places where the richest goods were -sold, and took a view of the ancient mosque of the Ommiadæ, [63] at -the hour of prayer, between noon and sunset. [64] After that they -passed by the shop of Bedreddin Hassan, whom they found still -employed in making cream tarts. I salute you, sir, said Agib. Do you -know me? do you remember you ever saw me before? Bedreddin, hearing -these words, cast his eyes upon him, and knowing him, (such was the -surprising effect of paternal love!) felt the same emotion as when -he saw him first of all. He was confused, and, instead of making an -answer, continued a long time without uttering one word. But after -all, recovering himself, My little lord, said he, be so kind as to -come once more with your governor into my house, and taste a cream -tart, I beg your lordship’s pardon for the trouble I gave you in -following you out of town; I was at that time not myself, I did not -know what I did. You drew me after you, and the violence of the -attraction was so strong, that I could not withstand it. - -Agib, astonished at what Bedreddin said, replied thus: There is an -excess in the kindness you express, and unless you engage, under -oath, not to follow me when I go from hence, I will not enter into -your house. If you give me your promise, and prove a man of your -word, I will visit you again to-morrow, since the vizier, my -grandfather, is still employed in buying up things for a present to -the sultan of Egypt. My little lord, replied Bedreddin, I will do -whatever you would have me to do. This said, Agib and the eunuch -went into the shop. - -Presently after, Bedreddin set before them a cream tart that was -full as good as what they had eaten of when they saw him before. -Come, said Agib, addressing himself to Bedreddin, sit down by me, -and eat with us. Bedreddin sat down, and made offers to embrace -Agib, as a testimony of the joy he conceived upon his sitting by -him. But Agib shoved him off, desiring him to be quiet, not to be -too familiar in his friendship, and to content himself with seeing -and conversing with him. Bedreddin obeyed, and fell to singing a -song, the words of which he composed off-hand, in praise of Agib. He -did not eat, but made it his business to serve his guests. When they -had done eating, he brought them water to wash with, [65] and a very -white napkin to wipe their hands. Then he filled a large china cup -with sherbet, and put snow into it; [66] and offering it to Agib, -This, said he, is sherbet of roses, and the pleasantest you will -meet with all the town over; I am sure you never tasted better. Agib -having drank of it with pleasure, Bedreddin Hassan took the cup from -him, and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it all off at once. - -In fine, Agib and his governor having fared well, returned thanks to -the pastrycook for their good entertainment, and moved homewards, it -being then late. When they arrived at the tents of Schemseddin -Mohammed, they repaired immediately to the lady’s tent. Agib’s -grandmother received him with transports of joy: her son, Bedreddin, -ran always in her mind, and in embracing Agib, the remembrance of -him drew tears from her eyes. Ah! my child said she, my joy would be -perfect if I had the pleasure of embracing your father, Bedreddin -Hassan, as I now embrace you. Then sitting down to supper, she made -Agib sit by her, and put several questions to him, relating to the -walk he had been taking along with the eunuch; and when he -complained of his weak stomach, she gave him a piece of cream tart, -which she had made for herself, and was indeed very good, for I told -you before that she could make them better than the best pastry -cooks. She likewise gave some to the eunuch; but both of them had -eaten so heartily at Bedreddin’s house, that they could not taste -a bit. - -Agib no sooner touched the piece of cream tart that had been set -before him, than he pretended he did not like it, and left it uncut; -and Schaban, [67] (such was the eunuch’s name,) did the same -thing. The widow of Nourreddin Ali observed with regret that her -grandson did not like the tart. What! said she, does my child thus -despise the work of my hands! Be it known to you, no one in the -world can make such cream tarts besides myself and your father, -Bedreddin Hassan, whom I myself taught to make them. My good mother, -replied Agib, give me leave to tell you, if you do not know how to -make better, there is a pastry-cook in this town that out-does you -in that point. We were at his shop but now, and eat of one that is -much better than yours. - -This said, the grandmother, frowning upon the eunuch, How now, -Schaban, said she, was the care of my grandchild committed to you, -to carry him to eat at pastry-shops like a beggar? Madam, replied -the eunuch, it is true, we did stop a little while and talked with -the pastry-cook, but we did not eat with him. Pardon me, said Agib, -we went into his shop, and there eat a cream tart. Upon this, the -lady more incensed against the eunuch than before, rose in a passion -from the table, and running to the tent of Schemseddin Mohammed, -informed him of the eunuch’s crime, and that in such terms, as -tended more to inflame the vizier, than to dispose him to excuse it. - -Schemseddin Mohammed, who was naturally passionate, did not fail, on -this occasion, to display his anger. He went forthwith to his -sister-in-law’s tent, and making up to the eunuch, What! said he, -you pitiful wretch, have you the impudence to abuse the trust I -repose in you? Schaban, though sufficiently convicted by Agib’s -testimony, denied the fact still. But the child persisting in what -he had affirmed, Grandfather, said he, I can assure you we not only -eat, but we eat both of us so heartily, that we have no occasion for -supper; besides, the pastry-cook treated us also with a great bowl -of sherbet. Well, cried Schemseddin, turning to Schaban, after all -this, will you continue to deny that you entered the pastry-cook’s -house, and eat there? Schaban had still the impudence to swear it -was not true. Then you are a liar, said the vizier, I believe my -grandchild before I believe you; but after all, said he, if you can -eat up this cream tart that is upon the table, I shall be persuaded -you have truth on your side. - -Though Schaban had crammed himself up to the throat before, he -agreed to stand that test, and accordingly took a piece of tart; but -his stomach rising against it, he was obliged to spit it out of his -mouth. Yet he still pursued the lie, and pretended he had over-eat -himself the day before, so that he had not recovered his appetite. -The vizier, irritated with all the eunuch’s frivolous pretences, -and convinced of his guilt, ordered him to lie flat upon the ground, -and to be soundly bastinadoed. In undergoing this punishment, the -poor wretch shrieked out aloud, and at last, confessed the truth. I -own, cries he, that we did eat a cream tart at the pastry-cook’s, -and that it was much better than that upon the table. - -The widow of Nourreddin Ali thought it was out of spite to her, and -with a design to mortify her, that Schaban commended the -pastry-cook’s tart: and accordingly said, I cannot believe the -cook’s tarts are better than mine: I am resolved to satisfy myself -upon that head. Where does he live? Go immediately, and buy me one -of his tarts. - -The eunuch having received of her what money was sufficient for that -purpose, repaired to Bedreddin’s shop, and addressing himself to -Bedreddin, Good Mr. Pastry-cook, said he, take this money here, and -let me have one of your cream tarts; one of our ladies wants to -taste them. Bedreddin chose one of the best, and gave it to the -eunuch: Take this, said he; I will engage it is an excellent one, -and I can assure you that no person is able to make the like, unless -it be my mother, who perhaps is still alive. - -Schaban returned speedily to the tents, and gave the tart to -Nourreddin’s widow, and she, snatching it greedily, broke a piece -off; but no sooner put it to her mouth, than she cried out, and -swooned away. Schemseddin Mohammed, who was present, was extremely -surprised at the accident: he threw water himself upon her face, and -was very active in succouring her. As soon as she came to herself, -My God! cried she, it must needs be my dear son, my dear Bedreddin, -that made this tart. - -When the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed heard his sister-in-law say, -that the maker of the tart, brought by the eunuch, must needs be -Bedreddin Hassan, he was overjoyed; but reflecting that his joy -might prove groundless, and in all likelihood the conjecture of -Nourreddin’s widow was false, Madam, said he, why are you of that -mind? Do you think there may not be a pastrycook in the whole world, -that knows how to make cream tarts as well us your son? --I own, -replied she, there may be pastrycooks that can make as good tarts as -he; but forasmuch as I make them after a peculiar manner, and nobody -but my son is let into the secret, it must absolutely be he that -made this. Come, my brother, added she, in a transport, let us call -up mirth and joy; we have at last found what we have been so long -looking for. --Madam, said the vizier in answer, I entreat you to -moderate your impatience, for we shall quickly know the bottom of -it. All we have to do, is to bring the pastrycook hither; and then -you and my daughter will readily distinguish whether it is Bedreddin -or not. But you must both be hid, so as to have a view of Bedreddin, -while he cannot see you; for I would not have our interview and -mutual discovery laid at Damascus. My design is to delay the -discovery till we return to Cairo, where I promise to regale you -with very agreeable diversion. - -This said, he left the ladies in their tent, and retired to his own; -where he called for fifty of his men, and said to them, Take each of -you a stick in your hands, and follow Schaban, who will conduct you -to a pastrycook’s in this city. When you arrive there, break and -dash in pieces all you find in the shop: if he asks you why you -commit that disorder, only ask him again if it was not he that made -the cream tart, that was brought from his house. If he says he is -the man, seize his person, fetter him, and bring him along with you; -but take care you do not beat him, nor do him the least harm. Go, -and lose no time. - -The vizier’s orders were immediately executed. The detachment -conducted by the black eunuch, went with expedition to Bedreddin’s -house, and broke in pieces the plates, kettles, copper-pans, tables, -and all the other moveables and utensils they met with, and drowned -the sherbet-shop with cream and comfits. Bedreddin, astonished at -the sight, said with a pitiful tone, Pray, good people, why do you -serve me so? What is the matter? What have I done? Was it not you, -said they, that sold this eunuch the cream tart? --Yes, replied he, -I am the man: and who says any thing against it? I defy any one to -make a better. Instead of giving him an answer, they continued to -break all around them, and the oven itself was not spared. - -In the mean time the neighbours took the alarm, and surprised to see -fifty armed men commit such a disorder, asked the reason of such -violence; and Bedreddin said once more to the actors of it, Pray -tell me what crime I am guilty of, to have deserved this usage? ---Was it not you, replied they, that made the cream tart you sold to -the eunuch? --Yes, yes, it is I, replied he; I maintain it is a good -one. I do not deserve such usage as you give me. However, without -listening to him, they seized his person, and snatching the cloth -off his turban, tied his hands with it behind his back, and, after -dragging him by force out of his shop, marched off. - -The mob gathering, and taking compassion for Bedreddin, took his -part, and offered opposition to Schemseddin’s men; but that very -minute up came some officers from the governor of the city, who -dispersed the people, and favoured the carrying off of Bedreddin; -for Schemseddin Mohammed had in the mean time gone to the -governor’s house to acquaint him with what order he had given, and -to demand the interposition of force to favour the execution; and -the governor, who commanded all Syria in the name of the sultan of -Egypt, was unwilling to refuse any thing to his master’s vizier. -So Bedreddin was carried off, after all his cries and tears. - -It was needless for Bedreddin Hassan to ask by the way those who -carried him off, what fault had been found with his cream tart; they -gave him no answer. In short, they carried him to the tents, and -made him stay there till Schemseddin Mohammed returned from the -governor of Damascus’s house. - -Upon the vizier’s return, Bedreddin Hassan was brought before him. -My lord, said Bedreddin, with tears in his eyes, pray do me the -favour to let me know wherein I have displeased you. --Why, you -wretch you, said the vizier, was it not you that made the cream tart -you sent me? --I own I am the man, replied Bedreddin; but pray what -crime is that? --I will punish you according to your deserts, said -Schemseddin; it shall cost you your life, for sending me such a -sorry tart. --Good God! cried Bedreddin, what news is this! Is it a -capital crime to make a bad cream tart? --Yes, said the vizier, and -you are to expect no other usage from me. - -While this interview lasted, the ladies, who were hid, minded -Bedreddin narrowly, and readily knew him, notwithstanding he had -been so long absent. They were so transported with joy, that they -swooned away; and, when they recovered, would fain have ran up and -fallen upon Bedreddin’s neck; but the promise they had made to the -vizier of not discovering themselves, restrained the tender emotions -of love and of nature. - -Schemseddin Mohammed, having resolved to set out that very night, -ordered the tents to be struck, and the necessary preparations to be -made for his journey. And as for Bedreddin, he ordered him to be -clapped into a chest or box well locked, and laid on a camel. When -every thing was got ready, the vizier and his retinue began their -march, and travelled the rest of that night, and all the next day, -without stopping. In the evening they halted, and Bedreddin was -taken out of his cage, in order to be served with the necessary -refreshments, but still carefully kept at a distance from his mother -and his wife; and during the whole expedition, which lasted twenty -days, was served in the same manner. - -When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped in the neighbourhood of -that place. Schemseddin called for Bedreddin, gave orders, in his -presence, to a carpenter to get some wood with all expedition, and -make a stake. Heyday, said Bedreddin, what do you mean to do with a -stake? --Why to nail you to it, replied Schemseddin, then to have -you carried through all the quarters of the town, that the people -may have the spectacle of a worthless pastrycook, who makes cream -tarts without pepper. This said, Bedreddin cried out so comically, -that Schemseddin had enough to do to keep his countenance. Good God! -cried he, must I suffer a death, as cruel as it is ignominious, for -not putting pepper in a cream tart? and must I be rifled, and have -all the goods in my house broken to pieces? Must I be imprisoned in -a chest, and at last nailed to a stake, and all for not putting -pepper in a cream tart? Good God! who ever heard of such a thing? -Are these the actions of Mussulmen, of persons that make a -profession of probity and justice, and practise all manner of good -works? --With these words, he shed tears, and then renewing his -complaint; No, continued he, never was man used so unjustly, nor so -severely. Is it possible they should be capable of taking a man’s -life for not putting pepper in a cream tart? Cursed be all cream -tarts, as well as the hour in which I was born! --Would to God I had -died that minute! - -Disconsolate Bedreddin did not cease his lamentations; and when the -stake was brought, and the nails to fasten him to it, he cried out -bitterly at the horrid sight. Heaven! said he, can you suffer me to -die an ignominious and painful death? And all this, for what crime? -not for robbery or murder, or renouncing my religion, but for not -putting pepper in a cream tart. - -Night being then pretty far advanced, the vizier Schemseddin -Mohammed ordered Bedreddin to be clapped up again in his cage, -saying to him, Stay there till to-morrow; the day shall not be spent -before I give orders for your death. Then the chest or cage was -carried away and laid upon the camel that had brought it from -Damascus: at the same time, all the other camels were loaded again; -and the vizier mounting his horse, ordered the camel that carried -his nephew to march before him, and so entered the city with all his -suite. After passing through several streets, where nobody appeared, -every one being in bed, he arrived at his house, where he ordered -the chest to be taken down, but not opened till farther orders. - -While his retinue were unlading the other camels, he took -Bedreddin’s mother and his daughter aside, and addressed himself -to the latter: God be praised, said he, my child, for this happy -occasion of meeting your cousin and your husband. You remember, to -be sure, what order your chamber was in on your wedding-night: go -and put every thing in the very same order they were then in; and in -the mean time, if your memory do not serve you, I can supply it by a -written account, which I caused to be taken upon that occasion: as -for what else is to be done, I will take care of that. - -The beautiful lady went joyfully about her father’s orders; and he -at the same time, began to put the things in the hall in the same -order they were in when Bedreddin Hassan was there with the sultan -of Egypt’s hunch backed groom. As he went over his manuscript, his -domestics placed every moveable accordingly. The throne was not -forgot, nor the lighted wax candles. When every thing was put to -rights in the hall, the vizier went into his daughter’s chamber, -and put in their due place Bedreddin’s clothes, with the purse of -sequins. This done, he said to the beautiful lady, Undress yourself, -my child, and go to bed. As soon as Bedreddin enters your room, -complain of his being from you so long, and tell him, that when you -awaked you were astonished you did not find him by you. Press him to -come to bed again; and to-morrow morning you will divert your -mother-in-law and me, in telling us what passes between you and him -this night. This said, he went from his daughter’s apartment, and -left her to undress herself and go to bed. - -Schemseddin Mohammed ordered all his domestics to depart the hall, -excepting two or three, whom he ordered to stay there. These he -commanded to go and take Bedreddin out of the chest, to strip him to -his shirt and drawers, to conduct him in that condition to the hall, -to leave him there all alone, and to shut the door upon him. - -Bedreddin Hassan, though overwhelmed with grief, had been asleep all -the while, insomuch that the vizier’s domestics had taken him out -of the chest, and stripped him before he awaked, and carried him so -suddenly into the hall, that they did not give him time to bethink -himself where he was. When he found himself all alone in the hall, -he looked round him, and the objects of his sight recalling to -memory the circumstances of his marriage, he perceived, with -astonishment, that it was the same hall where he had seen the -sultan’s groom of the stables. His surprise was still the greater, -when approaching softly to the door of a chamber which he found -open, he spied within his own clothes in the same place where he -remembered to have left them on his wedding-night. My God! said he, -rubbing his eyes, am I asleep or awake? - -The beautiful lady, who in the mean time was diverting herself with -his astonishment, opened the curtains of her bed all on a sudden, -and bending her head forward, My dear lord, said she, with a soft, -tender air, what do you do at the door? Prithee come to bed again! -You have been out of bed a long time. I was strangely surprised when -I awaked in not finding you by me. Bedreddin Hassan’s countenance -changed when he perceived that the lady who spoke to him was that -charming person that he had lain with before: so he entered the -room, but calling up the thoughts of all that had passed for a ten -years’ interval, and not being able to persuade himself that it -all could have happened in the compass of one night, he went to the -place where his clothes lay, and the purse of sequins, and after -examining them very carefully, By the living God, cried he, these -are things that I can by no means comprehend! The lady, who was -pleased to see his confusion, said, once more, My lord, come to bed -again; what do you stand at? Then he stepped towards the bed, and -said to her, Pray; madam, tell me, is it long since I left you? ---The question, answered she, surprises me. Did not you rise from me -but now? Sure your thoughts are very busy. --Madam, replied -Bedreddin, I do assure you my thoughts are not very composed. I -remember indeed to have been with you, but I remember, at the same -time, that I have lived since ten years at Damascus. Now, if I was -actually in bed with you this night, I cannot have been with you so -long. These two things are inconsistent. Pray tell me what I am to -think; whether my marriage with you is an illusion, or whether my -absence from you is only a dream? --Yes, my lord, cried she, -doubtless, you were light-headed when you thought you were at -Damascus. Upon this, Bedreddin laughed out heartily, and said, What -a comical fancy is this! I assure you, madam, this dream will be -very pleasant to you. Do but imagine, if you please, that I was at -the gate of Damascus in my shirt and drawers, as I am here now, that -I entered the town with a halloo of a mob that followed and insulted -me; that I fled to a pastry cook’s, who adopted me, taught me his -trade, and left me all he had when he died; that after his death, I -kept a shop. In fine, madam, I had an infinity of other adventures -too tedious to recount: and all I can say, is, that it was well that -I awaked, for they were going to nail me to a stake. --Oh lord! and -for what, cried the lady, feigning astonishment, would they have -used you so cruelly? Sure you must have committed some enormous -crime. --Not in the least, replied Bedreddin; it was for nothing in -the world but a mere trifle, the most ridiculous thing you can think -of. All the crime I was charged with was selling a cream tart that -had no pepper in it. --As for that matter, said the beautiful lady, -laughing heartily, I must say they did you great injustice. --Ah! -madam, replied he, that was not all. For this cursed cream tart, was -every thing in my shop broke to pieces, myself bound and fettered, -and flung into a chest, where I lay so close, that methinks I am -there still. In fine, a carpenter was sent for, and he was ordered -to get ready a stake for me; but thanks be to God, all those things -are no more than a dream. - -Bedreddin was not easy all night; he waked from time to time, and -put the question to himself, whether he dreamed or was awake: he -distrusted his felicity, and to be sure whether it was true or not, -opened the curtains, and looked round the room. I am not mistaken, -sure, said he, this is the same chamber where I entered instead of -the hunch-backed groom of the stables, and I am now in bed with the -fair lady that was designed for him. Daylight, which then appeared, -had not yet dispelled his uneasiness, when the vizier Schemseddin -Mohammed, his uncle, knocked at the door, and at the same time went -in to bid him good-morrow. - -Bedreddin Hassan was extremely surprised to see, all on a sudden, a -man that he knew so well, and that now appeared with a quite -different air from that with which he pronounced the terrible -sentence of death against him. Ah! cried Bedreddin, it was you that -condemned me so unjustly, to a kind of death, the thoughts of which -make me shudder; and all for a cream tart without pepper. The vizier -fell a laughing, and to put him out of suspense, told him, how, by -the ministry of a genie, (for hunch-back’s relation made him -suspect the adventure,) he had been at his house, and had married -his daughter instead of the sultan’s groom of the stables; then he -acquainted him, that he had discovered him to be his nephew by a -book written by the hand of Nourreddin Ali, and pursuant to that -discovery, had gone from Cairo to Balsora in quest of him. My dear -nephew, added he, embracing him with every expression of tenderness, -I ask your pardon for all I have made you undergo since I discovered -you. I had a mind to bring you to my house before I told you your -happiness; which ought now to be so much the dearer to you, as it -has cost you so much perplexity and affliction. To atone for all -your afflictions, comfort yourself with the joy of being in the -company of those who ought to be dearest to you. While you are -dressing yourself, I will go and acquaint your mother, who is beyond -measure impatient to see you: and will likewise bring to you your -son, whom you saw at Damascus, and for whom you showed so much -affection without knowing him. - -No words are of sufficient energy to express the joy of Bedreddin, -when he saw his mother and his son. These three embraced and showed -all the transports that love and tenderness could inspire. The -mother spoke to Bedreddin in the most moving terms; she mentioned -the grief she had felt for his long absence, and the tears she had -shed. --Little Agib, instead of flying his father’s embraces, as -at Damascus, received them with all the marks of pleasure. And -Bedreddin Hassan, divided between two objects so worthy of his love, -thought he could not give sufficient marks of his affection. - -While this passed at Schemseddin Mohammed’s, the vizier was gone -to the palace to give the sultan an account of the happy success of -his voyage; and the sultan was so charmed with the recital of the -story, that he ordered it to be taken down in writing, and carefully -preserved among the archives of the kingdom. After Schemseddin’s -return to his house, having prepared a noble feast, he sat down to -table with his family, and all the household passed the day in -festivity and mirth. - -The vizier Giafar, having thus made an end of the story of Bedreddin -Hassan, told the caliph Haroun Alraschid, that this was what he had -to relate to his majesty. The caliph found the story so surprising, -that without farther hesitation, he granted his slave Rihan’s -pardon; and to condole the young man for the grief of having -unhappily deprived himself of a woman whom he loved so tenderly, -married him to one of his slaves, bestowed liberal gifts upon him, -and maintained him till he died. - - - - -The Story of the Little Hunch-back. - - -There was in former times at Casgar, upon the utmost skirts of -Tartary, a tailor, that had a pretty wife, whom he doted on, and was -reciprocally loved by her. One day as he sat at work, a little -hunch-back came and eat down at the shop-door, and fell to singing -and playing upon a tabor. The tailor took pleasure to hear him, and -resolved to take him into his house to please his wife. This little -fellow, said he to his wife, will divert us both this evening. He -invited him in, and the other readily accepted of the invitation; so -the tailor shut up his shop, and carried him home. As soon as they -came in, the tailor’s wife having before laid the cloth, it being -supper time, set before them a good dish of fish; but as the little -man was eating, he unluckily swallowed a large bone, of which he -died in a few minutes, notwithstanding all that the tailor and his -wife could do to prevent it. Both were heartily frightened at the -accident, knowing it happened in their house; and there was reason -to fear that if the magistrates happened to hear of it they would be -punished as murderers. However, the husband found an expedient to -get rid of the corpse: he reflected there was a Jewish doctor that -lived just by, and having presently contrived a scheme, his wife and -he took the corpse, the one by the feet, and the other by the head, -and carried it to the physician’s house. They knocked at the door, -from which a steep pair of stairs led to his chamber. The servant -maid came down without any light, and opening the door, asked what -they wanted. Go up again, said the tailor, if you please, and tell -your master, we have brought him a man who is very ill, and wants -his advice. Here, said he, putting a piece of money into her hand, -give him that beforehand, to convince him that we do not mean to -impose on him. While the servant was gone up to acquaint her master -with the welcome news, the tailor and his wife nimbly conveyed the -hunch-backed corpse to the head of the stairs, and leaving it there, -hurried away. - -In the mean time, the maid told the doctor, that a man and a woman -waited for him at the door, desiring he would come down and look at -a sick man, whom they had brought with them, and clapping into his -hand the money she had received, the doctor was transported with -joy: being paid beforehand, he thought it was a good patient, and -should not be neglected. Light, light, cried he to the maid; follow -me nimbly. So saying, without staying for the light, he gets to the -stair-head in such haste, that, stumbling against the corpse, he -gave him a kick that made him tumble down to the stair-foot; he had -almost fallen himself along with him. A light! a light! cried he to -the maid; quick, quick! At last, the maid came with a light, and he -went down stairs with her; but when he saw that what he had kicked -down was a dead man, he was so frightened, that he invoked Moses, -Aaron, Joshua, Esdras, and all the other prophets of the law. -Unhappy man that I am! said he, why did I attempt to come down -without a light! I have killed the poor fellow that was brought to -me to be cured; questionless, I am the cause of his death, and -unless Esdras’s ass [68] comes to assist me, I am ruined. Mercy on -me! they will be here out of hand, and drag me out of my house for a -murderer. - -Notwithstanding the perplexity and jeopardy he was in, he had the -precaution to shut his door, for fear any one passing by in the -street should observe the mischance of which he reckoned himself to -be the author. Then he took the corpse into his wife’s chamber, -who was ready to swoon at the sight. Alas! cried she, we are utterly -ruined and undone, unless we fall upon some expedient to get the -corpse out of our house this night. Beyond all question, if we -harbour it till morning, our lives must pay for it. What a sad -mischance is this! What did you do to kill this man? That is not the -question, replied the Jew; our business now is to find out a remedy -for such a shocking accident. - -The doctor and his wife consulted together how to get rid of his -dead corpse that night. The doctor racked his brain in vain, he -could not think of any stratagem to get clear; but his wife, who was -more fertile in invention, said, I have a thought just come into my -head: let us carry the corpse to the leads of our house, and tumble -him down the chimney into the house of the Mussulman, our next -neighbour. - -This Mussulman was one of the sultan’s purveyors for furnishing -oil, butter, and all sorts of fat articles, and had a magazine in -his house, where the rats and mice made prodigious havoc. - -The Jewish doctor approving the proposed expedient, his wife and he -took the little hunch-back up to the roof of the house; and, -clapping ropes under his arm-pits, let him down the chimney into the -purveyor’s chamber so softly and dexterously, that he stood -upright against the wall, as if he had been alive. When they found -he had reached the bottom, they pulled up the ropes, and left the -corpse in that posture. They were scarce got down into their -chamber, when the purveyor went into his, being just come from a -wedding-feast, with a lantern in his hand. He was greatly surprised -when, by the light of his lantern, he descried a man standing -upright in his chimney; but being naturally a stout man, and -apprehending it was a thief, he took up a good stick, and making -straight up to the hunch-back, Ah, said he, I thought it was the -rats and mice that eat my butter and tallow, and it is you come down -the chimney to rob me! But I think you will not come here again upon -this errand. This said, he falls upon the man, and gives him many -strokes with his stick. The corpse fell down flat on the ground, and -the purveyor redoubled his blows; but, observing the body not to -move, he stood to consider a little, and then, perceiving it was a -dead corpse, fear succeeded his anger. Wretched man that I am, said -he, what have I done! I have killed a man! Alas! I have carried my -revenge too far. Good God, unless thou pity me, my life is gone! -Cursed, ten thousand times accursed, be the fat and the oil that -gave occasion to this my commission of such a criminal action! He -stood pale and thunderstruck: he thought he saw the officers already -come to drag him to condign punishment, and could not tell what -resolution to take. - -[Illustration: HUNCHBACK AND THE SULTAN’S PURVEYOR.] - -The sultan of Casgar’s purveyor had never noticed the little -man’s hump-back when he was beating him; but as soon as he -perceived it, he threw out a thousand imprecations against him. Ah, -you cursed hunch-back, cried he, you crooked son of a bitch! would -to God you had robbed me of all my fat, and I had not found you -here! I had not then been so much perplexed for the sake of you and -your vile hunch. Oh! ye stars that twinkle in the heavens, give -light to none but me in this dangerous juncture. As soon as he had -uttered these words, he took the crooked corpse upon his shoulders, -and carried him out of doors to the end of the street, where he set -him upright, resting against a shop, and so trudged home again, -without looking behind him. - -A few minutes before the break of day, a Christian merchant, who was -very rich, and furnished the sultan’s palace with various articles ---this merchant, I say, having sat up all night at a debauch, -stepped at that instant out of his house to go to bathe. --Though he -was drunk, he was sensible that the night was far spent, and that -the people would quickly be called to the morning prayers, at break -of day; therefore he quickened his pace to get in time to the bath, -for fear any Mussulman meeting him in his way to the mosque should -carry him to prison for a drunkard. As he came to the end of the -street, he stopped upon some necessary occasion against the shop -where the sultan’s purveyor had put the hunch-backed corpse, which -being jostled, tumbled upon the merchant’s back. The merchant, -thinking it was a robber that came to attack him, knocked him down -with a swinging box on the ear, and after redoubling his blows, -cried out “thieves.” - -The outcry alarmed the watch, who came up immediately; and finding a -Christian beating a Mussulman, (for hump-back was of our religion,) -What reason have you, said he, to abuse a Mussulman after this rate? -He would have robbed me, replied the merchant, and jumped upon my -back with intent to take me by the throat. If he did, said the -watch, you have revenged yourself sufficiently; come, get off him. -At the same time he stretched out his hand to help little hump-back -up; but observing he was dead, Oh! said he, is it thus that a -Christian dares to assassinate a Mussulman? So saying, he laid hold -of the Christian, and carried him to the house of the lieutenant of -the police, where he was kept till the judge was stirring, and ready -to examine him. In the mean time, the Christian merchant grew sober, -and the more he reflected upon his adventure, the less could he -conceive how such single blows of his fist could kill the man. - -The judge having heard the report of the watch, and viewed the -corpse, which they had taken care to bring to his house, -interrogated the Christian merchant upon it, and he could not deny -the crime, though he had not committed it. But the Judge, -considering that little hump-back belonged to the sultan, for he was -one of his buffoons, would not put the Christian to death, till he -knew the sultan’s pleasure. For this end he went to the palace, -and acquainted the sultan with what had happened, and received from -the sultan this answer: I have no mercy to show to a Christian that -kills a Mussulman; go, do your office. Upon this the judge ordered a -gibbet to be erected, and sent criers all over the city to proclaim, -that they were about to hang a Christian for killing a Mussulman. - -At length the merchant was brought out of jail to the foot of the -gallows; and the hangman having put the rope about his neck, was -going to give him a swing, when the sultan’s purveyor pushing -through the crowd, made up to the gibbet, calling to the hangman to -stop, for that the Christian had not committed the murder, but -himself had done it. Upon that the officer who attended the -execution began to question the purveyor, who told him every -circumstance of his killing the little hump-back, and how he -conveyed his corpse to the place where the Christian merchant found -him. You were about, added he, to put to death an innocent person; -for how can he be guilty of the death of a man who was dead before -he came at him? It is enough for me to have killed a Mussulman, -without loading my conscience with the death of a Christian, who is -not guilty. - -The sultan of Casgar’s purveyor having publicly charged himself -with the death of the little hunch-backed man, the officer could not -avoid doing justice to the merchant. Let the Christian go, said he -to the executioner, and hang this man in his room, since it appears -by his own confession that he is guilty. Thereupon, the hangman -released the merchant, and clapped the rope around the purveyor’s -neck; but just when he was going to pull him up, he heard the voice -of the Jewish doctor, earnestly entreating him to suspend the -execution, and make room for him to come to the foot of the gallows. - -When he appeared before the judge, My lord, said he, this Mussulman -you are going to hang is not guilty; all the guilt lies at my door. -Last night, a man and a woman, unknown to me, came to my door with a -sick man they had brought along; my maid went and opened it without -a light, and received from them a piece of money, with a commission -to come and desire me, in their name, to step down, and look at the -sick person. While she was delivering her message to me, they -conveyed the sick person to the stair-head, and disappeared. I went -down without staying till my servant had lighted a candle, and in -the dark happened to stumble upon the sick person, and kick him down -stairs. At length, I saw he was dead, and that it was the crooked -Mussulman, whose death you are now about to avenge. So my wife and I -took the corpse, and after conveying it up to the roof of our house, -shoved it to the roof of the purveyor, our next neighbour, whom you -were going to put to death unjustly, and let it down the chimney -into his chamber. The purveyor, finding it in his house, took the -little man for a thief; and after beating him, concluded he had -killed him; but that it was not so, you will be convinced by this my -deposition; so that I am the only author of the murder; --and though -it was committed undesignedly, I have resolved to expiate my crime, -that I may not have to charge myself with the death of two -Mussulmen, and hinder you from executing the sultan’s purveyor, -whose innocence I have now revealed. So pray dismiss him, and put me -in his place, for I alone am the cause of the death of the little -man. - -The chief justice being persuaded that the Jewish doctor was the -murderer, gave orders to the executioner to seize him, and release -the purveyor. Accordingly the doctor was just going to be hung up, -when the tailor appeared, crying to the executioner to hold his -hand, and make room for him, that he might come and make his -confession to the chief judge. Room being made, My lord, said he, -you have narrowly escaped taking away the lives of three innocent -persons; but if you will have the patience to hear me, I will -discover to you the real murderer of the crook-backed man. If his -death is to be expiated by another, that must be mine. Yesterday, -towards the evening, as I was at work in my shop, and was disposed -to be merry, the little hunch-back came to my door half-drunk, and -sat down before it. He sung a little, and so I invited him to pass -the evening at my house. He accepted of the invitation, and went in -with me. We sat down to supper, and I gave him a plate of fish; but -in eating, a bone stuck in his throat; and though my wife and I did -our utmost to relieve him, he died in a few minutes. His death -afflicted us extremely; and for fear of being charged with it, we -carried the corpse to the Jewish doctor’s house, and knocked at -the door. The maid coming down and opening the door, I desired her -to go up again forthwith, and ask her master to come down and give -his advice to a sick person that we had brought along with us; and -withal, to encourage him, I charged her to give him a piece of -money, which I had put into her hand. When she was gone up again, I -carried the hunch-back up stairs, and laid him upon the uppermost -step, and then my wife and I made the best of our way home. The -doctor coming down, made the corpse fall down stairs, and thereupon -he took himself to be the author of his death. This being the case, -continued he, release the doctor, and let me die in his room. - -The chief justice and all the spectators could not sufficiently -admire the strange events that ensued upon the death of the little -crooked man. Let the Jewish doctor go, said the judge, and hang up -the tailor, since he confesses the crime. It is certain, this -history is very uncommon, and deserves to be recorded in letters of -gold. The executioner having dismissed the doctor, made every thing -ready to tie up the tailor. - -While the executioner was making ready to hang up the tailor, the -sultan of Casgar, wanting the company of his crooked jester, asked -where he was; and one of his officers told him, The Hunchback, sir, -whom you inquire after, got drunk last night, and contrary to his -custom, slipped out of the palace, and went strolling about the -city, and this morning was found dead. A man was brought before the -chief justice and charged with the murder of him; but when he was -going to be hanged, up came a man, and after him another, who took -the charge upon themselves, and cleared one another. This lasted -some time, and the judge is now examining a third man, who gives -himself out for the real author of the murder. - -Upon this intelligence, the sultan of Casgar sent an officer to the -place of execution. Go, said he, in all haste, and tell the judge to -bring the accused persons before me immediately; and, withal, bring -the corpse of poor Humpback, that I may see him once more. -Accordingly, the officer went, and happened to arrive at the place -of execution at the very time that the executioner was going to tie -up the tailor. --He cried aloud to the executioner to suspend the -execution. The hangman knowing the officer, did not dare to proceed, -but untied the tailor; and then the officer acquainted the judge -with the sultan’s pleasure. The judge obeyed, and went straight to -the palace, accompanied by the tailor, the Jewish doctor, and the -Christian merchant; and made four of his men carry the hunch-backed -corpse along with him. - -When they appeared before the sultan, the judge threw himself at the -prince’s feet, and after recovering himself, gave him a faithful -relation of what he knew of the story of the hump-backed man. The -story appeared so extraordinary to the sultan, that he ordered his -own historian to write it down with all its circumstances; then -addressing himself to the audience: Did you ever hear, said he, such -a surprising event as this, that has happened upon the account of my -little crooked buffoon? Then the Christian merchant, after falling -down, and touching the earth with his forehead, spoke as follows: -Most puissant monarch, said he, I know a story yet more astonishing -than that you have now spoken of; if your majesty will give me -leave, I will tell it you. The circumstances are such, that nobody -can hear them without emotion. --Well, said the sultan, I give you -leave; and so the merchant went on as follows: - - - - -The Story told by the Christian Merchant. - - -Sir, before I commence the recital of the story you have permitted -me to relate, I beg leave to acquaint you that I have not the honour -to be born in any part of your majesty’s empire. I am a stranger, -born at Cairo, in Egypt, a Copt by nation, and by religion a -Christian. My father was a broker, and got a good estate, which he -left me at his death. I followed his example, and took up the same -employment; and one day at Cairo, as I was standing in the public -inn for the corn merchants, there came up to me a young handsome -man, well dressed, and mounted upon an ass. He saluted me, and -pulling out a handkerchief, in which he had a sample of sesame, or -Turkey corn, asked me what a bushel of such sesame would fetch? I -examined the corn that the young man showed me, and told him, it was -worth a hundred drachms of silver per bushel. Pray, said he, look -out for some merchant to take it at that price, and come to me at -the Victory gate, where you will see a khan at a distance from the -houses. So saying, he left me the sample, and I showed it to several -merchants, who told me, that they would take as much as I could -spare at a hundred and ten drachms per bushel, so that I made an -account to get ten drachms per bushel for my share. Full of the -expectation of this profit, I went to the Victory gate, where I -found the young merchant expecting me, and he carried me into his -granary, which was full of sesame. He had a hundred and fifty -bushels of it, which I measured out, and having carried them off -upon asses, sold them for five thousand drachms of silver. Out of -this sum, said the young man, there is five hundred drachm; coming -to you, at the rate of ten drachms per bushel. This I give to you, -and as for the rest which is to come to me, do you take it out of -the merchant’s hand, and keep it till I call or send for it, for I -have no occasion for it at present. I made answer, it should be -ready for him whenever he pleased to call for it; and so, kissing -his hand, took leave of him with a grateful sense of his generosity. - -A month passed before he came near me; then he asked for his four -thousand five hundred drachms of silver. I told him they were ready, -and should be told down to him immediately. He was then mounted on -his ass, and I desired him to alight, and do me the honour to eat a -mouthful with me before he received his money. No, said he, I cannot -alight at present; I have urgent business that obliges me to be at a -place just by here; but I will return this way, and then take the -money, which I desire you would have in readiness. This said, he -disappeared, and I still expected his return, but it was a full -month before he came again. I thought to myself, the young man has -great confidence in me, leaving so great a sum in my hands without -knowing me; any other man would have been afraid I should have run -away with it. To be short, he came again at the end of the third -month, and was still mounted on his ass, but finer dressed than -before. - -As soon as I saw the young man, I entreated him to alight, and asked -him if he would not take his money? There is no hurry, said he, with -a pleasant easy air, I know it is in good hands; I will come and -take it when my other money is all gone: Adieu, continued he, I will -come again towards the latter end of the week. With that, he struck -the ass, and was soon out of sight. Well, thought I to myself, he -says he will see me towards the latter end of the week, but it is -likely I may not see him in a great while; I will go and make the -most of his money, and shall get a good profit by it. - -And as it happened, I was not out in my conjecture; for it was a -full year before I saw my young merchant again. Then he appeared -indeed, with richer apparel than before, but seemed to have -something on his mind. I asked him to do me the honour to walk into -my house. For this time, replied he, I will go in; but upon this -condition, that you shall put yourself to no extraordinary charge -upon my account. I will do just as you please, said I; only do me -the favour to alight and walk in. Accordingly, he complied, and I -gave orders for an entertainment; and while that was getting ready, -we fell into discourse together. When the entertainment was got -ready, we sat down to table. I observed he took the first mouthful -with his left hand, and not with the right. I could not tell what to -think of it. Said I to myself, ever since I knew this young man, he -always appeared very polite; is it possible he can do this out of -contempt of me? What can be the matter, that he does not make use of -his right hand? - -I was very anxious to know, why my guest ate with the left hand. -After we had done eating, and every thing was taken away, we sat -down upon a sofa, and I presented him with a lozenge by way of -dainty, and still he took it with his left hand. Then I said to him, -Pardon, sir, the liberty I take, in asking you what reason you have -for not making use of your right hand? Perhaps you have some -complaint in that hand. Instead of answering, he fetched a deep -sigh, and pulling out his right arm, which he had hitherto kept -under his garment, showed me, to my great astonishment, that his -hand had been cut off. Doubtless, you were alarmed, said he, to see -me feed myself with the left hand; but I leave you to judge whether -it was in my power to do otherwise. May one ask you, said I, by what -mischance it was that you lost your right hand? Upon that, he burst -into tears, and after wiping his eyes, gave me the following -relation. - -You must know, said he, that I am a native of Bagdad, the son of a -rich father, the most eminent in that city for quality and for -riches. I had scarce launched into the world, when falling into the -company of travellers, and hearing their wonderful accounts of -Egypt, especially Grand Cairo, I was moved by their discourse, and -felt a longing desire to travel. But my father was then alive, and -had not given me leave. At length, he died; and being now my own -master, I resolved to take a journey to Cairo. I laid out a large -sum of money upon several sorts of fine stuffs of Bagdad and -Moussoul, and so undertook my journey. - -Arriving at Cairo, I went to the khan, called the khan of Mesrour, -and there took lodgings, with a warehouse for my bales, which I -brought along with me upon camels. This done, I retired to my -chamber, to rest myself after the fatigue of my journey, and gave -some money to my servants, with orders to go and buy some -provisions, and dress them. After I had eaten, I went and saw the -castle, some mosques, the public squares, and the other places that -were curious. - -Next day, I dressed myself, and ordered some of the finest and -richest of my bales to be picked out and carried by my slaves to the -Circassian bezestein, [69] whither I went myself. I no sooner got -there, than I was surrounded with brokers and criers, who had heard -of my arrival. I gave patterns of my stuffs to several of the -criers, who went and cried them, and showed them all over the -bezestein; but none of the merchants offered near so much as they -had cost me in prime cost and carriage. This vexed me, and the -criers observing I was dissatisfied, If you will take our advice, -said they, we will put you in a way to sell your stuffs without loss. - -The brokers and the criers having thus promised to put me in a way -of losing nothing by my goods, I asked them, what course they would -have me take. Divide your goods, said they, among several merchants, -and they will sell them by retail; and twice a week, that is, on -Mondays and Thursdays, you may receive what money they take. By this -means, you will get instead of losing, and the merchants will gain -by you; and in the mean while, you will have time to take your -pleasure, and walk about the town, or go upon the Nile. - -I took their advice, and carried them to my warehouse; from whence I -brought all my goods to the bezestein, and there divided them among -the merchants whom they represented as most reputable and able to -pay; and the merchants gave me a formal receipt before witnesses, -stipulating withal, that I should not make any demands upon them for -the first month. - -Having thus regulated my affairs, my mind was taken up with other -things than the ordinary pleasures. I contracted friendship with -divers persons almost of the same age with myself, who took care to -make the time pass pleasantly. After the first month was expired. I -began to visit my merchants twice a week, taking along with me a -public officer to inspect their books of sale, and a banker to see -they paid me in good money, and to regulate the value of the several -species; and so every pay day I had a good sum of money to carry -home to my lodging at the khan of Mesrour. I went, nevertheless, on -the other days, to pass the morning sometimes at one merchant’s -house, and sometimes at another. In short, I diverted myself in -conversing with them, and seeing what passed in the bezestein. - -One Monday, as I sat in a merchant’s shop, whose name was -Bedreddin, a lady of quality, as one might easily perceive by her -air, her habit, and by a well-dressed slave, came into the shop, and -sat down by me. Her external appearance, joined to a natural grace -that shone in all her actions, prejudiced me in her favour, and -inspired me with a longing desire to be better acquainted with her. -I know not whether she observed that I took pleasure in gazing upon -her, and whether this attention on my part was not agreeable to her; -but she let down the crape that hung over the muslin which covered -her face, and so gave me the opportunity of seeing her large black -eyes, which perfectly charmed me. In fine, she inflamed my love to -its height by the agreeable sound of her voice, and her genteel, -graceful carriage in saluting the merchant, and asking him how he -did since she saw him last. - -After conversing with him some time upon indifferent subjects, she -gave him to understand that she wanted a sort of stuff with a gold -ground; that she came to his shop, as affording the best choice of -any in all the bezestein; and that if he had any such as she asked -for, he would oblige her in showing them. Bedreddin showed her -several pieces, one of which she pitched upon, and he asked for it -eleven hundred drachms of silver. I agree, said she, to give you so -much, but I have not money enough about me; so I hope you will give -me credit till to-morrow, and in the mean time allow me to carry off -the stuff. I shall not fail, added she, to send to you to-morrow the -eleven hundred drachms I agreed for. Madam, said Bedreddin, I would -give you credit with all my heart, and allow you to carry off the -stuff if it were mine; but it belongs to the young man you see here, -and this is the day on which we settle our accounts. Why, said the -lady in surprise, why do you offer to use me so! Am I not a customer -to your shop? And as often as I have bought of you, and carried home -the things without paying ready money for them, did I ever fail to -send you your money next morning? Madam, said the merchant, it is -true; but this very day I have occasion for the money. There, said -she, throwing the stuff to him, take your stuff; I care not for you -nor all the merchants. You are all alike; you respect nobody. This -said, she rose up in a passion, and walked out. - -When I saw, said the young man, that the lady walked away, I felt a -great concern for her; so I called her back, saying, Madam, do me -the favour to return; perhaps I can find a way to content you both. -She returned, saying, it was for my sake that she complied. Mr. -Bedreddin, said I to the merchant, what do you say you must have for -this stuff that belongs to me? I must have, said he, eleven hundred -drachms; I cannot take less. Give it to the lady then, said I, let -her take it home with her; I allow a hundred drachms profit to -yourself, and shall now write you a note, empowering you to discount -that sum upon the other goods you have of mine. In fine, I wrote, -signed, and delivered the note, and then handed the stuff to the -lady. Madam, said I, you may take the stuff with you, and as for the -money, you may either send it to-morrow or next day; or, if you -will, accept the stuff as a present from me. I beg your pardon, sir, -said she, I mean no such thing. You treat me with so much civility, -that I ought never to show myself in the world again, if I did not -show my gratitude to you. May God reward you by an increase of your -fortune; may you live many years when I am dead; may the gate of -heaven be open to you when you remove to the other world, and may -all the city proclaim your generosity. - -These words inspired me with some assurance. Madam, said I, I desire -no other reward for the service I have done you, than the happiness -of seeing your face; that will repay me with interest. I had no -sooner spoken than she turned towards me, took off the muslin that -covered her face, and discovered to my eyes a wonderful beauty. I -was so struck, that I could not express my thoughts to her. I could -have looked upon her for ever: but fearing any one should observe -her, she quickly covered her face, and letting down the crape, took -up the piece of stuff and went away, leaving me in a very different -state of mind from what I was in when I came to the shop. I -continued for some time in great disorder and perplexity. Before I -took leave of the merchant, I asked him if he knew the lady: Yes, -said he; she is the daughter of an emir, who left her an immense -fortune at his death. - -I went back to the khan of Mesrour, and sat down to supper, bat -could not eat, neither could I shut my eyes all the night, which -seemed the longest night in my life. As soon as it was day I got up, -in hopes to see once more the object that disturbed my repose; and -to engage her affection, I dressed myself yet more nicely than I had -done the day before. - -I had but just got to Bedreddin’s shop, when I saw the lady coming -in more magnificent apparel than before, and attended by her slave. -When she came in, she did not mind the merchant, but addressing -herself to me, Sir, said she, you see I am punctual to my word. I am -come on purpose to pay the sum you were so kind as to pass your word -for yesterday, though you had no knowledge of me. Such uncommon -generosity I shall never forget. --Madam, said I, you had no -occasion to be so hasty; I was well satisfied as to my money, and am -sorry you should put yourself to so much trouble about it. --I had -been very unjust, answered she, if I had abused your generosity. -With these words she put the money into my hand, and sat down by me. - -Having this opportunity of conversing with her, I made the best use -of it, and mentioned to her the love I had for her; but she rose and -left me very abruptly, as if she had been angry with the declaration -I had made. I followed her with my eyes as long as she was in sight, -and as soon as she was out of sight, I took leave of the merchant, -and walked out of the bezestein, without knowing where I went. I was -musing upon this adventure, when I felt somebody pulling me behind, -and turning about to see who it was, I had the agreeable surprise to -perceive it was the lady’s slave. My mistress, said the slave, I -mean the young lady you spoke with but now in the merchant’s shop, -wants to speak a word with you if you please to give yourself the -trouble to follow me. Accordingly I followed her, and found her -mistress sitting waiting for me in a banker’s shop. - -She made me sit down by her, and spoke to this purpose. Dear sir, -said she, do not be surprised that I left you so abruptly. I thought -it not proper, before that merchant, to give a favourable answer to -the discovery you made of your affection to me. But to speak the -truth, I was so far from being offended at it, that I was pleased -when I heard it; and I account myself infinitely happy in having a -man of your merit for my lover. I do not know what impression the -first sight of me could make upon you; but I assure you, I no sooner -saw you than I conceived tender thoughts of you. Since yesterday I -have done nothing but think of what you said to me; and my eagerness -to come and seek you this morning may convince you I have no small -regard for you. --Madam, said I, transported with love and joy, -nothing can be more agreeable to me than what I now hear. No passion -can be greater than that with which I love you, since the happy -moment I cast my eyes upon you; my eyes were then dazzled with so -many charms, that my heart yielded without resistance. --Let us not -trifle away the time in needless discourse, said she, interrupting -me; I make no doubt of your sincerity, and you shall quickly be -convinced of mine. Will you do me the honour to come to my home? or -if you will, I will come to yours. --Madam, said I, I am a stranger -lodged in a khan, which is not a proper place for the reception of a -lady of your quality and me. It is more proper, madam, for me to -come to you at your own home, if you will please to tell me where it -is. The lady complying with this desire; I live, said she, in -Devotion-Street; come on Friday, which is the day after to-morrow, -after noon-prayers, and ask for the house of Abon Schama, surnamed -Bercour, late master of the emirs; there you will find me. This -said, we parted; and I passed the next day in great impatience. - -On Friday I got up betimes, and put on my best clothes, with fifty -pieces of gold in my purse. I mounted an ass I had bespoke the day -before, and set out, accompanied by the man that let me the ass. -When we came to Devotion-Street, I directed the owner of the ass to -inquire for the house I wanted; he found it, and conducted me -thither. I paid him liberally, and sent him back; directing him to -observe narrowly where he left me, and not to fail to come back with -the ass next morning, to carry me back again to the khan of Mesrour. - -I knocked at the door, and presently two little girl-slaves, white -as snow, and neatly dressed, came and opened it. Be pleased to come -in, sir, said they; our mistress expects you impatiently; these two -days she has talked of nothing but you. I entered the court, and saw -a great pavilion, raised upon seven steps, and surrounded with iron -rails that parted it from a very pleasant garden. Besides the trees -which only embellished the place, and formed an agreeable shade, -there was an infinite number of other trees loaded with all sorts of -fruit. I was charmed with the warbling of a great number of birds, -that joined their notes to the murmurings of a very high water-work, -in the middle of a parterre enamelled with flowers. This water-work -was a very agreeable sight; four large gilded dragons at the angles -of the basin, which was of a square form, spouted out water clearer -than rock-crystal. This delicious place gave me a charming idea of -the conquest I had made. The two little slaves conducted me into a -saloon magnificently furnished; and while one of them went to -acquaint her mistress with my arrival, the other tarried with me, -and pointed out to me the beauties of the hall. - -I did not tarry long in the hall, ere the lady I loved appeared, -adorned with pearls and diamonds; but the splendour of her eyes far -outshone that of her jewels. Her shape, which was now not disguised -by the habit she wore in the city, appeared the most slender and -advantageous. I need not mention with what joy we met once more; -that far exceeds all expression. I shall only tell you, that when -the first compliments were over, we sat both down upon a sofa, and -there conversed together with the highest satisfaction. After that, -we had the most delicious messes served up to us; and after eating, -continued our conversation till night. At night we had excellent -wine brought up, and such fruit as is apt to promote drinking; and -timed our cups to the sound of musical instruments, joined to the -voices of the slaves. The lady of the house sung herself, and by her -songs raised my passion to the height. In short, I passed the night -in the full enjoyment of all manner of pleasure. - -Next morning I slipt under the bolster of the bed the purse with the -fifty pieces of gold I had brought with me, and took leave of the -lady, who asked me when I would see her again. Madam, said I, I give -you my promise to return this night. She seemed to be transported -with my answer, and conducting me to the door, conjured me at -parting to be mindful of my promise. - -The same man that had carried me thither, waited for me with his -ass, which I mounted, and went directly to the khan, ordering the -man to come to me again in the afternoon at a certain hour; to -secure which, I would not pay him till that time came. - -As soon as I arrived at my lodging, my first care was to order my -people to buy a good lamb, and several sorts of cakes, which I sent -by a porter as a present to the lady. When that was done, I attended -to my serious business till the owner of the ass came. Then I went -along with him to the lady’s house, and was received by her with -as much joy as before, and entertained with equal magnificence. - -Next morning I took leave, and left her another purse with fifty -pieces of gold, and returned to my khan. - -I continued to visit the lady every day, and to leave her every time -a purse with fifty pieces of gold, till the merchants whom I -employed to sell my goods, and whom I visited regularly twice a -week, owed me nothing: and, in short, I came at last to be -moneyless, and hopeless of having any more. - -In this desperate condition, I walked out of my lodging, not knowing -what course to take, and by chance went towards the castle, where -there was a great crowd of people to see a show given by the sultan -of Egypt. As soon as I came up to them, I wedged in among the crowd, -and by chance happened to stand by a horseman well mounted, and -handsomely clothed, who had upon the pommel of his saddle a bag, -half open, with a string of green silk hanging out of it. I clapped -my hand to the bag, concluding the silk twist might be the string of -a purse within the bag: in the mean time, a porter with a load of -wood upon his back, passed by the other side of the horse, so near -that the gentleman on horseback was forced to turn his head towards -him, to avoid being hurt, or having his clothes torn by the wood. In -that moment did the devil tempt me; I took the string in one hand, -and with the other laid open the mouth of the bag, and pulled out -the purse so dexterously, that nobody perceived it. The purse was -heavy, and I did not doubt but there was gold or silver in it. - -As soon as the porter had passed, the horseman, who probably had -some suspicion of what I had done while his head was turned, -presently put his hand to his bag, and finding his purse was gone, -gave me such a blow that he knocked me down. This violence shocked -all who saw it; some took hold of the horse’s bridle, to stop the -gentleman, and asked him, what reason he had to strike me, or how he -came to treat a Mussulman after that rate. Do not you trouble -yourselves, said he briskly; I had reason for what I did: this -fellow is a thief. At these words, I started up, and from my -appearance, every one took my part, and cried out he was a liar, for -that it was incredible a young man such as I, should be guilty of so -base an action; but while they were holding his horse by the bridle -to favour my escape, unfortunately passed by the judge, who seeing -such a crowd about the gentleman on horseback and me, came up and -asked what the matter was. Every body present reflected on the -gentleman for treating me so unjustly upon the pretence of robbery. - -The judge did not give ear to all that was said; but asked the -cavalier if he suspected any body else beside me? The cavalier told -him he did not, and gave his reasons why he believed his suspicions -not to be groundless. Upon this, the judge ordered his followers to -seize me, and search me, which they presently did; and finding the -purse upon me, exposed it to the view of all the people. The -disgrace was so great, I could not bear it, but swooned away. In the -mean time the judge called for the purse. - -When he had got it in his hand, he asked the horseman if it was his, -and how much money was in it. The cavalier knew it to be his own, -and assured the judge he had put twenty sequins into it. Upon which, -the judge called me before him: Come, young man, said he, confess -the truth; was it you that took the gentleman’s purse from him? Do -not wait for the torture to extort confession. Then, with downcast -eyes, thinking within myself, that if I denied the fact, they -finding the purse about me, would convict me of a lie; to avoid a -double punishment, I looked up and confessed it was I. I had no -sooner made the confession than the judge called people to witness -it, and ordered my hand to be cut off. This sentence was put in -execution immediately upon the spot, to the great regret of all the -spectators; nay, I observed by the cavalier’s countenance, that he -was moved with pity as much as the rest. The judge would likewise -have ordered my foot to be cut off, but I begged the cavalier to -intercede for my pardon, which he did, and obtained it. - -When the judge was gone, the cavalier came up to me, and holding out -the purse, I see plainly, said he, that necessity put you upon an -action so disgraceful and unworthy of such a handsome young man as -you are. Here, take that fatal purse; I freely give it you, and am -heartily sorry for the misfortune you have undergone. This said, he -went away; and I being very weak by loss of blood, some of the good -people of the neighbourhood had the charity to carry me into a -house, and gave me a glass of wine; they likewise dressed my arm, -and wrapped up the dismembered hand in a cloth, which I carried away -with me fastened to my girdle. - -If I had returned to the khan of Mesrour in this melancholy -condition, I should not have found there such relief as I wanted; -and to offer to go to the young lady was running a great hazard, it -being likely she would not look upon me after she heard of my -disgrace. I resolved, however, to put it to the trial; and to tire -out the crowd that followed me, I turned down several by-streets, -and at last, arrived at the lady’s house very weak, and so much -fatigued, that I presently threw myself down upon a sofa, keeping my -right arm under my garment, for I took great care to conceal my -misfortune. - -In the mean time, the lady, hearing of my arrival, and that I was -not well, came to me in all haste, and seeing me pale and dejected, -My dear soul, said she, what is the matter with you? --Madam, said -I, dissembling, I have got a violent pain in my head. The lady -seemed to be much concerned, and asked me to sit down, for I had got -up to receive her. Tell me, said she, how your illness came: the -last time I had the pleasure to see you, you were very well. There -must be something else that you conceal from me; let me know what it -is. I stood silent, and instead of an answer, tears trickled down my -cheeks. I cannot conceive, said she, what it is that afflicts you. -Have I unthinkingly given you any occasion of uneasiness? Or do you -come on purpose to tell me you no longer love me? --It is not that, -madam, said I, fetching a deep sigh; your unjust suspicion is an -addition to my misfortune. - -I could not think of discovering to her the true cause. When night -came, supper was brought, and she pressed me to eat; but considering -I could only feed myself with my left hand, I begged to be excused, -upon the plea of having no appetite. Your appetite will return, said -she, if you would but discover what you so obstinately hide from me. -Your inappetency, without doubt, is only owing to your irresolution. ---Alas! madam, said I, I find I must resolve at last. I had no -sooner spoke these words, than she filled me a cup full of wine, and -offering it to me, Drink that, said she, it will give you courage. I -reached out my left hand, and took the cup. - -When I had got the cup in my hand, I redoubled my tears and sighs. -Why do you sigh and weep so bitterly? said the lady: and why do you -take the cup with your left hand, rather than your right? --Ah! -madam, said I, excuse me, I beseech you; I have a swelling in my -right hand. --Let me see that swelling, said she: I will open it. I -desired to be excused, alleging it was not ripe enough for opening! -and drank off the cup, which was very large. The fumes of the wine, -joined to my weakness and weariness, set me asleep, and I slept very -soundly till next morning. - -In the mean time, the lady curious to know what ailed my right hand, -lifted up my garment that covered it, and saw to her great -astonishment that it was cut off, and that I had brought it along -with me wrapt up in a cloth. She presently apprehended what was my -reason for declining a discovery, notwithstanding all her pressing -solicitation, and passed the night in the greatest uneasiness upon -my disgrace, which she concluded had been occasioned only by the -love I bore to her. - -When I awaked, I discerned by her countenance, that she was -extremely grieved. However, that she might not increase my -uneasiness, she said not a word. She called for jelly broth of fowl, -which she had ordered to be prepared, and made me eat and drink to -recruit my strength. After that, I offered to take leave of her, but -she declared I should not go out of her doors. Though you tell me -nothing of the matter, said she, I am persuaded I am the cause of -the misfortune that has befallen you. The grief that I feel upon -that score will quickly make an end of me; but before I die, I must -execute a design for your benefit. She had no sooner said the word -than she called for a judge and witnesses, and ordered a writing to -be drawn up, putting me in possession of her whole property. After -this was done, and every body dismissed, she opened a large trunk, -where lay all the purses I had given her from the commencement of -our amour. There they are all entire, said she; I have not touched -one of them: here is the key: take it, for all is yours. After I had -returned her thanks for her generosity and goodness: What I have -done for you, said she, is nothing; I shall not be satisfied unless -I die, to show how much I love you. I conjured her by all the powers -of love, to give up such a fatal resolution. But all my -remonstrances were ineffectual; she was so afflicted to see me have -but one hand, that she sickened, and died after five or six weeks’ -illness. - -After mourning for her death as long as was decent, I took -possession of all her estate, a particular account of which she gave -me before she died, and the corn you sold for me was part of it. - -What I have now told you will plead my excuse for eating with my -left hand. I am highly obliged to you for the trouble you have given -yourself on my account. I can never sufficiently recompense your -fidelity. Since, thanks to God, I have still a competent estate, -notwithstanding I have spent a great deal, I beg you to accept of -the sum now in your hand, as a present from me. --Over and above -this, I have a proposal to make to you; since by reason of this -fatal accident I am obliged to depart from Cairo, I am resolved -never to see it more. If you choose to accompany me, we will trade -together as equal partners, and divide the profit. - -I thanked the young man, said the Christian merchant, for the -present he had made me; and as to the proposal of travelling with -him, I willingly embraced it, assuring him, that his interest should -always be as dear to me as my own. - -We fixed a day for our departure, and accordingly entered upon our -travels. We passed through Syria and Mesopotamia, travelled all over -Persia, and after stopping at several cities, came at last, sir, to -your capital. Some time after our arrival in this place, the young -man having formed a design of returning to Persia, and settling -there, we balanced our accounts and parted very good friends. He -went from hence, and I, sir, continue here in your majesty’s -service. This is the story I had to tell you: does not your majesty -find it more surprising than that of the crooked buffoon? - -The sultan of Casgar fell into a passion against the Christian -merchant. You are very bold, said he, to tell me a story so little -worth my hearing, and then to compare it to that of my jester. Can -you flatter yourself so far as to believe that the trifling -adventures of a young debauchee can make such an impression upon me -as those of my jester? I will hang you all four, to revenge his -death. - -Hearing this, the purveyor fell down frighted at the sultan’s -feet. Sir, said he, I humbly beseech your majesty to suspend your -just wrath, and hear my story; and if it appears to your majesty to -be prettier than that of your jester, to pardon us all four. The -sultan having granted this request, the purveyor began thus: - - - - -The Story told by the Sultan of Casgar’s Purveyor. - - -Sir, --A person of quality invited me yesterday to his daughter’s -wedding: I went to his house in the evening, at the hour appointed, -and found there a large company of doctors, ministers of justice, -and others of the best quality in the city. After the ceremony was -over, we had a splendid feast; and among other things set upon the -table, there was a course with garlic sauce, which indeed was very -delicious, and coveted by every body; we observed, however, that one -of the guests did not offer to touch it, though it stood just before -him, and we invited him to do as we did. But he conjured us not to -press him upon that head. I will take care, said he, not to touch -any dish that has garlic in it; I remember too well what the tasting -of such an one cost me once before. We entreated him to tell us what -was the occasion of his strong aversion to garlic; but before he had -time to make answer, Is it thus, said the master of the house, that -you honour my table? This ragout is excellent, do not you pretend to -be excused from eating of it; you must do me that favour as well as -the rest. --Sir, said the gentleman, who was a Bagdad merchant, I -hope you do not think I refuse to eat it out of a mistaken nicety; -if you will have me eat of it, I will do it; but still upon this -condition, that after eating of it, I may wash my hands, with your -good leave, forty times with alcali, [70] forty times more with the -ashes of the same plant, and forty times again with soap. I hope you -will not take it ill that I stipulate this condition, in pursuance -of an oath I have made never to taste garlic without observing it. - -The master of the house would not dispense with the merchant from -eating of the ragout with garlic, and therefore ordered his servant -to get ready a basin with water, together with alcali, the ashes of -the same plant, and soap, that the merchant might wash as often as -he pleased. When every thing was got ready, Now, said he to the -merchant, I hope you will do as we do. - -The merchant, displeased with the violence that was offered him, -reached out his hand, and took up a bit, which he put to his mouth -trembling, and eat with a reluctance that surprised us all. But what -surprised us most of all was, that he had only four fingers and no -thumb, which none of us observed before, though he had eat of other -dishes. You have lost your thumb, said the master of the house; by -what accident? It must have been occasioned by some extraordinary -accident, a relation of which will be agreeable to the company. ---Sir, replied the merchant, I have no thumb on the right nor on the -left hand. In speaking this, he put out his left hand, and showed -that what he said was true. But this is not all, continued he: if -you will believe me, I have no great toe on either of my feet: I was -maimed in this manner by an unheard of adventure, which I am willing -to relate to you, if you will have the patience to hear me. The -relation will equally raise your astonishment and pity. Only suffer -me to wash my hands first. With this he rose from the table, and -after washing his hands a hundred and twenty times, took his place -again, and recounted his story as follows: - -You must know, gentlemen, that in the reign of the caliph Haroun -Alraschid, my father lived in Bagdad, the place of my nativity, and -was reputed one of the richest merchants in the city. But being a -man addicted to his pleasures, and neglecting his private affairs, -instead of leaving me a plentiful fortune at his death, he left me -in such a situation, that all my economy was scarcely sufficient to -clear off his debts. However, with difficulty, I paid them all, and -through my industry and care, my little fortune began to wear a -smiling aspect. - -One morning, as I opened my shop, a lady, mounted upon a mule, and -attended by an eunuch and two slaves, stopped near my shop door, and -with the assistance of the eunuch’s hand, alighted. Madam, said -the eunuch, I told you you would be too soon; you see there is -nobody yet in the bezestein; if you had taken my advice, you might -have saved yourself the trouble of waiting here. The lady looked all -round her, and finding there was no shop open but mine, addressed -herself to me, asking leave to sit in my shop till the rest of the -merchants came. I could do no less than return a civil answer, and -invite the lady into my shop. - -The lady sat down in my shop, and observing there was nobody in the -whole bezestein but the eunuch and myself uncovered her face to take -the air; and I must say I never saw so beautiful a person. I no -sooner had a sight of her face, than I conceived a passion for her. -I fixed my eyes upon her, and perceived that she was not displeased -with my ogling, for she gave me a full opportunity to look on her, -and did not cover her face but when she was afraid of being taken -notice of. - -After she had pulled down her veil again, she told me she wanted -several sorts of the richest and finest stuffs, and asked me if I -had them. Alas! madam, said I, I am but a young man, and just -beginning the world, I have not stock enough for such great -concerns, and it is a mortification to me that I have nothing to -show you that will suit you: but to save you the trouble of going -from shop to shop, as soon as the merchants come, I will go, if you -please, and fetch from them what you want, with the lowest prices, -and so you may do your business without going any farther. She -complied with my proposal, and entered into discourse with me, which -continued so much the longer, as I made her believe the merchants -that could furnish what she wanted were not yet come. - -I was no less charmed with her wit than I had been before with the -beauty of her face; but there was a necessity of denying myself the -pleasure of her conversation. I ran out to see for the stuffs she -wanted; and after she had pitched upon what she liked, we agreed for -five thousand drachms of coined silver. I wrapped up the stuffs in a -small bundle, and gave it to the eunuch, who put it under his arm. -This done, she rose and took leave. I followed her with my eyes till -she had reached the bezestein gate, and even after she had mounted -her mule again. - -The lady had no sooner disappeared, than I perceived that love had -caused me to commit a great neglect. It had so engrossed my -thoughts, that I did not reflect that she went away without paying -the money, neither had I the thought to ask who she was or where she -dwelt. However, I considered I was accountable for a large sum to -the merchants, who, perhaps, would not have the patience to stay for -their money; and so I went to them, and made the best excuse I -could, pretending that I knew the lady; and then came home again, -equally affected with love, and with the burden of such a heavy debt. - -I had desired my creditors to stay eight days for their money; and -when eight days were passed, they did not fail to dun me. --Then I -entreated them to give me eight days more, which they agreed to; and -the very next day I saw the lady come to the bezestein, mounted on -her mule, with the same attendants as before, and exactly at the -same hour of the day. - -She came straight to my shop. I have made you stay some time, said -she, but here is your money at last; carry it to the banker, and see -it is all good and right. The eunuch, who brought me the money, went -along with me to the banker, and we found it very right. I returned, -and had the happiness of conversing with the lady till all the shops -of the bezestein were open. Though we talked but of ordinary things, -she gave them such a turn, that they appeared new and uncommon; and -convinced me that I was not mistaken in admiring her wit at our -first interview. - -As soon as the merchants had arrived and opened their shops, I -carried to the respective owners the money due for their stuffs, and -was readily entrusted with more, which the lady had desired to see. -She chose some from these to the value of one thousand pieces of -gold, and carried them away as before without paying: nay, without -speaking a word, or informing me who she was. What distressed me was -the consideration that while at this rate she risked nothing, she -left me without any security against being made answerable for the -goods in case she did not return. She has paid me, thought I, a -considerable sum; but she leaves me responsible for a greater. -Surely she cannot be a cheat: it is not possible she can have any -such design as to inveigle me to my ruin. The merchants do not know -her; they will all come upon me. In short, my love was not so -powerful as to stifle the uneasiness I felt, when I reflected upon -all the circumstances in which I was placed. A whole month passed -before I heard any thing of the lady again; and during that time my -alarm increased. The merchants, were impatient for their money, and -to satisfy them, I was going to sell off all I had, when one morning -the lady returned with the same equipage as before. - -Take your weights, said she, and weigh the gold I have brought you. -These words dispelled my fear, and inflamed my love. Before we -counted the money, she asked me several questions, and particularly -if I was married. I answered I never had been. Then reaching out the -gold to the eunuch, let us have your interposition, said she, to -accommodate our matters. Upon which the eunuch fell a laughing, and -calling me aside, made me weigh the gold. While I was thus occupied, -the eunuch whispered in my ear --I know by your eyes you love this -lady, and am surprised you have not the courage to disclose your -passion. She loves you more ardently than you do her. Do not imagine -that she has any real occasion for your stuffs. She only makes this -her pretence to come here, because you have inspired her with a -violent passion. It was for this reason she asked you if you were -married. It will be your own fault, if you do not marry her. It is -true. I replied, I have had a passion for her from the first moment -that I cast my eyes upon her; but I durst not aspire to the -happiness of thinking my attachment could meet her approbation. I am -entirely hers, and shall not fail to retain a grateful sense of your -good offices in this affair. - -I finished weighing the gold, and while I was putting it into the -bag, the eunuch turned to the lady, and told her I was satisfied; -that being the word they had agreed upon between themselves. -Presently after, the lady rose and took her leave; telling me she -would send her eunuch to me, and that I had only to obey the -directions he might give me in her name. - -I carried each of the merchants their money, and waited some days -with impatience for the eunuch. At last he came. - -I received him very kindly, and inquired after his mistress’s -health. You are, said he, the happiest lover in the world; she is -quite sick of love for you, and is impatient to see you; and were -she mistress of her own conduct, would not fail to come to you -herself, and willingly pass in your society all the days of her -life. Her noble mien and graceful carriage, I replied, convinced me -that she was a lady beyond the common rank. You have not erred in -your judgment on that head, said the eunuch: she is the favourite of -Zobeide, the caliph’s wife, who is the more affectionately -attached to her from having brought her up from her infancy, and -intrusts her with all her affairs. Having a wish to marry, she has -declared to her mistress that she has fixed her affections upon you, -and has desired her consent. - -Zobeide told her, she would not withhold her consent; but that she -would see you first, in order to judge if she had made a good -choice; in which case she meant herself to defray the expenses of -the wedding. Thus you see your felicity is certain; since you have -pleased the favourite, you will be equally agreeable to the -mistress, who seeks only to oblige her, and would by no means thwart -her inclination. All you have to do is to come to the palace. I am -sent hither to invite you as soon as you determine to go. - -My resolution is already formed, said I, and I am ready to follow -you whithersoever you please to conduct me. - -Very well, said the eunuch; but you know men are not allowed to -enter the ladies’ apartments in the palace, and you must be -introduced with great secrecy. The favourite lady has contrived the -matter well. On your side you must act your part discreetly; for if -you do not, your life is at stake. - -I gave him repeated assurances punctually to perform whatever he -might require. Then, said he, in the evening, you must be at the -mosque built by the caliph’s lady on the bank of the Tigris, and -wait there till somebody comes to conduct you. To this I agreed; and -after passing the day in great impatience, went in the evening to -the prayer that is said an hour and a half after sunset in the -mosque, and remained there after all the people had departed. - -Soon after I saw a boat making up to the mosque, the rowers of which -were all eunuchs, who came on shore and put several large trunks -into the mosque, and then retired; only one of them staid behind, -whom I perceived to be the same eunuch that had all along -accompanied the lady, and had been with me that morning. I saw the -lady also enter the mosque; and making up to her, told her I was -ready to obey her orders. We have no time to lose, said she; and -opening one of the trunks, bid me get into it, that being necessary -both for your safety and mine. Fear nothing, added she; leave the -management of all to me. I considered with myself, I had gone too -far to recede, and so obeyed her orders; and she immediately locked -the trunk. This done, the eunuch her confidant called the other -eunuchs who had brought in the trunks, and ordered them to carry -them on board again. The lady and eunuch re-embarked, and the -boatmen rowed to Zobeide’s apartment. - -In the mean time I reflected very seriously upon the danger to which -I had exposed myself, and made vows and prayers, though it was then -too late. - -The boat stopped at the palace gate, and the trunks were carried -into the apartment of the officer of the eunuchs, who keeps the key -of the ladies apartments, and suffers nothing to enter without a -narrow inspection. The officer was then in bed, and there was a -necessity of calling him up. - -The officer of the eunuchs was angry that they should break his -rest, and chid the favourite lady severely for coming home so late. -You shall not come off so easily as you think for, said he: not one -of these trunks shall pass till I have opened them every one. At the -same time he commanded the eunuch to bring them before him, and open -them one by one. The first they began with was that wherein I lay, -which put me into inexpressible fear. - -The favourite lady, who had the key of that trunk, protested it -should not be opened. You know very well, said she, I bring nothing -hither but what is for the use of Zobeide, your mistress and mine. -This trunk, continued she, is filled with rich goods that I had from -some merchants lately arrived, besides a number of bottles of Zemzem -water sent from Mecca; [71] and if any of these should happen to -break, the goods will be spoiled, and then you must answer for them; -depend on it, Zobeide will resent your insolence. She insisted upon -this in so peremptory terms, that the officer did not dare to take -upon him to open any of the trunks. Let them go, said he angrily; -you may carry them off. Upon that the women’s apartment was -opened, and all the trunks were carried in. - -They were scarcely got in, when all on a sudden I heard the people -cry, Here is the caliph! here comes the caliph! This put me in such -a fright, that I wonder I did not die upon the spot, for it really -was the caliph. What hast thou got in these trunks? said he to the -favourite. --Some stuffs, said she, lately arrived, which your -majesty’s lady had a mind to see. --Open them, cried he, and let -me see them. She pretended to excuse herself, alleging the stuffs -were only proper for ladies, and that by opening them his lady would -be deprived of the pleasure of seeing them first. I say, open them, -cried the caliph; I have a mind to see them, and I will see them. -She still represented that her mistress would be angry with her if -she opened them. No, no, said he; I will engage she shall not say a -word to you for so doing: come, come, open them, and do not keep me -waiting here. - -There was a necessity of obeying, which gave me such alarm, that I -tremble every time I think on it. The caliph sat down; and the -favourite ordered all the trunks to be brought before him one after -another. Then she opened them; and to lengthen out the time, showed -all the beauties of each particular stuff, thinking thereby to tire -out his patience; but her stratagem did not succeed. Being as -unwilling as myself to have the trunk where I lay opened, she left -that to the last. So when all the rest were viewed, Come, said the -caliph, make an end; let us see what is in that. I am at a loss to -tell you whether I was dead or alive that moment; for I little -thought of escaping so great a danger. - -When Zobeide’s favourite saw that the caliph would needs have the -trunk open where I lay, As for this trunk, said she, your majesty -will please to dispense with the opening of it: there are some -things in it which I cannot show you without your lady be by. Well, -well, said the caliph, since it is so, I am satisfied; order the -trunks to be carried away. The word was no sooner spoken than the -trunks were moved into her chamber, where I began to revive again. - -As soon as the eunuchs who had brought them were gone, she presently -opened the trunk where I was prisoner. Come out, said she, go up -these stairs that lead to an upper room, and stay there till I come. -The door which led to the stairs she locked after I was in; and that -was no sooner done, than the caliph came and sat down on the very -trunk where I had been confined. The occasion of this visit was a -motive of curiosity that did not respect me. He had a mind to -question the lady about what she had seen or heard in the city. So -they discoursed together some while, and then he left her and -retired to his apartment. - -When she found the coast clear, she came to the chamber where I was, -and made many apologies for the alarms she had given me. My -uneasiness, said she, was no less than yours; you cannot well doubt -of that, since I have run the same risk out of love to you: perhaps, -another person in my situation would not have had the presence of -mind to manage matters so dexterously upon so delicate an occasion, -where so much courage and presence of mind were requisite; nothing -less than the love I had for you could have inspired me with courage -to do it. But come, take heart, now the danger is over. After much -tender discourse between us, she told me it was time to go to rest, -and that she would not fail to introduce me to Zobeide, her -mistress, some hour to morrow, which will be very easy; For the -caliph never sees her, added she, but at night. Encouraged by these -words, I slept very well; or if my sleep was interrupted it was by -agreeable disquietudes, caused by the hopes of enjoying a lady, -blest with so much wit and beauty. - -The next day, before I was introduced to Zobeide, her favourite -instructed me how to behave, mentioning what questions she would put -to me, and dictating the answers I was to give. This done, she -carried me into a very magnificent and richly furnished hall. I was -no sooner entered, than twenty women slaves, advanced in age, -dressed in rich and uniform habits, came out of Zobeide’s -apartment, and placed themselves very modestly before the throne in -two equal rows; they were followed by twenty other younger ladies -clothed after the same manner, only their habits appeared somewhat -gayer. In the middle of these appeared Zobeide, with a majestic air, -and so laden with jewels that she could scarce walk. She went and -sat down on the throne, and the favourite lady, who had accompanied -her, stood just by her on her right hand; the other ladies, who were -slaves, being placed at some distance on each side of the throne. - -As soon as the caliph’s lady was set down, the slaves that came in -first made a sign for me to approach. I advanced between the two -rows they had formed, and prostrated myself upon the carpet that was -under the princess’s feet. She ordered me to rise, and did me the -honour to ask my name, my family, and the state of my fortune; upon -all which I gave her satisfactory answers, as I perceived not only -by her countenance, but by her words. I am glad, said she, that my -daughter, (so she used to call the favourite lady,) for I look upon -her as such, after the care I have taken of her education, I am very -glad she has made a choice that pleases me; I approve of it, and -give consent to your marriage. I will myself give orders for -solemnizing it; but I want to have my daughter stay ten days with me -before the solemnity; and in that time I will speak to the caliph, -and obtain his consent: meanwhile, do you stay here; you shall be -taken care of. - -Pursuant to the caliph’s lady’s orders, I staid ten days in the -women’s apartments, and during that time was deprived of the -pleasure of seeing the favourite lady; but was so well used by her -orders, that I had no reason to be dissatisfied. - -Zobeide told the caliph her resolution of marrying the favourite -lady; and the caliph leaving to her the liberty of doing upon that -head what she pleased, granted the favourite a considerable sum by -way of settlement. When the ten days were expired, Zobeide ordered -the contract of marriage to be drawn up and brought to her, and the -necessary preparations being mane for the solemnity, the musicians -and the dancers (both men and women) were called in, and there were -great rejoicings in the palace for nine days. The tenth day being -appointed for the last ceremony of the marriage, the favourite lady -was conducted to a bath, and I to another. At night, I sat down to -table, and had all manner of dishes served up to me, and among -others, a ragout with garlic, such as you have now forced me to eat -of. This ragout I liked so well, that I scarce touched any of the -other dishes; but such was my unhappiness, that when I arose from -the table, I only wiped my hands, instead of washing them well; a -piece of negligence I had never been guilty of before. - -Though it was then night, the whole apartment of the ladies was as -light as day, by means of many illuminations. Nothing was to be -heard all over the palace but musical instruments, dances, and -acclamations of joy. My bride and I were introduced into a great -hall, where we were placed upon two thrones. The women that attended -her made her shift herself several times, and painted her face with -different sorts of colours, according to the usual custom on wedding -days; and every time she changed her habit they showed her to me. - -All these ceremonies being over, we were conducted to the nuptial -room: as soon as the company retired, I approached to embrace my -wife; but instead of returning my transports, she pushed me away, -and cried out most fearfully; upon which, all the ladies of the -apartment came running into the chamber to know what she cried for: -and for my own part, I was so thunder-struck, that I stood like a -post, without the power of even asking what she meant by it. Dear -sister, said they to her, what has happened since we left you so -lately? Let us know, that we may try to relieve you. --Take, said -she, Take out of my sight that vile fellow. Why, madam? said I; -wherein have I deserved your displeasure? --You are a villain, said -she, in a furious passion, to eat garlic, and not wash your hands! -Do you think I would suffer such a filthy fellow to poison me? Down -with him, down with him upon the ground, continued she, addressing -herself to the ladies, and bring me a good bull’s pizzle. In -short, I was thrown upon the ground, and while some held my hands, -and others my feet, my wife, who was presently furnished with a -weapon, laid on me as long as she could stand over me. Then she said -to the ladies, Take him, send him to the judge, and let the hand be -cut off with which he fed upon the garlic ragout. - -Good God, cried I, must I be beat and bruised unmercifully, and to -complete my affliction, have my hand cut off, for eating of a ragout -with garlic, and forgetting to wash my hands? What proportion is -there between the punishment and the crime? Curse on the ragout, and -on the cook that dressed it, and on him that served it up. - -All the ladies that were by, and had witnessed my receiving the -thousand strokes, took pity of me when they heard the cutting off of -my hand spoken of. Dear madam, dear sister, said they to the -favourite lady, you carry your resentment too far. We own he is a -man quite ignorant of the world, of your quality, and the respect -due to you; but we beseech you to overlook and pardon the fault he -has committed. I have not received suitable satisfaction, said she; -I will teach him to know the world; I will make him bear sensible -marks of his impertinence, and be cautious hereafter how he tastes a -garlic ragout without washing his hands. Afterwards, they continued -their solicitations, and fell down at her feet, and kissing her fair -hands, Good madam, said they, in the name of God, moderate your -wrath, and grant the favour we request. She answered not a word, but -got up, and after uttering a thousand reproaches against me, walked -out of the chamber, and all the ladies followed her, leaving me in -inconceivable affliction. - -I continued there ten days, without seeing any body but an old woman -slave that brought me victuals. I asked her what was become of the -favourite lady. She is sick, said the old woman; she is sick of the -poisoned smell you infected her with. Why did you not take care to -wash your hands after eating of that cursed ragout? Is it possible, -thought I to myself, that these ladies can be so nice and so -vindictive for so small a fault! I loved my wife, notwithstanding -all her cruelty, and could not help pitying her. One day the old -woman told me my spouse was recovered, and gone to bathe, and would -come to see me the next day. So, said she, I would have you call up -your patience, and endeavour to accommodate yourself to her humour: -for she is otherwise a woman of good sense and discretion, and -beloved by all the ladies about the court of Zobeide, our -respectable mistress. - -In effect, my wife came next night, and accosted me thus: You see I -am too good in seeing you again after the affront you have offered -me; but still I cannot be reconciled to you till I have punished you -according to your demerit, in not washing your hands after eating -the garlic ragout. This said, she called the ladies, who, by her -order, threw me upon the ground; and after binding me fast, she had -the barbarity to cut off my thumbs and great toes herself with a -razor. One of the ladies applied a certain root to stanch the blood; -but by bleeding and by the pain, I swooned away. - -When I came to myself, they gave me wine to drink, to recruit my -strength. Ah! madam, said I to my wife, if ever I eat of a garlic -ragout again, I solemnly swear to wash my hands a hundred and twenty -times with the herb alkali, with the ashes of the same plant, and -with soap. Well, replied my wife, upon that condition I am willing -to forget what is past, and live with you as my husband. - -This, continued the Bagdad merchant, addressing himself to the -company, this is the reason why I refused to eat of the garlic -ragout that is now upon the table. - -The ladies applied to my wounds not only the root I mentioned to -you, but likewise some balsam of Mecca, which they were well assured -was not adulterated, because they had it out of the caliph’s own -dispensatory. By virtue of that admirable balsam was I perfectly -cured in a few days, and my wife and I lived together as agreeably -as if I had never eat of the garlic ragout. But having been all my -lifetime used to enjoy my liberty, I grew weary of being confined to -the caliph’s palace; yet I said nothing of it to my wife, for fear -of displeasing her. However, she suspected it, and wanted nothing -more herself than to get out; for it was gratitude alone that made -her continue with Zobeide. Being a very witty woman, she represented -in such lively terms to her mistress the constraint I was under, in -not living in the city with people of my own rank, as I had always -done, that the good princess chose rather to deprive herself of the -pleasure of having her favourite about her, than not to grant what -we both equally desired. - -A month after our marriage, my wife came into the room with several -eunuchs, carrying each a bag of silver. When the eunuchs were gone, -You never told me, said she, that you were uneasy in being confined -to court; but I perceived it, and have happily found means to make -you contented. My mistress, Zobeide, gives us leave to go out of the -palace, and here are fifty thousand sequins of which she has made us -a present, in order to enable us to live comfortably in the city. -Take ten thousand of them, and go and buy us a house. - -I quickly found a house for the money, and after furnishing it -richly, we went and lived in it; and kept a great many slaves of -both sexes, and made a good figure. In short, we began to live a -very agreeable life, but it did not last long. At a year’s end, my -wife fell sick and died. - -I might have married again, and lived honourably at Bagdad; but -curiosity to see the world put me upon another course. I sold my -house, and after purchasing several sorts of goods, I went with a -caravan to Persia; from Persia, I travelled to Samarcande, and from -thence hither. - -This, said the purveyor to the sultan of Casgar, this is the story -that the Bagdad merchant told in company where I was yesterday. This -story, said the sultan, has something in it extraordinary; but it -does not come near that of my little Hunchback. Then the Jewish -physician prostrated himself before the sultan’s throne, and -rising again, addressed himself to that prince in the following -manner: Sir, if you will be so good as to hear me, I flatter myself -you will be pleased with a story I have to tell you. Well spoken, -said the sultan; but if it is not more surprising than that of -little Hunch-back, you must not expect to live. - - - - -The Story told by the Jewish Physician. - - -Sir, when I was studying physic at Damascus, and was just beginning -to practise that noble profession with some reputation, a man slave -called me to see a patient in the governor of the city’s family. -Accordingly, I went, and was conducted into a room, where I found a -very handsome young man, much dejected by his disorder: I saluted -him, and sat down by him; but he made no return to my compliments, -only a sign with his eyes that he heard me, and thanked me. Pray, -sir, said I, give me your hand, that I may feel your pulse. But -instead of stretching out his right, he gave me his left hand, at -which I was extremely surprised. This, said I to myself, is a gross -piece of ignorance, that he does not know that people present their -right hand, and not their left, to a physician. However, I felt his -pulse, wrote him a prescription, and took my leave. - -I continued my visits for nine days, and every time I felt his -pulse, he still gave me his left hand. On the tenth day he seemed to -be pretty well, and so I prescribed nothing for him but bathing. The -governor of Damascus, who was by, in testimony of his being well -satisfied with my service, invested me with a rich robe, saying he -made me a physician of the city hospital, and physician in ordinary -to his house, where I might freely eat at his table when I pleased. - -The young man likewise showed me many civilities, and asked me to -accompany him to the bath. Accordingly, we went together, and when -his attendants had undressed him, I perceived he wanted the right -hand, and that it had not long been cut off, which had been the -occasion of his disorder, though concealed from me; for while the -people about him were applying proper medicines externally, they had -called me to prevent the ill consequence of the fever which was on -him. I was very much surprised and concerned on seeing his -misfortune, which he observed by my countenance. Doctor, cried he, -do not be astonished to see that my hand is cut off; some day or -other, I will tell you the occasion of it; and in that relation you -will be entertained with very surprising adventures. - -After we had done bathing, we sat down to table; and after some -other discourse together, he asked me if it would be any prejudice -to his health if he went and took a walk out of town in the -governor’s garden? I made answer, so far from it, that the air -would benefit his health. Since it is so, said he, if you will give -me your company, I will tell you the history of my adventures. I -replied, I was at his command for all that day. Upon which he -presently called his servants to bring something for a collation, -and we went to the governor’s garden. There we took two or three -turns, and then sat down upon a carpet that his servants had spread -under a tree, which gave a very pleasant shade. After we were -seated, the young man gave me his history in the following terms: - -I was born, said he, at Moussoul, of one of the most considerable -families in the city. My father was the eldest of ten brothers, who -were all alive and married when my grandfather died. All the -brothers were childless, but my father; and he has no child but me. -He took particular care of my education, and made me learn every -thing proper for a child of my rank. - -When I was grown up, and began to keep company with the world, I -happened one Friday to be at noon-prayers with my father and my -uncles in the great mosque of Moussoul. And after prayers were over, -the rest of the company going away, my father and my uncles -continued sitting upon the best carpet in the mosque; and I sat down -by them. They discoursed of several things, but the conversation -fell insensibly, I know not how, upon the subject of voyages. They -extolled the beauties and peculiar rarities of some kingdoms, and of -their principal cities. But one of my uncles said, that according to -the uniform report of an infinite number of voyagers, there was not -in the world a pleasanter country than Egypt and the Nile; and the -account he gave of them infused into me such a charming idea of -them, that from that very moment I had a desire to travel thither. -Whatever my other uncles said, by way of preference to Bagdad and -the Tigris, in calling Bagdad the true residence of the Mussulman -religion, and the metropolis of all the cities of the earth, made no -impression upon me. My father joined in opinion with those of his -brothers who had spoken in favour of Egypt; which filled me with -joy. Say what you will, said he, the man that has not seen Egypt, -has not seen the greatest rarity in the world. All the land there is -golden; I mean, it is so fertile that it enriches its inhabitants. -All the women of that country charm you by their beauty and their -agreeable carriage. If you speak of the Nile, where is there a more -wonderful river? What water was ever lighter or more delicious? The -very slime it carries along in its overflowing fattens the fields, -which produce a thousand times more than other countries that are -cultivated with the greatest labour. Observe what a poet said of the -Egyptians, when he was obliged to depart from Egypt: Your Nile loads -you with blessings every day; it is for you only that it runs from -such a distance. Alas! in removing from you, my tears will flow as -abundantly as its waters: you are to continue in the enjoyment of -its sweetnesses, while I am condemned to deprive myself of them -against my will. - -If you look, added my father, towards the island that is formed by -the two greatest branches of the Nile, what variety of verdure! What -enamel of all sorts of flowers! What a prodigious number of cities, -villages, canals, and a thousand other agreeable objects! If you -turn your eyes on the other side, up towards Ethiopia, now many -other subjects of admiration! I cannot compare the verdure of so -many plains, watered with the different canals of the island, better -than to brilliant emeralds set in silver. Is not Grand Cairo the -largest, the most populous, and the richest city in the universe? -What a number of magnificent edifices, both public and private! If -you view the pyramids, you will be filled with astonishment: you -will stiffen at the sight of these masses of stone of an enormous -thickness, which rear their heads to the skies! You will be obliged -to confess, that the Pharaohs, who employed such riches, and so many -men in building them, must have surpassed in magnificence and -invention all the monarchs that have appeared since, not only in -Egypt, but in all the world, for having left monuments so worthy of -their memory: monuments so ancient, that the learned cannot agree -upon the time of their erection; yet such as stand to this day, and -will last to the end of time. I pass over in silence the maritime -cities of the kingdom of Egypt, such as Damietta, Rosetta, -Alexandria, where innumerable nations come for various sorts of -grain, cloth, and an infinite number of other things calculated for -the accommodation and delight of men, I speak of what I know; for I -spent there some years in my youth, which, as long as I live, I -shall always reckon the most agreeable part of my life. - -My uncles had no answer to give my father, continued the young man -of Moussoul, and assented to all he had said of the Nile, of Cairo, -and of the whole kingdom of Egypt: my imagination was so full of it, -that I had not a wink of sleep that night. Soon after, my uncles -declared how much they were struck with my father’s discourse. -They made a proposal to him, that they should travel all together -into Egypt. He accepted of the proposal; and being rich merchants, -they resolved to carry with them such goods as would sell there. I -found that they were making preparations for their departure; and -thereupon went to my father, and begged of him, with tears in my -eyes, that he would suffer me to go along with him, and allow me -some stock of goods to trade with on my own account. You are too -young, said my father, to travel into Egypt; the fatigue is too -great for you; and besides, I am sure you will come off a loser in -your traffic. These words, however, did not cure the eager desire I -had to travel. I made use of my uncles’ interest with my father, -who at last granted me leave to go as far as Damascus, where they -were to leave me, till they travelled through Egypt. The city of -Damascus, said my father, may likewise glory in its beauties, and my -son must be content with leave to go so far. Though my curiosity to -see Egypt was very pressing, I considered he was my father, and -submitted to his will. - -I set out from Moussoul with him and my uncles. We travelled through -Mesopotamia, passed the Euphrates, and arrived at Aleppo, where we -staid some days. From thence we went to Damascus, the first sight of -which agreeably surprised me. We lodged all together in one khan; -and I had the view of a city that was large, populous, full of -handsome people, and well fortified. We employed some days in -walking up and down the delicious gardens that surrounded it; and we -all agreed, that Damascus was justly said to be seated in a -paradise. At last my uncles thought of pursuing their journey; but -took care, before they went, to sell my goods so advantageously for -me, that I got five hundred per cent. This sale fetched me so -considerable a sum, that I was transported to see myself possessed -of it. - -My father and my uncles left me in Damascus, and pursued their -journey. After their departure, I used great caution not to lay out -my money idly. But at the same time I took a stately house, all of -marble, adorned with paintings of gold, silver foliage, and a garden -with fine water-works. I furnished it, not so richly indeed as the -magnificence of the place deserved, but at least handsomely enough -for a young man of my rank. It had formerly belonged to one of the -principal lords of the city, whose name was Modoun Aldalraham; but -then was the property of a rich jewel merchant, to whom I paid for -it only two sherifs [72] a month. I had a number of domestics, and -lived honourably; sometimes I gave entertainments to such people as -I had made an acquaintance with, and sometimes I went and was -treated by them. Thus did I spend my time at Damascus, waiting for -my father’s return; no passion disturbed my repose, and my only -employment was conversation with people of credit. - -One day, as I sat taking the cool air at my gate, a very handsome -well dressed lady came to me, and asked me, if I did not sell -stuffs? She no sooner spoke the words than she went into my house. - -When I saw that the lady was gone into the house, I rose, and having -shut the gate, conducted her into a hall, and prayed her to sit -down. Madam, said I, I have had stuffs that are fit to be shown to -you, but I have them not now, for which I am very sorry. She took -off the veil that covered her face, and discovered a beautiful -person, which affected me with such emotions, as I had never felt -before. I have no occasion for stuffs, said she; I only come to see -you, and pass the evening with you, if you please: all I ask of you -is a light collation. - -Transported with such good luck, I ordered the servants to bring us -several sorts of fruits, and some bottles of wine. They served us -with despatch, and we ate, drank and made merry till midnight. In -short, I had not before passed a night so agreeably as this. Next -morning, I would have put ten sherifs in the lady’s hands, but she -drew back instantly. I am not come to see you, said she, with an -interested design; you affront me; far from receiving money of you, -I desire you to take money of me, or else I will see you no more. In -speaking this, she put her hand into her purse, took out ten -sherifs, and forced me to take them, saying, You may expect me three -days hence after sunset. Then she took leave of me, and I felt that -when she went she carried my heart along with her. - -She did not fail to return at the appointed hour three days after, -and I did not fail to receive her with all the joy of a person who -waited impatiently for her arrival. The evening and the night we -spent as before; and next day, at parting, she promised to return -the third day after. However, she did not go without forcing me to -take ten sherifs more. - -She returned a third time; and at that interview, when we were both -warm with wine, she spoke thus: My dear heart, what do you think of -me? Am I not handsome and agreeable? Madam, said I, I think this an -unnecessary question; all the expressions of love which I show you, -ought to persuade you that I love you; I am charmed to see you and -possess you. You are my queen, my sultaness; in you lies all the -felicity of my life. Ah! replied she, I am sure you would speak -otherwise if you saw a certain lady of my acquaintance, that is -younger and handsomer than I. She is of such a pleasant, lively -temper, that she would make the most melancholy people merry: I must -bring her hither; I spoke of you to her, and from the account which -I have given of you, she is dying with desire to see you. She -entreated me to procure her that pleasure, but I did not dare to -humour her without speaking to you beforehand. Madam, said I, do -what you please; but whatever you may say of your friend, I defy all -her charms to tear my heart from you, to whom it is so inviolably -attached that nothing can disengage it. Be not too positive, said -she, I now tell you I am about to put your heart to a strange trial. - -We staid together all night, and next morning, at parting, instead -of ten sherifs, she gave me fifteen, which I was forced to accept. -Remember, said she, that in two days’ time, you are to have a new -guest; pray take care to give her a good reception; we will come at -the usual hour, after sunset. I took care to have my hall in great -order, and a handsome collation prepared against they came. - -I waited for the two ladies with impatience, and at last they -arrived at the beginning of the night. They both unveiled -themselves, and as I had been surprised with the beauty of the -first, I had reason to be much more so when I saw her friend. She -had regular features, a complete person, and such sparkling eyes, -that I could hardly bear their splendour. I thanked her for the -honour she did me, and entreated her to excuse me if I did not give -her the reception she deserved. No compliments, said she; it should -be my part to make them to you, for allowing my friend to bring me -hither. But since you are pleased to suffer it, let us lay aside all -ceremony, and think only of amusing ourselves. - -I had given orders, as soon as the ladies arrived, to have the -collation served up, and we soon sat down to supper. I sat opposite -to the strange lady, and she never ceased looking upon me with a -smile. I could not resist her conquering eyes, and she possessed -herself so powerfully of my heart, that I could offer no opposition. -But while she inspired me with a flame, she caught the flame -herself, and so far from showing any constraint in her carriage, she -held to me very lively language. - -The other lady, who observed us, did nothing at first but laugh at -us. I told you, said she, addressing herself to me, you would find -my friend full of charms; and I perceive you have already violated -the oath you made me of being faithful to me. Madam, said I, -laughing as well as she, you would have reason to complain of me if -I were wanting in civility to a lady whom you brought hither, and -who is a favourite with you; both of you might then upbraid me, for -not knowing how to do the honours of my house. - -We continued to drink; but as the wine warmed us, the strange lady -and I ogled one another with so little reserve, that her friend grew -jealous, and quickly gave us a dismal proof of her jealousy. She -rose from the table and went out, saying she would be with us -presently again; but a few moments after, the lady that staid with -me changed countenance, fell into violent convulsions, and, in -short, expired in my arms, while I was calling for assistance to -relieve her. I went out immediately, and asked for the other lady, -and my people told me, she had opened the street door, and was gone. -Then I suspected what was but too true, that she had been the cause -of her friend’s death. She had the dexterity and the malice to put -some very strong poison into the last glass, which she gave her with -her own hand. - -I was afflicted to the last degree with the accident. What shall I -do? thought I, what will become of me? I considered there was no -time to lose, and it being then moonlight, I made my servants -quietly take up one of the great pieces of marble with which the -court of my house was paved; under that I made them presently dig a -hole, and there inter the corpse of the young lady. After replacing -the stone, I put on a travelling suit, and took what money I had, -and having locked up every thing, affixed my own seal on the door of -my house. This done, I went to see for the jewel merchant my -landlord; paid him what rent I owed, with a year’s rent in -advance; and giving him the key, prayed him to keep it for me. A -very urgent affair, said I, obliges me to be absent for some time; I -am under the necessity of going to find out my uncles at Cairo. I -took my leave of him, immediately mounted my horse, and set off with -my attendants. - -I had a good journey, and arrived at Cairo without any accident. -There I met with my uncles, who were very much surprised to see me. -To excuse myself, I pretended I was tired of staying for them; and -hearing nothing of them, was so uneasy, that I could not be -satisfied without coming to Cairo. They received me very kindly, and -promised my father should not be angry with me for leaving Damascus -without his permission. I lodged in the same khan with them, and saw -all the curiosities of Cairo. - -Having finished their traffic, they began to talk of returning to -Moussoul, and to make preparations for their departure; but I having -a mind to see something in Egypt that I had not yet seen, left my -uncles, and went to lodge in another quarter, at a distance from the -khan, and did not appear any more till they were gone. They sought -for me all over the city; but not finding me, they supposed remorse -for having come to Egypt, without my father’s consent, had put me -on returning to Damascus, without saying any thing to them. So they -began their journey, expecting to find me at Damascus, and there to -take me up. - -I continued at Cairo after their departure three years, more -completely to indulge my curiosity after all the wonders of Egypt. -During that time, I took care to send money to the jewel merchant, -ordering him to keep my house for me; for I designed to return to -Damascus, and stay there some years more. I had no adventure at -Cairo worth relating; but, doubtless, you will be very much -surprised at that I met with after my return to Damascus. - -Arriving at this city, I went to the jewel-merchant’s house, who -received me joyfully, and would needs go along with me to my house, -to show me that nobody had entered it while I was absent. The seal -was still entire upon the lock; and when I went in, I found every -thing in the same order in which I had left it. - -In sweeping and cleaning out my hall where I had used to eat with -the ladies, one of my servants found a gold chain necklace, with ten -very large and very perfect pearls placed upon it at certain -distances. He brought it to me, and I knew it to be the same I had -seen upon the lady’s neck that was poisoned, and concluded it had -broken off and fallen, when I did not perceive it. I could not look -upon it without shedding tears, when I called to mind the lovely -creature I had seen die in such a shocking manner. I wrapt it up and -put it in my bosom. - -I passed some days to recover from the fatigues of my voyage; after -which, I began to visit my former acquaintance. I abandoned myself -to all manner of pleasure, and insensibly squandered away all my -money. Being thus reduced, instead of selling my furniture, I -resolved to part with my necklace; but I had so little skill in -pearls, that I took my measures very ill, as you shall hear. - -I went to the bezestein, where I called a crier aside, and showing -him the necklace, told him I had a mind to sell it, and desired him -to show it to the principal jewellers. The crier was surprised to -see such a trinket. What a pretty thing it is! cried he, staring -upon it a long while with admiration; never did our merchants see -any thing so rich. I am sure I shall oblige them highly in showing -it to them; and you need not doubt they will set a high price upon -it, in emulation of each other. He carried me to a shop, which -proved to be my landlord’s. Stay here, said the crier, I will -return presently, and bring you an answer. - -While he was running about to show the necklace with much caution, I -sat with the jeweller, who was glad to see me, and we conversed on -different subjects. The crier returned, and calling me aside, -instead of telling me the necklace was valued at two thousand -sherifs, he assured me nobody would give me more than fifty. The -reason is, added he, the pearls are false: consider, see if you will -part with it at that price. I took him at his word, and wanting -money, Go, said I, I take your word, and that of those who know -better than myself; deliver it to them, and bring me the money -immediately. - -The crier had been ordered to offer me fifty sherifs by one of the -richest jewellers in town, who had only made that offer to sound me, -and try if I was well acquainted with the value of the goods I -exposed to sale. He had no sooner received my answer than he carried -the crier to the judge, and showing him the necklace, Sir, said he, -here is a necklace that was stolen from me, and the thief, under the -character of a merchant, has had the impudence to offer it for sale; -and is at this minute in the bezestein. He is willing to take fifty -sherifs for a necklace that is worth two thousand, which is a plain -argument that it is stolen. - -The judge sent immediately to seize me; and when I came before him, -he asked me, if the necklace he had in his hand was not the same -that I had exposed to sale in the bezestein. I told him it was. Is -it true, said he, that you are willing to deliver it for fifty -sherifs? I answered I was. Well, said he, in a scoffing way to me, -give him the bastinado; he will quickly tell us, with all his fine -merchant’s clothes, that he is only a downright thief; let him be -beat till he confesses. The violence of the blows made me tell a -lie: I confessed, though it was not true, that I had stolen the -necklace: and presently the judge ordered my hand to be cut off. - -This made a great noise in the bezestein; and I was scarce returned -to my house when my landlord came. My son, said he, you seem to be a -young man well educated, and of good sense; how is it possible you -could be guilty of such an unworthy action as that I hear talk of? -You gave me an account of your property yourself, and I do not doubt -but the account is just. Why did not you ask money of me, and I -would have lent it you? However, after what has happened, I cannot -allow you to lodge longer in my house; you must go and seek for -other lodgings. I was extremely troubled at this; and entreated the -jeweller, with tears in my eyes, to let me stay three days longer in -his house, which he granted. - -Alas! said I to myself, this misfortune and affront is unsufferable: -how shall I dare to return to Moussoul? Nothing I can say to my -father will persuade him that I am innocent. - -Three hours after this fatal accident my house was assaulted by the -judge’s officers, accompanied with my landlord, and the merchant -that had falsely accused me of having stolen the necklace. I asked -them what brought them there. But instead of giving me any answer, -they bound and gagged me, calling me a thousand rogues, and telling -me, the necklace belonged to the governor of Damascus, who had lost -it above three years ago, and that one of his daughters had not been -heard of since that time. Judge my sensations when I heard this -news. However, I summoned all my resolution: I will tell, thought I, -I will tell the governor the truth; and so it will rest with him -either to put me to death, or to pardon me. - -When I was brought before him, I observed he looked upon me with an -eye of compassion, from whence I augured well. He ordered me to be -untied; and addressing himself to the jeweller who accused me, and -to my landlord, Is this the man, said he, that sold the pearl -necklace? They had no sooner answered yes, than he said, I am sure -he did not steal the necklace, and I am much astonished at the -injustice that has been done him. These words giving me courage, -Sir, said I, I do assure you I am perfectly innocent. I am likewise -fully persuaded the necklace did never belong to my accuser, whom I -never saw, and whose horrible perfidy is the cause of my unjust -treatment. It is true, I made a confession as if I had stolen it; -but this I did contrary to my conscience through the force of -torture, and for another reason that I am ready to tell you, if you -will be so good as to hear me. I know enough of it already, replied -the governor, to do you one part of the justice that is due to you. -Take from hence continued he, take the false accuser; let him -undergo the same punishment he caused to be inflicted on this young -man whose innocence is known to me. - -The governor’s orders were immediately put in execution: the -jeweller was punished as he deserved. Then the governor, having -ordered all the company to withdraw, said to me, My son, tell me -without fear how this necklace fell into your hands --conceal -nothing from me. Then I told him plainly all that had passed, and -declared I had chosen rather to pass for a thief than to reveal that -tragical adventure. Good God! said the governor, thy judgments are -incomprehensible, and we ought to submit to them without murmuring. -I receive, with an entire submission, the stroke thou hast been -pleased to inflict upon me. Then, directing his discourse to me, My -son, said he, having now heard the cause of your disgrace, for which -I am very much concerned, I will give you an account of the disgrace -that befell me. Know, then, that I am the father of those two young -ladies you were speaking of but now. The first lady, who had the -impudence to come to your house, was my eldest daughter. I had given -her in marriage, at Cairo, to one of her cousins, my brother’s -son. Her husband died, and she returned home, corrupted with all -manner of wickedness which she had learned in Egypt. Before I took -her home, her youngest sister, who died in that deplorable manner in -your arms, was a very prudent young woman, and had never given me -any occasion to complain of her conduct. But after that, the eldest -sister grew very intimate with her, and insensibly made her as -wicked as herself. - -The day after the death of the youngest, not finding her at table, I -asked her eldest sister what was become of her; but she, instead of -answering, fell to crying bitterly, from whence I formed a fatal -presage. I pressed her to inform me of what I asked her. Father, -said she, sobbing, I can tell you no more than that my sister put on -her best clothes yesterday, and her fine pearl necklace, and went -out, and has not been heard of since. I made search for my daughter -all over the town, but could learn nothing of her unhappy fate. In -the mean time the eldest, who doubtless repented of her jealous -fury, took on very much, and incessantly bewailed the death of her -sister; she denied herself all manner of food, and so put an end to -her deplorable days. - -Such, continued the governor, such is the condition of mankind! ---such are the unlucky accidents to which they are exposed! However, -my son, added he, since we are both of us equally unfortunate, let -us unite our sorrow, and not abandon one another. I give you in -marriage a third daughter I have still left; she is younger than her -sisters, and in no respect imitates their conduct; besides, she is -handsomer than they were, and I assure you is of a disposition -calculated to make you happy. You shall have no other house but -mine; and after my death, you and she shall be heirs to all my -property. - -Sir, said I, I am ashamed of all your favours, and shall never be -able to make a sufficient acknowledgment. Enough, said he, -interrupting me; let us not waste time in idle words. This said, he -called for witnesses, ordered the contract of marriage to be drawn, -and I married his daughter without farther ceremony. - -He was not satisfied with punishing the jeweller who had falsely -accused me, but confiscated for my use all his property, which was -very considerable. As for the rest, since you have been called to -the governor’s house, you may have seen what respect they pay me -there. I must tell you further, that a man who has been sent by my -uncles to Egypt, on purpose to inquire for me there, passing through -this city, found me out, and came last night and delivered me a -letter from them. They inform me of my father’s death, and invite -me to come and take possession of his estate at Moussoul; but as the -alliance and friendship of the governor have fixed me with him, and -will not suffer me to leave him, I have sent back the express with a -power, which will secure to me my property. After what you have -heard, I hope you will pardon my incivility during the course of my -illness, in giving you my left instead of my right hand. - -This, said the Jewish physician, this is the story I heard from the -young man of Moussoul. I continued at Damascus as long as the -governor lived: after his death, being in the flower of my age, I -had the curiosity to travel. Accordingly, I went through Persia to -the Indies, and came at last to settle in this your capital, where I -practise physic with reputation. - -The sultan of Casgar was well pleased with this last story. I must -say, said he to the Jew, the story you have told me is very -singular; but I declare freely, that of the little hump-back is yet -more extraordinary, and much more comical, so you are not to expect -that I will give you your life, any more than the rest. I will hang -you all four. Pray, sir, stay a minute, said the tailor, advancing -forwards, and prostrating himself at the sultan’s feet; since your -majesty loves pleasant stories, I have one to tell you that will not -displease you. Well, I will hear thee too, said the sultan; but do -not flatter thyself that I will suffer thee to live, unless thou -tellest me some adventure that is yet more diverting than that of -the hump-backed man. Upon this the tailor, as if he had been sure of -his scheme, spoke boldly to the following purpose:-- - - - - -The Story told by the Tailor. - - -A citizen of this city did me the honour, two days ago, to invite me -to a treat which he was to give to his friends yesterday morning. -Accordingly I went early, and found there about twenty persons. - -The master of the house was gone out upon some business, but in a -very little time he came home, and brought with him a young man, a -stranger, very well dressed, and very handsome, but lame. When he -came in, we all rose up, and, out of respect to the master of the -house, invited the young man to sit down with us upon the sofa. He -was going to do so, but, all on a sudden, spying a barber in our -company, he flew backwards, and made towards the door. The master of -the house, surprised at his behaviour, stopped him. Where are you -going? said he. I brought you along with me to do me the honour of -being my guest among the rest of my friends, and you are no sooner -got into my house, but you are for running away again. Sir, said the -young man, for God’s sake do not stop me --let me go: I cannot -without horror look upon that abominable barber, who, though he was -born in a country where all the natives are white, resembles an -Ethiopian, and his soul is yet blacker and more horrible than his -face. - -We were all surprised to hear the young man speak so, and we began -to have a very bad opinion of the barber, without knowing what -ground the young man had for what he said. Nay, we protested we -would not suffer any one to remain in our company who bore so horrid -a character. The master of the house entreated the stranger to tell -us what reason he had for hating the barber. Gentlemen, said the -young man, you must know this cursed barber is the cause of my being -lame, and falling under the cruellest accident that any one can -imagine. For this reason I have sworn to avoid all the places where -he is, and even not to stay in the cities where he dwells. It was -for this reason that I left Bagdad, where he then was, and travelled -so far to settle in this city, in the heart of Great Tartary, a -place where I flattered myself I should never see him; and now, -after all, contrary to my expectation, I find him here. This obliges -me, gentlemen, against my will, to deprive myself of the honour of -being merry with you. This very day I take leave of your town, and -will go, if I can, to hide my head where he shall not come. This -said, he would have left us, but the master of the house kept him, -and entreated him to stay, and tell us the cause of his aversion for -the barber, who all this while looked down, and said not a word. ---We joined with the master of the house in requesting him to stay; -and, at last, the young man, yielding to our importunities, sat down -upon the sofa; and, after turning his back to the barber, that he -might not see him, gave us the following account:-- - -My father’s quality might have entitled him to the highest posts -in the city of Bagdad; but he always preferred a quiet life to all -the honours he might deserve. I was his only child, and when he died -I was already educated, and of age to dispose of the plentiful -fortune he had left me; which I did not squander away foolishly, but -applied it to such uses that every body respected me. - -I had not been yet disturbed with any passion; I was so far from -being sensible of love, that I acknowledge, perhaps to my shame, -that I cautiously avoided the conversation of women. One day, -walking in the streets, I saw a great company of ladies before me, -and that I might not meet them, I turned down a narrow lane just by, -and sat down upon a bench by a door. I sat over against a window -where there stood a pot with very pretty flowers, and I had my eyes -fixed upon it, when on a sudden the window opened, and a young lady -appeared, whose beauty struck me. Immediately she cast her eyes upon -me; and in watering the flower-pot with a hand whiter than -alabaster, looked upon me with a smile that inspired me with as much -love for her, as I had formerly aversion for all women. After having -watered her flowers, and darted upon me a glance full of charms that -pierced my heart, she shut the window again, and left me in -inconceivable perplexity, from which I should not have recovered, if -a noise in the street had not brought me to myself. I lifted up my -head, and turning saw the first cadi of the city, mounted on a mule, -and attended by five or six servants: he alighted at the door of the -house where the young lady had opened the window, and went in; from -whence I concluded he was the young lady’s father. - -I went home in a different state of mind; tossed with a passion the -more violent, as I had never felt its assaults before: I went to bed -in a violent fever, at which all the family was much concerned. My -relations, who had a great affection for me, were so alarmed with -the sudden disorder, that they importuned me to tell the cause; -which I took care not to discover. My silence created an uneasiness -that the physicians could not dispel, because they knew nothing of -my distemper, and by their medicines they rather inflamed than -checked it. - -My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of our -acquaintance hearing I was ill, came to see me. She considered me -with great attention, and after having examined me, penetrated, I -know not how, the real cause of my illness. She took my relations -aside, and desired all my people would retire out of the room, and -leave her alone with me. - -When the room was clear, she sat down on the side of my bed. My son, -said she, you have obstinately concealed the cause of your illness; -but you have no occasion to reveal it to me. I have experience -enough to penetrate into a secret; you will not deny it, when I tell -you it is love that makes you sick. I can find a way to cure you, if -you will but let me know who that happy lady is that could move a -heart so insensible as yours; for you have the character of a -woman-hater, and I was not the last that perceived that such was -your disposition; but what I foresaw has come to pass, and I am now -glad of the opportunity to employ my talents in relieving your pain. - -The old lady, having talked to me thus, paused, expecting my answer; -but though what she had said had made a strong impression upon me, I -durst not lay open to her the bottom of my heart: I only turned to -her, and fetched a deep sigh, without saying any thing. Is it -bashfulness, said she, that keeps you from speaking? or is it want -of confidence in me? Do you doubt the effect of my promise? I could -mention to you a number of young men of your acquaintance that have -been in the same condition with you, and have received relief from -me. - -The good lady told me so many more circumstances, that I broke -silence, declared to her my complaint, pointed out to her the place -where I had seen the object which occasioned it, and unravelled all -the circumstances of my adventure. If you succeed, said I, and -procure me the happiness of seeing that charming beauty, and -revealing to her the passion with which I burn for her, you may -depend upon it I will be grateful. --My son, said the old woman, I -know the lady you speak of; she is, as you rightly judge, the -daughter of the first cadi of this city. I am not surprised that you -are in love with her: she is the handsomest and most lovely lady in -Bagdad; but what I most hesitate about is, that she is very proud, -and of difficult access. You know now strict our judges are in -enjoining the punctual observance of the severe laws that confine -women in such a strict constraint; and they are yet more strict in -the observation of them in their own families: the cadi you saw is -more rigid in that point than all the other magistrates together. -They are always preaching to their daughters what a heinous crime it -is to shew themselves to men; and the girls themselves are so -prepossessed with the notion, that they make no other use of their -own eyes but to conduct them along the street, when necessity -obliges them to go abroad. I do not say absolutely that the first -cadi’s daughter is of that humour; but that does not hinder my -fearing to meet with as great obstacles on her side as on her -father’s. Would to God you had loved any other! then I should not -have had so many difficulties to surmount. However, I shall employ -all my wits to compass the matter; but it requires time. In the mean -time, take courage, and trust in me. - -The old woman took leave of me; and as I weighed within myself all -the obstacles she had been talking of, the fear of her not -succeeding in her undertaking inflamed my disorder. Next day she -came again, and I read in her countenance that she had no favourable -news to impart. She spoke thus; My son, I was not mistaken; I have -somewhat else to conquer besides the vigilance of a father: you love -an insensible object, who takes pleasure in making every one burn -with love who suffer themselves to be charmed by her; but she will -not deign them the least comfort. She heard me with pleasure, when I -spoke of nothing but the torment she made you undergo; but I no -sooner opened my mouth to engage her to allow you to see her, and -converse with her, but casting at me a terrible look, You are very -bold, said she, to make such a proposal to me; I charge you never to -see me again with such language. - -Do not let this cast you down, continued she; I am not easily -disheartened; and if your patience does but hold out, I am hopeful I -shall compass my end. To shorten my story, said the young man, this -good go-between made several fruitless attacks in my behalf on the -proud enemy of my rest. The vexation I suffered inflamed my -distemper to that degree, that my physicians gave me over. I was -considered as a dead man, when the old woman came to recall me to -life. - -That nobody might hear what was said, she whispered in my ear, ---Remember the present you owe for the good news I bring you. These -words produced a marvellous effect; I raised myself up in the bed, -and with transport made answer. You shall not go without a present; -but what is the news you bring me? --Dear sir, said she, you shall -not die; I shall speedily have the pleasure to see you in perfect -health, and very well satisfied with me. Yesterday, being Monday, I -went to see the lady you love, and found her in a very good humour. -As soon as I came in, I put on a sad countenance, and fetched many -deep sighs, and began to squeeze out some tears: My good mother, -said she, what is the matter with you? why are you so cast down? ---Alas, my dear and honourable lady, said I, I have been just now -with the young gentleman I spoke to you of the other day; his -business is done; he is giving up his life for love of you; it is a -pity, I assure you, and you have been very cruel. --I am at a loss -to know, replied she, how you charge me to be the cause of his -death. How can I have contributed to it? --How, replied I, did not -you tell me the other day, that he sat down before your window, when -you opened it to water your flower-pot? He then saw that prodigy of -beauty, those charms that your mirror represents to you every day. -From that moment he languished, and his disorder is risen to such a -height, that he is reduced to the deplorable condition I have -mentioned. - -You remember well, added I, how rigorously you treated me the last -time I was here, when I was offering to speak to you of his illness, -and to propose a means to rescue him from the danger he was in: when -I took leave of you, I went straight to his house, and he, knew no -sooner by my countenance that I had brought no favourable answer, -than his distemper increased. From that time, madam, he has been -ready to die, and I do not know whether you can save his life now, -though you should take pity on him. This is just what I said to her, -continued the old woman. The fear of your death alarmed her, and I -saw her face change colour. Is what you say true? said she. Has he -actually no other disorder but what was occasioned by the love of -me? --Ah! madam, said I, it is too true; would to God it were false! ---Do you believe, said she, that the hopes of seeing me would at all -contribute to rescue him from the danger he is in? --Perhaps it may, -said I; and if you will give me orders, I will try the remedy. ---Well, said she, sighing, give him hopes of seeing me; but he must -pretend to no other favour from me, unless he aspires to marry me, -and my father gives his consent to it. --Madam, replied I, your -goodness overcomes me: I will go and seek the young gentleman, and -tell him he is to have the pleasure of an interview with you. --The -properest time I can think of, said she, for granting him that -favour, is next Friday, at the time of noon prayers. Let him take -care to observe when my father goes out, and then come and plant -himself over-against the house, if his health permits him to come -abroad. When he comes, I shall see him through my window, and shall -come down and open the door to him: we shall then converse together -during prayer-time, and he must be gone before my father returns. - -It is now Tuesday, continued the old lady; you have from this time -to Friday to recover your strength, and make the necessary -dispositions for the interview. While the good old lady was -speaking, I felt my illness decrease; or rather, by the time she had -done. I found myself perfectly well. Here, take this, said I, -reaching out to her my purse, which was full; it is to you alone -that I owe my cure. I reckon this money better employed than all -that I gave to the physicians, who have only tormented me during the -whole course of my illness. - -When the lady was gone, I found I had strength enough to get up; and -my relations finding me so well, complimented me upon it, and went -home. - -Friday morning the old woman came, just when I was dressing myself, -and choosing out the finest clothes in my wardrobe. I do not ask -you, said she, how you do: what you are about is intimation enough -of your health: but will not you bathe before you go to the first -cadi’s house? --That will take up too much time, said I; I will -content myself with sending for a barber to shave my head and beard. -Immediately I ordered one of my slaves to call a barber that could -do his business cleverly and expeditiously. - -The slave brought me this wretch you see here; who came, and after -saluting me, Sir, said he, you look as if you were not well. I told -him I was just recovered from a fit of sickness. I wish, said he, -God may deliver you from all mischance; may his grace always go -along with you. --I hope, said I, he will grant your wish, for which -I am very much obliged to you. --Since you are recovering of a fit -of sickness, said he, I pray God preserve your health; but now pray -let me know what I am to do; I have brought my razors and my -lancets; do you desire to be shaved or to be bled? I replied, I am -just recovered of a fit of sickness, I told you, and so you may -readily judge I only want to be shaved. Come, make haste, do not -lose time in prattling; for I am in haste, and precisely at noon I -am to be at a place. - -The barber spent much time in opening his case and preparing his -razors; instead of putting water into the basin, he took a very -handsome astrolabe out of his case, and went very gravely out of my -room to the middle of the yard to take the height of the sun, then -he returned with the same grave pace, and entering my room, Sir, -said he, you will be pleased to know this day is Friday, the 18th of -the moon Safar, in the year 653 [73] from the retreat of our great -prophet from Mecca to Medina, and in the year 7320 [74] of the -epocha of the great Iskender with two horns; and that the -conjunction of Mars and Mercury signifies you cannot choose a better -time than this very day and hour for being shaved. But on the other -hand, the same conjunction is a bad presage to you. I learn from -thence, that this day you run a great risk, not indeed of losing -your life, but of an inconvenience which will attend you while you -live. You are obliged to me for the advice I now give you, to take -care to avoid it; I should be sorry if it befell you. - -You may guess, gentlemen, how vexed I was at having fallen into the -hands of such a prattling, impertinent barber; what an unseasonable -adventure it was for a lover preparing for an interview! I was quite -angry. I care not, said I, in anger, for your advice and -predictions; I did not call you to consult your astrology; you came -hither to shave me; shave me, or begone. I will call another barber. ---Sir, said he, with a phlegm that put me out of all patience, what -reason have you to be angry with me? You do not know that all -barbers are not like me; and that you would scarce find such -another, if you made it your business to search. You only sent for a -barber; but here in my person, you have the best barber in Bagdad, -an experienced physician, a very profound chemist, an infallible -astrologer, a finished grammarian, a complete orator, a subtle -logician, a mathematician perfectly well versed in geometry, -arithmetic, astronomy, and all the refinements of algebra; an -historian fully master of the histories of all the kingdoms of the -universe. Besides, I know all parts of philosophy. I have all our -law traditions at my fingers’ ends. I am a poet; I am an -architect; and what is it I am not? There is nothing in nature -hidden from me. Your deceased father, to whose memory I pay a -tribute of tears every time I think of him, was fully convinced of -my merit; he was fond of me, and spoke of me in all companies as the -first man in the world. Out of gratitude and friendship for him, I -am willing to attach myself to you, to take you into my protection, -and guard you from all the evils that your stars may threaten. - -When I heard all this stuff I could not forbear laughing, -notwithstanding my anger. You impertinent prattler! said I, will you -have done, and begin to shave me? - -Sir, replied the barber to me, you affront me in calling me a -prattler; on the contrary, all the world gives me the honourable -title of Silent. I had six brothers that you might justly have -called prattlers; and that you may know them the better, the name of -the first was Bacbouk, of the second, Bakbarah, of the third, -Bacbac, of the fourth, Alcouz, of the fifth, Alnascar, and of the -sixth, Schacabac. These, indeed, were impertinent chatterers; but -for me, who am a younger brother, I am grave and concise in my -discourse. - -For God’s sake, gentlemen, do but suppose you had been in my -place. What could I say, when I saw myself so cruelly situated? Give -him three pieces of gold, said I to the slave that was my -house-keeper, and send him away, that he may disturb me no more; I -will not be shaved this day. --Sir, said the barber, pray what do -you mean by that? I did not come to seek for you, it was you sent -for me; and since it is so, I swear by the faith of a Mussulman, I -will not stir out of these doors till I have shaved you. If you do -not know my value, it is not my fault. Your deceased father did me -more justice. Every time he sent for me to let him blood, he made me -sit down by him, and he was charmed with hearing what fine things I -said to him. I kept him in a continual strain of admiration; I -elevated him; and when I had finished my discourse, My God, cried -he, you are an inexhaustible source of science; no man can reach the -depth of your knowledge. My dear sir, said I again, you do me more -honour than I deserve. If I say any thing that is fine, it is owing -to the favourable audience you vouchsafe me; it is your liberality -that inspires me with the sublime thoughts that have the happiness -to please you. One day, when he was charmed with an admirable -discourse I had made him, Give him, said he, a hundred pieces of -gold, and invest him with one of my richest robes. I received the -present upon the spot, and presently I drew his horoscope, and found -it the happiest in the world. Nay, I carried my gratitude farther; I -let him blood with cunning-glasses. - -This was not all; he spun out another harangue that was a full half -hour long. Tired with hearing him, and fretted at the loss of time, -which was almost spent before I was half ready, I did not know what -to say. It is impossible, said I, there should be such another man -in the world, who takes pleasure, as you do, in making people mad. - -I thought that I should succeed better, if I dealt mildly with my -barber. In the name of God, said I, leave off all your fine talking, -and despatch me presently; business of the last importance calls me, -as I have told you already. At this, he fell a laughing; it would be -a laudable thing, said he, if our minds were always in the same -state; if we were always wise and prudent; however, I am willing to -believe, that if you are angry with me, it is your distemper has -caused that change in your humour; and for that reason you stand in -need of some instructions, and you cannot do better than to follow -the example of your father and grandfather. They came and consulted -me upon all occasions, and I can say, without vanity, that they -always prized my advice highly. Pray, observe, sir, men never -succeed in their undertakings, without the advice of men of -understanding. A man cannot, says the proverb, be wise, without -receiving advice from the wise. I am entirely at your service, and -you have only to command me. - -What! cannot I prevail with you then? said I, interrupting him, to -leave off these long speeches, that tend to nothing but to split my -head in pieces, and to detain me from my business? Shave me, I say, -or begone! With that, I started up in anger, stamping my foot -against the ground. - -When he saw I was angry in earnest, Sir, said he, do not be angry; -we are going to begin. He lathered my head, and fell to shaving me; -but he had not given me four strokes of his razor when he stopped, -saying, Sir, you are hasty; you should avoid these transports, that -only come from the devil. I am entitled to some consideration on -account of my age, my knowledge, and my great virtues. - -Go on, and shave me, said I, interrupting him again, and talk no -more. That is to say, replied he, you have some urgent business to -go about; I will lay you a wager, I guess right. Why, I told you so -these two hours, said I: you ought to have shaved me before. -Moderate your passion, replied he, perhaps you have not maturely -weighed what you are going about: when things are done -precipitately, they are generally repented of. I wish you would tell -me what mighty business this is you are so earnest upon; I would -tell you my opinion of it; besides, you have time enough, since your -appointment is not till noon, and it wants three hours of that yet. -I do not mind that, said I, persons of honour and of their word are -rather before their time than after. But I forget, that in amusing -myself with reasoning with you, I give into the faults of you -prattling barbers: have done, have done; shave me. - -The more haste I was in, the less haste he made. He laid down the -razor, and took up his astrolabe; then laid down his astrolabe, and -took up his razor again. - -The barber quitted his razor again and took up his astrolabe a -second time; and so left me half shaved, to go and see precisely -what o’clock it was. Back he came, and then, Sir, said he, I knew -I was not mistaken; it wants three hours of noon. I am sure of it; -or else, all the rules of astronomy are false. Just heaven! cried I, -my patience is at an end. I can bear it no longer. You cursed -barber! you barber of mischief! I can scarce help falling upon you -and strangling you. Softly, sir, said he, very calmly, without being -moved by my passion: You are not afraid of a relapse; be not in a -passion; I am going to shave you this minute. In speaking these -words, he clapped his astrolabe in his case, and took up his razor, -and passing it over the strap which was fixed to his belt, fell to -shaving me again; but all the while he shaved, the dog could not -forbear prattling. If you please, sir, said he, to tell me what is -the business you are going about at noon, I could give you some -advice that may be of use to you. To satisfy the fellow, I told him -I was going to meet some friends at an entertainment at noon, to -make merry with me upon the recovery of my health. - -When the barber heard me talk of regaling, God bless you this day, -as well as all other days, cried he: You put me in mind that -yesterday I invited four or five friends to come and eat with me as -this day; indeed I had forgot it, and I have as yet made no -preparation for them. Do not let that trouble you, said I; though I -dine abroad, my larder is always well furnished. I make you a -present of all that it contains; and besides, I will order you as -much wine as you have occasion for, for I have excellent wine in my -cellar; only you must dispatch shaving me: and pray remember it; -whereas my father made you presents to encourage you to speak, I -give you mine to make you hold your tongue. - -He was not satisfied with my promise: God reward you, sir, said he, -for your kindness; but pray show me these provisions now, that I may -see if there will be enough to entertain my friends: I would have -them satisfied with the good fare I make them. --I have, said I, a -lamb, six capons, a dozen chickens, and enough to make four courses. -I ordered a slave to bring all before him, with four great pitchers -of wine. It is very well, said the barber; but we shall want fruit, -and sauce for the meat. That I ordered likewise; but then he gave -over shaving, to look over every thing, one after another; and this -survey lasted almost half an hour. I raged and stormed like a -madman, but it signified nothing; the wretch made not the more -haste. However, he took up his razor again, and shaved me for some -minutes; then stopping all on a sudden, I could not have believed, -sir, that you would have been so liberal; I begin to perceive that -your deceased father lives again in you. Most certainly, I do not -deserve the favours with which you have loaded me; and I assure you -I shall have them in perpetual remembrance; for, sir, to let you -know it, I have nothing but what comes from the generosity of such -gentleman as you: in which respect, I am like to Zantout, who rubs -the people in the baths; to Sali, who cries boiled peas in the -streets; to Salout, who sells beans; to Akerscha, who sells greens; -to Aboumecarez, who sprinkles the streets to lay the dust; and to -Cassem, the caliph’s life-guard man. Of all these persons, not one -is apt to be melancholy; they are neither impertinent nor -quarrelsome; they are more contented with their lot than the caliph -in the midst of his court; they are always gay, ready to sing and -dance, and have each of them their peculiar song and dance, with -which they divert the city of Bagdad; but what I esteem most in them -is, that they are no great talkers, no more than your slave, that -has now the honour to speak to you. Here, sir, is the song and dance -of Zantout, who rubs the people in the baths; mind me, pray, and see -if I do not imitate it exactly. - -The barber sung the song, and danced the dance of Zantout, and let -me say what I could to oblige him to make an end of his -buffooneries, he did not give over till he imitated, in like manner, -the songs and dances of the other people he had named. After that, -addressing himself to me, I am going, said he, to invite all these -honest men to my house: if you will take my advice, you will join -us, and disappoint your friends yonder, who perhaps are great -talkers, that will only tease you to death with their impertinent -discourse, and make you relapse into a distemper worse than that you -are so lately recovered of; whereas at my house you shall have -nothing but pleasure. - -Notwithstanding my anger, I could not forbear laughing at the -fellow’s impertinence. I wish I had no business upon my hands, -said I; I would accept of the proposal you make me; I would go with -all my heart to be merry with you: but I beg to be excused; I am too -much engaged this day; another day I shall be more at leisure, and -then we shall make up that company. Come, finish shaving me, and -make haste home; perhaps your friends are already come to your -house. --Sir, said he, do not refuse me the favour I ask of you; -come and be merry with the good company I am to have: if you were -but once in our company, you would be so pleased with it, you would -forsake your friends to come to us. Let us talk no more of that, -said I; I cannot be your guest. - -I found I gained no ground by mild terms. Since you will not come to -my house, replied the barber, you must allow me to go along with -you: I will go and carry these things to my house, where my friends -may eat of them, if they like them, and I will return immediately: I -would not be so uncivil as to leave you alone. You deserve this -piece of complaisance at my hands. --Heavens! cried I, then I shall -not get clear of this troublesome fellow to-day. In the name of the -living God, said I, leave off your unreasonable jargon; go to your -friends, drink, eat, and be merry with them, and leave me at liberty -to go to mine. I have a mind to go alone: I have no occasion for -company: besides, I must needs tell you, the place to which I go is -not a place where you can be received; nobody must come there but I. ---You jest, sir, said he: if your friends have invited you to a -feast, what should prevent you from allowing me to accompany you? -You will please them, I am sure, by carrying thither a man that can -talk comically like me, and knows how to divert company. But say -what you will, I am determined I will go along with you, in spite of -you. - -These words, gentlemen, perplexed me much. How shall I get rid of -this cursed barber? thought I to myself. If I persist in -contradicting him, we shall never have done. - -Besides, I heard then the first call to noon prayers, and it was -time for me to go. In fine, I resolved to say nothing at all, and to -make as if I consented to his accompanying me. He then made an end -of shaving me, and I said to him, Take some of my servants to carry -these provisions along with you, and return hither; I will stay for -you and shall not go without you. - -At last he went, and I dressed myself quickly. I heard the last call -to prayers, and made haste to set out: but the malicious barber, who -guessed my intention, went with my servants only within sight of the -house, and stood there till he saw them enter his house; having hid -himself at the corner of the street, with an intent to observe and -follow me. In fine, when I arrived at the cadi’s door, I looked -back and saw him at the head of the street, which fretted me to the -last degree. - -The cadi’s door was half open, and as I went in I saw an old woman -waiting for me, who after she had shut the door, conducted me to the -chamber of the young lady I was in love with; but we had scarce -began our interview, when we heard a noise in the streets. The young -lady put her head to the window, and saw through the gate, that it -was the cadi her father returning already from prayers. At the same -time I looked through the window, and saw the barber sitting -over-against the house, in the same place where I had seen the young -lady before. - -I had then two things to fear, the arrival of the cadi, and the -presence of the barber. The young lady mitigated my fear of the -first, by assuring me, the cadi came but very seldom to her chamber, -and as she had foreseen that this misadventure might happen, she had -contrived a way to convey me out safe: but the indiscretion of the -accursed barber made me very uneasy; and you shall hear that this my -uneasiness was not without ground. - -As soon as the cadi was come in, he caned one of his slaves that had -deserved it. This slave made a horrid noise, which was heard in the -streets: the barber thought it was I that cried out, and was -maltreated. Prepossessed with this thought, he roared out aloud, -rent his clothes, threw dust upon his head, and called the -neighbourhood to his assistance. The neighbourhood came, and asked -what assistance he wanted. Alas! cried he, they are assassinating my -master, my dear patron; and without saying any thing more, he ran -all the way to my house, with the very same cry in his mouth. From -thence he returned, followed by all my domestics armed with sticks. -They knocked with inconceivable fury at the cadi’s door, and the -cadi sent a slave to see what was the matter; but the slave being -frightened, returned to his master, crying, Sir, above ten thousand -men are going to break into your house by force. - -Immediately the cadi himself ran, opened the door, and asked what -they wanted. His venerable presence could not inspire them with -respect. They insolently said to him, You cursed cadi, you dog of a -cadi, what reason have you to assassinate our master? What has he -done to you? --Good people, replied the cadi, for what should I -assassinate your master, whom I do not know, and who has done me no -harm? My house is open to you; come, see and search. --You -bastinadoed him, said the barber; I heard his cries not a minute -ago. --But once more, replied the cadi, what harm could your master -do to me, to oblige me to abuse him after that rate? Is he in my -house? If he is, how came he in, or who could have introduced him? ---Ah! wretched cadi, cried the barber, you and your long beard shall -never make me believe what you say. I know what I say; your daughter -is in love with our master, and appointed him a meeting during the -time of noon prayer: you without doubt have had notice of it; you -returned home, and surprised him, and made your slaves bastinado -him: but this your wicked action shall not pass with impunity; the -caliph shall be acquainted with it, and he will give true and brief -justice. Let him come out; deliver him to us immediately; or if you -do not, we will go and take him out to your shame. --There is no -occasion for so many words, replied the cadi, nor to make so great a -noise: if what you say is true, go and find him out; I give you free -liberty. Thereupon the barber and my domestics rushed into the house -like furies, and looked for me all about. - -As I heard all that the barber said to the cadi, I sought for a -place to hide myself, and could find nothing but a great empty -trunk, in which I lay down, and shut it upon me. The barber, after -he had searched every where, came into the chamber where I was, and -opening the trunk, as soon as he saw me, he took it upon his head -and carried it away. He came down a high staircase into a court, -which he crossed hastily, and got to the street door. While he -carried me, the trunk unhappily flew open, and I, not being able to -endure the shame of being exposed to the view and shouts of the mob -that followed us, leaped out into the street with so much haste that -I hurt my leg so, that I have been lame ever since. I was not -sensible how bad it was at first, and therefore got up quickly to -get away from the people, who laughed at me; nay, I threw handfulls -of gold and silver among them, and whilst they were gathering it up, -I made my escape by cross streets and alleys. But the cursed barber, -availing himself of the stratagem that I had made use of to get away -from the mob, followed me close, crying, Stay, sir; why do you run -so fast? If you knew how much I am afflicted at the ill treatment -you received from the cadi, --you, who are so generous, and to whom -I and my friends are so much obliged! Did I not tell you truly, that -you would expose your life by your obstinate refusal to let me go -with you? See what has happened to you, by your own fault; and if I -had not resolutely followed you, to see whither you went, what would -have become of you? Whither do you go, sir? Stay for me. - -Thus the wretched barber cried aloud in the streets; it was not -enough for him to have occasioned so great a scandal in the quarter -where the cadi lived, but he would have it known through the whole -town. I was in such a rage, that I had a great mind to have staid -and cut his throat; but considering that that would have perplexed -me farther, I chose another course; for, perceiving that his calling -after me exposed me to vast numbers of people, who crowded to the -doors or windows, or stopped in the street to gaze on me, I entered -into a khan or inn, [75] the chamberlain of which knew me; and -finding him at the gate, whither the noise had brought him, I prayed -him, for the sake of heaven, to hinder that madman from coming in -after me. He promised to do so, and was as good as his word, but not -without a great deal of trouble, for the obstinate barber would go -in, in spite of him, and did not retire without calling him a -thousand names; and after the chamberlain shut the gate, the barber -continued telling all he met what great service he had done me. Thus -I rid myself of that troublesome fellow. After that, the chamberlain -prayed me to tell him my adventure, which I did, and then desired -him to let me have an apartment until I was cured. But, sir, said -he, will it not be more convenient for you to go home? I will not -return thither, said I; for the detestable barber will continue -plaguing me there, and I shall die of vexation to be continually -teased with him. Besides, after what has befallen me to-day, I -cannot think of staying any longer in this town; I must go whither -my ill-fortune leads me; and actually, when I was cured, I took all -the money I thought necessary for my travels, and gave the rest of -my estate among my kindred. - -Thus, gentlemen, I left Bagdad, and came hither. I had ground to -hope that I should not meet this pernicious barber in a country so -far from my own, and yet I find him amongst you. Be not surprised -then at my haste to be gone; you may easily judge how unpleasant to -me is the sight of a man, who was the occasion of my lameness, and -of my being reduced to the melancholy necessity of living so far -from my kindred, friends, and country. When he had spoken these -words, the lame young man rose up and went out. The master of the -house conducted him to the gate, and told him he was sorry that he -had given him, though innocently, so great a subject of -mortification. - -When the young man was gone, continued the tailor, we were all -astonished at the story, and, turning to the barber, told him he was -very much to blame, if what we had just heard were true. Gentlemen, -answered he, raising up his head, which till then he had held down, -my silence during the young man’s discourse is sufficient to -testify that he advanced nothing that was not true: but for all that -he has said to you, I maintain that I ought to have done what I did; -I leave you to be judges of it. Did not he throw himself into -danger, and could he have come off so well without my assistance? He -may think himself happy to get off with the lame leg. Did not I -expose myself to greater danger to get him out of a house, where I -thought he was ill-treated? Has he any reason to complain of me, and -abuse me so? This is what one gets by serving unthankful people. He -accuses me of being a prattling fellow, which is a mere slander: of -seven brothers, I speak least, and have most wit to my share; and to -convince you of it, gentlemen, I need only to tell my own story and -theirs. Honour me, I beseech you, with your attention. - - - - -The Story of the Barber. - - -In the reign of the caliph Monstanser Bilah, [76] continued he, a -prince so famous for his vast liberality towards the poor, ten -highwaymen infested the roads about Bagdad, and for a long time -committed unheard-of robberies and cruelties. The caliph, having -notice of this, sent for the judge of the police, some days before -the feast of Bairam, and ordered him, on pain of death, to bring all -the ten to him. - -The judge of the police used so much diligence, and sent so many -people in pursuit of the ten robbers, that they were taken on the -very day of Bairam. I was walking then on the banks of the Tigris, -and saw ten men richly apparelled go into a boat. I might have known -they were robbers, had I observed the guards that were with them; -but I looked only to them, and thinking they were people that had a -mind to spend the festival-day in jollity, I entered the boat with -them, without saying one word, in hopes they would allow me to be -one of the company. We went down the Tigris, and landed before the -caliph’s palace: I had time then to consider with myself, and to -find my mistake. When we came out of the boat, we were surrounded by -a new troop of the judge of the police’s guard, who bound us all, -and carried us before the caliph. I suffered myself to be bound as -well as the rest, without speaking one word: for to what purpose -should I have spoken, or made any resistance? That had been the way -to have got myself ill-treated by the guards, who would not have -listened to me; for they are brutish fellows, who will hear no -reason: I was with the robbers, and that was enough to make them -believe me to be one of them. - -When we came before the caliph, he ordered the ten highwaymen’s -heads to be cut off immediately. The executioner drew us up in a -file within reach of his arm, and by good fortune I was the last. He -cut off the heads of the ten highwaymen, beginning at the first; and -when he came to me, he stopt. The caliph perceiving that he did not -strike me, grew angry: Did not I command thee, said he, to cut off -the heads of ten highwaymen, and why hast thou cut off but nine? ---Commander of the faithful, said he, Heaven preserve me from -disobeying your majesty’s orders: here are ten corpses upon the -ground, and as many heads which I cut off; your majesty may count -them. When the caliph saw that what the executioner said was true, -he looked upon me with amazement, and perceiving that I had not the -face of a highwayman, said to me, Good old man, how came you to be -among those wretches, who have deserved a thousand deaths? I -answered, Commander of the faithful, I shall make a true confession. -This morning I saw those ten persons, whose punishment is a proof of -your majesty’s justice, take boat: I embarked with them, thinking -they were men going to celebrate this day, which is the most -distinguished in our religion. - -The caliph could not forbear laughing at my adventure; and instead -of treating me as a prattling fellow, as this lame young man did, he -admired my discretion and steady silence. Commander of the faithful, -said I, your majesty need not wonder at my keeping silence on such -an occasion as would have made another apt to speak: I make it a -particular profession of holding my peace, and upon that account I -have acquired the glorious title of Silent; by which I am -distinguished from my six brothers. This is the effect of my -philosophy; and, in a word, in this virtue consists my glory and -happiness. I am very glad, said the caliph, smiling, that they gave -you a title that you know how to make such good use of. But tell me, -what sort of men were your brothers: were they like you? By no -means, said I; they were all of them more given to prating one than -another. And as to their persons, there was still a greater -difference betwixt them and me. The first was hump-backed; the -second had rotten teeth; the third had but one eye; the fourth was -blind; the fifth had his ears cut off, and the sixth had hare-lips. -They have met with such adventures as would enable you to judge of -their characters, had I the honour to tell them to your majesty; and -since the caliph seemed desirous to hear their several stories, I -went on without waiting his commands. - - - - -The Story of the Barber’s eldest Brother. - - -Sir, said I, my eldest brother whose name was Bacbouc the Hump-back, -was a tailor by trade: when he came out of his apprenticeship, he -hired a shop over against a mill, and having but very little -business, he could scarcely maintain himself. The miller, on the -contrary, was very wealthy, and had a very handsome wife. One day, -as my brother was at work in his shop, he lifted up his head and saw -the miller’s wife looking out of the window, and was charmed with -her beauty. The woman took no notice of him, but shut her window, -and came no more to it all that day. The poor tailor did nothing but -lift up his eyes towards the mill all day long. He pricked his -finger oftener than once, and his work that day was not very -regular. At night, when he was to shut his shop, he could scarce -tell how to do it, because he still hoped the miller’s wife would -come to the window once more; but at last he was forced to shut up, -and go home to his little house, where he passed but a very -uncomfortable night. He got up betimes in the morning, and ran to -his shop, in hopes to see his mistress again; but he was no happier -than the day before, for the miller’s wife did not appear at the -window above a minute in the whole day, but that minute made the -tailor the most amorous man that ever lived. The third day he had -some more ground of satisfaction, for the miller’s wife cast her -eyes upon him by chance, and surprised him as he was gazing at her, -which convinced her what passed in his mind. - -No sooner did the miller’s wife perceive my brother’s -inclination, than instead of being vexed at it, she resolved to -divert herself with it. She looked upon him with a smiling -countenance, and my brother looked upon her in the same manner, but -after such an odd sort, that the miller’s wife presently shut her -window, lest her loud laughter should have made him sensible that -she only ridiculed him. Poor Bacbouc interpreted her carriage to his -own advantage, and flattered himself that she looked upon him with -pleasure. - -The miller’s wife resolved to make sport with my brother: she had -a piece of very fine stuff, with which she had a long time designed -to make her a suit; she wrapt it up in a fine embroidered silk -handkerchief, and sent it him by a young slave whom she kept; who -being taught her lesson, comes to the tailor’s shop, and tells -him, My mistress gives you her service, and prays you to make her a -suit of this stuff according to this pattern; she changes her -clothes often, so that her custom will be profitable to you. My -brother doubted not that the miller’s wife loved him, and thought -that she sent him work so soon after what had passed betwixt them, -only to signify that she knew his mind, and to convince him that he -had obtained her favour. My brother being of this opinion, charged -the slave to tell her mistress, that he would lay aside all work for -her’s, and that the suit should be ready next morning. He worked -at it with so much diligence, that he finished it the same day. Next -morning, the young slave came to see if the suit was ready. Bacbouc -gave it to her neatly folded up, telling her, I am too much -concerned to please your mistress to neglect her suit; I would -engage her by my diligence to employ no other but myself for the -time to come. The young slave went some steps as if she had intended -to go away, and then coming back, whispered to my brother, I had -forgot part of my commission; my mistress charged me to make her -compliments to you, and to ask, how you passed the night; as for -her, poor woman, she loves you so, that she could not sleep. --Tell -her, answered my silly brother, I have so strong a passion for her, -that for these four nights I have not slept one wink. --After such a -compliment from the miller’s wife, my brother thought she would -not let him languish long in the expectation of her favours. - -About a quarter of an hour after, the slave returned to my brother -with a piece of satin: My mistress, said she, is very well pleased -with her suit; nothing in the world can fit her better; and as it -was very handsome, she would not wear it without a new petticoat; -she prays you to make her one, as soon as you can, of this piece of -satin. --Enough, said Bacbouc; I will do it before I leave my shop; -you shall have it in the evening. The miller’s wife showed herself -often at her window, and was very prodigal of her charms, to -encourage my brother. You would have laughed to have seen him work. -The petticoat was soon made, and the slave came for it, but brought -the tailor no money, neither for the trimming he had bought for the -suit, nor for the making. In the mean time, this unfortunate lover, -whom they only amused, though he could not see it, had eat nothing -all that day, and was forced to borrow money at night to buy his -supper. Next morning, as soon as he arrived at his shop, the young -slave came to tell him, that the miller wanted to speak to him. My -mistress, said she, has told him so much in your praise, when she -showed him your work, that he has a mind you should work also for -him; she does it on purpose, that the connexion she wished to form -betwixt you and him may crown your mutual wishes with success. My -brother was easily persuaded, and went to the mill with the slave. -The miller received him very kindly, and showed him a piece of -cloth, told him he wanted shirts, bid him make it into twenty, and -give him again what was left. - -My brother had work enough for five or six days to make twenty -shirts for the miller, who afterwards gave him another piece of -cloth to make him as many pair of drawers. When they were finished, -Bacbouc carried them to the miller, who asked him what he must have -for his pains. My brother answered, he would be content with twenty -drachms of silver. The miller immediately called the young slave, -and bid her bring him his weights, to see if his money was right. -The slave, who had her lesson, looked at my brother with an angry -countenance, to signify to him that he would spoil all if he took -any money. He knew her meaning, and refused to take any, though he -wanted it so much, that he was forced to borrow money to buy the -thread that sewed the shirts and drawers. When he left the miller, -he came to me to borrow money to live on, and told me they did not -pay him. I gave him some copper money I had in my purse, and upon -that he subsisted for some days: it is true, indeed, he lived upon -nothing but broth, nor had he his fill of that. - -One day he went to the miller, who was busy at his work, and -thinking my brother came for money, he offered him some; but the -young slave being present, made him another sign not to take it, -which he complied with, and told the miller he did not come for his -money, but only to know how he did. The miller thanked him, and gave -him an upper garment to make. Bacbouc carried it him next day. When -the miller drew out his purse, the young slave gave my brother the -usual sign; on which he said to the miller, Neighbour, there is no -haste; we will reckon another time: so that the poor ninny went to -his shop again, with three terrible distempers upon him, love, -hunger, and want of money. The miller’s wife was not only -avaricious, but ill-natured; for, not content to cheat my brother of -his due, she provoked her husband to revenge himself upon him for -making love to her, which they accomplished thus. The miller invited -Bacbouc one night to supper, and after giving him a very sorry -treat, said to him, Brother, it is too late for you to go home; you -had better stay here all night; and then he carried him to a place -in the mill, where there was a bed: there he left him, and went to -bed with his wife. About the middle of the night, the miller went to -my brother, and said, Neighbour, are you asleep? My mule is ill, and -I have a quantity of corn to grind; you will do me a great kindness -if you will turn the mill in her stead. Bacbouc, to shew his -good-nature, told him he was ready to do him that piece of service, -if he would show him how. Then the miller tied him by the middle to -the mule’s place, and whipping him soundly over the back, said to -him, Go, neighbour. --Ho! said my brother, why do you beat me? --It -is to make you brisk, said the miller; for without a whip my mule -will not go. Bacbouc was amazed at this sort of treatment, but durst -not complain. When he had gone five or six rounds, he would fain -have rested; but the miller gave him a dozen sound lashes, saying, -Courage, neighbour! do not stop, pray; you must go on without taking -breath, otherwise you will spoil my meal. - -The miller obliged my brother to turn the mill thus all night. About -break of day he left him without untying him, and went to his -wife’s chamber. Bacbouc continued there for some time, and at last -the young slave came and untied him. Ah! said the treacherous -wretch, how my mistress and I pitied you! We had no hand in this -wicked trick which her husband has played you. The wretched Bacbouc -answered her not a word, he was so much fatigued with work and -blows; but crept home to his house, resolving never to think more of -the miller’s wife. - -The telling of this story, said the barber, made the caliph laugh. -Go home, said he to me; I have ordered something to be given you to -make up for the loss of the good dinner you expected. --Commander of -the faithful, said I, I pray your majesty to let me stay till I have -told the story of my other brothers. The caliph having signified by -his silence that he was willing to hear me, I went on thus: - -[Illustration: BAKBARAH IN THE LADY’S APARTMENT.] - - - - -The Story of the Barber’s second Brother. - - -My second brother, who was called Backbarah the toothless, going one -day through the city, met an old woman in a distant street: she came -up to him, and said, I want one word with you; pray stop a moment. -He did so, and asked her what she would have. If you have time to -come along with me, said she, I will bring you into a stately -palace, where you shall see a lady as fair as the day. She will -receive you with much pleasure, and give you a treat with excellent -wine. I need say no more to you. --But is what you say true? replied -my brother. --I am no lying hussy, replied the old woman: I say -nothing to you but what is true. But hark, I have something to ask -of you. You must be prudent, say but little, and be extremely -polite. Backbarah agreed to all this. The old woman went before, and -he followed after. They came to the gate of a great palace, where -there was abundance of officers and domestics. Some of them would -have stopt my brother, but no sooner did the old woman speak to -them, than they let him pass. Then turning to my brother, she said -to him, You must remember that the young lady I bring you to loves -good-nature and modesty, and cannot endure to be contradicted; if -you please her in that, you may be sure to obtain of her what you -please. Backbarah thanked her for this advice, and promised to -follow it. - -She brought him into a fine apartment of a great square building, -answerable to the magnificence of the palace. There was a gallery -round it, and a very fine garden in the middle. The old woman made -him sit down upon a handsome sofa, and bid him stay a moment, till -she went to tell the young lady of his being come. - -My brother, who had never been in such a stately palace before, -gazed upon the fine things that he saw; and judging of his good -fortune by the magnificence of the palace, he was scarcely able to -contain himself for joy. By and by he heard a great noise, -occasioned by a troop of merry slaves, who came towards him with -loud fits of laughter, and in the middle of them, he perceived a -young lady of extraordinary beauty, who was easily known to be their -mistress by the respect they paid her. Backbarah, who expected -private conversation with the lady, was extremely surprised when he -saw so much company with her. In the mean time the slaves put on a -grave countenance when they drew near; and when the young lady came -up to the sofa, my brother rose up and made her a low bow. She took -the upper hand, prayed him to sit down, and said to him with a -smiling countenance, I am mightily glad to see you, and wish you all -the happiness you can desire. --Madam, replied Backbarah, I cannot -desire a greater happiness than to be in your company. --You seem to -be of a pleasant humour, said she, and to be disposed to pass the -time pleasantly. - -She forthwith commanded a collation to be brought; and immediately a -table was covered with several baskets of fruits and sweetmeats. The -lady sat down at the table with the slaves and my brother; and he -being placed just over-against her, when he opened his mouth to eat, -she perceived he had no teeth; and taking notice of it to her -slaves, she and they laughed at him heartily. Backbarah from time to -time lifted up his head to look at her, and perceiving her laugh, -thought it was for joy of his company, and flattered himself that -she would speedily send away her slaves, and be with him alone. She -guessed his thoughts, and pleasing herself to flatter him in his -mistake, she gave him abundance of pleasant language, and presented -him the best of every thing with her own hand. The treat being -ended, they rose from the table; ten slaves took musical -instruments, and began to play and sing, and others to dance. My -brother, to please them, danced likewise, and the lady danced with -them. After they had danced some time, they sat down to take breath, -and the young lady, calling for a glass of wine, looked upon my -brother with a smiling countenance, to signify that she was going to -drink his health. He rose up, and stood while she drank. When she -had done, instead of giving back the glass, she ordered it to be -filled, and presented it to my brother, that he might pledge her. - -My brother took the glass from the young lady’s hand, which he -kissed at the same time, and stood and drank to her, in return for -the favour she had done him. Then the young lady made him sit down -by her, and began to caress him. She put her hand behind his head, -and gave him some tips from time to time with her fingers. Ravished -with those favours, he thought himself the happiest man in the -world, and had a great mind to toy also with the charming lady, but -durst not take the liberty before so many slaves, who had their eyes -upon him, and laughed at their lady’s wanton tricks. The young -lady continued to tip him with her fingers, but at last gave him -such a sound box on the ear, that he grew angry at it; the colour -came in his face, and he rose up to sit at a greater distance from -such a rude play-fellow. Then the old woman who brought him thither -gave him a look, to let him know that he was in the wrong, and that -he had forgot the advice she gave him to be very complaisant. He -owned his fault, and, in order to make amends, he went near the -young lady again, and pretended that he did not go away out of any -ill-humour. She drew him by the arm, made him sit down by her again, -and gave him a thousand malicious squeezes. Her slaves took their -part in the diversion: one gave poor Backbarah several fillips on -the nose with all her might; another pulled him by the ears, as if -she would have pulled them off; and others boxed him so, as might -show they were not in jest. My brother bore all this with admirable -patience, affecting a gay air, and looking at the old woman, said to -her with a forced smile, You told me, indeed, that I should find the -lady perfectly kind, pleasant, and charming; I am mightily obliged -to you! --All this is nothing, replied the old woman: let her go on; -you will see other things by and by. Then the young lady said to -him, Brother, you are a brave man; I am glad to find you are so good -humoured and complaisant to bear with my little caprices, and that -your humour is so conformable to mine. --Madam, replied Backbarah, -who was charmed with this discourse, I am no more myself, I am -wholly yours; you may dispose of me as you please. --How you oblige -me, said the lady, by such submission! I am very well pleased with -you, and would have you be so with me. Bring him perfume, said she, -and rose water. Upon this, two slaves went out, and returned -speedily; one with a silver casket, filled with the best of -aloes-wood, with which she perfumed him; and the other with -rose-water, which she sprinkled on his face and hands. My brother -was quite beside himself at this handsome treatment. After this -ceremony, the young lady commanded the slaves, who had already -played on their instruments and sung, to renew their concerts. They -obeyed, and in the mean time the lady called another slave, and -ordered her to carry my brother with her, and do what she knew, and -bring him back to her again. Backbarah, who heard this order, got up -quickly, and going to the old woman, who also rose up to go along -with him and the slave, prayed her to tell him what they were to do -with him. My mistress is only curious, replied the old woman, -softly; she has a mind to see how you look in a woman’s dress; and -this slave, who has orders to carry you with her, has orders to -paint your eyebrows, to cut off your whiskers, and to dress you like -a woman. --You may paint my eyebrows as much as you please, said my -brother; I agree to that, because I can wash it off again; but to -shave me, you know I must not allow. How can I appear abroad again -without mustachios? --Beware of refusing what is asked of you, said -the old woman: you will spoil your fortune, which is now in as -favourable a train as heart can wish. The lady loves you, and has a -mind to make you happy; and will you, for a nasty whisker, renounce -the most delicious favours that man can obtain? --Backbarah listened -to the old woman, and without saying a word, went to a chamber with -the slave, where they painted his eyebrows with red, cut off his -whiskers, and were going to do the like with his beard. My -brother’s patience then began to fail: Oh! said he, I will never -part with my beard. The slave told him that it was to no purpose to -have parted with his whiskers, if he would not also part with his -beard, which could never agree with a woman’s dress; and she -wondered that a man, who was upon the point to enjoy the finest lady -in Bagdad, should be concerned about his beard. The old woman -threatened him with the loss of the young lady’s favour; so that -at last he let them do what they would. When he was dressed like a -woman, they brought him before the young lady, who laughed so -heartily when she saw him, that she fell backward on the sofa where -she sat. The slaves laughed and clapped their hands, so that my -brother was quite out of countenance. The young lady got up, and -still laughing, said to him, After so much complaisance for me, I -should be very much to blame not to love you with all my heart: but -there is one thing more you must do for me, and that is, to dance as -we do. He obeyed, and the young lady and her slaves danced with him, -laughing as if they had been mad. After they had danced some time -with him, they all fell upon the poor wretch, and did so box and -kick him, that he fell down like one out of his senses. The old -woman helped him up again; and that he might not have time to think -of his ill treatment, she bid him take courage, and whispered in his -ear, that all his sufferings were at an end, and that he was just -about to receive his reward. - -You have only one thing more to do, and that is but a small one. You -must know that my mistress has a custom, when she has drank a -little, as you see she has done to-day, to let nobody that she loves -come near her, except they be stripped to their shirt; and when they -have done so, she takes a little advantage of them, and begins -running before them through the gallery, and from chamber to -chamber, till they catch her. This is one more of her humours. What -advantage soever she takes of you, considering your nimbleness and -inclination, you will soon overtake her: strip yourself then to your -shirt; undress yourself without ceremony. - -My silly brother, said the barber, had done too much to hesitate at -any thing now. He undressed himself; and in the mean time the young -lady was stripped to her shift and under-petticoat, that she might -run the more nimbly. When they were ready to run, the young lady -took the advantage of twenty paces, and then fell to running with -surprising swiftness: my brother followed her as fast as he could, -the slaves in the mean time laughing heartily, and clapping their -hands. The young lady, instead of losing ground, gained upon my -brother; she made him run two or three times round the gallery, and -then running into a long dark entry, got away by a passage which she -knew. Backbarah, who still followed her, having lost sight of her in -the entry, was obliged to slacken his pace, because of the darkness -of the place: at last perceiving a light he ran towards it, and went -out at a door, which was immediately shut upon him. You may imagine -how he was surprised to find himself in a street inhabited by -curriers; and they were no less surprised to see him in his shirt, -his eyes painted red, and without beard or mustachios. They began to -clap their hands and shouted at him, and some of them ran after him -and lashed his buttocks with leather straps. They then took him and -set him upon an ass which they met by chance, and carried him -through the town, exposed to the laughter of the people. - -To complete his misfortune, as he went by the judge’s house, he -would needs know the cause of the tumult. The curriers told him, -that they saw him come in that condition out at the gate of the -apartment of the grand vizier’s women, which opened into the -street; upon which the judge ordered unfortunate Backbarah to have a -hundred blows with a cane on the soles of his feet, and sent him out -of the town, with orders never to return again. - -Thus, commander of the faithful, said I to the caliph Monstanser -Billah, I have given an account of the adventure of my second -brother, who did not know that our greatest ladies divert themselves -sometimes by putting such tricks upon young people, who are so -foolish as to be caught in the snare. - -The barber, without leaving off, told the story of his third brother -in the following manner. - - - - -The Story of the Barber’s third Brother. - - -Commander of the faithful, said he to the caliph, my third brother, -whose name was Backbac, was blind, and his evil destiny reduced him -to beg from door to door. He had been so long accustomed to walk -through the streets alone, that he wanted none to lead him. He had a -custom to knock at people’s doors, and not to answer till they -opened to him. One day he knocked thus at a door, and the master of -the house, who was alone, cried, Who is there? My brother gave no -answer, and knocked a second time. The master of the house asked -again and again, Who is there? but to no purpose: nobody answered. -Upon which he came down, opened the door, and asked my brother what -he wanted. Give me something for Heaven’s sake, said Backbac. ---You seem to be blind, replied the master of the house. Yes, to my -sorrow, said my brother. Give me your band, said the master of the -house. My brother did so, thinking he was going to give him alms; -but he only took him by the hand to lead him up to his chamber. -Backbac thought he had been carrying him to dine with him, as many -other people had done. When they came up to the chamber, the man let -go his hand, and sitting down, asked him again what he wanted. I -have already told you, said Backbac, that I want something for -God’s sake. --Good blind man, replied the master of the house, all -that I can do for you is to wish that God may restore you your -sight. --You might have told me that at the door, said my brother, -and not have given me the trouble to have come up stairs. --And why, -fool, said the man of the house, do not you answer at first, when -people ask you who is there? Why do you give any body the trouble to -come and open the door when they speak to you? --What will you do -with me then? said my brother. --I tell you again, said the man of -the house, I have nothing to give you. --Help me down the stairs -then, replied Backbac, as you helped me up. --The stairs are before -you, said the man of the house, and you may go down by yourself if -you will. My brother attempted to go down, but missing a step about -the middle of the stairs, he fell to the bottom, and hurt his head -and his back: he got up again with a great deal of difficulty, and -went out cursing the master of the house, who laughed at his fall. - -As my brother went out of the house, two blind men, his companions, -were going by, knew him by his voice, and asked him what was the -matter. He told them what had happened to him, and afterwards said, -I have eat nothing to day: I conjure you to go along with me to my -house, that I may take some of the money that we three have in -common to buy me something for supper. The two blind men agreed to -it, and they went home with him. - -You must know that the master of the house where my brother was so -ill used was a highwayman, and of a cunning and malicious -disposition. He heard at his window what Backbac had said to his -companions, and therefore came down and followed them to my -brother’s house. The blind men being sat down, Backbac said to -them, Brothers, we must shut the door, and take care there be no -stranger with us. At this the highwayman was much perplexed; but -perceiving by chance a rope hanging down from a beam, he caught hold -of it, and hung by it, while the blind men shut the door, and felt -about the room with their sticks. When they had done this, and sat -down again in their places, the highwayman left his rope, and sat -down softly by my brother; who thinking himself alone with his blind -comrades, said to them, Brothers, since you have trusted me with the -money which we all three have been gathering a long time, I will -show you that I am not unworthy of the trust that you repose in me. -The last time we reckoned, you know we had ten thousand drachms, and -that we put them into ten bags; I will show you that I have not -touched one of them; and having said so, he put his hand among some -old clothes, and taking out the bags one after another, gave them to -his comrades, saying, There they are; you may judge by their weight -that they are whole, or you may tell them if you please. His -comrades answered there was no need, they did not mistrust him; so -he opened one of the bags, and took out ten drachms, and each of the -other blind men did the like. - -My brother put the bags into their place again: after which, one of -the blind men said to him, There is no need to lay out any thing for -supper, for I have got as much victuals from good people as will -serve us all three. At the same time he took out of his bag bread -and cheese, and some fruit, and, putting all upon the table, they -began to eat. --The highwayman, who sat at my brother’s right -hand, picked out the best, and eat with them; but, whatever care he -took to make no noise, Backbac heard his chaps going, and cried out -immediately, We are undone; there is a stranger among us: and having -said so, he stretched out his hand, and caught hold of the -highwayman by the arm, cried out, Thieves, fell upon him, and boxed -him. The other blind men fell upon him in like manner, and the -highwayman defended himself as well as he could; and being young and -vigorous, and having the advantage of his eyes, he gave furious -blows, sometimes to one, sometimes to another, as he could come at -them, and cried out, Thieves, louder than they did. The neighbours -came running at the noise, broke open the door, and had much ado to -separate the combatants; but having at last succeeded, they asked -the cause of their quarrel. My brother, who still had hold of the -highwayman, cried out. Gentlemen, this man I have hold on is a -thief, and stole in with us on purpose to rob us of the little money -we have. The thief, who shut his eyes as soon as the neighbours -came, feigned himself blind, and cried out, Gentlemen, he is a liar. -I swear to you by Heaven, and by the life of the caliph, that I am -their companion, and they refuse to give me my just share. They have -all three fallen upon me, and I demand justice. The neighbours would -not interfere in their quarrel, but carried them all before the -judge. - -When they came before the magistrate, the highwayman, without -staying to be examined, cried out, still feigning himself blind, -Sir, since you are deputed to administer justice by the caliph, whom -God prosper, I declare to you that we are equally criminal, my three -comrades and I; but we have all engaged, upon oath, to confess -nothing except we be bastinadoed; so that if you would know our -crime, you need only order us to be bastinadoed, and begin with me. -My brother would have spoken, but was not allowed to do so; and the -highwayman was put under the bastinado. - -The robber being under the bastinado, had the courage to bear twenty -or thirty blows; when, pretending to be overcome with pain, he first -opened one eye, and then the other, and crying out for mercy, begged -the judge would put a stop to the blows. --The judge perceiving that -he looked upon him with his eyes open, was much surprised at it, and -said to him, Rogue, what is the meaning of this miracle? Sir, -replied the highwayman, I will discover to you an important secret, -if you pardon me, and give me, as a pledge that you will keep your -word, the seal-ring which you have on your finger: I am ready to -declare the whole mystery. The judge consented, gave him his ring, -and promised him pardon. Under this promise, said the highwayman, I -must confess to you, sir, that I and my three comrades do all of us -see very well. We feigned ourselves to be blind, that we might -freely enter people’s houses, and into women’s apartments, where -we abuse their weakness. I must further confess to you, that by this -trick we have gained together ten thousand drachms. This day I -demanded of my partners two thousand five hundred that belonged to -me as my share; but they refused because I told them I would leave -them, and they were afraid I should accuse them. Upon my pressing -still to have my share, they all three fell upon me; for which I -appeal to those people who brought us before you. I expect from your -justice, sir, that you will make them deliver me the two thousand -five hundred drachms which is my due; and if you have a mind that my -comrades should confess the truth, you must order them three times -as many blows as I have had, and you will find they will open their -eyes as well as I did. - -My brother and the other two blind men would have cleared themselves -of this horrid cheat, but the judge would not hear them: Villains, -said he, do you feign yourselves blind then, and, under that pretext -of moving their compassion, cheat people, and commit such crimes? He -is a cheat, cried my brother, and we take God to witness that none -of us can see. - -All that my brother could say was in vain, his comrades and he -received each of them two hundred blows. The judge looked when they -should have opened their eyes and ascribed to their obstinacy what -really they could not do. All the while, the highwayman said to the -blind men, Poor fools that you are, open your eyes, and do not -suffer yourselves to be beat to death. Then addressing himself to -the judge, said, I perceive, sir, that they will be maliciously -obstinate to the last, and will never open their eyes. They have a -mind certainly to avoid the shame of reading their own condemnation -in the face of every one that looks upon them; it were better, if -you think fit, to pardon them, and to send some person along with me -for the ten thousand drachms they have hid. - -The judge did so, gave the highwayman two thousand five hundred -drachms, and kept the rest himself; and as for my brother and his -two companions, he thought he showed them a great deal of pity by -sentencing them only to be banished. As soon as I heard what befell -my brother, I ran after him; he told me his misfortune, and I -brought him back secretly to the town. I could easily have justified -him to the judge, and have got the highwayman punished as he -deserved, but durst not attempt it, for fear of bringing myself into -trouble. Thus I finished the sad adventure of my honest blind -brother. The caliph laughed at it as much as at those he had heard -before, and ordered again, that something should be given me; but -without staying for it, I began the story of my fourth brother. - - - - -The story of the Barber’s fourth Brother. - - -Alcouz was the name of the fourth brother, who lost one of his eyes -upon an occasion that I shall have the honour to relate to your -majesty. He was a butcher by profession, and had a particular way of -teaching rams to fight, by which he gained the acquaintance and -friendship of the chief lords of the country, who loved that sport, -and for that end kept rams at their houses; he had, beside, a very -good trade, and had his shop always full of the best meat, because -he was very rich, and spared no cost for the best of every sort. One -day, when he was in his shop, an old man, with a long white beard, -came and bought six pounds of meat of him, gave him money for it, -and went his way. My brother thought the money so fine, so white, -and so well coined, that he put it apart by itself. The same old man -came every day for five months together, bought a like quantity of -meat, and paid for it in the same sort of money, which my brother -continued to lay apart by itself. - -At the end of five months, Alcouz having a mind to buy a parcel of -sheep, and to pay for them in this fine money, opened his chest; but -instead of finding his money, was extremely surprised to see nothing -in the place where he had laid it but a parcel of leaves clipped -round: he beat his head and cried out aloud, which presently brought -the neighbours about him, who were as much surprised as he, when he -told them the story. Oh! cried my brother, weeping, that this -treacherous old fellow would come now with his hypocritical looks! -He had scarce done speaking when he saw him coming at a distance, -ran to him, and laid hands on him: Mussulmen! cried he, as load as -he could, help! hear what a cheat this wicked fellow has put upon -me, and, at the some time, told a great crowd of people who came -about him, what he had formerly told his neighbours. When he had -done, the old man said to him very gravely and calmly, You had -better let me go, and by that means make amends for the affront you -have put upon me before so many people, for fear I should put a -greater affront upon you, which I should be sorry to do. How, said -my brother, what have you to say against me? I am an honest man in -my business, and fear not you, nor any body. You would have me speak -out then, said the old man, in the same tone; and turning to the -people, said to them, Know, good people, that this fellow, instead -of selling mutton, as he ought to do, sells man’s flesh. You are a -cheat, said my brother. No, no, said the old man; good people, this -very minute that I am speaking to him, there is a man with his -throat cut hung up in the shop like a sheep; do any of you go -thither, and see if what I say be not true. - -Just before my brother had opened his chest he had killed a sheep, -dressed it, and exposed it in the shop, according to custom. He -protested that what the old man said was false; but notwithstanding -all his protestations, the credulous mob, prejudiced against a man -accused of such a heinous crime, would go to see whether the matter -was true. They obliged my brother to quit the old man, laid hold of -him, and ran like madmen into his shop, where they saw a man hung up -with his throat cut, as the old man had told them; for he was a -magician and deceived the eyes of all people, as he did my brother, -when he made him take leaves instead of money. At this sight, one of -those who held Alcouz, gave him a great blow with his fist, and said -to him, Thou wicked villain! Dost thou make us eat men’s flesh -instead of mutton? And at the same time, the old man gave him -another blow, which beat out one of his eyes, and every body that -could get near him beat him; and not content with that, they carried -him before a judge, with the pretended carcass of the man to be -evidence against him. Sir, said the old magician to the judge, we -have brought you a man, who is so barbarous as to murder people, and -to sell their flesh instead of mutton; the public expects that you -shall punish him in an exemplary manner. The judge heard my brother -with patience, but would believe nothing of the story of the money -changed into leaves, called my brother a cheat, told him he would -believe his own eyes, and ordered him to receive five hundred blows. -He afterwards made him tell where his money was, took it all from -him, and banished him for ever, after having made him ride three -days through the city upon a camel, exposed to the insults of the -people. - -I was not at Bagdad when this tragical adventure befell my fourth -brother. He retired into a remote place, where he lay concealed till -he was cured of the blows with which his back was terribly mauled. -When he was able to walk, he went by night to a certain town where -nobody knew him; and there he took a lodging, from whence he seldom -went out. But being weary of this confined life, he went to walk in -one of the suburbs, where all of a sudden he heard a great noise of -horsemen coming behind him. He was then by chance near the gate of a -great house; and fearing, after what had befallen him, that these -horsemen were pursuing him, he opened the gate, in order to hide -himself; and after he shut it, came into a great court, where -immediately two servants came, and collaring him, said, Heaven be -praised, that you have come of your own accord to surrender yourself -to us! You have frightened us so much these three last nights, that -we could not sleep nor would you have spared our lives, if we had -not prevented you. You may very well imagine my brother was much -surprised at this compliment. Good people, said he, I know not what -you mean; you certainly take me for some body else. No, no, replied -they: we know that you and your comrades are great robbers: you were -not contented to rob our master of all that he had, and to reduce -him to beggary, but you had a mind to take his life. Let us see a -little if you have not a knife about you, which you had in your hand -when you pursued us last night; and having said this, they searched -him, and found he had a knife. Ho! ho! cried they, laying hold of -him, and dare you say that you are not a robber? Why, said my -brother, cannot a man carry a knife about him without being a -highwayman? If you will hearken to my story, continued he, instead -of having so bad an opinion of me, you will be touched with -compassion at my misfortunes. But far from hearkening to him, they -fell upon him, trod upon him, took away his clothes, and tore his -shirt. Then seeing the scars on his back, O dog! said they, -redoubling their blows, would you have us believe you are an honest -man when your back shows us the contrary? --Alas! said my brother, -my crimes must be very great, since after having been abused already -so unjustly, I am abused again a second time without being more -culpable! - -The two servants, no way moved with this complaint, carried him -before the judge, who asked him, how he durst be so bold as to go -into their house, and pursue them with a drawn knife? Sir, replied -poor Alcouz, I am the most innocent man in the world, and am undone, -if you will not be pleased to hear me patiently; nobody deserves -more compassion. Sir, replied one of the domestics, will you listen -to a robber, who enters people’s houses to plunder and murder -them? If you will not believe us, only look upon his back. And when -he said so, he uncovered my brother’s back, and showed it to the -judge; who, without any other information, commanded immediately to -give him a hundred lashes with a bull’s pizzle over the shoulders, -and made him afterwards be carried through the town on a camel, with -one crying before him, ‘Thus are such men punished as enter -people’s houses by force.’ After haring treated him thus, they -banished him the town, and forbid him ever to return to it again. -Some people who met him after the second misfortune, brought me word -where he was, and I went and fetched him to Bagdad privately, and -gave him all the assistance I could. The caliph, continued the -barber, did not laugh so much at this story as at the other. He was -pleased to pity the unfortunate Alcouz, and ordered something to be -given me. But, without giving his servants time to obey his orders, -I continued my discourse, and said to him, My sovereign lord and -master, you see that I do not talk much; and since your majesty has -been pleased to do me the favour to listen to me so far, I beg you -would likewise hear the adventures of my two other brothers. I hope -they will be as diverting as those of the former. You may make a -complete history of them, that will not be unworthy of your library. -I shall do myself the honour then to acquaint you, that the fifth -brother was called Alnaschar. - - - - -The Story of the Barber’s fifth Brother. - - -Alnaschar, as long as our father lived, was very lazy; instead of -working for his hiving, he used to go begging in the evening, and to -live next day upon what he got. Our father died in a very old age, -and left among us seven hundred drachms of silver: we divided it -equally, so that each of us had a hundred for our share. Alnaschar, -who had never so much money before in his lifetime, was very much -perplexed to know what he should do with it. He consulted a long -time with himself, and at last resolved to lay it out in glasses, -bottles, and other glass-ware, which he bought of a wholesale -dealer. He put all in an open basket, and chose a very little shop, -where he sat with the basket before him, and his back against the -wall, expecting while somebody should come and buy his ware. In this -posture he sat, with his eyes fixed on his basket, and began to -meditate; during which he spoke as follows, loud enough to be heard -by a neighbouring tailor: This basket, said he, cost me a hundred -drachms, which is all I have in the world; I shall make two hundred -of it by retailing my glass, and of these two hundred drachms, which -I will again lay out in glass-ware, I shall make four hundred; --and -going on thus, I shall at last make four thousand drachms; of four -thousand I shall easily make eight thousand, and when I come to ten -thousand, I will leave off selling glass, and turn jeweller. I will -trade in diamonds, pearls, and all sorts of precious stones. Then, -when I am rich as I can wish, I will buy a fine house, a great -estate, slaves, eunuchs, and horses. I will keep a good house, and -make a great figure in the world; I will send for all the musicians -and dancers of both sexes in town. --Nor will I stop here: I will, -by the favour of heaven, go on till I get a hundred thousand -drachms; and when I have got so much, I will think myself as great -as a prince, and send to demand the grand vizier’s daughter in -marriage; and represent to that minister that I have heard much of -the wonderful beauty, understanding, wit, and all the other -qualities of his daughter. In a word, that I will give him a -thousand pieces of gold the first night after we are married; and if -the vizier be so uncivil as to refuse his daughter, which cannot be -supposed, I will go and carry her off before his face, and take her -to my house, whether he will or no. --As soon as I have married the -grand vizier’s daughter, I will buy her ten young black eunuchs, -the handsomest that can be had. I will clothe myself like a prince, -and, mounted upon a fine horse, with a saddle of fine gold, and -housings of cloth of gold, finely embroidered with diamonds and -pearls, I will ride through the city, attended by slaves before and -behind; and I will go to the vizier’s palace, in view of all the -people, great and small, who will show me the most profound respect. -When I alight at the foot of the vizier’s staircase, I will go up -the same through my own people, ranged in files on the right and -left; and the grand vizier, receiving me as his son-in-law, shall -give me the right hand, and set me above him, to do me the more -honour. If this comes to pass, as I hope it will, two of my people -shall each of them have a purse with a thousand pieces of gold, -which they shall carry with them. I will take one, and presenting it -to the grand vizier, will tell him, There is the thousand pieces of -gold that I promised the first night of marriage; and I will offer -him the other, and say to him, There is as much more, to shew you -that I am a man of my word, and even better than my promise. After -such an action as this, all the world will talk of my generosity. I -will return to my own house in the same pomp. My wife will send some -officer to compliment me, on account of my visit to the vizier, her -father; I will honour the officer with a fine robe, and send him -back with a rich present. If she thinks to send me one, I will not -accept it, but dismiss the bearer. I will not suffer her to go out -of her apartment on any account whatever, without giving me notice; -and when I have a mind to come to her apartment, it shall be in such -a manner as to make her respect me. In short, no house shall be -better ordered than mine. I will be always richly clad. When I -retire with my wife in the evening, I will sit on the upper hand; I -will affect a grave air, without turning my head to one side or -other. I will speak little; and whilst my wife, beautiful as the -full moon, stands before me in all her charms, I will make as if I -did not see her. Her women about her will say to me, Our dear lord -and master, here is your spouse, your humble servant, before you, -ready to receive your caresses, and much mortified that you do not -vouchsafe to look upon her; she is wearied with standing so long; -bid her, at least, sit down. I will give no answer to this -discourse, which will increase their surprise and grief. They will -prostrate themselves at my feet; and after they have for a -considerable time entreated me to relent, I will at last lift up my -head, and give her a careless look, and resume my former posture: -they will suppose that my wife is not well enough, nor handsomely -enough dressed, and will carry her to her closet to change her -apparel. At the same time I will get up, and put on a more -magnificent suit than before: they will return, and hold the same -discourse with me as before, and I will have the pleasure not so -much as to look upon my wife, till they have prayed and entreated as -long as they did at first. Thus I will begin on the first day of -marriage to teach her what she is to expect during the rest of her -life. - -After the ceremonies of the marriage, said Alnaschar, I will take -from one of my servants, who shall be about me, a purse of five -hundred pieces of gold, which I will give to the tire-women, that -they may leave me alone with my spouse. When they are gone, my wife -shall go to bed first; then I will lie down by her, with my back -towards her, and will not say one word to her all night. The next -morning she will certainly complain of my contempt to her, and of my -pride, to her mother, the grand vizier’s wife, which will rejoice -my heart. Her mother will come to wait upon me, respectfully kiss my -hands, and say to me, Sir, (for she will not dare to call me -son-in-law, for fear of provoking me by such a familiar style,) I -entreat you not to disdain to look upon my daughter, and refuse to -come near her: I assure you that her chief delight is to please you, -and that she loves you with all her soul. But, in spite of all my -mother-in-law can say, I will not answer her one word, but keep an -obstinate gravity. Then she will throw herself at my feet, kiss them -repeatedly, and say to me, Sir, is it possible that you can suspect -my daughter’s good sense? I assure you I never let her go out of -my sight. You are the first man that ever saw her face: do not -mortify her so much; do her the favour to look upon her, to speak to -her, and confirm her in her good intentions to satisfy you in every -thing. But nothing of this shall prevail with me. Upon which my -mother-in-law will take a glass of wine, and, putting it in the hand -of her daughter, my wife, will say, Go, present him this glass of -wine yourself; perhaps he will not be so cruel as to refuse it from -so fair a hand. My wife will come with the glass, and stand -trembling before me; and when she finds that I do not look towards -her, but that I continue to disdain her, she will say to me, with -tears in her eyes, My heart, my dear soul, my amiable lord, I -conjure you, by the favours which heaven heaps upon you, to receive -this glass of wine from the hand of your most humble servant; but I -will not look upon her still, nor answer her. My charming spouse, -will she say, redoubling her tears, and putting the glass to my -mouth, I will never leave off till I prevail with you to drink; -then, wearied with her entreaties, I will dart a terrible look at -her, give her a good box on the cheek, and such a push with my foot, -as will throw her to a distance from the sofa. - -My brother was so full of these chimerical visions, that he acted -with his foot as if she had been really before him, and by -misfortune he gave such a push to his basket and glasses, that they -were thrown down in the street, and broken in a thousand pieces. - -The tailor, his neighbour, who heard his extravagant talk, burst -into a great fit of laughter when he saw the basket fall. O, what an -unworthy fellow art thou! said he to my brother: ought you not be -ashamed to abuse thus a young spouse, who gave you no cause to -complain. You must be a very brutish fellow to despise the tears and -charms of such a beautiful lady. Were I the vizier, your -father-in-law, I would order you a hundred lashes with a bull’s -pizzle, and send you through the town with your character written on -your forehead. My brother, on this fatal accident, came to himself, -and perceiving that he had brought this misfortune upon himself by -his insupportable pride, he beat his face, tore his clothes, and -cried so loud, that the neighbours came about him; and the people, -who were going to their noon-prayers, stopt to know what was the -matter. Being on a Friday, more people went to prayers than usual: -some of them took pity on Alnaschar, and others only laughed at him -for his extravagance. In the mean time, his vanity being dispersed -with his property, he bitterly bewailed his loss; and a lady of rank -passing by upon a mule richly caparisoned, my brother’s situation -moved her compassion. She asked him who he was, and what he cried -for? They told her, that he was a poor man, who had laid out the -little money he was worth in the purchase of a basket of glass ware, -and that the basket had fallen over, and all his glasses were -broken. The lady immediately turned to an eunuch who attended her, -and said to him, Give the poor man what you have about you. The -eunuch obeyed, and put into my brother’s hands a purse, with five -hundred pieces of gold. Alnaschar was ready to die with joy when he -received it. He gave a thousand blessings to the lady, and shutting -up his shop, where he had no more occasion to sit, he went to his -house. - -While he was making deep reflections upon his good luck, he heard -somebody knock at his door: before he opened, he asked who it was; -and knowing by the voice that it was a woman, he let her in. My son, -said she, I have a favour to beg of you: the hour of prayer is come; -pray let me wash myself, that I may be fit to say my prayers. Pray -let me come into your house, and give me a basin of water. My -brother looked at her, and saw that she was a woman well advanced in -years: though he knew her not, he granted her request, and sat down -again, still full of his new adventure. He put his gold in a long -strait purse, proper to carry at his girdle. The old woman in the -mean time said her prayers, and when she had done, came to my -brother, and bowed twice to the ground so low, that she touched it -with her forehead, as if she had been going to say her prayers: then -rising up, she wished my brother all happiness. - -Being meanly clad, and very humble, he thought she asked alms, upon -which he offered her two pieces of gold. The old woman stept back in -a sort of surprise, as if my brother had affronted her. Good God! -said she, what is the meaning of this? Is it possible, sir, that you -took me for one of those impudent beggars who push into people’s -houses to ask alms? Take back your money; I need it not, thank -heaven. I belong to a young lady of this city, who is a charming -beauty, and very rich; she lets me want for nothing. - -[Illustration: THE VISION OF ALNASCHAR.] - -My brother was not cunning enough to perceive the craft of the old -woman, who only refused the two pieces of gold, that she might catch -more. He asked her if she could not procure him the honour of seeing -that lady. With all my heart, replied she; she will be very glad to -marry you, and to put you in possession of her fortune, by making -you master of her person. Take up your money and follow me. My -brother being ravished with his good luck of finding so great a sum -of money, and almost at the same time a beautiful and rich wife, -shut his eyes to all other considerations; so that he took his five -hundred pieces of gold, and followed the old woman. She walked -before him, and he followed at a distance, to the gate of a great -house, where she knocked. He came up to her just as a young Greek -slave opened the gate. The old woman made him enter first, crossed a -well-paved court, and introduced him into a hall, the furniture of -which confirmed him in the good opinion he had conceived of the -mistress of the house. While the old woman went to acquaint the -lady, he sat down, and the weather being hot, put off his turban, -and laid it by him. He speedily saw the young lady come in, whose -beauty and rich apparel perfectly surprised him; he got up as soon -as he saw her. The lady, with a smiling countenance, prayed him to -sit down again, and placed herself by him: she told him she was very -glad to see him; and after having spoken some engaging words to him, -said, We do not sit here at our ease. Come, give me your hand. At -these words she presented him hers, and carried him into an inner -chamber, where she conversed with him for some time: then she left -him, bidding him stay, --she would be with him in a moment. He -waited for her; but instead of a lady came in a great black slave, -with a scimitar in his hand, and looking upon my brother, with a -terrible aspect, said to him fiercely, What have you to do here? -Alnaschar was so frightened at the sight of the slave, that he had -no power to answer. The black stripped him, carried on his gold, and -gave him several flesh wounds with his scimitar. My unhappy brother -fell to the ground, where he lay without motion, though he had still -the use of his senses. The black thinking him to be dead, asked for -salt: the Greek slave brought him a basin full: they rubbed my -brother’s wounds with it, who had so much command of himself, -notwithstanding the intolerable pain it put him to, that he lay -still, without giving any sign of life. The black and the Greek -slave being retired, the old woman, who drew my brother into the -snare, came and dragged him by the feet to a trap-door, which she -opened, and threw him into a place under ground, among the corpses -of several other people that had been murdered. He perceived this as -soon as he came to himself, for the violence of the fall had taken -away his senses. The salt rubbed into his wounds preserved his life, -and he recovered strength by degrees, so as he was able to walk. -After two days he opened the trap-door in the night, and finding in -the court a place proper to hide himself in, continued there till -break of day, when he saw the cursed old woman open the gate to the -street, and go out to seek another prey. He staid in the place some -time after she went out, that she might not see him, and then came -to me for shelter, when he told me of his adventures. - -In a month’s time he was perfectly cured of his wounds by -medicines that I gave him; and resolved to avenge himself of the old -woman, who had put such a barbarous cheat upon him. To this end he -took a bag, large enough to contain five hundred pieces of gold, and -filled it with pieces of glass. - -My brother fastened the bag of glass about him, disguised himself -like an old woman, and took a scimitar under his gown. One morning -he met the old woman walking through the town to seek her prey; he -came up to her, and counterfeiting a woman’s voice, said to her, -Cannot you lend me a pair of scales? I am a woman newly come from -Persia, have brought five hundred pieces of gold with me, and would -know if they are weight. --Good woman, answered the old hag, you -could not have applied to a properer person: follow me; I will bring -you to my son, who changes money, and will weigh them himself, to -save you the trouble. Let us make haste, for fear he go to his shop. -My brother followed her to the house where she carried him the first -time, and the Greek slave opened the door. - -The old woman carried my brother to the hall, where she bid him stay -a moment till she called her son. The pretended son came, and proved -to be the villanous black slave. Come, old woman, said he to my -brother, rise and follow me: having spoke thus, he went before to -bring him to the place where he designed to murder him. Alnaschar -got up, followed him, and drawing his scimitar, gave him such a -dexterous blow behind on the neck, that he cut off his head, which -he took in one hand, and, dragging the corpse with the other, threw -them both into the place under ground before mentioned. The Greek -slave, who was accustomed to the trade, came presently with a basin -of salt; but when she saw Alnaschar with his scimitar in his hand, -and without his veil, she laid down the basin, and fled. But my -brother overtaking her, cut off her head also. The wicked old woman -came running at the noise, and my brother seizing her, said to her, -Treacherous wretch! do not you know me? Alas, sir! answered she, -trembling, who are you? I do not remember that I ever saw you. --I -am, said he, the person to whose house you came the other day to -wash and say your prayers. Hypocritical hag! said he, do not you -remember it? Then she fell on her knees to beg his pardon, but he -cut her in four pieces. - -There remained only the lady, who knew nothing of what had passed: -he sought her out, and found her in a chamber, where she was ready -to sink when she saw him: she begged her life, which he generously -granted. Madam, said he, how could you live with such wicked people, -as I have so justly revenged myself upon now? I was, said she, wife -to an honest merchant; and the cursed old woman, whose wickedness I -did not know, used sometimes to come to see me. Madam, said she to -me one day, we have a very fine wedding at our house, which you will -be pleased to see, if you give us the honour of your company: I was -persuaded by her, put on my best apparel, and took with me a hundred -pieces of gold. I followed her; she brought me to this house, where -the black has since kept me by force, and I have been three years -here, to my very great sorrow. By the trade which that cursed black -followed, replied my brother, he must have gathered together a vast -deal of riches. There is so much, said she, that you will be made -for ever, if you carry them off: follow me, and you shall see them. -Alnaschar followed her to a chamber, where she showed him several -coffers full of gold, which he beheld with admiration. Go, said she, -fetch people enough to carry it all off. My brother needed not be -bid twice: he went out, and staid only till he got ten men together, -and brought them with him, and was much surprised to find the gate -open, but more when he found the lady and coffers all gone; for she -being more diligent than he, carried them all off and disappeared. -However, being resolved not to return empty-handed, he carried off -all the furniture he could find in the house, which was a great deal -more than enough to make up the five hundred pieces of gold he was -robbed of; but when he went out of the house, he forgot to shut the -gate. The neighbours, who saw my brother and the porters come and -go, went and acquainted the magistrate with it, for they looked upon -my brother’s conduct as suspicious. Alnaschar slept well enough -all night; but the next morning, when he came out of his house, he -found twenty of the magistrate’s men, who seized him. Come along -with us, said they; our master would sneak with you. My brother -prayed them to have patience for a moment, and offered them a sum of -money to let him escape; but instead of listening to him, they bound -him, and forced him to go along with them. They met in the street an -old acquaintance of my brother’s, who stopped them awhile, and -asked them why they siezed my brother, and offered them a -considerable sum to let him escape, and tell the magistrate they -could not find him. But this would not do; so he was carried before -the magistrate. - -When the officers brought him before the magistrate, he asked him -where he had the goods which he carried home last night? Sir, -replied Alnaschar, I am ready to tell you all the truth; but allow -me first to have recourse to your clemency, and to beg your promise, -that nothing shall be done to me. I give it you, said the -magistrate. Then my brother told him the whole story without -disguise, from the time the old woman came into the house to say her -prayers, to the time the lady made her escape, after he had killed -the black, the Greek slave, and the old woman: and as for what he -had carried to his house, he prayed the judge to leave him part of -it, for the five hundred pieces of gold that he was robbed of. - -The judge, without promising any thing, sent his officers to bring -off all, and having put the goods into his own wardrobe, commanded -my brother to quit the town immediately, and never to return, for he -was afraid, if my brother had staid in the city, he would have found -some way to represent this injustice to the caliph. In the mean -time, Alnaschar obeyed without murmuring, and left that town to go -to another: by the way he met with highwaymen, who stript him naked; -and when the ill news was brought to me, I carried him a suit, and -brought him secretly again into the town, where I took the like care -of him as I did of his other brothers. - - - - -The Story of the Barber’s sixth Brother. - - -I have now only to tell you the story of my sixth brother, called -Schacabac, with the hare-lips. At first he was industrious enough to -improve the hundred drachms of silver which fell to his share, and -went on very well; but a reverse of fortune brought him to beg his -bread, which he did with a great deal of dexterity. He studied -chiefly to get into great men’s houses, by means of their servants -and officers, that he might have access to their masters, and obtain -their charity. One day, as he passed by a magnificent house, whose -high gate showed him a very spacious court, where there was a -multitude of servants, he went to one of them, and asked him to whom -that house belonged. Good man, replied the servant, whence do you -come, that you ask me such a question? Does not all that you see -make you understand that it is the palace of a Barmecide? [77] My -brother, who very well knew the liberality and generosity of the -Barmecides, addressed himself to one of his porters, (for he had -more than one,) and prayed him to give him an alms. Go in, said he, -nobody hinders you, and address yourself to the master of the house; -he will send you back satisfied. - -My brother, who expected no such civility, thanked the porters, and -with their permission entered the palace, which was so large, that -it took him a considerable time to reach the Barmecide’s -apartment; at last he came to a fine square building of an excellent -architecture, and entered by a porch, through which he saw one of -the finest gardens with gravel walks of several colours, extremely -pleasant to the eye: the lower apartments round this square were -most of them open, and were shut only with great curtains to keep -out the sun, which were opened again when the heat was over, to let -in the fresh air. - -Such an agreeable place would have struck my brother with -admiration, even if his mind had been more at ease than it was. He -went on till he came into a hall richly furnished, and adorned with -painting of gold and azure foliage, where he saw a venerable man -with a long white beard, sitting at the upper end on a sofa, whence -he concluded him to be the master of the house; and in fact it was -the Barmecide himself, who said to my brother in a very civil -manner, that he was welcome; and asked him what he wanted. My lord, -answered my brother, in a begging tone, I am a poor man who stands -in need of the help of such rich and generous persons as yourself. -He could not have addressed himself to a fitter person than this -lord, who had a thousand good qualities. - -The Barmecide seemed to be astonished at my brother’s answer, and -putting both his hands to his stomach, as if he would rend his -clothes for grief, Is it possible, cried he, that I am at Bagdad, -and that such a man as you is so poor as you say? This is what must -never be. My brother, fancying that he was going to give him some -singular mark of his bounty, blessed him a thousand times, and -wished him all sorts of happiness. It shall not be said, replied the -Barmecide, that I will abandon you, nor will I have you leave me. ---Sir, replied my brother, I swear to you I have not eaten one bit -to-day. --Is that true, replied the Barmecide, that you are fasting -till now? Alas, poor man! he is ready to die for hunger: Ho, boy, -cried he, with a loud voice, bring a basin and water presently, that -we may wash our hands. Though no boy appeared, and my brother saw -neither water nor basin, the Barmecide fell to rubbing his hands, as -if one had poured water upon them, and bid my brother come and wash -with him. Schacabac judged by that, that the Barmecide lord loved to -be merry; and he himself understanding raillery, and knowing that -the poor must be complaisant to the rich, if they would have any -thing from them, he came forward, and did as he did. - -Come on, said the Barmecide; bring us something to eat, and do not -let us stay for it. When he had said so, though nothing was brought, -he began to cut as if something had been brought him upon a plate, -and putting his hand to his mouth began to chew, and said to my -brother, Come, friend, eat as freely as if you were at home; come, -eat; you said you were like to die of hunger, but you eat as if you -had no stomach. --Pardon me, my lord, said Schacabac, who perfectly -imitated what he did, you see I lose no time, and that I play my -part well enough. --How like you this bread? said the Barmecide: do -not you find it very good? --O! my lord, said my brother, who saw -neither bread nor meat, I never ate any thing so white and so fine. ---Eat your fill, said the Barmecide; I assure you, the woman who -bakes me this good bread cost me five hundred pieces of gold to -purchase her. - -The Barmecide, after having boasted so much of his bread, which my -brother eat only in idea, cried. Boy, bring us another dish: and -though no boy appeared, Come, my good friend, said he to my brother, -taste this new dish; and tell me if ever you eat better mutton and -barley-broth than this. --It is admirably good, replied my brother, -and therefore you see I eat heartily. --You oblige me highly, -replied the Barmecide; I conjure you then, by the satisfaction I -have to see you eat so heartily, that you eat all up, since you like -it so well. A little while after he called for a goose, and sweet -sauce, made up of vinegar, honey, dry raisins, gray peas, and dry -figs, which were brought just in the same manner as the other was. -The goose is very fat, said the Barmecide, eat only a leg and a -wing; we must save our stomachs, for we have abundance of other -dishes to come. He actually called for several other dishes, of -which my brother, who was ready to die of hunger, pretended to eat; -but what he boasted of more than all the rest was a lamb fed with -pistachio nuts, which he ordered to be brought up in the same manner -that the rest were. And here is a dish, said the Barmecide, that you -will see at nobody’s table but my own; I would have you eat your -belly-full of it. Having spoken thus, he stretched out his hand as -if he had a piece of lamb in it, and putting it to my brother’s -mouth, There, said he, swallow that, and you will judge whether I -had not reason to boast of this dish. My brother thrust out his -head, opened his mouth, and made as if he took the piece of lamb, -and eat it with extreme pleasure. I knew you would like it, said the -Barmecide. There is nothing in the world finer, replied my brother; -your table is most delicious. --Come, bring the ragout presently; I -fancy you will like that as well as you did the lamb. --Well, how do -you relish it? said the Barmecide. O! it is wonderful, replied -Schacabac; for here we taste all at once, amber, cloves, nutmeg, -ginger, pepper, and the most odoriferous herbs; and all these -delicacies are so well mixed, that one does not prevent our tasting -the other. How pleasant! --Honour this ragout, said the Barmecide, -by eating heartily of it. Ho, boy, cried he, bring us a new ragout. ---No, my lord, if it please you, replied my brother, for indeed I -can eat no more. - -Come, take away then, said the Barmecide, and bring the fruit. He -staid a moment, as if it were to give time for his servants to carry -away; after which, he said to my brother, Taste these almonds; they -are good and fresh gathered. Both of them made as if they had peeled -the almonds, and eaten them: after this, the Barmecide invited my -brother to eat something else. Look you, said he, there are all -sorts of fruits, cakes, dry sweetmeats, and conserves; take what you -like; then stretching out his hand, as if he had reached my brother -something, Look ye, said he, there is a lozenge, very good for -digestion. Schacabac made as if he eat it, and said, My lord, there -is no want of musk here. --These lozenges, said the Barmecide, are -made at my own house, where there is nothing wanting to make every -thing good. He still bid my brother eat, and said to him, Methinks -you do not eat as if you had been so hungry, as you said when you -came in. --My lord, replied Shacabac, whose jaws ached with moving -and having nothing to eat, I assure you I am so full that I cannot -eat one bit more. - -Well then, friend, replied the Barmecide, we must drink now, after -we have eat so well. [78] --You may drink wine, my lord, replied my -brother; but I will drink none, if you please, because I am -forbidden it. --You are too scrupulous, replied the Barmecide; do as -I do. --I will drink then out of complaisance, said Shacabac, for I -see you will have nothing wanting to make your treat complete: but -since I am not accustomed to drink wine, I am afraid I shall commit -some error in point of good breeding, and contrary to the respect -that is due to you, and therefore I pray you, once more, to excuse -me from drinking any wine; I will be content with water. --No, no, -said the Barmecide, you shall drink wine: and at the same time he -commanded some to be brought, in the same manner as the meat and -fruit had been brought before. He made as if he poured out wine, and -drank first himself, and then pouring out for my brother, presented -him the glass: Drink my health, said he, and let us know if you -think this wine good. My brother made as if he took the glass, and -looked if the colour was good, and put it to his nose to try if it -had a good flavour: then he made a low bow to the Barmecide, to -signify that he took the liberty to drink his health; and, lastly, -he appeared to drink with all the signs of a man that drinks with -pleasure. --My lord, said he, this is very excellent wine, but I -think it is not strong enough. --If you would have stronger, said -the Barmecide, you need only speak, for I have several sorts in my -cellar. --Try how you like this. Upon which he made as if he poured -out another glass to himself, and then to my brother; and did this -so often, that Schacabac, feigning to be intoxicated with the wine, -and acting a drunken man, lifted up his hand, and gave the Barmecide -such a box on the ear, as made him fall down: he was going to give -him another blow, but the Barmecide holding up his hand to ward it -off, cried out, Are you mad? Then my brother, making as if he had -come to himself again, said, My lord, you have been so good as to -admit your slave into your house, and give him a great treat; you -should have been satisfied with making me eat, and not have obliged -me to drink wine? for I told you beforehand, that it might occasion -me to fail in my respect for you. I am very sorry for it, and beg -you a thousand pardons. - -Scarce had he finished these words, when the Barmecide, instead of -being in a passion, fell a laughing with all his might. It is a long -time, said he, that I have been seeking a man of your character. - -The Barmecide caressed Schacabac mightily, and told him, I not only -forgive the blow you have given me, but I desire henceforward we -should be friends, and that you take my house for your home: you -have had the complaisance to accommodate yourself to my humour, and -the patience to keep the jest up to the last; we will now eat in -good earnest. When he had finished these words, he clapped his -hands, and commanded his servants, who then appeared, to cover the -table; which was speedily done, and my brother was treated with all -those dishes in reality, which he ate of before in fancy. At last -they cleared the table, and brought in the wine, and at the same -time a number of handsome slaves, richly apparelled, came in and -sung some agreeable airs to their musical instruments. In a word, -Schacabac had all the reason in the world to be satisfied with the -Barmecide’s civility and bounty; for he treated him as his -familiar friend, and ordered him a suit out of his wardrobe. - -The Barmecide found my brother to be a man of so much wit and -understanding, that in a few days after, he entrusted him with his -household and all his affairs. My brother acquitted himself very -well in that employment for twenty years; at the end of which the -generous Barmecide died, and leaving no heirs, all his property was -confiscated to the use of the prince, and my brother lost all he had -acquired: and, being reduced to his first condition, he joined a -caravan of pilgrims going to Mecca, designing to accomplish that -pilgrimage by their charity: but unfortunately the caravan was -attacked and plundered by a number of Bedouins, [79] superior to -that of the pilgrims. My brother was then taken as a slave by one of -the Bedouins, who put him under the bastinado for several days, to -oblige him to ransom himself. Schacabac protested to him, that it -was all in vain. I am your slave, said he; you may dispose of me as -you please; but I declare to you, that I am extremely poor, and not -able to redeem myself. In a word, my brother discovered to him all -his misfortunes, and endeavoured to soften him with tears; but the -Bedouin was not to be moved, and being vexed to find himself -disappointed of a considerable sum which he reckoned himself sure -of, he took his knife, and slit my brother’s lips, to avenge -himself by this inhumanity for the loss that he thought he had -sustained. - -The Bedouin had a handsome wife, and frequently when he went on his -excursions, he left my brother alone with her, and then she used all -her endeavours to comfort my brother under the rigour of his -slavery: she gave him tokens enough that she loved him, out he durst -not return her passion, for fear he should repent it; and therefore -he avoided being alone with her, as much as she sought the -opportunity to be alone with him. She had so great a custom of -toying and playing with the miserable Schacabac, whenever she saw -him, that one day she happened to do it in presence of her husband. -My brother, without taking notice that he observed them (so his sins -would have it) played likewise with her. The Bedouin immediately -supposing that they lived together in a criminal manner, fell upon -my brother in a rage, and after he had mutilated him in a barbarous -manner, he carried him on a camel to the top of a desert mountain, -where he left him. The mountain was on the road to Bagdad, so that -the passengers who saw him there informed me where he was. I went -thither speedily, and found unfortunate Schacabac in a deplorable -condition: I gave him what help he stood in need of, and brought him -back to the city. - -This is what I told the caliph Monstanser Billah, added the barber; -that prince applauded me with new fits of laughter. Now, said he, I -cannot doubt but they justly gave you the surname of Silent. Nobody -can say the contrary; for certain reasons, however, I command you to -depart this town immediately, and let me hear no more of you. I -yielded to necessity, and travelled for several years in distant -countries. Understanding at last that the caliph was dead, I -returned to Bagdad, where I found not one of my brothers alive. It -was on my return to this city, that I did the lame young man the -important service which you have heard. You are, however, witness of -his ingratitude, and of the injurious manner in which he treated me: -instead of testifying his obligation, he rather chose to fly from -me, and to leave his own country. When I understood that he was not -at Bagdad, though nobody could tell me truly whither he was gone, I -did not forbear to go and seek him. I travelled from province to -province a long time; and when I least expected, I met him this day; -but I little thought to find him so incensed against me. - -The tailor thus made an end of telling the sultan of Casgar the -history of the lame young man and the barber of Bagdad. When the -barber, continued he, had finished his story, we found that the -young man was not to blame for calling him a great chatterer. -However, we wished him to stay with us, and partake of the treat -which the master of the house had prepared for us. We sat down to -table, and were merry together till afternoon prayers; then all the -company parted, and I went to my shop till it was time for me to -return home. - -It was during this interval, that Hump-back came half drunk before -my shop, where he sung and played on his tabor. I thought that by -carrying him home with me, I should divert my wife, therefore I -brought him in. My wife gave us a dish of fish, and I presented -Hump-back with some, which he ate without taking notice of a bone. -He fell down dead before us; and after having in vain essayed to -help him, in the trouble and fear occasioned by such an unlucky -accident we carried the corpse out, and dexterously lodged him with -the Jewish doctor. The Jewish doctor put him into the chamber of the -purveyor, and the purveyor carried him out into the street, where it -was believed the merchant had killed him. This, sir, added the -tailor, is what I had to say to satisfy your majesty, who must -pronounce, whether we be worthy of mercy or wrath, life or death. - -The sultan of Casgar showed a satisfaction in his countenance, which -restored the tailor and his comrades to life. I cannot but -acknowledge, said he, that I am more struck with the history of the -young cripple, with that of the barber, and with the adventures of -his brothers, than with the story of my jester: but before I send -you all four away, and before we bury Humpback, I should like to see -the barber who is the cause that I have pardoned you; since he is in -my capital, it is easy to satisfy my curiosity. At the same time he -sent an officer with the tailor to find him. - -The officer and the tailor went immediately, and brought the barber, -whom they presented to the sultan. The barber was an old man, about -ninety years old; his eyebrows and beard were white as snow, his -ears hanging down, and his nose very long. The sultan could not -forbear laughing when he saw him. Silent man, said he to him, I -understand that you know wonderful stories; will you tell me some of -them? --Sir, answered the barber, let us forbear the stories, if you -please at present. I most humbly beg your majesty to permit me to -ask what that Christian, that Jew, that Mussulman, and that dead -Humpback, who lies on the ground, do here before your majesty? The -sultan smiled at the barber’s freedom, and replied, Why do you -ask? --Sir, replied the barber, it concerns me to ask, that your -majesty may know I am not so great a talker as some pretend, but a -man justly called Silent. - -The sultan of Casgar had the complaisance to satisfy the barber’s -curiosity. He commanded them to tell him the story of the Humpback, -which he seemed earnestly to wish for. When the barber heard it, he -shook his head, as if he would say, there was something under this -which he did not understand. Truly, cried he, this is a surprising -story; but I wish to examine Humpback a little nearer. He drew near -him, sat down on the ground, took his head between his knees, and -after he had looked upon him stedfastly, he fell into so great a fit -of laughter, and had so little command of himself, that he fell -backwards on the ground, without considering that he was before the -sultan of Casgar. As soon as he came to himself, It is said, cried -he, and not without reason, that no man dies without a cause. If -ever any history deserved to be written in letters of gold, it is -that of this Humpback. - -At this, all the people looked upon the barber as a buffoon, or an -old dotard. Silent man, said the sultan, speak to me: why do you -laugh so much? Sir, answered the barber, I swear by your majesty’s -benevolence, that Humpback is not dead; he is yet alive, and I shall -be content to pass for a madman if I do not let you see it this -minute. So saying, he took a box wherein he had several medicines -that he carried about him to make use of on occasion, and he took -out a little phial of balsam, with which he rubbed Humpback’s neck -a long time; then he took out of his case a neat iron instrument, -which he put between his teeth; and after he had opened his mouth, -he thrust down his throat a pair of small pincers, with which he -took out a bit of fish and bone, which he showed to all the people. -Immediately Humpback sneezed, stretched forth his arms and feet, -opened his eyes, and allowed several other signs of life. - -The sultan of Casgar, and all those who were witnesses of this -operation, were less surprised to see Humpback revive, after he had -passed a whole night and great part of a day without giving any sign -of life, than at the merit and capacity of the barber, who performed -this, and notwithstanding all his faults, began to look upon him as -a great person. The sultan, transported with joy and admiration, -ordered the story of Humpback to be written down, with that of the -barber, that the memory of it might, as it deserved, be preserved -for ever. Nor did he stop here; but that the tailor, Jewish doctor, -purveyor, and Christian merchant, might remember the adventure which -the accident of Humpback had occasioned to them with pleasure, he -did not send them away till he had given each of them a very rich -robe, with which he caused them to be clothed in his presence. As -for the barber, he honoured him with a great pension, and kept him -near his person. - - - - -The History of Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, and Schemselnihar, -favourite of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid. - - -In the reign of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, there was at Bagdad a -druggist, called Alboussan Ebn Thaher, a very rich, handsome man. He -had more wit and politeness than people of his profession ordinarily -have: his integrity, sincerity, and jovial humour, made him beloved -and sought after by all sorts of people. The caliph, who knew his -merit, had an entire confidence in him. He had so great an esteem -for him, that he intrusted him with the care to provide his -favourite ladies with all the things they stood in need of: he chose -for them their clothes, furniture, and jewels, with admirable taste. - -His good qualities, and the favour of the caliph, made the sons of -emirs, and other officers of the first rank, be always about him: -his house was the rendezvous of all the nobility of the court. But -among the young lords that went daily to visit him, there was one -whom he took more notice of than the rest, and with whom he -contracted a particular friendship, called Aboulhassen Ali Ebn -Becar, originally of an ancient royal family of Persia. This family -continued at Bagdad ever since the Mussulmen made a conquest of that -kingdom. Nature seemed to have taken pleasure to endow this young -prince with the rarest qualities of body and mind: his face was so -very beautiful, his shape so fine, his air so easy, and his -physiognomy so engaging, that it was impossible to see him without -immediately loving him. When he spoke, he expressed himself always -in terms proper and well chosen, with a new and agreeable turn, and -his voice charmed all that heard him; with this he had so much wit -and judgment, that he thought and spoke of all subjects with -admirable exactness. He was so reserved and modest, that he advanced -nothing till after he had taken all possible care to avoid giving -any ground of suspicion that he preferred his own opinion to that of -others. - -Being such a person as I have represented him, we need not wonder -that Ebn Thaher distinguished him from all the other young noblemen -of the court, most of whom had the vices contrary to his virtues. -One day, when the prince was with Ebn Thaher, there came a lady -mounted on a pie-bald mule, in the midst often female slaves who -accompanied her on foot, all very handsome, as far as could be -judged by their air, and through their veils which covered their -faces. The lady had a girdle of a rose-colour, four inches broad, -embroidered with pearls and diamonds of an extraordinary bigness; -and for beauty, it was easy to perceive that she surpassed all her -women, as far as the full moon does that of two days old. She came -to buy something; and as she wanted to speak to Ebn Thaher, she -entered his shop, which was very neat and spacious, and he received -her with all the marks of the most profound respect, entreating her -to sit down, and showing her with his hand the most honourable place. - -In the mean time, the prince of Persia, unwilling to let slip such -an opportunity of showing his good breeding and gallantry, beat up -the cushion of cloth of gold for the lady to lean on; after which he -retired speedily, that she might sit down; and having saluted her by -kissing the carpet under her feet, he rose and stood before her at -the lower end of the sofa. It being her custom to be free with Ebn -Thaher, she lifted up her veil, and then discovered to the prince of -Persia such an extraordinary beauty, that he was struck with it to -the heart. On the other hand, the lady could not contain herself -from looking upon the prince, the sight of whom had made the same -impressions upon her. My lord, said she to him, with an obliging -air, pray sit down. The prince of Persia obeyed, and sat down upon -the edge of the sofa. He had his eyes constantly fixed upon her, and -swallowed down large draughts of the sweet poison of love. She -quickly perceived what passed in his heart, and this discovery -served to inflame her the more towards him. She rose up, went to Ebn -Thaher, and after she had whispered to him the cause of her coming, -she asked the name and country of the prince. Madam, answered Ebn -Thaher, this young nobleman’s name is Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, -and he is prince of the blood royal. - -The lady was transported at hearing that the person she already -loved so passionately was of so high a rank. You mean certainly, -said she, that he is descended from the kings of Persia? --Yes, -madam, replied Ebn Thaher, the last kings of Persia were his -ancestors; and since the conquest of that kingdom, the princes of -his family have always made themselves very acceptable at the court -of our caliphs. --You will oblige me much, she added, by making me -acquainted with this young nobleman. When I send this woman, said -she, pointing to one of her slaves, to give you notice to come and -see me, pray bring him with you; I shall be very glad that he should -see the magnificence of my house, that he may have it in his power -to say, that avarice does not reign at Bagdad among persons of -quality. You know what I mean? Do not fail, otherwise I will be very -angry with you, and never come hither again while I live. - -Ebn Thaher was a man of too much penetration not to perceive the -lady’s mind by these words. My princess, my queen, replied he, God -preserve me from giving you any occasion of anger against me: I -shall always make it a law to obey your commands. At this answer the -lady bowed to Ebn Thaher, and took her leave; and after she had -given a favourable look to the prince of Persia, she remounted her -mule, and went away. - -The prince of Persia was so deeply in love with the lady, that he -looked after her as far as he could see her; and long after she was -out of sight, he directed his eyes that way. Ebn Thaher told him, -that he remarked several persons observed him, and began to laugh to -see him in this posture. Alas! said the prince to him, the world and -you would pity me, if you knew that the beautiful lady, who is just -now gone from you, has carried with her the best part of me, and -that the remaining part seeks for an opportunity to go after her. -Tell me, I conjure you, added he, what cruel lady is this, who -forces people to love her, without giving them time to reflect? --My -lord, answered Ebn Thaher, this is the celebrated Schemselnihar, -[80] the principal favourite of the caliph our master. --She is -justly so called, added the prince, since she is more beautiful than -the sun at noon-day. --True, replied Ebn Thaher; therefore the -commander of the faithful loves or rather adores her: he gave me -express orders to furnish her with all that she asked of me, and to -prevent her wishes, as far as lies in my power. - -He spoke thus to hinder him from engaging in a passion which could -not but prove unfortunate to him; but this served only to inflame it -the more. I feared, charming Schemselnihar, cried he, I should not -be allowed so much as to think of you; I perceive, however, that -without hopes of being loved by you, I cannot forbear loving you: I -will love you then, and bless my lot that I am the slave of an -object fairer than the meridian sun. - -While the prince of Persia thus consecrated his heart to the fair -Schemselnihar, this lady, as she went home, contrived how she might -see and have free converse with him. She no sooner entered her -palace, but she sent to Ebn Thaher the woman she had shown him, and -in whom she had placed all her confidence, to tell him to come and -see her without delay, and bring the prince of Persia with him. The -slave came to Ebn Thaher’s shop while he was speaking to the -prince, and endeavouring to dissuade him by very strong arguments, -from loving the caliph’s favourite. When she saw them together, -Gentlemen, said she to them, my honourable mistress, Schemselnihar, -the chief favourite of the commander of the faithful, entreats you -to come to her palace, where she waits for you. Ebn Thaher, to -testify his obedience, rose up immediately, without answering the -slave, and followed her, not without some reluctance. As for the -prince, he followed her, without reflecting on the danger there -might be in such a visit. --The presence of Ebn Thaher, who had -liberty to go to the favourite when he pleased, made the prince very -easy. They followed the slave, who went a little before them, and -entered after her into the caliph’s palace, and joined her at the -gate of Schemselnihar’s little palace, which was ready open. She -introduced them into a great hall, where she prayed them to sit down. - -The prince of Persia thought himself in one of those delicious -palaces that are promised us in the other world: he had never seen -any thing that came near the magnificence of the place he was in. -The carpets, cushions, and other appendages of the sofa, the -furniture, ornaments, and architecture, were surprisingly rich and -beautiful. A little time after Ebn Thaher and he had sat down, a -very handsome black slave brought in a table covered with several -delicacies, the admirable smell of which shewed how deliciously they -were seasoned. While they were eating, the slave who brought them in -waited upon them; she took particular care to invite them to eat of -what she knew to be the greatest dainties. The other slaves brought -them excellent wine after they had eaten. When they had done, there -was presented to each of them a fine gold basin full of water to -wash their hands; after which they brought them a golden pot full of -the perfume of aloes, with which they perfumed their beards and -clothes. Odoriferous water was not forgotten, but served in a golden -vessel, enriched with diamonds and rubies, made on purpose, and it -was thrown upon their beards and faces, according to custom. Then -they resumed their places; but they had scarce sat down, when the -slave entreated them to arise and follow her. She opened a door of -the hall where they were, and they entered into a large saloon of -wonderful structure. It was a dome of the most agreeable form, -supported by a hundred pillars of marble, white as alabaster. The -bases and chapiters of the pillars were adorned with four-footed -beasts, and birds of various sorts, gilded. The carpet of this noble -saloon consisted of one piece of cloth of gold, embroidered with -bunches of roses in red and white silk; and the dome, painted in the -same manner, after the Arabian fashion, presented to the mind one of -the most charming objects. Betwixt each column was a little sofa -adorned in the same manner, and great vessels of china, crystal, -jasper, jet, porphyry, agate, and other precious materials, -garnished with gold and jewels; --the spaces betwixt the columns -were so many large windows, with seats projecting breast high, -fitted up as the sofas, and looking out into the most delicious -garden; the walks were of little pebbles of different colours, of -the same pattern as the carpet of the saloon; so that, looking upon -the carpet within and without, it seemed as if the dome and the -garden, with all its ornaments, had been upon the same carpet. The -prospect round was, at the end of the walks, terminated by two -canals of clear water, of the same circular figure as the dome, one -of which being higher than the other, emptied its water into the -lowermost, in form of a sheet; and curious pots of gilt brass, with -flowers and shrubs, were set upon the banks of the canals at equal -distances. Those walks lav betwixt great plots of ground planted -with straight and bushy trees, where a thousand birds formed a -melodious concert, and diverted the eye by flying about, and playing -together, or fighting in the air. - -The prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher were a long time engaged in -viewing the magnificence of the place, and expressed their surprise -at every thing they saw, especially the prince, who had never beheld -any thing like it. Ebn Thaher, though he had been several times in -that delicious place, could not but observe many new beauties. In a -word, they never grew weary in admiring so many singularities, and -were thus agreeably employed, when they perceived a company of -ladies, richly apparelled, sitting without, at some distance from -the dome, each of them upon a seat of Indian plane wood, inlaid with -silver filigree in compartments, with instruments of music in their -hands, waiting for orders to play. They both went forward, and had a -full view of the ladies; and on the right they saw a great court, -with a stair up from the garden, encompassed with beautiful -apartments. The slave had left them, and being alone, they conversed -together. For you, who are a wise man, said the prince of Persia, I -doubt not but you look with a great deal of satisfaction upon all -these marks of grandeur and power; for my part, I do not think there -is any thing in the world more surprising. But when I consider that -this is the glorious habitation of the lovely Schemselnihar, and -that the greatest monarch of the earth keeps her here, I confess to -you, that I look upon myself to be the most unfortunate of all -mankind, and that no destiny can be more cruel than mine, to love an -object possessed by my rival, and that too in a place where he is so -potent, that I cannot think myself sure of my life one moment. - -Ebn Thaher, hearing the prince of Persia speak thus, said to him, -Sir, I wish you could give me as good assurance of the happy success -of your passion, as I can give you of the safety of your life. -Though this stately palace belongs to the caliph, who built it on -purpose for Schemselnihar, and called it the _Palace of Eternal -Pleasures_, and though it makes part of his own palace, yet you must -know that this lady lives here at absolute liberty. She is not beset -by eunuchs to be spies upon her; this is her private house, -absolutely at her disposal. She goes into the city when she pleases, -and returns again, without asking leave of any body; and the caliph -never comes to see her, but he sends Mesrour, the chief of his -eunuchs, to give her notice, that she may be prepared to receive -him. Therefore you may be easy, and give full attention to the -concert of music which I perceive Schemselnihar is preparing for you. - -Just as Ebn Thaher had spoke these words, the prince of Persia and -he saw the favourite’s trusty slave come and give orders to the -ladies to begin to sing, and play with the instruments. They all -began immediately to play together, as a prelude; and, after they -had played some time, one of them began to sing alone, and played at -the same time admirably upon her lute, being informed beforehand -upon what subject she was to sing. The words were so agreeable to -the prince of Persia’s sentiments, that he could not forbear to -applaud her at the end of the couplet. Is it possible, cried he, -that you have the gift of knowing people’s hearts, and that the -knowledge of what is in my mind has occasioned you to give us a -taste of your charming voice by those words? I should not express -myself otherwise were I to choose. The lady replied nothing, but -went on and sung several other staves, with which the prince was so -affected, that he repeated some of them with tears in his eyes; -which discovered plainly enough that he applied them to himself. -When she had made an end, she and her companions rose up and sung -all together; signifying by their words, that ‘the full moon was -going to rise in all her splendour, and that they should speedily -see her approach the sun;’ intimating that Schemselnihar was -coming, and that the prince of Persia would soon have the pleasure -to see her. - -In fact, as they looked towards the court, they saw -Schemselnihar’s confidant coming towards them, followed by ten -black women, who with much difficulty carried a throne of massy -silver, curiously wrought, which they set down before them at a -certain distance; after which the black slaves retired behind the -trees, to the entrance of a walk. After this came twenty handsome -ladies, richly apparelled, in uniform dress; they advanced in two -rows, each singing, and playing upon instruments which they held in -their hands, and placed themselves on each side of the throne. - -All these things kept the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher in so much -the greater expectation, that they were curious to know how they -would end. They then saw come out at the same gate from whence the -ten black women came, ten other ladies, equally handsome and -well-dressed, who halted there a few moments, expecting the -favourite, who came out last, and placed herself in the midst of -them. - -Schemselnihar was easily distinguished from the rest by her fine -shape and majestic air, as well as by a sort of mantle, of a very -fine stuff of gold and sky-blue, fastened to her shoulders, over her -other apparel, which was the most handsome, most magnificent, and -best contrived, that could be imagined. - -The pearls, rubies, and diamonds, which adorned her, were well -disposed; not many in number, but well chosen, and of inestimable -value. She came forward, with a majesty resembling the sun in its -course amidst the clouds, which receive his splendour without hiding -his lustre, and sat down upon the silver throne that had been -brought for her. - -As soon as the prince of Persia saw Schemselnihar, he could not take -his eyes off her. We cease inquiring, said he to Ebn Thaher, after -what we seek, when once we see it; and there is no doubt left, when -once the truth appears. Do you see this charming beauty? She is the -cause of all my sufferings, which I bless, and will never forbear to -bless, however severe and lasting. At the sight of this object I am -not my own master; my soul is disturbed, and rebels, and seems -disposed to leave me. Go then, my soul, I allow thee; but let it be -for the welfare and preservation of this weak body. It is you, cruel -Ebn Thaher, who are the cause of this disorder. You thought to do me -a great pleasure in bringing me hither, and I perceive I am only -come to complete my ruin. Pardon me, said he, interrupting himself; -I am mistaken: I would come, and can blame nobody but myself; --and -at these words he burst into tears. I am glad, said Ebn Thaher, that -you do me justice. When I told you at first that Schemselnihar was -the caliph’s chief favourite, I did it on purpose to prevent that -fatal passion which you please yourself with entertaining in your -breast. All that you see here ought to disengage you, and you are to -think of nothing but of acknowledging the honour which Schemselnihar -has done you, by ordering me to bring you with me. Recall then your -wandering reason, and prepare to appear before her as good breeding -requires. See, there she comes. Were we to begin again, I would take -other measures; but since the thing is done, I pray God we may not -have cause to repent it. All I have now to say to you is, that love -is a traitor, who may involve you in difficulties from which you -will never be able to extricate yourself. - -Ebn Thaher had no time to say more, because Schemselnihar came; and -sitting down upon her throne, saluted them both by bowing her head; -but she fixed her eyes on the prince of Persia, and they spoke to -one another in a silent language, intermixed with sighs, by which, -in a few moments, they spoke more than they could have done by words -in a great deal of time. The more Schemselnihar looked upon the -prince, the more she found by his looks to confirm her in the -opinion that he was in love with her; and being thus persuaded of -his passion, thought herself the happiest woman in the world. At -last, she turned her eyes from him to command the women, who began -to sing first, to come near; they rose, and as they advanced, the -black woman, who came out of the walk into which they had retired, -brought their seats, and set them near the window, in the front of -the dome, where Ebn Thaher and the prince of Persia stood, and their -seats were so disposed, that with the favourite’s throne, and the -women on each side of her, they formed a semicircle before them. - -The women, who were sitting before she came, resumed their places, -with the permission of Schemselnihar, who ordered them by a sign. -That charming favourite chose one of those women to sing; who, after -she had spent some moments in tuning her lute, sung a song, the -meaning whereof was, that when two lovers entirely loved one another -with boundless affection, their hearts though in two bodies were -united; and when any thing opposed their desires, could say, with -tears in their eyes, If we love, because we find one another -amiable, ought we to be blamed for this? Let destiny bear the blame. - -Schemselnihar discovered so well by her eyes and gestures that those -words were applicable to herself and the prince of Persia, that he -could not contain himself, he arose, and advancing to a balustrade, -which he leaned upon, obliged one of the companions of the woman who -had just done singing to observe him. As she was near him, Attend to -me, said he to her, and do me the favour to accompany with your lute -a song which you shall hear forthwith. Then he sung with an air so -tender and passionate, as perfectly expressed the violence of his -love. As soon as he had done, Schemselnihar following his example, -said to one of the women, Attend to me likewise, and accompany my -voice. At the same time she sung after such a manner, as did farther -pierce the heart of the prince of Persia, who answered by a new air, -more passionate than the former. - -Those two lovers having declared their mutual affection by their -songs, Schemselnihar yielded to the force of hers; she arose from -her throne in transport, and advanced towards the door of the hall. -The prince, who perceived her design, rose up immediately, and went -to meet her in all haste. They met at the door, where they took one -another by the hand, and embraced with so much passion, that they -fainted and would have fallen, if the women who followed -Schemselnihar had not hindered them. They supported them, and -carried them to a sofa, where they were brought to themselves again -by throwing odoriferous water upon their faces, and by giving them -something to smell to. - -When they came to themselves, the first thing that Schemselnihar did -was to look about, and not seeing Ebn Thaher, she asked, with -eagerness, where he was. He had withdrawn out of respect, whilst her -women were engaged in recovering her, and dreaded, not without -reason, that some disagreeable consequence might follow what he had -seen; but as soon as he heard Schemselnihar ask for him, he came -forward and presented himself before her. - -Schemselnihar was very well pleased to see Ebn Thaher, and expressed -her joy in these obliging terms: Ebn Thaher, I know not how to -return the great obligations you have put upon me; without you, I -should never have seen the prince of Persia, nor have loved the most -amiable person in the world; assure yourself I shall not be -ungrateful, and that my gratitude, if possible, shall be equal to -the obligation. Ebn Thaher answered this compliment by a low bow, -and wished the favourite the accomplishment of all her desires. - -Schemselnihar, turning towards the prince of Persia, who sat by her, -and looking upon him with some sort of confusion after what had -passed betwixt them, said to him, Sir, I am very well assured you -love me; and how great soever your love may be to me, you need not -doubt but mine is as great towards you. But let us not flatter -ourselves; for, notwithstanding this conformity of our sentiments, I -see nothing for you and me but trouble, impatience, and tormenting -grief. There is no other remedy for our evils but to love one -another constantly, to refer ourselves to the disposal of heaven, -and to wait its determination of our destiny. Madam, replied the -prince of Persia, you will do me the greatest injustice, if you -doubt for a moment the continuance of my love. It is so united to my -soul, that I can justly say it makes the best part of it, and that I -shall persevere in it after death. Pains, torments, obstacles, -nothing shall be capable of hindering my loving you. Speaking these -words, he shed tears in abundance, and Schemselnihar was not able to -restrain hers. - -Ebn Thaher took this opportunity to speak to the favourite: Madam, -said he, allow me to represent to you, that, instead of melting into -tears, you ought to rejoice that you are now together. I understand -not this grief. What will it be when you are obliged to part? But -why do I talk of that? We have been a long while here, and you know, -madam, it is time for us to be going. Ah! how cruel are you! replied -Schemselnihar. You, who know the cause of my tears, have you no pity -for my unfortunate condition? Oh! sad fatality! what have I done, to -be subject to the severe law, of not being able to enjoy the only -person I love? - -Persuaded as she was, that Ebn Thaher spoke to her only out of -friendship, she did not take amiss what he said to her, but made a -proper use of it. She made a sign to the slave, her confidant, who -immediately went out, and in a little time brought a collation of -fruits upon a small silver table, which she set down betwixt her -mistress and the prince of Persia. Schemselnihar took some of the -best, and presented to the prince, praying him to eat it for her -sake; he took it, and put to his mouth that part which she touched; -and then he presented some to her, which she took, and ate in the -same manner. She did not forget to invite Ebn Thaher to eat with -them; but he, thinking himself not safe in that place, and wishing -himself at home, ate only out of complaisance. After the collation -was taken away, they brought a silver basin, with water in a vessel -of gold, and washed together; they afterwards returned to their -places, and three of the ten black women brought each a cup of rock -crystal full of exquisite wine, upon a golden salver, which they set -down before Schemselnihar, the prince of Persia, and Ebn Thaher. -That they might be more private, Schemselnihar kept with her only -ten black women, with ten others, who began to sing and play upon -instruments; and after she had sent away all the rest, she took up -one of the cups, and holding it in her hand, sung some tender words, -which one of her women accompanied with her lute. When she had done, -she drank, and afterwards took up one of the other cups, and -presented it to the prince, praying him to drink for love of her, as -she had drank for love of him. He received the cup with a transport -of love and joy; but before he drank, he sung also a song, which -another woman accompanied with an instrument; and as he sang, the -tears fell from his eyes in such abundance, that he could not -forbear expressing in his song, that he knew not whether he was -going to drink the wine she had presented to him, or his own tears. -Schemselnihar, at last, presented the third cup to Ebn Thaher, who -thanked her for her kindness, and for the honour she did him. - -After this, she took a lute from one of her women, and sung to it in -such a passionate manner, that she seemed to be transported out of -herself, and the prince of Persia stood with his eyes fixed upon -her, as if he had been enchanted. As these things passed, her trusty -slave came in a great fright, and addressing herself to her -mistress, said, Madam Mesrour, and two other officers, with several -eunuchs that attend them, are at the gate, and want to speak with -you from the caliph. When the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher heard -these words, they changed colour, and began to tremble, as if they -had been undone; but Schemselnihar, who perceived it, recovered -their courage by a sigh. - -After Schemselnihar had quieted the fears of the prince of Persia -and Ebn Thaher, she ordered the slave, her confidant, to go and -converse with Mesrour, and the two other officers, till she had put -herself in a condition to receive them, and could send her to -introduce them. Immediately, she ordered all the windows of the -saloon to be shut, and the painted cloth on the side of the garden -to be let down; and after having assured the prince and Ebn Thaher, -that they might continue there without any fear, she went out at the -great gate leading to the garden, and shut it upon them; but -whatever assurance she had given them of their being safe, they were -desperately afraid all the while they were there. - -As soon as Schemselnihar was in the garden with the woman that had -followed her, she ordered all the seats, which served the women who -played on the instruments, to be set near the window, where the -prince of Persia, and Ebn Thaher heard them; and having got things -in order, she sat down upon her silver throne; then she sent notice -to the slave, her confidant, to bring in the chief of the eunuchs, -and his two subaltern officers with him. - -They appeared, followed by twenty black eunuchs, all handsomely -clothed, with scimitars by their sides, and gold belts of four -inches broad. As soon as they perceived the favourite Schemselnihar -at a distance, they made her a profound reverence, which she -returned them from her throne. When they came near, she got up and -went to meet Mesrour, who came first; she asked what news he -brought. He answered, Madam, the commander of the faithful has sent -me to signify, that he cannot live longer without seeing you; he -designs to come and see you to-night, and I come beforehand to give -you notice, that you may be ready to receive him. He hopes, madam, -that you will receive him with as much pleasure as he feels -impatience to see you. - -Upon this discourse of Mesrour, the favourite Schemselnihar -prostrated herself to the ground, as a mark of that submission with -which she received the caliph’s order. When she rose up again, she -said, Pray tell the commander of the faithful, that I shall always -reckon it my glory to execute his majesty’s commands, and that his -slave will do her utmost to receive him with all the respect that is -due to him. At the same time she ordered the slave, her confidant, -to tell the black women appointed for that service to get the palace -ready to receive the caliph; and dismissing the chief of the -eunuchs, said to him, You see it requires some time to get all -things ready; therefore I entreat you to curb his majesty’s -impatience, that, when he arrives, he may not find things out of -order. - -The chief of the eunuchs and his retinue being gone, Schemselnihar -returned to the saloon, extremely concerned at the necessity she was -under of sending back the prince of Persia sooner than she thought -to have done. She came up to him again with tears in her eyes, which -heightened Ebn Thaher’s fear, who thought it no good omen. Madam, -said the prince to her, I perceive you are come to tell me that we -must part: if there be nothing more to dread, I hope heaven will -give me the patience which is necessary to support your absence. -Alas! my dear heart, my dear soul, replied the too tender -Schemselnihar, how happy do I think you, and how unhappy do I think -myself, when I compare your lot with my sad destiny! No doubt you -will suffer by my absence, but that is all, and you may comfort -yourself with hopes of seeing me again; but as for me, just heaven! -what a terrible trial am I brought to! I must not only be deprived -of the sight of the only person whom I love, but I must be tormented -with the sight of one whom you have made hateful to me. --Will not -the arrival of the caliph put me in mind of your departure? And how -can I, when I am taken up with thinking on your dear image, express -to that prince the joy which he always observed in my eyes, whenever -he came to see me? I shall have my mind perplexed when I speak to -him, and the least complaisance which I show to his love will stab -me to the heart like a dagger. Can I relish his kind words and -caresses? --Think, prince, to what torments I shall be exposed when -I can see you no more! Her tears and sighs hindered her from going -on, and the prince of Persia would have replied to her, but his own -grief, and that of his mistress, deprived him of the power of speech. - -Ebn Thaher, who only wished to get out of the palace, was obliged to -comfort them, and to exhort them to have patience; but the trusty -slave interrupted them: Madam, said she to Schemselnihar, you have -no time to lose; the eunuchs begin to arrive, and you know the -caliph will be here immediately. O Heaven! how cruel is this -separation! cried the favourite: Make haste, said she, to the -confidant, carry them both to the gallery which looks into the -garden on the one side, and to the Tigris on the other: and when the -night grows dark, let them out by the back gate, that they may -retire with safety. Having spoken thus, she tenderly embraced the -prince of Persia, without being able to say one word more, and went -to meet the caliph in such disorder as cannot well be imagined. - -In the mean time the trusty slave carried the prince and Ebn Thaher -to the gallery, as Schemselnihar had appointed: and having brought -them in, left them there, and shut the door upon them, after having -assured them that they had nothing to fear, and that she would come -for them when it was time. - -When Schemselnihar’s trusty slave left the prince of Persia and -Ebn Thaher, they forgot she had assured them that they needed not to -be afraid: they examined the gallery, and were seized with extreme -fear, because they knew no means of escape if the caliph or any of -his officers should happen to come there. - -A great light, which came all of a sudden from the side of the -garden through the lattices, caused them to approach them to see -from whence it came. It was occasioned by a hundred flambeaux of -white wax, carried by as many young eunuchs; these were followed by -more than a hundred others, who guarded the ladies of the caliph’s -palace, clothed and armed with scimitars, in the same manner as -those I spoke of before; and the caliph came after them, betwixt -Mesrour their captain on his right, and Vassif their second officer -on his left hand. - -Schemselnihar waited for the caliph at the entry of a walk, -accompanied with twenty women, all of surprising beauty, adorned -with necklaces and ear-rings of large diamonds, and others which -covered their heads entirely: they sung and played on their -instruments, and formed a charming concert. The favourite no sooner -saw the prince appear, but she advanced, and prostrated herself at -his feet; and while she was doing this, Prince of Persia, said she -within herself, if your sad eyes witness what I do, judge of my hard -lot; if I was humbling myself so before you, my heart would feel no -reluctance. - -The caliph was delighted to see Schemselnihar. Rise, madam, said he -to her: come near: I am angry with myself that I should have -deprived myself so long of the pleasure of seeing you. As he spoke -thus, he took her by the hand, and, with many tender expressions, -went and sat down upon the silver throne which Schemselnihar caused -to be brought for him, and she sat down upon a seat before him; and -the twenty women made a circle round them upon other seats, while -the young eunuchs, who carried flambeaux, dispersed themselves at a -certain distance from one another, that the caliph might enjoy the -cool of the evening the better. - -When the caliph sat down, he looked round him, and beheld with great -satisfaction the garden illuminated with a great many other lights, -besides those flambeaux which the young eunuchs held: but taking -notice that the saloon was shut, was astonished thereat, and -demanded the reason. It was done on purpose to surprise him; for he -had no sooner spoken, but all the windows flew open at once, he saw -it illuminated within and without, in a much better manner than ever -he had seen it before. Charming Schemselnihar, cried he, at this -sight, I understand you: you would have me to know there are as fine -nights as days. After what I have seen, I cannot deny it. - -Let us return to the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher, whom we left -in the gallery. Ebn Thaher could not enough admire all that he saw: -I am not very young, said he, and I have seen great entertainments -in my time; but I do not think any thing can be seen so surprising -and magnificent. All that is said of enchanted palaces does not come -up to the prodigious spectacles we now see. What riches and -magnificence united! - -The prince of Persia was not at all moved with those objects which -so delighted Ebn Thaher; he could look on nothing but Schemselnihar, -and the presence of the caliph threw him into an inconceivable -grief. Dear Ebn Thaher, said he, would to God I had my mind as much -at liberty to attend to those objects of admiration as you! But, -alas! I am in quite a different situation; all those objects serve -only to increase my torment. Can I see the caliph familiar with the -object of my love, and not die of grief? Must such a passionate love -as mine be disturbed with so potent a rival? O heavens! How cruel -and strange is my destiny! It is but a moment since I esteemed -myself the most fortunate lover in the world, and at this instant I -feel a death-stroke to my heart. I cannot resist it, my dear Ebn -Thaher; my patience is exhausted, my disorder overwhelms me, and my -courage fails. While he was speaking those words, he saw something -pass in the garden, which obliged him to keep silence, and to turn -all his attention that way. - -The caliph had ordered one of the women who was near him, to play -upon her lute and she began to sing; the words that she sung were -very passionate, and the caliph, persuaded that she sung thus by -order of Schemselnihar, who had frequently entertained him with the -like testimonies of her affections, interpreted them in his own -favour. But this was not now Schemselnihar’s meaning; she applied -it to her dear Ali Ebn Becar, and was so sensibly touched with -grief, to have before her an object whose presence she could no -longer enjoy, that she fainted and fell backwards upon her seat, -which having no arms to support her, she must have fallen down, had -not some of the women given her timely assistance, taken her up, and -carried her into the saloon. - -Ebn Thaher, who was in the gallery, being surprised at this -accident, turned towards the prince of Persia; but, instead of -seeing him stand and look through the window as before, he was -extremely amazed to see him lying at his feet motionless. This -convinced him of the violence of that prince’s passion for -Schemselnihar, and he admired that strange effect of sympathy, which -put him into a mortal fear, because of the place they were in. He -did all he could to recover the prince, but in vain. Ebn Thaher was -in this perplexity, when Schemselnihar’s confidant opened the -gallery door, and came in out of breath, as one who knew not where -she was. Come speedily, cried she, that I may let you out: all is in -confusion here, and I fear this will be the last of our days. --Ah! -how would you have us go? replied Ebn Thaher, with a mournful voice; -come near, I pray you, and see what a condition the prince of Persia -is in. When the slave saw him in a swoon, she ran in all haste for -water, and returned in an instant. - -At last the prince of Persia, after they had thrown water on his -face, recovered his spirits. Prince, said Ebn Thaher to him, we run -the risk of perishing, if we stay here any longer: exert yourself, -therefore; let us endeavour to save our lives. He was so feeble, -that he could not rise alone; Ebn Thaher and the confidant lent him -their hands, and supported him on each side. They came to a little -iron gate which opens towards the Tigris, went out at it, and came -to the side of a little canal which has a communication with the -river. The confidant clapped her hands, and immediately a little -boat appeared, and came towards them with one rower. Ali Ebn Becar -and his comrade went aboard, and the confidant staid at the side of -the canal. As soon as the prince sat down in the boat, he stretched -out one hand towards the palace, and laying the other upon his -heart, Dear object of my soul, cried he, with a feeble voice, -receive my faith with this hand, while I assure you with the other, -that my heart shall for ever preserve the fire with which it burns -for you. - -In the mean time the boatman rowed with all his might, and -Schemselnihar’s confidant accompanied the prince of Persia and Ebn -Thaher, walking along the side of the canal, until they came to the -Tigris, and when she could go no further, she took leave of them, -and returned. - -The prince of Persia continued very feeble: Ebn Thaher comforted -him, and exhorted him to take courage. Consider, said he to him, -that when we are landed, we have a great way to go before we reach -my house; and I would not advise you to go to your lodging, which is -a great deal farther than mine, at this hour, and in this condition. -At last they went out of the boat, but the prince had so little -strength, that he could not walk, which put Ebn Thaher into great -perplexity. He recollected he had a friend in the neighbourhood, and -carried the prince thither with great difficulty. His friend -received him very cheerfully, and when he made them sit down, he -asked them where they had been so late. Ebn Thaher answered him, I -heard this evening that a man who owed me a considerable sum of -money was setting out on a long voyage. I lost no time to find him, -and by the way I met with this young nobleman whom you see, and to -whom I am under a thousand obligations; for, knowing my debtor, he -did me the favour to go along with me. We had a great deal of -trouble to bring the man to reason. We have at length succeeded, and -this is the cause of our being so late. In our return home, this -good lord, to whom I am for ever bound to show all possible respect, -was attacked by a sudden illness, which made me take the liberty to -knock at your door, flattering myself that you would be pleased to -lodge us this night. - -Ebn Thaher’s friend took all this for truth, told them they were -welcome, and offered the prince of Persia, whom he knew not, all the -assistance he could desire; but Ebn Thaher spoke for the prince, and -said, that his distemper was of that nature as required nothing but -rest. His friend understood by this that they desired to go to bed. -Upon which he conducted them to an apartment, where he left them. - -Though the prince of Persia slept, he was interrupted by troublesome -dreams, which represented Schemselnihar in a swoon at the caliph’s -feet, and increased his affliction. Ebn Thaher was very impatient to -be at home, and doubted not but his family was under great -apprehension, because he never used to sleep out. He arose and -departed early in the morning, after he had taken leave of his -friend, who rose at break of day to prayers. At last he came home, -and the first thing the prince of Persia did, who had walked so far -with much trouble, was to lie down upon a sofa, as weary as if he -had gone a long journey. Being not in a condition to go to his own -house, Ebn Thaher ordered a chamber to be made ready for him, and -sent to acquaint his friends with his condition and where he was. In -the mean time he begged him to compose himself, to command in his -house, and to dispose of all things as he pleased. I thank you -heartily for those obliging offers, said the prince of Persia; but -that I may not be any way troublesome to you, I conjure you to deal -with me as if I were not at your house. I would not stay one moment, -if I thought my presence would incommode you in the least. - -As soon as Ebn Thaher had time to recollect himself, he told his -family all that had passed at Schemselnihar’s palace, and -concluded by thanking God, who had delivered him from the danger he -was in. The prince of Persia’s principal domestics came to receive -his orders at Ebn Thaher’s house, and in a little time there -arrived several of his friends who had notice of his indisposition. -Those friends passed the greatest part of the day with him; and -though their conversation could not extinguish those sad ideas which -were the cause of his trouble, yet it gave him some relief. He would -have taken his leave of Ebn Thaher towards the evening; but this -faithful friend found him still so weak, that he obliged him to stay -till next day, and in the mean time, to divert him, he gave him a -concert of vocal and instrumental music in the evening; but this -concert served only to put him in mind of the preceding night, and -renewed his trouble, instead of assuaging it; so that next day his -distemper seemed to increase. Upon this Ebn Thaher did not oppose -his going home, but took care to accompany him thither; and when he -was with him alone in his chamber, he represented to him all those -arguments which might influence him to a generous effort to overcome -that passion which in the end would neither prove lucky to himself -nor to the favourite. Ah! dear Ebn Thaher, cried the prince, how -easy is it for you to give this advice, but how hard is it for me to -follow it! I am sensible of its importance, but am not able to -profit by it. I have said already, that I shall carry to the grave -with me the love that I bear to Schemselnihar. When Ebn Thaher saw -that he could gain nothing upon the prince, he took his leave of -him, and would have retired. - -The prince of Persia stopt him, and said, Kind Ebn Thaher, since I -have declared to you that it is not in my power to follow your wise -counsels, I beg you would not charge it on me as a crime, nor -forbear to give me the usual testimonies of your friendship; you -cannot do me a greater favour than to inform me of the destiny of my -dear Schemselnihar, when you hear any news of her: the uncertainty I -am in concerning her fate, and the mortal apprehensions her fainting -has occasioned in me, keep me in this languishing condition you -reproach me with. --My lord, answered Ebn Thaher, you have reason to -hope that her fainting was not attended with any bad consequences; -her confidant will quickly come and inform me of the issue; and as -soon as I know the particulars, I will not fail to impart them. - -Ebn Thaher left the prince in this hope, and returned home, where he -expected Schemselnihar’s confidant all the rest of the day, but in -vain; nor did she come next day. His uneasiness to know the state of -the prince of Persia’s health would not suffer him to stay any -longer without seeing him; he went to his lodging to exhort him to -patience, and found him lying on his bed as ill as ever, surrounded -by a great many of his friends, and several physicians, who made use -of all their art to discover the cause of his distemper. As soon as -he saw Ebn Thaher, he looked upon him smiling, to signify that he -had two things to tell him; the one, that he was glad to see him; -the other, how much the physicians, who could not discover the cause -of his distemper, were out in their reasonings. - -His friends and physicians retired one after another, so that Ebn -Thaher being alone with him, came near his bed to ask him how he did -since he saw him. I must tell you, answered the prince, that my -passion, which continually gathers new strength, and the uncertainty -of the lovely Schemselnihar’s destiny, augment my distemper every -moment, and cast me into such a state, as afflicts my kindred and -friends, and breaks the measures of my physicians, who do not -understand it. You cannot think, added he, how much I suffer by -seeing so many people about me, who importune me, and whom I cannot -in civility put away. Your company alone relieves me; but I conjure -you not to dissemble with me: What news do you bring me of -Schemselnihar? Have you seen her confidant? What said she to you? ---Ebn Thaher answered, that he had not seen her yet; and no sooner -had he told the prince of Persia this sad news, but the tears came -into his eyes; he could not answer one word, his heart was so -oppressed. Prince, added Ebn Thaher, suffer me to tell you, that you -are too ingenious in tormenting yourself. In the name of God, wipe -away your tears: if any of your people should come in, they would -discover you by this, notwithstanding the care you ought to take to -conceal your thoughts. Whatever this judicious confidant could say, -it was not possible for the prince to refrain from weeping. Wise Ebn -Thaher, said he, when he had recovered his speech, I may indeed -hinder my tongue from revealing the secrets of my heart, but I have -no power over my tears, upon such an alarming subject as -Schemselnihar’s danger. If that adorable and only object of my -desires be no longer in the world, I shall not survive her a moment. ---Reject so afflicting a thought, replied Ebn Thaher; Schemselnihar -is yet alive, you need not doubt of it; if you have heard no news of -her, it is because she could find no opportunity to send to you, and -I hope you will hear from her to-day. To this he added several other -consoling arguments, and then withdrew. - -Ebn Thaher was scarce at his own house when Schemselnihar’s -confidant arrived with a melancholy countenance, which he reckoned a -bad omen. He asked news of her mistress: Tell me yours first, said -the confidant, for I was in great trouble to see the prince of -Persia go away in that condition. Ebn Thaher told her all that she -wished to know, and when he had done, the slave began thus:-- If the -prince of Persia, said she, has suffered, and does still suffer, for -my mistress, she suffers no less for him. After I departed from you, -continued she. I returned to the saloon, where I found Schemselnihar -not yet recovered from her swoon, notwithstanding all the help they -endeavoured to give her. The caliph was sitting near her with all -the signs of real grief; he asked all the women, and me in -particular, if we knew the cause of her distemper; but we kept all -secret, and told him we were altogether ignorant of it. In the mean -time, we all wept to see her suffer so long, and forgot nothing that -might any way help her. In a word, it was almost midnight before she -came to herself. The caliph, who had the patience to wait the event, -was rejoiced at her recovery, and asked Schemselnihar the cause of -her distemper. As soon as she heard him speak, she endeavoured to -recover her seat; and after she had kissed his feet, before he could -hinder her, Sir, said she, I have reason to complain of heaven, that -it did not allow me to expire at your majesty’s feet, to testify -thereby how sensible I am of your favours. - -I am persuaded you love me, said the caliph to her, and I command -you to preserve yourself for my sake. You have probably exceeded in -something to-day, which has occasioned this indisposition: take -care, I entreat you; abstain from it for the future. I am very glad -to see you better, and I advise you to stay here to-night, and not -to return to your chamber, for fear the motion affect you. He then -commanded a little wine to be brought her, in order to strengthen -her; and taking leave of her, returned to his apartment. - -As soon as the caliph was gone, my mistress gave me a sign to come -near her. She asked me earnestly concerning you; I assured her that -you had been gone a long time, which made her easy on that head: I -took care not to speak of the prince of Persia’s fainting, lest it -should make her fall into the same state, from which we had so much -trouble to recover her; but my precautions were in vain, as you -shall hear. Prince, said she, I henceforth renounce all pleasure us -long as I am deprived of the sight of you. If I have understood your -heart right, I only follow your example. You will not cease to weep -until you see me again; it is but just that I weep and mourn until I -see you. At these words, which she uttered in a manner expressive of -the violence of her passion, she fainted a second time in my arms. - -Schemselnihar’s confidant continued to tell Ebn Thaher all that -had happened to her mistress after the first fainting. My companions -and I, said she, were a long time recovering her; at last, she came -to herself; and then I said to her, Madam, are you resolved to kill -yourself, and to make us also die with you? I entreat you, in the -name of the prince of Persia, who is so deeply interested in your -life, to preserve it, as you love yourself; be persuaded to this -effort, as you love the prince, and for our fidelity to you. I am -very much obliged to you, replied she, for your care, your zeal, and -your advice; but, alas! they are useless to me: you are not to -flatter us with any hopes, for we can expect no end of our torment -but in the grave. - -One of my companions would have diverted these sad thought by -playing on the lute, but she commanded her to be silent, and ordered -all of them to retire except me, whom she kept all night with her. O -heavens! what a night it was! she passed it in tears and groans, and -incessantly naming the prince of Persia. She lamented her lot, that -had destined her to the caliph, whom she could not love, and not for -him whom she loved so dearly. - -Next morning, because she was not commodiously lodged in the saloon, -I helped her to her chamber, where she no sooner arrived than all -the physicians of the palace came to see her by order of the caliph, -who was not long in coming himself. The medicines which the -physicians prescribed to Schemselnihar were ineffectual, because -they were ignorant of the cause of her distemper; and the presence -of the caliph augmented it. She got a little rest, however, this -night, and as soon as she awoke, she charged me to come to you, to -hear news of the prince of Persia. I have already informed you of -his case, said Ebn Thaher; so return to your mistress, and assure -her, that the prince of Persia waits for news from her with the like -impatience that she does from him; above all, exhort her to -moderation, and to overcome herself, for fear she drop before the -caliph some word which may prove fatal to us all. As for me, replied -the confidant, I confess I dread her transports; I have taken the -liberty to tell her my mind, and am persuaded that she will not take -it ill that I tell her again this from you. - -Ebn Thaher, who had but just come from the prince of Persia’s -lodgings, thought it not convenient to return so soon, and neglect -his own important affairs, and therefore went not till the evening; -the prince was alone, and no better than in the morning; Ebn Thaher -said he to him, as soon as he saw him, you have doubtless many -friends, but they do not know your worth, which you discover to me -by your zeal, your care, and the trouble you give yourself to oblige -me. I am confounded with all that you do for me with so great -affection, and I know not how I shall be able to express my -gratitude. Prince, answered Ebn Thaher, do not speak so, I entreat -you; I am ready, not only to give one of my eyes, to save one of -yours, but to sacrifice my life for you. But this is not the present -business; I come to tell you that Schemselnihar sent her confidant -to ask me about you, and at the same time, to inform me of her -condition. You may assure yourself, that I said nothing but what -might confirm the excess of your passion for her mistress, and the -constancy with which you love her. Then Ebn Thaher gave him a -particular account of all that had passed betwixt the trusty slave -and him. - -The prince listened with all the different emotions of fear, -jealousy, affection, and compassion, which this conversation could -inspire him with, making upon every thing which he heard, all the -afflicting or comforting reflections that so passionate a lover was -capable of. - -Their conversation continued so long, that the night was far -advanced, so that the prince of Persia obliged Ebn Thaher to stay -with him. The next morning, as his trusty friend returned home, -there came to him a woman, whom he knew to be Schemselnihar’s -confidant, and immediately she spoke to him thus: My mistress -salutes you, and I am come to entreat you in her name to deliver -this letter to the prince of Persia. The zealous Ebn Thaher took the -letter, and returned to the prince, accompanied by the confidant -slave. - -When Ebn Thaher entered the prince of Persia’s house, with -Schemselnihar’s confidant, he prayed her to stay, and wait for him -a moment in the drawing room. As soon as the prince of Persia saw -him, he asked earnestly what news he had to tell him? The best you -can expect, answered Ebn Thaher. You are as dearly beloved as you -love; Schemselnihar’s confidant is in your drawing room; she has -brought you a letter from her mistress, and waits for your orders to -come in. Let her come in, cried the prince, with a transport of joy; -and so saying, he sat up to receive her. - -The prince’s attendants went from him as soon as they saw Ebn -Thaher, and left him alone with their master. Ebn Thaher went and -opened the door himself, and brought in the confidant. The prince -knew her, and received her with great politeness. My lord, said she -to him, I am sensible of the affliction you have endured since I had -the honour to conduct you to the boat which waited to bring you -back; but I hope the letter I have brought will contribute to your -cure. So saying, she presented him the letter. He took it, and after -he had kissed it several times, he opened and read it as follows: - - - - -A Letter from Schemselnihar to Ali Ebn Becar, Prince of Persia. - - -‘The person who brings you this letter will give you a better -account concerning me than I can do, for I have not been myself -since I saw you; being deprived of your presence, I sought to -deceive myself by conversing with you by these ill-written lines, -with the same pleasure as if I had the good fortune to speak to you. - -‘It is said, that patience is a cure for all evils, but it -heightens my sufferings, instead of relieving them. Although your -picture be deeply engraven in my heart, my eyes, desire speedily -once more to see the original, and they will lose all their light if -they be any considerable time deprived of it. May I flatter myself -that yours have the same impatience to see me? Yes, I can; their -tender glances have sufficiently discovered it to me. How happy, -prince, should you and Schemselnihar both be, if our united desires -were not thwarted by invincible obstacles, which afflict me the more -sensibly as they have that effect on you. - -‘Those thoughts which my fingers write, and which I express with -incredible pleasure, repeating them again and again, proceed from -the bottom of my heart, and from the incurable wound which you have -made in it, a wound which I bless a thousand times, notwithstanding -the cruel torments I endure for your absence. I would reckon all -that opposes our love nothing, were I only allowed to see you -sometimes with freedom; I should then enjoy you, and what could I -desire more? - -‘Do not imagine that I say more than I think. Alas! whatever -expressions I make use of, I feel that I think more than I can tell -you. My eyes, which are continually watching and weeping for your -return; my afflicted heart, which desires you alone; the sighs that -escape me as often as I think on you, that is every moment; my -imagination, which represents no other object to me than my dear -prince; the complaints that I make to heaven for the rigour of my -destiny; in a word, my grief, my distress, my torments, which give -me no ease ever since I lost sight of you, will vouch for what I -write. - -‘Am I not unhappy to be born to love, without hope of enjoying him -whom I love? This afflicting thought oppresses me so that I should -die were I not persuaded that you love me: but this sweet comfort -balances my despair, and preserves my life. Tell me that you love me -always; I will keep your letter carefully, and read it a thousand -times a day; I should endure my afflictions with less impatience: I -pray heaven may cease to be angry at us, and grant us an opportunity -to say, that we love one another without fear; and that we shall -never cease to love one another. Adieu. I salute Ebn Thaher, to whom -we are so much obliged.’ - -The prince of Persia was not satisfied with reading the letter once; -he thought he had read it with too little attention, and therefore -read it again with more leisure; and as he read, sometimes he -uttered deep sighs, sometimes he shed tears, and sometimes he broke -out into transports of joy and tenderness, as he was affected with -what he read. In short, he could not keep his eyes off those -characters drawn by so beloved a hand, and was beginning to read it -a third time, when Ebn Thaher observed to him, that the confidant -had no time to lose, and that he ought to think of giving an answer. -Alas! cried the prince, how would you have me answer so kind a -letter? In what terms shall I express myself in the disturbed state -I am in? My mind is tossed with a thousand tormenting thoughts, -which are lost the same moment they are conceived, to make way for -others. So long as my body is influenced by the impressions of my -mind, how shall I be able to hold the paper, or guide my reed to -write? [81] - -So saying, he took out of a little desk which was near him, paper, a -cane ready cut, and an inkhorn. - -The prince of Persia, before he began to write, gave -Schemselnihar’s letter to Ebn Thaher, and prayed him to hold it -open while he wrote, that by casting his eyes upon it, he might the -better see what to answer. He began to write; but the tears that -fell from his eyes upon the paper, obliged him several times to -stop, that they might fall the more freely. At last, he finished his -letter, and giving it to Ebn Thaher, Read it, I pray, said he to -him, and do me the favour to see if the disorder of my mind has -allowed me to give a favourable answer. Ebn Thaher took it, and read -as follows: - - - - -The Prince of Persia’s answer to Schemselnihar’s Letter. - - -‘I was plunged in the deepest grief when I received your letter, -at the sight of which, I was transported with unspeakable joy; and -at sight of the characters written by your lovely hand, my eyes were -enlightened by a stronger light than they lost, when yours were -closed on a sudden at the feet of my rival. These words contained in -your kind letter are so many rays of light, which have dispelled the -darkness wherewith my soul was obscured; they show me how much you -suffer for love of me, and that you are not ignorant of what I -endure for you, and thereby comfort me in my afflictions. On the one -hand, they make me shed tears in abundance; and on the other, they -inflame my heart with a fire which supports it, and prevents my -dying of grief. I have not had one moment’s rest since our cruel -separation. Your letter alone gave me some ease. I kept a mournful -silence till the moment I received it, and then it restored my -speech. I was buried in profound melancholy, but it inspired me with -joy, which immediately appeared in my eyes and countenance. But my -surprise at receiving a favour which I had not yet deserved was so -great, that I knew not how to begin to testify my thankfulness for -it. In a word, after having kissed it several times as a precious -pledge of your goodness, I read it over and over, and was confounded -at the excess of my good fortune. You would have me signify to you, -that I always love you. Ah! though I did not love you so perfectly -as I do, I could not forbear adoring you, after all the marks you -have given me of a love so uncommon; yes, I love you my dear soul, -and shall account it my glory to burn all my days with that sweet -fire you have kindled in my heart. I will never complain of that -ardour with which I feel it consumes me: and how rigorous soever the -evils be which I suffer, I will bear them with fortitude, in hopes -to see you some time or other. Would to heaven it were to-day, and -that, instead of sending you my letter, I might be allowed to come -and assure you, that I die for love of you! My tears hinder me from -saying any more. Adieu.’ - -Ebn Thaher could not read those last lines without weeping. He -returned the letter to the prince of Persia, and assured him it -wanted no correction. The prince closed it, and when he had sealed -it, he desired the trusty slave to come near, and said to her, This -is my answer to your dear mistress’s letter. I conjure you to -carry it to her, and to salute her in my name. The slave took the -letter, and retired with Ebn Thaher. - -After Ebn Thaher had walked some way with the slave, he left her, -and went to his house, and began to think in earnest upon the -amorous intrigue into which he found himself unhappily engaged. He -considered, that the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, -notwithstanding their interest to conceal their correspondence, -conducted themselves with so little discretion, that it could not be -long a secret. He drew all the consequences from it, which a man of -good sense ought to do. Were Schemselnihar, said he to himself, a -lady of common rank, I would contribute all in my power to make her -and her lover happy; but she is the caliph’s favourite, and no man -can without danger attempt to engage the affections of the object of -his choice. His anger would fall in the first instance on -Schemselnihar; it will next cost the prince of Persia his life, and -I shall be involved in his misfortune. --In the mean time, I have my -honour, my quiet, my family, and my estate to preserve. I must, -while I can, extricate myself out of such a risk. - -These thoughts occupied his mind all that day; next morning, he went -to the prince of Persia, with a design to make one more effort to -oblige him to conquer his passion. He represented to him what he had -before represented in vain; that it would be much better for him to -call up all his resolution, to overcome his inclination for -Schemselnihar, than to suffer himself to be hurried away by it; and -that his passion was so much the more dangerous, as his rival was -powerful. In short, sir, added he, if you will hearken to me, you -ought to think of nothing but to triumph over your love; otherwise, -you run the risk of destroying yourself with Schemselnihar, whose -life ought to be dearer to you than your own. I give you this advice -as a friend, for which you will some time or other thank me. - -The prince heard Ebn Thaher with great impatience, but suffered him -to speak his mind, and then replied to him thus: Ebn Thaher, said -he, do you think I can cease to love Schemselnihar, who loves me so -tenderly? She is not afraid to expose her life for me, and would you -have me regard mine? No; whatever misfortunes befall me, I will love -Schemselnihar to my last breath. - -Ebn Thaher, shocked at the obstinacy of the prince of Persia, left -him hastily, and going to his own house, recalled to his mind his -former reflections, and began to think seriously what he should do. -In the mean time, a jeweller, one of his intimate friends, came to -see him. The jeweller had perceived that Schemselnihar’s confidant -came oftener to Ebn Thaher than usual, and that he was constantly -with the prince of Persia, whose sickness was known to every one, -though not the cause of it. This had awakened the jeweller’s -suspicions, and finding Ebn Thaher very pensive, he presently judged -that he was perplexed with some important affair, and fancying that -he knew the cause, he asked, what Schemselnihar’s confidant wanted -with him? Ebn Thaher being struck with this question, would have -dissembled, and told him, that it was for a trifle she came so -frequently to him. You do not tell me the truth, said the jeweller, -and you think to persuade me, by your dissimulation, that this -trifle is a more important affair than at first I thought it to be. -Ebn Thaher perceiving that his friend pressed him so much, said to -him, it is true, that it is an affair of the greatest consequence! I -had resolved to keep it secret, but since I know how much you are my -friend, I choose rather to make you my confidant, than to suffer you -to be under a mistake about it. --I do not recommend to you secrecy, -for you will easily judge by what I am going to tell you, how -important it is to keep it. After this preamble, he told him the -amour between Schemselnihar, and the prince of Persia. You know, -continued he, in what esteem I am at court, in the city, and with -lords and ladies of the greatest quality; what a disgrace it would -be for me, should this rash amour come to be discovered? But what do -I say; should not I and my family be completely ruined? That is what -perplexes my mind; but I have just formed my resolution: I will go -immediately and satisfy my creditors, and recover my debts, and when -I have secured my property, will retire to Balsora, and stay till -the storm that I foresee is blown over. My friendship for -Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia makes me very sensible to -what dangers they are exposed. I pray heaven to convince them of it, -and to preserve them; but if their evil destiny should bring their -amours to the knowledge of the caliph, I shall, at least, be out of -the reach of his resentment; for I do not think them so wicked as to -design to involve me in their misfortunes. It would be the height of -ingratitude, and a bad reward for the service I have done them, and -the good advice I have given them, particularly to the prince of -Persia, who may save both himself and his mistress from this -precipice, if he pleases: he may as easily leave Bagdad as I; and -absence will insensibly disengage him from a passion, which will -only increase whilst he continues in this place. - -The jeweller was extremely surprised at what Ebn Thaher told him. -What you say to me, says he, is of so great importance, that I -cannot understand how Schemselnihar and the prince could have -abandoned themselves to such a violent passion; what inclination -soever they may have for one another, instead of yielding to it, -they ought to resist it, and make a better use of their reason. Is -it possible they can be insensible of the dangerous consequence of -their correspondence? How deplorable is their blindness! I perceive -all the consequences of it as well as you; but you are wise and -prudent, and I approve your resolution; the only way to deliver -yourself from the fatal events which you have reason to fear. After -this conversation, the jeweller rose up, and took his leave of Ebn -Thaher. - -Before the jeweller retired, Ebn Thaher conjured him by the -friendship betwixt them, to say nothing of this to any body. Fear -not, said the jeweller; I will keep this secret on peril of my life. - -Two days after, the jeweller went to Ebn Thaher’s shop, and seeing -it shut, he doubted not but he had executed the design he spoke of; -but, to be more sure, he asked a neighbour, if he knew why it was -shut? The neighbour answered that he knew not, unless Ebn Thaher was -gone a journey. There was no need of his inquiring farther, and he -immediately thought of the prince of Persia: Unhappy prince, said he -to himself, what will be your grief when you hear this news? How -will you now carry on your correspondence with Schemselnihar? I fear -you will die of despair. I pity you, and must make up your loss of a -too timid confidant. - -The business that obliged him to come abroad was of no consequence, -so that he neglected it: and though he had no knowledge of the -prince of Persia, but only by having sold him some jewels, he went -to his house; he addressed himself to one of his servants, and -prayed him to tell his master, that he desired to speak with him -about business of very great importance. The servant returned -immediately to the jeweller, and introduced him to the prince’s -chamber, who was leaning on a sofa, with his head upon a cushion. As -soon as the prince saw him, he rose up to receive and welcome him, -and intreated him to sit down; asked if he could serve him in any -thing, or if he came to tell him any thing interesting concerning -himself. Prince, answered the jeweller, though I have not the honour -to be particularly acquainted with you, yet the desire of testifying -my zeal has made me take the liberty to come to your house, to -impart to you a piece of news that concerns you. I hope you will -pardon my boldness for my good intention. - -After this introduction, the jeweller entered upon the matter, and -continued thus: Prince, I shall have the honour to tell you, that it -is a long time since the conformity of disposition, and some -business we have had together, united Ebn Thaher and me in strict -friendship. I know you are acquainted with him, and that he has -employed himself in obliging you to his utmost; I have learnt this -from himself for he keeps nothing secret from me, nor I from him. I -went just now to his shop, and was surprised to find it shut: I -addressed myself to one of his neighbours, to ask the reason; he -answered me, that two days ago Ebn Thaher took leave of him, and -other neighbours, offering them his service at Balsora, whither he -is gone, said he, about an affair of great importance. Not being -satisfied with this answer, my concern for his welfare determined me -to come and ask if you knew any thing particularly concerning this -his sudden departure. - -At this discourse, which the jeweller accommodated to the subject, -the better to compass his design, the prince of Persia changed -colour, and looked at the jeweller in a manner which convinced him -how much he was disconcerted with the news. I am surprised at what -you inform me, said he; a greater misfortune could not befal me. Ah! -said he, with tears in his eyes, if what you tell me be true, I am -undone! Has Ebn Thaher, who was all my comfort, in whom I put all my -confidence, left me? I cannot think of living after so cruel a blow. - -The jeweller needed no more to convince him fully of the prince of -Persia’s violent passion, which Ebn Thaher told him of: mere -friendship would not make him speak so; nothing but love could -produce such lively sensations. - -The prince continued some moments absorbed in those melancholy -thoughts; at last he lifted up his head, and calling one of his -servants, Go, said he, to Ebn Thaher’s house, and ask some of his -domestics if he be gone to Balsora: run, and come back quickly, and -tell me what you hear. While the servant was gone, the jeweller -endeavoured to entertain the prince of Persia with indifferent -subjects; but the prince gave little heed to him: he was a prey to -fatal grief. Sometimes he could not persuade himself that Ebn Thaher -was gone, and at other times he did not doubt of it, when he -reflected upon the conversation he had with him the last time he saw -him, and the abrupt manner in which he left him. - -At last the prince’s servant returned, and reported that he had -spoken with one of Ebn Thaher’s servants, who assured him that he -had been gone two days to Balsora. As I came from Ebn Thaher’s -house, added the servant, a slave well dressed met me; and after she -had asked me if I had the honour to belong to you, she told me she -wanted to speak with you, and begged at the same time that she might -come along with me: she is in the outer room, and I believe she has -a letter to give you from some person of consequence. The prince -commanded her to be immediately introduced, not doubting but it was -Schemselnihar’s confidant slave, as indeed it was. The jeweller -knew who she was, having seen her several times at Ebn Thaher’s -house. She could not have come in a better time to save the prince -from despair. She saluted him. - -The prince of Persia returned the salute of Schemselnihar’s -confidant. The jeweller arose as soon as he saw her appear, and -retired, to leave them at liberty to converse together. The -confidant, after she had conversed some time with the prince, took -her leave and departed. She left him quite another person from what -he was before; his eyes appeared brighter, and his countenance more -gay; which satisfied the jeweller that the good slave came to tell -him something favourable to his amour. - -The jeweller having taken his place again near the prince, said to -him, smiling, I see, prince, you have business of importance at the -caliph’s palace. The prince of Persia, astonished and alarmed at -this discourse, answered the jeweller, What leads you to suppose -that I have business at the caliph’s palace? --I judge so, replied -the jeweller, by the slave that is gone forth. And to whom, think -you, belongs this slave? replied the prince. --To Schemselnihar, the -caliph’s favourite, answered the jeweller. I know, continued he, -both the slave and her mistress, who has several times done me the -honour to come to my house and buy jewels. Besides, I know that -Schemselnihar keeps nothing secret from this slave; and I have seen -her go and come for several days along the streets, as I thought, -very much troubled: I imagined that it was for some affair of -consequence concerning her mistress. - -The jeweller’s words did much trouble the prince of Persia. He -would not say so, said he to himself, if he did not suspect, or -rather was not acquainted with my secret. He remained silent for -some time, not knowing what course to take. At last he began, and -said to the jeweller, You have told me things which make me believe -that you know yet more than you have acquainted me with; it concerns -my repose, that I be perfectly informed; I conjure you, therefore, -not to conceal any thing from me. - -Then the jeweller, who desired nothing more, gave him a particular -account of what had passed betwixt Ebn Thaher and himself: he let -him know that he was informed of his correspondence with -Schemselnihar, and forgot not to tell him that Ebn Thaher, alarmed -at the danger of being his confidant in the matter, had communicated -to him his intention of retiring to Balsora, to stay there until the -storm which he dreaded should be blown over. This he has executed, -added the jeweller; and I am surprised how he could determine -himself to abandon you, in the condition he informed me you was in. -As for me, prince, I confess I am moved with compassion towards -you, and am come to offer you my service; and if you do me the -favour to accept of it, I engage myself to be as faithful to you as -Ebn Thaher; besides, I promise to be more resolute. I am ready to -sacrifice my honour and life for you; and, that you may not doubt of -my sincerity, I swear by all that is sacred in our religion, to keep -your secret inviolable. Be persuaded then, prince, that you will -find in me the friend whom you have lost. This discourse encouraged -the prince, and comforted him under Ebn Thaher’s absence. I am -very glad, said he to the jeweller, to find in you a reparation of -my loss: I want words to express the obligations I am under to you. -I pray God to recompense your generosity, and I accept your obliging -offer with all my heart. Believe me, continued he, Schemselnihar’s -confidant came to speak to me concerning you: she told me that it -was you who advised Ebn Thaher to go from Bagdad: these were the -last words she spoke to me when she went away, and she seemed -persuaded of what she said; but they do not do you justice. I doubt -not, after what you have told me, she is deceived. Prince, replied -the jeweller, I have had the honour to give you a faithful account -of my conversation with Ebn Thaher. It is true, when he told me he -meant to retire to Balsora, I did not oppose his design, but said he -was a wise and prudent man; but let not this prevent your putting -confidence in me. I am ready to serve you with all imaginable zeal. -If you do not make any use of my service, this shall not hinder me -from keeping your secret religiously, according to my oath. --I have -already told you, replied the prince, that I did not believe what -the confidant said: it is her zeal which inspired her with this -groundless suspicion, and you ought to excuse it, as I do. - -They continued their conversation for some time, and consulted -together about the most convenient means to keep up the prince’s -correspondence with Schemselnihar. They agreed to begin by -undeceiving the confidant, who was so unjustly prepossessed against -the jeweller. The prince engaged to remove her mistake the first -time he saw her again, and to entreat her to address herself to the -jeweller whenever she might bring letters, or any other information, -from her mistress to him. In short, they agreed that she ought not -to come so frequently to the prince’s house, because thereby she -might lead to the discovery of what it was of so great importance to -conceal. At last the jeweller arose, and after having again -entreated the prince of Persia to place an unreserved confidence in -him, he withdrew. - -The jeweller returning to his house, perceived before him a letter, -which somebody had dropped in the street. He took it up, and as it -was not sealed, he opened it, and found it conceived in these terms: - - - - -A Letter from Schemselnihar to the Prince of Persia. - - -‘I learn from my confidant a piece of news, which gives me no less -concern than it must give you. By losing Ebn Thaher, we have indeed -suffered a great loss; but let not this hinder you, dear prince, -from thinking to preserve yourself. If our confidant has abandoned -us through a panic fear, let us consider that it is a misfortune -which we could not avoid. I confess Ebn Thaher has left us at a time -when we most needed his assistance; but let us fortify ourselves by -patience against the unexpected stroke, and let us not forbear to -love one another constantly. Fortify your heart against this -misfortune. The object of our wishes is not to be obtained without -trouble. Let us not be discouraged, but hope that heaven will favour -us: and that, after so many afflictions, we shall see a happy -accomplishment of our desires. Adieu.’ - -While the jeweller was conversing with the prince of Persia, the -confidant had time to return to the palace, and communicate to her -mistress the ill news of Ebn Thaher’s departure. Schemselnihar -immediately wrote this letter, and sent back her confidant with it -to the prince of Persia, but she negligently dropped it. - -The jeweller was glad to find it, for it furnished him with an -opportunity of justifying himself to the confidant, and bringing her -to the point he desired. When he had read it, he perceived the slave -seeking for it with the greatest anxiety, and looking about every -where. He closed it again quickly, and put it into his bosom; but -the slave observed him, and running to him, --Sir, said she, I have -dropped a letter, which you had just now in your hand; I beseech you -to restore it. The jeweller, taking no notice that he heard her, -continued his way till he came to his house. He did not shut the -door after him, that the confidant, who followed him, might come in. -She did so; and when she came to his chamber, Sir, said she to him, -you can make no use of that letter you have found; and you would not -hesitate to return it to me, if you knew from whom it came, and to -whom it is directed. Besides, allow me to tell you, you cannot -honestly keep it. - -Before the jeweller answered the confidant, he made her sit down, -and then he said to her, Is not this letter from Schemselnihar, and -is it not directed to the prince of Persia? The slave, who expected -no such question, blushed. The question embarrasses you, replied he; -but I assure you I do not put it rashly. I could have given you the -letter in the street, but I wished you to follow me, on purpose that -I might come to some explanation with you. Is it just, tell me, to -impute an unhappy accident to people who no ways contributed towards -it? Yet this you have done, in telling the prince of Persia that it -was I who advised Ebn Thaher to leave Bagdad for his own safety. I -do not intend to lose time in justifying myself to you; it is enough -that the prince of Persia is fully persuaded of my innocence in this -matter: I will only tell you, that instead of contributing to Ebn -Thaher’s departure, I have been extremely afflicted at it; not so -much from my friendship to him, as out of compassion for the -condition he left the prince of Persia in, whose correspondence with -Schemselnihar he has discovered to me. As soon as I knew certainly -that Ebn Thaher was gone from Bagdad, I went and presented myself to -the prince, in whose house you found me, to inform him of this news, -and to offer him the same service which he did him; and provided you -put the same confidence in me that you did in Ebn Thaher, it will be -your own fault if you do not make my assistance of use to you. -Inform your mistress of what I have told you; and assure her that -though I should die for engaging in so dangerous an intrigue, I -should not repent of having sacrificed myself for two lovers so -worthy of one another. - -The confidant, after having heard the jeweller with great -satisfaction, begged him to pardon the ill opinion she had conceived -of him, for the zeal she had for her mistress’s interest. I am -beyond measure glad, added she, that Schemselnihar and the prince -have found in you a person so fit to supply Ebn Thaher’s place. I -will not fail to convince my mistress of the good will you bear her. - -After the confidant had testified to the jeweller her joy to see him -so well disposed to serve Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia, -the jeweller took the letter out of his bosom, and restored it to -her, saying, Go, carry it quickly to the prince of Persia, and come -back this way, that I may see the answer. Forget not to give him an -account of our conversation. - -The confidant took the letter and carried it to the prince, who -answered it immediately. She returned to the jeweller’s house to -show him the answer, which was in these words: - - - - -The Prince of Persia’s Answer to Schemselnihar. - - -‘Your precious letter had a great effect upon me, but not so great -as I could have wished. You endeavour to comfort me for the loss of -Ebn Thaher; alas! however sensible I am of this, it is but the least -of my troubles. You know these troubles, and you know also that your -presence alone can cure me. When will the time come that I shall -enjoy it without fear of being deprived of it? how long does it seem -to me! or shall we flatter ourselves that we may ever see it? You -command me to preserve myself; I will obey you, since I have -renounced my own will to follow only yours. Adieu.’ - -After the jeweller had read this letter, he gave it again to the -confidant; who said, as she was going away, I will desire my -mistress to put the same confidence in you that she did in Ebn -Thaher: you shall hear of me to-morrow. Accordingly next day she -returned with a pleasant countenance. Your very looks, said he to -her, inform me that you have brought Schemselnihar to the point you -wished for. It is true, said the confidant, and you shall hear how I -effected it. I found yesterday, continued she, Schemselnihar -expecting me with impatience; I gave her the prince of Persia’s -letter, and she read it with tears in her eyes; and when she had -done, I saw that she had abandoned herself to her usual sorrow. -Madam, said I to her, it is doubtless Ebn Thaher’s removal that -troubles you; but suffer me to conjure you, in the name of God, to -alarm yourself no farther on that head. We have found another who -offers himself to oblige you with equal zeal, and, what is yet more -important, with greater courage. Then I spoke to her of you, -continued the slave, and acquainted her with the motive which led -you to the prince of Persia’s house: in short, I assured her that -you would inviolably keep the secret betwixt her and the prince of -Persia, and that you was resolved to favour their amour with all -your might. She seemed to be much relieved by my discourse. Ah! what -obligations, said she, are the prince of Persia and I under to that -honest man you speak of! I must be acquainted with him and see him, -that I may hear from his own mouth what you tell me, and thank him -for such an unheard-of piece of generosity towards persons that he -is no way obliged to concern himself with. The sight of him will -give me pleasure, and I shall omit nothing to confirm him in those -good sentiments. Fail not to bring him to me to-morrow. Therefore, -sir, be so good as to go with me to the palace. - -The confidant’s discourse perplexed the jeweller. Your mistress, -replied he, must allow me to say, that she has not duly considered -what she requires of me. Ebn Thaher’s access to the caliph gave -him admission every where, and the officers who knew him, allowed -him free access to Schemselnihar’s palace; but as for me, how dare -I enter? You see clearly that it is impossible. I entreat you to -represent to Schemselnihar the reasons which prevent me from giving -her that satisfaction, and acquaint her with all the ill -consequences that would attend it. If she considers it ever so -little, she would find that it would expose me needlessly to very -great danger. - -The confidant endeavoured to encourage the jeweller: Can you -believe, said she, that Schemselnihar is so unreasonable as by -bringing you to her, to expose you to the least danger, from which -she expects so important services? Consider with yourself that there -is not the least appearance of risk for you; my mistress and I are -too much interested in this affair to involve you in any danger. You -may depend upon me, and leave yourself to my conduct. After the -thing is over, you will be the first to confess that your fear was -groundless. - -The jeweller yielded to the confidant’s discourse, and rose up to -follow her; but notwithstanding his boasted courage, he was seized -with such terror, that his whole body trembled. In your present -state, said she, I perceive it will be better for you to stay at -home, and that Schemselnihar should take other measures to see you. -It is not to be doubted, but that to satisfy her desire, she will -come hither herself; the case being so, sir, I would not have you -go. I am persuaded it will not be long ere you see her come to you. -The confidant foresaw this; for she no sooner informed Schemselnihar -of the jeweller’s fear, but she prepared to go to his house. - -He received her with all the expressions of profound respect. When -she sat down, being a little fatigued with coming, she unveiled -herself, and let the jeweller see such beauty, as convinced him that -the prince of Persia was excusable in giving his heart to the -caliph’s favourite. Then she saluted the jeweller with a graceful -air, and said to him, I could not hear with what zeal you have -engaged in the prince of Persia’s concerns and mine, without -immediately forming a design to express my gratitude in person. I -thank heaven for having so soon made up Ebn Thaher’s loss. - -Schemselnihar said many other obliging things to the jeweller, after -which, she returned to her palace. The jeweller went immediately to -give an account of this visit to the prince of Persia, who said to -him as soon as he saw him, I have expected you impatiently. The -trusty slave has brought me a letter from her mistress, but it does -not relieve me. Whatever the lovely Schemselnihar says, I dare not -hope for any thing; my patience is at an end; I know not now what -measures to take. Ebn Thaher’s departure makes me despair: he was -my only support --I lost all by losing him; I flattered myself with -some hopes by reason of his access to Schemselnihar. - -After these words, which the prince pronounced with so much -eagerness, that he gave the jeweller no time to interrupt him, he -said to the prince, No man can take more interest in your affliction -than I do; and if you will have patience to hear me, you will -perceive that I can relieve you. Upon this, the prince held his -peace, and listened to him. I see very well, said the jeweller, that -the only way to give you satisfaction is to fall upon a plan that -will afford you an opportunity to converse freely with -Schemselnihar. This I wish to procure you, and tomorrow will set -about it. You must by no means expose yourself to enter -Schemselnihar’s palace; you know by experience the danger of that -step: I know a fitter place for this interview, where you will be -safe. When the jeweller had finished speaking, the prince embraced -him with transports of joy. You revive, said he, by this charming -promise, a wretched lover, who was condemned to die. I see that you -have fully repaired the loss of Ebn Thaher: whatever you do will be -well done; I leave myself entirely to your conduct. - -After the prince had thus thanked him for his zeal, the Jeweller -returned home, and next morning Schemselnihar’s confidant came to -him. He told her that he had given the prince of Persia hopes that -he should see Schemselnihar speedily. I am come on purpose, answered -she, to concert measures with you for that end. I think, continued -she, this house will be convenient enough for their interview. I -could receive them very well here, replied he; but I think they will -have more liberty in another house of mine, where nobody lives at -present; I will quickly furnish it for their reception. There -remains nothing then for me to do, replied the confidant, but to -bring Schemselnihar to consent to it. I will go and speak to her, -and return speedily with an answer. - -She was as diligent as her promise; and returning to the jeweller, -told him that her mistress would not fail to keep the appointment in -the evening. In the mean time, she gave him a purse, and told him it -was to prepare a collation. He carried her immediately to the house -where the lovers were to meet, that she might know whither to bring -her mistress; and when she was gone, he went to borrow from his -friends gold and silver plate, tapestry, rich cushions, and other -furniture, with which he furnished the house very magnificently; and -when he had put all things in order, he went to the prince of Persia. - -You may easily conceive the prince of Persia’s joy, when the -jeweller told him that he came to conduct him to the house he had -prepared to receive him and Schemselnihar. This news made him forget -all his former troubles. He put on a magnificent robe, and went -without his retinue along with the jeweller, who led him through -several by-streets, that nobody might observe them, and at last -brought him to the house, where they conversed together until -Schemselnihar came. - -They did not stay long for this passionate lover; she came after -evening prayer with her confidant and two other slaves. It is -impossible to express the excess of joy that seized those two lovers -when they saw one another: they sat down together upon a sofa, -looking upon one another for some time, without being able to speak, -they were so much overjoyed, but when their speech returned, they -soon made up for their silence. They said to each other so many -tender things, as made the jeweller, the confidant, and the two -other slaves weep. The jeweller, however, restrained his tears, to -attend to the collation, which he brought in himself. The lovers ate -and drank little, after which they sat down again upon the sofa. -Schemselnihar asked the jeweller if he had a lute, or any other -instrument. --The jeweller, who took care to provide all that could -please her, brought her a lute; she spent some time in tuning it, -and then sung. - -While Schemselnihar was charming the prince of Persia, and -expressing her passion by words composed extempore, a great noise -was heard, and immediately the slave whom the jeweller had brought -with him, came in a great fright, to tell him, that some people were -breaking in at the gate, that he asked who it was, but instead of -any answer, the blows were redoubled. The jeweller being alarmed, -left Schemselnihar and the prince to go and inform himself of the -truth of this bad news. No sooner was he got into the court, than he -saw, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, a company of men, -armed with bayonets and scimitars, who had broken the gate, and came -directly towards him. He stood close to a wall for fear of his life, -and saw ten of them pass without being perceived by them. Finding he -could give no great assistance to the prince of Persia and -Schemselnihar, he contented himself with lamenting their fate, and -fled for refuge to a neighbour’s house, who was not yet gone to -bed. He did not doubt but this unexpected violence was by the -caliph’s order, who, he thought, had been informed of his -favourite’s meeting the prince of Persia there. He heard a great -noise in his own house, which continued till midnight; and when all -was quiet, as he thought, he desired his neighbour to lend him a -scimitar; and being thus armed, went on till he came to the gate of -his own house. He entered the court full of fear, and perceived a -man, who asked him who he was; he knew by his voice, that it was his -own slave. How did you manage, said he, to avoid being taken by the -watch? Sir, answered the slave, I hid myself in a corner of the -court, and I went out so soon as I heard the noise. But it was not -the watch who broke into your house; they were robbers, who, within -these few days, robbed another house in the neighbourhood; they, -doubtless, had notice of the rich furniture you brought hither, and -had that in view. - -The jeweller thought his slave’s conjecture probable enough; he -visited the house, and saw that the robbers had taken all the -furniture out of the chamber where he received Schemselnihar and her -lover; that they had also carried off the gold and silver plate, -and, in a word, had left nothing. --Being in this condition, O -heaven! cried he, I am irrecoverably undone! What will my friends -say, and what excuse can I make, when I shall tell them that the -robbers have broken into my house, and robbed me of all they had -generously lent me? I shall never be able to make up their loss. -Besides, what is become of Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia? -This business will be so public, that it will be impossible but it -must reach the caliph’s ears. He will get notice of this meeting, -and I shall fall a sacrifice to his fury! The slave, who was very -much attached to him, endeavoured to comfort him. As to -Schemselnihar, said he, the robbers probably would content -themselves with stripping her, and you have reason to think, that -she is retired to her palace with her slaves. The prince of Persia -is probably in the same condition; so that you have reason to hope -the caliph will never know this adventure. As for the loss your -friends have sustained, that is a misfortune that you could not -avoid. They know very well the robbers are numerous, that they have -not only pillaged the house I have already spoken of, but many other -houses of the principal noblemen of the court; and they are not -ignorant, that notwithstanding the orders given to apprehend them, -nobody has been yet able to seize any of them. You will be acquitted -by restoring your friends the value of the things that are stolen, -and blessed be God, you will have enough left. - -Waiting till day, the jeweller ordered the slave to mend the street -door, which was broken, as well as he could; after which he returned -to his usual residence with his slave, making melancholy reflections -upon what had happened. Ebn Thaher, said he to himself, has been -wiser than I: he foresaw the misfortune into which I have blindly -thrown myself; would to God I had never meddled in this intrigue, -which will, perhaps, cost me my life! - -It was scarce day when the report of the robbery spread through the -city, and a great many of his friends and neighbours came to his -house to express their concern for his misfortune, but were curious -to know the particulars. He thanked them for their affection, and -had at least the consolation, that he heard nobody mention -Schemselnihar or the prince of Persia, which made him believe they -were at their houses, or in some secure place. - -When the jeweller was alone, his servants brought him something to -eat, but he could not eat a bit. About noon one of his slaves came -to tell him there was a man at the gate, whom he knew not, that -desired to speak with him. The jeweller, not choosing to receive a -stranger into his house, rose up, and went to speak with him. Though -you do not know me, said the man, yet I know you, and I am come to -talk to you about an important affair. The jeweller desired him to -come in. No, answered the stranger; if you please, rather take the -trouble to go with me to your other house. How know you, replied the -jeweller, that I have another house? I know very well, answered the -stranger; follow me, and do not fear any thing: I have something to -communicate to you which will please you. The jeweller went -immediately with him; and after he had considered by the way how the -house they were going to was robbed, he said to him, that it was not -fit to receive him. - -When they were before the house, and the stranger saw the gate half -broken down, said he to the jeweller, I see you have told me the -truth; I will carry you to a place where we shall be better -accommodated. --When he had said this, he went on, and walked all -the rest of the day without stopping. The jeweller being weary with -walking, vexed to see night approach, and that the stranger went on -without telling him where he was going, began to lose his patience, -when they came to a path which led to the Tigris; and as soon as -they came to the river, they embarked in a little boat, and went -over. The stranger led the jeweller through a long street, where he -had never been before in his life: and after he had brought him -through I know not how many by-streets, he stopped at a gate, which -he opened. He caused the jeweller to go in: then he shut and bolted -the gate with a huge iron bolt, and conducted him to a chamber, -where there were ten other men, all of them as great strangers to -the jeweller as he that brought him hither. - -These ten men received the jeweller without any compliments. They -bade him sit down, of which he had great need: for he was not only -out of breath with walking so far, but the fear he was in, to find -himself with people whom he thought he had reason to be afraid of, -would have disabled him from standing. They waited for their leader -to go to supper, and as soon as he came it was served up. They -washed their hands, obliged the jeweller to do the like, and to sit -at table with them. After supper, the men asked him if he knew whom -he spoke to? He answered, No, and that he knew not the place he was -in. Tell us your last night’s adventure, said they to him, and -conceal nothing from us. The jeweller, being astonished at this -discourse, answered, Gentlemen, it is probable you know it already. -That is true, replied they; the young man and the young lady, who -were at your house yester-night, told it us; but we would know it -from your own mouth. The jeweller needed no more to inform him that -he spoke to the robbers who had broken into and plundered his house. -Gentlemen, said he, I am much troubled for that young man and lady; -can you give me any tidings of them? - -Upon the jeweller’s inquiry of the thieves, if they knew any thing -of the young man and the young lady, they answered, Be not concerned -for them --they are safe and well. So saying, they showed him two -closets, where they assured him they were separately shut up. They -added, We are informed you alone know what relates to them, which we -no sooner came to understand, but we showed them all imaginable -respect, and were so far from doing them any injury, that we treated -them with all possible kindness on your account. We answer for the -same, proceeded they, for your own person; you may put unlimited -confidence in us. - -The jeweller being encouraged at this, and overjoyed to hear that -the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar were safe, resolved to engage -the robbers yet farther in their interest. He commended them, -flattered them, and gave them a thousand benedictions. --Gentlemen, -said he, I must confess I have not the honour to know you, yet it is -no small happiness to me that I am not wholly unknown to you; and I -can never be sufficiently grateful for the favours which that -knowledge has procured me at your hands. Not to mention your great -humanity, I am fully persuaded now that persons of your character -are capable of keeping a secret faithfully; and none are so fit to -undertake a great enterprise, which you can best bring to a good -issue by your zeal, courage, and intrepidity. Confiding in these -qualities, which are so much your due, I hesitate not to tell you my -whole history, with that of those two persons you found in my house, -with all the fidelity you desire me. - -After the jeweller had thus secured, as he thought, the confidence -of the robbers, he made no scruple to relate to them the whole amour -of the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, from the beginning of it -to the time he received them into his house. - -The robbers were greatly astonished at all the particulars they -heard, and could not forbear crying out, How! is it possible that -the young man should be the illustrious Ali Ebn Becar, prince of -Persia, and the young lady the fair and celebrated beauty -Schemselnihar? The jeweller assured them nothing was more certain, -and that they needed not to think it strange, that persons of so -distinguished a character should wish not to be known. - -Upon this assurance of their quality, the robbers went immediately, -one after another, and threw themselves at their feet, imploring -their pardon, and protesting that nothing of the kind would have -happened to them, had they been informed of the quality of their -persons before they broke into the house; and that they would by -their future conduct endeavour to make amends for the crime they had -thus ignorantly committed. Then turning to the jeweller, they told -him, they were heartily sorry they could not restore to him all that -had been taken from him, part of it being no longer in their -possession; but as for what remained, if he would content himself -with his plate, it should be forthwith put into his hand. - -The jeweller was overjoyed at the favour done him, and after the -robbers had delivered to him the plate, they required of the prince, -Schemselnihar, and him, to promise them upon oath, that they would -not betray them, and they would carry them to a place whence they -might easily go to their respective homes. The prince, -Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, replied, that they might rely on -their words; but, since they desired an oath of them, they solemnly -swore not to discover them. The thieves, satisfied with this, -immediately went out with them. - -By the way, the jeweller, uneasy at not seeing the confidant and the -two slaves, came up to Schemselnihar, and begged her to inform him -what was become of them. She answered, she knew nothing of them, and -that all she could tell him was, that she was carried away from his -house, ferried over the river, and brought to the place from whence -they were just now come. - -Schemselnihar and the jeweller had no farther discourse: they let -the robbers conduct them with the prince to the river’s side, when -the robbers immediately took boat, and carried them over to the -other side. - -While the prince, Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, were landing, -they heard the noise of the horse-patrol coming towards them, just -as the boat arrived, and had conveyed the robbers back by dint of -rowing. - -The commander of the brigade demanded of the prince, Schemselnihar, -and the jeweller, who they were, and whence they came so late. -Frightened as they were, and apprehensive of saying any thing that -might prejudice them, they could not speak; but at length it was -necessary they should: the jeweller found his tongue, his mind being -freer, and said, Sir, I can assure you, we are very honest people of -the city, and that those people who have just landed us, and are got -back to the other side of the water, are thieves, who having last -night broken open the house where we were, pillaged it, and -afterwards carried us to their quarters, where, by fair words, we -prevailed on them to let us have our liberty; and they brought us -hither. They have restored us part of the booty they had taken from -us. At which words he showed the parcel of plate he had recovered. - -The commander, not satisfied with what the jeweller had told him, -came up to him and the prince of Persia, and looking stedfastly at -them, said, Tell me truly, who is this lady? How came you to know -her? and whereabouts do you live? - -This question embarrassed them so much, that neither of them could -answer; till at length Schemselnihar extricated them from their -difficulty, and taking the commander aside, told him who she was; -which he no sooner knew, but he alighted with great expressions of -respect and politeness, and ordered his men to bring two boats. - -When the boats were come, he put Schemselnihar into one, and the -prince of Persia and the jeweller into the other, with two of his -people in each boat; with orders to accompany each of them -whithersoever they were bound. The two boats took different routes; -but we shall at present speak only of that wherein was the prince -and jeweller. - -The prince, to save his guides trouble, bid them land the jeweller -at his house, naming the place. The guide, by this direction, -stopped just before the caliph’s palace, which put both him and -the jeweller into a mortal fright, though he durst not show it: -although they had heard the commander’s orders to his men, they -could not help imagining they were to be delivered up to the guard, -to be brought before the caliph next morning. - -This, nevertheless, was not the intention of the guides; for after -they had landed them, they, by their master’s command, recommended -them to an officer of the caliph’s guard, who assigned them two -soldiers to conduct them by land to the prince’s house, which was -at some distance from the river. They arrived there, but so tired -and weary that they could hardly move. - -The prince being come home, with the fatigue of his journey, and -this misadventure to himself and Schemselnihar, which deprived him -of all hope of ever seeing her more, fell into a swoon on his sofa. -While the greatest part of his servants were endeavouring to recover -him, the rest gathered about the jeweller, and begged him to tell -them what had happened to the prince their lord, whose absence had -occasioned them such inexpressible uneasiness. - -Whilst the greatest part of the prince’s domestics were -endeavouring to recover him from his swoon, others of them were got -about the jeweller, desiring to know what had happened to their -lord. The jeweller, who took care to discover nothing to them that -was not proper for them to know, told them it was an extraordinary -case, but that it was not a time to relate it, and that they would -do better to go and assist the prince. By good fortune the prince -came to himself that moment, and those that had but just before -required his history with so much earnestness, began to keep a -respectful distance, and pay that respect which was due from them. - -Although the prince had in some measure recovered his senses, he -continued so weak, that he could not open his mouth to speak. He -answered only by signs, even to his nearest relations, when they -spoke to him. He remained in the same condition till next morning, -when the jeweller came to take leave of him. His answer was only -with a wink, and holding forth his right hand; but when he saw he -was laden with the bundle of plate which the thieves had returned to -him, he made a sign to his servants that they should take it and -carry it to his house. - -The jeweller had been expected with great impatience by his family -the day he went forth with a man who came to ask for him, and whom -he did not know; but now he was quite given over, and it was no -longer doubted but some disaster had befallen him. His wife, -children, and servants, were in the greatest alarm, and were -lamenting him. When he arrived, their joy was very great; yet they -were troubled to see that he was so much altered in the short -interval, that he was hardly to be known. This was occasioned by the -great fatigue of the preceding day, and the fears he had undergone -all night, which would not let him sleep. Finding himself much -disordered, he continued at home two days, and would admit only one -of his intimate friends to visit him. - -The third day, finding himself something better, he thought he might -recover strength by going abroad to take the air; and therefore went -to the shop of a rich merchant his acquaintance, with whom he -continued long in discourse. As he was rising to take leave of his -friend and go home, he observed a woman making a sign to him, whom -he presently knew to be the confidant of Schemselnihar. Between fear -and joy, he made what haste he could away, without looking at her; -but she followed him, as he feared she would, the place they were in -being by no means proper to hold a conversation. As he walked a -little faster than ordinary, she not being able to overtake him, -every now and then she called out to him to stay. - -He heard her; but after what had happened, he did not think fit to -speak to her in public, for fear of giving cause to suspect that he -was connected with Schemselnihar. It was known to every body in -Bagdad that this woman belonged to her, and executed all her little -commissions. He continued the same pace, and at length came to a -mosque, where he knew but few people came. He entered it, and she -followed him, and they had a long conversation together, without any -body overhearing them. - -Both the jeweller and confidant expressed mutual joy at seeing each -other, after the strange adventure of the robbers, and their -reciprocal apprehension for each other, without regarding their own -particular persons. - -The jeweller wished her to relate to him how she escaped with the -two slaves, and what she knew of Schemselnihar from the time he lost -sight of her; but so great was her eagerness to know what had -happened to him from the time of their unexpected separation, that -he found himself obliged to satisfy her. Having given you the detail -you desired, said he, oblige me in your turn, which she did in the -following manner: - -When I first saw the robbers, said she, I hastily imagined that they -were soldiers of the caliph’s guard, and that the caliph being -informed of Schemselnihar’s going out, had sent them to take away -her life, the life of the prince, and of us all. Under this -impression I immediately got up to the leads of your house, when the -thieves entered the chamber where the prince and Schemselnihar were, -and I was soon after followed by that lady’s two slaves. From -leads to leads, we came at last to a house of very honest people, -who received us with much civility, and with whom we lodged that -night. - -Next morning, after thanking the master of the house for our good -usage, we returned to Schemselnihar’s palace, where we entered in -great disorder and distress, because we could not learn the fate of -the two unfortunate lovers. The other women of Schemselnihar were -astonished to see me return without their lady. We told them we had -left her at the house of one of her female friends, and that she -would send for us when she had a mind to come home; with which -excuse they seemed well satisfied. - -For my part, I spent the day in great uneasiness, and when night -came, opening a small private gate, I espied a little boat on the -canal which seemed driven by the stream. I called to the waterman -and desired him to row up each side of the river, and look if he -could see a lady; if he found her, to bring her along with him. The -two slaves and I waited impatiently for his return, and at length -about midnight, we saw the boat coming down with two men in it and a -woman lying along in the stern. When the boat was come up, the two -men helped the woman to rise, and then it was I knew her to be -Schemselnihar. I cannot express my joy at seeing her. - -I gave my hand to Schemselnihar to help her out of the boat; she had -great need of my assistance, for she could hardly stand. When she -was landed, she whispered to me in a tone expressive of her -affliction, and bid me go and take a purse of a thousand pieces of -gold and give to the two soldiers that had accompanied her. I -committed her to the two slaves to support her, and having ordered -the two soldiers to wait for me a moment, I took the purse, and -returned instantly: I gave it to the soldiers, and having paid the -waterman, shut the door. - -I then followed my lady, and overtook her before she was got up to -her chamber. We immediately undressed her, and put her to bed, where -she had not long been, before she seemed ready to give up the ghost -all the rest of the night. The day following, her other women -expressed a great desire to see her; but I told them she had been -greatly fatigued, and wanted rest to restore her strength. The other -two women and I gave her all the assistance in our power, and that -she could expect from our attention. She persisted in taking nothing -that we offered her: and we should have despaired of her life, if I -had not at last perceived that the wine which we gave her every now -and then had a sensible effect in restoring her strength. By -importunity we overcame her obstinacy, and at length prevailed with -her to eat. - -When she came to the use of her speech, for she had hitherto only -wept, groaned, and sighed, I begged of her to tell me how she had -escaped out of the hands of the robbers. Why would you require of -me, said she, with a profound sigh, to renew my grief? Would to God -the robbers had taken away my life, rather than preserved it; my -misfortunes would then have had an end, whereas I live but to -increase my sufferings. - -Madam, replied I, I beg you would not refuse me this favour. You -cannot but know that the wretched feel a consolation in relating -their greatest misfortunes; what I ask would alleviate yours, if you -will have the goodness to gratify me. - -Hear then, said she, the most afflicting adventure that could -possibly have happened to one so deeply in love as myself, who -considered myself as at the utmost point of my wishes. You must -know, when I first saw the robbers enter, sword in hand, I -considered it as the last moment of our lives; but death was not an -object of regret, since I thought I was to die with the prince of -Persia. However, instead of murdering us, as I expected, two of the -robbers were ordered to take care of us, whilst their companions -were busied in packing up the goods they found in the house. When -they had done, and got their bundles upon their backs, they went -out, and carried us along with them. - -As we went along, one of those that had charge of us demanded of me -who I was. I answered, I was a dancer. He put the same question to -the prince, who replied, he was a citizen. - -When we were come to the place whither they were going, a new alarm -seized us. They gathered about us, and after having considered my -dress, and the rich jewels I was adorned with, they seemed to doubt -that I disguised my quality. Dancers, said they, do not use to be -dressed as you are. Tell us truly who you are. - -When they saw I answered nothing, they asked the prince once more -who he was, for they told him they plainly perceived he was not the -person he pretended to be. He did not satisfy them much more than I -had done: he only told them he came to see the jeweller, naming him -who was the owner of that house where they found them. I know this -jeweller, replied one of the rogues, who seemed to have some -authority over the rest: I have some obligations to him, which he -knows nothing of, and I take upon me to bring him hither to-morrow -morning, from another house he has: but you must not expect, -continued he, to be released till he comes and tells us who you are: -in the mean time, I promise you there shall be no injury offered to -you. - -The jeweller was brought next morning, who thinking to oblige us, as -he really did, declared to the robbers the whole truth. They -immediately came and asked my pardon, and I believe did the like to -the prince, who was shut up in another room. They protested to me -they would not have broken open the house where we were, had they -known it was the jeweller’s. They soon after took us, (the prince, -the jeweller, and myself,) carried us to the river side, put us -aboard the boat, and rowed us across the water: but we were no -sooner landed, than a party of horse patrol came up to us. - -The robbers fled: I took the commander aside, and told him my name, -and that the night before I had been seized by robbers, who forced -me along with them; but having been told who I was, released me, and -the two persons he saw with me, on my account. He alighted out of -respect to me, and, expressing great joy for being able to oblige -me, he caused two boats to be brought, putting me and two of his -soldiers, whom you have seen, into one, escorted me hither, and the -prince and jeweller, with two others, in another, to conduct them -home in safety. My guides have conducted me hither; but what is -become of the prince and his friend I cannot tell. - -I trust, added she, melting into tears, no harm has happened to them -since our separation; and I do not doubt, but the prince’s concern -for me is equal to mine for him. The jeweller, to whom we have been -so much obliged, ought to be recompensed for the loss he has -sustained on our account. Fail not, therefore, to take two purses of -a thousand pieces of gold in each, and carry them to him to-morrow -morning in my name, and be sure to inquire after the prince’s -welfare. - -When my good mistress had done speaking, I endeavoured, as to the -last article of inquiring into the prince’s welfare, to persuade -her to endeavour to triumph over her passion, after the danger she -had so lately escaped almost by miracle. --Make no answer to me, -said she, but do what I command you. - -I was obliged to be silent, and am come hither to obey her commands. -I have been at your house, and not finding you at home, and -uncertain as I was of finding where you were said to be, was about -going to the prince of Persia; but not daring to attempt the -journey, I have left the two purses with a particular friend of -mine, and if you will wait here, I will go and fetch them -immediately. - -The confidant returned quickly to the jeweller in the mosque, where -she had left him, and giving him the two purses, bid him out of them -satisfy his friends. They are much more than is necessary, said the -jeweller, but I dare not refuse the present from so good and -generous a lady to her very humble servant; but I beseech you to -assure her from me, that I shall preserve an eternal remembrance of -her goodness. He then agreed with the confidant, that she should -find him at the house where she had first seen him, whenever she had -occasion to impart any thing from Schemselnihar, or to hear any -tidings of the prince of Persia: and so they parted. - -The jeweller returned home very well satisfied, not only that he had -got wherewithal so fully to satisfy his friends, but also to think -that no person in Bagdad could possibly know that the prince and -Schemselnihar had been in his house when it was robbed. It is true, -he had acquainted the thieves with it, but their secresy he thought -he might very well depend on: they, he imagined, had not sufficient -communication with the world to fear any danger from their divulging -it. Next morning he visited the friends who had obliged him, and -found no difficulty in satisfying them. He had money in hand to -furnish his other house, in which he placed servants. Thus he forgot -all his past danger, and the next evening waited on the prince of -Persia. - -The prince’s domestics told the jeweller, that he came in very -luckily, for that the prince ever since he saw him was reduced to -such a state that his life was in danger, and they had not been able -to get a word out of him. They introduced him softly into his -chamber, and he found him in a condition that excited his pity. He -was lying upon his bed, with his eyes shut; but when the jeweller -saluted him, and exhorted him to take courage, he recollected him, -and opened his eyes, and gave him a look that sufficiently declared -the greatness of his affliction, infinitely beyond what he felt -after he first saw Schemselnihar. He took and grasped him by the -hand, to testify his friendship, and told him in a feeble voice, -that he was extremely obliged to him, for coming so far to seek one -so unhappy and wretched. - -Prince, replied the jeweller, mention not, I beseech you, any -obligations you have to me: I wish the good offices I have -endeavoured to do you had had a better effect: but at present, let -us talk only of your health; which, in the state I see you, I fear -you greatly injure, by unreasonably abstaining from proper -nourishment. - -The prince’s servants took this opportunity to tell him, it was -with the greatest difficulty they had prevailed on their master to -take the smallest refreshment, and that for some time he had taken -nothing at all. This obliged the jeweller to entreat the prince to -let his servants bring him something to eat; which he obtained after -much importunity. - -After the prince had eaten more than he had hitherto done, through -the persuasion of the jeweller, he commanded the servants to leave -him alone with his friend. When the room was clear, he said, Besides -my misfortune that distracts me, I have been exceedingly concerned -to think what a loss you have suffered on my account; and it is but -just I should make you some recompense; but before I do this, after -begging your pardon a thousand times, I conjure you to tell me -whether you have learnt any thing of Schemselnihar, since I had the -misfortune to be parted from her. - -Here the jeweller, instructed by the confidant, related to him all -that he knew of Schemselnihar’s arrival at her palace, her state -of health from that time till she recovered, and how she had sent -her confidant to him to inquire after his welfare. - -To all this the prince replied only by sighs and tears; he made an -effort to get up, and calling his servants, went himself to his -wardrobe, and having caused several bundles of rich furniture and -plate to be packed up, he ordered them to be carried to the -jeweller’s house. - -The jeweller would fain have declined this kind offer: but although -he represented that Schemselnihar had already made him more than -sufficient amends for what he had lost, the prince would be obeyed. -The jeweller was therefore obliged to make all possible -acknowledgments, and protested how much he was confounded at his -highness’s liberality. He would then have taken his leave, but the -prince desired him to stay, and so they passed a good part of the -night in talking together. - -Next morning, the jeweller waited again on the prince, who made him -sit down by him. You know, said he, there is an end proposed in all -things: the end the lover proposes, is, to enjoy the beloved object -in spite of all opposition. If once he loses that hope, he must not -think to live. Such is my hard case; for when I had been twice at -the very point of fulfilling my desires, I was on a sudden torn from -her I loved in the most cruel manner imaginable. It remains for me -only to think of death, and I had sought it, but that our holy -religion forbids suicide; but I need not anticipate it; I need not -wait long. Here he stopped, and vented his passion in groans, signs, -sobs, and tears, which flowed plentifully. - -The jeweller, who knew no better way of diverting him from his -despair than by bringing Schemselnihar into his mind, and giving him -some shadow of hope, told him, he feared the confidant might be come -from her lady, and therefore it would not be proper to stay any -longer from home. I will let you go, said the prince, but conjure -you that if you see her, you recommend to her, to assure -Schemselnihar, that if I die, as I expect to do shortly, I shall -love her to the last moment, even in the grave. - -The jeweller returned home, and waited in expectation of seeing the -confidant, who came some hours after, but all in tears, and in great -affliction. The jeweller, alarmed, asked her what was the matter. -She answered, that Schemselnihar, the prince, herself and he were -all ruined. Hear the sad news, said she, as it was told me just upon -my entering the palace after I had left you. - -Schemselnihar had for some fault chastised one of the slaves you saw -with her when we met in your other house; the slave enraged at the -ill treatment, ran presently away, and finding the gate open, went -forth; so that we have just reason to believe, she has discovered -all to an eunuch of the guard who has given her protection. - -But this is not all; the other slave, her companion, is fled too, -and has taken refuge in the caliph’s palace; so that we may well -fear she has borne her part in this discovery: for just as I came -away, the caliph had sent twenty of his eunuchs for Schemselnihar, -and they carried her to the palace. I just found means to come and -tell you this. I know not what has passed, yet I fear no good; but, -above all, I recommend it to you as a secret. - -The confidant added to what she had said before to the jeweller, -that it was proper he should go immediately and acquaint the prince -with the whole affair, that he might be prepared for every event, -and keep faithful to the common cause. She went away in haste, -without staying for any answer. - -What answer could the jeweller have made in the condition he was in? -He stood motionless as if thunderstruck. He found, however, that -there was no time to be lost, and immediately went to give the -prince an account. He addressed himself to him with an air that -sufficiently showed the bad news he brought him. Prince, said he, -arm yourself with courage and patience, and prepare to receive the -most terrible shock that ever you had to encounter. - -Tell me in a few words, said the prince, what is the matter, without -keeping me in suspense: I am prepared to die if necessary. Then the -jeweller told him all that he had learnt from the confidant. You -see, continued he, your destruction is inevitable. Up, rise, save -yourself by flight, for the time is precious. You, of all men, must -not expose yourself to the anger of the caliph, and should much less -confess any thing in the midst of torments. - -At these words, the prince was almost ready to expire through grief, -affliction, and fear; however, he recovered himself, and asked the -jeweller, what resolution he would advise him to take in this -conjuncture, every moment of which was to be made use of. The -jeweller told him, he thought nothing remained but that he should -immediately take horse, and haste away towards Anbar, [82] that he -might get thither before day. Take what servants and swift horses -you think necessary, continued he, and suffer me to escape with you. - -The prince, seeing nothing more to be done, immediately gave orders -to prepare such an equipage as would be least troublesome, took -money and jewels, and having taken leave of his mother, he departed -with the jeweller, and such servants as he had chosen. - -They travelled all that day and the night following without -stopping; till at length, about two or three hours before daybreak, -both their horses and themselves being spent with so long a journey, -they stopt to rest themselves. - -They had hardly sat down before they found themselves surrounded and -assaulted by a great band of robbers. They defended their lives for -some time courageously; but, at length, the prince’s servants -being all killed, both he and the jeweller were obliged to yield at -discretion. The robbers, however, spared their lives; but after they -had seized on the horses and baggage, they took away their clothes, -and left them naked on the spot. - -When the thieves were gone from them, the prince said to the -jeweller, What think you of our adventure and condition? Had I not -better have tarried in Bagdad, and awaited my death? Prince, replied -the jeweller, it is the decree of heaven that we should thus suffer. -It has pleased God to add affliction to affliction, and we must not -murmur at it, but receive his chastisements with submission. Let us -stay no longer here, but seek for some retreat where we may perhaps -be relieved. - -Let me die, said the prince; for what signifies it whether I die -here or elsewhere? perhaps, while we are talking, Schemselnihar is -no more; and why should I endeavour to live after she is dead? The -jeweller by his entreaty at length prevailed on him, and they had -not gone far before they came to a mosque, which was open; they -entered it, and passed there the remainder of the night. - -At daybreak a man came into the mosque. When he had ended his -prayer, as he turned about to go away, he perceived the prince and -jeweller, who were sitting in a corner. He came up to them, and -after having saluted them with a great deal of civility, said, I -perceive you are strangers. - -The jeweller answered, You are not deceived; we have been robbed -to-night in coming from Bagdad, as you may see, and are retired -hither for shelter, but we know not whom to apply to. If you think -fit to come along with me to my house, answered the man, I will give -you all the assistance in my power. - -Upon this obliging offer, the jeweller turned to the prince, and -whispered him, This man, as you perceive, sir, does not know us; and -we have reason to fear, that somebody else may come who may know us. -We cannot, I think, refuse his offer. Do as you please, said the -prince; I am willing to be guided by your discretion. - -The man observing the prince and jeweller consulting together, and -thinking they made some difficulty to accept his offer, asked them -if they were resolved what to do. The jeweller answered, We are -ready to follow you; all that we make a difficulty about is, that we -are ashamed to appear thus naked. - -Fortunately the man had it in his power to cover them sufficiently -till they could get to his house; and they were no sooner got to the -house, but he brought forth a very handsome suit for each of them. -As he thought they must be hungry, and wish to be alone, he had -several dishes brought to them by a slave; but they ate little, -especially the prince, who was so dejected and dispirited, that he -gave the jeweller cause to fear he would die. Their host visited -them several times in the day, and in the evening, as he knew they -wanted rest, he left them early; but he was no sooner in bed, than -the jeweller was forced to call him again to assist at the death of -the prince of Persia. He found him breathe short, and with -difficulty, which gave him just reason to fear he had but few -minutes to live. Coming near him, the prince said, It is all over, -and I am glad you are witness of my last words. I quit life with a -great deal of satisfaction; I need not tell you the reason, for you -know it already. All my concern is, that I cannot die in the arms of -my dear mother, who has always loved me tenderly, and for whom I had -a reciprocal affection. She will undoubtedly not be a little grieved -that she could not close my eyes, and bury me with her own hands. -Let her know how much I was concerned at this, and pray her in my -name to have my body transported to Bagdad, that she may have an -opportunity to bedew my tomb with her tears, and assist my departed -soul with her prayers. He then took notice of the master of the -house, and thanked him for his kindness in taking him in; and after -desiring him to let his body rest with him till it should be -conveyed to Bagdad, he expired. - -The day after the prince’s death, the jeweller took the -opportunity of a numerous caravan that was going to Bagdad, and -arrived there soon after in safety. He first went home to change his -clothes, and then hastened to the prince’s palace, where every -body was alarmed at not seeing the prince with him. He desired them -to acquaint the prince’s mother, that he wished to speak with her, -and it was not long before he was introduced to her in a hall, with -several of her women about her. Madam, said he to her, with an air -that sufficiently denoted the ill news he brought, God preserve you, -and shower down the choicest of his blessings upon you. You cannot -be ignorant that he alone disposes of us at his pleasure. - -The princess would not give him leave to go on, but cried out, Alas! -you bring me the news of my son’s death. She and her women, at the -same time, set up such a hideous cry as brought fresh tears into the -jeweller’s eyes. She tormented and grieved herself a long while, -before she would suffer him to resume his story. At length, she -checked her sighs and groans, and begged of him to continue, without -concealing from her the least circumstance of such a melancholy -separation. He satisfied her, and when he had done, she farther -demanded of him, if her son, the prince, had not given him in charge -something more particular in his last moments. He assured her his -last words were, that it was the greatest concern to him, that he -must die so far distant from his dear mother; and that the only -thing he wished was, that she would be pleased to have his corpse -transported to Bagdad. Accordingly, early next morning the princess -set out with her women, and great part of her slaves, to bring her -son’s body to her own palace. - -When the jeweller, whom she kept with her, saw she was gone, he -returned home very sad and melancholy, at the reflection that so -accomplished and amiable a prince was thus cut off in the flower of -his age. - -As he walked towards his house, dejected and musing, he saw a woman -in mourning, drowned in tears, standing before him: on lifting up -his eyes, he presently knew her to be Schemselnihar’s confidant. -At the sight of her his tears began to flow afresh, but he said -nothing to her; and going into his own house, she followed him. - -They sat down; when the jeweller beginning the conversation, asked -the confidant, with a deep sigh, if she had heard of the death of -the prince of Persia, and if it was on his account that she grieved. -Alas! answered she, what, is that charming prince then dead? He has -not lived long after his dear Schemselnihar. Beauteous souls! -continued she, in whatsoever place ye now are, ye must be happy that -your loves will no more be interrupted. Your bodies were an obstacle -to your wishes, but heaven has delivered you from them; ye may now -form the closest union. - -The jeweller, who had heard nothing of Schemselnihar’s death, and -had not observed the confidant was in mourning, suffered fresh grief -at hearing this news. Is Schemselnihar then dead? cried he. She is -dead, replied the confidant, weeping afresh; and it is for her I -wear these weeds. The circumstances of her death were extraordinary, -continued she, and deserve to be known to you; but before I give you -an account of them, I beg you to let me know those of the prince of -Persia, whom, with my dearest friend and mistress, I shall lament as -long as I live. - -The jeweller then gave the confidant that satisfaction she desired; -and after he had told her all, even to the departure of the -prince’s mother, to bring her son’s body to Bagdad, she began -and said, You have not forgot that I told you the caliph had sent -for Schemselnihar to his palace; and it is true, as we had all the -reason in the world to believe, he had been informed of the amour -betwixt her and the prince, by the two slaves, whom he had examined -apart. You will imagine, he would be exceedingly enraged at -Schemselnihar, and express great tokens of jealousy and revenge -against the prince: but this was by no means the case. He pitied -Schemselnihar, and in some measure blamed himself for what had -happened, in giving her so much freedom to walk about the city -without being attended by his eunuchs. This is the only conclusion -that could be drawn from his extraordinary behaviour towards her, as -you will hear. - -He received her with an open countenance; and when he observed that -the melancholy which oppressed her did not lessen her beauty, (for -she appeared thus before him without surprise or fear,) with a -goodness worthy himself, he said, Schemselnihar, I cannot bear your -appearing before me thus, with an air which gives me infinite pain. -You must needs be sensible how much I have always loved you, and be -convinced of the sincerity of my passion by the continued -demonstrations I have given you of it. I can never change my mind, -for I love you more than ever. You have enemies, Schemselnihar, -proceeded he, and those enemies have insinuated things against your -conduct; but all they have said against you has not made the least -impression upon me. Shake off then this melancholy, and prepare to -entertain me with some diverting and amusing conversation this -night, after your accustomed manner. He said many other obliging -things to hen and then desired her to step into a magnificent -apartment near her own, and wait for him. - -The afflicted Schemselnihar was very sensible of the kindness the -caliph had for her; but the more she thought herself obliged to him, -the more she was concerned that she was so far removed, perhaps for -ever, from her prince, without whom she could not live. - -This interview between the caliph and Schemselnihar, continued the -confidant, was whilst I was come to speak with you, and I learned -the particulars of it from my companions who were present. But I had -no sooner left you, proceeded she, than I went to my dear mistress -again, and was eye-witness to what happened in the evening. I found -her in the apartment I told you of; and as she thought I came from -you, she came up to me, and, whispering me in the ear, said, I am -much obliged to you for the service you have done me, but feel it -will be the last. She said no more; but I was not in a place proper -to offer any thing to comfort her. - -The caliph was introduced at night with the sound of instruments, -which her women played upon, and the collation was immediately -served up. He took his mistress by the hand, and made her sit down -with him on the sofa. She put such a force upon herself to please -him, that she expired a few minutes after. In short, she was hardly -set down, but she fell backwards: the caliph believed she had only -fainted, and so we all thought; but she never recovered, and in this -manner we lost her. - -The caliph did her the honour to weep over her, not being able to -refrain from tears; and before he left the room, ordered all the -musical instruments to be broken, which was immediately executed. I -stayed with her corpse all night, and next morning washed and -dressed her for her funeral, bathing her with my tears. The caliph -had her interred next morning in a magnificent tomb he had erected -for her in her lifetime, in a place she had desired to be buried in. -Now, since you tell me, said she, the prince of Persia’s body is -to be brought to Bagdad, I will use my best endeavours that he shall -be interred in the same tomb. - -The jeweller was much surprised at this resolution of the confidant, -and said, Certainly you do not consider that the caliph will never -suffer this. You think the thing impossible, replied she; it is not: -you will alter your opinion when I tell you that the caliph has -given liberty to all her slaves, with a pension to each for their -maintenance, and has committed to me the care and keeping of my -mistress’s tomb, and allotted me an annual income for that -purpose, and for my maintenance. Besides, the caliph, who was not -ignorant of the amour between Schemselnihar and the prince, as I -have already told you, without being offended at it, will not be -sorry if after her death he be buried with her. To all this the -jeweller had not a word to say, yet earnestly entreated the -confidant to conduct him to her mistress’s tomb, that he might say -his prayers over her. When he came in sight of it, he was not a -little surprised to find a vast concourse of people of both sexes, -that were come thither from all parts of Bagdad. As he could not -come near the tomb, he said his prayers at a distance; and then -going to the confidant, who was waiting hard by, he said to her, Now -I am so far from thinking that what you properly proposed cannot be -put in execution, that you and I need only publish abroad what we -know of the amour of this unfortunate couple, and how the prince -died much about the same time with his mistress. Before his corpse -arrives, all Bagdad will concur to desire that two such faithful -lovers should not be separated when dead, whom nothing could divide -in affection whilst they lived. As he said, so it came to pass; for -as soon as it came to be known that the corpse was within a day’s -journey of the city, an infinite number of people went out to meet -it above twenty miles off, and afterwards walked before it till it -came to the city gate; where the confidant, waiting for that -purpose, presented herself before the prince’s mother, and begged -of her, in the name of the whole city, who earnestly desired it, -that she would be pleased to consent that the bodies of the two -lovers, who had but one heart whilst they lived, from the time their -mutual passion commenced, might be buried in the same tomb now they -were dead. The princess immediately consented; and the corpse of the -prince, instead of being deposited in his own burying-place, was -laid by Schemselnihar’s side, after it had been carried along in -procession at the head of an infinite number of people of all ranks. -From that time all the inhabitants of Bagdad, and even strangers -from all parts of the world where the Mahometan religion prevails, -cease not to hold in the highest veneration that tomb, and pay their -devotion at it. - - - - -The Story of the Amours of Carmaralzaman, Prince of the Isles of the -Children of Khaledan, and of Badoura, Princess of China. - - -About twenty days’ sail on the coast of Persia, there are islands -in the main ocean called the Islands of the Children of Khaledan. -These islands are divided into four great provinces, which have all -of them very flourishing and populous cities, forming together a -powerful kingdom. It was formerly governed by a king named -Schahzaman, [83] who had four lawful wives, all daughters of kings, -and sixty concubines. - -Schahzaman thought himself the most happy monarch of the world, on -account of his peaceful and prosperous reign. One thing only -disturbed his happiness; which was, that he was advanced in years, -and had no children, though he had so many wives. He knew not to -what to attribute this barrenness; and what increased his affliction -was, that he was likely to leave his kingdom without a successor. He -dissembled his discontent a long while; and this dissimulation only -heightened his uneasiness. At length he broke silence; and one day, -after he had complained bitterly of his misfortunes to his grand -vizier, he asked him if he knew any remedy for it. - -That wise minister replied, If what your majesty requires of me had -depended on the ordinary rules of human wisdom, you had soon had an -answer to your satisfaction; but my experience and knowledge fall -far short of your question. The Divine Power alone, who, in the -midst of our prosperities, which often tempt us to forget him, is -pleased to mortify us in some instance, that we may address our -thoughts to him, acknowledge his omnipotence, and ask of him what we -can expect from him alone. Your majesty has subjects, proceeded he, -who make a profession of honouring and serving God, and suffering -great hardships for his sake; to them I would advise you to have -recourse, and engage them, by alms, to join their prayers with -yours: it may be, some one among them may be so pure and pleasing to -God as to obtain a hearing from your prayers. - -King Schahzaman approved this advice, and thanked his vizier for it. -He immediately caused rich alms to be given to every community of -these holy men in his dominions; and having sent for the superiors, -and treated them with a frugal feast, declared to them his -intention, and desired them to acquaint their devout men with it. - -The king obtained of heaven what he requested; for in nine months’ -time he had a son by one of his wives. To express his gratitude to -heaven, he sent new alms to the communities of devout Mussulmen, and -the prince’s birth-day was celebrated not only in his capital, but -throughout his dominions for a whole week. The prince was brought to -him as soon as born, and he found him so beautiful, that he gave him -the name of Camaralzaman, or Moon of the Age. - -He was brought up with all imaginable care; and when he came to a -proper age, his father appointed him an experienced governor, and -able preceptors. These persons, distinguished by their capacity, -found in him a ready wit, capable of receiving all the instructions -that were proper to be given him, as well in relation to morals as -other knowledge which a prince ought to possess. As he grew up, he -learned all his exercises, and acquitted himself with such grace and -wonderful address, as charmed all that saw him, and particularly the -sultan his father. - -Having attained the age of fifteen years, the sultan, who loved him -so tenderly, and gave him every day new marks of his affection, had -thoughts of giving him a still greater, by resigning his throne to -him, and acquainted his grand vizier with his intentions. I fear, -said he, lest my son should lose in the inactivity of youth those -advantages which nature and my education have given him: therefore, -since I am advanced in age, and ought to think of retirement, I have -thoughts of resigning the government to him, and passing the -remainder of my days in the satisfaction of seeing him reign. I have -undergone the fatigue of a crown a long while, and think it now -proper for me to retire. - -The grand vizier declined offering all the reasons he could have -alleged to dissuade the sultan from such a proceeding; on the -contrary, he agreed with him in opinion. Sir, replied he, the prince -is yet but young, and it would not be, in my humble opinion, -advisable to burthen him with the weight of a crown so soon. Your -majesty fears, with great reason, his youth may be corrupted in -indolence; but to remedy that, do not you think it would be proper -to marry him? Marriage forms attachment, and prevents dissipation. -Your majesty might then admit him of your council, where he would -learn by degrees the art of reigning, and so be qualified to receive -your authority, whenever, by your own experience, you shall think -him qualified. - -Schahzaman found this advice of his prime minister’s highly -reasonable, therefore summoned the prince to appear before him at -the same time that he dismissed the grand vizier. - -The prince, who had been accustomed to see his father only at -certain times, without being sent for, was a little startled at this -summons; when, therefore, he came before him, he saluted him with -great respect, and stood with his eyes fixed on the ground. - -The sultan perceiving his constraint, said to him in a mild way, Do -you know, son, for what reason I have sent for you? The prince -modestly replied, God alone knows the heart; I shall hear it from -your majesty with pleasure. I sent for you, said the sultan, to -inform you I have an intention of providing a proper marriage for -you; what do you think of it? - -Prince Camaralzaman heard this with great uneasiness; it so -surprised him, that he paused and knew not what answer to make. -After a few moments’ silence, he replied, Sir, I beseech you to -pardon me, if I seem surprised at the declaration you have made to -me. I did not expect such proposals to one so young as I am; and I -know not whether I could ever prevail on myself to marry, on account -of the trouble incident to a married life, and the many treacheries -of women, which I have read of. I may not be always of the same -mind; yet I perceive it requires time to determine on what your -majesty requires of me. - -Prince Camaralzaman’s answer extremely afflicted his father. He -was not a little grieved to see what an aversion he had to marriage; -yet would not charge him with disobedience, nor exert his paternal -authority. He contented himself with telling him he would not force -his inclinations, but give him time to consider of the proposal, and -reflect, that a prince like him, destined to govern a great kingdom, -ought to take some care to leave a successor; and that, in giving -himself that satisfaction, he communicated it to his father, who -would be glad to see himself revive in his son and his issue. - -Schahzaman said no more to the prince: he admitted him into his -council, and gave him every reason to be satisfied. At the end of -the year, he took him aside, and said to him, My son, have you -thoroughly considered of what I proposed to you about marrying last -year? Will you still refuse me that pleasure I expect from your -obedience, and suffer me to die without giving me that satisfaction? - -The prince seemed less disconcerted than before, and was not long -answering his father to this effect: Sir, I have not neglected to -consider of your proposal; but after the maturest reflection, find -myself more confirmed in my resolution to continue as I am without -engaging in marriage. In short, the infinite mischief I have read in -histories caused in the world by women, and the continual mischiefs -I still hear done by them, are powerful motives for me to have -nothing to do with them: so that I hope your majesty will pardon me -if I presume to tell you it will be in vain to solicit me any -farther about marriage. He stopt here, and went out, without staying -to hear what the sultan would answer. - -Any monarch but Schahzaman would have been very angry at such -freedom in a son, and would have made him repent it; but he loved -him, and preferred gentle methods before he proceeded to compulsion. -He communicated this new cause of discontent to his prime minister. -I have followed your advice, said he, but Camaralzaman is farther -than ever from complying with my desires. He delivered his -resolution in such free terms, that it required all my reason and -moderation to keep my temper. Fathers, who so earnestly desire -children as I did this son, are fools who seek to deprive themselves -of that rest which it is in their own power to enjoy without -control. Tell me, I beseech you, how I shall reclaim a disposition -so rebellious to my will. - -Sir, answered the grand vizier, patience brings many things about -that before seemed impracticable; but it may be this affair is of a -nature not likely to succeed that way. Your majesty will have no -cause to reproach yourself for precipitation, if you would give the -prince another year to consider of the matter. If in this interval, -he return to his duty, you will have the greater satisfaction, as -you will have employed only paternal love to induce him; and if he -still continue averse to your proposal when this is expired, your -majesty may propose it to him in full council, that it is highly -necessary for the good of the state that he should marry; and it is -not likely he will refuse to comply with you before so grave an -assembly, which you honour with your presence. - -The sultan, who so passionately desired to see his son married, -thought this long delay an age; however, though with much -difficulty, he yielded to his grand vizier’s reasons, which he -could not disapprove. - -After the grand vizier was gone, sultan Schahzaman went to the -apartment of the mother of prince Camaralzaman, to whom he had often -expressed his desire to see the prince married. When he had told -her, with grief, how his son had refused to comply with his wishes a -second time, and the indulgence, which by the advice of his grand -vizier, he was inclined to show him, he said, Madam, I know he has -more confidence in, and will hearken more to you than me; therefore, -I desire you would take an opportunity to talk to him seriously -about it, and convince him, that if he persists in his obstinacy, he -will oblige me to have recourse to extremities, which I should be -sorry for, and which may give him cause to repent having disobeyed -me. - -Fatima, for so was the lady called, acquainted the prince the first -time she saw him, that she had been informed of his second refusal -to marry, and how much chagrin he had occasioned his father on that -account. Madam, said the prince, I beseech you not to renew my grief -upon that head. I fear, in my present uneasiness, something may -escape me, which may not altogether correspond with the respect I -owe you. Fatima knew by this answer that this was not a proper time -to speak to him, and therefore deferred what she had to say to -another opportunity. - -Some considerable time after, Fatima thought she had found a more -favourable opportunity, which gave her hopes of being heard upon -that subject. Son, said she, I beg of you, if it be not -disagreeable, to tell me what reason you have for your so great -aversion to marriage? If it be only the wickedness of some women, -nothing can be more unreasonable and weak. I will not undertake the -defence of those that are bad; there are a great number of them -undoubtedly; but it would be the height of injustice to condemn all -the sex for their sakes. --Alas! my son, you have in your books met -with many bad women, who have occasioned great mischief, and I will -not excuse them; but you do not consider how many monarchs, sultans, -and other princes, there have been in the world, whose tyrannies, -barbarities, and cruelties astonished those that read of them, as -well as myself. Now, for one wicked woman, you will meet with a -thousand tyrants and barbarians; and what torment do you think a -good woman must undergo, who is matched with any of these wretches? - -Madam, replied Camaralzaman, I doubt not there are a great number of -wise, virtuous, good, affable, and well-behaved women in the world: -would to God they all resembled you! But what deters me is the -doubtful choice a man is obliged to make; and oftentimes one has not -the liberty of following his inclination. - -Let us suppose then, madam, continued he, that I had a mind to -marry, as the sultan my father so earnestly desires, what wife, -think you, would he be likely to provide for me? Probably a princess -whom he would demand of some neighbouring prince, and who would -think it an honour done him to send him her. Handsome or ugly, she -must be taken; nay, suppose no other princess excelled her in -beauty, who can be certain that her temper would be good; that she -would be affable, complaisant, easy, obliging, and the like? That -her conversation would generally turn on solid subjects, and not on -dress, fashions, ornaments, and a thousand such fooleries, which -would disgust any man of sense? In a word, that she would not be -haughty, proud, arrogant, impertinent, scornful, and waste an estate -in frivolous expenses, such as gay clothes, jewels, toys, and -foolish, mistaken magnificence? - -You see, madam, continued he, by one single article, how many -reasons a man may have to be disgusted at marriage. Let this -princess be never so perfect, accomplished, and irreproachable in -her conduct, I have yet a great many more reasons not to alter my -opinion and resolution. - -What, son, replied Fatima, have you then more reasons after those -you have already alleged? I do not doubt of being able to answer -them, and stop your mouth with a word. You may proceed, madam, -replied the prince, and perhaps I may find a reply to your answer. - -I mean, son, said Fatima, that it is easy for a prince who has had -the misfortune to marry such a wife as you describe, to get rid of -her, and take care that she may not ruin the state. Ah, madam, -replied the prince, but you do not consider what a mortification it -would be to a person of so great quality, to be obliged to come to -such an extremity. Would it not have been more for his honour and -quiet, that he had never run such a risk? - -But, son, said Fatima once more, as you take the case, I apprehend -you have a mind to be the last king of your race, who have reigned -so long and gloriously over the isles of the children of Khaledan. - -Madam, replied the prince, for myself I do not desire to survive the -king, my father; and if I should die before him, it would be no -great matter of wonder, since so many children have died before -their parents. But it is always glorious to a race of kings, that it -should end with a prince worthy to be so, as I should endeavour to -make myself like my predecessors, and like the first of our race. - -From that time Fatima had frequent conferences with her son the -prince on the same subject; and she omitted no opportunity or -argument to endeavour to root out his aversion to the fair sex; but -he eluded all her reasonings by such arguments as she could not well -answer, and continued in the same mind. - -The year expired, and, to the great regret of the sultan, prince -Camaralzaman gave not the least sign of having changed his -sentiments. One day, therefore, when there was a great council held, -the prime vizier, the other viziers, the principal officers of the -crown, and the generals of the army being present, the sultan began -to speak thus to the prince: My son, it is now a long while since I -have expressed to you my earnest desire to see you married; and I -imagined you would have had more complaisance for a father, who -required nothing unreasonable of you, than to oppose him so long. -But after so long resistance on your part, which has almost worn out -my patience, I have thought fit to propose the same thing once more -to you in the presence of my council. I would have you consider that -you ought not to have refused this, if merely to oblige a parent; -the well-being of my dominions requires it; and the assembly here -present join with me to require it of you. Declare yourself, then; -that according to your answer, I may take the proper measures. - -The prince answered with so little reserve, or rather with so much -warmth, that the sultan, enraged to see himself thwarted by him in -full council, cried out, How, unnatural son! have you the insolence -to talk thus to your father and sultan? He ordered the guards to -take him away, and carry him to an old tower that had been -unoccupied for a long while, where he was shut up, with only a bed, -a little furniture, some books, and one slave to attend him. - -Camaralzaman, thus deprived of liberty, was nevertheless pleased he -had the freedom to converse with his books, and that made him look -on his confinement with indifference. In the evening he bathed and -said his prayers; and after having read some chapters in the Koran, -with the same tranquillity of mind as if he had been in the -sultan’s palace, he undressed himself and went to bed, leaving his -lamp burning by him all the while he slept. - -In this tower was a well, which served in the daytime for a retreat -to a certain fairy, named Maimoune, daughter of Damriat, king or -head of a legion of genies. It was about midnight when Maimoune -sprang lightly to the mouth of the well, to wander about the world -after her wonted custom, where her curiosity led her. She was -surprised to see a light in prince Camaralzaman’s chamber. She -entered, and without stopping at the slave who lay at the door, -approached the bed, whose magnificence attracted her; but she was -still more surprised at seeing any body in it. - -Prince Camaralzaman had but half-covered his face with the -bed-clothes, which Maimoune lifted up, and perceived the finest -young man she had seen in all her rambles through the world. What -beauty, or rather what prodigy of beauty, said she within herself, -must this youth appear, when the eyes, concealed by so well-formed -eyelids, shall be open! What crime can he have committed, that a man -of his high rank can deserve to be treated thus rigorously? for she -had already heard his story, and could hardly believe it. - -She could not forbear admiring the prince, till, at length, having -kissed him gently on both cheeks, and in the middle of the forehead, -without waking him, she laid the bed-clothes in the order they were -in before, and took her flight into the air. As she mounted high to -the middle region, she heard a great flapping of wings, which made -her fly that way; and when she approached, she knew it was a genie -who made the noise, but it was one of those that are rebellious -against God. As for Maimoune, she belonged to that class whom the -great Solomon compelled to acknowledge him. - -This genie, whose name was Danhasch, and son of Schamhourasch, knew -Maimoune, and was seized with fear, being sensible how much power -she had over him by her submission to the Almighty. He would fain -have avoided her, but she was so near him, he must either fight or -yield. He therefore broke silence first. - -Brave Maimoune, said he, in the tone of a suppliant, swear to me in -the name of the great God that you will not hurt me, and I swear -also on my part not to do you any harm. - -Cursed genie, replied Maimoune, what hurt canst thou do me? I fear -thee not; but I will grant thee this favour --I will swear not to do -thee any harm. Tell me then, wandering spirit, whence thou comest, -what thou hast seen, and what thou hast done this night. Fair lady, -answered Danhasch, you meet me in a good time to hear something very -wonderful. - - - - -The History of the Princess of China. - - -Danhasch, the genie rebellious against God, proceeded, and said to -Maimoune, Since you desire it, I will tell you. I come from the -utmost limits of China, which look on the last islands of this -hemisphere. --But, charming Maimoune, said Danhasch, who trembled -with fear at the sight of this fairy, so that he could hardly speak, -promise me at least you will forgive me, and let me go on after I -have satisfied your demands. - -Go on, go on, cursed spirit, replied Maimoune; go on, and fear -nothing. Dost thou think I am as perfidious an elf as thyself, and -capable of breaking the solemn oath I have made? Be sure you tell -nothing but what is true, or I shall clip thy wings, and treat thee -as thou deservest. - -Danhasch, a little heartened at the words of Maimoune, said, My dear -lady, I will tell you nothing but what is strictly true, if you will -but have the goodness to hear me. The country of China, from whence -I come, is one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of the -earth, on which depend the utmost islands of this hemisphere, as I -have already told you. The king of this country is at present -Gaiour, who has an only daughter, the finest woman that ever was -seen in the world, since it was a world. Neither you nor I, nor your -class nor mine, nor all our respective genies, have expressions -strong enough, nor eloquence sufficient, to draw any resemblance of -this brilliant lady. Her hair is brown, and of so great a length, -that it reaches far below her feet, and so thick, that it may be -fitly compared to one of those fine clusters of grapes, whose fruit -is so very large, when she has fastened it in buckles on her head. -Her forehead is as smooth as the best polished mirror, and admirably -formed; her eyes, level with her head, are black, sparkling, and -full of fire; her nose is neither too long nor too short, and her -mouth small, and of a vermilion colour; her teeth are like two rows -of pearls, and surpass the finest in whiteness. When she moves her -tongue to speak, she utters a sweet and most agreeable voice, and -expresses herself in such terms, as sufficiently indicate the -vivacity of her wit. The whitest alabaster is not fairer than her -neck. In a word, by this imperfect sketch, you may guess there is no -beauty likely to exceed her in the world. - -Any one that did not know the king, father of this incomparable -princess, would be apt to imagine, from the great respect and -kindness he shows her, that he was enamoured with her. Never did a -lover more for the most beloved mistress than he has been seen to do -for her. The most violent jealousy never suggested such measures as -his care to keep her from every one but the man who is to marry her, -has put him upon inventing and executing; and that the retreat which -he has resolved to place her in may not seem irksome to her, he has -built for her seven palaces, the most extraordinary and magnificent -that ever were known. - -The first palace is of rock crystal; the second of brass; the third -of fine steel; the fourth of another sort of brass more valuable -than the foregoing, or than steel; the fifth of touchstone; the -sixth of silver; and the seventh of massy gold. He has furnished -these palaces most sumptuously, each in a manner proportionable to -the materials that it is built of. He has filled the gardens with -parterres of grass and flowers, intermixed with pieces of water, -waterworks, jets d’eau, canals, cascades, and several great groves -of trees, where the eye is lost in prospect, and where the sun never -enters, all of which are differently arranged. King Gaiour, in a -word, has shown, that his paternal love has led him to spare no -expense. - -Upon the fame of this incomparable princess’s beauty, the most -powerful neighbouring kings sent ambassadors to request her in -marriage. The king of China received them all in the same obliging -manner; but as he resolved not to marry his daughter without her -consent, and she did not like any of the parties, the ambassadors -were forced to return as they came, as to the subject of their -embassy; but they were perfectly satisfied with the great honours -and civilities they had received. - -Sir, said the princess to the king, her father, you have an -inclination to see me married, and think to oblige me by it; but -where shall I find such stately palaces and delicious gardens as I -have with your majesty? Through your good pleasure, I am under no -constraint, and have the same honours shown to me, as are paid to -yourself. These are advantages I cannot expect to find any where -else, to whatsoever husband I should give my hand; men love ever to -be masters, and I do not care to be commanded. - -After divers more embassies on the same occasion, there came one -from the most rich and potent king of all that had hitherto sent. -This prince the king of China recommended to his daughter as a -husband, urging many powerful arguments to show how much it would be -to her advantage to accept him; but she entreated her father to -dispense with her accepting him, for the same reason as before. He -pressed her; but instead of complying, she lost all the respect due -to the king, her father: Sir, said she, in anger, talk to me no more -of this, or any other match, unless you would have me plunge this -poniard in my bosom, to deliver myself from your importunities. - -The king, greatly enraged, said, Daughter, you are mad, and I must -treat you as such. In a word, he had her shut up in a single -apartment of one of his palaces, and allowed her only ten old women -to wait upon her, and keep her company, the chief whereof had been -her nurse; and that the kings, his neighbours, who had sent -embassies to him on this account, might not think any more of her, -he despatched envoys to them severally, to let them know how averse -his daughter was to marriage; and as he did not doubt but she was -really mad, he charged them to make known in every court, that if -there was any physician that would undertake to come and cure her, -he should, if he succeeded, have her for his pains. - -Fair Maimoune, continued Danhasch, all that I have told you is true: -and I have not failed to go every day regularly to contemplate this -incomparable beauty, to whom I would be very sorry to do the least -harm, notwithstanding my natural inclination to mischief. Come and -see her, I conjure you: it would be well worth your while, when you -find by your own view I am no liar. I am ready to wait on you as a -guide, and you have only to command me. I doubt not but you would -think yourself obliged to me for the sight of a princess unequalled -for beauty. - -Instead of answering Danhasch, Maimoune burst out into violent -laughter, which lasted for some time; and Danhasch, not knowing what -might be the occasion of it, was astonished beyond measure. When she -had laughed her fill, she cried, Good, good, very good! you would -have me then believe all you have told me! I thought you designed to -tell me something surprising and extraordinary, and you have been -talking all this while of a mad woman. Fie, fie! --what would you -say, cursed genie, if you had seen the beautiful prince that I am -just come from seeing, and whom I love as he deserves? I am -confident you would soon give up the contest, and not pretend to -compare your choice with mine. - -Agreeable Maimoune, replied Danhasch, may I presume to ask you who -is this prince you speak of? Know, answered Maimoune, the same thing -has happened to him as to your princess. The king, his father, would -have married him against his will; but after much importunity, he -frankly told him, he would have nothing to do with a wife. For this -reason, he is at this moment imprisoned in an old tower, where I -make my residence, and whence I came but just now from admiring him. - -I will not absolutely contradict you, replied Danhasch; but my -pretty lady, you must give me leave to be of opinion, till I have -seen your prince, that no mortal upon earth can come up to the -beauty of my princess. Hold thy tongue, cursed sprite, replied -Maimoune. I tell thee once more that can never be. I will not -contend with you, said Danhasch: but the way to be convinced whether -what I say is true or false, is to accept of the proposal I made you -to go and see my princess, and after that I will go with you to your -prince. - -There is no need I should take so much pains, replied Maimoune; -there is another way to satisfy us both, and that is, for you to -bring your princess, and place her at my prince’s bed-side; by -this means, it will be easy for us to compare them together and -determine the dispute. - -Danhasch consented to what Maimoune had proposed, and determined to -set out immediately for China, upon that errand. But Maimoune drew -him aside, and told him she must first show him the tower whither he -was to bring the princess. They flew together to the tower; and when -Maimoune had shown it to Danhasch, she cried, Go, fetch your -princess, and do it quickly, for you shall find me here; but hear -me; I mean you should at least pay the wager, if my prince is more -beautiful than your princess, and I will pay it if your princess is -more beautiful than my prince. - -Danhasch left Maimoune, and flew towards China, whence he soon -returned with incredible speed, bringing the fair princess along -with him asleep. Maimoune received him, and introduced him into the -chamber of prince Camaralzaman, where they placed the princess by -the prince’s side. - -When the prince and princess were thus laid together, there arose a -great contest between the genie and the fairy about the preference -of their beauty. They were some time admiring and comparing them -without speaking. At length Danhasch broke silence, and said to -Maimoune, You see, and I have already told you, my princess was -handsomer than your prince; now, I hope, you are convinced of it. - -How! convinced of it! replied Maimoune; I am not convinced of it, -and you must be blind, if you cannot see that my prince has the -better in the comparison. The princess is fair, I do not deny; but -if you compare them together without prejudice, you will quickly see -the difference. - -Though I should compare them never so often, said Danhasch, I could -never change my opinion. I saw at first sight what I see now, and -time will not make me see differently: however, this shall not -hinder my yielding to you, charming Maimoune, if you desire it. I -would not have you yield to me as a favour! I scorn it, said -Maimoune: I would not receive a favour at the hand of such a wicked -genie. I refer the matter to an umpire, and if you will not consent, -I shall win by your refusal. - -Danhasch, who was ready to have shown a different kind of -complaisance for Maimoune, no sooner gave his consent, but Maimoune -stamping with her foot, the earth opened, and out came a hideous, -hump-backed, squinting, and lame genie, with six horns on his head, -and claws on his hands and feet. As soon as he was come out, and the -earth had closed up, he, perceiving Maimoune, cast himself at her -feet; and then, rising up on one knee, asked her what she would -please to have with him. - -Rise, Caschcasch, said Maimoune; I brought you hither to determine a -difference between me and this cursed Danhasch. --Look on that bed, -and tell me, without partiality, which is the handsomest of those -two that lie there asleep, the young man or the young lady. - -Caschcasch looked on the prince and princess with great attention, -admiration, and surprise; and after he had considered them a good -while, without being able to determine which was the handsomer, he -turned to Maimoune, and said, Madam, I must confess I should deceive -you, and betray myself, if I pretended to say one was a whit -handsomer than the other: the more I examine them, the more it seems -to me each possesses, in a sovereign degree, the beauty which is -betwixt them; and one has not the least detect by which to say it -yields to the other. But if there be any difference, the best way to -determine it is, to awaken them one after the other, and to agree -that the person who shall express most love for the other by ardour, -eagerness, and passion, shall be deemed to have less beauty in some -respect. - -This proposal of Caschcasch’s pleased equally both Maimoune and -Danhasch. Maimoune then changed herself into a flea, and, leaping on -the prince’s neck, stung him so smartly, that he awoke, and put up -his hand to the place; but Maimoune skipped away, and resumed her -pristine form, which, like those of the two genies, was invisible, -the better to observe what he would do. - -In drawing back his hand, the prince chanced to let it fall on that -of the princess of China. He opened his eyes, and was exceedingly -surprised to find a lady lying by him, a lady of the greatest -beauty. He raised his head, and leaned on his elbow, the better to -consider her. Her blooming youth and incomparable beauty fired him -in a moment with a flame of which he had never yet been sensible, -and from which he had hitherto guarded himself with the greatest -attention. - -Love seized on his heart in the most lively manner, insomuch that he -could not help crying out, What beauty! what charms! my heart! my -soul! In saying which, he kissed her forehead, both her cheeks, and -her mouth, with so little caution, that she had certainly been -awaked by it, had not she slept sounder than ordinary, through the -enchantment of Danhasch. - -How! my pretty lady, said the prince, do you not awake at these -testimonies of love given you by prince Camaralzaman? Whosoever you -are, he is not unworthy of your affection. He was going to awake her -at that instant, but suddenly restrained himself. Is not this she, -said he, that the sultan my father would have had me marry? He was -in the wrong not to let me see her sooner; I should not have -offended him by my disobedience and passionate language to him in -public, and he would have spared himself the confusion which I have -occasioned him. - -The prince began to repent sincerely of the fault he had committed -and was once more upon the point of awaking the princess of China. -It may be, said he, recollecting himself, the sultan my father has a -mind to surprise me, and has sent this young lady to try if I had -really that aversion to marriage which I pretended. Who knows but he -has brought her himself, and is hid behind the hangings, to discover -himself and make me ashamed of my dissimulation? This second fault -would be greater than the first. At all events, I will content -myself with this ring, as a remembrance of her. - -He then gently drew off a fine ring which the princess had on her -finger, and immediately put on one of his own in the place. After -this he turned his back, and was not long before he fell into a more -profound sleep than before, through the enchantment of the genies. - -As soon as prince Camaralzaman was in a sound sleep, Danhasch -transformed himself into a flea in his turn, and went and bit the -princess so rudely on the lip, that she forthwith awoke, started up, -and opening her eyes, was not a little surprised to see a man lying -by her side. From surprise she proceeded to admiration, and from -admiration to a transport of joy, at seeing so beautiful and lovely -a young man. - -What! cried she, is it you the king my father has designed me for a -husband? I am indeed most unfortunate for not knowing it before, for -then I should not have made him so angry with me, nor been so long -deprived of a husband, whom I cannot forbear loving with all my -heart. Wake then, wake! proceeded she, for it does not become a -husband to sleep so soundly the first night of his nuptials. - -So saying, she took prince Camaralzaman by the arm, and shook him so -violently, that he would have awaked, had not Maimoune increased his -sleep, and augmented his enchantment. She shook him several times, -and finding that he did not awake, she cried, What is come to thee? -what jealous rival, envying thy happiness and mine, has had recourse -to magic to throw thee into this unsurmountable drowsiness when thou -shouldst be most awake? Then she seized his hand, and kissing it -eagerly, perceived he had a ring upon his finger which greatly -resembled hers, and which she was convinced was her own, by seeing -she had another on her finger instead of it. She could not -comprehend how this exchange could be made; yet she did not doubt -but it was a certain token of their marriage. Tired with her -fruitless endeavours to awake the prince, and assured, as she -thought, he could not escape her; Since, said she, I find it is not -in my power to awake thee, I will no longer try to disturb thy -repose, but wait our next meeting. After having given him a hearty -kiss on the cheek, she lay down again and soon fell asleep. - -When Maimoune saw that she could now speak without fear of awaking -the princess, she cried to Danhasch, Ah, cursed genie, dost thou not -now see what thy contest is come to? Art thou not now convinced how -much thy princess is inferior to my prince in charms? But I pardon -thee thy wager. Another time believe me when I assert any thing. -Then turning to Caschcasch, As for you, said she, I thank you for -your trouble: take the princess, in conjunction with Danhasch, and -convey her back again to her bed, from whence he has taken her. -Danhasch and Caschcasch did as they were commanded, and Maimoune -returned to her well. - -Prince Camaralzaman waking next morning, looked to see if the lady -whom he had seen the night before were by him. When he found she was -gone, he cried out, I thought indeed this was a trick the king, my -father, designed to play me. I am glad I was aware of it. Then he -waked the slave, who was still asleep, and bid him come and dress -him, without saying any thing to him. The slave brought a basin and -water, and after he had washed and said his prayers, he took a book -and read some time. - -After those usual exercises, he called the slave, and said to him, -Come hither, and look you do not tell me a lie. How came the lady -hither who lay with me to-night, and who brought her? - -My lord, answered the slave, with great astonishment, I know not -what lady your highness speaks of. I speak, said the prince, of her -that came, or rather that was brought hither, and lay with me -to-night. My lord, replied the slave, I swear I know of no such -lady; and how should she come in without my knowledge, since I lay -at the door? - -You are a lying rascal, replied the prince, and in the plot to vex -and provoke me the more. So saying, he gave him a box on the ear, -which knocked him down; and after having stamped upon him for some -time, at length tying the well-rope under his arms, he plunged him -several times into the water. I will drown thee, cried he, if thou -dost not tell me speedily who this lady was, and who brought her. - -The slave, perplexed and half dead, said within himself, the prince -must have lost his senses through grief, and I shall not escape if I -do not tell him a lie. My lord, then cried he, in a suppliant tone, -I beseech your highness to spare my life, and I will tell you the -truth. - -The prince drew the slave up, and pressed him to tell him. As soon -as he was out of the well, my lord, said he trembling, your highness -must perceive it is impossible for me to satisfy you in my present -condition; I beg you to give me leave to go and change my clothes -first. I permit you, but do it quickly, said the prince; and be sure -you conceal nothing. - -The slave went out, and having locked the door upon the prince, ran -to the palace just as he was. The king was at that time in discourse -with his prime vizier, to whom he had just related the grief in -which he had passed the night on account of his son’s -disobedience, and opposition to his will. - -The minister endeavoured to comfort his master, by telling him, the -prince himself had given him opportunity to reduce him. Sir, said -he, your majesty need not repent of having treated your son after -this sort. Have but patience to let him continue awhile in prison, -and assure yourself his heat of youth will abate, and he will submit -to all you require. - -The grand vizier had just made an end of speaking, when the slave -came in, and cast himself at king Schahzaman’s feet. My lord, said -he, I am very sorry to be the messenger of ill news to your majesty, -which I know must create you fresh affliction. The prince is -distracted, my lord; what he talks of a lady having lain with him -all night, and his treatment to me, as you may see, too plainly -proves it. Then he proceeded to tell all the particulars of what -prince Camaralzaman had said to him, and the violence with which he -had been treated, in terms that made his story credible. - -The king, who did not expect to hear any thing of this afflictive -kind, said to the prime minister, This is a very melancholy turn, -very different from the hopes you gave me just now: go immediately, -without loss of time, see what is the matter, and come and give me -an account. - -The grand vizier obeyed instantly; and coming into the prince’s -chamber, he found him sitting on his bed in good temper, and with a -book in his hand, which he was reading. - -After mutual salutations, the vizier sat down by him, and said, My -lord, I wish that a slave of yours was punished for coming to -frighten the king, your father, by news that he has brought him. - -What news is that, replied the prince, that could give my father so -great alarm? I have much greater cause to complain of that slave. - -Prince, answered the vizier, God forbid that the news which he has -told your father concerning you should be true; indeed, I myself -find it to be false, by the good temper I observe you in, and which -I pray God to continue. It may be, replied the prince, he did not -make himself well understood; but since you are come, who ought to -know something of the matter, give me leave to ask you, who was that -lady that lay with me last night? - -The grand vizier was thunderstruck at this question: however, he -recovered himself, and said, My lord, be not surprised at my -astonishment at your question. Is it possible, that a lady, or any -other person in the world, should penetrate by night into this -place, without entering at the door, and walking over the body of -your slave? I beseech you recollect yourself, and you will find it -is only a dream which has made this impression on you. - -I give no ear to what you say, said the prince, raising his voice; I -must know of you absolutely what is become of the lady; and if you -scruple to obey me, I am in a place where I shall soon be able to -force you to obey me. - -At these stern words, the grand vizier began to be under greater -confusion than before, and was thinking how to extricate himself. He -endeavoured to pacify the prince by good words, and begged of him, -in the most humble and guarded manner, to tell him if he had seen -this lady. - -Yes, yes, answered the prince, I have seen her, and am very well -satisfied you sent her to tempt me. She played the part you had -given her admirably well, for I could not get a word out of her. She -pretended to be asleep, but I was no sooner got into a slumber; than -she arose and left me. You know all this: for I doubt not she has -been to make her report to you. - -My lord, replied the vizier, I swear to you nothing of this has been -acted, which you seem to reproach me with; neither your father nor I -have sent this lady you speak of; permit me, therefore, to remind -your highness once more, you have only seen this lady in a dream. - -Do you come to affront and contradict me, said the prince in a great -rage, and to tell me to my face, that what I have told you is a -dream? At the same time, he took him by the beard, and loaded him -with blows, as long as he could stand. - -The poor grand vizier endured with respectful patience all the -violence of his lord’s indignation, and could not help saying -within himself, Now am I in as bad a condition as the slave, and -shall think myself happy if I can, like him, escape from farther -danger. In the midst of repeated blows, he cried out for a -moment’s audience, which the prince, after he had nearly tired -himself with beating him, consented to give him. - -I own, my prince, said the grand vizier, dissembling, there is -something in what your highness suspects: but you cannot be ignorant -of the necessity a minister is under to obey his royal master’s -orders; yet if you will but be pleased to set me at liberty, I will -go and tell him any thing on your part that you shall think fit to -command me. Go, then, said the prince, and tell him from me, if he -pleases, I will marry the lady he sent me, or rather that was -brought to me last night Do this quickly, and bring me a speedy -answer. The grand vizier made a profound reverence, and went away, -not thinking himself altogether safe till he had got out of the -tower, and shut the door upon the prince. - -He came and presented himself before king Schahzaman, with a -countenance that sufficiently showed he had been ill used, and which -the king could not behold without concern. Well, said the king, in -what condition did you find my son? Sir, answered the vizier, what -the slave reported to your majesty is but too true. He then began to -relate his interview with Camaralzaman, how he flew into a passion -upon his endeavouring to persuade him it was impossible the lady he -spoke of should have got in to him; the ill-treatment he had -received from him; how he had used him, and by what means he made -his escape. - -Schahzaman, so much the more concerned as he loved the prince with -excessive tenderness, resolved to find out the truth of this matter, -and therefore proposed himself, to go and see his son in the tower, -accompanied with the grand vizier. - -Prince Camaralzaman received the king, his father, in the tower -where he was confined, with great respect. The king sat down, and -after he had made his son the prince sit down by him, put several -questions to him, which he answered with great good sense. The king -every now and then looked on the grand vizier, as intimating he did -not find his son had lost his wits, but rather thought he had lost -his. - -The king at length spoke of the lady to the prince. My son, said he, -I desire you to tell me what lady it was that lay with you the other -night, as I have been told. - -Sir, answered Camaralzaman, I beg your majesty not to give me more -vexation on that head, but rather to oblige me by letting me have -her in marriage: whatever aversion I may hitherto have discovered -for women, this young lady has charmed me to that degree, that I -cannot help confessing my weakness. I am ready to receive her at -your majesty’s hands, with the deepest gratitude. - -King Schahzaman was surprised at this answer of the prince, so -remote, as he thought, from the good sense he had shown before. My -son, said he to him, you fill me with the greatest astonishment -imaginable by what you now say to me; I swear to you by my crown, -that is to devolve upon you after me, I know not one word of the -lady you mention; and if any such has come to you, it was altogether -without my knowledge or privity. But how could she get into this -tower without my consent? For whatever my grand vizier told you, it -was only to appease you: it must therefore be a mere dream; and I -beg of you not to believe otherwise, but recover your senses. - -Sir, replied the prince, I should be for ever unworthy of your -majesty’s favour, if I did not give entire credit to what you are -pleased to say; but I humbly beseech you at the same time to give a -patient hearing to what I shall say to you, and then to judge -whether what I have the honour to tell you be a dream or not. - -Then prince Camaralzaman related to the king his father after what -manner he had been awaked, exaggerating the beauty and charms of the -lady he found by his side, the instantaneous love he conceived for -her, and the pains he took to awaken her without effect. He did not -conceal what had obliged him to awake and fall asleep again, after -he had made the exchange of his ring with that of the lady: showing -the king the ring, he added, Sir, your majesty must needs know my -ring very well, you have seen it so often. After this I hope you -will be convinced that I have not lost my senses, as you have been -almost made to believe. - -King Schahzaman was so perfectly convinced of the truth of what his -son had been telling him, that he had not a word to say, remaining -astonished for some time, and not being able to utter a syllable. - -The prince took advantage of this opportunity, and said farther, -Sir, the passion I have conceived for this charming lady, whose -precious image I bear continually in my mind, is so very great, that -I cannot resist it. I entreat you therefore to have compassion on -me, and procure me the happiness of enjoying her. - -Son, replied the king, after what I have just heard, and what I see -by the ring on your finger, I cannot doubt but that your passion is -real, and that you have seen this lady, who is the object of it. -Would to God I knew who she was, and I would make you happy from -this moment, and I should be the happiest father in the world! But -what means have I to come at the knowledge of her? Where shall I -find her, and how seek for her? How could she get in here, and by -what conveyance, without my consent? Why did she come to sleep with -you only to show you her beauty, to kindle a flame of love while she -slept, and then leave you while you were in a slumber? These things, -I must confess, are past my finding out; and if Heaven is not so -favourable to us as to give some light into them, we, I fear, must -both go down to the grave together. So saying, and taking the prince -by the hand, Come then, my son, let us go and afflict ourselves in -conjunction; you with hopeless love, and I with seeing you grieve, -and not being able to remedy your affliction. - -King Schahzaman then led his son out of the tower, and conveyed him -to the palace, where he was no sooner arrived, than in despair for -loving an unknown object he fell sick, and took to his bed; the king -shut himself up with him, and spent many a day in weeping, without -attending to the affairs of his kingdom. - -The prime minister, who was the only person that had admittance to -him, came one day and told him, the whole court, and even the -people, began to murmur at not seeing him, and that he did not -administer justice every day as he was wont to do; adding, he knew -not what disorder it might occasion. I humbly beg your majesty, -therefore, proceeded he, to pay some attention, I am sensible your -majesty’s company is a great comfort to the prince, and that his -company is a mutual relief to your grief; but then you must not run -the risk of letting all be lost. Permit me to propose to your -majesty, to remove with the prince to the castle on a little island -near the port, where you may give audience to your subjects twice a -week only; during these absences the prince will be so agreeably -amused with the beauty, prospect, and good air of the place, that he -will bear them with the less uneasiness. - -King Schahzaman approved this proposal; and after the castle, where -he had not resided for some time, had been furnished, he removed -thither with the prince; and, excepting the time that he gave -audience, as aforesaid, he never left him, but passed all his time -on his son’s pillow, endeavouring to comfort him in sharing his -grief. - -While matters passed thus in the capital of king Schahzaman, the two -genies, Danhasch and Caschcasch, had carried the princess of China -back to the palace where the king had shut her up, and laid her in -her bed as before. - -When she awaked next morning, and found by looking to the right and -to the left, that prince Camaralzaman was not by her, she cried out -with such a voice to her women as soon brought them to her bed. Her -nurse, who presented herself first, desired to be informed what she -would please to have, and if any thing disagreeable had happened to -her. - -Tell me, said the princess, what is become of the young man that has -passed the night with me, and whom I love with all my soul? Madam, -replied the nurse, we cannot understand your highness, unless you -will be pleased to explain yourself. - -A young man, the best made and most amiable, said the princess, -slept with me last night, whom, with all my caresses, I could not -awake; I ask you where he is? - -Madam, answered the nurse, your highness asks us these questions to -jest with us. I beseech you to rise. I am in earnest, said the -princess, and I must know where this young man is. Madam, insisted -the nurse, you were alone when you went to bed last night; and how -any man could come to you without our knowledge, we cannot imagine, -for we all lay about the door of your chamber, which was locked, and -I had the key in my pocket. - -At this the princess lost all patience, and catching her nurse by -the hair of her head, and giving her two or three sound cuffs, she -cried, You shall tell me where this young man is, old sorceress, or -I will beat your brains out. - -The nurse struggled to get from her, and at last succeeded; when she -went immediately, with tears in her eyes, and her face all bloody, -to complain to the queen her mother, who was not a little surprised -to see her in this condition, and asked who had done this. - -Madam, began the nurse, you see how the princess has treated me; she -had certainly murdered me, if I had not had the good fortune to -escape out of her hands. She then began to tell what had been the -cause of all that violent passion in the princess. The queen was -surprised to hear it, and could not guess how she came to be so -infatuated, as to take that for a reality which could be no other -than a dream. Your majesty must conclude from all this, madam, -continued the nurse, that the princess is out of her senses. You -will think so yourself, if you will go and see her. - -The queen’s affection for the princess was too deeply interested -in what she heard; she ordered the nurse to follow her; and they -went together to the princess’s palace that very moment. - -The queen of China sat down by her daughter’s bed-side, -immediately upon her arrival in her apartment; and after she had -informed herself about her health, began to ask her what had made -her so angry with her nurse, as to treat her in the manner she had -done. Daughter, said she, this is not right; and a great princess -like you should not suffer herself to be so transported with passion. - -Madam, replied the princess, I plainly perceive your majesty is come -to mock me; but I declare I will never let you rest till you consent -I shall marry the young man that lay with me last night. You must -know where he is, and therefore I beg of your majesty to let him -come in to me again. - -Daughter, answered the queen, you surprise me; I know nothing of -what you talk of. Then the princess lost all respect for the queen. -Madam, replied she, the king my father and you have persecuted me -about marrying, when I had no inclination; I now have an -inclination, and I will have this young man I told you of, for my -husband, or I will kill myself. - -Here the queen endeavoured to calm the princess by soft words. -Daughter, said she, you know well you are alone in this apartment; -how then could any man come to you? But instead of hearing her, the -princess interrupted her, and flew out into such extravagancies as -obliged the queen to leave her, and retire in great affliction, to -inform the king of all that had passed. - -The king hearing it, had a mind likewise to be satisfied in person; -and coming to his daughter’s apartment, asked her if what he had -just heard was true. Sir, replied the princess, let us talk no more -of that; I only beseech your majesty to grant me the favour that I -may marry the young man I lay with last night. - -What! daughter, said the king, has any one lain with you last night? -How, sir, replied the princess, without giving him time to go on, do -you ask me if any one lay with me last night? your majesty knows -that but too well. He was the finest and best made youth the sun -ever saw. I desire him of you for my husband: I entreat you do not -refuse me. But that your majesty may not longer doubt whether I have -seen this young man, whether he has lain with me, whether I have -caressed him, or whether I did not do my utmost to awake him, -without succeeding, see, if you please, this ring. She then reached -forth her hand, and showed the king a man’s ring on her finger. -The king did not know what to make of all this; but as he had -confined her as mad, he began to think her more mad than ever: -therefore, without saying any thing more to her, for fear she might -do violence to herself or somebody about her, he had her chained, -and shut up more close than ever, allowing her only the nurse to -wait on her, with a good guard at the door. - -The king, exceedingly concerned at this indisposition of his -daughter, sought all possible means to get her cured. He assembled -his council, and after having acquainted them with the condition she -was in, If any of you, said he, is capable of undertaking her cure, -and succeeds, I will give her to him in marriage, and make him heir -to my dominions and crown after my decease. - -The desire of enjoying a handsome young princess, and the hopes of -one day governing so powerful a kingdom as that of China, had a -strange effect on an emir, already advanced in age, who was present -at this council. As he was well skilled in magic, he offered the -king to cure his daughter, and flattered himself with success. I -consent, said the king; but I forgot to tell you one thing, and that -is, that if you do not succeed, you shall lose your head. It would -not be reasonable you should have so great a reward, and yet run no -risk on your part: and what I say to you, continued the king, I say -to all others that shall come after you, that they may consider -beforehand what they undertake. - -The emir, however, accepted the condition, and the king conducted -him where the princess was. She covered her face as soon as she saw -them come in, and cried out, Your majesty surprises me, in bringing -with you a man I do not know, and by whom my religion forbids me to -be seen. Daughter, replied the king, you need not be scandalized, it -is only one of my emirs who is come to demand you of me in marriage. -It is not, I perceive, the person that you have already given me, -and whose faith is plighted by the ring I wear, replied the -princess: be not offended that I will never marry any other. - -The emir expected the princess would have said or done some -extravagant thing, and was not a little disappointed when he heard -her talk so calmly and rationally; for then he knew her disease was -nothing but a violent and deep-rooted love-passion. He dared not -explain himself to the king, who would not have suffered the -princess to give her hand to any other than the person to whom he -wished to give her with his own hand. He therefore threw himself at -his majesty’s feet, and said, After what I have heard and -observed, sir, it will be to no purpose for me to think of curing -the princess, since I have no remedies proper for her malady; for -which reason I humbly submit my life to your majesty’s pleasure. -The king, enraged at his incapacity, and the trouble he had given -him, caused him immediately to be beheaded. - -Some days after, his majesty, unwilling to have it said that he had -neglected his daughter’s cure, put forth a proclamation in his -capital, importing, that if there were any physician, astrologer, or -magician, who would undertake to restore the princess to her senses, -he need only come, and he should be employed, on condition of losing -his head if he miscarried. He had the same published in the other -principal cities and towns of his dominions, and in the courts of -the princes his neighbours. - -The first that presented himself was an astrologer and magician, -whom the king caused to be conducted to the princess’s prison by a -eunuch. The astrologer drew forth, out of a bag he carried under his -arm, an astrolabe, a small sphere, a chafing-dish, several sorts of -drugs proper for fumigations, a brass pot, with many other things, -and desired he might have a fire lighted. - -The princess demanded what all these preparations were for. Madam, -answered the eunuch, they are to exorcise the evil spirit that -possesses you, to shut him up in this pot, and throw him into the -sea. - -Foolish astrologer, replied the princess, I have no occasion for any -of your preparations, but am in my perfect senses, and you alone are -mad. If your art can bring him I love to me, I shall be obliged to -you; otherwise you may go about your business, for I have nothing to -do with you. Madam, said the astrologer, if your case be so, I shall -desist from all endeavours, believing the king your father can only -remedy your disaster in this particular. So putting up his trinkets -again, he marched away, very much concerned that he had so easily -undertaken to cure an imaginary malady. - -Coming to give an account to the king of what he had done, he would -not wait for the eunuch to speak for him, but began thus boldly: -According to what your majesty published in your proclamation, and -what you were pleased to confirm to me yourself, I thought the -princess was distracted, and depended on being able to recover her -by the secrets I have long been acquainted with; but I soon found -she had no other disease than that of love, over which my art had no -power: your majesty alone is the physician that can cure her, by -giving her in marriage to the person whom she desires. - -The king was very much enraged at the astrologer, and had his head -cut off upon the spot. But his fate did not deter others from making -a similar attempt, so that in a short time, a hundred and fifty -astrologers, physicians, and magicians, who came upon this account, -all underwent the same fate; and their heads were set upon poles on -every gate of the city. - - - - -The Story of Marzavan, with the sequel of that of the Prince -Camaralzaman. - - -The princess of China’s nurse had a son, whose name was Marzavan, -and who had been foster-brother to the princess, and brought up with -her. Their friendship was so great during their childhood, and all -the time they had been together, that they treated each other as -brother and sister, as they grew up, even some time after their -separation. - -This Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much -addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret arts, -wherein he became exceeding skilful. Not content with what he had -learned from masters, he travelled as soon as he was able to bear -the fatigue; and there was hardly any person of note in any science -of art, but he sought him in the most remote cities, and kept -company with him long enough to obtain all the information he -desired, so great was his thirst after knowledge. - -After several years absence in foreign parts on this account, he -returned to the capital city of his native country, China; where -seeing so many heads on the gate by which he entered, he was -exceedingly surprised; and coming home, demanded for what reason -they had been placed there; but more especially he informed himself -of the condition of the princess his foster-sister, whom he had not -forgotten. As he could not receive an answer to one inquiry without -the other, he heard at length the general account with much sorrow, -waiting till he could learn more from his mother, the princess’s -nurse. - -Although the nurse, mother to Marzavan, was very much employed about -the princess, yet she no sooner heard her dear son was returned, but -she found time to come out, embrace him, and converse with him a -little. Having told him, with tears in her eyes, what a sad -condition the princess was in; and for what reason the king, her -father, had confined her, he desired to know of his mother, if she -could not procure him a private sight of her royal mistress, without -the king knowing it. After some pause, she told him she could say -nothing to him for the present, but if he would meet her next day at -the same hour, she would give him an answer. - -The nurse knowing none could approach the princess, but herself, -without leave of the eunuch who commanded the guard at the gate, -addressed herself to him, who she knew was so lately appointed, that -he could know nothing of what had before passed at the court of -China. You know, said she to him, I have brought up and suckled the -princess, and you may likewise have heard that I had a daughter whom -I brought up along with her. This daughter has been since married; -yet the princess still does her the honour to love her, and would -fain see her, but she would do it without any body’s perceiving -her coming in or out. - -The nurse would have gone on; but the eunuch cried, Say no more; I -will with pleasure do any thing to oblige the princess: go and fetch -your daughter, or send for her about midnight, and the gate shall be -open to you. - -As soon as night came, the nurse went to look for her son, Marzavan, -and having found him, dressed him so artificially in women’s -clothes, that nobody could know he was a man. She carried him along -with her, and the eunuch verily believing it was her daughter, -admitted them together. - -The nurse, before she presented Marzavan went to the princess, and -said, Madam, this is not a woman I have brought to you; it is my -son, Marzavan, in disguise, newly arrived from his travels, who -having a great desire to kiss your hand, I hope your highness will -admit him to that honour. - -What! my brother Marzavan, said the princess, with great joy; come -hither, cried she, and take off that veil; for it is not -unreasonable sure that a brother and a sister should see each other -without covering their faces. - -Marzavan saluted her with profound respect; when she, without giving -him time to speak, cried out, I am rejoiced to see you returned in -good health after so many years’ absence, and without sending the -least account all the while of your welfare, even to your good -mother. - -Madam, replied Marzavan, I am infinitely obliged to your highness -for your goodness in rejoicing at my health: I hoped to have heard a -better account of yours than what, to my great affliction, I am now -witness of; nevertheless, I cannot but rejoice that I am come -seasonably enough to bring your highness that remedy which you stand -so much in need of; and though I should reap no other fruit of my -studies and long voyage, I should think myself fully recompensed. - -Speaking these words, Marzavan drew forth out of his pocket a book -and other things, which he judged necessary to be used, according to -the account he had had from his mother of the princess’s -distemper. The princess seeing him make all these preparations, -cried out, What! brother, are you then one of those that believe me -mad? Undeceive yourself, and hear me. - -The princess then began to relate to Marzavan all the particulars of -her story, without omitting the least circumstance, even to the ring -which was exchanged for hers, and which she showed him. I have not -concealed the least matter from you, quoth she; yet it is true, -there is something that I cannot comprehend, which has given -occasion for some persons to think me mad; but this is for want of -attending to the rest, which is literally as I tell you. - -After the princess had done speaking, Marzavan, filled with wonder -and astonishment, continued for some time with his eyes fixed on the -ground, without speaking a word; but at length he lifted up his -head, and said, If it be as your highness says, and which I do not -in the least doubt, I do not despair to procure you the satisfaction -you desire; but I must first entreat your highness to arm yourself -with patience for some time longer, till I shall return; till I have -travelled over kingdoms which I have not yet visited; and when you -hear of my return, be assured the object of your wishes is not far -off. So saying, Marzavan took leave of the princess, and set out -next morning on his intended voyage. - -He travelled from city to city, from province to province, and from -island to island; and in every place he passed through, he could -hear of nothing but the princess Badoura, which was the princess of -China’s name, and her history. - -About four months after, our traveller arrived at Torf, a seaport -town, great and populous, where he no more heard of the princess -Badoura, but all the talk was of prince Camaralzaman, who was sick, -and whose history very much resembled hers. Marzavan was extremely -delighted to hear this, and informed himself of the place where the -prince was to be found. There were two ways to it; one by land and -sea, the other by sea only, which was the shortest way. - -Marzavan chose the latter, and embarking on board a merchant ship, -he arrived safe in sight of king Schahzaman’s capital; but just -before it entered the port, the ship struck against a rock, by the -unskilfulness of the pilot, and foundered. It went down in sight of -prince Camaralzaman’s castle, where were at that time the king and -his grand vizier. - -Marzavan could swim very well, and immediately upon the ship’s -sinking, cast himself into the sea, and got safe on shore under the -castle, where he was soon relieved by the grand vizier’s order. -After he had changed his clothes, and been well treated, and was -recovered, he was introduced to the grand vizier, who had sent for -him. - -Marzavan being a young man of good air and address, this minister -received him very civilly; and when he heard him give such just and -pertinent answers to what was asked of him, conceived a great esteem -for him. He also gradually perceived he possessed a great deal of -knowledge; therefore said to him, From what I can understand, I -perceive you are no common man; you have travelled a great way; -would to God, you had learned any secret for curing a certain sick -person, who has greatly afflicted this court for a long while. - -Marzavan replied, If he knew what malady that was, he might perhaps -find a remedy for it. - -Then the grand vizier related to him the whole story of prince -Carmaralzaman, from its origin, and concealed nothing; of his birth -so earnestly desired, his education, the inclination the king, his -father, had to see him early married, his resistance, and -extraordinary aversion to marriage, his disobeying his father in -full council, his imprisonment, his pretended extravagancies in -prison, which were afterwards changed into a violent passion for a -certain unknown lady, who, he pretended, had exchanged a ring with -him, though, for his part, he verily believed there was no such -person in the world. - -Marzavan gave great attention to all the grand vizier said, and was -infinitely rejoiced to find, that by means of his shipwreck, he had -so fortunately lighted on the person he was looking after. He saw no -reason to doubt that prince Camaralzaman was the man the princess of -China was so violently in love with, and that this princess was -equally the object of his passion; therefore, without explaining -himself farther to the vizier, he desired to see him, that he might -be better able to judge of his distemper and its cure. Follow me, -said the grand vizier, and you will find the king with him, who has -already desired I should introduce you to him. - -The first thing that struck Marzavan on entering the prince’s -chamber, was to find him upon his bed languishing, and with his eyes -shut. Although he saw them in that condition, and although the king, -his father was sitting by him, he could not help crying out, -Heavens! was there ever a greater resemblance! He meant to the -princess of China; for it seems the princess and prince were much -alike. - -The words of Marzavan excited the prince’s curiosity so far, that -he opened his eyes and looked upon him. Marzavan, who had a ready -wit, laid hold of that opportunity, and made his compliment in verse -extempore, but in such a disguised manner, that neither the king nor -grand vizier understood any thing of the matter. However, he -represented so nicely what had happened to him with the princess of -China, that the prince had no reason to doubt he knew her, and could -give him tidings of her. This made him so joyful, that the effects -of it showed themselves in his eyes and looks. - -After Marzavan had finished his compliments in verse, which -surprised prince Camaralzaman so agreeably, his highness took the -liberty to make a sign to the king, his father, to go from the place -where he was, and let Marzavan sit by him. - -The king, overjoyed at this alteration, which gave him hopes of his -son’s speedy recovery, quitted his place, and taking Marzavan by -the hand, led him to it, obliging him to sit in it. Then his majesty -demanded of him who he was, and whence he came; and upon -Marzavan’s answering he was a subject of China, and came from that -kingdom, the king cried out, Heaven grant you may be able to recover -my son from this profound melancholy, and I shall be eternally -obliged to you; all the world shall see now handsomely I will reward -you. --Having said thus, he left the prince to converse at full -liberty with the stranger, whilst he went and rejoiced with the -grand vizier upon this happy rencontre. - -Marzavan, leaning down to the prince, spoke low in his ear thus: -Prince, said he, it is time you should cease to grieve. The lady for -whom you suffer is the princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour, king of -China. This I can assure your highness from what she has told me of -her adventure, and what I have learned of yours. She has suffered no -less on your account, than you have on hers. Here he began to relate -all that he knew of the princess’s story, from the fatal night of -their extraordinary interview. - -He omitted not to acquaint him, how the king had treated those who -had failed in their pretensions to cure the princess of her -indisposition. But your highness is the only person, added he, that -can cure her effectually, and may present yourself without fear. -However, before you undertake so great a voyage, I would have you -perfectly recovered, and then we will take such measures as are -necessary. Think then, immediately, of the recovery of your health. - -This discourse had a marvellous effect on the prince: he found so -great relief by the hopes he conceived of speedily fulfilling his -desires, that he felt he had strength sufficient to rise, and begged -leave of his father to dress himself with such an air, as gave the -old king incredible pleasure. - -King Schahzaman could not refrain from embracing Marzavan, without -inquiring into the means he had used to produce this wonderful -effect; and soon after went out of the prince’s chamber with the -grand vizier, to publish this agreeable news. He ordered public -rejoicings for several days together, and gave great largesses to -his officers and the people, alms to the poor, and caused the -prisoners to be set at liberty throughout his kingdom. The joy was -soon general in the capital, and in every corner of his dominions. - -Prince Camaralzaman, though extremely weakened by almost continual -want of sleep, and long abstinence from almost all food, soon -recovered his health. When he found himself in a condition to -undertake the voyage, he took Marzavan aside, and said, Dear -Marzavan, it is now time to perform the promise you have made me. I -burn with impatience to see the charming princess; and if you do not -speedily give me an opportunity to put an end to her torments and my -own, by setting out on our journey immediately, I shall soon relapse -into my former condition. One thing still afflicts me, continued he, -and that is the difficulty I shall meet with in getting leave of my -father to go. This would be a cruel disappointment to me, if you do -not contrive a way to prevent it. You see he scarce ever leaves me. - -At these words the prince fell to weeping; and Marzavan said, I -foresaw this difficulty; let not your highness be grieved at that, -for I will undertake to prevent it. My principal design in this -voyage was to deliver the princess of China from her malady, and -this from all the reasons of mutual affection which we have borne to -each other from our birth, besides the zeal and affection I -otherwise owe her; and I should be wanting in my duty to her, if I -did not do my best endeavour to effect her cure and yours, and exert -my utmost skill. This is then the means I have contrived to obtain -your liberty: you have not stirred abroad for some time, therefore -let the king, your father, understand you have a mind to take the -air, and ask his leave to go out on a hunting party two or three -days with me. No doubt he will grant your request; which when he has -done, order two good horses to be got ready, one to mount, the other -to change, and leave the rest to me. - -Next day, prince Camaralzaman took his opportunity. He acquainted -the king, he was desirous to take the air, and if he pleased, would -go and hunt two or three days with Marzavan. The king gave his -consent, but bid him be sure not to lie out above one night, since -too much exercise at first might impair his health, and too long -absence create his majesty uneasiness. He then ordered him to choose -the best horses in his stable, and himself took particular care that -nothing should be wanting. When all was ready, his majesty embraced -the prince, and having recommended to Marzavan the care of him, he -let him go. Prince Camaralzaman and Marzavan were soon mounted; -when, to amuse the two grooms that led the fresh horses, they made -as if they would hunt, and so got as far off the city and out of the -road as was possible. When night began to approach, they alighted at -a caravansera or inn, where they supped, and slept till about -midnight, when Marzavan awaked the prince, without awaking the -grooms, and desired his highness to let him have his suit, and to -take another for himself, which was brought in his baggage. Thus -equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and after Marzavan had -taken one of the groom’s horses by the bridle, they set out as -hard as their horses could go. - -At daybreak, they were got into a forest, where, coming to the -meeting of four roads, Marzavan desired the prince to wait for him a -little, and went into the forest. He then cut the groom’s -horse’s throat, and after having torn the prince’s suit, which -he had put off, besmearing it with blood, he threw it into the -highway. - -The prince demanded his reason for what he had done. He told his -highness he was sure the king, his father, would no sooner find that -he did not return, and come to know that he was departed without the -grooms, but he would suspect something, and immediately send people -in quest of them. They that come to this place, said he, and find -this bloody habit, will conclude you are devoured by wild beasts, -and that I have escaped to avoid the king’s anger. The king, -persuading himself you are dead, will stop farther pursuit, and we -may have leisure to continue our journey without fear of being -followed. I must confess, continued Marzavan, this is a violent way -of proceeding, to alarm an old father with the death of his son, -whom he loves so passionately; but his joy will be the greater when -he shall hear you are alive and happy. --Brave Marzavan, replied the -prince, I cannot but approve such an ingenious stratagem, or -sufficiently admire your conduct; I have fresh obligations to you -for it. - -The prince and Marzavan, well provided with cash for their expenses, -continued their journey both by land and sea, and found no other -obstacle, but the length of the time which it necessarily took up. -They, however, arrived at length at the capital of China, where -Marzavan, instead of going to his lodging, carried the prince to a -public inn. They tarried there incognito three days, to rest -themselves after the fatigue of the voyage; during which time, -Marzavan caused an astrologer’s habit to be made for the prince. -The three days being expired, they went together to the bath, where -the prince put on his astrologer’s habit; and from thence Marzavan -conducted him in sight of the king of China’s palace, where he -left him, to go and acquaint his mother, the princess Badoura’s -nurse, of his arrival, to the end she might inform the princess. - -Prince Camaralzaman, instructed by Marzavan what he was to do, and -provided with all he wanted as an astrologer, came next morning to -the gate of the king’s palace, before the guards and porters, and -cried aloud, I am an astrologer, and am come to effect a cure on the -respectable princess Badoura, daughter of the most high and mighty -monarch Gaiour, king of China, on the conditions proposed by his -majesty, to marry her if I succeed, or else to lose my life for my -fruitless and presumptuous attempt. - -Besides the guards and porters at the gate, this novelty drew -together a great number of people about prince Camaralzaman. There -had no physician, astrologer, nor magician appeared for a long time -on this account, deterred by the many tragical examples of ill -success that appeared before their eyes; it was therefore thought -there were no more of these professions in the world, or that there -were none so mad as those that had gone before them. - -The prince’s good mien, noble air, and blooming youth, made every -body that saw him pity him. What mean you, sir, said some that were -nearest to him, thus to expose a life of such promising expectations -to certain death? Cannot the heads you see on all the gates of this -city deter you from such an undertaking? In the name of God, -consider what you do; abandon this rash attempt, and begone. - -The prince continued firm, notwithstanding all these remonstrances; -and as he saw nobody come to introduce him, he repeated the same cry -with a boldness that made every body tremble. They all then cried, -Let him alone, he is resolved to die; God have mercy upon his youth -and his soul! --He then proceeded to cry out a third time in the -same manner, when the grand vizier came in person, and introduced -him to the king of China. - -As soon as the prince came into the king’s presence, he bowed and -kissed the ground. The king, who, of all that had hitherto -presumptuously exposed their lives on this occasion, had not seen -one worthy to cast his eyes upon before, felt real compassion for -prince Camaralzaman, on account of the danger he was about to -undergo. But as he saw him more deserving than ordinary, he showed -him more honour, and made him come and sit by him. Young man, said -he, I can hardly believe you, at this age, can have acquired -experience enough to dare attempt the cure of my daughter. I wish -you may succeed, and would give her to you in marriage with all my -heart, with the greatest joy, more willingly than I should have done -to others that have offered themselves before you; but I must -declare to you, at the same time, with great concern, that if you do -not succeed in your attempt, notwithstanding your noble appearance -and your youth, you must lose your head. - -Sir, replied the prince, I have infinite obligations to your majesty -for the honour you design me, and the great goodness you show to a -stranger; but I desire your majesty to believe I would not have come -from so remote a country as I have done, the name of which, perhaps, -may be unknown in your dominions, if I had not been certain of the -cure I propose. What would not the world say of my fickleness, if, -after so great fatigues and dangers as I have undergone on this -account, I should abandon this generous enterprise? Even your -majesty would soon lose that esteem you have conceived for me. If I -must die, sir, I shall die with the satisfaction of not having lost -your esteem after I have merited it. I beseech your majesty, -therefore, to keep me no longer impatient to display the certainty -of my art, by the proof I am ready to give of it. - -Then the king commanded the eunuch, who had the custody of the -princess, to introduce prince Camaralzaman into her apartment; but -before he would let him go, he reminded him once more that he was at -liberty to renounce his design; yet the prince paid no regard, but, -with astonishing resolution and eagerness, followed the eunuch. - -When they came to a long gallery, at the end of which was the -princess’s apartment, the prince, who saw himself so near the -object of his wishes, who had occasioned him so many tears, pushed -on, and got before the eunuch. - -The eunuch, redoubling his pace, with much ado got up with him. -Whither away so fast? cried he, taking him by the arm; you cannot -get in without me; and it should seem you have a great desire for -death, thus to run to it headlong. Not one of all those many -astrologers and magicians I have introduced before made such haste -as yourself to a place whither I fear you will come but too soon. - -Friend, replied the prince, looking earnestly on the eunuch, and -continuing his pace, this was because none of the astrologers you -speak of were so sure of their art as I am of mine: they were -certain, indeed, they should die if they did not succeed, but they -had no certainty of their success. On this account they had reason -to tremble on approaching the place whither I go, and where I am -sure to find my happiness. He had just spoke these words as he was -at the door. The eunuch opened it, and introduced him into a great -hall, whence was an entrance into the princess’s chamber, divided -from it only by a piece of tapestry. - -Prince Camaralzaman stopt before he entered, speaking more softly to -the eunuch for fear of being heard in the princess’s chamber. To -convince you, said he, there is neither presumption, nor whim, nor -youthful conceit, in my undertaking, I leave it to your own desire, -whether I should cure the princess in your presence, or where we -are, without going any farther. - -The eunuch was amazed to hear the prince talk to him with such -confidence; he left off insulting him, and said seriously to him, It -is no matter whether you do it here or there, provided the business -is done: cure her how you will, you will get immortal honour by it, -not only in this court, but over all the world. - -The prince replied, It will be best, then, to cure her without -seeing her, that you may be witness of my skill. Notwithstanding my -impatience to see a princess of her rank, who is to be my wife, yet, -out of respect to you, I will deprive myself of that pleasure for a -little while. He was furnished with everything proper for an -astrologer to carry about him: taking pen, ink, and paper, out of -his pocket, he wrote this billet to the princess:-- - - - - -Prince Camaralzaman to the Princess of China. - - -‘Adorable princess! - -‘The love-sick prince Camaralzaman will not trouble you with a -recital of the inexpressible pains that he has endured ever since -that fatal night in which your charms deprived him of the liberty -which he resolved to preserve as long as he lived. He only tells you -that he devoted his heart to you in your charming slumbers; those -importunate slumbers that hindered him from beholding the brightness -of your piercing eyes, in spite of all his endeavours to oblige you -to open them. He presumed to present you with his ring as a token of -his passion; and to take yours in exchange, which he sends in this -billet. If you will condescend to return it, as a reciprocal pledge -of your love, he will esteem himself the happiest of all lovers. If -not, the sentence of death, which your refusal brings him, will be -received with the more resignation, because he dies for love of you. -He waits in your ante-chamber for your answer.’ - -When the prince had finished his billet, he folded it up, and -enclosed in it the princess’s ring, without letting the eunuch see -what he did. When he had sealed it, he gave it to him: There, -friend, said he, carry it to your mistress; if it does not cure her -as soon as she reads it, and sees what is inclosed in it, I give you -leave to tell every body that I am the most ignorant and impudent -astrologer that ever was, is, or ever will be. - -The eunuch, entering the princess of China’s chamber, gave her the -packet he received from prince Camaralzaman. Madam, said he, the -boldest astrologer that ever lived, if I am not mistaken, is arrived -here, and pretends, that on reading this letter, and seeing what is -in it, you will be cured; I wish he may prove neither a liar nor -impostor. - -The princess Badoura took this billet, and opened it with a great -deal of indifference: but when she saw the ring, she had not -patience to read it through: she rose hastily, broke the chain that -held her by struggling, ran to the door, and opened it. She knew the -prince as soon as she saw him, and he knew her: they presently -embraced each other tenderly, and without being able to speak for -excess of joy: they looked on one another a long time, wondering how -they met again after their first interview. The princess’s nurse, -who ran to the door with her, made them come into her chamber, where -the princess Badoura gave the prince her ring, saying, Take it, I -cannot keep it without restoring yours, which I will never part -with; neither can it be in better hands. - -The eunuch went immediately to tell the king of China what had -happened. Sir, said he, all the astrologers and doctors who have -hitherto pretended to cure the princess, were fools in comparison of -the last. He made use neither of schemes nor conjurations, of -perfumes, or any thing else, but cured her without seeing her. Then -he told the king how he did it. The monarch was agreeably surprised -at the news, and going presently to the princess’s chamber, -embraced her: he afterwards embraced the prince, and, taking his -hand, joined it to the princess’s. Happy stranger, said the king, -whoever you are, I will keep my word, and give you my daughter to -wife; though, by what I see in you, it is impossible for me to -believe you are really what you appear, and would have me believe -you to be. - -Prince Camaralzaman thanked the king in the most humble expressions, -that he might the better show his gratitude. As for my person, said -he, I must own I am not an astrologer, as your majesty very -judiciously guessed; I only put on the habit of one, that I might -succeed more easily in my ambition to be allied to the most potent -monarch in the world. I was born a prince, and the son of a king and -of a queen; my name is Camaralzaman; my father is Schahzaman, who -now reigns over the islands that are well known by the name of the -Islands of the Children of Khaledan. He then told him his history, -and how wonderful was the rise of his love; that the princess’s -was altogether as marvellous; and that both were confirmed by the -exchange of the two rings. - -When the prince had done speaking, the king said to him, This -history is so extraordinary, it deserves to be known to posterity; I -will take care it shall; and the original being deposited in my -royal archives, I will spread copies of it abroad, that my own -kingdom and the kingdoms around me may know it. - -The marriage was solemnized the same day, and the rejoicings for it -were universal all over the empire of China. Nor was Marzavan -forgotten: the king gave him an honourable post in his court -immediately, and a promise of farther advancement. - -Prince Camaralzaman and the princess Badoura enjoyed the fulness of -their wishes in the sweets of marriage; and the king kept continual -feastings for several months, to show his joy on the occasion. - -In the midst of these pleasures, prince Camaralzaman dreamt one -night, that he saw his father, Schahzaman, on his deathbed, ready to -give up the ghost, and heard him speak thus to his attendants: My -son, to whom I gave birth; my son, whom I so tenderly loved; whom I -bred with so much fondness, so much care, has abandoned me, and is -himself the cause of my death. He awoke with a great sigh, which -awakened the princess, who asked him the cause of it. - -Alas! my love, cried the prince, perhaps in the very moment that I -am speaking, the king, my father, is no more. He then acquainted her -with his melancholy dream, which occasioned him so much uneasiness. -The princess, who studied to please him in every thing, did not -immediately inform him she had contrived a way to do it, fearing -that the desire to see his father again would make him take less -delight in her company in a distant country. She went to her own -father that very day, and finding him alone, kissed his hand, and -thus addressed herself to him: Sir, I have a favour to beg of your -majesty, and I beseech you not to deny me; but that you may not -believe I ask it at the solicitation of the prince, my husband, I -assure you beforehand, he knows nothing of my asking it of you; it -is, that you will give leave for me to go with him and see king -Schahzaman, my father-in-law. - -[Illustration: PRINCE CAMARALZAMAN & THE TALESMAN.] - -Daughter, replied the king, though I shall be very sorry to part -with you for so long a time as a journey to a place so distant will -take up, yet I cannot disapprove of your resolution; it is worthy of -yourself, notwithstanding the fatigue of so long a journey; go, -child, I give you leave, but on condition that you stay no longer -than a year in king Schahzaman’s court. I hope the king will agree -to this, that we shall alternately see, he his son and his -daughter-in-law, and I my daughter and my son-in-law. - -The princess communicated the king of China’s consent to prince -Camaralzaman, who was transported to hear it, and gave her thanks -for this new token of her love. - -The king of China gave orders for preparations to be made for the -journey; and when all things were ready he accompanied the prince -and princess several days’ journey on their way; they parted at -length with great weeping on all sides; the king embraced them, and -having desired the prince to be kind to his daughter, and to love -her always with the same passion he now loved her, he left them to -proceed on their journey, and to divert himself, hunted all the way -as he returned to his capital city. - -When prince Camaralzaman and the princess Badoura had dried up their -tears, they comforted themselves with the thought how glad king -Schahzaman would be to see them, and how they should rejoice to see -the king. - -They travelled about a month, and at last came to a meadow of great -extent, planted at convenient distances with tall trees, forming an -agreeable shade. The day being unusually hot, Camaralzaman thought -it best to encamp there, and proposed it to Badoura, who, having the -same intention, the more readily consented to it. They alighted in -one of the finest spots; a tent was presently set up; the princess, -rising from the shade under which she sat down, entered it, and the -prince ordered his servants to pitch their tents also, while they -stayed there, and went himself to give directions. The princess, -weary with the fatigues of the journey, bid her women untie her -girdle, which they laid down by her; and she falling asleep, her -attendants left her by herself. - -Prince Camaralzaman having seen all things in order, came to the -tent where the princess was sleeping; he entered, and sat down -without making any noise, intending to take a nap himself; but -observing the princess’s girdle lying by her, he took it up, and -looked upon the diamonds and rubies one by one. In doing it, he saw -a little purse hanging to it, sewed neatly on the stuff, and tied -fast with a riband; he felt it, and found there was something solid -in it. Desirous to know what it was, he opened the purse, and took -out a cornelian, engraven with unknown figures and characters. This -cornelian, said the prince to himself, must be something very -valuable, or my princess would not carry it with so much care. It -was Badoura’s talisman, [84] which the queen of China had given -her daughter as a charm, that would keep her, as she said, from any -harm as long as she had it about her. - -The prince, the better to look at the talisman, took it out to the -light, the tent being dark; and while he was holding it up in his -hand, a bird darted down from the air and snatched it away from him. - -It would be easy to conceive the concern and grief of prince -Camaralzaman, when he saw the bird fly away with the talisman. [85] -He was more troubled at it than words can express, and cursed his -unseasonable curiosity, by which means his dear princess had lost a -treasure that was so precious, and so valued by her. - -The bird having got her prize, settled on the ground not far off, -with the talisman in her mouth. The prince drew near it, in hopes -she would drop it; but as he approached, the bird took wing, and -settled again on the ground farther off. Camaralzaman followed her, -and the bird having swallowed the talisman, took a farther flight; -the prince being very dexterous at a mark, thought to kill her with -a stone, and still followed her; the farther she flew, the more -eager he grew in pursuing her, keeping her always in view. Thus the -bird drew him along from hill to valley, and valley to hill, all -day, every step leading him out of the way from the field, where he -left his camp, and the princess Badoura; and instead of perching at -night on a bush, where he might probably have taken her, she roosted -on a high tree, safe from his pursuit. The prince vexed to the heart -for taking so much pains to no purpose, thought of returning to the -camp; but, said he to himself, which way shall I return? Shall I go -down the hills and valleys which I passed over? Shall I wander in -darkness? And will my strength bear me out? How durst I appear -before my princess without her talisman? Overwhelmed with such -thoughts, and tired with the pursuit, sleep came upon him, and he -lay down under a tree, where he passed the night. - -He awoke the next morning before the bird had left the tree; and as -soon as he saw her on the wing, followed her again that whole day, -with no better success than he had done the last, eating nothing but -herbs and fruits all the way as he went: he did the same for ten -days together, pursuing the bird, and keeping her in his eye from -morning to night, lying always under the tree where she roosted. On -the eleventh day the bird continued flying, and Camaralzaman -observing her, he came near a great city. When the bird came to the -walls, she flew over them, and the prince saw no more of her: so he -despaired of ever recovering the princess Badoura’s talisman. - -Camaralzaman, whose grief was beyond expression, went into the city, -which was built on the sea side, and had a fine port; he walked up -and down the streets without knowing where he was, or where to stop: -at last he came to the port, in as great uncertainty as ever what he -should do. Walking along the river side, he perceived the gate of a -garden open, and an old gardener at work in it; the good man looking -up, saw he was a stranger and a Mussulman; so he asked him to come -in, and shut the door after him. - -Camaralzaman entered, and as the gardener bade him shut the door, -demanded of the gardener why he was so cautious. Because, replied -the old man. I see you are a stranger newly arrived and a Mussulman; -and this city is inhabited for the most part by idolaters, who have -a mortal aversion to us Mussulmen, and treat those few of us that -are here with great barbarity. I suppose you did not know this; and -it is a miracle that you have escaped as you have thus far, these -idolators being very apt to fall upon the Mussulmen that are -strangers, or to draw them into a snare, unless those strangers are -instructed how to beware of them. I bless God who has brought you -into a place of safety. - -Camaralzaman thanked the honest gardener for his advice, and the -security he offered him in his house; he would have said more, but -the good man interrupted him, saying, Let us leave complimenting; -you are weary, and must want to refresh yourself. Come in, and rest -yourself. He conducted him into his little hut; and after the prince -had eaten heartily of what he set before him, with a cordiality that -charmed him, he requested him to relate how he came there. - -Camaralzaman complied with his request; and when he had ended his -story, without concealing any part of it, he asked him which was the -nearest way to the king his father’s territories; for it is in -vain for me to think of finding my princess where I left her, after -wandering eleven days from the spot by so extraordinary an -adventure. Ah! continued he, how do I know she is alive? and saying -thus, he burst into tears. The gardener replied, there was no -possibility of his going thither by land, the ways were so -difficult, and the journey so long: besides, there was no -accommodation for his subsistence; or, if there were, he must -necessarily pass through the countries of so many barbarous nations, -that he would never reach his father’s. It was a year’s journey -from the city where he was to any country inhabited only by -Mussulmen; that the quickest passage for him would be to go to the -isle of Ebene, whence he might easily transport himself to the isles -of the children of Khaledan; that a ship sailed from the port every -year to Ebene, and he might take that opportunity of returning to -these islands. The ship departed, said he, but a few days ago; if -you had come a little sooner, you might have taken your passage in -it. If you will wait the year round, when it makes the voyage again, -and will stay with me and accept of my house, such as it is, you -will be as welcome to it as to your own. - -Prince Camaralzaman was glad he had met with such an asylum, in a -place where he had no acquaintance nor interest. He accepted the -offer, and lived with the gardener till the time came that the ship -was to sail to the isle of Ebene. He spent his time in working all -day in the garden, and all night in sighs, tears, and complaints, -thinking of his dear princess Badoura. We must leave him in this -place, to return to the princess, whom we left asleep in her tent. - - - - -The Story of the Princess Badoura, after her separation from Prince -Camaralzaman. - - -The princess slept a long time, and when she awoke, wondered that -Prince Camaralzaman was not with her; she called her women, and -asked them if they knew where he was. They told her they saw him -enter the tent but did not see him go out again. While they were -talking to her, she took up her girdle, found the little purse open, -and that the talisman was gone. She did not doubt but Camaralzaman -had taken it to see what it was, and that he would bring it back -with him. She waited for him impatiently till night, and could not -imagine what made him stay away from her so long. - -When it was quite dark, and she could hear nothing of him, she fell -into violent grief; she cursed the talisman, and him that made it; -and, had not she been restrained by duty, would have cursed the -queen her mother, who gave her such a fatal present. She was the -more troubled, because she could not imagine how her talisman should -have caused the prince’s separation from her: she did not however -lose her judgment and came to a courageous resolution, not common -with persons of her sex. - -She only and her women knew of the prince’s being gone; for his -men were reposing or asleep in their tents. The princess, fearing -they would betray her, if they had any knowledge of it, moderated -her grief, and forbid her women to say or do any thing that might -create the least suspicion. She then laid aside her habit, and put -on one of Prince Camaralzaman’s, being so like him, that next day, -when she came abroad, his men took her for him. - -She commanded them to pack up their baggage and begin their march; -and when all things were ready, she ordered one of her women to go -into her litter, she herself mounting on horseback, and riding by -her side. - -They travelled several months by land and sea; the princess -continuing the journey under the name of Camaralzaman. They took the -island of Ebene in their way to the isles of the children of -Khaledan. They went to the capital of the island of Ebene, where a -king reigned whose name was Armanos. The persons who first landed, -giving out that the ship carried prince Camaralzaman, who was -returning from a long voyage, and was forced in there by a storm, -the news of his arrival was presently carried to court. - -King Armanos, accompanied by most of his courtiers, went immediately -to wait on the prince, and met the princess just as she was landing, -and going to the lodging that had been taken for her. He received -her as the son of a king, who was his friend, and with whom he -always kept up a good understanding: he conducted her to the palace, -where an apartment was prepared for her and all her attendants, -though she would fain have excused herself, and have lodged in a -private house. He showed her all possible honour, and entertained -her three days together with extraordinary magnificence. At the end -of this time, King Armanos, understanding that the princess, whom he -still took for Prince Camaralzaman, talked of going abroad again to -proceed on her voyage, charmed with the air and qualities of such an -accomplished prince as he took her to be, he took an opportunity -when she was alone, and spoke to her in this manner: You see, -prince, that I am old, and cannot hope to live long; and, to my -great mortification, I have not a son to whom I may leave my crown. -Heaven has only blest me with one daughter, whose beauty cannot be -better matched than with a prince of your rank and accomplishments. -Instead of going home, stay and take her from my hand, with my -crown, which I resign in your favour, and stay with us. It is time -for me to rest, after having so long borne it; and nothing could be -a greater pleasure to me in my retirement, than to see my people -ruled by so worthy a successor to my throne. - -The king of the isle of Ebene’s generous offer to bestow his only -daughter in marriage, and with her his kingdom, on the princess -Badoura, who could not accept it, because she was a woman, put her -into unexpected perplexity. She thought it would not become a -princess of her rank to undeceive the king, and to own that she was -not prince Camaralzaman, but his wife, when she assured him she was -he himself, and whose part she had hitherto acted so well. She was -also afraid to refuse the honour he offered her, lest being so much -bent upon the conclusion of the marriage, his kindness might turn to -aversion and hatred, and he might attempt something even against her -life. Besides, she was not sure whether she might not find prince -Camaralzaman in the court of king Schahzaman his father. - -These considerations, added to the prospect of obtaining a kingdom -for the prince her husband, in case she found him again, determined -her to accept the proposal of king Armanos, and marry his daughter: -so after having stood silent for some minutes, she with blushes, -which the king took for a sign of modesty, answered, Sir, I am -infinitely obliged to your majesty for your good opinion of me, for -the honour you do me, and the great favour you offer me, which I -cannot pretend to merit, and dare not refuse. - -But, sir, continued she, I cannot accept this great alliance on any -other condition, than that your majesty will assist me with your -counsels, and that I do nothing without having first your -approbation. - -The marriage treaty being thus concluded and agreed on, the ceremony -was put off till next day. In the mean time princess Badoura gave -notice to her officers, who still took her for prince Camaralzaman, -what she was about to do, that they might not be surprised at it, -assuring them the princess Badoura consented to it. She talked also -to her women, and charged them to continue to keep the secret she -had entrusted them with. - -The king of the isle of Ebene, rejoicing that he had got a -son-in-law so much to his satisfaction, next morning summoned his -council, and acquainted them with his design of marrying his -daughter to prince Camaralzaman, whom he introduced to them; and -having made him sit down by him, told them he resigned the crown to -him, and required them to acknowledge him for king, and swear fealty -to him. Having said this, he descended from his throne, and the -princess Badoura, by his order, ascended it. As soon as the council -broke up, the new king was proclaimed through the city, rejoicings -were appointed for several days, and couriers despatched over all -the kingdom to see the same ceremonies observed with the same -demonstrations of joy. - -At night there were extraordinary feastings at the palace, and the -princess Haiatalnefous [86] was led to the princess Badoura, whom -every body took for a man, dressed like a royal bride. The wedding -was solemnized with the utmost splendour; they were put to bed, and -left alone. In the morning, while the princess Badoura went to -receive the compliments of the nobility in the hall of audience, -where they congratulated her on her marriage and accession to the -throne, king Armanos and his queen went to the apartment of the new -queen, their daughter, and asked her how she spent the night. -Instead of answering them, she held down her head, and by her looks -they saw plainly enough she was disappointed. - -King Armanos, to comfort the princess. Haiatalnefous, bid her not be -troubled. Prince Camaralzaman, said he, when he landed here, might -think only of going to his father’s court. Though we have engaged -him to stay by arguments with which he ought to be well satisfied, -yet it is probable he grieves at being so suddenly deprived of the -hopes of seeing either his father or any of his family. You must -wait till those first emotions of filial love are over; he will then -carry himself towards you as a good husband ought to do. - -The princess Badoura, under the name and character of prince -Camaralzaman, and the king of Ebene, spent the whole day in -receiving the compliments of the courtiers and the nobility of the -kingdom who were in and about the city, and in reviewing the regular -troops of her household; and entered on the administration of -affairs as king with so much dignity and judgment, as gained her the -general applause of all who were witnesses of her conduct. - -It was evening before she returned to queen Haiatalnefous’ -apartment, and she perceived by the reception she gave her, that the -bride was not at all pleased with the preceding night. She -endeavoured to dissipate her grief by a long conversation, in which -she employed all the wit she had (and she possessed a good share of -it) to persuade her she loved her entirely: she then gave her time -to go to bed, and while she was undressing herself, she went to her -devotions: her prayers were so long that queen Haiatalnefous was -asleep before they were ended. She then left off, and lay down -softly by the new queen, without waking her, and was as much -afflicted at her being forced to act a part which did not belong to -her, as in the loss of her dear Camaralzaman, for whom she ceased -not to sigh. She rose as soon as it was day, before Haiatalnefous -was awake; and being dressed in her royal robes as king, went to -council. - -King Armanos, as he had done the day before, came early to visit the -queen his daughter, whom he found in tears: he wanted no more to be -informed of the cause of her trouble. Provoked at the contempt, as -he thought, put upon his daughter, of which he could not imagine the -reason, Daughter, said he, have patience for another night. I raised -your husband to the throne, and can pull him down again, and drive -him thence with shame, unless he gives you the satisfaction that he -ought to do. His usage of you has provoked me so much, I cannot tell -to what my resentment may transport me; the affront is as great to -me as to you. - -It was late again before the princess Badoura came to queen -Haiatalnefous: she talked to her as she had done the night before, -and after the same manner went to her devotions, desiring the queen -to go to bed. But Haiatalnefous would not be so served; she held her -back, and obliged her to sit down again: What, said she, you think -to deal by me this night as you have done the two last: tell me, I -beseech you, what can you dislike in a princess of my youth and -beauty, who not only loves but adores you, and thinks herself the -happiest of all princesses of her rank in having so amiable a prince -for her husband? Any body but me would be not merely offended, but -shocked by the slight, or rather the unpardonable affront you have -put upon me, and abandon you to your evil destiny. However, though I -did not love you so well as I do, yet out of pure good-nature and -humanity, which makes me pity the misfortunes of persons for whom I -am less concerned, I could not forbear telling you, that the king my -father is enraged against you for your carriage towards me, and -to-morrow will make you feel the marks of his just anger, if you -continue to use me as you have hitherto done. Do not therefore drive -to despair a princess, who, notwithstanding all your ill usage, -cannot help loving you. - -This discourse embarrassed the princess Badoura inexpressibly. She -did not doubt of the truth of what Haiatalnefous had said. King -Armanos’ coldness to her the day before had given her but too much -reason to see he was highly dissatisfied with her. The only way to -justify her conduct was, to communicate her sex to the princess -Haiatalnefous. But though she had foreseen she should be under a -necessity of making such a declaration to her, she was afraid how -she would take it: but, considering that if Camaralzaman was alive, -he must necessarily touch at the isle of Ebene in his way to king -Schahzaman his father’s kingdom, that she ought to preserve -herself for his sake; and that it was impossible to do this, if she -did not let the princess Haiatalnefous know who and what she was, -she resolved to venture the experiment. - -The princess Badoura stood as one that was struck dumb, and -Haiatalnefous, being impatient to hear what she could say, was about -to speak to her again, when she stopped her by these words: Lovely -and too charming princess! I own I have been in the wrong, and I -condemn myself for it; but I hope you will pardon me, and keep the -secret I am going to reveal to you for my justification. - -She then opened her bosom, and proceeded thus: See, princess, if a -princess, a woman like yourself, does not deserve to be forgiven. I -believe you will be so good, at least when you know my story, and -the afflicting disaster that forced me to act the part you see. - -The princess Badoura having discovered herself entirely to the -princess of the isle of Ebene, she again prayed her to keep the -secret, and to make as if she really was a husband to her, till the -prince Camaralzaman’s arrival, which she hoped would be in a -little time. - -Princess, replied Haiatalnefous, your fortune is indeed strange, -that a marriage, so happy as yours was, should be shortened by so -unaccountable an accident, after a passion so reciprocal and full of -wonders. Pray Heaven you may meet with your husband again soon, and -assure yourself I will keep religiously the secret committed to me. -It will be to me the greatest pleasure in the world to be the only -person in the great kingdom of the isle of Ebene, who knows what and -who you are, while you go on governing the people as happily as you -have begun. I only ask of you at present to be your friend. Then the -two princesses tenderly embraced each other, and after a thousand -expressions of mutual friendship, lay down to rest. - -According to the custom of the country, the tokens of the -consummation of the marriage were to be produced and seen publicly. -The two princesses found out a way to get over that difficulty: -Queen Haiatalnefous’ women were deceived themselves next morning, -and deceived king Armanos, his queen, and the whole court. From this -time princess Badoura rose in king Armanos’ esteem and affection, -governing the kingdom peaceably and prosperously to his and his -people’s content. - -While things passed as already mentioned in the court of the isle of -Ebene, prince Camaralzaman staid in the city of idolaters with the -gardener, who had offered his house for a retreat till the ship -sailed for that island. - -One morning when the prince was up early, and as he used to do, was -preparing to work in the garden, the gardener prevented him, saying, -This day is a great festival among the idolaters, and because they -abstain from all work themselves, to spend the time in their -assemblies and public rejoicings, they will not let the Mussulmen -work, who to gain their favour, generally assist at their shows, -which are worth seeing. You will therefore have nothing to do -to-day; I leave you here. As the time approaches, in which the ship -uses to sail for the isle of Ebene, I will go to see some of my -friends, and know when it will depart and secure you a passage in -it. The gardener put on his best clothes, and went out. - -When prince Camaralzaman was alone, instead of going out to take -part in the public joy of the city, the solitude he was in brought -to his mind, with more than usual violence, the loss of his dear -princess. He walked up and down the garden sighing and groaning, -till the noise which two birds made on a neighbouring tree tempted -him to lift up his head, and stop to see what was the matter. - -Camaralzaman was surprised to behold a furious battle between these -two birds, fighting one another with their beaks, and that in a very -little while one of them fell down dead at the foot of a tree; the -bird that was victorious took wing again, and flew away. - -In an instant, two other large birds that had seen the fight at a -distance, came from the other side of the garden, and pitched on the -ground, one at the feet and the other at the head of the dead bird; -they looked upon it some time, shaking their heads in token of -grief; after which they dug a grave with their talons and buried it. - -When they had filled up the grave with the earth they had turned up -to make it, they flew away, and returned in a few minutes, bringing -with them the bird that had committed the murder, the one holding -one of its wings in its beak, and the other one of its legs; the -criminal all the while crying out in a doleful manner, and -struggling to escape. They carried it to the grave of the bird which -it had lately sacrificed to its rage, and there sacrificed it in -just revenge for the murder it had committed. They with their beaks -killed the murderer. They then opened the belly, tore out the -entrails, left the body on the spot unburied, and flew away. - -Camaralzaman remained in great astonishment all the time that he -stood beholding this sight. He drew near the tree where this scene -had passed, and casting his eyes on the scattered entrails of the -bird that was last killed, he spied something red hanging out of the -stomach. He took it up, and found it was his beloved princess -Badoura’s talisman, which had cost him so much pain and sorrow, -and so many sighs since the bird snatched it out of his hand. Ah, -cruel, said he to himself, still looking on the bird, thou tookest -delight in doing mischief, so I have the less reason to complain of -that which thou didst to me; but the greater it was, the more do I -wish well to those that revenged my quarrel on thee, in punishing -thee for the murder of one of their own kind. - -It is impossible to express prince Camaralzaman’s joy: Dear -princess, continued he to himself, this happy minute, which restores -to me a treasure so precious to thee, is without doubt a presage of -our meeting again, and perhaps sooner than I think of. Thank Heaven, -who sent me this good fortune, and gives me the hope of the greatest -felicity that my heart can desire. - -Saying this, he kissed the talisman, wrapped it up in a riband, and -tied it carefully about his arm. Till now he had been almost every -night a stranger to rest, his trouble always keeping him awake, but -next night he slept soundly; he rose somewhat later the next morning -than he used to do, put on his working clothes, and went to the -gardener for orders. The good man bid him root up an old tree which -bore no fruit. - -Camaralzaman took an axe, and began his work. In cutting off a -branch of the root, he found his axe struck against something that -resisted the blow, and made a great noise. He removed the earth, and -discovered a broad plate of brass, under which was a staircase of -ten steps. He went down, and at the bottom saw a cavity about six -yards square, with fifty brass urns placed in order around it, each -with a cover over it. He opened them all, one after another, and -there was not one of them which was not full of gold dust. He came -out of the cave rejoicing that he had found such a vast treasure: he -put the brass plate on the staircase, and rooted up the tree against -the gardener’s return. - -The gardener had learned the day before that the ship which was -bound for the isle of Ebene, would sail in a few days, but the -certain time was not yet fixed. His friend promised to let him know -the day, if he called upon him on the morrow; and while Camaralzaman -was rooting up the tree, he went to have his answer. He returned -with a joyful countenance, by which the prince guessed he brought -him good news. Son, said the old man, (so he always called him, on -account of the difference of years between him and the prince,) be -joyful, and prepare to embark in three days; the ship will then -certainly set sail; I have agreed with the captain for your passage. - -In my present situation, replied Camaralzaman, you could not bring -me more agreeable news; and in return, I have also tidings that will -be as welcome to you; come along with me, and you shall see what -good fortune heaven has in store for you. - -The prince led the gardener to the place where he had rooted up the -tree, made him go down into the cave, and when he was there, showed -him what a treasure he had discovered, thanking Providence for -rewarding his virtue, and the pains he had been at for so many -years. What do you mean? replied the gardener: do you imagine I will -take these riches as mine? The property of them is yours. I have no -right to them. --For fourscore years since my father’s death, I -have done nothing but dig in this garden, and could not discover -this treasure, which is a sign it was destined for you, since God -has permitted you to find it. It suits a prince like you rather than -me; I have one foot in the grave, and am in no want of any thing. -Providence has bestowed it upon you just when you are returning to -that country, which will one day be your own, where you will make a -good use of it. - -Prince Camaralzaman would not be outdone in generosity by the -gardener; they had a long dispute about it. At last, the prince -solemnly protested, that he would have none of it, unless the -gardener would divide it with him, and take half. The good man, to -please the prince, consented; so they parted it between them, and -each had twenty-five urns. - -Having thus divided it, Son, said the gardener to the prince, it is -not enough that you have got this treasure: we must now contrive how -to carry it so privately aboard a ship, that nobody may know any -thing of the matter, otherwise you will run the risk of losing it. -There are no olives in the isle of Ebene; those that are exported -hence are a good commodity there: you know I have plenty of them; -take what you will; fill fifty pots, half with the gold dust, and -half with olives, and I will get them carried to the ship when you -embark. - -Camaralzaman followed this good advice, and spent the rest of the -day in packing up the gold and the olives in the fifty pots; [87] -and fearing the talisman, which he wore on his arm, might be lost -again, he carefully put it in one of the pots, marking it with a -particular mark, to distinguish it from the other. When they were -all ready to be shipped, night coming on, the prince retired with -the gardener, and talking together, he related to him the battle of -the birds, with the circumstance of that adventure, by which he had -found the princess Badoura’s talisman again. The gardener was -equally surprised and joyful to hear it, for his sake. Whether the -old man was quite worn out with age, or had exhausted himself too -much that day, the gardener had a very bad night. He grew worse the -next day; and on the third day, when the prince was to embark, was -so ill, that it wan plain he was nigh his end. As soon as day broke, -the captain of the ship came in person, with several seamen, to the -gardener’s; they knocked at the garden-door, and Camaralzaman -opened it to them. They asked him where the passenger was that was -to go with him. --The prince answered, I am he; the gardener, who -agreed with you for my passage is sick, and cannot be spoken with. -Come in, and let your men carry those pots of olives and my baggage -aboard for me; I will only take leave of the gardener, and follow -you. - -The seamen took up the pots and the baggage, and the captain bid the -prince make haste, the wind being fair, and they staid for nothing -but him. - -When the captain and his men were gone, Camaralzaman went to the -gardener to take his leave of him, and thank him for all his good -offices; but he found him in the agonies of death, and had scarce -time to bid him rehearse the articles of his faith, which all good -Mussulmen do before they die. --The gardener did this, and expired -in his presence. - -The prince being under the necessity of embarking immediately, -hastened to pay the last duty to the deceased. He washed his body, -buried him in his own garden, (for the Mahometans had no cemetry in -the city of the idolaters, where they were only tolerated), and, -having nobody to assist him, it was almost evening before he had put -him in the ground. As soon as he had done it, he ran to the -water-side, carrying with him the key of the garden, designing, if -he had time, to give it to the landlord; otherwise to deposit it in -some trusty person’s hand before witnesses, that he might have it -after he was gone. When he came to the port, he was told the ship -sailed several hours before he came, and was already out of sight. -It staid three hours for him, and the wind standing fair, the -captain durst not stay longer. - -It is easy to imagine that prince Camaralzaman was exceedingly -grieved to be forced to stay longer in a country where he neither -had nor wished to have any acquaintance; and to think that he must -wait another twelvemonth for the opportunity he had lost. But the -greatest affliction of all was, his having let go the princess -Badoura’s talisman, which he now gave over for lost. The only -course that was left for him to take was, to return to the garden -from whence he came, to rent it of the landlord, and to continue to -cultivate it by himself, deploring his misery and misfortunes. He -hired a boy to help him to do some part of the drudgery, that he -might not lose the other half of the treasure, which came to him by -the death of the gardener, who died without heirs: he put the -gold-dust in fifty other pots, which he filled up with olives, to be -ready against the time of the ship’s return. - -While prince Camaralzaman began another year of labour, sorrow, and -impatience, the ship, having a fair wind, continued her voyage to -the isle of Ebene, and happily arrived at the capital city. - -The palace being by the sea-side, the new king, or rather the -princess Badoura, espying the ship as she was entering into the -port, with all her flags, asked what vessel it was; she was -answered, that it came annually from the city of the idolaters, and -generally was richly laden. - -The princess, who always had prince Camaralzaman in her mind amidst -the glories which surrounded her, imagined that the prince might be -aboard, and resolved to go aboard the ship and meet him, without -discovering herself to him, (for she doubted whether he would know -her again), but to observe him, and take proper measures for their -making themselves mutually known. Under pretence of inquiring what -merchandize was aboard, and having the first sight of the goods, and -choosing the most valuable for herself, she commanded a horse to be -brought, which she mounted, and rode to the port, accompanied by -several officers in waiting at that time, and arrived at the port -just as the captain came ashore. She ordered him to be brought -before her, and asked whence he came, how long he had been on his -voyage, and what good or bad fortune he had met with in it; if he -had no stranger of quality aboard, and particularly with what his -ship was laden. - -The captain gave a satisfactory answer to all her demands; and as to -passengers, assured her there were none but merchants in his ship, -who used to come every year, and bring rich stuffs from several -parts of the world to trade with, the finest linens, painted and -plain, diamonds, musk, ambergris, camphire, civet, spices, drugs, -olives, and many other articles. - -The princess Badoura loved olives extremely. When she heard the -captain speak of them, Land them, said she; I will take them off -your hands. As to the other goods, tell the merchants to bring them -to me, and let me see them before they dispose of them, or show them -to any one. - -The captain, taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene, replied, -Sire, there are fifty great pots of olives, but they belong to a -merchant whom I was forced to leave behind. I gave him notice myself -that I staid for him, and waited a long time, but he not coming, and -the wind offering, I was afraid of losing it, and so set sail. The -princess answered, No matter; bring them ashore; we will make a -bargain for them however. - -The captain sent his boat aboard, and in a little time it returned -with the pots of olives. The princess demanded how much the fifty -pots might be worth in the isle of Ebene. Sir, said the captain, the -merchant is very poor, and your majesty will do him a singular -favour if you give him a thousand pieces of silver. - -To satisfy him, replied the princess, and because you tell me he is -poor, I will order you a thousand pieces of gold for him, which do -you take care to give him. The money was accordingly paid, and the -pots carried to the palace in her presence. - -Night drawing on, the princess withdrew into the inner palace, and -went to the princess Haiatalnefous’ apartment, ordering the fifty -pots of olives to be brought thither. --She opened one to let the -princess Haiatalnefous taste them, and to taste them herself, and -poured them into a dish. Great was her astonishment when she found -the olives were mingled with gold-dust. What can this mean? said -she; it is wonderful beyond comprehension. Her curiosity increasing -by so extraordinary an adventure, she ordered Haiatalnefous’ women -to open and empty all the pots in her presence; and her wonder was -still greater, when she saw that the olives in all of them were -mixed with gold-dust; but when she saw her talisman drop out of that -in which the prince had put it, she was so surprised, that she -fainted away. The princess Haiatalnefous and her women recovered the -princess Badoura, by throwing cold water in her face. When she -recovered her senses, she took the talisman, and kissed it again and -again; but not being willing that the princess Haiatalnefous’ -women, who were ignorant of her disguise, should hear what she said, -and it growing late, she dismissed them. Princess, said she to -Haiatalnefous, as soon as they were gone, you, who have heard my -story, to be sure guessed it was at the sight of the talisman that I -fainted. This is that talisman, and the fatal cause of my losing my -dear husband, prince Camaralzaman; but as it was that which caused -our separation, so I foresee it will be the means of our approaching -meeting. - -The next day, as soon as it was light, she sent for the captain of -the ship; and when he came, spoke to him thus: I want to know -something more of the merchant to whom the olives belong, that I -bought of you yesterday. I think you told me you left him behind you -in the city of idolaters: can you tell me what he does there. - -Yes, sire, replied the captain, I can speak on my own knowledge. I -agreed for his passage with a very old gardener, who told me I -should find him in his garden, where he worked under him. He showed -me the place, and for that reason I told your majesty he was poor. I -went thither to call him. I told him what haste I was in, spoke to -him myself in the garden, and cannot be mistaken in the man. - -If what you say is true, replied the princess Badoura, you must set -sail this very day for the city of idolaters, and fetch me that -gardener’s man, who is my debtor; else I will not only confiscate -all your goods and those of your merchants, but your and their lives -shall answer for his. I have ordered my seal to be put on the -warehouses where they are, which shall not be taken off till you -bring me that man: this is all I have to say to you; go, and do as I -command you. - -The captain could make no reply to this order, the disobeying of -which would be a very great loss to him and his merchants. He -acquainted them with it; and they hastened him away as fast as they -could, after he had laid in a stock of provisions and fresh water -for his voyage. They were so diligent, that he set sail the same -day. He had a prosperous voyage to the city of the idolaters, where -he arrived in the night. When he was got as near the city as he -thought convenient, he would not cast anchor, but let the ship ride -off shore; and going into his boat, with six of his stoutest seamen, -he landed a little way off the port, whence he went directly to -Camaralzaman’s garden. - -Though it was about midnight when he came there, the prince was not -asleep. His separation from the fair princess of China, his wife, -afflicted him as usual. He cursed the minute in which his curiosity -tempted him to touch the fatal girdle. - -Thus did he pass those hours which are devoted to rest, when he -heard somebody knock at the garden-door; he ran hastily to it, half -dressed as he was; but he had no sooner opened it, than the captain -and the seamen took hold of him, and carried him by force on board -the boat, and so on ship-board, where as soon as he was safely -lodged, they set sail immediately, and made the best of their way to -the isle of Ebene. - -Hitherto Camaralzaman, the captain, and his men, had not said a word -to one another; at last the prince broke silence, and asked the -captain, whom he knew again, why they had taken him away by force? -The captain, in his turn, demanded of the prince, whether he was not -a debtor of the king of Ebene? I the king of Ebene’s debtor! -replied Camaralzaman in amazement; I do not know him; I had never -any thing to do with him in my life, and never set foot in his -kingdom. The captain answered, You should know that better than I: -you will talk to him yourself in a little while; till then, stay -here, and have patience. - -The captain was not long on his voyage back to the isle of Ebene. -Though it was night when he cast anchor in the port, he landed -immediately, and taking prince Camaralzaman with him, hastened to -the palace, where he demanded to be introduced to the king. - -The princess Badoura was withdrawn into the inner palace: however, -as soon as she had heard of the captain’s return, and -Camaralzaman’s arrival, she came out to speak to him. As soon as -she cast her eyes on the prince, for whom she had shed so many -tears, she knew him in his gardener’s habit. As for the prince, -who trembled in the presence of a king, as he thought her, to whom -he was to answer for an imaginary debt, it could not enter into his -thoughts, that the person whom he so earnestly desired to see, stood -before him. If the princess had followed the dictates of her -inclination, she would have run to him, and by embracing, discovered -herself to him: but she put a constraint on herself, believing that -it was for the interest of both that she should act the part of a -king a little longer before she made herself known. She contented -herself for the present to put him into the hands of an officer, who -was then in waiting, charging him to take care of him, and use him -well till next day. - -When the princess Badoura had provided for prince Camaralzaman, she -turned about to the captain, whom she was now to reward for the -important service he had done her. She commanded another officer to -go immediately, and take the seal off the warehouse, where his and -his merchants’ goods were, and gave him a rich diamond, worth much -more than the expense he had been at in both his voyages. She -besides bid him keep the thousand pieces of gold she had given him -for the pots of olives, telling him she would make up the account -with the merchant whom he had brought with him. This done, she -retired to the princess of the isle of Ebene’s apartment, to whom -she communicated her joy, praying her to keep the secret still. She -told her how she intended to manage the discovering of herself to -prince Camaralzaman, and giving the kingdom to him; adding, there -was so vast a difference between a gardener and a great prince, as -he is, that it maybe dangerous to raise him at once from the lowest -condition of the people to the highest degree, however justice -required it should be done. The princess of the isle of Ebene was so -far from betraying her, that she rejoiced with her, and entered into -the design, assuring her, she would with the greatest pleasure -contribute to it all that lay in her power, and that she had only to -say what she would desire of her. - -The next morning, the princess of China ordered prince Camaralzaman -to be conducted early to the bath, and then apparelled in the robes -of an emir or governor of a province. She commanded him to be -introduced into the council, where his fine person and majestic air -drew all the eyes of the lords there present upon him. - -The princess Badoura herself was charmed to see him again, as lovely -as she had often seen him, and that pleasure inspired her to speak -the more warmly in his praise. --When she addressed herself to the -council, having ordered the prince to take his seat among the emirs, -she spoke to them thus: My lords, Camaralzaman, whom I have advanced -to the same dignity with you, is not unworthy the place assigned -him. I have known enough of him in my travels to answer for him, and -I can assure you he will make his merit known to all of you, as well -by his valour, as by a thousand other brilliant qualities, and the -extent of his genius. - -Camaralzaman was extremely amazed to hear the king of the isle of -Ebene, whom he was far from taking for a woman, much less for his -dear princess, name him, and declare that he knew him, while he -thought himself certain he had never seen him before in his life. He -was much more surprised when he heard him praise him so excessively. -Those praises, however, from the mouth of majesty, did not -disconcert him, though he received them with such modesty as showed -that he deserved them, and did not grow vain upon it. He prostrated -himself before the throne of the king, and rising again, Sire, said -he, I want words to express my gratitude to your majesty for the -honour you have done me: I shall do all in my power to render myself -worthy of your royal favour. - -From the council board, the prince was conducted to a palace, which -the princess Badoura had ordered to be fitted up for him; where he -found officers and domestics ready to obey his commands, a stable -full of fine horses, and every thing suitable to the quality of an -emir. When he was in his closet, the steward of his household -brought him a strong box full of gold for his expenses. - -The less he conceived whence came his great good fortune, the more -he admired it, but never once imagined that he owed it to the -princess of China. - -Two or three days after, the princess Badoura, that he might be -nearer her person, and in a more distinguished post, made him high -treasurer, which office became lately vacant. He behaved himself in -his new charge with so much integrity, yet obliging every body, that -he not only gained the friendship of the great, but also the -affections of the people, by his uprightness and bounty. - -Camaralzaman had been the happiest man in the world, to see himself -in so high favour with a foreign king as he conceived, and -increasing in the esteem of all his subjects, if he had had his -princess with him. --In the midst of this good fortune he never -ceased lamenting her, and grieved that he could hear no tidings of -her, especially in a country where she must necessarily have come in -her way to his father’s court, after their separation, so -afflicting to both. He had mistrusted something, had the princess -Badoura still gone by the name of Camaralzaman, which she took with -his habit; but on her accession to the throne, she changed it, and -took that of Armanos, in honour of the old king, her father-in-law. -She was known now only by the name of the young king Armanos. There -were very few courtiers who knew that she had ever been called -Camaralzaman, which name she assumed when she arrived at the court -of the isle of Ebene: nor had Camaralzaman so much acquaintance with -any of them yet, to inform himself farther of her history. - -The princess, fearing he might do it in time, and desiring that he -should owe the discovery of herself to herself only, resolved to put -an end to her own torments and his; for she had observed, that as -often as she discoursed with him about the affairs of his office, he -fetched such deep sighs as could be addressed to nobody but her. She -herself lived in such a constraint that she could endure it no -longer. Add to this, the friendship of the emirs and courtiers, the -zeal and affection of the people; in a word, every thing contributed -to her putting the crown of the isle of Ebene on his head, without -any obstacle. - -The princess Badoura had no sooner taken this resolution with the -princess Haiatalnefous, than she the same day took prince -Camaralzaman aside, saying, I must talk with you about an affair, -Camaralzaman, which requires much consideration, and on which I want -your advice. As I do not see how it can be done so conveniently as -in the night, come hither in the evening, and leave word at home not -to be waited for; I will take care to provide you a bed. - -Camaralzaman came punctually to the palace at the hour appointed by -the princess; she took him with her into the inner apartment, and -having told the chief eunuch, who prepared to follow her, she had no -occasion for his service, and that he should only keep the door -shut, she carried him into a different apartment from that of the -princess Haiatalnefous, where she used to sleep. - -When the prince and princess entered the chamber, where there was a -bed, she shut the door, and taking the talisman out of a little box, -gave it to Camaralzaman, saying, It is not long since an astrologer -presented me with this talisman; you being skilful in all things, -may perhaps tell me its use. - -Camaralzaman took the talisman, and drew near a lamp to view it. As -soon as he recollected it, with an astonishment which gave the -princess great pleasure, Sire, said he to the prince, your majesty -asked me what this talisman is good for. Alas! it is only good to -kill me with grief and despair, if I do not quickly find the most -charming and lovely princess in the world, to whom it belonged; the -loss of it was the occasion to me of a strange adventure, the very -recital of which will move your majesty to pity such an unfortunate -husband and lover, if you will have patience to hear it. - -You shall tell me that another time, replied the princess; I am very -glad to tell you I know something of it already; stay here a little, -and I will return to you in a moment. - -At these words, she went into her closet, put off her royal turban, -and in a few minutes dressed herself like a woman: and having the -girdle round her which she had on the day of their separation, she -entered the chamber. - -Prince Camaralzaman immediately knew his dear princess, ran to her, -and tenderly embraced her, crying out, How much I am obliged to the -king who has so agreeably surprised me! Do not expect to see the -king any more, replied the princess, embracing him in her turn, with -tears in her eyes; you see him in me; sit down, and I will explain -this enigma to you. - -They sat down, and the princess told the prince the resolution she -came to, in the field where they encamped the last time they were -together, as soon as she perceived she waited for him to no purpose; -how she went through with it, till she arrived at the isle of Ebene, -where she had been obliged to marry the princess Haiatalnefous, and -accept of the crown which king Armanos offered her as a condition of -the marriage: how the princess, whose merit she highly extolled, -took her declaration of her sex; and how she found the talisman in -the pots of olives mingled with the gold-dust, which she bought, and -how the finding it was the cause of her sending for him from the -city of the idolaters. - -When she had done telling her adventure, she obliged the prince to -tell her by what accident the talisman occasioned their separation. -He satisfied her inquiries; and when he had done, he upbraided her -in the kindest expressions for her cruelty in making him languish so -long without her; she excused herself with the reasons already -related, after which, it growing late, they went to bed. - -The princess Badoura and prince Camaralzaman rose next morning as -soon as it was light, but the princess would no more put on her -royal robes as king; she dressed herself in the dress of a woman, -and then sent the chief eunuch to king Armanos, her father-in-law, -to desire he would give himself the trouble to come to her apartment. - -When the king entered the chamber, he was amazed to see there a lady -that was unknown to him, and the high treasurer with her, who was -not permitted to come within the inner palace, nor any of the lords -of the court. He sat down, and asked where the king was. - -The princess answered, Yesterday I was king, sir, and to-day I am -only princess of China, wife to the true prince Camaralzaman, the -true son of king Schahzaman. If your majesty will have patience to -hear both our stories, I hope you will not condemn me for putting an -innocent deceit upon you. The king bid her go on, and heard her -discourse from the beginning to the end with astonishment. The -princess finishing it, said to him, Sir, though in our religion -women do not easily comply with the liberty assumed by men to have -several wives; yet if your majesty will consent to give your -daughter the princess Haiatalnefous in marriage to prince -Camaralzaman, I will with all my heart yield up to her the rank and -quality of queen, which of right belongs to her, and content myself -with the second place. If this precedence was not her due, I would, -however, give it her, after the obligation I have to her for keeping -my secret so generously. If your majesty refers it to her consent, I -am sure of that, having already consulted her; and I will pass my -word that she will be very well satisfied. - -King Armanos listened to the princess with astonishment, and when -she had done, turned about to prince Camaralzaman, saying, Since the -princess Badoura, your wife, whom I have all along thought to be my -son-in-law, through a deceit of which I cannot complain, assures me, -that she will divide your bed with my daughter, I have nothing more -to do, but to know of you if you are willing to marry her, and -accept of the crown, which the princess Badoura would deservedly -wear as long as she lived, if she did not quit it out of love to -you. Sir, replied prince Camaralzaman, though I desire nothing so -earnestly as to see the king my father, yet the obligations I have -to your majesty and the princess Haiatalnefous are so weighty, I can -refuse her nothing. Camaralzaman was proclaimed king, and married -the same day with all possible demonstrations of joy; and had every -reason to be well pleased with the princess Haiatalnefous’ beauty, -wit, and love for him. - -The two queens lived together afterwards on the same friendly terms, -and in the same cordiality, as they had done before, both being -contented with king Camaralzaman’s equal carriage towards them, -and they alternately were taken to his bed. - -The next year each brought him a son at the same time, and the -births of the two princes were celebrated with extraordinary -rejoicings: the first, which the princess Badoura was delivered of, -king Camaralzaman called Amgiad (most glorious); and the other, -which was born of queen Haiatalnefous, Assad (most happy). - -The Story of the Princes Amgiad and Assad. - -The two princes were brought up with great care; and, when they were -old enough, had the same governor and the same instructors in the -arts and sciences which king Camaralzaman would have them learn, and -the same master for each exercise. The friendship which from their -infancy they conceived for each other, occasioned an uniformity of -manners and inclinations, which increased it. When they were of an -age to have separate households, they loved one another so tenderly, -that they begged king Camaralzaman to let them live together. He -consented to it. So they had the same domestics, the same equipages, -the same apartment, and the same table. Camaralzaman had formed so -good an opinion of their capacity and integrity, that he made no -scruple of admitting them into his council at eighteen years old, -and letting them, by turns, preside there, while he himself took the -diversion of hunting, or amused himself with his queens at his -houses of pleasure. - -The two princes being equally handsome and well made from their -infancy, the two queens loved them with incredible tenderness, yet -so that the princess Badoura had a greater kindness for prince -Assad, queen Haiatalnefous’ son, than for her own; and queen -Haiatalnefous loved Amgiad, the princess Badoura’s son, better -than her own son Assad. - -The two queens thought at first this inclination was nothing but a -friendship which proceeded from an excess of their own friendship -for each other, which they still preserved: but as the two princes -advanced in years, that friendship turned to a violent love, when -they appeared in their eyes to possess graces that blinded their -reason. They knew how criminal their passion was, and did all they -could to resist it; but the familiar intercourse with them, and the -habit of admiring, praising and caressing them from their infancy, -which they could not leave off when they grew up, inflamed their -desires to such a height, that they could neither eat, drink, or -sleep. It was their and the princes’ ill fortune, that the latter, -being used to be so treated by them, had not the least suspicion of -their infamous passion. - -The two queens had not concealed from each other this passion, but -had not the boldness to declare it verbally to each of the princes -she loved: they at last resolved to do it by a billet, and availed -themselves of king Camaralzaman’s absence to execute their wicked -design, when he was gone on a hunting party for three or four days. - -Prince Amgiad presided at the council on the day of king -Camaralzaman’s departure, and administered justice till two or -three o’clock in the afternoon; when he returned to the palace -from the council chamber, an eunuch took him aside, and gave him a -billet from queen Haiatalnefous: Amgiad took it, and read it with -horror. Traitor, said he to the eunuch, as soon as he had read it -through, is this the fidelity thou owest thy master and thy king? At -these words he drew his sabre, and cut off his head. - -Having done this in a transport of anger, he ran to the princess -Badoura his mother, showed her the billet, told her the contents of -it, and from whom it came. Instead of hearkening to him, she fell -into a passion herself, and said, Son, it is all a calumny and -imposture; queen Haiatalnefous is a very discreet princess, and you -are very bold to talk to me against her after this rate. The prince, -enraged at his mother, cried, You are both equally wicked, and were -it not for the respect I owe my father, this day should have been -the last of Haiatalnefous’ life. - -Queen Badoura might have imagined by the example of her son Amgiad, -that prince Assad, who was not less virtuous, would not receive more -favourably a declaration of love like that which had been made to -his brother. Yet that did not hinder her persisting in so abominable -a design; she the next day wrote him a billet, which she trusted to -an old woman who had access to the palace, to convey to him. - -The old woman watched her opportunity to give it him as he was -coming from the council-chamber, where he presided that day in his -turn; the prince took it, and reading it, fell into such a rage, -that, without giving himself time to finish it, he drew his sabre, -and punished the old woman as she deserved. He ran presently to his -mother queen Haiatalnefous’ apartment with the billet in his hand; -he would have shown it to her, but she did not give him time, crying -out, I know what you mean; you are as impertinent as your brother -Amgiad; begone! and never come into my presence again. - -Assad stood as one thunderstruck at these words, which he never -expected. He was so transported with rage, that he had like to have -given very fatal demonstrations of his anger; but he contained -himself, and withdrew without making any reply, fearing, if he -staid, he might say something unworthy the greatness of his soul. -Amgiad had not mentioned to him the billet which he received the -preceding day, and finding by what his mother had said to him that -she was altogether as criminal as queen Haiatalnefous, he went to -his brother, to chide him for not communicating the hated secret to -him, and to mingle his sorrow with his. - -The two queens, rendered desperate by finding in the two princes so -much virtue, which should have had an influence on them, renounced -all sentiments of nature and mothers, and conspired together to -destroy them: they made their women believe the two princes had -attempted their virtue: they counterfeited the matter to the life by -their tears, cries, and curses; and lay in the same bed, as if the -resistance they pretended to have made had reduced them almost to -death’s door. - -When Camaralzaman returned to the palace from hunting, he was very -much surprised to find them in bed together, all in tears, acting -despondency so well, that he was touched with compassion. He asked -them with earnestness what had happened to them. - -At this question the dissembling queens wept and gobbed more -bitterly than before; and after he had pressed them again and again -to tell him, queen Badoura, at last answered him: Sir, our grief is -so well founded, that we ought not to see the light of the sun, nor -live a day, after the violence that has been offered us by the -unparalleled brutality of the princes your sons. They formed a -horrid design, encouraged by your absence, and had the boldness and -insolence to attempt our honour. Your majesty will excuse us from -saying any more; you may guess the rest by our affliction. - -[Illustration: PRINCE AMGIAD AND PRINCE ASSAD.] - -The king sent for the two princes, and had killed them both with his -own hand, if old king Armanos, his father-in-law, who was by, had -not held his hand. Son, said he, what are you going to do? Will you -stain your hands and your palace with your own blood? There are -other ways of punishing them, if they are really guilty. - -He endeavoured thus to appease him, and desired him to examine -whether they did indeed commit the crime of which they were accused. - -It was no hard thing for Camaralzaman to be so much master of -himself as not to butcher his own children: he ordered them to be -put under arrest, and sent for an emir called Giondar, whom he -commanded to carry them out of the city, and put them to death, at a -great distance, and in what place he pleased, but not to see him -again, unless he brought their clothes with him, as a token of his -having executed his orders. - -Giondar travelled with them all night, and early next morning made -them alight, telling them, with tears in his eyes, the commands he -had received. Believe me, princes, said he, it is a trying duty -imposed on me by your father, to execute this cruel order: would to -Heaven I could avoid it! The princes replied, Do your duty; we know -well you are not the cause of our deaths, and forgive you with all -our hearts. - -Then they embraced, and bade each other the last adieu with so much -tenderness, that it was a long time before they could leave one -another’s arms. Prince Assad was the first who prepared himself -for the fatal stroke. Begin with me, Giondar, said he, that I may -not have the trouble to see my dear brother Amgiad die. Amgiad -opposed it; and Giondar could not, without weeping more than before, -be witness of this dispute between them; which showed how perfect -and sincere their friendship was. - -At last they thus determined the contest, desiring Giondar to tie -them together, and put them in the most convenient posture for him -to give them the fatal stroke at one blow. Do not refuse the comfort -of dying together to two unfortunate brothers, who from their birth -have shared every thing, even their innocence, said the generous -princes. - -Giondar granted their request; he tied them to each other, breast to -breast; and when he had placed them so as he thought he might strike -the blow with more surety, and cut off their heads at once, he asked -them if they had any thing to command him before they died. - -We have only one thing to desire of you, replied the princes; which -is, to assure the king our father, at your return, that we are -innocent; but that we do not charge him with our deaths, knowing he -is not well informed of the truth of the crime with which we are -accused. - -Giondar promised to do what they would have him, and drew his sabre: -his horse being tied to a tree just by, started at the sight of the -sabre, which glittered against the sun, broke his bridle, and ran -away with all speed into the country. - -He was a very valuable good horse, and so richly harnessed, that the -emir could not bear the loss of him. This accident so troubled him, -that instead of beheading the two princes, he threw away his sabre, -and ran after his horse to catch him again. - -The horse gallopped on before him, and led him several miles out of -his way into a wood. Giondar followed him, and the horse’s -neighing roused a lion that was asleep. The lion started up, and -instead of running after the horse, made directly towards Giondar, -who thought no more of his horse, but how to save his life and avoid -the lion. He ran into the thickest of the wood, the lion keeping him -in view, pursuing him among the trees. In this extremity he said to -himself, Heaven had not punished me in this manner, but to show the -innocence of the princes whom I was commanded to put to death; and -now, to my misfortune, I have not my sabre to defend myself. - -While Giondar was gone, the two princes were seized with a violent -thirst, occasioned by the fear of death, notwithstanding their noble -resolution to submit to the king their father’s cruel order. - -Prince Amgiad told the prince his brother there was a spring not far -off. Ah! brother, said Assad, we have so little time to live, what -need have we to quench our thirst? We can bear it a few minutes -longer. - -Amgiad, taking no notice of his brother’s remonstrance, unbound -himself, and unbound the prince his brother whether he would or no. -They went to the spring, and having refreshed themselves, heard the -roaring of the lion. They also heard Giondar’s dreadful cries in -the wood, where he and the horse were. Amgiad took up Giondar’s -sabre which lay on the ground, saying to Assad, Come, brother, let -us go and help poor Giondar; perhaps we may arrive soon enough to -deliver him from the danger in which he now is. - -The two princes ran to the wood, and entered it just as the lion was -going to fall on Giondar. The beast, seeing prince Amgiad, advancing -towards him with a sabre in his hand, left his prey, and came -against him with fury. The prince met him intrepidly, and gave him a -blow so forcibly and dexterously, that it felled him to the ground. - -When Giondar saw that he owed his life to the two princes, he threw -himself at their feet, and thanked them, for the great obligation he -had to them, in words which sufficiently showed his gratitude. -Princes, said he, rising up and kissing their hands, with tears in -his eyes, God forbid that ever I should attempt any thing against -your lives, after you have so kindly and bravely saved mine. It -shall never be said, that the emir Giondar was guilty of such -ingratitude. - -The service we have done you, answered the princes, ought not to -hinder you from executing the orders you have received; let us first -catch your horse again, and then return to the place where you left -us. They were at no great trouble to take the horse, whose mettle -was abated with running. When they had restored him to Giondar, and -were near the fountain, they begged of him, and argued with him to -do as their father had commanded him; but all to no purpose. I only -take liberty to desire you, said Giondar, and I pray you not to deny -me, that you will divide my clothes between you, and give me yours, -and go to such a distance, that the king your father may never hear -of you more. - -The princes were forced to comply with his request. Each of them -gave him his clothes, and covered themselves with what he could -spare them of his. He also gave them all the money he had about him, -and took leave of them. - -When the emir Giondar parted from the princes, he passed through the -wood, where Amgiad had killed the lion, in whose blood he dipped -their clothes; which having done, he proceeded on his way to the -capital city of the isle of Ebene. - -At his arrival there, king Camaralzaman asked if he had done what he -ordered him. Giondar replied, See, sir, the proofs of my obedience; -giving him, at the same time, the princes’ clothes. - -How did they take the punishment I commanded to be executed on them? -Giondar answered, With wonderful constancy, sir, and resignation to -the decrees of Heaven; which showed how sincerely they made -profession of their religion: but particularly with great respect -towards your majesty, and an inconceivable submission to the -sentence of death. We die innocent, said they; but we do not murmur; -we take our death from the hand of Heaven, and forgive our father; -for we know very well he has not been rightly informed of the truth. - -Camaralzaman, sensibly touched at emir Giondar’s relation, -bethought himself of putting his hand in their pockets: he began -with prince Amgiad’s, where he found a billet open, which he read. -He no sooner knew that queen Haiatalnefous writ it, as well by a -lock of her hair which was in it, and by the hand-writing, but he -was chilled with horror. He then trembling put his hand into that of -Assad; and finding there queen Badoura’s billet, his surprise was -so great and sudden, that he fainted. - -Never was grief equal to Camaralzaman’s, when he was recovered -from his fit. Barbarous father, cried he, what hast thou done? Thou -hast murdered thy own children, thy innocent children! Did not their -wisdom, their modesty, their obedience, their submission to thy will -in all things, their virtue, all plead in their behalf? Blind and -insensible father! dost thou deserve to live after the execrable -crime thou hast committed? I have brought this abomination on my own -head; and Heaven chastises me for not persevering in that aversion -to women in which I was born. And oh, ye detestable wives! I will -not, no I will not, as ye deserve, wash off the guilt of your sins -with your blood; ye are unworthy of my rage; but perdition seize me -if ever I see you more! - -King Camaralzaman was a man of too much religion to break his vow: -he commanded the two queens to be lodged in separate apartments that -very day, where they were kept under strong guards, and he never saw -them again as long as he lived. - -While the king of the isle of Ebene afflicted himself for the loss -of the princes his sons, whose death he thought he had been the -author of, by his too rashly condemning them, the royal youths -wandered through deserts, endeavouring to avoid all places that were -inhabited, and to meet any human creature. They lived on herbs and -wild fruits and drank only foul rain-water, which they found in the -crevices of the rocks. They slept, and watched by turns at night, -for fear of wild beasts. - -When they had travelled about a month, they came to the foot of a -frightful mountain, of black stones, and to all appearance -inaccessible. They at last espied a sort of path, but so narrow and -difficult, that they durst not venture up it. This obliged them to -go along by the foot of the mountain, in hopes to find a more easy -way to reach the top of it. They went about it five days, but could -see nothing like a path, so they were forced to return to that which -they had neglected. They still thought it would be in vain for them -to attempt going up by it; they deliberated what they should do, a -long time; and at last, encouraging one another, resolved to ascend -the hill. - -The more they advanced, they thought it was the higher and the more -steep, which made them think several times of giving over their -enterprise. When the one was weary, the other stopt, and they took -breath together; sometimes they were both so tired, that they wanted -strength to go farther: then, despairing of being able to reach the -top, they thought they must lie down and die of fatigue and -weariness. A few minutes after, when they found they recovered -strength, they animated each other, and went on. - -Notwithstanding all their endeavours, and their courage and -perseverance, they could not get to the top that day: night came on, -and prince Assad was so tired and spent, that he stopt, and said to -prince Amgiad, Brother, I can go no farther: I am just dying. --Let -us rest ourselves, replied prince Amgiad, as long as you will, and -have a good heart; it is but a little way to the top, and the moon -befriends us. - -They rested themselves about half an hour, and then Assad made a new -effort, and once more ascended what remained of the way to the -mountain’s summit, where they both at last arrived, and lay down. -Amgiad rose first, and advancing, saw a tree at a little distance: -he went to it, and found it was a pomegranate tree with large fruit -upon it, and a spring at the foot of it: he ran to his brother Assad -to tell him the good news, and conduct him to the tree by the -fountain side. They refreshed themselves there by eating each a -pomegranate, after which they fell asleep. - -When they awoke next morning, Come, brother, said Amgiad to Assad, -let us go on: I see the mountain is easier to be travelled over on -this side than the other; all our way now is down hill; but Assad -was so tired with the last day’s fatigue, that he wanted three -days repose to recover himself. - -They spent them as they had done many before, in discoursing on -their mothers’ inordinate passion, which had reduced them to such -a deplorable state: But, said they, since Heaven has so visibly -declared itself in our favour, we ought to bear it with patience, -and comfort ourselves with hopes that we shall see an end of it. - -After having rested three days, the two brothers continued their -travels. As the mountain on that side was composed of several stages -of extensive fields, they were five days in descending it, before -they came into the plain. They then discovered a great city, at -which they rejoiced. Brother, said Amgiad to Assad, are not you of -my opinion, that you should stay in some place out of the city, -where I may find you again, while I go and learn the language, and -inform myself what is the name of the city? in what country we are? -and when I come back, I will bring provisions with me. It may not be -safe for us to go there together. - -Brother, replied Assad, your advice is both safe and prudent, and I -approve of what you say; but if one of us must part from the other -on that account, I will not suffer it to be you; you must allow me -to go, for what shall I suffer, if any ill accident should happen to -you? - -But, brother, answered Amgiad, the same ill accident you fear for -me, I have as much reason to be afraid of for you; I entreat you to -let me go, and do you stay here with patience. I will never yield to -it, said Assad; if any ill happen to me, it will be some comfort to -think you are safe. Amgiad was forced to submit, and Assad going -towards the city, he stayed under the trees at the foot of the -mountain. - -Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgiad had in charge, and -went forwards towards the city. He had not gone far in the first -street, before he met with a reverend old man with a cane in his -hand: he was neatly dressed, and the prince took him for a man of -note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him, so he -accosted him thus: Pray, my lord, which is the way to the -market-place? The old man looked on prince Assad, smiling: Child, -said he, it is plain you are a stranger, or you would not have asked -that question of me. - -Yes, my lord, I am a stranger, replied Assad. The old man answered, -You are welcome then; our country will be honoured by the presence -of so handsome a young man as you are: tell me what business you -have at the market-place. - -My lord, replied Assad, it is near two months since my brother and I -set out from our own country, which is a great way from hence: we -have not ceased travelling, and we arrived here but to-day. My -brother, tired with such a long journey, stays at the foot of the -mountain, and I am come to buy some provision for him and me. - -Son, said the old man, you could not have come in a better time, and -I am glad of it, for your and your brother’s sake: I made a feast -to-day for some friends of mine, and there is a great deal of -victuals left untouched: come along with me; you shall eat as much -as you please, and when you have done, I will give you enough to -last your brother and you several days: do not spend your money, -when there is no occasion for it; travellers are always in want of -it. While you are eating, I will give you an account of our city, -which nobody can do better than myself, who have borne all the -honourable offices in it. It is well for you that you happened to -light upon me; for I must tell you, all our citizens cannot so well -help and inform you as I can: I can assure you some of them are very -wicked. Come along, you shall see the difference between a real -honest man, as I am, and such as boast of being so, and are not. - -I am infinitely obliged to you, replied Assad, for your good will -towards me; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to -go with you where you please. - -The old man laughed in his sleeve to think he had got the prince in -his clutches; and as he walked by the side of him, all the way, lest -he should perceive it, talked of various subjects, to preserve the -favourable opinion Assad had of him. Among other things, said he, it -must be confessed you were very fortunate to meet with me, rather -than with any other man. I thank God I met with you: you will know -why I say it when you come to my house. - -Thither they came ere it was long, and the old man introduced Assad -into a hall, where were forty such old fellows as himself, who made -a circle round a flaming fire, which they adored. The prince was not -more seized with horror at the sight of so many men mistakingly -adoring the creature for the Creator, than with fear of finding -himself betrayed and in such an abominable place. - -While Assad stood motionless with astonishment, the old cheat -saluted the forty grey-headed men. Devout adorers of fire, said he -to them, this is a happy day for us. Where is Gazban? call him. - -He spake these words aloud, and a negro, who waited at the lower end -of the hall, presently came up to him. This black was Gazban; who, -as soon as he saw the disconsolate Assad, imagined for what he was -called. He ran to him immediately, knocked him down, and bound his -hands with wonderful activity. When he had done, Carry him down, -said the old man, and fail not to order my daughters, Bostama and -Cavama, to give him every day a good bastinado, with a loaf morning -and night for his subsistence: this is enough to keep him alive till -the next ship departs for the blue sea and the fiery mountain. He -shall be offered up an agreeable sacrifice to our divinity. - -As soon as the old man had given this cruel order to Gazban, than -the slave hurried prince Assad out of the hall, through several -doors, till they came to a dungeon, down to which led twenty steps; -there he left him in chains of prodigious weight and bigness, -fastened to his feet. When he had done, he went to give the old -man’s daughters notice of it; but their father had before sent for -them, and given them their instructions himself. Daughters, said he -to them, go down and give the Mussulman I just now brought in the -bastinado, as you know how to do it: do not spare him; you cannot -better show your zeal for the worship of the fire. - -Bostama and Cavama, who were bred up in their hatred to Mussulmen, -received this order with joy. They descended into the dungeon that -very moment, stripped Assad, and bastinadoed him unmercifully, till -the blood issued out of his wounds, and he was almost dead. After -this cruel infliction, they put a loaf of bread and a pot of water -by him, and retired. - -Assad did not come to himself again for a long time; when he did, he -broke out into a flood of tears, deploring his misery. His comfort -however was, that this misfortune had not happened to his brother -Amgiad. - -That prince waited for his brother till evening with impatience: -when it was two, three, or four of the clock in the morning, and -Assad did not return, he was like one in despair. He spent the night -in that dismal condition; and as soon as it was day, went to the -city, where he was surprised to see but very few Mussulmen. He -accosted the first he met, and asked him the name of the place. He -was told it was the city of the Magicians; so called, from the great -number of magicians, who adored the fire, and that there were but -very few Mussulmen. Amgiad then demanded how far it was to the isle -of Ebene. He was answered, four months voyage by sea, and a year’s -journey by land. The man he talked to left him hastily, having -satisfied him as to those two questions, and went about his business. - -Amgiad, who had been but six weeks coming from the isle of Ebene -with his brother Assad, could not comprehend how they reached this -city in so little time, unless it was by enchantment, or that the -way across the mountain was much shorter, but not frequented, -because of its difficulty. - -Going farther in the town, he stopped at a tailor’s shop, whom he -knew to be a Mussulman by his dress, as he had known the man he had -talked to before. Having saluted him, he sat down, and told the -occasion of the trouble he was in. - -When prince Amgiad had done talking, the tailor replied, If your -brother has fallen into the hands of some magician, depend upon it -you will never see him more: he is lost past all recovery; and I -advise you to comfort yourself as well as you can, and to beware of -falling into the same misfortune. To which end, if you will hearken -to me, you shall stay at my house, and I will tell you all the -tricks of these magicians, that you may take care of yourself when -you go out. Amgiad, afflicted for the loss of his brother, accepted -the tailor’s offer, and thanked him a thousand times for his -kindness to him. - - - - -The Story of Prince Amgiad and a Lady of the City of the Magicians. - - -Prince Amgiad did not go out of the tailor’s house for a whole -month, except his host went with him. At last he ventured to go -alone to the bath. As he was returning home through a street where -there was nobody, he met a lady coming to him. Seeing a handsome -young man, fresh come out of the bath, she lifted up her veil, and -asked him, with a smiling air, whither he was going; and ogled him -all the while so amorously, that Amgiad could not resist her charms. -Madam, said he, I am going to my own house, or yours, as you please. - -My lord, replied the lady, with an agreeable smile, ladies of my -quality never carry men to their own houses; they always go to the -men’s. - -Amgiad was very much confounded at this answer, which he did not -expect: he durst not venture to take her home to his landlord’s -house, fearing the good man would be scandalized by it, and he -should have lost his protection, of which he stood in great need, -considering he was in a city where it was so necessary for him to be -always upon his guard: he knew so little of the town, that he could -not tell where to carry her, and he could not resolve to lose this -lucky adventure. In this uncertainty, he determined to throw himself -upon chance; and without making any answer, he went before, and the -lady followed him. Amgiad led her from street to street, from square -to square, till they were both weary with walking: at last they came -to a street, at the end of which was a great gate, shut up, opening -to a handsome house, and having a seat on each side of it. Amgiad -sat down on one of them, as if to take breath; and the lady, more -weary than he, seated herself on the other. - -When she had taken her seat, she asked him whether that was his -house. You see it, madam, said Amgiad. Why do you not open the gate -then? replied the lady; what do you wait for? Fair lady, answered -Amgiad, I have not the key; I left it with my slave when I sent him -on an errand, and he cannot be come back yet: besides, I ordered him -afterwards to get something good for dinner; so that I am afraid we -shall wait a long time for him. - -The prince met with so many difficulties in satisfying his passion, -that he began to repent of it. He therefore contrived this answer, -in hopes that the lady would take the hint, and out of resentment -leave him, and seek elsewhere for a lover; but he was mistaken. - -This is a most impertinent slave, said the lady, to make us wait so -long. I will chastise him myself as he deserves, if you do not, when -he comes back: it is not decent that I should sit here alone with a -man at a gate. Saying this, she arose and took up a stone to break -the lock, which was only of wood, and weak, according to the fashion -of the country. - -Amgiad did all he could to hinder her. What are you doing, madam? -said the prince. For Heaven’s sake stay a little! What are you -afraid of? replied the lady; is it not your house? It is no great -matter to break a wooden lock; a new one will not cost much. The -lock she accordingly broke; and as soon as the door was open, -entered the house, and walked before him. - -Amgiad gave himself over for a lost man, when he saw the door forced -open; he paused upon it, whether he should go into the house or not, -or make off as fast as he could, to avoid the danger which he -believed was inevitable; and he was going to fly, when the lady -returned. - -Seeing he did not enter, Why do not you come into your house? said -she. The prince answered, I am looking to see if my slave is coming, -fearing we have nothing ready. Come in, come in, said madam; we had -better wait for him within doors than without. - -Amgiad, much against his will, followed her into the house. Passing -through a spacious court, neatly paved, they mounted by several -steps into a grand vestibule, which led to a large open hall, very -well furnished, where he and the lady saw a table ready spread with -all sorts of delicacies, another heaped with fruit, and a sideboard -full of bottles of wine. - -When Amgiad saw these preparations, he gave himself up for lost. -Poor Amgiad, said he to himself, thou wilt soon follow thy dear -brother Assad! - -The lady, on the contrary, transported at the sight, cried out, How, -my lord, did you fear there was nothing ready? You see your slave -has done more than you expected; but if I am not mistaken, these -preparations were made for some other lady, and not for me: no -matter, let her come; I promise you I will not be jealous; I only -beg the favour of you that you will permit me to wait on her and you. - -Amgiad, as much as he was troubled at this accident, could not help -laughing at the lady’s pleasantry. Madam, said he, thinking of -something else that tormented his mind, there is nothing in what you -fancy; this is my common dinner, and no extraordinary preparation, I -assure you. As he could not bring himself to sit down at a table -which was not prepared for him, he would have taken his seat on a -sofa, but the lady would not let him. Come, sir, said she, you must -be hungry after bathing, let us eat and enjoy ourselves. - -Amgiad was forced to do what the lady would have him: they both sat -down and fell to. The lady, having eat a bit, took a bottle and -glass, poured out some wine, and drank to Amgiad: and when she had -drank herself, she filled another glass, and gave it to Amgiad, who -pledged her. The more the prince thought of this adventure, the more -he was amazed that the master of the house did not appear, and that -so rich a house, and so well provided, should be left without a -servant. It will be lucky, said he to himself, if the master of the -house does not come till I am got clear of this intrigue. While he -was occupied with these thoughts, and others more troublesome, she -eat and drank heartily, and obliged him to do the same. They were -almost come to the fruit, when the master of the house arrived. - -It happened to be Bahader, master of the horse to the king of the -magicians: this house belonged to him, but he commonly dwelt in -another; and he seldom came here, unless to regale himself with two -or three chosen friends. He always sent provisions from his other -house on such occasions, and had done so this day by some of his -servants, who were just gone as the lady and Amgiad entered it. - -Bahader came as he used to do, in disguise, and without attendants, -and a little before the time appointed for his friends coming: he -was not a little surprised to see the door of his house broken open. -He entered, making no noise, and hearing some persons talking and -making merry in the hall, he stole along under the wall, and put his -head half-way within the door to see who they were. - -Perceiving a young man and a young lady eating at his table the -victuals that had been provided for his friends and himself, and -that there was no great harm done, he resolved to divert himself -with the adventure. - -The lady’s back was a little turned from him, and she did not see -the master of the horse, but Amgiad saw him immediately: he had then -the glass in his hand, and was going to drink it off; he changed -colour at the sight of Bahader, who made a sign to him not to say a -word, but to come and speak with him. - -Amgiad drank and rose. Where are you going? said the lady. The -prince answered, Pray, madam, stay here a little; I shall be back -again in a minute; a small affair obliges me to go out at present. -Bahader waited for him in the vestibule, and led him into the court -to talk to him without being heard by the lady. - -When Bahader and Amgiad were in the court, Bahader demanded of the -prince how the lady came into his house, and why they broke open his -door. My lord, replied Amgiad, you may very reasonably think me -guilty of a very unwarrantable action; but if you will have patience -to hear me, I hope my innocence will appear. He then told him, in a -few words, what had happened to him, without disguising any part of -the truth; and to convince him that he was not capable of committing -such an action as to break into a house, he told him plainly he was -a prince, and what was the reason of his coming to the city of the -magicians. - -Bahader, who naturally loved strangers, was transported with an -opportunity of obliging one of Amgiad’s rank and quality; for by -his air, his actions, and his well-turned discourse, he did not in -the least doubt of the truth of what he said. Prince, said Bahader, -I am very glad I can oblige you in so pleasant an adventure as this: -far from disturbing the feast, it will be a pleasure to me to -contribute to your satisfaction in any thing. Before I say any more -on this subject, I am happy to inform you my name is Bahader; I am -master of the horse to the king of the magicians: I commonly dwell -in another house which I have in this city, and come here sometimes -to have the more liberty with my friends. You have made this lady -believe you have a slave, though you have none: I will be your -slave; and that this may not disturb you, and to spare your excuses, -I repeat again, that I will positively be so; you will soon know my -reason for it. Go to your place, and continue to divert yourself: -when I return again, and come before you in a slave’s habit, chide -me for staying so long; do not be afraid even to strike me. I will -wait upon you all the while you are at table, till night; you shall -sleep here, and so shall the lady, and to-morrow morning you may -send her home with honour. I shall afterwards endeavour to do you -more important services: go, and lose no time. Amgiad would have -made him an answer, but the master of the horse would not let him, -forcing him to go to the lady. He had scarce got into the hall -before Bahader’s friends, whom he had invited, arrived. Bahader -excused himself for not entertaining them that day, telling them -they would approve of the reason of it when they knew it, which -should be in due time. When they were gone, he went forth and -dressed himself in a slave’s habit. - -Prince Amgiad came to the lady much better pleased at finding the -house belonged to a man of quality, who had received him so -courteously. When he sat down to the table again, he said, Madam, I -beg a thousand pardons for my rudeness: I was vexed that my slave -should tarry so long; the rascal shall pay for it, when he comes: I -will teach him to make me stay so for him. - -Let not that trouble you, said the lady; so much the worse for him; -if he is guilty of any faults, let him pay for it: do not let us -think of him; we will enjoy ourselves without him. - -They continued at the table with the more pleasure, as Amgiad was -under no apprehensions of the consequence of the lady’s -indiscretion, who ought not to have broken open the door, though it -had been Amgiad’s own house. The prince was now as merry as the -lady: they said a thousand pleasant things, and drank more than they -ate, till Bahader arrived, disguised like a slave. - -Bahader entered like a slave who feared his master’s displeasure -for staying out when he had company with him: he fell down at his -feet, and kissed the ground, to implore his clemency; and when he -had done, stood behind him with his hands across, in expectation of -his commands. - -Sirrah, said Amgiad, with a fierce tone and angry look, is there -such a slave as you in all the world? Where have you been? What have -you been doing, that you came no sooner? - -My lord, replied Bahader, I ask your pardon; I was executing your -orders, and did not think you would come home so early. - -You are a rascal, said Amgiad, and I shall break your bones, to -teach you to lie and to disappoint me. He then rose up, took a -stick, and gave him two or three slight blows with it; after which -he sat down to table again. - -The lady was not satisfied with the chastisement he bestowed on him. -She also rose, took the stick, and fell upon Bahader so -unmercifully, that the tears came into his eyes. Amgiad, offended to -the last degree at the freedom she took, and that she should use one -of the king’s chief officers so ill, cried out to her in vain, -Enough. She continued striking him. Let me alone, said she, I will -give him enough, and teach him to be absent so long another time. -She continued beating him with great fury, till Amgiad rose from the -table, and forced the stick out of her hand; which she did not part -with without much struggling. When she found she could beat Bahader -no longer, she sat down and railed at and cursed him. - -Bahader wiped his eyes, and stood up to fill out wine. When he saw -they had done eating and drinking, he took away the cloth, cleared -the hall, put every thing in its place; and, night coming on, -lighted up the lamps. Every time he came in, or went out, the lady -muttered and threatened him, and gave him abusive language, to -Amgiad’s great disliking, who would have hindered her, but could -not. When it was time for them to go to bed, Bahader prepared one -for them on the sofa, and withdrew into a chamber, where he laid -himself down, and it was not long before he fell asleep, having been -fatigued with his beating. Amgiad and the lady entertained one -another a good half hour afterwards, and the lady wanted to go forth -before she went to bed. Passing through the vestibule, she heard -Bahader snore; and having seen a sabre hanging up in the hall, she -turned back again, and said to prince Amgiad, My lord, as you love -me, do one thing for me. In what can I serve you? replied the -prince. The lady answered, Oblige me so far as to take down this -sabre, and cut off your slave’s head with it. Amgiad was -astonished at such a proposal from a lady, not doubting but it was -the wine she had drank that prompted it. Madam, said he, let my -slave alone; he is not worthy of your notice; I have beat him, and -you have beat him: it is sufficient: besides, I am very well -satisfied with him; he does not use to be guilty of such faults. - -That shall not do, replied the lady, in violent fury; the rogue -shall die: if not by your hands, by mine. Saying this, she took down -the sabre from the place where it hung, drew it out of the scabbard, -and was going to execute her wicked design. - -Amgiad met her in the vestibule, saying, You shall be satisfied, -madam, since you will have it so; but I should be sorry that any -one, beside myself, should kill my slave. When she had given him the -sabre, Come, follow me, said he; make no noise, for fear we wake -him. They went into Bahader’s chamber, where Amgiad, instead of -striking him, struck at the lady, and cut off her head, which fell -upon Bahader. - -If the noise of the blow which Amgiad gave the lady, in cutting off -her head, had not waked Bahader, her head falling upon him would -have done it; he was amazed to see Amgiad with a sabre all bloody, -and the body of the lady lying headless on the ground. The prince -told him what had passed, and ending his discourse, said, I had no -other way to hinder this furious woman from killing you, but to take -away her life. My lord, replied Bahader, full of gratitude, persons -of your rank and generosity are not capable of doing such a wicked -action as she desired of you. You are my deliverer, and I cannot -enough thank you. After he had embraced him, to show him what sense -he had of his obligations to him, he said, We must carry this corpse -out before it is quite day, leave it to me, I will do it. Amgaid -would not agree to that, saying, he would carry it away himself, -since he had struck the blow. Bahader replied, You are a stranger in -this city, and cannot do it so well as one who is acquainted here; I -must do it, if for no other reason, yet for both our safeties, to -prevent our being questioned for her death: stay you here, and if I -do not come back before day, you may be sure the watch has seized -me; and for fear of the worst, I will by writing give this house and -furniture for your habitation; you have nothing to do but to live in -it. - -When he had written, signed, and delivered the paper to prince -Amgiad, he put the lady’s body in a bag, head and all, laid it on -his shoulder, and went out with it from one street to another, -taking the way to the sea-side. He had not gone far before he met -with one of the judges of the city, who was going the rounds in -person. Bahader was stopped by the judge’s followers, who, opening -the bag, found the body of a murdered lady, bundled up with the -head. The judge, who knew the master of the horse, notwithstanding -his disguise, took him home to his house, and not daring to put him -to death without telling the king of it, because of his quality, he -carried him to court as soon as it was day. When the king had heard -from the judge, what a foul action he had been guilty of, as he -believed from the circumstances, he addressed the master of the -horse in these words: It is thus then that thou murderest my -subjects, to rob them, and then thou wouldst throw their dead bodies -into the sea, to hide thy villany; let us rid them of you; go, hang -him up immediately. - -Innocent as Bahader was, he took his sentence of death with all -imaginable resignation, and said not a word to justify himself. The -judge carried him to his house, and, while the gallows was -preparing, he sent a crier to publish throughout the city, that at -noon the master of the horse was to be hanged for a murder committed -by him. - -Prince Amgiad, who had in vain expected Bahader’s return, was -struck with terrible consternation when he heard the crier publish -the approaching execution of the master of the horse. If, said he to -himself, somebody must die for the death of such a wicked woman, it -is I, and not Bahader; I will never suffer an innocent man to be -punished for the guilty; and without deliberating any more about it, -he hastened to the place of execution, whither the people were -running from all parts. - -When Amgiad saw the judge bringing Bahader to the gibbet, he went up -to him, and said, I am come to tell you, and to assure you, that the -master of the horse whom you are leading to execution is wholly -innocent of the lady’s death: I am guilty of the crime, if it is -one, to have killed a detestable woman, who would have murdered -Bahader; and then he told him all as it happened. - -The prince having informed the judge how he met her coming out of -the bath; how she was the cause of going into the master of the -horse’s pleasure-house, and all that had passed to the moment in -which he was forced to cut off her head, to save Bahader’s life; -the judge ordered execution to be stopped, and conducted Amgiad to -the king, taking the master of the horse with him. - -The king had a mind to hear the story from Amgiad himself; and the -prince, the better to prove his own innocence and the master of the -horse’s, took that opportunity to discover who he was, and what -had driven him and his brother Assad to that city, with all the -accidents that had befallen them, from their departure from the -capital city of the isle of Ebene, to the time in which he talked to -him. - -The prince having done speaking, the king said to him, I rejoice -that I have by this means come to the knowledge of you; I not only -give you your own and my master of the horse’s life, whom I -commend for his kindness to you, but I restore him to his office; -and as for you, prince, I declare you my grand vizier, to make -amends for your father’s unjust usage of you, though it is also -excusable, and I permit you to employ all the authority I now give -you to find out prince Assad. - -Prince Amgiad having thanked the king of the city and country of -magicians for the honour he had done him, and taking possession of -his office of grand vizier, he took every possible means to find out -the prince his brother. He ordered the common criers to promise a -great reward to any one who should bring forth prince Assad, or tell -any tidings of him. He sent men up and down the country to the same -purpose; but notwithstanding all his diligence, he could hear no -news of him. - - - - -The Sequel of the Story of Prince Assad. - - -Assad in the meanwhile continued in the dungeon in chains; Bostama -and Cavama, the cunning old conjuror’s daughters, treating him -daily with the same cruelty and inhumanity as at first. - -The solemn festival of the adorers of fire approached; and a ship -was fitted out for the fiery mountain as usual; the captain’s name -was Behram, a great bigot to that religion. He loaded it with proper -merchandise; and when it was ready to sail, he put Assad in a chest, -which was half full of goods, a few crevices being left between the -boards for him to breathe, enough to keep life in him. This chest -was stowed in the bottom of the hold, for the greater security. - -Before the ship sailed, the grand vizier Amgiad, Assad’s brother, -who had been told that the adorers of fire used to sacrifice a -Mussulman every year on the fiery mountain, suspected that Assad -might have fallen into their hands, and be designed a victim at that -bloody sacrifice; wherefore he resolved to search the ship in -person. He ordered all the passengers and seamen to be brought upon -deck, and commanded his men to search all over the ship, which they -did, yet Assad could not be found, he was so well concealed. - -When the grand vizier had done searching the vessel, she sailed, and -as soon as Behram was got out to sea, he ordered prince Assad to be -taken out of the chest, and fettered, to secure him, fearing least -he should fling himself into the sea in despair, since he knew he -was going to be sacrificed. - -The wind was very favourable two or three days, and then it turned -contrary, after which there arose a furious storm; and the vessel -was not only driven out of her course, but neither Behram nor his -pilot knew where they were. They were afraid of splitting against -the rocks, for in the violence of the storm they discovered land, -and a dreadful shore before them. Behram saw he was driven into the -port and capital of queen Margiana, which was a great mortification -to him. - -This queen Margiana was a devout professor of the Mahometan -religion, and a mortal enemy to the adorers of fire. She banished -all of them out of her dominions, and would not let any of their -ships touch at her ports. - -It was no longer in the power of Behram now to help putting into the -port of this queen’s capital city, or else he had been dashed to -pieces against the frightful rocks that lay off the shore. In this -extremity he held a council with his pilot and seamen. My lads, said -he, you see to what a necessity we are reduced; we must choose one -of these two things; either resolve to be swallowed up by the waves, -or put into queen Margiana’s port, whose hatred to all persons of -our religion you very well know. She will certainly seize our vessel -and put us all to death, without mercy. I see but one likely way to -escape her, which is, to take off the fetters from the Mussulman we -have aboard, and dress him like a slave. When queen Margiana -commands me to come before her, and asks what trade I use, I will -tell her I deal in slaves; that I have sold all I had, but one, whom -I keep to be my clerk, because he can read and write. She will see -him, to be sure, and he being handsome, and of her own religion, -will have pity on him. No doubt she will then ask to buy him of me, -and on this condition will let us stay in the port till the weather -is fair. If any of you have any thing else to propose, that will be -of more advantage to us, I am ready to hearken to it. The pilot and -seamen applauded his judgment, and agreed to follow his advice. - -Behram commanded prince Assad’s chains to be taken off, and had -him dressed like a slave very neatly, as became one who was to pass -for his clerk before the queen of the country. They had scarce time -to do this, before the ship drove into the port, and dropped anchor. - -Queen Margiana’s palace was so near the sea-side, that her garden -extended down to the sea-shore. She saw the ship anchor, and sent to -the captain to come to her, and the sooner to satisfy her curiosity, -waited for him in her garden. - -Behram, who expected to be sent for, landed with prince Assad; whom -he required to confirm what he had said of his being a slave, and -his clerk. When he was introduced to the queen, he threw himself at -her feet, and informed her of the necessity he was in to put into -her port; that he dealt in slaves, and had sold all he had but one, -which was Assad there present, whom he kept for his clerk. - -The queen was taken with Assad from the minute she first saw him, -and was extremely glad to hear that he was a slave; resolving to buy -him, cost what it would. She asked Assad what was his name. - -Great queen, replied Assad, with tears in his eyes, does your -majesty ask what my name was formerly, or what it is now? The queen -answered, Have you two names then? Alas! it is but too true, said -Assad: I was once called Assad (most happy); and now my name is -Motar (devoted to be sacrificed.) - -Margiana, not being able to find out the true meaning of this -answer, understood it of his condition of a slave; for she perceived -he had a great deal of wit. Since you are clerk to the captain, said -she, no doubt you can write well: let me see your hand. - -Behram had furnished Assad with pen, ink and paper, as a token of -his office, that the queen might take him for what he designed she -should. - -The prince stepped a little aside, and wrote as follows, suitable to -his wretched circumstances: - -‘The blind man avoids the ditch into which the clear-sighted -falls. Fools advance themselves to honours by discourses which -signify nothing, while men of sense and eloquence live in poverty -and contempt. The Mussulman with all his riches is miserable. The -infidel triumphs. We cannot hope things will be otherwise. The -Almighty has decreed it should be so.’ - -Assad presented the paper to queen Margiana, who admired alike the -moral of the sentences and the goodness of the writing. She needed -no more to have her heart inflamed, and to feel a sincere concern -for his misfortunes. She had no sooner read it, but she addressed -herself to Behram, saying, Do which you will, either sell me this -slave, or make a present of him to me; perhaps it will turn most to -your account to do the latter. - -Behram answered insolently, that he could neither give nor sell him; -that he wanted his slave, and would keep him. - -Queen Margiana, provoked at his boldness, would not talk to him any -more about it. She took the prince by the arm, and turned him before -her to the palace, sending Behram word, that if he stayed the night -in her port, she would confiscate his goods, and burn his ship. So -he was forced to go back to his vessel, and prepare to put to sea -again, notwithstanding the tempest was not yet over. - -Queen Margiana, on entering her palace, commanded supper to be got -ready; and while it was providing, she ordered Assad to be brought -into her apartment, where she bade him sit down. Assad would have -excused himself: It does not belong to a slave, said he, to presume -to this honour. - -To a slave! replied the queen; you were so a moment ago; -henceforward you are no more a slave. Sit down near me, and tell me -the story of your life; for by what you wrote, and the insolence of -that slave-merchant, I guess there is something extraordinary in it. - -Prince Assad obeyed her; and, sitting down, began thus: Mighty -queen, your majesty is not mistaken in thinking there is something -extraordinary in the story of my life: it is indeed more so than you -can imagine. The ills, the incredible torments, I have suffered, and -the death to which I was devoted, and from which I am delivered by -your royal generosity, will show the greatness of my obligation to -you, never to be forgotten. But before I enter into particulars of -my miseries, which will strike horror into the hearts of all that -hear it, I must trace the origin of them to its source. - -This preamble increased queen Margiana’s curiosity. The prince -then told her of his royal birth; of his brother Amgiad, and their -mutual friendship; of their mothers’ criminal passion, which in a -night turned into inveterate hatred, the cause of all their -sufferings; of the king his father’s rage; how miraculously their -lives were saved; how he lost his brother; how he had been long -imprisoned and tortured, and was only discharged then to be -sacrificed on the fiery mountain. - -When Assad had finished his discourse, the queen was more than ever -enraged at the adorers of fire. Prince, said she, though I have -always had an aversion to the adorers of fire, yet hitherto I have -had some humanity for them; but after their barbarous usage of you, -and their execrable design to sacrifice you, I will henceforth -declare perpetual war against them. - -She would have said more, but supper being served up, she made -prince Assad sit down at table with her, being charmed with his -beauty and eloquence, and touched with a passion which she hoped -soon to have an opportunity of letting him see. Prince, said she, we -must make you amends for so many fasts and wretched meals, which the -pitiless adorers of fire forced you to make; you will want -nourishment after such sufferings. With these and such like words -she helped him at supper; and ordered the prince to drink a good -deal of wine to recover his spirits; by which means he drank more -than he could well bear. - -The cloth being taken away, Assad wanting to go out, took an -opportunity when the queen did not see him. He descended into the -court, and seeing the garden door open, went into it. Being tempted -by the pleasantness of the place, he walked there a while. At last -he came to a fountain, where he washed his face and hands to refresh -himself, and lying down on the turf round the fountain, fell asleep. - -It was almost night, and Behram, determined to prevent the queen -from executing her threats, had weighed anchor, troubled at the loss -of Assad, by which he was disappointed of a most acceptable -sacrifice. He comforted himself as well as he could with the -thoughts that the storm was over, and that a land breeze favoured -his getting off from that coast. As soon as he was towed out of the -port by the help of his boat, before it was hoisted up into the ship -again, Stop, my lads, said he to the seamen in it, do not come on -board again; I will give you some casks to fill with water, and will -wait for you. The sailors excused themselves, for that they did not -know where to get water. Behram had observed, while he was talking -to the queen in the garden, that there was a fountain at the end of -it, near the port. Go, said he, land before the palace-garden; the -wall is not above breast high; you may easily get over; there is a -basin in the middle of the garden, where you may fill all your -barrels, and hand them aboard without difficulty. - -The sailors went ashore at the place he directed them to, and laying -their casks on their shoulders, easily got over the wall. - -As they drew near the basin, they perceived a man sleeping on the -grass, and knew him to be Assad. They immediately divided -themselves; and while some of the crew filled their barren with as -little noise as possible, others surrounded Assad, and watched to -stop him if he should awake. - -He was fast, and slept on, giving them time to fill all their casks: -which, as soon as they had filled, they handed over the wall to -others of their crew who waited there to carry them aboard. - -They next seized Assad, and bore him away, without giving him time -to recollect himself. They got him over the wall into their boat -with the casks, and rowed to the ship. When they came near her they -cried out for joy, Captain, sound your trumpets, beat your drums; we -have brought you your slave again. - -Behram, who could not imagine how the seamen could find and take him -again, and did not see Assad in the boat, it being night, waited -their coming on board with impatience, to ask what they meant; but -when he had seen him, he could not contain himself, so great was his -joy. He commanded him to be chained down again, without staying to -inquire how they came by him; and having hoisted the boat on board, -set sail for the fiery mountain. - -In the meanwhile queen Margiana was in a dreadful fright: she did -not much concern herself at first, when she found prince Assad was -gone out, because she did not doubt but he would return in a little -time. When some time had passed without his appearing, she began to -be uneasy, and commanded her women to look for him. They searched -all about without finding him; and night coming on, she ordered them -to search again with torches, which they did to as little purpose. - -Queen Margiana was so impatient and alarmed, that she went with -lights, and finding the garden-door open, went into it, and walked -all over it with her women, to seek for him herself; and passing by -the fountain and basin, she espied a slipper, which she took up, and -knew it to be prince Assad’s: her women also said it was his. The -water being spilt about the basin, made her believe that Behram had -carried him off again. She sent immediately to see if he was still -in the port; and hearing he had set sail a little before it was -dark, that he lay to some time off the shore, while he sent his boat -for water from the fountain, she doubted no longer of the prince’s -ill fortune; so she sent word to the commander of ten ships of war, -which lay always ready in the port, to sail on the shortest notice, -that she would embark herself next morning as soon as it was day. -The commander lost no time; ordered the captains and subalterns, -seamen and soldiers aboard, and was ready to sail at the time -appointed. She embarked; and when the squadron was at sea, told the -commander her intention: Make all the sail you can, said she, and -give chase to the merchant-man that sailed yesterday evening out of -this port: I give it to you to be plundered, if you take it; if not, -your life shall answer it. - -The ten ships chased Behram’s two whole days without seeing her. -The third day in the morning they discovered her, and at noon had so -surrounded her, that she could not escape. - -As soon as cruel Behram espied the ten ships of war, he doubted not -it was queen Margiana’s squadron in pursuit of him; and upon that -he ordered Assad to be bastinadoed, which he did every day, and had -not missed once treating him so barbarously since he left the port -of the city of magicians. On sight of these ships, he used him more -cruelly than before. He was much perplexed what to do, when he found -he was going to be surrounded. To keep Assad, was to declare himself -guilty; to kill him was as dangerous, for he feared some tokens or -other of it might be seen. He therefore commanded him to be -unfettered and brought from the bottom of the hold where he lay. -When he came before him, It is thou, said he, that art the cause of -my being pursued; and so saying, he flung him into the sea. - -Prince Assad knowing how to swim, made so good use of his feet and -hands, that he got safe to shore; the waves seconding his bold -exertions. The first thing he did after he got on shore was to thank -God who had delivered him from so great danger, and once more -rescued him out of the hands of the adorers of fire. He then -stripped himself, and wringing the water out of his clothes, he -spread them on a rock, where, by the heat of the sun, and the rock -together, they soon dried. After which he lay down to rest himself, -deploring his miserable condition, not knowing in what country he -was, nor which way to turn himself. He dressed himself again and -walked on, keeping as near the sea side as he could. At last he came -to a sort of path which he followed, and travelled ten days through -a country which was not inhabited, still living on herbs, plants, -and wild fruits. At last he approached the banks of a rivulet near a -city, which he knew to be that of the magicians, where he had been -so ill used, and where his brother Amgiad was grand vizier: he was -very glad of it, resolving not to come near any of the adorers of -fire, but only to converse with Mussulmen; for he remembered he had -seen some the first time he entered the town. It being late, and he -knowing the shops were already shut, and few people in the streets, -resolved to stay in a burying-ground near the city, where there were -several tombs built in the form of mausoleums. He found the door of -one of them open; he entered it, and designed to pass the night -there. - -We must now return to Behram’s ship, which was soon surrounded on -all sides by queen Margiana’s squadron, after he had thrown prince -Assad overboard. The ship in which queen Margiana was in person -first boarded him, and Behram, being in no condition of defence -against so many, furled his sails in token of yielding. - -The queen herself came aboard him, and demanded of him where the -clerk was, whom he had the boldness to take or cause to be taken out -of her very palace. Behram replied, O queen! I swear by your -majesty, he is not in my ship; you will, by searching it, see my -innocence. - -Margiana ordered the ship to be searched as narrowly as possible, -but she could not find the man whom she so passionately longed to -recover, as well out of love to him, as out of that generosity which -was her distinguishing character. She was going to kill Behram with -her own hand, but refrained, contenting herself with seizing his -ship and cargo, and turning him and his men on shore in their boat. - -Behram and his seamen arrived at the city of the magicians the same -night that Assad did, stopped at the same burying ground, the city -gates being shut, intending to stay in some tomb till the next day, -when they were opened again. - -As Assad’s ill luck would have it, Behram passed before that in -which the prince was sleeping, with his head wrapt up in his habit: -Assad awoke at the noise he made, and asked, Who’s there? - -Behram knew him again presently. Hah, hah! said he, thou art the man -who hast ruined me for ever; thou hast escaped being sacrificed this -year, but depend on it thou shalt not escape the next. Saying this, -he flew upon him, clapped his handkerchief into his mouth to prevent -his making a noise, and by the help of his seamen bound him. - -The next morning, as soon as the city gates were open, Behram and -his men easily carried Assad by a round-about way, through streets -where nobody was up, to the old man’s house, where he had been so -inhumanly treated. As soon as he got in, he was again thrown into -the same dungeon. Behram acquainted the old fellow with the sad -occasion of his return, and the ill success of his voyage. The old -rascal, upon this, commanded his two daughters, Bostama and Cavama, -to treat Assad more cruelly than before, if possible. - -Assad was in a terrible surprise to find himself in the hands of his -old persecutors, from whom he had suffered so much, and expected to -undergo another time the torments from which he hoped that he had -been delivered. He was bemoaning the rigour of his destiny, when he -saw Bostama enter with a cudgel, a loaf, and a pitcher of water. He -was almost dead at the sight of that unmerciful wretch, and the -thoughts of the daily sufferings he was to endure for another year, -after which he was to die the most horrible death. - -Bostama dealt not so inhumanly by prince Assad as she had done the -first time of his confinement. His cries, complaints, and earnest -entreaties to her to spare him, joined with his tears, were so -moving, that Bostama could not help being affected by them, and -shedding tears with him. My lord, said she, covering his shoulders -again, I ask a thousand pardons for my inhuman treatment of you -formerly, and for making you now feel its effect. Till now I was -afraid of disobeying a father, who is unjustly enraged against you, -and resolved on your destruction; but at last I loathe and abhor -this barbarity. Be comforted; your evil days are over. I will -endeavour, by better treatment of you, to make amends for all my -crimes, the enormity of which you will find I am convinced of. You -have hitherto looked on me as an infidel; henceforth believe me one -of your own religion; having been converted by a slave, who is a -Mussulman. I hope your lessons will finish my conversion. To show my -good intentions, I first beg pardon of the true God for all my sins, -in dealing so cruelly by you, and I trust he will put it in my power -to set you entirely at liberty. - -The prince was much comforted to hear her talk thus: he thanked the -Almighty for the change wrought in her heart He also thanked her for -her good disposition towards him, and omitted no arguments which he -thought would have any effect to confirm her in them, by instructing -her in the Mussulman religion, and telling her his whole story, his -high birth, and adventures, to that time. When he was convinced she -was fixed in her good resolution, he asked her how she could hinder -her sister Cavama knowing it, and treating him as barbarously as she -used to do? Let not that trouble you, replied Bostama; I know how to -order matters so that she shall never come near you. - -And as she said, she every day prevented her coming down into the -dungeon, where she often visited the prince, and instead of carrying -him bread and water, she brought him the best wine and the choicest -victuals she could get, which was prepared by her twelve Mahometan -slaves. She eat with him herself from time to time, and did her -utmost to make his confinement comfortable. - -A few days afterwards, Bostama, as she stood at her father’s door, -heard the public crier making proclamation; but she could not hear -what it was about, being too far off. - -As he came near her father’s house, she withdrew into it, holding -the door half open, perceiving he went before the grand vizier -Amgiad, brother to Assad; who was accompanied by several officers, -and other attendants, walking before and behind him. - -The crier, going a few steps from the house, repeated the -proclamation with a loud voice, as follows: ‘The most excellent -and illustrious grand vizier, is come in person to seek for his dear -brother, from whom he was separated about a year ago; he is a young -man of such a person; if any one has him in keeping, or knows where -he is, his excellency commands that they bring him forth, or give -him notice where he shall find him, promising a great reward to the -person that shall so do: if any one conceals him, and he is found, -his excellency declares he shall be punished with death, together -with his wife, children, and all his family, and his house be razed -to the ground.’ Bostama, as soon as she had heard this, shut the -door as fast as she could, and ran to Assad in the dungeon. Prince, -said she, with joy, your troubles are at an end, follow me -immediately. She had taken off his fetters the first day he was -brought in. So the prince followed her into the street, where she -cried, There he is! there he is! - -The grand vizier, who was not far from the house, returned. Assad -knew him to be his brother, ran to him, and embraced him. Amgiad, -who presently recollected him, returned his embrace with all -possible tenderness, made him mount one of his officer’s horses, -who alighted for that purpose, and conducted him in triumph to the -palace, where he presented him to the king, by whom he was advanced -to the post of a vizier. - -Bostama would not return to her father’s house, which was the next -day razed to the ground, but kept prince Assad in sight, and was -sent to the queen’s apartment. - -The old man, her father, and Behram, and all their families, were -brought before the king, who condemned them to be beheaded. They -threw themselves at his feet, and implored his mercy. There is no -mercy for you to expect, said the king, unless you renounce your -adoring of fire, and profess the Mahometan religion. - -They accepted the condition, and were pardoned at the intercession -of Assad, in consideration of Bostama’s friendship; for whose sake -Cavama’s life, and the lives of the rest of their families, were -saved. - -Amgiad, in consideration of Behram turning Mussulman, and to -compensate for his loss, which he had suffered before he deserved -his favour, made him one of his principal officers, and lodged him -in his house. Behram being informed of Amgiad and his brother -Assad’s story, proposed to his benefactor to fit out a vessel to -convey them to their father king Camaralzaman’s court: For, said -he, the king must certainly have heard of your innocence, and -impatiently desire to see you ere this; otherwise we can easily -inform him of the truth before we land; and if he is still in the -same mind, you can but return hither. - -The two brothers accepted the proposal, communicated it to the king -of the city of the magicians, who approved of it, and commanded a -ship to be equipped. Behram undertook the employment cheerfully, and -soon got in readiness to sail. The two princes, when they understood -the ship was ready, waited upon the king one morning to take their -leave of him. While they were making their compliments, and thanking -the king for his favours, they were interrupted by a great tumult in -the city; and presently an officer came to give them notice, that a -numerous army was advancing against the city, nobody knowing who -they were, or whence they came. - -The king being alarmed at the news, Amgiad addressed himself to him -thus: Sir, though I have just resigned into your majesty’s hands -the dignity of your first minister, with which you were pleased to -honour me, I am ready to do you all the service in my power. I -desire, therefore, that you would be pleased to let me go and see -who this enemy is, that comes to attack you in your capital city, -without having first declared war. - -The king desired him to do so. Amgiad departed from him immediately, -with a very small retinue, to see what enemy approached, and what -was the reason of their coming. - -It was not long before prince Amgiad descried the army, which -appeared very formidable, and which approached nearer and nearer. -The advanced guards received him favourably, and conducted him to a -princess, who stopped, and commanded her army to halt, while she -talked with the prince; who, bowing profoundly to her, demanded if -she came as a friend or an enemy? if as an enemy, what cause of -complaint she had against the king, his master? - -I come as a friend, replied the princess, and have no cause of -complaint against the king of the city of the magicians: his -territories and mine are so situated, that it is almost impossible -for us to have any disputes. I only come to require a slave, named -Assad, to be delivered up to me. He was carried away by one Behram, -a captain of a ship belonging to this city, the most insolent man in -the world. I hope your king will do me justice, when he knows I am -Margiana. - -The prince answered, Mighty queen, the slave whom you take so much -pains to seek for is my brother; I lost him, and have found him -again. Come, and I will deliver him up to you myself, and will do -myself the honour to tell you the rest of the story: the king my -master will rejoice to see you. - -The queen ordered her army to pitch their tents, and encamp where -they were, and accompanied prince Amgiad to the city and palace, -where he presented her to the king, who received her in a manner -becoming her dignity. Assad, who was present, and knew her as soon -as he saw her, also paid his respects to her. She showed great joy -at the sight of him; and while they were thus engaged, tidings came -that an army more powerful than the former approached on the other -side of the city. - -The king of the magicians was more terrified than before, -understanding the second army was more numerous than the first; for -he saw this by the clouds of dust they raised, which hid the face of -the heavens. Amgiad, cried he, what shall we do now? a new army -comes to destroy us. Amgiad guessed what the king meant; he mounted -on horseback again, and gallopped towards the second army. He -demanded of the advanced guards to speak with their general; they -conducted him to a king, for such he was he saw by the crown on his -head. --When he drew near him, he alighted, prostrated himself to -the ground, and asked what he required of the king, his master. - -The monarch replied, I am Gaiour, king of China; my desire to learn -tidings of a daughter, whose name is Badoura, whom I married to -Camaralzaman, son of Schahzaman, king of the isles of the Children -of Khaledan, obliged me to leave my dominions. I suffered that -prince to go to see his father Schahzaman, king of the isles of the -Children of Khaledan, on condition he came back in a year with my -daughter; from that time I have heard nothing of them. Your king -will lay an infinite obligation on an afflicted father, to tell him -if he knows what is become of them. - -Prince Amgiad, perceiving by his discourse that the king was his -grandfather, kissed his hand with tenderness, and answered him thus: -Sir, I hope your majesty will pardon my freedom, when you know that -I take it only to pay my duty to my grandfather: I am the son of -Camaralzaman, king of the isle of Ebene, and of queen Badoura, for -whom you are thus troubled; and I doubt not but they are both in -good health in their kingdom. - -The king of China, overjoyed to see his grandson, tenderly embraced -him. Such a meeting, so happy and unexpected, drew tears from both. -The king, inquiring on what occasion he came into a strange country, -the prince told him all that had happened to him and his brother -Assad. When he had ended his relation, My son, replied the king of -China, it is not just that such innocent princes as you are should -be longer ill used. Comfort yourself; I will carry you and your -brother home, and make your peace. Return, and acquaint your brother -with my arrival. - -While the king of China encamped in the same place where prince -Amgiad met him, that prince returned to let the king of the -magicians, who waited for him impatiently, know how he had succeeded. - -The king was amazed that so mighty a king as he of China should -undertake such a long and troublesome journey, out of a desire to -see his daughter, and that he was so near his capital. He gave -orders to make things ready for his reception, and went forth to -meet him. - -While these things were transacting, a great dust was seen on -another side of the town; and suddenly news came of the arrival of a -third army, which obliged the king to stop, and to desire the prince -Amgiad once more to see who they were, and on what account they -came. Amgiad went accordingly, and prince Assad accompanied him. -They found it was Camaralzaman their father’s army, with which he -was coming to seek for them. He was so grieved for the loss of his -sons, that at last emir Giondar declared how he had saved their -lives, which made him resolve to go and see towards what country the -two princes had travelled. - -The afflicted father embraced the two princes with floods of tears -of joy, which put an end to those he had a long time shed for grief. -The princes had no sooner told him the king of China, his -father-in-law, was arrived, but he, with them and a small party, -rode to wait upon him in his camp. They had not gone far before they -saw a fourth army, advancing in good order, which seemed to come -from Persia. - -Camaralzaman told the two princes to go and see what army it was, -and he would in the meanwhile stay for them. They departed -immediately; and, coming up to it, were presented to the king to -whom the army belonged; and, after having saluted him with due -reverence, they demanded on what design he approached so near the -king of the magicians’ capital. The grand vizier, who was present, -answered in the name of the king his master, The monarch to whom you -speak is Schahzaman, king of the isles of the Children of Khaledan: -who has a long time travelled, thus attended, to seek his son, -prince Camaralzaman, who left his dominions many years ago: if you -know any thing of him, you cannot oblige him more than to acquaint -him with it. - -The princes only replied, that they would bring him an answer in a -little time: and, gallopping back as fast as they could, told -Camaralzaman it was king Schahzaman’s army, and that the king his -father was with it in person. - -Wonder, surprise, joy, and grief, to have left the king his father -without taking leave of him, had such an effect on king -Camaralzaman, that he fainted as soon as he heard he was so near. -Prince Amgiad and prince Assad, by their assiduities, at length -brought him to himself; and when he had recovered his strength, he -went to his father’s tent, and threw himself at his feet. - -Never was there a more moving interview between a father and a son. -Schahzaman kindly upbraided Camaralzaman with unkindness in so -cruelly leaving him; and Camaralzaman discovered a hearty sorrow for -the fault which love had urged him to commit. - -The three kings and queen Margiana stayed three days at the court of -the king of the magicians, who treated them magnificently. These -three days were rendered more remarkable by prince Assad’s -marriage with queen Margiana, and prince Amgiad with Bostama, for -the service she had done his brother Assad. - -At last the three kings, and queen Margiana, with her husband Assad, -returned to their respective kingdoms. As for Amgiad, the king of -the magicians had such an affection for him, he would not part with -him; and being very old, he resigned his crown to him. Amgiad, when -he had the supreme authority, did his utmost to exterminate the -worship of fire, and establish the Mahometan religion throughout his -dominions. - - - - -The Story of Noureddin and the Fair Persian. - - -The city of Balsora was for many years the capital of a kingdom -tributary to the caliphs of Arabia. The king who governed it in the -days of the caliph Haroun Alraschid was named Zinebi. They were -cousins, the sons of two brothers. Zinebi not thinking it proper to -commit the administration of his affairs to one single vizier, made -choice of two, Khacan and Saouy. - -Khacan was of a sweet, generous, and affable temper, and took a -pride in obliging to the utmost of his power those with whom he had -any concern, without the least hinderance to justice, which he was -obliged to distribute; so that he was universally respected at -court, in the city, and throughout the whole kingdom; and the -praises he so highly deserved were the general theme. - -Saouy was of a quite different character: he was always sullen and -morose, and disgusted every body, without regard to their rank or -quality. Instead of making himself beloved and admired for his -riches, he was so perfect a miser as to deny himself the necessaries -of life. In short, nobody could endure him, and nothing good was -said of him. But what increased the people’s hatred against him -the more, was his implacable aversion to Khacan; always interpreting -in the worst sense the actions of that worthy minister, and -endeavouring to do him all the ill offices imaginable with the king. - -One day, after council, the king of Balsora amused himself with his -two viziers and some other members of the council. The conversation -turned upon the women slaves that are daily bought and sold, and are -with us almost accounted in the same rank with our lawful wives. -Some were of opinion that it was enough if the slave so bought was -beautiful and well-shaped, to make amends for the wives, which very -often, on account of alliance or interest in families, men are -obliged to marry, though they are not always the greatest beauties, -or possessed of any perfection, either of mind or body. - -Others maintained, and amongst the rest Khacan, that neither beauty -nor all bodily perfections were the only things to be desired in a -slave, but that they ought to be accompanied with a great share of -wit, prudence, modesty, and agreeableness, and if possible, much -pleasing knowledge. The reason they gave for it was, that nothing -could be more agreeable to persons on whom the management of -important affairs depends, than after having spent the whole day in -that fatiguing employment, to have a companion in their retirement, -whose conversation is not only pleasing, but useful and amusing; -for, in short, continued they, there is but little difference -between brutes and those men who keep a slave only to look at, and -gratify a passion that we have in common with them. - -The king was entirely of their opinion who spoke last, and he gave a -proof of it, by ordering Khacan to buy him a slave, a perfect -beauty, mistress of all those qualifications they had just -mentioned, and in particular, possessed of knowledge. - -Saouy, jealous of the honour the king had done Khacan, and being of -a contrary opinion, said, Sire, it will be very difficult to find a -slave so accomplished as your majesty requires; and should they -light upon such a one, (as I scarce believe they will,) she will be -a cheap bargain at ten thousand pieces of gold. Saouy, replied the -king, I perceive plainly you think it too great a sum; it may be so -for you, though not for me. Then turning to his high treasurer, he -ordered him to send the ten thousand pieces of gold to the -vizier’s house. - -Khacan, as soon as he came home, sent for all the brokers who used -to deal in women slaves, and strictly charged them that if ever they -met with a slave that answered the description he gave them, they -should come and acquaint him with it. The brokers, partly to oblige -the vizier, and partly for their own interest, promised to use their -utmost endeavours to find out one to his liking. Scarce a day passed -but they brought him one; but he always found some fault or other. - -One day, as Khacan was getting on horseback, very early in the -morning to go to court, a broker came to him, and catching hold of -the stirrup with great eagerness, told him there was a Persian -merchant arrived very late the day before, who had a slave to sell, -so surprisingly beautiful, that she excelled all women that his eyes -had ever beheld: and for wit and knowledge, added he, the merchant -engages she shall match the finest wits, and the most learned -persons of the age. - -Khacan, overjoyed at this news, which made him hope for a favourable -opportunity of making his court, ordered him to bring the slave to -his palace against his return, and continued his journey. - -The broker failed not to be at the vizier’s at the appointed hour; -and Khacan, finding the lovely slave so much beyond his -expectations, immediately gave her the name of the Fair Persian. As -he had an infinite deal of wit and learning, he soon perceived by -her conversation, that it was in vain to search farther for a slave -that surpassed her in any of those qualifications required by the -king, and therefore he asked the broker at what rate the Persian -merchant valued her. - -Sir, replied the broker, he is a man of few words in bargaining; and -he tells me, that the very lowest price he can part with her at, is -ten thousand pieces of gold. He has also sworn to me, that without -reckoning his care and pains, from the time of his first taking -charge of her, he has laid out pretty near the sum upon her -education, in masters to accomplish both her body and her mind, -besides clothes and maintenance; and as he always thought her fit -for a king, so from her very infancy, when he first bought her, he -has not been sparing of any thing that might contribute towards -advancing her to that high honour. She plays upon all sorts of -instruments to perfection; she sings, dances, writes better than the -most celebrated authors, makes verses, and, in short, there is -scarce any book but she has read; so that there never was a slave of -so great a capacity heard of before. - -The vizier Khacan, who understood the merit of the Fair Persian -better than the broker, who only reported what he had heard from the -merchant, was unwilling to drive off the bargain to another time; -and therefore sent one of his servants to look after the merchant, -where the broker told him he was to be found. - -As soon as the Persian merchant came, It is not for myself, but the -king, said the vizier Khacan, that I buy your slave; but however, -you must let him have her at a more reasonable price than what you -have set upon her. - -Sir, replied the merchant, I should do myself an unspeakable honour -in offering her as a present to his majesty, if it became a person -in my situation to make him one of such inestimable value. I ask no -more than her education and accomplishments have cost me; and all I -have to say is, that I believe his majesty will be extremely pleased -with the purchase. - -The vizier Khacan would no longer stand bargaining with the -merchant, but paid him the money down immediately. Sir, said he to -the vizier, upon taking his leave of him, since the slave is -designed for the king’s use, give me leave to tell you, that being -extremely fatigued with our long journey, you see her at a great -disadvantage; and though she has not her equal in the world for -beauty, yet if you please to keep her at your own house but a -fortnight, and take a little pains with her, she will appear quite -another creature: after that, you may present her to the king with -honour and credit; for which I hope you will think yourself much -obliged to me. The sun, you see, has a little altered her -complexion; but after two or three times bathing, and when you have -dressed her as you think proper, she will be so changed that she -will appear to your eyes infinitely more charming than now. - -Khacan was much pleased with the advice the merchant gave him, and -was resolved to follow it. He assigned the Fair Persian a particular -apartment near his lady’s, whom he desired to invite her to an -entertainment, and henceforth treat her as a person designed for the -king; he also entreated her to get several suits of the richest -clothes for her that could be had, and that became her best. Before -he took his leave of the Fair Persian, Your happiness, madam, said -he, cannot be greater than what I am about to procure for you: you -shall judge for yourself; it is for the king himself I have -purchased you, and I hope he will be better pleased with possessing -you than I am in having discharged the commission his majesty has -honoured me with. I think it, however, my duty to warn you, that I -have a son, who, though he does not want wit, yet is young, -insinuating, and forward; and to caution you how you suffer him to -come near you. The Fair Persian thanked him for his good advice; and -after she had given him an assurance of her intention to follow it, -he withdrew. - -Noureddin, for so the vizier’s son was named, had free access to -his mother’s apartment, with whom he usually eat his meals. He was -very genteel, young, agreeable, and bold; and being master of -abundance of wit and readiness of expression, had the art of -persuading others as he pleased. He saw the Fair Persian; and from -the first interview, though he knew his father had bought her -purposely for the king, and had declared the same to him, yet he -never used the least endeavours to check the violence of his -passion. In short, he resigned himself wholly to the power of her -charms, by which his heart was at first conquered; and from his -first conversation with her, he resolved to employ his utmost -endeavours to get her from the king. - -On the other hand, the Fair Persian had no dislike to Noureddin. The -vizier, said she to herself, has done me honour to purchase me for -the king of Balsora; but I should have thought myself very happy, if -he had designed me only for his own son. - -Noureddin was not backward in making use of the advantage of seeing -and conversing with a beauty he was so passionately enamoured with; -for he never would leave her till his mother forced him to do it. My -son, said she, it is not proper for a young man like you to be -always in the women’s apartment: go, mind your studies, and -endeavour to qualify yourself to succeed your father in his high -posts and honours. - -It being a great while since the Fair Persian had bathed upon -account of her long journey, the vizier’s lady, five or six days -after she was purchased, ordered the bath in her own house to be got -ready purposely for her. She sent her to it, with many of her women -slaves, who were charged by the vizier’s lady to be as attentive -to her as to herself; and after bathing, to put her on a very rich -suit of clothes that she had provided for her. She was the more -careful, in order to ingratiate herself with her husband, by letting -him see how much she interested herself in every thing that -contributed to his pleasure. - -As soon as she came out of the bath, the Fair Persian, a thousand -times more beautiful than ever she appeared to Khacan when he -brought her, went to make a visit to his lady, who at first sight -hardly knew her. The Fair Persian kissed her hand in a very graceful -manner, and said to her, Madam, I know not how you like me in this -dress you have pleased to order for me; but your women, who tell me -it becomes me so extremely well, they should scarce know me, -certainly flatter me: from you alone I expect to hear the truth; -but, if what they say be really so. I am indebted to you, madam, for -the advantage it has given me. - -Oh! my daughter, cried the vizier’s lady, transported with joy, -you have no reason to believe my women have flattered you: I am -better skilled in beauty than they: and, setting aside your dress, -which becomes you admirably well, your beauty is so much improved by -the bath, that I hardly knew you myself. If I thought the bath was -warm enough, I would take my turn; for I am now of an age that -requires frequent use of it. Madam, replied the Fair Persian, I have -nothing to say to the undeserved civilities you have been pleased to -show me; but as for the bath, it is in wonderful fine order; and if -you design to go in, you have no time to lose, as your women can -inform you as well as I. - -The vizier’s lady, considering that she had not bathed for some -days past, was desirous to make use of that opportunity; and -accordingly she acquainted her women with her intention, who -immediately prepared all things necessary on such an occasion. The -Fair Persian withdrew to her apartment; and the vizier’s lady, -before she went to bathe, ordered two little female slaves to stay -with her, with a strict charge, that if Noureddin came, they should -not give him admittance. - -While the vizier’s lady was bathing, and the fair slave alone in -her apartment, in came Noureddin, and not finding his mother in her -chamber, went directly to the Fair Persian’s, where he found the -two little slaves in the antechamber: he asked them where his mother -was? They told him, in the bath. Where is the Fair Persian, then? -replied Noureddin. In her chamber, answered the slaves; but we have -positive orders from your mother not to let you go in. - -The entrance into the Fair Persian’s chamber being only covered -with a piece of tapestry, Noureddin went to lift it up, in order to -go in, but was opposed by the two slaves, who clapped themselves -just before it, on purpose to stop his passage: he presently caught -hold of them both by the arms, and, thrusting them out of the -antechamber, locked the door upon them. Away they immediately ran, -with a great outcry, to the bath, and, with tears in their eyes, -told their lady, that Noureddin, having driven them away by force, -was got into the Fair Persian’s chamber. - -The vizier’s lady received the astonishing news of her son’s -presumption with the greatest concern. She immediately left off -bathing, and, dressing herself with all possible speed, came -directly to the Fair Persian’s chamber; but before she could get -thither, Noureddin was gone. - -The Fair Persian was extremely surprised to see the vizier’s lady -enter her chamber all in tears, and in the utmost confusion. Madam, -said she to her, may I presume to ask the occasion of your concern? -and what accident has happened in the bath, that makes you leave it -so soon? - -What! cried the vizier’s lady, can you so calmly ask that -question, when my son Noureddin has been with you alone in your -chamber? Can there happen a greater misfortune to him or me? - -I beseech you, madam, said the fair slave, what prejudice can this -action of Noureddin’s do to you or him? - -How! replied the vizier’s lady, did not my husband tell you that -you were designed for the king, and sufficiently cautioned you to -beware of Noureddin? - -I have not forgot it, madam, replied the Fair Persian; but your son -came to tell me the vizier, his father, had changed his mind, and -instead of reserving me for the king, as he first designed, has made -him a present of my person. I easily believed him, madam; for, oh! -think how a slave as I am, accustomed from my infant years to the -laws of servitude, could or ought to resist him! I must own I did it -with the less unwillingness on account of a violent inclination for -him, which the freedom of conversation and daily intercourse has -raised in my soul. I could, without regret, lose the hope of ever -being the king’s, and think myself perfectly happy in spending my -whole life with Noureddin. - -At this discourse of the Fair Persian’s, Would to God, cried the -vizier’s lady, that what you say were true! I should hear it with -joy; but, believe me, Noureddin is an impostor, and has deceived -you; for it is impossible his father should ever make him the -present he spoke of. Ah! wretched youth, how miserable has he made -me! but more his father, by the dismal consequences we must all -expect to share with him! Neither my prayers her tears will be able -to prevail, or obtain a pardon for him: but as soon as his father -hears of his violence to you, he will inevitably sacrifice him to -his just resentment. At these words she fell to weeping bitterly; -and the slaves, who were as much afraid for Noureddin as herself, -bore her company. - -A little after this, in came the vizier Khacan; and being surprised -to find his lady and her slaves all in tears, and the Fair Persian -very melancholy, asked the reason of it; but, instead of answering -him, his wife and his slaves kept on weeping and lamenting. He was -more astonished at this than before: at last, addressing himself to -his wife, I command you, said he, to let me know the occasion of -your tears, and to tell me the whole truth. - -The poor disconsolate lady could no longer refuse to satisfy her -husband. Sir, said she, first promise not to use me unkindly for -what I tell you, since I assure you that what has happened has not -been occasioned by any fault of mine; then, without staying for his -answer, Whilst I was bathing with my women, continued she, your son, -laying hold of that fatal opportunity to ruin us both, came hither, -and made the Fair Persian believe, that instead of reserving her for -the king, as you once designed, you had given her to him as a -present; I do not say what he did after such a notorious falsehood, -but shall leave you to judge of it yourself. This is the cause of my -affliction, upon your account, and his, for whom I want confidence -to implore your pardon. - -It is impossible to express the vizier Khacan’s distraction upon -hearing of the insolence of his son Noureddin. Ah! cried he, beating -his breast, and tearing his beard, miserable son! unworthy of life! -hast thou at last thrown thy father from the highest pinnacle of -happiness into a misfortune that must inevitably involve thee also -in his ruin? neither will the king be satisfied with thy blood or -mine, to avenge the affront offered to his royal person. - -His lady endeavoured to comfort him. Afflict yourself no more about -the matter, said she; I shall easily raise, with part of my jewels, -ten thousand pieces of gold, and you may buy another slave, more -beautiful, and more worthy of the king. - -Ah! replied the vizier, could you think me capable of being so -extremely afflicted at losing ten thousand pieces of gold? It is not -that loss, nor the loss of all I am worth, for that I should not -feel; but the forfeiting my honour, more precious than all the -riches in the world. However, methinks, replied the lady, a loss -that can be repaired by money cannot be so very great. - -How! cried the vizier; don’t you know Saouy is my mortal enemy; -and as soon as this affair comes to his knowledge, do you think he -will not exult over me before the king? Your majesty, will he say to -him, is always talking of Khacan’s zeal and affection for your -service; but see what a proof he has lately given of his being -worthy the regard you have hitherto shown him. He has received ten -thousand pieces of gold to buy a slave with; and, to do him justice, -he has most honourably acquitted himself of that commission, in -buying the most beautiful that ever eyes beheld; but, instead of -bringing her to your majesty, he has thought it better to make a -present of her to his son. Here, my son, said he, take this slave, -since thou art more worthy of her than the king. Then with his usual -malice will he go on, His son has her now entirely in his -possession, and every day revels in her arms, without the least -disturbance. This, sir, is the exact truth, that I have done myself -the honour of acquainting you with, and if your majesty questions -it, you may easily satisfy yourself. Do you not plainly see, -continued the vizier, how, upon such a malicious insinuation as -this, I am every moment liable to have my house forced by the -king’s guards, and the Fair Persian taken from me, besides a -thousand other misfortunes that will unavoidably follow? Sir, -replied the vizier’s lady to her husband, I am sensible the malice -of Saouy is very great, and that, if he has but the least intimation -of this affair, he will certainly give it a turn very -disadvantageous to your interest; but how is it possible that he or -any body else should come to the knowledge of what has been -privately transacted in your family? Suppose it comes to the -king’s ears, and he should ask you about it; cannot you say, that -upon a strict examination you did not think the slave so fit for his -majesty’s use as you did at the first view; that the merchant has -cheated you; that, indeed, she has a great deal of beauty, but is -nothing near so accomplished as she was reported to be? The king -will certainly believe what you say, and Saouy be vexed to the soul, -to see all his malicious designs of ruining you entirely -disappointed: take courage then, and if you will follow my advice, -send for all the brokers, tell them you do not like the Fair -Persian, and order them to be as expeditious as possible in getting -another slave. - -The vizier Khacan, approving of this reasonable advice, resolved to -make use of it, as his passion began to cool; yet his indignation -against his son Noureddin was not in the least abated. - -Noureddin came not in sight all that day, and not daring to hide -himself among his young companions, lest his father should search -for him in their houses, he went a little way out of town, and took -sanctuary in a garden where he had never been before, and where he -was totally unknown. He did not come back till it was very late, -when he knew his father was in bed; and then his mother’s women, -opening the door very softly, let him in without any noise. He went -out next morning before his father was stirring: and this plan he -pursued for a whole month, to his great mortification. Indeed, the -women never flattered him, but told him plainly, his father’s -anger was as great as ever, and that he protested, if he came in his -sight, he would certainly kill him. - -Though the vizier’s lady was informed by her women of -Noureddin’s lying every night in the house, she durst not presume -to entreat her husband to pardon him. At last she ventured; and one -day said to him, I have hitherto been silent, sir, not daring before -to take the liberty of talking to you about your son; but now give -me leave to ask you what you design to do with him? It is impossible -for a son to be more criminal towards a father than Noureddin has -been towards you; he has robbed you of the honour and satisfaction -of presenting the king with a slave so accomplished as the Fair -Persian; this I acknowledge; but, after all, are you absolutely -resolved to destroy him, and, instead of a light evil no more to be -thought of, draw upon yourself a far greater than perhaps you at -present imagine? Are you not afraid that the malicious world, which -inquires after the reason of your son’s absconding, may find out -the true cause, which you are so desirous of concealing? and if that -should happen, you would certainly fall into a misfortune, which it -is so much your interest justly avoid. - -Madam, said the vizier, there is sound reasoning in what you have -urged; however, I cannot think of pardoning Noureddin, till I have -mortified him as he deserves. He will be sufficiently mortified, -replied the lady, if you will put in execution what is just come -into my mind: you must know then your son comes hither every night -after you are in bed; he sleeps here, and steals out every morning -before you are stirring. Wait for his coming in to-night, make as if -you designed to kill him; upon which I will run to his assistance, -and when he finds his life entirely owing to my prayers and -entreaties, you may oblige him to take the Fair Persian on what -condition soever you please: he loves her, and I am sensible the -fair slave has no aversion for him. - -Khacan was very willing to make use of this stratagem. So, when -Noureddin came in at the usual hour, before the door was opened, he -placed himself behind it: as soon as he entered, he rushed suddenly -upon him, and got him down under his feet. Noureddin, lifting up his -head, saw his father with a dagger in his hand, ready to stab him. - -In that instant came his mother, and catching hold of the vizier’s -arm, Sir, cried she, what are you doing? --Let me alone, replied the -vizier, that I may kill this base unworthy son. --You shall kill me -first, cried the mother; never will I suffer you to imbrue your -hands in your own blood. Noureddin improved this moment. My father, -cried he, with tears in his eyes, I implore your clemency and -compassion; nor must you deny me pardon, since I ask it in his name -before whom we must all appear at the last day. - -Khacan suffered the dagger to be taken out of his hand; and as soon -as Noureddin was released, he threw himself at his father’s feet -and kissed them, to show how sincerely he repented of having -offended him. Noureddin, said he, return thanks to your mother, -since it is purely for her sake I pardon you. I design also to give -you the Fair Persian, on condition that you will oblige yourself by -an oath not to look upon her any longer as a slave, but as your -wife; that you will not sell her, nor ever be divorced from her; for -she having abundance of wit and prudence, and much better conduct -than you, I am persuaded she will be able to moderate those rash -sallies of youth, which are enough to ruin you. - -Noureddin, who little expected to be treated after so kind and -indulgent a manner, returned his father a thousand thanks, with all -the gratitude and sincerity imaginable; and the vizier, the Fair -Persian, and he, were very well pleased and satisfied with the match. - -The vizier Khacan would not wait for the king’s asking him about -the commission that he had given him, but took particular care to -mention it often, representing to his majesty the many difficulties -he met with in that affair, and how fearful he was of not acquitting -himself to his majesty’s satisfaction. In short, he managed the -business with so much address, that the king insensibly forgot it; -and though Saouy had got some small information of the matter, yet -Khacan was so much in the king’s favour, that he was afraid to -speak of it. - -It was now above a year that this nice affair had been kept with -greater secrecy than the vizier at first expected, who being one day -in the bath, and some important business obliging him to leave it, -warm as he was, the air, which was then a little cold, struck to his -breast, caused a defluxion to fall upon his lungs, which threw him -into a violent fever, and confined him to his bed. His illness -increasing every day, and perceiving he had but a short time to -live, he thus addressed himself to his son Noureddin, who never -stirred from him during his whole sickness: My son, said he, I know -not whether I have made a good use of the riches Heaven has blessed -me with, but you see they are not able to save me from the hands of -death: the last thing I desire of you with my dying breath is, that -you would be mindful of the promise you made me concerning the Fair -Persian, and in this assurance I shall die content. - -These were the vizier Khacan’s last words. He died a few moments -after, and left his family, the court, and the whole city, in great -affliction for his death. The king lamented him as a wise, zealous, -and faithful minister; and the whole city bewailed him as their -protector and benefactor. Never was there a funeral in Balsora -solemnized with greater pomp and magnificence; the viziers and emirs, -and in general all the grandees of the court, strove for the honour -of bearing his coffin, one after another, upon their shoulders, to -the place of burial; and both rich and poor accompanied him thither -with tears in their eyes. - -Noureddin gave all the demonstrations of a sorrow equal to the loss -he had lately sustained, and lived a great while without ever seeing -any company: at last he admitted of a visit from an intimate friend -of his. His friend endeavoured to comfort him; and finding him -inclined to hear reason, he told him, that having done what was due -to the memory of his father, and fully satisfied all that decency -required of him, it was now high time to appear again in the world, -to converse with his friends, and maintain a character suitable to -his birth and merit. For, continued he, we should sin both against -the laws of nature and civil society, and be thought insensible, if -upon the death of our fathers we neglect to pay them what filial -love requires at our hands; but having once performed that duty, and -put it out of the power of any man to reproach us on that account, -we are obliged to return to our usual method of living. Dry up your -tears then, and re-assume that wonted air of gaiety, which always -inspires with joy those that have the honour of your conversation. - -This advice seemed very reasonable. Noureddin was easily persuaded -to follow it; and if he had followed it with all the regularity it -required, he would certainly have avoided all the misfortunes that -afterwards befell him. He treated his friend very nobly; and when he -took his leave, Noureddin desired him to come the next day, and -bring three or four friends of their acquaintance. By this means he -insensibly fell into the society of about ten young men pretty near -his own age, with whom he spent his time in continual feasting and -entertainments; and scarce a day passed but he made every one of -them some considerable present. - -Sometimes, to oblige his friends, Noureddin would send for the Fair -Persian, who, notwithstanding her obedience to his command, never -approved of his extravagant way of living, but often spoke her mind -freely. I question not, said she, but the vizier your father has -left you an ample fortune; but great as it may be, be not displeased -with your slave for telling you, that at this rate of living you -will quickly see an end of it. We may sometimes indeed treat our -friends, and be merry with them; but to make a daily practice of it, -is certainly the high road to ruin and destruction: for your own -honour and reputation, you would do better to follow the footsteps -of your deceased father, that in time you may rise to that dignity -by which he has acquired so much glory and renown. - -Noureddin hearkened to the Fair Persian’s discourse with a smile: -and when she had done, My charmer, said he, with the same air of -mirth, say no more of that; let us talk of nothing but mirth and -pleasure. In my father’s lifetime I was always under restraint; -and I am now resolved to enjoy the liberty I so much sighed for -before his death. It is time enough for me to think of leading the -sober, regular life you talk of; and a man of my age ought to taste -the pleasures of youth. - -What contributed still more to the ruin of Noureddin’s fortune, -was his unwillingness to reckon with his steward; for whenever he -brought in his accounts, he still sent him away without examining -them: Go, go, said he, I trust wholly to your honesty; only take -care to let me have wherewith to make merry. - -You are the master, sir, replied he, and I but the steward; however, -you would do well to think upon the proverb, He that spends much, -and has but little, must at last insensibly be reduced to poverty. -You are not contented with keeping an extravagant table, but you -must lavish away your estate with both hands: and were your coffers -as large as mountains, they would not be sufficient to maintain you. -Begone, replied Noureddin; I want not your grave lessons; only take -care to provide good eating and drinking, and trouble your head no -farther about the rest. - -In the mean time, Noureddin’s friends were constant guests at his -table, and never failed to take advantage of the easiness of his -temper. They praised and flattered him, extolling his most -indifferent actions: but, above all, they took particular care to -commend whatever belonged to him; and in this they found their -account. Sir, said one of them, I came the other day by your estate -that lies in such a place; nothing can be so magnificent or so -handsomely furnished as your house; and the garden belonging to it -is a paradise upon earth. I am very glad it pleases you, said -Noureddin; bring me pen, ink, and paper; without more words, it is -at your service; I make you a present of it. No sooner had others -commended one of his houses, baths, and public buildings erected for -the use of strangers, the yearly revenue of which was very -considerable, but he immediately gave them away. The Fair Persian -could not forbear letting him know how much injury he did himself: -but, instead of hearkening to her, he continued his extravagancies, -and, the first opportunity that offered, squandered away the little -he had left. - -In short, Noureddin did nothing for a whole year but feast and make -merry, wasting and consuming, after a prodigal manner, the great -wealth that his predecessors, and the good vizier his father, had -with so much pains and care acquired and preserved. - -The year was but just expired, when somebody one day knocked at the -hall door, where he and his friends were at dinner together by -themselves, having sent away the slaves, that they might enjoy a -greater liberty. - -One of his friends offered to rise; but Noureddin, stepping before -him, opened the door himself. It seems it was the steward; and -Noureddin, going a little out of the hall to know his business, left -the door half open. - -The friend that offered to rise from his seat, seeing it was the -steward, and being curious to know what he had to say to Noureddin, -placed himself between the hangings and the door, where he plainly -overheard the steward’s discourse to his master. Sir, said he, I -ask a thousand pardons for coming to disturb you in the height of -your pleasure; but what I have to say is of such importance, that I -thought myself bound in duty to acquaint you with it. I am come, -sir, to make up my last accounts, and to tell you, that what I all -along foresaw, and have often warned you of, is at last come to -pass. I have not the smallest piece left of all the sums I have -received from you for your expenses; the other funds you assigned me -are all exhausted. The farmers, and those that owe you rent, have -made it so plainly appear to me, that you have assigned over to -others what they held of you, that it is impossible for me to get -any more of them on your account. Here are my books; if you please, -examine them; and if you wish I should continue useful to you, -assign me other funds, or else give me leave to quit your service. -Noureddin was so astonished at his discourse, that he gave him no -answer. - -The friend, who had been listening all this while, and had heard -every syllable of what the steward said, immediately came in, and -told the company what he had overheard. It is your business, -gentlemen, said he, to make your use of this caution; for my part, I -declare to you this is the last visit I design ever to make -Noureddin. Nay, replied they, if matters go thus, we have as little -business here as you; and for the future shall take care not to -trouble him with our company. - -Noureddin returned presently after; yet, notwithstanding all his -efforts to carry it pleasantly to his guests, he could not dissemble -the matter; but they plainly perceived the truth of what they had -heard. He was scarce sat down in his place, but one of his friends -rose up: Sir, said he, I am sorry I cannot have the honour of -keeping you company any longer; and therefore I hope you will excuse -my rudeness in leaving you so soon. What urgent affair, replied -Noureddin, obliges you to be going so soon? My wife, sir, said he, -is brought to bed to-day; and, upon such an occasion, you know, a -husband’s company is always necessary. So, making a very low bow, -away he went. A minute afterwards a second took his leave, with -another excuse. The rest did the same, one after another, till at -last not one of those ten friends, that had hitherto kept Noureddin -company, was left in the room. - -As soon as they were gone, Noureddin, little suspecting the -resolution they had formed never to see him again, went directly to -the Fair Persian’s apartment; to whom, in private, he related all -the steward had told him, and seemed extremely concerned at the ill -state of his affairs. Sir, said the Fair Persian to him, allow me to -say, you would never take my advice, but always managed your -concerns after your own way, and now you see the fatal consequence -of it. I find I was not mistaken when I presaged to what a miserable -condition you would bring yourself at last: but what afflicts me the -more is, that at present you do not see the worst of your -misfortunes. Whenever I presumed freely to impart my thoughts to -you, Let us be merry, said you, and improve the time that Fortune -offers us: perhaps she will not always be so prodigal in her -favours: but, was I now to blame in telling you that we are -ourselves the makers of our own fortunes by a prudent management of -them? You would not hearken to me, and I was forced to let you go -on, however reluctantly. - -I must own, replied Noureddin, I was extremely in the wrong in not -following the advice that you, out of your admirable prudence, gave -me. It is true, I have spent my estate; but do you not consider, it -is among a chosen set of friends whom I have long known, and who, I -am persuaded, have more generosity and gratitude in them than to -abandon me in distress? Sir, replied the Fair Persian, if you have -nothing but the gratitude of your friends to depend on, your case is -desperate; for, believe me, that hope is ill-grounded, and you will -tell me so yourself in time. - -To this Noureddin replied, Charming Persian, I have a better opinion -of my friends’ generosity than you: to-morrow I design to make a -visit to them all, before the usual time of their coming hither; and -you shall see me return with a round sum, that they will assist me -with. I am resolved to alter my way of living, and, with the money -they lend me, set up in some business. - -Next morning Noureddin failed not to visit his ten friends, who -lived in the very same street. He knocked at the first door he came -at, where one of the richest of them lived. A slave came to the -door: but before he would open it, he asked who was there. Tell your -master, said he to the slave, it is Noureddin, the late vizier -Kahcan’s son. The slave opened the door, and showed him into a -hall, where he left him, to go tell his master, who was in an inner -room, that Noureddin was come to wait on him. Noureddin! cried he, -in a disdainful tone, loud enough for Noureddin to hear it, with -surprise; go, tell him I am not at home; and, whenever he comes -hither, be sure you give him the same answer. The slave came back, -and told Noureddin he thought his master was within, but he was -mistaken. - -Noureddin came away in the greatest confusion. Ah! base, ungrateful -wretch! cried he, to treat me so to-day after the vows and -protestations of friendship that he made me yesterday. He went to -another door, but that friend ordered his slaves also to say he was -gone out. He had the same answer at the third; and, in short, all -the rest denied themselves, though every one was at home at the same -time. - -Noureddin now began in earnest to reflect with himself, and see the -folly of relying upon the protestations of attachment that his false -friends had solemnly made him in the time of his prosperity, when he -could treat them so sumptuously, and load them with favours. It is -very true, said he to himself, with tears in his eyes, that a -fortunate man, as I was, may be compared to a tree laden with fruit, -which, as long as there is any on its boughs, people will be -crowding round, and gathering; but, as soon as it is stripped of -all, they immediately leave it, and go to another. He smothered his -passion as much as possible white he was abroad; but no sooner was -he got home, than he gave a loose to his affliction, and discovered -it to the Fair Persian. - -The Fair Persian, seeing him so extremely concerned, fancied he had -not found his friends so ready to assist him as he expected. Well, -sir, said she, are you now convinced of the truth of what I told -you? Ah! cried he, my dear, thou hast been too true a prophetess; -for not one of them would know me, see me, or speak to me. Who could -ever have believed, that persons so highly obliged to me, and on -whom I have spent my estate, could have used me so barbarously? I am -distracted; and I fear committing some action unworthy myself, in -the deplorable and desperate condition I am reduced to, without the -assistance of your prudent advice. Sir, replied the Fair Persian, I -see no other way of supporting yourself in your misfortunes, but -selling off your slaves and furniture, and living on the money they -produce, till Heaven points out some other means to deliver you from -your present misery. - -Noureddin was very loth to make use of this expedient; but what -could he do in the necessitous circumstances he was in? He first -sold off his slaves, those unprofitable mouths, which would have -been a greater expense to him than in his present condition he could -bear. He lived on the money for some time; and when it was all -spent, he ordered his goods to be carried into the market-place, -where they were sold for half their worth, though there were among -them several valuable things that cost immense sums. Upon this he -lived a considerable time; but that supply failing at last, he had -nothing left by which he could raise any more money, of which he -complained to the Fair Persian in the most sorrowful expressions. - -Noureddin little expected the answer this prudent woman made him. -Sir, said she, I am your slave: and you know that the late vizier -your father gave ten thousand pieces of gold for me. I know I am a -little sunk in value since that time; but I believe I shall sell for -pretty near that sum. Let me entreat you then instantly to carry me -to the market, and expose me to sale, and with the money that you -get for me, which will be very considerable, you may turn merchant -in some city where you are not known, and by that means find a way -of living, if not in splendour, yet with happiness and content. - -Lovely and adorable Persian, cried Noureddin, is it possible you can -entertain such a thought? Have I given you such slender proofs of my -love, that you should think me capable of so base an action? But -suppose me so vile a wretch, could I do it without being guilty of -perjury, after the oath I have taken to my late father never to sell -you? I could sooner die than break it, and part with you, whom I -love infinitely beyond myself: though, by the unreasonable proposal -you have made me, you show me that your love is by no means -reciprocal. - -Sir, replied the Fair Persian, I am convinced that your passion for -me is as violent as you say it is; and Heaven, who knows with what -reluctance I have made this proposal, that makes you think so hardly -of me, is my witness, that mine is as great as yours; but to silence -your reasons at once, I need only bid you remember, that necessity -has no law. I love you to that degree, that it is impossible for you -to love me more; and be assured, that to what master soever I shall -belong, my love for you will always continue the same; and if you -are ever able to redeem me, as I hope you may, it will be the -greatest pleasure in the world to be restored to you again. I -confess it is a fatal and cruel necessity to which we are driven; -but I see no other way of freeing ourselves from the misery that -involves us both. - -Noureddin, who was convinced of the truth of what the Fair Persian -had said, and that there was no other way of avoiding a shameful -poverty, was forced to yield to her proposal. Accordingly he led her -to the market where the women slaves are exposed to sale, with a -regret that cannot easily be expressed. He applied himself to a -broker, named Hagi Hassan. Hagi Hassan, said he, here is a slave -that I have a mind to sell; prithee see what they will give for her. - -Hagi Hassan desired Noureddin and the Fair Persian to walk into the -room; and when she pulled off the veil that covered her face, Sir, -said Hagi Hassan to Noureddin, in a great surprise, if I am not -mistaken, this is the slave your father, the late vizier, gave ten -thousand pieces of gold for. Noureddin assured him it was the same; -and Hagi Hassan gave him some hopes of selling her at a good rate, -and promised to use all his art to raise her price as high as he -could. - -Hagi Hassan and Noureddin went out of the room; and Hagi Hassan -locked the Fair Persian in. He went immediately after the merchants; -but they being busy in buying slaves that came from different -countries, Greeks, Franks, Africans, Tartars, and others, he was -forced to stay till the market was done. When the sale was over, and -the greatest part of them were got together again, My masters, said -he to them, with an air of gaiety in his looks and actions, every -thing that is round is not a nut: every thing that is long is not a -fig; all that is red is not flesh, and all eggs are not fresh: it is -true you have seen and bought a great many slaves in your lives, but -you never yet saw one comparable to her I am going to tell you of. -She is the very pearl of slaves. Come, follow me, and you shall see -her yourselves, and judge at what rate I shall cry her. - -The merchants followed Hagi Hassan into the apartment where the Fair -Persian was; and as soon as they beheld her, they were so surprised -at her beauty, that at the first word they unanimously agreed that -four thousand pieces of gold was the very lowest price they could -set upon her. The merchants left the room; and Hagi Hassan, who came -out with them, without going any farther, proclaimed with a loud -voice. ‘Four thousand pieces of gold for the Persian slave.’ - -None of the merchants had yet offered any thing, and they were -consulting together about what they might afford to give for her, -when the vizier Saouy appeared. Perceiving Noureddin in the market, -said he to himself, Noureddin is certainly still making money of his -goods (for he knew he had exposed them to sale,) and is come hither -to buy a slave with it. He advanced forward just as Hagi Hassan -began to proclaim a second time, ‘Four thousand pieces of gold for -the Persian slave.’ - -The vizier Saouy, who concluded by the high price, that the slave -must be extraordinarily beautiful, was very desirous to see her; so -spurring his horse forward, he rode up to Hagi Hassan, who was -surrounded by the merchants. Open the door, said he, and let me see -the slave. It was not the custom to show a slave to a particular -person after the merchants had seen her and were treating for her; -but none of them durst dispute their right with the vizier: and Hagi -Hassan was obliged to open the door, and made a sign to the Fair -Persian to come forward, that Saouy might have a sight of her, -without alighting from his horse. - -The vizier was astonished at the sight of so beautiful a slave; and -knowing the broker’s name, (having formerly dealt with him,) Hagi -Hassan, said he, is it not at four thousand pieces of gold that you -cry her? Yes, sir, answered he; the merchants just now agreed that I -should put her up at that price. I wait their advance on it; and I -question not but they will give a great deal more. - -If nobody offers more, I will give that sum, replied Saouy, looking -upon the merchants at the same time with a countenance that forbad -them to advance any more. He was so universally dreaded, that nobody -durst speak a word, even to complain of his encroaching upon their -privilege. - -The vizier Saouy having staid some time, and finding none of the -merchants outbid him, What do you stay for? said he to Hagi Hassan. -Go, look after the seller, and strike a bargain with him at four -thousand pieces of gold, or inquire if he demands more; not knowing -yet the slave belonged to Noureddin. - -Hagi Hassan, having locked the chamber door, went to confer with -Noureddin. Sir, said he to him, I am very sorry to bring you the ill -news of your slave’s being just going to be sold for nothing. How -so? replied Noureddin. Why, sir, said Hagi Hassan, you must know, -that the business at first went on well; for as soon as the -merchants had seen your slave, they ordered me, without hesitation, -to cry her at four thousand pieces of gold: accordingly, I cried her -at that price, and presently the vizier Saouy came, and his presence -has stopped the mouths of all the merchants, who seemed inclinable -to raise her, at least to the same price your deceased father gave -for her. Saouy will give no more than four thousand pieces; and it -is much against my inclination that I am come to tell you the -despicable price he offers. The slave indeed is your own; but I will -never advise you to part with her upon those terms, since you and -every body else are sensible of her being worth infinitely more; -besides, he is base enough to contrive a way to trick you out of the -money. - -Hagi Hassan, replied Noureddin, I am highly obliged to thee for thy -advice; do not think I will ever sell my slave to any enemy of our -family: my necessities, indeed, are at present very great; but I -would sooner die in the utmost poverty than consent to the -delivering her up to him. I have only one thing to beg of thee, who -art skilful in all the turns and shifts of sale, that thou wouldst -put me in a way to prevent the sale of her. - -Sir, said Hagi Hassan, there is nothing more easy: you must pretend, -that, being in a violent passion with your slave, you swore to -expose her in the market; and for the sake of your oath, you have -now brought her hither, without any intention of selling her. This -will satisfy every body, and Saouy will have nothing to say against -it. Come along with me, then; and just as I am presenting her to -Saouy, as if it were by your own consent, pull her to you, give her -two or three blows, and send her home. I thank thee for thy counsel, -said Noureddin: and thou shalt see I will make use of it. - -Hagi Hassan went back to the chamber; and having in two words -acquainted the Fair Persian with their design, that she might not be -surprised at it, he took her by the hand, and led her to the vizier -Saouy, who was still on horseback at the door. Sir, said he, here is -the slave; she is yours; take her. - -The words were scarce out of Hagi Hassan’s mouth but Noureddin, -catching hold of the Fair Persian, pulled her to him, and giving her -a box on the ear, Come hither, impertinence, said he, and get you -home again; for though your ill humour obliged me to swear I should -bring you hither, yet I never intended to sell you. I have business -for you to do yet; and it will be time enough to part with you when -I have nothing else left. - -This action of Noureddin put the vizier Saouy into a violent -passion. Miserable debauchee, cried he, wouldst thou have me believe -thou hast any thing else left to make money of but thy slave? And at -the same instant, spurring his horse directly against him, -endeavoured to have carried off the Fair Persian. Noureddin, nettled -to the quick at the affront the vizier had put upon him, quitted the -Fair Persian, and laying hold of his horse’s bridle, made him run -two or three paces backwards. Vile dotard, said he to the vizier, I -would tear thy soul out of thy body this moment, were it not out of -respect for the crowd of people here present. - -The vizier Saouy being loved by nobody, but hated by all, there was -not one among them but was pleased to see Noureddin mortify him a -little; and by signs they gave him to understand, that he might -revenge himself upon him as much as he pleased, for nobody would -interfere in their quarrel. - -Saouy endeavoured to make Noureddin quit the bridle; but he being a -lusty, vigorous man, and encouraged by those that stood by, pulled -him off his horse, in the middle of a brook, gave him a thousand -blows, and dashed his head against the stones, till it was all over -blood. The slaves that waited upon the vizier would have drawn their -scimitars, and have fallen upon Noureddin, but the merchants -interposing, prevented them. What do you mean? said they to him; do -you not see that one is a vizier, the other a vizier’s son? Let -them fight it out between themselves; perhaps they will be -reconciled one time or other: whereas, if you had killed Noureddin, -your master, with all his greatness, could not have been able to -protect you against the law. - -Noureddin, having given over beating the vizier Saouy, left him in -the middle of the brook; and taking the Fair Persian, marched home -with her, attended by the people, with shouts and acclamations for -the actions he had performed. - -The vizier Saouy, cruelly bruised with the blows he had received, -made shift to get up, by the assistance of his slaves, and had the -mortification to see himself besmeared with blood and dirt. He -leaned upon the shoulders of two slaves, and in that condition went -straight to the palace, in the sight of all the people, with greater -confusion, because nobody pitied him. As soon as he reached the -king’s apartment, he began to cry out, and call for justice, after -a lamentable manner. The king ordered him to be admitted; and as -soon as he came, he asked him who it was that had abused and put him -into that miserable pickle. Sire, cried Saouy, it is the favour of -your majesty, and being admitted into your sacred counsels, that has -occasioned me to have been so barbarously treated. Say no more of -that, replied the king; only let me hear the whole story simply as -it is, and who the offender is; and if he is in the wrong, you may -depend upon it he shall be severely punished. - -Sire, said Saouy then, telling the whole matter to his own -advantage, having an occasion for a cook-maid, I went to the market -of women slaves to buy me one: when I came thither, there was a -slave just cried at four thousand pieces of gold: I ordered them to -bring the slave before me; and I think my eyes never did nor will -behold a more beautiful creature. I had no sooner examined her -beauty with the highest satisfaction, but I immediately asked to -whom she belonged; and upon inquiry I found that Noureddin, son to -the late vizier Khacan, had the disposing of her. - -Sire, your majesty may remember, that about two or three years ago -you gave that vizier ten thousand pieces of gold, strictly charging -him to buy you a slave with it. The money, indeed, was laid out upon -this very slave; but instead of bringing her to your majesty, -thinking his son deserved her better, he made him a present of her. -Noureddin, since his father’s death, having wasted his whole -fortune in riot and feasting, has nothing left but this slave, which -he at last resolved to part with, and she was to be sold in his -name. I sent for him; and without mentioning any thing of his -father’s prevarication, or rather treachery, to your majesty, I in -the civilest manner said to him, Noureddin, the merchants, I -perceive, have put your slave up at four thousand pieces of gold; -and I question not, but in emulation of each other, they will raise -the price considerably; let me have her for the four thousand -pieces; I am going to buy her for the king, our lord and master: -this will be a handsome opportunity of making your court to him; and -his favour will be worth a great deal more than the merchants can -propose to give you. - -Instead of returning me a civil answer, the insolent wretch, -beholding me with a fierce air, Decrepit villain, said he, I would -rather give my slave to a Jew for nothing, than to thee for money. -Noureddin, replied I, without passion, though I had some reason to -be a little warm, you do not consider, that in talking at this rate -you affront the king, who raised both your father and me to the -honours we have enjoyed. - -This admonition, instead of softening him, only provoked him to a -higher degree: so that, falling upon me like a madman, without -regard to my age or rank, he pulled me off my horse, beat me as long -as he could stand over me, and has put me into this miserable plight -your majesty sees me in. I beseech you to consider, that upon your -account I have been so publicly affronted. At the end of these words -he held down his head and turned away, to shed a shower of tears. - -The abused king, highly incensed against Noureddin by this relation, -full of malice and artifice, discovered by his countenance the -violence of his anger; and turning to the captain of his guards, who -stood near him, Take forty of your soldiers, said he, and -immediately go plunder Noureddin’s house; and having ordered it to -be razed to the ground, bring him and his slave along with you to me. - -The captain of the guards was not gone out of the king’s presence, -when an officer belonging to the court, who overheard the order that -had been given, got before him. His name was Sangiar; and he had -been formerly a slave of the vizier Khacan, who had introduced him -at court, where by degrees be raised himself. - -Sangiar, full of gratitude for his old master, and affection for -Noureddin, whom he remembered a child, and being no stranger to -Saouy’s hatred to Khacan’s family, could not hear the order -without concern. This action of Noureddin’s, said he to himself, -may not be altogether so black as Saouy has represented it. He has -prejudiced the king against him, who will certainly put him to -death, without allowing him time to justify himself. He made so much -haste to Noureddin’s house, as to get thither soon enough to -acquaint him with what had passed at court, and give him time to -provide for his own and the Fair Persian’s safety. He knocked so -violently at the door, that Noureddin, who had been a great while -without any servant, ran immediately to open it. My dear lord, said -Sangiar, here is no more safety for you in Balsora; you must lose no -time, but depart hence this moment. - -How so? replied Noureddin. What is the reason I must be gone so -soon? Make haste away, sir, said Sangiar, and take your slave with -you. In short, Saouy has been just now acquainting the king, after -his own way of telling it, all that passed between you and him; and -the captain of the guard will be here in an instant, with forty -soldiers, to seize you and the Fair Persian. Take these forty pieces -of gold to assist you in finding out some other place of safety. I -would give you more if I had it about me. Excuse my not staying any -longer; I leave you with great reluctance; but it is for the good of -us both. I have so much interest with the captain of the guards, -that he will take no notice of me. Sangiar gave Noureddin but just -time to thank him, and away he went. - -Noureddin presently acquainted the Fair Persian with the absolute -necessity of their going that moment. She only stayed to put on her -veil, and then they both stole out of the house together, and were -so lucky as not only to get clear of the city without the least -notice being taken of their escape, but also safely to arrive at the -mouth of the Euphrates, which was not far off, where they embarked -in a vessel that lay ready to weigh anchor. - -They were no sooner on shipboard, but the captain came on deck -amongst his passengers. Children, said he to them, are you all here? -have any of you any more business to do in the city, or have you -left any thing behind you? They were all there, they answered him, -and ready; so that he might sail as soon as he pleased. - -When Noureddin came on board, the first question he asked was, -whither the ship was bound? and being told for Bagdad, he rejoiced -at it. The captain, having weighed anchor, set sail; and the vessel, -with a very favourable wind, lost sight of Balsora. - -Let us now see how matters went at Balsora, while Noureddin and the -Fair Persian made their escape from the fury of the enraged king. - -The captain of the guards came to Noureddin’s house, and knocked -at the door; but nobody coming to open it, he ordered his soldiers -to break it open, who immediately obeyed him, and rushed in. They -searched every hold and comer of the house; but neither he nor the -Fair Persian was to be found. The captain of the guards made them -inquire of the neighbours; and he himself asked if they had seen -them lately. It was all in vain; for if they had seen him go out of -his house, so universally beloved was Noureddin, that not one of -them would have said the least word to his prejudice. While they -were rifling the house, and levelling it to the ground, he went to -acquaint the king with the news. Look for them, said he, every -where; for I am resolved to have them. - -The captain of the guards made a second search after them, and the -king dismissed the vizier Saouy with honour. Go home, said he to -him; trouble yourself no farther to punish Noureddin: I will revenge -his insolence. - -Without delay the king ordered to be proclaimed throughout the whole -city a reward of a thousand pieces of gold for any person that -should apprehend Noureddin and the Fair Persian, with a severe -punishment upon whoever should conceal them. But after all his pains -and diligence, no tidings could be heard of them; and the vizier -Saouy had only the comfort of seeing the king espouse his quarrel. - -In the mean time, Noureddin and the Fair Persian, after a prosperous -voyage, landed safe at Bagdad. As soon as the captain came within -sight of that city, pleased that his voyage was at an end, Rejoice, -my children, cried he to the passengers, yonder is that great and -wonderful city, where there is a perpetual concourse of people from -all parts of the world: there you shall meet with innumerable -crowds, and never feel the extremity of cold in winter, nor the -excess of heat in summer, but enjoy an eternal spring with all it -flowers, and the delicious fruits of autumn. When the vessel came to -anchor, a little below the city, the passengers went ashore, each to -their respective place of abode. Noureddin gave the captain five -pieces of gold for his passage, and went ashore also with the Fair -Persian; but being a perfect stranger in Bagdad, he was at a loss -for a lodging. They rambled a considerable time along by the gardens -that bordered on the Tigris; and keeping close to one of them that -was enclosed with a very fine long wall at the end of it, they -turned into a street well paved, where they perceived a garden-door, -and a charming fountain near it. - -The door, which was very magnificent, happened to be shut, but the -porch was open; in which there was a sofa on each side. This is a -very convenient place for us, said Noureddin to the Fair Persian; -night comes on apace: and though we have eaten nothing since our -landing, I am for passing the night here, and to-morrow we shall -have time enough to look for a lodging: what say you to it? --Sir, -replied the Fair Persian, you know your wishes are mine; let us go -no farther, since you are willing to stay here. Each of them having -drank a draught of water at the fountain, they laid themselves down -upon one of these sofas; and after a little chat, being invited by -the agreeable murmur of the water, they fell fast asleep. - -The garden belonged to the caliph: and in the middle of it there was -a pavilion, called the Pavilion of Pictures, because its chief -ornaments were pictures, after the Persian manner, drawn by the most -celebrated painters in Persia, whom the caliph had sent for on -purpose. The stately hall within this pavilion was lighted by -fourscore windows, with a lustre in each: but these were only -lighted when the caliph came thither to spend the evening; and the -weather was so very calm, that not a breath of air was stirring. -Then they made a glorious illumination, and could be seen at a great -distance in the country on that side, and by great part of the city. - -There was but one person that had the charge of this fine garden; -and the office was at this time held by a very aged officer, named -Scheich Ibrahim, whom the caliph himself, for some important -service, put into that employment, with strict charge not to let all -sorts of people in, but especially to suffer nobody either to sit or -lie down on the sofas at the outward door, that they might always be -clean; and whenever he found any body there, to punish them severely. - -Some business had obliged this officer to go abroad, and he was not -yet returned. When he came back, there was just daylight enough for -him to discern two persons asleep upon one of the sofas, with both -their heads under a piece of linen, to defend them from the gnats. -Very well, said Scheich Ibrahim to himself, these people disobey the -caliph’s orders: but I will take care to teach them better -manners. Upon this he opened the door very softly, and a moment -after returned with a swinging cane in his hand, and his sleeve -tucked up to the elbow: he was just going to lay on them both with -all his might, but withholding his arm, he began to reason with -himself after this manner: Thou wast going to strike, without -reflection, these people, who perhaps are strangers, destitute of a -lodging, and utterly ignorant of the caliph’s order: so that it -would be advisable to know first who they are. Upon this he gently -lifted up the linen that covered their heads, and was astonished to -see a young man so well shaped, and a young woman so beautiful; he -then waked Noureddin, by pulling him softly by the feet. - -Noureddin, presently lifting up his head, and seeing an old man with -a long white beard standing at his feet, got up, and throwing -himself upon his knees and taking his hand, kissed it. Good father, -said he, Heaven preserve you! What do you want, my son? replied -Scheich Ibrahim; who are you, and whence came you? We are strangers -newly arrived, answered Noureddin, and we would fain tarry here till -to-morrow. This is not a proper place for you, said Scheich Ibrahim; -come in with me, and I will find one fitter for you to sleep in than -this; and the sight of the garden which is very fine will please -you, when you see it to-morrow by day-light. Is this garden your -own? said Noureddin. Yes, replied Scheich Ibrahim, smiling; it is an -inheritance left me by my father; pray walk in, for I am sure you -will not repent seeing it. - -Noureddin rose up to thank Scheich Ibrahim for the civility he had -shown them; and afterwards the Fair Persian and he went into the -garden. Scheich Ibrahim locked the door, and going before, led them -to a spot from whence, at one view, they might see the disposition, -grandeur, and beauty of the whole garden. - -Noureddin had seen very fine gardens in Balsora, but never any -comparable to this. Having satisfied his curiosity, as he was -walking in one of the walks, he turned about to the officer that was -with him, and asked him what his name was. As soon as he told him it -was Scheich Ibrahim, Scheich Ibrahim, said he to him, I must confess -this is a charming garden indeed. Heaven send you long to enjoy the -pleasures of it! we cannot sufficiently thank you for the favour you -have done us by showing us a place so well worth seeing; however, it -is but just that we should make you some amends for your kindness: -here are two pieces of gold; take them, and get us something to eat, -that we may be merry together. - -At the sight of the two pieces of gold, Scheich Ibrahim, who was a -great admirer of that metal, laughed in his sleeve: he took them, -and leaving Noureddin and the Fair Persian by themselves, went to -provide what was necessary, for he was alone. Said he to himself -with great joy, These are generous people; I should have done very -wrong, if, through imprudence, I had ill-treated and driven them -away. A tenth part of the money will suffice to treat them; and the -rest I will keep for my pains. - -While Scheich Ibrahim was gone to fetch something for his own -supper, as well as for his guests, Noureddin and the Fair Persian -walked up and down the garden, till at last they came to the -pavilion of pictures that was in the middle of it. They stood awhile -to admire its wonderful structure, size, and loftiness; and after -taking a full view of it on every side, they went up a great many -steps of fine white marble, to the hall-door, which they found -locked. - -They were but just got to the bottom of the steps as Scheich Ibrahim -returned loaded with provisions. Scheich Ibrahim, said Noureddin, in -great surprise, did you not tell us that this was your garden? I -did, replied Scheich Ibrahim, and do so still. And does this -magnificent pavilion also belong to you? said Noureddin. Scheich -Ibrahim was staggered at this unexpected question. If, said he to -himself, I should say it is none of mine, they will ask me how I can -be master of the garden, and not of the pavilion. As he had made -them believe the garden was his, he said the same of the pavilion. -My son, said he, the pavilion is not distinct from the garden, but -they both belong to me. If so, said Noureddin, since you invite us -to be your guests to-night, do us the favour to show us the inside -of it; for if we may judge by the outward appearance, it must -certainly be extraordinarily magnificent. - -It would have been a great piece of incivility in Scheich Ibrahim to -have refused Noureddin that favour, after what he had already done -for him: moreover, he considered that the caliph not having given -him notice, according to his usual custom, it was likely he would -not be there that night, and therefore resolved to treat his guests, -and sup with them in that room. He laid the provisions upon the -first step, while he went to his apartment for the key: he soon -returned with a light and opened the door. - -Noureddin and the Fair Persian entered the hall; and finding it so -surprising, were never tired with admiring the beauty and richness -of the place. Indeed, without saying any thing of the pictures, -which were admirably well drawn, the sofas were very noble and -costly; and besides lustres that were fixed to every window, there -was between each bar a silver arm, with a wax candle in it. -Noureddin could not behold these glorious objects without -recollecting his former splendour, and sighing. - -In the mean time Scheich Ibrahim was getting ready; and the cloth -being laid upon a sofa, and every thing in order, Noureddin, the -Fair Persian, and he, sat down and eat together. When supper was -done, and they had washed their hands, Noureddin opened the -casement, and calling the Fair Persian to him, Come hither, my dear, -said he, and with me admire the charming prospect and beauty of the -garden by moonlight; nothing can be more agreeable. She came to him; -and they both enjoyed the view; while Scheich Ibrahim was busy in -taking away the cloth. - -When Scheich Ibrahim came to his guests again, Noureddin asked him -whether he had any liquor to treat them with. What liquor would you -have! replied Scheich Ibrahim: sherbet? I have the best in the -world; but sherbet, you know, my son, is never drank after supper. - -I know that very well, said Noureddin: It is not sherbet, but -another sort of liquor that we ask you for: and I am surprised at -your not understanding me. It is wine then you mean, said Scheich -Ibrahim. You guess right, replied Noureddin; and if you have any, -oblige us with a bottle: you know a bottle after supper is a very -proper companion to spend the hours with till bed-time. - -Heaven defend me from keeping wine in my house, cried Scheich -Ibrahim, and from ever coming to a place where any is! A man who, -like me, has been a pilgrimage four times to Mecca, has renounced -wine for ever. - -You would do us a singular kindness, said Noureddin, in getting a -little for our own drinking; and if it be not too much trouble, I -will put you in a way how you may do it, without going into an inn, -or so much as laying your hand upon the vessel that contains it. -Upon that condition I will do it, replied Scheich Ibrahim; only let -me know what I am to do. - -Why, then, said Noureddin to him, we just now saw an ass tied to the -entrance of your garden, which certainly must be yours, and which -you may make use of in this extremity. Here are two pieces of gold -more: take them, and lead your ass with the panniers to the next -inn; you may stand at as great a distance as you please; do but give -something to the first person that comes by, and desire him to go -with your ass to the inn, and get two pitchers of wine: put one in -one pannier, and an other in another, which he must pay for out of -the money you give him, and so let him bring the ass back to you: -you will have nothing to do but to drive the beast hither before -you; we will take the wine out of the panniers. By this means you -will do nothing that will give you any scruple. - -The two last pieces of gold that Scheich Ibrahim was going to -receive wrought wonderfully upon his mind. Ah! my son, cried he, -after Noureddin had done speaking, you have an excellent -contrivance; and had it not been for your invention, I should never -have thought of this way of getting you some wine without any -scruple of conscience. Away he went to execute the orders, which he -did in a little time; and, upon his return, Noureddin went down the -stairs, and taking the pitchers out of the panniers, carried them -into the hall. - -Scheich Ibrahim, having led the ass back to the place from whence he -took him, came back again. Scheich Ibrahim, said Noureddin to him, -we cannot enough thank you for the trouble we have already given -you, but we want something yet. What is that, replied Scheich: what -more service can I do you? We have no cups to drink out of, said -Noureddin; and a little fruit, if you had any, would be very -acceptable. Do but say what you have a mind to, replied Scheich -Ibrahim, and you shall have every thing to your heart’s content. - -Down went Scheich Ibrahim, and in a short time spread a table for -them with beautiful porcelain dishes, full of all sorts of delicious -fruits, besides gold and silver cups to drink out of; and having -asked them if they wanted any thing else, he withdrew, though they -pressed him earnestly to stay. - -Noureddin and the Fair Persian sat down again, and drank each a cup -a-piece. They were mightily pleased with the wine. Well, my dear, -said Noureddin to the Fair Persian, are we not the most fortunate -persons in the world, after so many dangers, to meet with so -charming and agreeable a place? Let us be merry, and think no more -on the hardships of our voyage. Can my happiness be greater in this -world, than to have you on one side of me, and my glass on the -other? They drank freely, and diverted themselves with agreeable -conversation, each singing a song. - -Both having very good voices, but especially the Fair Persian, their -singing attracted Scheich Ibrahim, who had stood hearkening a great -while on the steps, without discovering himself. He could contain -himself no longer, but thrusting his head in at the door, Courage, -sir, said he to Noureddin, whom he took to be quite drunk, I am glad -to see you so pleased. - -Ah! Scheich Ibrahim, cried Noureddin, turning to him, you are a -glorious man, and we are extremely obliged to you. We dare not ask -you to drink a cup; but walk in; come, sit down, and let us have the -honour at least of your company. Go on, go on, said Scheich Ibrahim; -the pleasure of hearing your songs is sufficient for me. Upon this -he immediately retired. - -The Fair Persian perceiving Scheich Ibrahim, through one of the -windows, standing upon the steps without the door, told Noureddin of -it. Sir, said she, you see what an aversion he has for wine; yet I -question not in the least to make him drink some, if you will do as -I would have you. Noureddin asked her what it was. Do but say the -word, replied he, and I am ready to do what you please. Prevail with -him then only to come in, and bear us company; some time after fill -up a bumper, and give it him; if he refuses it, drink it yourself, -pretend to be asleep, and leave the rest to me. - -Noureddin understood the Fair Persian’s design, and called to -Scheich Ibrahim, who came again to the door. Scheich Ibrahim, said -he, we are your guests; you have entertained us in the most obliging -manner in the world, and will you now refuse our solicitations to -honour us with your company? We do not ask you to drink, but only -the favour of seeing you. - -Scheich Ibrahim being at last prevailed upon, came into the hall, -and sat down upon the edge of a sofa that stood nearest to the door. -You do not sit well there, said Noureddin, and we cannot have the -honour of seeing you; pray come nearer, and sit you down by the -lady; she will like it much. I will obey you, replied Scheich -Ibrahim; so coming forward, simpering, to think he should be seated -near so beautiful a creature, he placed himself at some distance -from the Fair Persian. Noureddin desired a song of her, in return -for the honour that Scheich Ibrahim had done them; and she sung one -that charmed him. - -When the Fair Persian had ended her song, Noureddin poured out a cup -of wine, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim, Scheich Ibrahim, said -he, I entreat you drink this to our healths. Sir, replied he, -starting back, as if he abhorred the very sight of the wine, I -beseech you to excuse me; I have already told you that I have -forsworn the use of wine these many years. Then since positively you -will not drink our healths, said Noureddin, give me leave to drink -yours. - -While Noureddin was drinking, the Fair Persian cut half an apple, -and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. Though you refused drinking, -said she, yet I believe you will not refuse tasting this apple; it -is very excellent. Scheich Ibrahim had no power to refuse it from so -fair a hand, but taking it with a very low bow, put it in his mouth. -She said a great many pleasant things upon the occasion; and -Noureddin, falling back upon the sofa, pretended to fall fast -asleep. The Fair Persian presently advanced towards Scheich Ibrahim, -and speaking in a low voice, Look at him, said she; thus, in all our -merry parties he constantly serves me; and no sooner has he drank a -cup or two, but he falls asleep, and leaves me alone; but I hope you -will have the goodness to keep me company till he awakes. - -At this the Fair Persian took a cup, and filling it with wine, -offered it to Scheich Ibrahim. Here, said she, drink off this to my -health; I am going to pledge you. Scheich Ibrahim made a great many -difficulties, and begged her to excuse him from drinking: but she -pressed him so, that, overcome by her charms and entreaties, he took -the cup, and drank off every drop of the wine. - -The good old man loved a cheering cup in his heart, but was ashamed -to drink among strangers. He often went to the tavern in private, as -many other people do; and he did not take the precaution Noureddin -recommended, but went directly to an inn, where he was well known -(night serving him instead of a cloak), and saved the money that -Noureddin had ordered him to give the messenger that was to have -gone for it. - -While Scheich Ibrahim was eating the half apple after his draught, -the Fair Persian filled him out another, which he received with less -difficulty than the former, but made none at all at the third. In -short, a fourth was drank before Noureddin started up from his -pretended sleep; and bursting out into a violent fit of laughter, -and looking upon him, Ha! ha! said he, Scheich Ibrahim, have I -caught you at last? Did you not tell me you had forsworn wine, and -now you have drank it all up from me. - -Scheich Ibrahim, not expecting to be surprised after that manner, -blushed a little; however, that did not spoil his draught; but when -he had done, Sir, said he to Noureddin, laughing, if there is any -crime in what I have done, it lies at this fair lady’s door, not -mine; for who could possibly resist so many charms? - -The Fair Persian, who perfectly understood Noureddin, took Scheich -Ibrahim’s part. Let him talk, said she: Scheich Ibrahim, take no -notice of him, but let us drink on and be merry. A while after, -Noureddin filled out a cup for himself and the Fair Persian; but -when Scheich Ibrahim saw that Noureddin had forgot him in his turn, -he took his cup, and presenting it to the Fair Persian, Madam, said -he, do you pretend I cannot drink as well as you? - -At these words of Scheich Ibrahim, Noureddin and the Fair Persian -were ready to split their sides with laughing. Noureddin poured him -out some wine, and they sat laughing, chatting, and drinking, till -pretty near midnight. About that hour the Fair Persian began to take -notice that there was but one candle upon the table. Scheich -Ibrahim, said she to the good old officer, you have afforded us but -one candle, when there are so many wax lights yonder; pray do us the -favour to light some of them, that we may see a little better what -we are doing. - -Scheich Ibrahim, making use of the liberty that wine inspires when -it gets into the head, and not caring to be interrupted in his -discourse with Noureddin, bade the Fair Persian light them herself. -It is fitter for a young person like you to do it, said he, than for -me; but be sure not to light above five or six, for that is enough. -Up rose the Fair Persian immediately, and taking a wax candle in her -hand, lighted it with that which stood upon the table; and, without -any regard to Scheich Ibrahim’s order, lighted up the whole -fourscore. - -By and by, while Scheich Ibrahim was entertaining the Fair Persian -with some other discourse, Noureddin took his turn to desire him to -light up some of the candles in the lustres, not taking notice that -all the wax lights were already in a blaze. Certainly, replied -Scheich Ibrahim, you must be very lazy, or less vigorous than I am, -that you are not able to light them yourself: get you gone, and -light them; but be sure you light no more than three. To work he -went; but instead of that number, he lighted them all, and opened -the shutters of the fourscore windows, before Scheich Ibrahim, who -was deeply engaged with the Fair Persian, knew any thing of the -matter. - -The caliph Haroun Alraschid being not yet gone to bed, was in a room -at his palace by the river Tigris, from whence he could command a -view both of the garden and pavilion. He accidentally opened the -casement, and was extremely surprised at seeing the pavilion -illuminated; and at first by the greatness of the light, thought the -city was on fire. The grand vizier Giafar was still with him, who -only waited for his going to rest, and then designed to go home too. -The caliph, in a great rage, called the vizier to him. Careless -vizier, said he, come hither, come hither; look upon the pavilion of -pictures, and tell me the reason of its being illuminated at this -hour, now I am not there. - -The grand vizier Giafar, upon this news, fell into a violent -trembling, fearing something else was the matter: but when he came -nearer, and with his own eyes saw the truth of what the caliph had -told him, he was more alarmed than before. Some excuse must be made -to appease the caliph’s anger. Commander of the true believers, -said he, all that I can say to your majesty about this matter is, -that some five or six days ago Scheich Ibrahim came to acquaint me, -that he had a design to assemble the ministers of his mosque, to -assist at a ceremony he was ambitious of performing in your -majesty’s auspicious reign. I asked him if I could be any way -serviceable to him in this affair; upon which he entreated me to get -leave of your majesty to perform the ceremony in the pavilion. I -sent him away with leave to hold the assembly, telling him I would -take care to acquaint your majesty with it; and I ask pardon for -having quite forgotten it Scheich Ibrahim, continued he, has -certainly made choice of this day for the ceremony; and after -treating the ministers of his mosque, he was willing to indulge them -with the sight of this illumination. - -Giafar, said the caliph, with a tone that plainly showed his anger -was a little mollified, according to your own account you have -committed three faults that are unpardonable; the first, in giving -Scheich Ibrahim leave to perform this ceremony in my pavilion; for a -person in such an office as his is not worthy of so great an honour; -the second, in not acquainting me with it; and the third, in not -diving into the good old man’s intention. For my part, I am -persuaded he only did it to try if he could get any money towards -bearing the charge of it; but that never came into your head; and -sure I shall not wrong him in allowing him to revenge himself for -not having obtained the expense of the night’s illumination. - -The grand vizier Giafar, overjoyed to hear the caliph put the matter -upon that footing, very willingly owned the faults he reproached him -with, and freely confessed he was to blame in not giving Scheich -Ibrahim a few pieces of gold. Since the case is so, added the -caliph, it is just that thou shouldst be punished for thy mistakes, -but thy punishment shall be light: thou shalt spend the remainder of -the night, as I mean to do, with these honest people, whose company -I shall be well pleased with; and while I am putting on a -citizen’s habit, go thou and disguise thyself with Mesrour, and -come both of you along with me. The vizier Giafar would have -persuaded him it was late, and that all the company would be gone -before he could get thither; but the caliph said he would positively -go. The vizier, who knew that not a syllable of what he had said was -true, began to be in great consternation; but there was no reply to -be made, and go he must. - -The caliph, then, disguised like a citizen, with the grand vizier -Giafar and Mesrour, chief of the eunuchs, stole out of the palace -together. They rambled through the streets of Bagdad till they came -to the garden; the door, through the carelessness of Scheich -Ibrahim, was open, he having forgot to shut it when he came back -from buying the wine. The caliph was very angry at it. Giafar, said -he to the grand vizier, what excuse have you for the door being open -at this unseasonable hour? Is it possible that Scheich Ibrahim makes -a custom of leaving it thus all night? I rather believe the hurry of -the feast has been the occasion of this neglect. - -The caliph went into the garden; and when he came to the pavilion, -resolving not to go into the hall till he knew what was doing there, -he consulted with the grand vizier whether it was not his best way -to climb up into one of the trees that was near it, to make a -discovery. The grand vizier, casting his eyes upon the door, -perceived it stood half open, and told the caliph. It seems Scheich -Ibrahim had left it so, when he was prevailed upon to come in and -bear Noureddin and the Fair Persian company. - -The caliph, laying aside his first design, stole softly up to the -hall door, which standing half open, he could see all the company -that were within, without being discovered himself. - -But how was he surprised, when he saw a lady of incomparable beauty -and a handsome young man sitting at the table, with Scheich Ibrahim -by them. Scheich Ibrahim held a cup in his hand. My fair lady, said -he to the Fair Persian, a true toper never drinks without singing a -song first: if you please to hear, I will give you one of my best -songs. - -Scheich Ibrahim sung: and the caliph was the more surprised, -because, till that moment, he never knew of his drinking wine, but -always took him for a grave, solid man, as he seemed to be to -outward appearance. The caliph retired from the door with the same -caution as he made his approaches to it; and coming to the grand -vizier Giafar, who was standing upon the steps a little lower, Come -up, said he to him, and see if those within yonder are the ministers -of the mosque, as you would have made me believe. - -By the tone of voice in which the caliph spoke these last words, the -vizier understood that things went ill on his side: however, he went -up the steps; but when he had peeped in at the door, and saw all the -three sitting in that condition, he trembled for fear of his life. -He went back to the caliph, but in so great confusion, that he knew -not what to say. What riotous doings are here? said the caliph to -him: who are these people that have presumed to take the liberty of -diverting themselves in my garden and pavilion? I must however -confess, I never saw two persons more beautiful or better paired in -my life; and therefore, before I discover my anger, I will inform -myself better, and know who they are, and the reason of their being -here. He went to the door again to observe them more narrowly; and -the vizier, who followed, stood behind him, while he fixed his eyes -upon them. They both plainly heard every word that Scheich Ibrahim -said to the Fair Persian. Is there any thing, my charming lady, -wanting to render the pleasure of the evening more complete? Nothing -but a lute, replied the Fair Persian; and methinks, if you could get -me one, all would be very well. Can you play upon it? said Scheich -Ibrahim. Fetch me one, replied the Fair Persian; and you shall hear -whether I can or not. - -Scheich Ibrahim, without stirring very far from his place, took a -lute out of a press, and presented it to the Fair Persian, who began -to tune it. The caliph, in the mean time, turning to the grand -vizier, Giafar, said he, the young lady is going to play upon the -lute; and if she performs well, I will forgive her, and the young -man for her sake; but as for thee, I will have thee hanged. -Commander of the true believers, replied the grand vizier, if that -is your intention, I wish to God she may play ill. Why so? said the -caliph. Because, replied the grand vizier, the longer we live in -this world, the more reason we shall have to comfort ourselves with -the hopes of dying in good sociable company. The caliph, who loved a -repartee began to laugh at this; and putting his ear to the opening -of the door, he listened to hear the Fair Persian play. - -The Fair Persian began in a style, that, from the moment of her -touching the lute, the caliph perceived she did it with a masterly -hand. Afterwards she began to sing an air; and accompanying the lute -with her voice, which was admirably fine, she sung and played with -so much skill and sweetness, that the caliph was quite ravished to -hear her. - -As soon as the Fair Persian had finished her song, the caliph went -down the steps, and the vizier Giafar followed him. When he came to -the bottom, I never, said he, to the vizier, heard a more charming -voice, or a lute better touched in my life. Isaac, [88] whom I -thought the most skilful player in the world, does not come up to -her. I am so charmed with her music, that I will go in and hear her -play before me. We must, therefore, consider how I can do it. - -Commander of the true believers, said the grand vizier, if you -should go in, and Scheich Ibrahim chance to know you, he would -infallibly die with the fright. It is that hurts me, replied the -caliph; and I should be loth to be the occasion of his death, after -so many years’ service. A thought is just come into my head, that -may succeed: stay here with Mesrour, and wait for me in the next -walk. - -The neighbourhood of the Tygris had given the caliph an opportunity -of turning a sufficient quantity of water under a stately bridge -into his garden, to make a piece of water well terraced, whither the -choicest fish of the whole river used to retire. The fishermen knew -it very well, and would have given the world to fish there; but the -caliph had expressly charged Scheich Ibrahim not to suffer any of -them to come near it. However, that very night, a fisherman, passing -by the garden-door, which the caliph had left open as he found it, -made use of this opportunity, and, going in, went directly to the -canal. - -The fisherman immediately fell to work with his casting nets, and -was just ready to draw them, when the caliph, fearing what would be -the effect of Scheich Ibrahim’s negligence, but willing to make -use of it to bring his design about, came to the same place. The -fisherman, in spite of his disguise, knew him, and, throwing himself -at his feet, humbly implored his pardon, and excused himself upon -the account of his poverty. Rise, said the caliph, and be not -afraid; only draw your nets, that I may see what fish you have got. - -The fisherman, recovered of his fright, quickly obeyed the -caliph’s orders. He drew out five or six very large fishes; and -the caliph choosing the two biggest, tied them together by the head -with the twig of a tree. After this, said he to the fisherman, Give -me thy clothes, and here take mine. The exchange was soon made; and -the caliph being dressed like a fisherman, even to his boots and -turban, Take thy nets, said he to the fisherman, and get thee about -thy business. - -When the fisherman, very well pleased with his good fortune, was -gone, the caliph, taking the two fishes in his hand, went to look -after the grand vizier Giafar and Mesrour; he stopped at the grand -vizier, who not knowing him, asked him what he wanted, and bid him -go about his business. The caliph fell a laughing; by which the -vizier finding it to be him, Commander of the true believers, said -he, is it possible it can be you? I knew you not; and I ask a -thousand pardons for my rudeness. You are so disguised, that you may -venture into the hall, without any fear of being discovered by -Scheich Ibrahim. Stay you here with Mesrour, said the caliph, while -I go yonder and play my part. - -The caliph went up to the hall, and knocked at the door. Noureddin -hearing him first, told Scheich Ibrahim of it, who asked who was -there. The caliph opened the door, and stepping a little way into -the hall to show himself, Scheich Ibrahim, said he, I am the -fisherman Kerim, who, being informed of your design to treat some of -your friends, have brought you two very fine fishes, fresh caught, -to ask if you have any occasion for them. - -Noureddin and the Fair Persian, mightily pleased to hear him name -fish, Pray, said she to Scheich Ibrahim, let him come in, that we -may look at them. Scheich Ibrahim, by this time, was incapable of -asking this counterfeit fisherman how or which way he came thither, -his whole thought being only to oblige the Fair Persian. With much -ado he turned his head towards the door, being quite drunk, and, in -a stammering tone, calling to the caliph, whom he took to be a -fisherman, Come hither, thou nightly thief, said he, and let us see -what thou hast got. - -The caliph went forwards, and counterfeiting all the actions of a -fisherman to a nicety, presented the two fishes. These are very fine -ones indeed, said the Fair Persian; and if they were well dressed -and seasoned, I should be glad to eat some of them. The lady is in -the right on it, answered Scheich Ibraham; but what can you do with -your fish, unless it were dressed? Go dress it thyself, and bring it -to us; thou wilt find every thing necessary in my kitchen. - -The caliph went back to the grand vizier, Giafar, said he, I have -been very well received; but they want the fish to be dressed. I -will take care to dress it myself, said the grand vizier, and they -shall have it in a moment. Nay, replied the caliph, so eager am I to -accomplish my design, that I will take that trouble myself; for -since I have personated the fisherman so well, sure I can play the -cook for once. In my younger days, I dealt a little in cookery, and -always came off with credit. So saying, he went directly towards -Scheich Ibrahim’s lodgings, and the grand vizier and Mesrour -followed him. - -They all three fell to work; and though Scheich Ibrahim’s kitchen -was not very large, yet there was every thing in it that they -wanted. The fish was quickly cooked; and the caliph served it up, -putting to every one’s plate a lemon to squeeze in the sauce if -they thought proper. They all eat very heartily, but especially -Noureddin and the Fair Persian: and the caliph stood before them. - -As soon as the repast was over, Noureddin looking upon the caliph, -Fisherman, said he, there never was better fish eaten; and you have -done us the greatest favour in the world. At the same time, putting -his hand into his bosom, and pulling out a purse of thirty pieces of -gold, the remainder of forty that Sangiar, the officer of the king -of Balsora, had given him just upon his departure, Take it, said he -to him; if I had any more, thou shouldst have it; had I known thee -in my prosperity, I would have taken care to secure thee from ever -wanting: do not refuse the small present I make thee, but accept of -it as kindly as if it was much greater. - -The caliph took the purse, and thanked Noureddin; and perceiving by -the weight that it contained gold, Sir, said he to him, I cannot -enough thank you for your liberality, and I think myself very -fortunate in having to do with a person of your generosity; but -before I take my leave I have a favour to ask, which I beg you not -to deny me. Yonder is a lute, which makes me believe that the lady -understands playing upon it; and if you can prevail with her to play -but one tune, I shall go away perfectly satisfied; for a lute, sir, -is an instrument I am particularly fond of. - -Fair Persian, said Noureddin, immediately addressing himself to her, -I ask that favour of you, and I hope you will not refuse me. She -took up the lute without more entreaties, and putting it presently -in tune, played and sung with such an air, as charmed the very soul -of the caliph. Afterwards she played upon the lute without singing, -but with so much strength and softness, that transported him into an -ecstacy. - -When the Fair Persian had given over playing, the caliph cried out, -What a voice! what a hand! what skill! was there ever finer singing, -or better playing upon the lute? Never was there any seen or heard -like it. - -Noureddin, who was accustomed to give all that belonged to him to -persons who praised him, Fisherman, said he, I find thou hast some -taste for music; since thou art so delighted with her performance, -she is thine; I make thee a present of her. At the same time he rose -up, and taking his robe, which he had laid by, was going away, and -leaving the caliph, whom he believed to be no other than a -fisherman, in possession of the Fair Persian. - -The Fair Persian was extremely surprised at Noureddin’s -liberality: she took hold of him, and, looking tenderly at him, -Whither, sir, said she, are you going? Sit down in your place, I -entreat you, and hearken to what I am going to sing and play. He did -as she desired him; and then the Fair Persian, touching the lute, -and looking upon him with tears in her eyes, sung some verses that -she had made extempore, to reproach him with his indifference, and -the easiness as well as cruelty with which he resigned her to Kerim. -She only hinted without explaining herself any farther to a -fisherman as Kerim was; for she, as well as Noureddin, was ignorant -of his being the caliph. When she had done playing, she put the lute -down by her, and clapped a handkerchief to her face, to hide the -tears she could not help shedding. - -Noureddin made no answer to all these reproaches, but by his silence -seemed to declare he did not repent of what he had done. The caliph, -surprised at what he had heard, Sir, said he, as far as I see, this -beautiful, rare, and accomplished lady, that so generously you have -made me a present of just now, is your slave, and you are her -master. It is very true, Kerim, replied Noureddin; and thou wouldst -be more surprised than thou art now, should I tell thee all the -misfortunes that have happened to me upon her account. Ah! I beseech -you, sir, replied the caliph, still behaving like a fisherman, -oblige me so far as to let me hear part of your story. - -Noureddin, who had already obliged him in several things of more -consequence, was so complaisant as to relate the whole story to him. -He began with the vizier his father’s buying the Fair Persian for -the king of Balsora, and omitted nothing of what he had done, or -what had happened to him from that time to their arrival at Bagdad, -and to that very moment he was talking to him. - -When Noureddin had ended his story And whither are you going now? -said the caliph. Where Heaven shall direct me, answered Noureddin. -If you will believe me, replied the caliph, you shall go no farther, -but, on the contrary, you must return to Balsora. I will write a -short letter, which you shall give the king in my name: you shall -see, upon the reading it, he will give you a very handsome -reception, and nobody will dare to speak against you. - -Kerim, said Noureddin, what thou hast told me is very singular; I -never heard that a poor fisherman, as thou art, had any -correspondence with a king. Be not astonished at that, replied the -caliph: you must know, that we both studied together under the same -masters, and were always the best friends in the world. It is true, -fortune has not been equally favorable to us; she has made him a -king, and me but a fisherman. But this inequality has not lessened -our friendship: he has often expressed a readiness and desire to -advance my fortune, but I always refused it; and am better pleased -with the satisfaction of knowing that he will never deny me whatever -I ask for the service and advantage of my friends: let me do it, and -you shall see the success. - -Noureddin consented to what the caliph had proposed; and there being -every thing necessary for writing in the hall, the caliph wrote a -letter to the king of Balsora; at the top of which, near the edge of -the paper, he placed this form, in three small characters, ‘In the -name of the most merciful God,’ to show he would be absolutely -obeyed. - - - - -The letter of Caliph Haroun Alraschid to the King of Balsora. - - -‘Haroun Alraschid, son of Mandi, sends this letter to Mahommed -Zinebi, his cousin. As soon as Noureddin, son to the late vizier -Khacan, the bearer, has delivered you this letter, and you have read -it, pull off the royal mantle, put it on his shoulders, and place -him in thy seat without fail. Farewell.’ - -The caliph folded up the letter, and sealed it; and giving it to -Noureddin, without saying any thing of what was in it, Go, said he, -embark immediately in a vessel that is ready to go off, (as there -did constantly every every day at the same hour;) you may sleep when -you are abroad. - -Noureddin took the letter, and away he went, with the little money -he had about him when Sangiar gave him his purse; and the Fair -Persian, distracted with grief at his departure, retired to one of -the sofas, and fell to weeping bitterly. - -Noureddin was scarce gone out of the hall, when Scheich Ibrahim, who -had been silent during the whole transaction, looking stedfastly -upon the caliph, whom he still took for the fisherman Kerim, -Hark’e, said he, Kerim, thou hast brought us two fishes that are -worth twenty pieces of copper at most, and thou hast got a purse and -a slave; but dost thou think to have it all for thyself? I here -declare, that I will go halves with thee in the slave; and as for -the purse, show me what is in the inside: if it is silver, thou -shalt have one piece for thyself; but if it is gold, I will have it -all, and give thee in exchange some pieces of copper which I have in -my purse. - -For the better understanding of what follows, Scheherazade, -interrupting herself here, said, we must observe, that the caliph, -before his serving up the fish, had despatched the grand vizier -Giafar to his palace, with orders to get four slaves, with a rich -habit, and to wait on the other side of the pavilion till he gave a -signal with his finger against the window. The grand vizier -performed his commission, and he, Mesrour, and the four slaves, -waited at the appointed place, expecting the sign. - -But to return to my story, said the sultaness. The caliph, still -personating the fisherman, answered Scheich Ibrahim boldly, I know -not what there is in the purse; gold or silver, you shall freely go -my halves; but as to the slave, I will have her all to myself; and -if you will not accept these conditions, you shall have nothing. - -Scheich Ibrahim, enraged to the last degree at this insolence, -considering him only as a fisherman, snatched up one of the china -dishes which were on the table, and flung it at the caliph’s head. -The caliph easily avoided the blow, being thrown by a person in -liquor; but the dish striking against the wall, was dashed into a -thousand pieces. Scheich Ibrahim grew more enraged at having missed -his aim; and, catching up the candle that stood upon the table, rose -from his seat, and went staggering down a pair of back stairs to -look for a cane. - -The caliph took this opportunity, and striking his hands against the -window, the grand vizier, Mesrour, and the four slaves, were with -him in a trice; the slaves quickly pulled off the fisherman’s -clothes, and put him on the habit they had brought. They had not -quite dressed the caliph, who had seated himself upon the throne -that was in the hall, but were very busy about him, when Scheich -Ibrahim, spurred on by interest, came back, with a swinging cane in -his hand, with which he designed to pay the pretended fisherman -soundly; but instead of finding him, he saw his clothes in the -middle of the hall, and the caliph upon his throne, with the grand -vizier and Mesrour on each side of him. He stood awhile gazing upon -this unexpected sight, doubting whether he was awake or asleep. The -caliph fell a laughing at his astonishment; and calling to him, -Scheich Ibrahim, said he, what dost thou want? whom dost thou look -after? - -Scheich Ibrahim, no longer doubting that it was the caliph, -immediately threw himself at his feet, with his face and long beard -to the ground. Commander of the true believers, cried he, your vile -slave has offended you; but he implores your clemency, and asks a -thousand pardons for his offence. As soon as the slaves had made an -end of dressing him, he came down from his throne, and advancing -towards him, Rise, said he; I forgive thee. - -The caliph then addressed himself to the Fair Persian, who had -suspended her sorrow as soon as she understood that the garden and -pavilion belonged to that prince, and not to Scheich Ibrahim, as he -had all along made her believe, and that it was he himself disguised -in the fisherman’s clothes. Fair Persian, said he, rise, and -follow me: by what you have lately seen, you ought to know who I am, -and to believe that I am above taking any advantage of the present -which Noureddin, with a generosity not to be paralleled, has made me -of your person. I have sent him to Balsora to be king there; and -when I have given him the despatches necessary for his -establishment, you shall go thither and be queen. In the mean time, -I am going to order an apartment for you in my palace, where you -shall be treated according to your desert. - -This discourse encouraged the Fair Persian, and comforted her very -sensibly. The joy for the advancement of Noureddin, whom she -passionately loved, to so high an honour, made her sufficient amends -for her affliction. The caliph kept his promise, and recommended her -to the care of his lady Zobeide, whom he acquainted with the esteem -he had lately entertained for Noureddin. - -Noureddin’s return to Balsora was more fortunate, and speedier by -some days, than he could have expected. Upon his arrival, without -visiting any of his friends or relations, he went directly to the -palace, where the king at that time was giving public audience. With -the letter held up in his hand, he pressed through the crowd, who -presently made way for him to come forward and deliver it. The king -took and opened it, and his colour changed in reading it: he kissed -it thrice, and was just about to obey the caliph’s orders, when he -bethought himself of shewing it to the vizier Saouy, Noureddin’s -irreconcilable enemy. - -Saouy, who had discovered Noureddin, and began to conjecture, with -great uneasiness, what might be the design of his coming, was no -less surprised than the king at the order contained in the letter; -and being as much concerned in it, he thought that very moment upon -a way to evade it. He pretended not to have read the letter quite -through, and therefore, desiring a second view of it, he turned -himself a little on one side, as if he wanted a better light, and, -without being perceived by any body, dexterously tore off from the -top of it the form that showed the caliph would be absolutely -obeyed, and putting it into his mouth, swallowed it. - -After this egregious piece of villany, Saouy turned to the king, and -giving him the letter, Sir, said he to him, in a low voice, what -does your majesty intend to do? What the caliph has commanded me, -replied the king. Have a care, sir, said the wicked vizier, what you -do. It is true, this is the caliph’s hand, but the form is not to -it. The king had observed that very well, but in his confusion, he -thought his eyes deceived him when he saw it was gone. - -Sir, continued the vizier, we have no reason to doubt but that the -caliph, upon the complaints he has made against your majesty and me, -has granted him this letter purely to get rid of him, and not with -any intention of having the order contained in it executed. Besides, -we must consider he has sent no express with a patent; and without -that, the order is of no force. And since a king like your majesty -was never deposed without that formality, any other man as well as -Noureddin might come with a forged letter: let who will bring such a -letter as this, it ought not to be put in execution. --Your majesty -may depend upon it, that is never done; and I will take upon myself -all the consequence of disobeying this order. - -King Zinebi, easily persuaded by this pernicious counsel, left -Noureddin entirely to the discretion of the vizier Saouy, who led -him to his house after a very insulting manner; where, after causing -him to be bastinadoed till he was almost dead, he ordered him to a -prison, where he commanded him to be put in the darkest and deepest -dungeon, with a strict charge to the gaoler to give him nothing but -bread and water. - -When Noureddin, half dead with the strokes, came to himself, and -found what a nasty dungeon he was in, he bewailed his misfortunes in -the most pathetic manner. --Ah! fisherman, cried he, how hast thou -cheated me, and how easy have I been in believing thee! Could I, -after the civility I showed thee, expect so inhuman and barbarous -usage? However, may Heaven reward thee; for I cannot persuade myself -that thy intention was so base; and I will with patience wait the -end of my afflictions. - -The poor disconsolate Noureddin remained six whole days in this -miserable condition; and Saouy did not forget that he had confined -him there: but being resolved to put him to a shameful death, and -not daring to do it by his own authority, to accomplish his -villanous design, he loaded some of his slaves with rich presents, -which he, at the head of them, went and presented to the king. -Behold, sire, said he, with the blackest malice, what the new king -has sent you upon his accession to the crown, and begs your majesty -to accept of it. - -The king, taking the matter just as Saouy intended it, What! replied -he, is that wretch still living? I thought you had put him to death -already. Sire, I have no power, answered the vizier, to take any -person’s life away; that only belongs to your majesty. Go, said -the king, behead him instantly; I give you full authority. Sire, -replied the vizier Saouy, I am infinitely obliged to your majesty -for the justice you do me; but since Noureddin has publicly -affronted me, I humbly beg the favour that his execution may be -performed before the palace, and that the criers may publish in -every quarter of the city, that every body may be satisfied he has -made a sufficient reparation for the affront. The king granted his -request; and the criers, in performing their office, diffused an -universal sorrow through the whole city. The memory of his -father’s virtues being yet very fresh among them, no one could -hear without horror and indignation that the son was going to suffer -an ignominious death, through the villany and instigation of the -vizier Saouy. - -Saouy went in person to the prison, accompanied with twenty slaves, -ministers of his cruelty, who took Noureddin out of the dungeon, and -put him upon a shabby horse without a saddle. When Noureddin saw -himself in the hands of his enemy, Thou triumphest now, said he, and -abusest thy power; but I trust in the truth of what is written in -one of our books, ‘You judge unjustly, and in a little time you -shall be judged yourself.’ The vizier Saouy, who really triumphed -in his heart, What, insolent! said he, darest thou insult me yet? ---but go, I pardon thee, and care not whatever happens to me, so I -have the pleasure of seeing thee lose thy head in the public view of -all Balsora. Thou oughtest also to remember what another of our -books says, ‘What signifies if one dies the next day after the -death of his enemy?’ - -The vizier, still implacable in his hatred and enmity, surrounded by -part of his slaves in arms, ordered Noureddin to be conducted by the -other, and went himself towards the palace. The people were ready to -fall upon him as he went along; and if any body had set the example, -they would certainly have stoned him to death. When he had brought -him to the place of suffering, which was to be in sight of the -king’s apartment, he left him in the executioner’s hands, and -went straight to the king, who was in his closet, ready to glut his -eyes with the bloody spectacle he had prepared. - -The king’s guard and the vizier’s slaves, which made a circle -round Noureddin, had much ado to withstand the people, who made all -possible efforts, but in vain, to break through them, and carry him -off by force. The executioner coming up to him, Sir, said he, I hope -you will forgive me; I am but a slave, and cannot help doing my -duty. If you have no occasion for any thing more, I beseech you -prepare yourself; for the king is just going to give me orders to -strike the blow. - -The poor unfortunate Noureddin, at that cruel moment, looking round -upon the people, Will no charitable body, cried he, bring me a -little water to quench my thirst? which immediately they did, and -handed it up to him upon the scaffold. The vizier Saouy, perceiving -this delay, called out to the executioner from the king’s -closet-window, where he had planted himself, Strike! what dost thou -stay for? At these barbarous and inhuman words the whole place -echoed with loud imprecations against him; and the king, jealous of -his authority, made it appear, by enjoining him to stay awhile, that -he was angry at his presumption. But there was another reason; for -the king that very moment, casting his eye to a large street that -faced him, and joining to the place of execution, saw about the -middle of it a troop of horsemen come gallopping full speed towards -the palace. Vizier, said the king immediately, look yonder; what is -the meaning of those horsemen? Saouy, who knew not what it might be, -earnestly pressed the king to give the executioner the sign. No, -replied the king; I will first know who those horsemen are. It was -the vizier Giafar, with his train, who came in person from Bagdad by -the caliph’s order. - -To understand the occasion of this minister’s coming to Balsora, -we must observe, that after Noureddin’s departure with the -caliph’s letter, the caliph, the next day, nor several days after, -never thought of sending him the patent that he mentioned to the -Fair Persian. He happened one day to be in the inner palace, which -was that of the women, and passing by the apartment, he heard the -sound of a fine voice. He listened to it; and he had no sooner heard -the words of one complaining for the absence of somebody, than he -asked the officer of the eunuchs that attended him, who that woman -was that belonged to that apartment? The officer told him it was the -young stranger’s slave, whom he had sent to Balsora to be king in -the room of Mohammed Zinebi. - -Ah! poor Noureddin, cried the caliph presently, I had forgot thee: -but haste, said he to the officer, and bid Giafar come to me. The -vizier was with him in an instant. As soon as he came, Giafar, said -he, I have hitherto neglected sending the patent to Noureddin, which -was to confirm him king of Balsora; but we have no time now to draw -up one; therefore immediately take post-horses, and, with some of -your servants, make what haste you can to Balsora. If Noureddin is no -longer alive, but put to death by them, order the vizier Saouy to be -hanged; but if he is living, bring him to me, with the king and the -vizier. - -The grand vizier stayed no longer than just to get on horseback; and -being attended by a great train of officers belonging to his house, -he set off for Balsora, where he arrived in the manner and at the -time already mentioned. As soon as he came to the palace-yard, the -people cleared the way for him, crying out, A pardon for Noureddin! -and with his whole train he rode into the palace, even to the very -stairs, where he alighted. - -The king of Balsora, knowing him to be the caliph’s chief -minister, went to meet him, and received him at the entrance of his -apartment. The first question the vizier asked, was, If Noureddin -was living? and if he was, that he might be sent for. The king made -answer he was alive, and gave orders to have him brought in. -Accordingly he soon made his appearance as he was, tied and bound -with cords. The grand vizier Giafar caused him to be untied, and -setting him at liberty, ordered the vizier Saouy to be seized, and -bound him with the same cords. - -The grand vizier Giafar lay but one night in Balsora; the next day -he set out again for Bagdad; and, according to the order he had -received, carried Saouy, the king of Balsora, and Noureddin, along -with him. As soon as he came to Bagdad, he presented them all to the -caliph: and after he had given him an account of his journey, and -particularly the miserable condition he found Noureddin in, and his -ill usage by the advice and malice of Saouy, the caliph desired -Noureddin to behead the vizier himself. Commander of the true -believers, said Noureddin, notwithstanding the injury this wicked -man has done me, and the mischief he endeavoured to do my deceased -father, I should think myself the basest of mankind, if I were to -stain my hands with his blood. The caliph was extremely pleased with -his generosity, and ordered justice to be done by the -executioner’s hand. - -The caliph would fain have sent Noureddin back to Balsora to have -been king there: but Noureddin humbly begged to be excused from -accepting of the offer. Commander of the true believers, said -Noureddin, the city of Balsora, after the misfortunes that have -happened to me there, will be so much my aversion, that I beseech -your majesty to give me leave to keep the oath that I have made, of -never returning thither again; and I shall think it my greatest -glory to serve near your royal person, if you are pleased to allow -me the honour. The caliph consented to it; and placing him among the -number of those courtiers who were his greatest favourites restored -the Fair Persian to him again. To all these favours he added a -plentiful fortune; and he and the Fair Persian lived together to -their dying day, with all the happiness they could desire. - -As for the king of Balsora, the caliph contented himself with only -letting him see how careful he ought to be in the choice of his -viziers, and so sent him back into his kingdom. - - - - -The Story of Beder, Prince of Persia, and Giahaure, Princess of -Samandal. - - -Persia is a country of so vast extent, that their ancient monarchs -have, not without some colour of reason, assumed the haughty title -of King of Kings. For, not to mention those subdued by their arms, -there are kingdoms and provinces whose kings are not only tributary, -but also in as great subjection as governors in other nations are to -kings. - -One of these kings, who in the beginning of his reign had signalized -himself by many glorious and successful conquests, enjoyed so -profound a peace and tranquillity, as rendered him the happiest of -monarchs. The only thing in which he thought himself unfortunate -was, that amongst all his wives, not one of them ever brought him a -son; and being now far advanced in years, he was desirous of an heir -to succeed him after his death. However, he had above a hundred -ladies, all lodged in separate apartments, after a magnificent -manner, with women-slaves to wait upon, and eunuchs to guard them; -yet, notwithstanding all his endeavours to please and gratify them -in every thing, there was not one that answered his expectation. He -had women very often brought him from the most remote countries; and -if they pleased him, he not only gave the merchants their full price -at first word, but loaded them with honours, favours, and -benedictions, in hopes that at last he might be so happy as to meet -with one by whom he might have a son. There was scarce any act of -charity but what he performed, to prevail with Heaven. He gave -immense sums to the poor, besides large donatives to the religious -of his religion; building for their use many noble colleges richly -endowed, in hopes of obtaining by their prayers what he so earnestly -desired. - -One day, according to the custom of his royal predecessors, during -their residence in their capital city, he held an assembly of his -courtiers, at which all the ambassadors and strangers of quality -about the court were present; and where they not only entertained -one another with talking of news and politics, but also of the -sciences, history, poetry, literature, and whatever else was capable -of diverting the mind after the most agreeable manner. Upon that day -an eunuch came to acquaint him with the arrival of a certain -merchant from a far country, who, having brought a slave along with -him, desired leave to show her to his majesty. Give him admittance -instantly, said the king, and after the assembly is over I will talk -with him. The merchant was introduced, and seated in a convenient -place, from whence he might easily have a full view of the king, and -hear him talk familiarly to those that stood near his person. The -king observed this rule to all strangers, with a design that by -degrees they might grow acquainted with him; so that, when they saw -with what freedom and civility he addressed himself to all, they -might be encouraged to talk with him in the same manner, without -being the least surprised at the pomp and splendour of his -appearance, which was enough to deprive those of their power of -speech that were not used to it. He treated the ambassadors also -after the same manner. He eat with them, and during the repast asked -them several questions concerning their health, their journey, and -the particularities of their country. After they had been thus -encouraged, he gave them audience. - -When the assembly was over, and all the company retired, the -merchant, who was the only person left, fell prostrate before the -king’s throne with his face to the earth, wishing his majesty an -accomplishment of all his desires. As soon as he rose up, the king -asked him if the news of his having brought a slave for him was -true, and whether she was handsome. - -Sire, replied the merchant, I doubt not in the least but your -majesty has very beautiful women, since you search every corner of -the earth for them; but I may boldly affirm, without overvaluing my -merchandise, that you never yet saw a woman that could stand in -competition with her for shape and beauty, agreeable qualifications, -and all the perfections that she is mistress of. --Where is she? -said the king: bring her to me instantly. --Sire, replied the -merchant, I have delivered her into the hands of one of your chief -eunuchs; and your majesty may send for her at your pleasure. - -The fair slave was immediately brought in; and no sooner had the -king cast his eyes on her, but he was charmed with her beautiful and -easy shape. He went presently into a closet, whither the merchant, -with a few eunuchs, followed him. The fair slave wore a red satin -veil striped with gold over her face; and when the merchant had -taken it off, the king of Persia beheld a lady that surpassed in -beauty, not only his present ladies, but all that he ever had -before. He immediately fell passionately in love with her, and bid -the merchant name his price. - -Sire, said he, I gave a thousand pieces of gold to the person of -whom I bought her; and in my three years’ journey to your court, I -reckon I have spent as much; but I shall forbear setting any price -to so great a monarch; and therefore, if your majesty likes her, I -humbly beg you would accept of her as a present. I am highly obliged -to you, replied the king; but it is never my custom to treat -merchants, who come hither purely for my pleasure, after so -ungenerous a manner: I am going to order thee ten thousand pieces of -gold; will that be sufficient? Sire, answered the merchant, I should -have esteemed myself very happy in your majesty’s acceptance of -her for nothing, yet I dare not refuse so generous an offer. I shall -not fail to publish it in my own country, and in every place through -which I pass. The money was presently paid; and before he departed, -the king made him put on a rich suit of cloth of gold. - -The king caused the fair slave to be lodged in the finest apartment -next his own, and gave particular orders to the matrons, and the -women-slaves appointed to attend her, that after bathing they should -dress her in the richest habit they could find, and carry her the -finest pearl necklaces, the brightest diamonds, and other the -richest precious stones, that she might choose those she liked best. - -The officious matrons, whose only care was to please the king, were -astonished at her beauty; and being well versed therein, they told -his majesty, that if he would allow them but three days, they would -engage to make her so much handsomer than she was at present, that -he could scarce know her again. The king could hardly deprive -himself of the pleasure of enjoying her so long; but at last he -consented, upon condition they would be as good as their word. - -The king of Persia’s capital was situated in an island: and his -palace, which was very magnificent, was built upon the seashore: his -apartment looked upon that element; and the fair slave’s, which -was pretty near it, had also the same prospect, and it was the more -agreeable, upon the account of the sea’s beating almost against -the foot of the wall. - -At the three days’ end, the fair slave, magnificently dressed and -set off, was alone in her chamber, sitting upon a sofa, and leaning -against one of the windows that faced the sea, when the king, being -informed that he might visit her, came in. The slave hearing -somebody walk in the room, with an air quite different from that of -the women-slaves, who had hitherto attended her, immediately turned -her head about, to see who it was. She knew him to be the king; but -without discovering the least surprise, or so much as rising from -her seat to salute or receive him, as if he had been the most -indifferent person in the world, she put herself in the same posture -again. - -The king of Persia was extremely surprised to see a slave of so -beauteous a form so very ignorant of the world. He attributed this -to the narrowness of her education, and the little care that was -taken of instructing her in the first rules of civility. He went to -her at the window, where, notwithstanding the coldness and -indifference with which she had just now received him, she suffered -herself to be admired, caressed, and embraced as much as he pleased. - -In the midst of these amorous embraces and tender endearments, this -monarch paused awhile, to gaze upon, or rather to devour her with -his eyes. My goddess! my angel! my charmer! cried the king; whence -came you, and where do those happy parents live that brought into -the world so surprising a master-piece of nature as you are? Ah! how -I love you, and shall always continue to do so. Never did I feel for -a woman what I now feel for you; and though I have seen, and do see -every day, a vast number of beauties, yet never did my eyes behold -so many charms in one single person, which have so transported me -out of myself, that I shall entirely devote myself to you. My -dearest life, continued he, you neither answer, nor by any visible -token give me the least reason to believe that you are sensible of -the many demonstrations I have given you of the violence of my -passion; neither will you turn your eyes on me to afford mine the -pleasure of meeting them, and to convince you that it is impossible -to love more than I do you. Why will you still keep this obstinate -silence, which chills me? and whence proceeds the seriousness, or -rather sorrow, that torments me to the soul? Do you mourn for your -country, your friends, or your relations? Alas! is not the king of -Persia, who loves and adores you, capable of comforting, and making -you amends for the loss of every thing in the world? - -What protestations of love soever the king of Persia made the fair -slave, or all he could say to oblige her to speak to him, she -continued her astonishing reserve; and keeping her eyes still fixed -upon the ground, would neither look at him nor utter a word. - -The king of Persia, charmed with the purchase he had made of a slave -that pleased him so well, pressed her no farther, in hopes that by -treating her kindly, he might prevail upon her to change her mind. -He presently clapped his hands; and the women that waited in an -outward room entered: he commanded them to bring in supper. When it -was on the table, My soul, said he to the slave, come hither and sup -with me. She rose from her seat; and being seated over against the -king, his majesty helped her, before he began eating himself; and so -he did of every dish during the whole supper. The slave eat as well -as the king, but still with downcast eyes, and without speaking a -word; though he often asked her how she liked the entertainment, and -whether it was dressed according to her taste. - -The king, willing to change the discourse, asked her what her name -was, how she liked the clothes and the jewels she had on, what she -thought of her apartment and the rich furniture, and whether the -prospect of the sea was not very agreeable? but to all these -questions she answered not a word; so that the king was at a loss -what to think of her silence. He imagined, at first, that perhaps -she might be dumb: but then, said he to himself, can it be possible -that Heaven should form a creature so beautiful, so perfect, and so -accomplished, yet, at the same time, with so great an imperfection? -Were it however so, I could not love her with a less passion than I -do. - -When the king of Persia rose from the table, he washed his hands on -one side, while the fair slave washed hers on the other. He took -that time to ask the women that held the basin and napkin, if ever -they had heard her speak. One of them presently made answer, Sire, -we have neither seen her open her lips, nor heard her speak any more -than your majesty has just now; we have rendered her our services in -the bath; we have combed and dressed her head, put on her clothes, -and waited upon her in her chamber, but she has never opened her -lips, so much as to say, that is well, or I like this. We have often -asked her, Madam, do you want any thing? is there any thing you wish -for? Do but ask, and command us: but we have never been able to draw -a word from her. We cannot tell whether her silence proceeds from -pride, sorrow, stupidity, or dumbness; and this is all we can inform -your majesty of. - -The king of Persia was more astonished at hearing this than he was -before: however, believing the slave might have some cause of -sorrow, he was willing to endeavour to divert and amuse her. -Accordingly he made a very splendid assembly, to which all the -ladies of the court came; and those who were skilful in playing upon -musical instruments performed their parts, while others sung or -danced, or did both together; at last, they played at all sorts of -games, which mightily diverted the king. The fair slave was the only -person that took no pleasure in these diversions; she never stirred -out of her place, but kept her eyes fixed on the ground with so much -indifference, that all the ladies were no less surprised than the -king. After the assembly was over, every one retired to her -apartment, and the king, who was left alone with the fair slave, lay -with her that night. - -The next morning the king of Persia rose more pleased than ever he -had been with all his women he had seen before, and more enamoured -with the fair slave than he was the day before. Indeed, he soon made -it appear, by resolving henceforth to attach himself only to her; -and he performed his resolution. On the very same day he dismissed -all his other women, giving every one of them their jewels, and -other valuable things, besides a considerable fortune, with free -leave to marry whom they thought fit; and only kept the matrons and -a few other elderly women to wait upon the fair slave. However, for -a whole year together, she never afforded him the pleasure of one -single word; yet the king continued his assiduities to please her, -with all the complaisance imaginable, and to give her the most -signal proofs of a violent passion. - -The year was now expired, when the king, sitting one day by his -mistress, protested to her that his love, instead of being -diminished, grew every day more violent. My queen, said he, I cannot -divine what your thoughts are: but nothing is more true, and I swear -to you, that having the happiness of possessing you, there remains -nothing for me to desire: I esteem my kingdom, great as it is, less -than an atom, when I have the pleasure of beholding you, and of -telling you a thousand times, that I adore you. I desire not that my -words alone should oblige you to believe me. Surely you can no -longer doubt it, after the vast number of women who were in my -palace, whom I have sacrificed to your beauty. You may remember it -is about a year since I sent them all away; and I repent of it as -little even now I am talking with you, as I did the first moment of -their departure; and I never shall repent. Nothing would be wanting -to complete my happiness and crown my joy, would you but speak one -single word to me, by which I might be assured that you thought -yourself at all obliged to me. But how can you speak to me if you -are dumb? and alas! I feel too fearful this is the case. How can I -doubt, since you still torment me with silence, after a whole -year’s entreating you continually to speak to me? If it is -impossible for me to obtain of you that consolation, may Heaven at -least grant me the blessing of a son by you, to succeed me after my -death. I find myself growing old every day, and I begin already to -want one to assist me in bearing the weight of my crown. Still I -cannot conceal the great desire I have of hearing you speak; for -something within me tells me you are not dumb: and I beseech, I -conjure you, dear madam, to break through this long silence, and -speak but one word to me; and after that I care not how soon I die. - -At this discourse the fair slave, who, according to her usual -custom, had hearkened to the king with downcast eyes, and had given -him cause to believe not only that she was dumb, but that she had -never laughed in her life, began to smile a little. The king of -Persia perceived it with a surprise that made him break forth into -an exclamation of joy: and no longer doubting but that she was going -to speak, he waited for that happy moment with an eagerness and -attention that cannot easily be expressed. - -At last the fair slave, breaking her long-kept silence, thus -addressed herself to the king: Sire, said she, I have so many things -to say to your majesty, that having once broke silence, I know not -where to begin. However, in the first place, I think myself in duty -bound to thank you for all the favours and honours you have been -pleased to confer upon me, and to implore Heaven to bless and -prosper you, to prevent the wicked designs of your enemies, and not -suffer you to die, after hearing me speak, but to grant you a long -life. After this, sire, I cannot give you a greater satisfaction -than by acquainting you that I am with child; and I wish, as you do, -it may be a son. Had it never been my fortune to have been pregnant, -I was resolved (I beg your majesty to pardon the sincerity of my -intention) never to have loved you, as well as to have kept an -eternal silence; but now I love you as I ought to do. - -The king of Persia, ravished to hear the fair slave not only speak, -but tell him tidings in which he was so nearly concerned, embraced -her tenderly. Shining light of my eyes, said he, it is impossible -for me to receive a greater joy than what you have now given me: you -have spoken to me, and you have declared your being with child, -which I did not expect. After these two occasions of joy, I am -transported out of myself. - -The king of Persia, in the transport of his joy, said no more to the -fair slave. He left her, but in such a manner as made her perceive -his intention was speedily to return: and being willing that the -occasion of his joys should be made public, he declared it to his -officers, and sent in all haste for the grand vizier. As soon as he -came, he ordered him to distribute a thousand pieces of gold among -the holy men of his religion, who made vows of poverty; as also -among the hospitals and the poor, by way of returning thanks to -Heaven: and his will was obeyed by the direction of that minister. - -After the king of Persia had given this order, he returned to the -fair slave again. Madam, said he, pardon me for leaving you so -abruptly, since you have been the occasion of it; but I hope you -will indulge me with some conversation, since I am desirous to know -of you several things of much greater consequence. Tell me, my -dearest soul, what were the powerful reasons that induced you to -persist in that obstinate silence for a whole year together, though -every day you saw me, heard me talk to you, eat and drank with me, -and every night lay with me? I shall pass by your not speaking; but -how you could carry yourself so as that I could never discover -whether you were sensible of what I said to you or no, I confess, -surpasses my understanding; and I cannot yet comprehend how you -could contain yourself so long; therefore I must conclude the -occasion of it to be very extraordinary. - -To satisfy the king of Persia’s curiosity, replied this fair -person, think whether or no to be a slave, far from my own country, -without any hopes of ever seeing it again, --to have a heart torn -with grief, for being separated for ever from my mother, my brother, -my friends, and my acquaintance, --are not these sufficient reasons -for my keeping a silence your majesty has thought so strange and -unaccountable? The love of our native country is as natural to us as -that of our parents; and the loss of liberty is insupportable to -every one who is not wholly destitute of common sense, and knows how -to set a value on it. The body indeed may be enslaved, and under the -subjection of a master, who has the power and authority in his -hands; but the will can never be conquered, but remains free and -unconfined, depending on itself alone, as your majesty has found an -instance of it in me: and it is a wonder that I have not followed -the example of abundance of unfortunate wretches, whom the loss of -liberty has reduced to the melancholy resolution of procuring their -own deaths a thousand ways, by a liberty which cannot be taken from -them. - -Madam, replied the king, I am convinced of the truth of what you -say; but till this moment I was of opinion, that a person beautiful, -well-shaped, of good understanding, like yourself, whom her evil -destiny had condemned to be a slave, ought to think herself very -happy in meeting with a king for her master. - -Sire, replied the fair slave, whatever the slave is, as I have -already observed to your majesty, there is no king on earth can -tyrannize over her will. But when you speak of a slave mistress of -charms enough to captivate a monarch, and induce him to love her; if -she is of a rank infinitely below him, I am of your opinion, she -ought to think herself happy in her misfortunes: but what happiness -can it be, when she considers herself only as a slave, torn from a -parent’s arms, and perhaps from those of a lover, her passion for -whom death only can extinguish? But when this very slave is in -nothing inferior to the king that bought her, your majesty shall -then judge yourself of the rigour of her destiny, her misery, and -her sorrow, and to what desperate attempts the anguish of despair -may drive her. - -The king of Persia, astonished at this discourse, Madam, said he, -can it be possible that you are of royal blood, as by your words you -seem to intimate? Explain the whole secret to me, I beseech you, and -no longer augment my impatience. Let me instantly know who are the -happy parents of so great a prodigy of beauty; who are your -brothers, your sisters, and your relations; but, above all, what -your name is. - -Sire, said the fair slave, my name is Gulnare [89] of the Sea; and -my father, who is now dead, was one of the most potent monarchs of -the ocean. When he died, he left his kingdom to a brother of mine, -named Saleh, [90] and to the queen my mother, who is also a -princess, the daughter of another puissant monarch of the sea. We -enjoyed a profound peace and tranquillity through the whole Kingdom, -till a neighbouring prince, envious of our happiness, invaded our -dominions with a mighty army; and penetrating as far as our capital, -made himself master of it: and we had but just time enough to save -ourselves in an impenetrable and inaccessible place, with a few -trusty officers who did not forsake us in our distress. - -In this retreat, my brother was not negligent in contriving all -manner of ways to drive the unjust invader from our dominions. One -day taking me into his closet, Sister, said he, the events of the -smallest undertakings are always dubious. As for my own part, I may -fail in the attempt I design to make to recover my kingdom; and I -shall be less concerned for my own disgrace, than what may possibly -happen to you. To prevent it, and to secure you from all accident, I -would fain see you married first: but in the miserable condition of -our affairs at present, I see no probability of matching you to any -of the princes of the sea; and therefore I should be very glad if -you would concur with my opinion, and think of marrying to some of -the princes of the earth. I am ready to contribute all that lies in -my power towards it; and I am certain there is not one of them, -however powerful, but, considering the beauty you are mistress of, -would be proud of sharing his crown with you. - -At this discourse of my brother’s, I fell into a violent passion. -Brother, said I, you know that I am descended, as well as you, by -both father and mother’s side, from the kings and queens of the -sea, without any mixture of alliance with those of the earth; -therefore I do not design to marry below myself, any more than they -did; and I took an oath to that effect as soon as I had -understanding to inquire into the nobleness and antiquity of our -family. The condition to which we are reduced shall never oblige me -to alter my resolution; and if you perish in the execution of your -design, I am prepared to fall with you, rather than to follow the -advice I so little expected from you. - -My brother, who was still earnest for the marriage, however improper -for me, endeavoured to make me believe, that there were kings of the -earth who were nowise inferior to those of the sea. This put me into -a more violent passion, which occasioned him to say several bitter -reflecting things, that nettled me to the quick. He left me, as much -dissatisfied with myself as he could possibly be with me; and in -this peevish mood I gave a spring from the bottom of the sea, up to -the island of the moon. - -Notwithstanding the violent discontent that made me cast myself upon -that island, I lived content in retirement. But in spite of all my -precautions, a person of distinction, attended by his servants, -surprised me sleeping, and carried me to his own house. He expressed -much love to me, and omitted nothing which he thought might induce -me to make a return to his passion. When he saw that fair means -would not prevail upon me, he attempted to make use of force; but I -soon made him repent of his insolence. So at last he resolved to -sell me; which he did to that very merchant who brought me hither -and sold me to your majesty. He was a very prudent, courteous, -humane person; and during the whole of the long journey, never gave -me the least reason to complain. - -As for your majesty, continued the princess Gulnare, if you had not -shown me all the respect you have hitherto paid, (for which I am -extremely obliged to your goodness,) and given me such undeniable -marks of your affection, that I could no longer doubt of it; if you -had not immediately sent away your women, I hesitate not to tell you -plainly, that I should not have remained with you. I would have -thrown myself into the sea out of this very window, where you -accosted me when you first came into this apartment, and I would -have gone in search of my mother, my brother, and the rest of my -relations. I should have persisted in that design, and I would -infallibly have put it in execution, if after a certain time I had -found myself deceived in the hopes of being with child; but now, in -the condition I am in, all I could say to my mother or brother, -would never convince them that I have been a slave to a king like -your majesty. They would never believe it, but would for ever -upbraid me with the crime I have voluntarily committed against my -honour. However, sire, be it a prince or princess that I shall bring -into the world, it will be a pledge to engage me never to be parted -from your majesty; and therefore I hope you will no longer look upon -me as a slave, but as a princess worthy your alliance. - -After this manner the princess Gulnare discovered herself to the -king of Persia, and finished her story. My charming, my adorable -princess, cried he, what wonders have I heard! and what ample matter -for my curiosity to ask a thousand questions concerning those -strange and unheard-of things which you have related to me! But -first, I ought to thank you for your goodness and patience in making -trial of the truth and constancy of my passion. I thought it -impossible for me to love you more than I did; but since I know you -to be so great a princess, I love you a thousand times more. -Princess! did I say? Madam, you are no longer so, but you are my -queen --the queen of Persia; and by that title you shall soon be -proclaimed throughout the whole kingdom. To-morrow the ceremony -shall be performed in my capital, with a pomp and magnificence that -was never yet beheld; which will plainly show that you are my queen -and my lawful wife. This should long ago have been done, had you -sooner convinced me of my error; for from the first moment of my -seeing you. I have been of the same opinion as now, to love you -always, and never to place my affections on any other. - -But that I may satisfy myself, and pay you all the respect that is -your due, I beseech you, madam, to inform me more particularly of -the kingdom and people of the sea, which are altogether unknown to -me. I have heard much talk, indeed, of the inhabitants of the sea, -but I always looked upon it as nothing but a tale or fable; but, by -what you have told me, I am convinced there is nothing more true; -and I have a very good proof of it in your own person, who are one -of them, and are pleased to condescend to be my wife; which is an -honour no other inhabitant on the earth can boast of besides myself. -There is one thing yet which puzzles me; therefore I must beg the -favour of you to explain it; that is, I cannot comprehend how it is -possible for you to live or move in the water without being drowned. -There are very few amongst us who have the art of staying under -water; and they would surely perish, if, after a certain time, -according to their activity and strength, they did not come up again. - -Sire, replied the queen Gulnare, I shall with pleasure satisfy the -king of Persia. We can walk at the bottom of the sea with as much -ease as you can upon land; and we can breathe in the water as you do -in the air; so that instead of suffocating us, as it does you, it -absolutely contributes to the preservation of our lives. What is yet -more remarkable is, that it never wets our clothes; so that when we -have a mind to visit the earth, we have no occasion to dry them. Our -common language is the same with that of the writing engraved upon -the seal of the great prophet Solomon, the son of David. - -I must not forget to tell you further, that the water does not in -the least hinder us from seeing in the sea; for we can open our eyes -without any inconvenience; and as we have quick, piercing sight, we -can discern any object as clearly in the deepest part of the sea, as -upon land. We have also there a succession of day and night, the -moon affords us her light, and even the planets and the stars appear -visible to us. I have already spoken of our kingdoms; but as the sea -is much more spacious than the earth, so there are a greater number -of them, and of greater extent. They are divided into provinces; and -in each province there are several great cities, well peopled. In -short, there are an infinite number of nations, differing in manners -and customs, as well as upon the earth. - -The palaces of the kings and princes are very sumptuous and -magnificent. Some of them are of marble of various colours; others -of rock-crystal, with which the sea abounds, mother-of-pearl, coral, -and of other materials more valuable; gold, silver, and all sorts of -precious stones, are more plentiful there than on earth. I say -nothing of the pearls, since the largest that ever was seen upon -earth, would not be valued amongst us; and none but the very lowest -rank of citizens would wear them. - -As we have a marvellous and incredible agility to transport -ourselves whither we please in the twinkling of an eye, we have no -occasion for any carriages or riding-horses; not but the king has -his stables, and his stud of sea-horses; but they are seldom made -use of, except upon public feasts, or rejoicing days. Some, after -they have trained them, take delight in riding them, and show their -skill and dexterity in races; others put them to chariots of -mother-of-pearl, adorned with an infinite number of shells of all -sorts, of the liveliest colours. These chariots are open; and in the -middle there is a throne upon which the king sits, and shows himself -to the public view of his subjects. The horses are trained up to -draw by themselves; so that there is no occasion for a charioteer to -guide them. I pass over a thousand other curious particulars -relating to these marine countries, which would be very entertaining -to your majesty; but you must permit me to defer it to future -leisure, to speak of something of much greater consequence; which -is, that the method of delivering, and the way of managing the women -of the sea in their lying-in, is quite different from those of the -women of the earth; and I am afraid to trust myself in the hands of -the midwives of this country: therefore since my safe delivery -equally concerns us both, with your majesty’s permission, I think -it proper for greater security, to send for my mother and my -cousins, to assist at my labour; at the same time to desire the king -my brother’s company, to whom I have a great desire to be -reconciled. They will be very glad to see me again, after I have -related my story to them, and when they understand I am wife to the -mighty king of Persia. I beseech your majesty to give me leave to -send for them: I am sure they will be happy to pay their respects to -you; and I venture to say you will be extremely pleased to see them. - -Madam, replied the king of Persia, you are mistress; do whatever you -please; I will endeavour to receive them with all the honours they -deserve. But I would fain know how you would acquaint them with what -you desire, and when they will arrive, that I may give orders to -make preparation for their reception, and go myself in person to -meet them. Sire, replied the queen Gulnare, there is no need of -these ceremonies; they will be here in a moment; and if your majesty -will but step into the closet, and look through the lattice, you -shall see the manner of their arrival. - -As soon as the king of Persia was in the closet, queen Gulnare -ordered one of her women to bring her a fire-pan with a little fire. -After that she bid her retire and shut the door. When she was alone, -she took a piece of aloes out of a box, and put it into the -fire-pan. As soon as she saw the smoke rise, she repeated some words -unknown to the king of Persia, who observed with great attention all -that she did. She had no sooner ended, but the sea began to be -disturbed. The closet the king was in was so contrived, that looking -through the lattice on the same side with the windows that faced the -sea, he could plainly perceive it. - -At length the sea opened at some distance; and presently there arose -out of it a tall, handsome young man, with whiskers of a sea-green -colour; a little behind him, a lady, advanced in years, but of a -majestic air, attended by five young ladies, nothing inferior in -beauty to the queen Gulnare. - -Queen Gulnare immediately came to one of the windows, and saw the -king her brother, the queen her mother, and the rest of her -relations, who at the same time perceived her also. The company came -forward, borne, as it were, upon the surface of the waves. When they -came to the edge, they nimbly, one after another, sprung to the -window, from whence the queen Gulnare had retired to make room for -them. King Saleh, the queen her mother, and the rest of her -relations, embraced her tenderly, with tears in their eyes, on their -first entrance. - -After queen Gulnare had received them with all imaginable honour, -and made them sit down upon a sofa, the queen her mother addressed -herself to her: Daughter, said she, I am overjoyed to see you again -after so long an absence; and I am confident that your brother and -your relations are no less so. Your leaving us without acquainting -any body with it, involved us in inexpressible concern; and it is -impossible to tell you how many tears we have shed upon that -account. We know of no other reason that could induce you to take -such a surprising resolution, but what your brother told us of the -conversation that passed between him and you. The advice he gave you -seemed to him at that time very advantageous for settling you -handsomely in the world, and very suitable to the then posture of -our affairs. If you had not approved of his proposal, you ought not -to have been so much alarmed; and, give me leave to tell you, you -took the thing in a quite different light from what you ought to -have done. But no more of this discourse; it serves only to renew -the occasion of our sorrow and complaint, which we and you ought to -bury for ever in oblivion: give us now an account of all that has -happened to you since we saw you last, and of your present -situation; but especially let us know if you are satisfied. - -Queen Gulnare immediately threw herself at her mother’s feet; and -after rising and kissing her hand, Madam, said she, I own I have -been guilty of a very great fault, and I am indebted to your -goodness for the pardon which you are pleased to grant me. What I am -going to say, in obedience to your commands, will soon convince you, -that it is very often in vain for us to have an aversion for certain -measures, I have myself experienced, that the only thing I had an -abhorrence to, is just that to which my destiny has led me. She -related the whole of what had befallen her since she quitted the sea -in a violent passion for the earth. As soon as she had made an end, -and had acquainted them with her having been sold to the king of -Persia, in whose palace she was at present; Sister, said the king -her brother, you have been very much to blame to suffer so many -indignities, but you can blame nobody but yourself; you have it in -your power now to free yourself; and I cannot but admire your -patience, that you could endure so long a slavery. Rise, and return -with us into my kingdom, that I have reconquered from the proud -usurper who had made himself master of it. - -The king of Persia, who heard these words from the closet where he -stood, was in the utmost alarm. Ah! said he to himself. I am ruined; -and if my queen, my Gulnare, hearkens to this advice, and leaves me, -I shall surely die; for it is impossible for me to live without her, -and they want to deprive me of her. Queen Gulnare soon put him out -of his fears. - -Brother, said she smiling, what I have just now heard gives me a -greater proof than ever I had of the sincerity of your friendship -for me: I could not brook your proposing to me a match with a prince -of the earth; now I can scarce forbear being angry with you for -advising me to break the engagement I have made with the most -puissant and most renowned monarch in the world. I do not speak here -of any engagement between a slave and her master; it would be easy -to return the ten thousand pieces of gold that I cost him; but I -speak now of a contract between a wife and a husband, and a wife who -has not the least reason to complain. He is a religious, wise, and -temperate king, and has given me the most essential demonstrations -of his love. What can be a greater instance of the violence of his -passion, than sending away all his women (of which he had a great -number) immediately upon my arrival, and confining himself only to -me? I am now his wife, and he has lately declared me queen of -Persia, to share with him in his councils; besides, I am pregnant, -and if Heaven permits me to give him a son, that will be another -motive to engage my affections to him the more. - -So that, brother, continued the queen Gulnare, instead of following -your advice, you see I have all the reason in the world, not only to -love the king of Persia as passionately as he loves me, but also to -live and die with him, more out of gratitude than duty. I hope then -neither my mother, nor you, nor any of my cousins, will disapprove -of the resolution or the alliance I have made, which will be an -equal honour to the kings of the sea and earth. Excuse me for giving -you the trouble of coming hither from the bottom of the deep, to -communicate it to you, and for the pleasure of seeing you after so -long a separation. - -Sister, replied king Saleh, the proposal I made you of going back -with us into my kingdom, upon the recital of your adventures, (which -I could not hear without concern,) was only to let you see how much -we all love you, and how much I in particular honour you, and that -nothing in the world is so dear to me as your happiness. Upon the -same account then, for my own part, I cannot condemn a resolution so -reasonable and so worthy of yourself, after what you have told us of -the king of Persia, your husband, and the great obligations you have -to him; and I am persuaded that the queen our mother will be of the -same opinion. - -The queen confirmed what her son had just spoken, and addressing -herself to queen Gulnare, said, I am very glad to hear you are -pleased; and I have nothing else to add to what your brother has -just said to you. I should have been the first to have condemned -you, if you had not expressed all the gratitude you owe to a monarch -that loves you so passionately, and has done such great things for -you. - -As the king of Persia, who was still in the closet, had been -extremely concerned for fear of losing his beloved queen, so now he -was transported with joy at her resolution never to forsake him; and -having no room to doubt of her love after so open a declaration, he -began to love her more than ever, and resolved to express his -gratitude in every possible way. - -While the king was indulging incredible pleasure, queen Gulnare -clapped her hands, and presently in came some of her slaves, whom -she had ordered to bring in a collation; as soon as it was served -up, she invited the queen her mother, the king her brother, and her -cousins, to sit down and take part of it. They began to reflect, -that without asking leave, they were got into the palace of a mighty -king, who had never seen nor heard of them, and that it would be a -great piece of rudeness to eat at his table without him. This -reflection raised a blush in their faces, and in their emotion their -eyes glowing like fire, they breathed flames at their mouths and -nostrils. - -This unexpected sight put the king of Persia, who was totally -ignorant of the cause of it, into a dreadful consternation. Queen -Gulnare suspecting this, and understanding the intention of her -relations, rose from her seat, and told them she would be back in a -moment. She went directly to the closet, and by her presence -recovered the king of Persia from his surprise. Sir, said she, I -doubt not but that your majesty is well pleased with the -acknowledgment I have lately made of the many favours for which I am -indebted to you. I might have complied with the wishes of my -relations, and gone back with them into their dominions; but I am -not capable of such ingratitude, for which I should have been the -first to have condemned myself. Ah! my queen, cried the king of -Persia, speak no more of your obligations to me; you have none: I am -under so great to you, that I shall never be able to repay or -express them. I never thought it possible you could have loved me so -tenderly as you do, and as you have made appear to me in the most -expressive manner. Ah! sir, replied the queen Gulnare, could I do -less than I have done? I fear I have not done enough, considering -all the honours that your majesty has heaped upon me; and it is -impossible for me to remain insensible of your love, after so many -convincing proofs as you have given me. - -But sir, continued queen Gulnare, let us drop this, and give me -leave to assure you of the sincere friendship that the queen my -mother, and the king my brother, are pleased to honour you with; -they earnestly desire to see you, and tell you so themselves; I -intended to have some conversation with them by ordering a banquet -for them, before I introduced them to your majesty, but they are -very impatient to pay their respects to you; and therefore I desire -your majesty would be pleased to walk in, and honour them with your -presence. - -Madam, said the king of Persia, I should be very glad to salute -persons that have the honour to be so nearly related to you, but I -am afraid of the flames that they breathe at their mouths and -nostrils. Sir, replied the queen, laughing, you need not in the -least be afraid of those flames, which are nothing but a sign of -their unwillingness to eat in your palace, without your honouring -them with your presence, and eating with them. - -The king of Persia, encouraged by these words, rose up, and went -into the chamber with his queen Gulnare. She presented him to the -queen her mother, to the king her brother, and to her other -relations, who instantly threw themselves at his feet, with their -faces to the ground. The king of Persia ran to them, and lifting -them up, embraced them one after another. After they were all -seated, king Saleh began: Sir, said he to the king of Persia, we are -at a loss for words to express our joy, to think that the queen my -sister, in her disgrace, should have the happiness of falling under -the protection of so powerful a monarch. We can assure you she is -not unworthy of the high rank you have been pleased to raise her to; -and we have always had so much love and tenderness for her, that we -could never think of parting with her to any of the puissant princes -of the sea, who have often demanded her in marriage before she came -of age. Heaven has reserved her for you, sir, and we have no better -way of returning thanks to it for the favour it has done her, than -beseeching it to grant your majesty a long and happy life with her, -and to crown you with prosperity and satisfaction. - -Certainly, replied the king of Persia, Heaven reserved her purely -for me, as you observe. I love her with so tender and violent a -passion, that I am satisfied I never loved any woman till I saw her. -I cannot sufficiently thank either the queen her mother, or you, -prince, or your whole family, for the generosity with which you have -consented to receive me into an alliance so glorious to me as yours. -So saying, he invited them to take part of the collation, and he and -his queen sat down at the table with them. After the collation was -over, the king of Persia conversed with them till it was very late; -and when they thought it convenient to retire, he waited upon them -himself to the several apartments he had ordered to be prepared for -them. - -The king of Persia treated his illustrious guests with continual -feasts; in which he omitted nothing that might show his grandeur and -magnificence, and insensibly prevailed with them to stay with him -till the queen was brought to bed. When the time of her lying-in -drew near, he gave particular orders that nothing should be wanting -that was necessary upon such an occasion. At night she was brought -to bed of a son, to the great joy of the queen her mother, who -assisted at the labour; and as soon as he was dressed in -swaddling-clothes, which were very magnificent, went and presented -him to the king. - -The king of Persia received this present with a joy easier to be -imagined than expressed. The young prince being of a beautiful -countenance, he thought no name so proper for him as that of -_Beder_, which in the Arabian language signifies the _Full Moon_. To -return thanks to Heaven, he was very liberal in his alms to the -poor, and caused the prison doors to be set open, and gave all his -slaves of both sexes their liberty. He distributed vast sums among -the ministers and holy men of his religion. He also gave large -donations to his courtiers, besides a great deal that was thrown -amongst the people; and by proclamation ordered rejoicing for -several days to be kept through the whole city. - -One day, after the queen was up again, as the king of Persia, queen -Gulnare herself, the queen her mother, king Saleh, her brother, and -the princesses their relations, were discoursing together in her -majesty’s bedchamber, the nurse came in with the young prince -Beder in her arms. King Saleh no sooner saw him, but he ran to -embrace him; and taking him in his arms, fell to kissing and -caressing him with the greatest demonstration of tenderness. He took -several turns with him about the room, dancing and tossing him -about, when all of a sudden, through a transport of joy, the window -being open, he sprung out, and plunged with him into the sea. - -The king of Persia, who expected no such sight, set up a hideous -cry, verily believing he should either see the dear prince his son -no more, or else that he should see him drowned; he was like to have -died of grief and affliction. Sir, said queen Gulnare, (with a quiet -and undisturbed countenance, the better to comfort him,) let your -majesty fear nothing; the young prince is my son as well as yours, -and I do not love him less than you do. You see I am not alarmed; -neither in truth ought I to be so. He runs no risk, and you will -soon see the king his uncle appear with him again, and bring him -back safe and sound. Although he was born of your blood, he is -equally of mine, and will have the same advantage his uncle and I -have, of living equally in the sea and upon the land. The queen his -mother, and the princesses his relations, confirmed the same thing; -yet all they said had no effect on the king’s fright, from which -he could not recover till he saw prince Beder appear again before -him. - -The sea at length became troubled, when immediately king Saleh arose -with the young prince in his arms, and holding him up in the air, he -re-entered at the same window he went out at. The king of Persia -being overjoyed to see prince Beder again, and astonished that he -was as calm as before he lost sight of him; king Saleh said, Sir, -was not your majesty in a great fright, when you first saw me plunge -into the sea with the prince my nephew? Alas! prince, answered the -king of Persia, I cannot express my concern. I thought him lost from -that very moment, and you now restore life to me by bringing him -again. I thought as much, replied king Saleh, though you had not the -least reason to apprehend any danger; for, before I plunged into the -sea with him, I pronounced over him certain mysterious words which -were engraven on the seal of the great Solomon, the son of David. We -practise the like in relation to all those children that are born in -the regions at the bottom of the sea, by virtue whereof they receive -the same privileges that we have over those people who inhabit the -earth. From what your majesty has observed, you may easily see what -advantage your son prince Beder has acquired by his birth on the -part of his mother, queen Gulnare my sister, for as long as he -lives, and as often as he pleases, he will be at liberty to plunge -into the sea, and traverse the vast empires it contains in its bosom. - -Having so spoke, king Saleh, who had restored prince Beder to his -nurse’s arms, opened a box he had fetched from his palace in the -little time he had disappeared, which was filled with three hundred -diamonds, as large as pigeons’ eggs, a like number of rubies of -extraordinary size, as many emerald wands, each half a foot long, -and with thirty strings or necklaces of pearl, consisting each of -ten feet. Sir, said he to the king of Persia, presenting him with -this box, when I was first summoned by the queen my sister, I knew -not what part of the earth she was in, or that she had the honour to -be married to so great a monarch. This made us come empty-handed. As -we cannot express how much we have been obliged to your majesty, I -beg you to accept this small token of gratitude in acknowledgment of -the many particular favours you have been pleased to show her, -wherein we take equal interest. - -It is impossible to express how greatly the king of Persia was -surprised at the sight of so much riches, inclosed in so little -compass. What! prince, cried he, do you call so inestimable a -present a small token of your gratitude, when you never have been -indebted to me? I declare once more, you have never been in the -least obliged to me, neither the queen your mother, nor you. I -esteem myself but too happy in the consent you have given to the -alliance I have contracted with you. Madam, continued he, turning to -Gulnare, the king your brother has put me into the greatest -confusion; and I would beg of him to permit me to refuse his -present, were I not afraid of disobliging him: do you therefore -endeavour to obtain his leave that I may be excused accepting it. - -Sir, replied king Saleh, I am not at all surprised that your majesty -thinks this present so extraordinary. I know you are not accustomed -upon earth to see precious stones of this quality and quantity; but -if you knew, as I do, the mines whence these jewels were taken, and -that it is in my power to form a treasure greater than those of all -the kings of the earth, you would wonder we should have the boldness -to make you a present of so small a value. I beseech you, therefore, -not to regard it in that respect, but on account of the sincere -friendship which obliges us to offer it to you, and not give us the -mortification of refusing it. These engaging expressions obliged the -king of Persia to accept the present; for which he returned many -thanks both to king Saleh and the queen his mother. - -A few days after, king Saleh gave the king of Persia to understand, -that the queen his mother, the princesses his relations, and -himself, could have no greater pleasure than to spend their whole -lives at his court; but that having been so long absent from their -own kingdom, where their presence was absolutely necessary, he -begged of him not to take it ill if they took leave of him and queen -Gulnare. The king of Persia assured them he was very sorry that it -was not in his power to return their visit in their own dominions; -but added, As I am verily persuaded you will not forget queen -Gulnare, but come and see her now and then, I hope I shall have the -honour to see you again more than once. - -Many tears were shed on both sides upon their separation. King Saleh -departed first, but the queen his mother, and the princesses his -relations, were fain to force themselves, in a manner, from the -embraces of queen Gulnare, who could not prevail with herself to let -them go. This royal company were no sooner out of sight, but the -king of Persia said to queen Gulnare, Madam, I should have looked -upon the person that had pretended to pass those upon me for true -wonders, of which I myself have been eye-witness from the time I -have been honoured with your illustrious family at my court, as one -who would have abused my credulity. But I cannot refuse to believe -my own eyes, and shall remember it as long as I live, and never -cease to bless heaven for directing you to me, in preference to any -other prince. - -Young prince Beder was brought up and educated in the palace, under -the care of the king and queen of Persia, who both saw him grow and -increase in beauty, to their great satisfaction. He gave them yet -greater pleasure as he advanced in years, by his continual -sprightliness, by his agreeable manners, and by the justness and -vivacity of his wit in whatever he said; and this satisfaction was -the more sensible, because king Saleh his uncle, the queen his -grandmother, and the princesses his relations, came from time to -time to partake of it. - -He was easily taught to read and write, and was instructed with the -same facility in all the sciences that became a prince of his rank. - -When he arrived at the age of fifteen, he acquitted himself in all -his exercises with infinitely better address and grace than his -masters. He was withal very wise and prudent. The king, who had -almost from his cradle discovered in him these virtues, so necessary -for a monarch, and who moreover began to perceive the infirmities of -old age coming upon himself every day, would not stay till death -gave him possession of his throne, but purposed to resign it to him. -He had no great difficulty to make his council consent to it; and -the people heard this resolution with so much the more joy, as they -conceived prince Beder worthy to govern them. In a word, as the king -had not for a long time appeared in public, they had all the -opportunity to observe he had not that disdainful, proud, and -crabbed air, which most princes have, who look upon all below them -with scorn and contempt. They saw, on the contrary, that he treated -all mankind with that goodness which invited them to approach him; -that he heard favourably all who had any thing to say to him; that -he answered every body with a goodness that was peculiar to him; and -that he refused nobody any thing that had the least appearance of -justice. - -The day for the ceremony was appointed; when, in the midst of the -whole assembly, which was then more numerous than ordinary, the king -of Persia then sitting on his throne, came down from it, took the -crown from off his head, put it on that of prince Beder, and having -seated him in his place, kissed his hand, as a token that he -resigned his authority to him. After which he took his place among -the crowd of viziers and emirs below the throne. - -Hereupon the viziers, emirs, and other principal officers, came -immediately and threw themselves at the new king’s feet, taking -each the oath of fidelity according to their rank. Then the grand -vizier made a report of divers important matters, on which the young -king gave judgment with that admirable prudence and sagacity, that -surprised all the council. He next turned out several governors -convicted of mal-administration, and put others in their room, with -that wonderful and just discernment, as exacted the acclamations of -every body; which were so much the more honourable, as flattery had -no share in them. He at length left the council, accompanied by the -late king his father, and went to wait on his mother, queen Gulnare, -at her apartment. The queen no sooner saw him coming with his crown -upon his head, but she ran to him, and embraced him with a great -deal of tenderness, wishing him a long and prosperous reign. - -The first year of his reign king Beder acquitted himself of all his -royal functions with great assiduity. Above all, he took care to -inform himself of the state of his affairs, and all that might in -any way contribute towards the happiness of his people. Next year, -having left the administration to his council, under the direction -of the old king his father, he went out of his capital city, under -pretence of diverting himself with hunting; but his real intention -was to visit all the provinces of his kingdom, that he might reform -all abuses there, establish good order and discipline every where, -and take from all ill-minded princes, his neighbours, any -opportunities of attempting any thing against the security and -tranquillity of his subjects, by showing himself on his frontiers. - -It required no less than a whole year for this young king to execute -a design so worthy of him. Soon after his return, the old king his -father fell so dangerously ill, that he knew at once he should never -recover. He waited for his last moment with great tranquillity, and -his only care was to recommend to the ministers, and other lords of -his son’s court, to persevere in the fidelity they had sworn to -him; and there was not one but willingly renewed his oath as freely -as at first. He died, at length, to the great grief of king Beder -and queen Gulnare, who caused his corpse to be borne to a stately -mausoleum, worthy of his rank and dignity. - -The funeral obsequies ended, king Beder found no difficulty to -comply with that ancient custom in Persia to mourn for the dead a -whole month, and not to be seen by any body during all that time. He -had mourned the death of his father his whole life, had he hearkened -to his excessive affliction, and had it been right for a great -prince thus to abandon himself to it. During this interval, the -queen, mother to queen Gulnare, and king Saleh, together with the -princesses their relations, arrived at the Persian court, and took a -great part of their affliction, before they offered any consolation. - -When the month was expired, the king could not refuse admittance to -the grand vizier and the other lords of his court, who besought him -to lay aside his mourning, to show himself to his subjects, and take -upon him the administration of affairs as before. - -He showed so great reluctance to their request, that the grand -vizier was forced to take upon him to say to him, Sir, it were -needless to represent to your majesty, that it belongs only to women -to persist in perpetual mourning. We doubt not but you are fully -convinced of that, and that it is not your intention to follow their -example. Neither our tears nor yours are capable of restoring life -to the good king your father, though we should lament him all our -days. He has undergone the common law of all men, which subjects -them to pay the indispensable tribute of death. Yet we cannot say -absolutely that he is dead, since we see him in your sacred person. -He did not himself doubt, when he was dying, but he should revive in -you; and to your majesty it belongs to show that he was not deceived. - -King Beder could no longer oppose such pressing instances: he laid -aside his mourning habit immediately; and, after he had resumed the -royal habit and ornaments, he began to provide for the necessities -of his kingdom and subjects with the same assiduity as before his -father’s death. He acquitted himself with universal approbation; -and as he was exact in maintaining the ordinances of his -predecessor, the people did not perceive they had changed their -sovereign. - -King Saleh, who was returned to his dominions in the sea with the -queen his mother and the princesses, no sooner saw that king Beder -had resumed the government, but he, at the end of the year, came -alone to visit him; and king Beder and queen Gulnare were overjoyed -to see him. One evening, when they rose from table, they talked of -various matters. - -King Saleh fell insensibly on the praises of the king his nephew, -and expressed to the queen his sister how glad he was to see him -govern so prudently, which had acquired him so great reputation, not -only among his neighbours, but more remote princes. King Beder, who -could not bear to hear himself so well spoken of, and not being -willing, through good manners, to interrupt the king his uncle, -turned on one side, and feigned to be asleep, leaning his head -against a cushion that was behind him. - -From these commendations, which regarded only the wonderful conduct -and surprising genius of king Beder, king Saleh came to speak of the -perfections of his body, which he extolled as prodigies, having -nothing equal to them upon earth, or in all the kingdoms under the -waters, with which he was acquainted. - -Sister, said he, in an ecstacy, he is so handsome, as you well know, -I wonder you have not thought of marrying him ere this: if I mistake -not, he is in his twentieth year; and, at that age, no prince like -him ought to be suffered to be without a wife. I will think of a -match for him myself, since you will not, and marry him to some -princess of our lower world, that may be worthy of him. - -Brother, replied queen Gulnare, you call to my remembrance a thing, -which I must own I have never thought of to this very moment. As he -never discovered any inclination for marriage, I never thought of -mentioning it to him; and I am glad you have spoken of it to me. I -like your proposing one of our princesses; and I desire you to name -one so beautiful and accomplished, that the king my son may be -obliged to love her. - -I know one that will suit, replied king Saleh, softly; but before I -tell you who she is, let us see if the king my nephew be asleep or -not, and I will tell you afterwards why it is necessary we should -take that precaution. Queen Gulnare turned about and looked upon her -son, and thought she had no reason to doubt but he was in a profound -sleep. King Beder, nevertheless, far from sleeping, redoubled his -attention, unwilling to lose any thing the king his uncle said with -so much secrecy. There is no necessity for your speaking so low, -said the queen to the king her brother; you may speak out with -freedom, without fear of being heard. - -It is by no means proper, replied king Saleh, that the king my -nephew should as yet have any knowledge of what I am going to say. -Love, you know, sometimes enters at the ear; and it is not necessary -he should thus conceive a passion for this lady I am about to name. -Indeed I see many difficulties to be surmounted, not on the lady’s -part, as I hope, but on that of her father. --I need only mention to -you the princess Giauhara, [91] daughter of the king of Samandal. - -How! brother, replied queen Gulnare, is not the princess Giauhara -yet married? I remember to have seen her a little before I left your -palace; she was then about eighteen months old, and surprisingly -beautiful, and must needs be the wonder of the world, if her charms -have increased equally with her years. The few years she is older -than the king my son ought not to prevent us from doing our utmost -to bring the match about. Let me but know the difficulties that are -to be surmounted, and we will surmount them. - -Sister, replied king Saleh, the greatest difficulty is, that the -king of Samandal is insupportably vain, looking upon all others as -his inferiors; it is not likely we shall easily get him to enter -into this alliance. For my part, I will go to him in person, and -demand of him the princess his daughter; and, in case he refuses -her, we will address ourselves elsewhere, where we shall be more -favourably heard. For this reason, as you may perceive, added he, it -is as well for the king my nephew not to know any thing of our -design, till we have got the consent of the king of Samandal, lest -he should fall in love with the princess Giauhara, and we afterwards -not be able to obtain her for him. They discoursed a little longer -upon this point, and before they parted, agreed that king Saleh -should forthwith return to his own dominions, and demand the -princess Giauhara of the king of Samandal her father, for the king -of Persia his nephew. - -This done, queen Gulnare and king Saleh, who verily believed king -Beder asleep, agreed to awake him before they retired; and he -dissembled so well, that he seemed to wake from a profound sleep. He -had heard every word they said, and the character they gave of the -princess Giauhara had inflamed his heart with a new passion. He had -conceived such an idea of her beauty, that the desire of possessing -her made him pass the night very uneasy, without closing his eyes. - -Next day king Saleh would take leave of queen Gulnare and the king -his nephew. The young king, who knew the king his uncle would not -have departed so soon but to go and promote without loss of time his -happiness, changed colour when he heard him mention his departure. -His passion was become so violent, it would not suffer him to wait -so long time for the sight of his mistress as would be required to -accomplish the marriage. He more than once resolved to desire his -uncle to bring her away with him: but as he did not care to let the -queen his mother understand he knew any thing of what had passed, he -desired him only to stay with him one day more, that they might hunt -together, intending to take an opportunity to discover his mind to -him. - -The day for hunting was set, and king Beder had many opportunities -of being alone with his uncle to declare his mind to him; but he had -not the courage to open his mouth to acquaint him with his design. - -In the heat of the chase, when king Saleh was separated from him, -and not one of his officers and attendants were near him, he -alighted near a rivulet; and having tied his horse to a tree, which, -with several others growing along the banks, afforded a very -pleasing shade, he laid himself down on the grass, and gave free -course to his tears, which flowed in great abundance, accompanied -with many sighs. He remained a good while in this condition, -absorbed in thought, without speaking a word. - -King Saleh, in the mean time, missing the king his nephew, began to -be much concerned to know what was become of him; but could meet no -one who could give any tidings of him. He therefore left his company -to go in search of him, and at length perceived him at a distance. -He had observed the day before, and more plainly that day, that he -was not so lively as he used to be; that he was more pensive than -ordinary; and that, if he was asked a question, he either answered -not at all, or nothing to the purpose; but he never in the least -suspected the cause of all this alteration. As soon as he saw him -lying in that disconsolate posture, he immediately guessed he had -not only heard what passed between him and queen Gulnare, but was -become passionately in love. He hereupon alighted at some distance -from him, and having tied his horse to a tree, took a compass, and -came upon him so softly, that he heard him pronounce the following -words: - -Amiable princess of the kingdom of Samandal, cried he aloud, I have -no doubt had but an imperfect sketch of your incomparable beauty; I -hold you to be still more beautiful in preference to all the -princesses in the world, and to excel them as much as the sun does -the moon and stars. I would this moment go and offer you my heart, -if I knew where to find you: it belongs to you, and no princess -shall be possessor of it but you. - -King Saleh would hear no more; he advanced immediately, and -discovered himself to king Beder. From what I see, nephew, said he, -you heard what the queen your mother and I said the other day of the -princess Giauhara. It was not our intention you should have known -any thing, and we thought you were asleep. My dear uncle, replied -king Beder, I heard every word, and have sufficiently experienced -the effect you foretold; which it was not in your power to prevent. -I detained you on purpose to acquaint you with my love before your -departure; but the shame to disclose to you my weakness, if it be -any to love a princess so worthy of my love, sealed up my mouth. I -beseech you, then, by the friendship you profess for a prince who -has the honour to be so nearly allied to you, that you would pity -me, and not wait to procure me the consent of the divine Giauhara, -till you have gained the consent of the king of Samandal that I may -marry his daughter, unless you had rather see me die with love for -her, before I have a sight of her. - -These words of the king of Persia greatly embarrassed king Saleh. He -represented to him how difficult it was to give him the satisfaction -he desired, and that he could not well do it without carrying him -along with him; which might be of dangerous consequence, since his -presence was so absolutely necessary in his kingdom. He conjured -him, therefore, to moderate his passion, till such time as he had -put things into a train to satisfy him, assuring him he would use -his utmost diligence, and would come to acquaint him in a few days. -But these reasons were not sufficient to satisfy the king of Persia. -Cruel uncle, said he, I find you do not love me so much as you -pretended, and that you had rather see me die than grant the first -request I ever made you. - -I am ready to convince your majesty, replied king Saleh, that I -would do any thing to serve you; but as for carrying you along with -me, I cannot do that till I have spoken to the queen your mother. -What would she say of you and me? If she consents, I am ready to do -all you would have me, and I will join my entreaties to yours. You -cannot be ignorant, replied the king of Persia, that the queen my -mother would never willingly part with me; and therefore, this -excuse of yours does but farther convince me of your unkindness. If -you do realty love me, as you would have me to believe you do, you -must return to your kingdom immediately, and carry me along with you. - -King Saleh, finding himself obliged to yield to his nephew’s -importunity, drew from his finger a ring, on which were engraven the -same mysterious names of God that were upon Solomon’s seal, that -had wrought so many wonders by their virtue. Here, take this ring, -said he, put it upon your finger, and fear neither the waters of the -sea, nor their depth. The king of Persia took the ring, and when he -had put it on his finger, king Saleh said to him, Do as I do. At the -same time they both mounted lightly up into the air, and made -towards the sea, which was not far distant, whereinto they plunged. - -The sea-king was not long getting to his palace, with the king of -Persia, whom he immediately carried to the queen’s apartment, and -presented him to her. The king of Persia kissed the queen his -grandmother’s hands, and she embraced him with great -demonstrations of joy. I do not ask you how you do, said she to him; -I see you are very well, and I am rejoiced at it; but I desire to -know how my daughter, your mother, queen Gulnare, does? The king of -Persia took great care not to let her know he came away without -taking leave of her; on the contrary, he told her the queen his -mother was in perfect health, and had enjoined him to pay her duty -to her. Then the queen presented him to the princesses; and while he -was in conversation with them, she left him and went with king Saleh -into a closet, who told her how the king of Persia had fallen in -love with the princess Giauhara, upon the bare relation of her -beauty, and contrary to his intention; that he had brought him along -with him, without being able to hinder it; and that he was going to -concert measures to procure the princess for him in marriage. - -Although king Saleh was, to do him justice, perfectly innocent of -the king of Persia’s passion, yet the queen could hardly forgive -his indiscretion in mentioning the princess Giauhara before him. -Your imprudence is not to be forgiven, said she to him: can you -think that the king of Samandal, whose character is so well known, -will have greater consideration for you, than the many kings he has -refused his daughter to, with such evident contempt? would you have -him send you away with the same confusion? - -Madam, replied king Saleh, I have already told you it was contrary -to my intention that the king my nephew heard what I related of the -beauty of the princess Giauhara to the queen my sister. The fault is -committed, and we must consider what a violent passion he has for -this princess, and that he will die with grief and affliction, if we -do not speedily use every possible means to obtain her for him. For -my part, I shall omit nothing that can contribute to it, since I -was, though innocently, the cause of the malady; I will therefore do -all that I can to remedy it. I hope, madam, you will approve of my -resolution, to go myself and wait upon the king of Samandal, with a -rich present of precious stones, and demand the princess his -daughter of him for the king of Persia your grandson. I have some -reason to believe he will not refuse me, but will be pleased at an -alliance with one of the greatest potentates of the earth. - -It were to have been wished, replied the queen, that we had not been -under a necessity of making this demand, since the success of our -attempt is not so certain as we could desire; but since my -grandson’s peace and content depend upon it, I freely give my -consent to it. But, above all, I charge you, since you well know the -humour of the king of Samandal, that you take care to speak to him -with due respect and in a manner that cannot possibly offend him. - -The queen prepared the present herself, composing it of diamonds, -rubies, emeralds, and strings of pearls; all which she put into a -very neat and very rich box. Next morning king Saleh took leave of -her majesty and the king of Persia, and departed with a chosen and -small troop of officers, and other attendants. He soon arrived at -the kingdom and the palace of the king of Samandal, who delayed not -to give him audience immediately upon his arrival. He rose from his -throne as soon as he perceived him; and king Saleh, forgetting his -character for some moments, knowing whom he had to deal with, -prostrated himself at his feet, wishing him the accomplishment of -all his desires. The king of Samandal immediately stooped to take -him up, and after he had placed him by him on his left hand, he told -him he was welcome, and asked him if there was any thing he could do -to serve him. - -Sir, answered king Saleh, though I should have no other motive than -that of paying my respects to the most potent, most prudent, and -most valiant prince in the world, feeble would be my expressions how -much I honour your majesty. Could you penetrate into my inmost soul, -you would be convinced of the great veneration I have for you, and -the ardent desire to testify my attachment. Having spoke these -words, he took the box of jewels from one of his servants, and -having opened it, presented it to the king, imploring him to accept -of it for his sake. - -Prince, replied the king of Samandal, you would not make me such a -present without you had a request proportionable to it to propose. -If there be any thing in my power, you may freely command it, and I -shall feel the greatest pleasure in granting it. Speak, and tell me -frankly wherein I can serve you. - -I must own ingenuously, replied king Saleh, I have a boon to ask of -your majesty; and I shall take care to ask nothing but what is in -your power to grant. The thing depends so absolutely on yourself, -that it would be to no purpose to ask it of any other. I ask it then -with all possible earnestness, and I beg of you not to refuse it me. -If it be so, replied the king of Samandal, you have nothing to do -but acquaint me what it is, and you shall see after what manner I -can oblige when it is in my power. - -Sir, said king Saleh, after the confidence your majesty has been -pleased to encourage me to put in your good-will, I will not -dissemble any longer, that I came to beg of you to honour our house -with your alliance by the marriage of your honourable daughter the -princess Giauhara, and to strengthen the good understanding that has -so long subsisted between our two crowns. - -At these words the king of Samandal burst out a laughing, falling -back in his throne against a cushion that supported him, and with an -imperious and scornful air, said to king Saleh, King Saleh, I have -always hitherto thought you a prince of great sense, wisdom, and -prudence; but what you say convinces me how much I was mistaken. -Tell me, I beseech you, where was your wit or discretion, when you -formed to yourself so great a chimera as you have but now proposed -to me? Could you conceive a thought only of aspiring in marriage to -a princess, the daughter of so great and powerful a king as I am? -You ought to have considered better beforehand the great distance -between us, and not run the risk of losing in a moment the esteem I -always had for your person. - -King Saleh was extremely nettled at this affronting answer, and had -much ado to restrain his resentment; however, he replied with all -possible moderation, God reward your majesty as you deserve! I have -the honour to inform you, I do not demand the princess your daughter -in marriage for myself: had I done so, your majesty and the princess -ought to have been so far from being offended, that you should have -thought it an honour done to both. Your majesty well knows I am one -of the kings of the sea as well as yourself; that the kings my -ancestors yield not in antiquity to any other royal families; and -that the kingdom I inherit from them is no less potent and -flourishing than it has ever been. If your majesty had not -interrupted me, you had soon understood that the favour I ask of you -was not for myself, but for the young king of Persia my nephew, -whose power and grandeur, no less than his personal good qualities, -cannot be unknown to you. Every body acknowledges the princess -Giauhara to be the most beautiful person under heaven: but it is no -less true, that the young king of Persia my nephew, is the best made -and most accomplished prince on the land. Thus the favour that is -asked being likely to redound both to the honour of your majesty and -the princess your daughter, you ought not to doubt that your consent -to an alliance so equal will be unanimously approved in all the -kingdoms of the sea. The princess is worthy of the king of Persia, -and the king of Persia is no less worthy of her. No king or prince -in the world can dispute her with him. - -The king of Samandal had not let king Saleh go on so long after this -rate, had not the rage he put him in deprived him of all power of -speech. He was some time longer before he could find his tongue, so -much was he transported with passion. At length, however, he broke -out into outrageous and injurious expressions, unworthy of a great -king. Dog! cried he, dare you talk to me after this manner, and so -much as mention my daughter’s name in my presence? Can you think -the son of your sister Gulnare worthy to come in competition with my -daughter? Who are you? Who was your father? Who is your sister? And -who your nephew? Was not his father a dog, and a son of a dog, like -you? Guards, seize the insolent wretch, and cut off his head! - -The few officers that were about the king of Samandal were -immediately going to obey his orders, when king Saleh, who was in -the flower of his age, nimble and vigorous, got from them, before -they could draw their sabres; and having reached the palace-gate, he -there found a thousand men of his relations and friends, well armed -and equipped, who were just arrived. The queen his mother having -considered the small number of attendants he took with him, and -moreover foreseeing the bad reception he would probably have from -the king of Samandal, had sent these troops to protect and defend -him in case of danger, ordering them to make haste. Those of his -relations who were at the head of this troop had reason to rejoice -at their seasonable arrival, when they beheld him and his attendants -come running in great disorder, and pursued. Sire, cried his -friends, the moment he joined them, what is the matter? We are ready -to revenge you: you need only command us. - -King Saleh related his case to them in as few words as he could, and -putting himself at the head of a large troop, he, while some seized -on the gates, re-entered the palace as before. The few officers and -guards who had pursued him, being soon dispersed, he re-entered the -king of Samandal’s apartment, who, being abandoned by his -attendants, was soon seized. King Saleh left sufficient guards to -secure his person, and then went from apartment to apartment, to -search after the princess Giauhara. But that princess, on the first -alarm, had, together with her women, sprung up to the surface of the -sea, and escaped to the desert island. - -While this passed in the palace of the king of Samandal, those of -king Saleh’s attendants who had fled at the first menaces of that -king, put the queen mother into terrible consternation, upon -relating the danger her son was in. King Beder, who was by at that -time, was the more concerned, in that he looked upon himself as the -principal author of all the mischief that might ensue: therefore, -not caring to abide the queen’s presence any longer, he, while she -was giving the orders necessary at that conjuncture, darted up from -the bottom of the sea; and, not knowing how to find his way to the -kingdom of Persia, he happened to light on the same island where the -princess Giauhara had saved herself. - -The prince, not a little disturbed in mind, went and seated himself -under the shade of a large tree, surrounded with divers others. -Whilst he was endeavouring to recover himself, he heard somebody -talking, but was too far off to understand what was said. He arose, -and advanced softly towards the place whence the sound came, where, -among the branches, he perceived a beauty that dazzled him. -Doubtless, said he, within himself, stopping and considering her -with great attention, this must be the princess Giauhara, whom fear -has obliged to abandon her father’s palace; or, if it be not, she -no less deserves my hearty love. This said, he came forward, and -discovering himself approached the princess with profound reverence. -Madam, said he, I can never sufficiently thank Heaven for the favour -it has done me in presenting to my eyes this day so much beauty. A -greater happiness could not have befallen me, than this opportunity -to offer you my most humble services. I beseech you, therefore, -madam, to accept them, it being impossible that a lady in this -solitude should not want assistance. - -True, my lord, replied Giauhara very sorrowfully; it is not a little -extraordinary for a lady of my quality to be in this situation. I am -a princess, daughter of the king of Samandal, and my name is -Giauhara. I was at ease in my father’s palace, and my apartment, -when all of a sudden I heard a dreadful noise: news was immediately -brought me, that king Saleh, I know not for what reason, had forced -the palace, seized the king my father, and murdered all the guards -that made any resistance. I had only time to save myself, and escape -hither from his violence. - -At these words of the princess, king Beder began to be concerned -that he had quitted his grandmother so hastily, without staying to -hear from her an explanation of the news that had been brought her. -But he was on the other hand, overjoyed to find that the king his -uncle had rendered himself master of the king of Samandal’s -person, not doubting but he would consent to give up the princess -for his liberty. Adorable princess, continued he, your concern is -most just, but it is easy to put an end both to that and your -father’s captivity. You will agree with me, when I shall tell you -that I am Beder king of Persia, and king Saleh is my uncle: I assure -you, madam, he has no design to seize upon the king your father’s -dominions; his only intent is to obtain of him that I may have the -honour and happiness of being his son-in-law. I had already given my -heart to you, upon the bare relation of your beauty and charms; and -now, far from repenting of what I have done, I beg of you to accept -it, and to be assured that I will love you as long as I live. I dare -flatter myself you will not refuse this favour, but be ready to -acknowledge that a king, that quitted his dominions purely on your -account, deserves some acknowledgment. Permit me, then, beauteous -princess, to have the honour to go and present you to the king my -uncle; and the king your father shall no sooner have consented to -our marriage, but king Saleh will leave him sovereign of his -dominions as before. - -This declaration of king Beder did not produce the effect he -expected. It is true, the princess no sooner saw him, than his -person and air, and the good grace wherewith he accosted her, led -her to look on him as one who would not have been disagreeable to -her; but when she heard from his own mouth that he had been the -occasion of the ill treatment her father had suffered, of the grief -and fright she had endured, and especially the necessity she was -reduced to of flying her country; she looked upon him as an enemy -with whom she ought to have no manner of converse. Whatever -inclination she might have to consent to this marriage, which he -desired, she determined never to yield to it, in consideration that -one of the reasons that her father might have had against this match -might be, that king Beder was son of a king of the earth; and -therefore she resolved to submit entirely to his will in that -particular. - -She would not, however, let king Beder know her resentment, and only -sought an occasion to deliver herself dexterously out of his hands; -and seeming in the mean time to have a great kindness for him: Are -you then, sir, said she, with all possible civility, son of the -queen Gulnare, so famous for her wit and beauty? I am glad of it, -and rejoice that you are the son of so worthy a mother. The king my -father was much in the wrong so strongly to oppose our union: he -could not have seen you, but he must have consented to make us both -happy. Saying so, she reached forth her hand to him as a token of -friendship. - -King Beder, believing himself arrived at the very pinnacle of -happiness, held forth his hand and taking that of the princess, -stooped down to kiss it, when she, pushing him back, and spitting in -his face for want of water to throw at him, said, ‘Wretch, quit -that form of a man, and take that of a white bird, with a red bill -and feet.’ Upon her pronouncing these words, king Beder was -immediately changed into a bird of that sort, to his great surprise -and mortification. Take him, said she, to one of her women, and -carry him to the Dry Island. This island was only one frightful -rock, where there was not a drop of water to be had. - -The waiting-woman took the bird, and in executing her princess’s -orders, had compassion on king Beder’s destiny. It would be great -pity, said she to herself, to let a prince, so worthy to live, die -of hunger and thirst. The princess, so good and gentle, will, it may -be, repent of this cruel order when she comes to herself: it were -better that I carried him to a place where he may die a natural -death. She accordingly carried him to a well-frequented island, and -left him in a charming plain, planted with all sorts of fruit-trees, -and watered by divers rivulets. - -Let us return to king Saleh. After he had sought a good while for -the princess Giauhara, and ordered others to seek for her to no -purpose, he caused the king of Samandal to be shut up in his own -palace, under a strong guard; and having given the necessary orders -for governing the kingdom in his absence, he returned to give the -queen his mother an account of what he had done. The first thing he -asked upon his arrival was, Where the king his nephew was? and he -learned with great surprise and vexation that he had disappeared. -News being brought me, said the queen, of the danger you was in at -the palace of the king of Samandal, whilst I was giving orders to -send you other troops to avenge you, he disappeared. He must have -been frightened at hearing of your being in so great danger, and did -not think himself in sufficient security with us. - -This news exceedingly afflicted king Saleh, who now repented of his -being so easily wrought upon by king Beder as to carry him away with -him without his mother’s consent. He sent every where after him, -but whatever diligence was used, he could hear no tidings of him; -and instead of the joy he conceived at having carried on so far the -marriage, which he looked upon as his own work, his grief for this -accident was more mortifying. Whilst he was under this suspense -about his nephew, he left his kingdom under the administration of -his mother, and went to govern that of the king of Samandal, whom he -continued to keep with great vigilance, though with all due respect -to his character. - -The same day that king Saleh returned to the kingdom of Samandal, -queen Gulnara, mother to king Beder, arrived at the court of the -queen her mother. The princess was not at all surprised to find her -son did not return the same day he set out; it being not uncommon -for him to go farther than he proposed in the heat of the chase; but -when she saw he neither returned the next day, nor the day after, -she began to be alarmed, as may easily be imagined from her -affection for him. This alarm was augmented, when the officers, who -had accompanied the king, and were obliged to return after they had -for a long time sought in vain both for him and his uncle, came and -told her majesty they must of necessity have come to some harm, or -must be together in some place which they could not guess, since, -whatever diligence they had used, they could hear no tidings of -them. Their horses indeed they had found, but as for their persons, -they knew not where to look for them. The queen, hearing this, had -resolved to dissemble and conceal her affliction, bidding the -officers to search once more with their utmost diligence; but in the -mean time, saying nothing to any body, she plunged into the sea, to -satisfy herself as to the suspicion she had that king Saleh must -have carried away his nephew along with him. - -This great queen would have been more affectionately received by the -queen her mother, had she not, upon first sight of her, guessed the -occasion of her coming. Daughter, said she, I plainly perceive you -are not come hither to visit me; you come to inquire after the king -your son; and the only news I can tell you will augment both your -grief and mine. I no sooner saw him arrive in our territories, but I -rejoiced; yet, when I came to understand he had come away without -your knowledge, I began to participate with you in the concern you -must needs suffer. Then she related to her with what zeal king Saleh -went to demand the princess Giauhara in marriage for king Beder, and -what happened upon it, till her son disappeared. I have sent -diligently after him, added she, and the king my son, who is but -just gone to govern the kingdom of Samandal, has done all that lay -in his power. All our endeavours have hitherto proved unsuccessful, -but we must hope nevertheless to see him again, perhaps when we -least expect it. - -Queen Gulnare was not satisfied with this hope: she looked upon the -king her dear son as lost, and she lamented him bitterly, laying all -the blame upon the king his uncle. The queen her mother made her -consider the necessity of her not yielding too much to her grief. -The king your brother, said she, ought not, it is true, to have -talked to you so inconsiderately about that marriage, nor ever have -consented to carry away the king my grandson, without acquainting -you before; yet since it is not certain that the king of Persia is -absolutely lost you ought to neglect nothing to preserve his kingdom -for him: lose, then, no more time, but return to your capital; your -presence there will be necessary, and it will not be hard for you to -preserve the public peace, by causing it to be published that the -king of Persia was gone to visit his grandmother. - -This was sufficient to oblige queen Gulnare to yield to it. She took -leave of the queen her mother, and got back to the palace of the -capital of Persia before she had been missed. She despatched -immediately persons to recall the officers she had sent after the -king, and to tell them she knew where his majesty was, and that they -should soon see him again. She also caused the same report to be -spread throughout the city; and governed, in concert with the prime -minister and council, with the same tranquillity as if the king had -been present. - -To return to king Beder, whom the princess Giauhara’s -waiting-woman had taken and left in the island before mentioned; -that monarch was not a little surprised when he found himself alone, -and under the form of a bird. He esteemed himself yet more unhappy, -in that he knew not where he was, nor in what part of the world the -kingdom of Persia lay. But if he had known, and sufficiently knew -the force of his wings, to hazard the traversing so extensive watery -regions, and had reached it, what could he have gained, but the -mortification to continue still in the same ill plight, not to be -accounted so much as a man, in lieu of being acknowledged for king -of Persia. He was forced to remain where he was, and live upon such -food as birds of his kind were wont to have, and to pass the night -on a tree. - -A few days after, a peasant that was skilled in taking birds with -nets chanced to come to the place where he was; when perceiving so -fine a bird, the like of which he had never seen, though he had -followed that sport for a long while, he began greatly to rejoice. -He employed all his art to become master of him; and at length -succeeded and took him. Overjoyed at so great a prize, which he -looked upon to be of more worth than all the other birds he commonly -took, by reason of its being so great a rarity, he shut it up in a -cage, and carried it to the city. As soon as he was come into the -market, a citizen stopt him, and asked him how much he would have -for that bird. - -Instead of answering, the peasant demanded of the citizen, what he -would do with him in case he should buy him? What wouldst thou have -me to do with him, answered the citizen, but roast and eat him? If -that be the case, replied the peasant, I suppose you would think me -very well paid, if you should give me the smallest piece of silver -for him. I set a much higher value upon him, and you should not have -him for a piece of gold. Although I am advanced in years, I never -saw such a bird in my life. I intend to make a present of him to the -king; he will know the value of him better than you. - -Without staying any longer in the market the peasant went directly -to the palace, and placed himself exactly before the king’s -apartment. His majesty being at a window where he could see all that -passed in the court, no sooner cast his eyes on this beautiful bird, -than he sent an officer of his eunuchs to buy it for him. The -officer going to the peasant, demanded of him how much he would have -for that bird? If it is for his majesty, answered the peasant, I -humbly beg of him to accept it of me as a present and I desire you -to carry it to him. The officer took the bird to the king, who found -it so great a rarity, that he ordered the same officer to take ten -pieces of gold, and carry them to the peasant, who departed very -well satisfied. The king ordered the bird to be put into a -magnificent cage, and gave it corn and water in rich vessels. - -His majesty being then ready to mount on horseback to go a hunting, -had not time to consider the bird, therefore had it brought to him -as soon as he came back. The officer brought the cage, and the king, -that he might the better view the bird, took it out himself, and -perched it upon his hand. Looking earnestly upon it, he demanded of -the officer, if he had seen it eat. Sir, replied the officer, your -majesty may observe the vessel with his food is still full, and I -have not observed that he has touched any of it. Then the king -ordered him meat of divers sorts, that he might take what he liked -best. - -The table being spread, and dinner served up just as the king had -given these orders, as soon as the plates were placed, the bird -clapping his wings, leaped off the king’s hand, flew upon the -table, where he began to peck the bread and victuals, sometimes on -one plate, and sometimes on another. The king was so surprised, that -he immediately sent the officer of the eunuchs to desire the queen -to come and see this wonder. The officer related it to her majesty, -and she came forthwith: but she no sooner saw the bird, than she -covered her face with her veil, and would have retired. The king, -surprised at her proceeding, as there were none present in the -chamber but the eunuchs and the women that followed her, asked the -reason of it. - -Sir, answered the queen, your majesty will no longer be surprised, -when you understand this bird is not, as you take it, a bird, but a -man. Madam, said the king, more astonished than before, you mean to -banter me; but you shall never persuade me that a bird can be a man. -Sir, replied the queen, far be it from me to banter your majesty; -nothing is more certain than what I have had the honour to tell you. -I can assure your majesty, it is the king of Persia, named Beder, -son of the celebrated Gulnare, princess of one of the largest -kingdoms of the sea, nephew of Saleh, king of that kingdom, and -grandson of queen Farasche, mother of Gulnare and Saleh: and it was -the princess Giauhara, daughter of the king of Samandal, who thus -metamorphosed him into a bird. That the king might no longer doubt -of what she affirmed, she told him the whole story, how and for what -reason the princess Giauhara had thus revenged herself for the ill -treatment which king Saleh had used towards the king of Samandal her -father. - -The king had the less difficulty to believe this assertion of the -queen, in that he knew her to be a skilful magician, one of the -greatest in the world. And as she knew every thing which passed in -it, he was always by her means timely informed of the designs of the -kings his neighbours against him, and prevented them. His majesty -had compassion on the king of Persia, and earnestly besought his -queen to break the enchantment, that he might return to his own form. - -The queen consented to it with great willingness. Sir, said she to -the king, be pleased to take the bird into your closet, and I will -show you a king worthy of the consideration you have for him. The -bird, which had ceased eating, and attended to what the king and -queen said, would not give his majesty the trouble to take him, but -hopped into the closet before him; and the queen came in soon after, -with a vessel full of water in her hand. She pronounced over the -vessel some words unknown to the king, till the water began to boil; -when she took some of it in her hand, and sprinkling a little upon -the bird, said, ‘By virtue of these holy and mysterious words I -have just pronounced, and in the name of the Creator of heaven and -earth, who raises the dead, and supports the universe, quit that -form of a bird, and re-assume that which thou hast received from thy -Creator.’ - -The words were scarce out of the queen’s mouth, but, instead of a -bird, the king saw a young prince of good shape, air, and mien. King -Beder immediately fell upon his knees, and thanked God for the -favour that had been bestowed upon him. Then he took the king’s -hand, who helped him up, and kissed it in token of gratitude; but -the king embraced him with great joy, and testified to him the -satisfaction he had to see him. He would then have made his -acknowledgments to the queen, but she was already retired to her -apartment. The king made him sit at the table with him, and after -dinner was over, he prayed him to relate to him how the princess -Giauhara could have the inhumanity to transform into a bird so -amiable a prince as he was; and the king of Persia immediately -satisfied him. When he had done, the king, provoked at the -proceeding of the princess, could not help blaming her. It was -commendable, said he, in the princess of Samandal not to be -insensible of the king her father’s ill treatment; but to carry -her vengeance so far, and especially against a prince who was not -culpable, was what she could never be able to justify herself for. -But let us have done with this discourse, and tell me, I beseech -you, in what I can farther serve you. - -Sir, answered king Beder, my obligation to your majesty is so great, -that I ought to remain with you all my life to testify my gratitude; -but since your majesty sets no limits to your generosity, I entreat -you to grant me one of your ships to transport me to Persia; where I -fear my absence, which has been but too long, may have occasioned -some disorder, and that the queen my mother, from whom I concealed -my departure, may be dead of grief, under the uncertainty whether I -am alive or dead. - -The king granted what he desired with the best grace imaginable, and -immediately gave orders for equipping one of his largest ships, and -the best sailer in his numerous fleet. The ship was soon furnished -with all its complement of men, provisions, and ammunition; and as -soon as the wind became fair, King Beder embarked, after having -taken leave of the king, and thanked him for all his favours. - -The ship sailed before the wind for ten days together, which made it -advance considerably without interruption: the eleventh day the wind -changed, and, becoming very violent, there followed a furious -tempest. The ship was not only driven out of its course, but so -violently tossed, that all its masts were brought by the board; and -driving along at the pleasure of the wind, it at length struck -against a rock and bulged. - -The greatest part of the people were instantly drowned. Some few -were saved by swimming, and others by getting on pieces of the -wreck. King Beder was among the latter, when after having been -tossed about for some time by the waves and currents, under great -uncertainty of his fate, he at length perceived himself near the -shore, and not far from a city that seemed large. He exerted his -remaining strength to reach the land, and was at length so fortunate -to come so near as to be able to touch the ground with his feet. He -immediately abandoned his piece of wood, which had been of so great -service to him; but when he came pretty near the shore, he was -greatly surprised to see horses, camels, mules, asses, oxen, cows, -bulls, and other animals crowding to the shore, and putting -themselves in a posture to oppose his landing. He had the utmost -difficulty to conquer their obstinacy and force his way; but at -length he succeeded, and sheltered himself among the rocks till he -had recovered his breath, and dried his clothes in the sun. - -When the prince advanced to enter the city, he met with the same -opposition from these animals, who seemed to intend to make him -forego his design, and give him to understand it was dangerous to -proceed. - -King Beder, however, got into the city soon after, and saw many fair -and spacious streets, but was surprised to find no man there. This -made him think it was not without cause that so many animals had -opposed his passage. Going forward, nevertheless, he observed divers -shops open; which gave him reason to believe the place was not so -destitute of inhabitants as he imagined. He approached one of these -shops, where several sorts of fruits were exposed to sale, and -saluted very courteously an old man that was sitting there. - -The old man, who was busy about something, lifted up his head, and -seeing a youth who had an appearance of grandeur in his air, -started, and asked him whence he came, and what business had brought -him there. King Beder satisfied him in a few words; and the old man -further asked him if he had met any body on the road. You are the -first person I have seen, answered the king; and I cannot comprehend -how so fine and large a city comes to be without inhabitants. Come -in, sir; stay no longer upon the threshold, replied the old man, or -peradventure some misfortune may happen to you. I will satisfy your -curiosity at leisure, and give you a reason why it is necessary you -should take this precaution. - -King Beder would not be bid twice: he entered the shop, and sat down -by the old man. The latter, who had learnt from him an account of -his misfortunes, knew he must want nourishment, therefore -immediately presented him what was necessary to recover his -strength; and although king Beder was very earnest to know why he -had taken the precaution to make him enter the shop, he would -nevertheless not be prevailed upon to tell him any thing till he had -done eating, for fear the sad things he had to relate might balk his -appetite. In a word, when he found he eat no longer, he said to him, -You have great reason to thank God you got hither without any ill -accident. Alas! why? replied king Beder, very much surprised and -alarmed. - -Because, answered he, this city is called the _City of -Enchantments_, and governed not by a king but a queen; who is not -only one of the finest of her sex, but likewise a notorious and -dangerous sorceress. You will be convinced of this, added he, when -you know that these horses, mules, and other animals that you have -seen, are so many men, like you and me, whom she has transformed by -her diabolical art. And when young men like you enter the city, she -has persons planted to stop and bring them, either by fair means or -force, before her. She receives them in the most obliging manner; -she caresses them, regales them, and lodges them magnificently, and -gives them so many reasons to believe that she loves them, that she -never fails of success. But she does not suffer them long to enjoy -this happiness. There is not one of them but she has transformed -into some animal or bird at the end of forty days. You told me all -these animals presented themselves to oppose your landing, and -hinder your entering the city. This was the only way they could make -you comprehend the danger you were going to expose yourself to, and -they did all in their power to divert you. - -This account exceedingly afflicted the young king of Persia. Alas! -cried he, to what extremities has my ill fortune reduced me! I am -hardly freed from one enchantment, which I look back upon with -horror, but I find myself exposed to another much more terrible. -This gave him occasion to relate his story to the old man more at -length, and to acquaint him of his birth, quality, his passion for -the princess of Samandal, and her cruelty in changing him into a -bird the very moment he had seen her and declared his love to her. - -When the prince came to speak of his good fortune in finding a queen -who broke the enchantment, the old man, to encourage him, said, -Notwithstanding all I have told you of the magic queen be true, that -ought not to give you the least disquiet, since I am generally -beloved throughout the city, and am not unknown to the queen -herself, who has much respect for me; therefore it was your peculiar -happiness led you to address yourself to me rather than elsewhere. -You are secure in my house, where I advise you to continue, if you -think fit; and provided you do not stray from hence, I dare assure -you, you will have no just cause to complain of my insincerity; so -that you are under no sort of constraint whatsoever. - -King Beder thanked the old man for his kind reception, and the -protection he was pleased so readily to afford him. He sat down at -the entrance of the shop; where he no sooner appeared, but his youth -and good person drew the eyes of all that passed that way. Many -stopped and complimented the old man on his having acquired so fine -a slave, as they imagined the king to be; and they were the more -surprised, as they could not comprehend how so beautiful a youth -could escape the queen’s knowledge. Believe not, said the old man, -this is a slave; you all know that I am not rich enough, nor of rank -to have one of this consequence. He is my nephew, son of a brother -of mine that is dead; and as I had no children of my own, I sent for -him to keep me company. They congratulated his good fortune in -having so fine a young man for his relation; but could not help -telling him they feared the queen would take him from him. You know -her well, said they to him, and you cannot be ignorant of the danger -to which you are exposed, after all the examples you have seen. How -grieved would you be, if she should serve him as she has done so -many others that we know of! - -I am obliged to you, replied the old man, for your good-will towards -me, and I heartily thank you for the care you seem to take of my -interest; but I shall never entertain the least thought that the -queen will do me any injury, after all the kindness she has -professed for me. In case she happens to hear of this young man, and -speaks to me about him, I doubt not she will cease to think of him, -as soon as she comes to know he is my nephew. - -The old man was exceedingly glad to hear the commendations they -bestowed on the young king of Persia. He was as much affected with -them as if he had been his own son; and he conceived such a kindness -for him, as augmented every day during the stay he made with him. -They had lived about a month together, when king Beder sitting at -the shop door, after his ordinary manner, queen Labe (so was this -magic queen named) happened to come by with great pomp. The young -king no sooner perceived the guards coming before her, but he arose, -and going into the shop, asked the old man what all that show meant. -The queen is coming by, answered he; but stand still, and fear -nothing. - -The queen’s guards, clothed in purple uniform, and well armed and -mounted, marched in four files, with their sabres drawn, to the -number of a thousand, and every one of their officers, as they -passed by the shop, saluted the old man: then followed a like number -of eunuchs, habited in brocaded silk, and better mounted, whose -officers did the old man the like honours. Next came as many young -ladies on foot, equally beautiful, richly dressed, and set off with -precious stones. They marched gravely, with half pikes in their -hands; and in the midst of them appeared queen Labe, on a horse -glittering with diamonds, with a golden saddle, and a housing of -inestimable value. All the young ladies saluted the old man as they -passed by him; and the queen, struck with the good mien of king -Beder, stopped as soon as she came before the shop. Abdallah, (so -was the old man named,) said she to him, tell me, I beseech thee, -does that beautiful and charming slave belong to thee? and is it -long that thou hast been in possession of him? - -Abdallah, before he answered the queen, threw himself on the ground, -and rising again, said, Madam, it is my nephew, son of a brother I -had, who has not long been dead. Having no children, I look upon him -as my son, and sent for him to come and comfort me, intending to -leave him what I have when I die. - -Queen Labe who had never yet seen any one to compare with king -Beder, and began to conceive a mighty passion for him, thought -immediately of getting the old man to abandon him to her. Father, -quoth she, will you not oblige me so far as to make me a present of -this young man? Do not refuse me, I conjure you; and I swear by the -fire and the light, I will make him so great and powerful, that no -individual in the world ever arrived at such good fortune. Although -my purpose were to do evil to all mankind, yet he shall be the sole -exception. I trust you will grant me what I desire, more on the -account of the friendship I know you have for me, than for the -esteem you know I always had, and shall ever have, for your person. - -Madam, replied the good Abdallah, I am infinitely obliged to your -majesty for all the kindness you have for me, and the honours you -propose to do my nephew. He is not worthy to approach so great a -queen, and I humbly beseech your majesty to excuse him. - -Abdallah, replied the queen, I all along flattered myself you loved -me; and I could never have thought you would have given me so -evident a token of your slighting my request. But I here swear once -more by the fire and light, and even by whatsoever is most sacred in -my religion, that I will pass on no farther till I have conquered -your obstinacy. I understand very well what raises your -apprehensions; but I promise you shall never have occasion to repent -having obliged me in so sensible a manner. - -Old Abdallah was exceedingly grieved, both on his own account and -king Beder’s, for being in a manner forced to obey the queen. -Madam, replied he, I would not willingly have your majesty entertain -an ill opinion of the respect I have for you, and my zeal always to -contribute whatever I can to oblige you. I put an entire confidence -in your royal word, and I do not in the least doubt but you will -keep it. I only beg of your majesty to delay doing this great honour -to my nephew till you shall again pass this way. That shall be -to-morrow, said the queen; who inclined her head, as a token of her -being pleased, and so went forward towards her palace. - -When queen Labe and all her attendants were out of sight, the good -Abdallah said to king Beder, Son (for so he was wont to call him, -for fear of some time or other discovering him when he spoke of him -in public,) it has not been in my power, as you may have observed, -to refuse the queen what she demanded of me with so great -earnestness, to the end I might not force her to employ her magic -both against you and myself openly or secretly, and treat you, as -much from resentment to you as to me, with more signal cruelty than -all those she has had in her power till now, as I have already told -you. But I have some reason to believe she will use you well, as she -promised me, on account of that particular esteem she professes for -me. This you may have seen by the respect shewn, and the honours -paid me by all her court. She would be a cursed creature indeed, if -she should deceive me; but she shall not deceive me unrevenged, for -I know how to be even with her. - -These assurances, which appeared very doubtful, were not sufficient -to support king Beder’s spirits. After all you have told me of -this queen’s wickedness, replied he, you cannot wonder if I am -somewhat fearful to approach her: I should, it may be, slight all -you could tell me of her, and suffer myself to be dazzled by the -lustre of grandeur that surrounds her, did I not know by experience -what it is to be at the mercy of a sorceress. The condition I was -in, through the enchantment of the princess Giauhara, and from -whence I was delivered only to enter almost immediately into -another, has made me look upon such a fate with horror. His tears -hindered him from going on, and sufficiently showed with what -repugnance he beheld himself in a manner under a fatal necessity of -being delivered to queen Labe. - -Son, replied old Abdallah, do not afflict yourself; for though I -must own there is no great stress to be laid upon the promises and -oaths of so perfidious a queen, yet I must withal acquaint you, her -power extends not to me. She knows it full well herself; and that is -the reason, and no other, that she pays me so great respect. I can -quickly hinder her from doing you the least harm, if she should be -perfidious enough to attempt it. You may depend upon me; and, -provided you follow exactly the advice I shall give you, before I -abandon you to her, she shall have no more power over you than she -has over me. - -The magic queen did not fail to pass by the old man’s shop the -next day, with the same pomp as the day before, and Abdallah waited -for her with great respect. Father, cried she, stopping just against -him, you may judge of my impatience to have your nephew with me, by -my punctual coming to put you in mind of your promise. I know you -are a man of your word, and I cannot think you will break it with me. - -Abdallah, who fell on his face as soon as he saw the queen -approaching, rose up when she had done speaking; and as he would -have nobody hear what he had a mind to say to her, he advanced with -great respect as far as her horse’s head and then said softly, -Puissant queen! I am persuaded your majesty will not be offended at -my seeming unwillingness to trust my nephew with you yesterday, -since you cannot be ignorant of the reasons I had for it; but I -conjure you to lay aside the secrets of that art which you possess -in so wonderful a degree. I regard my nephew as my own son; and your -majesty would reduce me to despair, if you should deal with him as -you have done with others. - -I promise you I will not, replied the queen; and I once more repeat -the oath I made yesterday, that neither you nor your nephew shall -have any cause to be offended at me. I see plainly, added she, you -are not yet well enough acquainted with me: you never saw me yet but -through a veil; but as I find your nephew worthy of my friendship, I -will show you I am not any way unworthy of his. With that she threw -on her veil, and discovered to king Beder, who came near her with -Abdallah, an incomparable beauty. But king Beder was little charmed. -It is not enough, said he within himself, to be beautiful; one’s -actions ought to correspond in regularity with one’s features. - -Whilst king Beder was making these reflections, with his eyes fixed -on queen Labe, the old man turned towards him, and taking him by the -arm, presented him to her majesty. Here he is, madam, said he; and I -beg of your majesty once more to remember he is my nephew, and to -let him come and see me sometimes. The queen promised he should; and -to give a farther mark of her gratitude, she caused a bag of a -thousand pieces of gold to be given him. He excused himself at first -from receiving them, but she insisted absolutely upon it, and he -could not refuse her. She had caused a horse to be brought as richly -harnessed as her own, for the king of Persia. Whilst he was mounting -him, I forgot, said the queen to Abdallah, to ask you your -nephew’s name: pray how is he called? He answered, his name was -Beder (the full moon:) her majesty replied, Sure your ancestors were -mistaken; they ought to have given you the name of Shems (the sun.) - -When king Beder was mounted, he would have taken his post behind the -queen, but she would not suffer him, and made him ride on her left -hand. She looked upon Abdallah, and after having made him an -inclination with her head, she set forward on her march. - -Instead of observing a satisfaction in the people’s faces at the -sight of their sovereign, king Beder took notice that they looked at -her with contempt, and even cursed her. The sorceress, said some, -has got a new subject to exercise her wickedness upon: will Heaven -never deliver the world from her tyranny? Poor stranger! cried out -others, thou art much deceived if thou thinkest thine happiness will -last long. It is only to render thy fall more terrible, that thou -art raised so high. This talk gave king Beder to understand Abdallah -had told him nothing but the truth of queen Labe: but as it now -depended no longer on himself to escape the mischief, he committed -himself to divine Providence, and the will of Heaven respecting his -fate. - -The magic queen arrived at her palace; whither she was no sooner -come, out she alighted, and giving her hand to king Beder, entered -with him, accompanied by her women and the officers of her eunuchs. -She herself showed him all her apartments, where there was nothing -to be seen but massy gold, precious stones, and furniture of -wonderful magnificence. When she had carried him into her closet, -she led him out into a balcony, from whence he observed a garden of -surprising beauty. King Beder commended all he saw with a great deal -of wit, but nevertheless so that he might not be discovered to be -any other than old Abdallah’s nephew. They discoursed of -indifferent matters, till the queen was informed that dinner was -upon table. - -The queen and king Beder arose, and went to place themselves at the -table, which was of massy gold, and the dishes of the same metal. -They began to eat, but drank hardly at all till the dessert came, -when the queen caused a cup to be filled for her with excellent -wine. She took it and drank to king Beder’s health; and then, -without putting it out of her hand, caused it to be filled again, -and presented it to him. King Beder received it with profound -respect, and by a very low bow signified to her majesty that he in -return drank to her health. - -At the same time ten of queen Labe’s women entered with musical -instruments, with which and their voices they made an agreeable -concert, while they continued drinking till late at night. At length -both began so to be heated with wine, that king Beder insensibly -forgot he had to do with a magic queen, and looked upon her only as -the most beautiful queen he ever saw. As soon as the queen perceived -she had wrought him to the pitch she desired, she made a sign to her -eunuchs and women to retire. They obeyed, and king Beder and she lay -together. - -Next morning the queen and king Beder, as soon as they rose, went to -the bath; and when they came out, the women who had served the king -there presented him with fine linen and a magnificent habit. The -queen likewise, who was more splendidly dressed than the day before, -came to receive him; and they went together to her apartments, where -they had a good repast brought them, and spent the remainder of the -day in walking in the garden, and in various other amusements. - -Queen Labe treated king Beder after this manner for forty days, as -she had been accustomed to do all her lovers. The fortieth night, as -they were in bed together, she, believing he was really asleep, -arose without making any noise; but he was awake, and, perceiving -she had some design upon him, watched all her motions. Being up, she -opened a chest, from whence she took a little box full of a certain -yellow powder; taking some of the powder, she laid a train of it -across the chamber, and it immediately flowed in a rivulet of water, -to the great astonishment of king Beder. He trembled with fear, but -still pretended to sleep, that he might not discover to the -sorceress he was awake. - -Queen Labe next took up some of the water in a vessel, and poured it -into a basin, where there was flour; with which she made a paste, -and kneaded it for a long time; then she mixed with it certain -drugs, which she took from different boxes, and made a cake, which -she put into a covered baking-pan. --As she had taken care first of -all to make a good fire, she took some of the coals and set the pan -upon them; and while the cake was baking, she put up the vessels and -boxes in their places again; and on her pronouncing certain words, -the rivulet, which run along the end of the room, appeared no more. -When the cake was baked, she took it off the coals, and carried it -into her closet, and afterwards returned to bed again to king Beder, -who dissembled so well, that she had not the least suspicion that he -had seen any thing of what she had done. - -King Beder, whom the pleasures and amusements of a court had made to -forget his good host Abdallah, began now to think of him again, and -believed he had more than ordinary occasion for his advice, after -all he had seen the queen do that night. As soon as he was up, -therefore, he expressed a great desire to go up and see his uncle, -and begged of her majesty to permit him. What! my dear Beder, cried -the queen, are you then already tired, I will not say with living in -so superb a palace as mine is, where you must find so many -pleasures, but with the company of a queen, who loves you so -passionately as I do, and has given you many marks of affection? - -Great queen, answered king Beder, how can I be tired of so many -favours and graces as your majesty perpetually heaps upon me? So far -from it, that I desire this permission, madam, purely to go and give -my uncle an account of the mighty obligations I have to your -majesty. I must own likewise, it is partly for this farther reason, -that my uncle, loving me so tenderly, as I well know he does, and I -having been absent from him now forty days, without once seeing him, -I would not give him reason to think that I consent to remaining -longer without seeing him. Go, said the queen, you have my consent; -but you will not be long before you return, if you consider I cannot -possibly live without you. This said, she ordered him a horse richly -caparisoned, and he departed. - -Old Abdallah was overjoyed to see king Beder. Without regard to his -quality, he embraced him tenderly, and king Beder returned the like, -that nobody might doubt but that he was his nephew. As soon as they -were sat down, Well, said Abdallah to the king, how have you done, -and how have you passed your time with that infidel sorceress? - -Hitherto, answered king Beder, I must needs own she has been -extraordinary kind to me, and has done all she could to persuade me -that she loves me entirely; but I observed something last night, -which gives me just reason to suspect that all her kindness hitherto -is but dissimulation. Whilst she thought me asleep, although I was -really awake, she stole from me with a great deal of precaution, -which made me suspect her intention, and therefore I resolved to -watch her, still feigning myself asleep. Going on with his -discourse, he related to Abdallah how and after what manner he had -seen her make the cake; and then added, Hitherto, said he, I must -needs confess, I had almost forgotten, not only you, but all the -advice you gave me concerning the wickedness of this queen; but this -last action of hers gives me reason to fear she neither intends to -observe any of her promises or solemn oaths to you. I thought of you -immediately, and I esteem myself happy in that I have obtained -permission to come to you. - -You are not mistaken, replied old Abdallah, with a smile, which -showed he did not himself believe she would have acted otherwise; -nothing is capable of obliging a perfidious woman to amend. But fear -nothing; I know the way to make the mischief she intends you fall -upon herself. You are alarmed in time; and you could not have done -better than to have recourse to me. It is her ordinary practice to -keep her lovers only forty days; and after that time, instead of -sending them home, to turn them into animals, to stock her forests -and parks; but I thought of measures yesterday to prevent her doing -you the same harm. The earth has borne this monster long enough, and -it is now high time she should be treated as she deserves. - -So saying, Abdallah put two cakes into king Beder’s hands, bidding -him to keep them to make use of as he should direct. You told me, -continued he, the sorceress made a cake last night; it was for you -to eat, depend upon it; but take great care you do not touch it. -Nevertheless, do not refuse to receive it when she offers it to you; -but, instead of tasting it, break off part of one of the two I shall -give you unobserved, and eat that. As soon as she thinks you have -swallowed it, she will not fail to attempt transforming you into -some animal, but she shall not succeed; which when she sees, she -will immediately turn the thing into pleasantry, as if what she had -done was only out of joke to frighten you; but she will conceal a -mortal grief in her heart, and think she omitted something in the -composition of her cake. As for the other cake, you shall make a -present of it to her, and press her to eat it; which she will not -refuse to do, were it only to convince you she does not mistrust -you, though she has given you so much reason to mistrust her. When -she has eat of it, take a little water in the hollow of your hand, -and throwing it in her face, say, ‘Quit that form you now wear, -and take that of such or such animal,’ as you shall think fit; -which done, come to me with the animal, and I will tell you what you -shall do afterward. - -King Beder told Abdallah, in the most expressive terms, the great -obligations he had to him, for his endeavours to defend him from the -power of a pestilent sorceress; and after some farther discourse, -took his leave of him, and returned to the palace. --Upon his -arrival, he understood that the queen waited for him with great -impatience in the garden. He went to her, and she no sooner -perceived him, but she came in great haste to meet him. My dear -Beder, said she, it is said, with a great deal of reason, that -nothing shows more the force and excess of love than absence from -the object beloved. I have had no quiet since I saw you, and it -seems ages since I have been separated from you. If you had stayed -ever so little longer, I was preparing to come and fetch you once -more to my arms. - -Madam, replied king Beder, I can assure your majesty I was no less -impatient to rejoin you; but I could not refuse to stay a little -longer with an uncle that loves me, and had not seen me for so long -time. He would have kept me still longer, but I tore myself away -from him, to come where love calls me. Of all the collations he -prepared for me, I have only brought away this cake, which I desire -your majesty to accept. --King Beder had wrapped up one of the two -cakes in a handkerchief very neatly, took it out and presented it to -the queen, saying, I beg your majesty to accept of it. - -I do accept it with all my heart, replied the queen, receiving it, -and will eat it with pleasure for yours and your good uncle’s -sake; but before I taste of it, I desire you for my sake will eat a -piece of this, which I have made for you during your absence. Fair -queen, answered king Beder, receiving it with great respect, such -hands as your majesty’s can never make any thing but what is -excellent; and I cannot sufficiently acknowledge the favour you do -me. - -King Beder then artfully substituted in the place of the queen’s -cake the other which old Abdallah had given him; and having broken -off a piece, he put it in his mouth, and cried while he was eating, -Ah! queen, I never tasted any thing so charming in my life. They -being near a cascade, the sorceress seeing him swallow one bit of -the cake, and ready to eat another, took a little water in the palm -of her hand, and throwing it in the king’s face, said, ‘Wretch! -quit that form of a man, and take that of a vile horse, blind and -lame.’ - -These words not having the desired effect, the sorceress was -strangely surprised to find king Beder still in the same form, and -that he only started for fear. Her cheeks reddened; and as she saw -that she had missed her aim, Dear Beder, cried she, this is nothing, -recover yourself. I did not intend you any harm; I only did it to -see what you would say. I should be the most miserable and most -execrable of women, should I attempt so black a deed; I do not only -say, after all the oaths I have sworn, but even after so many -testimonies of love as I have given you. - -Puissant queen, replied king Beder, persuaded as I am that what your -majesty did was only to divert yourself, yet I could not help being -surprised. What could hinder me from being a little moved at the -pronouncing of so strange a transformation? But, madam, continued -he, let us drop this discourse; and since I have eat of your cake, -would you do me the favour to taste mine? - -Queen Labe, who could not better justify herself than by showing -this mark of confidence in the king of Persia, broke off a piece of -his cake, and eat it. She had no sooner swallowed it, but she -appeared much troubled, and remained, as it were, motionless. King -Beder lost no time, but took water out of the same basin, and -throwing it in her face, cried, ‘Abominable sorceress! quit that -form of a woman, and be turned instantly into a mare.’ - -The same instant queen Labe was transformed into a very beautiful -mare; and her confusion was so great to find herself in that -condition, that she shed tears in great abundance, which perhaps no -mare before had ever been known to do. She bowed her head to the -feet of king Beder, thinking to move him to compassion; but though -he could have been so moved, it was absolutely out of his power to -repair the mischief he had done. He led her into the stable -belonging to the palace, and put her into the hands of a groom, to -bridle and saddle; but of all the bridles which the groom tried upon -her, not one would fit her. This made him cause two horses to be -saddled, one for the groom, and the other for himself; and the groom -led the mare after him to old Abdullah’s. - -Abdallah, seeing at a distance king Beder coming with the mare, -doubted not but he had done what he advised him. Cursed sorceress! -said he immediately to himself, in a transport of joy, Heaven has at -length punished thee as thou deservest. King Beder alighted at -Abdallah’s door, and entered with him into the shop, embracing and -thanking him for all the signal services he had done him. He related -to him the whole matter, with all its circumstances, and moreover -told him he could find no bridle fit for the mare. Abdallah, who had -one for every horse, bridled the mare himself; and as soon as king -Beder had sent back the groom with the two horses, he said to him, -My lord, you have no reason to stay any longer in this city; mount -the mare, and return to your kingdom. I have but one thing more to -recommend to you, and that is, if you should ever happen to part -with the mare, be sure not to give up the bridle. King Beder -promised to remember it; and having taken leave of the good old man, -he departed. - -The young king of Persia no sooner got out of the city, but he began -to reflect with joy on the deliverance he had had, and that he had -the sorceress in his power, who had given him so much cause to -tremble. Three days after he arrived at a great city, where, -entering the suburbs, he met a venerable old man, walking on foot -towards a pleasure house he had there. Sir, said the old man, -stopping him, may I presume to ask from what part of the world you -come? The king stopped to satisfy him; and as they were discoursing -together, an old woman came up, who, stopping likewise, wept and -sighed bitterly at the sight of the mare. - -King Beder and the old man left off discoursing to look on the old -woman, whom the king asked what cause she had to lament so much? -Alas! sir, replied she, it is because your mare resembles so -perfectly one my son had, and which I still mourn the loss of on his -account, and should think your’s were the same, did I not know she -was dead. Sell her to me, I beseech you; I will give you more than -she is worth, and thank you too. - -Good woman, replied king Beder, I am heartily sorry I cannot comply -with your request; my mare is not to be sold. Alas! sir, continued -the old woman, do not refuse me this favour for the love of God. My -son and I shall certainly die with grief if you do not grant it. -Good woman, replied the king, I would grant it with all my heart, -ill was disposed to part with so good a beast; but if I were so -disposed, I believe you would hardly give a thousand pieces of gold -for her, and I could not sell her for less. Why should I not give so -much? replied the old woman; if that be the lowest price, you need -only say you will take it, and I will fetch you the money. - -King Beder, seeing the old woman so poorly dressed, could not -imagine she could find the money; therefore to try her, he said, Go -fetch the money, and the mare is yours. The old woman immediately -unloosed a purse she had fastened to her girdle, and desiring him to -alight, bid him tell over the money; and in case he found it came -short of the sum demanded, she said her house was not far off, and -she could quickly fetch the rest. - -The surprise king Beder was in at the sight of this purse was not -small. Good woman, said he, do you not perceive I have bantered you -all this while? I will assure you the mare is not to be sold. - -The old man who had been witness to all that was said, now began to -speak. Son, quoth he to king Beder, it is necessary you should know -one thing, which I find you are ignorant of, and that is, that in -this city it is not permitted to any one to tell a lie, on any -account whatsoever, on pain of death. You cannot refuse taking this -good woman’s money, and delivering your mare, when she gives you -the sum according to the agreement; and this you had better do -without any noise, than expose yourself to what may ensue. - -King Beder, sorely afflicted to find himself thus trapped by his -rash proffer, alighted with great regret. The old woman stood ready -to seize the bridle, and immediately unbridled the mare; and taking -some water in her hand from the stream that ran in the middle of the -street, she threw it in the mare’s face, uttering these words: -‘Daughter, quit that strange shape, and re-assume thy own.’ The -transformation was effected in a moment; and king Beder, who swooned -as soon as he saw queen Labe appear, would have fallen to the -ground, if the old man had not hindered him. - -The old woman, who was mother to queen Labe, and had instructed her -in all her magic secrets, had no sooner embraced her daughter, but -to show her fury, in an instant she, by whistling, caused to rise a -genie of a gigantic form and stature. This genie immediately took -king Beder on one shoulder, and the old woman with the magic queen -on the other, and transported them in a few minutes to the palace of -queen Labe in the city of Enchantments. - -The magic queen immediately fell upon king Beder, reproaching him -grievously in the following manner: is it thus, ungrateful wretch, -that thy unworthy uncle and thou repay me for all the kindnesses I -have done for you? I shall soon make you both feel what you deserve. -She said no more, but taking water in her hand, threw it in his face -with these words: ‘Come out of that shape, and take that of a vile -owl.’ These words were soon followed by the effect; and -immediately she commanded one of her women to shut up the owl in a -cage, and give him neither meat nor drink. - -The woman took the cage, and, without regarding what the queen -ordered, gave him both meat and drink; and being old Abdallah’s -friend, she sent him word privately how the queen had treated his -nephew, and her design to destroy both him and king Beder, that he -might give orders to prevent it, and secure himself. - -Abdallah knew no common measures would do with queen Labe: he -therefore did but whistle after a certain manner, and there -immediately arose a vast giant, with four wings, who, presenting -himself before him, asked what he would have with him? Lightning, -said Abdallah to him, (for so was the genie called,) I command you -to preserve the life of king Beder, son of queen Gulnare. Go to the -palace of the magic queen, and transport immediately to the capital -of Persia the compassionate woman who has the cage in custody, to -the end she may inform queen Gulnare of the danger the king her son -is in, and the occasion he has for her assistance. Take care not to -frighten her when you come before her, and acquaint her from me what -she ought to do. - -Lightning immediately disappeared, and got in an instant to the -palace of the magic queen. He instructed the woman, lifted her up -into the air, and transported her to the capital of Persia, where he -placed her on the terrace that was near the apartment where queen -Gulnare was. She went down stairs to the apartment, and she there -found queen Gulnare and queen Farasche, her mother, lamenting their -mutual misfortunes. She made them a profound reverence; and by the -relation she gave them, they soon understood the great need king -Beder was in of their assistance. - -Queen Gulnare was so overjoyed at the news, that, rising from her -seat, she went and embraced the good woman, telling her how much she -was obliged to her for the service she had done her. - -Then going immediately out, she commanded the trumpets to sound and -the drums to beat, to acquaint the city that the king of Persia -would suddenly return safe to his kingdom. She then went again, and -found king Saleh her brother, whom Farasche had caused to come -speedily thither by a certain fumigation. Brother, said she to him, -the king your nephew, my dear son, is in the city of Enchantments, -under the power of queen Labe. Both you and I must go to deliver -him, for there is no time to be lost. - -King Saleh forthwith assembled a puissant body of his marine troops, -who soon rose out of the sea. He also called to his assistance the -genies his allies, who appeared with a much more numerous army than -his own. As soon as the two armies were joined, he put himself at -the head of them with queen Farasche, queen Gulnare, and the -princesses, who would all have their share in this action. They then -lifted themselves up into the air, and soon poured down on the -palace and city of Enchantments, where the magic queen, her mother, -and all the adorers of fire, were destroyed in an instant. - -Queen Gulnare had ordered the woman who brought her the news of -queen Labe’s transforming and imprisoning her son to follow her -close, and bid her, in the confusion, only go and seize the cage, -and bring it to her. This order was executed as she wished; and -queen Gulnare was no sooner in possession of the cage, but she -opened it, and took out the owl, saying, as she sprinkled a little -water upon him, ‘My dear son, quit that strange form, and resume -thy natural one of a man.’ - -In a moment, queen Gulnare no more saw the hideous owl, but king -Beder her son. She immediately embraced him with an excess of joy, -her tears supplying more forcibly the place of words. She could not -find in her heart to let him go; and queen Farasche was obliged to -force him from her in her turn. After her, he was likewise embraced -by the king his uncle and his relations. - -Queen Gulnare’s first care was to look out for old Abdallah, to -whom she had been obliged for the recovery of the king of Persia, -and who being brought to her, she said to him, My obligations to -you, sir, have been so great, that there is nothing within my power -but I would freely do for you as a token of my acknowledgment. Do -but satisfy me in what I can serve you. Great queen, replied -Abdallah, if the lady whom I sent to your majesty will but consent -to the marriage I offer her, and the king of Persia will give me -leave to reside at his court, I will spend the remainder of my days -in his service. Then the queen turned to the lady, who was present, -and finding by her modest shame that she was not averse to the match -proposed, she caused them to join hands, and the king of Persia and -she took care of their fortune. - -This marriage occasioned the king of Persia to speak thus to the -queen: Madam, said he, I am heartily glad of this match which his -majesty has just made. There remains one more which I desire you to -think of. Queen Gulnare did not at first comprehend what marriage he -meant; but after a little considering, she said, Of yours, you mean, -son? I consent to it with all my heart. Then turning, and looking on -her brother’s sea attendants, and the genies who were still -present, Go, said she, and traverse both sea and land, to find out -the most lovely and amiable princess, worthy of the king my son, and -come and tell us. - -Madam, replied king Beder, it is to no purpose for them to take all -that pains. You have no doubt heard that I have already given my -heart to the princess of Samandal, upon the bare relation of her -beauty. I have seen her, and do not repent of the present I then -made her. In a word, neither earth nor sea, in my opinion, can -furnish a princess like her. It is true, upon my declaring my love -to her, she treated me in a way that would have extinguished any -flame less strong than mine. But I hold her excused; she could not -treat me with less rigour, after imprisoning the king her father, of -which I was the innocent cause. But, it may be, the king of Samandal -may have changed his resolution; and his daughter the princess may -consent to love me, when she sees her father has agreed to it. - -Son, replied queen Gulnare, if only the princess Giauhara can make -you happy, it is not my design to oppose you. The king your uncle, -need only have the king of Samandal brought, and we shall soon see -whether he be still of the same untractable temper. - -Strictly as the king of Samandal had been kept during his captivity -by king Saleh’s orders, yet he always had great respect shown him, -and was become very familiar with the officers who guarded him. King -Saleh caused a chafing-dish of coals to be brought, into which he -threw a certain composition, uttering at the same time some -mysterious words. As soon as the smoke began to arise, the palace -shook, and immediately the king of Samandal, with king Saleh’s -officers, appeared. The king of Persia cast himself at the king of -Samandal’s feet, and kneeling said, It is no longer king Saleh -that demands of your majesty the honour of your alliance for the -king of Persia; it is the king of Persia himself that humbly begs -that boon; and I persuade myself your majesty will not persist in -being the cause of the death of a king, who can no longer live if he -does not share life with the amiable princess Giauhara. - -The king of Samandal did not long suffer the king of Persia to -remain at his feet. He embraced him, and obliging him to rise, said, -I should be very sorry to have contributed in the least to the death -of a monarch who is so worthy to live. If it be true that so -precious a life cannot be preserved without the possession of my -daughter, live, sir, said he; she is yours. She has always been -obedient to my will, and I cannot think she will now oppose it. -Speaking these words, he ordered one of his officers, whom king -Saleh had permitted to be about him, to go and look for the princess -Giauhara, and bring her to him immediately. - -The princess continued where the king of Persia had left her. The -officer perceived her, and brought her soon with her women. The king -of Samandal embraced her, and said, Daughter, I have provided a -husband for you; it is the king of Persia you see there, the most -accomplished monarch at present in the universe. The preference he -has given you to all other princesses, obliges us both to express -our gratitude. - -Sir, replied the princess Giauhara, your majesty well knows I never -have presumed to disobey your will in any thing: I shall always be -ready to obey you; and I hope the king of Persia will forget my -ill-treatment of him, and consider it was duty, not inclination, -that forced me to it. - -The nuptials were celebrated in the palace of the City of -Enchantments, with the greater solemnity, that all the lovers of the -magic queen, who resumed their pristine forms, as soon as ever that -queen ceased to live, assisted at them, and came to return their -thanks to the king of Persia, queen Gulnare, and king Saleh. They -were all sons of kings or princes, or persons of high rank. - -King Saleh at length conducted the king of Samandal to his -dominions, and put him in possession of them. The king of Persia, at -the height of his wishes, returned to his capital with queen -Gulnare, queen Farasche, and the princesses; and queen Farasche and -the princesses continued there till king Saleh came to re-conduct -them to his kingdom under the waves of the sea. - - - - -The History of Ganem, Son to Abou Ayoub, and known by the surname of -Love’s Slave. - - -Sir, said Scheherazade to the sultan of the Indies, there was -formerly at Damascus a merchant, who had by care and industry -acquired great wealth, on which he lived in a very honourable -manner. His name was Abou Ayoub, and he had one son and a daughter. -The son was at first called Ganem, but afterwards surnamed _Love’s -Slave_. His person was graceful, and the excellent natural qualities -of his mind had been improved by able masters, whom his father had -taken care to provide him. The daughter’s name was Alcolomb, -signifying _Ravisher of Hearts_, because her beauty was so perfect, -that whoever saw her could not but love her. - -Abou Ayoub died, and left immense riches: a hundred loads of -brocades and other silks that lay in his warehouse were the least -part of it. The loads were ready made up, and on every bale was -written in large characters, ‘For Bagdad.’ - -Mahommed, the son of Soliman, surnamed Zinebi, reigned at that time -at Damascus, the capital of Syria. His kinsman Haroun Alraschid, -whose residence was at Bagdad, had bestowed that kingdom on him as -his tributary. - -Soon after the death of Abou Ayoub, Ganem discoursing with his -mother about their domestic affairs, and amongst the rest concerning -the loads of merchandize in the warehouse, asked her the meaning of -what was written upon each bale. My son, answered his mother, your -father used to travel sometimes into one province, and sometimes -into another; and it was customary with him, before he set out, to -write the name of the city he designed to repair to on every bale. -He had provided all things to take a journey to Bagdad, and was upon -the point of setting out, when death --She had not power to finish; -the lively remembrance of the loss of her husband would not permit -her to say more, and drew from her a shower of tears. - -Ganem could not see his mother so sensibly affected, without being -himself equally so. They continued some time silent: but at length -he recovered himself, and as soon as he found his mother calm enough -to listen to him, he directed his discourse to her; and said, Since -my father designed these goods for Bagdad, and is no longer in -being, to put his design into execution, I will prepare myself to -perform that journey; and I am of opinion it will be proper for me -to hasten my departure, for fear those commodities should perish, or -that we lose the opportunity of selling them to the best advantage. - -Abou Ayoub’s widow, who tenderly loved her son, was much surprised -at this resolution, and replied, My dear child, I cannot but commend -you for designing to follow your father’s example; but consider -that you are too young, inexperienced, and unaccustomed to the -fatigue of travelling. Besides, can you think of leaving me, and -adding to that sorrow with which I am already oppressed? Is it not -better to sell those goods to the merchants of Damascus, and take up -with a moderate profit, than to expose yourself to the danger of -perishing? - -It was in vain for her to oppose Ganem’s resolution by the -strongest arguments; they had no weight with him. An inclination to -travel, and to accomplish himself by a thorough knowledge of the -world, urged him to set out, and prevailed over all his mother’s -remonstrances, her entreaties, and even her tears. He went to the -market where the slaves are sold, and bought such as were -able-bodied, hired a hundred camels, and having provided all other -necessaries, he entered upon his journey with five or six merchants -of Damascus, who were going to trade at Bagdad. - -Those merchants, attended by all their slaves, and accompanied by -several other travellers, made up such a considerable caravan, that -they had nothing to fear from the Bedouin Arabs, who make it their -only profession to range the country, and to attack and plunder the -caravans when they are not strong enough to repulse them. They had -no other difficulty to encounter, but the usual fatigues of a long -journey, which were easily forgotten when they came in sight of the -city of Bagdad, where they arrived in safety. - -They alighted at the most magnificent and most frequented khan in -the city; but Ganem, who chose to be lodged conveniently, and by -himself took no apartment there. He only left his goods there in a -warehouse for their greater security, and hired a very fine house in -the neighbourhood, richly furnished, having a garden which was very -delightful, on account of the many water-works and shady groves that -were in it. - -Some days after this young merchant had been settled in his house, -and perfectly recovered of the fatigue of his journey, he dressed -himself genteelly, and repaired to the public place, where the -merchants met to buy and sell. A slave followed him, carrying a -parcel of fine stuffs and silks. - -The merchants received Ganem very courteously, and their syndic, or -chief, to whom he first made application, took and bought all his -parcel, at the price set down in the ticket annexed to every piece -of stuff. Ganem continued his trade so successfully, that he sold -all the goods he exposed daily. - -He had but one bale left, which he had caused to be carried from the -warehouse to his own house, and then went to the public rendezvous, -where he found all the shops shut. This seemed somewhat -extraordinary to him, and having asked the cause of it, was told -that one of the first merchants whom he knew, was dead, and that all -his brother traders were gone to his funeral. - -Ganem inquired for the mosque where the prayer was to be made, and -whence the body was to be conducted to the grave; and having been -told, sent back his slave with the goods, and walked towards the -mosque. He got thither before the prayers were ended, which were -said in a hall hung with black satin. The corpse was taken up, and -followed by the kindred, the merchants, and Ganem, to the place of -burial, which was at a great distance without the city. It was a -stone structure, in form of a dome, purposely built to receive the -bodies of all the family of the deceased; and being very small, they -had pitched tents all about it, that all the company might be -sheltered during the ceremony. The monument was opened, and the -corpse laid into it, after which it was shut up again. Then the -iman, and other ministers of the mosque, sat down in a ring on -carpets, in the largest tent, and said the rest of the prayers. They -also read the chapter of the Koran appointed for the burial of the -dead. The kindred and merchants sat round, in the same manner, -behind the ministers. - -It was near night before all was ended: Ganem, who had not expected -such a long ceremony, began to be uneasy, and the more so, when he -saw meat served up in memory of the deceased, according to the -custom of Bagdad. He was also told that the tents had not been set -up only against the heat of the sun, but also against the evening -dew, because they should not return to the city before the next -morning. Those words perplexed Ganem; I am a stranger, said he to -himself, and have the reputation of being a rich merchant; thieves -may take the opportunity of my absence, and go rob my house. My -slaves may be tempted by so favourable an opportunity; they may run -away with all the gold I have received for my goods, and whither -shall I go to look for them? Full of these thoughts, he eat a few -mouthfuls hastily, and dexterously slipped away from the company. - -He made all possible haste; but, as it often happens that the more a -man puts on, the less he advances, he mistook his way, and went -astray in the dark, so that it was near midnight when he came to the -city gate; which, to add to his misfortune, was shut. That -disappointment was a fresh affliction to him, and he was obliged to -look for some convenient place to pass the rest of the night in, and -wait till the gate was opened. He went into a burial-place, so -spacious, that it reached from the city to the very place he was -come from. He advanced to some high walls, which enclosed a small -field, being the peculiar burial-place of a family, and in which -there was a palm-tree. There was an infinite number of other -particular burial-places, the doors whereof they did not take care -to fasten. Ganem, finding that the burial-place where the palm-tree -grew was open, went into it, and shut the door after him. He lay -down on the grass, and did all he could to sleep; but the uneasiness -at being absent from home would not permit him. He got up, and after -having passed before the door several times, he opened it, without -knowing why, and immediately perceived at a distance a light, which -seemed to come towards him. He was startled at that sight, put to -the door, which had nothing to secure it but a latch, and got up as -fast as he could to the top of the palm-tree; looking upon that as -the safest retreat under his present apprehensions. - -No sooner was he got up, than by the help of the light, which had -frightened him, he plainly perceived three men, whom, by their -habit, he knew to be slaves, come into the burial-place. One of them -went foremost with a lanthorn, and the two others followed him, -being loaded with a chest, between five and six feet long, which -they carried on their shoulders. They set it down, and then one of -the three slaves said to his comrades, Brothers, if you will be -advised by me, we will leave the chest here, and return to the city. ---No, no, replied another, that is not executing our mistress’s -orders; we may have cause to repent not doing as we were commanded. -Let us bury the chest, since we are so enjoined to do. The two other -slaves complied. They began to break ground with the tools they had -brought for that purpose. When they had made a deep trench, they put -the chest into it, and covered it with the earth they had taken out; -then departed, and returned home. - -Ganem, who from the top of the palm-tree had heard every word the -slaves had spoken, could not tell what to think of that adventure. -He concluded that the chest must contain something of value, and -that the person to whom it belonged had some particular reasons for -causing it to be buried in that cemetery. He resolved immediately to -satisfy his curiosity, came down from the palm-tree, the departure -of the slaves having dissipated his fear, and fell to work upon the -pit, plying his hands and feet so well, that in a short time he -uncovered the chest, but found it secured with a great padlock. This -new obstacle to the satisfying of his curiosity was no small -mortification to him, yet he was not discouraged; but the day -beginning then to appear, he saw several great pebbles about the -burial-place. He picked out one, with which he easily knocked off -the padlock, and then with much impatience opened the chest. Ganem -was strangely surprised, when, instead of finding money in it, he -discovered a young lady of incomparable beauty. Her fresh and rosy -complexion, and her gentle regular breathing, satisfied him she was -alive; but he could not conceive why, if she were only asleep, she -had not waked at the noise he made in forcing off the padlock. Her -habit was so costly, with bracelets and pendants of diamonds, and a -necklace of true pearl, so large, that he made not the least doubt -of her being one of the principal ladies about the court. At the -sight of so beautiful an object, not only compassion and natural -inclination to relieve persons in danger, but something more -powerful, which Ganem could not then account for, prevailed on him -to afford that young beauty all the assistance in his power. - -He first shut the gate of the burial-place, which the slaves had -left open; then returning, took the lady in his arms out of the -chest, and laid her on the soft earth he had thrown off the said -chest. As soon as the lady was laid down, and exposed to the air, -she sneezed, and by the motion in turning her head, there came from -her mouth a liquor, with which her stomach seemed to have been -loaded; then opening and rubbing her eyes, she with such a voice as -charmed Ganem, whom she did not see, cried out, Zohoreb Bostan, -Schagrom Margian, Casabos Souccar, Nouron Nihar, Naginatos Sohi, -Nouzetos Zaman, why do you not answer? where are you? These were the -names of six female slaves, that used to wait on her, and signified, -Flower of the Garden, Branch of Coral, Sugar Cane, Light of the Day, -Morning Star, and Delight of the Season. She called them, and -wondered that nobody answered; but at length looking about, and -perceiving she was in a burial-place, she was seized with fear. -What! cried she, much louder than before, are the dead raised? Is -the day of judgment come? What a wonderful change is this from -evening to morning! - -Ganem did not think fit to leave the lady any longer in her -perplexity, but presented himself before her with all possible -respect, and in the most courteous manner. Madam, said he, I am not -able to express my joy for having happened to be here to do you the -service I have done, and to offer you all the assistance you may -stand in need of under your present circumstances. - -In order to persuade the lady to repose a confidence in him, he, in -the first place, told her who he was, and what accident had brought -him into that place. Next he acquainted her with the coming of the -three slaves, and how they had buried the chest. The lady, who had -covered her face with her veil as soon as Ganem appeared, was -extremely sensible of the obligations she owed him. I return thanks -to God, said she, for having sent so worthy a person as you are to -deliver me from death, but since you have begun so charitable a -work, I conjure you not to leave it imperfect. Let me beg of you to -go into the city, and provide a muleteer, to come with his mule, and -carry me to your house in this chest; for, should I go with you on -foot, my dress being different from that of the city ladies, some -one might take notice of it, and follow me, which it highly concerns -me to prevent. When I shall be in your house, I will give you an -account of myself; and in the mean time be assured that you have not -obliged an ungrateful person. - -Before the young merchant left the lady, he drew the chest out of -the pit, which he filled up with earth, laid her again in the chest, -and shut it in such a manner, that it did not look as if the padlock -had been forced off; but for fear of stifling her, he did not put it -quite close, leaving room for the air to get in. Going out of the -burial-place, he drew the door after him; and the city gate being -then open, soon found what he sought for. He returned with speed to -the burial-place, and helped the muleteer to lay the chest across -his mule, telling him, to remove all cause of suspicion, that he -came to that place the night before, with another muleteer, who, -being in haste to return home, had laid down the chest in the -burial-place. - -Ganem, who, since his arrival at Bagdad, had minded nothing but his -business, was still unacquainted with the power of love, and now -felt the first attacks of it. It had not been in his power to look -upon the young lady without being dazzled; and the uneasiness he -felt at following the muleteer at a distance, and the fear lest any -accident might happen by the way, that should deprive him of his -conquest, taught him to unravel his thoughts. It was an -extraordinary satisfaction to him, when, being arrived safe at home, -he saw the chest unloaded. He dismissed the muleteer, and having -caused a slave to shut the door of his house, he opened the chest, -helped the lady out, gave her his hand, and conducted her to his -apartment, lamenting how much she must have endured in that close -confinement. If I have suffered, said she, I have satisfaction -sufficient in what you have done for me, and in the pleasure of -seeing myself out of danger. - -Though Ganem’s apartment was very richly furnished, the lady did -not so much regard that as she did the handsome presence and -engaging mien of her deliverer, whose politeness and obliging -behaviour heightened her gratitude. She sat down on a sofa, and to -begin to give the merchant to understand how sensible she was of the -service done her, she took off her veil. Ganem, on his part, was -sensible of the favour so lovely a lady did in uncovering her face -to him, or rather felt he had already a most violent passion for -her. Whatever obligations she owed him, he thought himself more than -requited by so singular a favour. - -The lady dived into Ganem’s thoughts, yet was not at all alarmed, -because he appeared very respectful. He, judging she might have -occasion to eat, and not willing to trust any but himself with the -care of entertaining so charming a guest, went out with a slave to -an eating-house, to give directions for a treat. From thence he went -to a fruiterer, where he chose the finest and best fruit; buying -also the choicest wine, and the same bread that was eaten at the -caliph’s table. - -As soon as he returned home, he, with his own hands, made a pyramid -of the fruit he had bought, and serving it up himself to the lady in -a large dish of the finest china-ware. Madam, said he, be pleased to -make choice of some of this fruit, while a more solid entertainment, -and more worthy yourself, is made ready. He would have continued -standing before her, but she declared she would not touch any thing, -unless he sat down and eat with her. He obeyed; and when they had -eaten some small matter, Ganem observing that the lady’s veil, -which she laid down by her on a sofa, was embroidered along the edge -with golden letters, begged her leave to look on that embroidery. -The lady immediately took up the veil, and delivered it to him, -asking him whether he could read. Madam, replied he, with a modest -air, a merchant would be ill qualified to manage his business if he -could not at least read and write. Well, then, said she, read the -words which are embroidered on that veil, which gives me an -opportunity of telling you my story. - -Ganem took the veil, and read these words, ‘I am yours, and you -are mine, thou descendant from the prophet’s uncle.’ That -descendant from the prophet’s uncle was the caliph Haroun -Alraschid, who then reigned, and was descended from Abbas, -Mahomet’s uncle. - -When Ganem perceived the meaning of these words, Alas! madam, said -he in a melancholy tone, I have just saved your life, and this -writing is my death! I do not comprehend all the mystery; but it -convinces me I am the most unfortunate of men. Pardon, madam, the -liberty I take of telling you this. It was impossible for me to see -you without giving you my heart. You are not ignorant yourself, that -it was not in my power to refuse it you, and that makes my -presumption excusable. I proposed to myself to touch your heart by -my respectful behaviour, my care, my complaisance, my assiduity, my -submission, my constancy; and no sooner had I formed the flattering -design, than I am robbed of all my hopes. I cannot long survive so -great a misfortune. But, be that as it will, I shall have the -satisfaction of dying entirely yours. Proceed, madam, I conjure you, -and give me full information of my unhappy fate. - -He could not utter those words without letting fall some tears. The -lady was moved, but was so far from being displeased at the -declaration he made, that she felt secret joy; for her heart began -to yield. However, she concealed it, and as if she had not regarded -what Ganem said, I should have been very cautious, answered she, of -showing you my veil, had I thought it would have given you so much -uneasiness; and I do not perceive that what I have to say to you can -make your condition so deplorable as you imagine. - -You must understand, proceeded she, in order to acquaint you with my -story, that my name is Fetnah (which signifies _torments_,) which -was given me at my birth, because it was judged that the sight of me -would one day occasion many calamities. You cannot be a stranger to -it, since there is nobody in Bagdad but knows that the caliph Haroun -Alraschid, my sovereign lord and yours, had a favourite so called. - -I was carried into his palace in my tenderest years, and I have been -brought up there with all the care that is usually taken with such -persons of my sex as are destined to reside there. I made no little -progress in all they took the pains to teach me; and that, with some -share of beauty, gained me the affection of the caliph, who allotted -me a particular apartment adjoining to his own. That prince was not -satisfied with such a mark of distinction; he appointed twenty women -to wait on me, and as many eunuchs; and ever since he has made me -such considerable presents, that I saw myself richer than any queen -in the world. You may judge by what I have said, that Zobeide, the -caliph’s wife and kinswoman, could not but be jealous of my -happiness. Though Haroun has all the regard imaginable for her, she -has taken every possible opportunity to ruin me. - -Hitherto I had secured myself against all her snares, but at length -I fell under the last effort of her jealousy, and, were it not for -you, I had now been exposed to inevitable death. I question not but -she had corrupted one of my slaves, who last night, in some -lemonade, gave me a drug, which causes such a dead sleep, that it is -easy to dispose of those who have taken it; for that sleep is so -profound, that nothing can dispel it for the space of seven or eight -hours. I have the more reason to judge so, because naturally I am a -very bad sleeper, and apt to wake at the least noise. - -Zobeide, the better to put her design in execution, has laid hold of -the opportunity of the absence of the caliph, who went lately to put -himself at the head of his troops, to chastise some neighbouring -kings, who have formed a league to make war on him. Were it not for -this opportunity, my rival, outrageous as she is, durst not have -presumed to attempt any thing against my life. I know not what she -will do to conceal this action from the caliph, but you see it -highly concerns me that you should keep my secret. My life depends -on it I shall be safe in your house, as long as the caliph is from -Bagdad. It concerns you to keep my adventure private; for should -Zobeide know the obligation I owe you, she would punish you for -having saved me. - -When the caliph returns I shall not need to be so much upon my -guard. I shall find means to acquaint him with all that has -happened, and I am fully persuaded he will be more earnest than -myself to requite a service which restores me to his love. - -As soon as Haroun Alraschid’s beautiful favourite had done -speaking, Ganem began, and said, Madam, I return you a thousand -thanks for having given me the information I took the liberty to -desire of you; and I beg of you to believe, that you are here in -safety; the sentiments you have inspired in me are a pledge of my -secrecy. - -As for my slaves, I own there is cause to suspect them; they may -perhaps fail of the fidelity they owe me, should they know by what -accident, and in what place I had the happiness to find you; but it -is impossible they should guess at that. Nay, I dare assure you, -that they will not have the curiosity to inquire after it. It is so -natural for young men to purchase beautiful slaves, that it will be -no way surprising to them to see you here, as believing you to be -one, and that I have bought you. They will also believe that I had -some particular reasons for bringing you home as they saw I did. Set -your heart, therefore, at rest, as to that point, and remain -satisfied that you shall be served with all the respect that is due -to the favourite of so great a monarch as ours is. But how great -soever he is, give me leave, madam, to declare, that nothing will be -capable of making me recall the present I have made you of my heart. -I know, and shall never forget, that ‘what belongs to the master -is forbidden to the slave,’ but I loved you before you told me -that you were engaged to the caliph; it is not in my power to -overcome a passion which, though now in its infancy, has all the -force of a love strengthened by a perfect correspondence. I wish -your august and most fortunate lover may avenge you of the malice of -Zobeide, by calling you back to him; and when you shall be restored -to his wishes, that you may remember the unfortunate Ganem, who is -no less your conquest than the caliph. Powerful as that prince is, I -flatter myself he will not be able to blot me out of your -remembrance. He cannot love you more passionately than I do; and I -shall never cease to sigh for you, into whatever part of the world I -go to expire, after having lost you. - -Fetnah perceived that Ganem was under the greatest of afflictions, -and it affected her; but considering the uneasiness she was likely -to bring upon herself, by prosecuting the discourse upon that -subject, which might insensibly lead her to discover the inclination -she felt in herself for him; I perceive, said she, that this -conversation gives you too much uneasiness; let us change the -discourse, and talk of the infinite obligation I owe you. I can -never sufficiently express my satisfaction, when I reflect that, -without your assistance, I should never again have beheld the light -of the sun. - -It was happy for them both that somebody just then knocked at the -door: Ganem went to see who it was, and found it was one of his -slaves, to acquaint him that the entertainment was ready. Ganem, who -by way of precaution, would have none of his slaves come into the -room where Fetnah was, took what was brought, and served it up -himself to his beautiful guest, whose soul was ravished to behold -what attention he paid her. - -When they had eaten, Ganem took away as he covered the table; and -having delivered all things at the chamber-door to his slaves, -Madam, said he to Fetnah, you may now perhaps desire to take some -rest; I will leave you, and when you have reposed yourself, you -shall find me ready to receive your commands. - -Having spoken these words, he left her, and went to purchase two -women-slaves. He also bought two parcels, one of fine linen, and the -other of all such things as were proper to make up a toilet fit for -the caliph’s favourite. Having conducted home the two -women-slaves, he presented them to Fetnah, saying, Madam, a person -of your quality cannot be without two waiting maids, at least, to -serve you; be pleased to accept of these. - -Fetnah admiring Ganem’s attention, My lord, said she, I perceive -you are not one that will do things by halves: you add by your -courtesy, to the obligations I owe you already: but I hope I shall -not die ungrateful, and that Heaven will soon put me into a -condition to return all your acts of generosity. - -When the women-slaves were withdrawn into a chamber adjoining, where -the young merchant sent them, he sat down on the sofa where Fetnah -was, but at some distance from her, in token of the greater respect. -He then began again to discourse of his passion, and said very -moving things on the invincible obstacles which robbed him of all -his hopes. I dare not so much as hope, said he, by my passion, to -excite the least sensibility in a heart like yours, destined for the -greatest prince in the world. Alas! it would be a comfort to me in -my misfortunes, if I could flatter myself that you have not looked -upon the excess of my love with indifference. My lord, answered -Fetnah --Alas! madam, said Ganem, interrupting her at the word lord, -this is the second time you have done me the honour to call me lord: -the presence of the women-slaves hindered me the first time from -taking notice of it to you: in the name of God, madam, do not give -me this title of honour; it does not belong to me: treat me, I -beseech you, as your slave: I am, and shall never cease to be so. - -No, no, replied Fetnah, interrupting him in her turn, I shall be -cautious how I treat after that manner a man to whom I owe my life. -I should be ungrateful, could I say or do any thing that did not -become you. Leave me, therefore, to follow the dictates of my -gratitude, and do not require it of me that I misbehave myself -towards you, in return for the benefits I have received. I shall -never be guilty of it; I am too sensible of your respectful -behaviour to abuse it; and I will not hesitate to own, that I do not -look upon all your care with indifference. You know the reasons that -condemn me to silence. - -Ganem was ravished at that declaration; he wept for joy, and not -being able to find expressions significant enough, in his own -opinion, to return Fetnah thanks, was satisfied with telling her, -that as she knew what she owed to the caliph, he, on his part, was -not ignorant that ‘what belongs to the master is forbidden to the -servant.’ - -Night drawing on, he rose up to fetch a light, which he brought in -himself, as also some collation, as is the custom in the city of -Bagdad, where, having made a good meal at noon, they passed the -evening with eating some fruit, and drinking a glass of wine, and -agreeable conversation till bed-time. - -They both sat down at table, and at first complimented each other on -the fruit as they presented it reciprocally. The excellency of the -wine insensibly drew them both on to drink; and having drank two or -three glasses, they agreed that neither should take another glass -without singing some air first. Ganem sung verses he composed -_extempore_, expressive of the vehemence of his passion; and Fetnah, -encouraged by his example, composed and sung verses relating to her -adventure, and always containing something which Ganem might take in -a sense favourable to him; except this, she most exactly observed -the fidelity due to the caliph. The collation held till very late, -and the night was far advanced before they thought of parting. Ganem -then withdrew to another apartment, leaving Fetnah where she was, -the women-slaves he had bought coming in to wait upon her. - -They lived together after this manner several days. The young -merchant went not abroad, unless upon business of the utmost -consequence, and even for that took the time when the lady was at -her rest; for he could not prevail upon himself to lose a moment -that might be spent in her company. All his thoughts were taken up -with his dear Fetnah, who, on her side, giving way to her -inclination, confessed she had no less affection for him than he had -for her. However, fond as they were of each other, their respect for -the caliph kept them within due bounds, which still heightened their -passion. - -Whilst Fetnah, thus snatched from the jaws of death, passed her time -so agreeably with Ganem, Zobeide was not without some apprehensions -in Haroun Alraschid’s palace. - -No sooner had the three slaves, entrusted with the execution of her -revenge, carried away the chest, without knowing what was in it, or -having the least curiosity to inquire into it (as being used to pay -a blind obedience to her commands), than she was seized with a -tormenting uneasiness; a thousand perplexing thoughts disturbed her -rest; sleep fled from her eyes, and she spent the night in -contriving how to conceal her crime. My consort, said she, loves -Fetnah more than ever he did any of his favourites. What shall I say -to him at his return, when he inquires of me after her? Many -contrivances occured to her, but none were satisfactory. Still she -met with difficulties, and knew not where to fix. There lived with -her an ancient lady, who had bred her up from her infancy. As soon -as it was day she sent for her, and having entrusted her with the -secret, said, My good mother, you have always assisted me with your -advice; if ever I stood in need of it, it is now, when the business -before you is to still my thoughts, distracted by a mortal anxiety, -and to show me some way to satisfy the caliph. - -My dear mistress, replied the old woman, it had been much better not -to have run yourself into the difficulties you labour under; but -since the thing is done, the best is to say no more of it. All that -must now be thought of is how to deceive the commander of the -believers; and I am of opinion, that you immediately cause a wooden -image resembling a dead body to be carved. We will shroud it up in -old linen, and when shut up in a coffin, it shall be buried in some -part of the palace; then shall you immediately cause a marble -monument to be built, in the form of a dome, over the burial-place, -and erect a figure, which shall be covered with a black cloth, and -set about with great candlesticks and large wax tapers. There is -another thing, added the old lady, which ought not to be forgot: you -must put on mourning, and cause the same to be done by all your own -and Fetnah’s women, your eunuchs, and all the officers of the -palace. When the caliph returns, and sees you all and the palace in -mourning, he will not fail to ask the occasion of it. Then will you -have an opportunity of insinuating yourself into his favour, by -saying it was out of respect to him that you paid the last honours -to Fetnah, snatched away by sudden death. You may tell him you have -caused a mausoleum to be built, and in short, that you have paid all -the last honours to his favourite, as he would have done himself had -he been present. His passion for her being extraordinary, he will -certainly go to shed tears upon her grave; and perhaps, added the -old woman, he will not believe she is really dead. He may, perhaps, -suspect you have turned her out of the palace through jealousy, and -look upon all the mourning as an artifice to deceive him, and -prevent his making search after her. It is likely he will cause the -coffin to be taken up and opened, and it is certain he will be -convinced of her death, as soon as he shall see the figure of a dead -body buried. He will be pleased with all you shall have done, and -express his gratitude. As for the wooden image, I will undertake to -have it cut myself by a carver in the city, who shall not know what -use it is to be put to. As for your part, madam, order Fetnah’s -woman, who yesterday gave her the lemonade, to give out, among her -companions, that she has just found her mistress dead in her bed; -and to the end that they may only think of lamenting, without -offering to go into her chamber, let her add, she has already -acquainted you with it, and that you have ordered Mesrour to cause -her to be buried. - -As soon as the old lady had spoken these words, Zobeide took a rich -diamond ring out of her casket, and putting it on her finger, and -embracing her in a transport of joy, said, How infinitely am I -beholden to you, my good mother! I should never have thought of so -ingenious a contrivance. It cannot fail of success, and I begin to -recover my peace of mind. I leave the care of the wooden figure to -you, and will go myself to order the rest. - -The wooden image was got ready with as much expedition as Zobeide -could have wished, and then conveyed by the old lady herself into -Fetnah’s bed-chamber, where she dressed it like a dead body, and -put it into a coffin. Then Mesrour, who was himself deceived by it, -caused the coffin and the representation of Fetnah to be carried -away, and buried with the usual ceremonies, in the place appointed -by Zobeide, the favourite’s women weeping and lamenting, she who -had given her the lemonade setting them an example by her cries and -howlings. - -That very day Zobeide sent for the architect of the palace and of -the caliph’s other houses, and, according to the orders he -received from her, the mausoleum was finished in a very short time. -Such potent princesses as the consort of a monarch, whose power -extended from east to west, are always punctually obeyed in -whatsoever they command. She soon put on mourning with all the -court; so that the news of Fetnah’s death was quickly spread all -over the city. - -Ganem was one of the last who heard of it, for, as I have before -observed, he hardly ever went abroad. Being, however, at length -informed of it, Madam, said he to the caliph’s fair favourite, you -are believed in Bagdad to be dead, and I do not question but that -Zobeide herself believes it. I bless Heaven that I am the cause, and -the happy witness of your being alive: and would to God, that, -taking the advantage of this false report, you would share my -fortune, and go far from hence to reign in my heart! But whither -does this pleasing transport carry me? I do not consider that you -are born to make the greatest prince in the world happy; and that -only Haroun Alraschid is worthy of you. Supposing you could resolve -to give him up for me, and that you would follow me, ought I to -consent to it? No, it is my part always to remember, that ‘what -belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.’ - -The lovely Fetnah, though moved by the tenderness of the passion he -expressed, yet prevailed with herself not to answer it. My lord, -said she to him, we cannot obstruct Zobeide’s triumphing. I am not -at all surprised at the artifice she makes use of to conceal her -guilt: but let her go on; I flatter myself that sorrow will soon -follow her triumph. The caliph will return, and we shall find the -means privately to inform him of all that has happened. In the mean -time, let us be more cautious than ever, that she may not know I am -alive. I have already told you the consequences. - -At the end of three months the caliph returned to Bagdad with glory, -having vanquished all his enemies. He entered the palace with -impatience to see Fetnah, and to lay all his new laurels at her -feet; but was amazed to see all the officers he had left behind him -in mourning. He was struck without knowing the cause; and his -concern was redoubled, when coming into the apartment of Zobeide, he -espied that princess coming to meet him in mourning, with all her -women. He immediately asked her the cause of it with much agitation. -Commander of the believers, answered Zobeide, I am in mourning for -your slave Fetnah; who died so suddenly, that it was impossible to -apply any remedy for her distemper. She would have proceeded, but -the caliph did not give her time, being so surprised at the news, -that he cried out, and fainted in the arms of Giafar, his grand -vizier, who attended him. But soon recovering himself, he with a -feeble voice, which sufficiently expressed his extreme grief, asked -where his dear Fetnah had been buried. Sir, said Zobeide, I myself -took care of her funeral, and spared no cost to make it magnificent. -I have caused a marble mausoleum to be built over her grave, and -will attend you thither, if you desire it. - -The caliph would not permit Zobeide to take that trouble, but -contented himself to have Mesrour conduct him. He went thither just -as he was, that is, in his camp dress. When he saw the figure -covered with a black cloth, the wax lights round it, and the -magnificence of the mausoleum, he was amazed that Zobeide should -have performed the obsequies of her rival with so much pomp; and -being naturally of a jealous temper, he suspected his wife’s -generosity, and fancied his mistress might perhaps be yet alive; -that Zobeide, taxing the advantage of his long absence, might have -turned her out of the palace, ordering those she had entrusted to -conduct her, to convey her so far off that she might never more be -heard of. This was all he suspected; for he did not think Zobeide -wicked enough to have attempted the life of his favourite. - -The better to discover the truth himself, this prince ordered the -figure to be removed, and caused the grave and the coffin to be -opened in his presence; but when he saw the linen wrapped round the -wooden image, he durst not proceed any farther. This religious -caliph thought it would be an irreligious act to suffer the body of -the dead lady to be touched; and this scrupulous fear prevailed over -his love and curiosity. He doubted not of Fetnah’s death. He -caused the coffin to be shut up again, the grave to be filled, and -the figure to be placed as it was before. - -The caliph, thinking himself obliged to pay some respect to the tomb -of his favourite, sent for the ministers of religion, the officers -of the palace, and the readers of the Koran; and, whilst they were -collecting together, he remained in the mausoleum, moistening with -his tears the earth that covered the phantom of his mistress. When -all the persons he had sent for were come, he stood before the -figure, and they about it recited long prayers; after which, the -readers of the Koran read several chapters. - -The same ceremony was performed every day for a whole month, morning -and evening, the caliph being always present, with Giafar the grand -vizier, and the principal officers of the court, all of them in -mourning, as well as the caliph himself, who all the time ceased not -to honour the memory of Fetnah with his tears, and would not hear of -any business. - -The last day of the month, the prayers and reading of the Koran -lasted from morning till break of day the next morning; and at -length, when all was done, every man returned home. Haroun -Alraschid, being tired with sitting up so long, went to take some -rest in his apartment, and fell asleep on a sofa, between two of the -court ladies, one of them sitting at the bed’s head, and the other -at the feet, who, whilst he slept, were working some embroidery, and -observed a profound silence. - -She who sat at the bed’s head, and whose name was Nouron-Nihar -(that is, Dawn of the Day,) perceiving the caliph was asleep, -whispered to the other, called Negmatos Sohi (signifying -Morning-Star,) There is great news! The commander of the believers, -our master, will be overjoyed when he awakes, and hears what I have -to tell him: Fetnah is not dead; she is in perfect health. O -heavens! cried Morning-Star, in a transport of joy, is it possible -that the beautiful, the charming, the incomparable Fetnah, should be -still among the living? Morning Star uttered these words with so -much vivacity, and so loud, that the caliph awaked. He asked why -they had disturbed his rest? Alas! my sovereign lord, answered -Morning-Star, pardon me this indiscretion; I could not without -transport hear that Fetnah is still alive; it caused such emotion in -me, that I could not conceal it. What then is become of her, said -the caliph, if she is not dead? Chief of the believers, replied Dawn -of the Day, I this evening received a note, not signed, from a -person unknown, but written with Fetnah’s own hand, who gives me -an account of her melancholy adventure, and orders me to acquaint -you with it. I thought fit, before I fulfilled my commission, to let -you take some few moments’ rest, believing you must stand in need -of it, after your fatigue; and-- Give me that note, said the caliph, -interrupting her eagerly; you were wrong to defer delivering it to -me. - -Dawn of the Day immediately presented to him the note, which he -opened with much impatience, and in it Fetnah gave a particular -account of all that had befallen her, but enlarged a little too much -on the care Ganem took of her. The caliph, who was naturally -jealous, instead of being provoked at the inhumanity of Zobeide, was -more concerned at the infidelity he fancied Fetnah had been guilty -of towards him. Is it so? said he, after reading the note; the -perfidious wretch has been four months with a young merchant, and -has the effrontery to boast of his attention to her. Thirty days are -past since my return to Bagdad, and she now bethinks herself of -sending me news of herself. Ungrateful creature! whilst I spend the -days in bewailing her, she passes them in betraying me. Go to; let -us take vengeance of a false woman, and that bold youth who affronts -me. Having spoken these words, that prince rose up, and went into a -great hall where he used to appear in public, and give audience to -the great men of his court. The first gate was opened, and -immediately all the courtiers, who were waiting without, entered. -The grand vizier came in, and prostrated himself before the throne -the caliph sat on. Then rising, he stood before his master, who, in -a tone which denoted he would be instantly obeyed, said to him, -Giafar, your presence is requisite for putting in execution an -important affair I am about to commit to you. Take four hundred men -of my guards along with you, and first inquire where a merchant of -Damascus lives, whose name is Ganem, the son of Ayoub. When you have -learnt it, repair to his house, and cause it to be razed to the -foundation; but first secure Ganem, and bring him hither, with my -slave Fetnah, who has lived with him these four months. I will -punish her, and make an example of that insolent man, who has -presumed to fail in respect to me. - -The grand vizier having received this positive command, made a low -bow to the caliph, having his hand on his head, in token that he -would rather lose it than disobey him, and departed. The first thing -he did was to send to the syndic of the dealers in foreign stuffs -and fine silks for the new ones bought of Ganem, with strict orders, -above all things, to find out the street and house he lived in. The -officer he sent with these orders brought him back word, that he had -scarce been seen for some months, and no man knew what could keep -him at home, if he was there. The same officer likewise told Giafar -where Ganem lived, and the name of the widow who had let him the -house. - -Upon this exact information, that minister, without losing time, -marched with the soldiers the caliph had ordered him to take, went -to the judge of the police, whom he caused to bear him company, and -attended by a great number of carpenters and masons, with the -necessary tools for razing a house, came to that where Ganem lived; -and finding it stood single, he posted his soldiers round it, to -prevent the young merchant’s making his escape. - -Fetnah and Ganem had just dined: the lady was sitting at a window -next the street; hearing a noise, she looked out through the -lattice, and seeing the grand vizier draw near, with all his -attendants, she concluded she was their object as well as Ganem. She -perceived her note had been received, but had not expected such an -answer, having hoped that the caliph would have taken the matter in -a different light. She knew not how long that prince had been come -home; and though she was acquainted with his jealous temper, yet she -apprehended nothing on that account. However, the sight of the grand -vizier and the soldiers made her tremble, not indeed for herself, -but for Ganem; she did not question clearing herself, provided the -caliph would but hear her. As for Ganem, whom she loved less out of -gratitude than inclination, she plainly foresaw that his incensed -rival would see, and might be apt to condemn him, upon account of -his youth and person. Full of that thought, she turned to the young -merchant, and said, Alas! Ganem, we are undone! it is you and I that -are sought after. He presently looked through the lattice, and was -seized with dread when he beheld the caliph’s guards, with their -naked scimitars, and the grand vizier, with the civil magistrate, at -the head of them. At that sight he stood motionless, and had not -power to utter one word. Ganem, said the favourite, there is no time -to be lost; if you love me, put on the habit of one of your slaves -immediately, and daub your face and arms with soot; --then put some -of these dishes on your head, you may be taken for a servant -belonging to the eating-house, and they will let you pass. If they -happen to ask you where the master of the house is, answer, without -any hesitation, that he is within. Alas! madam, answered Ganem, less -concerned for himself than for Fetnah, you only take care of me ---what will become of you? Let not that trouble you, replied Fetnah; -it is my part to look to that. As for what you leave in this house, -I will take care of it, and I hope it will be one day faithfully -restored to you, when the caliph’s anger shall be over; but do you -avoid his fury. The orders he gives in the heat of passion are -always fatal. The young merchant’s affliction was so great, that -he knew not what course to fix upon, and would certainly have -suffered himself to have been seized by the caliph’s soldiers, had -not Fetnah pressed him to disguise himself. He submitted to her -persuasions, put on the habit of a slave, daubed himself with soot; -and it was high time, for they were knocking at the door, and all -they could do was to embrace each other tenderly. They were both so -overwhelmed with sorrow, that they could not utter one word. Thus -they parted. Ganem went out with some dishes on his head; he was -taken for the servant of an eating house, and nobody offered to stop -him. On the contrary, the grand vizier, who was the first that met -him, gave way and let him pass, little thinking that he was the man -he looked for. Those who were behind the grand vizier made way as he -had done, and thus favoured his escape. He got speedily to one of -the city gates, and so clear away. - -Whilst he was making the best of his way from the grand vizier -Giafar, that minister came into the room where Fetnah was sitting on -a sofa, and where there were many chests full of Ganem’s clothes, -and of the money he had made of his goods. - -As soon as Fetnah saw the grand vizier come into the room, she fell -flat on her face, and continuing in that posture, as it were, ready -to receive her death, My lord, said she, I am ready to undergo the -sentence passed against me by the commander of the believers; you -need only make it known to me. Madam, answered Giafar, falling also -down till she had raised herself, God forbid any man should presume -to lay profane hands on you. I do not intend to offer you the least -harm. I have no farther orders than to entreat you will be pleased -to go with me to the palace, and to conduct you thither, with the -merchant that lives in this house. My lord, replied the favourite, -let us go; I am ready to follow you. As for the young merchant, to -whom I am indebted for my life, he is not here; he has been gone -about a month since to Damascus, whither his business called him, -and he has left these chests you see under my care till he returns. -I conjure you to cause them to be carried to the palace, and order -them to be secured, that I may perform the promise I made him to -take all possible care of them. - -You shall be obeyed, said Giafar; and immediately sent for porters, -whom he commanded to take up the chests, and carry them to Mesrour. - -As soon as the porters were gone, he whispered the civil magistrate, -committing to him the care of seeing the house razed, but first to -cause diligent search to be made for Ganem, who, he suspected, might -be hid, notwithstanding what Fetnah had told him. Then he went out, -taking this young lady with him, attended by the two slaves that -waited on her. As for Ganem’s slaves, they were not regarded; they -ran in among the crowd, and it was not known what became of them. - -No sooner was Giafar out of the house, than the masons and -carpenters began to raze it, and did their business so effectually, -that, in a few hours, none of it remained. But the civil magistrate, -not finding Ganem, after the strictest search, sent to acquaint the -grand vizier with it, before that minister reached the palace. Well, -said Haroun Alraschid, seeing him come into his closet, have you -executed my orders? Yes, sir, answered Giafar; the house Ganem lived -in is levelled with the ground, and I have brought you your -favourite Fetnah; she is at your closet door, and I will call her -in, if you command me. As for the young merchant, we could not find -him, though every place has been searched; and Fetnah affirms that -he has been gone a month to Damascus. - -Never was any man in such a passion as the caliph, when he heard -that Ganem had made his escape. As for his favourite, being -possessed that she had been false to him, he would neither see nor -speak to her. Mesrour, said he to the chief of the eunuchs, who was -then present, take the ungrateful, the perfidious Fetnah, and go -shut her up in the dark tower. That tower was within the precinct of -the palace, and commonly served as a prison for the favourites who -any way offended the caliph. - -Mesrour being used to execute his sovereign’s orders, though never -so unjust, without making any answer, obeyed this with some -reluctance. He signified his concern to Fetnah, who was the more -grieved at it, because she had reckoned that the caliph would not -refuse to speak to her. She was obliged to submit to her hard fate, -and to follow Mesrour, who conducted her to the dark tower, and -there left her. - -In the mean time, the enraged caliph dismissed his grand vizier, -and, only hearkening to his passion, writ the following letter with -his own hand to the king of Syria, his cousin and tributary who -resided at Damascus:-- - - - - -The Letter from the Caliph Haroun Alraschid to Mohammed Zinebi, King -of Syria. - - -‘Cousin, - -‘This letter is to inform you, that a merchant of Damascus, whose -name is Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub, has seduced the most amiable -of my women slaves, called Fetnah, and is fled. It is my will, that -when you have read my letter, you cause search to be made for Ganem, -and secure him. When he is in your power, you shall cause him to be -loaded with irons, and, for three days successively, let him receive -fifty strokes with a bull’s pizzle. Then let him be led through -all parts of the city, with a crier, crying, This is the smallest -punishment the commander of the believers inflicts on him that -offends his lord, and debauches one of his slaves. After that, you -shall send him to me under a strong guard. It is my will that you -cause his house to be plundered; and when it shall be razed, order -the materials to be carried out of the city into the middle of the -plain. Besides this, if he has father, mother, sister, wives, -daughters, or other kindred, cause them to be stripped; and when -they are naked, expose them three days to the whole city, forbidding -any person, on pain of death, to afford them any shelter. I expect -you will without delay execute my command. - - ‘Haroun Alraschid.’ - -The caliph having written this letter, sent it away by an express, -ordering him to make all possible speed, and to take pigeons along -with him, that he might the sooner hear what had been done by -Mohammed Zinebi. - -The pigeons of Bagdad have this peculiar quality, that, though they -be carried never so far, they return to Bagdad as soon as they are -turned loose, especially when they have young ones. A letter rolled -up is made fast under their wing, and by that means, advice is -speedily received from such places as it is desired. - -The caliph’s courier travelled night and day, as his master’s -impatience required; and being come to Damascus, went directly to -king Zinebi’s palace, who sat upon his throne to receive the -caliph’s letter. The courier having delivered it, Mohammed, -looking upon it, and knowing the hand, stood up to show his respect, -kissed the letter, and laid it on his head, to denote he was ready -submissively to obey the orders contained in it. He opened it, and -having read it, immediately descended from his throne, and, without -losing time, mounted on horseback, with the principal officers of -his household. He also sent for the civil magistrate, who came to -him; and then he went directly to Ganem’s house, attended by all -his guards. - -That young merchant’s mother had never heard or received any -letter from him since he left Damascus; but the other merchants with -whom he went to Bagdad were returned, and all of them told her they -had left her son in perfect health. However, seeing he did not -return himself, and neglecting to write, the tender mother could not -but be persuaded that he was dead, and was so fully convinced of it -in her imagination, that she went into mourning. She bewailed Ganem -as if she had seen him die, and had herself closed his eyes; never -mother expressed greater sorrow; and so far was she from seeking any -comfort, that she delighted in indulging her sorrow. She caused a -dome to be built in the middle of the court belonging to her house, -in which she placed a figure representing her son, and covered it -with black cloth. She spent the greatest part of the days and nights -in weeping under that dome, as if her son had been buried there; the -beautiful Alcolomb, or Ravisher of Hearts, her daughter, bore her -company, and mixed her tears with hers. - -It was now some time since they had thus devoted themselves to -sorrow, and since the neighbourhood, hearing their cries and -lamentations, pitied such tender relations, when king Mohammed -Zinebi knocked at the door, which being opened by a slave belonging -to the family, he went briskly into the house, inquiring for Ganem, -the son of Abou Ayoub. - -Though the slave had never seen king Zinebi, she easily guessed by -his retinue that this must be one of the principal officers in -Damascus. My lord, said she, that Ganem you inquire for is dead; my -mistress, his mother, is in that monument you see there, actually -lamenting the loss of him. The king, not regarding what was said by -the slave, caused all the house to be diligently searched by his -guards for Ganem. Then he advanced towards the monument, where he -saw the mother and daughter sitting on a mat by the figure which -represented Ganem, and their faces appeared to him bathed in tears. -These poor women immediately veiled themselves as soon as they -beheld a man at the door of the dome; but the mother, knowing the -king of Damascus, got up, and ran to cast herself at his feet. My -good lady, said he, I was looking for your son Ganem; is he here? -Alas! sir, cried the mother, it is a long time since he has ceased -to be; would to God I had at least put him into his coffin with my -own hands, and had the comfort of having his bones in this monument! -O my son, my dear son! She would have said more, but was oppressed -with so violent sorrow, that she was not able. - -Zinebi was moved, for he was a prince of a mild nature, and had much -compassion for the sufferings of the unfortunate. If Ganem alone is -guilty, thought he to himself, why should the mother and the -daughter, who are innocent, be punished? Ah! cruel Haroun Alraschid! -what a mortification do you put upon me, in making me the -executioner of your vengeance, obliging me to persecute persons who -have not offended you! - -The guards whom the king had ordered to search for Ganem came and -told him their search was without any success. He was fully -convinced of this --the tears of those two women would not leave him -any room to doubt. It distracted him to be obliged to execute the -caliph’s order. My good lady, said he to Ganem’s mother, come -out of this monument with your daughter; it is no place of safety -for you. They went out, and he, to secure them against any insult, -took off his own robe, which was very large, and covered them both -with it, bidding them keep close to him. Then he ordered the -populace to be let in to plunder, which was performed with the -utmost rapaciousness, and with shouts, which terrified Ganem’s -mother and sister the more, because they knew not the reason of it. -The rabble carried off the richest goods, chests full of wealth, the -fine Persian and Indian carpets, cushions covered with cloth of gold -and silver, fine china ware; in short, all was taken away; nothing -was left but the bare walls of the house; and it was a dismal -spectacle for the unhappy ladies to see all their goods plundered, -without knowing why they were so cruelly treated. - -When the house was plundered, Mohammed ordered the civil magistrate -to raze the house and monument; and while that was doing, he carried -away Alcolomb and her mother to his palace. There it was he -redoubled their affliction, acquainting them with the caliph’s -will. He commands me, said he to them, to cause you to be stripped, -and exposed stark naked for three days to the view of the people. It -is with the utmost reluctance that I execute that cruel and -ignominous sentence. The king delivered these words with such an -air, as plainly made it appear his heart was really pierced with -grief and compassion. Though the fear of being dethroned prevented -his following the dictates of his pity, yet he in some measure -moderated the rigour of Haroun Alraschid’s orders, causing large -shifts, without sleeves, to be made of coarse horsehair for -Ganem’s mother and his sister Alcolomb. - -The next day, these two victims of the caliph’s rage were stripped -of their clothes, and their horse-hair shifts put upon them; their -head-dress was also taken away, so that their dishevelled hair hung -floating on their backs. Alcolomb had the finest hair in the world, -and it hung down to the ground. In that condition they were exposed -to the people. The civil magistrate, attended by his officers, went -along with them, and they were conducted through the city. A crier -went before them, who every now and then cried, ‘This is the -punishment due to those who have drawn on themselves the indignation -of the commander of the believers.’ - -Whilst they walked in this manner along the streets of Damascus, -with their arms and feet naked, clad in such a strange garment, and -endeavouring to hide their confusion under their hair, with which -they covered their faces, all the people were dissolved in tears; -more especially the ladies, looking on them as innocent persons, -through their lattice-windows, and being particularly moved by -Alcolomb’s youth and beauty, made the air ring with their dreadful -shrieks as they passed before their houses. The very children, -frightened at those shrieks, and at the spectacle that occasioned -them, mixed their cries with that general lamentation, and added new -horror to it. In short, had an enemy been in Damascus, putting all -to fire and sword, the consternation could not have been greater. - -It was near night when that dismal scene concluded. The mother and -daughter were both conducted back to king Mohammed’s palace. Not -being used to walk barefoot, they were so spent, that they lay a -long time in a swoon. The queen of Damascus, highly afflicted at -their misfortune, notwithstanding the caliph’s prohibition to -relieve them, sent some of her women to comfort them, with all sorts -of refreshments and wine to recover their spirits. - -The queen’s women found them still in a swoon, and almost past -receiving any benefit by what they offered them. However, with much -difficulty, they were brought to themselves. Ganem’s mother -immediately returned them thanks for their courtesy. --My good -ladies, said one of the queen’s ladies to her, we are highly -concerned at your affliction, and the queen of Syria, our mistress, -has done us a favour in employing us to assist you. We can assure -you, that princess is much afflicted at your misfortunes, as well as -the king her consort. Ganem’s mother entreated the queen’s women -to return her majesty a thousand thanks from her and her daughter -Alcolomb; and then directing her discourse to the lady that spoke to -her, Madam, said she to her, the king has not told me why the chief -of the believers inflicts so many outrages on us; pray be pleased to -tell us what crimes we have been guilty of. My good lady, answered -the other, the origin of your misfortunes proceeds from your son -Ganem. He is not dead, as you imagine. He is accused of having -stolen the beautiful Fetnah, the best beloved of all the king’s -favourites; and he having, by timely flight, withdrawn himself from -that prince’s indignation, the punishment is fallen on you. All -the world condemns the caliph’s resentment, but all the world -fears him; and you see king Zinebi himself dares not resist his -orders, for fear of incurring his displeasure. All we can do is to -pity you, and exhort you to have patience. - -I know my son, answered Ganem’s mother; I have educated him very -carefully and in that respect which is due to the commander of the -believers. He has not committed the crime he is accused of: I dare -answer for his innocence. But I will give over murmuring and -complaining, since it is for him that I suffer, and he is not dead. -O Ganem! added she, in a transport of love and joy, my dear son -Ganem! is it possible that you are still alive? I am no longer -concerned for the loss of my goods; and how extravagant soever the -caliph’s orders may be, I forgive him all the severity of them, -provided Heaven has preserved my son. I am only concerned for my -daughter; her sufferings alone afflict me: yet I believe her to be -so good a sister as to follow my example. - -At hearing these words, Alcolomb, who, till then, had appeared -insensible, turned to her mother, and clasping her arms about her -neck, Yes, dear mother, said she, I will always follow your example, -whatever extremity your love for my brother brings you to. - -The mother and daughter thus interchanging their sighs and tears, -continued a considerable time in such moving embraces. In the mean -time the queen’s women, who were much moved at that spectacle, -omitted no persuasions to prevail with Ganem’s mother to take some -sustenance. She eat a morsel out of complaisance, and Alcolomb did -the like. - -The caliph having ordered that Ganem’s kindred should be exposed -three days successively to the sight of the people in the condition -already mentioned, Alcolomb and her mother afforded the same -spectacle the second time next day, from morning till night. But -that day and the following, things did not pass after the same -manner: the streets, which at first had been full of people, were -now quite empty. All the merchants, incensed at the ill usage of -Abou Ayoub’s widow and daughter, shut up their shops and kept -themselves close within their houses. The ladies, instead of looking -through their lattice windows, withdrew into the back parts of their -houses. There was not a soul to be seen in the public places those -unfortunate women were carried through. It looked as if all the -inhabitants of Damascus had abandoned their city. - -On the fourth day, king Mahommed Zinebi, who was resolved punctually -to obey the caliph’s orders, though he did not approve of them, -sent criers into all quarters of the city to make proclamation, -strictly forbidding all the inhabitants of Damascus, and strangers, -of what condition soever, upon pain of death, and having their -bodies cast to the dogs to be devoured, to receive Ganem’s mother -and sister into their houses, or to give them a morsel of bread or a -drop of water, and, in a word, to afford them the least support, or -hold the least correspondence with them. - -When the criers had performed what the king had enjoined them, that -prince ordered the mother and the daughter to be turned out of the -palace, and left to their choice to go where they thought fit. As -soon as they appeared, all persons fled from them, so great an -impression had the late prohibition made upon them all. They easily -perceived that every body shunned them; but not knowing the reason -of it, were much surprised; and their amazement was the greater, -when coming into any street, or among many persons, they recollected -some of their best friends, who presently vanished with as much -haste as the rest. What is the meaning of this? said Ganem’s -mother; do we carry the plague about us? Must the unjust and -barbarous usage we have received render us odious to our -fellow-citizens? Come, my child, added she, let us depart from -Damascus with all speed; let us not stay any longer in a city where -we are become frightful to our very friends. - -The two wretched ladies, discoursing after this manner, came to one -of the extremities of the city, and retired to a ruined house, there -to pass the night. Thither some Musselmen, out of charity and -compassion, resorted to them after the day was shut in. They carried -them provisions, but durst not stay to comfort them, for fear of -being discovered, and punished for disobeying the caliph’s orders. - -In the mean time king Zinebi had let fly a pigeon to give Haroun -Alraschid an account of his exact obedience. He informed him of all -that had been done, and conjured him to direct what he would have -done with Ganem’s mother and sister. He soon received the -caliph’s answer the same way, which was, that he banish them from -Damascus for ever. Immediately the king of Syria sent men to the old -house, with orders to take the mother and daughter, and to conduct -them three days journey from Damascus, and there to leave them, -forbidding them ever to return to the city. - -Zinebi’s men executed their commission, but being less exact than -their master, in the strict performance of every tittle of Haroun -Alraschid’s orders, they in pity gave Alcolomb and her mother some -small pieces of money to buy them some subsistence, and each of them -a bag, which they hung about their necks, to carry their provisions. - -In this miserable condition they came to the first village. The -peasants’ wives flocked about them, and as it appeared through -their disguise that they were people of some fashion, they asked -them what was the occasion of their travelling after that manner, in -a habit that did not seem to belong to them. Instead of answering -the question put to them, they fell to weeping, which only served to -heighten the curiosity of the peasants, and to move their -compassion. Ganem’s mother told them what she and her daughter had -endured; at which the good countrywomen were sensibly afflicted, and -endeavoured to comfort them. They treated them as well as their -poverty would permit, took off their horse-hair shifts, which were -very uneasy to them, and put on them others which they gave them, -with shoes, and something to cover their heads, and save their hair. - -Having expressed their gratitude to those charitable women, Alcolomb -and her mother departed from that village, taking short journeys -towards Aleppo. They used at night to retire near or into the -mosques, where they passed the night on the mat, if there was any, -or else on the bare pavement; and sometimes put up in the public -places appointed for the use of travellers. As for sustenance, they -did not want it, for they often came to places where bread, boiled -rice, and other provisions, are distributed to all travellers who -desire it. - -At length they came to Aleppo, but would not stay there, and -continuing their journey towards the Euphrates, crossed that river, -and entered into Mesopotamia, which they traversed as far as -Moussoul. Thence, notwithstanding all they had endured, they -proceeded to Bagdad. That was the place they had fixed their -thoughts upon, hoping to find Ganem there, though they ought not to -have fancied that he was in the city where the caliph resided: but -they hoped, because they wished it; their affection for him -increasing instead of diminishing, in spite of their misfortunes. -Their conversation was generally about him, and they inquired for -him of all they met. But let us leave Alcolomb and her mother, and -return to Fetnah. - -She was still confined close in the dark tower, ever since the day -that had been so fatal to Ganem and her. However, as disagreeable as -her prison was to her, it was much less grievous than the thoughts -of Ganem’s misfortune, the uncertainty of whose fate was a killing -affliction to her. There was scarce a moment in which she did not -lament him. - -The caliph was accustomed to walk frequently at night within the -enclosure of his palace, for he was the most inquisitive prince in -the world, and sometimes by those night-walks, he came to the -knowledge of things that happened in his palace, which would -otherwise never have come to his ear: one of those nights, in his -walk, he happened to pass by the dark tower, and fancying he heard -somebody talk, he stopt, and drew near the door to listen, and -distinctly heard these words, which Fetnah, whose thoughts were -always on Ganem, uttered with a loud voice: O Ganem, too unfortunate -Ganem! where are you at this time? whither has thy cruel fate led -thee? Alas! it is I that have made you wretched! Why did you not let -me perish miserably, rather than afford me your generous relief? -What melancholy reward have you received for your care and respect! -The commander of the faithful, who ought to have rewarded, -persecutes you; and in return for having always regarded me as a -person reserved for his bed, you lose all your goods, and are -obliged to seek for safety in flight. O caliph, barbarous caliph, -what will you say for yourself, when you shall appear with Ganem -before the tribunal of the Supreme Judge, and the angels shall -testify the truth before your face? All the power you are now -invested with, and which makes almost the whole world tremble, will -not prevent your being condemned and punished for your violent and -unjust proceedings. Here Fetnah ceased her complaints, her sighs and -tears putting a stop to her utterance. - -This was enough to make the caliph reflect. He plainly perceived, -that if what he heard was true, his favourite must be innocent, and -that he had been too hasty in giving such orders against Ganem and -his family. Being resolved to be rightly informed in an affair which -so nearly concerned him in point of equity, on which he valued -himself, he immediately returned to his apartment, and that moment -ordered Mesrour to repair to the dark tower, and bring Fetnah to him. - -By this command, and much more by the caliph’s manner of speaking, -the chief of the eunuchs guessed that his master designed to pardon -his favourite, and take her to himself again. He was overjoyed at -it, for he loved Fetnah, and had been much concerned at her -disgrace; and therefore flying instantly to the tower, Madam, said -he to the favourite, with such an air as expressed his satisfaction, -be pleased to follow me; I hope you will never more return to this -vile dark tower: the commander of the faithful wishes to speak with -you, and I draw from it a happy omen. - -Fetnah followed Mesrour, who conducted her into the caliph’s -closet. She prostrated herself before that prince, and so continued, -her face bathed in tears. Fetnah, said the caliph, without bidding -her rise, I think you charge me with violence and injustice. Who is -he, that notwithstanding the regard and respect he had for me, is in -a miserable condition? Speak freely; you know the natural goodness -of my disposition, and that I love to do justice. - -By these words the favourite saw plainly that the caliph had heard -what she had said, and laying hold on so favourable an opportunity -to clear her dear Ganem, Commander of the true believers, said she, -if I have let fall any word that is not agreeable to your majesty, I -most humbly beseech you to forgive me; but he whose innocence and -wretched state you desire to be informed of, is Ganem, the unhappy -son of Abou Ayoub, merchant of Damascus. He is the man that saved my -life, and afforded me a safe sanctuary in his house. I must own, -that, from the first moment he saw me, he perhaps designed to devote -himself to me, and conceived hopes of engaging me to admit his -services. I guessed at this, by the eagerness he showed in -entertaining me, and doing me all the good offices which I wanted -under the circumstances I was then in; but as soon as he heard that -I had the honour to belong to you, Ah, madam, said he, that which -belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave. From that moment, I -owe this justice to his virtue, his behaviour was always suitable to -his words. However, you, commander of the true believers, well know -with what rigour you have treated him, and you will answer for it -before the tribunal of God. - -The caliph was not displeased with Fetnah for the freedom of those -words; but may I, answered he, rely on the assurance you give me of -Ganem’s virtue? Yes, replied Fetnah, you may. I would not for the -world conceal the truth from you: and to prove to you that I am -sincere, I must make a confession to you, which perhaps may -displease you; but I beg pardon of your majesty beforehand. Speak, -daughter, said Haroun Alraschid; I forgive you all, provided you -conceal nothing from me. Well, then, replied Fetnah, let me inform -you, that Ganem’s respectful behaviour, joined to all the good -offices he did me, gained him my esteem. I went farther yet: you -know the tyranny of love. I felt some tender inclination rising in -my breast. He perceived it, but far from availing himself of my -frailty, and notwithstanding the flame which consumed him, he still -remained steady in his duty; and all that his passion could force -from him was those words I have already told your majesty; ‘That -which belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.’ - -This ingenuous confession might have provoked any other man than the -caliph; but it completely appeased that prince. He commanded her to -rise, and making her sit by him, Tell me your story, said he, from -the beginning to the end. She did so with much art and spirit, -passing slightly over what regarded Zobeide and enlarging on the -obligation she owed to Ganem; the expense he had been at for her; -and above all, she highly extolled his discretion, endeavouring by -that means to make the caliph sensible that she had been under the -necessity of remaining concealed in Ganem’s house, to deceive -Zobeide. She concluded with the young merchant’s escape, which she -plainly told the caliph she had compelled him to, that he might -avoid his indignation. - -When she had done speaking, that prince said to her, I believe all -you have told me; but why was it so long before you let me hear from -you? Was there any need of staying a whole month after my return, -before you sent me word where you were? Commander of the true -believers, answered Fetnah, Ganem went abroad so very seldom, that -you need not wonder we were not the first that heard of your return. -Besides that, Ganem, who took upon him to deliver the letter I wrote -to Nouron Nihar, was a long time before he could find an opportunity -of putting it into her own hands. - -It is enough, Fetnah, replied the caliph; I acknowledge my fault, -and would willingly make amends for it, by heaping favours on that -young merchant of Damascus. Consider, therefore, what I can do for -him. Ask what you think fit, and I will grant it. Hereupon the -favourite fell down at the caliph’s feet, with her face to the -ground; and rising again, said, Commander of the true believers, -after returning your majesty thanks for Ganem, I most humbly intreat -you to cause it to be published throughout your dominions, that you -pardon the son of Abou Ayoub, and that he may safely come to you. I -will do more, rejoined that prince; in requital for having saved -your life, and the respect he has shown me, to make amends for the -loss of his goods, and in short, to repair the wrong I have done to -his family, I give him to you for a husband. Fetnah had not words -expressive enough to thank the caliph for his generosity: she then -withdrew into the apartment she had occupied before her melancholy -adventure. The same furniture was still in it; nothing had been -removed: but that which pleased her most, was to find there -Ganem’s chests and packs, which Mesrour had taken care to convey -thither. - -The next day Haroun Alraschid ordered the grand vizier to cause -proclamation to be made throughout all his dominions, that he -pardoned Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub; but this proved of no effect, -for a long time elapsed without any news of that young merchant -Fetnah concluded, that he had not been able to survive the pain of -losing her. A dreadful uneasiness seized her mind; but as hope is -the last thing which forsakes lovers, she entreated the caliph to -give her leave to seek for Ganem herself; which being granted, she -took a purse with a thousand pieces of gold out of her casket, and -went one morning out of the palace, mounted on a mule she had out of -the caliph’s stables, very richly accoutred. Black eunuchs -attended her, with their hands on each side upon the mule’s rump. - -Thus she went from mosque to mosque, bestowing her alms among the -devotees of the Mahometan religion, desiring their prayers for the -accomplishment of an affair, on which the happiness of two persons, -she told them, depended. She spent the whole day and the thousand -pieces of gold in giving alms at the mosques, and returned to the -palace in the evening. - -The next day she took another purse of the same value, and, in the -like equipage as the day before, went to the place where all the -jewellers’ shops were, and stopping at the door without alighting, -sent one of her black eunuchs for the syndic or chief of them. That -syndic, who was a most charitable man, and spent above two-thirds of -his income in relieving poor strangers, whether they happened to be -sick or in distress, did not make Fetnah wait, knowing by her dress -that she was a lady belonging to the palace. I apply myself to you, -said she, putting the purse into his hands, as a person whose piety -is cried up throughout the city. I desire you to distribute that -gold among the poor strangers you relieve; for I know you make it -your business to assist poor strangers who apply to your charity. I -am also satisfied that you prevent their wants, and that nothing is -more agreeable to you than to have an opportunity of relieving their -misery. Madam, answered the syndic, I shall obey your commands with -pleasure, but if you desire to exercise your charity in person, and -will be pleased to step to my house, you will there see two women -worthy of your compassion: I met them yesterday as they were coming -into the city; they were in a deplorable condition, and it moved me -the more, because I thought they were persons of rank. --Through all -the rags that covered them, notwithstanding the impression the sun -has made on their faces, I discovered a noble air, not to be -commonly found in those poor people I relieve. I carried them both -to my house, and delivered them to my wife, who was of the same -opinion with me. She caused her slaves to provide them good beds, -whilst she herself washed their faces, and gave them clean linen. We -know not as yet who they are, because we wish to let them take some -rest before we trouble them with our questions. - -Fetnah, without knowing why, felt a curiosity to see them. The -syndic would have conducted her to his house, but she would not give -him the trouble, and was satisfied that a slave of his should show -her the way. She alighted at the door, and followed the syndic’s -slave, who was gone before to give notice to his mistress, she being -then in the chamber with Alcolomb and her mother; for they were the -persons the syndic had been speaking of to Fetnah. - -The syndic’s wife, being informed by the slave that a lady from -the palace was in her house, was going out of the room to meet her; -but Fetnah, who had followed the slave close, did not give her time: -and coming into the chamber, the syndic’s wife prostrated herself -before her, to express the respect she had for all that belonged to -the caliph. Fetnah took her up, and said, My good lady, I desire you -will let me speak with those two strangers that arrived at Bagdad -last night. Madam, answered the syndic’s wife, they lie in those -two little beds you see close by each other. The favourite -immediately drew near the mother’s, and viewing her carefully, -Good woman, said she, I come to offer you my assistance: I have a -considerable interest in this city, and may be of service to you and -your companion. Madam, answered Ganem’s mother, I perceive by your -obliging offers, that Heaven has not quite forsaken us, though we -had cause to believe it, after so many misfortunes as have befallen -us. Having uttered these words, she wept so bitterly that Fetnah and -the syndic’s wife could not forbear letting fall some tears. - -The caliph’s favourite having dried up here, said to Ganem’s -mother, Be so kind as to tell us your misfortune, and recount your -story. You cannot give the relation to any persons better disposed -than we are to use all possible means to comfort you. Madam, replied -Abou Ayoub’s disconsolate widow, a favourite of the commander of -the true believers, a lady whose name is Fetnah, is the occasion of -all our misfortunes. These words were like a thunderbolt to the -favourite; but suppressing her agitation and concern, she suffered -Ganem’s mother to proceed in the following manner:-- I am the -widow of Abou Ayoub, a merchant of Damascus: I had a son called -Ganem, who coming to trade at Bagdad, has been accused of having -carried off that Fetnah. The caliph has caused search to be made for -him every where, to put him to death; and not finding him, has -written to the king of Damascus, to cause our house to be plundered -and razed, and to expose my daughter and me three days successively -stark-naked to the populace, and then to banish us out of Syria for -ever. But how unworthy soever our usage has been, I should still be -comforted, were my son alive, and I could meet with him. What a -pleasure would it be for his sister and me to see him again! -Embracing him, we should forget the loss of our goods, and all the -evils we have suffered for him. Alas! I am fully persuaded he is -only the innocent cause of them, and that he is no more guilty -towards the caliph than his sister and I. - -No doubt of it, said Fetnah, interrupting her there, he is no more -guilty than you are: I can assure you of his innocence; for I am -that very Fetnah you so much complain of; who, through some fatality -in my stars, have occasioned you so many misfortunes. To me you must -impute the loss of your son, if he is no more; but if I have -occasioned your misfortune, I can in some measure relieve it. I have -already justified Ganem to the caliph; that prince has caused it to -be proclaimed throughout his dominions, that he pardons the son of -Abou Ayoub; and doubt not he will do you as much good as he has done -you harm. You are no longer his enemies. He waits for Ganem to -requite the service he has done me, by uniting our fortunes; he -gives me to him for his consort; therefore look on me as your -daughter, and permit me to vow eternal friendship to you. Having so -said, she bowed down on Ganem’s mother, who was so astonished, -that she could return no answer. Fetnah held her a long time in her -arms, and only left her to run to the other bed to embrace Alcolomb, -who sitting up, held out her arms to receive her. - -When the caliph’s charming favourite had given the mother and -daughter all the tokens of affection they could expect from -Ganem’s wife, she said to them, Cease both of you to afflict -yourselves: the wealth Ganem had in this city is not lost; it is in -my apartment in the palace: I know all the treasure of the world -cannot comfort you without Ganem: I judge so of his mother and -sister, if I may judge of them by myself. Blood is no less powerful -than love in great minds; but why should we despair of seeing him -again? We shall find him; the happiness of meeting with you makes me -conceive fresh hopes. Perhaps this is the last day of your -sufferings, and the beginning of a greater felicity than you enjoyed -in Damascus, when Ganem was with you. - -Fetnah would have gone on, when the syndic of the jewellers came in: -Madam, said he to her, I come from seeing a very moving object; it -is a young man, whom a camel-driver has just carried to the hospital -at Bagdad: he was bound with cords on a camel, because he had not -strength enough to sit on him. They had already unbound him, and -were carrying him into the hospital, when I happened to pass by. I -went up to the young man, viewed him attentively, and fancied his -countenance was not altogether unknown to me. I asked him some -questions concerning his family and his country; but all the answers -I could get were only sighs and tears. I took pity on him, and by -being so much used to sick people, perceived that he had need to -have particular care taken of him. I would not permit him to be put -into the hospital; for I am too well acquainted with their way of -managing the sick, and am sensible of the incapacity of the -physicians. I have caused him to be brought home to my house, by my -slaves; and they are now, by my orders, in a private room where I -placed him, putting on some of my own linen, and treating him as -they would do me. - -Fetnah’s heart leaped at these words of the jeweller, and she felt -a sudden emotion, for which she could not account: Show me, said she -to the syndic, into that sick man’s room; I should be glad to see -him. The syndic conducted her, and whilst she was going thither, -Ganem’s mother said to Alcolomb, Alas! daughter, wretched as that -sick stranger is, your brother, if he be living, is not perhaps in a -more happy condition. - -The caliph’s favourite, coming into the chamber where the sick man -was, drew near the bed, in which the syndic’s slaves had already -laid him. She saw a young man, whose eyes were closed, his -countenance pale, disfigured, and bathed in tears. She gazed -earnestly on him, her heart beat, and she fancied she beheld Ganem; -but yet she would not believe her eyes. Though she found something -of Ganem in the object she beheld, yet in other respects he appeared -so different, that she durst not imagine it was he that lay before -her. Unable, however, to withstand the earnest desire of being -satisfied, Ganem, said she, with a trembling voice, is it you I -behold? Having spoken these words, she stopped to give the young man -time to answer; but observing that he seemed insensible, Alas! -Ganem, added she, it is not you that I talk to. My imagination being -overcharged with your image, has given this stranger a deceitful -resemblance. The son of Abou Ayoub, though never so sick, would know -the voice of Fetnah. At the name of Fetnah, Ganem (for it was really -he) opened his eyes, and turned his face towards the person that -spoke to him; and knowing the caliph’s favourite, Ah! madam, said -he, by what miracle --He could say no more; such a sudden transport -of joy seized him, that he fainted away. Fetnah and the syndic did -all they could to bring him to himself; but as soon as they -perceived he began to revive, the syndic desired the lady to -withdraw, for fear lest the sight of her should heighten Ganem’s -distemper. - -The young man, having recovered his senses, looked all around, and -not seeing what he looked for, cried out, What is become of you, -charming Fetnah? Did you really appear before my eyes, or was it -only an illusion? No, sir, said the syndic, it was no illusion. It -was I that caused that lady to withdraw, but you shall see her -again, as soon as you are in a condition to bear her sight. You now -stand in need of rest, and nothing ought to obstruct your taking it. -The situation of your affairs is altered, since you are, as I -suppose, that Ganem, in favour of whom the commander of the true -believers has caused a proclamation to be made in Bagdad, declaring -that he forgives him what is passed. Be satisfied for the present -with knowing so much; the lady who just now spoke to you will -acquaint you with the rest, therefore think of nothing but -recovering your health; I will contribute all in my power towards -it. Having spoken these words, he left Ganem to take his rest, and -went himself to provide for him all such medicines as were proper to -recover his strength, exhausted by hard living and toil. - -During that time Fetnah was in the room with Alcolomb and her -mother, where almost the same scene was acted over again; for when -Ganem’s mother understood that the sick stranger whom the syndic -had just brought into his house was Ganem himself, she was so -overjoyed, that she also swooned away; and when, with the assistance -of Fetnah and the syndic’s wife, she was again come to herself, -she would have got up, to go and see her son; but the syndic coming -in, hindered her, representing that Ganem was so weak and emaciated, -that it would endanger his life to excite in him those emotions -which must be the consequence of the unexpected sight of a beloved -mother and sister. There was no occasion for the syndic’s saying -any more to Ganem’s mother; as soon as she was told that she could -not converse with her son, without hazarding his life, she ceased -insisting to go and see him. Then Fetnah said, Let us bless Heaven -for having brought us all together into one place. I will return to -the palace to give the caliph an account of all these adventures, -and to-morrow morning I will return to you. This said, she embraced -the mother and the daughter, and went away. As soon as she came to -the palace, she sent Mesrour to request a private audience of the -caliph, which was immediately granted; and being brought into that -prince’s closet, where he was alone, she prostrated herself at his -feet, with her hands on the ground, according to custom. He -commanded her to rise, and having made her sit down, asked whether -she had heard any news of Ganem? Commander of the true believers, -said she, I have been so successful, that I have found him, as also -his mother and sister. The caliph was curious to know how she could -find them in so short a time, and she satisfied his curiosity, -saying so many things in commendation of Ganem’s mother and -sister, that he desired to see them, as well as the young merchant. - -Though Haroun Alraschid was passionate, and in his heat sometimes -guilty of cruel actions; yet in return, he was just, and the most -generous prince in the world, as soon as his anger was over, and he -was made sensible of the wrong he had done. Having therefore no -longer cause to doubt but that he had unjustly persecuted Ganem and -his family, and having publicly wronged them, he resolved to make -them public satisfaction. I am overjoyed, said he to Fetnah, that -your search has proved so successful; it is a mighty satisfaction to -me, not so much for your sake as for my own. I will keep the promise -I have made you. You shall marry Ganem, and I here declare you are -no longer my slave; you are free. Go back to that young merchant, -and as soon as he has recovered his health, you shall bring him to -me, with his mother and sister. - -The next morning early Fetnah repaired to the syndic of the -jewellers, being impatient to hear of Ganem’s health, and to tell -the mother and daughter the good news she had for them. The first -person she met with was the syndic, who told her that Ganem had -rested very well that night; and that his distemper proceeded -altogether from melancholy, and the cause being removed, he would -soon recover his health. - -Accordingly the son of Abou Ayoub was much amended. Rest, and the -good medicines he had taken, but, above all, the different situation -of his mind, had wrought so good an effect, that the syndic thought -he might without danger see his mother, his sister, and his -mistress, provided he was prepared to receive them; because there -was ground to fear, that, not knowing his mother and sister were at -Bagdad, the sight of them might occasion too great surprise and joy. -It was therefore resolved, that Fetnah should first go alone into -Ganem’s chamber, and then make a sign to the two other ladies to -appear, when she thought it was proper. - -Matters being so ordered, the syndic announced Fetnah’s coming to -the sick man, who was so transported to see her, that he was again -near fainting away. Well, Ganem, said she, drawing near to his bed, -you have again found your Fetnah, whom you thought you had lost for -ever. Ah, madam, eagerly interrupting her, what miracle has restored -you to my sight? I thought you were in the caliph’s palace; that -prince has doubtless listened to you. You have dispelled his -jealousy, and he has restored you to his favour. - -Yes, my dear Ganem, answered Fetnah, I have cleared myself before -the commander of the true believers, who, to make amends for the -wrong he has done you, bestows me on you for a wife. These last -words occasioned such an excess of joy in Ganem, that he knew not -for a while how to express himself, otherwise than by that -passionate silence so well known to lovers. At length he broke out -in these words: Beautiful Fetnah, cried he, may I give credit to -what you tell me? May I believe that the caliph really resigns you -to Abou Ayoub’s son? Nothing is more certain, answered the lady. -That prince, who before caused search to be made for you, to take -away your life, and who in his fury caused your mother and your -sister to suffer a thousand indignities, desires now to see you, -that he may reward the respect you had for him; and there is no -question to be made but that he will load your family with his -favours. - -Ganem asked what the caliph had done to his mother and sister, which -Fetnah told him; and he could not forbear letting fall some tears at -that relation, notwithstanding the thoughts which arose in his mind -at the news of being married to his mistress. But when Fetnah -informed him that they were actually in Bagdad, and in the same -house with him, he appeared so impatient to see them, that the -favourite could no longer defer giving him that satisfaction; and -accordingly called them in. They were at the door, only waiting for -that moment. They came in, went up to Ganem, and embracing him in -their turns, kissed him a thousand times. What tears were shed -amidst those embraces! Ganem’s face was bathed with them, as well -as his mother’s and sister’s; and Fetnah let fall abundance. The -syndic himself and his wife were so moved at the spectacle, that -they could not forbear weeping, nor sufficiently admire the secret -workings of Providence, which brought together into their house four -persons, whom fortune had so cruelly parted. - -When they had all dried up their tears, Ganem drew fresh torrents, -by the recital of all he had suffered from the day he left Fetnah -till the moment the syndic brought him to his house. He told them, -that having taken refuge in a small village, he there fell sick; -that some charitable peasants had taken care of him, but finding he -did not recover, a camel-driver had undertaken to carry him to the -hospital at Bagdad. Fetnah also told them all the uneasiness of her -imprisonment; how the caliph, having heard her talk in the tower, -had sent for her into his closet, and how she had cleared herself. -In conclusion, when they had related what accidents had befallen -them, Fetnah said, Let us bless Heaven, which has brought us all -together again, and let us think of nothing but the happiness that -attends us. As soon as Ganem has recovered his health, he must -appear before the caliph, with his mother and sister; but as they -are not in a condition to be seen, I will make some provision for -them. I desire you to stay a moment. - -This said, she went away to the palace, and soon returned to the -syndic’s with a purse containing a thousand pieces of gold, which -she delivered to the syndic, desiring him to buy clothes for the -mother and daughter. The syndic, who was a man of good taste, chose -such as were very handsome, and had them made up with all speed. -They were finished in three days, and Ganem finding himself strong -enough to go abroad, prepared for it; but on the day he had -appointed to pay his respects to the caliph, when he was making -ready, with his mother and sister, the grand vizier Giafar came to -the syndic’s house. - -That minister came on horseback, attended by a great number of -officers. Sir, said he to Ganem, as soon as he came in, I am come -from the commander of the true believers, my master and yours; the -orders I have differ very much from those which I do not care to -revive in your memory; I am to bear you company, and to present you -to the caliph, who is desirous to see you. Ganem returned no other -answer to the vizier’s compliment, than by profoundly bowing his -head, and then mounted a horse brought from the caliph’s stables, -which he managed very gracefully. The mother and daughter were -mounted on mules belonging to the palace, and whilst Fetnah on -another mule led them a by-way to the prince’s court, Giafar -conducted Ganem another way, and brought him into the hall of -audience. The caliph was there sitting on his throne, encompassed -with emirs, viziers, and other attendants and courtiers, Arabs, -Persians, Egyptians, Africans, and Syrians, of his own dominions, -not to mention strangers. - -When the vizier had conducted Ganem to the foot of the throne, that -young merchant paid his obeisance, prostrating himself with his face -to the ground, and then rising, made a handsome compliment in verse, -which, though _extempore_, met with the approbation of the whole -court. After his compliment, the caliph caused him to draw near, and -said to him, I am glad to see you, and desire to hear from your own -mouth where you found my favourite, and all that you have done for -her. Ganem obeyed, and appeared so sincere, that the caliph was -convinced of his sincerity. That prince ordered a very rich vest to -be given him, according to the custom observed with those who are -admitted to audience. After which he said to him, Ganem, I will have -you live in my court. Commander of the true believers, answered the -young merchant, a slave has no will but his master’s, on whom his -life and fortune depend. The caliph was highly pleased with -Ganem’s answer, and assigned him a considerable pension. Then the -prince came down from his throne, and causing only Ganem and the -grand vizier to follow him, went into his own apartment. - -Not questioning but that Fetnah was there, with Abou Ayoub’s widow -and daughter, he caused them to be called in. They prostrated -themselves before him; he made them rise; and was so taken with -Alcolomb’s beauty, that after viewing her very attentively, he -said, I am so sorry for having treated your charms so unworthily, -that I owe them such a satisfaction as may surpass the injury I have -done them. I take you to wife; and by that means shall punish -Zobeide, who shall become the first cause of your good fortune, as -she was of your past sufferings. This is not all, added he, turning -towards Ganem’s mother: you are still young; I believe you will -not disdain to be allied to my grand vizier: I give you to Giafar, -and you, Fetnah, to Ganem. Let a cadi and witnesses be called, and -the three contracts be drawn up and signed immediately. Ganem would -have represented to the caliph, that it would be honour enough for -his sister to be one of his favourites; but that prince was resolved -to marry her. - -He thought this such an extraordinary story, that he ordered a -famous historian to commit it to writing with all its circumstances. -It was afterwards laid up in his library, and many copies being -transcribed from that original, it became public. - -After Scheherazade had finished the history of Ganem, son of Abou -Ayoub, the sultan of the Indies expressed his satisfaction: Sir, -said the sultaness, since this story has pleased you, I humbly -intreat your majesty to be pleased to hear that of Zeyn Alasnam and -the King of the Genii, which will afford you equal pleasure: -Schahriar consented; but as day began to appear, it was deferred -till the following night, when she began as follows: - - - - -The History of Prince Zeyn Alasnam and the King of the Genii. - - -A king of Balsora, who possessed great wealth, and was well beloved -by his subjects, had no children, which was a great affliction to -him; and therefore he made presents to all the holy persons in his -dominions, to engage them to beg a son for him of heaven: and their -prayers being effectual, the queen proved with child, and was -happily delivered of a prince, who was named Zeyn Alasnam, which -signifies Ornament of the Statues. - -The king caused all the astrologers in his kingdom to be assembled, -and ordered them to calculate the infant’s nativity. They found by -their observations that he would live long, and be very brave; but -that all his courage would be little enough to carry him through the -misfortunes that threatened him. The king was not daunted at this -prediction: My son, said he, is not to be pitied, since he will be -brave: it is fit that princes should have a taste of misfortunes; -for adversity tries virtue, and they are the better qualified to -reign. - -He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused Zeyn to -be educated with the greatest care imaginable, appointing him able -masters as soon as he was of age to receive their instructions. In -short, he proposed to make him an accomplished prince, when on a -sudden this good king fell sick of a distemper, which all the skill -of his physicians could not cure. Perceiving his disease was mortal, -he sent for his son, and among other things advised him rather to -endeavour to be beloved than to be feared by his people; not to give -ear to flatterers; to be as slow in rewarding as in punishing, -because it often happens that monarchs, misled by false appearances, -load wicked men with favours, and oppress the innocent. - -As soon as the king was dead, prince Zeyn went into mourning, which -he wore seven days, and the eighth he ascended the throne, taking -his father’s seal off the royal treasury, and putting on his own, -beginning thus to taste the sweets of ruling, the pleasure of seeing -all his courtiers bow down before him, and make it their whole study -to show their zeal and obedience. In a word, the sovereign power was -too agreeable to him. He only regarded what his subjects owed to -him, without considering what was his duty towards them, and -consequently took little care to govern them well. He wallowed in -all sorts of debauchery among the voluptuous youth, on whom he -conferred the prime employments of the kingdom. He lost all command -of his power. Being naturally prodigal, he set no bounds to his -grants, so that his women and his favourites insensibly drained his -treasury. - -The queen his mother was still living, a discreet wise princess. She -had several times unsuccessfully tried to check her son’s -prodigality and debauchery, giving him to understand, that, if he -did not soon take another course, he would not only squander his -wealth, but would also alienate the minds of his people, and -occasion some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and -his life. What she had foretold was very near falling out: the -people began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs had -certainly been followed by a general revolt, had not the queen had -the address to prevent it. But that princess being acquainted with -the ill posture of affairs, informed the king, who at last suffered -himself to be prevailed upon. He committed the government to -discreet aged men, who knew how to keep the people within the bounds -of duty. - -Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made no -better use of it. He fell into a deadly melancholy, and nothing -could comfort him. One night he saw in a dream a venerable old man -coming towards him, who with a smiling countenance said, Know, Zeyn, -that there is no sorrow but what is followed by mirth, no misfortune -but what in the end brings some happiness. If you desire to see the -end of your affliction, get up, set out for Egypt, go to Grand -Cairo; a great fortune attends you there. - -The prince, when he awaked in the morning, was struck with this -dream, and spoke of it very seriously to his mother, who only -laughed at it. My son, said she to him, would you now go into Egypt -on the faith of that fine dream? Why not, madam? answered Zeyn: do -you imagine all dreams are chimerical? No, no, some of them are -mysterious. My preceptors have told me a thousand stories, which -will not permit me to doubt of it. Besides, though I were not -otherwise convinced, I could not forbear giving some credit to my -dreams. The old man that appeared to me had something supernatural: -he was not one of those men whom nothing but age makes venerable; -there appeared a divine air about his person. In short, he was such -a one as our great prophet is represented; and it you will have me -tell you what I think, I believe it was he, who, pitying my -affliction, designs to relieve it. I rely on the confidence he has -inspired me with. I am full of his promises, and have resolved to -follow his advice. The queen endeavoured to dissuade him, but in -vain. The prince committed to her the government of the kingdom, set -out one night very privately from his palace, and took the road to -Cairo, without suffering any person to attend him. - -After much trouble and fatigue, he arrived at that famous city, like -which there are few in the world, either for extent or beauty. He -alighted at the gate of a mosque, where, being spent by weariness, -he lay down. No sooner was he fallen asleep, than he saw the same -old man, who said to him, I am pleased with you, my son; you have -given credit to my words. You have come hither without being -deterred by the length or the difficulties of the way: but know I -have not put you upon undertaking such a long journey with any other -design than to try you. I find you have courage and resolution. You -deserve I should make you the richest and happiest prince in the -world. Return to Balsora, and you shall find immense wealth in your -palace. No king ever possessed so much as there is. - -The prince was not pleased with that dream. Alas! thought he to -himself, when he awaked, how much was I mistaken? That old man, whom -I took for our prophet, is no other than the production of my -disturbed imagination. My fancy was so full of him, that it is no -wonder I have seen him again. I had best return to Balsora: what -should I do here any longer? It is very happy that I told none but -my mother the motive of my journey: I should become a jest to my -people, if they knew it. - -Accordingly, he set out again for his kingdom, and as soon as he -arrived there, the queen asked him whether he returned well pleased? -He told her all that had happened, and was so much concerned for -having been so credulous, that the queen, instead of adding to his -vexation, by reproving or laughing at him, comforted him. Forbear -afflicting yourself, my son, said she: if God has appointed you -riches, you will have them without any trouble. Be easy; all that I -recommend to you is, to be virtuous; renounce the delights of -dancing, music, and high coloured wine: shun all these pleasures; -they have already almost ruined you; apply yourself to make your -subjects happy; by securing their happiness, you will establish your -own. - -Prince Zeyn swore he would for the future follow his mother’s -advice, and be directed by the wise viziers she had made choice of -to assist him in supporting the weight of the government. But the -very night after he returned to his palace, he saw the old man the -third time in a dream, who said to him, The time of your prosperity -is come, brave Zeyn: to-morrow morning, as soon as you are up, take -a little pick-axe, and go dig in the late king’s closet; you will -there find a mighty treasure. - -As soon as the prince awaked, he got up, ran to the queen’s -apartment, and with much eagerness told her the new dream of that -night. Really, my son, said the queen, smiling, that is a very -positive old man; he is not satisfied with having deceived you -twice; have you a mind to believe him again? No, madam, answered -Zeyn, I give no credit to what he has said; but I will, for my own -satisfaction, search my father’s closet. I really fancied so, -cried the queen, laughing heartily; go, my son, satisfy yourself; my -comfort is, that work is not so fatiguing as the journey to Egypt. - -Well, madam, answered the king, I must own that this third dream has -restored my confidence, for it is connected with the two others: let -us examine the old man’s words. He first directed me to go into -Egypt; there he told me he had put me upon taking that journey only -to try me. Return to Balsora, said he; that is the place where you -are to find treasures: this night he has exactly pointed out to me -the place where they are: these three dreams, in my opinion, are -connected. After all, they may be chimerical: but I would rather -search in vain than blame myself as long as I live, for having -perhaps missed of great riches by being unseasonably incredulous. - -Having spoken these words, he left the queen’s apartment, caused a -pick-axe to be brought him, and went alone into the late king’s -closet. He fell to breaking up the ground, and took up above half -the square stones it was paved with, and yet saw not the least -appearance of what he sought after. He ceased working to take a -little rest, thinking within himself, I am much afraid my mother had -cause enough to laugh at me. However, he took heart, and went on -with his labour, nor had he cause to repent; for on a sudden he -discovered a white stone, which he took up, and under it found a -door, made fast with a steel padlock; this he broke with the -pick-axe, and opened the door, which covered a staircase of white -marble. He immediately lighted a candle, and went down those stairs -into a room, the floor whereof was laid with tiles of china-ware, -and the roof and walls were of crystal; but he particularly fixed -his eyes upon four shelves, a little raised above the rest of the -floor, on each of which there were ten urns of porphyry. He fancied -they were full of wine: Well, said he, that wine must be very old; I -do not question but it is excellent. He went up to one of the urns, -took off the cover, and with no less joy than surprise perceived it -was full of pieces of gold. [92] He searched all the forty, one -after another, and found them full of the same coin, took out a -handful, and carried it to the queen. - -That princess, it may be imagined, was amazed when the king gave her -an account of what he had seen. O! my son, said she, take heed you -do not lavish away all that treasure foolishly, as you have already -done the royal treasure. Let not your enemies have so much occasion -to rejoice. No, madam, answered Zeyn, I will from henceforward live -after such a manner as shall be pleasing to you. - -The queen desired the king her son to conduct her to that wonderful -subterraneous place, which the late king her husband had made with -such secrecy, that she had never heard the least of it. Zeyn led her -to the closet, down the marble stairs, and into the chamber where -the urns were. She observed every thing with the eye of curiosity, -and in a corner spied a little urn of the same sort of stone as the -others. The prince had not before taken notice of it, but opening, -found in it a golden key. My son, said the queen, this key certainly -belongs to some other treasure: let us look all about; perhaps we -may discover the use it is designed for. - -They examined the chamber with the utmost exactness, and at length -found a key-hole in one of the pannels of the wall, and guessed it -to be that to which the key belonged. The king immediately tried, -and as readily opened the door, which led into a chamber, in the -midst of which were nine pedestals of massy gold, on eight of which -stood as many statues, each of them made of a single diamond, and -from them came such a brightness, that the whole room was perfectly -light. - -O Heavens! cried Zeyn, in astonishment, where could my father find -such rarities? The ninth pedestal redoubled this amazement, for it -was covered with a piece of white satin, on which were written these -words, ‘Dear son, it cost me much toil to get these eight statues; -but though they are extraordinarily beautiful, you must understand -that there is a ninth in the world, which surpasses them all: that -alone is worth more than a thousand such as these: if you desire to -be master of it, go to the city of Cairo in Egypt: one of my old -slaves, whose name is Mobarec, [93] lives there; you will easily -find him; the first person you meet will show you his house; find -him out, and tell him all that has befallen you: he will know you to -be my son, and he will conduct you to the place where that wonderful -statue is, which you will get with safety.’ - -The prince having read these words, said to the queen, I should be -sorry to be without that ninth statue; it must certainly be a very -rare piece, since all these together are not of so great value. I -will set out for Grand Cairo; nor do I believe, madam, that you will -oppose my design. No, my son, answered the queen, I am not against -it: you are certainly under the special protection of our great -prophet; he will not suffer you to perish in this journey. Set out -when you think fit: your viziers and I will take care of the -government during your absence. The prince made ready his equipage, -but would take only a small number of slaves with him. - -Nothing remarkable befell him by the way, but arriving at Cairo, he -inquired for Mobarec. The people told him he was one of the -wealthiest inhabitants of the city; that he lived like a great lord; -and that his house was open, especially for strangers. Zeyn was -conducted thither, knocked at the gate, which a slave opened, and -said, What is it you want, and who are you? I am a stranger, -answered the prince, and having heard much of the lord Mobarec’s -generosity, am come to take up my lodging with him. The slave -desired Zeyn to stay awhile, and went to acquaint his master, who -ordered him to desire the stranger to walk in. The slave returned to -the gate, and told the prince he was welcome. - -Zeyn went in, crossed a large court, and entered into a hall -magnificently furnished, where Mobarec expected him, and received -him very courteously, returning thanks for the honour he did him in -accepting a lodging in his house. The prince, having answered his -compliment, said to Mobarec, I am son to the late king of Balsora, -and my name is Zeyn Alasnam. That king, said Mobarec, was formerly -my master; but, my lord, I never knew of any children he had: what -is your age? I am twenty years old, answered the prince. How long is -it since you left my father’s court? Almost two and twenty years, -replied Mobarec: but how can you convince me that you are his son? -My father, rejoined Zeyn, had a subterraneous place under his -closet, in which I have found forty porphyry urns of gold. And what -more is there? said Mobarec. There are, answered the prince, nine -pedestals of massive gold; on eight whereof there are eight diamond -statues; and on the ninth is a piece of white satin, on which my -father has written what I am to do to get another statue, more -valuable than all those together. You know where that statue is; for -it is mentioned on the satin that you will conduct me to it. - -As soon as he had spoke these words, Mobarec fell down at his feet, -and kissing one of his hands several times, said, I bless God for -having brought you hither: I know you to be the king of Balsora’s -son. If you will go to the place where the wonderful statue is, I -will conduct you; but you must first rest here a few days. This day -I treat the great men of the court; we were at table when word was -brought me of your being at the door. Will you vouchsafe to come and -be merry with us? I shall be very glad, replied Zeyn, to be admitted -to your feast. Mobarec immediately led him under a dome where the -company was, seated him at the table, and served him on the knee. -The great men of Cairo were surprised, and whispered to one another, -Who is this stranger, to whom Mobarec pays so much respect? - -When they had dined, Mobarec, directing his discourse to the -company, said, Great men of Cairo, do not think much to see me serve -this young stranger after this manner; know that he is the son of -the king of Balsora, my master. His father purchased me with his -money, and died without making me free; so that I am still a slave, -and consequently all I have of right belongs to this young prince, -his sole heir. Here Zeyn interrupted him: Mobarec, said he, I -declare, before all these lords, that I make you free from this -moment, and that I renounce all right to your person, and all you -possess. Consider what you would have me do more for you. Mobarec -then kissed the ground, and returned the prince most hearty thanks. -Wine was then brought in; they drank all day; and towards the -evening presents were distributed among the guests, who then went -away. - -The next day Zeyn said to Mobarec, I have taken rest enough. I came -not to Cairo to take my pleasure: my design is to get the ninth -statue; it is time for us to set out in search of it. Sir, said -Mobarec, I am ready to comply with your desires; but you know not -what dangers you must encounter to make this precious conquest. -Whatsoever the danger may be, answered the prince, I have resolved -to undertake it: I will either perish or succeed. All that happens -in this world is by God’s direction. Do you but bear me company, -and let your resolution be equal to mine. - -Mobarec, finding him determined to set out, called his servants, and -ordered them to make ready his equipage. Then the prince and he -performed the ablution, or washing, and the prayer enjoined, which -is called Farz; and that done, they set out. By the way they took -notice of abundance of strange and wonderful things, and travelled -many days; at the end whereof, being come to a delightful spot, they -alighted from their horses. Then Mobarec said to all the servants -that attended them, Do you stay in this place, and take care of our -equipage till we return. Then he said to Zeyn, Now, sir, let us two -go on by ourselves. We are near the dreadful place, where the ninth -statue is kept. You will stand in need of all your courage. - -They soon came to a lake: Mobarec sat down on the brink of it, -saying to the prince, We must cross this sea. How can we cross it, -answered Zeyn, when we have no boat? You will see one appear in a -moment, replied Mobarec; the enchanted boat of the king of the genii -will come for us. But do not forget what I am going to say to you: -you must observe a profound silence: do not speak to the boatman, -though his figure seem never so strange to you: whatsoever -extraordinary circumstance you observe, say nothing; for I tell you -beforehand, that if you utter the least word, when we are embarked, -the boat will sink down. I shall take care to hold my peace, said -the prince, you need only tell me what I am to do, and I will -strictly observe it. - -While they were talking, he spied on a sudden a boat in the lake, -and it was made of red sandal wood. It had a mast of fine amber, and -a blue satin flag: there was only one boatman in it, whose head was -like an elephant’s, and his body like a tiger’s. When the boat -was come up to the prince and Mobarec, the monstrous boatman took -them up one after another with his trunk, and put them into his -boat, and carried them over the lake in a moment. He then again took -them up with his trunk, set them on shore, and immediately vanished -with his boat. - -Now we may talk, said Mobarec: the island we are on belongs to the -king of the genii; there are no more such in the world. Look round -you, prince: can there be a more delightful place? It is certainly a -lively representation of the charming place God has appointed for -the faithful observers of our law. Behold the fields adorned with -all sorts of flowers and odoriferous plants; admire those beautiful -trees, whose delicious fruit makes the branches bend down to the -ground; enjoy the pleasures of those harmonious songs formed in the -air, by a thousand birds of as many various sorts unknown in other -countries. Zeyn could not sufficiently admire the beauties of those -with which he was surrounded, and still found something new, as he -advanced farther into the island. - -At length they came before a palace made of fine emeralds, -encompassed with a ditch, on the banks whereof at certain distances, -were planted such tall trees, that they shaded the whole palace. -Before the gate, which was of massy gold, was a bridge, made of one -single shell of a fish, though it was at least six fathoms long, and -three in breadth. At the head of the bridge stood a company of -genii, of a prodigious height, who guarded the entrance into the -castle with great clubs of China steel. - -Let us go no farther, said Mobarec; these genii will knock us down: -and in order to prevent their coming to us, we must perform a -magical ceremony. He then drew out of a purse, which he had under -his garment, four long slips of yellow taffety; one he put about his -middle, and laid the other on his back, giving the other two to the -prince, who did the like. Then Mobarec laid on the ground two large -table-cloths, on the edges whereof he scattered some precious -stones, musk, and amber. Then he sat down on one of those cloths, -and Zeyn on the other; and Mobarec said to the prince, I shall now, -sir, conjure the king of the genii, who lives in the palace that is -before us: may he come in a peaceable mood to us! I confess I am not -without apprehension about the reception he may give us. If our -coming into this island is displeasing to him, he will appear in the -shape of a dreadful monster; but if he approves of your design, he -will show himself in the shape of a handsome man. As soon as he -appears before us, you must rise and salute him, without going off -your cloth; for you would certainly perish should you stir off it. -You must say to him, Sovereign lord of the genii, my father, who was -your servant, has been taken away by the angel of death: I wish your -majesty may protect me, as you always protected my father. If the -king of the genii, added Mobarec, ask you what favour you desire of -him, you must answer, Sir, I must humbly beg of you to give me the -ninth statue. - -Mobarec, having thus instructed prince Zeyn, began his conjuration. -Immediately their eyes were dazzled with a long flash of lightning, -which was followed by a clap of thunder. The whole island was -covered with a thick darkness, a furious storm of wind blew, a -dreadful cry was heard, the island felt a shock, and there was such -an earthquake as that which Asrayel is to cause on the day of -judgment. - -Zeyn was startled, and began to look upon that noise as a very ill -omen; when Mobarec, who knew better than he what to think of it, -began to smile, and said, Take courage, my prince; all goes well. In -short, that very moment the king of the genii appeared in the shape -of a very handsome man, yet there was something of a sternness in -his air. - -As soon as prince Zeyn had made him the compliment he had been -taught by Mobarec, the king of the genii smiling, answered, My son, -I loved your father, and every time he came to pay me his respects, -I presented him with a statue, which he carried away with him. I -have no less kindness for you. I obliged your father some days -before he died, to write that which you read on the piece of white -satin. I promised him to receive you under my protection, and to -give you the ninth statue, which in beauty surpasses those you have -already. I have begun to perform my promise to him. It was I whom -you saw in a dream, in the shape of an old man: I caused you to open -the subterraneous place, where the urns and the statues are: I have -a great share in all that has befallen you, or rather am the -occasion of it. I know the motive that brought you hither: you shall -obtain what you desire. Though I had not promised your father to -give it, I would willingly grant it to you: but you must first swear -to me by all that is sacred, that you will return to this island, -and that you will bring a maid that is in her fifteenth year, and -who has never known man, nor desired to know any. She must also be -perfectly beautiful; and you so much a master of yourself, as not -even to desire to enjoy her, as you are conducting her hither. - -Zeyn took the rash oath that was required of him. But, my lord, said -he then, suppose I should be so fortunate as to meet with such a -maid as you require, how shall I know that I have found her? I own, -answered the king of the genii, smiling, that you might be mistaken -in her appearance: that knowledge is above the sons of Adam, and -therefore I do not mean to depend upon your judgment in that -particular: I will give you a looking-glass, which will be more -certain than your conjectures. When you shall have seen a maiden -fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, you shall only need look -into the glass, in which you shall see her figure. If she be chaste, -the glass will remain clean and unsullied; but if, on the contrary, -it sullies, that will be a certain sign that she has not always been -prudent, or at least that she has desired to cease to be so. Do not -forget the oath you have taken: keep it like a man of honour; -otherwise I will take away your life, as much kindness as I have for -you. Prince Zeyn Alasnam protested again that he would faithfully -keep his word. - -Then the king of the genii delivered to him a looking-glass, saying, -My son, you may return when you please; there is the glass you are -to make use of. Zeyn and Mobarec took leave of the king of the -genii, and went towards the lake. The boatman with the elephant’s -head brought the boat, and carried them over the lake as he had done -before. They joined their servants, and returned with them again to -Cairo. - -Prince Alasnam rested a few days at Mobarec’s house, and then said -to him, Let us go to Bagdad to seek a maiden for the king of the -genii. Why, are we not at Grand Cairo? said Mobarec: shall we not -there find beautiful maidens enough? You are in the right, answered -the prince; but how shall we do to find where they are? Do not -trouble yourself about that, sir, answered Mobarec; I know a very -shrewd old woman, whom I will entrust with that affair, and she will -acquit herself well. - -[Illustration: ZEYN ALASNAM & THE KING OF THE GENII.] - -Accordingly the old woman found means to show the prince a -considerable number of beautiful maidens of fifteen years of age; -but when he had viewed them, and came to consult his looking-glass, -the faithful touchstone of their virtue, the glass always appeared -sullied. All the maidens in the court and city, that were in their -fifteenth year, underwent the trial one after another, and the glass -never remained bright and clear. - -When they saw there were no chaste maids to be found in Cairo, they -went to Bagdad, where they hired a magnificent palace in one of the -chief quarters of the city, and began to live splendidly. They kept -open house; and after all people had eaten in the palace, the -fragments were carried to the dervises, who by that means had -comfortable subsistence. - -There lived in that quarter an iman, whose name was Boubekir Muezin, -a vain, haughty, and envious person: he hated the rich, only because -he was poor, his misery making him angry at his neighbour’s -prosperity. He heard talk of Zeyn Alasnam, and of the plenty his -house afforded. This was enough for him to take an aversion to that -prince; and it proceeded so far, that one day after the evening -prayer in the mosque, he said to the people, Brethren, I have been -told there is come to live in our ward a stranger, who every day -gives away immense sums. How do we know but that this unknown person -is some villain, who has committed a great robbery in his own -country, and comes hitherto enjoy himself? Let us take care, -brethren: if the caliph should be informed that such a man is in our -ward, it is to be feared he will punish us for not acquainting him -with it. I declare, for my part, I wash my hands of it; and if any -thing should happen amiss, it shall not lie at my door. The -multitude, who are easily led away, with one voice cried to -Boubekir, It is your business, doctor: do you acquaint the council -with it. The iman went home well pleased, and drew up a memorial, -resolving to present it to the caliph next day. - -But Mobarec, who had been at prayers, and heard all that was said by -the doctor, as well as the rest of the company, put five hundred -pieces of gold into a handkerchief, made up with a parcel of several -silks, and went away to Boubekir’s house. The doctor asked him in -a harsh tone, what he wanted. Doctor, answered Mobarec, with an -obliging air, and at the same time putting into his hand the gold -and the silk, I am your neighbour and your servant: I come from -prince Zeyn, who lives in this ward: he has heard of your worth, and -has ordered me to come and tell you that he desires to be acquainted -with you, and in the mean time desires you to accept of this small -present. Boubekir was transported with joy, and answered Mobarec -thus: Be pleased, sir, to beg the prince’s pardon for me: I am -ashamed I have not yet been to see him, but I will atone for my -fault, and wait on him to-morrow. - -Accordingly the next day, after morning prayer, he said to the -people, You must understand, brethren, that no man is without some -enemies: envy pursues those chiefly who are very rich. The stranger -I spoke to you about yesterday in the evening is no ill man, as some -ill-designing persons would have persuaded me: he is a young prince -endowed with every virtue. It behoves us to take care how we go and -give any ill account of him to the caliph. - -Boubekir having thus wiped off the ill impression he had the day -before given the people concerning Zeyn, returned home, put on his -best apparel, and went to visit that young prince, who gave him a -courteous reception. After several compliments had passed on both -sides, Boubekir said to the prince, sir, do you design to stay long -at Bagdad? I shall stay, answered Zeyn, till I can find a maid, -fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, and so chaste, that she -has not only never known a man, but even never desired to know him. -You seek after a great rarity, replied the iman; and I should be apt -to fear your search would prove unsuccessful, did I not know where -there is a maid of that character. Her father was formerly vizier; -but he has left the court; and lived a long time in a house by -itself, where he applies himself solely to the education of his -daughter. If you please, I will go ask her of him for you: I do not -question but he will be overjoyed to have a son-in-law of your -quality. Not so fast, said the prince, I shall not marry that maid -before I know whether I like her. As for her beauty, I can depend on -you: but what assurance can you give me in relation to her virtue? -What assurance do you require? said Boubekir. I must see her face, -answered Zeyn; that is enough for me to form a resolution. You are -skilful then in physiognomy? replied the iman, smiling. Well, come -along with me to her father’s: I will desire him to let you see -her one moment in his presence. - -Muezin conducted the prince to the vizier’s; who, as soon as he -was acquainted with the prince’s birth and design, called his -daughter, and made her take off her veil. Never had the young king -of Balsora beheld such a perfect and striking beauty. He stood -amazed, and since he could then try whether the maid was as chaste -as fair, he pulled out his glass, which remained bright and -unsullied. - -When he perceived he had at length found such a person as he -desired, he entreated the vizier to grant her to him. Immediately -the lady was sent for, and came; the contract was signed, and the -marriage prayer said. After which ceremony, Zeyn carried the vizier -to his house, where he treated him magnificently, and gave him -considerable presents. Next he sent a prodigious quantity of jewels -to the bride by Mobarec, who brought her to his house, where the -wedding was kept with all the pomp that became Zeyn’s quality. -When all the company was dismissed, Mobarec said to his master, Let -us begone, sir; let us not stay any longer at Bagdad, but return to -Cairo; remember the promise you made the king of the genii. Let us -go, answered the prince; I must take care to perform it exactly: yet -I must confess, my dear Mobarec, that if I obey the king of the -genii, it is not without reluctance. The person I have married is -charming, and I am tempted to carry her to Balsora, and place her on -the throne. Alas! sir, answered Mobarec, take heed how you give way -to your inclination: make yourself master of your passions, and -whatsoever it cost you, be as good as your word to the king of the -genii. Well, then, Mobarec, said the prince, do you take care to -conceal that lovely maid from me; let her never appear in my sight; -perhaps, I have already seen too much of her. - -Mobarec made all ready for their departure; they returned to Cairo, -and thence set out for the island of the king of the genii. When -they were there, the maid who had performed the journey in a -horse-litter, and whom the prince had never seen since his -wedding-day, said to Mobarec, where are we? Shall we be soon in the -dominions of the prince, my husband? Madam, answered Mobarec, it is -time to undeceive you. Prince Zeyn married you only in order to get -you from your father: he did not engage his faith to you, to make -you sovereign of Balsora, but to deliver you to the king of the -genii, who asked of him a virgin of your character. At these words -she began to weep bitterly, which moved the prince and Mobarec. Take -pity on me, said she; I am a stranger; you will be accountable to -God for your treachery towards me. - -Her tears and complaints were of no effect, for she was presented to -the king of the genii, who having gazed on her with attention, said -to Zeyn, Prince, I am satisfied with your behaviour; the virgin you -have brought me is beautiful and chaste, and I am pleased with the -force you have put upon yourself to be as good as your word to me. -Return to your dominions, and when you shall enter the subterraneous -room, where the eight statues are, you shall find the ninth which I -promised you. I will make my genii carry it thither. Zeyn thanked -the king, and returned to Cairo with Mobarec, but did not stay long -there; his impatience to see the ninth statue made him hasten his -departure. However, he could not but often think of the young virgin -he married; and blaming himself for having deceived her, he looked -upon himself as the cause and instrument of her misfortune. Alas, -said he to himself, I have taken her from a tender father, to -sacrifice her to a genie. Oh, incomparable beauty! you deserve a -better fate. - -Prince Zeyn, disturbed with these thoughts, at length reached -Balsora, where his subjects made extraordinary rejoicings for his -return. He went directly to give an account of his journey to his -mother, who was in a rapture to hear he had obtained the ninth -statue. Let us go, my son, said she, let us go see it, for it is -certainly in the chamber under ground, since the king of the genii -told you you should find it there. The young king and his mother, -being both impatient to see that wonderful statue, went down to the -subterraneous place, and into the room of the statues; but how great -was their surprise, when, instead of a statue of diamonds, they -espied on the ninth pedestal a most beautiful virgin, whom the -prince knew to be the same he had conducted to the island of the -genii! Prince, said the young maid, you are surprised to see me -here; you expected to have found something more precious than me, -and I question not but that you now repent having taken so much -trouble: you expected a better reward. Madam, answered Zeyn, Heaven -is my witness, that I more than once was like to have broken my word -with the king of the genii, to keep you to myself. Whatsoever be the -value of a diamond statue, is it worthy the satisfaction of enjoying -you? I love you above all the diamonds and wealth in the world. - -Just as he was done speaking, a clap of thunder was heard, which -shook that subterraneous place. Zeyn’s mother was frightened, but -the king of the genii immediately appearing, dispelled her fear, -Madam, said he to her, I protect and love your son: I had a mind to -try whether, at his age, he could subdue his passions. I know the -charms of this young lady have wrought on him, and that he did not -punctually keep the promise he had made me, not to desire to enjoy -her; but I am too well acquainted with the frailty of the human -nature. This is the ninth statue I designed for him; it is more rare -and precious than the others. Live, said he, directing his discourse -to the young prince, live happy, Zeyn, with this young lady, who is -your wife; and if you would have her true and constant to you, love -her always, and love her only. Give her no rival, and I will answer -for her fidelity. Having spoke these words, the king of the genii -vanished, and Zeyn, enchanted with that young lady, consummated the -marriage the same day, and caused her to be proclaimed queen of -Balsora. Those two ever-faithful and loving consorts lived together -many years. - - - - -The History of Codadad and his Brothers. - - -Those who have written the history of the kingdom of Diarbekir -inform us, that there formerly reigned in the city of Harran a most -magnificent and potent king, who loved his subjects, and was equally -beloved by them. He was endued with all virtues, and wanted nothing -to complete his happiness but an heir. Though he had the finest -women in the world in his seraglio, yet was he destitute of -children. He continually prayed to heaven for them; and one night in -his sleep, a comely person, or rather a prophet, appeared to him, -and said, Your prayers are heard; you have obtained what you -desired: rise as soon as you awake, go to your prayers, and make two -genuflexions; then walk into the garden of your palace, call your -gardener, and bid him bring you a pomegranate; eat as many of the -seeds as you please, and your wishes shall be accomplished. - -The king calling to mind his dream when he awaked, returned thanks -to heaven, got up, went to prayers, made two genuflexions, and then -went down into his garden, where he took fifty pomegranate seeds, -which he counted, and eat. He had fifty wives who shared his bed; -they all proved with child; but there was one called Pirouze, who -did not appear to be pregnant. He took an aversion to that lady, and -would have her put to death. Her barrenness, said he, is a certain -token that Heaven does not judge Pirouze worthy to bear a prince; it -is my duty to deliver the world from an object that is odious to the -Lord. He had taken this cruel resolution, but his vizier diverted -him from putting it in execution; representing to him, that all -women were not of the same constitution, and that it was not -impossible but that Pirouze might be with child, though it did not -yet appear. Well, answered the king, let her live; but let her -depart my court, for I cannot endure her. Your majesty, replied the -vizier, may send her to prince Samer, your cousin. The king approved -of his advice; he sent Pirouze to Samaria, with a letter, in which -he ordered his cousin to treat her well, and in case she proved with -child, to give him notice of her being brought to bed. - -No sooner was Pirouze arrived in that country, but it appeared that -she was with child, and at length she was delivered of a most -beautiful prince. The prince of Samaria wrote immediately to the -king of Harran, to acquaint him with the birth of that son, and to -congratulate him on that occasion. The king was much rejoiced at it, -and answered prince Samer as follows: ‘Cousin, all my other wives -have each been delivered of a prince; so that we have a great number -of children here. I desire you to breed up that of Pirouze, to give -him the name of Codadad, [94] and to send him to me when I send for -him.’ - -The prince of Samaria spared nothing that might improve the -education of his nephew. He taught him to ride, draw the bow, and -all the other things becoming the son of a king: so that Codadad, at -eighteen years of age, was looked upon as a prodigy. The young -prince being inspired with a courage worthy his birth, said one day -to his mother, Madam, I begin to grow weary of Samaria; I feel a -passion for glory; give me leave to go seek it amidst the perils of -war. My father, the king of Harran, has many enemies: some -neighbouring princes wish to disturb his repose. Why does he not -call me to his assistance? Why does he leave me here so long in -infancy! Must I spend my life here in sloth, when all my brothers -have the happiness to be fighting by his side? --My son, answered -Pirouze, I am no less impatient to have your name become famous; I -could wish you had already signalized yourself against your -father’s enemies; but we must wait till he requires it. No, madam, -replied Codadad; I have already waited but too long. I long to see -the king, and am tempted to go offer him my service, as a young -stranger: no doubt but he will accept of it, and I will not discover -myself till I have performed a thousand glorious actions: I desire -to merit his esteem before he knows who I am. Pirouze approved of -his generous resolution, and Codadad one day departed from Samaria, -as if he had been going a hunting, without acquainting prince Samer, -for fear he should thwart his design. - -He was mounted on a white horse, who had a gold bit and shoes; his -housing was of blue satin embroidered with pearls; the hilt of his -scimitar was of one single diamond, and the scabbard of sandal-wood, -all adorned with emeralds and rubies, and on his shoulder he carried -his bow and quiver. In this equipage, which greatly set off his good -person, he arrived at the city of Harran, and soon found means to -offer his service to the king; who, being charmed with his beauty -and advantageous presence, and perhaps, indeed by natural sympathy, -gave him a favourable reception, and asked his name and quality. -Sir, answered Codadad, I am son to an emir of Grand Cairo: an -inclination to travel has made me quit my country, and -understanding, in my passage through your dominions, that you were -engaged in war with some of your neighbours, I am come to your court -to offer your majesty my service. The king showed him extraordinary -kindness, and gave him an employment in his troop. - -The young prince soon signalized his bravery. He gained the esteem -of the officers, and was admired by the soldiers. And having no less -wit than courage, he so far advanced himself in the king’s -affection, as to become his favourite. All the ministers and other -courtiers daily resorted to Codadad, and were so eager to purchase -his friendship, that they neglected the king’s other sons. Those -princes could not but resent it; and imputing it to the stranger, -they all conceived an implacable hatred against him; but the -king’s affection daily increasing, he was never weary of giving -him fresh testimonies of it. He always would have him near him; he -admired his discourse, ever full of wit and discretion; and to show -his high opinion of his wisdom and prudence, he committed to his -care the other princes, though he was of the same age as they; so -that Codadad was made governor of his brothers. - -This only served to heighten their hatred. Is it come to this, said -they, that the king, not satisfied with loving a stranger more than -us, will have him to be our governor, and not allow us to do any -thing without his leave? This is not to be endured. We must rid -ourselves of this stranger. Let us go together, said one of them, -and despatch him. No, no, answered another; we had better be -cautious how we sacrifice ourselves. His death would render us -odious to the king, who in return would declare us all unworthy to -reign. Let us destroy the stranger artfully. We will ask his leave -to go hunting, and when at a distance from the palace, we will -proceed to some other city, and stay there some time. The king will -wonder at our absence, and perceiving we do not return, he may -perhaps put the stranger to death, or at least will turn him out of -the court, for suffering us to leave the palace. - -All the princes applauded this artifice. They went together to -Codadad, and desired him to give them leave to take the diversion of -hunting, promising to return the same day. Pirouze’s son was taken -in the snare, and granted the leave his brothers desired. They set -out, but never returned. They had been three days absent, when the -king asked Codadad where the princes were, for it was long since he -had seen them. Sir, answered Codadad, after making a profound -reverence, they have been hunting these three days, but they -promised me they would return sooner. The king grew uneasy, and his -uneasiness increased when he perceived the princes did not return -the next day. He could not check his anger: Indiscreet stranger, -said he to Codadad, why did you let my sons go without bearing them -company? Is it thus you discharge the trust I have reposed in you? -Go seek them immediately, and bring them to me, or you are a dead -man. - -These words chilled with fear Pirouze’s unfortunate son. He armed -himself, went out of the city, and, like a shepherd who had lost his -flock, searched all the country for his brothers, inquiring at every -village whether they had been seen: and hearing no news of them, -abandoned himself to the most lively grief. Alas! my brothers, said -he, what is become of you? Are you fallen into the hands of our -enemies? Am I come to the court of Harran to be the occasion of -giving the king so much anxiety? He was inconsolable for having -given the princes leave to go a hunting, or for not having borne -them company. - -After some days spent in fruitless search, he came to a plain of -prodigious extent, in the midst whereof was a palace built of black -marble. He drew near, and at one of the windows spied a most -beautiful lady, but set off with no other ornament than her own -beauty; for her hair was dishevelled, her garments torn, and on her -countenance appeared all the marks of the greatest affliction. As -soon as she saw Codadad, and judged he might hear her, she directed -her discourse to him, saying, Young man, get away from this fatal -place, or you will soon fall into the hands of the monster that -inhabits it: a black, who feeds only on human blood, resides in this -palace; he seizes all persons whom their ill fate conducts to this -plain, and shuts them up in his dark dungeons, whence they are never -released but to be devoured by him. - -Madam, answered Codadad, tell me who you are, and be not concerned -for any more. I am a young woman of quality of Grand Cairo, replied -the lady; I was passing by this castle yesterday, in my way to -Bagdad, and met with the black, who killed all my servants, and -brought me hither: I wish I had nothing but death to fear; but to -add to my calamity, this monster would persuade me to love him, and, -in case I do not yield to-morrow to his brutality, I must expect the -last violence. Once more, added she, make your escape: the black -will soon return; he is gone out to pursue some travellers he espied -at a distance on the plain. Lose no time; I know not whether you can -escape him by a speedy flight. - -She had scarce done speaking these words, before the black appeared. -He was a man of monstrous bulk, and of a dreadful aspect, mounted on -a mighty Tartar horse, and bore such a large and heavy scimitar, -that none but himself could make use of it. The prince seeing him, -was amazed at his monstrous stature, directed his prayers to Heaven -to assist him, then drew his scimitar, and firmly awaited the black; -who, despising so inconsiderable an enemy, called to him to yield -himself without fighting: but Codadad by his countenance showed that -he was resolved to defend his life; for he drew near, and gave him a -great cut on the knee. The black, feeling himself wounded, uttered -such a dreadful shriek as made all the plain resound. He grew -furious, and foamed with rage, and raising himself in his stirrups, -made at Codadad with his dreadful scimitar. The blow was so violent, -that it would have put an end to the young prince, had not he -avoided it by a sudden spring which he made his horse take. The -scimitar made a horrible hissing in the air: but before the black -could have time to make a second blow, Codadad let fall one on his -right arm with such fury, that he cut it off. The dreadful scimitar -fell with the hand that held it, and the black, yielding under the -violence of the stroke, lost his stirrups, and made the earth shake -with the noise of his fall. The prince alighted at the same time, -and cut off his enemy’s head. Just then the lady, who had been a -spectator of that combat, and was still offering up her earnest -prayers to Heaven for that young hero, whom she admired, gave a -shriek of joy, and said to Codadad, Prince (for the dangerous -victory you have obtained convinces me, as well as your noble air, -that you are of no common rank,) finish the work you have begun: the -black has the keys of this castle; take them, and deliver me out of -prison. The prince searched the wretch’s pockets, as he lay -stretched on the ground, and found several keys. - -He opened the first door, and went into a court, where he met the -lady coming to meet him: she would have cast herself at his feet, -the better to express her gratitude; but he would not permit it. She -commended his valour, and extolled him above all the heroes in the -world. He returned her compliments, and she appeared still more -lovely to him near at hand than at a distance. I know not whether -she felt more joy at being delivered from the desperate danger she -had been in, than he for having done so considerable a service to so -beautiful a person. - -Their discourse was interrupted by dismal cries and groans. What do -I hear? said Codadad: Whence come those miserable cries, which -pierce my ears? My lord, said the lady to him, pointing to a little -door in the court, they come from thence. There are I know not how -many wretched persons whom fate has made to fall into the hands of -the black. They are all chained, and the monster drew out one every -day to devour. - -It is an addition to my joy, answered the young prince, to -understand that my victory will save the lives of those unfortunate -persons. Come along with me, madam, to partake in the satisfaction -of giving them their liberty. You may judge by yourself how welcome -we shall be to them. Having so said, they advanced towards the door -of the dungeon, and the nearer they drew, the more distinctly they -heard the complaints of the prisoners. Codadad pitying them, and -impatient to put an end to their sufferings, presently put one of -the keys into the lock. He did not take the right at first, and -therefore he took another; which noise made all those unfortunate -creatures, concluding it was the black who came, according to -custom, to bring them some meat, and at the same time to seize one -of them to eat himself, redoubled their cries and groans. Lamentable -voices were heard, which seemed to come from the centre of the earth. - -In the mean time, the prince had opened the door, and went down a -very steep staircase into a large and deep vault, which received -some feeble light from a little window, and in which there were -above a hundred persons, bound to stakes, and their hands tied. -Unfortunate travellers, said he, to them, wretched victims, who only -expected the moment of an approaching cruel death, give thanks to -Heaven, which has this day delivered you by my means. I have slain -the black by whom you were to be devoured, and am come to knock off -your irons. The prisoners hearing these words, all together gave a -shout mingled with joy and surprise. Codadad and the lady began to -unbind them; and as soon as any of them were loose, they helped to -take off the fetters from the rest; so that in a short time they -were all at liberty. - -They then kneeled down, and having returned thanks to Codadad for -what he had done for them, went out of that dungeon; and when they -were come into the court, how was the prince surprised to see among -the prisoners those he was in search of, and almost without hopes to -find! Princes, cried he, am I not deceived? Is it you whom I behold? -May I flatter myself that it will be in my power to restore you to -the king your father, who is inconsolable for the loss of you? But -will he not have some one to lament? Are you all here alive? Alas! -the death of one of you will suffice to damp the joy I feel for -having delivered you. - -The forty-nine princes all made themselves known to Codadad, who -embraced them one after another, and told them how uneasy their -father was on account of their absence. They gave their deliverer -all the commendations he deserved, as did the other prisoners, who -could not find words expressive enough to declare their gratitude. -Codadad, with them, took a view of the whole castle, where was -immense wealth; curious silks, gold brocades, Persian carpets, China -satins, and an infinite quantity of other goods, which the black had -taken from the caravans he had plundered; a considerable part -whereof belonged to the prisoners Codadad had then set free. Every -man knew and claimed his property. The prince restored them their -own, and divided the rest of the merchandize among them. Then he -said to them, How will you do to carry away your goods? We are here -in a desert place, and there is no likelihood of your getting -horses. My lord, answered one of the prisoners, the black robbed us -of our camels as well as our goods, and perhaps they may be in the -stables of this castle. This is not unlikely, replied Codadad; let -us see. Accordingly they went to the stables, where they not only -found the camels, but also the horses belonging to the king of -Harran’s sons. There were some black slaves in the stables, who, -seeing all the prisoners released, and guessing thereby that their -master had been killed, fled through by-ways well known to them. -Nobody minded to pursue them. All the merchants, overjoyed that they -had recovered their goods and camels, together with their liberty, -thought of nothing but prosecuting their journey; but first repeated -their thanks to their deliverer. - -When they were gone, Codadad, directing his discourse to the lady, -said, What place, madam, do you desire to go to? Whither were you -bound when you were seized by the black? I intend to bear you -company to the place you shall choose for your retreat, and I -question not but that all these princes will do the same. The king -of Harran’s sons protested to the lady that they would not leave -her till she was restored to her friends. - -Princes, said she, I am of a country too remote from hence; and, -besides that, it would be abusing your generosity to oblige you to -travel so far. I must confess that I have left my native country for -ever. I told you awhile ago that I was a lady of Grand Cairo; but -since you have shown me so much favour, and I am so highly obliged -to you, added she, looking upon Codadad, I should be much in the -wrong in concealing the truth from you. I am a king’s daughter. An -usurper has possessed himself of my father’s throne, after having -murdered him, and I have been forced to fly to save my life. - -Then Codadad and his brothers desired the princess to tell them her -story, assuring her they felt a particular interest in her -misfortunes, and were determined to spare for nothing that might -contribute to render her more happy. After thanking them for their -repeated protestations of readiness to serve her, she could not -refuse to satisfy their curiosity, and began the recital of her -adventures in the following manner:-- - - - - -History of the Princess of Deryabar. - - -There is in a certain island a great city called Deryabar; it has -been long governed by a potent, magnificent, and virtuous king. That -prince had no children, which was the only thing wanting to make him -happy. He continually addressed his prayers to Heaven, but Heaven -granted his requests by halves; for the queen his wife, after a long -expectation, brought forth a daughter. - -I am the unfortunate princess: my father was rather troubled than -pleased at my birth; but he submitted to the will of God, and caused -me to be educated with all possible care, being resolved, since he -had no son, to teach me the art of ruling, that I might supply his -place after his death. - -One day, when he was taking the diversion of hunting, he espied a -wild ass, which he chased, lost his company, and was carried away so -far by his eagerness, as to ride on till night. He then alighted, -and sat down at the entrance of a wood, into which he observed the -ass had taken. No sooner was the day shut in than he discovered -among the trees a light, which made him conclude that he was not far -from some village. He rejoiced at it, hoping that he might pass the -night there, and find some person to send to his followers to -acquaint them where he was; and accordingly he got up and walked -towards the light, which served to guide him. - -He soon found he had been deceived, that light being no other than a -fire lighted in a hut; however, he drew near, and, with amazement, -beheld a great black man, or rather a dreadful giant, sitting on a -sofa. Before the monster was a great pitcher of wine, and he was -roasting an ox he had newly killed. Sometimes he drank out of the -pitcher, and sometimes he cut slices off the ox, and eat them. But -that which most drew the king my father’s attention was a -beautiful woman whom he saw in the hut. She seemed overwhelmed with -grief; her hands were bound, and at her feet was a little child, -about two or three years old, who, as if he was sensible of his -mother’s misfortunes, wept without ceasing, and rent the air with -his cries. - -My father, moved with that pitiable object, thought at first to have -gone into the hut, and attacked the giant; but considering how -unequal the combat would be, he stopped, and resolved, since he had -not strength enough to prevail by open force, to use art. In the -mean time, the giant having emptied the pitcher, and devoured above -half the ox, turned to the woman, and said, Beautiful princess, why -do you oblige me by your obstinacy to treat you with severity? It is -in your own power to be happy. You need only to resolve to love and -be true to me, and I shall treat you with more mildness. Thou -hideous satyr, answered the lady, never expect that time should wear -away my abhorrence of thee. Thou wilt ever be a monster in my eyes. -To these words she added so many reproaches, that the giant grew -enraged. This is too much, cried he, in a furious tone; my love -despised is turning into rage. Your hatred has at last excited mine; -I find it triumphs over my desires, and that I now wish your death -more ardently than your enjoyment. Having spoken these words, he -took the wretched lady by the hair, held her up with one hand in the -air, and drawing his scimitar with the other, was just going to -strike off her head, when the king my father let fly an arrow which -pierced the giant’s breast, so that he staggered and dropped down -dead. - -My father entered the hut, unbound the lady’s hands, inquired who -she was, and how she came thither. My lord, said she, there are -along the sea-coast some families of Saracens, who live under a -prince, who is my husband: this giant you have killed was one of his -principal officers. The wretch fell desperately in love with me, but -took especial care to conceal his passion till he could put in -execution the design he had formed of stealing me away. Fortune -oftener favours wicked designs than virtuous resolutions. The giant -one day surprised me and my child in a by-place. He seized us both, -and, to disappoint the search he well knew my husband would cause to -be made for me, he removed from the country inhabited by those -Saracens, and brought us into this wood, where he has kept me some -days. Deplorable as my condition is, it is still a great -satisfaction to me to think that the giant, though so brutal and -amorous, never used force to obtain what I always refused to his -entreaties. Not but that he has a hundred times threatened that he -would have recourse to the worst of extremities, in case he could -not otherwise prevail upon me; and I must confess to you, that -awhile ago, when I provoked his anger by my words, I was less -concerned for my life than for my honour. - -This, my lord, said the prince of the Saracens’ wife, is the -faithful account of my misfortunes; and I question not but you will -think me worthy of your compassion, and that you will not repent -having so generously relieved me. Madam, answered my father, be -assured your troubles have affected me, and I will do all in my -power to make you happy again. To-morrow, as soon as day appears, we -will quit this wood, and endeavour to fall into the road which leads -to the great city of Deryabar, of which I am sovereign; and if you -think fit, you shall be lodged in my palace, till the prince your -husband comes to claim you. - -The Saracen lady accepted the offer, and the next day followed the -king my father, who found all his retinue upon the skirts of the -wood, they having spent the night in searching after him, and being -very uneasy because they could not find him. They were no less -rejoiced to meet with than amazed to see him with a lady, whose -beauty surprised them. He told them how he had found her, and the -risk he run in approaching the hut, where he must certainly have -lost his life had the giant spied him. One of his servants took up -the lady behind him, and another carried the child. - -Thus they arrived at the palace of the king my father, who assigned -the beautiful Saracen lady an apartment, and caused her child to be -carefully educated. The lady was not insensible of the king’s -goodness to her, and expressed as much gratitude as he could desire. -She had at first appeared very uneasy, and impatient that her -husband did not claim her; but by degrees she lost that uneasiness. -The respect my father paid her dispelled her impatience; and I am of -opinion she would at last have blamed fortune more for restoring her -to her kindred than she did for removing her from them. - -In the mean time, the lady’s son grew up; he was very handsome, -and not wanting wit, found means to please the king my father, who -conceived a great friendship for him. All the courtiers perceived -it, and guessed that that young man might in the end be my husband. -In this idea, and looking on him already as heir to the crown, they -made their court to him, and every one endeavoured to gain his -favour. He soon saw into their designs, grew conceited of himself, -and, forgetting the distance there was between our conditions, -flattered himself with the hopes that my father was fond enough of -him to prefer him before all the princes in the world. He went -farther; for the king not being forward enough in offering me to him -as soon as he could have wished, he had the boldness to ask me of -him. Whatsoever punishment his insolence deserved, my father was -satisfied with telling him he had other thoughts in relation to me, -and showed him no farther resentment. The youth was incensed at this -refusal; the vain fellow resented the contempt, as if he had asked -some maid of ordinary extraction, or as if his birth had been equal -to mine. Nor did he stop here, but resolved to be revenged on the -king, and, with unparalleled ingratitude, conspired against him. In -short, he murdered him, and caused himself to be proclaimed king of -Deryabar, by a great number of malecontents, whom he encouraged. The -first thing he did, after ridding himself of my father, was to come -into my apartment, at the head of a party of the conspirators. His -design was either to take my life, or oblige me to marry him. Whilst -he was busy murdering my father, the grand vizier, who had been -always loyal to his master, came to carry me away from the palace, -and secured me in a friend’s house, till a vessel he had provided -was ready to sail. I then left the island, attended only by a -governess and that generous minister, who chose rather to follow his -master’s daughter, and share in her misfortunes, than to submit to -a tyrant. - -The grand vizier designed to carry me to the courts of the -neighbouring kings to implore their assistance, and excite them to -revenge my father’s death; but Heaven did not approve a resolution -we thought so just. When we had been but a few days at sea, there -arose such a furious storm, that, in spite of all the mariners’ -art, our vessel, carried away by the violence of the winds and -waves, was dashed in pieces against a rock. I will not spend time in -describing our shipwreck. I can but faintly represent to you how my -governess, the grand vizier, and all that attended me, were -swallowed up by the sea. The dread I was seized with did not permit -me to observe all the horror of our condition. I lost my senses; and -whether I was thrown upon the coast upon any part of the wreck of -our ship, or whether Heaven, which reserved me for other -misfortunes, wrought a miracle for my deliverance, I found myself on -shore when my senses returned. - -Misfortunes very often make us forget our duty. Instead of returning -thanks to God for so singular a favour shewn me, I only lifted up my -eyes to Heaven, to complain because I had been preserved. I was so -far from bewailing the vizier and my governess, that I envied their -fate; and dreadful imaginations by degrees prevailing over my -reason, I resolved to cast myself into the sea: I was upon the point -of doing so, when I heard behind me a great noise of men and horses. -I looked about to see what it might be, and espied several armed -horsemen, among whom was one mounted on an Arabian horse. He had on -a garment embroidered with silver, a girdle set with precious -stones, and a crown of gold on his head. Though his habit had not -convinced me that he was chief of the company, I should have judged -it by the air of grandeur which appeared in his person. He was a -young man extraordinarily well shaped, and perfectly beautiful. -Surprised to see a young lady alone in that place, he sent some of -his officers to ask who I was. I answered only by weeping. The shore -being covered with the wreck of our ship, they concluded some vessel -had been cast away there, and that I was certainly some person that -had escaped with my life. This conjecture, and my inconsolable -condition, excited the curiosity of those officers; who began to ask -me a thousand questions, with assurances that their king was a -generous prince, and that I should receive consolation in his court. - -The king, impatient to know who I was, grew weary of expecting the -return of his officers, and drew near to me. He gazed on me very -earnestly, and observing that I did not give over weeping and -afflicting myself, without being able to return an answer to their -questions, he forbid them troubling me any more: and directing his -discourse to me, Madam, said he, I conjure you to moderate your -excessive affliction. Though Heaven in its wrath has laid this -calamity upon you, it does not behove you to despair. I beseech you -show more resolution. Fortune, which has hitherto persecuted you, is -inconstant, and may soon change. I dare assure you, that if your -misfortunes are capable of receiving any relief, you shall find it -in my dominions. My palace is at your service. You shall live with -the queen my mother, who will endeavour by her kindness to ease your -affliction. I know not yet who you are; but I find I already take an -interest in you. - -I thanked the young king for his goodness to me, accepted the -obliging offers he made me; and to convince him that I was not -unworthy of them, told him my condition. I described to him the -insolence of the young Saracen, and found it was enough to recount -my misfortunes, to excite compassion in him, and all his officers -who heard me. When I had done speaking, the prince began again, -assuring me that he was deeply concerned at my misfortunes. Then he -conducted me to his palace, and presented me to the queen his -mother, to whom I was obliged again to repeat my misfortunes, and to -renew my tears. The queen seemed very sensible of my trouble, and -conceived extreme affection for me. On the other hand, the king her -son fell desperately in love with me, and soon offered me his person -and his crown. I was so taken up with the thoughts of my calamities, -that the prince, though so lovely a person, did not make so great an -impression on me as he might have done at another time. However, -gratitude prevailed on me, I did not refuse to make him happy, and -our wedding was kept with all imaginable splendour. - -When all the people were taken up with the celebration of their -sovereign’s nuptials, a neighbouring prince, his enemy, made a -descent by night on the island with a great number of troops. That -formidable enemy was the king of Zanguebar. He surprised those -people, and cut to pieces all the king my husband’s subjects. He -was very near taking us both. We escaped very narrowly, for he had -already entered the palace with some of his followers; but we found -means to slip away, and to get to the sea-coast, where we threw -ourselves into a fishing-boat we had the good fortune to meet with. -Two days we were driven about by the winds, without knowing what -would become of us. The third day we espied a vessel making towards -us under sail. We rejoiced at first, believing it had been a -merchant ship which might take us aboard; but what was our -astonishment, when, as it drew near, we saw ten or twelve armed -pirates appear on the deck. Having boarded, five or six of them -leaped into our boat, seized us, bound the prince, and conveyed us -into their ship, where they immediately took off my veil. My youth -and features touched them, and they all declared how much they were -charmed at the sight of me. Instead of casting lots, each of them -claimed the preference, and me as his right. The dispute grew warm, -and they came to blows about me, and fought like madmen. The deck -was soon covered with dead bodies, and they were all killed but one, -who being left sole possessor of me, said, You are mine. I will -carry you to Grand Cairo, to deliver you to a friend of mine, to -whom I have promised a beautiful slave. But who, added he, looking -upon the king my husband, is that man? What relation does he bear to -you? Are you allied by blood or love? Sir, answered I, he is my -husband. If so, replied the pirate, in pity I must rid myself of -him: it would be too great an affliction to him to see you in my -friend’s arms. Having spoken these words, he took up the unhappy -prince, who was bound, and threw him into the sea, notwithstanding -all my endeavours to hinder him. - -I shrieked in a dreadful manner at the sight of that cruel action, -and had certainly cast myself headlong into the sea, but that the -pirate held me. He plainly saw that was my design, and therefore -bound me with cords to the main-mast, and then hoisting sail, made -towards the land, and got ashore. He unbound me, and led me to a -little town, where he bought camels, tents, and slaves, and then set -out for Grand Cairo, designing, as he still said, to present me to -his friend, according to his promise. - -We had been several days upon the road, when, as we were crossing -this plain yesterday, we espied the black who inhabited this castle. -At a distance we took him for a tower, and when near us could scarce -believe him to be a man. He drew his vast scimitar, and summoned the -pirate to yield himself prisoner, with all his slaves, and the lady -he was conducting. The pirate was daring, and being seconded by all -his slaves, who promised to stand by him, he attacked the black. The -combat lasted a considerable time; but at length the pirate fell -under his enemy’s deadly blows, as did all his slaves, who chose -rather to die than to forsake him. The black then conducted me to -the castle, whither he also brought the pirate’s body, which he -eat that night for his supper. After that inhuman meal, perceiving -that I ceased not weeping, he said to me, Young lady, prepare to -satisfy my desires, rather than continue thus to afflict yourself. -Make a virtue of necessity, and comply: I will give you till -to-morrow to consider. Let me then find you comforted for all your -misfortunes, and overjoyed for having been reserved for my bed. -Having spoke these words, he conducted me to a chamber, and went to -bed in his own, after locking up all the castle doors. He opened -them this morning, and presently locked them again, to pursue some -travellers he perceived at a distance; but it is likely they made -their escape, since he was coming alone, and without any booty, when -you attacked him. - -As soon as the princess had put an end to the recital of her -adventures, Codadad declared to her that he was deeply concerned at -her misfortunes. But, madam, added he, it shall be your own fault if -you do not live at ease for the future. The king of Harran’s sons -offer you a safe retreat in the court of the king their father; be -pleased to accept of it. You will be there cherished by that prince, -and respected by all; and if you do not disdain the affection of -your deliverer, permit me to make you a present of it, and to marry -you before all these princes; let them be witnesses to our contract. -The princess consented to it, and the marriage was concluded that -very day in the castle, where they found all sorts of provisions. -The kitchens were full of flesh and other eatables the black used to -feed on when he was weary of feeding on human bodies. There was also -a variety of fruits excellent in their kinds; and to complete their -pleasure, abundance of delicious wine and other liquors. - -They all sat down at table; and after having eaten and drank -plentifully, they took along with them the rest of the provisions, -and set out for the king of Harran’s court; they travelled several -days, encamping in the pleasantest places they could find, and they -were within one day’s journey of Harran, when, having halted and -drank all their wine, being no longer under concern to make it hold -out, Codadad directing his discourse to all his company, Princes, -said he, I have too long concealed from you who I am. Behold your -brother Codadad! I have received my being, as well as you, from the -king of Harran; the prince of Samaria has brought me up, and the -princess Pirouze is my mother. Madam, added he, addressing himself -to the princes, of Deryabar, do you also forgive me for having -concealed my birth from you? Perhaps, by discovering it sooner, I -might have prevented some disagreeable reflections, which may have -been occasioned by a match you may have thought unequal. No, sir, -answered the princess, the opinion I at first conceived of you -heightened every moment, and you did not stand in need of the -extraction you now discover to make me happy. - -The princes congratulated Codadad on his birth, and expressed much -satisfaction at the knowledge of it. But in reality, instead of -rejoicing, their hatred of so amiable a brother was increased. They -met together at night in a by-place, whilst Codadad and the princess -his wife lay last asleep in their tent. Those ungrateful, those -envious brothers, forgetting that, had it not been for the brave son -of Pirouze, they must have been devoured by the black, agreed among -themselves to murder him. We have no other course to choose, said -one of those wicked brethren; for the moment our father shall come -to understand that this stranger he is already so fond of, is our -brother, and that he alone has been able to destroy a giant, whom we -could not all of us together conquer, he will heap favours and a -thousand praises on him, and declare him his heir, to the prejudice -of all his brothers, who will be obliged to obey and fall down -before him. Besides those, he added many other words, which made -such an impression on their jealous minds, that they immediately -repaired to Codadad, then fast asleep, stabbed him in a thousand -places, and leaving him for dead in the arms of the princess of -Deryabar, proceeded on their journey for the city of Harran, where -they arrived the next day. - -The king, their father, conceived the greater joy at their return, -because he had despaired of ever seeing them again: he asked what -had been the occasion of their stay? But they took care not to -acquaint him with it, making no mention either of the black or of -Codadad; and only said, that being curious to see different -countries, they had spent some time in the neighbouring cities. - -In the mean time Codadad lay in his tent drowned in his own blood, -and little differing from a dead man, with the princess his wife, -who seemed to be in not much better condition than he. She rent the -air with her dismal shrieks, tore her hair, and bathing her -husband’s body with her tears, --Alas! Codadad, my dear Codadad, -cried she, is it you whom I behold just departing this life? What -cruel hands have put you into this condition? Can I believe these -are your brothers who have treated you so unmercifully, these -brothers whom thy valour has saved? No, they are rather devils, who -under the characters so dear, came to murder you. O barbarous -wretches! whosoever you are, how could you make so ungrateful a -return for the service he has done you? But why should I complain of -your brothers, unfortunate Codadad! I alone am to blame for your -death. You would join your fate with mine, and all the ill-fortune -that attends me since I left my father’s palace, has fallen upon -you. O Heaven! which has condemned me to lead a life full of -adventures and calamities, if you will not permit me to have a -consort, why do you permit me to find one? Behold, you have now -robbed me of two, just as I began to be attached to them. - -By these and other moving expressions, the wretched princess of -Deryabar vented her sorrow, fixing her eyes on the deplorable -Codadad, who could not hear her; but he was not dead, and his -consort observing that he still breathed, ran to a large town she -espied in the plain, to inquire for a surgeon. She was directed to -one, who went immediately with her; but when they came to the tent -they could not find Codadad, which made them conclude he had been -dragged away by some wild beast to devour him. The princess renewed -her complaints and lamentations in a most dismal manner. The surgeon -was moved, and being unwilling to leave her in that frightful -condition, proposed to her to return to the town, offering her his -house and service. - -She suffered herself to be prevailed on. The surgeon conducted her -to his house, and without knowing, as yet, who she was, treated her -with all imaginable courtesy, and respect. He used all his rhetoric -to comfort her, but it was in vain to think of removing her sorrow, -which was rather heightened than diminished. Madam, said he to her -one day, be pleased to recount to me your misfortunes; tell me your -country and your condition. Perhaps I may give you some advice, when -I am acquainted with all the circumstances of your calamity. You do -nothing but afflict yourself, without considering that remedies may -be found for the most desperate diseases. - -The surgeon’s words were so efficacious that they wrought on the -princess, who recounted to him all her adventures; and when she had -done, the surgeon directed his discourse to her: Madam, said he, -since they are so, give me leave to tell you that you ought not thus -to give way to your sorrow; you ought rather to arm yourself with -resolution, and perform what the name and the duty of a wife require -of you. You are bound to avenge your husband. If you please, I will -wait on you as your squire. Let us go to the king of Harran’s -court; he is a good and a just prince. You need only represent to -him in lively colours, how prince Codadad has been treated by his -brothers; I am persuaded he will do you justice. I submit to your -reasons, answered the princess; it is my duty to endeavour to avenge -Codadad; and since you are so obliging and so generous as to offer -to bear me company, I am ready to set out. No sooner had she fixed -this resolution, than the surgeon ordered two camels to be made -ready, on which the princess and he mounted and repaired to Harran. - -They alighted at the first caravansera they found, and inquiring of -the host what news at court: It is, said he, in very great -perplexity. The king had a son, who lived a long time with him as a -stranger, and none can tell what is become of that young prince. One -of the king’s wives, called Pirouze, is his mother; she has made -all possible inquiry, but to no purpose. All men are concerned at -the loss of that prince, because he had great merit. The king has -forty-nine other sons, all by different mothers, but not one of them -has virtue enough to comfort the king for the death of Codadad; I -say his death, because it is impossible he should be still alive, -since no news has been heard of him, notwithstanding so much search -has been made after him. - -The surgeon having heard this account from the host, concluded that -the best course the princess of Deryabar could take was to wait upon -Pirouze: but that step was not without some danger, and required -much precaution; for it was to be feared, that if the king of -Harran’s sons should happen to hear of the arrival of their -sister-in-law, and her design, they might cause her to be conveyed -away before she could speak to Codadad’s mother. The surgeon -weighed all these circumstances, and considered what risk he might -run himself; and therefore that he might manage matters with -discretion, he desired the princess to stay in the caravansera, -whilst he went to the palace, to observe which might be the safest -way to conduct her to Pirouze. - -He went accordingly into the city, and was walking towards the -palace, like one led only by curiosity to see the court, when he -espied a lady mounted on a mule richly accoutred. She was followed -by several ladies mounted also on mules, with a great number of -guards and black slaves. All the people made a lane to see her pass -along, and saluted her by prostrating themselves on the ground. The -surgeon paid her the same respect, and then asked a calendar, who -happened to stand by him, whether that lady was one of the king’s -wives? Yes, brother, answered the calender, she is one of the -king’s wives, and the most honoured and beloved by the people, -because she is mother to prince Codadad, of whom you must have heard. - -The surgeon asked no more questions, but followed Pirouze to a -mosque, into which she went to distribute alms, and assist at the -public prayers the king had ordered to be made for the safe return -of Codadad. The people, who were highly concerned for that young -prince, ran in crowds to join their vows to the prayers of the -priests, so that the mosque was quite full. The surgeon broke the -throng, and advanced towards Pirouze’s guards. He stayed out the -prayers and when that princess went out he stepped up to one of her -slaves, and whispered him in the ear, Brother, I have a secret of -moment to impart to the princess Pirouze; may not I, by your means, -be introduced into her apartment? If that secret, answered the -slave, relates to prince Codadad, I dare promise you shall have -audience of her this very day; but if it concerns not him, it is -needless for you to endeavour to be introduced to her; for her -thoughts are all engrossed by her son, and she will not hear talk of -any other subject. It is only about that dear son, replied the -surgeon, that I wish to speak to her. If so, said the slave, you -need only follow us to the palace, and you shall soon speak to her. - -Accordingly, as soon as Pirouze was returned to her apartment, that -slave acquainted her that a person unknown had some important matter -to communicate to her, and that it related to prince Codadad. No -sooner had he uttered these words, than Pirouze expressed her -impatience to see that stranger. The slave immediately conducted him -into the princess’s closet, who ordered all her women to withdraw, -except two, from whom she concealed nothing. As soon as she saw the -surgeon, she asked him eagerly what news he had to tell her of -Codadad? Madam, answered the surgeon, after having prostrated -himself on the ground, I have a long account to give you, and such -as will surprise you. Then he told her all the particulars of what -had passed between Codadad and his brothers, which she listened to -with eager attention; but when he came to speak of the murder, that -tender mother fainted away on the sofa, as if she had herself been -stabbed like her son. Her two women used proper means, and soon -brought her to herself. The surgeon continued his relation; and when -he had ended it, Pirouze said to him. Go back to the princess of -Deryabar, and assure her from me that the king shall soon own her -for his daughter-in-law; and as for yourself be assured that your -services shall be well rewarded. - -When the surgeon was gone, Pirouze remained on the sofa, in such a -state of affliction as may easily be imagined; and yielding to her -tenderness at the recollection of Codadad, O! my son, said she, I -must never then expect to see you more! Alas! when I gave you leave -to depart from Samaria, and you took leave of me, I did not imagine -that so unfortunate a death awaited you at such a distance from me. -Unfortunate Codadad! Why did you leave me! You would not, it is -true, have acquired so much renown; but you had been still alive, -and not have cost your mother so many tears. While she uttered these -words, she wept bitterly; and her two confidants, moved by her -grief, mingled their tears with hers. - -Whilst they were all three, as it were, vying in affliction, the -king came into the closet, and seeing them in that condition, asked -Pirouze whether she had received any bad news concerning Codadad? -Alas! sir, said she, all is over; my son has lost his life, and to -add to my sorrow, I cannot pay him the funeral rites; for, in all -appearance, the wild beasts have devoured him. Then she told him all -that she had heard from the surgeon, and did not fail to enlarge on -the inhuman manner in which Codadad had been murdered by his -brothers. - -The king did not give Pirouze time to finish her relation, but -transported with anger, and giving way to his passion, Madam, said -he, to the princess, those perfidious wretches who cause you to shed -these tears, and are the occasion of mortal grief to their father, -shall soon feel the punishment due to their guilt. The king having -spoken these words, with indignation in his countenance, went -directly to the presence-chamber, where all his courtiers attended, -and such of the people as had any petitions to present to him. They -were all astonished to see him in that passion, and thought his -anger had been kindled against his people. Their hearts were chilled -with fear. He ascended the throne, and causing his grand vizier to -draw near, Hassan, said he, I have some orders for you: go -immediately, take a thousand of my guards, and seize all the -princes, my sons; shut them up in the tower appointed as a prison -for murderers, and let this be done in a moment. All who were -present trembled at hearing this extraordinary command; and the -grand vizier, without answering one word, laid his hand on his head, -to express his obedience, and went out of the hall to execute his -orders, which very much surprised him. In the mean time the king -dismissed those who attended for audience, and declared he would not -hear of any business for a month to come. He was still in the hall -when the vizier returned. Are all my sons, said that prince, in the -tower? They are, sir, answered the vizier: I have obeyed your -orders. This is not all, replied the king, I have farther commands -for you; and so saying, he went out of the hall of audience, and -returned to Pirouze’s apartment, with the vizier following him. He -asked that princess where Codadad’s widow had taken up her -lodging? Pirouze’s women told him, for the surgeon had not forgot -that in his relation. Then the king turning to his minister, Go, -said he, to that caravansera, and bring a young princess, who lodges -there, but treat her with all the respect due to her quality. - -The vizier was not long in performing what he was ordered. He -mounted on horseback with all the emirs and courtiers, and repaired -to the caravansera, where the princess of Deryabar was, whom he -acquainted with his orders; and presented her from the king a fine -white mule, whose saddle and bridle were adorned with gold, rubies, -and diamonds. She mounted it, and went to the palace, attended by -all those great men. The surgeon bore her company, mounted on a -beautiful Tartar horse, which the vizier had provided for him. All -the people were at their windows, or in the streets, to see that -noble cavalcade; and it being given out that the princess, whom they -conducted in such state to court, was Codadad’s wife, the city -resounded with acclamations, the air rung with shouts of joy, which -would have been turned into lamentations, had that prince’s fatal -adventure been known; so much was he beloved by all. - -The princess of Deryabar found the king at the palace gate, waiting -to receive her. He took her by the hand, and led her to Pirouze’s -apartment, where a very moving scene took place. Codadad’s wife -found her affliction redouble upon her at the sight of her -husband’s father and mother: as, on the other hand, those parents -could not look on their son’s wife without being much affected. -She cast herself at the king’s feet, and having bathed them with -tears, was so overcome with grief that she was not able to speak one -word. Pirouze was in no better state. She seemed to be penetrated -with sorrow; and the king, moved by those affecting objects, gave -way to his own weakness. Those three persons, mingling their tears -and sighs, for some time observed a silence, which appeared equally -tender and pitiful. At length the princess of Deryabar, being -somewhat recovered, recounted the adventure of the castle, and -Codadad’s disaster. Then she demanded justice for the treachery of -the princes. --Yes, madam, said the king to her, those ungrateful -wretches shall perish; but Codadad’s death must first be made -public, that the punishment of his brothers may not cause my -subjects to rebel; and though we have not my son’s body, we will -not omit paying him the last duties. This said, he directed his -discourse to the vizier, and ordered him to build a dome of white -marble, in a delightful plain, in the midst of which the city of -Harran stands. Then he appointed the princess of Deryabar a handsome -apartment in his palace, acknowledging her for his daughter-in-law. - -Hassan caused the work to be carried on with such diligence, and -employed so many workmen, that the dome was soon finished. Within it -was erected a tomb, on which was placed a figure representing -Codadad. When all was completed, the king ordered prayers to be -said, and appointed a day for the obsequies of his son. - -On that day all the inhabitants of the city went out upon the plain -to see the ceremony performed, which was after the following manner. -The king, attended by his vizier and the principal lords of the -court, proceeded towards the dome, and being come to it, he went in -and sat down with them on carpets made of black satin with gold -flowers. A great body of horse-guards, hanging their heads and -looking down, drew up close about the dome, and marched round it -twice, observing a profound silence; but at the third round they -halted before the door, and all of them with a loud voice pronounced -these words: O prince! son to the king, could we by dint of sword, -and human valour, relieve your misfortune, we would bring you back -to life; but the King of kings has commanded, and the angel of death -has obeyed. Having uttered these words, they drew off to make way -for a hundred old men, all of them mounted on black mules, and -wearing long grey beards. These were anchorites, who lived all their -days concealed in caves. They never appeared in the sight of the -world but when they were to assist at the obsequies of the kings of -Harran, and of the princes of their family. Each of these venerable -persons carried on his head a book, which he held with one hand. -They took three turns round the dome without uttering one word; then -stopping before the door, one of them said, O prince! what can we do -for thee? If thou couldst be restored to life by prayer or learning, -we would rub our grey beards at thy feet, and recite prayers; but -the King of the universe has taken thee away for ever. - -This said, the old men moved to a distance from the dome, and -immediately fifty beautiful young maidens drew near to it: each of -them was mounted on a little white horse; they wore no veils, and -carried gold baskets, full of all sorts of precious stones. They -also rode thrice round the dome, and halting at the same place as -the others had done, the youngest of them spoke in the name of all, -as follows: O prince! once so beautiful, what relief can you expect -from us? If we could restore you to life by our charms, we would -become your slaves. But you are no longer sensible to beauty, and -have no more occasion for us. - -When the young maids were withdrawn, the king and his courtiers -arose, and having walked thrice round the figure representing -Codadad, the king spoke as follows: O my dear son, light of my eyes, -I have then lost thee for ever! He accompanied these words with -sighs, and watered the tomb with his tears; his courtiers weeping -with him. Then the gate of the dome was shut, and all the people -returned to the city. Next day there were public prayers in all the -mosques, and the same was continued for eight days successively. On -the ninth the king resolved to cause the princes his sons to be -beheaded. All the people, incensed at their cruelty towards Codadad, -impatiently expected to see them executed. The scaffolds were -erecting, but the execution was respited, because, on a sudden, news -was brought that the neighbouring princes, who had before made war -on the king of Harran, were advancing with more numerous forces than -the first time, and were not then far from the city. It had been -long known that they were preparing for war, but their preparations -caused no alarm. This news occasioned a general consternation, and -gave new cause to lament the loss of Codadad, who had signalized -himself in the former war against those enemies. Alas! said they, -were the brave Codadad alive, we should little regard those princes -who are coming to surprise us. The king, nothing dismayed, raised -men with all possible speed, formed a considerable army, and being -too brave to await the enemy’s coming to attack him within his -walls, marched out to meet them. They, on their side, being informed -by their advanced parties, that the king of Harran was marching to -engage them, halted in the plain and formed their army. - -As soon as the king discovered them, he also drew up his forces, and -ranged them in order of battle. The signal was given, and he -attacked them with extraordinary vigour; nor was the opposition -inferior. Much blood was shed on both sides, and the victory -remained long dubious; but at length it seemed to incline to the -king of Harran’s enemies, who, being more numerous, were upon the -point of surrounding him, when a great body of horse appeared on the -plain, and drew near the two armies in good order. The sight of that -fresh party daunted both sides, not knowing what to think of them; -but their doubts were soon cleared; for those horsemen flew upon the -flank of the king of Harran’s enemies with such a furious charge, -that they soon broke and routed them. Nor did they stop here; they -pursued them, and cut most of them in pieces. - -The king of Harran, who had attentively observed all that passed, -admired the bravery of those horsemen, whose unexpected arrival had -given the victory to his side. But, above all, he was charmed with -their chief, whom he had seen fighting with more than ordinary -valour. He longed to know the name of that generous hero. Impatient -to see and thank him, he advanced towards him, but perceived he was -coming to prevent him. The two princes drew near, and the king of -Harran discovering Codadad in that brave warrior, who had just -assisted him, or rather defeated his enemies, became motionless with -joy and surprise. Sir, said Codadad, to him, you have sufficient -cause to be astonished at the sudden appearance before your majesty -of a man whom perhaps you concluded to be dead. I should have been -so had not Heaven preserved me still to serve you against your -enemies. O! my son, cried the king, is it possible that you are -restored to me? Alas! I despaired of seeing you any more. So saying, -he stretched out his arms to the young prince, who flew to such a -tender embrace. - -I know all, my son, said the king again, after having long held him -in his arms. I know what return my sons have made you for the -service you did in delivering them out of the hands of the black; -but you shall be revenged to-morrow. Let us now go to the palace: -your mother, whom you have cost so many tears, expects me, to -rejoice with us for the defeat of our enemies. What a joy will it be -to her to be informed that my victory is your work! Sir, said -Codadad, give me leave to ask you, how you could know the adventure -of the castle? Have any of my brothers, repenting, owned it to you? -No, answered the king; the princess of Deryabar has given us an -account of every thing, for she is in my palace, and came thither to -demand justice against your brothers. Codadad was transported with -joy to understand that the princess his wife was at the court. Let -us go, sir, cried he to his father in a rapture; let us go see my -mother, who waits for us. I am impatient to dry up her tears, as -well as those of the princess of Deryabar. - -The king immediately returned to the city with his army, which he -dismissed, and re-entered his palace victorious, amidst the -acclamations of the people, who followed him in crowds, praying to -Heaven to prolong his life, and extolling Codadad to the skies. -These two princes found Pirouze and her daughter-in-law waiting for -the king to congratulate him; but words cannot express the -transports of joy they felt when they saw the young prince come with -him: their embraces were mingled with tears of a very different kind -from those they had before shed for him. When these four persons had -sufficiently yielded to all the emotions that the ties of blood and -love inspired, they asked Pirouze’s son by what miracle he came to -be still alive? - -He answered, that a peasant mounted on a mule happening accidentally -to come into the tent, where he lay senseless, and perceiving him -alone, and stabbed in several places, had made him fast on his mule -and carried him to his house, where he applied to his wounds certain -herbs chewed, which recovered him in a few days. When I found myself -well, added he, I returned thanks to the peasant, and gave him all -the diamonds I had. Then I drew near to the city of Harran; but -being informed by the way that some neighbouring princes had -gathered forces, and were coming to fall upon the king’s subjects, -I made myself known to the villagers, and stirred up those people to -undertake his defence. I armed a great number of young men, and -heading them, happened to come in at that time when the two armies -were engaged. - -When he had done speaking, the king said, Let us return thanks to -God for having preserved Codadad; but it is requisite that the -traitors, who would have destroyed him, should perish this day. Sir, -answered the generous son of Pirouze, though they are wicked and -ungrateful, consider they are your own flesh and blood: they are my -brothers; I forgive their offence, and beg you to pardon them. This -generosity drew tears from the king, who caused the people to be -assembled, and declared Codadad his heir. Then he ordered the -princes, who were prisoners, to be brought loaded with irons. -Pirouze’s son struck off their chains, and embraced them all -successively, with as much sincerity as he had done in the court of -the black castle. The people were charmed with Codadad’s good -disposition, and loaded him with applause. The surgeon was next -nobly rewarded, in requital of the services he had done the princess -of Deryabar. - -The sultaness Scheherazade, having related the previous stories with -so much address, and in so agreeable a manner, that the sultan of -the Indies could not forbear showing the pleasure that relation gave -him, said to that monarch, I doubt not but your majesty is very well -satisfied to find the caliph Haroun Alraschid change his sentiments -in favour of Ganem, his mother and sister; and I believe you may be -sensibly affected with their misfortunes, and the ill treatment they -received: but I am persuaded, if your majesty would hear the story -of the Sleeper awakened, it would, instead of exciting all those -emotions of indignation and compassion in your breast, on the -contrary, afford you much mirth and diversion. The sultan, who -promised himself some new adventures from the title of this story, -would have heard it that morning, but perceiving day approach, -deferred it till the next; when Dinarzade called upon her sister, -who began her story in these words. - - - - -The Story of the Sleeper awakened. - - -In the reign of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, there lived at Bagdad a -very rich merchant, who, having married a woman advanced in years, -had but one son, whom he named Abon Hassan, and educated with great -restraint: when his son was thirty years old, the merchant died, and -left him his sole heir, and master of great riches, which his father -had amassed together by much frugality and close application to -business. - -Abon Hassan, whose views and inclinations were very different from -those of his father, determined to make another use of his wealth; -for as his father had never allowed him any money but what was just -necessary for subsistence, and he had always envied those young -persons of his age who wanted for nothing, and who debarred -themselves from none of those pleasures to which youth are too much -addicted, he resolved in his turn to distinguish himself by -extravagances proportionable to his fortune. To this end he divided -his riches into two parts: with one half he bought houses in town, -and land in the country, with a promise to himself, never to touch -the income of his estate which was considerable enough to live upon -very handsomely, but lay it all by as he received it: with the other -half, which consisted in ready money, he designed to make himself -amends for the time he had lost in the severe restraint in which his -father had always kept him. - -With this intent, Abon Hassan formed a society in a few days with -people of his age and condition, and thought of nothing but how to -make their time pass agreeably. Every day he gave them splendid -entertainments, at which the most delicate meats were served up, and -the most exquisite wines flowed in plenty, while concerts of the -best vocal and instrumental music by performers of both sexes -heightened their pleasures, and this young band of debauchees, with -the glasses in their hands, joined their songs with the music, thus -forming a concert with the instruments; and these feasts generally -ended with balls, to which the best dancers of Bagdad of both sexes -were invited. These entertainments, renewed every day, were so -expensive to Abon Hassan, that he could not support the extravagance -above a year: and the great sum which he had consecrated to this -prodigality, and the year, ended together. As soon as he left off -keeping this table, his friends forsook him; whenever they saw him -they avoided him, and if by chance he met any of them, and went to -stop them, they always excused themselves on some pretence or other. - -Abon Hassan was touched more by this strange behaviour of his -friends, who had forsaken him so basely and ungratefully, after all -the protestations of friendship they had made him, and their -inviolable attachment to his service, than for all the money he had -so foolishly squandered away: he went melancholy and thoughtful, his -head hanging down, and his countenance expressive of deep vexation, -into his mother’s apartment, and sat down at the end of a sofa at -a distance from her. What’s the matter with you, son? said his -mother, seeing him in this condition. Why are you so altered, so -dejected, and so different from yourself? You could not certainly be -more concerned, if you had lost all you had in the world. I know you -have lived very profusely, and believe all your money is spent; you -have yet a good estate; and the reason that I did not so very much -oppose your irregular way of living was, that I knew the wise -precaution you had taken to preserve half your substance. I do not, -therefore, see why you should plunge yourself into this deep -melancholy. - -At these words Abon Hassan melted into tears; and in the midst of -his sighs, cried out, Ah! mother, I see at last, by sad experience, -how insupportable poverty is; I am sensible that it deprives us of -joy, as the setting of the sun does of light. As poverty makes us -forget all the commendations and fine things said of us before our -fall, it makes us endeavour to conceal ourselves, and spend our -nights in tears and sorrow. In short, a poor man is looked upon, -both by friends and relations, as a stranger. You know, mother, how -I have treated my friends for this year past; I have entertained -them with all imaginable generosity, till I have spent all my money, -and now they have left me, when I can treat them no longer. When I -tell them that I have no more means to continue their mirth, I mean -the money I laid by to employ in such purposes. For my estate, I -thank Heaven for having given me the grace to keep the oath I have -made, not to enter upon that, to spend it so foolishly: and now I -shall keep that oath, and know how to make good use of what is left. -But first I will try how far my friends, who deserve not that I -should call them so, will carry their ingratitude. I will go to them -one after another, and when I have represented to them what I have -done for their sakes, I will ask them among them to make me up a sum -of money, to relieve me out of the miserable condition I have -reduced myself, to please them; but as I have already said, I will -not take these steps, but to try if I can find any sentiment of -gratitude remaining in them. - -I do not pretend, son, said Abon Hassan’s mother, to dissuade you -from executing your design; but I can tell you beforehand, that you -have no ground for hope. Believe me, you will find no relief but -from the estate you have reserved. I see you do not, but will soon -know those people, which among persons of your sort are generally -called friends, and I wish to Heaven you may know it in the manner I -desire; that is to say, for your own good. Mother, replied Abon -Hassan, I am persuaded of the truth of what you say, but shall be -more certain of a fact which concerns me so nearly, when I shall -inform myself better of their baseness and insensibility. Abon -Hassan went immediately to his friends, whom he found at home; -representing to them the great need he was in, and begged of them to -draw their purse-strings to assist him. He promised to give every -one bonds to pay them the money they lent him, as soon as his -affairs were made up; giving them to understand at the same time, -that it was, in a great measure, upon their accounts that he was so -distressed, that he might the more powerfully excite their -generosity; and forgot not to allure them with the hopes of being -once again entertained in the same manner as before. - -Not one of his bottle companions was affected with the arguments -which the afflicted Abon Hassan made use of to persuade them; and he -had the mortification to find, that many of them told him plainly -they did not know him. - -He returned home again full of grief and indignation; and going into -his mother’s apartment, said, Ah! madam, you were right; instead -of friends, I have found none but perfidious ungrateful wretches, -who deserve not my friendship, which I renounce, and promise you I -will never see them more. He resolved to be as good as his word, and -took every precaution to avoid falling into the same inconvenience; -taking an oath never to give an inhabitant of Bagdad any -entertainment again while he lived. He drew the strong box in which -he had put the rents he had received from his estate from the place -where he had placed it in reserve, and put it in the room of that he -had emptied, and resolved to take out every day no more than was -sufficient to defray the expense of a single person to sup with him, -who, according to the oath he had taken, was not to be any man of -Bagdad, but a stranger that came into Bagdad the same day, and must -take his leave of him the next morning after one night’s meal. - -According to this project, Abon Hassan took care every morning to -provide whatever was necessary for this treat, and towards the close -of the evening went and sat at the end of Bagdad bridge; and as soon -as he saw a stranger, of whatever rank or condition he was, he -accosted him civilly, and invited him to sup and lodge with him that -night; and after having informed him of the law he had imposed upon -himself, took him home with him. The repast with which Abon Hassan -regaled his guests was not costly, but always sufficient, with -plenty of good wine, and generally lasted till the night was pretty -well advanced; when, instead of entertaining his guest with the -affairs of state, his family, or business, as is too frequent, he -affected to talk only of indifferent agreeable subjects. He was -naturally of so gay and so pleasant a temper, that he could give the -most agreeable turns to conversation on every subject, and make the -most melancholy persons merry. When he sent away his guests the next -morning, he always said, God preserve you from all sorrow wherever -you go; when I invited you yesterday to come and sup with me, I -informed you of the law I have imposed on myself; therefore do not -take it ill if I tell you, that we must never see one another again, -nor drink together, either at home or any other house, for reasons -best known to myself; so God conduct you. - -Abon Hassan was very exact in the observation of this oath, and -never looked upon or spoke to the strangers he had once entertained; -wherever he met them in the streets, the squares, or any public -assemblies, he affected not to see them, and turned away to avoid -them, that they might not speak to him, or he have any communication -with them. He had acted for a long time after this manner, when, one -afternoon, a little before sun-set, as he sat upon the bridge -according to custom the caliph Haroun Alraschid came by, but so -disguised that it was impossible to know him; for that monarch, -though his chief ministers and officers of justice acquitted -themselves of their duty very punctually, would nevertheless inform -himself of every thing, and for that purpose often disguised himself -in different ways, and walked through the city and suburbs of -Bagdad, sometimes one way and sometimes another. That day, being the -first of the month, he was dressed like a merchant of Moussol, who -had but just embarked, and was followed by a tall stout black slave. - -As the caliph had in his disguise a grave and respectful air, Abon -Hassan, who thought him to be a Moussol merchant, rose up, and, -after having saluted him with a graceful air, and kissed his hand, -said to him, Sir, I congratulate you on your happy arrival; I beg -you to do me the honour to go and sup with me, and repose yourself -at my house this night, after the fatigue of your voyage: and to -oblige him not to refuse him that favour, he told him his custom of -entertaining the first stranger he met with. The caliph found -something so odd and singular in Abon Hassan’s taste, that he was -very desirous to know the bottom of it; and without quitting the -character of a merchant, told him, that he could not better answer -that great civility, which he did not expect at his arrival at -Bagdad, than by accepting the obliging offer that he made him; that -he had only to lead the way, and he was ready to follow him. - -Abon Hassan, who knew not that the guest which chance presented to -him was so very much above him, treated the caliph as his equal, -carried him home, and led him into a room very neatly furnished, -where he set him on a sofa, in the most honourable place. Supper was -ready, and the cloth laid. Abon Hassan’s mother, who took upon -herself the care of the kitchen, sent up three dishes; the first was -a capon and four large pullets, which was set in the middle; and the -second and third, placed on each side, were a fat roasted goose and -broiled pigeons. This was all; but they were good of the kind, and -well-flavoured, with proper sauces. - -Abon Hassan sat down over-against his guest, and he and the caliph -began to eat heartily of what they liked best, without speaking or -drinking, according to the custom of the country. When they had done -eating, the caliph’s slave brought them water to wash their hands: -and in the mean time Abon Hassan’s mother cleared the table, and -brought up a dessert of all the various sorts of fruits then in -season; as grapes, peaches, apples, pears, and various pastes of -dried almonds, &c. As soon as it grew dark, wax candles were -lighted, and Abon Hassan, after charging his mother to take care of -the caliph’s slave, set on bottles and glasses. - -Then Abon Hassan sitting down with the pretended Moussol merchant -again, filled out a glass of wine, before he touched the fruit; and -holding it out in his hand, said to the caliph, still taking him for -a merchant of Moussol, You know, sir, that the cock never drinks -before he calls to his hens to come and drink with him; I invite you -to follow my example. I do not know what you may think; but, for my -part, I cannot reckon him a wise man who does not love wine. Let us -leave those sort of people to their dull melancholy humours, and -seek for mirth, which is only to be found in a brimmer. - -While Abon Hassan was drinking, the caliph taking the glass that was -set for him, said, You are an honest fellow; I like your pleasant -temper, and expect you will fill me as much. Abon Hassan, as soon as -he had drank, filled the caliph’s glass, and giving it to him, -Taste this wine, sir, said he; I will warrant it good. I am very -well persuaded of that, replied the caliph, laughing; you know how -to choose the best. O, replied Abon Hassan, (while the caliph was -taking off his glass,) one need only look in your face to see you -have seen the world, and know what good living is. If, added he in -Arabic verse, my house could think and express its joy, how happy -would it be to possess you, and, bowing before you, would cry, How -overjoyed am I to see myself honoured with the company of so -well-behaved and so polite a personage, and for meeting with a man -of your merit. - -The caliph, who was naturally lively, was mightily diverted with -these sallies of Abon Hassan’s, and took great pleasure in -promoting drinking, often asking for wine, thinking that when it -began to work, he might, by his conversation, satisfy his curiosity. -In order, therefore, to enter into conversation, he asked him his -name, his business, and how he spent his life. My name, sir, replied -he, is Abon Hassan. I lost my father, who was a merchant of Bagdad -and though he was not the richest, yet he lived very comfortably. -When he died, he left me money enough for my station to live free -from ambition; but as he always kept a very strict hand over me in -his lifetime, I was willing, when he was gone, to make up the time I -thought I had lost. Notwithstanding this, continued Abon Hassan, I -was more prudent than most young people are, who give themselves up -to debauchery, without any thought, and pursue it till they reduce -themselves to the utmost poverty, and are forced to do penance all -the rest of their lives after. To avoid this misfortune, I divided -what I had left me into two parts, land and ready money. I destined -the ready money to supply the expenses of my acquaintance. I -meditated, and took a fixed resolution not to touch my rents. I -associated with young people of my own age, and with my ready money, -which I spent profusely, treated them splendidly every day; and in -short, spared for no sort of pleasure. But all this did not last -long; for by the time the year was out, I had got to the bottom of -my box, and then all my table friends vanished. I made a visit to -every one of them successively, and represented to them the -miserable condition I was in, but none of them made an offer to -relieve me. Upon this, I renounced their friendship, and retrenched -so far as to live within the compass of my income, and bound myself -to keep company with none but the first stranger I could meet with -coming that day into Bagdad, and to entertain him but one day and -one night. I have told you the rest before; and I thank my good -fortune this day for meeting with a stranger of so much worth. - -The caliph was very well satisfied with this information, and said -to Abon Hassan, I cannot enough commend the measures you have taken, -and the prudence with which you have acted, by forsaking your -debauchery, --a conduct rarely to be met with in young persons; and -I esteem you the more for being so faithful to yourself. It was a -slippery path you trod in, and I cannot enough admire, how, after -having seen the end of your ready money, you had so great command -over yourself as not to enter upon your rents, or even your estate. -In short, I must own, I envy you your happiness. You are the -happiest man in the world, to enjoy every day the company of some -one honest man, with whom you can discourse freely and agreeably, -and to whom you give an opportunity to declare, wherever he goes, -how handsomely he was received by you. But, we talk too long without -drinking: come, drink, and pour out a glass for me. - -In this manner the caliph and Abon Hassan conversed together, -drinking and talking of indifferent pleasant subjects, till the -night was pretty far advanced; when the caliph pretending to be -fatigued after his journey, told his host he stood in need of a -little rest. But, added he, as I would not deprive you of yours on -my account, before we part, (because to-morrow I may be gone before -you are stirring,) I should be glad to show you how sensible I am of -your civility, and the good cheer and hospitality you have shown me. -The only thing that troubles me is, that I know not which way to -make you any acknowledgement, I beg of you, therefore, to let me -understand how I may do it, and you shall see I will not be -ungrateful; for it is impossible but a man like you must have some -business, some want, or wish for something agreeable to you. Speak -freely, and open your mind; for though I am out a merchant, it may -be in my power to oblige you myself, or by some friend. - -To these offers of the caliph, Abon Hassan, taking him still for a -Moussol merchant, replied, I am very well persuaded, my good sir, -that it is not out of compliment that you make me these generous -tenders; but upon the word of an honest man, I assure you, I have -nothing that troubles me, no business, nor desires, and I ask -nothing of any body. I have not the least ambition, as I told you -before; and am satisfied with my condition: therefore, I can only -thank you for your obliging proffers, and the honour you have done -me to come and take a slight repast with me. Yet I must tell you, -pursued Abon Hassan, there is one thing gives me uneasiness, -without, however, disturbing my rest. You must know the town of -Bagdad is divided into quarters, in each of which there is a mosque, -with an iman to perform prayers at certain hours, at the head of the -quarter which assembles there. The iman of the division I live in is -a grave old man, of an austere countenance, and the greatest -hypocrite in the world. Four old men of this neighbourhood, who are -people of the same stamp, meet regularly every day at this iman’s -house. There they vent their slander, calumny, and malice against -me, and the whole quarter, to the disturbance of the peace of a -neighbourhood, and the promotion of dissention. Some they threaten, -others they frighten; and, in short, would be lords paramount, and -have every one govern himself according to their caprice, though -they know not how to govern themselves. Indeed, I am sorry to see -that they meddle with any thing but their koran, and do not let the -world live quietly. - -Well, I suppose, said the caliph, you wish to have a stop put to -this disorder? You have guessed right, answered Abon Hassan: and the -only thing I should pray for would be to be caliph but for one day, -in the stead of our sovereign lord and master Haroun Alraschid, the -commander of the faithful. What would you do if you was? said the -caliph. I would make examples of them, answered Abon Hassan, to the -satisfaction of all honest men. I would punish the four old men with -each a hundred bastinadoes on the soles of their feet, and the iman -with four hundred, to teach them not to disturb and abuse their -neighbours any more. - -The caliph was extremely well pleased with this thought of Abon -Hassan’s; and as he loved adventures, he longed to make this a -very singular one. Indeed, said he, I approve very much of your -wish, which I see proceeds from an upright heart, that cannot bear -to see the malice of wicked people go unpunished; I could like to -see it take effect, and it is not so impossible a thing as you may -imagine. I am persuaded that the caliph would willingly put his -authority for twenty-four hours into your hands, if he knew your -good intentions, and the good use you would make of it. Though a -foreign merchant, I have credit enough to contribute in some degree -to the execution of this plan. I see, said Abon Hassan, you laugh at -my foolish fancy, and the caliph himself would laugh at my -extravagance too, if he knew it; yet it would be a means of -informing him of the behaviour of the iman and his companions, and -induce him to chastise them. - -Heaven forbid, replied the caliph, that I, who have been so -handsomely entertained by you, should laugh at you; neither do I -believe, as much a stranger as I am to you, that the caliph would be -displeased: but let us leave off talking; it is almost midnight, and -time to go to bed. With all my heart, said Abon Hassan, I would not -be any hinderance to your going to rest; but there is still some -wine in the bottle, and if you please we will drink it off first, -and then retire. The only thing that I have to recommend to you is, -that when you go out in the morning, if I am not up, you will not -leave the door open, but give yourself the trouble of shutting it -after you. This the caliph promised to do; and while Abon Hassan was -talking, took the bottle and two glasses, and filled his own first, -saying, Here is a cup of thanks to you, and then filling the other, -put into it artfully a little powder, which he had about him, and -giving it to Abon Hassan, said, You have taken the pains to fill for -me all this night, and it is the least I can do to save you the -trouble once: I beg you to take this glass; drink it off for my sake. - -Abon Hassan took the glass, and to show his guest with how much -pleasure he received the honour he did him, whipt it off at once, -but had scarcely set the glass upon the table, but the powder began -to work, and he fell into so sound a sleep, that his head knocked -against his knees so suddenly, that the caliph could not help -laughing. The caliph ordered the slave he had brought along with -him, and who came again into the room as soon as he had supped, and -had been there to receive his orders, to take him upon his back, and -follow him; but to be sure to observe the house, that he might know -it again when he was ordered to bring him back; and in this manner -the caliph, followed by the slave with Abon Hassan upon his back, -went out of the house, but without shutting the door after him as -Abon Hassan desired him, and went directly to his palace, and by a -private door into his own apartment, where all the officers of his -chamber were waiting for him, whom he ordered to undress Abon Hassan -and put him in his bed, which they immediately performed. - -Then the caliph sent for all the officers and ladies of the palace, -and said to them, I would have all those, whose business it is to -attend my levee, wait to-morrow morning upon this man, who lies in -my bed, and pay the same respect to him as to myself, and obey him -in whatever he commands; let him be refused nothing that he asks -for, and be spoken to and answered in every thing he says or does, -as if he was the commander of the faithful. In short, I expect that -you look upon him as the true caliph and commander of the faithful, -without regarding me; and above all things, mistake not in the least -circumstance. - -The officers and ladies, who presently understood that the caliph -had a mind to divert himself, answered him by low bows, and then -withdrew, every one preparing to contribute to the best of their -power to perform their respective parts adroitly. - -The caliph returning to his palace, sent for the grand vizier: -Giafar, said he, I have sent for you to instruct you, and to prevent -your being surprised to-morrow when you come to audience, to see -this man that is laid here in my bed, seated on my throne in my -royal robes: accost him with the same reverence and respect you pay -to myself; observe and punctually execute whatever he bids you do, -the same as if I commanded you. He will exercise great liberality, -and commission you with the distribution of it. Do all he bids you, -even if his liberality should extend so far as to empty all the -coffers in my treasury; and remember to acquaint all my emirs, and -all the officers without the palace, to pay him the same honour at -audience as to myself, and to carry on the matter so well, that he -may not perceive the least thing that may interrupt this diversion -which I design myself. - -After the grand vizier retired, the caliph went to bed in another -apartment, and gave Mesrour, the chief of his eunuchs, the orders -which he was to execute, that every thing might succeed as he -intended, to gratify the wish of Abon Hassan; that he might see how -Abon Hassan would use the power and authority of the caliph for the -short time he desired to have it. Above all, he charged him not fail -to awake him at the usual hour, before he awakened Abon Hassan, -because he had a mind to be present when he arose. - -Mesrour failed not to do as the caliph had commanded, and as soon as -the caliph went into the room where Abon Hassan lay, he placed -himself in a little raised closet, from whence he could see all that -passed. All the officers and ladies, who were to attend Abon -Hassan’s levee, went in at the same time, and took their posts -according to their rank, with great silence, and ready to acquit -themselves of their respective duties, as if it was the caliph who -was going to rise. - -As it was just daybreak, and time to rise to morning prayer before -sun-rise, the officer that stood nearest the head of the bed put a -sponge steeped in vinegar to Abon Hassan’s nose, who presently -turning his head about, without opening his eyes, with a little -effort discharged a kind of phlegm, which was received in a little -golden basin before it fell on the carpet. This was the usual effect -of the caliph’s powder, the sleep lasting longer or shorter, in -proportion to the dose. When Abon Hassan laid down his head on the -bolster, he opened his eyes; and by the small daylight that -appeared, he found himself in a large handsome room, magnificently -furnished, the ceiling of which was finely painted in the Arabesque -pattern, adorned with vases of gold and silver, and the floor -covered with a rich silk tapestry, and surrounded by a great many -young and handsome ladies, many of them having instruments of music -in their hands, and black eunuchs richly clothed, all standing with -great modesty and respect. After casting his eyes on the covering of -the bed, he perceived it was cloth of gold, richly embossed with -pearls and diamonds, and by the bed lay, on a cushion, a habit of -the same stuffs and trimmings, with a caliph’s turban. - -At the sight of these glittering objects Abon Hassan was in most -inexpressible confusion and amazement, and looked upon all he saw as -a dream; yet such a dream as he wished it not to be. So, said he to -himself, I am caliph; but, added he, recollecting himself, it is -only a dream, the effect of the wish I entertained my guest with -last night; and then he turned himself about, and shut his eyes to -sleep again. At the same time the eunuch said, very respectfully, -Commander of the faithful, it is time for your majesty to rise to -prayers; the morning begins to advance. - -These words very much surprised Abon Hassan. Am I awake, or do I -sleep? said he to himself: Ah, certainly I am asleep! continued he, -keeping his eyes shut; there is no reason to doubt of it. - -Immediately the eunuch, who saw he gave him no answer, and had no -inclination to get up, said again, Your majesty must permit me to -repeat once more that it is time to rise to morning prayer, unless -you choose to let it pass; the sun is just rising, and you never -neglect this duty. I am mistaken, said Abon Hassan presently: I am -not asleep, but awake; for those that sleep do not hear, and I hear -somebody speak to me: then opening his eyes again, he saw plainly by -broad daylight, what he had seen but indistinctly before; and -started up, with a smiling countenance, like a man overjoyed at a -sudden promotion. The caliph, who saw him, penetrated his thoughts -with great delight. - -Then the young ladies of the palace prostrated themselves with their -faces to the ground before Abon Hassan, and those who had the -instruments of music in their hands wished him a good morrow, by a -concert of soft flutes, hautboys, theorboes, and other harmonious -instruments, with which he was enchanted, and in such an ecstacy, -that he knew not where he was, nor whether he was himself; but -reverting to his first idea, he still doubted whether what he saw -and heard was a dream or reality. He clapt his hands before his -eyes, and lowering his head, said to himself, What means all this? -Where am I? and to whom does this palace belong? What can these -eunuchs, handsome well-dressed officers, beautiful ladies, and -musicians, mean? How is it possible for me not to distinguish -whether I am in my right senses, or in a dream? - -When he took his hands from his eyes, opened them, and lifted up his -head, the sun shone full in at the chamber window; and at that -instant, Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs, came in, prostrated -himself before Abon Hassan, and said, Commander of the faithful, -your majesty will excuse me for representing to you, that you used -not to rise so late, and that the time of prayer is over. If your -majesty has not had a bad night, and has been indisposed, it is time -to ascend your throne and hold council as usual; all your generals, -governors, and other great officers of state, wait your presence in -the council-hall. - -At this discourse of Mesrour, Abon Hassan was verily persuaded that -he was neither asleep nor in a dream; but at the same time was not -less embarrassed and confused under this uncertainty what steps to -take: at last, looking earnestly at Mesrour, he said to him in a -serious tone, Who is it you speak to, and call the commander of the -faithful? I do not know you, and you must mistake me for somebody -else. - -Any person but Mesrour would have been dashed at these questions of -Abon Hassan’s; but he had been so well instructed by the caliph, -that he played his part to a wonder. My worthy lord and master, said -he, your majesty only speaks thus to try me: Is not your majesty the -commander of the faithful, monarch of the world from East to West, -and vicar on earth [95] to the prophet sent of God? Mesrour, your -poor slave, has not forgotten you, after so many years that he has -had the honour and happiness to serve and pay his respects to your -majesty. He would think himself the most unhappy of men if he has -incurred your displeasure, and begs of you most humbly to remove his -fears; but had rather suppose that you have been disturbed by some -troublesome dream to-night. - -Abon Hassan burst out a laughing at these words of Mesrour’s, and -fell backwards upon the bolster, which pleased the caliph so much -that he would have laughed as loud himself, if he had not been -afraid of putting a stop too soon to the pleasant scene he promised -himself. - -Abon Hassan, when he had tired himself with laughing, sat up again, -and speaking to a little eunuch that stood by him, black as Mesrour, -said, Hark ye, tell me who I am? Sir, answered the little boy -modestly, your majesty is the commander of the believers, and -God’s vicar on earth. You are a little liar, black face, said Abon -Hassan. Then he called the lady that stood nearest to him: Come -hither, fair one, said he, holding out his hand, bite the end of my -finger, that I may feel whether I am asleep or awake. - -The lady, who knew the caliph saw all that passed, was overjoyed to -have an opportunity of showing her power of diverting him, and went -with a grave countenance, and putting his finger between her teeth, -she bit it so hard that she put him to violent pain. Snatching his -hand quickly back again, he said, I find I am awake, and not asleep. -But by what miracle am I become caliph in a night’s time? this is -certainly the most strange and surprising thing in the world! then -addressing himself to the same lady, said, I conjure you, by the -protection of God, in whom you trust as well as I, not to hide the -truth from me; am I really the commander of the faithful? It is so -true, answered the lady, that we, who are your slaves, are amazed to -find that you will not believe yourself to be so. You are a -deceiver, replied Abon Hassan; I know very well who I am. - -As the chief of the eunuchs perceived that Abon Hassan had a mind to -rise, he offered him his hand, and helped him to get out of bed. No -sooner were his feet set on the floor, but the chamber rang again -with the repeated acclamations of the officers and ladies, who cried -out altogether, Commander of the faithful, God give your majesty a -good day. O heaven! cried Abon Hassan, what a strange thing is this! -Last night I was Abon Hassan, and this morning I am the commander of -the believers! I cannot comprehend this sudden and surprising -change. Presently some of the officers began to dress him; and when -they had done, Mesrour led him through all the eunuchs and ladies, -who were ranged on both sides, quite to the council chamber door, -which was opened by one of the officers. Mesrour walked before him -to the foot of the throne, where he stopped, and putting one hand -under one arm, while another officer who followed did the same by -the other, they helped him to ascend the throne. Abon Hassan sat -down amidst the acclamations of the officers, who wished him all -happiness and prosperity, and turning to the right and left he saw -the officers of the guards ranged in good order, and making a fine -appearance. - -The caliph in the mean time came out of the closet, where he was -hid, and went into another, which looked into the council-hall, from -whence he could see and hear all that passed in council, while his -grand vizier presided in his place, when he was prevented by illness -from attending in person. What pleased him highly, was to see Abon -Hassan fill his throne with almost as much gravity as himself. - -As soon as Abon Hassan had seated himself, the grand vizier Giafar -prostrated himself at the foot of the throne, and rising and -addressing himself to him, said, Commander of the faithful, God -shower down blessings on your majesty in this life, receive you into -his paradise in the other world, and confound your enemies. - -Abon Hassan, after all that had happened that morning, and these -words of the grand vizier, never doubted but that he was caliph, as -he wished to be; and so without examining any farther, how, or by -what adventure, or sudden change of fortune, he immediately began to -exercise his power, and looking very gravely upon the vizier, asked -him what he had to say? Commander of the faithful, replied the grand -vizier, the emirs, viziers, and other officers who are of your -majesty’s council, wait at the door till your majesty gives them -leave to come in and pay their accustomed respects to you. Abon -Hassan presently ordered the door to be opened, and the grand vizier -turning, and addressing himself to the officers who waited for -orders, said, Chief of the door-keepers, the commander of the -faithful orders you to do your duty. - -When the door was opened, the viziers, emirs, and principal officers -of the court, all dressed magnificently in their habits of ceremony, -went in their order to the foot of the throne, and paid their -respects to Abon Hassan; and bowing their heads down to the carpet, -kneeling on one knee, saluted him with the title of the commander of -the faithful, according to the instructions of the grand vizier, and -afterwards took their seats. - -When this ceremony was over, and they were all placed, there was a -profound silence. The grand vizier always standing before the -throne, began, according to the order of papers in his hand, to make -his report of affairs, which at that time were of very little -consequence. Nevertheless, the caliph could not but admire how Abon -Hassan acquitted himself in his great post without the least -hesitation or embarrassment, and decided so well in all matters, as -his own good sense suggested the request was or was not proper to be -granted. But before the grand vizier had finished his report, Abon -Hassan perceived the judge of the police, whom he knew by sight, -sitting in his place: Stop, said he to the grand vizier, -interrupting him; I have an order of consequence to give to the -judge of the police. The judge of the police perceiving that Abon -Hassan looked at him, and hearing his name mentioned, arose from off -his seat, and went gravely to the foot of the throne, where he -prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Judge of the police, -said Abon Hassan, go immediately to such a quarter, in such a -street, where you will find a mosque, and seize the iman of the -mosque and four old gray beards, and give each of the old men a -hundred bastinadoes with a bull’s pizzle, and the iman four -hundred. After that, mount them all five, clothed in rags, upon -camels, with their faces to the tails, and lead them through the -whole city, with a crier before them, who shall proclaim with a loud -voice, ‘This is the punishment of all those who trouble their -heads with other people’s affairs, and make it their business to -create disturbances and misunderstandings in families in their -neighbourhood, and do them all the mischief in their power.’ My -intention is also, that you enjoin them to leave that quarter, and -never to set foot in it more; and while your lieutenant is -conducting them through the town, return, and give me an account of -the execution of my orders. The judge of the police laid his hand -upon his head, to show his obedience to execute that order on pain -of losing his head if he failed, and prostrating himself a second -time, went away. - -The caliph was extremely well pleased at the firmness with which -this order was given, and perceived that Abon Hassan was resolved -not to lose the opportunity of punishing the iman and the other four -old hypocrites of his quarter. In the mean time, the grand vizier -went on with his report, and had just finished, when the judge of -the police came back from executing his commission. He approached -the throne with the usual ceremony, and said, Commander of the -faithful, I found the iman and his four companions in the mosque, -which your majesty pointed out; and for a proof that I have -punctually obeyed your commands, I have brought an instrument signed -by the principal inhabitants of that quarter. At the same time he -pulled a paper out of his bosom, and presented it to the pretended -caliph. - -Abon Hassan took the paper, and reading it over cautiously with the -names of the witnesses, who were all people that he knew very well, -said to the judge of the police, smiling, It is well; I am -satisfied; return to your seat. These old hypocrites, said he to -himself, with an air of satisfaction, who thought fit to censure my -actions, and find fault with my entertaining honest people, deserved -this punishment. The caliph all the time penetrated his thoughts, -and felt inconceivable joy in this pleasant exhibition. - -Then Abon Hassan, addressing himself to the grand vizier, said, Go -to the high treasurer for a purse of a thousand pieces of gold, and -carry it to the mother of one Abon Hassan, who is known by the name -of the _debauchee_; she lives in the same quarter to which I sent -the judge of the police. Go, and return immediately. - -The grand vizier, after laying his hand upon his head, and -prostrating himself before the throne, went to the high treasurer, -who gave him the money, which he ordered a slave to take, and to -follow him to Abon Hassan’s mother, to whom he gave it, saying -only, The caliph makes you this present. She received it with the -greatest surprise imaginable. She could not tell what to think of -this liberality of the caliph’s, and was totally ignorant of what -passed in the palace. - -During the grand vizier’s absence, the judge of the police made -the usual report of his office, which lasted till the vizier -returned. As soon as he came into the council-chamber, and had -assured Abon Hassan he had executed his orders, Mesrour, the chief -of the eunuchs, who returned to the palace after he had conducted -Abon Hassan to the council, came again, and made a sign to the -viziers, the emirs, and other officers, that the council was over, -and that they might all retire; which they did, by making the same -prostration at the foot of the throne as when they entered. - -Abon Hassan sat not long on the caliph’s throne, but came down -from it, supported in the same manner as he went up by Mesrour and -another officer of the eunuchs, who attended him back again to the -apartment from whence he came, preceded all the way by the grand -vizier. But he had scarce made a few steps, when he was taken with a -pressing occasion; upon which they showed him into a neat closet, -paved with marble; whereas the apartment where he was, was covered -with rich carpets, like the other apartments of the palace. They -gave him a pair of drawers of silk embroidered with gold, which it -was usual to put on before going in there. He took them, and as he -knew not the use of them, he put them into one of his sleeves, which -were very wide. As it often happens that a trifle excites laughter -sooner than a matter of consequence, the grand vizier, Mesrour, and -all the officers of the palace near him, had like to have burst into -laughter, and spoiled all the sport; but they contained themselves, -and the grand vizier was obliged at last to explain to him, that he -must put on the drawers before he went into the private closet. - -While Abon Hassan was there, the grand vizier went to the caliph, -who had already taken another station to observe Abon Hassan without -being seen, and acquainted him with what had passed, which the -caliph enjoyed exceedingly. - -When Abon Hassan came out of the closet, Mesrour went before him, to -show him the way into an inner apartment, where there was a table -spread: several eunuchs ran before to tell the musicians that the -sham caliph was coming, who immediately began a concert of vocal and -instrumental music, with which Abon Hassan was so charmed and -transported, that he could not tell what to think of all he saw and -heard. If this is a dream, said he, it is a long one. But certainly, -continued he, it is no dream; for I can see and feel, walk and hear, -and argue reasonably: whatever it is, I trust in God; yet I cannot -believe but I am the commander of the faithful, for no other person -could live in this splendour. The honour and respect that has been -shown me, and the obedience paid to my commands, are sufficient -proofs. - -In short, Abon Hassan took it for granted that he was caliph and the -commander of the faithful; and was fully convinced of it, when he -entered that magnificent and spacious hall, which was finely painted -with the brightest colours intermixed with gold. Seven bands of -female musicians, more beautiful than the others, were placed round -the hall, and as many gold branches hung down from the ceiling, -which was painted with blue and gold, intermixed with wonderful -effect. In the middle of the hall was spread a table covered with -massy gold plates and dishes, which scented the hall with the spices -and amber wherewith the meat was seasoned; and seven young and most -beautiful ladies, dressed in the richest habits of the most vivid -colours, stood round this table, each with a fan in her hand, to fan -Abon Hassan when at dinner. - -If ever mortal was charmed, Abon Hassan was when he entered that -stately hall. At every step he took, he could not help stopping to -contemplate at leisure all the wonders that regaled his eyes, and -turned first to one side, and then again on the other; which gave -the caliph, who viewed him with attention, very great pleasure. --At -last he went and sat down at the table, and presently all the ladies -that stood by it began to fan the new caliph. He looked first at -one, and then at another, and admired the grace with which they -acquitted themselves. He told them with a graceful smile, that he -believed one of them was enough to give him all the air he wanted, -and would have six of the ladies sit at table with him, three on his -right hand, and three on his left; and he placed them at it, so -that, as the table was round, which way soever he turned, his eyes -might be saluted with agreeable objects. - -The six ladies obeyed, and sat down at the table; and Abon Hassan -taking notice, that out of respect they did not eat, helped them -himself, and invited them to eat in the most pressing and obliging -terms. Afterwards he asked their names, which they told him were -Alabaster Neck, Coral Lips, Moon Face, Sunshine, Eye’s Delight, -Heart’s Delight, and she who fanned him was Sugar-Cane. The many -soft things he said upon their names showed him to be a man of -sprightly wit, and it is not to be conceived how very much it -increased the esteem which the caliph (who saw every thing) had -already conceived for him. - -When the ladies saw that Abon Hassan had done eating, one of them -said to the eunuchs who waited, The commander of the faithful will -go into the hall where the dessert is, --bring some water; upon -which they all arose from the table, and taking from the eunuch, one -a gold basin, another an ewer of the same metal, and a third a -towel, kneeled down before Abon Hassan, and presented them to him to -wash his hands, who, as soon as he had done, got up, and after an -eunuch had opened the door, went, preceded by Mesrour, who never -left him, into another hall, as large as the former, adorned with -paintings by the best masters, and furnished with gold and silver -vessels, carpets, and other rich furniture. There seven different -bands of music began a concert as soon as Abon Hassan appeared. In -this hall there were seven other large lustres, and a table in the -middle covered with dried sweetmeats and the choicest and most -exquisite fruits of the season, raised in pyramids, in seven gold -basins; and seven ladies, more beautiful than the others, standing -round it, each with a fan in her hand. - -These new objects raised still greater admiration in Abon Hassan -than before; who, after he had made a full stop, and given the most -sensible marks of his surprise and astonishment, went directly to -the table, where sitting down, he gazed a considerable time at the -seven ladies, with an embarrassment that plainly showed he knew not -which to give the preference to. At last he ordered them all to lay -aside their fans and sit down, and eat with him, telling them, that -it was not so hot but he could spare them that trouble. - -When the ladies were all placed about him, the first thing he did -was to ask their names, which were different from the other seven, -and expressed some perfection of mind or body, which distinguished -them from one another; upon which he took an opportunity, when he -presented them with fruit, &c. to say something smart. Eat this fig -for my sake, said he to Chain of Hearts, who sat on his right hand; -and render the fetters, with which you loaded me the first moment I -saw you, more supportable. Then presenting a bunch of grapes to -Soul’s Torment, Take this cluster of grapes, said he, on condition -you instantly abate the torments which I suffer for your sake; and -so on to the rest. By these words Abon Hassan more and more pleased -and diverted the caliph, who was delighted with his words and -actions, and pleased to think he had found in him a man who diverted -him so agreeably, and suggested to him a method of being better -acquainted with him. - -After Abon Hassan had tasted of all the fruits in the basin, he got -up and followed Mesrour, who never left him, into a third hall, much -more magnificently furnished than the other two; where he was -received by the same number of musicians and ladies, who stood round -a table covered with all manner of wet sweetmeats. After he had -looked about him with new wonder, he advanced to the table, the -music playing all the time till he sat down. The seven ladies, by -his order, sat down with him, and as he could not but show them the -same civility as he had done to the rest, they helped themselves, as -he desired them, to what they liked best; and he afterwards informed -himself of their names, which pleased him as much as the others had -done, and led him to say as many soft things to them, to the great -diversion of the caliph, who lost not a word. - -By this time the day beginning to close, Abon Hassan was conducted -into a fourth hall, much more superb and magnificently furnished, -lighted with wax candles in seven great gold lustres, which gave a -glorious light. The like was not seen in the other halls, because it -was not necessary. Abon Hassan found the same number of musicians -here as he had done in the other three halls, performing in concert -in the most lively manner, and seeming to inspire greater joy; and -he saw as many ladies standing round a table covered with seven gold -basins filled with cakes, dried sweetmeats, and all such things as -were proper to promote drinking. There he saw, which he had not -observed in any of the other halls, a beaufet, which was set out -with seven large silver flagons full of the choicest wines, and by -them seven crystal glasses of the finest workmanship. - -Hitherto in the three first halls Abon Hassan drank nothing but -water, according to the custom observed at Bagdad, from the highest -to the lowest, and at the caliph’s court, never to drink wine till -the evening; all who transgress this rule being accounted -debauchees, and dare not show themselves in the daytime. This custom -is the more laudable, as it requires a clear head to apply to -business in the course of the day; and as no wine is drank till -evening, no drunken people are seen in the streets in open day -making disturbances in the city. - -As soon as Abon Hassan entered the fourth hall, he went to the table -and sat down, and was a long time in a kind of ecstacy at the sight -of those seven ladies who surrounded him, and were much more -beautiful than all he beheld in the other halls. He was very -desirous to know all their names; but as the music played then so -very loud, and particularly the tambour, that he could not hear them -speak, he clapped his hands as a sign for them to leave off playing, -and a profound silence ensued. Then taking by the hand the lady who -stood on the right next to him, he made her sit down by him, and -presenting her with a cake, asked her name. Commander of the -faithful, said the lady, I am called Cluster of Pearls. No name, -replied Abon Hassan, could have more properly expressed your worth; -and indeed your teeth exceed the finest pearls. Cluster of Pearls, -added he, since that is your name, oblige me with a glass of wine -from your fair hand, and take another with me. The lady went -presently to the beaufet and brought him a glass of wine, which she -presented to him with a pleasant air. Abon Hassan took the glass -with a smile, and looking passionately upon her, said, Cluster of -Pearls, I drink your health; I desire you to fill out as much for -yourself, and pledge me. She ran to the beaufet, and returned with a -glass in her hand; but before she drank, she sung a song, which -charmed him as much by the sweetness of her voice as by its novelty. - -After Abon Hassan had drank, he made another lady sit down, and -presenting her with what she chose in the basins, asked her name, -which she told him was Morning Star. Your bright eyes, said he, -shine with greater lustre than that star whose name you bear. Do me -the pleasure to bring me some wine; which she did with the best -grace in the world. Then turning to the third lady, whose name was -Daylight, he ordered her to do the same, and so on to the seventh, -to the extreme satisfaction of the caliph. - -When they had all filled him a glass round, Cluster of Pearls, whom -he had just addressed, went to the beaufet, poured out a glass of -wine, and putting in a pinch of the same powder the caliph had used -the night before, presented it to Abon Hassan; Commander of the -faithful, said she, I beg of your majesty to take this glass of -wine, and before you drink it off do me the favour to hear a song I -have made to-day, and which I flatter myself may not displease you. -I never sung it before this evening. With all my heart, said Abon -Hassan, taking the glass, and as commander of the faithful, I -command you to sing it; for I am persuaded that so beautiful a lady -as yourself cannot make a song which does not abound with wit and -pleasantry. The lady took a lute, and tuning it to her voice, sung -with so much justness, grace and expression, that Abon Hassan was in -perfect ecstacy all the time, and was so much delighted, that he -ordered her to sing it again, and was as much charmed with it as at -first. - -When the lady had done, Abon Hassan drank off his glass, and turning -his head towards her, to give her those praises which he thought due -to her, was prevented by the powder, which operated so suddenly, -that his mouth was wide open, and his eyes close shut, and dropping -his head on the table like a man overcome with sleep, he slept as -profoundly as the day before at the same time the caliph gave him -the powder. One of the ladies stood ready to catch the glass, which -fell out of his hand; and then the caliph, who took a greater -satisfaction in this scene than he had promised himself and was all -along a spectator of what had passed, came into the hall to them, -overjoyed at the success of his plan. He ordered Abon Hassan to be -dressed again in his own clothes, and to be carried back again to -his own house by the same slave that brought him, charging him to -lay him on a sofa in the same room, without making any noise, and to -leave the door open when he came away. - -The slave took Abon Hassan upon his shoulders, and carried him home -by a back door of the palace, placed him in his own house as he was -ordered, and returned with speed, to acquaint the caliph what he had -done. Well, said the caliph, Abon Hassan wished only to be caliph -for one day, to punish the iman of the mosque of his quarter, and -the four scheiks or old men who had displeased him: I have procured -him the means of doing this, and he ought to be content. - -In the mean time, Abon Hassan, who was laid upon his sofa by the -slave, slept till very late the next morning. When the powder was -worked off, Abon Hassan waked and opened his eyes, and finding -himself at home, was in the utmost surprise. Cluster of Pearls! -Morning Star! Coral Lips! Moon Face! cried he, calling the ladies of -the palace by their names, as he remembered them; where are you? -come hither. - -Abon Hassan called so loud, that his mother, who was in her own -apartment, heard, and running to him upon the noise he made, said, -What ails you, son? what has happened to you? At these words Abon -Hassan lifted up his head, and looking haughtily at his mother, -said, Good woman! who is it you call son? --Why you, answered his -mother very mildly; are not you Abon Hassan, my son? It is strange -that you have forgot yourself so soon. I your son! old trull! -replied Abon Hassan; you are a liar, and know not what you say! I am -not Abon Hassan, I tell you, but the commander of the faithful! - -Hold your tongue, son, answered the mother; one would think you are -a fool to hear you talk thus. You are an old fool yourself, replied -Abon Hassan; I tell you once more I am the commander of the -faithful, and God’s vicar on earth! Ah! child, cried the mother, -is it possible that I should hear you utter such words that show you -are distracted! What evil genius possesses you, to make you talk at -this rate? God bless you, and preserve you from the power of Satan. -You are my son Abon Hassan, and I am your mother. - -After she had made use of all the arguments she could think of to -bring him to himself, and to show how great an error he was in, she -said, Do not you see, that the room you are now in is your own, and -is not like a chamber in a palace fit for the commander of the -believers, and that you have never left it since you was born, but -lived quietly at home with me? Think seriously of what I say, and do -not fancy things that are not, nor ever can be. Once more, my son, -think seriously of it. - -Abon Hassan heard all these remonstrances of his mother very -patiently, holding down his eyes, and clapping his hands under his -chin, like a man recollecting himself, to examine the truth of what -he saw and heard. At last, he said to his mother, just as if he was -come out of a deep sleep, and with his hand in the same posture, I -believe you are right; methinks I am Abon Hassan, you are my mother, -and I am in my own room. Then looking at her again, and at every -object before him, he added, I am Abon Hassan, there is no doubt of -it, and I cannot comprehend how this fancy came into my head. - -The mother really believed that her son was cured of that disorder -of his mind, which she ascribed to a dream, and began to laugh with -him, and ask him questions about this dream; when all on a sudden he -started up, and looking crossly at his mother, said, Old sorceress, -you know not what you say. I am not your son, nor you my mother. You -deceive yourself, and would deceive me. I tell you I am the -commander of the faithful, and you shall never persuade me to the -contrary! For Heaven’s sake, son, said the mother, let us leave -off this discourse; recommend yourself to God, for fear some -misfortune should happen to us: let us talk of something else. I -will tell you what happened yesterday in our quarter to the iman of -the mosque, and the four scheiks our neighbours; the judge of the -police came and seized them, and gave each of them I know not how -many strokes with a bull’s pizzle, while a crier proclaimed, That -was the punishment of all those who troubled themselves about other -people’s business, and employed themselves in setting their -neighbours at variance: he afterwards led them through all the -streets, and ordered them never to come into our quarter again. Abon -Hassan’s mother little thought her son had any share in this -adventure, and therefore turned the discourse on purpose to put him -out of the conceit of being the commander of the faithful; but -instead of effacing that idea, she rather recalled it, and impressed -it more deeply in his imagination that it was not imaginary, but -real. - -Abon Hassan no sooner heard this relation, but he cried out, I am -neither thy son, nor Abon Hassan, but certainly the commander of the -believers. I cannot doubt of it after what you have told me. Know -then that it was by my order that the iman and the four scheiks were -punished; and I tell you I am certainly the commander of the -faithful: therefore tell me no more of its being a dream. I was not -asleep, but as much awake as I now am. You do me a pleasure to -confirm what the judge of the police told me he had executed -punctually according to my order; and I am overjoyed that the iman -and the four scheiks, those great hypocrites, were so chastised, and -I should be glad to know how I came here. God be praised for all -things! I am certainly commander of the faithful, and all thy -arguments shall not convince me of the contrary. - -The mother, who could not divine or imagine why her son so -strenuously and positively maintained himself to be caliph, never -disputed but that he had lost his senses, when she found he insisted -so much upon a thing that was so incredible; and in this thought, -said, I pray God, son, to have mercy upon you! Pray do not talk so -madly. Beseech God to forgive you, and give you grace to talk more -reasonably. What would the world say to hear you rave in this -manner? Do you not know that ‘walls have ears?’ - -These remonstrances only enraged Abon Hassan the more; and he was so -provoked at his mother, that he said, Old woman, I have bid you once -already to hold your tongue. If you do not, I shall rise and give -you cause to repent it all your lifetime. I am the caliph and the -commander of the believers; and you ought to believe me when I say -so. - -Then the good woman perceiving that he was more distracted than -ever, abandoned herself to tears, and beating her face and breast, -expressed the utmost grief and astonishment to see her son in that -terrible state. Abon Hassan, instead of being appeased, and being -moved by his mother’s tears, on the contrary lost all the respect -due from a son to his mother, and getting up hastily, and laying -hold of a cane, ran to his mother in great fury, and in a -threatening manner, that would have frightened every one but a -mother so partial to him, said, Tell me presently, wicked woman, who -I am. I do not believe, son, replied she, looking at him tenderly, -and void of fear, that you are so abandoned by God as not to know -your mother, who brought you into the world, and to mistake -yourself. You are indeed my son Abon Hassan, and are very much in -the wrong to arrogate to yourself the title which belongs only to -our sovereign lord the caliph Haroun Alraschid, after the noble and -generous present the monarch made us yesterday. In short, I forgot -to tell you, that the grand vizier Giafar came to me yesterday, and -putting a purse of a thousand pieces of gold into my hands, bid me -pray for the commander of the faithful, who made me that present; -and does not this liberality concern you more than me, who have but -a short time to live? - -At these words Abon Hassan grew quite mad. The circumstance of the -caliph’s liberality his mother told him of, persuaded him more -than ever that he was caliph, remembering that he had sent the -vizier. Well, old hag, cried he, will you be convinced when I tell -you I sent you those thousand pieces of gold by my grand vizier -Giafar, who obeyed my commands, as I was commander of the faithful? -But instead of believing me you endeavour to distract me by your -contradictions, and maintain with obstinacy that I am your son, but -you shall not go long unpunished. After these words, he was so -unnatural, in the height of his frenzy, as to beat her cruelly with -his cane. - -The poor mother, who could not have thought that her son would have -come so soon from words to blows, called out for help so loud, that -the neighbours ran in to her assistance. Abon Hassan continued to -beat her, at every stroke asking her if he was the commander of the -faithful? To which she always answered tenderly, that he was her son. - -By that time the neighbours came in, Abon Hassan’s rage began to -abate. The first who entered the room got between him and his -mother, and taking the cane out of his hand, said to him, What are -you doing, Abon Hassan? have you lost all fear of God, and your -reason? Did ever a son so well brought up as you, dare to strike his -mother? Are you not ashamed so to treat yours, who loves you so -tenderly? Abon Hassan, still full of fury, looked at him that spoke -without returning an answer; and then staring on all the rest of his -neighbours that followed him, said, Who is that Abon Hassan you -speak of? Is it me you call by that name? - -This question disconcerted the neighbours a little. How! said he who -spoke first, do not you know your mother, who brought you up, and -with whom you have always lived? Begone, you are impertinent people, -replied Abon Hassan; I neither know her nor you, and will not know -her. I am not Abon Hassan; I am the commander of the faithful, and -will make you know it to your cost. - -At this discourse the neighbours no longer doubted that he was mad; -and to prevent his being guilty of the like actions, seized him, -notwithstanding his resistance, and bound him hand and foot. But -though apparently disabled from doing any mischief, they did not -choose to leave him alone with his mother. Two of them ran for the -keeper of the hospital for mad folks, who came presently with -chains, hand-cuffs, a bull’s pizzle, and a great many attendants. -When they entered the room, Abon Hassan, who little expected such -treatment, struggled to unloose himself; but after his keeper had -given him two or three smart strokes upon the shoulders with the -bull’s pizzle, he lay so quiet, that the keeper and his people did -what they would with him. As soon as they had bound and manacled -him, they took him with them to the hospital. When he was got out of -his house into the street, the people crowded round him; one -buffeted him, another boxed him, and others called him fool and -madman. To all this treatment he replied, There is no greatness and -power but in God most high and almighty. I am treated as a fool, -though I am in my right senses. I suffer all these injuries and -indignities for the love of God. He was conducted to the hospital, -where he was lodged in an iron cage; but before he was shut up, the -keeper, who was hardened to such terrible execution, regaled him -without pity with fifty strokes of the bull’s pizzle on his -shoulders, which he repeated every day for three weeks, bidding him -remember that he was not the commander of the faithful. I am not -mad; but if I did want your assistance, nothing would so effectually -make me mad, as your cruel treatment of me. I want not your advice, -said Abon Hassan. - -Abon Hassan’s mother went every day to see her son, and could not -forbear crying to see him fall away daily, and to hear him sigh and -complain at the hardships he endured. In short his shoulders, back, -and sides, were so black and bruised, that he could not turn -himself. His mother would willingly have talked with him, to comfort -him, and to sound him whether he still retained the notion of being -caliph; but whenever she opened her mouth he stopped her with so -much fury, that she was forced to leave him, and return home -inconsolable at his obstinacy. - -By degrees those strong and lively ideas which Abon Hassan -entertained, of having been clothed in the caliph’s habit, and -having exercised his authority, and been punctually obeyed and -treated like the true caliph, and which persuaded him when he awaked -that he was so, all began to wear away insensibly. Sometimes he -would say to himself, If I was the caliph and commander of the -believers, how came I, when I awaked, to find myself at home, -dressed in my own apparel? Why should I not have been attended by -eunuchs, and their chief, and a crowd of beautiful ladies? Why -should my grand vizier Giafar, and all those emirs and governors of -provinces, who prostrated themselves at my feet, forsake me? -Undoubtedly if I had any authority over them, they would have -delivered me long ago out of this miserable condition I am in; -certainly I ought to look upon all as a dream. It is true I -commanded the judge of the police to punish the iman and the four -old men his companions; I ordered Giafar the grand vizier to carry -my mother a thousand pieces of gold; and all my commands were -executed. All these things are obstacles to my believing it a dream, -and I cannot comprehend it; but there are so many things that I -cannot comprehend, nor ever shall, that I will put my trust in God, -who knows all things. - -Abon Hassan was taken up with these thoughts and reflections when -his mother came to see him. She found him so much altered and -emaciated, that she let fall a torrent of tears; in the midst of -which she saluted him as she used to do, and he returned her salute, -which he had never done before, since he had been in the hospital. -This she looked upon to be a good sign. Well, my son, said she, -wiping her tears, how do you do, and how do you find yourself? Have -you renounced all those whims and fancies which the devil had put -into your head? Indeed, mother, replied Abon Hassan, very rationally -and calmly, and in a tone expressive of his grief for the excesses -he had been transported to against her, I acknowledge my error, and -beg of you to forgive the execrable crime which I have been guilty -of towards you, and which I detest. I ask pardon also of my -neighbours that I have abused. I have been deceived by a dream; but -by so extraordinary a one, and so like to truth, that I venture to -affirm any other person, to whom such a thing might have happened, -would have been guilty of as great or greater extravagancies; and I -am this instant so much perplexed about it, that while I am speaking -I can hardly persuade myself but that what has happened to me was a -matter of fact, so like was it to what happens to people who are -broad awake. But whatever it was, I do, and shall always look upon -it as a dream and an illusion. I am convinced that I am not that -shadow of a caliph and commander of the faithful, but Abon Hassan -your son, the son of a person whom I have always honoured till that -fatal day, the remembrance of which will cover me with confusion, -and whom I shall honour and respect all my life as I ought. - -At these sensible words, the tears of sorrow and affliction which -the mother of Abon Hassan had so long shed were changed into those -of joy, to find her son so well recovered. My son! cried she, -transported with pleasure, my satisfaction and comfort to hear you -talk so reasonably is inexpressible; and it gives me as much joy as -if I had brought you into the world a second time; but I must tell -you my opinion upon this adventure, and observe one thing which you -may not have taken notice of; the stranger that you brought home -with you one evening to sup with you, went away without shutting -your chamber-door after him, as you desired him; which I believe -gave the devil an opportunity to enter, and throw you into that -horrible illusion you were in: and, therefore, my son, you ought to -return God thanks for your deliverance, and beseech him to keep you -from falling again into the snares of the evil spirit. - -You have found out the source of my misfortunes, answered Abon -Hassan. It was that very night I had this dream which turned my -brain. I bid the merchant expressly to shut the door after him; and -now I find he did not do it. I am persuaded, as well as you, the -devil, finding it open, came in, and filled my head full of these -fancies. The people of Moussol, from whence this merchant came, may -not know how we at Bagdad are well convinced that the devil is the -cause of troublesome dreams when we leave our chamber-doors open. -But since, mother, you see I am, by the grace of God, so well -recovered, for God’s sake get me out of this hellish place, and -deliver me from the hand of this executioner, who will infallibly -shorten my days if I stay here any longer. The mother, glad to hear -her son was so well cured of his foolish imagination of being -caliph, went immediately to the keeper, and assuring him that he was -very sensible and well, he came and examined him, and released him -in her presence. - -When Abon Hassan came home, he staid within doors some days, to -recover his health by better living than he had found in the -hospital. But when he had recovered his strength, and felt no more -effect of the harsh treatment he had suffered in his confinement, he -began to be weary of spending his evenings alone. He presently -entered again upon the same way of living as before; which was, to -provide enough every day to regale a new stranger at night. - -The day on which Abon Hassan renewed his custom of going about -sunset to the foot of Bagdad bridge to stop the first stranger that -offered, and desire him to do him the honour of supping with him, -happened to be the first day of the month, which was the day that -the caliph always set apart to go in disguise out of some of the -city-gates to observe with his own eyes what was committed contrary -to the good government of the city, as he had established and -regulated it at the beginning of his reign. He had not been long -arrived at the bridge, and sat himself on a bench which was fixed to -the parapet, when, looking about him, he perceived the caliph -disguised again like a Moussol merchant, and followed by the same -slave. Persuaded that all his misfortunes were owing to the caliph -(whom he took for a merchant) leaving his door open, he shuddered at -the sight of him. God preserve me! said he to himself; if I am not -deceived, there is the magician again that enchanted me! and -thereupon got up, and looked over the parapet into the river, that -he might not see him till he was past. - -The caliph, who had a mind to carry on the diversion he had received -by Abon Hassan, had taken care to inform himself of all that had -happened when Abon Hassan awaked at home, and conceived a great -pleasure at the relation given him, especially at his being sent to -a madhouse, and the treatment he received there. But as this monarch -was both just and generous, and had taken a great liking to Abon -Hassan, as capable of contributing further to his amusement, and had -doubted whether, after renouncing his pretended character of a -caliph, he would return to his usual manner of living, he designed, -with a view to get him nearer him, to dress himself again like a -merchant of Moussol, the better to execute his plan. He perceived -Abon Hassan at the same time that he saw him, and presently guessed -by his action that he was angry with him, and wanted to shun him. -This made him walk close to the parapet Abon Hassan leaned over; and -when he came nigh him, he put his head over to look him in the face. -Ho, brother Abon Hassan, said he, is it you? I greet you! Give me -leave to embrace you! Not I, replied Abon Hassan, briskly, without -looking at the pretended Moussol merchant; I do not greet you; I -will have neither your greeting nor your embraces. Go along! - -What! answered the caliph, do you not know me? Do you not remember -the evening we spent together at your house this day month, where -you did me the honour to treat me very generously? No, replied Abon -Hassan in the same tone, I do not know you, nor what you talk about; -go, I say again, about your business. - -The caliph was not to be dashed with this rude behaviour of Abon -Hassan. He knew very well the law he had imposed on himself, never -to have any commerce again with a stranger he had once entertained; -but though Abon Hassan had declared so much to him, he pretended to -be ignorant of it. I cannot believe, said he, but you must know me -again; it is not possible that you should have forgotten me in so -short a time. Certainly some misfortune has befallen you, which -inspires you with this aversion for me. However, you ought to -remember, that I showed my gratitude by my good wishes, and that I -offered you my interest, which is not to be slighted, in an affair -which you had very much at heart. - -I do not know, replied Abon Hassan, what your interest may be, and I -have no desire to make use of it; but I am sensible the utmost of -your good wishes ended in making me mad. In God’s name, I say, -once more, go your way, and trouble me no more. - -Ah! brother Abon Hassan, replied the caliph, embracing him, I do not -intend to part with you in this manner, since I have had the good -fortune to meet with you a second time; you must exercise the same -hospitality towards me again, that you showed me a month ago, when I -had the honour to drink with you. - -I have protested against it, said Abon Hassan, and have so much -power over myself, not to receive a second time such an unlucky man -as you. You know the proverb, ‘Take up your drum and begone.’ -Make the application to yourself. How often must I repeat it? God be -with you! You have been the cause of my misfortune, and I will not -venture myself with you again. My good friend Abon Hassan, said the -caliph, embracing him again, you treat me in a way I little -expected. I beg of you not to talk to me in this harsh manner, but -be persuaded of my friendship. Do me the favour to tell me what has -happened to you; for I assure you, I wished you well, and still do -so; and would be glad of an opportunity to make you any amends for -the trouble I have caused you, if it has been really my fault. Abon -Hassan yielded to the pressing instances of the caliph, and bid him -sit down by him. Your incredulity and importunity, said he, have -tired my patience; and what I am going to tell you will show you -that I do not accuse you wrongfully. - -The caliph sat down by Abon Hassan, while he told him all that had -happened to him, from his waking in the palace to his waking again -in his own house, all as a mere dream, with all the circumstances -which the caliph knew as well as himself, and which renewed his -pleasure. He enlarged afterwards upon the impression that dream of -being caliph and commander of the faithful made upon him, which he -said, threw him into such extravagancies, that his neighbours were -obliged to bind him as a madman, and carry him to a madhouse, where -he was treated in a way that must seem very barbarous. But, said he, -what will surprise you, and what you little think of, is, that it -was altogether your fault that these things fell out; for, if you -remember, I desired you to shut the door after you, which you -neglected, and the devil, finding it open, put this dream into my -head, which, though it was very agreeable, was the cause of the -misfortune I complain of: you, therefore, for your negligence, are -answerable for the horrid and detestable crime I was guilty of in -lifting my hand against my mother, whom I might have killed, and -committed parricide (I blush for shame when I think of it,) only -because she said I was her son, and she would not acknowledge me for -the commander of the faithful, as I thought, and positively insisted -on to her that I was. You are the cause of the offence I have given -my neighbours, when, running in at the cries of my poor mother, they -surprised me bent on knocking her down; which would never have -happened, if you had taken care to shut my chamber door when you -went away, as I desired you. They would not have come into my house -without my leave; and, what troubles me most of all, they would not -have been witness of my folly. I should not have been obliged to -strike them in my own defence, and they would not have bound and -fettered me to carry me and shut me up in the hospital for madmen, -where I assure you every day that I remained confined in that hell, -I received a score of strokes with a bull’s pizzle. Abon Hassan -recounted his complaints with great heat and vehemence to the -caliph, who knew better than he what had passed, and was delighted -to find that he had succeeded so well in his plan to throw him into -the vagaries he still was in. He could not help bursting out a -laughing at the simplicity wherewith he related them. - -Abon Hassan, who thought that his story should rather move -compassion, and that every one ought to be as much concerned at it -as himself, very much resented the pretended Moussol merchant’s -laughter: What! said he, do you make a jest of me, and laugh in my -face, or do you believe I laugh at you when I speak seriously? if -you want proof of what I advance, look here yourself and see whether -or no I tell you the truth: with that, stooping down and baring his -shoulders, he showed the caliph the scars and weals the bull’s -pizzle had made. - -The caliph could not behold those objects without horror. He pitied -poor Abon Hassan, and was sorry he had carried the jest so far. -Come, rise, dear brother, said he to him very seriously, and -embracing Abon Hassan heartily in his arms; let us go to your house, -and enjoy the happiness of being merry with you to-night; and -to-morrow, if it please God, all things will go well. - -Abon Hassan, notwithstanding his resolution and oath never to admit -the same stranger a second time, could not resist the caresses of -the caliph, whom he always took for a merchant of Moussol. I will -consent, said he, if you will swear to shut my door after you, that -the devil may not come in to distract my brain again. The caliph -promised that he would; upon which they both got up, walked towards -the city, and followed by the caliph’s slave, reached Abon -Hassan’s house by the time it was dark. - -The caliph, the more to engage Abon Hassan, said to him, Place a -confidence in me; I promise you on my honour I will not break my -word. After this, you need not hesitate to trust in a person like -me, who wishes you all happiness and prosperity, of which you will -see the effects. I desire not that, said Abon Hassan, stopping him -short. I yield to your importunity; but I dispense with your good -wishes, and beg you in God’s name to form none for me. All the -mischief that has hitherto befallen me arose purely from those you -already expressed for me, and from your leaving the door open. Well, -replied the caliph, still laughing at the misguided imagination of -Abon Hassan, since you will have it so, be it so; I promise you I -will form none. You do me pleasure by speaking so, said Abon Hassan; -I desire no more; I shall be more than satisfied provided you keep -your word, and I shall forgive you all the rest. - -As soon as Abon Hassan entered the doors, he called for his mother -and for candles, and desired his guest to sit down upon a sofa, and -then placed himself by him. A little time after, supper was brought -up, and they both fell to without ceremony. When they had done, Abon -Hassan’s mother cleared the table, set on a small dessert of -fruit, wine and glasses by her son, and withdrew, and appeared no -more. Abon Hassan first filled his own glass, and then the -caliph’s; and after they had drank some time, and talked of -indifferent matters, the caliph perceiving that his host grew warm -with liquor, began to talk of love, and asked him if he had ever -felt that passion. - -Brother, replied Abon Hassan, familiarly, thinking his guest was his -equal, I never looked upon love or marriage but as a slavery, to -which I was always unwilling to submit; and must own to you, that I -never loved any thing but good cheer and good wine; in short, to -divert and entertain myself agreeably with my friends. Yet I do not -tell you that I am so indifferent to marriage or incapable of -attachment, if I could meet with a woman of such beauty and -sweetness of temper as her I saw in my dream on that fatal night I -first received you into my house, and you, to my misfortune, left my -door open, who would pass the whole night with me drinking, singing, -and playing on some instrument, and in agreeable conversation, and -who would study to please and divert me: I believe, on the contrary, -I should change all my indifference into a perfect attachment to -such a person, and, I think, should live very happily with her. But -where is such a woman to be found but in the caliph’s palace, or -in those of the grand vizier or some great lords of the court who -want no money to provide them? I choose therefore to stick close to -my bottle, which is a much cheaper pleasure, and which I can enjoy -as well as they. Saying these words, he filled out his own and the -caliph’s glass, and said, Come, take your glass, and let us pursue -this charming pleasure. - -When they had drank off their wine, It is great pity, said the -caliph, that so gallant a man as you, who owns himself not -insensible of love, should lead so solitary a life. I prefer the -easy quiet life I live, replied Abon Hassan, before the company of a -wife, whose beauty might not please me, and who, besides, might -create me a great deal of trouble by her imperfections and -ill-humour. The conversation lasted a long time, and the caliph -seeing Abon Hassan had drank up to the pitch he desired, said, Let -me alone, since you have the same good taste as every other honest -man, I warrant you I will find you one that shall please you. Then -taking Abon Hassan’s glass, and putting a pinch of the same powder -into it again, filled him up a bumper and presenting it to him, -said, Come let us drink beforehand the fair lady’s health, who is -to make you happy. I am sure you will like her. - -Abon Hassan took the glass laughing, and shaking his head, said, Be -it so; since you desire it, I cannot be guilty of so great a piece -of incivility, nor disoblige a guest of so much merit in such a -trifling matter. I will drink the lady’s health you promise me, -though I am very well contented as I am, and do not rely on your -promise. But no sooner had Abon Hassan drank off his bumper, than he -was seized with as deep a sleep as before, and the caliph ordered -the same slave to take him and carry him to the palace. The slave -did so, and the caliph, who did not intend to send back Abon Hassan -as before, shut the door after him, as he had promised, and followed -the slave carrying Abon Hassan. - -When they arrived at the palace, the caliph ordered Abon Hassan to -be laid on a sofa, in the fourth hall, from whence he was carried -home fast asleep a month before; but first he bid them put him on -the same habit which he acted the caliph in, which was done -forthwith before him. He then sent every body to bed, and charged -all the eunuchs, officers, ladies, and musicians who were in the -hall, when he drank the last glass of wine which had put him to -sleep, to be there by daybreak, and to take care to act their parts -well when he should awake. He then went to bed, charging Mesrour to -awake him before they went into the hall, that he might conceal -himself in the closet as before. - -Mesrour, at the hour appointed, awakened the caliph, who immediately -rose and went to the hall where Abon Hassan lay fast asleep, and -when he had placed himself in his closet, Mesrour and the other -officers, ladies and musicians, who waited for him, went in, and -placed themselves about the sofa, so as not to hinder the caliph -from seeing what passed, and noticing all his actions. - -Things being thus disposed, and the caliph’s powder having had its -effect, Abon Hassan began to awake without opening his eyes, and -threw off the phlegm, which was received in a gold basin as before. -In that moment the seven bands of musicians joined their charming -voices to the sound of hautboys, fifes, flutes and other -instruments, forming a very agreeable concert. Abon Hassan was in -great surprise to hear that delightful harmony; but when he opened -his eyes, and saw the ladies and officers about him, whom he thought -he knew again, his amazement increased. The hall that he was in, -seemed to be the same he saw in his first dream, and he observed the -same lustres, and the same furniture and ornaments. - -The concert ceased, to give the caliph an opportunity of attending -to the countenance of his new guest, and all that he might say in -his surprise. The ladies, Mesrour, and all the officers of the -chamber, waited in profound and respectful silence. Abon Hassan bit -his finger, and cried loud enough for the caliph to hear him, Alas! -I am fallen again into the same dream and illusion that happened to -me a month ago, and must expect again the bull’s pizzle and iron -cage at the madhouse. Almighty God, added he, I commit myself into -the hands of thy divine providence. He was a wicked man that I -entertained at my house last night, who has been the cause of this -illusion, and the hardships I must undergo. The base wretch swore to -shut the door after him, but did not, and the devil came in and has -turned my brain with this wicked dream of being commander of the -faithful, and other phantoms which bewitch my eyes. God confound -thee, Satan, and crush thee under some mountain of stones. - -After these last words, Abon Hassan closed his eyes, and remained -sometime thoughtful and very much perplexed; then opening them -again, and looking about him, cried out a second time with less -surprise, and smiling at the various objects before him, Great God! -I commit myself into the hands of thy providence; preserve me from -the temptations of Satan. Then shutting them again, he said, I know -what I will do: I will go to sleep until Satan leaves me, and -returns as he came, were I to wait till noon. They did not give him -time to go to sleep again, as he had promised himself: for Strength -of Hearts, one of the ladies whom he had seen before, approached, -and sitting down on the sofa by him, said to him respectfully, -Commander of the faithful, I intreat your majesty to forgive me for -taking the liberty to tell you not to go to sleep; day appears, and -it is time to rise. Begone, Satan! answered Abon Hassan, raising his -voice: but looking upon the lady, he said, is it me you call the -commander of the faithful? Certainly you take me for somebody else. -It is to your majesty I give that title, replied the lady, to whom -it belongs, as you are sovereign of the Mussulman world, and I am -your most humble slave. Undoubtedly, added she, your majesty means -to divert yourself by pretending to have forgotten yourself, or this -is the effect of some troublesome dream; but if you would but open -your eyes, the mists which may disturb your imagination will soon be -dispelled, and you will find yourself in your own palace, surrounded -by your officers and slaves, who all wait your commands: and that -your majesty may not be surprised to find yourself in this hall, and -not in bed, I beg leave to tell you, that you fell so suddenly -asleep last night, that we were unwilling to wake you, to conduct -you to your chamber, but laid you carefully upon the sofa. In short, -she said to him so many things that appeared probable, that at last -he sat up, opened his eyes, and recollected her and all the ladies -again. They all drew near, and she who spoke first, resuming the -discourse, said, Commander of the faithful, and vicar of the prophet -on earth, be not displeased if I acquaint your majesty once more -that it is time to rise, for day appears. - -You are very troublesome and importunate, replied Abon Hassan, -rubbing his eyes: I am not the commander of the faithful, but Abon -Hassan; I know it well, and you shall not persuade me otherwise. We -do not know that Abon Hassan your majesty speaks of, nor desire to -know him, answered the lady; but we know you to be commander of the -believers, and you cannot persuade us to the contrary. - -Abon Hasan looking about and finding himself in the same hall, -attributed all he saw and heard to such a dream as he had before, -and very much feared the dreadful consequences. God have mercy on -me! said he, lifting up his hands and eyes, like a man who knew not -where he was; I commit myself into his hands. I cannot doubt, after -what I have seen, but that the devil, who came into my chamber, -possesses me, and fills my imagination full of all these visions. - -The caliph, who saw him all the time, and heard these acclamations, -began laughing so heartily, that he had much ado to forbear bursting -into loud laughter. - -Abon Hassan laying himself down again, and shutting his eyes, the -same lady again said, Commander of the faithful, since your majesty -does not rise, after we have, according to our duty, informed you it -was day, and the despatch of business requires your presence, we -shall use the liberty you give us in such cases. Then taking him by -one arm, and calling to one of the other ladies to do the same by -the other, they lifted him up, and carried him into the middle of -the hall, where they set him on his breech, and taking all hands, -danced and skipped round him while the music played and rattled in -his ears. - -Abon Hassan was in an inexpressible perplexity of mind, and said, -What! am I indeed caliph, and commander of the faithful? And in the -uncertainty he was in, would have said something more, but the music -was so loud, that he could not be heard. At last he made a sign to -String of Pearls and Morning Star, two of the ladies who were -dancing, that he wanted to speak with them; upon which they forbore, -and went to him. Do not lie now, said he, but tell me truly who I am? - -Commander of the faithful, replied Morning Star, your majesty means -either to surprise us, by asking this question, as if you did not -know that you are commander of the faithful, and the vicar on earth -of the prophet of God, master of both worlds, that whereon we now -are and that to come after death, or else you must have had some -very extraordinary dream to-night, which has made you forget who you -are; which may very well be, considering that your majesty has slept -longer to-night than ordinary: however, if you will give me leave, I -will refresh your memory with what passed yesterday. Then she told -him how he went to the council, punished the iman, and the four old -men, and sent a present by his grand vizier of a thousand pieces of -gold to the mother of one Abon Hassan; what he did in the inner part -of the palace, and what passed at the three meals which he took in -the three halls, and how in the fourth your majesty did us the -honour to make us sit down by you, to hear our songs, and receive -wine from our hands, until your majesty fell so fast asleep, as -Strength of Hearts has told you. From that time your majesty has -continued, contrary to custom, in a sound sleep until now. ---Strength of Hearts, all your other slaves, and the officers -present, can confirm what I say, and it is now time you should go to -prayers. - -Very well, replied Abon Hassan, shaking his head, you would have me -believe all this; but I tell you, you are all fools, or mad, and -that is a great pity, for you are very pretty. Since I saw you I -have been at home, where I used my mother so ill that they sent me -to a mad-house, and kept me there three weeks against my will, and -beat me every day with a bull’s pizzle, and yet you would make me -believe all this to be a dream. Commander of the faithful, answered -Morning Star, you are mistaken; we are all ready to swear by all -that your majesty holds most dear that all you tell is a dream. You -never stirred out of this hall since yesterday, but slept here all -night long. - -The confidence with which the lady assured Abon Hassan that all she -said was truth, and that he had never been out of the hall since -that time, made him not know what to believe, but bewildered his -senses. O Heaven! said he to himself, am I Abon Hassan, or the -commander of the faithful? Almighty God, enlighten my understanding, -and inform me of the truth, that I may know what to trust to. Then -he uncovered his shoulders, and shewed the ladies the livid weals of -the blows he had received. Look, said he; judge whether these -strokes could come to me in a dream, or when I was asleep. For my -part, I can affirm, that they were real blows; I feel the smart of -them yet, and that is a testimonial there is no room to doubt of. -Now if I received these strokes in my sleep, it is the most -extraordinary thing in the world, and surpasses my comprehension. - -In this uncertainty Abon Hassan called to one of the officers that -stood round him: Come hither, said he, and bite the tip of my ear, -that I may know whether I am asleep or awake. The officer obeyed -him, and bit so hard that he made him cry out horridly; the music -struck up at the same time, and the officers and ladies all began to -sing, dance, and skip about Abon Hassan, and made such a noise, that -he was in perfect enthusiasm, and played a thousand merry tricks. He -tore off his caliph’s habit, threw off his turban, and jumped up -in his shirt and drawers, and taking hold of two of the ladies’ -hands, fell a dancing and singing and jumping and cutting capers, -that the caliph could not contain himself, but burst into such -violent laughter at this sudden pleasantry of Abon Hassan, that he -fell backwards, and made a greater noise than all the musicians -together. He was so long before he could check himself, that it had -like to have hurt him. At last he got up, and opened the lattice, -and putting out his head, cried out, Abon Hassan, Abon Hassan, have -you a mind to kill me with laughing? - -As soon as the caliph’s voice was heard, every body was silent, -and Abon Hassan, among the rest, who, turning his head to see from -whence the voice came, knew the caliph, and the Moussol merchant, -but was not in the least dashed; on the contrary, he found that he -was awake, and all that had happened to him was matter of fact, and -not a dream. He entered into the caliph’s pleasantry and -intention. Ha! ha! said he, looking at him with good assurance, you -are a merchant of Moussol, and complain that I would kill you; you -have been the occasion of my using my mother so ill, and being sent -to a mad-house. It was you who treated the iman and the four scheiks -in the manner they were used, and not me; I wash my hands of it. It -was you who have been the cause of all my disorders and sufferings: -in short, you are the aggressor, and I the injured person. - -Indeed, you are in the right of it, Abon Hassan, answered the -caliph, laughing all the while; but to comfort you, and make you -amends for all your troubles, I call Heaven to witness, I am ready -and willing to make you what reparation you please to ask. After -these words, he came out of the closet into the hall, and ordered -one of his most magnificent habits to be brought, and commanded the -ladies to dress Abon Hassan in it; and when they had done so, he -said, embracing him, Thou art my brother; ask what thou wilt, and -thou shalt have it. - -Commander of the faithful, replied Abon Hassan, I beg of your -majesty to do me the favour to tell me what you did to disturb my -brain in this manner, and what was your design; for it is a thing of -the greatest importance for me to know, that I may perfectly recover -my senses. - -The caliph was ready to give him that satisfaction, and said, First -you are to know, that I often disguise myself, and particularly at -night, to observe if all goes right in Bagdad; and as I wish to know -what passes in its environs, I set apart the first day of every -month to make a tour about it, sometimes on one side, and sometimes -on another, and always return by the bridge. The evening that you -invited me to supper, I had been taking my rounds, and in our -conversation you told me, that the only thing you wished for was to -be caliph for four-and-twenty hours, to punish the iman of your -mosque and his four counsellors. I fancied that this desire of yours -would afford me a great deal of diversion, and thought immediately -how I might procure you that satisfaction. I had about me a certain -powder, which immediately throws the person who takes it into a -sound sleep for a certain time. I put a dose of it, without being -perceived by you, into the last glass I presented you, upon which -you fell fast asleep, and I ordered my slave to carry you to my -palace, and came away without shutting the door. I have no occasion -to repeat what happened at my palace when you awaked, and during the -whole day till evening; but after you had been regaled by my orders, -one of the slaves who waited on you put another dose of the same -powder at night into a glass she gave you; you fell asleep as -before, and the same slave carried you home, and left the door open. -You have told me all that happened to you afterwards. I never -imagined that you could have suffered so much as you have done. But -as I have a great regard for you, I will do every thing to comfort -you, and make you forget all your sufferings; think of what I can do -to please you, and ask me boldly what you wish. - -Commander of the faithful, replied Abon Hassan, how great soever my -tortures may have been, they are all blotted out of my remembrance, -as soon as I understand my sovereign lord and master had any share -in them. I doubt not in the least of your majesty’s bounty; but as -interest never governed me, and you give me liberty to ask a favour, -I beg that it may be that of having access to your person, to have -the happiness of admiring, all my lifetime, your grandeur. - -This last proof of disinterestedness in Abon Hassan completed the -esteem the caliph had entertained for him. I am pleased with your -request, said the caliph, and grant you free access to my person at -all times and all hours. At the same time, he assigned him an -apartment in the palace, and, in regard to his pension, told him -that he would not have him apply to his treasurer, but come always -to him for an order upon him; and immediately ordered his private -treasurer to give him a purse containing a thousand pieces of gold. -Abon Hassan made a low bow; and the caliph left him to go to council. - -Abon Hassan took this opportunity to go and inform his mother of his -good fortune, and what had happened, which he told her was not a -dream; for that he had actually been caliph, and had acted as such, -and received all the honours, and that she had no reason to doubt -it, since he had it confirmed by the caliph himself. - -It was not long before this story of Abon Hassan was spread over -Bagdad, and carried into all the provinces both far and near, -without the omission of a single circumstance. - -The new favourite, Abon Hassan, was always with the caliph; for, as -he was a man of a pleasant temper, and created mirth wherever he -went by his wit and pleasantry, the caliph could not live without -him. He formed no party of diversion without him, and sometimes -carried him along with him to see his consort Zobiede, to whom he -had told his story, which so highly pleased him, as it did Zobiede; -who observed that every time he came with the caliph, he had his -eyes always fixed upon one of her slaves, called Nouzhatoul-aouadat, -(which is to say, _renewed pleasure_,) and resolved to tell the -caliph of it. Commander of the faithful, said that princess one day, -you do not observe so well as I, that every time Abon Hassan attends -you in your visits to me, he never keeps his eyes off -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, and makes her blush, which is almost a certain -sign that she entertains no aversion for him. If you approve of it, -we will make a match between them. - -Madam, replied the caliph, you put me in mind of a thing which I -ought to have done before now. I know Abon Hassan’s opinion -respecting marriage from himself, and have always promised him a -wife that should please him. I am glad you mentioned it; for I know -not now I came to forget it. But it is better that Abon Hassan -should follow his own inclination, and choose for himself; and if -Nouzhatoul-aouadat is not averse to it, we ought not to hesitate -upon their marriage; and since they are both present, they have only -to say that they consent. - -Abon Hassan threw himself at the caliph’s and Zobeide’s feet to -show the sense he had of their goodness to him; and, rising up, -said, I cannot receive a wife from better hands, but dare not hope -that Nouzhatoul-aouadat will give me her hand as readily as I give -her mine. At these words he looked upon the princess’s slave, who -showed by her respectful silence, and the sudden blush that arose in -her cheeks, that she was disposed to obey the caliph and her -mistress Zobiede. - -The marriage was solemnized, and the nuptials celebrated in the -palace with great rejoicings, which lasted several days. Zobeide, in -pleasure to the caliph, made her slave considerable presents, and -the caliph did the same to Abon Hassan. The bride was conducted to -the apartment the caliph had assigned Abon Hassan, who waited for -her with all the impatience of a bridegroom, and received her with -the sound of all sorts of instruments, and musicians of both sexes, -who made the air echo again with their concert. - -After these feasts and rejoicings, which lasted several days, the -new married couple were left to pursue their loves in peace. --Abon -Hassan and his spouse were charmed with each other, and lived -together in perfect union, and seldom were asunder, but when either -he paid his respects to the caliph, or she to Zobeide. Indeed, -Nouzhatoul-aouadat was endued with every qualification capable of -gaining Abon Hassan’s love and attachment, and was just such a -wife as he described to the caliph, and fit to sit at the head of -his table. With these dispositions they could not fail to pass their -lives agreeably. They kept a good table, covered with the nicest and -choicest rarities in season, by an excellent cook, who took upon him -to provide every thing. Their sideboard was always stored with -exquisite wines, placed within their reach when at table, where they -enjoyed themselves in an agreeable tete-a-tete, and afterwards -entertained each other with some pleasantry or other, which made -them laugh more or less, as they had in the day met with something -to divert them; and in the evenings, which they consecrated to -mirth, they had generally some slight repast of dried sweetmeats, -choice fruits, and cakes; and at each glass invited each other by -new songs to drink, and sometimes accompanied their voices with a -lute, or other instruments, which they could both touch. - -Abon Hassan and Nouzhatoul-aouadat led this pleasant life a long -time, unattentive to expense, when the caterer, who disbursed all -the money for these expenses, brought them in a long bill, in hope -of having an advance of money. They found it, too late, to be so -considerable a sum, including the wedding clothes and jewels for the -bride, that all the presents that the caliph and the princess -Zobiede had given them at their marriage were but just enough to pay -him. This made them reflect seriously on what was passed, which, -however, was no remedy for the present evil. But they agreed to pay -the caterer; and having sent for him, paid him all they owed him, -without considering the difficulty they would be in immediately -after. - -The caterer went away very well pleased to receive so large a sum of -ready money, though Abon Hassan and his wife were not so well -satisfied with seeing the bottom of their purse, but remained a long -time silent, and very much embarrassed to find themselves reduced to -that condition the very first year of their marriage. Abon Hassan -remembered that the caliph, when he took him into the palace, -promised never to let him want any thing; but when he considered how -prodigal he had been of his money in so short a time, he was -unwilling to expose himself to the shame of letting the caliph know -the ill use he had made of what he had given him, and that he wanted -more. Besides, he had made over his patrimony to his mother, as soon -as the caliph received him near his person, and was afraid to go to -her, lest she should find that he had returned to the same -extravagance he had been guilty of after his father’s death. His -wife, on the other hand, looked upon Zobeide’s generosity, and the -liberty she had given her to marry, as more than a sufficient -recompense for her service, and thought she had not a right to ask -more. - -Abon Hassan at last broke silence, and, looking upon his wife, said, -I see you are in the same embarrassment as myself, and are thinking -what we must do in this unhappy juncture, when our money fails us so -unexpectedly. I do not know what your sentiments may be, but mine -are, let what will happen, not to retrench our expenses in the -least; and I believe you will come into my opinion. The point is, -how to support them without stooping to ask the caliph or Zobeide; -and I think I have fallen on the means; but we must both assist each -other. - -This discourse of Abon Hassan very much pleased his wife, and gave -her some hopes. I was thinking so as well as you, said she, but -durst not explain my thoughts, because I did not know how to help -ourselves; and must confess, that what you tell me gives me a great -deal of pleasure. But since you say you have found out a way, and my -assistance is necessary, you need but to tell me, and I will do all -that lies in my power. - -I was sure, replied Abon Hassan, that you would not fail in this -business, which concerns us both; and therefore I must tell you, -this want of money has made me think of a plan which will supply us -with some, at least for a time. It consists in a little trick we -will put, I upon the caliph, and you upon Zobeide, and at which, I -am sure, they will both be diverted, and it will answer very well to -us. You and I will both die. Not I, indeed, interrupted -Nouzhatoul-aouadat; you may die by yourself, if you will; I am not -so weary of this life, and, whether you are pleased or not, will not -die so soon. If you have nothing else to propose than that, you may -do it by yourself; for I assure you I shall not join you. - -You are a woman, I mean of such vivacity and wonderful quickness, -replied Abon Hassan, that you scarce give me time to explain my -design. Have but a little patience, and you shall find that you will -be ready enough to die such a death as I mean; for surely you could -not think I meant a real death? Well, said his wife, if it is but a -sham death you design, I am at your service, and you may depend on -my zeal to second you in this manner of dying; for I must tell you -truly, I am very unwilling to die, as I apprehended you at first. - -Be but easy a little, said Abon Hassan, and I will tell you what I -propose. I will feign myself dead, and you shall lay me out in a -white sheet, in the middle of my chamber, with my turban upon my -face, my feet towards Mecca, and just ready to be carried out to -burial. When you have done so, you must cry, and shed tears, as is -usual in such cases, and tear your clothes and hair, or pretend to -do it, and go all in tears, with your hair loose about your ears, to -Zobeide. The princess will ask you the cause of your grief; and when -you have told her, with words intermixed with sighs, she will pity -you, and give you some money to defray the expense of my funeral, -and a piece of good brocade to cover my body with, that my interment -may be the more magnificent, and to make you a habit in the room of -that she saw you had torn. As soon as you return with the money and -the brocade, I will get up and lay you in my place, and go and act -the same part with the caliph as you have done with Zobeide; and I -dare say the caliph will be as generous to me as Zobeide has been to -you. - -When Abon Hassan had explained his plan, I think, replied -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, it will be a pleasant trick, and I am much -mistaken if the caliph and Zobeide will not like us for it. Let us -put it in execution. Leave me to myself; I will play my part at -least as well as I expect you will yours, and with as much zeal and -attention, as the benefit we expect from it is great. - -Nouzhatoul-aouadat liked this project very well, and said to Abon -Hassan, Come, lose no time; strip to your shirt and breeches, while -I prepare a sheet. I know how to bury as well as any body; for while -I was in Zobeide’s service, and any of my fellow slaves died, I -had the conducting of the funeral. Abon Hassan did as his wife bid -him, and laid himself flat on his back on the sheet which his wife -had spread on the carpet in the middle of the room. As soon as he -had crossed his arms, his wife wrapped him up, turned his feet -towards Mecca, and put a piece of fine muslin and his turban upon -his face, so as to leave his breath free, so that nothing seemed -wanting but to put him in a coffin, and carry him out to be buried. -After this she pulled off her head-dress, and, with tears in her -eyes, and her hair dishevelled, and seeming to tear it off, with a -dismal cry and lamentation, beating her face and breast with all the -marks of the most lively grief, ran across the court to Zobeide’s -apartments; who, hearing the voice of a person crying very loud, -commanded some of her women to see who it was; who returned and told -her that it was Nouzhatoul-aouadat, who was coming in a deplorable -condition. - -The princess, impatient to know what had happened to her, rose up -immediately, and went to meet her at the door of her ante-chamber. -Nouzhatoul-aouadat played her part to perfection. As soon as she saw -Zobeide, who held the door open, she redoubled her cries, tore her -hair off by handfuls, beat her face and breast, and threw herself at -her feet, bathing them with her tears. - -Zobeide, amazed to see her slave in such extraordinary affliction, -asked what had happened to her; but instead of answering, she -continued her sighs and sobs, and, at last, feigning to strive to -check them, said, with words interrupted with sighs, Alas! my most -honoured lady and mistress, what greater misfortune could have -befell me than this, which obliges me to throw myself at your -highness’s feet? God prolong your days, my most respectable -princess, in perfect health, and grant you many happy years! --Abon -Hassan! poor Abon Hassan! whom you honoured with your esteem, and -gave me for a husband, is no more! - -At these last words, Nouzhatoul-aouadat redoubled her tears and -sighs, and threw herself again at the princess’s feet. Zobeide was -extremely surprised at this news. Abon Hassan dead! cried she; that -healthy, agreeable, pleasant man! Indeed I did not in the least -expect his death so soon; he seemed to promise a long life, and well -deserved to enjoy it. Then she also burst into tears, as did all her -women, who had been often witnesses of Abon Hassan’s pleasantries, -when the caliph brought him to see the princess Zobeide; and all -together continued a long time bewailing the loss of him. At length -the princess Zobeide broke silence: Wicked woman! cried she, -addressing herself to the false widow, perhaps you have occasioned -his death! Your ill temper has given him so much vexation, that you -have at last brought him to his grave. Nouzhatoul-aoudat seemed much -hurt at the reproaches of Zobeide: Ah, madam, cried she, I do not -think I ever gave your majesty, all the time I was your slave, the -least reason to entertain so disadvantageous an opinion of my -conduct to a husband who was so dear to me. I should think myself -the most wretched of women if you were persuaded of this. I behaved -to Abon Hassan as a wife should do to a husband for whom she has a -sincere affection; and I may say, without vanity, that I had for him -the same regard he had for me, which proved he loved me with equal -affection. I am persuaded he would, were he alive, justify me fully -to your majesty; but, madam, added she, renewing her tears, his time -was come, and that was the only cause of his death. - -Zobeide had really observed in her slave an uniformly equal temper -and mildness, great docility and zeal for her service, which showed -she was rather actuated by inclination than duty. She hesitated not -to believe her on her word, and ordered her treasurer to fetch a -hundred pieces of gold, and a piece of rich brocade. - -The slave soon returned with the purse and piece of brocade, which, -by Zobeide’s order, she put into Nouzhatoul-aouadat’s hand, who -threw herself again at the princess’s feet, and thanked her with -great satisfaction, to think she had succeeded so well. Go, said -Zobeide, make use of that brocade to cover the corpse of your -husband, and with that money bury him handsomely, and as he -deserves. Moderate the transports of your afflictions; I will take -care of you. - -As soon as Nouzhatoul-aouadat got out of the princess’s presence, -she dried up her tears, and returned with joy to Abon Hassan, to -give him an account of her good success. When she came home, she -burst out a laughing to see her husband still stretched out in the -middle of the floor; she ran to him, and bid him rise and see the -fruits of his trick. He rose, and rejoiced with his wife at the -sight of the purse and brocade. Unable to contain herself at the -success of her artifice, Come, husband, said she, laughing, let me -act the dead part, and see if you can manage the caliph as well as I -have done Zobeide. - -That is the temper of all women, replied Abon Hassan, who, we may -well say, have always the vanity to believe they can do things -better than men, though, at the same time, what good they do is by -their advice. It would be odd indeed if I, who laid this plot -myself, could not carry it on as well as you. But let us lose no -time in idle discourse; lie down in my place, and see if I do not -come off with as much applause. - -Abon Hassan wrapped up his wife as she had done him, and with his -turban unrolled, like a man in the greatest affliction, ran to the -caliph, who was holding a private council with the grand vizier -Giafar, and other confidential viziers. He presented himself at the -door, and the officer knowing he had free access, opened it. He -entered holding with one hand his handkerchief before his eyes, to -hide the feigned tears, which trickled down his cheeks, and striking -his breast with the other, with exclamations expressing -extraordinary grief. - -The caliph, who was used to see Abon Hassan with a merry -countenance, was very much surprised to see him in that sorrowful -state. He interrupted the business of the council to ask him the -cause of his grief. Commander of the faithful, answered Abon Hassan, -with repeated sighs and sobs, God preserve your majesty on the -throne, which you fill so gloriously! a greater calamity could not -have befallen me than what I now lament. Alas! Nouzhatoul-aouadat, -whom you in your bounty gave me for a wife, to pass the rest of my -days with, alas! --at this exclamation Abon Hassan pretended to have -his heart so full, that he could not utter one syllable more, but -poured forth a flood of tears. - -The caliph, who presently understood that Abon Hassan came to tell -him of the death of his wife, seemed very much concerned, and said -to him with an air which showed how much he regretted her loss, God -be merciful to her: she was a good slave, and we gave her to you -with an intention to make you happy: she deserved a longer life. -Then the tears ran down his face, so that he was obliged to pull out -his handkerchief to wipe them off. The grief of Abon Hassan, and the -tears of the caliph, excited those of Giafar and the other viziers. -They bewailed the death of Nouzhatoul-aouadat, who, on her part, was -impatient to hear how Abon Hassan succeeded. - -The caliph had the same thought of the husband that Zobeide had of -the wife, and imagined that he had occasioned her death. Wretch! -said he, in a tone of indignation, have you not been the cause of -your wife’s death by your ill-treatment of her? Can I doubt it? -You ought at least to have had some regard for the princess my -consort, who loved her more than the rest of her slaves, and -consented to give her to you. What a return for her kindness! - -Commander of the faithful, replied Abon Hassan, affecting to weep -more bitterly than before, can your majesty for a moment suppose -that Abon Hassan, whom you have loaded with your favours and -kindness, and on whom you have conferred honours he could never have -aspired to, can have been capable of such ingratitude? I loved -Nouzhatoul-aouadat my wife as much on these accounts, as for the -many good qualities she possessed, and which drew from me all the -attachment, tenderness, and love she deserved. But, my lord, added -he, she was to die, and God would no longer suffer me to enjoy a -happiness for which I was indebted to your majesty and your beloved -consort. - -In short, Abon Hassan dissembled so well, that the caliph, who had -never heard how extravagantly he and his wife had lived, not in the -least doubting his sincerity, ordered his treasurer, who was -present, to give Abon Hassan a purse of a hundred pieces of gold, -and a piece of brocade. Abon Hassan immediately cast himself at the -caliph’s feet, and thanked him for his present. Follow the -treasurer, said that monarch; throw the brocade over the corpse, and -with the money show the last testimony of thy love for thy wife. - -Abon Hassan made no reply to these obliging words of the caliph, but -retired with a low bow, and followed the treasurer; and as soon as -he had got the purse, and piece of brocade, went home very well -pleased with having found out so quick and easy a way of supplying -his necessity, which had given him so much uneasiness. - -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, weary with lying so long in the posture, never -waited till Abon Hassan bid her rise; but as soon as she heard the -door open, got up and ran to her husband, and asked him if he had -imposed on the caliph as well as she did on Zobeide? You see, said -he, showing her the stuff, and shaking the purse, that I can act a -sorrowful husband for a living wife, as well as you can a weeping -widow for a husband not dead. Abon Hassan, however, was not without -his fears, that this double trick of theirs might be attended with -some ill consequences. He thought it would not be amiss to put his -wife on her guard as to what might happen, that they might act in -concert. For, added he, the better we succeed in embarrassing the -caliph and Zobeide, the more they will be pleased at last, and -perhaps may show their satisfaction by a greater liberality. And -this last consideration induced them to carry on this feint farther. - -The caliph, though he had a great deal of business to transact in -council, was nevertheless so impatient to go and condole with the -princess upon the death of her slave, that he rose up as soon as -Abon Hassan was gone, and put off the council to another day. Follow -me, said he to Mesrour, who always attended him wherever he went and -was in all his councils; let us go and share with the princess the -grief which the death of her slave, Nouzhatoul-aouadat, causes her. - -Accordingly they went to Zobeide’s apartment, whom the caliph -found sitting on a sofa, very much afflicted, and still in tears. -Madam, said the caliph, going up to her, it is unnecessary to tell -you how much I partake with you in your affliction; since you are -not insensible that what gives you pleasure or trouble has the same -effect on me. But we are all mortal, and must surrender up to God -that life which he has given us, when he requires it. -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, your faithful slave, was endued with -qualifications that deserved your esteem, and I cannot but approve -your expressing it after her death; but consider, all your grief -will not bring her to life again. Therefore, madam, if you love me, -and will take my advice, be comforted for this loss, and take more -care of a life which you know is precious to me, and constitutes all -the happiness of mine. - -If the princess was charmed with these tender sentiments which the -caliph expressed in his compliments, she was amazed to hear of -Nouzhatoul-aouadat’s death. This news threw her into so great -surprise, that she was not able to return an answer for some time. -At last recovering, she replied, with an air expressive of surprise, -Commander of the faithful, I am very sensible of all your tender -sentiments; but give me leave to say, I cannot comprehend the news -you tell me of the death of my slave, who is in perfect health. My -affliction is for the death of Abon Hassan, her husband, your -favourite, whom I esteem, as much for the regard you have for him, -as because you were so kind to bring me acquainted with him, who has -so often diverted me very agreeably, and for whom I have as great a -value as yourself. But, sir, the little concern you show for his -death, and your so soon forgetting a man in whose company you have -so often told me you took so much pleasure, amazes and surprises me: -and this insensibility seems the greater, by the deception you put -upon me in changing his death for that of my slave. - -The caliph, who thought that he was perfectly well informed of the -death of the slave, and had just reason to believe so, because he -had both seen and heard Abon Hassan, fell a laughing, and shrugging -up his shoulders, to hear Zobeide talk after this manner. Mesrour, -said he, turning himself about to that eunuch, what do you think of -the princess’s discourse? Do not women sometimes lose their -senses? For, in short, you have heard and seen all as well as -myself. Then turning about to Zobeide, Madam, said he, shed no more -tears for Abon Hassan, for I can assure you he is well: but rather -bewail the death of your dear slave. It is not many moments since -her husband came all in tears, and the most inexpressible -affliction, to tell me the death of his wife. I gave him a purse of -a hundred pieces of gold, and a piece of brocade, to comfort him, -and bury her with; and Mesrour here, who was by, can tell you the -same. - -The princess took this discourse of the caliph’s to be all a jest, -and thought he had a mind to impose upon her. Commander of the -faithful, replied she, though you are used to banter, I must tell -you, this is not a proper time for it. What I tell you is very -serious; I do not talk of my slave’s death, but of Abon Hassan, -her husband, whose fate I bewail, and so ought you too. I, madam, -said the caliph, putting on a grave countenance, I tell you, without -raillery, that you are deceived: Nouzhatoul-aouadat is dead, and -Abon Hassan is alive and in perfect health. - -Zobeide was very much piqued at this dry answer of the caliph. -Commander of the faithful, replied she smartly, God preserve you -from continuing longer in this mistake: surely you would make me -think your mind is not as usual. Give me leave to repeat to you once -more, that it is Abon Hassan who is dead, and that my slave -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, his widow, is living. It is not an hour ago -since she went from hence. She came here in so disconsolate a state, -that the sight of her was enough to have drawn tears from my eyes, -if she had not told me her affliction, accompanied with innumerable -sighs. All my women, who wept with me, can bear me witness, and tell -you also that I made her a present of a hundred pieces of gold, and -a piece of brocade; and the grief which you found me in was upon the -death of her husband; and just that instant that you came in, I was -going to send you a compliment of condolence. - -At these words of Zobeide, the caliph cried out in a fit of -laughter, This, madam, is a strange piece of obstinacy; but, -continued he seriously, you may depend upon Nouzhatoul-aouadat’s -being dead. I tell you, no, sir, replied Zobeide instantly; it is -Abon Hassan that is dead, and you shall never make me believe -otherwise. - -Upon this, the caliph’s anger rose in his countenance. He sat -himself upon the sofa, at some distance from the princess, and -speaking to Mesrour, said, Go immediately, and see which it is, and -bring me word; for though I am certain that it is -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, I would rather take this way than be any longer -obstinately positive about a matter which I am perfectly satisfied -of. No sooner had the caliph commanded than Mesrour was gone. You -will see, continued he, addressing himself to Zobeide, in a moment, -which of us is right. For my part, replied Zobeide, I know very well -that I am in the right, and you will find it to be Abon Hassan. And -for myself, replied the caliph, I am so sure that it is -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, that I will lay you what wager you will, that -Abon Hassan is well. - -Do not think to come off so, said Zobeide; I accept your wager, and -I am so well persuaded of his death, that I would willingly lay the -dearest thing in the world against what you will, though it were of -less value. You know what I have at my disposal, and what I value -most; propose the bet, and I will stand to it. - -Since it is come to that, said the caliph, I will lay my garden of -pleasures against your palace of paintings, though the one is worth -much more than the other. Is the question at present, replied -Zobeide, if your garden is more valuable than my palace? That is not -the point. You have made choice of what you thought fit belonging to -me as an equivalent against what you lay; I accept the wager, and -will not go back; I take God to witness. The caliph took the same -oath, and both waited till Mesrour returned. - -While the caliph and Zobeide were disputing so earnestly, and with -so much warmth, Abon Hassan, who foresaw their difference, was very -attentive to whatever might happen. As soon as he perceived Mesrour -through a window, against which he sat talking with his wife, and -observed that he was coming directly to their apartment, he -presently guessed what he was coming about, and bid his wife make -haste to act the dead part once more, as they had agreed on, without -loss of time; in short, they were so pressed, that Abon Hassan had -much ado to wrap up the wife and lay the piece of brocade which the -caliph had given him upon her, before Mesrour came. As soon as he -had done that, he opened the door of his apartment, and with a -melancholy, dejected countenance, and his handkerchief before his -eyes, went and sat down at the head of the pretended deceased. - -By that time he was seated, Mesrour came into the room. The dismal -sight which met his eyes gave him a secret joy, on account of the -errand the caliph sent him on. As soon as Abon Hassan perceived him, -he rose up to meet him, and kissing his hand out of respect, said, -sighing and groaning, You see me, sir, in the greatest affliction -that ever could befall me; the death of my dear wife, -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, whom you honoured with your favours. - -Mesrour, affected by this discourse, could not refuse some tears to -the memory of the deceased. He lifted up the cloth a little at the -head, which was uncovered, and peeping under it, let it down again, -and said, with a deep sigh, There is no other God but God; we must -all submit to his will, and every creature must return to him. ---Nouzhatoul-aouadat, my good sister, added he, sighing, thy days -have been very few: God have mercy on thee. Then turning to Abon -Hassan, who was all the time in tears, We may well say, said he, -that women sometimes have whims, and lose their senses in a most -unpardonable manner; for Zobeide, good mistress as she is, is in -that situation at present: she will maintain to the caliph that you -are dead, and not your wife; and whatever the caliph can say to the -contrary, he cannot persuade her otherwise. He called me to witness -and confirm this truth; for you know I was by when you came and told -him the sorrowful news: but all signifies nothing. They are both -positive; and the caliph, to convince Zobeide, has sent me to know -the truth, but I fear I shall not be believed; for when women once -take up a thing, they are not to be beat out of it. - -God keep the commander of the faithful in the possession and right -use of his senses, replied Abon Hassan, still sighing and crying: -you see how it is, and that I have not imposed upon his majesty. And -I wish to heaven, continued he, to dissemble the better, that I had -no occasion to tell him the melancholy and affecting news. Alas! I -cannot enough express my irreparable loss! That is true, replied -Mesrour, and I can assure you I take a great share in your -affliction; but you must be comforted, and not abandon yourself to -your grief. --I leave you with reluctance, to return to the caliph; -but I beg the favour of you not to bury the corpse till I come -again; for I will assist at the interment, and accompany it with my -prayers. Mesrour went to give an account of his message. Abon Hassan -waited on him to the door, and told him that he did not deserve the -honour that he intended him: and for fear Mesrour should return to -say something else to him, he followed him with his eyes for -sometime, and when he saw him at a distance, returned to his wife, -and released her. This is already, said he, a new scene of mirth, -but I fancy it will not be the last; for certainly the princess -Zobeide will not believe Mesrour, but will laugh at him, since she -has too substantial a reason to the contrary; therefore we must -expect some new event. While Abon Hassan was talking thus, -Nouzhatoul-aouadat had time to put on her clothes again, and both -went and sat down on a sofa opposite to the window, where they could -see all that passed. - -In the mean time, Mesrour reached Zobeide’s apartment, and going -into her closet laughing, clapped his hands like one who had -something very agreeable to tell. - -The caliph, who was naturally impatient, would presently be informed -of the truth of the matter, for he was piqued a little at the -princess’s diffidence; therefore as soon as he met Mesrour, Vile -slave, said he, is this a time to laugh? Why do not you tell me -which is dead, the husband or the wife? - -Commander of the faithful, answered Mesrour, putting on a serious -countenance, it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat who is dead, for the loss of -whom Abon Hassan is as much afflicted as when he appeared before -your majesty. The caliph not giving him time to pursue his story, -interrupted him, and cried out, laughing heartily, Good news! -Zobeide, your mistress, was a moment ago possessed of the palace of -paintings, and now it is mine. She staked it against my garden of -pleasures, since you went; therefore you could not have done me a -greater pleasure. I will take care to reward you: but give me a true -account of what you saw. - -Commander of the faithful, said Mesrour, when I came to Abon -Hassan’s apartment, I found the door open, and he was bewailing -the death of his wife Nouzhatoul-aouadat. He sat at the head of the -deceased, who was laid out in the middle of the room, with her feet -towards Mecca, and was covered with that piece of brocade which your -majesty made a present of to Abon Hassan. After I had expressed the -share I took in this grief, I went and lifted up the pall at the -head, and knew Nouzhatoul-aouadat, though her face was very much -swelled and changed. I exhorted Abon Hassan in the best manner I -could to be comforted; and when I came away, I told him I would -attend at his wife’s funeral, and desired him not to remove the -corpse till I came. This is all I can tell your majesty. I ask no -more, said the caliph, laughing heartily, and I am very well -satisfied with your exactness. Then addressing himself to Zobeide, -Well, madam, said he, have you yet any thing to say against so -certain a truth? Will you always believe that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is -alive, and that Abon Hassan is dead? And will you not own that you -have lost your wager? - -How, sir replied Zobeide, who would not believe one word that -Mesrour said, do you think that I regard that impertinent follow of -a slave, who knows not what he says? I am not blind or mad. With -these eyes I saw Nouzhatoul-aouadat in the greatest affliction; I -spoke to her myself, and she told me that her husband was dead. -Madam, replied Mesrour, I swear to you by your own life, and that of -the commander of the faithful, which are both dear to me, that -Nouzhatoul-aouadat is dead, and Abon Hassan is living. - -Thou liest, base despicable slave! said Zobeide in a rage, and I -will confound thee immediately; and thereupon, clapping her hands -together, she called her women, who all came in. Come hither, said -the princess to them, and speak the truth. Who was that who came and -spoke with me a little before the caliph came here? The women all -answered that it was poor afflicted Nouzhatoul-aouadat. And what, -added she, addressing herself to her that was treasurer, did I order -you to give her? Madam, answered the treasurer, I gave -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, by your orders, a purse of a hundred pieces of -gold, and a piece of brocade, which she carried away with her. Well, -then, sorry slave, said Zobeide to Mesrour, in a great passion, what -have you to say to all this? Whom do you think now I ought to -believe, you or my treasurer, my other women or myself. - -Mesrour did not want for arguments to contradict the princess; but -as he was afraid of provoking her too much, he chose rather to be -silent, though he was satisfied within himself that the wife was -dead, and not the husband. - -All the time of this dispute between Zobeide and Mesrour, the -caliph, who heard the evidence on both sides, which each party -insisted on, and was persuaded of the contrary of what the princess -said, because he had himself seen and spoken to Abon Hassan, and -because of what Mesrour had told him, laughed heartily to see -Zobeide so exasperated against Mesrour. Madam, said he to Zobeide, -once more I repeat, that I know not who was the author of that -saying, That women sometimes lose their wits, but I am sure you make -it good. Mesrour came just now from Abon Hassan’s, and tells us -that he saw Nouzhatoul-aouadat lying dead in the middle of the room, -Abon Hassan alive, and sitting by her; and yet you will not believe -this evidence, which nobody can reasonably refuse: I cannot -comprehend this conduct. - -Zobeide would not hear what the caliph represented. Pardon me, -commander of the faithful, replied she, if I suspect you: I see very -well that you have contrived with Mesrour to vex me, and to try my -patience. And as I perceive that his report was concerted between -you, I beg leave to send a person to Abon Hassan’s, to know -whether or not I am in the wrong. - -The caliph consented, and the princess charged with this important -commission an old nurse, who had lived with her from her infancy, -and was now present among the rest of her women. Hark ye, nurse, -said she; you see my dispute with the commander of the faithful, and -me and Mesrour; I need tell you no more. Go to Abon Hassan’s, or -rather to Nouzhatoul-aouadat’s, for Abon Hassan is dead, and clear -up this matter for me. If you bring me good news, a handsome present -is your reward; make haste, and return immediately. - -The nurse set out, to the great joy of the caliph, who was delighted -to see Zobeide in this embarrassment; but Mesrour, extremely -mortified to find the princess so angry with him, did all he could -to appease her, and to make her and the caliph both satisfied with -him. He was overjoyed when Zobeide sent the nurse; because he was -persuaded that the report she would make would agree with his, and -serve to justify him, and restore him to her favour. - -In the mean time, Abon Hassan, who watched the window, perceived the -nurse at a distance, and guessing that she was sent by Zobeide, -called his wife, and told her that the princess’s nurse was coming -to know the truth: therefore, said he, make haste and lay me out. -Accordingly Nouzhatoul-aouadat did so, and covered him with the -piece of brocade Zobeide had given her, and put his turban upon his -face. The nurse, eager to acquit herself of her commission, came at -a good round pace, and entering the room, perceived -Nouzhatoul-aouadat all in tears, her hair dishevelled, and set at -the head of her husband, beating her breast, and with all the -expressions of violent grief. - -The good old nurse went directly to the false widow. My dear -Nouzhatoul-aouadat, said she with a sorrowful face, I come not to -interrupt your grief and tears for a husband whom you loved so -tenderly. Ah! good mother, replied the counterfeit widow, you see my -misfortune, and how unhappy I am by the loss of my beloved Abon -Hassan. Abon Hassan, my dear husband! cried she, what have I done -that you should leave me so soon? Have I not always preferred your -will to my own? Alas! what will become of poor Nouzhatoul-aouadat? - -The nurse was in great surprise to see every thing quite the reverse -of what the chief of the eunuchs had told the caliph. This black -faced Mesrour, cried she, lifting up her hands, deserves to be -confounded for having made so great a difference between my good -mistress and the commander of the faithful, by the notorious lie he -told them. I must tell you, daughter, said she, the wickedness of -that villain Mesrour, who has asserted with an inconceivable -impudence before our good mistress, that you were dead, and Abon -Hassan was alive! - -Alas! my good mother, cried Nouzhatoul-aouadat, I wish to heaven -that it was true! I should not be in this sorrowful state, nor -bewail a husband so dear to me! At these words she burst out into -tears, and by her redoubled tears and cries, feigned most desperate -sorrow. - -The nurse was so much moved by her tears, that she sat down by her, -and cried too. Then gently lifting up the turban and cloth, looked -on the face of the corpse: Ah! poor Abon Hassan, she cried, covering -his face again, God have mercy upon thee! Adieu, child, said she to -Nouzhatoul-aouadat; if I could stay longer with you, I would with -all my heart; but I am obliged to return immediately, to deliver my -mistress from the uneasiness that black villain has occasioned her, -by his impudent lie, assuring her with an oath that you was dead. - -As soon as the nurse was gone, and had pulled the door after her, -and Nouzhatoul-aouadat thought she would not come back again, she -wiped her eyes, and released Abon Hassan; and then they both went -and sat down on a sofa against the window, expecting what would be -the end of this trick, and to be ready to act according as things -should turn out. - -The nurse, in the mean time, made all the haste she could to -Zobeide. The pleasure of carrying the princess good news, and still -more the hopes of a good reward, added wings to her feet, and -running into the princess’s closet quite out of breath, she gave -her a true account of all she had seen. Zobeide hearkened to the old -woman’s relation with a most sensible pleasure; and when she had -done, she said with a tone which showed she had won her cause, -Repeat it once more before the caliph, who looks upon us all to be -fools, and would make us believe we have no sense of religion, nor -fear of God; and tell your story to that wicked black slave, who had -the insolence to assert a falsity, though I knew it to be one. - -Mesrour, who expected the nurse’s report would prove favourable on -his side, was very much mortified to find it so much the contrary. -He was also vexed at the anger Zobeide expressed against him, for a -thing which he thought himself surer of than any body, that he was -glad of having an opportunity of speaking his mind freely to the -nurse, which he durst not do to the princess. Old toothless, said he -to the nurse, you are a liar, and there is no truth in what you say; -for I saw with my own eyes Nouzhatoul-aouadat laid out in the middle -of the room. - -You are a notorious liar yourself, replied the nurse with an -insulting air, to dare to maintain so great a falsity before my -face, who am just come from seeing Abon Hassan dead, and laid out, -and left his wife alive. I am not an impostor, replied Mesrour, it -is you who endeavour to lead us all into error. - -What impudence, said the nurse, to dare to tell me I lie in the -presence of their majesties, when I saw just now with my own eyes -the fact I have had the honour to tell them. Indeed, nurse, answered -Mesrour again, you had better hold your tongue, for you certainly -doat. - -Zobeide, who could not support this want of respect in Mesrour, who, -without any regard to her, treated her nurse so injuriously in her -presence, without giving the nurse time to reply to so gross an -affront, said to the caliph, Commander of the faithful, I demand -justice for this insolence to us both. She was so enraged she could -say no more, but burst into tears. - -The caliph, who had heard all this dispute, thought it very -intricate. He mused some time, and could not tell what to think of -so many contradictions. The princess, for her part, as well as -Mesrour, the nurse, and all the women slaves, who were present, were -as much puzzled, and remained silent. At last the caliph resumed the -business, and addressing himself to Zobeide, said, I see very well -we are all liars, myself first, and then you, Mesrour, and you, -nurse; or at least it seems not one can be believed more than the -other; therefore, let us go ourselves to know the truth, for I can -see no other way to clear up these doubts. - -So saying, the caliph rose up, the princess followed him, and -Mesrour went before to open the doors: Commander of the faithful, -said he, I am overjoyed that your majesty has taken this course; and -shall be much more, when I shall make it plainly appear to the -nurse, not that she doats, since the expression is unfortunately -displeasing to my good mistress, but that her report is not true. - -The nurse wanted not a reply: Hold your tongue, black face, said -she; you doat yourself. - -Zobeide, who was very much provoked at Mesrour, could not bear to -hear him attack her nurse again, without taking her part: Vile -slave, said she, say what you will, I maintain my nurse says the -truth, and look upon you as a mere liar. Madam, replied Mesrour, if -nurse is so very certain that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is alive, and Abon -Hassan is dead, I will lay her what she dares of it. The nurse was -as ready as he; I dare, said she, take you at your word; let us see -if you dare unsay it. Mesrour stood to his word; and they laid a -piece of gold brocade with silver flowers before the caliph and the -princess. - -The apartment the caliph and Zobeide came out of, though distant -from Abon Hassan’s, was nevertheless just over against it, and -Abon Hassan could perceive them coming, and told his wife he was -very much mistaken if the caliph and Zobeide, preceded by Mesrour, -and followed by a great number of women, were not coming to do them -the honour of a visit. She looked through a lattice, and saw them. -Though her husband told her beforehand, she seemed frightened, and -cried out, What shall we do? We are ruined. Fear nothing, replied -Abon Hassan; have you forgot already what we agreed on? We will both -feign ourselves dead, and you shall see all will go well. At the -slow rate they come, we shall be ready before they get to the door. -Accordingly, Abon Hassan and his wife wrapped up and covered -themselves with the pieces of brocade, and waited patiently for -their visitors. - -Mesrour, who came first, opened the door, and the caliph and -Zobeide, followed by their attendants, entered the room; but were -extremely surprised, and stood motionless, at the dismal sight which -presented itself to their view, not knowing what to make of it. At -last, Zobeide breaking silence, said to the caliph, Alas! they are -both dead! You have done so much, continued she, looking at the -caliph and Mesrour, to endeavour to make me believe that my dear -slave was dead, that I find it is true at last: grief for losing her -husband has certainly killed her. Say rather, madam, answered the -caliph, prepossessed to the contrary, that Nouzhatoul-aouadat died -first, and the afflicted Abon Hassan sunk under his grief, and could -not survive his dear wife; you ought, therefore, to agree that you -have lost your wager, and your palace of paintings is mine. - -Hold there, answered Zobeide, warmed at being contradicted by the -caliph; I will maintain it, you have lost your garden of pleasures -to me. Abon Hassan died first; since my nurse told you as well as -me, that she saw her alive, and crying for the death of her husband. - -The dispute of the caliph and Zobeide brought on another between -Mesrour and the nurse, who had wagered as well as they, and each -pretended to win, and came at last to abuse each other very grossly. - -At last the caliph, reflecting on what had passed, began to think -that Zobeide had as much reason as himself to maintain that she had -won. In this embarrassment of not being able to find out the truth, -he advanced towards the two corpses, and sat down at the head, -searching after some expedient that might gain him the victory over -Zobeide. I swear, cried he, presently after, by the holy name of -God, that I will give a thousand pieces of gold to him that can tell -me which of these two died first. - -No sooner were these words out of the caliph’s mouth, but he heard -a voice under Abon Hassan’s piece of brocade, say, Commander of -the faithful, I died first; give me the thousand pieces of gold. At -the same time he saw Abon Hassan throw off the piece of brocade, and -come and prostrate himself at his feet, while his wife did the same -to Zobeide, keeping on her piece of brocade out of decency. The -princess at first shrieked out, so that she frightened all about -her; but recovering herself at last, expressed great joy to see her -dear slave rise again, just when she was almost inconsolable at -having seen her dead. Ah! wicked Nouzhatoul-aouadat, cried she, what -have I suffered for your sake? However, I forgive you from my heart, -since you are not dead. - -The caliph for his part was not so much surprised when he heard Abon -Hassan’s voice; but thought he should have died with laughing at -this unravelling of the mystery, and to hear Abon Hassan ask so -seriously for the thousand pieces of gold. What, Abon Hassan, said -he, continuing to laugh aloud, hast thou conspired against my life, -to kill me a second time with laughing? How came this thought into -your head, to surprise Zobeide and me thus, when we least thought of -such a trick? - -Commander of the faithful, replied Abon Hassan, I will declare to -your majesty the whole truth without the least reserve. Your majesty -knows very well that I always loved to eat and drink well, and the -wife you gave me rather increased than restrained that inclination. -With these dispositions your majesty may easily suppose we might -spend a good estate; and to make short of my story, we were not in -the least sparing of what your majesty so generously gave us. This -morning, accounting with our caterer, who took care to provide every -thing for us, and paying what we owed him, we found we had nothing -left. Then reflections on what was past, and resolutions to manage -better for the future, crowded into our thoughts; we formed a -thousand projects, all which we rejected. At last, the shame of -seeing ourselves reduced to so low a condition, and not daring to -tell your majesty, made us contrive this trick to relieve our -necessities, and to divert you with it, which we hope your majesty -will be pleased to pardon us. - -The caliph and Zobeide were very well satisfied with Abon Hassan’s -sincerity, and not sorry for what was done; and then Zobeide, who -had all along been very serious, began to laugh at the thoughts of -Abon Hassan’s scheme. The caliph, who had not ceased laughing at -the singularity of thus adventure, rising up, said to Abon Hassan -and his wife, Follow me; I will give you the thousand pieces of gold -I promised you, for joy to find you are not dead. Zobeide desired -him to let her make her slave a present of the same sum, for the -same reason. By this means Abon Hassan and his dear wife -Nouzhatoul-aouadat long preserved the favour of the caliph Haroun -Alraschid and the princess Zobeide, and by their liberality were -made capable of pursuing their pleasures. - - - - -The Story of Aladdin; or, the Wonderful Lamp. - - -In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the kingdom -of China, the name of which I do not recollect, there lived a -tailor, whose name was Mustapha, without any other distinction but -that which his profession afforded him, and so poor, that he could -hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and family, which -consisted of a wife and son. - -His son, who was called Aladdin, had been brought up after a very -careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted many -vicious habits. He was wicked, obstinate, and disobedient to his -father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him within -doors; but he would go out early in the morning, and stay out all -day, playing in the streets and public places with little vagabonds -of his own age. - -When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father not being able -to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and showed -him how to use his needle: but neither good words nor the fear of -chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius. All that his -father could do to keep him at home to mind his work was in vain; -for no sooner was his back turned, but Aladdin was gone for that -day. Mustapha chastised him, but Aladdin was incorrigible; and his -father, to his great grief, was forced to abandon him to his -libertinism; and was so much troubled at not being able to reclaim -him, that it threw him into a fit of sickness, of which he died in a -few months. - -The mother of Aladdin, finding that her son would not follow his -father’s business, shut up the shop, sold off the implements of -that trade, and with the money she got for them, and what she could -get by spinning cotton, thought to maintain herself and her son. - -Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father, -and who cared so little for his mother, that whenever she chid him -he would fly in her face, gave himself entirely over to dissipation, -and was never out of the streets from his companions. This course he -followed till he was fifteen years old, without giving his mind to -any thing whatever, or the least reflection on what would become of -him. In this situation, as he was one day playing according to -custom, in the street, with his vagabond troop, a stranger passing -by stood still to observe him. - -This stranger was a famous magician, called by the writer of this -story the African Magician; and by that name I shall call him with -the more propriety, as he was a native of Africa, and had been but -two days come from thence. - -Whether the African magician, who was a good physiognomist, had -observed in Aladdin’s countenance something which was absolutely -necessary for the execution of the design he came about, he inquired -artfully about his family, who he was, and what were his -inclinations; and when he had learned all he desired to know, he -went up to him, and taking him aside from his comrades, said to him, -Child, was not your father called Mustapha the tailor? --Yes, sir, -answered Aladdin, but he has been dead a long time. - -At these words, the African magician threw his arms about -Aladdin’s neck, and kissed him several times with tears in his -eyes. Aladdin, who observed his tears, asked him, What made him -weep? Alas! my son, cried the African magician with a sigh, how can -I forbear? I am your uncle; your good father was my own brother. I -have been a great many years abroad travelling, and now I am come -home with the hopes of seeing him, you tell me he is dead. I assure -you it is a sensible grief to me to be deprived of the comfort I -expected. But it is some relief to my affliction, that as far as I -can remember him, I knew you at first sight, you are so like him; -and I see I am not deceived. Then he asked Aladdin, putting his hand -into his purse, where his mother lived; and as soon as Aladdin had -informed him, he gave him a handful of small money, saying to him, -Go, my son, to your mother, give my love to her, and tell her that I -will come and see her to-morrow, if I have time, that I may have the -satisfaction of seeing where my good brother lived so long, and -ended his days. - -As soon as the African magician left his new-adopted nephew, Aladdin -ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle had given him. -Mother, said he, have I an uncle? No, child, replied his mother, you -have no uncle by your father’s side or mine. I am just now come, -answered Aladdin, from a man who says he is my uncle by my -father’s side, assuring me that he is his brother. He cried and -kissed me when I told him my father was dead; and to show you that -what I tell you is truth, added he, pulling out the money, see what -he has given me; he charged me to give his love to you, and to tell -you, if he has any time to-morrow, he will come and pay you a visit, -that he may see at the same time the house my father lived and died -in. Indeed, child, replied the mother, your father had a brother, -but he has been dead a long time, and I never heard of another. - -The mother and son talked no more then of the African magician; but -the next day Aladdin’s uncle found him playing in another part of -the town with other children, and embracing him as before, put two -pieces of gold into his hand, and said to him, Carry this, child, to -your mother, and tell her that I will come and see her to-night, and -bid her get us something for supper; but first show me the house -where you live. - -After Aladdin had showed the African magician the house, he carried -the two pieces of gold to his mother, and when he had told her of -his uncle’s intention, she went out and bought provisions; and -considering she wanted various vessels, she went and borrowed them -of her neighbours. She spent the whole day in preparing the supper; -and at night, when it was ready, she said to Aladdin, Perhaps your -uncle knows not how to find our house, go and see for him, and bring -him if you meet with him. - -Though Aladdin had showed the magician the house, he was very ready -to go, when somebody knocked at the door, which Aladdin immediately -opened; and the magician came in, loaded with wine and all sorts of -fruits, which he brought for a dessert. - -After the African magician had given what he brought into -Aladdin’s hands, he saluted his mother, and desired her to show -him the place where his brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa; -and when she had so done, he presently fell down and kissed it -several times, crying out with tears in his eyes, My poor brother! -how unhappy am I, not to have come soon enough to give you one last -embrace! Aladdin’s mother desired him to sit down in the same -place, but he would not. No, said he, I shall take care how I do -that; but give me leave to sit here over against it, that if I am -deprived of the satisfaction of seeing the master of a family so -dear to me, I may at least have the pleasure of seeing the place -where he used to sit. Aladdin’s mother pressed him no farther, but -left him at his liberty to sit where he pleased. - -When the magician had made choice of a place, and sat down, he began -to enter into discourse with Aladdin’s mother: My good sister, -said he, do not be surprised at your never having seen me all the -time you have been married to my brother Mustapha, of happy memory. -I have been forty years absent from this country, which is my native -place, as well as my late brother’s; and during that time have -travelled into the Indies, Persia, Arabia, Syria, and Egypt, and -have resided in the finest towns of those countries; and afterwards -crossed over into Africa, where I made a longer stay. At last, as it -is natural for a man, how distant soever it may be, to remember his -native country, relations and acquaintance, I was very desirous to -see mine again, and to embrace my dear brother; and finding I had -strength and courage enough to undertake so long a journey, I -immediately made the necessary preparations for it, and set out. I -will not tell you the length of time it took me, all the obstacles I -met with, and what fatigues I have endured, to come hither; but -nothing ever mortified and afflicted me so much as the hearing of my -brother’s death, for whom I always had a brotherly love and -friendship. I observed his features in the face of my nephew, your -son, and distinguished him from a number of children with whom he -was at play; he can tell you how I received the most melancholy news -that ever reached my ears. But God be praised for all things! it is -a comfort to me to find him again in a son, who has his most -remarkable features. - -The African magician, perceiving that Aladdin’s mother began to -weep at the remembrance of her husband, changed the discourse, and -turning towards Aladdin, asked him his name. I am called Aladdin, -said he. Well, Aladdin, replied the magician, what business do you -follow? Are you of any trade? - -At this question Aladdin hung down his head, and was not a little -dashed when his mother made answer, Aladdin is an idle fellow; his -father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him his trade, but -could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding all I can -say to him, he does nothing but idle away his time in the streets, -as you saw him, without considering he is no longer a child; and if -you do not make him ashamed of it, and make him leave it off, I -despair of his ever coming to any good. He knows that his father -left him no fortune, and sees me endeavour to get bread by spinning -cotton every day; for my part, I am resolved one of these days to -turn him out of doors, and let him provide for himself. - -After these words, Aladdin’s mother burst out into tears; and the -magician said, This is not well, nephew; you must think of helping -yourself, and getting your livelihood. There are a great many sorts -of trades, consider if you have not an inclination to some of them; -perhaps you did not like your father’s trade, and would prefer -another; come, do not disguise your sentiments from me; I will -endeavour to help you. But finding that Aladdin returned no answer; -If you have no mind, continued he, to learn any trade, and prove an -honest man, I will take a shop for you, and furnish it with all -sorts of fine stuffs and linens, and set you to trade with them; and -with the money you make with them, lay in fresh goods, and then you -will live after an honourable way. Consult your own inclination, and -tell me freely what you think of it: you shall always find me ready -to keep my word. - -This proposal greatly flattered Aladdin, who mortally hated work, -and had sense enough to know that such sort of shops were very much -esteemed and frequented, and the owners honoured and respected. He -told the magician he had a greater inclination to that business than -to any other, and that he should be very much obliged to him all his -life for his kindness. Since this profession is agreeable, to you, -said the African magician, I will carry you along with me to-morrow, -and clothe you as richly and handsomely as the best merchants in the -city, and after that we will think of opening such a shop as I mean. - -Aladdin’s mother, who never till then could believe that the -magician was her husband’s brother, no longer doubted it after his -promises of kindness to her son. She thanked him for his good -intentions; and after having exhorted Aladdin to render himself -worthy of his uncle’s favour by his good behaviour, served up -supper, at which they talked of several indifferent matters: and -then the magician, who saw that the night was pretty far advanced, -took his leave of the mother and son, and retired. - -He came again the next day as he promised, and took Aladdin along -with him to a great merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for -different ages and ranks ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs. -He asked to see some that suited Aladdin in size; and after choosing -a suit which he liked best, and rejecting others which he did not -think handsome enough, he bid Aladdin choose those he preferred. -Aladdin, charmed with the liberality of his new uncle, made choice -of one, and the magician immediately bought it, and all things -proper to it, and paid for it without haggling. - -When Aladdin found himself so handsomely equipped from top to toe, -he returned his uncle all imaginable thanks; who, on the other hand, -promised never to forsake him, but always to take him along with -him, which he did to the most frequented places in the city, and -particularly where the capital merchants kept their shops. When he -brought him into the street where they sold the richest stuffs and -finest linens, he said to Aladdin, As you are soon to be a merchant -as well as these, it is proper you should frequent these shops, and -be acquainted with them. Then he showed him the largest and finest -mosques, and carried him to the khans or inns where the merchants -and travellers lodged, and afterwards to the sultan’s palace, -where he had free access; and at last brought him to his own khan, -where meeting with some merchants he had got acquainted with since -his arrival, he gave them a treat, to bring them and his pretended -nephew acquainted. - -This treat lasted till night, when Aladdin would have taken his -leave of his uncle to go home, but the magician would not let him go -by himself, but conducted him safe to his mother, who, as soon as -she saw him so finely dressed, was transported with joy, and -bestowed a thousand blessings upon the magician for being at so -great an expense upon her child. Generous relation, said she, I know -not how to thank you for your liberality. I know that my son is not -deserving of your favours; and was he ever so grateful, and answered -your good intentions, he would be unworthy of them. For my part, -added she, I thank you with all my soul, and wish you may live long -enough to be a witness of my son’s gratitude, which he cannot -better show than by regulating his conduct by your good advice. - -Aladdin, replied the magician, is a good boy, and minds well enough, -and I believe we shall do very well; but I am sorry for one thing, -which is, that I cannot perform to-morrow what I promised, because -it is Friday, and the shops will be shut up, and therefore we cannot -hire or furnish one, but let it alone till Saturday. But I will call -on him to-morrow, and take him to walk in the gardens, where people -of the best fashion generally walk. Perhaps he has never seen these -amusements, he has only hitherto been among children; but now he -must see men. Then the African magician took his leave of the mother -and the son, and retired. Aladdin, who was overjoyed to be so well -clothed, anticipated the pleasure of walking in the gardens which -lay about the town. He had never been out of the town, nor seen the -environs, which were very beautiful and pleasant. - -Aladdin rose early the next morning and dressed himself to be ready -against his uncle called on him; and after he had waited some time, -he began to be impatient, and stood watching for him at the door; -but as soon as he perceived him coming, he told his mother, took his -leave of her, and ran to meet him. - -The magician caressed Aladdin when he came to him: Come along, my -dear child, said he, and I will show you fine things. Then he led -him out at one of the gates of the city, to some large fine houses, -or rather palaces, to each of which belonged beautiful gardens, into -which any body might go. At every house he came to, he asked Aladdin -if he did not think it fine; and Aladdin was ready to answer when -any one presented itself, crying out, Here is a finer house, uncle, -than any we have seen yet. By this artifice, the cunning magician -got Aladdin a pretty way in the country; and as he had a mind to -carry him farther, to execute his design, he took an opportunity to -sit down in one of the gardens by a fountain of clear water, which -discharged itself by a lion’s mouth of bronze into a great basin, -pretending to be tired, the better to rest Aladdin: Come, nephew, -said he, you must be weary as well as me; let us rest ourselves, and -we shall be better able to walk. - -After they had sat down, the magician pulled from his girdle a -handkerchief with cakes and fruit, which he had provided on purpose, -and laid them on the edge of the basin. He broke a cake in two, gave -one half to Aladdin, and ate the other himself: and in regard to the -fruit, he left him at liberty to take which sort he liked best. ---During this short repast, he exhorted his nephew to leave off -keeping company with children, and seek that of wise and prudent -men, to improve by their conversation; for, said he, you will soon -be at man’s estate, and you cannot too early begin to imitate -their conversation. When they had eaten as much as they liked, they -got up, and pursued their walk through the gardens, which were -separated from one another only by small ditches, which only marked -out the limits without interrupting the communication; so great was -the confidence the inhabitants reposed in each other. By this means, -the African magician drew Aladdin insensibly beyond the gardens, and -crossed the country till they almost came to the mountains. - -Aladdin, who had never been so far in his life before, began to find -himself much tired with so long a walk, and said to the magician, -where are we going, uncle? we have left the gardens a great way -behind us, and I see nothing but mountains; if we go much farther, I -do not know whether I shall be able to reach the town again. Never -fear, nephew, said the false uncle; I will show you another garden, -which surpasses all we have yet seen; it is not far off! it is but a -little step; and when we come there, you will say that you would -have been sorry to have been so nigh it, and not seen it. Aladdin -was soon persuaded; and the magician, to make the way seem shorter -and less fatiguing, told him a great many stories. - -At last they came between two mountains of moderate height, and -equal size, divided by a narrow valley, which was the place where -the magician intended to bring Aladdin, to put into execution a -design that had brought him from Africa to China. We will go no -farther now, said he to Aladdin; I will show you here some very -extraordinary things, and what nobody ever saw before; which, when -you have seen, you will thank me for: but while I strike fire, do -you gather up all the loose sticks you can see, to kindle a fire -with. - -Aladdin found there so many dried sticks, that before the magician -had lighted a match, he had gathered up a great heap. The magician -presently set them on fire, and when they were all in a blaze, the -magician threw in some incense he had about him, which raised a -great cloud of smoke, which he dispersed on each side, by -pronouncing several magical words which Aladdin did not understand. - -At the same time the earth trembled a little, and opened just before -the magician and Aladdin, and discovered a stone about half a yard -square, laid horizontally, with a brass ring fixed into the middle -of it, to raise it up. Aladdin was so frightened at what he saw, -that he would have run away: but as he was to be serviceable to the -magician, he caught hold of him, scolded him, and gave him such a -box on the ear, that he knocked him down, and had like to have beat -his teeth down his throat. Poor Aladdin got up again trembling, and -with tears in his eyes, said to the magician, What have I done, -uncle, to be treated after this severe manner? I have my reasons for -it, replied the magician: I am your uncle, and supply the place of -your father, and you ought to make no reply. But, child, added he, -softening, do not be afraid of any thing; for I shall not ask any -thing of you, but that you obey me punctually, if you would reap the -advantages which I intended you should. These fair promises calmed -Aladdin’s fears and resentment; and when the magician saw that he -was come to himself, he said to him, You see what I have done by -virtue of my incense, and the words I pronounced. Know then, that -under this stone there is hid a treasure, which is destined to be -yours, and which will make you richer than the greatest monarch in -the world: this is so true, that no other person but yourself is -permitted to touch this stone, and to pull it up and go in; for I am -forbid even to touch it, or set foot in this treasure when it is -opened; so you must without fail punctually execute what I tell you, -for it is a matter of great consequence both to you and me. - -Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard the magician say of the -treasure, which was to make him happy for ever, forgot what was -past, and rising up, said to the magician, Well, uncle, what is to -be done? command me, I am ready to obey you. I am overjoyed, child, -said the African magician, embracing him, to see you take the -resolution; come, take hold of the ring, and lift up that stone. -Indeed, uncle, replied Aladdin, I am not strong enough to lift it; -you must help me. You have no occasion for my assistance, answered -the magician, if I help you, we shall be able to do nothing; you -must lift it up yourself: take hold of the ring, only pronounce the -names of your father and grandfather, then lift it up, and you will -find it will come easily. Aladdin did as the magician bade him, and -raised the stone with a great deal of ease, and laid it on one side. - -When the stone was pulled up there appeared a cavity of about three -or four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down lower. -Observe, my son, said the African magician, what I am going to say -to you: go down into that cave, and when you are at the bottom of -those steps, you will find a door open, which will lead you into a -large vaulted place, divided into three great halls, in each of -which you will see four large brass vessels placed on each side, -full of gold and silver, but take care you do not meddle with them. -Before you go into the first hall, be sure to tuck up your gown, and -wrap it well about you, and then go through the second into the -third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do -not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for if you do, -you will die instantly. At the end of the third hall, you will find -a door which leads into a garden planted with fine trees loaded with -fruit; walk directly across the garden by a path which will lead you -to five steps that will bring you upon a terrace, where you will see -a niche before you, and in that niche a lighted lamp. Take the lamp -down, and put it out; when you have thrown away the wick, and poured -out the liquor, put it in your breast, and bring it to me. Do not be -afraid that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil, -and the lamp will be dry as soon as it is thrown out. If you have a -mind to any of the fruit of the garden, you may gather as much as -you please. - -After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger, and put -it upon one of Aladdin’s, telling him that it was a preservative -against all evil, while he observed what he had prescribed to him. -After this instruction he said, Go down boldly, child, and we shall -both be rich all our lives. - -Aladdin jumped into the cave, went down the steps, and found the -three halls, just as the African magician had described them. He -went through them with all the precaution the fear of death could -inspire, if he failed to observe all that he was told very -carefully; crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp -from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the -magician told him, put it in his bosom. But as he came down from the -terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he stopped in the garden to -observe the fruit, which he only had a glimpse of in crossing it. -All the trees were loaded with extraordinary fruit, of different -colours on each tree: some bore fruit entirely white, and some clear -and transparent as crystal; some pale red, and others deeper; some -green, blue, and purple, and others yellow; in short, there was -fruit of all colours. The white were pearls; the clear and -transparent, diamonds; the deep red, rubies; the paler, ballas -rubies; [96] the green, emeralds; the blue, turquoises; the purple, -amethysts; and those that were of yellow cast, sapphires; and so of -the rest. All these fruits were so large and beautiful, that nothing -was ever seen like them. Aladdin was altogether ignorant of their -value, and would have preferred figs and grapes, or any other -fruits, before them; and though he took them only for coloured glass -of little value, yet he was so pleased with the variety of the -colours, and the beauty and extraordinary size of the fruit, that he -had a mind to gather some of every sort; and accordingly filled his -two pockets, and the two new purses his uncle had bought for him -with the clothes which he gave him; and as he could not put them in -his pockets, he fastened them to his girdle. Some he wrapped up in -the skirts of his gown, which was of silk, large and wrapping, and -crammed his breast as full as it could hold. - -Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches he knew not the -value of, returned through the three halls with the same precaution, -and made all the haste he could, that he might not make his uncle -wait, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the African -magician expected him with the utmost impatience. As soon as Aladdin -saw him, he cried out, Pray, uncle, lend me your hand to help me -out. Give me the lamp first, replied the magician; it will be -troublesome to you. Indeed, uncle, answered Aladdin, I cannot now; -it is not troublesome to me; but I will as soon as I am up. The -African magician was so obstinate, that he would have the lamp -before he would help him up; and Aladdin, who had incumbered himself -so much with his fruit, that he could not well get at it, refused to -give him it till he was out of the cave. The African magician, -provoked at this obstinate refusal of the lad, flew into a terrible -passion, and threw a little of his incense into the fire, which he -had taken care to keep in, and no sooner pronounced two magical -words, but the stone which had closed the mouth of the cave, moved -into its place, with the earth over it, in the same manner as it lay -at the arrival of the magician and Aladdin. - -This action of the African magician’s plainly showed him to be -neither Aladdin’s uncle, nor Mustapha, the tailor’s brother, but -a true African, a native of that part of the world. For as Africa is -a country whose inhabitants delight most in magic of any other in -the whole world, he had applied himself to it from his youth; and -after about forty years’ experience in enchantments, works of -geomancy, fumigations, and reading of magic books, he had found out -that there was in the world a wonderful lamp, the possession of -which would render him more powerful than any monarch in the world, -if he could obtain it; and by a late operation of geomancy, he found -out that this lamp lay concealed in a subterraneous place in the -midst of China, in the situation, with all the circumstances, -already described. Fully persuaded of the truth of this discovery, -he set out from the farthest part of Africa, and, after a long and -fatiguing journey, came to the town nearest to this treasure. But -though he had a certain knowledge of the place where the lamp was, -he was not permitted to take it himself, nor to enter the -subterraneous place where it was, but must receive it from the hands -of another person. For this reason he addressed himself to Aladdin, -whom he looked upon as a young lad of no consequence, and fit to -serve his purpose; resolving, as soon as he got the lamp into his -hands, to sacrifice poor Aladdin to his avarice and wickedness, by -making the fumigation mentioned before, and saying those two magical -words, the effect of which was to remove the stone into its place -again, that he might have no witness of the transaction. - -The blow he gave Aladdin, and the authority he assumed over him, was -only to use him to fear him, and to make him obey him the more -readily, and give him the lamp as soon as he asked for it. But his -too great precipitation in executing his wicked intention on poor -Aladdin, and his fear lest somebody should come that way during -their dispute, and discover what he wished to keep secret, produced -an effect quite contrary to what he proposed to himself. - -When the African magician saw that all his great hopes were -frustrated forever, he returned that same day for Africa; but went -quite round the town, and at some distance from it, for fear lest -some persons who had seen him walk out with the boy, seeing him come -back without him, should entertain any jealousy of him, and stop him. - -According to all appearances, there was no prospect of Aladdin being -any more heard of. But the magician, when he contrived his death, -had forgotten the ring he put on his finger, which preserved him, -though he knew not its virtue; and it is amazing that the loss of -that, together with the lamp, did not drive the magician to despair; -but magicians are so much used to misfortunes, and events contrary -to their wishes, that they do not lay them to heart, but still feed -themselves all their lives with unsubstantial notions and chimeras. - -As for Aladdin, who never suspected this bad usage from his -pretended uncle, after all his caresses, and what he had done for -him, his surprise is more easily to be imagined than expressed by -words. When he found himself buried alive, he cried, and called out -to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him the lamp; but all -in vain, since his cries could not be heard by him, and he remained -in this dark abode. At last, when he had quite tired himself with -crying, he went to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get -into the garden, where it was light; but the door, which was opened -before by enchantment, was now shut by the same means. Then he -redoubled his cries and tears, and sat down on the steps, without -any hopes of ever seeing the light again, and in a melancholy -certainty of passing from the present darkness into that of a speedy -death. - -Aladdin remained in this state two days, without eating or drinking, -and on the third day looked upon death as inevitable. Clasping his -hands with an entire resignation to the will of God, he said, There -is no strength or power but in the great and high God. In this -action of joining his hands, he rubbed the ring which the magician -put on his finger, and of which he knew not yet the virtue, and -immediately a genie of an enormous size and frightful look rose out -of the earth, his head reaching the vault, and said to him, What -wouldst thou have with me? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and -the slave of all who have the ring on thy finger; I, and the other -slaves of that ring. - -At another time, Aladdin, who had not been used to such visions, -would have been so frightened, that he would not have been able to -speak at the sight of so extraordinary a figure; but the danger he -was in made him answer without hesitation, Whoever thou art, deliver -me from this place, if thou art able. He had no sooner made an end -of these words, but the earth opened, and he found himself on the -very spot the magician first brought him to. - -It was some time before Aladdin’s eyes could bear the light, after -having been so long in total darkness; but after he had endeavoured -by degrees to support it, and began to look about him, he was very -much surprised not to find the earth open, and could not comprehend -how he had got so soon out of its bowels. There was nothing to be -seen but the place where the fire had been, by which he could nearly -judge whereabouts the cave was. Then turning himself about towards -the town, he perceived it in the midst of the gardens that -surrounded it, and knew the way back by which the magician had -brought him to it; then, returning God thanks to see himself once -more in the world, where he never more expected to be, he made the -best of his way home. When he got within his mother’s door, the -joy to see her, and his faintness for want of sustenance for three -days, made him faint, and he remained for a long time as dead. His -mother, who had given him over for lost or dead, seeing him in this -condition, omitted nothing to bring him to himself again. As soon as -he recovered, the first words he spake were, Pray, mother, give me -something to eat, for I have not put a morsel of any thing into my -mouth these three days. His mother brought what she had, and set it -before him. My son, said she, be not too eager, for it is dangerous; -eat but a little at a time, and take care of yourself. Besides, I -would not have you talk; you will have time enough to tell me what -has happened to you when you are recovered. It is a great comfort to -me to see you again, after the affliction I have been in since -Friday, and the pains I have taken to learn what had become of you, -ever since I found it was night, and you were not returned. - -Aladdin took his mother’s advice, and eat and drank moderately. -When he had done, Mother, said he to her, I cannot help complaining -of you, for abandoning me so easily to the discretion of a man who -had a design to kill me, and who at this very moment thinks my death -certain. You believed he was my uncle, as well as I; and what other -thoughts could we entertain of a man who was so kind to me, and made -such advantageous proffers? But I must tell you, mother, he is a -rogue and a cheat, and only did what he did, and made me all those -promises, to accomplish my death; but for what reason neither you -nor I can guess. For my part, I can assure you I never gave him any -cause to deserve the least ill treatment from him. You shall judge -of it yourself, when you have heard all that passed from the time I -left you, till he came to the execution of his wicked design. - -Then Aladdin began to tell his mother all that happened to him on -Friday, when the magician took him to see the palaces and gardens -about that town, and what fell out in the way, till they came to the -place between the two mountains, where the great prodigy was to be -performed; how, with incense which the magician threw into the fire, -and some magical words which he pronounced, the earth opened, and -discovered a cave, which led to an inestimable treasure. He forgot -not the blow the magician gave him, and in what manner he softened -again, and engaged him by great promises, and putting a ring on his -finger, to go down into the cave. He did not omit the least -circumstance of what he saw in crossing the three halls and the -garden, and his taking the wonderful lamp, which he pulled out of -his bosom and showed to his mother, as well as the transparent fruit -of different colours, which he had gathered in the garden as he -returned, two purses full of which he gave to his mother. But, -though these fruits were precious stones, brilliant as the sun, and -the reflection of a lamp which then lighted the room might have led -them to think they were of great value, she was as ignorant of their -worth as her son, and cared nothing for them. She had been bred in a -middling rank of life, and her husband’s poverty prevented her -being possessed of such things, nor had she, or her relations, or -neighbours, ever seen them, so that we must not wonder that she -looked on them as things of no value, and only pleasing to the eye -by the variety of their colours. - -Aladdin put them behind one of the cushions of the sofa he sat upon, -and continued his story, telling his mother, that when he returned -and presented himself at the mouth of the cave, upon his refusal to -give the magician the lamp till he had got out, the stone, by his -throwing some incense into the fire, and using two or three magical -words, stopped it up, and the earth closed again. He could not help -bursting into tears at the representation of the miserable condition -he was in, to find himself buried alive in a dismal cave, till by -the touching of his ring, the virtue of which he was then an entire -stranger to, he, properly speaking, came to life again. When he had -made an end of his story, he said to his mother, I need say no more; -you know the rest. This is my adventure, and the danger I have been -exposed to since you saw me. - -Aladdin’s mother heard with so much patience as not to interrupt -him, this surprising and wonderful relation, notwithstanding it -could be no small affliction to a mother, who loved her son -tenderly; but yet in the most moving part, which discovered the -perfidy of the African magician, she could not help showing, by -marks of the greatest indignation, how much she detested him; and -when Aladdin had finished his story, she broke out into a thousand -reproaches against that vile impostor. She called him perfidious -traitor, barbarian, assassin, deceiver, magician, and an enemy and -destroyer of mankind. Without doubt, child, added she, he is a -magician, and they are plagues to the world, and by their -enchantments and sorceries have commerce with the devil. Bless God -for preserving you from his wicked designs; for your death would -have been inevitable, if you had not called upon him and implored -his assistance. - -She said a great deal more against the magician’s treachery; but -finding while she talked, her son Aladdin, who had not slept for -three days and nights, began to nod, she put him to bed, and soon -after went to bed herself. - -Aladdin, who had not had one wink of sleep while he was in the -subterraneous abode, slept very heartily all that night, and never -waked till the next morning; when the first thing that he said to -his mother was, he wanted something to eat, and that she could not -do him a greater pleasure than to give him his breakfast. Alas! -child said she, I have not a bit of bread to give you, you ate up -all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but have a little -patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you some; I -have a little cotton which I have spun; I will go and sell it, and -buy bread, and something for our dinner. Mother, replied Aladdin, -keep your cotton against another time, and give me the lamp I -brought home yesterday; I will go and sell it, and the money I shall -get for it will serve both for breakfast and dinner, and perhaps -supper too. - -Aladdin’s mother took the lamp, and said to her son, Here it is, -but it is very dirty: if it was a little cleaner, I believe it would -bring something more. She took a little fine sand and water to clean -it; but had no sooner begun to rub it, but in an instant a hideous -genie of gigantic size appeared before her, and said to her in a -voice like thunder, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee -as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their -hands, I and the other slaves of the lamp. - -[Illustration: THE GENIUS OF THE LAMP APPEARING TO ALADDIN AND HIS -MOTHER.] - -Aladdin’s mother was not able to speak at the sight of this -frightful genie, but fainted away; when Aladdin, who had once before -seen such another genie in the cavern, without losing time or -reflection, snatched the lamp out of his mother’s hands, and said -to the genie boldly, I am hungry; bring me something to eat. The -genii disappeared immediately, and in an instant returned with a -large silver basin on his head, and twelve covered plates of the -same metal, which contained some excellent meats; six large white -loaves on two other plates, and two bottles of wine, and two silver -cups in each hand. All these things he placed upon a table and -disappeared; and all this was done before Aladdin’s mother came -out of her swoon. - -Aladdin went presently and fetched some water, and threw it in her -face, to recover her: whether that or the smell of the meats the -genie procured, brought her to life again, it was not long before -she came to herself. Mother, said Aladdin, do not mind this; it is -nothing at all; get up, and come and eat; here is what will put you -in heart, and at the same time satisfy my extreme hunger: do not let -such fine meat be cold, but fall to. - -His mother was very much surprised to see the great basin, twelve -plates, six loaves and the two bottles and cups, and to smell the -delicious odour which exhaled from the plates. Child, said she to -Aladdin, to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and -liberality? Has the sultan been made acquainted with our poverty, -and had compassion on us? It is no matter, mother, said Aladdin; let -us sit down and eat; for you have almost as much need of a good -breakfast as myself; when we have done, I will tell you. Accordingly -both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better stomach, as -the table was so well furnished. But at the time Aladdin’s mother -could not forbear looking at and admiring the basin and plates, -though she could not well tell whether they were silver or any other -metal, so little accustomed was she and her son to see such, and the -novelty more than the value attracted their attention. - -In short, the mother and son sat at breakfast till it was -dinner-time, and then they thought it would be best to put the two -meals together; yet after this, they found they should have enough -left for supper, and two meals for the next day. - -When Aladdin’s mother had taken away, and set by what was left, -she went and sat down by her son on the sofa. Aladdin, said she, I -expect now that you should satisfy my impatience, and tell me -exactly what passed between the genie and you while I was in a -swoon, which he presently complied with. - -She was in as great amazement at what her son told her, as at the -appearance of the genie, and said to him, But son, what have we to -do with genies? I never in my life heard that any of my acquaintance -had ever seen one. How came that vile genie to address himself to -me, and not to you, to whom he had appeared before in the cave? -Mother, answered Aladdin, the genie you saw is not the same who -appeared to me, though he resembles him in size; no, they had quite -different persons and habits; they belong to different masters. If -you remember, he that I first saw called himself the slave of the -ring on my finger; and this you saw called himself the slave of the -lamp you had in your hand; but I believe you did not hear him, for I -think you fainted away as soon as he began to speak. - -What! cried the mother, was your lamp then the occasion of that -cursed genie’s addressing himself rather to me than to you? Ah! my -son, take it out of my sight, and put it where you please. I will -never touch it. I had rather you would sell it than run the hazard -of being frightened to death again by touching it; and if you would -take my advice, you would part also with the ring, and not have any -thing to do with genies, who, as our prophet has told us, are only -devils. - -With your leave, mother, replied Aladdin, I shall now take care how -I sell a lamp, as I was going to do, which may be so serviceable -both to you and me. Have not you been an eye-witness of what it hath -procured us, and it shall still continue to furnish us with -subsistence and maintenance. You may suppose, as I do, that my false -and wicked uncle would not have taken so much pains, and undertaken -so long and tedious a journey, if it had not been to get into his -possession this wonderful lamp, which he preferred before all the -gold and silver which he knew was in the halls, and which I have -seen with my own eyes. He knew too well the merit and worth of this -lamp, not to prefer it to so great a treasure; and since chance hath -discovered the virtue of it to us, let us make a profitable use of -it, without making any great stir, and drawing the envy and jealousy -of our neighbours upon us. However, since the genies fright you so -much, I will take it out of your sight, and put it where I may find -it when I want it. As for the ring, I cannot resolve to part with -that neither; for, without that, you had never seen me again; and -though I am alive now, perhaps, if it was gone, I might not be so -some moments hence; therefore I hope you will give me leave to keep -that, and to wear it always on my finger. Who knows what dangers you -and I may be exposed to, which neither of us can foresee, and which -it may deliver us from? As Aladdin’s arguments were just, and had -a great deal of weight in them, his mother had nothing to say -against them; but only replied, that he might do what he pleased, -but for her part, she would have nothing to do with genies, but -would wash her hands of them, and never say any thing mere about -them. - -By the next night they had eaten all the provisions the genie had -brought; and the next day Aladdin, who could not bear the thoughts -of hunger, took one of the silver plates under his coat, and went -out early to sell it, and addressing himself to a Jew whom he met in -the streets, took him aside, and pulling out the plate, asked him if -he would buy it. The cunning Jew took the plate and examined it, and -no sooner found that it was good silver, but he asked Aladdin how -much he valued it at. Aladdin, who knew not the value of it, and -never had been used to such traffic, told him he would trust to his -judgment and honour. The Jew was somewhat confounded at this plain -dealing; and doubting whether Aladdin understood the material, or -the full value of what he offered to sell him, he took a piece of -gold out of his purse and gave it him, though it was but the -sixtieth part of the worth of the plate. Aladdin took the money very -eagerly, and, as soon as he got it in his pocket, retired with so -much haste, that the Jew, not content with the exorbitancy of his -profit, was vexed he had not penetrated into Aladdin’s ignorance, -and was going to run after him, to endeavour to get some change out -of the piece of gold; but Aladdin ran so fast, and had got so far, -that it would have been impossible for him to overtake him. - -Before Aladdin went home to his mother, he called at a baker’s, -bought a loaf, changed his money, and went home, and gave the rest -to his mother, who went and bought provisions enough to last them -some time. After this manner they lived, till Aladdin had sold the -twelve plates, one at a time, to the Jew, for the same money; who, -after the first time, durst not offer him less, for fear of losing -so good a chap. When he had sold the last plate, he had recourse to -the basin, which weighed ten times as much as the plate, and would -have carried it to his old purchaser, but that it was too large and -cumbersome; therefore he was obliged to bring him home with him to -his mother’s, where, after the Jew had examined the weight of the -basin, he laid down ten pieces of gold, with which Aladdin was very -well satisfied. - -They lived on these ten pieces in a frugal manner a pretty while; -and Aladdin, who had been used to an idle life, left off playing -with young lads of his own age ever since his adventure with the -African magician. He spent his time in walking about, and talking -with people with whom he had got acquainted. Sometimes he would stop -at the most capital merchants’ shops, where people of distinction -met, and listen to their discourse, by which he gained some little -knowledge of the world. - -When all the money was spent, Aladdin had recourse again to the -lamp. He took it in his hand, looked for the same place where his -mother had rubbed it with the sand, and rubbed it also, and the -genie immediately appeared, and said, What wouldst thou have? I am -ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have -that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the lamp. I am -hungry, said Aladdin; bring me something to eat. The genie -disappeared, and presently returned with a basin, and the same -number of covered plates, &c. and set them down on a table, and -vanished again. - -Aladdin’s mother, knowing what her son was going to do, went out -at that time about some business, on purpose to avoid being in the -way when the genie came; and when she returned, which was in a short -time, and found the table and sideboard so furnished a second time, -was almost as much surprised as before, at the prodigious effect of -the lamp. However, she sat down with her son, and when they had -eaten as much as they had a mind to, she set enough by to last them -two or three days. - -As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions and money were spent, -he took one of these plates, and went to look for his Jew chapman -again; but passing by a goldsmith’s shop, who had the character of -a very fair and honest man, the goldsmith perceiving him, called to -him, and said, My lad, I have often observed you go by, loaded as -you are at present, and talk with such a Jew, and then come back -again empty-handed. I imagine that you carry something that you sell -to him; but perhaps you do not know what a rogue he is, and that he -is the greatest rogue among all the Jews, and is so well known, that -nobody will have any thing to do with him. What I tell you is for -your own good. If you will show me what you now carry, and it is to -be sold, I will give you the full worth of it; or I will direct you -to other merchants who will not cheat you. - -The hopes of getting more money for his plate induced Aladdin to -pull it from under his coat, and show it to the goldsmith. The old -man, who at first sight saw that it was made of the finest silver, -asked him if he had sold any such as that to the Jew, and Aladdin -told him plainly that he had sold him twelve such, for a piece of -gold each. What a villain! cried the goldsmith; but, added he, my -son, what is past cannot be recalled. By showing you the value of -this plate, which is of the finest silver we use in our shops, I -will let you see how much the Jew has cheated you. - -The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the plate, and after he -had told Aladdin how much an ounce of fine silver contained and was -worth, he demonstrated to him that his plate was worth by weight -sixty pieces of gold, which he paid him down immediately. If you -dispute my honesty, said he, you may go to any other of our trade, -and if he gives you any more, I will be bound to forfeit twice as -much; for we gain only the fashion of the plate that we buy, and -that the fairest dealing Jews do not. - -Aladdin thanked him for his good advice, so greatly to his -advantage, and never after went to any other person, but sold him -all his plates and the basin, and had as much for them as the weight -came to. - -Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure of money -in their lamp, and might have whatever they had a mind to whenever -they pleased, yet they lived with the same frugality as before, -except that Aladdin went more neat: as for his mother, she wore no -clothes but what she earned by her spinning cotton. After their -manner of living, we may easily suppose, that the money Aladdin had -sold the plates and basin for was sufficient to maintain them some -time. They went on for many years by the help of the produce -Aladdin, from time to time, made of his lamp. - -During this time, Aladdin frequented the shops of the principal -merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver, and linens, -silk stuffs, and jewellery, and oftentimes joining in their -conversation, acquired a complete knowledge of the world, and -assumed its manners. By his acquaintance among the jewellers, he -came to know that the fine fruit which he had gathered when he took -the lamp, were not coloured glass, but stones of extraordinary -value. For as he had seen all sorts of jewels bought and sold in -their shops, but none that were so beautiful or so large as his, he -found, that instead of coloured glass, he possessed an inestimable -treasure; but had the prudence not to say any thing of it to any -one, not even to his mother. - -One day as Aladdin was walking about the town, he heard an order of -the sultan’s published, for all people to shut up their shops and -houses, and keep within doors, while the princess Badroulboudour, -[97] the sultan’s daughter, went to the baths and back again. - -This public order inspired Aladdin with a great curiosity to see the -princess’s face, which he could not do without getting into the -house of some acquaintance, and through a window; but this did not -satisfy him, when he considered that the princess, when she went to -the baths, had a veil on; but to gratify his curiosity, he presently -thought of a scheme which succeeded; that was, to place himself -behind the door of the bath, which was so situated that he could not -fail of seeing her face. - -Aladdin had not waited long before the princess came, and he could -see her plainly through a chink of the door without being seen. She -was attended with a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and eunuchs, who -walked on each side and behind her. When she came within three or -four paces from the door of the baths, she took off her veil, and -gave Aladdin an opportunity of a full look at her. - -Till then Aladdin, who had never seen any woman’s face but his -mother’s, who was old, and never could boast of any such features, -thought that all women were like her, and could hear people talk of -the most surprising beauties without being the least moved; for -whatever words are made use of to set off the merit of a beauty, -they can never make the same impression as the beauty herself. - -But as soon as Aladdin had seen the princess Badroulboudour, his -sentiments were very much changed, and his heart could not withstand -all those inclinations so charming an object inspires. The princess -was the most beautiful brunette in the world; her eyes were large, -lively, and sparkling; her looks sweet and modest; her nose was of a -just proportion and without a fault; her mouth small, her lips of a -vermilion red, and charmingly agreeable symmetry; in a word, all the -features of her face were perfectly regular. It is not therefore -surprising that Aladdin, who had never seen, and was a stranger to -so many charms, was dazzled, and his senses quite ravished with such -an assemblage. With all these perfections, the princess had so -delicate a shape, so majestic an air, that the sight of her was -sufficient to inspire respect. - -After the princess had passed by Aladdin, and entered the baths, he -remained some time astonished, and in a kind of ecstacy, retracing -and imprinting the idea of so charming an object deeply in his mind. -But at last considering that the princess was gone past him, and -that when she returned from the bath her back would be towards him, -and then veiled, he resolved to quit his post and go home. But when -he came there, he could not conceal his uneasiness so well but that -his mother perceived it, and was very much surprised to see him so -much more thoughtful and melancholy than usual; and asked him what -had happened to him to make him so, or if he was ill. Aladdin -returned her no answer, but sat carelessly down on the sofa, and -remained in the same condition, full of the image of the charming -Badroulboudour. His mother, who was dressing supper, pressed him no -more. When it was ready, she set it on the table before him; but -perceiving that he gave no attention to it, she bid him eat, and had -much ado to persuade him to change his place; and when he did, he -ate much less than usual, and all the time cast down his eyes, and -observed so profound a silence, that she could not possibly get the -least word out of him in answer to all the questions she put, to -find the reason of so extraordinary an alteration. - -After supper, she asked him again, why he was so melancholy, but -could get no information, and he determined to go to bed rather than -give her the least satisfaction. Without examining how Aladdin, -passed the night, his mind full as it was with the beautiful charms -of the princess Badroulboudour, I shall only observe, that as he sat -next day on the sofa, over against his mother, as she was spinning -cotton, he spoke to her in these words: I perceive, mother, that my -silence yesterday has very much troubled you; I was not, nor am I -sick, as I fancy you believed; but I can tell you, that what I felt -then, and now endure, is worse than any disease. I cannot tell well -what ails me; but doubt not what I am going to tell you will inform -you. - -It was not known in this quarter of the town, and therefore you -could know nothing of it, that the princess Badroulboudour, the -sultan’s daughter, was to go to the baths after dinner. I heard -this as I walked about the town, and an order was issued, that, to -pay all the respect that was due to that princess, all the shops -should be shut up in her way thither, and every body keep within -doors, to leave the streets free for her and her attendants. As I -was not then far from the bath, I had a great curiosity to see the -princess’s face; and as it occurred to me that the princess, when -she came nigh the door of the bath, would pull her veil off, I -resolved to get behind that door. You know the situation of the -door, and may imagine that I must have a full view of her, if it -happened as I expected. The princess threw off her veil, and I had -the happiness of seeing her lovely face with the greatest -satisfaction imaginable. This, mother, was the cause of my -melancholy and silence yesterday; I love the princess with so much -violence, that I cannot express it; and as my lively passion -increases every moment, I cannot live without the possession of the -amiable princess Badroulboudour, and am resolved to ask her in -marriage of the sultan her father. - -Aladdin’s mother listened with attention to what her son told her: -but when he talked of asking the princess Badroulboudour in marriage -of the sultan, she could not help bursting out into a loud laugh. -Aladdin would have gone on with his discourse, but she interrupted -him: Alas! child, said she, what are you thinking of? you must be -mad to talk so. - -I assure you, mother, replied Aladdin, that I am not mad, but in my -right senses: I foresaw that you would reproach me with this folly -and extravagance; but I must tell you once more, that I am resolved -to demand the princess Badroulboudour of the sultan in marriage, and -your remonstrances shall not prevent me. - -Indeed, son, replied the mother seriously, I cannot help telling -you, that you have quite forgot yourself; and if you would put this -resolution of yours in execution, I do not see who you can get to -venture to propose it for you. You yourself, replied he immediately. -I go to the sultan! answered the mother, amazed and surprised. I -shall take care how I engage in such an affair. Why, who are you, -son, continued she, that you can have the assurance to think of your -sultan’s daughter? Have you forgot that your father was one of the -poorest tailors in the capital, and that I am of no better -extraction? and do not you know, that sultans never marry their -daughters but to princes, sons of sultans like themselves? - -Mother, answered Aladdin, I have already told you that I foresaw all -that you have said, or can say: and tell you again, that neither -your discourse nor your remonstrances, shall make me change my mind. -I have told you that you must ask the princess Badroulboudour in -marriage for me: it is a favour I desire of you, with all the -respect I owe you; and I beg of you not to refuse me, unless you -would rather see me in my grave, than by so doing give me new life. - -The good old woman was very much embarrassed, when she found Aladdin -so obstinately persisting in so foolish a design. My son, said she -again, I am your mother, who brought you into the world, and there -is nothing that is reasonable but I would readily do for you. If I -was to go and treat about your marriage with some neighbour’s -daughter, whose circumstances were equal with yours, I would do it -with all my heart; and then they would expect you should have some -little estate or fortune, or be of some trade. When such poor folks -as we are have a mind to marry, the first thing they ought to think -of, is how to live. But without reflecting on the meanness of your -birth, and the little merit and fortune you have to recommend you, -you aim at the highest pitch of fortune; and your pretensions are no -less than to demand in marriage the daughter of your sovereign, who -with one single word, can crush you to pieces. I say nothing of what -respects yourself. I leave you to reflect on what you have to do, if -you have ever so little thought. I come now to consider what -concerns myself. How could so extraordinary a thought come into your -head, as that I should go to the sultan, and make a proposal to him, -to give his daughter in marriage to you? Suppose I had, not to say -the boldness, but the impudence to present myself before the sultan, -and make so extravagant a request, to whom should I address myself -to be introduced to his majesty? Do you not think the first person I -should speak to would take me for a mad woman, and chastise me as I -should deserve? Suppose there is no difficulty in presenting myself -to an audience of the sultan, as I know there is none to those who -go to ask justice, which he distributes equally among his subjects; -I know too that to those who ask some favour, he grants it with -pleasure when he sees it is deserved, and the persons are worthy of -it. But is that your case? and do you think you have deserved the -favour you would have me ask for you? are you worthy of it? What -have you done to deserve such a favour? What have you done either -for your prince or country? How have you distinguished yourself? If -you have done nothing to merit so great a favour, nor are worthy of -it, with what face shall I ask it! How can I open my mouth to make -the proposal to the sultan? His majestic presence and the lustre of -his court would presently silence me, who used to tremble before my -late husband your father, when I asked him for any thing. Here is -another reason, my son, which you do not think of, which is, nobody -ever goes to ask a favour of the sultan without a present; for by a -present, they have this advantage, that if for some particular -reasons the favour is denied, they are sure to be heard. But what -presents have you to make? And if you had any that was worthy of the -least attention of so great a monarch, what proportion could it bear -to the favour you would ask? Therefore, reflect well on what you are -about, and consider, that you aspire to a thing which is impossible -for you to obtain. - -Aladdin heard very calmly all that his mother could say to endeavour -to dissuade him from his design, and after he had weighed her -representation in all points, made answer: I own, mother, it is -great rashness in me to presume to carry my pretensions so far; and -a great want of consideration, to ask you with so much heat and -precipitancy to go and make the proposal of my marriage to the -sultan, without first taking proper measures to procure a favourable -reception, and therefore beg your pardon. But be not surprised, that -through the violence of my passion I did not at first sight see -every thing that was necessary to be done, to procure me that -happiness I seek after. I love the princess Badroulboudour beyond -all you can imagine; or rather I adore her, and shall always -persevere in my design, of marrying her; which is a thing I have -determined and resolved on. I am obliged to you for the hint you -have given me, and look upon it as the first step I ought to take to -procure me the happy success I promise myself. - -You say, it is not customary to go to the sultan without a present, -and that I have nothing worthy of his acceptance. As to what you say -about the present, I agree with you, and own that I never thought of -it; but as to what you say, that I have nothing fit to present him -with, do not you think, mother, that what I brought home with me -that day on which I was delivered from an inevitable death, may be -an agreeable present? I mean those things you and I both took for -coloured glasses; but now I am undeceived, and can tell you that -they are jewels of an inestimable value, and fit for the greatest -monarchs. I know the worth of them by frequenting the jewellers’ -shops; and you may take my word for it, all the jewels that I saw in -the most capital jewellers’ shops were not to be compared to those -we have, either for size or beauty, and yet they value them at an -excessive price. In short, neither you nor I know the value of ours; -but be it as it will, by the little experience I have, I am -persuaded that they will be received very favourably by the sultan: -you have a large porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let -us see how they will look, when we have ranged them according to -their different colours. - -Aladdin’s mother fetched the china dish, and he took the jewels -out of the two purses in which he had kept them, and placed them in -the dish. But the brightness and lustre they had in the day-time, -and the variety of the colours, so dazzled the eyes both of mother -and son, that they were astonished beyond measure; for they had only -seen them by the light of the lamp: for though Aladdin had seen them -hang on the trees like fruit, beautiful to the eye, yet as he was -but a boy, he did not take much notice of them; but looked on them -only as trinkets. - -After they had admired the beauty of this present some time, Aladdin -said to his mother, Now you cannot excuse yourself from going to the -sultan, under the pretext of not having a present to make him, since -here is one which will gain you a favourable reception. - -Though Aladdin’s mother, notwithstanding the beauty and lustre of -the present, did not believe it so valuable as her son esteemed it, -she thought it might nevertheless be agreeable to the sultan, and -found that she could not have any thing to say against it, but was -always thinking of the request Aladdin wanted her to make to the -sultan by favour of his present. My son, said she, I cannot conceive -that your present will have its desired effect, and that the sultan -will look upon me with a favourable eye; and I am sure that if I -attempt to acquit myself on this message of yours, I shall have no -power to open my mouth; and therefore I shall not only lose my -labour, but the present, which you say is so extraordinary, and -shall return home again in confusion, to tell you that your hopes -are frustrated. I have told you the consequence, and you ought to -believe me; but, added she, I will exert my best endeavour to please -you, and wish I may have power to ask the sultan as you would have -me; but certainly he will either laugh at me, or send me back like a -fool, or be in so great a rage, as to make us both the victims of -his fury. - -She used a great many more arguments to endeavour to make him change -his mind; but the charms of the princess Badroulboudour had made too -great an impression on his heart to dissuade him from his design. -Aladdin persisted in desiring his mother to execute his resolution, -and she, as much out of tenderness as for fear he should be guilty -of a greater piece of extravagance, condescended to his request. - -As it was now late, and the time of day for going to the sultan’s -palace was passed, it was put off till the next. The mother and son -talked of different matters the remaining part of the day; and -Aladdin took a great deal of pains to encourage his mother in the -task she had undertaken to go to the sultan; while she, -notwithstanding all his arguments, could not persuade herself she -could ever succeed; and it must be confessed she had reason enough -to doubt. Child, said she to Aladdin, if the sultan should receive -me as favourably as I wish for your sake, and should hear my -proposal with calmness, and after this kind reception should think -of asking me where lie your riches and your estate, (for he will -sooner inquire after these than your person,) if, I say, he should -ask me the question, what answer would you have me return him? - -Let us not be uneasy, mother, replied Aladdin, about what may never -happen. First, let us see how the sultan receives, and what answer -he gives you. If it should so fall out, that he desires to be -informed of all that you mention, I have thought of an answer, and -am confident that the lamp, which hath subsisted us so long, will -not fail me in time of need. - -Aladdin’s mother could not say any thing against what her son then -proposed; but reflected that the lamp might be capable of doing -greater wonders than just providing victuals for them. This -consideration satisfied her, and at the same time removed all the -difficulties which might have prevented her from undertaking the -service she had promised her son with the sultan; when Aladdin, who -penetrated into his mother’s thoughts, said to her, Above all -things, mother, be sure to keep the secret, for thereon depends the -success we have to expect; and after this caution, Aladdin and his -mother parted to go to bed. But violent love, and the great prospect -of so immense a fortune, had so much possessed the son’s thoughts, -that he could not rest as well as he could have wished. He rose at -day-break, and went presently and awakened his mother, pressing her -to get herself dressed to go to the sultan’s palace, and to get in -first, as the grand vizier, the other viziers, and all the great -officers of state, went in to take their seats in the divan, where -the sultan always assisted in person. - -Aladdin’s mother did all her son desired. She took the china dish, -in which they had put the jewels the day before, tied up in two -napkins, one finer than the other, which was tied at four corners -for more easy carriage, and set forwards for the sultan’s palace, -to the great satisfaction of Aladdin. When she came to the gates, -the grand vizier, and the other viziers and most distinguished lords -of the court, were just gone in; and, notwithstanding the crowd of -people who had business at the divan was extraordinary great, she -got into the divan, which was a large spacious hall, the entry into -which was very magnificent. She placed herself just before the -sultan, grand vizier and the great lords, who sat in that council, -on his right and left hand. Several causes were called, according to -their order, and pleaded and adjudged, until the time the divan -generally broke up, when the sultan rising, dismissed the council, -and returned to his apartment, attended by the grand vizier; the -other viziers and ministers of state returned, as also did all those -whose business called them thither; some pleased with gaining their -causes, others dissatisfied at the sentences pronounced against -them, and some in expectation of theirs being heard the next sitting. - -Aladdin’s mother, seeing the sultan rise and retire, and all the -people go away, judged rightly that he would not come again that -day, and resolved to go home. When Aladdin saw her return with the -present designed for the sultan, he knew not at first what to think -of her success, and in the fear he was in lest she should bring him -some ill news, he had not courage enough to ask her any questions, -till his mother, who had never set foot into the sultan’s palace -before, and knew not what was every day practised there, freed him -from his embarrassment, and said to him, with a great deal of -simplicity, Son, I have seen the sultan, and am very well persuaded -he has seen me too; for I placed myself just before him, and nothing -could hinder him from seeing me; but he was so much taken up with -all those who talked on all sides of him, that I pitied him, and -wondered at his patience to hear them. At last I believe he was -heartily tired, for he rose up suddenly, and would not hear a great -many who were ready prepared to speak to him, but went away, at -which I was very well pleased, for indeed I began to lose all -patience, and was extremely tired with staying so long. But there is -no harm done; I will go again to-morrow; perhaps the sultan may not -be so busy. - -Though Aladdin’s passion was very violent, he was forced to be -satisfied with this excuse, and to fortify himself with patience. He -had at least the satisfaction to find that his mother had got over -the greatest difficulty, which to procure access to the sultan, and -hoped that the example of those she saw speak to him would embolden -her to acquit herself better of her commission when a favourable -opportunity offered to speak to him. - -The next morning she went to the sultan’s palace with the present, -as early as the day before, but when she came there; she found the -gates of the divan shut, and understood that the council sat but -every other day, therefore she must come again the next. This news -she carried to her son, whose only relief was to guard himself with -patience. She went six times afterwards on the days appointed, -placed herself always directly before the sultan, but with as little -success as the first time, and might have perhaps come a thousand -times to as little purpose, if the sultan himself had not taken a -particular notice of her: for it is very probable that only those -who came with petitions approached the sultan, and each pleaded -their cause in its turn, and Aladdin’s mother was not one of them. - -That day, at last, after the council was broke up, when the sultan -was returned to his own apartment, he said to his grand vizier, I -have for some time observed a certain woman, who comes constantly -every day that I go into council, and has something wrapped up in a -napkin: she always stands up from the beginning to the breaking up -of the council, and affects to place herself just before me. Do you -know what she wants? - -Sir, replied the grand vizier, who knew no more than the sultan what -she wanted, but had not a mind to seem uninformed, your majesty -knows that women often form complaints on trifles; perhaps this -woman may come to complain to your majesty, that somebody has sold -her some bad flour, or some such trifling matter. The sultan was not -satisfied with this answer, but replied, If this woman comes again -next council-day, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what she -has to say. The grand vizier made answer by kissing his hand, and -lifting it up above his head, signifying his willingness to lose it -if he failed. - -By this time Aladdin’s mother was so much used to go to the -council, and stand before the sultan, that she did not think it any -trouble, if she could but satisfy her son that she neglected nothing -that lay in her power to please him: so the next council-day she -went to the divan, and placed herself before the sultan as usual; -and before the grand vizier had made his report of business, the -sultan perceived her, and compassionated her for having waited so -long, he said to the vizier, before you enter upon any business, -remember the woman I spoke to you about: bid her come near, and let -us hear and despatch her business first. The grand vizier -immediately called the chief of the officers, who stood ready to -obey his commands; and pointing to her, bid him go to that woman, -and tell her to come before the sultan. - -The chief of the officers went to Aladdin’s mother, and at a sign -he gave her, she followed him to the foot of the sultan’s throne, -where he left her, and retired to his place by the grand vizier. -Aladdin’s mother, by the example of a great many others whom she -saw salute the sultan, bowed her head down to the carpet, which -covered the steps of the throne, and remained in that posture till -the sultan bid her rise, which she had no sooner done, than the -sultan said to her, Good woman, I have observed you to stand a long -time, from the beginning to the rising of the divan; what business -brings you here? - -At these words, Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a second time; -and when she got up again, said, Monarch of monarchs, before I tell -your majesty the extraordinary and almost incredible business which -brings me before your high throne, I beg of you to pardon the -boldness or rather impudence of the demand I am going to make, which -is so uncommon, that I tremble, and am ashamed to propose it to my -sultan. In order to give her the more freedom to explain herself, -the sultan ordered every body to go out of the divan but the grand -vizier, and then told her that she might speak without restraint. - -Aladdin’s mother, not content with this favour of the sultan’s -to save her the trouble and confusion of speaking before so many -people, was notwithstanding for securing herself against his anger, -which, from the proposal she was going to make, she was not a little -apprehensive of; therefore resuming her discourse, she said, I beg -of your majesty, if you should think my demand the least injurious -or offensive, to assure me first of your pardon and forgiveness. -Well, replied the sultan, I will forgive you, be it what it will, -and no hurt shall come to you: speak boldly. - -When Aladdin’s mother had taken all these precautions, for fear of -the sultan’s anger, she told him faithfully how Aladdin had seen -the princess Badroulboudour, the violent love that fatal sight had -inspired him with, the declaration he had made to her of it when he -came home, and what representations she had made to dissuade him -from a passion, no less injurious, said she, to your majesty, as -sultan, than to the princess your daughter. But, continued she, my -son, instead of taking my advice and reflecting on his boldness, was -so obstinate as to persevere in it, and to threaten me with some -desperate act, if I refused to come and ask the princess in marriage -of your majesty; and it was not till after an extreme violence on -myself, I was forced to have this complaisance for him, for which I -beg your majesty once more to pardon not only me, but forgive -Aladdin my son, for entertaining such a rash thought as to aspire to -so high an alliance. - -The sultan hearkened to this discourse with a great deal of -mildness, without showing the least anger or passion; but before he -gave her any answer, he asked her what she had brought tied up in -that napkin. She took the china dish, which she had set down at the -foot of the throne before she prostrated herself before him; she -untied it, and presented it to the sultan. - -The sultan’s amazement and surprise were inexpressible, when he -saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels, collected in one -dish. He remained for some time motionless with admiration. At last, -when he had recovered himself, he received the present from -Aladdin’s mother’s hand, and crying out in a transport of joy, -How rich and now beautiful! After he had admired and handled all the -jewels, one after another, he turned about to his grand vizier, and -showing him the dish, said, Look here, and confess that your eyes -never beheld any thing so rich and beautiful before. The vizier was -charmed. Well, continued the sultan, what sayest thou to such a -present? Is it not worthy of the princess my daughter? And ought I -not to bestow her on one who values her at so great a price. - -These words put the grand vizier into a strange agitation. The -sultan had some time before signified to him his intention of -bestowing the princess his daughter on a son of his; therefore he -was afraid, and not without grounds, that the sultan, dazzled by so -rich and extraordinary a present, might change his mind. Thereupon, -going to him, and whispering him in the ear, he said to him, Sir, I -cannot but own the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of -your majesty to grant me three months before you come to a -resolution. I hope, before that time, my son, on whom you have had -the goodness to look with a favourable eye, will be able to make a -nobler present than Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your -majesty. - -The sultan, though he was very well persuaded that it was not -possible for the vizier to provide so considerable a present for his -son to make the princess, yet he hearkened to him, and granted him -that favour. So turning about to Aladdin’s mother, he said to her, -Good woman, go home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal -you have made me; but I cannot marry the princess my daughter till -some furniture I design for her be got ready, which cannot be -finished these three months; but at the expiration of that time come -again. - -Aladdin’s mother returned home much more overjoyed than she could -have imagined, for she looked upon her access to the sultan as a -thing impossible; and besides, she had met with a favourable answer, -instead of the refusal and confusion she expected. From two -circumstances, Aladdin, when he saw his mother return, judged that -she brought him good news; the one was, that she returned sooner -than ordinary, and the next was, the gaiety of her countenance. -Well, mother, said he to her, may I entertain any hopes, or must I -die with despair? When she had pulled off her veil, and had sat -herself down on the sofa by him, she said to him, Not to keep you -long in suspense, son, I will begin by telling you, that instead of -thinking of dying, you have every reason to be very well satisfied. -Then pursuing her discourse, she told him, how that she had an -audience before every body else, which made her come home so soon; -the precautions she had taken lest she should have displeased the -sultan, by making the proposal of marriage between him and the -princess Badroulboudour, and the favourable answer she had from the -caliph’s own mouth; and that, as far as she could judge, the -present wrought that powerful effect. But when I least expected it, -said she, and he was going to give me an answer, the grand vizier -whispered him in the ear, and I was afraid might be some obstacle to -his good intention towards us. - -Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all men, at hearing of -this news, and thanked his mother for all the pains she had taken in -the pursuit of this affair, the good success of which was of so -great importance to his peace. Though, through his impatience to -enjoy the object of his passion, three months seemed an age, yet he -disposed himself to wait with patience, relying on the sultan’s -word, which he looked upon to be irrevocable. But all that time he -not only counted the hours, days, and weeks, but every moment. When -two of the three months were past, his mother one evening going to -light the lamp, and finding no oil in the house, went out to buy -some, and when she came into the city, found a general rejoicing. -The shops, instead of being shut up, were open, drest with foliage, -every one striving to show their zeal in the most distinguished -manner. The streets were crowded with officers in habits of -ceremony, mounted on horses richly caparisoned, each attended by a -great many footmen. Aladdin’s mother asked the oil-merchant what -was the meaning of all those doings. Whence came you, good woman, -said he, that you don’t know that the grand vizier’s son is to -marry the princess Badroulboudour, the sultan’s daughter, -to-night? She will presently return from the baths; and these -officers that you see are to assist at the cavalcade to the palace, -where the ceremony is to be solemnized. - -This was news enough for Aladdin’s mother. She ran till she was -quite out of breath home to her son, who little suspected any such -thing. Child, cried she, you are undone! you depend upon the -sultan’s fine promises, but they will come to nothing. Aladdin was -terribly alarmed at these words. Mother, replied he, how do you know -the sultan has been guilty of a breach of promise? This night, -answered the mother, the grand vizier’s son is to marry the -princess Badroulboudour. She then related how she had heard it; so -that from all circumstances, he had no reason to doubt the truth of -what she said. - -At this account Aladdin was thunder-struck. Any other man would have -sunk under the shock; but a secret motive of jealousy soon roused -his spirits, and he bethought himself of the lamp, which had till -then been so useful to him; and without venting his rage in empty -words against the sultan, the vizier, or his son, he only said, -Perhaps, mother, the vizier’s son may not be so happy to-night as -he promises himself: while I go into my chamber a moment, do you go -and get supper ready. She accordingly went about it, and she guessed -that her son was going to make use of the lamp, to prevent, if -possible, the consummation of the marriage. - -When Aladdin had got into his chamber, he took the lamp, and rubbed -it in the same place as before, and immediately the genie appeared, -and said to him, What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as -thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their -hands; I and the other slaves of the lamp. Hear me, said Aladdin; -thou hast hitherto brought me whatever I wanted as to provisions; -but now I have business of the greatest importance for thee to -execute. I have demanded the princess Badroulboudour in marriage of -the sultan her father; he promised her to me, but only asked three -months time; and instead of keeping that promise, has this night, -before the expiration of that time, married her to the grand -vizier’s son. I have just heard this, and have no doubt of it. -What I ask of you is, That as soon as the bride and bridegroom are -in bed, you bring them both hither in their bed. Master, replied the -genie, I will obey you. Have you any other commands? None at -present, answered Aladdin; and then the genie disappeared. - -Aladdin went down stairs, and supped with his mother, with the same -tranquillity of mind as usual; and after supper, talked of the -princess’s marriage as of an affair wherein he had not the least -concern; and afterwards returned to his own chamber again, and left -his mother to go to bed; but he, for his part, sat up till the genie -had executed his orders. - -In the mean time, every thing was prepared with the greatest -magnificence in the sultan’s palace to celebrate the princess’s -nuptials; and the evening was spent with all the usual ceremonies -and great rejoicings till midnight, when the grand vizier’s son, -on a signal given him by the chief of the princess’s eunuchs, -slipped away from the company, and was introduced by that officer -into the princess’s apartment, where the nuptial bed was prepared. -He went to bed first, and in a little time after, the sultaness, -accompanied by her own women, and those of the princess, brought the -bride, who, according to the custom of new married ladies, made -great resistance. The sultaness herself helped to undress her, put -her into bed by a kind of violence, and, after having kissed her, -and wished her good-night, retired with all the women, and the last -who came out shut the door. - -No sooner was the door shut, but the genie, as the faithful slave of -the lamp, and punctual in executing the commands of those who -possessed it, without giving the bridegroom the least time to caress -his bride, to the great amazement of them both, took up the bed, and -transported it in an instant into Aladdin’s chamber, where he set -it down. - -Aladdin, who waited impatiently for this moment, did not suffer the -vizier’s son to remain long in bed with the princess. Take this -new-married man, said he to the genie, and shut him up in the house -of office, and come again to-morrow morning after day-break. The -genie presently took the vizier’s son out of bed, and carried him -in his shirt whither Aladdin bid him; and after he had breathed upon -him, which prevented his stirring, he left him there. - -Great as was Aladdin’s love for the princess Badroulboudour, he -did not talk much to her when they were alone; but only said, with a -passionate air, Fear nothing, adorable princess; you are here in -safety: for, notwithstanding the violence of my passion, which your -charms have kindled, it shall never exceed the bounds of the -profound respect I owe you. If I have been forced to come to this -extremity, it is not with any intention of affronting you, but to -prevent an unjust rival’s possessing you, contrary to the sultan -your father’s promise in favour of me. - -The princess, who knew nothing of these particulars, gave very -little attention to what Aladdin could say. The fright and amazement -of so unexpected an adventure had put her into such a condition, -that he could not get one word from her. However, he undressed -himself, and got into the vizier’s son’s place, and lay with his -back to the princess, putting a sabre between himself and her, to -show that he deserved to be punished, if he attempted any thing -against her honour. - -Aladdin, very well satisfied with having thus deprived his rival of -the happiness he had flattered himself with enjoying that night, -slept very quietly, though the princess Badroulboudour never passed -a night so ill in her life; and if we consider the condition the -genie left the grand vizier’s son in, we may imagine that the new -bridegroom spent it much worse. - -Aladdin had no occasion the next morning to rub the lamp to call the -genie; he came at the hour appointed, and just when he had done -dressing himself, and said to him, I am here, master; what are your -commands? Go, said Aladdin, fetch the vizier’s son out of the -place where you left him, and put him into his bed again, and carry -it to the sultan’s palace, from whence you brought it. The genie -presently returned with the vizier’s son. Aladdin took up his -sabre, the bridegroom was laid by the princess, and in an instant -the nuptial bed was transported into the same chamber of the palace -from whence it had been brought. But we must observe that all this -time the genie never appeared either to the princess or the grand -vizier’s son. His hideous form would have made them die with fear. -Neither did they hear any thing of the discourse between Aladdin and -him; they only perceived the motion of the bed, and their -transportation from one place to another; which we may well imagine -was enough to frighten them. - -As soon as the genie had set down the nuptial-bed to its proper -place, the sultan, curious to know how the princess his daughter had -spent the wedding-night, opened the door to wish her good morning. -The grand vizier’s son, who was almost perished with cold, by -standing in his shirt all night, and had not had time to warm -himself in bed, no sooner heard the door open, but he got out of -bed, and ran into the wardrobe, where he had undressed himself the -night before. - -The sultan went to the bed-side, kissed the princess between the -eyes, according to custom, wishing her a good-morrow, and asked her, -smiling, how she had passed the night. But lifting up her head, and -looking at her more earnestly, he was extremely surprised to see her -so melancholy, and that neither by a blush nor any other sign she -could satisfy his curiosity. She only cast at him a sorrowful look, -expressive of great affliction or great dissatisfaction. He said a -few words to her; but finding that he could not get a word from her, -he attributed it to her modesty, and retired. Nevertheless, he -suspected that there was something extraordinary in this silence, -and thereupon went immediately to the sultaness’s apartment, and -told her in what a state he found the princess, and how she received -him. Sir, said the sultaness, your majesty ought not to be surprised -at this behaviour; all new-married people always have a reserve -about them the next day; she will be quite another thing in two or -three days time, and then she will receive the sultan her father as -she ought; but I will go and see her, added she; I am very much -deceived if she receives me in the same manner. - -As soon as the sultaness was dressed, she went to the princess’ -apartment, who was still in bed. She undrew the curtain, wished her -good-morrow, and kissed her. But how great was her surprise when she -returned no answer; and looking more attentively at her, she -perceived her to be very much dejected, which made her judge that -something had happened, which she did not understand. How comes it, -child, said the sultaness, that you do not return my caresses? Ought -you to treat your mother after this manner? And do you think I do -not know what may have happened in your circumstances? I am apt to -believe you do not think so, and something extraordinary has -happened: come, tell me freely, and leave me no longer in a painful -suspense. - -At last the princess Badroulboudour broke silence with a great sigh, -and said, Alas! madam, most honoured mother, forgive me if I have -failed in the respect I owe you. My mind is so full of the -extraordinary things which have befallen me this night, that I have -not yet recovered my amazement and fright, and scarce know myself. -Then she told her, how the instant after she and her husband were in -bed, the bed was transported into a dark dirty room, where he was -taken from her and carried away, where she knew not, and she was -left alone with a young man, who after he had said something to her, -which her fright did not suffer her to hear, laid himself down by -her, in her husband’s place, but first put his sabre between them; -and in the morning her husband was brought to her again, and the bed -was transported back to her own chamber in an instant. All this, -said she, was but just done, when the sultan my father came into my -chamber. I was so overwhelmed with grief, that I had not power to -make him one word of answer; therefore I am afraid that he is -offended at the manner in which I received the honour he did me; but -I hope he will forgive me, when he knows my melancholy adventure, -and the miserable state I am in at present. - -The sultaness heard all the princess told her very patiently, but -would not believe it. You did well, child, said she, not to speak of -this to your father: take care not to mention it to any body for you -will certainly be thought mad if you talk at this rate. Madam, -replied the princess, I can assure you I am in my right senses: ask -my husband, and he will tell you the same story. I will, said the -sultaness; but if he should talk in the same manner, I shall not be -better persuaded of the truth. Come, rise, and throw off this idle -fancy: it will be a fine story indeed, if all the feasts and -rejoicings in the kingdom should be interrupted by such a vision. Do -not you hear the trumpets sounding, and drums beating, and concerts -of the finest music? Cannot all these inspire you with joy and -pleasure, and make you forget all the fancies you tell me of? At the -same time the sultaness called the princess’s women, and after she -had seen her get up, and set her at her toilet, she went to the -sultan’s apartment, and told him that her daughter had got some -odd notions in her head, but that there was nothing in them. - -Then she sent for the vizier’s son, to know of him something of -what the princess had told her; but he, thinking himself highly -honoured to be allied to the sultan, resolved to disguise the -matter. Son-in-law, said the sultaness, are you as much infatuated -as your wife? Madam, replied the vizier’s son, may I be so bold as -to ask the reason of that question? Oh! that is enough, answered the -sultaness; I ask no more, I see you are wiser than her. - -The rejoicings lasted all that day in the palace, and the sultaness, -who never left the princess, forgot nothing to divert her, and -induce her to take part in the various diversions and shows; but she -was so struck with the idea of what had happened to her that night, -that it was easy to see her thoughts were entirely taken up about -it. Neither was the grand vizier’s son’s affliction less, but -that his ambition made him disguise it, and nobody doubted but he -was a happy bridegroom. - -Aladdin, who was well acquainted with what passed in the palace, -never disputed but that the new-married couple were to lie together -again that night, notwithstanding the troublesome adventure of the -night before; and therefore, having as great an inclination to -disturb them, he had recourse to his lamp, and when the genie -appeared, and offered his service, he said to him, The grand -vizier’s son and the princess Badroulboudour are to lie together -again to-night: go, and as soon as they are in bed, bring the bed -hither, as thou didst yesterday. - -The genie obeyed Aladdin as faithfully and exactly as the day -before: the grand vizier’s son passed the night as coldly and -disagreeably as before, and the princess had the mortification again -to have Aladdin for her bedfellow with the sabre between them. The -genie, according to Aladdin’s orders, came the next morning, and -brought the bridegroom and laid him by his bride, and then carried -the bed and new-married couple back again to the palace. - -The sultan, after the reception the princess Badroulboudour had -given him that day, was very anxious to know how she passed the -second night, and if she would give him the same reception, and -therefore went into her chamber as early as the morning before. The -grand vizier’s son, more ashamed and mortified with the ill -success of this last night, no sooner heard him coming, but he -jumped out of bed, and ran hastily into the wardrobe. The sultan -went to the princess’s bed-side, and after the caresses he had -given her the former morning, bid her good morrow. Well, daughter, -he said, are you in a better humour than you was yesterday morning? -Still the princess was silent, and the sultan perceived her to be -more troubled, and in greater confusion than before; he doubted not -but that something very extraordinary was the cause; but provoked -that his daughter should conceal it, he said to her, in a rage, with -his sabre in his hand, Daughter, tell me what is the matter, or I -will cut off your head immediately. - -The princess, more frightened at the menaces and tone of the enraged -sultan, than at the sight of the drawn sabre, at last broke silence, -and said, with tears in her eyes, My dear father and sultan, I ask -your majesty’s pardon if I have offended you, and hope, that out -of your goodness and clemency you will have compassion on me, when I -have told you, in what a miserable condition I have spent this last -night and the night before. - -After this preamble, which appeased and affected the sultan, she -told him what had happened to her in so moving a manner, that he, -who loved her tenderly, was most sensibly grieved. She added, If -your majesty doubts the truth of this account, you may inform -yourself from my husband, who, I am persuaded, will tell you the -same thing. - -The sultan immediately felt all the extreme uneasiness so surprising -an adventure must have given the princess. Daughter, said he, you -are very much to blame for not telling me this yesterday, since it -concerns me as much as yourself. I did not marry you with an -intention to make you miserable, but that you might enjoy all the -happiness you deserve and might hope for from a husband, who to me -seemed agreeable to you. Efface all these troublesome ideas out of -your memory; I will take care and give orders that you shall have no -more such disagreeable and insupportable nights. - -As soon as the sultan had got back to his own apartment, he sent for -the grand vizier. Vizier, said he, have you seen your son, and has -he not told you any thing? The vizier replied, No. Then the sultan -related all that the princess Badroulboudour had told him, and -afterwards said, I do not doubt but that my daughter has told me the -truth; but nevertheless I should be glad to have it confirmed by -your son; therefore go and ask him how it was. - -The grand vizier went immediately to his son, and communicated to -him what the sultan had told him, and enjoined him to conceal -nothing from him, but to tell him the whole truth. I will disguise -nothing from you, father, replied the son, for indeed all that the -princess says is true; but what relates particularly to myself she -knows nothing of. After my marriage, I have passed two such nights -as are beyond imagination or expression; not to mention the fright I -was in, to feel my bed lifted up four times, and transported from -one place to another, without being able to guess how it was done. -You shall judge of the miserable condition I was in, to pass two -whole nights in nothing but my shirt, standing in a kind of privy, -unable to stir out of the place where I was put, or to make the -least movement, though I could not perceive any obstacle to prevent -me. Yet I must tell you that all this ill usage does not in the -least lessen those sentiments of love, respect, and gratitude I -entertain for the princess, and of which she is so deserving; but I -must confess, that notwithstanding all the honour and splendour that -attends my marrying my sovereign’s daughter, I would much rather -die, than live longer in so great an alliance, if I must undergo -what I have already endured. I do not doubt but that the princess -entertains the same sentiments, and that she will readily agree to a -separation, which is so necessary both for her repose and mine. -Therefore, father, I beg you, by the same tenderness you had for me -to procure me so great an honour, to get the sultan’s consent that -our marriage may be declared null and void. - -Notwithstanding the grand vizier’s ambition to have his son allied -to the sultan, the firm resolution he saw he had formed to be -separated from the princess, made him not think it proper to propose -to him to have a little patience for a few days, to see if this -disappointment would not have an end; but left him to go and give -the sultan an account of what he had told him, assuring him that all -was but too true, without waiting till the sultan himself, whom he -found pretty much disposed to it, spoke of breaking the marriage, he -begged of him to give his son leave to retire from the palace; -alleging for an excuse, that it was not just that the princess -should be a moment longer exposed to so terrible a persecution upon -his son’s account. - -The grand vizier found no great difficulty to obtain what he asked. -From that instant the sultan, who had determined it already, gave -orders to put a stop to all rejoicings in the palace and town, and -sent expresses to all parts of his dominions to countermand his -first orders; and, in a short time, all rejoicings ceased. - -This sudden and unexpected change gave rise both in the city and -kingdom to various speculations and inquiries; but no other account -could be given of it, except that both the vizier and his son went -out of the palace very much dejected. Nobody but Aladdin knew the -secret. He rejoiced within himself for the happy success procured -for him by his lamp, which now he had no more occasion to rub, to -produce the genie to prevent the consummation of the marriage, which -he had certain information was broken off, and that his rival had -left the palace. But, what is most particular, neither the sultan -nor the grand vizier, who had forgot Aladdin and his request, had -the least thought that he had any hand in the enchantment which -caused the dissolution of the marriage. - -Nevertheless, Aladdin waited till the three months were completed, -which the sultan had appointed for the consummation of the marriage -between the princess Badroulboudour and himself; but the next day -sent his mother to the palace, to remind the sultan of his promise. - -Aladdin’s mother went to the palace, as her son had bid her, and -stood before the divan in the same place as before. The sultan no -sooner cast his eyes upon her, but he knew her again, and remembered -her business, and how long he had put her off: therefore when the -grand vizier was beginning to make his report, the sultan -interrupted him, and said, Vizier, I see the good woman who made me -the present some months hence; forbear your report till I have heard -what she has to say. The vizier then looking about the divan, -presently perceived Aladdin’s mother, and sent the chief of the -officers for her. - -Aladdin’s mother came to the foot of the throne, and prostrated -herself as usual, and when she rose up again, the sultan asked her -what she would have. Sir, said she, I come to represent to your -majesty, in the name of my son Aladdin, that the three months, at -the end of which you ordered me to come again, are expired; and to -beg you to remember your promise. - -The sultan, when he took this time to answer the request of this -good woman the first time he saw her, little thought of hearing any -more of a marriage, which he imagined must be very disagreeable to -the princess, when he only considered the meanness and poverty of -Aladdin’s mother in her dress, not above the common run: but this -summons for him to be as good as his word was somewhat embarrassing -to him; he declined giving an answer till he had consulted his -vizier, and signified to him the little inclination he had to -conclude a match for his daughter with a stranger, whose fortune he -supposed to be very mean indeed. - -The grand vizier freely told the sultan his thoughts on the matter, -and said to him, In my opinion, sir, there is an infallible way for -your majesty to avoid a match so disproportionable, without giving -Aladdin, were he better known to your majesty, any cause of -complaint; which is, to set so high a value upon the princess, that -were he never so rich, he could not come up to. This is the only way -to make him desist from so bold, not to say, rash an undertaking, -which he never weighed before he engaged in it. - -The sultan approving of the grand vizier’s advice, turned about to -Aladdin’s mother, and after some reflection, said to her, Good -woman, it is true sultans ought to be as good as their words, and I -am ready to keep mine, by making your son happy by the marriage of -the princess my daughter. But as I cannot marry her without some -valuable consideration from your son, you may tell him I will fulfil -my promise as soon as he shall send me forty basins of massy gold, -brim-full of the same things you have already made me a present of, -and carried by the like number of black slaves, who shall be led by -as many young and handsome well-made white slaves, all dressed -magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow the princess -my daughter on him; therefore, good woman, go and tell him so, and I -will wait till you bring me his answer. - -Aladdin’s mother prostrated herself a second time before the -sultan’s throne, and retired. In her way home she laughed within -herself at her son’s foolish imagination. Where, said she, can he -get so many such large gold basins, and enough of that coloured -glass to fill them? Must he go again to that subterraneous abode, -the entrance into which is stopped up, and gather them off the -trees? But where will he get so many such slaves as the sultan -requires? It is altogether out of his power, and I believe he will -not be well satisfied with my embassy this time. When she came home, -full of these thoughts, she said to her son, Indeed, child, I would -not have you think any farther of your marriage with the princess -Badroulboudour. The sultan received me very kindly, and I believe he -was well inclined to you; but if I am not very much deceived, the -grand vizier has made him change his mind, as you will guess from -what I have to tell you. After I had represented to his majesty that -the three months were expired, and begged of him to remember his -promise, I observed that he whispered with his grand vizier before -he gave me this answer. Then she gave her son an exact account of -what the sultan said to her, and the conditions on which he -consented to the match. Afterwards she said to him, The sultan -expects your answer immediately; but continued she, laughing, I -believe he may wait long enough. - -Not so long, mother, as you imagine, replied Aladdin; the sultan is -mistaken if he thinks by this exorbitant demand to prevent my -entertaining thoughts of the princess. I expected greater -difficulties, and that he would have set a higher price upon that -incomparable princess. But I am very well pleased; his demand is but -a trifle to what I could have done for her. But while I think of -satisfying his request, go and get us something for dinner, and -leave the rest to me. - -As soon as Aladdin’s mother was gone out to market, Aladdin took -up the lamp, and rubbing it, the genie appeared, and offered his -service as usual. The sultan, said Aladdin to him, gives me the -princess his daughter in marriage: but demands first of me forty -large basins of massy gold, brimfull of the fruits of the garden -from whence I took this lamp you are slave to; and these he expects -to have carried by as many black slaves, each preceded by a young -handsome well-made white slave, richly clothed. Go, and fetch me -this present as soon as possible, that I may send it to him before -the divan breaks up. The genie told him his command should be -immediately obeyed, and disappeared. - -In a little time afterwards, the genie returned with forty black -slaves, each bearing on his head a basin of massy gold of twenty -marks weight, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, all -larger and more beautiful than those presented to the sultan before. -Each basin was covered with a silver stuff, embroidered with flowers -of gold: all these, and the white slaves, quite filled the house, -which was but a small one, and the little court before it, and the -little garden behind. The genie asked Aladdin if he had any other -commands? Aladdin telling him that he wanted nothing farther then, -the genie disappeared. - -When Aladdin’s mother came from market, she was in a great -surprise to see so many people and such vast riches. As soon as she -had laid down her provisions, she was going to pull off her veil; -but Aladdin prevented her, and said, Mother, let us lose no time: -but before the sultan and the divan rise, I would have you return to -the palace, and go with this present, as the dowry he asked for the -princess Badroulboudour, that he may judge by my diligence and -exactness of the ardent and sincere zeal I have to procure myself -the honour of this alliance. Without waiting for his mother’s -making a reply, Aladdin opened the street-door, and made the slaves -walk out; a white slave followed always by a black one with a basin -on his head. When they were all got out, the mother followed the -last black slave, and he shut the door, and then retired to his -chamber, full of hopes that the sultan, after this present, which -was such as he required, would at length receive him as his -son-in-law. - -The first white slave that went out of the house made all the -people, who were going by and saw him, stop; and before they were -all got out of the house, the street was crowded with spectators, -who ran to see so extraordinary and noble a sight. The dress of each -slave was so rich, both for the stuff and the jewels, that those who -were dealers in them valued each at no less than a million of money; -besides the neatness and propriety of the dress, the good grace, -noble air, and delicate shape and proportion of each slave, was -unparalleled; their grave walk at an equal distance from each other, -the lustre of the jewels, which were large, and curiously set in -their girdles of massy gold, in beautiful symmetry, and those -ensigns of precious stones in their hats, which were of so -particular a taste, put the crowds of spectators into so great -admiration, that they could not be weary of gazing at them, and -following them with their eyes as far as possible; but the streets -were so crowded with people that none could move out of the spot -they stood on. As they were to pass through a great many streets to -go to the palace, a great part of the city had an opportunity of -seeing them. As soon as the first of these slaves arrived at the -palace-gate, the porters formed themselves into order, and took him -for a king, by the richness and magnificence of his habit, and were -going to kiss the hem of his garment; but the slave, who was -instructed by the genie, prevented them, and said, We are only -slaves; our master will appear at a proper time. - -Then this slave, followed by the rest, advanced into the second -court, which was very spacious, and in which the sultan’s -household was ranged during the sitting of the divan. The -magnificence of the officers, who stood at the head of their troops, -was very much eclipsed by the slaves who bore Aladdin’s present, -of which they themselves made a part. Nothing was ever seen so -beautiful and brilliant in the sultan’s palace before; and all the -lustre of the lords of his court was not to be compared to them. - -As the sultan, who had been informed of their march, and coming to -the palace, had given orders for them to be admitted when they came, -they met with no obstacle, but went into the divan in good order, -one part filing to the right and the other to the left. After they -were all entered, and had formed a great semi-circle before the -sultan’s throne, the black slaves laid the basins on the carpet, -and all prostrated themselves, touching the carpet with their -foreheads, and at the same time the white slaves did the same. When -they all rose again, the black slaves uncovered the basins, and then -all stood with their arms crossed over their breasts with great -modesty. - -In the mean time Aladdin’s mother advanced to the foot of the -throne, and having paid her respects, said to the sultan, Sir, my -son Aladdin is sensible this present, which he has sent your -majesty, is much below the princess Badroulboudour’s worth; but -hopes, nevertheless, that your majesty will accept of it, and make -it agreeable to the princess, with the greater confidence that he -has endeavoured to conform to the conditions you were pleased to -impose on him. - -The sultan was not able to give the least attention to this -compliment of Aladdin’s mother. The moment he cast his eyes on the -forty basins, brim-full of the most precious, brilliant, and -beautiful jewels he had ever seen, and the fourscore slaves, who -appeared, by the comeliness of their persons, and the richness and -magnificence of their dress, like so many kings, he was so struck, -that he could not recover from his admiration; but, instead of -answering the compliment of Aladdin’s mother, addressed himself to -the grand vizier, who could not any more than the sultan comprehend -from whence such a profusion of riches could come. Well, vizier, -said he aloud, who do you think it can be that has sent me so -extraordinary a present, and neither of us know? Do you think him -worthy of the princess Badroulboudour, my daughter? - -The vizier, notwithstanding his envy and grief to see a stranger -preferred to be the sultan’s son-in-law before his son, durst not -disguise his sentiments. It was too visible that Aladdin’s present -was more than sufficient to merit his being received into that great -alliance; therefore, adopting the sultan’s sentiments, he returned -this answer: I am so far, sir, from having any thoughts that the -person who has made your majesty so noble a present is unworthy of -the honour you would do him, that I should be bold to say he -deserved much more, if I was not persuaded that the greatest -treasure in the world ought not to be put in a balance with the -princess, your majesty’s daughter. This advice was applauded by -all the lords who were then in council. - -The sultan made no longer hesitation, nor thought of informing -himself whether Aladdin was endowed with all the qualifications -requisite in one who aspired to be his son-in-law. The sight alone -of such immense riches, and Aladdin’s diligence in satisfying his -demand, without starting the least difficulty on the exorbitant -conditions he had imposed on him, easily persuaded him that he could -want nothing to render him accomplished, and such as he desired. -Therefore, to send Aladdin’s mother back with all the satisfaction -she could desire, he said to her, Good woman, go and tell your son -that I wait to receive him with open arms and embrace him; and the -more haste he makes to come and receive the princess my daughter -from my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me. - -As soon as Aladdin’s mother retired, overjoyed as a woman in her -condition must be, to see her son raised beyond all expectations to -such great fortune, the sultan put an end to the audience for that -day; and, rising from his throne, ordered that the princess’s -eunuchs should come and carry those basins into their mistress’s -apartment, whither he went himself to examine them with her at his -leisure. The fourscore slaves were not forgotten, but were conducted -into the palace; and some time after, the sultan, telling the -princess Badroulboudour of their magnificent appearance, ordered -them to be brought before her apartment, that she might see through -the lattices he exaggerated not in his account of them. - -In the mean time, Aladdin’s mother got home, and showed in her air -and countenance the good news she brought her son. My son, said she -to him, you have now all the reason in the world to be pleased: you -are, contrary to my expectations, arrived at the height of your -desires, and you know what I always told you. Not to keep you too -long in suspense, the sultan, with the approbation of the whole -court, has declared that you are worthy to possess the princess -Badroulboudour, and waits to embrace you, and conclude your -marriage; therefore you must think of making some preparations for -that interview, that may answer the high opinion he has formed of -your person; and after the wonders I have seen you do, I am -persuaded nothing can be wanting. But I must not forget to tell you, -the sultan waits for you with great impatience, therefore lose no -time to go to him. - -Aladdin, charmed with this news, and full of the object which -possessed his soul, made his mother very little reply, but retired -to his chamber. There, after he had rubbed his lamp, which had never -failed him in whatever he wished for, the obedient genie appeared. -Genie, said Aladdin, I want to bathe immediately; and you must -afterwards provide me the richest and most magnificent habit ever -worn by a monarch. No sooner were the words out of his mouth, but -the genie rendered him, as well as himself, invisible, and -transported him into a bath of the finest marble of all sorts of -colours; where he was undressed, without seeing by whom, in a neat -and spacious hall. From the hall he was led to the bath, which was -of a moderate heat, and he was there rubbed and washed with all -sorts of scented water. After he had passed through several degrees -of heat, he came out, quite a different man from what he was before. -His skin was clear, white, and red, and his body lightsome and free; -and when he returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own, a -suit, the magnificence of which very much surprised him. The genie -helped him to dress, and when he had done, transported him back to -his own chamber, where he asked him if he had any other commands? -Yes, answered Aladdin; I expect you should bring me as soon as -possible a horse, that surpasses in beauty and goodness the best in -the sultan’s stables, with a saddle, bridle, and housing, and -other accoutrements, worth a million of money. I want also twenty -slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the -sultan, to walk by my side, and follow me, and twenty more such to -go before me in two ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women -slaves to wait on her, as richly dressed at least as any of the -princess Badroulboudour’s, each loaded with a complete suit fit -for any sultaness. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten -purses. Go, and make haste. - -As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the genie disappeared, -and presently returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom -carried each a purse with one thousand pieces of gold, and six women -slaves, each carrying on their head a different dress for -Aladdin’s mother, wrapped up in a piece of silver stuff, and -presented them all to Aladdin. - -Of the ten purses Aladdin took but four, which he gave to his -mother, telling her those were to supply her with necessaries; the -other six he left in the hands of the slaves who brought them, with -an order to throw them by handfuls among the people as they went to -the sultan’s palace. The six slaves who carried the purses he -ordered likewise to march before him, three on the right hand and -three on the left. Afterwards he presented the six women slaves to -his mother, telling her they were her slaves, and that the dresses -they had brought were for her use. - -When Aladdin had thus settled matters, he told the genie he would -call for him when he wanted him, and thereupon the genie -disappeared. Aladdin’s thoughts now were only of answering, as -soon as possible, the desire the sultan had shown to see him. He -despatched one of the forty slaves to the palace, with an order to -address himself to the chief of the officers, to know, when he might -have the honour to come and throw himself at the sultan’s feet. -The slave soon acquitted himself of his message, and brought for -answer that the sultan waited for him with impatience. - -Aladdin immediately mounted his horse, and began his march in the -order we have already described; and though he never was on a -horse’s back before, he appeared with such extraordinary grace, -that the most experienced horsemen would not have taken him for a -novice. The streets through which he was to pass were almost -instantly filled with an innumerable concourse of people, who made -the air echo with their acclamations, especially every time the six -slaves who carried the purses threw handfuls of gold into the air on -both sides. --Neither did these acclamations and shouts of joy come -only from those who scrambled for the money, but from a superior -rank of people, who could not forbear applauding publicly -Aladdin’s generosity. Not only those who knew him once when he -played in the streets like a vagabond, did not know him again; those -who saw him but a little while before hardly knew him, so much were -his features altered: such were the effects of the lamp, as to -procure by degrees to those who possessed it, perfections agreeable -to the rank the right use of it advanced them to. Much more -attention was paid to Aladdin’s person than to the pomp and -magnificence of his attendants, which had been taken notice of the -day before, when the slaves walked in procession with the present to -the sultan. Nevertheless the horse was very much admired by good -judges, who knew not how to discern his beauties, without being -dazzled with the jewels and richness of the furniture: and when the -report was every where spread about, that the sultan was going to -give the princess Badroulboudour in marriage to him, nobody regarded -his birth, nor envied his good fortune, so worthy he seemed of it. - -When he arrived at the palace, every thing was prepared for his -reception; and when he came to the second gate, he would have -alighted from off his horse, agreeable to the custom observed by the -grand vizier, the generals of the armies, and governors of provinces -of the first rank; but the chief of the officers, who waited on him -by the sultan’s order, prevented him, and attended him to the -council hall, where he helped him to dismount; though Aladdin -opposed him very much, but could not prevail. The officers formed -themselves into two ranks at the entrance of the hall. The chief put -Aladdin on his right hand, and through the midst of them led him to -the sultan’s throne. - -As soon as the sultan perceived Aladdin, he was no less surprised to -see him more richly and magnificently clothed than ever he had been -himself, than surprised at his good mien, fine shape, and a certain -air of unexpected grandeur, very different from the meanness his -mother appeared in. - -But notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not hinder him -from rising off his throne, and descending two or three steps quick -enough to prevent Aladdin’s throwing himself at his feet. He -embraced him with all the demonstrations of friendship. After this -civility, Aladdin would have cast himself at his feet again; but he -held him fast by the hand, and obliged him to sit between him and -the grand vizier. - -Then Aladdin, resuming the discourse, said, I receive, sir, the -honour which your majesty, out of your great goodness is pleased to -confer on me; but permit me to tell you, that I have not forgotten -that I am your slave; that I know the greatness of your power, and -that I am not insensible how much my birth is below the splendour -and lustre of the high rank to which I am raised. If any way, -continued he, I could have merited so favourable a reception, I -confess I owe it merely to the boldness which chance inspired me to -raise my eyes, thoughts, and desires to the divine princess, who is -the object of my wishes. I ask your majesty’s pardon for my -rashness, but I cannot dissemble, that I should die with grief if I -should lose my hopes of seeing them accomplished. - -My son, answered the sultan, embracing him a second time, you would -wrong me to doubt for a moment of my sincerity: your life from this -moment is too dear to me not to preserve it, by presenting you with -the remedy which is at my disposal. I prefer the pleasure of seeing -and hearing you before all your treasure added to mine. - -After these words the sultan gave a signal, and immediately the air -echoed with the sound of trumpets and hautboys, and other musical -instruments: and at the same time the sultan led Aladdin into a -magnificent hall, where there was prepared a noble feast. The sultan -and Aladdin eat by themselves, the grand vizier and the great lords -of the court, according to their dignity and rank, waited all the -time. The conversation turned on different subjects; but all the -while the sultan took so great a pleasure in seeing him, that he -hardly ever took his eyes off him; and throughout all their -conversation Aladdin showed so much good sense, as confirmed the -sultan in the good opinion he had of him. - -After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief judge of his capital, -and ordered him to draw up immediately a contract of marriage -between the princess Badroulboudour his daughter, and Aladdin. In -the mean time the sultan and he entered into another conversation on -various subjects, in the presence of the grand vizier and the lords -of the court, who all admired the solidity of his wit, the great -ease and freedom wherewith he delivered himself, and the beautiful -thoughts, and his delicacy in expressing them. - -When the judge had drawn up the contract in all the requisite forms, -the sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the palace, and -solemnize the ceremonies of marriage that day. To which he answered, -Sir, though great is my impatience to enjoy your majesty’s -goodness, yet I beg of you to give me leave to defer it till I have -built a palace fit to receive the princess in; I therefore desire -you to grant me a convenient spot of ground near your palace, that I -may come the more frequently to pay my respects to you, and I will -take care to have it finished with all diligence. Son, said the -sultan, take what ground you think proper; there is land enough -before my palace; but consider, I cannot then see you so soon united -with my daughter, which would complete my joy. After these words he -embraced Aladdin again, who took his leave with as much politeness -as if he had been bred up and had always lived at court. - -Aladdin mounted his horse again, and returned home in the same order -he came, with the acclamations of the people, who wished him all -happiness and prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to -his own chamber, took the lamp, and called the genie as before, who, -in the usual manner, made him a tender of his service. Genie, said -Aladdin, I have all the reason in the world to commend your -exactness in executing hitherto punctually whatever I have asked you -to do; but now, if you have any regard for the lamp your mistress, -you must show, if possible, more zeal and diligence than ever. I -would have you build me, as soon as you can, a palace over against -and at a proper distance from the sultan’s, fit to receive my -spouse the princess Badroulboudour. I leave the choice of the -materials to you, that is to say, porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis -lazuli, and the finest marble of the most varied colours, and of the -rest of the building. But I expect, that in the highest story of -this palace you shall build me a large hall with a dome, and four -equal fronts; and that, instead of layers of bricks, the walls be -made of massy gold and silver, laid alternately; that each front -shall contain six windows, the lattices of all which, except one, -which must be left unfinished and imperfect, shall be so enriched -with art and symmetry, with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, that -they shall exceed every thing of the kind that has ever been seen in -the world. I would have an inner and outer court before this palace, -and a curious garden; but above all things take care that there be -laid in a place which you shall point out to me, a treasure of gold -and silver coin. Besides, this palace must be well provided with -kitchens, and offices, store-houses, and rooms to keep choice -furniture in, for every season of the year. I must have stables full -of the finest horses, with their equerries and grooms, and hunting -equipage. There must be officers to attend the kitchens and offices, -and women slaves to wait on the princess. You understand what I -mean; therefore go about it, and come and tell me when all is -finished. - -By the time Aladdin had instructed the genie with his intentions -respecting the building of his palace, the sun was set. The next -morning by break of day, Aladdin, whose love for the princess would -not let him sleep, was no sooner up, but the genie presented -himself, and said, Sir, your palace is finished; come and see bow -you like it. Aladdin had no sooner signified his consent, but the -genie transported him thither in an instant, and he found it so much -beyond his expectation, that he could not enough admire it. The -genie led him through all the apartments, where he met with nothing -but what was rich and magnificent, with officers and slaves, all -dressed according to their rank and the services to which they were -appointed. Then the genie showed him the treasury, which was opened -by a treasurer, where Aladdin saw heaps of purses, of different -sizes, piled up to the top of the ceiling, and disposed in most -pleasing order. The genie assured him of the treasurer’s fidelity, -and thence led him to the stables, where he showed him some of the -finest horses in the world, and the grooms busy in dressing them; -from thence they went to the store-houses, which were filled with -all necessary provisions, both for the food and ornament of the -horses. - -When Aladdin had examined the palace from top to bottom, and -particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found it -much beyond whatever he could have imagined, he said to the genie, -Genie, no one can be better satisfied than I am; and indeed I should -be very much to blame if I found any fault. There is only one thing -wanting, which I forgot to mention; that is, to lay from the -sultan’s palace to the door of the apartment, designed for the -princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to walk upon. The genie -immediately disappeared, and Aladdin saw what he desired executed -that minute. Then the genie returned and carried Aladdin home, -before the gates of the sultan’s palace were opened. - -When the porters, who had always been used to an open prospect, came -to open the gates, they were amazed to find it obstructed, and to -see a carpet of velvet spread for a great way. They did not -immediately see what it meant; but when they could discern -Aladdin’s palace distinctly, their surprise was increased. The -news of so extraordinary a wonder was presently spread through the -palace. The grand vizier, who came soon after the gates were open, -was no less amazed than other people at this novelty, but ran and -acquainted the sultan, and endeavoured to make him believe it to be -all enchantment. Vizier, replied the sultan, why will you have it to -be enchantment? You know, as well as I, that it is Aladdin’s -palace, which I gave him leave to build, to receive my daughter in. -After the proof we have had of his riches, can we think it strange -that he should build a palace in so short a time? He has a mind to -surprise us, and let us see what wonders are to be done with ready -money every day. Confess sincerely with me that that enchantment you -talk of proceeds from a little envy. The hour of going to council -put an end to the conversation. - -When Aladdin had been conveyed home, and had dismissed the genie, he -found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of those suits that -were brought her. By the time the sultan came from the council, -Aladdin had prepared his mother to go to the palace with her slaves, -and desired her, if she saw the sultan, to tell him she came to do -herself the honour to attend the princess towards evening to her -palace. Accordingly she went; but though she and the women slaves -who followed her were all dressed like sultanesses, yet the crowd -was nothing near so great, because they were all veiled, and had -each an upper garment on, agreeable to the richness and magnificence -of their habits. As for Aladdin, he mounted his horse, and took -leave of his paternal house for ever, taking care not to forget his -wonderful lamp, by the assistance of which he had reaped such -advantages, and arrived at the utmost height of his wishes and went -to the palace in the same pomp as the day before. - -As soon as the porters of the sultan’s palace saw Aladdin’s -mother, they went and informed the sultan, who presently ordered the -bands of trumpets, cymbals, drums, fifes, and hautboys, placed in -different parts of the palace, to play and beat, so that the air -resounded with concerts, which inspired the whole city with joy: the -merchants began to adorn their shops and houses with fine carpets -and cushions, and bedeck them with boughs, and prepare illuminations -against night. The artists of all sorts left their work, and the -people all repaired to the great space between the sultan’s and -Aladdin’s palace; which last drew all their attention, not only -because it was new to them, but because there was no comparison -between the two buildings. But their amazement was, to comprehend by -what unheard-of miracle, so magnificent a palace should be so soon -built, it being apparent to all that there were no prepared -materials, or any foundations laid, the day before. - -Aladdin’s mother was received in the palace with honour, and -introduced into the princess Badroulboudour’s apartment, by the -chief of the eunuchs. As soon as the princess saw her, she went and -saluted her, and desired her to sit down on her sofa; and while her -women made an end of dressing her, and adorned her with the jewels -Aladdin had presented her with, a noble collation was served up. At -the same time the sultan, who had a mind to be as much with his -daughter as possible before he parted with her, came and paid her -great respect. Aladdin’s mother had often talked to the sultan, in -public, but he had never seen her with her veil off, as she was -then; and though she was somewhat advanced in years, she had the -remains of a good face, which showed what she had been in her youth. -The sultan, who had always seen her dressed very meanly, not to say -poorly, was surprised to find her as richly and magnificently -clothed as the princess his daughter. This made him think Aladdin -equally prudent and wise in whatever he undertook. - -When it was night, the princess took her leave of the sultan her -father; their adieus were tender, and accompanied with tears. They -embraced each other several times, and at last the princess left her -own apartment, and set forward for Aladdin’s palace, with his -mother on her left hand, followed by a hundred women slaves, dressed -with surprising magnificence. All the bands of music, which played -from the time Aladdin’s mother arrived, joined together, led the -procession, followed by a hundred chiaoux, and the like number of -black eunuchs, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four -hundred of the sultan’s young pages carried flambeaux on each -side, which, together with the illuminations of the sultan’s and -Aladdin’s palaces, made it as light as day. - -In this order the princess walked on the carpet, which was spread -from the sultan’s palace to Aladdin’s, preceded by bands of -musicians, who, as they advanced, joining with those on the terraces -of Aladdin’s palace, formed a concert, which, extraordinary and -confused as it appeared, increased the joy not only of the crowd -assembled in the great square, but of all that were in the two -palaces, the town, and a great way round about it. - -At length the princess arrived at the new palace. Aladdin ran with -all imaginable joy to receive her at the entrance of the apartment -appointed for him. His mother had taken care to point him out to the -princess, in the midst of the officers that surrounded him, and she -was charmed with his person as soon as she saw him. Adorable -princess, said Aladdin to her, accosting her, and saluting her -respectfully, if I have the misfortune to have displeased you by my -boldness in aspiring to the possession of so lovely a princess, and -my sultan’s daughter, I must tell you, that you ought to blame -your bright eyes and charms, not me. Prince, (as I may now call -you,) answered the princess, I am obedient to the will of my father; -and it is enough for me to have seen you, to tell you that I obey -without reluctance. - -Aladdin, charmed with so agreeable and satisfactory an answer, would -not keep the princess standing after she had walked so far, which -was more than she was used to do; but took her by the hand, which he -kissed with the greatest demonstrations of joy, and led her into a -large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of wax candles, -where, by the care of the genie, a noble feast was served up. The -plates were of massy gold, and contained the most delicate meats. -The vases, basins, and goblets, with which the beaufet was -furnished, were gold also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the -other ornaments and embellishments of the hall were answerable to -this great wealth. The princess, dazzled to see so much riches -collected in one place, said to Aladdin, I thought, prince, that -nothing in the world was so beautiful as the sultan my father’s -palace; but the sight of this hall alone is sufficient to show I was -deceived. - -Then Aladdin led the princess to the place appointed for her, and as -soon as she and his mother were sat down, a band of the most -harmonious instruments, accompanied with the voices of beautiful -ladies, began a concert, which lasted without intermission to the -end of the repast. The princess was so charmed, that she declared -she never heard any thing like it in the sultan her father’s -court; but she knew not that these musicians were fairies chosen by -the genie, slave of the lamp. - -When the supper was ended, and the table taken away, there entered a -company of dancers, who danced according to the custom of the -country, several figure dances, ending with a dancing man and woman, -who performed their parts with surprising lightness and agility, and -showed all the address they were capable of. About midnight, -Aladdin, according to the custom of that time in China, rose up and -presented his hand to the princess Badroulboudour to dance with her, -and to finish the ceremonies of their nuptials. They danced with so -good a grace, that they were the admiration of all the company. When -they left off, Aladdin did not let the princess’s hand go, but led -her to the apartment where the nuptial bed was prepared. The -princess’s women helped to undress her, and put her to bed; -Aladdin’s officers did the same by him, and then all retired. Thus -ended the ceremonies and rejoicings at the marriage of Aladdin with -the princess Badroulboudour. - -The next morning when Aladdin awaked, his valets-de-chambre -presented themselves to dress him, and brought him another habit as -rich and magnificent as that he wore the day before. Then he ordered -one of the horses appointed for his use to be got ready, mounted -him, and went in the midst of a large troop of slaves to the -sultan’s palace. The sultan received him with the same honours as -before, embraced him, placed him on the throne near him, and ordered -in breakfast. Aladdin replied, I beg your majesty will dispense with -me from accepting that honour to-day; I came to ask you to come and -take a repast in the princess’s palace, attended by your grand -vizier, and all the lords of your court. The sultan consented with -pleasure, rose up immediately, and as it was not far off, went -thither on foot, with Aladdin on his right hand, the grand vizier on -his left, preceded by the chiaoux and principal officers of his -palace, and followed by all the great lords of his court. - -The nearer the sultan approached Aladdin’s palace, the more he was -struck with its beauty, but was much more amazed when he entered it; -and could not forbear breaking out into exclamations of approbation. -But when he came into the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, -into which Aladdin had invited him, and had seen the ornaments, and, -above all, cast his eyes on the windows, enriched with diamonds, -rubies, emeralds, all large perfect stones; and when Aladdin had -observed to him, that it was as rich on the outside, he was so much -surprised, that he remained some time motionless. After he recovered -himself, he said to his vizier, Is it possible that there should be -such a stately palace so nigh my own, and I be an utter stranger to -it till now? Sir, replied the grand vizier, your majesty may -remember that the day before yesterday you gave Aladdin, whom you -accepted for your son-in-law, leave to build a palace over against -your own, and that very day at sun-set there was no palace on this -spot, and yesterday I had the honour first to tell you that the -palace was built and finished. I remember it, replied the sultan, -but never imagined that the palace was one of the wonders of the -world; for where in all the world besides shall we find walls built -of courses of massy gold and silver, instead of courses of brick, -stone, or marble; and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, set thick -about the windows! There never was any thing mentioned like it in -this world before. - -The sultan would examine and admire the beauty of all the windows, -and counting them, found that there were but three-and-twenty -windows that were so richly adorned, and he was greatly astonished -that the twenty-fourth was left imperfect. Vizier, said he, for that -minister made a point of never leaving him, I am surprised that a -hall of this magnificence should be left thus imperfect. Sir, -replied the grand vizier, without doubt Aladdin only wanted time to -finish this window like the rest; for it is not to be supposed but -that he has sufficient jewels for it, and that he will set about it -the first opportunity. - -Aladdin, who had left the sultan to go and give some orders, -returned just as the vizier had given that prince his supposed -reasons. Son, said the sultan to him, this hall is the most worthy -of admiration of any hall in the world: there is only one thing that -surprises me, which is, to find one of the windows unfinished. Is it -from the forgetfulness or negligence of the workmen, or want of -time, that they have not put the finishing stroke to so beautiful a -piece of architecture? Sir, answered Aladdin, it was for none of -there reasons that your majesty sees it in this condition. The thing -was done by design, and it was by my orders that the workmen left it -thus, since I had a mind that your majesty should have the glory of -finishing this hall, and the palace also together, and I beg of you -to approve of my good intention, that I may remember the favours I -have received from you. If you did it with this intention, replied -the sultan, I take it kindly, and will give orders about it -immediately. He accordingly sent for the most considerable jewellers -and goldsmiths in his capital. - -In the mean time the sultan went out of this hall, and Aladdin led -him into that where he had regaled the princess Badroulboudour on -their wedding day. The princess came immediately afterwards, and -received the sultan her father, with an air that showed how much she -was satisfied with her marriage. Two tables were immediately spread -with the most delicious meats, all served up in gold dishes. The -sultan, princess, Aladdin, and the grand vizier, sat down at the -first, and all the lords of the court at the second, which was very -long. The sultan was very much pleased with the meats, and owned he -had never eaten any thing more excellent. He said the same of the -wines, which were delicious; but what he most of all admired were -four large beaufets, profusely furnished with large flagons, basins, -and cups, all of massy gold, set with jewels. He was besides charmed -with several bands of music, which were ranged along the hall, and -formed most agreeable concerts. - -When the sultan rose from table, he was informed that the jewellers -and goldsmiths he had sent for attended; upon which he returned to -the hall, and showed them the window which was unfinished: I sent -for you, said he, to fit up this window in as great perfection as -the rest; examine them well, and make all the despatch you can to -make them all alike. - -The jewellers and goldsmiths examined the other three-and-twenty -windows with great attention, and after they had consulted together, -to know what each could furnish, they returned, and presented -themselves before the sultan, whose principal jeweller, undertaking -to speak for the rest, said, Sir, we are all willing to exert our -utmost care and industry to obey your majesty; but among us all we -cannot furnish jewels enough for so great a work. I have more than -are necessary, said the sultan; come to my palace, and you shall -choose what are fitting. - -When the sultan returned to his palace, he ordered his jewels to be -fetched out, and the jewellers took a great quantity, particularly -those which Aladdin had made him a present of, which they soon used, -without making any great advance in their work. They came again -several times for more, and in a month’s time had not finished -half their work. In short, they used all the jewels the sultan had -of his own, and borrowed of the vizier, and yet the work was not -half done. - -Aladdin, who knew that all the sultan’s endeavours to make his -window like the rest were in vain, and that he never could compass -it with credit, sent for the jewellers and goldsmiths, and not only -bid them desist from their work, but ordered them to undo what they -had begun, and to carry all their jewels back to the sultan and to -the vizier. They undid in a few hours what they had been six weeks -about, and retired, leaving Aladdin alone in the hall. He took the -lamp which he carried about him, and rubbed it, and presently the -genie appeared. Genie, said Aladdin, I ordered thee to leave one of -the four-and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thou hast -executed my commands punctually; now I would have thee make it like -the rest. The genie immediately disappeared. Aladdin went out of the -hall, and returning soon after into it, he found the window, as he -wished it to be, like the others. - -In the mean time the jewellers and goldsmiths reached the palace, -and were introduced into the sultan’s presence; where the first -jeweller presenting the jewels which he had brought back, said in -the name of all the rest, Sir, your majesty knows how long we have -been upon the work you was pleased to set us about, in which we used -all imaginable industry. It was far advanced, when Aladdin obliged -us not only to leave off, but to undo what we had already begun, and -bring your majesty your jewels back. The sultan asked them if -Aladdin gave them any reason for so doing, and they answering that -he had given them none, he ordered a horse to be brought to him -presently, which he mounted, and rode to Aladdin’s palace with -some few attendants on foot by his side. When he came there, he -alighted at the staircase, which led up to the hall with the -twenty-four windows, and went directly up to it, without giving -previous notice to Aladdin; but it happened that at that very -juncture Aladdin was opportunely there, and had just time to receive -him at the door. - -The sultan, without giving Aladdin time to complain obligingly of -his not giving him notice, that he might have acquitted himself with -the more duty and respect, said to him, Son, I come myself to know -the reason why you left so noble and magnificent a hall as this is -imperfect. - -Aladdin disguised the true reason, which was, that the sultan was -not rich enough in jewels to be at so great an expense, but said, It -is true your majesty saw this hall unfinished, but I beg of you now -to see if anything is wanting. - -The sultan went directly to the window which was left imperfect, and -when he found it like the rest, he fancied that he was mistaken, and -examined the two windows on each side, and afterwards all the -four-and-twenty; and when he was convinced that the window, which -several workmen had been so long about, was finished in so short a -time, he embraced Aladdin, and kissed him between his eyes. My son, -said he, what a man you are to do such surprising things always in -the twinkling of an eye! there is not your fellow in the world: the -more I know you, the more I admire you. - -Aladdin received these praises from the sultan with a great deal of -modesty, and replied in these words: Sir, it is a great honour to me -to deserve your majesty’s good-will and approbation, and I assure -you I shall study to deserve them more. - -The sultan returned to his palace as he came, but would not let -Aladdin go back with him. When he came there, he found his grand -vizier waiting for him, to whom he related the wonder he had been a -witness of with the utmost admiration, and in such terms as left -that minister no room to doubt but that the fact was as the sultan -related it; though he was the more confirmed in his belief that -Aladdin’s palace was the effect of enchantment, as he told the -sultan the first moment he saw it. He was going to repeat the same -thing again, but the sultan interrupted him, and said, You told me -so once before; I see, vizier, you have not forgot your son’s -marriage to my daughter. The grand vizier plainly saw how much the -sultan was prepossessed, and therefore avoided any disputes, and let -him remain in his own opinion. The sultan, as certain as he rose in -a morning, went into the closet to look at Aladdin’s palace, and -would go many times in a day to contemplate and admire it. - -All this time Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace, but -took care to show himself once or twice a week in the town, by going -sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers, or to -pay a visit to the grand vizier, who affected to pay his court to -him on certain days, or to do the principal lords of the court the -honour to return their visits, after he had regaled them at his -palace. Every time he went out he caused two slaves, who walked by -the side of his horse, to throw handfuls of money among the people -as he passed through the streets and squares, which were generally -on those occasions crowded. Besides, no one came to his palace gates -to ask alms, but returned satisfied with his liberality. In short, -he so divided his time, that not a week passed but Aladdin went -either once or twice a hunting, sometimes in the environs of the -city, sometimes farther off; at which time the villages through -which he passed felt the effects of his generosity, which gained him -the love and blessings of the people; and it was common for them to -swear by his head. In short, without giving the least umbrage to the -sultan, to whom he paid all imaginable respect, it might be said -that Aladdin, by his affable behaviour and liberality, had won the -affections of the people, and was more beloved than the sultan -himself. With all these good qualities, he showed a courage and a -zeal for the public good which could not be sufficiently applauded. -He gave sufficient proofs of both in a revolt on the borders of that -kingdom: for he no sooner understood that the sultan was levying an -army to disperse the rebels, but he begged the command of it, which -he found no difficulty to obtain. As soon as he was at the head of -the army, he marched against the rebels with so much expedition, -that the sultan heard of the defeat of the rebels before he had -received an account of his arrival in the army. And though this -action rendered his name famous throughout the kingdom, it made no -alteration in his disposition, but he was as affable after his -victory as before. - -Aladdin had behaved himself after this manner several years, when -the African magician, who undesignedly had been the instrument of -raising him to so high a pitch of fortune, bethought himself of him -in Africa, whither, after his expedition, he returned; and though he -was almost persuaded that Aladdin died miserably in the -subterraneous abode where he left him, yet he had the curiosity to -inform himself about his end with certainty; and as he was a great -geomancer, he took out of a cupboard a square covered box, which he -made use of in his geomantic observations, then sat himself down on -his sofa, set it before him, and uncovered it. After he had prepared -and levelled the sand which was in it, with an intention to discover -whether or no Aladdin died in the subterraneous abode, he cast the -points, drew the figures, and formed a horoscope, by which, when he -came to examine it, he found that Aladdin, instead of dying in the -cave, had escaped out of it, lived splendidly, was very rich, had -married a princess, and was very much honoured and respected. - -The magician no sooner understood by the rules of his diabolical art -that Aladdin had arrived to that height of good fortune, but a -colour came into his face, and he cried out in a rage. This poor -sorry tailor’s son has discovered the secret and virtue of the -lamp! I believed his death to be certain, but find too plainly he -enjoys the fruit of my labour and study. But I will prevent his -enjoying it long, or perish in the attempt. He was not a great while -deliberating on what he should do, but the next morning mounted a -barb which was in his stable, set forwards, and never stopped but -just to refresh himself and horse, till he arrived at the capital of -China. He alighted, took up his lodging in a khan, and staid there -the remainder of the day and the night, to refresh himself after so -long a journey. - -The next day his first object was to inquire what people said of -Aladdin; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to the most -public and frequented places, where people of the first distinction -met to drink a certain warm liquor, which he had drank often when he -was there before. As soon as he sat down, he was presented with a -glass of it, which he took; but, listening at the same time to the -discourse of the company on each side of him, he heard them talking -of Aladdin’s palace. When he had drank off his glass, he joined -them; and taking this opportunity, asked them particularly what -palace that was they spoke so advantageously of. From whence come -you? said the person to whom he addressed himself: you must -certainly be a stranger, not to have seen or heard talk of prince -Aladdin’s palace, (for he was called so after his marriage with -the princess Badroulboudour.) I do not say, continued the man, that -it is one of the wonders of the world, but that it is the only -wonder of the world, since nothing so grand, rich, and magnificent, -was ever seen. Certainly you must have come from a great distance -not to have heard of it; it must have been talked of all over the -world. Go and see it, and then judge whether I have told you more -than the truth. Forgive my ignorance, replied the African magician; -I arrived here but yesterday, and came from the farthest part of -Africa, where the fame of this palace had not reached when I came -away. For the affair which brought me hither was so urgent, that my -sole object was to get here as soon as I could, without stopping any -where, or making any acquaintance. But I will not fail to go and see -it; my impatience is so great, I will go immediately and satisfy my -curiosity, if you will do me the favour to show me the way thither. - -The person to whom the African magician addressed himself, took a -pleasure in showing him the way to Aladdin’s palace, and he got up -and went thither instantly. When he came to the palace, and had -examined it on all sides, he doubted not but that Aladdin had made -use of the lamp to build it. Without attending to the inability of -Aladdin, a poor tailor’s son, he knew that none but the genies, -the slaves of the lamp, the attaining of which he had missed, could -have performed such wonders; and, piqued to the quick at Aladdin’s -happiness and greatness, he returned to the khan where he lodged. - -The next thing was to know where the lamp was; if Aladdin carried it -about with him, or where he kept it; and this he was to discover by -an operation of geomancy. As soon as he entered his lodging, he took -his square box of sand, which he always carried with him when he -travelled, and after he had performed some operations, he knew that -the lamp was in Aladdin’s palace; and so great was his joy at the -discovery, that he could hardly contain himself. Well, said he, I -shall have the lamp, and I defy Aladdin’s preventing my carrying -it off, and making him sink to his original meanness, from which he -has taken so high a flight. - -It was Aladdin’s misfortune at that time to be gone a hunting for -eight days, of which only three were expired, which the magician -came to know by this means. After he had performed this operation, -which gave him so much joy, he went to the master of the khan, -entered into discourse with him on indifferent matters, and among -the rest, told him he had been to see Aladdin’s palace; and after -exaggerating on all that he had seen most surprising and most -striking to him and all the world, he added, But my curiosity leads -me farther, and I shall not be easy till I have seen the person to -whom this wonderful edifice belongs. That will be no difficult -matter, replied the master of the khan; there is not a day passes -but he gives an opportunity when he is in town, but at present he is -not at home, and has been gone these three days on a hunting match, -which will last eight. - -The magician wanted to know no more: he took his leave of the master -of the khan, and returning to his own chamber, said to himself, This -is an opportunity I ought by no means to let slip, but will make the -best use of it. To that end he went to a maker and seller of lamps, -and asked for a dozen of copper lamps. The master of the shop told -him he had not so many by him, but if he would have patience till -the next day, he would get him so many against any time he had a -mind to have them. The magician appointed his time, and bid him take -care that they should be handsome and well polished. After promising -to pay him well, he returned to his inn. - -The next day the magician called for his twelve lamps, paid the man -his full price for them, put them in a basket which he brought on -purpose, and with the basket hanging on his arm, went directly to -Aladdin’s palace; and when he came near it, he began crying. Who -will change old lamps for new ones? As he went along, he gathered a -crowd of children about him, who hooted at him, and thought him, as -did all who chanced to be passing by, mad or a fool, to offer to -change new lamps for old ones. - -The African magician never minded all their scoffs and hootings, or -all they could say to him, but still continued crying, Who will -change old lamps for new ones? He repeated this so often, walking -backwards and forwards about the princess Badroulboudour’s palace, -that the princess, who was then in the hall with the four-and-twenty -windows, hearing a man cry something, and not being able to -distinguish his words, by reason of the hooting of the children and -increasing mob about him, sent one of her women slaves down to know -what he cried. - -The slave was not long before she returned, and ran into the hall, -laughing so heartily, that the princess could not forbear herself. -Well, gigler, said the princess, will you tell me what you laugh at? -Madam, answered the slave, laughing still, who can forbear laughing -to see a fool, with a basket on his arm, full of fine new lamps, ask -to change them for old ones? the children and mob, crowding about -him so that he can hardly stir, make all the noise they can by -deriding him. - -Another woman slave nearing this, said, Now you speak of lamps, I -know not whether the princess may have observed it, but there is an -old one upon the cornice, and whoever owns it will not be sorry to -find a new one in its stead. If the princess has a mind, she may -have the pleasure to try if this fool is so silly as to give a new -lamp for an old one, without taking any thing for the exchange. - -The lamp this slave spoke of was Aladdin’s wonderful lamp, which -he, for fear of losing it, had laid upon the cornice before he went -hunting; which precaution he made use of several times before, but -neither the princess, the slaves, nor the eunuchs, had ever taken -notice of it. At all other times but hunting he carried it about -him, and then, indeed, he might have locked it up; but other people -have been guilty of as great oversights, and will be so to the end -of time. - -The princess Badroulboudour, who knew not the value of this lamp, -and the interest that Aladdin, not to mention herself, had to keep -it safe from every body else, entered into the pleasantry, and bid -an eunuch take it, and go and make the exchange. The eunuch obeyed, -went out of the hall, and no sooner got to the palace gates, but he -saw the African magician, called to him, and showing him the old -lamp, said to him, Give me a new lamp for this. - -The magician never doubted but this was the lamp he wanted. There -could be no other such in this palace, where all was gold or silver. -He snatched it eagerly out of the eunuch’s hand, and, thrusting it -as far as he could into his breast, offered him his basket, and bid -him choose which he liked best. The eunuch picked out one, and -carried it to the princess Badroulboudour; but the exchange was no -sooner made, than the palace rung with the shouts of the children, -deriding the magician’s folly. - -The African magician gave every body leave to laugh as much as they -pleased; he stayed not long about Aladdin’s palace, but made the -best of his way, without crying any longer, New lamps for old ones. -His end was answered, and by his silence he got rid of the children -and the mob. - -As soon as he got out of the square between the two palaces, he -skulked down the streets which were the least frequented; and having -no more occasion for his lamps or basket, set all down in the midst -of a street where nobody saw him; then scouring down another street -or two, he walked till he came to one of the city gates, and -pursuing his way through the suburbs, which were very long, he -bought some provisions before he left the city, got into the fields, -and turned into a road, which led to a lonely remote place, where he -stopped for a time to execute the design he came about, never caring -for his horse, which he left at the khan, but thinking himself -perfectly compensated by the treasure he had acquired. - -In this place the African magician passed the remainder of the day, -till the darkest time of night, when he pulled the lamp out of his -breast, and rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeared, and said, -What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and -the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; both I and -the other slaves of the lamp. I command thee, replied the magician, -to transport me immediately, and the palace which thou and the other -slaves of the lamp have built in this town, such as it is, and with -all the people in it, to such a place in Africa. The genie made no -reply, but, with the assistance of the other genies, the slaves of -the lamp, transported him and the palace entire immediately to the -place he appointed in Africa; where we will leave the magician, -palace, and the princess Badroulboudour, to speak of the surprise of -the sultan. - -As soon as the sultan rose the next morning, according to custom, he -went into his closet to have the pleasure of contemplating and -admiring Aladdin’s palace; but when he first looked that way, and, -instead of a palace, saw an empty space such as it was before the -palace was built, he thought he was mistaken, and rubbed his eyes: -he looked again, and saw nothing more the second time than the -first, though the weather was fine, the sky clear, and the daybreak -beginning to appear, had made all objects very distinct. He looked -through the two openings on the right and left, and saw nothing more -than he had formerly been used to see out of them. His amazement was -so great, that he stood for some time turning his eyes to the spot -where the palace had stood, but where it was no longer to be seen. -He could not comprehend how so large a palace as Aladdin’s, which -he saw plainly every day, and but the day before, should vanish so -soon, and not leave the least remains behind. Certainly, said he to -himself, I am not mistaken; it stood there: if it had tumbled down, -the materials would have lain in heaps; and if it had been swallowed -up by an earthquake, there would be some mark left. Whatever was the -case, though he was convinced that no palace stood there, he could -not help staying there some time, to see whether he might not be -mistaken. At last he retired to his apartment, not without looking -behind him before he quitted the spot, and ordered the grand vizier -to be fetched in all haste; and, in the mean time, sat down, his -mind agitated by so many different thoughts, that he knew not what -to resolve on. - -The grand vizier did not make the sultan wait long for him, but came -with so much precipitation, that neither he nor his attendants, as -they passed by, missed Aladdin’s palace; neither did the porters, -when they opened the palace gates, observe any alteration. - -When he came into the sultan’s presence, he said to him, Sir, the -haste in which your majesty sent for me makes me believe something -very extraordinary has happened, since you know this is council-day, -and I shall not fail attending you there very soon. Indeed, said the -sultan, it is something very extraordinary, as you say, and you will -allow it to be so: tell me what has become of Aladdin’s palace. -Aladdin’s palace! replied the grand vizier, in great amazement; I -thought, as I passed by it, it stood in its usual place: such -substantial buildings are not so easily removed. Go into my closet, -said the sultan, and tell me if you can see it. - -The grand vizier went into the closet, where he was struck with no -less amazement than the sultan had been. When he was well assured -that there was not the least appearance of this palace, he returned -to the sultan. Well, said the sultan, have you seen Aladdin’s -palace? Sir, answered the vizier, your majesty may remember that I -had the honour to tell you, that that palace, which was the subject -of your admiration, with all its immense riches, was only the work -of magic and a magician; but your majesty would not pay the least -attention to what I said. - -The sultan, who could not deny what the grand vizier had represented -to him, flew into the greater passion. Where is that impostor, that -wicked wretch, said he, that I may have his head cut off -immediately? Sir, replied the grand vizier, it is some days since he -came to take his leave of your majesty; he ought to be sent to, to -know what is become of his palace, since he cannot be ignorant of -what has been transacted. That is too great an indulgence, replied -the sultan; go and order a detachment of thirty horse, to bring him -to me loaded with chains. The grand vizier went and gave orders for -a detachment of thirty horse, and instructed the officer who -commanded them, how they were to act, that Aladdin might not escape -them. The detachment pursued their orders; and, about five or six -leagues from the town, met him returning from hunting. The officer -went up to him, and told him that the sultan was so impatient to see -him, that he had sent them to accompany him home. - -Aladdin had not the least suspicion of the true reason of their -meeting him, but pursued his way hunting; but when he came within -half a league of the city, the detachment surrounded him, and the -officer addressed himself to him, and said, Prince Aladdin, it is -with great regret that I declare to you the sultan’s order to -arrest you, and to carry you before him as a criminal. I beg of you -not to take it ill that we acquit ourselves of our duty, and to -forgive us. - -Aladdin, who felt himself innocent, was very much surprised at this -declaration, and asked the officer if he knew what crime he was -accused of, who replied he did not. Then Aladdin, finding that his -retinue was much inferior to this detachment, alighted off his -horse, and said to the officer, Execute your orders; I am not -conscious that I have committed any crime against the sultan’s -person or government. A large long chain was immediately put about -his neck, and fastened round his body, so that both his arms were -pinioned down; then the officer put himself at the head of the -detachment, and one of the troopers taking hold of the end of the -chain, and proceeding after the officer, led Aladdin, who was -obliged to follow him on foot, into the town. - -When this detachment entered the suburbs, the people, who saw -Aladdin thus led as a state criminal, never doubted but that his -head was to be cut off; and as he was generally beloved, some took -sabres and other arms; and those who had none, gathered stones, and -followed the detachment. The last five of the detachment faced about -to disperse them; but their numbers presently increased so much, -that the detachment began to think that it would be well if they -could get into the sultan’s palace before Aladdin was rescued; to -prevent which, according to the different extent of the streets, -they took care to cover the ground by extending or closing. In this -manner they arrived at the palace square, and there drew up in a -line, and faced about till their officer and the trooper that led -Aladdin had got within the gates, which were immediately shut. - -Aladdin was carried before the sultan, who waited for him, attended -by the grand vizier, in a balcony; and as soon as he saw him, he -ordered the executioner, who waited there on purpose, to cut off his -head without hearing him, or giving him leave to clear himself. - -As soon as the executioner had taken off the chain that was fastened -about Aladdin’s neck and body, and laid down a skin stained with -the blood of the many criminals he had executed, he made Aladdin -kneel down, and tied a bandage over his eyes. Then drawing his -sabre, he took his measures to strike the blow, by flourishing it -three times in the air, waiting for the sultan’s giving the signal -to separate his head from his body. - -At that instant the grand vizier perceiving that the populace had -forced the guard of horse, and crowded the great square before the -palace, and were scaling the walls in several places, and beginning -to pull them down to force their way in, he said to the sultan, -before he gave the signal, I beg of your majesty to consider what -you are going to do, since you will hazard your palace being forced; -and who knows what fatal consequence may attend it? My palace -forced! replied the sultan; who can have that boldness? Sir, -answered the grand vizier, if your majesty but cast your eyes -towards the great square, and on the palace walls, you will know the -truth of what I say. - -The sultan was so frightened when he saw so great a crowd, and -perceiving how enraged they were, that he ordered the executioner to -put his sabre immediately in the scabbard, and to unbind Aladdin; -and at the same time, bid the chiaoux declare to the people that the -sultan had pardoned him and that they might retire. - -Then all those who had already got upon the walls, and were -witnesses of what had passed, abandoned their design, and got -quickly down, overjoyed that they had saved the life of a man they -dearly loved, published the news among the rest, which was presently -confirmed by the chiaoux from the top of the terraces. The justice -which the sultan had done to Aladdin soon disarmed the populace of -their rage; the tumult abated, and the mob dispersed. - -When Aladdin found himself at liberty, he turned towards the -balcony, and perceiving the sultan, raised his voice, and said to -him in a moving manner, I beg of your majesty to add one favour more -to that which I have already received, which is, to let me know my -crime. Your crime! answered the sultan; perfidious wretch! do you -not know it? Come up hither, and I will show it you. - -Aladdin went up, and presenting himself to the sultan, the latter -going before him without looking at him, said, Follow me; and then -led him into his closet. When he came to the door, he said, Go in; -you ought to know whereabouts your palace stood; look around, and -tell me what is become of it. - -Aladdin looked round, but saw nothing. He perceived very well the -spot of ground his palace had stood on; but not being able to divine -how it should disappear, this extraordinary and surprising event -threw him into so great confusion and amazement, that he could not -return one word of answer. - -The sultan growing impatient, said to him again, Where is your -palace, and what is become of my daughter? Then Aladdin breaking -silence, said to him, Sir, I see very well, and own that the palace -which I have built is not in the same place it was, but is vanished; -neither can I tell your majesty where it may be, but can assure you -I have no hand in it. - -I am not so much concerned about your palace, replied the sultan; I -value my daughter ten thousand times before it, and would have you -find her out, otherwise I will cause your head to be struck off, and -no consideration shall prevent it. - -I beg of your majesty, answered Aladdin, to grant me forty days to -make my inquiries; and if in that time I have not the success I wish -for, I will come again, and offer my head at the foot of your -throne, to be disposed of at your pleasure. I give you the forty -days you ask for, said the sultan; but think not to abuse the favour -I show you, by imagining you shall escape my resentment; for I will -find you out in whatsoever part of the world you are. - -Aladdin went out of the sultan’s presence with great humiliation, -and in a condition worthy of pity. He crossed the courts of the -palace, hanging down his head, and in so great confusion that he -durst not lift up his eyes. The principal officers of the court, who -had all professed themselves his friends, and whom he had never -disobliged, instead of going up to him to comfort him, and offer him -a retreat in their houses, turned their backs on him, as much to -avoid seeing him, as lest he should know them. But had they accosted -him with a word of comfort, or offer of service, they would have no -more known Aladdin. He did not know himself, and was no longer in -his senses, as plainly appeared by asking every body he met, and at -every house, if they had seen his palace, or could tell him any news -of it. - -These questions made every body believe that Aladdin was mad. Some -laughed at him, but people of sense and humanity, particularly those -who had had any connexion of business or friendship with him, really -pitied him. For three days he rambled about the city after this -manner, without coming to any resolution, or eating any thing but -what some good people forced him to take out of charity. - -At last, as he could no longer, in his unhappy condition, stay in a -city where he had formerly made so fine a figure, he quitted it, and -took the road to the country; and after he had traversed several -fields in a frightful uncertainty, at the approach of night he came -to a river side. There, possessed by his despair, he said to -himself, Where shall I seek my palace? In what province, country, or -part of the world, shall I find that and my dear princess whom the -sultan expects from me? I shall never succeed; I had better free -myself at once from so much fruitless fatigue and such bitter grief -which preys upon me. He was just going to throw himself into the -river, but as a good Mussulman, true to his religion, he thought he -could not do it without first saying his prayers. Going to prepare -himself, he went first to the river side to wash his hands and face, -according to custom. But that place being steep and slippery, by -reason of the water beating against it, he slid down and had -certainly fallen into the river, but for a little rock which -projected about two feet out of the earth. Happily also for him, he -still had on the ring which the African magician put on his finger -before he went down into the subterraneous abode to fetch the -precious lamp, which had not been taken from him. In slipping down -the bank he rubbed the ring so hard by holding on the rock, that -immediately the same genie appeared whom he saw in the cave where -the magician left him. What wouldst thou have? said the genie. I am -ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those that -have that ring on their finger; both I and the other slaves of the -ring. - -Aladdin, agreeably surprised at an apparition he so little expected -in the despair he was in, replied, Save my life, genie, a second -time, either by showing me the place where the palace I have caused -to be built now stands, or immediately transport it back where it -first stood. What you command me, answered the genie, is not in my -power; I am only the slave of the ring; you must address yourself to -the slave of the lamp. If it be so, replied Aladdin, I command thee -by the power of the ring to transport me to the place where my -palace stands, in what part of the world soever it is, and set me -down under the princess Badroulboudour’s window. These words were -no sooner out of his mouth, but the genie transported him into -Africa, to the midst of a large meadow, where his palace stood, a -small distance from a great city, and set him exactly under the -windows of the princess’s apartments, and then left him. All this -was done almost in an instant. - -Aladdin, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, knew his palace -and the princess Badroulboudour’s apartment again very well; but -as the night was far advanced, and all was quiet in the palace, he -retired to some distance, and sat down at the foot of a large tree. -There, full of hopes, and reflecting on his happiness, for which he -was indebted to pure chance, he found himself in a much more -peaceable situation than when he was arrested and carried before the -sultan, and delivered from the danger of losing his life. He amused -himself some time with these agreeable thoughts; but not having -slept for five or six days, he was not able to resist the drowsiness -which came upon him, but fell fast asleep where he was. - -The next morning, as soon as day appeared, Aladdin was agreeably -awakened not only by the singing of the birds which had roosted in -the tree under which he had passed the night, but all those which -perched in the thick groves of the palace garden. When he cast his -eyes on that wonderful edifice, he felt an inexpressible joy to -think he should soon be master of it again, and once more possess -his dear princess Badroulboudour. Pleased with these hopes, he -immediately got up, went towards the princess’s apartment, and -walked some time under her window, in expectation of her rising, -that he might see her. During this expectation, he began to consider -with himself from whence the cause of his misfortunes proceeded; and -after mature reflection, he no longer doubted that it was owing to -his having put his lamp out of his sight. He accused himself of -negligence, and the little care he took of it, to let it be a moment -away from him. But what puzzled him most was, he could not imagine -who had been so jealous of his happiness. He would soon have guessed -this, if he had known that both he and his palace were in Africa, -the very name of which would soon have made him remember the -magician, his declared enemy; but the genie, the slave of the ring, -had not made the least mention of the name of the place, nor had -Aladdin asked him. - -The princess Badroulboudour rose earlier that morning than she had -done since her transportation into Africa by the magician, whose -presence she was forced to support once a day, because he was master -of the palace; but she had always treated him so harshly, that he -dared not reside in it. As she was dressing, one of the women -looking through the window, perceived Aladdin, and presently ran and -told her mistress. The princess, who could not believe the news, -went that moment herself to the window, and seeing Aladdin, -immediately opened it. The noise the princess made in opening the -window made Aladdin turn his head that way, who, knowing the -princess, saluted her with an air that expressed his joy. To lose no -time, said she to him, I have sent to have the private door opened -for you; enter, and then come up; she then shut the window. - -The private door, which was just under the princess’s apartment, -was soon opened, and Aladdin was conducted up into the princess’s -chamber. It is impossible to express the joy of those lovers at -seeing each other, after a separation which they both thought was -for ever. They embraced several times, and showed all the marks of a -sincere love and tenderness, after an event so unforeseen and -melancholy. After these embracings, and shedding tears of joy, they -sat down, and Aladdin assuming the discourse, said, I beg of you, -princess, in God’s name, before we talk of any thing else, to tell -me, both for your own sake, and the sultan your father’s, and -mine, what is become of an old lamp which I left upon the cornice in -the hall of the four-and-twenty windows, before I went to hunting? - -Alas! dear husband, answered the princess, I am afraid our -misfortune is owing to that lamp: and what grieves me most is, that -I have been the cause of it. Princess, replied Aladdin, do not blame -yourself, since it was entirely my fault, and I ought to have taken -more care of it. But let us now think only of repairing the loss; -tell me what has happened, and into whose hands it has fallen. - -Then the princess Badroulboudour gave Aladdin an account how she -changed the old lamp for a new one, which she ordered to be fetched, -that he might see it, and how the next morning she found herself in -the unknown country they were then in, which she was told was Africa -by the traitor who had transported her thither by his magic art. - -Princess, said Aladdin, interrupting her, you have informed me who -the traitor is, by telling me we are in Africa. He is the most -perfidious of all men; but this is neither a time nor place to give -you a full account of his villanies. I desire you only to tell me -what he has done with the lamp, and where he has put it. He carries -it carefully wrapt up in his bosom, said the princess; and this I -can assure you, because he pulled it out before me, and showed it to -me in triumph. - -Princess, said Aladdin, do not be displeased that I trouble you with -so many questions, since they are equally important both to you and -me. But to come to what most particularly concerns me. Tell me, I -conjure you, how so wicked and perfidious a man treats you. Since I -have been here, replied the princess, he comes once every day to see -me; and I am persuaded the little satisfaction he receives from his -visits makes him come no oftener. All his discourse tends to -persuade me to break that faith I have pledged to you, and to take -him for a husband; giving me to understand, I ought not to entertain -any hopes of ever seeing you again, for that you were dead, and had -had your head struck off by the sultan my father’s order. He -added, to justify himself, that you were an ungrateful wretch; that -your good fortune was owing to him, and a great many other things of -that nature, which I forbear to repeat: but as he received no answer -from me but grievous complaints and tears, he was always forced to -retire with as little satisfaction as he came. I doubt not his -intention is to allow me time to vanquish my grief, in hopes -afterwards that I may change my sentiments; and if I persevere in an -obstinate refusal, to use violence. But my dear husband’s presence -removes all my disquiets. - -I am confident it is not in vain, replied Aladdin, since my -princess’s fears are removed, and I think I have found the means -to deliver you from both your enemy and mine: to execute this -design, it is necessary for me to go to the town. I shall return by -noon, and then will communicate my design to you, and tell you what -must be done by you to ensure success. But that you may not be -surprised, I think it proper to acquaint you that I shall change my -apparel, and beg of you to give orders that I may not wait long at -the private door, but that it may be opened at the first knock: all -which the princess promised to observe. - -When Aladdin was got out of the palace by that door, he looked round -about him on all sides, and perceiving a peasant going into the -country, he hastened after him; and when he had overtaken him, made -a proposal to him to change clothes, which the man agreed to: they -went behind a hedge, and there made the exchange. The countryman -went about his business, and Aladdin to the city. After traversing -several streets, he came to that part of the town where all sorts of -merchants and artisans had their particular streets according to -their trades. He went into that of the druggists; and going into one -of the largest and best furnished shops, asked the druggist if he -had a certain powder which he named. - -The druggist looking upon Aladdin by his habit to be very poor, and -that he had not money enough to pay for it, told him he had it, but -that it was very dear; upon which Aladdin, penetrating into his -thoughts, pulled out his purse, and allowing him some gold, asked -for half a drachm of the powder; which the druggist weighed, and -wrapt up in a piece of paper, and gave him, telling him the price -was a piece of gold. Aladdin put the money into his hand, and -staying no longer in the town but just to get a little refreshment, -returned to the palace, where he waited not long at the private -door. When he came into the princess’s apartment, he said to her, -Princess, perhaps the aversion you tell me you have for your -ravisher, may be an objection to your executing what I am going to -propose to you; but give me leave to tell you, it is proper that you -should at this juncture dissemble a little, and do violence to your -inclinations, if you would deliver yourself from him, and give my -lord the sultan your father the satisfaction of seeing you again. - -If you will take my advice, continued he, dress yourself this moment -in one of your richest habits, and when the African magician comes, -make no difficulty to give him the best reception; receive him with -an open countenance, without affectation or constraint, yet so as -that, if there remains any cloud of affliction, he may imagine time -will dissipate it. In your conversation, let him understand that you -strive to forget me; and that he may be the more fully convinced of -your sincerity, invite him to sup with you, and give him to -understand you should be glad to taste some of the best wines of his -country. He will presently go to fetch you some. During his absence, -put into one of the cups like that you are accustomed to drink out -of, this powder, and setting it by, charge the slave you design that -night to attend you, upon a signal you shall agree upon with her, to -bring that cup to you. When the magician and you have eaten and -drank as much as you choose, let her bring you the cup, and change -cups with him. He will take it as so great a favour that he will not -refuse you, and will empty the cup; but no sooner will he have drank -it off, than you will see him fall backwards. If you have any -reluctance to drink out of his cup, you may pretend only to do it, -without fear of being discovered; for the effect of the powder is so -quick, that he will not have time enough to know whether you drink -or not. - -When Aladdin had finished, I own, answered the princess, I shall do -myself a great violence in consenting to make the magician such -advances as I see are absolutely necessary for me to make; but what -cannot one resolve to do against a cruel enemy? I will therefore -follow your advice, since both my repose and yours depend on it. -After the princess had agreed to the measures proposed by Aladdin, -he took his leave of her, and went and spent the rest of the day in -the neighbourhood of the palace till it was night, when he might -safely return to the private door. - -The princess Badroulboudour, who was not only inconsolable to be -separated from her dear husband, whom she loved from the first -moment, and still continued to love more out of inclination than -duty, but also from the sultan her father, who had always showed a -tender and paternal love for her, had, ever since that cruel -separation, lived in great neglect of her person. She had almost, as -one may say, forgot the neatness so becoming persons of her sex and -quality, particularly after the first time the magician paid her a -visit; and she understood by some of the women, who knew him again, -that it was he who took the old lamp in exchange for a new one, -which notorious cheat rendered the sight of him more abhorred. -However, the opportunity of taking the revenge he deserved sooner -than she durst hope for, made her resolve to gratify Aladdin. As -soon, therefore, as he was gone, she sat down at her toilet, and was -dressed by her women to the best advantage, in the richest habit, -most suitable to her design. Her girdle was of the finest and -largest diamonds set in gold, which she suited with a necklace of -pearls, six on a side, so well proportioned to that in the middle, -which was the largest and most valuable, that the greatest -sultanesses and queens would have been proud to have been adorned -with only two of the smallest. Her bracelets, which were of diamonds -and rubies intermixed, answered admirably to the richness of the -girdle and necklace. - -When the princess Badroulboudour was completely dressed, she -consulted her glass and women upon her adjustment; and when she -found she wanted no charms to flatter the foolish passion of the -African magician, she sat down on a sofa, expecting his arrival. - -The magician came at the usual hour, and as soon as he entered the -great hall, where the princess waited to receive him, she rose up in -all her beauty and charms, and pointed with her hand to the most -honourable place, waiting till he sat down, that she might sit at -the same time, which was a piece of civility she had never shown him -before. - -The African magician, dazzled more with the lustre of the -princess’s eyes than the glittering of the jewels with which she -was adorned, was very much surprised. The majestic and graceful air -with which she received him, so opposite to her former behaviour, -quite confounded him. - -When he was sat down, the princess, to free him from his -embarrassment, broke silence first, looking at him all the time in a -manner sufficient to make him believe that he was not so odious to -her as she had given him to understand before, said to him, You are -doubtless amazed to find me so much altered to-day from what I used -to be; but your surprise will not be so great when I acquaint you -that I am naturally of a disposition so opposite to melancholy and -grief, sorrow and uneasiness, that I always strive to put them as -far away as possible when I find the subject of them is past. I have -reflected on what you told me of Aladdin’s fate, and know the -sultan my father’s temper so well, that I am persuaded, with you, -that Aladdin could not escape the terrible effects of his rage; -therefore, should I continue to lament him all my life --my tears -cannot recall him. For this reason, after I have paid all the duties -my love requires of me to his memory, now he is in the grave, I -think I ought to endeavour to comfort myself. These are the motives -of the change you see in me; and to begin to cast off all -melancholy, I am resolved to banish it entirely; and persuaded you -will bear me company to-night, I have ordered a supper to be -prepared; but as I have no wines but of China, I have a great desire -to taste of the product of Africa, where I now am, and doubt not you -will get some of the best. - -The African magician, who looked upon the happiness of coming so -soon and so easily into the princess Badroulboudour’s good graces -as impossible, could not think of words expressive enough to testify -how sensible he was of her favours; but to put an end the sooner to -a conversation which would have embarrassed him, if he had engaged -farther in it, he turned it upon the wines of Africa, and said, of -all the advantages Africa can boast, that of producing the most -excellent wines is one of the principal. I have a vessel of seven -years old, which has never been broached; and it is indeed not -praising it too much to say it is the finest wine in the world. If -my princess, added he, will give me leave, I will go and fetch two -bottles, and return again immediately. I should be sorry to give you -that trouble, replied the princess, you had better send for them. It -is necessary I should go myself, answered the African magician; for -nobody but myself knows where the key of the cellar is laid, or has -the secret to unlock the door. If it be so, said the princess, make -haste back again; for the longer you stay, the greater will be my -impatience, and we shall sit down to supper as soon as you come back. - -The African magician, full of hopes of his expected happiness, -rather flew than ran, and returned quickly with the wine. --The -princess not doubting in the least but he would make haste, put with -her own hand the powder Aladdin gave her into the cup that was set -apart for that purpose. They sat down at the table opposite to each -other, the magician’s back towards the beaufet. The princess -presented him with the best at the table, and said to him, If you -please, I will entertain you with a concert of vocal and -instrumental music; but as we are only two. I think conversation may -be more agreeable. This the magician took as a new favour. - -After they had eaten some time, the princess called for some wine, -and drank the magician’s health; and afterwards said to him, -Indeed you was in the right to commend your wine, since I never -tasted of any so delicious in my life. Charming princess, said he, -holding in his hand the cup which had been presented to him, my wine -becomes more exquisite by your approbation of it. Then drink my -health, replied the princess; you will find I understand wines. He -drank the princess’s health, and returning the cup, said, I think -myself happy, princess, that I reserved this wine for so good an -occasion; and I own I never before drank any so excellent in every -respect. - -When they had drank two or three cups more a-piece, the princess, -who had completely charmed the African magician by her civility and -obliging behaviour, gave the signal to the slave who served them -with wine, bidding her bring the cup which had been filled for -herself, and at the same time bring the magician a full cup. When -they both had their cups in their hands, she said to him, I know not -how you here express your love when drinking together as we are: -with us in China, the lover and his mistress reciprocally exchange -cups, and drink each other’s health; at the same time she -presented to him the cup which was in her hand, and held out her -hand to receive his. He for his part hastened to make the exchange -with the more pleasure, as he looked upon this favour as the most -certain token of an entire conquest over the princess, which raised -his happiness to its height. Before he drank, he said to her, with -the cup in his hand, Indeed, princess, we Africans are not so -refined in the art of love as you Chinese; and instructing me in a -lesson I was ignorant of, informs me how sensible I ought to be of -the favour done me. I shall never, lovely princess, forget my -recovering, by drinking out of your cup, that life, which your -cruelty, had it continued, would have made me despair of. - -The princess Badroulboudour, who began to be tired with this -barefaced declaration of the African magician, interrupted him, and -said, Let us drink first, and then say what you will afterwards; and -at the same time set the cup to her lips, while the African -magician, who was eager to get his wine off first, drank up the very -last drop. In finishing it, he had reclined his head back to show -his eagerness, and remained some time in that state. The princess -kept her cup at her lips, till she saw his eyes turn in his head, -and he fell backwards lifeless. - -The princess had no occasion to order the back-door to be opened to -Aladdin; for her women were so disposed from the great hall to the -foot of the staircase, that the word was no sooner given, that the -African magician was fallen backwards, but the door opened that -instant. - -As soon as Aladdin entered the hall, he saw the magician stretched -backwards on the sofa. The princess Badroulboudour rose from her -seat and ran overjoyed to him to embrace him; but he stopped her, -and said, Princess, it is not yet time; oblige me by retiring to -your apartment, and let me be left alone a moment, while I endeavour -to transport you back to China as soon as you were brought from -thence. - -When the princess, her women, and eunuchs, were gone out of the -hall, Aladdin shut the door, and going directly to the dead body of -the magician, opened his vest, and took out the lamp carefully wrapt -up, as the princess told him, and unfolding and rubbing it, the -genie immediately appeared. Genie, said Aladdin, I have called thee -to command thee on the part of thy good mistress this lamp, to -transport this palace presently into China, to the same place from -whence it was brought hither. The genie bowed his head in token of -obedience, and disappeared. Immediately the palace was transported -into China, and its removal was only felt by two little shocks, the -one when it was lifted up, the other when it was set down, and both -in a very short interval of time. - -Aladdin went down to the princess’s apartment, and embracing her, -said, I can assure you, princess, that your joy and mine will be -complete to-morrow morning. The princess, who had not quite supped, -guessing that Aladdin might be hungry, ordered the meats that were -served up in the hall, and were scarcely touched, to be brought -down. The princess and Aladdin eat as much as they thought fit, and -drank in like manner of the African magician’s old wine; during -which time their discourse could not be any otherwise than -satisfactory, and then they retired to their own chamber. - -From the time of the transportation of Aladdin’s palace, and of -the princes Badroulboudour in it, the sultan, that princess’s -father, was inconsolable for the loss of her, as he considered it. -He hardly slept night or day, and instead of taking measures to -avoid every thing that could keep up his affliction, he, on the -contrary, indulged it; for whereas before he used to go every -morning into his closet to please himself with that agreeable -prospect, he went now many times in the day to renew his tears, and -plunge himself into the deepest melancholy, by the idea of no more -seeing that which once gave him so much pleasure, and reflecting how -he had lost what was the most dear to him in this world. - -The very morning of the return of Aladdin’s palace, the sultan -went, by break of day, into his closet to indulge his sorrows. -Collected in himself, and in a pensive mood, he cast his eyes in a -melancholy manner towards the place where he remembered the palace -once stood, expecting only to see an open space; but perceiving that -vacuum filled up, he at first imagined it to be the effect of a fog; -but looking more attentively, he was convinced beyond the power of -doubt that it was his son-in-law’s palace. Then joy and gladness -succeeded to sorrow and grief. He returned immediately into his -apartment, and ordered a horse to be saddled and brought to him in -all haste, which he mounted that instant, thinking he could not make -haste enough to get to Aladdin’s palace. - -Aladdin, who foresaw what would happen, rose that morning by -daybreak, put on one of the most magnificent habits his wardrobe -afforded, and went up into the hall of twenty-four windows, from -whence he perceived the sultan coming, and got down soon enough to -receive him at the foot of the great staircase, and to help him to -dismount. Aladdin, said the sultan, I cannot speak to you till I -have seen and embraced my daughter. - -He led the sultan into the princess Badroulboudour’s apartment, -who having been told by him when he rose, that she was no longer in -Africa, but in China, and in the capital of the sultan her father, -had just done dressing herself. The sultan embraced her with his -face bathed in tears of joy; and the princess, on her side, gave him -all the testimonies of the extreme pleasure the sight of him gave -her. - -The sultan was some time before he could open his lips, so great was -his surprise and joy to find his daughter again, after he had given -her up for lost; and the princess, after seeing her father, let fall -tears of joy. - -At last the sultan broke silence, and said, I would believe, -daughter, your joy to see me makes you seem so little changed, as if -no misfortune had befallen you; for a large palace cannot be so -suddenly transported as yours has been, without great fright and -terrible anguish. I would have you tell me all that has happened, -and conceal nothing from me. - -The princess, who took great pleasure in giving the sultan the -satisfaction he demanded, said, Sir, if I appear so little altered, -I beg of your majesty to consider, that I received new life -yesterday morning by the presence of my dear husband and deliverer -Aladdin, whom I looked upon and bewailed as lost to me; and the -happiness of seeing and embracing whom has almost recovered me to my -former state of health. But my greatest trouble was only to find -myself forced from your majesty, and my dear husband; not only in -resect to the inclination I bore to my husband, but from the -uneasiness I laboured under besides, for fear that he, though -innocent, should feel the effects of your anger, to which I knew he -was left exposed. I suffered but little from the insolence of the -wretch who had carried me off; for having secured the ascendant over -him, I always put a stop to his disagreeable discourse, and was as -little constrained as I am at present. - -As to what relates to my transportation, Aladdin had no hand in it; -I myself am the innocent cause of it. To persuade the sultan of the -truth of what she said, she gave him a full account how the African -magician disguised himself like a seller of lamps, and offered to -change new lamps for old ones; and how she amused herself in making -that exchange, being entirely ignorant of the secret and importance -of that lamp; how the palace and herself were carried away and -transported into Africa, with the African magician, who was -recollected by two of her women, and the eunuch who made the -exchange of the lamp, when he had the boldness to pay her the first -visit, after the success of his audacious enterprise, to propose -himself for her husband; how he persecuted her till Aladdin’s -arrival; how he and she concerted measures together to get the lamp -from him again, which he carried about him; and the success they -had; and particularly by her dissimulation, inviting him to supper, -and giving him the cup with the powder prepared for him. For the -rest, added she, I leave it to Aladdin to give you an account. - -Aladdin had not much to tell the sultan, but only said, When the -private door was opened, I went up into the great hall, where I -found the magician lying dead on the sofa; as I thought it not -proper for the princess to stay there any longer, I desired her to -go down into her own apartment, with her women and eunuchs. As soon -as I was alone, and had taken the lamp out of the magician’s -breast, I made use of the same secret he had done, to remove the -palace, and carry off the princess; and by that means the palace was -brought into the same place where it stood before; and I have the -happiness to bring back the princess to your majesty, as you -commanded me. But that your majesty may not think that I impose upon -you, if you will give yourself the trouble to go up into the hall, -you shall see the magician punished as he deserved. - -The sultan, to be assured of the truth, rose up instantly, and went -up into the hall, where, when he saw the African magician dead, and -his face already livid by the strength of the poison, he embraced -Aladdin with great tenderness, and said, My son, be not displeased -at my proceedings against you; they arose from my paternal love, and -therefore you ought to forgive the excesses to which it hurried me. -Sir, replied Aladdin, I have not the least reason to complain of -your majesty’s conduct, since you did nothing but what your duty -required of you. This infamous magician, the basest of men, was the -sole cause of my misfortune. When your majesty has leisure, I will -give you an account of another villanous action he was guilty of to -me, which was no less black and base than this, from which I was -preserved by the grace of God in a very particular manner. I will -take an opportunity, and that very shortly, replied the sultan, to -hear it; but in the mean time let us think only of rejoicing, and -the removal of this odious object. - -Aladdin ordered the magician’s dead carcass to be removed and -thrown on the dunghill, for the birds and beasts to prey upon. In -the mean time the sultan commanded the drums, trumpets, cymbals, and -other instruments of music, to announce the public joy, and a feast -of ten days to be proclaimed for joy of the return of the princess -Badroulboudour, and Aladdin with his palace. - -Thus Aladdin escaped a second time the almost inevitable danger of -losing his life: but this was not the last, since he ran as great a -hazard a third time; the circumstances of which I shall relate. - -The African magician had a younger brother, who was as great a -necromancer, and even surpassed him in villany, and pernicious -designs. As they did not live together, or in the same city, but -oftentimes when one was in the east the other was in the west, they -failed not every year to inform themselves, by their art of -necromancy, where each other was, how they did, and whether they -stood in need of each other’s assistance. - -Some time after the African magician had failed in his enterprise -against Aladdin’s happiness, his younger brother, who had not -heard any tidings of him for a year, and was not in Africa, but in a -distant country, had the curiosity to know in what part of the world -he was, how he did, and what he was doing; and as he, as well as his -brother, always carried a geomantic square instrument about him, he -prepared the sand, [98] cast the points, and drew the figures. On -examining the houses, he found that his brother was no longer -living; by another house, that he had been poisoned, and died -suddenly; and by another, that it was in the capital of the kingdom -of China; and that the person who poisoned him was of mean birth, -and married to a princess, a sultan’s daughter. - -When the magician had after this manner informed himself of his -brother’s fate, he lost no time in useless regret, which could not -restore him to life again; but resolving immediately to revenge his -death, he took horse, and set forwards for China: where, after -crossing plains, rivers, mountains, deserts, and a long tract of -country, without stopping, he arrived after incredible fatigues. - -When he came to the capital of China, which his knowledge of -geomancy pointed out to him, and being certain he had not mistaken -any other kingdom for it, he took a lodging. The next day he went -out, and walked through the town, not so much to observe the -beauties, which were indifferent to him, but with an intention to -take proper measures to execute his pernicious designs. He -introduced himself into the most frequented places, where he -listened to every body’s discourse. In a place where people -resorted to divert themselves with all sorts of games, and where -some are conversing while others play, he heard some persons talk of -the virtue and piety of a woman called Fatima, who was retired from -the world, and of the miracles she performed. As he fancied that -this woman might be serviceable to him in the project he had in his -head, he took one of the company aside, and desired him to tell him -more particularly who that holy woman was, and what sort of miracles -she performed. - -What! said the person to whom he addressed himself, have you never -seen or heard talk of her? She is the admiration of the whole town; -first, for her fasting, her austerities, and her exemplary life. -Except Mondays and Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; -and on those days on which she comes into the town, she does an -infinite deal of good; for there is not a person who has the -head-ache, but is cured by her laying her hand upon them. - -The magician wanted no further information. He only asked the person -in what part of the town this holy woman’s cell was. After he had -shown him it, and he had concluded and determined on the detestable -design he had in his head, and that he might know the way again, and -be fully informed, he watched all her steps the first day she went -out after he had made this inquiry, without losing sight of her till -evening, when he saw her re-enter her cell. When he had fully -observed the place, he went to one of those houses where they sell a -certain hot liquor, and where any person may pass the night, -particularly in the great heats, when the people of that country -prefer lying on a mat to a bed. About midnight, after the magician -had satisfied the master of the house for what little he had called -for, he went out, and proceeded directly to the cell of Fatima, the -holy woman, the name she was known by throughout the town. He had no -difficulty to open the door, which was only fastened with a latch, -and he shut it again after he had got in, without any noise; and -when he entered the cell, perceived Fatima by moonlight lying in the -air on a sofa, covered only by an old mat, with her head leaning -against the wall. He awakened her and clapped a dagger to her breast. - -Poor Fatima, opening her eyes, was very much surprised to see a man -with a dagger at her breast ready to stab her, and who said to her, -If you cry out, or make the least noise, I will kill you; but get up -and do as I bid you. - -Fatima, who had lain down in her clothes, got up trembling with -fear. Do not be so much frightened, said the magician; I only want -your habit; give it me presently, and take mine. Accordingly Fatima -and he changed clothes. Then he said, colour my face as yours is, -that I may be like you; but perceiving that the poor creature could -not help trembling, to encourage her, he said, I tell you again, you -need not fear any thing: I swear by the name of God I will not take -away your life. Fatima lighted her lamp, made him come into the -cell, and taking a pencil and dipping it into a certain liquor, -rubbed it over his face, and assured him the colour would not -change, and that his face was of the same dye as her own: after -which she put her own head-dress on his head, with a veil, with -which she showed him how to hide his face as he passed through the -town. After this, she put a long string of beads about his neck, -which hung down to the middle of his body, and giving him the stick -she used to walk with, in his hand, brought him a looking-glass, and -bid him look if he was not as like her as possible. The magician -found himself disguised as he wished to be; but he did not keep the -oath he so solemnly swore to the good Fatima; but instead of -stabbing her, for fear the blood might discover him, he strangled -her; and when he found she was dead, threw her body into a cistern -just by the cell. - -The magician thus disguised like the holy woman Fatima, spent the -remainder of the night in the cell, after he had committed so horrid -a murder. The next morning, two hours after sunrise, though it was -not a day the holy woman used to go out on, he crept out of the -cell, being well persuaded that nobody would ask him any questions -about it; or, if they should, he had an answer ready for them. As -one of the first things he did after his arrival was to find out -Aladdin’s palace, where he was to execute his designs, he went -directly thither. - -As soon as the people saw the holy woman, as they imagined him to -be, they presently gathered about him in a great crowd. Some begged -his blessing, others kissed his hand, and others more reserved, only -the hem of his garment; while others, whether their heads ached, or -they had a mind to be preserved against that distemper, stooped for -him to lay his hands upon them; which he did, muttering some words -in form of prayer: and, in short, counterfeited so well, that every -body took him for the holy woman. - -After frequently stopping to satisfy these kind of people, who -received neither good nor harm from this imposition of hands, he -came at last to the square before Aladdin’s palace. The crowd was -so great that the eagerness to get at him increased in proportion. -Those who were the most zealous and strong forced their way through -the crowd to get room. There were such quarrels, and so great a -noise, that the princess, who was in the hall of four-and-twenty -windows, heard it, and asked what was the matter; but nobody being -able to give her an account, she ordered them to go and see, and -inform her. One of her women looked out of a window, and then told -her it was a great crowd of people that were gathering about the -holy woman, to be cured of the head-ache by the imposition of her -hands. - -The princess, who had for a long time heard a great deal of this -holy woman, but had never seen her, conceived a great curiosity to -have some conversation with her, which the chief of the eunuchs -perceiving, told her it was an easy matter to bring her to her, if -she desired and commanded it; and the princess showing a desire, he -immediately sent four eunuchs for the pretended holy woman. - -As soon as the crowd saw the eunuchs coming, they made way, and the -magician perceiving also that they were coming for him, advanced to -meet them, overjoyed to find his plot took so well. Holy woman, said -one of the eunuchs, the princess wants to see you, and has sent us -for you. The princess does me too great an honour, replied the false -Fatima. I am ready to obey her command, and at the same time -followed the eunuchs to the palace. - -When the magician, who under a holy garment disguised a wicked -heart, was introduced into the great hall, and perceived the -princess, he began a prayer, which contained a long enumeration of -vows and good wishes for the princess’s health and prosperity, and -that she might have every thing she desired. Then he displayed all -his deceitful, hypocritical rhetoric, to insinuate himself into the -princess’s favour under the cloak of piety, which it was no hard -matter for him to do; for as the princess herself was naturally -good, she was easily persuaded that all the world was like her, -especially those who made profession of serving God in solitary -retreat. - -When the pretended Fatima had made an end of his long harangue, the -princess said to him, I thank you, good mother, for your prayers; I -have great confidence in them, and hope God will hear them. Come, -and sit by me. The false Fatima sat down with affected modesty: then -the princess resuming her discourse, said, My good mother, I have -one thing to ask you, which you must not refuse me; which is, to -stay with me, that you may entertain me with your way of living; and -that I may learn from your good example how to serve God. Princess, -said the counterfeit Fatima, I beg of you not to ask what I cannot -consent to, without neglecting my prayers and devotion. That shall -be no hindrance to you, answered the princess; I have a great many -apartments unoccupied; you shall choose which you like best, and -shall have as much liberty to perform your devotions, as if you were -in your own cell. - -The magician, who wanted nothing more than to introduce himself into -Aladdin’s palace, where it would be a much easier matter for him -to execute his pernicious designs, under the favour and protection -of the princess, than if he had been forced to come and go from the -cell to the palace, did not urge much to excuse himself from -accepting the obliging offer the princess made him. Princess, said -he, whatever resolution a poor wretched woman, as I am, may have -made to renounce the pomp and grandeur of this world, I dare not -presume to oppose the will and commands of so pious and charitable a -princess. - -Upon this the princess rising up, said, Come along with me, I will -show you what empty apartments I have, that you may make choice of -which you like best. The magician followed the princess -Badroulboudour, and of all the apartments she showed him, made -choice of that which was the worst furnished, saying, That it was -too good for him, and that he only accepted of it to please her. - -Afterwards the princess would have brought him back again into the -great hall to make him dine with her; but he considering that then -he should be obliged to show his face, which he had always taken -care to hide; and fearing that the princess should find out that he -was not Fatima, he begged of her earnestly to dispense with him, -telling her that he never eat any thing but bread and dried fruits, -and desiring to eat that slight repast in his own apartment; that -the princess granted him, saying, You may be as free here, good -mother, as if you were in your own cell: I will order you a dinner, -But remember I expect you as soon as you have finished your repast. - -After the princess had dined, and the false Fatima had been informed -by one of the eunuchs that she was risen from the table, he failed -not to wait upon her. My good mother, said the princess, I am -overjoyed to have the company of so holy a woman as yourself, who -will confer a blessing upon this palace. But now I am speaking of -this palace, pray how do you like it? And before I show you it all, -tell me first what you think of this hall. - -Upon this question, the counterfeit Fatima, who, to act his part the -better, affected to hang down his head, without so much as ever once -lifting it up, at last looked up, and surveying the hall from one -end to the other, when he had examined it well, said to the -princess, As far as such a solitary being as I can judge, who am -unacquainted with what the world calls beautiful, this hall is truly -admirable and most beautiful; there wants but one thing. What is -that, good mother? answered the princess Badroulboudour; tell me, I -conjure you. For my part I always believed, and have heard say, it -wanted nothing; but if it does, it shall be supplied. - -Princess, said the false Fatima, with great dissimulation, forgive -me for the liberty I have taken; but my opinion is, if it can be of -any importance, that if a roc’s egg was hung up in the middle of -this dome, this hall would have no parallel in the four quarters of -the world, and your palace would be the wonder of the universe. - -My good mother, said the princess, what bird is a roc, and where may -one get an egg? Princess, replied the pretended Fatima, it is a bird -of prodigious size, which inhabits the top of mount Caucasus: the -architect who built your palace can get you one. - -After the princess Badroulboudour had thanked the false Fatima for -what she believed her good advice, she conversed with her upon other -matters; but could not forget the roc’s egg, which she made -account to tell Aladdin of when he returned from hunting. He had -been gone six days, which the magician knew, and therefore took -advantage of his absence: but he returned that evening, after the -false Fatima had taken leave of the princess, and retired to his -apartment. As soon as he arrived, he went directly up to the -princess’s apartment, saluted and embraced her, but she seemed to -receive him coldly. My princess, said he, I think you are not so -cheerful as you used to be; has any thing happened during my -absence, which has displeased you, or given you any trouble or -dissatisfaction? In the name of God, do not conceal it from me; I -will leave nothing undone that is in my power to please you. It is a -trifling matter, replied the princess, which gives me so little -concern that I could not have thought you could have perceived it in -my countenance; but since you have unexpectedly discovered some -alteration, I will no longer disguise a matter of so little -consequence from you. - -I always believed, as well as you, continued the princess -Badroulboudour, that our palace was the most superb, magnificent, -and complete in the world: but I will tell you now what I find fault -with, upon examining the hall of four-and-twenty windows. Do not you -think with me, that it would be complete, if a roc’s egg was hung -up in the midst of the dome? Princess, replied Aladdin, it is enough -that you think there wants such a thing; you shall see by the -diligence used to repair that deficiency, that there is nothing -which I would not do for your sake. - -Aladdin left the princess Badroulboudour that moment, and went up -into the hall of four-and-twenty windows, where pulling out of his -bosom the lamp, which, after the danger he had been exposed to, he -always carried about him, he rubbed it; upon which the genie -immediately appeared. Genie, said Aladdin, there wants a roc’s egg -to be hung up in the midst of the dome: I command thee, in the name -of this lamp, to repair the deficiency. Aladdin had no sooner -pronounced these words, but the genie gave so loud and terrible a -cry, that the hall shook, and Aladdin could scarce stand upright. -What! wretch, said the genie, in a voice that would have made the -most undaunted man tremble, is it not enough that I and my -companions have done every thing for you, but you, by an unheard-of -ingratitude, must command me to bring my master, and hang him up in -the midst of this dome? This attempt deserves that you, your wife, -and your palace, should be immediately reduced to ashes; but you are -happy in not being the author of this request, and that it does not -come from yourself. Know then, that the true author is the brother -of the African magician, your enemy, whom you have destroyed as he -deserved. He is now in your palace, disguised in the clothes of the -holy woman Fatima, whom he murdered; and it is he who has suggested -to your wife to make this pernicious demand. His design is to kill -you, therefore take care of yourself. After these words, the genie -disappeared. - -Aladdin lost not a word of what the genie had said. He had heard -talk of the holy woman Fatima, and how she pretended to cure the -head-ache. He returned to the princess’s apartment, and without -mentioning a word of what had happened, he sat down, and complained -of a great pain which had suddenly seized his head; upon which the -princess ordered the holy woman to be presently fetched, and then -told him how that holy woman came to the palace, and that she had -appointed her an apartment. - -When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin said, Come hither, good -mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time: I am -tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your -assistance, by the confidence I have in your good prayers, and hope -you will not refuse me that favour which you do to so many persons -afflicted with this distemper. So saying, he rose up, but held down -his head. The counterfeit Fatima advanced towards him, with his hand -all the time on a dagger concealed in his girdle under his gown; -which Aladdin observing, he seized his hand before he had drawn it, -pierced him to the heart with his own dagger, and then threw him -down on the floor dead. - -My dear husband, what have you done? cried the princess in surprise. -You have killed the holy woman. No, my princess, answered Aladdin, -without emotion, I have not killed Fatima, but a wicked wretch, that -would have assassinated me, if I had not prevented him. This wicked -man, added he, uncovering his face, has strangled Fatima, whom you -accused me of killing, and disguised himself in her clothes, to come -and murder me: but that you may know him better, he is brother to -the African magician. Then Aladdin told her how he came to know -those particulars, and afterwards ordered the dead body to be taken -away. - -Thus was Aladdin delivered from the persecution of two brothers, who -were magicians. Within a few years afterwards the sultan died in a -good old age, and as he left no male children, the princess -Badroulboudour, as lawful heir of the crown, succeeded him, and -communicating the power to Aladdin, they reigned together many -years, and left a numerous and illustrious posterity behind them. - -Sir, said the sultaness Scheherazade, after she had finished the -story of the Wonderful Lamp, your majesty without doubt has observed -in the person of the African magician a man abandoned to the -unbounded passion for possessing immense treasures by the most -unworthy means. On the contrary, your majesty sees in Aladdin, a -person of mean birth raised to the regal dignity by making use of -the same treasures, which came to him without his seeking, but just -as he had an occasion for them to compass the end proposed; and in -the sultan you will have learnt what dangers a just and equitable -monarch runs, even to the risk of being dethroned, when, by crying -injustice, and against all the rules of equity, he dares, by an -unreasonable precipitation, condemn an innocent person to death, -without giving him leave to justify himself. In short, you must -abhor those two wicked magicians, one of whom sacrificed his life to -attain great riches, the other his life and religion to revenge him, -and both received the chastisements they deserved. - -The sultan of the Indies signified to his spouse the sultaness -Scheherazade, that he was very much delighted with the prodigies he -had heard of the Wonderful Lamp, and that the stories which she told -him every night gave him a great deal of pleasure. Indeed they were -all diverting, and for the most part seasoned with a good moral. He -found that the sultaness knew how to introduce them, and was not -sorry that she gave him an opportunity of suspending, by this means, -the execution of a vow he had made, never to keep a woman above one -night, and put her to death next day. His only thought was to see if -he could exhaust her store. - -With this intention, the next morning he prevented Dinarzade, and -awakened the sultaness himself, asking her if she was at the end of -all her stories. --At the end of my stories, sir! replied the -sultaness, surprised at the question, I am far from that and the -number of them is so great, that I cannot tell your majesty how many -I have yet left; but am afraid you will be sooner tired with -hearing, than I with telling them. - -Do not let that fear disturb you, answered the sultan; but let us -hear what you have now to tell me. - -The sultaness Scheherazade, encouraged with these words, said, I -have often entertained your majesty with the adventures of the -famous caliph Haroun Alraschid, who had a great many in his time; -but, among the rest, I think none more worthy of your hearing than -the following: - - - - -The Adventures of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid. - - -Your majesty cannot be insensible, but must have experienced, that -we are sometimes in such extraordinary transports of joy, that we -presently communicate that passion to those about us, or easily -partake of theirs; and sometimes our melancholy is so great, that we -are insupportable to ourselves, and are so incapable of giving any -one a reason, that should ask it, that we cannot account for it -ourselves. - -The caliph was one day in one of these latter fits, when his -faithful and favourite grand vizier Giafar came to him. That -minister finding him alone, which was seldom the case, and -perceiving as he came nearer to him, that he was in a very -melancholy humour, and never lifted up his eyes, he stopt till he -would vouchsafe to look at him. - -At last the caliph cast his eyes upon Giafar, but presently turned -them away again, and remained in the same posture, motionless as -before. - -The grand vizier observing nothing in the caliph’s eyes which -regarded him personally, took the liberty to speak to him, and said, -Commander of the faithful, will your majesty give me leave to ask -whence proceeds this melancholy, of which you always seemed to me so -little susceptible? - -Indeed, vizier, answered the caliph, clearing up his countenance, I -am very little subject to it, and had not perceived it but for you, -and will remain no longer in it. If no new affair brought you -hither, you will do me a pleasure by inventing something to dispel -it. - -Commander of the faithful, replied the grand vizier, my duty obliged -me to wait on you, and I take the liberty to remind your majesty, -that this is the day which you have appointed to inform yourself of -the good government of your capital and its environs; and this -occasion very opportunely presents itself to dispel those clouds -which obscure your natural gaiety. - -You do well to remind me, replied the caliph, for I had entirely -forgotten it: go and change your dress, while I do the same. - -They each put on the habit of a foreign merchant, and under that -disguise went out by a private door of the palace-garden, which led -into the fields. After they had gone round the outside of the city -to the banks of the Euphrates, at a sufficient distance from the -city gate, on that side, without having observed any thing -disorderly, they crossed the river in the first boat they met with, -and making another tour on the other side, came over the bridge, -which formed the communication betwixt the two parts of the town. - -At the foot of the bridge they met with an old blind man, who asked -alms of them; the caliph turned about, and put a piece of gold into -his hand. The blind man presently caught hold of his hand, and -stopped him. Charitable person, said he, whoever you are, whom God -hath inspired to bestow alms on me, do not refuse the favour I ask -you, to give me a box on the ear, for I deserve that and a greater -punishment. After these words, he let the caliph’s hand go, that -he might strike, but, for fear he should pass on without doing it, -held him fast by his clothes. - -The caliph, surprised both at the request and action of the blind -man, said, I cannot acquiesce with your request. I will not lessen -the merit of my charity, by treating you as you would have me. After -these words, he endeavoured to get away from the blind man. - -The blind man, who expected this reluctance of his benefactor, by -the long experience he had, exerted himself to hold him. Sir, said -he, forgive my boldness and importunity; I desire you would either -give me a box on the ear, or take your alms back again, for I cannot -receive it but on that condition, without breaking a solemn oath -which I have sworn to God; and if you knew the reason, you would -agree with me, that the punishment is very slight. - -The caliph, not caring to be detained any longer, yielding to the -importunity of the blind man, gave him a very slight blow: whereupon -he immediately let him go, and thanked and blessed him. When the -caliph and vizier had got some small distance from the blind man, -the caliph said to the vizier, This blind man must certainly have -some very substantial reasons, which make him behave himself in this -manner to all who give him alms. I should be glad to know them; -therefore return and tell him who I am, and bid him not fail to come -to my palace about prayer-time in the afternoon, that I may have -some talk with him. - -The grand vizier went back, bestowed his alms on the blind man, and -after he had given him a box on the ear, told him the caliph’s -order, and then returned again to the caliph. - -When they came into the town, they found in a square a great -concourse of spectators, looking at a handsome well-shaped young -man, who was mounted on a mare, which he rode full speed round the -place, spurring and whipping the poor creature so barbarously, that -she was all over sweat and blood. - -The caliph, amazed at the inhumanity of the young man, stopped to -ask the people if they knew why he used the mare so ill; but could -learn nothing, except that for some time past he had every day, at -the same hour, treated her after the same manner. - -As they went along, the caliph bid the grand vizier take particular -notice of the place, and not fail to order the young man to come the -next day, at the hour appointed to the blind man. But before the -caliph got to his palace, he observed in a street, which he had not -passed through a long time before, an edifice newly built, which -seemed to him to be the palace of some of the great lords of the -court. He asked the grand vizier if he knew to whom it belonged; who -answered he did not, but would inquire; and thereupon asked a -neighbour, who told him that the house was one Cogia Hassan’s, -surnamed Alhabbal, upon account of his profession of rope-making, -which he had seen him work at himself, when poor, and that without -knowing how fortune had favoured him, he had got such great wealth, -that he defrayed honourably and splendidly the expenses he had been -at in building. - -The grand vizier rejoined the caliph, and gave him a full account of -what he had heard. I must see this Cogia Hassan Alhabbal, said the -caliph, therefore go and tell him, vizier, to come to my palace, at -the same hour you have ordered the other two. Accordingly the vizier -obeyed. - -The next day, after afternoon prayers, the caliph retired to his own -apartment, and the grand vizier introduced the three persons we have -been speaking of, and presented them to the caliph. - -They all three prostrated themselves before the caliph, and when -they rose up again, the caliph asked the blind man his name, who -answered, it was Baba Abdalla. - -Baba Abdalla, replied the caliph, your manner of asking alms seemed -so strange to me yesterday, that if it had not been for some certain -considerations, I should not have complied with your request, but -should have prevented you from giving any more offence to the -public. I ordered you to come hither, to know from yourself what -induced you to make that indiscreet oath you have told me of, that I -may judge whether you have done well, and if I ought to suffer you -to continue a practice that appears to me to set so ill an example. -Tell me freely how so extravagant a thought came into your head, and -do not disguise any thing from me, for I will absolutely know the -truth. - -Baba Abdalla, intimidated by this reprimand, cast himself a second -time at the foot of the caliph’s throne, with his face to the -ground, and when he rose up again, said, Commander of the faithful, -I most humbly ask your majesty’s pardon for my boldness, in daring -to require, and almost force you to do a thing which indeed appears -so contrary to reason. I acknowledge my crime; but as I did not then -know your majesty, I implore your clemency, and hope you will -consider my ignorance. - -As to the extravagance of my action, I own it, and that it must seem -strange to mankind; but in the eye of God it is a very slight -penance I have enjoined myself, for an enormous crime I am guilty -of, and for which, if all the people in the world were each to give -me a box on the ear, it would not be a sufficient atonement. Your -majesty will judge of it yourself, when, in telling my story, in -obedience to your commands, I shall let you know what that heinous -crime was. - - - - -The Story of the Blind Man Baba Abdalla. - - -Commander of the faithful, continued Baba Abdalla, I was born at -Bagdad, and had a pretty fortune left me by my father and mother, -who died a few days after each other. Though I was then but very -young, I did not squander away my fortune as most young men do, in -idle expenses and debauchery; on the contrary, I neglected no -opportunity to increase it by my industry. At last I became rich -enough to purchase fourscore camels, which I let out to merchants -for caravans, who paid me well for every journey I went with them -throughout the extent of your majesty’s dominions. - -In the midst of this happiness, and with an ardent desire of growing -much richer, as I was returning one day with my camels unloaded from -Balsora, whither I had carried some merchandises that were to be -embarked for the Indies, I met with good pasturage, at some distance -from any habitation; made a halt there, and let them graze for some -time. While I was seated, a dervise, who was walking to Balsora, -came and sat down by me to rest himself. I asked him from whence he -came, and where he was going, and he put the same questions to me; -and when we had satisfied each other’s curiosity, we produced our -provisions and eat together. - -During our repast, after we had talked of many indifferent things, -the dervise told me that he knew of a treasure a small distance from -thence, where there were such immense riches, that if all my -fourscore camels were loaded with gold and jewels that might be -taken from it, it would not seem as if any thing had been taken away. - -This good news surprised and charmed me at the same time; and I was -so overjoyed, that I could scarce contain myself. I could not -believe that the dervise was capable of telling me a falsity; -therefore I fell upon his neck, and said, Good dervise, I know you -value not the riches of this world, therefore what service can the -knowledge of this treasure be to you? You are alone, and cannot -carry much of it away with you; show me where it is; I will load all -my camels, and as an acknowledgement of the favour done me, will -present you with one of them. - -Indeed I offered very little, but after he had communicated that -secret to me, my desire of riches was become so violent, that I -thought it a great deal, and looked upon the seventy-nine camel -loads which I reserved for myself, as nothing in comparison of what -I allowed him. - -The dervise, though he saw my avarice, was not however angry at the -unreasonable offer I had made him, but replied, without the least -concern, You are sensible, brother, that what you offer me is not -proportionable to the kindness you ask of me. I might have chosen -whether I would communicate my secret to you, and have kept the -treasure to myself: but what I have told you is sufficient to show -you my good intentions, and that it is still in my power to oblige -you, and make you remember me, by making both our fortunes. I have -another proposition more just and equitable to make to you; it lies -in your own breast whether or no you will agree to it. - -You say, continued the dervise, that you have fourscore camels: I am -ready to carry you to the place where the treasure lies, and we will -load them with as much jewels and gold as they can well carry, on -condition, that when they are so loaded, you will let me have one -half, and you take the other; after which we will separate, and -carry our camels where we think fit. You see there is nothing but -what is strictly equitable in this division; for if you give me -forty camels, you will get by my means wherewithal to purchase -thousands more. - -I could not but agree there was a great deal of justice in what the -dervise said: but, without considering what riches I should gain in -accepting of the condition he proposed, I could not without -reluctance think of parting with my forty camels, especially when I -considered that the dervise would then be as rich as myself, and -that I was beforehand making an ungrateful return for a favour, -purely gratuitous, which I had not yet received from the dervise. -But there was no time to hesitate; I must either accept of the -proposal, or resolve to repent all my lifetime after of losing, by -my own fault, an opportunity of obtaining a great fortune. That -instant I went and collected all my camels; and after we had -travelled some time, we came into a large spacious valley, the -entrance into which was so narrow, that two camels could not go -abreast. The two mountains which formed this valley terminated in a -semicircle, but were so high, craggy, and impracticable, that there -was no fear of being seen by any one. - -When we came between these two mountains, the dervise said to me, -Stop your camels, and make them lie down, that we may load them the -easier, and I will proceed to discover the treasure. - -I did as the dervise bid me; and going to him soon after, found him -with a match in one hand, gathering sticks to light a fire; which he -had no sooner done, than he cast some incense into it, and -pronouncing certain words, which I did not understand, there -presently arose a thick cloud. He divided this cloud, when the rock, -though of a prodigious perpendicular height, opened like two -folding-doors, and exposed to view a magnificent palace in the -hollow of the mountain, which seemed to be rather the workmanship of -genies than men; for no man could ever have thought of such a bold -and surprising work. - -But this, I must tell your majesty, was an after-thought, which did -not occur to me at the moment. I did not even stop to admire the -immense riches which I saw on all sides; and, without staying to -observe the just regularity in which the treasures were ranged, like -an eagle seizing her prey, I fell upon the first heap of golden -money that I was near to, and began to fill the sack I had in my -hand as full as I could carry it. The sacks were all large, and with -my good-will I would have filled them all; but I was obliged to -proportion my burden to the strength of my camels. The dervise did -the same; but I perceived he paid more attention to the jewels, and -as he told me the reason, I followed his example, and we took away -much more jewels than gold --When we had filled our sacks, and -loaded our camels, we had nothing left to do but to shut up the -treasure, and go our way. - -But before we parted, the dervise went again into the treasury, -where there were a great many wrought vessels of gold of different -shapes and materials. I observed that he took out of one of these -vessels a little box of a certain wood, which I knew not, and put it -into his breast; but first showed me that it contained only a kind -of pomatum. - -The dervise used the same ceremony to shut the treasury as he had -done to open it; and after he pronounced some certain words, the -doors of the treasury shut again, and the rock seemed as whole and -entire as before. - -Then we divided our camels. I put myself at the head of the forty -which I reserved for myself, and the dervise at the head of the rest -which I had given him. We came out of the valley by the same way we -went in, and travelled together till we came to the great road, -where we were to part; the dervise to go to Balsora, and I to -Bagdad. To thank him for so great a kindness, I made use of the most -expressive terms, testifying my gratitude for the preference he had -given me before all other men, in letting me have a share of such -riches. We embraced each other with great joy, and taking our leave, -went our different ways. - -I had not gone many paces to overtake my camels, which went on the -track I put them into, before the demon of ingratitude and envy took -possession of my heart, and I deplored the loss of my forty camels, -and much more the riches wherewith they were loaded. The dervise, -said I to myself, has no occasion for all these riches; he is master -of the treasure, and may have as much as he pleases. So I gave -myself up to the blackest ingratitude, and determined immediately to -take the camels with their loading from him. - -To execute this design, I first stopped my own camels, and -afterwards ran after the dervise, and called to him as loud as I -could, giving him to understand that I had something material to say -to him, and made a sign to him to stop his, and stay for me; which -he accordingly did. - -When I came up to him, I said, Brother, I had no sooner parted from -you, but a thought came into my head, which neither of us had -reflected on before. You are a good dervise, used to live in -tranquillity, disengaged from all the cares of the world, and intent -only upon serving God. You know not, perhaps, what trouble you have -taken upon yourself, to take care of so many camels. If you would -take my advice, you would keep but thirty; you will find them -sufficiently troublesome to manage. Take my word; I have had -experience. - -I believe you are right, replied the dervise, who found he was not -able to contend with me; I own I never thought of it. I begin -already to be uneasy at what you have represented to me. Choose -which ten you please, and take them, and go on in God’s keeping. - -I set ten apart; and after I had driven them off, I put them in the -road to follow my others. I could not have imagined that the dervise -would be so easily persuaded to part with his camels, which -increased my covetousness, and made me flatter myself that it would -be no hard matter to get ten more. Wherefore, instead of thanking -him for his present, I said to him again, Brother, the interest I -take in your repose is so great, that I cannot resolve to part with -you without desiring you to consider once more how difficult a thing -it is to govern thirty loaded camels, especially for you, who are -not used to such work; you will find it much better to return me as -many more back as you have done already. What I tell you is not for -my own sake and interest, but to do you the greater pleasure. Ease -yourself then of the camels, and leave them to me, who can manage a -hundred as well as one. - -My discourse had the desired effect upon the dervise, who gave me, -without any hesitation, the other ten camels; so that he had but -twenty left, and I was master of sixty, and might boast of greater -riches than many sovereign princes. Any one would have thought I -should now have been content; but, as a person afflicted with a -dropsy, the more he drinks the more thirsty he is, so I became more -greedy and desirous of the other twenty camels. - -I redoubled my solicitations, prayers, and importunities, to make -the dervise condescend to grant me ten of the twenty, which he did -with a good grace; and as to the other ten he had left, I embraced -him, kissed him, and caressed him, conjuring him not to refuse me, -but to complete the obligation I should ever have to him, so that he -crowned my joy by giving me them also. Make a good use of them, -brother, said the dervise: and remember that God can take away -riches as well as give them, if we do not assist the poor, whom he -reduces to their situation on purpose that the rich may merit by -their charity a greater recompense in the other world. - -My blindness was so great that I could not profit by so wholesome -advice. I was not content, though I had my forty camels again, and -knew they were loaded with an inestimable treasure. But a thought -came into my head, that the little box of pomatum which the dervise -showed me had something in it more precious than all the riches -which I was obliged to him for. The place from whence the dervise -took it, said I to myself, and his care to secure it, makes me -believe there is something mysterious in it. This determined me to -do something to obtain it. I had just embraced him, and bade him -adieu; and as I turned about from him, I said, What will you do with -that little box of pomatum? It seems such a trifle, said I, it is -not worth your carrying away. I entreat you to make me a present of -it; for what occasion has a dervise, as you are, who has renounced -the vanities of the world, for pomatum? - -Would to heaven he had refused me that box! But if he had, I was -stronger than him, and was resolved to have taken it from him by -force; that for my complete satisfaction it might not be said he had -carried away the smallest part of the treasure. - -The dervise, far from denying me, presently pulled it out of his -bosom, and presenting it to me with the best grace in the world, -said, Here, take it, brother, and be content: if I could do more for -you, you needed but to have asked for it; I am ready to satisfy you. - -When I had the box in my hand, I opened it, and looking at the -pomatum, said to him, Since you are so good, I am sure you will not -refuse me this one favour, to tell me the particular use of this -pomatum. - -The use is very surprising and wonderful, replied the dervise: if -you apply a little of this pomatum round the left eye, and upon the -lid, you will see all the treasures contained in the bosom of the -earth; but if you apply it to the right eye, it will make you blind. - -I would make the experiment myself: Take the box, said I to the -dervise, and apply some of this pomatum to my left eye; you -understand now to do it better than I, for I long to experience what -seems so incredible to me. Accordingly, I shut my left eye, and the -dervise took the trouble to apply the pomatum. When he had done, I -opened my eye, and was convinced he had told me truth. I saw immense -treasures, and such prodigious riches, so diversified, that it is -impossible for me to give an account of them; but as I was obliged -to keep my right eye shut with my hand, and that tired me, I desired -the dervise to apply some of the pomatum to that eye. - -I am ready to do it, said the dervise; but you must remember what I -told you, that if you put any of it upon your right eye, you would -immediately be blind; such is the virtue of the pomatum. - -Far from being persuaded of the truth of what the dervise said, I -imagined, on the contrary, that there was some new mystery which he -meant to hide from me. Brother, replied I, smiling, I see plainly -you wish to mislead me: it is not natural that this pomatum should -have two such contrary effects. - -The thing is as I tell you, replied the dervise, taking the name of -God to bear witness; you ought to believe me, for I cannot disguise -the truth. - -I would not believe the dervise, who spoke like an honest man. My -insurmountable desire of seeing at my ease all the treasures in the -world, and perhaps of enjoying that pleasure as often as I had a -mind, had such an effect upon me, that I could not hearken to his -remonstrances, nor be persuaded of what was, however, but too true, -as to my great misfortune I soon experienced. - -I persuaded myself that if that pomatum, by being applied to the -left eye, had the virtue of showing me all the treasures of the -earth, by being applied to the right, it might have the power of -putting them in my disposal. Possessed with this thought, I -obstinately pressed the dervise to apply the pomatum to my right -eye; but he as positively refused me. Brother, said he, after I have -done you so much service, I cannot resolve to do you so great an -injury: consider with yourself what a misfortune it is to be -deprived of one’s eye-sight; do not reduce me to the hard -necessity of obliging you in a thing which you will repent of all -your life after. - -I persisted in my obstinacy, and said to him, in strong terms, -Brother, I earnestly desire you to lay aside all the difficulties -you start. You have granted me most generously all that I have asked -of you hitherto, and would you have me go away dissatisfied with you -at last about a thing of so little consequence? For God’s sake, -grant me this last favour: whatever happens, I will not lay the -blame on you, but take it upon myself alone. - -The dervise made all the resistance possible; but seeing that I was -able to force him to do it, he said, Since you will absolutely have -it so, I will satisfy you; and thereupon he took a little of the -fatal pomatum, and applied it to my right eye, which I kept shut; -but, alas! when I came to open it, I could distinguish nothing with -either eye but thick darkness, and became blind as you see me now. - -Ah! dervise, cried I that moment, what you foretold me is but too -true. Fatal curiosity! added I, insatiable desire of riches! into -what an abyss of miseries have you cast me! I am now sensible what a -misfortune I have brought upon myself; but you, dear brother, cried -I, addressing myself to the dervise, who are so charitable and good, -among the many wonderful secrets you are acquainted with, have you -not one to restore to me my sight again? - -Miserable wretch! answered the dervise, if you would have been -advised by me, you would have avoided this misfortune, but you have -your deserts; the blindness of your mind was the cause of the loss -of your eyes. It is true I have secrets, and you, in the little time -I have been with you, might know I have; but I have none to restore -you to your sight. Pray to God, if you believe there is one; it is -He alone that can restore it to you. He gave you riches, of which -you were unworthy, and takes them from you again, and will, by my -hands, give them to men not so ungrateful as you. - -The dervise said no more, and I had nothing to reply. He left me to -myself, overwhelmed with confusion, and plunged in inexpressible -grief. After he had collected my camels, he carried them away, and -pursued the road to Balsora. - -I desired him not to leave me in that miserable condition, but to -conduct me at least to the first caravan; but he was deaf to my -prayers and entreaties. Thus, deprived of sight, and all I had in -the world, I should have died with affliction and hunger, if the -next day a caravan returning from Balsora had not received me -charitably, and brought me back to Bagdad. - -After this manner was I reduced without remedy from a condition -worthy the envy of princes for riches and magnificence, though not -for power, to beggary without resource. I had no other way to -subsist, but must resolve to ask charity, which I have done till -now. But to expiate my offence against God, I enjoined myself, by -way of penance, a box on the ear from every charitable person that -should commiserate my condition. - -This, commander of the faithful, is the motive which seemed so -strange to your majesty yesterday, and for which I ought to incur -your indignation. I ask your pardon once more as your slave, and -submit to receive the chastisement I deserve. And if you vouchsafe -to pronounce any thing on the penance I have imposed upon myself, I -am ready to undergo it, since I am persuaded you think it too slight -and much too little for my crime. - -When the blind man had made an end of his story, the caliph said, -Baba Abdalla, your sin is great; but God be praised, you know both -the enormity of that; and your penance --It is enough. You must -continue it henceforth, not ceasing to ask of God pardon for it in -every prayer your religion obliges you to say daily; and that you -may not be prevented by the care of getting your living, I will -settle a charity on you during your life of four silver drachmas a -day, which my grand vizier shall give you; therefore do not go away, -but wait till he has executed my orders. - -At these words, Baba Abdalla prostrated himself before the -caliph’s throne, and rising up, returned him thanks, and wished -him all happiness and prosperity. - -The caliph Haroun Alraschid, very well satisfied with the story of -Baba Abdalla and the dervise, addressed himself to the young man who -used his mare so ill, and asked him his name; to which he replied, -it was Sidi Nonman. [99] - -Sidi Nonman, then, said the caliph, I have seen horses exercised all -my life, and have often exercised them myself, but never after so -barbarous a manner as you yesterday treated your mare in the full -square, to the great offence of all the spectators, who murmured -loudly at it. I myself was not less displeased, and had like, -contrary to my intention, to have discovered who I was, to have -remedied that disorder. By your air and behaviour you do not seem to -be a barbarous and cruel man; and therefore I would fain believe -that you had reason for what you did, since I am informed that this -was not the first time, but that you practise the same thing every -day. I would know what is the cause, and sent for you for that -purpose, that you should tell me the truth, and disguise nothing -from me. - -Sidi Nonman soon understood what the caliph demanded of him. The -relation was painful to him. He changed colour several times, and -could not help showing how greatly he was embarrassed. However, he -must resolve to tell his story; but before he spoke, he prostrated -himself before the caliph’s throne, and after he rose up again, -endeavoured to speak, to satisfy the caliph, but was so confounded, -not so much at the presence of the caliph, as by the nature of his -relation, that he was speechless. - -The caliph, notwithstanding his natural impatience to be obeyed, -showed not the least anger at Sidi Nonman’s silence: he saw -plainly, that he either had not assurance to speak before him, or -was intimidated by the tone of his voice; or, in short, that there -was something to be concealed in his story. - -Sidi Nonman, said the caliph, to encourage him, recollect yourself; -but tell your story as if you were speaking, not to me, but to your -most familiar friend. If there is any thing in your relation which -troubles you, and you think I may be offended at it, I pardon you -now: therefore be not uneasy, but speak boldly and freely, and -disguise nothing. - -Sidi Nonman, encouraged by these last words of the caliph, said, -Commander of the faithful, whatever apprehensions a man may be under -at your majesty’s presence, I am sensible that respectful -apprehension would not deprive me of the use of my speech, so as to -fail in my obedience to you, in giving you satisfaction in any other -matter but this you now ask of me. I dare not say I am the most -perfect of men; yet I am not wicked enough to have committed, or to -have had an intention of committing any thing against the laws, to -fear their severity; and yet I cannot say I am exempt from sin -through ignorance. In this case I do not say that I depend upon your -majesty’s pardon, but will submit myself to your justice, and -receive the punishment I deserve. I own that the manner in which I -have for some time treated my mare, and which your majesty was -witness of, is strange and cruel, and sets an ill example: but I -hope you will think the motive well grounded, and that I am more -worthy of compassion than chastisement: but not to keep your majesty -any longer in suspense by a long preamble, I will tell you my story. - -[Illustration: BABA ABDALLAH PUNISHED.] - - - - -The Story of Sidi Nonman. - - -Commander of the faithful, said Sidi Nonman, I shall not trouble -your majesty with my birth, which is not illustrious enough to merit -your attention. For my fortune, my parents, by their good economy, -left me enough to live on like an honest man, free from ambition, or -being burdensome to any one. - -With these advantages, the only thing that I wanted to render my -happiness complete, was an amiable wife, who might share them with -me; but that was a blessing it did not please God to grant me: on -the contrary, it was my misfortune to have one, who, the very next -day after our wedding, began to exercise my patience in a manner not -to be conceived by any one that has not had the same trial. - -As it is a custom for us to marry without seeing or knowing whom we -are to marry, your majesty is sensible that a husband has no reason -to complain, when he finds that the wife that has been chosen for -him, is not horribly ugly and deformed, and that her carriage, wit, -and behaviour, make amends for any slight imperfections of the body. - -The first time I saw my wife with her face uncovered, after she was -brought home with the usual ceremonies to my house, I rejoiced to -find that I had not been imposed upon in the description of her -person, which pleased me, and she was perfectly agreeable to my -inclination. - -The next day after our wedding, when our dinner was served up, which -consisted of several dishes, I went into the room where the cloth -was laid, and not finding my wife there, ordered her to be called. -After making me wait a long time, at last she came. I dissembled my -impatience, and we sat down to table, and I began with the rice, -which I took up with a spoon, as usual. - -On the other hand, my wife, instead of making use of a spoon, as -every body does, pulled a little case out of her pocket, and took -out of it a kind of ear-picker, with which she picked up the rice, -and put it into her mouth, grain by grain. - -Surprised at this manner of eating, I said to her, Amina, which was -her name, are you used to eat rice so in your family, or do you do -it because you are a little eater, or would you count the grains, -that you may not eat more at one time than another? If you do it out -of savingness, or to teach me not to be extravagant, you have no -reason to fear that, and I can assure you we shall not ruin -ourselves that way. We have, God be thanked, enough to live at our -ease, without depriving ourselves of necessaries. Do not restrain -yourself, my dear Amina, but eat as you see me eat. The kind manner -in which I made these remonstrances might have produced some -obliging answer; but she, without saying a word, continued to eat -after the same manner. At last, to make me the more uneasy, she ate -a grain of rice occasionally; and instead of eating any of the other -meats with me, she only now and then put some crumbs of bread into -her mouth, but not so much as a sparrow would have eaten. - -I was very much provoked at her obstinacy; but yet, to indulge and -excuse her, I imagined that she had not been used to eat with men, -much more with a husband, before whom she might perhaps have been -taught to restrain herself; but at the same time thought she carried -it too far out of pure simplicity. I fancied again that she might -have breakfasted late, or that she might have a mind to eat alone, -and more at liberty. These considerations prevented me from saying -any more to her then, to ruffle her temper, or to show any sign of -dissatisfaction. After dinner I left her, but not with an air that -showed any displeasure. - -At supper she did the same thing; and the next day, and every time -we ate together, behaved herself after the same manner. I knew it -was impossible for a woman to live on so little food as she took, -and that there was some mystery in it, which I did not understand. -This made me resolve to dissemble; I appeared to take no notice of -her actions, in hopes that time would bring her to live with me as I -desired she should. But my hopes were in vain, and it was not long -before I was convinced they were so. - -One night, when Amina thought me fast asleep, she got out of bed -softly, dressed herself with great precaution, avoiding any noise -for fear of waking me. I could not comprehend what her design was, -but curiosity made me feign a sound sleep; and as soon as she had -dressed herself, she went softly out of the room without making any -noise. - -As soon as she was gone out, I got up, threw my gown over my -shoulders, and had time enough to see by a window, that looked into -my court-yard, that she opened the street-door and went out. - -I ran presently down to the door, which she left half open, and -followed her by moonlight, till I saw her go into a burying-ground -just by our house. I got to the end of the wall, taking care not to -be seen, and looking over, saw Amina with a goule. - -Your majesty knows that the goules of both sexes are wandering -demons, which generally infest old buildings; from whence they rush -out, by surprise, on people that pass by, kill them, and eat their -flesh; and for want of such prey, will sometimes go in the night -into burying-grounds, and feed upon dead bodies, which they dig up. - -I was in a terrible surprise to see my wife with this goule. They -dug up a dead body which had been buried but that day, and the goule -cut off pieces of the flesh, which they ate together by the -grave-side, conversing together very quietly during their cruel and -inhuman repast. But I was too far off to hear their discourse, which -must have been as strange as their repast, the remembrance of which -still makes me shudder. - -When they had made an end of this horrible feast, they threw the -dead body into the grave again, and filled it up with the earth they -had dug out. I left them at their work, and made haste home, and -leaving the door half open, as I found it, went into my chamber, and -to bed again, where I pretended to be fast asleep. - -Soon afterwards Amina returned without the least noise, undressed -herself, and came to bed again, rejoiced, as I imagined, that she -had succeeded so well without being discovered. - -My mind was so full of the idea of so barbarous and abominable an -action as I had seen, that I felt a great reluctance to lie by a -person who had been guilty of it, and was a long time before I could -fall asleep again. However. I got a short nap; but waked at the -first call to public prayers at daybreak, got up, dressed myself, -and went to the mosque. - -After prayers, I went out of the town, and spent the morning in -walking in the gardens, and thinking what I should do to oblige my -wife to change her manner of life. I rejected all the violent -measures that came into my thoughts, and I resolved to use all -gentle means to cure that unhappy inclination of hers; and these -thoughts brought me insensibly home by dinner-time. - -As soon as Amina saw me come in, she ordered dinner to be served up; -and as I saw she persisted in the same manner of eating rice by -single grains, I said to her, with all the moderation possible, You -know, Amina, what reason I have to be surprised, when the next day -after our marriage I saw you eat rice in so small a quantity, and in -a manner which would have offended any other husband but me: you -know also, I contented myself with telling you, that I was uneasy at -it, and desired you to eat of the other meats, which I ordered to be -dressed several ways, to endeavour to suit your taste: and I am sure -my table did not want for variety: but all my remonstrances have had -no effect upon you, and you persist in your old way. I have said -nothing, because I would not constrain you, and should be sorry that -any thing I now say should make you uneasy; but tell me, Amina, I -conjure you, are not the meats served up at my table better than -dead flesh? - -I had no sooner pronounced these last words, but Amina, who -perceived that I had watched her last night, flew into a rage beyond -imagination. Her face was as red as scarlet, her eyes ready to start -out of her head, and she foamed with passion. - -The terrible condition I saw her in frightened me so much, that I -stood motionless, and was not able to defend myself against the -horrible wickedness she meditated against me, and which will -surprise your majesty. In the violence of her passion, she dipped -her hand into a basin of water, which stood just by her, and -muttering between her teeth some words, which I could not hear, she -threw some water in my face, and said to me in a furious tone, -Wretch, receive the punishment of thy curiosity, and become a dog. - -No sooner had Amina, whom I knew not to be a sorceress till then, -pronounced these diabolical words, but I was immediately changed -into a dog. My amazement and surprise at so sudden and unexpected a -change prevented my thinking at first of providing for my safety, -till she took up a great stick to beat me, with which she laid on -such heavy blows, that I wonder they did not kill me. I thought to -have escaped her rage, by running into the yard: but she pursued me -with the same fury, and, notwithstanding all my activity, I could -not avoid her blows. At last, when she was tired of running after me -and beating me, and in despair that she had not killed me, as she -desired, she thought of a new way to do it: she half opened the -street-door, that she might squeeze me to death in it, as I ran out -to preserve my life. Dog as I was, I presently perceived her -pernicious design; and as present danger inspires a presence of -mind, to elude her vigilance I watched her face and motions so well, -that I took my opportunity, and passed through quick enough to save -my life and escape her malice, though she pinched the end of my tail. - -The pain I felt made me cry out and howl as I ran along the streets, -which brought all the dogs out upon me, and I got bit by several of -them; but to avoid their pursuit, I ran into the shop of a man who -sold boiled sheep’s heads, tongues, and feet, where I saved myself. - -The man at first took my part with much compassion, by driving away -the dogs that followed me, and would have run into his house. My -first care was to creep into a corner to hide myself; but I found -not the sanctuary and protection I hoped for. My host was one of -those extravagantly superstitious persons, who think dogs unclean -creatures, and if by chance one should happen to touch them in the -streets, cannot use soap and water enough to wash their garments -clean. After the dogs who chased me were all dispersed and gone, he -did all he could to drive me out of his house that day; but I was -hid, and out of his reach, and spent that night in his shop in spite -of him; and indeed I had need of rest, to recover after Amina’s -ill treatment. - -But not to weary your majesty with trifling circumstances, I shall -not particularize the melancholy reflections I made on my -metamorphosis; but only tell you, that my host going out the next -morning to lay in a stock of sheep’s heads, tongues, and trotters, -when he returned he opened his shop, and while he was laying out his -goods, I crept out of my corner, and got among some other dogs of -the neighbourhood, who had followed my host by the scent of his -meat, and surrounded the shop, in expectation of having some thrown -to them. I joined them, and put myself among them in a begging -posture. My host observing me, and considering that I had eaten -nothing while I lay in the shop, distinguished me from the rest, by -throwing me larger pieces of meat, and oftener than the other dogs. -After he had given me as much as he thought fit, I looked at him -earnestly, and wagged my tail, to show him I begged he would repeat -his favours. But he was inflexible, and opposed my entrance with a -stick in his hand, and with so unkind a look, that I was forced to -go and seek a new habitation. - -Some houses farther I stopped at a baker’s shop, who was of a -lively gay temper, quite the reverse of the other man, who was eaten -up with melancholy. He was then at breakfast, and though I made no -sign that I asked for any thing, he threw me a bit of bread. Instead -of catching it up greedily, as other dogs do, I looked at him, -moving my head and wagging my tail, to show my gratitude; at which -he was mightily pleased, and smiled. Though I was not hungry, I ate -the piece of bread to please him, and I ate slowly, to show him that -it was out of respect to him. He observed this, and let me continue -near the shop. I sat down and turned myself to the street, to show -him I only then wanted his protection; which he not only granted, -but by his caresses encouraged me to come into the house. This I did -in a way that showed it was with his leave. He was pleased, and -showed me a place where to lie, which I took possession of, and kept -while I lived with him. I was always well treated; and whenever he -breakfasted, dined, or supped, I had my share of provisions; and, -for my part, I loved him, and was as faithful as gratitude required -of me. I always had my eyes upon him, and he scarce stirred out of -doors, or went into the city on business, but I was at his heels. I -was the more exact, because I perceived my attention pleased him; -for whenever he went out, without giving me time to see him, he -would call Chance, which was the name he gave me. - -At this name I used to spring from my place, jump, and caper, and -run before the door, and never cease fawning on him till he went -out; and then I always either followed him, or ran before him, -always looking at him to show my joy. - -I had lived some time with this baker, when a woman came one day -into the shop to buy some bread, and giving my master a piece of bad -money, among some good, he perceived it, returned it, and asked for -another. - -The woman refused to take it again, and affirmed it to be good. The -baker maintained the contrary, and in the dispute told the woman he -was sure that the piece of money was so visibly false, that his dog -could distinguish it; upon which he called Chance, Chance, and I -jumped immediately on the counter, and the baker throwing the money -down before me, said, See, and tell me which of these pieces is bad! -I looked over all the pieces of money, and then set my paw upon that -which was bad, separated it from the rest, looking in my master’s -face to show it him. - -The baker, who only called me to banter the woman, was very much -surprised to see me so immediately pitch upon the bad money. The -woman, thus convicted, had nothing to say for herself, but was -obliged to give another piece instead of the bad one. As soon as she -was gone, my master called in some neighbours, and enlarged very -much upon my capacity, telling them what had happened. - -The neighbours all desired to make the experiment, and of all the -bad money they showed me, mixed with good, there was not one on -which I did not set my paw, and separate the bad money from the good. - -The woman, for her part, was sure to tell every body she met what -had happened; insomuch that the fame of my skill in distinguishing -good money from bad was not only spread throughout the -neighbourhood, but over all that part of the town, and insensibly -through the whole city. - -I had business enough every day; for I was obliged to show my skill -to all customers that came to buy bread of my master. In short, my -reputation procured my master more business than he could manage, -and brought him customers from the most distant parts of the town; -and this run of business lasted so long, that my master owned to his -friends and neighbours, that I was a treasure to him. - -My little knowledge made many people envy my master’s good -fortune, and lay traps to steal me away, which obliged him always to -keep me in his sight. One day a woman came out of curiosity to buy -some bread like the rest, and seeing me sit upon the counter, threw -down before me six pieces of money, among which was one that was -bad. I separated it presently from the good, and setting my paw upon -it, looked in the woman’s face, as much as to say, is it not so? -The woman looking at me, replied, Yes, you are in the right; it is -bad; and staying some time in the shop, to look at and admire me, at -last paid my master for his bread, and when she went out of the -shop, made a sign, unknown to him, for me to follow her. - -I was always attentive to any means to deliver myself out of so -strange a metamorphosis, and had observed that the woman examined me -with an extraordinary attention. I imagined that she might know -something of my misfortune, and the melancholy condition I was -reduced to: however, I let her go, and contented myself with looking -at her. After walking two or three steps, she turned about, and -seeing that I only looked at her, without stirring out of my place, -she made me another sign to follow her. - -Without deliberating any longer, and observing that my master the -baker was busy cleaning his oven to put bread into it, and did not -mind me, I jumped off the counter, and followed the woman, who -seemed overjoyed. - -After I had got some way, she stopped at a house, opened the door, -and called to me to come in, saying, You will not repent following -me. When I had got in, she shut the door, and carried me to her -chamber, where I saw a beautiful young lady working embroidery. This -lady, who was daughter to the charitable woman who had brought me -from the baker’s shop, was a very skilful magician, as I found -afterwards. - -Daughter, said the mother, I have brought you the famous baker’s -dog, that can tell good money from bad. You know I gave you my -thoughts on that matter when I first heard of him, and told you, I -fancied he was a man changed into a dog by some wicked trick. To-day -I bethought myself of going to buy some bread of that baker, and was -myself a witness of the wonders performed by this dog, who has made -such extraordinary noise in Bagdad. What say you, daughter, am I -deceived in my conjecture? Mother, you are not, answered the -daughter, and I will make it appear so. - -The young lady immediately got up, put her hand into a basin of -water, and throwing some upon me, said, If thou wert born a dog, -remain so; but if thou wert born a man, resume thy former shape by -the virtue of this water. At that instant the enchantment was -broken, and I became a man as before. - -Penetrated with the greatness of this kindness, I threw myself at my -deliverer’s feet; and after I had kissed the hem of her garment, I -said, My dear deliverer, I am so sensible of your exceeding and -unparalleled goodness towards a stranger, as I am, that I beg of you -to tell me yourself what I shall do to show my gratitude; or rather -dispose of me as a slave, to whom you have a just right, since I am -no more my own, but entirely yours: and that you may know who I am, -I will tell you my story in as few words as possible. - -After I had told her who I was, I gave her an account of my marriage -with Amina, of the complaisance I showed her, my patience in bearing -with her humour, her extraordinary behaviour, and the indignity with -which she treated me out of inconceivable wickedness, and finished -my story with my transformation, and thanking her mother for the -inexpressible happiness she had procured me. - -Sidi Nonman, said the daughter to me, let us not talk of the -obligation you say you owe me; it is enough for me that I have done -any service to so honest a man as you are. But let us talk a little -of Amina your wife. I was acquainted with her before your marriage; -and as I know her to be a magician, she also is sensible that I have -some knowledge of that art, since we both learnt it of the same -mistress. We often meet at the baths, but as our tempers are -different, I avoid all opportunities of contracting an intimacy with -her, which is no difficult matter, as she does the same by me. I am -not at all surprised at her wickedness; but what I have already done -for you is not sufficient; I will complete what I have begun. It is -not enough to have broken the enchantment by which she has excluded -you from the society of men. You must punish her as she deserves, by -going home again, and assuming the authority which belongs to you. I -will give you the proper means. Converse a little with my mother -till I come back. - -My deliveress went into a closet and while she was there, I repeated -my obligation to the mother as well as daughter. She said to me, You -see my daughter has as great skill in the magic art as Amina; but -makes so good a use of it, that you would be surprised to know the -good she has done, and daily does with it. This induces me to let -her practise it; for I should not permit her, if I perceived she -made an ill use of it in the smallest instance. - -The mother began to relate some of the wonders she had seen her do, -when she came into the room again, with a little bottle in her hand. -Sidi Nonman, said she, my books, which I have been consulting, tell -me that Amina is now abroad, but will be at home presently. They -also inform me, she pretended before your servants to be very uneasy -at your absence, and made them believe, that at dinner you -recollected some business which obliged you to go out again -immediately; that as you went out, you left the door open, and a dog -came into the hall where she was at dinner, and she beat him out -with a great stick. - -Take this little bottle and go home immediately, and wait in your -own chamber till she comes in, which will not be long. As soon as -she comes home, run down into the yard, and meet her face to face. -In her surprise to see you return so unexpectedly, she will turn her -back to run away; then be sure to have the bottle ready, and throw -some of the liquor it contains upon her, pronouncing at the same -time these words boldly: Receive the chastisement of thy wickedness. -I will tell you no more; you will see the effect. - -After these words I took my leave of my benefactress and her mother, -with all the testimonies of the most perfect gratitude, and a -sincere protestation never to forget my obligation to them; and then -went home. - -All things happened as the young magician foretold. Amina was not -long before she came home. As she came up the yard, I met her with -the water in my hand. As soon as she saw me, she shrieked out; and -as she turned about to run to the door, I threw the liquor upon her, -pronouncing the words which the young magician taught me, and she -was instantly changed into the same mare which your majesty saw me -upon yesterday. - -At that instant, in the surprise she was in, I seized her by the -mane, and notwithstanding her resistance, led her into the stable, -where I put an halter upon her head, and when I had tied her to the -rack, reproaching her with her baseness, I chastised her with a whip -till I was tired, and punished her every day since after the same -manner. I hope, commander of the faithful, continued Sidi Nonman, -making an end of his story, your majesty will not disapprove of my -conduct, and will think I have shown so wicked and pernicious a -woman more indulgence than she deserved. - -When the caliph found that Sidi Nonman had no more to say, he said -to him, Your story is very singular, and the wickedness of your wife -inexcusable; therefore I do not absolutely condemn the chastisement -you have hitherto given her; but I would have you consider now great -a punishment it is to be reduced to the condition of beasts, and -wish you would be content with that chastisement. I would order you -to go and address yourself to the young magician, to wave the -enchantment and metamorphosis she has inflicted, but that I know the -obstinacy and incorrigible cruelty of magicians of both sexes, who -abuse their art; and were I not apprehensive that the second effect -of your wife’s revenge would be more violent than the first. - -The caliph, who was naturally mild and compassionate to all -sufferers, after he had declared his mind to Sidi Nonman, addressed -himself to the third person the grand vizier Giafar had summoned to -attend him. Cogia Hassan, said he, passing yesterday by your house, -it seemed so magnificent that I had a curiosity to know to whom it -belonged, and was told that you, whose trade is so mean that a man -can scarce get his bread by it, have built this house after you had -followed this trade some years. I was likewise informed that you -make a good use of the riches God has blessed you with, and your -neighbours speak well of you. - -All this pleases me well, added the caliph, and I am persuaded that -the means by which Providence has been pleased to bestow these gifts -on you must have been very extraordinary. I am curious to know them -from your own mouth, and sent for you on purpose to have that -satisfaction. Speak sincerely, that when I know your story, I may -rejoice in your good fortune. - -But that you may not suspect my curiosity, and believe that I have -any other interest than what I tell you, I declare, that far from -having any pretensions, I give you my word you shall enjoy freely -all you have got. - -On these assurances of the caliph, Cogia Hassan prostrated himself -before his throne, with his forehead down to the carpet, and when he -rose up again, said, Commander of the faithful, any other person but -myself might have been alarmed at having been summoned to appear -before your majesty; but knowing that my conscience was clear, and -that I had committed nothing against the law, nor your majesty, but, -on the contrary, had always the most respectful sentiments and the -profoundest veneration for your person, my only fear was, that I -should not be able to support the lustre of your throne. But -nevertheless, on the public report of your majesty’s receiving -favourably, and hearing the meanest of your subjects, I took -courage, and never doubted but I should have confidence enough to -give you all the satisfaction you should require of me. Besides, -your majesty has given me a proof of your goodness, by granting me -your protection before you know whether I deserve it. Nevertheless, -I hope you will retain the advantageous sentiments you have of me, -when, in obedience to your command, I shall relate my adventures to -you. - -After this little compliment to conciliate the caliph’s good will -and attention, and after some moments’ recollection, Cogia Hassan -resumed his discourse in the following manner: - - - - -The Story of Cogia Hassan Alhabbal. - - -Commander of the faithful, said he, that your majesty may the better -understand by what means I arrived at the happiness I now enjoy, I -ought to acquaint you, there are two intimate friends, citizens of -Bagdad, now alive, who can testify the truth of what I shall tell -you, and to whom, after God, the author of all good, I owe my -prosperity. - -These two friends are called, the one Saadi, the other Saad. Saadi, -who is very rich, was always of opinion, that no man could be happy -in this world without great riches, to live independent of every one. - -Saad was of another opinion; he agreed that riches were necessary in -life, but maintained that the happiness of a man’s life consisted -in virtue, without any farther attachment to worldly goods than what -were necessary in life, and to do good withal. - -Saad himself is one of this number, and lives very happily and -contented in his station; and though Saadi is infinitely more rich, -their friendship is very sincere, and the richest sets no more value -on himself than the other. They never had any other dispute but on -this point; in all other things their union has been very strict. - -One day as they were talking upon this subject, as I have since been -informed by them both, Saadi affirmed that poverty proceeded from -men’s being born poor, or spending their fortunes in luxury and -debauchery, or by some of those unforeseen fatalities which are not -extraordinary. My opinion, said he, is, that most people’s poverty -is owing to their wanting at first a sufficient sum of money to -raise them above want, by employing their industry to improve it: -for, said he, if they once had such a sum, and made a right use of -it, they would not only live well, but would infallibly grow rich in -time. - -Saad could not come into his sentiments. The way, said he, which you -propose to make a poor man rich, is not so certain as you imagine. -Your plan is very hazardous, and I can bring many good arguments -against your opinions, but that they will carry us too far. I -believe, with as much probability, that a poor man may become rich -by other means, as well as by money: and there are people who have -raised as great and surprising fortunes by mere chance, as others -have done by money, with all their good economy and management to -increase it by the best conducted trade. - -Saad, replied Saadi, I see we shall not come to any determination by -my persisting in opposing my opinion against yours. I will make an -experiment to convince you, by giving, for example, a sum of money -to some artisan, whose ancestors from father to son have always been -poor, and lived only from day to day, and died as arrant beggars as -they were born. If I have not the success I expect, you shall try if -you will have better by the means you shall use. - -Some days after this dispute, these two friends happened to walk out -together, and passing through the street where I was at work in my -stall, at my trade of rope-making, which I learnt of my father, who -learnt of his, and he of his ancestors; and by my dress and equipage -it was no hard matter for them to guess at my poverty. - -Saad, remembering Saadi’s engagement, said, If you have not forgot -what you said to me, there is a man, pointing to me, whom I can -remember a long time working at his trade of rope-making, and in the -same poverty: he is a worthy subject for your liberality, and a -proper person for you to make your experiment upon. I remember it so -well, replied Saadi, that I have ever since carried a sufficient sum -about me to do it, but only waited for an opportunity of being -together, that you might be witness of the fact. Let us go to him, -and know if he is really necessitous. - -The two friends came to me, and I, seeing that they had a mind to -speak to me, left off work. They both accosted me with the common -salutation, and Saadi wishing me peace, asked me my name. - -I returned their salutation, and answered their question, saying to -him, Sir, my name is Hassan; but by reason of my trade, I am -commonly known by the name of Hassan Alhabbal. - -Hassan, replied Saadi, as there is no trade but what a man may live -by, I doubt not but yours produces enough for you to live well; and -I am amazed, that the long time you have worked at your trade, you -have not saved enough to lay in a good stock of hemp to extend your -manufacture and employ more hands, by the profit of whose work you -would soon increase your income. - -Sir, replied I, you will be no longer amazed I have not saved money, -and taken the way you mention to become rich, when you come to know -that let me work as hard as I can from morning till night, I can -hardly get enough to keep my family in bread and pulse. I have a -wife and five children, not one of whom is old enough to be of the -least assistance to me. I must keep them and clothe them, and in our -poor way of living, they still want a thousand necessaries, which -they cannot do without. And though hemp is not very dear, I must -have money to buy it. This is the first thing I do with any money I -receive for my work; otherwise, if I should neglect to do so, I and -my family must starve. - -Now judge, Sir, added I, if it is possible, that I should save any -thing for myself and family: it is enough that we are content with -the little that God sends us, and that we have not the knowledge nor -desire of what we want, but can live as we have always been bred up, -and are not reduced to beg. - -When I had given Saadi this account, he said to me, Hassan, I am not -so much surprised, as I was, and I comprehend what obliges you to be -content in your station. But if I should make a present of a purse -of two hundred pieces of gold, would not you make a good use of it? -and do not you believe, that with such a sum you could become soon -as rich as the principal of your profession? - -Sir, replied I, you seem to be so good a gentleman, that I am -persuaded you would not banter me, but that the offer you make me, -is serious; and I dare say, without presuming too much upon myself, -that a much less sum would be sufficient, not only to make me as -rich as the principal of our profession, but that in time I should -be richer than all of them in this city together, though Bagdad is -so large and populous. - -The generous Saadi showed me immediately that in what he said he was -serious. He pulled a purse out of his bosom, and putting it into my -hands, said, Here, take this purse; you will find it contains two -hundred pieces of gold: I pray God bless you with them, and give you -grace to make the good use of them I desire; and believe me, my -friend Saad, whom you see here, and I, shall both take great -pleasure in finding we may contribute in making you more happy than -you now are. - -Commander of the faithful, when I had got the purse, the first thing -I did was to put it into my bosom; but the transport of my joy was -so great, and I was so much penetrated with gratitude, that my -speech failed me, and I could give my benefactor no other tokens of -my gratitude, than to lay hold of the hem of his garment and kiss -it; but he drew it from me; and he and his friend pursued their walk. - -As soon as they were gone, I returned to my work again, and my first -thought was, what I should do with my purse to keep it safe. I had -in my poor house neither box nor cupboard to lock it up in, nor any -other place where I could be sure it would not be discovered if I -had it. - -In this perplexity, as I had been used, like many poor people of my -sort, to put the little money I had in the folds of my turban, I -left my work, and went into the house, under pretence of wrapping my -turban up anew. And I took such precautions that neither my wife nor -children saw what I was doing. But first I laid aside ten pieces of -gold for present necessaries, and wrapt the rest up in the folds of -the linen which went about my cap. - -The principal expense I was at that day, was to lay in a good stock -of hemp, and afterwards, as my family had eaten no flesh meat a long -time, I went to the shambles, and bought something for supper. - -As I was carrying the meat I had bought home in my hand, a famished -kite flew upon me, and would have taken away my meat, if I had not -held it very fast; but, alas! I had better parted with it than lost -my money; the fester I held my meat, the more the bird struggled to -get it, drawing me sometimes on one side, and sometimes on another; -but would not quit the prize, till unfortunately by my efforts the -turban fell on the ground. - -The kite immediately let go his hold, and seizing on my turban -before I could pick it up, flew away with it. I cried out so loud, -that I frightened all the men, women, and children in the -neighbourhood, who joined their shouts and cries to make the kite -quit his hold; for by that means these sort of voracious birds are -often forced to quit their prey. But our cries did not frighten this -kite; he carried off my turban, and we soon lost sight of him before -he dropt it, and it would have been in vain for me to fatigue myself -with running after him. - -I went home very melancholy at the loss of my turban and money. I -was obliged to buy a new turban, which diminished the small -remainder of the ten pieces; for I had laid out a deal in hemp. The -little that was left was not sufficient to give me reason to gratify -the great hopes I had conceived. - -But what troubled me most was the little satisfaction I should be -able to give my benefactor for his ill-placed generosity, when he -should come to hear what a misfortune I had met with, which he would -perhaps look upon as incredible, and consequently an idle excuse. - -While the remainder of the ten pieces lasted, my little family and I -lived the better for it; but I soon relapsed into the same poverty, -and the same inability to extricate myself from wretchedness. -However, I never murmured nor repined. God, said I, was pleased to -give me riches when I least expected them; he has thought fit to -take them from me again almost at the same time, because it so -pleased him, and they were at his disposal; yet I will praise his -name for all the benefits I have received, as it was his good -pleasure, and submit myself, as I have ever done hitherto, to his -will. - -These were my sentiments, while my wife, from whom I could not keep -secret the loss I had sustained, was inconsolable. In my trouble I -had told my neighbours, that when I lost my turban, I lost a hundred -and ninety pieces of gold; but as they knew my poverty, and could -not comprehend how I should have got so great a sum by my work, they -only laughed at me. - -About six months after this my misfortune, which I have related to -your majesty, the two friends walking through that part of the town -where I lived, the neighbourhood put Saad in mind of me. We are now, -said he to Saadi, not far from the street where Hassan Alhabbal -lives; let us call and see what use he made of the two hundred -pieces of gold you gave him, and whether they have enabled him to -take any steps towards bettering his fortune. - -With all my heart, replied Saadi; I have been thinking of him some -days, and it will be a great pleasure and satisfaction to me to have -you with me, as a witness of the proof of my proposal. You will see -a great alteration. I expect we shall hardly know him again. - -Just as Saadi said this, these two friends turned the corner of the -street, and Saad, who perceived me first at a distance, said to his -friend, I believe you reckon without your host; I see Hassan -Alhabbal, but can discern no change in his person, for he is as -ill-dressed as when we saw him before; the only difference that I -can perceive is, his turban looks something better. Observe him -yourself, and see whether I am in the wrong. - -As they drew nearer to me, Saadi saw me too, and found Saad was in -the right, but could not tell to what he should attribute the little -alteration he saw in my person; and was so much amazed, that he -could not speak when he came up to me. Well, Hassan, said Saad, we -do not ask you how affairs go since we saw you last; without doubt -they are in a better train. - -Gentlemen, replied I, addressing myself to them both, I have the -great mortification to tell you, that your desires, wishes, and -hopes, as well as mine, have not had the success you had reason to -expect, and I promised myself; you will scarce believe the -extraordinary adventure that has befallen me. I assure you, -nevertheless, on the word of an honest man, and you ought to believe -me, for nothing is more true than what I am going to tell you. Then -I related to them my adventures, with the same circumstances I had -the honour to tell your majesty. - -Saadi rejected my discourse, and said, Hassan, you joke with me, and -would deceive me; for what you say is a thing incredible. What have -kites to do with turbans? they only search for something to satisfy -their hunger. You have done as all such sort of people as you -generally do: if they have made any extraordinary gain, or any good -fortune happens to them, which they never expected, they throw aside -their work, take their pleasure, and make merry, while the money -lasts; and when they have eaten and drank it all out, are reduced to -the same necessity and want as before. You would not be so -miserable, but because you deserve it, and render yourself unworthy -of any good action done to you. - -Sir, replied I, I bear all these reproaches, and am ready to bear as -many more, if they were more severe, and all with the more patience, -because I do not think I deserve them. The thing is so publicly -known in this part of the town, that there is nobody but can satisfy -you of the truth of it. If you inquire, you will find that I do not -impose upon you. I own, I never heard talk of kites flying away with -turbans; but this has actually happened to me, as a great many other -things, which do not fall out every day, and yet have actually -happened. - -Saad took my part, and told Saadi a great many as surprising stories -of kites, some of which he affirmed he knew to be true, insomuch -that at last he pulled his purse out of his bosom, and counted out -two hundred pieces of gold into my hand, which I put into my bosom -for want of a purse. - -When Saadi had told me out that sum, he said to me, Hassan, I make -you a present of these two hundred pieces; but take care to put them -in a safer place, that you may not lose them so unfortunately as you -have done the others, and employ them in such a manner that they may -procure you the advantages that the others would have done. I told -him that the obligation of this his second kindness was much greater -than I deserved, after what had happened, and that I should be sure -to make good use of his advice. I would have said a great deal more, -but he did not give me time, but went away, and continued his walk -with his friend. - -As soon as they were gone, I left off work and went home, and -finding neither my wife nor children within, I pulled out my money, -put ten pieces by, and wrapt up the rest in a clean linen cloth, -tying it fast with a knot; but then I was to consider where I should -hide this linen cloth, that it might be safe. After I had considered -some time, I bethought of laying it at the bottom of a great earthen -vessel full of bran, which stood in a corner, where I imagined -neither my wife nor children would look into. My wife came home soon -after, and as I had but very little hemp in the house, I told her I -should go out to buy some, without saying any thing to her about the -two friends. - -While I was out, a sand-man, who sells scouring sand, which women -use in baths, passed through our street, and called, Sand, ho! My -wife, who wanted some, called him: but as she had no money, she -asked him, if he would make an exchange of some sand for some bran. -The sand-man asked to see the bran. My wife showed him the pot; the -bargain was made; she had the scouring sand, with which she filled a -lean-to which I had made to the house, and the sand-man took the pot -and bran along with him. - -Not long after, I came home, loaded with as much hemp as I could -carry, and followed by five porters loaded also with the same. After -I had satisfied them for their trouble, I sat down to rest myself; -and, looking about me, could not see the pot of bran. - -It is impossible for me to express to your majesty my surprise, and -the effect it had on me at the moment. I asked my wife hastily what -was become of it: and she told me the bargain she had made with the -sand-man, which she thought to be a very good one. - -Ah! unfortunate woman! cried I, you know not the injury you have -done me, yourself, and our children, by making that bargain, which -has ruined us quite. You thought only of selling the bran, but with -the bran you have enriched the sand-man with a hundred and ninety -pieces of gold, which Saadi with his friend came and made me a -second present of. - -My wife was like one stark mad, when she knew what a fault she had -committed through ignorance. She cried, beat her breast, and tore -her hair and clothes. Unhappy wretch that I am, cried she, am I fit -to live after so horrid a mistake? Where shall I find this sand-man? -I know him not; I never saw him in our street before. Oh! husband, -added she, you was very much in the wrong to be so reserved in a -matter of such importance! This had never happened, if you had -communicated the secret to me. In short, I should never make an end -of my story, if I were to tell your majesty what her grief made her -say. You are not ignorant how eloquent women often are in their -afflictions. - -Wife, said I, moderate your grief; by your weeping and howling you -will alarm all the neighbourhood, and there is no reason they should -be informed of our misfortunes. They will only laugh at us, instead -of pitying us. We had best bear our loss patiently, and submit -ourselves to the will of God, and bless him, for that out of two -hundred pieces of gold which he had given us, he has taken back but -one hundred and ninety, and left us ten, which, by the use I shall -make of them, will be a great relief to us. - -My wife at first did not relish all these my arguments; but as time -softens the greatest misfortunes, and makes them more supportable, -she at last grew easy, and had almost forgotten them. It is true, -said I to her, we live but poorly; but what have the rich, which we -have not? Do not we breathe the same air, enjoy the same light, and -the same warmth of the sun? Therefore what conveniences have they -more than we, that we should envy their happiness? They die as well -as we. In short, while we live in the fear of God, as we should -always do, the advantage they have over us is so very -inconsiderable, that we ought not to regard it. - -I will not tire your majesty any longer with my moral reflections. -My wife and I comforted ourselves, and I pursued my trade with as -much alacrity as before these two mortifying losses, which followed -one another so quickly. The only thing that troubled me sometimes -was, how I should look Saadi in the face when he should come and ask -me how much I had improved his two hundred pieces of gold, and -advanced my fortune by his liberality. I saw no remedy but to -resolve to submit to the confusion I should feel, though it was by -no fault of mine, this time, any more than before, that this -misfortune had happened. - -The two friends stayed away longer this time than the former, though -Saad had often spoken to Saadi, who always put it off; for, said he, -the longer we stay away, the richer Hassan will be, and I shall have -the greater satisfaction. - -Saad, who had not the same opinion of the effect of his friend’s -generosity, made answer, You fancy then that your present will have -been turned to a better account this time than before. I would -advise you not to flatter yourself too much, for fear you should be -more sensibly mortified if it should prove otherwise. Why, replied -Saadi, kites do not fly away with turbans every day; and Hassan will -be more cautious this time. - -I do not doubt of it, replied Saad; but, added he, there are other -accidents that neither you nor I can think of; therefore, I say -again, moderate your joy, and do not depend too much on Hassan’s -good success; for to tell you what I think, and what I always -thought, (whether you like to hear it or not), I have a secret -foresight, that you will not have succeeded, and that I shall -succeed better than you in proving that a poor man may sooner become -rich by any other means than by money. - -In short, one day, when Saad and Saadi were together, and were -disputing upon this subject, Saad observed that enough had been -said: I am resolved, said he, to inform myself this very day, what -has passed; it is time for walking; let us not lose it, but go see -which of us has lost the wager. I saw them at a distance, was -terribly concerned, and was just going to leave my work, and to run -and hide myself. However, I appeared very earnest at work, made as -if I had not seen them, and never lifted up my eyes till they were -close to me, and had saluted me, and then I could not help it I hung -down my head, and told them my last misfortune, with all the -circumstances, and that I was as poor as when they first saw me. - -After that, I added, you may say that I ought to have hid my money -in another place than in a pot of bran, which was carried out of my -house that same day: but that pot had stood there many years, and -had never been removed, whenever my wife parted with the bran. Could -I guess that a sand-man should come by that very day, and my wife -would have no money, and would make such an exchange? You may indeed -allege, that I ought to have told my wife of it; but I will never -believe that such prudent persons, as I am persuaded you are, would -have given me that advice; and if I had put my money any where else, -what certainty could I have had that it would be more safe? - -I see, sir, said I, addressing myself to Saadi, that it has pleased -God, whose ways are secret and impenetrable, that I should not be -enriched by your liberality, but that I must be poor; however, the -obligation is the same as if it had wrought the desired effect. - -After these words, I was silent; and Saadi replied, Though I would -persuade myself, Hassan, that all you tell us is true, and not owing -to your debauchery or ill management, yet I must not be extravagant, -and ruin myself for the sake of an experiment. I do not regret in -the least the four hundred pieces of gold I gave you to raise you in -the world. I did it out of respect to God, without expecting any -recompense but the pleasure of doing good. If any thing makes me -repent, it is that I did not address myself to another, who might -have made a better use of my charity. Then turning about to his -friend, Saad, continued he, you may know by what I have said, that I -do not entirely give up the cause. You may now make your experiment, -and let me see, that there are ways, besides giving money, to make a -poor man’s fortune in the way we both mean. Let Hassan be the man. -I dare say, whatever you give him he will not be richer than he was -with four hundred pieces of gold. Saad had a piece of lead in his -hand, which he showed Saadi. You saw me, said he, take up this piece -of lead, which I found on the ground; I will give it to Hassan; and -you shall see what it is worth. - -Saadi burst out a laughing at Saad. What is that bit of lead worth? -said he; a farthing? What can Hassan do with that? Saad presented it -to me, and said, Take it, Hassan: let Saadi laugh: you will tell us -some news of the good luck it has brought one time or another. I -thought Saad was in jest, and had a mind to divert himself; however, -I put the lead in my pocket, and thanked him. The two friends -pursued their walk, and I fell to work again. - -At night, when I pulled off my clothes to go to bed, the piece of -lead, which I had never thought of from the time he gave it me, -tumbled out of my pocket. I took it up, and laid it on the first -place that was nearest to me. The same night it happened that a -fisherman, a neighbour, mending his nets, found a piece of lead -wanting; and it being too late to buy any, since the shops were shut -up, and he must either fish that night or his family go without -bread the next day, he called to his wife, and bid her inquire among -the neighbours for a piece. She went from door to door on both sides -of the street, but could not get any, and came back again to tell -her husband so. He asked her if she had been to several of their -neighbours, naming them, and among the rest Hassan Alhabbal’s -house. No, indeed, said the wife, I have not been there; that was -too far off, and if I had gone, do you think I should have found -any? I know by experience they never have any thing when one wants -it. No matter, said the fisherman; you are an idle hussy; you must -go there; for though you have been there a hundred times before, -without getting any thing, you may chance to get what we want now. -You must go. - -The fisherman’s wife went out grumbling and growling, came and -knocked at my door, and waked me out of a sound sleep. I asked her -what she wanted. Hassan Alhabbal, said she, as loud as she could -bawl, my husband wants a bit of lead to mend his nets with; and if -you have a piece, desires you to give it him. - -The piece of lead which Saad had given me was so fresh in my memory, -and had so lately dropt out of my clothes, that I could not forget -it. I told my neighbour I had some; and if she would stay a moment, -my wife should give her what she wanted. Accordingly, my wife, who -was wakened by the noise as well as myself, got up, and groping -about where I directed her, found the lead, opened the door, and -gave it to the fisherman’s wife, who was so overjoyed, that she -promised my wife, that for the kindness she did her and her husband, -she would answer for him we should have the first cast of the nets. - -The fisherman was so much rejoiced to see the lead, which he so -little expected, that he very much approved his wife’s promise. He -finished mending his nets, and went a fishing two hours before day, -according to custom. At the first throw he caught but one fish, -about a yard long, and proportionable in thickness; and afterwards -had a great many successful casts; but of all the fish he took, none -came up in size equal to the first. - -When the fisherman had done fishing, he went home, where his first -care was to think of me. I was extremely surprised, when at my work, -to see him come to me with a large fish in his hand. Neighbour, said -he, my wife promised you last night, in return for your kindness, -whatever fish I should catch at my first throw; and I approved her -promise. It pleased God to send me no more than this one for you, -which I desire you to accept of, such as it is. I wish it had been -better. Had he sent me my net full, they should all have been yours. - -Neighbour, said I, the bit of lead which I sent you was such a -trifle, that it ought not to be valued at so high a rate; neighbours -should assist each other in their little wants. I have done no more -for you than I should have expected from you had I been in such a -case; therefore I would refuse your present, if I was not persuaded -you gave it me freely, and that I should offend you if I did so; and -since you will have it so, I take it, and I return you my hearty -thanks. - -After these civilities, I took the fish, and carried it home to my -wife. Here, said I, take this fish, which the fisherman our -neighbour has made me a present of, in return for the little bit of -lead he sent to us for last night: I believe it is all that we can -expect from the present Saad made me yesterday, promising me that it -would bring me good luck; and then I told her what had passed -between the two friends. - -My wife was very much startled to see so large a fish. What would -you have me do with it? said she. Our gridiron is only fit to broil -small fish; and we have not a pot big enough to boil it. That is -your business, answered I; dress it as you will, I shall like it -either way; and then I went to my work again. - -In gutting the fish, my wife found a large diamond, which, when she -washed it, she took for a piece of glass: indeed she had heard talk -of diamonds, but if she had ever seen or handled one, she would not -have known how to distinguish them. She gave it to the youngest of -our children for a plaything, and his brothers and sisters handled -it about from one to another, to admire the brightness and beauty of -it. - -At night when the lamp was lighted, and the children were still -playing with the diamond, they perceived that it gave a light, when -my wife, who was getting them their supper, stood between them and -the lamp; upon which they snatched it from one another to try it; -and the younger ones fell a crying, that the elder ones would not -let them have it long enough. But as a little matter amuses -children, and makes them squabble and fall out, my wife and I took -no notice of their noise, which presently ceased, when the bigger -ones supped with us, and my wife had given the younger each their -share. - -After supper, the children got together again, and began to make the -same noise. Then I called to the eldest, to know what was the -matter, who told me that it was about a piece of glass, which gave a -light when his back was to the lamp. I bid him bring it to me, and -made the experiment myself; and it appeared so extraordinary to me, -that I asked my wife what it was. She told me it was a piece of -glass, which she found in gutting the fish. - -I thought no more than she but that it was a bit of glass, but I was -resolved to make a farther experiment of it; and therefore bid my -wife to put the lamp in the chimney, which she did, and still found -that the supposed piece of glass gave so great a light, that we -might see to go to bed without the lamp. So I put it out, and placed -the bit of glass upon the chimney to light us. Look, said I, this is -another advantage that Saadi’s friend’s piece of lead procures -us: it will spare us the expense of oil. - -When the children saw the lamp was put out, and the bit of glass -supplied its place, they cried out so loud, and made so great a -noise with astonishment, that it was enough to alarm the -neighbourhood; and before my wife and I could quiet them we were -forced to make a greater noise, nor could we silence them till we -had put them to bed; and after talking a long while in their way -about the wonderful light of a bit of glass, they fell asleep. After -they were in bed, my wife and I went to bed by them; and next -morning, without thinking any more of the glass, I went to my work -as usual; which ought not to seem strange for such a man as I, who -had never seen any diamonds, or, if I had, never attended to their -value. - -But before I proceed, I must tell your majesty, that there was but a -very slight partition-wall between my house and my next -neighbour’s, who was a very rich Jew, and a jeweller; and the -chamber that he and his wife lay in joined to ours. They were both -in bed, and the noise my children made awakened them. - -The next morning the jeweller’s wife came to mine to complain of -being disturbed out of their first sleep. Good neighbour Rachael, -which was the Jew’s wife’s name, said my wife, I am very sorry -for what happened, and hope you will excuse it; you know it was the -children, and they will laugh and cry for a trifle. Come in, and I -will show you what was the occasion of all the noise. - -The Jewess went in with her, and my wife taking the diamond (for -such it really was, and a very extraordinary one) off the -chimney-piece, gave it into her hands. See here, said she; it was -this piece of glass that caused all the noise; and while the Jewess, -who understood all sorts of precious stones, was examining this -diamond with admiration, my wife had told her how she found it in -the fish’s belly, and what had happened. - -Indeed, Aischach, which was my wife’s name, said the jeweller’s -wife, giving her the diamond again, I believe as you do, it is a -piece of glass; but as it is more beautiful than common glass, and I -have just such another piece at home, I will buy it, if you will -sell it. - -The children, who heard them talking of selling their plaything, -presently interrupted their conversation, crying and begging their -mother not to part with it, who, to quiet them, promised she would -not. - -The Jewess being thus prevented in her bargain by my children, went -away, but first whispering my wife (who followed her to the door), -if she had a mind to sell it, not to show it to any body without -acquainting her. - -The Jew went out early in the morning to his shop in that part of -the town where the jewellers all resorted to. Thither his wife went -to him, and told him the discovery she had made. She gave him an -account of the size and weight of it as near as she could guess, and -of its beauty, water, and lustre, and particularly of the light -which it gave in the night according to my wife’s account, which -was the more credible as she was uninformed. - -The Jew sent his wife immediately to treat, and to offer her a -trifle at first, as she should think fit, and then to raise her -price by degrees; but be sure to bring it, cost what it would. -Accordingly his wife came again to mine privately, and, without -supposing that she was determined to sell the diamond, asked her if -she would take twenty pieces of gold for that piece of glass. - -My wife thinking the sum so considerable for a mere piece of glass, -as she thought it, would not make any bargain; but told her she -could not part with it, till she had spoken with me. In the mean -time I came from my work to dinner. As they were talking at the -door, my wife stopped me, and asked me, if I would sell the piece of -glass she had found in the fish’s belly for twenty pieces of gold -which our neighbour offered her. I returned no answer; but reflected -immediately on the assurance with which Saad, in giving me the piece -of lead, told me it would make my fortune. The Jew woman, fancying -that the low price she had offered was the reason I made no reply, -said, I will give you fifty, neighbour, if that will do. - -As soon as I found that she rose presently from twenty to fifty, I -told her that I expected a great deal more. Well, neighbour, said -she, I will give you a hundred, and that is so much, I know not -whether my husband will bear me out. At this new advance, I told her -I would have a hundred thousand pieces of gold for it; that I saw -plainly that the diamond was worth a great deal more; but to oblige -her and her husband, as they were neighbours. I would limit myself -to that price, which I was determined to have; and if they refused -to give it, other jewellers should have it, who would give a great -deal more. - -The Jewess confirmed me in this my resolution, by her eagerness to -conclude the bargain: and by coming up at several biddings to fifty -thousand pieces, which I refused. I can offer you no more, said she, -without my husband’s consent. He will be at home at night; and I -would beg the favour of you to let him see it, which I promised. - -At night when the Jew came home, his wife told him what she had -done; that she had got no forwarder with my wife or me; that she -offered, and I refused, fifty thousand pieces of gold; and that I -had promised to stay till night at her request. He observed the time -when I left off work, and came to me. Neighbour Hassan, said he, I -desire you would show me the diamond your wife showed to mine. I -brought him in, and showed it him. As it was very dark, and my lamp -was not lighted, he knew presently, by the light the diamond gave, -and by the lustre it cast in my hand, that his wife had given him a -true account of it. He looked at and admired it a long time. Well, -neighbour, said he, my wife tells me she offered you fifty thousand -pieces of gold; I will give you twenty thousand more. - -Neighbour, said I, your wife can tell you that I value my diamond at -a hundred thousand pieces, and I will take nothing less. He haggled -a long time with me, in hopes that I would make some abatement: but -finding at last that I was positive, and for fear that I should show -it to other jewellers, as I certainly should have done, he would not -leave me till the bargain was concluded on my own terms. He told me -that he had not so much money at home, but would pay it all to me by -that time to-morrow, and that very instant fetched two bags of a -thousand pieces each, as an earnest; and the next day, though I do -not know how he raised the money, whether he borrowed it of his -friends, or let some other jewellers into partnership with him, he -brought me the sum we agreed for, at the time appointed, and I -delivered to him the diamond. - -Having thus sold my diamond, and being rich, infinitely beyond my -hopes, I thanked God for his bounty and liberality; and would have -gone and thrown myself at Saad’s feet to express my gratitude, if -I had known where he lived; as also at Saadi’s, to whom I was -first obliged, though his good intention had not the same success. - -Afterwards I thought of the good use I should make of so -considerable a sum. My wife, with the vanity natural to her sex, -proposed immediately to buy rich clothes for her and her children; -and to purchase a house, and furnish it handsomely. I told her we -ought not to begin with such expenses; for, said I, money is made to -be spent, so as that it may produce a fund which we may draw from -without its failing. This I intend, and shall begin to-morrow. - -I spent all that day and the next in going to the people of my own -trade, who worked as hard every day for their bread as I had done; -and giving them money beforehand, engaged them to work for me in -different sorts of rope-making, according to their skill and -ability, with a promise not to make them wait for their money, but -to pay them as soon as their work was done. - -By this means I engrossed almost all the business of Bagdad, and -every body was pleased with my exactness and punctual payment. - -As so great a number of workmen must produce a great deal of work, I -went and hired warehouses in several parts of the town to hold my -goods, and appointed over each a clerk, to sell both wholesale and -retail; and by this economy received a considerable profit and -income. Afterwards, to unite so many warehouses in one place, I -bought a large house, which stood upon a great deal of ground, but -was ruinous, pulled it down, and built that which your majesty saw -yesterday, which, though it makes so great an appearance, consists, -for the most part, of warehouses for my business, with apartments -just necessary for myself and family. - -Some time after I had left my poor old habitation, and removed to -this new one, Saad, and Saadi, who had scarce thought of me from the -last time they had been with me, as they were one day walking -together, and passing by our street, resolved to call upon me: but -how great was their surprise when they did not see me at work, as -they used to find me! They asked what was become of me, and if I was -alive or dead? Their amazement was redoubled, when they were told I -was become a great merchant, and was no longer called plain Hassan, -but Cogia Hassan Alhabbal, which was to say, Merchant Hassan -Rope-maker, and that I had built in a street, which was named to -them, a house like a palace. - -The two friends went directly to the street, and in the way, as -Saadi could not imagine that the bit of lead which Saad had given me -could have been the raising of my fortune, he said to him, I am -overjoyed to have made Hassan Alhabbal’s fortune: but I cannot -forgive the two lies he told me, to get four hundred pieces instead -of two: for I nor nobody else can attribute it to the piece of lead -you gave him. - -So you think, replied Saad; but so do not I. I do not see why you -should do Cogia Hassan so much injustice as to take him for a liar. -You must give me leave to believe that he told us the truth, and -disguised nothing from us, and that the piece of lead which I gave -him is the cause of his prosperity; and you will find he will -presently tell us so. - -In this discourse the two friends came into the street where I -lived, and asked whereabouts my house stood; and being showed it, -and considering the front, they had much ado to believe it. - -They knocked at the door, and my porter opened it; and Saadi, -fearing to be guilty of rudeness in taking the house of a nobleman -for that he was inquiring after, said to the porter, We are informed -that this is Cogia Hassan Alhabbal’s house; tell us if we are not -mistaken. You are very right, sir, said the porter, opening the door -wider; it is the same: come in; he is in the hall, and any of the -slaves will point him out to you. - -I had no sooner set my eyes upon the two friends, but I knew them. I -rose from my seat, ran to them, and would have kissed the hem of -their garments, but they would not suffer it, but embraced me. I -invited them to sit down on a sofa made to hold four persons, which -was placed full in view of my garden. I desired them to sit down, -and they would have me take the place of honour. I assured them that -I had not forgot that I was poor Hassan Alhabbal, nor the -obligations I had to them; but were this not the case, I knew the -respect due to them, and begged them not to expose me. They sat down -in the proper place, and I over-against them. - -Then Saadi, addressing himself to me, said, Cogia Hassan, I cannot -express my joy to see you in the condition I wished you, when I -twice made you a present of two hundred pieces of gold, with which I -mean not to upbraid you; and I am persuaded that those four hundred -pieces have made this wonderful change in your fortune, which I see -with pleasure. One thing vexes me, which is, I cannot comprehend the -reason why you should twice disguise the truth from me, alleging -that your losses were the effect of misfortunes which still seem to -me incredible. Was it not because, when we were together the last -time, you had so little advanced your small income with each of the -two hundred pieces of gold, that you were ashamed to own it? I am -willing to believe this, and wait to be confirmed in my opinion. - -Saad heard this discourse of Saadi’s with impatience, not to say -indignation, which he showed by casting down his eyes and shaking -his head: he did not however interrupt him. When he had done, he -said to him, Forgive me, Saadi, if I anticipate Cogia Hassan, before -he answers you, to tell you, that I admire your prepossessions -against his sincerity, and that you still persist in not believing -the assurances he has already given you. I have told you before, and -I repeat it to you once more, that I believe those two accidents -which befell him upon his bare relation; and whatever you may say, I -am persuaded they are true; but let him speak himself, and tell -which of us does him justice. - -After this discourse of the two friends, I said, addressing myself -to them both, Gentlemen, I should condemn myself to perpetual -silence, on the explanation you ask of me, if I was not certain the -dispute you argue upon my account cannot break that friendship which -subsists between you; therefore I will declare to you the truth, -since you require it; and with the same sincerity as before. Then I -told them every circumstance, as your majesty has heard, without -forgetting the least. - -All my protestations had no effect on Saadi, to cure him of his -prejudice. Cogia Hassan, replied Saadi, the adventure of the fish, -and diamond found in his belly, appears to me as incredible as the -kite’s flying away with your turban, and the exchange of the -scouring-sand. Be it as it will, I am equally convinced that you are -no longer poor, but rich as I intended you should be, by my means; -and I rejoice sincerely. - -As it grew late, they got up to take their leaves; when I stopped -them, and said, Gentlemen, there is one favour I have to ask, and I -beg of you not to refuse to do me the honour to stay and take a -slight supper with me, and a bed to-night, and to-morrow I will -carry you by water to a small country-house, which I bought for the -sake of the air, and we will return the same day on my horses. - -If Saad has no business that calls him elsewhere, said Saadi, I -consent. Saad told him that nothing should prevent his enjoying his -company. We have only to send a slave to my house, that we may not -be waited for. I provided a slave; and while they were giving their -orders, I went and ordered supper. - -While it was getting ready, I shewed my benefactors my house and all -my offices, which they thought very extensive, considering my -fortune. I call them both benefactors, without distinction, because -without Saadi, Saad would never have given me the piece of lead; and -without Saad, Saadi would not have given me the four hundred pieces -of gold, to which I attribute the rise of my good fortune. Then I -brought them back again into the hall, where they asked me several -questions about my business; and I gave them such answers as -satisfied them. - -During this discourse, my servants came to tell me that supper was -served up. I led them into another hall, where they admired the -manner in which it was lighted, the beaufet, and the entertainment I -had provided. I regaled them also with a concert of vocal and -instrumental music during the repast, and afterwards with a company -of dancers, and other entertainments, endeavouring to show them as -much as possible my gratitude. - -The next morning, as we had agreed to set out early to enjoy the -fresh air, we repaired to the river side by sunrise, and went on -board a pleasure-boat well carpeted, that waited for us; and in less -than an hour and a half, with six good rowers, and the stream, we -arrived at my country-house. - -When we went ashore, the two friends stopt to observe the beauty of -the outside of my house, and to admire its advantageous situation -for the prospects, which were neither too much limited nor too -extensive, but such as made it very agreeable. Then I carried them -into all the apartments, and showed them all the out-houses and -conveniencies; with all which they were very well pleased. - -Afterwards we walked in the gardens, where what they were most taken -with was a grove of orange and lemon trees, loaded with fruit and -flowers, which were planted at equal distances, and watered by a -canal of fresh water, which was cut from a pleasant river just by. -The close shade, the fragrant smell which perfumed the air, the soft -murmurings of the water, the harmonious notes of an infinite number -of birds, and many other agreeable circumstances, struck them in -such a manner, that they frequently stopt to express how much they -were obliged to me for bringing them to so delightful a place, and -to congratulate me upon my great acquisitions, with other -compliments. I led them to the end of that grove, which was very -long and broad, where I showed them a wood of large trees which -terminated my garden, and afterwards a summer-house, open on all -sides, shaded with a cluster of palm-trees, but not so as to spoil -the prospect; then I invited them to walk in, and repose themselves -on a sofa covered with carpets and cushions. - -Two of my boys, whom I had sent into the country, with a tutor, for -the air, left us, to go into the wood bird-nesting; and seeing a -nest which was built in the branches of a great tree, they attempted -to get at it; but as they had neither strength nor address to -accomplish it, they showed it to the slave who waited on them, and -never left them, and bid him climb the tree for it; who, when he -came to it, was very much surprised to find it built in a turban. -However, he took it, and brought it down with him, and showed it to -my children; and as he thought that I might like to see a thing that -was so uncommon, he gave it to the eldest boy to bring to me. - -I saw the children at a distance, coming back to us, overjoyed to -have gotten a nest. Father, said the eldest lad, we have found a -nest in a turban. The two friends and I were very much surprised at -the novelty; but I much more, when I knew the turban to be that -which the kite flew away with. After I had examined it well, and -turned it about, I said to my guests, Gentlemen, have you memories -good enough to remember the turban I had on the day you did me the -honour first to speak to me? I do not think, said Saad, that either -my friend or I gave any attention to it; but if the hundred and -ninety pieces of gold are in it, we cannot doubt of it. - -Sir, replied I, there is no doubt but it is the same turban; for, -besides that I know it very well, I feel by the weight it is too -heavy to be any other, and you will perceive this, if you give -yourself the trouble to take it in your hand. Then, after taking out -the birds, and giving them to the children, I put it into his hands, -and he gave it to Saadi. --Indeed, said Saadi, I believe it to be -your turban, which I shall be better convinced of when I see the -hundred and ninety pieces of gold. - -Now, sir, added I, taking the turban, again, observe very well, -before I touch it, that it is of no very fresh date in the tree; and -the state in which you see it, and the nest so neatly made in it, -without having been touched by the hand of man, are sufficient -proofs that the kite dropt or laid it in the tree ever since that -day he took it from off my head, and the branches hindered it from -falling to the ground. Excuse my making this remark, since it -concerns me so much to remove all suspicions of fraud on my part. -Saad backed me in what I urged, and said, Saadi, this regards you -and not me, for I am verily persuaded that Cogia Hassan does not -impose upon us. - -While Saad was talking, I pulled off the linen cloth which was -wrapped about the cap of the turban, and took out the purse, which -Saadi knew to be the same he gave me. I emptied it on the carpet -before them, and said, There, gentlemen, there is the money; count -it, and see if it be right. Which Saad did, and found it to be a -hundred and ninety pieces of gold. Then Saadi, who could not deny so -manifest a truth, addressing himself to me, said, I agree, Cogia -Hassan, that this money could not serve to enrich you; but the other -hundred and ninety pieces, which you would make me believe you hid -in a pot of bran, might. Sir, answered I, I have told you the truth -in regard to both sums: you would not have me retract, to make -myself a liar. - -Cogia Hassan, said Saad, leave Saadi to his own opinion; I consent -with all my heart that he believes you are obliged to him for one -part of your good fortune, by means of the last sum he gave you, -provided he will agree that I contributed to the other half by the -bit of lead, and will not pretend to dispute the valuable diamond -found in the fish’s belly. I agree to it, answered Saadi; but -still you must give me liberty to believe that money is not to be -amassed without money. - -What, replied Saad, if chance should throw a diamond in my way worth -fifty thousand pieces of gold, and I should have that sum given me -for it, can it be said I got that sum by money? - -They disputed no farther then; but we rose up, and went into the -house, just as dinner was ready. After dinner, I left my guests -together, to pass away the heat of the day more at their liberty and -with greater composure, while I went to give orders to my -housekeeper and gardener. Afterwards I went to them again, and we -talked of indifferent matters till it grew a little cooler; when we -returned into the garden for fresh air, and stayed till sun-set. -Then we all mounted on horseback, and got to Bagdad by moonlight two -hours after, followed by one of my slaves. - -It happened by I know not what negligence of my servants, that we -were then out of oats, and the storehouses were all shut up; when -one of my slaves, seeking about the neighbourhood for some, met with -a pot of bran in a shop, bought the bran, and brought the pot along -with him, promising to carry it back again the next day. The slave -emptied the bran into the manger, and, dividing it with his hands -among the horses, felt a linen cloth tied up, and very heavy: he -brought the cloth to me in the condition that he found it, and -presented it to me, telling me that it might perhaps be the cloth he -had often heard me talk of among my friends. - -Overjoyed, I said to my two benefactors, Gentlemen, it has pleased -God that you should not part from me before you were fully convinced -of the truth of what I have assured you. There are the other hundred -and ninety pieces of gold which you gave me, continued I, addressing -myself to Saadi; I know it very well by the cloth, which I tied up -with my own hands; and then I told out the money before them. I -ordered the pot presently to be brought to me, and knew it to be the -same; and sent to my wife to ask if she recognised it, ordering them -to say nothing to her of what had happened. She knew it immediately, -and sent me word that it was the same vase she had exchanged full of -bran for the scouring-earth. - -Saadi readily submitted, and renounced his incredulity; and said to -Saad, I yield to you, and acknowledge that money is not always the -means of becoming rich. - -When Saadi had done, I said to him, I dare not propose to return you -the three hundred and eighty pieces of gold which it hath pleased -God should be found, to undeceive you as to the opinion of my -honesty. I am persuaded that you did not give them to me with an -intention that I should return them; and, for my part, I ought to be -very well content with what Providence has sent me from other -quarters, and I do not design to make use of them; but, if you -approve of it, to-morrow I will give them to the poor, that God may -bless us both. - -The two friends lay at my hours that night also; and next day, after -embracing me, went to their own houses, very well pleased with the -reception I had given them, and to find I did not make an ill use of -the riches Heaven had blessed me with. I thanked them both, and look -upon the leave they gave me to cultivate a friendship with them, and -to visit them, as a great honour. - -The caliph Haroun Alraschid was so attentive to Cogia Hassan’s -story, that he had not perceived the end of it but by his silence. -Cogia Hassan, said he, I have not for a long time heard any thing -that has given me so much pleasure, to see the wonderful ways by -which God gave thee thy riches, to make thee happy in this world. -Thou oughtest to continue to return him thanks, by the good use thou -makest of his blessings. I am glad I can tell thee, that the same -diamond which made thy fortune is now in my treasury; and, for my -part, I am happy to know how it came there: but because there may -remain in Saadi some doubts on the singularity of this diamond, -which I look upon to be the most precious and valuable thing I am -master of, I would have you carry him with Saad to my treasurer, who -shall show it them, to remove Saadi’s unbelief, and to let him see -that money is not the only certain means of making a poor man rich -in a short time, without taking a great deal of pains. I would also -have you to tell the keeper of my treasury this story, that he may -get it put into writing, and that it may be kept with the diamond. - -After these words, the caliph signified to Cogia Hassan, Sidi -Nonman, and Baba Abdalla, by bowing of his head, that he was -satisfied with them; who all took their leaves, by prostrating -themselves at the throne, and then retired. - - - - -The Story of Ali Baba and the Forty Robbers, destroyed by a Slave. - - -In a town in Persia, there lived two brothers, one named Cassim, the -other Ali Baba. Their father left them no great property; but as he -had divided it equally between them, it should seem their fortune -would have been equal; but chance directed otherwise. - -Cassim married a wife, who, soon after their marriage, became -heiress to a plentiful estate, and a good shop and warehouse full of -rich merchandizes; so that he all at once became one of the richest -and most considerable merchants, and lived at his ease. - -Ali Baba, on the other hand, who married a woman as poor as himself, -lived in a very mean habitation, and had no other means to maintain -his wife and children but his daily labour, by cutting of wood in a -forest near the town, and bringing it upon three asses, which were -his whole substance, to town to sell. - -One day, when Ali Baba was in the forest, and had just cut wood -enough to load his asses, he saw at a distance a great cloud of -dust, which seemed to approach towards him. He observed it very -attentively, and distinguished a large body of horse coming briskly -on; and though they did not talk of robbers in that country, Ali -Baba began to think that they might prove so; and, without -considering what might become of his asses, he was resolved to save -himself. He climbed up a large thick tree, whose branches, at a -little distance from the ground, divided in a circular form so close -to one another, that there was but little space between them. He -placed himself in the middle, from whence he could see all that -passed without been seen; and this tree stood at the bottom of a -single rock, which was very high above it; and so steep and craggy, -that nobody could climb up it. - -This troop, who were all well mounted, and well armed, came to the -foot of this rock, and there dismounted. Ali Baba counted forty of -them, and, by their looks and equipage, never doubted they were -thieves. Nor was he mistaken in his opinion; for they were a troop -of banditti, who, without doing any hurt to the neighbourhood, -robbed at a distance, and made that place their rendezvous; and what -confirmed him in this opinion was, every man unbridled his horse, -and tied him to some shrub or other, and hung about his neck a bag -of corn, which they brought behind them. Then each of them took his -portmanteau, which seemed to Ali Baba to be full of gold and silver -by their weight. One, who was most personable amongst them, and whom -he took to be their captain, came with his portmanteau on his back -under the tree in which Ali Baba was hid, and making his way through -some shrubs, pronounced these words so distinctly, _Open, Sesame_, -[100] that Ali Baba heard him. As soon as the captain of the robbers -had uttered these words, a door opened; and after he had made all -his troop go in before him, he followed them, and the door shut -again of itself. - -The robbers stayed some time within the rock; and Ali Baba, who -feared that some one, or all of them together, should come out and -catch him, if he should endeavour to make his escape, was obliged to -sit patiently in the tree. He was, nevertheless, tempted once or -twice to get down, and mount one of their horses, and lead another, -driving his asses before him with all the haste he could to town; -but the uncertainty of the event made him choose the safest way. - -At last the door opened again, and the forty robbers came out. As -the captain went in last, he came out first, and stood to see them -all pass by him; and then Ali Baba heard him make the door close, by -pronouncing these words, _Shut, Sesame_. Every man went and bridled -his horse, fastening his portmanteau, and mounting again; and when -the captain saw them all ready, he put himself at their head, and -they returned the same way they came. - -Ali Baba did not immediately quit his tree; for said he to himself, -they may have forgotten something and come back again, and then I -shall be taken. He followed them with his eyes as far as he could -see them; and after that stayed a considerable time before he came -down; remembering the words the captain of the robbers made use of -to cause the door to open and shut, he had the curiosity to try if -his pronouncing it would have the same effect. Accordingly he went -among the shrubs, and perceiving the door concealed behind them, he -stood before it, and said, _Open, Sesame_. The door instantly flew -wide open. - -Ali Baba, who expected a dark dismal place, was very much surprised -to see it well lighted and spacious, cut out by men’s hands in -form of a vault, which received the light from an opening at the top -of the rock, cut in like manner. He saw all sorts of provisions, and -rich bales of merchandizes, of silk, stuff, brocade, and valuable -carpeting, piled upon one another; and, above all, gold and silver -in great heaps, and money in great leather purses. The sight of all -these riches made him believe that this cave had been occupied for -ages by robbers, who succeeded one another. - -Ali Baba did not stand long to consider what he should do, but went -immediately into the cave, and as noon as he was in, the door shut -again. But this did not disturb him, because he knew the secret to -open it again. He never regarded the silver, but made the best use -of his time in carrying out as much of the gold coin, which was in -bags, at several times, as he thought his three asses could carry. -When he had done, he collected his asses, which were dispersed, and -when he had loaded them with the bags, laid the wood on them in such -a manner that they could not be seen. When he had done, he stood -before the door, and pronouncing the words, _Shut, Sesame_, the door -closed after him, for it had shut of itself while he was within, and -remained open while he was out. He then made the best of his way to -town. - -When Ali Baba got home, he drove his asses into a little yard, and -shut the gates very carefully, threw off the wood that covered the -bags, and carried them into his house, and ranged them in order -before his wife, who sat on a sofa. - -His wife handled the bags, and finding them full of money, suspected -that her husband had been robbing, insomuch that when he had brought -them all in, she could not help saying, Ali Baba, have you been so -unhappy as to --Be quiet, wife, interrupted Ali Baba; do not -frighten yourself: I am no robber, unless he can be one who steals -from robbers. You will no longer entertain an ill opinion of me, -when I shall tell you my good fortune. Then he emptied the bags, -which raised such a great heap of gold as dazzled his wife’s eyes: -and when he had done, he told her the whole adventure from the -beginning to the end; and, above all, recommended it to her to keep -it secret. - -The wife, recovered and cured of her fears, rejoiced with her -husband at their good luck, and would count the money piece by -piece. Wife, replied Ali Baba, you do not know what you undertake, -when you pretend to count the money; you will never have done. I -will go and dig a hole and bury it; there is no time to be lost. You -are in the right of it, husband, replied the wife; but let us know, -as nigh as possible, how much we have. I will go and borrow a small -measure in the neighbourhood and measure it, while you dig the hole. -What you are going to do is to no purpose, wife, said Ali Baba; if -you would take my advice, you had better let it alone; but be sure -to keep the secret, and do what you please. - -Away the wife ran to her brother-in-law Cassim, who lived just by, -but was not then at home; and addressing herself to his wife, -desired her to lend her a measure for a little while. Her -sister-in-law asked her whether she would have a great or a small -one. The other asked for a small one. She bid her stay a little, and -she would readily fetch one. - -The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew very well Ali Baba’s -poverty, she was curious to know what sort of grain his wife wanted -to measure, and bethought herself of artfully putting some suet at -the bottom of the measure, and brought it to her with an excuse, -that she was sorry that she had made her stay so long, but that she -could not find it sooner. - -Ali Baba’s wife went home, set the measure upon the heap of gold, -and filled it and emptied it often, at a small distance upon the -sofa, till she had done: and she was very well satisfied to find the -number of measures amounted to so many as they did, and went to tell -her husband, who had almost finished digging the hole. While Ali -Baba was burying the gold, his wife, to shew her exactness and -diligence to her sister-in-law, carried the measure back again, but -without taking notice that a piece of gold stuck at the bottom. -Sister, said she, giving it to her again, you see that I have not -kept your measure long: I am obliged to you for it, and return it -with thanks. - -[Illustration: ALI BABA DISPLAYING HIS TREASURE.] - -As soon as Ali Baba’s wife’s back was turned, Cassim’s wife -looked at the bottom of the measure, and was in an inexpressible -surprise to find a piece of gold stuck to it. Envy immediately -possessed her breast. What! said she, has Ali Baba gold so plentiful -as to measure it? Where has that poor wretch got all this gold? -Cassim, her husband, was not at home, as I said before, but at his -shop, which he left always in the evening. His wife waited for him, -and thought the time an age; so great was her impatience to tell him -the news, at which he would be as much surprised. - -When Cassim came home, his wife said to him, Cassim, I warrant you, -you think yourself rich, but you are much mistaken; Ali Baba is -infinitely richer than you; he does not count his money, but -measures it. Cassim desired her to explain the riddle, which she -did, by telling him the stratagem she had made use of to make the -discovery, and showed him the piece of money, which was so old a -coin that they could not tell in what prince’s reign it was coined. - -Cassim, instead of being pleased at his brother’s prosperity, -conceived a mortal jealousy, and could not sleep all that night for -it, but went to him in the morning before sunrise. Now Cassim, after -he married the rich widow, never treated Ali Baba as a brother, but -forgot him. Ali Baba, said he, accosting him, you are very reserved -in your affairs: you pretend to be miserably poor, and yet you -measure gold. How, brother! replied Ali Baba; I do not know what you -mean: explain yourself. Do not pretend ignorance, replied Cassim, -showing him the piece of gold his wife had given him. How many of -these pieces, added he, have you? My wife found this at the bottom -of the measure you borrowed yesterday. - -By this discourse, Ali Baba perceived that Cassim and his wife, -through his own wife’s folly, knew what they had so much reason to -keep secret; but what was done could not be recalled; therefore, -without showing the least surprise or trouble, he confessed all, and -told his brother by what chance he had discovered this retreat of -the thieves, and in what place it was; and offered him part of his -treasure to keep the secret. I expect as much, replied Cassim -haughtily; but I will know exactly where this treasure is, and the -signs and tokens how I may go to it myself when I have a mind; -otherwise I will go and inform against you, and then you will not -only get no more, but will lose all that you have got, and I shall -have my share for my information. - -Ali Baba, more out of his natural good temper, than frightened by -the insulting menaces of a barbarous brother, told him all he -desired, and even the very words he was to make use of to go into -the cave, and to come out again. - -Cassim, who wanted no more of Ali Baba, left him, resolving to be -beforehand with him, and hoping to get all the treasure to himself. -He rose early the next morning, a long time before the sun, and set -out with ten mules loaded with great chests, which he designed to -fill: proposing to carry many more the next time, according to the -riches he found; and followed the road which Ali Baba had told him. -He was not long before he came to the rock, and found out the place -by the tree, and other marks his brother had given him. When he came -to the door, he pronounced these words, _Open, Sesame_, and it -opened; and when he was in, shut again. In examining the cave, he -was in great admiration to find much more riches than he apprehended -by Ali Baba’s relation. He was so covetous and fond of riches, -that he could have spent the whole day in feasting his eyes with so -much treasure, if the thoughts that he came to carry some away with -him, and loading his mules, had not hindered him. He laid as many -bags of gold as he could carry away at the door, and coming at last -to open the door, his thoughts were so full of the great riches he -should possess, that he could not think of the necessary word; but -instead of _Sesame_, said, _Open, Barley_, and was very much amazed -to find that the door did not open, but remained fast shut. He named -several sorts of grain, all but the right, and the door would not -open. - -Cassim never expected such an accident, and was so frightened at the -danger he was in, that the more he endeavoured to remember the word -_Sesame_, the more his memory was confounded, and he had as much -forgotten it as if he had never heard it in his life before. He -threw down the bags he had loaded himself with, and walked hastily -up and down the cave, without having the least regard to all the -riches that were round him. In this miserable condition we will -leave him, bewailing his fate, and undeserving of pity. - -About noon the robbers returned to their cave, and at some distance -from it saw Cassim’s mules straggling about the rock, with great -chests on their backs. Alarmed at this novelty they gallopped full -speed to the cave. They drove away the mules, which Cassim had -neglected to fasten, and they strayed away through the forest so -far, that they were soon out of sight. The robbers never gave -themselves the trouble to pursue the mules: they were more concerned -to know who they belonged to. And while some of them searched about -the rock, the captain and the rest went directly to the door, with -their naked sabres in their hands, and pronouncing the words, it -opened. - -Cassim, who heard the noise of the horses’ feet from the middle of -the cave, never doubted of the coming of the robbers, and his -approaching death; but was resolved to make one effort to escape -from them. To this end he stood ready at the door, and no sooner -heard the word _Sesame_, which he had forgotten, and saw the door -open, but he jumped briskly out, and threw the captain down, but -could not escape the other robbers, who with their sabres soon -deprived him of life. - -The first care of the robbers after this was to go into the cave. -They found all the bags which Cassim had brought to the door, to be -more ready to load his mules with, and carried them all back again -to their places, without perceiving what Ali Baba had taken away -before. Then holding a council, and deliberating upon this matter, -they guessed that Cassim, when he was in, could not get out again; -but they could not imagine how he got in. It came into their heads -that he might have got down by the top of the cave; but the opening -by which it received light was so high, and the top of the rock so -inaccessible without, besides that nothing showed that he had done -so, that they believed it impracticable for them to find out. That -he came in at the door they could not satisfy themselves, unless he -had the secret of making it open. In short, none of them could -imagine which way he entered; for they were all persuaded that -nobody knew their secret, little imagining that Ali Baba had watched -them. But, however it happened, it was a matter of the greatest -importance to them to secure their riches. They agreed therefore to -cut Cassim’s body into four quarters, and to hang two on one side, -and two on the other, within the door of the cave, to terrify any -person that should attempt the same thing, determining not to return -to the cave till the stench of the body was completely exhaled. They -had no sooner taken this resolution, but they executed it; and when -they had nothing more to detain them, they left the place of their -retreat well closed. They mounted their horses, and went to beat the -roads again, and to attack the caravans they should meet. - -In the mean time Cassim’s wife was very uneasy when night came, -and her husband was not returned. She ran to Ali Baba in a terrible -fright, and said, I believe, brother-in-law, that you know that -Cassim, your brother, is gone to the forest, and upon what account: -it is now night, and he is not returned: I am afraid some misfortune -has come to him. Ali Baba, who never disputed but that his brother, -after what he had said to him, would go to the forest, declined -going himself that day, for fear of giving him any umbrage; -therefore told her, without any reflection upon her husband’s -unhandsome behaviour, that she need not frighten herself, for that -certainly Cassim did not think it proper to come into the town till -the night should be pretty far advanced. - -Cassim’s wife, considering how much it concerned her husband to -keep this thing secret, was the more easily persuaded to believe -him. She went home again, and waited patiently till midnight. Then -her fears redoubled with grief the more sensible, because she durst -not vent it, nor show it, but was forced to keep it secret from the -neighbourhood. Then, as if her fault had been irreparable, she -repented of her foolish curiosity, and cursed her desire of -penetrating into the affairs of her brother and sister-in-law. She -spent all that night in weeping; and as soon as it was day, went to -them, telling them, by her tears, the cause of her coming. - -Ali Baba did not wait for his sister-in-law to desire him to go and -see what was become of Cassim, but went immediately with his three -asses, begging of her first to moderate her affliction. He went to -the forest, and when he came near the rock, and having seen neither -his brother nor his mules in his way, he was very much surprised to -see some blood spilt by the door, which he took for an ill omen; but -when he had pronounced the word, and the door opened, he was much -more startled at the dismal sight of his brother’s quarters. He -was not long in determining how he should pay the last dues to his -brother, and without remembering the little brotherly friendship he -had for him, went into the cave, to find something to wrap them in, -and loaded one of his asses with them, and covered them over with -wood. The other two asses he loaded with bags of gold, covering them -with wood also as before; and then bidding the door shut, came away; -but was so cautious as to stop some time at the end of the forest, -that he might not go into the town before night. When he came home, -he drove the two asses loaded with gold into his little yard, and -left the care of unloading them to his wife, while he led the other -to his sister-in-law’s. - -Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened by Morgiana, a -cunning, intelligent slave, fruitful in inventions to ensure success -in the most difficult undertakings: and Ali Baba knew her to be -such. When he came into the court, he unloaded the ass, and taking -Morgiana aside, said to her, The first thing I ask of you is an -inviolable secrecy, which you will find is necessary both for your -mistress’s sake and mine. Your master’s body is contained in -these two bundles, and our business is, to bury him as if he died a -natural death. Go tell your mistress I want to speak with her, and -mind what I say to you. - -Morgiana went to her mistress, and Ali Baba followed her. Well, -brother, said she, with great impatience, what news do you bring me -of my husband? I perceive no comfort in your countenance. Sister, -answered Ali Baba, I cannot tell you any thing before you hear my -story from the beginning to the end, without speaking a word; for it -is of as great importance to you as to me to keep what has happened -secret. Alas! said she, this preamble lets me know that my husband -is dead; but at the same time I know the necessity of the secrecy -you require of me, and I must constrain myself: say on; I will hear -you. - -Then Ali Baba told his sister the success of his journey, till he -came to the finding of Cassim’s body. Now, said he, sister, I have -something to tell you, which will afflict you much the more, because -it is what you so little expect; but it cannot now be remedied; and -if any thing can comfort you, I offer to put that little which God -hath sent me, to what you have, and marry you; assuring you that my -wife will not be jealous, and that we shall live happily together. -If this proposal is agreeable to you, we must think of acting so, as -that my brother should appear to have died a natural death. I think -you may leave the management of it to Morgiana, and I will -contribute all that lies in my power. - -What could Cassim’s widow do better than accept of this proposal? -For though her first husband had left behind him plentiful -substance, this second was much richer, and by the discovery of this -treasure might be much more so. Instead of rejecting the offer, she -looked upon it as a reasonable motive to comfort her; and drying up -her tears, which began to flow abundantly, and suppressing the -outcries usual with women who have lost their husbands, showed Ali -Baba she approved of his proposal. Ali Baba left the widow, and -recommended to Morgiana to act her part well, and then returned home -with his ass. - -Morgiana went out at the same time to an apothecary, and asked him -for a sort of lozenges, which he prepared, and were very efficacious -in the most dangerous distempers. The apothecary asked her who was -sick at her master’s. She replied with a sigh, Her good master -Cassim himself: that they knew not what his distemper was, but that -he could neither eat nor speak. After these words Morgiana carried -the lozenges home with her, and the next morning went to the same -apothecary’s again, and, with tears in her eyes, asked for an -essence which they used to give to sick people only when at the last -extremity. Alas! said she, taking it from the apothecary, I am -afraid that this remedy will have no better effect than the -lozenges, and that I shall lose my good master. - -On the other hand, as Ali Baba and his wife were often seen to go -between Cassim’s and their own house all that day, and to seem -melancholy, nobody was surprised in the evening to hear the -lamentable shrieks and cries of Cassim’s wife and Morgiana, who -told it every where that her master was dead. - -The next morning, soon after day appeared, Morgiana, who knew a -certain old cobbler that opened his stall early, before other -people, went to him, and bidding him good-morrow, put a piece of -gold into his hand. Well, said Baba Mustapha, which was his name, -and who was a merry old fellow, looking on the gold, though it was -hardly day-light, and seeing what it was, this is good hansel: what -must I do for it? I am ready. - -Baba Mustapha, said Morgiana, you must take with you your sewing -tackle, and go with me; but I must tell you, I shall blindfold you -when you come to such a place. - -Baba Mustapha seemed to boggle a little at these words. Oh, ho! -replied he, you would have me do something against my conscience, or -against my honour. God forbid! said Morgiana, putting another piece -of gold into his hand, that I should ask any thing that is contrary -to your honour; only come along with me, and fear nothing. - -Baba Mustapha went with Morgiana, who, after she had bound his eyes -with a handkerchief, at the place she told him of, carried him to -her deceased master’s house, and never unloosed his eyes till he -came into the room where she had put the corpse together. Baba -Mustapha, said she, you must make haste, and sew these quarters -together; and when you have done, I will give you another piece of -gold. - -After Baba Mustapha had done, she blindfolded him again, and gave -him the third piece of gold, as she promised, recommending secrecy -to him, carried him back to the place where she first bound his -eyes, pulled off the bandage, and let him go home, but watched him -that he returned to his stall, till he was quite out of sight, for -fear he should have the curiosity to return and dodge her, and then -went home. - -By the time Morgiana had warmed some water to wash the body, Ali -Baba came with incense to embalm it, and bury it with the usual -ceremonies. Not long after, the joiner, according to Ali Baba’s -orders, brought the coffin, which Morgiana, that he might find out -nothing, received at the door, and helped Ali Baba to put the body -into it; and as soon as he had nailed it up, she went to the mosque -to tell the iman that they were ready. The people of the mosque, -whose business it was to wash the dead, offered to perform their -duty, but she told them it was done already. - -Morgiana had scarce got home before the iman and the other ministers -of the mosque came. Four neighbours carried the corpse on their -shoulders to the burying-ground, following the iman, who recited -some prayers. Morgiana, as a slave to the deceased, followed the -corpse, weeping, beating her breast, and tearing her hair; and Ali -Baba came after with some neighbours, who often relieved the others -in carrying the corpse to the burying ground. - -Cassim’s wife stayed at home mourning, uttering lamentable cries -with the women of the neighbourhood, who came according to custom -during the funeral, and, joining their lamentations with hers, -filled the quarter far and near with sorrow. - -In this manner Cassim’s melancholy death was concealed and hushed -up between Ali Baba, his wife, Cassim’s widow, and Morgiana, with -so much contrivance that nobody in the city had the least knowledge -or suspicion of it. - -Three or four days after the funeral, Ali Baba removed his few goods -to his brother’s widow’s house; but the money he had taken from -the robbers he conveyed thither by night; and soon after the -marriage with his sister-in-law was published, and as these -marriages are common in our religion, nobody was surprised. - -As for Cassim’s shop, Ali Baba gave it to his own eldest son, who -had been some time out of his apprenticeship to a great merchant, -promising him withal, that if he managed well, he would soon give -him a fortune to marry very advantageously according to his -situation. - -Let us now leave Ali Baba to enjoy the beginning of his good -fortune, and return to the forty robbers. - -They came again at the appointed time to visit their retreat in the -forest; but how great was their surprise to find Cassim’s body -taken away, and some of their bags of gold. We are certainly -discovered, said the captain, and shall be undone, if we do not take -care and speedily apply some remedy; otherwise we shall insensibly -lose all the riches which our ancestors have been so many years -amassing together with so much pains and danger. All that we can -think of this loss which we have sustained is, that the thief whom -we have surprised had the secret of opening the door, and we came -luckily as he was coming out: but his body being removed, and with -it some of our money, plainly shows, that he has an accomplice; and -as it is likely that there were but two who had got this secret, and -one has been caught, we must look narrowly after the other. What say -you to it, my lads? - -All the robbers thought the captain’s proposal so reasonable, that -they unanimously approved of it, and agreed that they must lay all -other enterprises aside, to follow this closely, and not give it up -till they had succeeded. - -I expected no less, said the captain, from your courage and bravery: -but, first of all, one of you who is bold, artful, and enterprising, -must go into the town dressed like a traveller and stranger, and -exert all his contrivance to try if he can hear any talk of the -strange death of the man whom we have killed, as he deserved, and to -endeavour to find out who he was, and where he lived. This is a -matter of the first importance for us to know, that we may do -nothing which we may have reason to repent of, by discovering -ourselves in a country where we have lived so long unknown, and -where we have so much reason to continue; but to warn that man who -shall take upon himself this commission, and to prevent our being -deceived by his giving us a false report, which may be the cause of -our ruin, I ask you all, if you do not think it fit, that in that -case he shall submit to suffer death? - -Without waiting for the suffrages of his companions, one of the -robbers started up, and said, I submit to this law, and think it an -honour to expose my life, by taking such a commission upon me; but -remember, at least, if I do not succeed, that I neither wanted -courage nor good-will to serve the troop. - -After this robber had received great commendations from the captain -and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody would take him -for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop that night, went -into the town just at day-break; and walked up and down till he came -to Baba Mustapha’s stall, which was always open before any of the -shops of the town. - -Baba Mustapha was set on his seat with an awl in his hand, just -going to work. The robber saluted him, bidding him good-morrow; and -perceiving that he was very old, he said, Honest man, you begin to -work very early: is it possible that any one of your age can see so -well? I question, if it was somewhat lighter, whether you could see -to stitch. - -Certainly, replied Baba Mustapha, you must be a stranger, and do not -know me; for, old as I am, I have extraordinary good eyes; and you -will not doubt it when I tell you, that I sewed a dead body together -in a place where I had not so much light as I have now. - -The robber was overjoyed to think that he addressed himself, at his -first coming into the town, to a man who gave him the intelligence -he wanted, without asking him. A dead body! replied he with -amazement, to make him explain himself. What could you sew up a dead -body for? added he: you mean, you sewed up his winding-sheet. No, -no, answered Baba Mustapha, I know what I say; you want to have me -speak out, but you shall know no more. - -The robber wanted no greater insight to be persuaded that he had -discovered what he came about. He pulled out a piece of gold, and -putting it into Baba Mustapha’s hand, said to him, I do not want -to know your secret, though I can assure you I would not divulge it, -if you trusted me with it. The only thing which I desire of you, is -to do me the favour to show the house where you stitched up the dead -body. - -If I would do you that favour which you ask of me, replied Baba -Mustapha, holding the money in his hand, ready to return it, I -assure you I cannot: and you may believe me, on my word, I was -carried to a certain place, where they first blinded me, and then -led me to the house, and brought me back again after the same -manner; therefore you see the impossibility of doing what you desire. - -Well, replied the robber, you may remember a little of the way that -you was led blindfolded. Come, let me blind your eyes at the same -place. We will walk together by the same way and turnings; perhaps -you may remember some part; and as every body ought to be paid for -their trouble, there is another piece of gold for you; gratify me in -what I ask you. So saying, he put another piece of gold into his -hand. - -The two pieces of gold were great temptations to Baba Mustapha. He -looked at them a long time in his hand, without saying a word, -thinking with himself what he should do; but at last he pulled out -his purse, and put them in. I cannot assure you, said he to the -robber, that I remember the way exactly; but, since you desire it, I -will try what I can do. At these words Baba Mustapha rose up, to the -great satisfaction of the robber, and without shutting up his shop, -where he had nothing valuable to lose, he led the robber to the -place where Morgiana bound his eyes. It was here, said Baba -Mustapha, I was blindfolded; and I turned as you see me. The robber, -who had his handkerchief ready, tied it over his eyes, and walked by -him till he stopped, partly leading him, and partly guided by him. I -think, said Baba Mustapha, I went no farther, and he had now stopped -directly at Cassim’s house where Ali Baba lived then; upon which -the thief, before he pulled off the band, marked the door with a -piece of chalk, which he had ready in his hand; and when he pulled -it off, he asked him if he knew whose house that was: to which Baba -Mustapha replied, that as he did not live in that neighbourhood, he -could not tell. - -The robber, finding he could discover no more from Baba Mustapha, -thanked him for the trouble he had given him, and left him to go -back to his stall, while he returned to the forest, persuaded that -he should be very well received. - -A little after the robber and Baba Mustapha parted, Morgiana went -out of Ali Baba’s house for something, and coming home again, -seeing the mark the robber had made, she stopped to observe it. What -is the meaning of this mark? said she to herself: somebody intends -my master no good, or else some boy has been playing the rogue with -it: with whatever intention it was done, added she, it is good to -guard against the worst. Accordingly she went and fetched a piece of -chalk, and marked two or three doors on each side in the same -manner, without saying a word to her master or mistress. - -In the mean time, the thief rejoined his troop again in the forest, -and told them the good success he had; expatiating upon his good -fortune, in meeting so soon with the only person who could inform -him of what he wanted to know. All the robbers listened to him with -the utmost satisfaction; when the captain, after commending his -diligence, addressing himself to them all, said, Comrades, we have -no time to lose: let us all set off well armed, without its -appearing who we are; and that we may not give any suspicion, let -one or two go privately into the town together, and appoint the -rendezvous in the great square; and in the mean time, our comrade, -who brought us the good news, and I, will go and find out the house, -that we may consult what is best to be done. - -This speech and plan was approved by all, and they were soon ready. -They filed off in small parcels of two or three, at the proper -distance from each other: and all got into the town without being in -the least suspected. The captain, and he that came in the morning as -a spy, came in last of all. He led the captain into the street where -he had marked Ali Baba’s house, and when they came to one of the -houses which Morgiana had marked, he pointed it out. But going a -little farther, to prevent being taken notice of, the captain -observed that the next door was chalked after the same manner, and -in the same place; and showing it to his guide, asked him which -house it was, that or the first. The guide was so confounded, that -he knew not what answer to make; and much less, when he and the -captain saw five or six houses besides marked after the same manner. -He assured the captain, with an oath, that he had marked but one, -and could not tell who had chalked the rest so like to that which he -marked, and owned, in that confusion, he could not distinguish it. - -The captain, finding that their design proved abortive, went -directly to the place of rendezvous, and told the first of his troop -that he met, that they had lost their labour, and must return to -their cave the same way as they came. He himself set them the -example, and they all returned as they came. - -When the troop was all got together, the captain told them the -reason of their returning; and presently the conductor was declared -by all worthy of death. He condemned himself, acknowledging that he -ought to have taken better precaution, and kneeled down to receive -the stroke from him that was appointed to cut off his head. - -But as it was the safety of the troop that an injury should not go -unpunished, another of the gang, who promised himself that he should -succeed better, presented himself, and his offer being accepted, he -went and corrupted Baba Mustapha, as the other had done; and being -shown the house, marked it, in a place more remote from sight, with -red chalk. - -Not long after, Morgiana, whose eyes nothing could escape, went out, -and seeing the red chalk, and arguing after the same manner with -herself, marked the other neighbours’ houses in the same place and -manner. - -The robber, at his return to his company, valued himself very much -upon the precaution he had taken, which he looked upon as an -infallible way of distinguishing Ali Baba’s house from his -neighbours, and the captain and all of them thought it must succeed. -They conveyed themselves into the town in the same manner as before; -and when the robber and his captain came to the street, they found -the same difficulty; at which the captain was enraged, and the -robber in as great confusion as his predecessor. - -Thus the captain and his troop were forced to retire a second time, -and much more dissatisfied; and the robber, as the author of the -mistake, underwent the same punishment, which he willingly submitted -to. - -The captain, having lost two brave fellows of his troop, was afraid -of diminishing it too much by pursuing this plan to get information -about Ali Baba’s house. He found, by their example, that their -heads were not so good as their hands on such occasions; and -therefore resolved to take upon himself this important commission. - -Accordingly he went and addressed himself to Baba Mustapha, who did -him the same piece of service he had done to the former. He never -amused himself with setting any particular mark on the house, but -examined and observed it so carefully, by passing often by it, that -it was impossible for him to mistake it. - -The captain, very well satisfied with his journey, and informed of -what he wanted to know, returned to the forest; and when he came -into the cave, where the troop waited for him, he said, Now, -comrades, nothing can prevent our full revenge; I am certain of the -house, and in my way hither I have thought how to put it in -execution, and if any one knows a better expedient, let him -communicate it. Then he told them his contrivance; and as they -approved of it, he ordered them to go into the towns and villages -about, and buy nineteen mules, and thirty-eight large leather jars, -one full, and the others all empty. - -In two or three days time the robbers purchased the mules and jars, -and as the mouths of the jars were rather too narrow for his -purpose, the captain caused them to be widened; and after having put -one of his men into each, with the weapons which he thought fit, -leaving open the seam which had been undone to leave them room to -breathe, he rubbed the jars on the outside with oil from the full -vessel. - -Things being thus prepared, when the nineteen mules were loaded with -thirty-seven robbers in jars, and the jar of oil, the captain, as -their driver, set out with them, and reached the town by the dusk of -the evening, as he intended. He led them through the streets till he -came to Ali Baba’s, at whose door he designed to have knocked; but -was prevented by his sitting there, after supper, to take a little -fresh air. He stopped his mules, and addressed himself to him, and -said, I have brought some oil here, a great way, to sell at -tomorrow’s market; and it is now so late, that I do not know where -to lodge. If I should not be troublesome to you, do me the favour to -let me pass the night with you, and I shall be very much obliged to -you. - -Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the robbers in the forest, -and had heard him speak, it was impossible for him to know him in -the disguise of an oil-merchant. He told him he should be welcome, -and immediately opened his gates for the mules to go into the yard. -At the same time he called to a slave he had, and ordered him, when -the mules were unloaded, not only to put them into the stable, but -to give them corn and hay; and then went to Morgiana, to bid her get -a good hot supper for his guest, and make him a good bed. - -He did more. To make his guest as welcome as possible, when he saw -the captain had unloaded his mules, and that they were put into the -stable as he ordered, and he was looking for a place to pass the -night in the air, he brought him into the hall where he received his -company, telling him he would not suffer him to be in the court. The -captain excused himself, on pretence of not being troublesome; but -really to have room to execute his design, and it was not till after -the most pressing importunity that he yielded. Ali Baba, not content -to keep company with the man who had a design on his life, till -supper was ready, continued talking with him till it was ended, and -repeating his offer of service. - -The captain rose up at the same time, and went with him to the door; -and while Ali Baba went into the kitchen to speak to Morgiana, he -went into the yard, under pretence of looking at his mules. Ali -Baba, after charging Morgiana afresh to take great care of his -guest, said to her, Tomorrow morning I design to go to the bath -before day; take care my bathing linen be ready, and give them to -Abdalla, which was the slave’s name, and make me some good broth -against I come back. After this he went to bed. - -In the mean time the captain of the robbers went from the stable to -give his people orders what to do; and beginning at the first jar, -and so on to the last, said to each man, As soon as I throw some -stones out of the chamber window where I lie, do not fail to cut the -jar open with the knife you have about you, pointed and sharpened -for the purpose, and come out, and I will be presently with you. -After this he returned into the kitchen, and Morgiana taking up a -light, conducted him to his chamber, where, after she had asked him -if he wanted any thing, she left him; and he, to avoid any -suspicion, put the light out soon after, and laid himself down in -his clothes, that he might be the more ready to rise again. - -Morgiana, remembering Ali Baba’s orders, got his bathing linen -ready, and ordered Abdalla, who was not then gone to bed, to set on -the pot for the broth; but while she scummed the pot the lamp went -out, and there was no more oil in the house, nor any candles. What -to do she did not know, for the broth must be made. Abdalla seeing -her very uneasy, said, Do not fret and tease yourself, but go into -the yard, and take some oil out of one of the jars. - -Morgiana thanked Abdalla for his advice; and while he went to bed, -near Ali Baba’s room, that he might be the better able to rise and -follow Ali Baba to the bath, she took the oil-pot, and went into the -yard; and as she came nigh the first jar, the robber within said -softly, Is it time? - -Though the robber spoke low, Morgiana was struck with the voice the -more, because the captain, when he unloaded the mules, opened this -and all the other jars, to give air to his men, who were ill enough -at their ease, without wanting room to breathe. - -Any other slave but Morgiana, so surprised as she was to find a man -in a jar, instead of the oil she wanted, would have made such a -noise, as to have given an alarm, which would have been attended -with ill consequences; whereas Morgiana, apprehending immediately -the importance of keeping the secret, and the danger Ali Baba, his -family, and she herself were in, and the necessity of applying a -speedy remedy without noise, conceived at once the means, and -collecting herself without showing the least emotion, answered, Not -yet, but presently. She went in this manner to all the jars, giving -the same answer, till she came to the jar of oil. - -By this means, Morgiana found that her master Ali Baba, who thought -that he had entertained an oil merchant, had admitted thirty-eight -robbers into his house; looking on this pretended merchant as their -captain. She made what haste she could to fill her oil pot, and -returned into her kitchen; where, as soon as she had lighted her -lamp, she took a great kettle, and went again to the oil jar, filled -the kettle, and set it on a great wood fire to boil; and as soon as -it boiled, went and poured enough into every jar to stifle and -destroy the robber within. - -When this action, worthy of the courage of Morgiana, was executed -without any noise, as she had projected, she returned into the -kitchen with the empty kettle, and shut the door: and having put out -the great fire she had made to boil the oil, and leaving just enough -to make the broth, put out also the lamp, and remained silent; -resolving not to go to bed till she had observed what was to follow -through a window of the kitchen, which opened into the yard, as far -as the darkness of the night permitted. - -She had not waited a quarter of an hour, before the captain of the -robbers waked, got up, and opened the window; and finding no light, -and hearing no noise, or any one stirring in the house, gave the -signal, by throwing little stones, several of which hit the jars, as -he knew by the sound they gave. Then he listened, and not hearing -nor perceiving any thing whereby he could judge that his companions -stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, and threw stones again a -second and a third time, and could not comprehend the reason that -none of them should answer to his signal: cruelly alarmed, he went -softly down into the yard, and going to the first jar, and asking -the robber, whom he thought alive, if he was asleep, he smelled the -hot boiled oil, which sent forth a steam out of the jar, and knew -thereby that his plot to murder Ali Baba and plunder his house was -discovered. Examining all the jars one after another, he found that -all his gang were dead; and by the oil he missed out of the last -jar, he guessed at the means and manner of their deaths. Enraged to -despair at having failed in his design, he forced the lock of a -door, that led from the yard to the garden, and, climbing over the -walls of several gardens, at last made his escape. - -When Morgiana heard no noise, and found, after waiting some time, -that the captain did not return, she guessed that he chose rather to -make his escape by the gardens than by the street door, which was -double locked; satisfied and pleased to have succeeded so well, and -secured the house, she went to bed and fell asleep. - -Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by his slave, went to the -baths, entirely ignorant of the amazing accident that had happened -at home; for Morgiana did not think it right to wake him before for -fear of losing her opportunity; and afterwards she thought it -needless to disturb him. - -When he returned from the baths, and the sun had risen, he was very -much surprised to see the oil jars, and that the merchant was not -gone with the mules. He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, and had -let all things stand as they were, that he might see them, the -reason of it. My good master, answered she, God preserve you and all -your family! you will be better informed of what you wish to know, -when you have seen what I have to show you, if you will give -yourself the trouble to follow me. - -As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali Baba followed her; and -when she brought him into the yard, she bid him look into the first -jar, and see if there was any oil. Ali Baba did so, and seeing a -man, started back frightened, and cried out. Do not be afraid, said -Morgiana; the man you see there can neither do you nor any body else -any harm. He is dead. Ah, Morgiana! said Ali Baba, what is it you -show me? Explain the meaning of it to me. I will, replied Morgiana; -moderate your astonishment, and do not excite the curiosity of your -neighbours; for it is of great importance to keep this affair -secret. Look in all the other jars. - -Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one after another; and when he -came to that which had the oil in it, he found it prodigiously sunk, -and stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking on the jars, -and sometimes on Morgiana, without saying a word, so great was his -surprise; at last, when he had recovered himself he said, And what -is become of the merchant? - -Merchant! answered she: he is as much one as I am. I will tell you -who he is, and what is become of him; but you had better hear the -story in your own chamber; for it is time for your health that you -had your broth after your bathing. - -While Ali Baba went into his chamber, Morgiana went into the kitchen -to fetch the broth, and carry it to him: but before he would drink -it, he first bid her satisfy his impatience, and tell him the story -with all its circumstances; and she obeyed him. - -Last night, sir, said she, when you were gone to bed, I got your -bathing linen ready, and gave them to Abdalla; afterwards I set on -the pot for the broth, and as I was skimming the pot, the lamp, for -want of oil, went out; and as there was not a drop more in the -house, I looked for a candle, but could not find one. Abdalla, -seeing me vexed, put me in mind of the jars of oil which stood in -the yard. I took the oil pot, and went directly to the jar which -stood nearest to me; and when I came to it, I heard a voice within -it say, Is it time? Without being dismayed, and comprehending -immediately the malicious intention of the pretended oil merchant, I -answered, Not yet, but presently. Then I went to the next, and -another voice asked me the same question, and I returned the same -answer; and so on, till I came to the last, which I found full of -oil: with which I filled my pot. - -When I considered that there were thirty-seven robbers in the yard, -who only waited for a signal to be given by the captain, whom you -took to be an oil merchant, and entertained so handsomely, I thought -there was no time to be lost: I carried my pot of oil into the -kitchen, lighted the lamp, and afterwards took the biggest kettle I -had, went and filled it full of oil, and set it on the fire to boil, -and then went and poured as much into each jar as was sufficient to -prevent them from executing the pernicious design they came about: -after this I retired into the kitchen, and put out the lamp; but, -before I went to bed, I waited at the window to know what measures -the pretended merchant would take. - -After I had watched some time for the signal, he threw some stones -out of the window against the jars, and neither hearing nor -perceiving any body stirring, after throwing three times, he came -down, and I saw him go to every jar, after which, through the -darkness of the night, I lost sight of him. I waited some time -longer, and finding that he did not return, I never doubted but -that, seeing he had missed his aim, he had made his escape over the -walls of the garden. Persuaded that the house was now safe, I went -to bed. - -This, said Morgiana, is the account you asked of me; and I am -convinced it is the consequence of an observation which I had made -for two or three days before, but did not think fit to acquaint you -with; for when I came in one morning early, I found our street-door -marked with white chalk, and the next morning with red; and both -times, without knowing what was the intention of those chalks, I -marked two or three neighbours’ doors on each hand after the same -manner. If you reflect on this, and what has since happened, you -will find it to be a plot of the robbers of the forest, of whose -gang there are two wanting, and now they are reduced to three: all -this shows that they had sworn your destruction, and it is proper -you should stand upon your guard, while there is one of them alive: -for my part, I shall not neglect any thing necessary to your -preservation, as I am in duty bound. - -When Morgiana had left off speaking, Ali Baba was so sensible of the -great service she had done him, that he said to her, I will not die -without rewarding you as you deserve: I owe my life to you, and for -the first token of my acknowledgment I give you your liberty from -this moment, till I can complete your recompense as I intend. I am -persuaded, with you, that the forty robbers have laid all manner of -snares for me: God, by your means, has delivered me from them, and I -hope will continue to preserve me from their wicked designs, and by -averting the danger which threatened me, will deliver the world from -their persecution and their cursed race. All that we have to do is -to bury the bodies of these pests of mankind immediately, and with -all the secrecy imaginable, that nobody may suspect what is become -of them. But that Abdalla and I will undertake. - -Ali Baba’s garden was very long, and shaded at the farther end by -a great number of large trees. Under these trees he and the slave -went and dug a trench, long and wide enough to hold all the robbers, -and as the earth was light, they were not long doing it. Afterwards -they lifted the bodies out of the jars, took away their weapons, -carried them to the end of the garden, laid them in the trench, and -levelled the ground again. When this was done, Ali Baba hid the jars -and weapons; and as for the mules, as he had no occasion for them, -he sent them at different times to be sold in the market by his -slave. - -While Ali Baba took these measures to prevent the public from -knowing how he came by his riches in so short a time, the captain of -the forty robbers returned to the forest, in most inconceivable -mortification; and in the agitation, or rather confusion, he was in -at his want of success, so contrary to what he had promised himself, -he entered the cave, not being able, all the way from the town, to -come to any resolution what to do to Ali Baba. - -The loneliness of the dark place seemed frightful to him. Where are -you, my brave lads, cried he, old companions of my watchings, -inroads, and labour? What can I do without you? Did I collect you to -lose you by so base a fate, and so unworthy your courage? Had you -died with your sabres in your hands, like brave men, my regret had -been less! When shall I get so gallant a troop again? And if I -could, can I undertake it without exposing so much gold and treasure -to him, who hath already enriched himself out of it? I cannot, I -ought not to think of it, before I have taken away his life. I will -undertake that myself, which I could not accomplish with so powerful -assistance; and when I have taken care to secure this treasure from -being pillaged, I will provide for it new masters and successors -after me, who shall preserve and augment it to all posterity. This -resolution being taken, he was not at a loss how to execute it; but, -easy in his mind, and full of hopes, he slept all that night very -quietly. - -When he waked early next morning, as he had proposed, he dressed -himself, agreeably to the project he had in his head, and went to -the town, and took a lodging in a khan. And as he expected what had -happened at Ali Baba’s might make a great noise in the town, he -asked his host, by way of discourse, what news there was in the -city. Upon which the innkeeper told him a great many things, which -did not concern him in the least. He judged by this, that the reason -why Ali Baba kept this affair so secret was for fear people should -know where the treasure lay, and the means of coming at it; and -because he knew his life would be sought upon account of it. And -this urged him the more to neglect nothing to rid himself of so -dangerous a person. - -The next thing that the captain had to do was to provide himself -with a horse, to convey a great many sorts of rich stuffs and fine -linen to his lodging, which he did by a great many journeys to the -forest, but with all the necessary precautions imaginable to conceal -the place whence he brought them. In order to dispose of the -merchandizes, when he had amassed them together, he took a furnished -shop, which happened to be opposite to that which was Cassim’s, -which Ali Baba’s son had not long occupied. - -He took upon him the name of Cogia Houssain, and as a new comer, -was, according to custom, extremely civil and complaisant to all the -merchants his neighbours. And as Ali Baba’s son was young and -handsome, and a man of good sense, and was often obliged to converse -with Cogia Houssain, he soon made himself acquainted with him. He -strove to cultivate his friendship, more particularly when, two or -three days after he was settled, he recognised Ali Baba, who came to -see his son, and stopped to talk with him as he was accustomed to -do; and when he was gone, he learnt from his son who he was. He -increased his assiduities, caressed him after the most engaging -manner, made him some small presents, and often asked him to dine -and sup with him; and treated him very handsomely. - -Ali Baba’s son did not care to lie under such obligation to Cogia -Houssain without making the like return; but was so much straitened -for want of room in his house, that he could not entertain him so -well as he wished; and therefore acquainted his father Ali Baba with -his intention, and told him that it did not look well for him to -receive such favours from Cogia Houssain without inviting him again. - -Ali Baba, with great pleasure, took the treat upon himself. Son, -said he, to-morrow (Friday), which is a day that the shops of such -great merchants as Cogia Houssain and yourself are shut, get him to -take a walk with you after dinner, and as you come back, pass by my -door, and call in. It will look better to have it happen -accidentally, than if you gave him a formal invitation. I will go -and order Morgiana to provide a supper. - -The next day, after dinner, Ali Baba’s son and Cogia Houssain met -by appointment, and took their walk, and as they returned, Ali -Baba’s son led Cogia Houssain through the street where his father -lived; and when they came to the house, he stopped and knocked at -the door. This, sir, said he, is my father’s house; who, upon the -account I have given him of your friendship, charged me to procure -him the honour of your acquaintance; and I desire you to add this -pleasure to those I am already indebted to you for. - -Though it was the sole aim of Cogia Houssain to introduce himself -into Ali Baba’s house, that he might kill him without hazarding -his own life or making any noise; yet he excused himself, and -offered to take his leave. But a slave having opened the door, Ali -Baba’s son took him obligingly by the hand, and in a manner forced -him in. - -Ali Baba received Cogia Houssain with a smiling countenance, and in -the most obliging manner he could wish. He thanked him for all the -favours he had done his son; adding withal, the obligation was the -greater, as he was a young man not very well acquainted with the -world, and that he might contribute to his information. - -Cogia Houssain returned the compliment, by assuring Ali Baba, that -though his son might not have acquired the experience of older men, -he had good sense equal to the experience of many others. After a -little more conversation on different subjects, he offered again to -take his leave; when Ali Baba, stopping him, said, Where are you -going, sir, in so much haste? I beg you would do me the honour to -sup with me, though what I have to give you is not worth your -acceptance; but such as it is, I hope you will accept it as heartily -as I give it. Sir, replied Cogia Houssain, I am thoroughly persuaded -of your good-will; and if I ask the favour of you not to take it ill -that I do not accept of your obliging invitation, I beg of you to -believe that it does not proceed from any slight or intention to -affront, but from a certain reason, which you would approve of if -you knew it. - -And what may that reason be, sir, replied Ali Baba, if I may be so -bold as to ask you? It is, answered Cogia Houssain, that I can eat -no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore judge how I should -look at your table. If that is the only reason, said Ali Baba, it -ought not to deprive me of the honour of your company at supper; -for, in the first place, there is no salt ever put into my bread, -and for the meat we shall have to-night, I promise you there shall -be none. I will go and take care of that. Therefore you must do me -the favour to stay; I will come again immediately. - -Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Morgiana to put no salt -to the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make quickly -two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered, but be sure to put -no salt in them. - -Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her master, could not help, -this time, seeming somewhat dissatisfied at his new order. Who is -this difficult man, said she, who eats no salt with his meat? Your -supper will be spoiled, if I keep it back so long. Do not be angry, -Morgiana, replied Ali Baba, he is an honest man: therefore do as I -bid you. - -Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluctance, and had a -curiosity to see this man who eat no salt. To this end, when she had -done what she had to do in the kitchen, and Abdalla laid the cloth, -she helped to carry up the dishes; and looking at Cogia Houssain, -knew him at the first sight to be the captain of the robbers, -notwithstanding his disguise; and examining him very carefully, -perceived that he had a dagger hid under his garment. I am not in -the least amazed, said she to herself, that this wicked wretch, who -is my master’s greatest enemy, would eat no salt with him, since -he intends to assassinate him; but I will prevent him. - -When Morgiana had sent up the supper by Abdalla, while they were -eating, she made the necessary preparations for executing one of the -boldest acts which could be thought on, and had just done, when -Abdalla came again for the dessert of fruit, which she carried up, -and as soon as Abdalla had taken the meat away, set it upon the -table; after that, she set a little table and three glasses by Ali -Baba, and going out, took Abdalla along with her to go to sup -together, and to give Ali Baba the more liberty of conversation with -his guest. - -Then the pretended Cogia Houssain, or rather captain of the robbers, -thought he had a favourable opportunity to kill Ali Baba. I will, -said he to himself, make the father and son both drunk; and then the -son, whose life I intend to spare, will not be able to prevent my -stabbing his father to the heart; and while the slaves are at -supper, or asleep in the kitchen, I can make my escape over the -gardens as before. - -Instead of going to supper, Morgiana, who penetrated into the -intentions of the counterfeit Cogia Houssain, would not give him -leave to put his villanous design in execution, but dressed herself -neatly with a suitable head-dress like a dancer, girded her waist -with a silver-gilt girdle, to which there hung a poniard with a hilt -and guard of the same metal, and put a handsome mask on her face. -When she had thus disguised herself, she said to Abdalla, Take your -tabor, and let us go and divert our master and his son’s guest, as -we do sometimes when he is alone. - -Abdalla took his tabor, and played before Morgiana all the way into -the hall, who, when she came to the door, made a low curtsey, with a -deliberate air, to make herself taken notice of, and by way of -asking leave to show what she could do. Abdalla, seeing that his -master had a mind to say something, left off playing. Come in, -Morgiana, said Ali Baba, and let Cogia Houssain see what you can do, -that he may tell us what he thinks of you. But, sir, said he, -turning towards Cogia Houssain, do not think that I put myself to -any expense to give you this diversion, since these are my slave and -my cook and house-keeper; and I hope you will not find the -entertainment they give us disagreeable. - -Cogia Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper, -began to fear that he should not have the opportunity that he -thought he had found; but hoped, if he missed it now, to have it -another time, by keeping up a friendly correspondence with the -father and son; therefore, though he could have wished Ali Baba -would have let it alone, he pretended to be obliged to him for it, -and had the complaisance to express a pleasure at what he saw -pleased his host. - -As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia Houssain had done -talking, he began to play on the tabor, and accompanied it with an -air; to which Morgiana, who was an excellent dancer, danced after -such a manner, as would have created admiration in any other company -but that before which she now exhibited, among whom, perhaps, none -but the false Cogia Houssain was in the least attentive to her. - -After she had danced several dances with the same propriety and -strength, she drew the poniard, and holding it in her hand, dancing -a dance, in which she outdid herself, by the many different figures -and light movements, and the surprising leaps and wonderful -exertions, with which she accompanied it. Sometimes she presented -the poniard to one’s breast, and sometimes to another’s, and -oftentimes seeming to strike her own. At last, as if she was out of -breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdalla with her left hand, and -holding the dagger in her right, presented the other side of the -tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood by dancing, -and solicit the liberality of the spectators. - -Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son; -and Cogia Houssain, seeing that she was coming to him, had pulled -his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was -putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with a courage and resolution -worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart. - -Ali Baba and his son, frightened at this action, cried out aloud. -Unhappy wretch! exclaimed Ali Baba, what have you done to ruin me -and my family? It was to preserve you, not to ruin you, answered -Morgiana; for see here, said she, (opening Cogia Houssain’s -garment, and showing the dagger), what an enemy you had entertained! -Look well at him, and you will find him to be both the pretended -oil-merchant, and the captain of the gang of forty robbers. -Remember, too, that he would eat no salt with you; and what would -you have more to persuade you of his wicked design? Before I saw -him, I suspected him as soon as you told me you had such a guest. I -saw him, and you now find that my suspicion was not groundless. - -Ali Baba, who immediately felt the new obligation he had to Morgiana -for saving his life a second time, embraced her: Morgiana, said he, -I gave you your liberty, and then promised you that my gratitude -should not stop there, but that I would soon complete it. The time -is come for me to give you a proof of it, by making you my -daughter-in-law. Then addressing himself to his son, he said to him, -I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you will not -refuse Morgiana for your wife. You see that Cogia Houssain sought -your friendship with a treacherous design to take away my life; and -if he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he would have sacrificed -you also to his revenge. Consider, that by marrying Morgiana, you -marry the support of my family and your own. - -The son, far from showing any dislike, readily consented to the -marriage; not only because he would not disobey his father, but that -his inclination prompted him to it. - -After this, they thought of burying the captain of the robbers with -his comrades, and did it so privately, that nobody knew any thing of -it till a great many years after, when not any one had any concern -in the publication of this remarkable history. - -A few days afterwards, Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of his son -and Morgiana with great solemnity and a sumptuous feast, and the -usual dancing and spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see that -his friends and neighbours, whom he invited, had no knowledge of the -true motives of that marriage; but that those who were not -unacquainted with Morgiana’s good qualities, commended his -generosity and goodness of heart. - -Ali Baba forbore, a long time after this marriage, from going again -to the robbers’ cave, from the time he brought away his brother -Cassim and some bags of gold on three asses, for fear of finding -them there, and being surprised by them. He kept away after the -death of the thirty-seven robbers and their captain, supposing the -other two robbers, whom he could get no account of, might be alive. - -But at the year’s end, when he found they had not made any attempt -to disturb him, he had the curiosity to make another journey, taking -the necessary precautions for his safety. He mounted his horse, and -when he came to the cave, and saw no footsteps of men or horses, he -looked upon it as a good sign. He alighted off his horse, and tied -him to a tree; and presenting himself before the door, and -pronouncing these words, _Open, Sesame!_ the door opened. He went -in, and by the condition he found things in, he judged that nobody -had been there since the false Cogia Houssain, when he fetched the -goods for his shop, and that the gang of forty robbers was -completely destroyed, and never doubted he was the only person in -the world who had the secret of opening the cave, and that all the -treasure was solely at his disposal; and having brought with him a -wallet, into which he put as much gold as his horse could carry, he -returned to town. - -Afterwards Ali Baba carried his son to the cave, taught him the -secret, which they handed down to their posterity; and using their -good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and splendour, -serving the greatest offices of the city. - - - - -The Story of Ali Cogia, a Merchant of Bagdad. - - -In the reign of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, there lived at Bagdad a -merchant whose name was Ali Cogia, that was neither one of the -richest nor the meanest sort. He was a bachelor, and lived in the -house which was his father’s, master of his own actions, content -with the profit he made by his trade. But happening to dream a dream -for three nights together, that a venerable old man came to him, -and, with a severe look, reprimanded him for not having made a -pilgrimage to Mecca, he was very much troubled. - -As a good Mussulman, he knew he was obliged to undertake a -pilgrimage; but as he had a house, shop, and goods, he had always -believed that they might stand for a sufficient reason to excuse -him, endeavouring by his charity, and other good works, to atone for -that neglect. But after this dream, his conscience was so much -pricked, that the fear lest any misfortune should befal him, made -him resolve not to defer it any longer; and to be able to go that -year, he sold off his household goods, his shop, and with it the -greatest part of his merchandises, reserving only some, which he -thought might turn to a better account at Mecca: and meeting with a -tenant for his house, let that also. - -Things being thus disposed, he was ready to go when the Bagdad -caravan set out for Mecca: the only thing he had to do was to secure -a sum of a thousand pieces of gold, which would have been -troublesome to carry along with him, besides the money he had set -apart to defray his expenses on the road, and for other purposes. To -this end he made choice of a jar of a proportionable size, put the -thousand pieces of gold into it, and covered them over with olives. -When he had closed the mouth of the jar, he carried it to a -merchant, a particular friend of his, and said to him, You know, -brother, that in a few days I set out with the caravan, on my -pilgrimage to Mecca. I beg the favour of you, that you would take -charge of a jar of olives, and keep it for me till I return. The -merchant promised him he would, and in an obliging manner said, -Here, take the key of my warehouse, and set your jar where you -please. I promise you shall find it there when you come again. - -On the day the caravan was to set out, Ali Cogia joined it, with a -camel loaded with what merchandises he thought fit to carry along -with him, which served him to ride on, and arrived safe at Mecca, -where he visited, along with other pilgrims, the temple so much -celebrated and frequented by Mussulmen of all nations every year, -who come from all parts of the world, and observe religiously the -ceremonies prescribed them; and when he had acquitted himself of the -duties of his pilgrimage, he exposed the merchandises he had brought -with him, to sell or exchange them. - -Two merchants passing by, and seeing Ali Cogia’s goods, thought -them so fine and choice, that they stopped some time to look at -them, though they had no occasion for them; and when they had -satisfied their curiosity, one of them said to the other, as they -were going away, If this merchant knew to what profit these goods -would turn at Cairo, he would carry them thither, and not sell them -here, though this is a good mart. - -Ali Cogia heard these words; and as he had often heard talk of the -beauties of Egypt, he was resolved to take the opportunity of seeing -them, and taking a journey thither. Therefore, after having packed -up his goods again, instead of returning to Bagdad, he set out for -Egypt, with the caravan of Cairo; and when he came thither, he found -his account in his journey, and in a few days sold all his goods to -a greater advantage than he hoped for. With the money he bought -others, with an intent to go to Damascus; and while he waited for -the opportunity of a caravan, which was to set forward in six weeks, -he saw all the rarities at Cairo, as also the pyramids; and sailing -up the Nile, viewed the famous towns on each side of that river. - -As the Damascus caravans took Jerusalem in their way, our Bagdad -merchant had the opportunity of visiting the temple, looked upon by -all the Mussulmen to be the most holy, after that of Mecca, whence -this city takes its name of _Noble Holiness_. - -Ali Cogia found Damascus so delicious a place, abounding with fine -meads, pleasantly watered, and delightful gardens, that it exceeded -the descriptions given of it in history. Here he made a long abode, -but, nevertheless, had not forgot his native Bagdad: for which place -he set out, and arrived at Aleppo, where he made some stay; and from -thence, after having passed the Euphrates, he bent his course to -Moussoul, with an intention, in his return, to come by a shorter way -down the Tigris. - -When Ali Cogia came to Moussoul, the Persian merchants, with whom he -travelled from Aleppo, and with whom he had contracted a great -friendship, had got so great an ascendant over him by their -civilities and agreeable conversation, that they easily persuaded -him not to leave them till they came to Schiraz, from whence he -might easily return to Bagdad with a considerable profit. They led -him through the towns of Sultania, Rei, Coam, Caschan, Ispahan, and -from thence to Schiraz; from whence he had the complaisance to bear -them company to India, and so came back again with them to Schiraz; -insomuch that, including the stay he made in every town, he was -seven years absent from Bagdad, whither he then resolved to return. - -All this time his friend, with whom he had left his jar of olives, -neither thought of him nor them; but just at the time when he was on -the road with a caravan from Schiraz, one evening, when this -merchant was supping at home with his family, the discourse -happening to fall upon olives, his wife was desirous to eat some, -saying, she had not tasted any for a long while. Now you speak of -olives, said the merchant, you put me in mind of a jar, which Ali -Cogia left with me seven years ago, when he went to Mecca; and put -it himself in my warehouse, for me to keep for him against he -returned. What is become of him I know not; though, when the caravan -came back, they told me he was gone for Egypt. Certainly he must be -dead, since he has not returned in all this time; and we may eat the -olives if they prove good. Give me a plate and a candle, and I will -go and fetch some of them, and we will taste them. - -For God’s sake, husband, said the wife, do not commit so base an -action: you know that nothing is more sacred than what is committed -to one’s care and trust. You say Ali Cogia has been gone to Mecca, -and is not returned; but you have been told that he is gone into -Egypt; and how do you know but he may be gone farther? As you have -no news of his death, he may return to-morrow, for any thing you can -tell; and what a disgrace would it be to you and your family, if he -should come, and you not restore him his jar in the same condition -he left it! I declare I have no desire of the olives, and will not -taste of them: for when I mentioned them, it was only by way of -discourse; besides, do you think that they can be good, after they -have been kept so long? They must be all mouldy, and spoiled; and if -Ali Cogia should return, as I have a strong persuasion he will, and -should find they have been opened, what will he think of your -honour? I beg of you to let them alone. - -The wife had not argued so long with her husband, but that she read -his obstinacy in his face. In short, he never regarded what she -said, but got up, took a candle and a plate, and went into the -warehouse. Well, husband, said the wife again, remember I have no -hand in this business, and that you cannot lay any thing to my -charge, if you should have cause to repent of this action. - -The merchant’s ears were deaf to these remonstrances of his wife, -and he persisted in his design. When he came into the warehouse, he -opened the jar, and found the olives all mouldy; but to see if they -were all so to the bottom, he turned some of them upon the plate, -and by shaking the jar, some of the gold tumbled out. - -At the sight of the gold, the merchant, who was naturally covetous, -looked into the jar, and perceived that he had shaken out almost all -the olives, and what remained was fine gold coin. He immediately put -the olives into the jar again, covered it up, and returned to his -wife. Indeed, wife, said he, you was in the right to say that the -olives were all mouldy; for I found it so, and have made up the jar -just as Ali Cogia left it; so that he will not perceive that they -have been touched, if he should return. You had better have taken my -advice, said the wife, and not meddled with them. God grant no -mischief comes of it! - -The merchant was not more affected with his wife’s last words than -he had been by her former, but spent almost the whole night in -thinking how he might appropriate Ali Cogia’s gold to his own use, -and keep possession of it, in case Ali Cogia should return and ask -him for the jar. The next morning, he went and bought some olives of -that year, took out the old and the gold, and filled the jar with -the new, covered it up, and put it in the same place where Ali Cogia -left it. - -About a month after the merchant had committed so base an action, -for which he was to pay dear, Ali Cogia arrived at Bagdad; and as he -had let his house, he alighted at a khan, choosing to stay there -till he had signified his arrival to his tenant, and he had provided -himself with another house. - -The next morning, Ali Cogia went to pay a visit to the merchant his -friend, who received him in the most obliging manner imaginable, and -expressed a great deal of joy at his return, after so many years -absence; telling him that he had begun to lose all hopes of ever -seeing him again. - -After the usual compliments on both sides on such a meeting, Ali -Cogia desired the merchant to return him the jar of olives which he -had left with him, and to excuse the liberty he had taken in giving -him so much trouble. - -My dear friend, Ali Cogia, replied the merchant, you are to blame to -make all these apologies; your vessel has been no inconvenience to -me: on such an occasion I should have made as free with you: there, -take the key of my warehouse; go and take it; you will find it in -the same place where you left it. - -Ali Cogia went into the merchant’s warehouse, took his jar, and -after having returned him the key, and thanks for the favour he had -done him, returned with it to the khan where he lodged; and opening -the jar, and putting his hand down as low as the pieces of gold lay, -was very much surprised to find none. At first, he thought he might -perhaps be mistaken; and, to discover the truth, poured out all the -olives into all his travelling kitchen-utensils, without so much as -finding one single piece of money. His astonishment was so great, -that he stood for some time motionless; then lifting up his hands -and eyes to heaven, he cried out, Is it possible that a man, whom I -took to be my good friend, should be guilty of so base an action? - -Ali Cogia, cruelly alarmed at the fear of so considerable a loss, -returned immediately to the merchant. My good friend, said he, be -not surprised to see me come back so soon. I own the jar of olives -to be the same put into your magazine; but with the olives I put a -thousand pieces of gold into it, which I do not find. Perhaps you -might have occasion for them, to employ them in trade; if so, they -are at your service; only put me out of my pain, and give me an -acknowledgment, after which you may pay me again at your own -convenience. - -The merchant, who expected that Ali Cogia would come with such a -complaint, had meditated an answer. Friend Ali Cogia, said he, when -you brought your jar of olives to me, did I touch it? did not I give -you the key of my warehouse? did not you carry it there yourself, -and did not you find it in the same place, covered in the same -manner as when you left it? And if you put gold in it, you should -have found it again. You told me that they were olives, and I -believed it. This is all I know of the matter: you may believe me, -if you please; but I never touched them. - -Ali Cogia made use of all the mild ways he could think of to oblige -the merchant to do him right. I love peace and quietness, said he to -him, and shall be very sorry to come to those extremities which will -bring the greatest disgrace upon you: consider that merchants, as we -are, ought to abandon all interest to preserve a good reputation. -Once again I tell you, I should be very much concerned if your -obstinacy shall oblige me to force you to do me justice; for I would -rather almost lose what is my right than have recourse to law. - -Ali Cogia, replied the merchant, you agree that you left a jar of -olives with me; and now you have taken it away, you come and ask me -for a thousand pieces of gold. Did you ever tell me that such a sum -was in the jar? I did not even know that they were olives, for you -never showed them to me. I wonder you do not as well ask me for -diamonds and pearls instead of gold; begone about your business, and -do not raise a mob about my shop: for some persons had already -stopped. These last words were pronounced in so great heat and -passion, as not only made those who stood about the shop already -stay longer, and created a great mob, but the neighbouring merchants -came out of their shops to see what was the dispute between Ali -Cogia and the merchant, and endeavour to reconcile them; and when -Ali Cogia had informed them of his grievance, they asked the -merchant what he had to say. - -The merchant owned that he had kept the jar for Ali Cogia in his -warehouse, but denied that ever he meddled with it; and swore that -he knew it was full of olives only because Ali Cogia told him so, -and bid them all bear witness of the insult and affront offered him. -You bring it upon yourself, said Ali Cogia, taking him by the arm; -but since you use me so basely, I cite you to the law of God; let us -see whether you will have the assurance to say the same thing before -the cady. - -The merchant could not refuse this summons, which every good -Mussulman is bound to observe, or be declared a rebel against -religion; but said, With all my heart; we shall soon see who is in -the wrong. - -Ali Cogia carried the merchant before the cady, before whom he -accused him of cheating him of a thousand pieces of gold, which he -had left with him. The cady asked him if he had any witnesses; to -which he replied, that he had not taken that precaution, because he -believed the person he trusted his money with to be his friend, and -always took him for an honest man. - -The merchant made the same defence he had done before the merchants -his neighbours, offering to make oath that he never had the money he -was accused of, and that he did not so much as know there was such a -sum; upon which the cady took his oath, and dismissed him acquitted. - -Ali Cogia, extremely mortified to find that he must sit down with so -considerable a loss, protested against the sentence, declaring to -the cady that he would appeal to the caliph Haroun Alraschid, who -would do him justice; which protestation the cady only looked upon -as the effect of the common resentment of all those who lose their -cause, and thought he had done his duty in acquitting a person who -had been accused without witnesses. - -While the merchant returned home, triumphing over Ali Cogia, and -overjoyed at his good fortune, Ali Cogia went and drew up a -petition; and the next day, observing the time when the caliph came -from noon prayers, he placed himself in the street he was to pass -through, and holding out his hand with the petition, an officer -appointed for that purpose, who always goes before the caliph, came -and took it to present it. - -As Ali Cogia knew that it was the caliph’s custom to read the -petitions at his return to the palace, he went into the court, and -waited till the officer who had taken the petition read it, and came -out of the caliph’s apartment, who told him that the caliph had -appointed an hour to hear him next day; and then asking him where -the merchant lived, he sent to notify him to attend at the same time. - -That same evening, the caliph, the grand vizier Giafar, and Mesrour, -the chief of the eunuchs, went all disguised through the town, as I -have already told your majesty it was his custom occasionally to do: -and, passing through a street, the caliph heard a noise, and mending -his pace, he came to a gate, which led into a little court; through -a hole he perceived ten or twelve children playing by moonlight. - -The caliph, who was curious to know at what play the children -played, sat down upon a stone bench just by; and, still looking -through the hole, he heard one of the briskest and liveliest of the -children say, Let us play at the cady. I will be the cady; bring Ali -Cogia and the merchant who cheated him of the thousand pieces of -gold before me. - -These words of the child put the caliph in mind of the petition Ali -Cogia had given him that day, and made him redouble his attention to -see the issue of the trial. - -As the affair of Ali Cogia and the merchant made a great noise in -Bagdad, it had not escaped the children, who all accepted the -proposition with joy, and agreed on the part each was to act: not -one of them refused him that made the proposal to be cady; and when -he had taken his seat, which he did with all the seeming gravity of -a cady, another, as an officer of the court, presented two before -him, one as Ali Cogia, and the other as the merchant against whom he -complained. - -Then the pretended cady, directing his discourse to the feigned Ali -Cogia, asked him what he had to lay to that merchant’s charge. - -Ali Cogia, after a low bow, informed the young cady of the fact, and -related every particular, and afterwards begged that he would use -his authority, that he might not lose so considerable a sum of money. - -Then the feigned cady, turning about to the merchant, asked him why -he did not return the money which Ali Cogia demanded of him. - -The feigned merchant alleged the same reasons as the real merchant -had done before the cady himself, and offered to confirm by oath -that what he had said was truth. - -Not so fast, replied the pretended cady; before you come to your -oath, I should be glad to see the jar of olives. Ali Cogia, said he, -addressing himself to the lad who acted that part, have you brought -the jar? No, replied he. Then go and fetch it immediately, said the -other. - -The pretended Ali Cogia went immediately, and returning as soon, -feigned to set a jar before the cady, telling him that it was the -same he left with the accused person, and took away again. But, to -omit no part of the formality, the supposed cady asked the merchant -if it was the same; and as by his silence he seemed not to deny it, -he ordered it to be opened. He that represented Ali Cogia seemed to -take off the cover, and the pretended cady made as if he looked into -it. They are fine olives, said he; let me taste of them; and then -pretending to eat of them, added, They are excellent; but, continued -he, I cannot think that olives will keep seven years, and be so -good: send for some olive-merchants, and let me hear what is their -opinion. Then two boys, as olive-merchants, presented themselves. -Are you olive-merchants? said the sham cady. Tell me how long olives -will keep to be fit to eat? - -Sir, replied the two merchants, let us take what care we can, they -will hardly be worth any thing the third year; for then they have -neither taste nor colour. If it be so, answered the cady, look into -that jar, and tell me how long it is since those olives were put -into it. - -The two merchants pretended to examine and to taste the olives, and -told the cady they were new and good. You are mistaken, said the -young cady; Ali Cogia says he put them into the jar seven years ago. - -Sir, replied the merchants, we can assure you they are of this -year’s growth; and we will maintain there is not a merchant in -Bagdad but will say the same. - -The feigned merchant that was accused would have objected against -the evidence of the olive-merchants; but the feigned cady would not -suffer him. Hold your tongue, said he; you are a rogue; let him be -hanged. Then the children put an end to their play, clapping their -hands with great joy, and seizing the feigned criminal to carry him -to execution. - -Words cannot express how much the caliph Haroun Alraschid admired -the sagacity and sense of the boy who had passed so just a sentence -in an affair which was to be pleaded before him the next day. He -withdrew, and rising off the bench he sat on, he asked the grand -vizier, who heard all that passed, what he thought of it. Indeed, -commander of the true believers, answered the grand vizier Giafar, I -am surprised to find so much sagacity in one so young. - -But, answered the caliph, do you know one thing? I am to pronounce -sentence in this very cause to-morrow; the true Ali Cogia presented -his petition to me to-day; and do you think, continued he, that I -can give a better sentence? I think not, answered the vizier, if the -case is as the children represented it. Take notice then of this -house, said the caliph, and bring the boy to me to-morrow, that he -may try this cause in my presence; and also order the cady, who -acquitted the roguish merchant, to attend, to learn his duty from a -child. Take care likewise to bid Ali Cogia bring his jar of olives -with him, and let two olive merchants be present. After this charge, -he pursued his rounds, without meeting with any thing else worth his -attention. - -The next day the vizier went to the house where the caliph had been -witness of the children’s play, and asked for the master of it; -but he being abroad, his wife came to him. He asked her, if she had -any children. To which she answered, she had three, and called them. -My brave boys, said the vizier, which of you was the cady when you -played together last night? The eldest made answer he was; but not -knowing why he asked the question, coloured. Come along with me, my -lad, said the grand vizier, the commander of the faithful wants to -see you. - -The mother was in a great fright when she saw the grand vizier would -take her son with him, and asked him upon what account the caliph -wanted him. The grand vizier encouraged her, and promised her that -he should return again in less than an hour’s time, when she -should know it from himself. If it be so, sir, said the mother, give -me leave to dress him first, that he may be fit to appear before the -commander of the faithful; which the vizier readily complied with. - -As soon as the child was dressed, the vizier carried him away and -presented him to the caliph at the time he had appointed to hear Ali -Cogia and the merchant. - -The caliph, who saw that the boy was dashed, to encourage him, said, -Come to me, child, and tell me if it was you that determined the -affair between Ali Cogia and the merchant that cheated him of his -money? I saw and heard you, and am very well pleased with you. The -boy answered modestly that it was he. Well, my son, replied the -caliph, come and sit down by me, and you shall see the true Ali -Cogia, and the true merchant. - -Then the caliph took him by the hand, and set him on the throne by -him, and asked for the two parties. When they were called, they came -and prostrated themselves before the throne, bowing their heads -quite down to the carpet that covered it. Afterwards the caliph said -to them, Plead each of you your causes before this child, who will -hear and do you justice; and if he should be at a loss, I will -rectify it. - -Ali Cogia and the merchant pleaded one after the other; but when the -merchant proposed his oath as before, the child said, It is too -soon; it is proper that we should see the jar of olives. - -At these words, Ali Cogia presented the jar, placed it at the -Caliph’s feet, and opened it. The caliph looked upon the olives, -and took one and tasted it. Afterwards the merchants were called, -who examined the olives, and reported that they were good, and of -that year. The boy told them that Ali Cogia affirmed that it was -seven years since he put them up; and they returned the same answer -as the children, who represented them the night before. - -Though the merchant who was accused saw plainly that these -merchants’ opinions would condemn him, yet he would say something -in his own justification. But the child, instead of ordering him to -be hanged, looked at the caliph, and said, Commander of the -faithful, this is no jesting matter; it is your majesty that must -condemn him to death, and not me, though I did it yesterday in play. - -The caliph, fully satisfied of the merchant’s villany, delivered -him into the hands of the ministers of justice to be hanged. This -sentence was executed upon him after he had confessed where he had -hid the thousand pieces of gold, which were restored to Ali Cogia. -Then the monarch, most just and equitable, turning to the cady, bid -him learn of that child to acquit himself more exactly of his duty; -and embracing the boy, sent him home with a purse of a hundred -pieces of gold, as a token of his liberality. - - - - -The Story of the Enchanted Horse. - - -The Nevrouz, [101] or the new day, which is the first of the year -and spring, is observed as an ancient and solemn feast throughout -all Persia, which has been continued from the time of idolatry; and -our prophet’s religion, pure as it is, and true as we hold it, has -not been able to abolish that heathenish custom, and the -superstitious ceremonies which are observed, not only in the great -cities, but celebrated with extraordinary rejoicings in every little -town, village and hamlet. - -But the rejoicings are the most extraordinary at the court, for the -variety of new and surprising sights, insomuch that strangers are -invited from the neighbouring states, and the most remote parts, by -rewards and liberality of the king towards those who are the most -excellent in their invention and contrivance. In short, nothing in -the rest of the world can come nigh them in magnificence. - -One of these feast days, after the most ingenious artists of the -country had repaired to Schiraz, where the court then resided, and -had entertained the king and all the court with their sights, and -had been bountifully and liberally rewarded according to their merit -and to their satisfaction by the king, when the assembly was just -breaking up, an Indian appeared at the foot of the throne with an -artificial horse, richly bridled and saddled, and so well made, that -at first sight he looked like a living horse. - -The Indian prostrated himself before the throne, and pointing to the -horse, said to the king, Though, sir, I present myself the last -before your majesty, yet I can assure you that nothing that has been -shown to-day is so wonderful as this horse, on which I beg your -majesty will be pleased to cast your eyes. I see nothing more in the -horse, said the king, but the natural resemblance the workman has -given him, which the skill of another workman may do as well or -better. - -Sir, replied the Indian, it is not for his outward form and -appearance that I recommend my horse to your majesty’s examination -as wonderful, but the use I know how to make of him, and what any -other person, when I have communicated the secret to him, may do as -well. Whenever I mount him, be it where it will, if I wish to -transport myself through the air to the most distant part of the -world, I can do it in a very short time. This, sir, is the wonder of -my horse, a wonder which nobody ever heard speak of, and which I -offer to show your majesty, if you command me. [102] - -The king of Persia, who was fond of every thing that was curious, -and, after the many wonderful things he had seen and desired to see, -had never seen nor heard any thing that came up to this, told the -Indian that nothing but the experience of what he told should -convince him; and that withal he was ready to see him perform what -he promised. - -The Indian presently put his foot into the stirrup, and mounted his -horse with a great deal of activity; and when he had got the other -foot into the stirrup, and had fixed himself in the saddle, he asked -the king of Persia where he pleased to send him. - -About three leagues from Schiraz there was a high mountain, -discernible from the large square before the palace, where the king -and his court, and a great concourse of people then were. Do you see -that mountain? said the king, pointing to the hill; go to it, it is -not a great way off, but it is far enough to judge of the haste you -can make in going and coming. But because it is not possible for the -eye to follow you so far, for a certain sign that you have been -there, I expect that you will bring me a branch of a palm tree that -grows at the bottom of the hill. - -The king of Persia had no sooner declared his will, but the Indian -turned a peg, which was in the hollow of the horse’s neck, just by -the pommel of the saddle, and in an instant the horse rose off the -ground, and carried his rider into the air like lightning to such a -height, that those who had the strongest sight could not discern -him, to the admiration of the king and all the spectators. Within -less than a quarter of an hour they saw him come again with the palm -branch in his hand; but before he came quite down, he took two or -three turns in the air over the spot, amid the acclamations of all -the people, then descended upon the same spot of ground whence he -set off, without receiving the least shock from the horse to -disorder him. He dismounted, and going up to the throne, prostrated -himself, and laid the branch of the palm-tree at the king’s feet. - -The king of Persia, who was an eye-witness, with no less admiration -than astonishment of this unheard-of sight, which the Indian had -exhibited, conceived a great desire to have the horse; and as he -persuaded himself that he should not find it a difficult matter to -treat with the Indian about him, for whatever sum of money he should -value him at, he began to look upon him as the most valuable thing -in his treasury. To judge of thy horse by his outward appearance, -said he to the Indian, I did not think him so much worth my -consideration. As you showed me his merits, I am obliged to you for -undeceiving me; and to show you how much I esteem him, I will buy -him of you, if he is to be sold. - -Sir, replied the Indian, I never doubted that your majesty, who has -the character of the most judicious prince on earth, would set a -just value on my work as soon as I had shown you on what account he -was worthy your attention. I also foresaw that you would not only -admire and commend him, but would desire to have him. For my part, -sir, though I know the true value of him, and that my being master -of him will render my name immortal in the world, yet I am not so -fond of him but I can resign him, to gratify that noble passion of -your majesty; but in making this declaration, I have another to add, -without which I cannot resolve to part with him, and perhaps you may -not approve of it. - -Your majesty will not be displeased, continued the Indian, if I tell -you that I did not buy this horse, but obtained him of the inventor -and maker, by giving him my only daughter in marriage, and promising -at the same time never to sell him; but, if I parted with him, to -exchange him for something that I should like. - -The Indian would have gone on, but at the word exchange, the king of -Persia interrupted him: I am willing, said he, to give you what you -will ask in exchange. You know my kingdom is large, and contains -many great, rich, and populous cities; I will give you the choice of -which you like best, in full sovereignty for the rest of your life. - -This exchange seemed royal and noble to the whole court, but was -much below what the Indian proposed to himself, who had raised his -thoughts much higher. I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for -the offer you make me, answered he, and cannot thank you enough for -your generosity; yet I must beg of you not to be angry with me, if I -have the boldness to tell you, that I cannot resign to you my horse, -but by receiving the hand of the princess your daughter as my wife: -this is the only price at which I can give up my property in him. - -The courtiers about the king of Persia could not forbear laughing -aloud at this extravagant demand of the Indian; but the prince -Firouz Schah, the king’s eldest son, and presumptive heir to the -crown, could not bear it without indignation. The king was of a very -different opinion, and thought he might sacrifice the princess of -Persia to the Indian, to satisfy his curiosity. He remained, -however, undetermined, considering what he should do. - -Prince Firouz Schah, who saw his father hesitating what answer he -should make, began to fear lest he should comply with the Indian’s -demand, and looked upon it as not only injurious to the royal -dignity and his sister, but also to himself; therefore, to -anticipate his father, he said, Sir, I hope your majesty will -forgive me for daring to ask you, if it is possible that your -majesty should hesitate a moment about a denial to so insolent a -demand from such an insignificant fellow, and scandalous juggler; -and that you should give him reason to flatter himself a moment with -being allied to one of the most powerful monarchs in the world? I -beg of you to consider what you owe to yourself, and to your own -blood, and the high rank of your ancestors. - -Son, replied the king of Persia, I very much approve of your -remonstrance, and am very sensible of your zeal for preserving the -lustre of your noble birth; but you do not consider enough the -excellence of this horse, nor that the Indian, if I should refuse -him, may make the offer somewhere else, where this nice point of -honour may be waved. I shall be in the utmost despair if another -prince should boast of having exceeded me in generosity, and -deprived me of the glory of possessing a horse, which I esteem as -the most singular and wonderful thing in the world. I will not say I -consent to grant him what he asked. Perhaps he has not made up his -mind upon this exorbitant demand; and, putting my daughter the -princess out of the question, I may make another agreement with him -that will answer his purpose as well. But before I strike the -bargain with him, I should be glad that you would examine the horse; -try him yourself, and give me your opinion; I doubt not he will -permit. - -As it is natural for us to flatter ourselves in what we desire, the -Indian fancied, by what he heard the king of Persia say, he was not -entirely averse to his alliance, by taking the horse at his price; -and that the prince, who, instead of being against it, might become -more favourable to him, and not oppose the desire the king seemed to -have; and to show he consented to it with a great deal of pleasure, -he expressed much joy, ran before the prince to help him to mount, -and showed him how to guide and manage the horse. - -The prince mounted the horse with wonderful address, without the -Indian assisting him; and no sooner had he got his feet in both -stirrups, but, without staying for the Indian’s advice, he turned -the peg he had seen him use, and mounted into the air as quick as an -arrow shot out of a bow by the stoutest and most adroit archer; and -in a few moments the king, court, and the numerous assembly, lost -sight of him. Neither horse nor prince were to be seen; and the king -of Persia made vain efforts to discern them: when the Indian, -alarmed at what had happened, prostrated himself before the throne, -and forced the king to look at him, and give attention to what he -said. Sir, said he, your majesty yourself saw that the prince was so -hasty, that he would not permit me to give him the necessary -instructions to govern my horse. From what he saw me do, he would -show that he wanted not my advice to set off. He was too willing to -show his address, but knows not the way which I was going to show -him, how to turn the horse about and bring it back again. Therefore, -sir, the favour I ask of your majesty is, not to make me accountable -for what accidents may befall him; you are too just to impute to me -any misfortune that may attend him. - -This discourse of the Indian very much surprised and afflicted the -king of Persia, who saw the danger his son was in to be inevitable, -if, as the Indian said, there was another secret to bring him back -again, that was different from that which carried him away; and -asked, in a passion, why he did not call him back the moment he went. - -Sir, answered the Indian, your majesty saw as well as I with what -swiftness the horse and the prince flew away. The surprise I was -then, and still am in, deprived me of the use of my speech; and, if -I could have spoken, he was got too far to hear me. If he had heard -me, he knew not the secret to bring him back, which, through his -impatience, he would not stay to learn. But, sir, added he, there is -room to hope that the prince, when he finds himself at a loss, will -perceive another peg, and, as soon as he turns that, the horse will -cease to rise, and will descend to the ground, and he may turn him -to what place he pleases by guiding him with the bridle. - -Notwithstanding all these arguments of the Indian, which carried -great appearance of probability, the king of Persia was terribly -frightened at the evident danger his son was in. I suppose, replied -he, it is very uncertain whether my son perceives the other peg, and -makes a right use of it: may not the horse, instead of lighting on -the ground, fall upon some rock, or tumble into the sea with him? - -Sir, replied the Indian, I can deliver your majesty from this -apprehension, by assuring you that the horse crosses seas without -ever falling into them, and always carries his rider wherever he has -a mind to go. And your majesty may assure yourself, that, if the -prince does not find out the other peg which I mentioned, the horse -will carry him where he pleases to go. It is not to be supposed he -will go any where but where he can find assistance, and make himself -known. - -Be it as it will, replied the king of Persia, as I cannot depend -upon the assurance you give me, your head shall answer for my -son’s life, if he does not return safe and sound in three days’ -time, or that I can certainly hear that he is alive. Then he ordered -his officers to secure his person, and keep him close prisoner; -after which he retired to his palace, extremely grieved that the -feast of Nevrouz should afford him and his court so much sorrow. - -In the mean time prince Firouz Schah was carried through the air -with prodigious swiftness, as was said before; and in less than an -hour’s time he had got so high, that he could not distinguish any -thing on the earth, but mountains and plains seemed confounded -together. It was then he began to think of returning from whence he -came, and thought to do it by turning the same peg the contrary way, -and pulling the bridle at the same time. But when he found that the -horse still rose with the same swiftness, his astonishment was -extremely great. He turned the peg several times, one way and the -other, but all in vain. It was then he grew sensible of his fault, -in not taking the necessary precautions to guide the horse, before -he mounted him. He immediately apprehended the great danger he was -in, but that apprehension did not deprive him of his reason. He -examined the horse’s head and neck with great attention, and -perceived behind the horse’s right ear another peg, smaller and -less discernible than the other. He turned that peg, and presently -perceived that he descended in the same oblique manner as he -mounted, but not so swiftly. - -Night had overshadowed almost half an hour that part of the earth -over which the prince then was, when he found out and turned the -small peg; and as the horse descended, he by degrees lost sight of -the sun, till it grew quite dark; insomuch that, instead of choosing -what place he would go to, he was forced to let the bridle lie upon -the horse’s neck, and wait patiently till he alighted, though not -without the dread lest it should be in the desert, a river, or the -sea. - -At last the horse alighted and stopped after midnight, and prince -Firouz Schah dismounted, very faint and hungry, having eaten nothing -since the morning when he came out of the palace with his father to -assist at the festival. The first thing he had to do in the darkness -of the night was to endeavour to find out where he was; when he -found himself to be on the terrace of a magnificent palace, -surrounded with a balustrade of white marble, breast high; and -groping about, found a pair of stairs which led down into the -palace, the door of which was half open. - -None but prince Firouz Schah would have ventured to go down those -stairs, so dark as it was, and in the danger he exposed himself to -from friends or foes. But no consideration could stop him. I do not -come, said he to himself, to do any body any harm; and certainly, -whoever meets or sees me first, and finds that I have no arms in my -hands, will not attempt any thing against my life, before they hear -what I have to say for myself. After this reflection he opened the -door wider, without making any noise, and went softly down the -stairs, that he might not awaken any body; and when he came to a -landing place on the staircase, he found the door of a great hall, -that had a light in it, open. - -The prince stopped at the door, and listening, heard no other noise -than the snoring of some people who were fast asleep. He advanced a -little into the room, and, by the light of a lantern, saw that those -persons whom he heard snore were black eunuchs, with naked sabres -laid by them; which was enough to inform him that this was the guard -chamber of some queen or princess: which latter it proved to be. - -In the next room to this the princess lay, as appeared by the light -he saw, the door being open, through a thin silken curtain, which -drew before the door-way, whither prince Firouz Schah advanced on -tip-toe, without waking the eunuchs. He put by the curtain, and went -in; and without staying to observe the magnificence of the chamber, -which was what he did not much regard, he gave his attention to -something of greater importance. He saw a great many beds; only one -of them on a sofa, the rest on the floor. The princess lay in the -first, and her women in the others. - -This distinction was enough to direct the prince in his choice. He -crept softly to the bed without waking either the princess or her -women, and beheld a beauty so extraordinary and surprising, that he -was charmed and inflamed with love at the first sight. O heavens! -said he to himself, has my fate brought me hither to deprive me of -my liberty, which hitherto I have always preserved? How can I avoid -a certain slavery, when those eyes shall open, since without doubt, -they complete the lustre of this assemblage of charms? I must -quickly resolve; since I cannot stir without being my own murderer; -for so has necessity ordained. - -After these reflections on his situation, and on the princess’s -beauty, and examining the condition of his heart, he fell on his -knees, and taking hold of the princess’s shift sleeve, out of -which came an arm as white as snow, pulled it gently towards him. -The princess opened her eyes, and seeing a handsome, well-shaped, -comely man on his knees, she was in great surprise; yet seemed to -show no sign of fear. - -The prince made use of this favourable moment, bowed his head down -to the ground, and, rising, said, Respectable princess, by the most -extraordinary and wonderful adventure imaginable, you see here at -your feet a suppliant prince, the son of the king of Persia, who was -yesterday morning with his father in his court, at the celebration -of a solemn feast, and is now in a strange country, in danger of his -life, if you have not the goodness and generosity to give him your -assistance and protection. These I implore, adorable princess, with -the confidence that you will not refuse me. I have the more ground -to persuade myself that so much beauty and majesty, and such charms, -cannot entertain the least inhumanity. - -This princess, to whom prince Firouz Schah so happily addressed -himself, was the princess of Bengal, eldest daughter of the king of -that kingdom, who had built this palace a small distance from his -capital, whither she went to take the benefit of the country. After -she had heard the prince with all the candour he could desire, she -replied with equal goodness, Prince, you are not in a barbarous -country; take courage: hospitality, humanity, and politeness, are to -be met with in the kingdom of Bengal, as well as in that of Persia. -It is not I who grant you the protection you ask; you not only have -found it in my palace, but throughout the whole kingdom; you may -believe me, and depend upon what I say. - -The prince of Persia would have thanked the princess of Bengal for -her civility, and the favour she did him, and had already bowed down -his head to return the compliment, but she would not give him leave -to speak. Notwithstanding I desire, said she, to know by what -miracle you have come hither from the capital of Persia in so short -a time, and by what enchantment you have been able to penetrate so -far as to come to my apartment, and to have deceived the vigilance -of my guards, yet as it is impossible but you must want some -refreshment, and looking upon you as a welcome guest, I will wave my -curiosity, and give orders to my women to regale you, and show you -an apartment, that you may rest yourself after your fatigue, and be -better able to satisfy my curiosity. - -The princess’s women, who awaked at the first words which the -prince addressed to the princess, were in the utmost surprise to see -a man at the princess’s bolster, as they could not conceive how he -got thither without waking them or the eunuchs. They no sooner -comprehended the princess’s intentions, than they dressed -themselves presently, and were ready to obey her commands, as soon -as she gave them. They each took a wax candle, of which there were -great numbers lighted up in the room; and after the prince had taken -leave very respectfully, they went before him, and conducted him -into a handsome chamber; where, while some were preparing the bed, -others went into the kitchen; and notwithstanding it was so -unseasonable an hour, they did not make prince Firouz Schah wait -long, but brought him presently all sorts of meat; and when he had -eaten as much as he chose, they removed the table, and left him to -taste the sweets of repose, after showing him several presses, where -he might find whatever he wanted. - -In the mean time, the princess of Bengal was so struck with the -charms, wit, politeness, and other good qualities which she -discovered in that short conversation with the prince, that she -could not sleep: but when her women came into her room to go to bed, -again asked them if they had taken care of him, and if he wanted any -thing; and particularly what they thought of him. - -The women, after they had satisfied her as to the first articles, -answered as to the last: We do not know what you may think of him, -but, for our parts, we think you would be very happy if the king -your father would marry you to so amiable a prince; for there is not -a prince in all the kingdom of Bengal to be compared to him; nor can -we hear that any of the neighbouring princes are worthy of you. - -This flattering discourse was not displeasing to the princess of -Bengal; but as she had no mind to declare her sentiments to them, -she imposed silence upon them, telling them they talked without -reflection, bidding them to go to bed and let her sleep. - -The next day, the first thing the princess did as soon as she was -up, was to sit down to her toilet. She took more pains in dressing -and adjusting herself at the glass than ever she had done in her -life. She never had tried her women’s patience so much before, by -making them do and undo the same thing several times: Certainly, -said she to herself, if the prince, as I perceive, was taken with me -in my dishabille, he will be charmed with me when I am dressed. She -adorned her head, neck, arms, and waist, with the finest and largest -diamonds she had. The habit she made use of was one of the richest -stuffs of the Indies, of a most beautiful colour, and made only for -kings, princes, and princesses. After she had consulted her glass a -long time, and asked her women, one after another, if any thing was -wanting to her attire, she sent to know if the prince of Persia was -awake; and as she never doubted but that, if he was up and dressed, -he would ask leave to come and pay his respects to her, she charged -the messenger to tell him she would make him the visit, and she had -her reasons for this. - -The prince of Persia, who by that night’s rest had recovered the -fatigue he had undergone the day before, had just dressed himself, -when he received the princess of Bengal’s compliments by one of -her women. Without giving the lady who brought the message leave to -communicate it, he asked her if it was proper for him then to go and -pay his respects to the princess; and when the lady had acquitted -herself of the errand, he replied, it shall be as the princess -thinks fit; I came here to be solely at her pleasure. - -As soon as the princess of Bengal understood that the prince of -Persia waited for her, she immediately went to pay him a visit. -After mutual compliments on both sides, the prince asking pardon for -having waked the princess out of a profound sleep, and the princess -inquiring after his health, and how he rested, the princess sat down -on a sofa, as did also the prince, though at some distance, out of -respect. - -Then the princess, resuming the discourse, said, I would have -received you, prince, in the chamber in which you found me in bed -last night; but as the chief of my eunuchs has the liberty of coming -into it, and never comes further without my leave, through my -impatience to hear the surprising adventure which procures me the -happiness of seeing you, I chose to come hither, that we may not be -interrupted; therefore I beg of you to give me that satisfaction, -which will highly oblige me. - -Prince Firouz Schah, to gratify the princess of Bengal, began his -discourse with the solemn and annual feast of the Nevrouz, relating -all the sights worthy of her curiosity, which had amazed the court -of Persia and the whole town of Schiraz. Afterwards he came to the -enchanted horse; the description of which, with the account of the -wonders the Indian performed on him before so august an assembly, -convinced the princess that nothing of that kind could be imagined -more surprising in the world. You may well think, charming princess, -continued the prince of Persia, that the king my father, who cares -not what he gives for any thing that is rare and curious, would be -very desirous to purchase such a horse, as indeed he was. He asked -the Indian what he would have for him; who made him an extravagant -reply, telling him, that he had not bought him, but taken him in -exchange for his only daughter, and could not part with him but on -the like condition, which was, to have his consent to marry the -princess my sister. - -The crowd of courtiers, who stood about the king my father, hearing -the extravagance of this proposal, laughed loudly at it; and I, for -my part, conceived so great indignation, that I could not disguise -it; and the more, because I saw that the king my father was -considering with himself what answer he should give him. In short, I -believe he would have granted him what he asked, if I had not in the -most lively terms represented to him how injurious it would be to -his honour; yet my remonstrance could not bring him entirely to quit -his design of sacrificing the princess my sister to so despicable a -person. He fancied he should bring me over to his opinion, if once I -could comprehend, as he imagined he did, the singular worth of his -horse. With this view he would have me look at him, and mount him, -and make a trial of him myself. - -To please my father, I mounted the horse, and as soon as I was upon -his back I put my hand upon a peg, as I had seen the Indian do -before me, to make the horse mount into the air, never staying to -take instructions of the owner. The instant I touched the peg, the -horse mounted with me into the air as swift as an arrow shot out of -a bow, and I was presently at such a distance from the earth that I -could not distinguish any object. By the swiftness of the motion I -was for some time unapprehensive of the danger to which I was -exposed; but when I grew sensible of it, I endeavoured to turn the -peg the contrary way. But the experiment would not answer my -expectation, and still the horse mounted with me, and carried me a -greater distance from the earth. At last I perceived another peg, -which I turned, and then I grew sensible that the horse declined -towards the earth, and presently found myself so surrounded with -darkness, that it was impossible for me to guide the horse. In this -condition I laid the bridle on his neck, and trusted myself to the -will of God to dispose of my fate. - -Not long after the horse alighted, and I got off his back, and -examining whereabouts I might be, perceived myself on the terrace of -this palace, and found the door of the staircase half open. I came -softly down the stairs, and seeing a door open by a small light, put -my head into the room, and saw some eunuchs asleep, and a great -light in another room. The necessity I was under, notwithstanding -the inevitable danger I was threatened with, if the eunuchs had -waked, inspired me with the boldness, or rather rashness, to cross -that room to get to the other. - -It is needless, princess, added the prince, to tell you the rest, -since you are not unacquainted with all that passed afterwards. But -I am obliged in duty to thank you for your goodness and generosity, -and to beg of you to let me know how I may show my gratitude. -According to the law of nations, I am already your slave, and cannot -make you an offer of my person; there only remains my heart: but, -alas! princess, what do I say? My heart is no longer my own; your -charms have forced it from me, but in such a manner, as I will never -ask for it again, but yield it up: give me leave, therefore, to -declare you mistress both of my heart and inclination. - -These last words of the prince Firouz Schah were pronounced with -such an air and tone, that the princess of Bengal never doubted a -moment of the effect she expected from her charms; neither did she -seem to resent the precipitate declaration of the prince of Persia. -Her blushes served but to heighten her beauty, and render her more -amiable in the eyes of the prince. - -As soon as she had recovered herself, she replied, prince, you have -given me a sensible pleasure by telling me those surprising, -wonderful things. But, on the other hand, I can hardly forbear -shuddering, when I think on the height you was in the air; and -though I have the good fortune to see you here safe and well, I was -in pain till you came to that part where the Indian horse alighted -on my palace leads. The same thing might have happened in a thousand -other places. I am glad that chance has given me the preference to -the whole world, and the opportunity of letting you know that it -could not have conducted you to any place where you could have been -received more agreeably, and with greater pleasure. - -But prince, continued she, I should think myself offended, if I -believed that the thought you mentioned of being my slave was -serious, and that it did not proceed from your politeness rather -than from a sincerity of sentiment; for, by the reception I gave you -yesterday, you might assure yourself, you are here as much at -liberty as in the midst of the court of Persia. - -As to your heart, added the princess of Bengal, in a tone which -showed nothing less than a refusal, as I am persuaded that you have -not lived so long without disposing of it, and that you could not -fail of making choice of a princess who deserves it, I should be -very sorry to give you an occasion to be guilty of infidelity to her. - -Prince Firouz Schah would have protested, that when he left Persia, -he was master of his own heart: but, at that instant, one of the -princess’s ladies in waiting came to tell her that dinner was -served up. - -This interruption delivered the prince and princess from an -explanation, which would have been equally embarrassing to both of -them, and of which they stood not in need. The princess of Bengal -was fully convinced of the prince of Persia’s sincerity; and the -prince, though the princess had not explained herself, judged -nevertheless by some words she let fall, and the favourable manner -she heard him, that he had no reason to complain. - -As the lady held the door open, the princess of Bengal said to the -prince of Persia, rising off her seat, as he did also from his, I am -not used to dine so early; but as I fancied you might have had but -an indifferent supper last night, I ordered dinner to be got ready -sooner than ordinary. After this compliment, she led him into a -magnificent hall, where a table was laid, and set off with great -plenty of choice and excellent viands; and as soon as they were sat -down, a great many beautiful slaves of the princess, richly dressed, -began a most agreeable concert of vocal and instrumental music, -which lasted the whole time of dinner. - -This concert was so sweet and well managed, that it did not in the -least interrupt the prince and princess’s conversation. All -dinner-time their sole concern was to help and invite each other to -eat: the prince, for his part, served the princess with the choicest -of every thing, and strove to outdo her in civility, both by words -and actions, which she returned again, with a great many new -compliments: and in this reciprocal commerce of mutual civilities -and attentions, love made a greater progress in both, than a -concerted interview would have promoted. - -When they rose from the table, the princess carried the prince into -a large and magnificent closet, finely embellished with paintings in -blue and gold, of a just symmetry, and richly furnished; there they -both sat down upon a sofa, which afforded a most agreeable prospect -into the palace garden, which prince Firouz Schah admired for the -vast variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees, which were full as -beautiful as those of Persia, but quite different. Here taking the -opportunity of entering into a conversation with the princess, he -said, I always believed, madam, that no part of the world but Persia -afforded such stately palaces and beautiful gardens; but now I see -that other great monarchs know as well how to build mansions -suitable to their power and greatness; and if there is a difference -in the manner of building, there is none in the grandeur and -magnificence. - -Prince, replied the princess of Bengal, as I have no idea of the -palaces of Persia, I cannot judge of the comparison you have made of -mine, to tell you my opinion of it. But however sincere you seem to -be, I can hardly think it just, but rather incline to believe it a -compliment: I will not despise my palace before you: you have too -good an eye, too good a taste, not to form a sound judgment. But I -assure you I find it very indifferent, when I compare it with the -king my father’s, which far exceeds it for grandeur, beauty, and -richness: you shall tell me yourself what you think of it, when you -have seen it; for since a chance has brought you so nigh to the -capital of this kingdom, I do not doubt but you will see it, and -make my father a visit, that he may pay you all the honour due to a -prince of your rank and merit. - -The princess flattered herself, that by exciting in the prince of -Persia a curiosity to see the Palace of Bengal, and to visit her -father in it, the king, seeing him so handsome, wise, and -accomplished a prince, might perhaps resolve to propose an alliance -with him, by offering her to him as a wife. And as she was well -persuaded she was not indifferent to the prince, and that he would -be pleased with the proposal, she hoped to attain to the utmost of -her wishes, and preserve all the decorum becoming a princess, who -would appear resigned to the will of her king and father; but the -prince of Persia did not return her an answer according to her -expectations. - -Princess, replied the prince, the preference which you give to the -king of Bengal’s palace to your own, is enough for me to believe -it much exceeds it: but as to the proposal of my going and paying my -respects to the king your father, I should not only do myself a -pleasure, but an honour. But judge, princess, yourself, would you -advise me to present myself before so great a monarch, like an -adventurer, without attendants, and a train agreeable to my rank? - -Prince, replied the princess, let not that give you any pain; if you -will but go, you shall want no money to have what train and -attendants you please: I will furnish you; and we have traders here -of all nations in great numbers, and you may make what choice you -please, to form your household. - -Prince Firouz Schah penetrated into the princess of Bengal’s -intention, and this sensible mark she gave him of her love, still -augmented his passion, which, notwithstanding its violence, made him -not forget his duty. But without any hesitation he replied, -Princess, I should most willingly accept of the obliging offer you -make me, for which I cannot enough show my gratitude, if the -uneasiness my father must feel on account of my absence did not -prevent me. I should be unworthy of the goodness and tenderness he -has always had for me, if I should not return as soon as possible to -calm his fears. I know him so well, that while I have the happiness -of enjoying the conversation of so lovely a princess, I am persuaded -that he is plunged into the deepest grief, and has lost all hopes of -seeing me again. I hope you will do me the justice to believe, that -I cannot, without ingratitude, and being guilty of a crime, dispense -with going to restore to him that life, which a too long deferred -return may have endangered. - -After this, princess, continued the prince of Persia, if you will -permit me, and think me worthy to aspire to the happiness of -becoming your husband, as the king my father has always declared -that he never would constrain me in my choice, I should find it no -difficult matter to get leave to return, not as a stranger, but as a -prince, to contract an alliance with him by our marriage; and I am -persuaded that he will be overjoyed when I tell him with what -generosity you received me, though a stranger in distress. - -The princess of Bengal was too sensible, after what the prince of -Persia had said, to insist any longer in persuading him to pay a -visit to the king of Bengal, or to ask any thing contrary to his -duty and honour. But she was very much alarmed to find that he -thought of so sudden a departure; fearing, that if he took his leave -of her so soon, instead of remembering his promise, he would forget -her when he ceased to see her. To divert him from it, she said to -him, Prince, my intention of proposing a visit to my father was not -to oppose so just an excuse as that you give me, and which I did not -foresee. I should have rendered myself an accomplice of the crime, -had I thought of it, but I cannot approve of your thinking to go so -soon as you propose; at least, grant me the favour I ask, of a -little longer acquaintance; and since I have had the happiness to -have you alight in the kingdom of Bengal, rather than in the midst -of a desert, or on the top of some steep craggy rock, from which it -would have been impossible for you to descend, I desire you will -stay long enough to enable you to give a better account at the court -of Persia of what you have seen here. - -The sole end the princess of Bengal had in this discourse was, that -the prince of Persia, by a longer stay, might become insensibly more -passionately enamoured of her charms, hoping thereby that his ardent -desire of returning would diminish, and then he might be brought to -appear in public, and pay a visit to the king of Bengal. The prince -of Persia could not well refuse her the favour she asked, after the -kind reception she had given him: but was so complaisant as to -comply with her request; and the princess’s thoughts were only how -to render his stay agreeable by all the diversions she could imagine. - -Nothing went forward for several days but festivals and balls, and -concerts of music, accompanied with magnificent feasts, and -collations, walks in the gardens, or hunting-parties in the -palace-park, which abounded with all sorts of game, stags, hinds, -and fallow-deer, and other beasts peculiar to the kingdom of Bengal, -which the princess could pursue without danger. After the chase, the -prince and princess met in some beautiful spot in the park, where a -carpet was spread, and cushions laid for their accommodation. There -resting themselves, after their violent exercise, and recovering -themselves, they conversed on various subjects. The princess took -great pains to turn the conversation on the grandeur, power, riches, -and government of Persia; that from prince Firouz Schah’s -discourse she might have an opportunity to talk of the kingdom of -Bengal, and its advantages, and engage him to resolve to make a -longer stay there; but she was disappointed in her expectations. - -In short, the prince of Persia, without the least exaggerations, -gave so advantageous an account of the extent of the kingdom of -Persia, its magnificence and riches, its military force, its -commerce by sea and land with the remote parts of the world, some of -which were unknown to him; the vast number of large cities it -contained, almost as populous as that which the king had chosen for -his residence, where he had palaces furnished ready to receive him -at all seasons of the year, so that he had his choice always to -enjoy a perpetual spring; that before he had done, the princess -found the kingdom of Bengal to be very much inferior to that of -Persia, in a great many instances. When he had finished his -relation, he begged of her to entertain him with a description of -Bengal; which, after a great deal of entreaty from the prince, she -complied with. - -The princess gave prince Firouz Schah that satisfaction; but by -lessening a great many advantages the kingdom of Bengal was well -known to have over that of Persia, she let him know the disposition -she felt to accompany him, so that he believed she would consent at -the first proposition he should make; but he thought it would not be -proper to make it till he had showed her so much complaisance as to -stay with her long enough to make the blame fall on her, in case she -wished to detain him longer from returning to his father, as he was -in duty bound to do. - -Two whole months the prince Firouz Schah abandoned himself entirely -to the will of the princess of Bengal, yielding to all the -amusements she contrived for him, for she neglected nothing to -divert him, as if she thought he had nothing else to do but to pass -his whole life with her in this manner. But after that time, he -declared seriously he could not stay any longer, and begged of her -to give him leave to return to his father; repeating again the -promise he had made her to return soon in a style worthy of her and -himself, and to demand her in form in marriage of the king of Bengal. - -And princess, replied the prince of Persia, that you may not suspect -the truth of what I say; and that by my asking this leave, you may -not rank me among those false lovers who forget the objects of their -love as soon as they are absent from them; but to show that my -passion is real, and not feigned, and that life cannot be pleasant -to me when absent from so lovely a princess, whose love to me I -cannot doubt is mutual; I would presume, if I was not afraid you -would be offended at my request, to ask the favour of taking you -along with me. - -As the prince Firouz Schah saw that the princess blushed at these -last words, and that without any mark of anger she hesitated at the -step she should take, he proceeded, and said, Princess, as for the -king my father’s consent, and the reception he will give you, I -venture to assure you he will receive you with pleasure into his -alliance; and as for the king of Bengal, after all the love and -tender regard he has always expressed for you, he must be the -reverse of what you have described him, an enemy to your repose and -happiness, if he should not receive in a friendly manner the embassy -which my father will send to him for his approbation of our marriage. - -The princess of Bengal returned no answer to this discourse of the -prince of Persia; but her silence, and eyes cast down, were -sufficient to inform him that she had no reluctance to accompany him -into Persia, but consented. The only difficulty she had was, that -the prince knew not well enough how to govern the horse, and she was -apprehensive of being involved with him in the same difficulty as -when he made the experiment. But the prince soon removed her fear by -assuring her she might trust herself with him, for that after the -experience he had had, he defied the Indian himself to manage him -better. She thought therefore only of concerting measures to get off -with him so secretly, that nobody belonging to the palace should -have the least suspicion of their design. - -The next morning, a little before daybreak, when all in the palace -were asleep, they went upon the terrace of the palace. The prince -turned the horse towards Persia, and placed him where the princess -could easily get up behind him; which she had no sooner done, and -was well settled with her arms about his waist, for her better -security, but he turned the peg, and the horse mounted into the air, -and making his usual haste, under the guidance of the prince, in two -hours’ time the prince discovered the capital of Persia. - -He would not alight at the great square from whence he set out, nor -in the sultan’s palace, but directed his course towards a -pleasure-house at a little distance from the town. He led the -princess into a handsome apartment, where he told her, that to do -her all the honour that was due to her, he would go and inform his -father of their arrival, and return to her immediately. He ordered -the housekeeper of the palace, who was then present, to provide the -princess with what ever she had occasion for. - -After the prince had taken his leave of the princess, he ordered a -horse to be saddled, which he mounted, after sending back the -housekeeper to the princess with orders to provide her breakfast -immediately, and then set forwards for the palace. As he passed -through the streets, he was received with acclamations by the -people, who were overjoyed to see him again. The sultan his father -was giving audience, when he appeared before him in the midst of his -council, who, as well as the sultan and the whole court, had been in -mourning ever since he had been absent. The sultan received him, and -embracing him with tears of joy and tenderness, asked him, What was -become of the Indian’s horse? - -This question gave the prince an opportunity to tell him the -embarrassment and danger he was in when the horse mounted into the -air with him, and how he arrived at last at the princess of -Bengal’s palace, with the kind reception he met with there: that -the motive which obliged him to stay so long with her, was, the -complaisance she had shown not to disoblige him, so that after -promising to marry her, he had persuaded her to come with him into -Persia. But, sir, added the prince, I have promised that you would -not refuse your consent, and have brought her with me on the -Indian’s horse, to a palace where your majesty often goes for your -pleasure; and have left her there, till I could return and assure -her that my promise was not in vain. - -After these words, the prince prostrated himself before the sultan -to gain his consent, but his father raised him up, embraced him a -second time, and said to him, Son, I not only consent to your -marriage with the princes of Bengal, but will go and meet her -myself, and thank her for the obligation I in particular have to -her, and will bring her to my palace, and celebrate your nuptials -this day. - -Then the sultan gave orders for his court to go out of mourning, and -make preparations for the princess’s entry; that the rejoicings -should begin with a grand concert of military music, and that the -Indian should be fetched out of prison and brought before him. When -the Indian was brought before the sultan, he said to him, I secured -thy person, that thy life, though not a sufficient victim to my rage -and grief, might answer for that of the prince my son, whom, thanks -to God! I have found again: go, take your horse, and never let me -see your face more. - -As the Indian had learned of those who fetched him out of prison, -that prince Firouz Schah was returned, and had brought a princess -behind him on his horse, and was also informed of the place where he -had alighted and left her, and that the sultan was making -preparations to go and bring her to his palace; as soon as he got -out of the sultan’s presence, he bethought himself of being -beforehand with him and the prince; and, without losing any time, -went directly to the palace, and addressing himself to the -housekeeper, told him, he came from the sultan and prince of Persia, -to fetch the princess of Bengal, and to carry her behind him through -the air to the sultan, who waited in the great square of his palace -to gratify the whole court and city of Schiraz with that wonderful -sight. - -The housekeeper, who knew the Indian, and that the sultan had -imprisoned him, gave the more credit to what he said, because he saw -that he was at liberty. He presented him to the princess of Bengal; -who no sooner understood that he came from the prince of Persia, -than she consented to what that prince, as she thought, desired of -her. - -The Indian, overjoyed at his success, and the ease with which he had -accomplished his villany, mounted his horse, took the princess -behind him, with the assistance of the housekeeper, turned the peg, -and presently the horse mounted into the air with him and the -princess. - -At the same time the sultan of Persia, followed by his court, was on -the road from his own palace to the palace where the princess of -Bengal was left, and the prince of Persia was advanced before, to -prepare the princess of Bengal to receive him, when the Indian to -brave them both, and revenge himself for the ill-treatment he had -received, as he pretended, passed over their heads with his prize. - -When the sultan of Persia saw the ravisher, he stopped. His surprise -and affliction was the more sensible, because it was not in his -power to make him repent of so high an affront. He loaded him with a -thousand imprecations, as also did all the courtiers, who were -witnesses of so signal a piece of insolence and unparalleled villany. - -The Indian, little moved with their curses, which just reached his -ears, continued his way; while the sultan, extremely mortified at so -great an injury, and to find he could not punish the author, -returned back to his palace. - -But what was prince Firouz Schah’s grief to see the Indian carry -away the princess of Bengal, whom he loved so passionately, that he -could not live without her! At the sight of an object so little -expected, he was thunderstruck, and before he could deliberate with -himself whether he should let fly all the reproaches his rage could -invent against the Indian, or bewail the deplorable fate of the -princess, or ask her pardon for not taking better precaution to -preserve her, who had trusted herself to his care in a manner -sufficiently expressive of her love, the horse was out of sight. He -could not resolve what to do, whether he should return to the -sultan’s palace, and shut himself up in his apartment to give -himself entirely up to his affliction, without attempting to pursue -the ravisher, to deliver the princess, and punish him as he -deserved. But as his generosity, love, and courage, would not suffer -this, he continued on his way to the palace where he had left his -princess. - -When he came there, the housekeeper, who was by this time convinced -of his credulity, and that he was deceived by the Indian, threw -himself at his feet with tears in his eyes, and accused himself of -the crime, which he thought he had committed, and condemned himself -to die by his hand. Rise up, said the prince to him, I do not impute -the loss of my princess to thee, but to my own simplicity. But not -to lose time, fetch me a dervise’s habit, and take care you do not -give the least hint that it is for me. - -Not far from this palace there stood a convent of dervises, the -scheik or superior of which was the palace-keeper’s particular -friend. He went to this scheik, and telling him that a considerable -officer at court, and a man of worth, to whom he had been very much -obliged, and wished to favour, by giving him an opportunity to -withdraw from the sultan’s rage, he easily got a complete -dervise’s habit, and carried it to prince Firouz Schah. The prince -immediately pulled off his own clothes, and put it on; and being so -disguised, and provided with a box of jewels, which he had brought -as a present to the princess, he left the palace in the evening, -uncertain which way to go, but resolved not to return till he had -found out his princess, and brought her back again. - -But to return to the Indian: he governed his enchanted horse so well -that day, that he arrived early in a wood, near the capital of the -kingdom of Caschmire. Being hungry, and concluding the princess was -also, he alighted in that wood, in an open part of it, and left the -princess on a grassy spot, by a rivulet of clear fresh water. - -During the Indian’s absence, the princess of Bengal, who knew that -she was in the power of a base ravisher, whose violence she dreaded, -thought of getting from him, and seeking out some sanctuary. But as -she had scarce eaten any thing on her arrival at the pleasant palace -in the morning, she was so faint, that she could not execute her -design, but was forced to abandon it, and to stay where she was, -without any other resource than her courage, and a firm resolution -rather to suffer death, than be unfaithful to the prince of Persia. -When the Indian returned, she did not wait to be asked twice, but -ate with him, and recovered herself enough to answer with courage to -the insolent language he began to hold to her when they had done. -After a great many threats, as she saw that the Indian was preparing -to use violence, she rose up to make resistance, and, by her cries -and shrieks, drew about them a company of horsemen, which happened -to be the sultan of Caschmire and his attendants, who, as they were -returning from hunting, happily for the princess of Bengal, passed -through that part of the wood, and ran to her assistance, at the -noise she made. - -The sultan addressed himself to the Indian, and asked him who he -was, and what he pretended to do with the lady? The Indian, with -great impudence, replied, that she was his wife; and what had any -one to do with his quarrel with her? - -The princess, who neither knew the rank nor quality of the person -who came so seasonably to her relief, told the Indian he was a liar; -and said to the sultan, Sir, whoever you are that Heaven has sent to -my assistance, have compassion on a princess, and give no credit to -that impostor. Heaven forbid that I should be the wife of so vile -and despicable an Indian! a wicked magician, that hath taken me away -from the prince of Persia, to whom I was going to be married, and -hath brought me hither on the enchanted horse that you see. - -The princess of Bengal had no occasion to say any more to persuade -the sultan of Caschmire that what she told him was truth. Her -beauty, majestic air, and tears, spoke sufficiently for her. The -sultan of Caschmire, justly enraged at the insolence of the Indian, -ordered his guards to surround him, and cut off his head; which -sentence was immediately executed, the more easily, as the Indian, -just released from prison, was unprovided with any weapon to defend -himself. - -The princess, thus delivered from the persecution of the Indian, -fell into another no less afflicting to her. The sultan, after he -had ordered her a horse, carried her with him to his palace, where -he lodged her in the most magnificent apartment, next his own, and -gave her a great number of women-slaves to attend her, and a guard -of eunuchs. He led her himself into the apartment he assigned her; -where, without giving her time to thank him for the great obligation -she had to him, he said to her, As I am certain, princess, that you -must want rest, I will here take my leave of you till to-morrow, -when you will be better able to give me all the circumstances of -this strange adventure; and then left her. - -The princess of Bengal’s joy was inexpressible to find she was so -soon freed from the violence of a man she could not look upon -without horror. She flattered herself that the sultan of Caschmire -would complete his generosity by sending her back to the prince of -Persia, when she told him her story, and asked that favour of him; -but she was very much deceived in these hopes, for the sultan of -Caschmire resolved to marry her the next day; and for that end had -ordered rejoicings to be made by daybreak, by beating of drums and -sounding of trumpets, and other instruments expressive of joy, which -not only echoed through the palace, but throughout the city. - -The princess of Bengal was awakened by those tumultuous concerts, -but attributed them to a very different cause from the true one. -When the sultan of Caschmire, who had given orders that he should be -informed when the princess was ready to receive a visit, came to pay -her one; and when he had inquired after her health, he acquainted -her that all those rejoicings were to render their nuptials more -solemn, and, at the same time, desired her to approve of them. This -discourse put her into so great consternation that she fainted away. - -The women-slaves who were present ran to her assistance; and the -sultan did all he could to bring her to herself again, though it was -a long time before they could. But when she recovered, rather than -break the promise she had made to prince Firouz Schah, by consenting -to marry the sultan of Caschmire, who had proclaimed their nuptials -before he had asked her consent, she resolved to feign madness. She -began to say the most extravagant things before the sultan, and even -rose off her seat to fly upon him; insomuch that the sultan was very -much surprised and afflicted that he had made such a proposal so -unseasonably. - -When he found that her frenzy rather increased than abated, he left -her with her women, charging them never to leave her alone, but to -take great care of her. He sent often that day to know how she did, -but received no other answer but that she was rather worse than -better. In short, at night she seemed much worse than she had been -all day, insomuch that the sultan of Caschmire was disappointed of -the happiness he promised himself. - -The princess of Bengal continued to talk wildly, and show other -marks of a disordered mind, next day and the following ones; so that -the sultan was obliged to send for all the physicians belonging to -his court, to consult them about her disease, and to ask them if -they could cure her. - -The physicians all agreed that there were several sorts and degrees -of this distemper, some curable and others not; and told the sultan -that they could not judge of the princess of Bengal’s, unless they -saw her: upon which the sultan ordered the eunuchs to introduce them -into the princess’s chamber, one after another, according to their -rank. - -The princess, who foresaw what would happen, and feared that, if she -let the physicians come near her to feel her pulse, the least -experienced of them would soon know that she was in a good state of -health, and that her madness was only feigned, flew into such a rage -and passion, that she was ready to tear out their eyes who came near -her; so none of them durst approach her. - -Some of them, who pretended to be more skilful than the rest, and -boasted of judging of diseases only by sight, ordered her some -potions, which she made the less difficulty to take, well knowing -she could be sick or well at pleasure, and that they could do her no -harm. - -When the sultan of Caschmire saw that his court physicians could not -cure her, he called in the most noted and experienced of the city, -who had all no better success. Afterwards he sent for the most -famous in the kingdom, who met with no better reception than the -others from the princess, and what they ordered had no better -effect. Afterwards he despatched expresses to the courts of -neighbouring princes, with the princess’s case, to be distributed -among the most famous physicians, with a promise of a handsome -reward to any of them who should come and cure the princess of -Bengal, besides travelling charges. - -A great many physicians came from all parts, and undertook the cure; -but none of them could boast of better success than their fellows, -or of restoring the princess’s faculties, since it was a case that -did not depend on their skill, but on the will of the princess -herself. - -During this interval, prince Firouz Schah, disguised in the habit of -a dervise, had travelled through a great many provinces and towns, -full of grief; and having endured a great deal of fatigue, not -knowing which way to direct his course, or if he did not take the -very opposite road from what he ought, to hear the tidings he -sought. He made diligent inquiry after her at every place he came -to, till at last, passing through a great town in India, he heard -the people talk very much of a princess of Bengal, who ran mad on -the day of the celebration of her nuptials with the sultan of -Caschmire. At the name of the princess of Bengal, and supposing that -there was no other princess of Bengal than her upon whose account he -undertook his travels, he set forwards for the kingdom of Caschmire, -on this common report; and on his arrival at the capital city, he -went and lodged at a khan, where the same day he was told the story -of the princess of Bengal, and the unhappy fate of the Indian, which -he richly deserved. By all the circumstances, the prince knew he -could not be deceived, but that she was the same princess he had -sought so long after. - -The prince of Persia, being informed of all these particulars, -provided himself against the next day with a physician’s habit, -and, having let his beard grow during his travels, he passed for a -physician; and, through the greatness of his impatience to see the -princess, went to the sultan’s palace, where, presenting himself -to the chief of the officers, he told him that perhaps it might be -looked upon as a very bold undertaking in him to offer himself as a -physician to attempt the cure of the princess after so many had -failed; but that he hoped some specifics, which he had had great -experience of, and success from, would effect the cure. The chief of -the officers told him he was very welcome, that the sultan would -receive him with pleasure, and that if he should have the good -fortune to restore the princess to her former health, he might -expect a considerable reward from the sultan his master’s -liberality: Stay a moment, added he, I will come to you again -presently. - -It had been a long time since any physician had offered himself; and -the sultan of Caschmire with great grief had begun to lose all hope -of ever seeing the princess of Bengal restored to her former health, -that he might marry her, and show how much he loved her. He ordered -the officer to introduce to him the physician he had announced. - -The prince of Persia was presented to the sultan of Caschmire in the -habit and disguise of a physician; and the sultan, without wasting -time in superfluous discourse, after having told him the princess of -Bengal could not bear the sight of a physician without falling into -the most violent transports, which increased her distemper, carried -him into a closet, from whence, through a window, he might see her -without being seen. - -There prince Firouz Schah saw his lovely princess sit carelessly -singing a song with tears in her eyes, in which she deplored her -unhappy fate, which deprived her, perhaps for ever, of the object -she loved so tenderly. - -The prince was so sensibly affected at the melancholy condition he -found his dear princess in, that he wanted no other signs to -comprehend that her distemper was feigned, and that it was for love -of him that she was under so grievous a constraint. When he came out -of the closet, he told the sultan that he had discovered the nature -of the princess’s distemper, and that she was not incurable; but -added withal, that he must speak with her in private, and by -himself; and, notwithstanding her violent fits at the sight of -physicians, he hoped she would hear and receive him favourably. - -The sultan ordered the princess’s chamber door to be opened, and -prince Firouz Schah went in. As soon as the princess saw him, -(taking him by his habit to be a physician) she rose up in a rage, -threatening him, and giving him the most abusive language. He made -directly towards her; and when he was nigh enough for her to hear -him, for he did not wish to be heard by any one else, he said to -her, in a low voice, and in a most respectful manner, to make her -believe him, Princess, I am not a physician, but the prince of -Persia, and am come to procure you your liberty. - -The princess, who presently knew the sound of the voice, and the -upper features of his face, notwithstanding he had let his beard -grow so long, grew calm at once, and a secret joy and pleasure -overspread her face, the effect of seeing the person she so much -desired so unexpectedly. Her agreeable surprise deprived her for -some time of the use of her speech, and gave prince Firouz Schah -time to tell her as briefly as possible how despair seized him when -he saw the Indian carry her away; the resolution he took afterwards, -to leave every thing to find her out wherever she was, and never to -return home till he had found her, and forced her out of the hands -of the perfidious wretch; and by what good fortune at last, after a -long and fatiguing journey, he had the satisfaction to find her in -the palace of the sultan of Caschmire. He then desired the princess -to inform him of all that happened to her from the time she was -taken away till that moment when he had the happiness to converse -with her, telling her, that it was of the greatest importance to -know this, that he might take the most proper measures to deliver -her from the tyranny of the sultan of Caschmire. - -The princess of Bengal told the prince how she was delivered from -the Indian’s violence by the sultan of Caschmire, as he was -returning home from hunting; but how ill she was treated the next -day, by a declaration he had made of his precipitate design to marry -her that very day, without the least civil office of asking her -consent; that this violent and tyrannical conduct put her into a -swoon; after which, she thought she had no other way than what she -had taken to preserve herself for a prince to whom she had given her -heart and faith, or die rather than marry the sultan, whom she -neither loved, nor ever could love. - -Then the prince of Persia asked her if she knew what was become of -the horse after the Indian’s death. To which she answered, that -she knew not what orders the sultan had given about it; but -believed, after the account she had given him of it, he would take -care of it. - -As prince Firouz Schah never doubted but that the sultan had the -horse, he communicated to the princess his design of making use of -it to carry them both back into Persia; and after they had consulted -together on the measures they were to take, and that nothing might -prevent the execution of them, they agreed that the princess should -dress herself the next day, and receive the sultan civilly when he -brought him to her, but without speaking to him. - -The sultan of Caschmire was overjoyed when the prince of Persia gave -him an account what effect his first visit had towards the cure of -the princess of Bengal. And the next day, when the princess received -him after such a manner as persuaded him her cure was far advanced, -he looked upon him as the greatest physician in the world; and -seeing her in this state, contented himself with telling her how -rejoiced he was to see her so likely soon to recover her health -completely. He exhorted her to follow the directions of so -thoughtful a physician, to complete what he had so well begun; and -then retired, without waiting for her answer. - -The prince of Persia, who attended the sultan of Caschmire out of -the princess’s chamber, as he accompanied him, asked him if, -without failing in due respect, he misfit inquire, How the princess -of Bengal came into the dominions of Caschmire thus alone, since her -own country lies so far off? This he said on purpose to introduce -some discourse about the enchanted horse, and to know what was -become of it. - -The sultan of Caschmire, who could not penetrate into the prince of -Persia’s motive for asking that question, concealed nothing from -him; but told him much the same story as the princess of Bengal had -done; adding, that he had ordered the enchanted horse to be kept -safe in his treasury as a great curiosity, though he knew not the -use of it. - -Sir, replied the pretended physician, the information which your -majesty gives me affords me a means of curing the princess. As she -was brought hither on this horse, and the horse is enchanted, she -hath contracted something of the enchantment, which can be -dissipated only by certain incense which I am acquainted with. If -your majesty would be pleased to entertain yourself, your court, and -the people of your capital, with the most surprising sight that ever -was seen, let the horse be brought into the great square before the -palace, and leave the rest to me. I promise to show you, and all -that assembly, in a few moments’ time, the princess of Bengal as -well in body and mind as ever she was in her life. But, the better -to effect what I propose, it would be proper that the princess -should be dressed as magnificently as possible, and adorned with the -best jewels your majesty has. The sultan would have undertaken much -more difficult things to have arrived at the enjoyment of his -desires, as he expected to do soon. - -The next day the enchanted horse was, by his order, taken out of the -treasury, and placed early in the great square before the palace. A -report was spread through the town, that there was something -extraordinary to be seen, and crowds of people flocked thither from -all parts, insomuch that the sultan’s guards were placed to -prevent disorder, and to keep space enough round the horse. - -The sultan of Caschmire, surrounded with all his nobles and -ministers of state, was placed on a scaffold erected on purpose. The -princess of Bengal, attended by a vast number of ladies which the -sultan had assigned her, went up to the enchanted horse, and the -women helped her to get upon its back. When she was fixed in the -saddle, and had the bridle in her hand, the pretended physician -placed round the horse a great many vessels full of fire, which he -had ordered to be brought, and going round it, he cast a strong and -grateful perfume into those pots; then, collected in himself, with -downcast eyes, and his hands upon his breast, he ran three times -about the horse, making as if he pronounced certain words. The -moment the pots sent forth a dark cloud of pleasant smell, which so -surrounded the princess, that neither she nor the horse were to be -discerned, watching his opportunity, the prince jumped nimbly up -behind her, and, reaching his hand to the peg, turned it; and just -as the horse rose with them into the air, he pronounced these words, -which the sultan heard distinctly: Sultan of Caschmire, when you -would marry princesses who implore your protection, learn first to -obtain their consent. - -Thus the prince of Persia recovered and delivered the princess of -Bengal, and carried her that same day to the capital of Persia, -where he alighted in the midst of the palace, before the king his -father’s apartment, who deferred the solemnization of the marriage -no longer than till he could make the preparations necessary to -render the ceremony pompous and magnificent, and express the -interest he took in it. - -After the days appointed for the rejoicing were over, the king of -Persia’s first care was to name and appoint an ambassador to go to -give the king of Bengal an account of what was past, and to demand -his approbation and ratification of the alliance contracted by this -marriage; which the king of Bengal took as an honour, and granted -with great pleasure and satisfaction. - - - - -The Story of Prince Ahmed, and the Fairy Pari Banou. [103] - - -There was a sultan who had peaceably filled the throne of India many -years, and had the satisfaction in his old age to have three sons, -the worthy imitators of his virtues, who, with the princess his -niece, were the ornaments of his court. The eldest of the princes -was called Houssain, the second Ali, the youngest Ahmed, and the -princess his niece Nouronnihar. [104] - -The princess Nouronnihar was the daughter of the younger brother of -the sultan, to whom the sultan in his lifetime allowed a -considerable revenue. But that prince had not been married long -before he died, and left the princess very young. The sultan, in -consideration of the brotherly love and friendship that had always -subsisted between them, besides a great attachment to his person, -took upon himself the care of his daughter’s education, and -brought her up in his palace with the three princes; where her -singular beauty and personal accomplishments, joined to a lively wit -and irreproachable virtue, distinguished her among all the -princesses of her time. - -The sultan, her uncle, proposed to marry her when she arrived at a -proper age, and to contract an alliance with some neighbouring -prince by that means; and was thinking seriously on that affair, -when he perceived that the three princes his sons loved her -passionately. He was very much concerned, but his grief did not -proceed from a consideration that their passion prevented his -forming the alliance he designed, but the difficulty he foresaw to -make them agree, and that the two youngest should consent to yield -her up to their elder brother. He spoke to each of them apart; and -after having remonstrated on the impossibility of one princess being -the wife of three persons, and the troubles they would create if -they persisted in their passion, he did all he could to persuade -them to abide by a declaration of the princess in favour of one of -them; or to desist from their pretensions, and to think of other -matches, which he left them free liberty to choose, and suffer her -to be married to a foreign prince. But as he found them obstinate, -he sent for them altogether, and said to them, Children, since for -your good and quiet I have not been able to persuade you no longer -to aspire to marry the princess your cousin; and as I have no -inclination to make use of my authority, to give her to one -preferable before the other two, I fancy I have thought of a proper -expedient which will please you all, and preserve the union among -you, if you will but hear me, and follow my advice. I think it would -not be amiss, if every one travelled separately into different -countries, so that you might not meet each other: and as you know I -am very curious, and delight in every thing that is rare and -singular, I promise my niece in marriage to him that shall bring me -the most extraordinary rarity; so that as chance may lead you to -form your own judgment of the singularity of the things which you -bring, by the comparison you make of them, you will have no -difficulty to do yourselves justice by yielding the preference to -him who has deserved it; and for the expense of travelling, I will -give each of you a sum agreeable to your birth, and the purchase of -the rarity you shall go in search after; which shall not be laid out -in an equipage and attendants, which by discovering who you are, -would not only deprive you of the liberty to acquit yourselves of -the inquiry you go about, but prevent your observing those things -which merit your attention, and may be most useful to you. - -As the three princes were always submissive and obedient to the -sultan’s will, and each flattered himself fortune might prove -favourable to him, and give him the possession of the princess -Nouronnihar, they all consented to it. The sultan gave them the -money he promised them; and that very day they issued orders for the -preparations for their travels, and took leave of the sultan, that -they might be ready to set out early next morning. They all went out -at the same gate of the city, each dressed like a merchant, attended -by a trusty officer, dressed like a slave, and all well mounted and -equipped. They went the first day’s journey together, and slept at -the first inn, where the road divided into three different tracks. -At night when they were at supper together, they all agreed to -travel for a year, and to make that inn their rendezvous; and that -the first that came should wait for the rest; that as they had all -three taken leave together of the sultan, they might all return -together. The next morning by break of day, after they had embraced -and wished each other reciprocally good success, they mounted their -horses, and took each a different road. - -Prince Houssain, the eldest brother, who had heard wonders of the -extent, strength, riches, and splendour of the kingdom of Bisnagar, -bent his course towards the Indian coast; and, after three months’ -travelling, joining himself to different caravans, sometimes over -deserts and barren mountains, and sometimes through populous and -fertile countries, arrived at Bisnagar, the capital of the kingdom -of that name, and the residence of its king. He lodged at a khan -appointed for foreign merchants, and having learnt that there were -four principal divisions where merchants of all sorts kept their -shops, in the midst of which stood the castle, or rather the -king’s palace, on a large extent of ground, as the centre of the -city, and surrounded with three courts, and each gate distant two -leagues from the other, he went to one of these quarters the next -day. - -Prince Houssain could not view this quarter without admiration. It -was large, and divided into several streets, all vaulted and shaded -from the sun, and yet very light. The shops were all of the same -size and proportion; and all that dealt in the same sort of goods, -as well as all the artists, lived in one street. - -The multitude of shops stocked with all kinds of merchandises, such -as the finest linens from several parts of India, some painted in -the most lively colours, and representing men, landscapes, trees, -and flowers; silks and brocades, from Persia, China, and other -places; porcelain from Japan and China; foot carpets of all sizes; -surprised him so much, that he knew not how to believe his own eyes; -but when he came to the shops of the goldsmiths and jewellers, (for -those two trades were exercised by the same merchants,) he was in a -kind of ecstasy, to behold such prodigious quantities of wrought -gold and silver, and was dazzled by the lustre of the pearls, -diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones exposed to -sale. But if he was amazed at seeing so many riches in one place, he -was much more surprised when he came to judge of the wealth of the -whole kingdom, by considering, that except the bramins, and -ministers of the idols, who profess a life retired from worldly -vanity, there was not an Indian man or woman, through the extent of -that kingdom, but wore necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments about -their legs and feet, made of pearls, and other precious stones, -which appeared with the greater lustre, as they were blacks, which -colour admirably set off their brilliancy. - -Another thing prince Houssain particularly admired, was the great -number of rose sellers, who crowded the streets; for the Indians are -so great lovers of that flower, that not one will stir without a -nosegay of them in his hand, or a garland of them on his head; and -the merchants keep them in pots in the shops, so that the air of the -whole quarter, however large, is perfectly perfumed. - -After prince Houssain had run through that quarter, street by -street, his thoughts fully employed on the riches he had seen, he -was very much tired; which a merchant perceiving, civilly invited -him to sit down in his shop. He accepted his offer; but had not been -seated long before he saw a crier pass by with a piece of carpet on -his arm, about six feet square, and cry it at thirty purses. The -prince called to the crier, and asked to see the carpeting, which -seemed to him to be valued at an exorbitant price, not only for the -size of it, but the meanness of the stuff. When he had examined it -well, he told the crier, that he could not comprehend how so small a -piece of carpeting, and of so indifferent an appearance, could be -set at so high a price. - -The crier, who took him for a merchant, replied, Sir, if this price -seems so extravagant to you, your amazement will be greater when I -tell you I have orders to raise it to forty purses, and not to part -with it under. Certainly, answered prince Houssain, it must have -something very extraordinary in it, which I know nothing of. You -have guessed it, sir, replied the crier, and will own it when you -come to know, that whoever sits on this piece of carpeting may be -transported in an instant wherever he desires to be, without being -stopped by any obstacle. [105] - -At this discourse of the crier, the prince of the Indies, -considering that the principal motive of his travel was to carry the -sultan his father home some singular rarity, thought that he could -not meet with any which would give more satisfaction. If the -carpeting, said he to the crier, has the virtue you assign it, I -shall not think it too much; but shall make you a present besides. -Sir, replied the crier, I have told you the truth; and it will be an -easy matter to convince you of it, as soon as you have made the -bargain for forty purses, on condition I show you the experiment. -But as I suppose you have not so much with you, and to receive them -I must go with you to the khan where you lodge, with the leave of -the master of the shop, we will go into the back shop, and I will -spread the carpeting; and when we have both sat down, and you have -formed the wish to be transported into your apartment at the khan, -if we are not transported thither it shall be no bargain, and you -shall be at your liberty. As to your present, as I am paid for my -trouble by the seller, I shall receive it as a favour, and be very -much obliged to you for it. - -On the credit of the crier, the prince accepted the conditions, and -concluded the bargain; and having obtained the master’s leave, -they went into his back-shop: they both sat down on the carpeting; -and as soon as the prince formed his wish to be transported into his -apartment at the khan, he presently found himself and the crier -there in the same situation; and as he wanted not a more sufficient -proof of the virtue of the carpeting, he counted to the crier forty -purses of gold, and gave him twenty pieces for himself. - -In this manner prince Houssain became the possessor of the -carpeting, and was overjoyed that at his arrival at Bisnagar he had -found so rare a piece, which he never doubted would gain the -possession of Nouronnihar. In short, he looked upon it as an -impossible thing for the princes, his younger brothers, to meet with -any thing to be compared with it. It was in his power, by sitting on -this carpeting, to be at the place of rendezvous that very day; but -as he was obliged to stay there for his brothers, as they had -agreed, and as he was curious to see the king of Bisnagar and his -court, and to inform himself of the strength, laws, customs, and -religion of the kingdom, he chose to make a longer abode there, and -to spend some months in satisfying his curiosity. - -It was a custom of the king of Bisnagar to give all strange -merchants access to his person once a week; and by that title prince -Houssain, who would not be known, saw him often: and as this prince -was handsome, witty, and extremely polite, he easily distinguished -himself among the merchants, and was preferred before them all by -the sultan, who addressed himself to him, to be informed of the -person of the sultan of the Indies, and of the government, strength, -and riches of his dominions. - -The rest of his time the prince spent in seeing what was most -remarkable in and about the city; and among those things which were -most worthy of admiration, he visited a temple of idols, remarkable -for being built all of brass. It was ten cubits square, and fifteen -high; and the greatest ornament to it was an idol of the height of a -man, of massy gold; its eyes were two rubies, set so artificially, -that it seemed to look at those who looked at it, on which side -soever they turned: besides this, there was another not less -curious, in a village, in the midst of a plain of about ten acres, -which was a delicious garden full of roses and the choicest flowers, -surrounded with a small wall breast high, to keep the cattle out. In -the midst of this plain was raised a terrace, a man’s height, so -nicely paved, that the whole pavement seemed to be but one single -stone. A temple was erected in the middle of this terrace, with a -dome about fifty cubits high, which might be seen for several -leagues round. It was thirty cubits long, and twenty broad, built of -red marble, highly polished. The inside of the dome was adorned with -three rows of fine paintings, in good taste; and there was not a -place in the whole temple but what was embellished with paintings, -basso relievos, and figures of idols from top to bottom. - -Every night and morning there were superstitious ceremonies -performed in this temple, which were always succeeded by sports, -concerts of music, dancing, singing, and feasts. The ministers of -the temple, and the inhabitants of the place, had nothing to subsist -on but the offerings of pilgrims, who came in crowds from the most -distant parts of the kingdom to perform their vows. - -Prince Houssain was also spectator of a solemn feast, which was -celebrated every year at the court of Bisnagar, at which all the -governors of provinces, commanders of fortified places, all -governors and judges of towns, and the bramins most celebrated for -their learning, were obliged to be present; and some lived so far -off that they were four months in coming. This assembly, composed of -such innumerable multitudes of Indians, met in a plain of vast -extent, was a glorious sight, as far as the eye could reach. In the -centre of this plain was a square of great length and breadth, -closed on one side by a large scaffolding of nine stories, supported -by forty pillars, raised for the king and his court, and those -strangers he admitted to audience once a week; within it was adorned -and furnished magnificently; and on the outside were painted fine -landscapes, wherein all sorts of beasts, birds, and insects, even -flies and gnats, were drawn very naturally. Other scaffolds of at -least four or five stories, and painted almost all alike, formed the -other three sides. But what was more particular in these scaffolds, -they could turn them, and make them change their situation and -decorations every hour. - -On each side of the square, at some little distance from each other, -were ranged 1000 elephants, sumptuously harnessed, and each having -upon his back a square wooden castle, finely gilt, in which were -musicians and stage-players. The trunks, ears, and bodies of these -elephants were painted with cinnabar and other colours, representing -grotesque figures. - -But what prince Houssain most of all admired, as a proof of the -industry, address, and inventive genius of the Indians, was to see -the largest of these elephants stand with his four feet on a post -fixed into the earth, and standing out of it above two feet, playing -and beating time with his trunk to the music. Besides this, he -admired another elephant as big as this, set upon a board, which was -laid across a strong beam about ten feet high, with a great weight -at the other end, which balanced him, while he kept time, by the -motions of his body and trunk, with the music, as well as the other -elephant. The Indians, after having fastened on the counterpoise, -had drawn the other end of the board down to the ground, and made -the elephant get upon it. - -Prince Houssain might have made a longer stay in the kingdom and -court of Bisnagar, where he would have been agreeably diverted by a -great variety of other wonders, till the last day of the year, -whereon he and his brothers had appointed to meet. But he was so -well satisfied with what he had seen, and his thoughts ran so much -upon the object of his love, that after his good success in meeting -with this carpeting, the beauty and charms of the princess -Nouronnihar increased every day the violence of his passion, and he -fancied he should be the more easy and happy the nearer he was to -her. After he had satisfied the master of the khan for his -apartment, and told him the hour when he might come for the key, -without telling him how he should go, he shut the door, put the key -on the outside, and spreading the carpeting, he and the officer he -had brought with him sat down on it, and as soon as he had formed -his wish, were transported to the inn at which he and his brothers -were to meet, and where he passed for a merchant till they came. - -Prince Ali, prince Houssain’s second brother, who designed to -travel into Persia, in conformity to the intention of the sultan of -the Indies, took that road, having three days after he parted with -his brothers joined a caravan; and after four months travelling, -arrived at Schiraz, which was then the capital of the kingdom of -Persia; and having in the way contracted a friendship with some -merchants, passed for a jeweller, and lodged in the same khan with -them. - -The next morning, while the merchants opened their bales of -merchandises, prince Ali, who travelled only for his pleasure, and -had brought nothing but necessaries with him, after he had dressed -himself, took a walk into that quarter of the town where they sold -precious stones, gold and silver works, brocades, silks, fine -linens, and other choice and valuable merchandises, and which was at -Schiraz called the bezestein. It was a spacious and well-built -place, arched over, and the arches supported by large pillars, round -which, as well as along the walls, within and without, were shops. -Prince Ali soon rambled through the bezestein, and with admiration -judged of the riches of the place by the prodigious quantities of -the most precious merchandises that were there exposed to view. - -But among all the criers who passed backwards and forwards with -several sorts of goods, offering to sell them, he was not a little -surprised to see one who held in his hand an ivory tube, of about a -foot in length, and about an inch thick, and cried it at thirty -purses. At first he thought the crier mad, and to inform himself, -went to a shop, and said to the merchant, who stood at the door, -Pray, sir, is not that man (pointing to the crier, who cried the -ivory tube at thirty purses) mad? If he is not, I am very much -deceived. Indeed, sir, answered the merchant, he was in his right -senses yesterday; and I can assure you he is one of the ablest -criers we have, and the most employed of any, as being to be -confided in, when any thing valuable is to be sold; and, if he cries -the ivory tube at thirty purses, it must be worth as much, or more, -on some account or other which does not appear. He will come by -presently, and we will call him, and you shall satisfy yourself: in -the mean time, sit down on my sofa, and rest yourself. - -Prince Ali accepted of the merchant’s obliging offer, and -presently afterwards the crier passed by. The merchant called him by -his name; and, pointing to the prince, said to him, Tell that -gentleman, who asked me if you were in your right senses, what you -mean by crying that ivory tube, which seems not to be worth much, at -thirty purses. I should be very much amazed myself, if I did not -know you were a sensible man. The crier, addressing himself to -prince Ali, said, Sir, you are not the only person that takes me for -a madman on the account of this tube: you shall judge yourself -whether I am or no, when I have told you its property; and I hope -you will value it at as high a price as those I have showed it to -already, who had as bad an opinion of me as you have. - -First, sir, pursued the crier, presenting the ivory tube to the -prince, observe, that this tube is furnished with a glass at both -ends; and consider, that, by looking through one of them, you see -whatever object you wish to behold. I am, said the prince, ready to -make you all proper reparation for the scandal I have thrown on you, -if you will make the truth of what you advance appear; and, as he -had the ivory tube in his hand, after he had looked at the two -glasses, he said, Show me at which of these ends I must look, that I -may be satisfied. The crier presently showed him; and he looked -through, wishing, at the same time, to see the sultan his father, -whom he immediately beheld in perfect health, sitting on his throne, -in the midst of his council. Afterwards, as there was nothing in the -world so dear to him, after the sultan, as the princess Nouronnihar, -he wished to see her; and saw her sitting at her toilet, laughing, -and in a pleasant humour, with her women about her. [106] - -Prince Ali wanted no other proof to persuade him that this tube was -the most valuable thing, not only in the city of Schiraz, but in all -the world; and believed that, if he should neglect to purchase it, -he should never meet again with such another rarity. He said to the -crier, I am very sorry that I should have entertained so bad an -opinion of you, but hope to make you amends by buying the tube, for -I should be sorry if any body else had it: so tell me the lowest -price the seller has fixed upon it; and do not give yourself any -farther trouble to hawk it about, but go with me, and I will pay you -the money. The crier assured him, with an oath, that his last orders -were to take no less than forty purses; and, if he disputed the -truth of what he said, he would carry him to his employer. The -prince believed him, took him with him to the khan where he lodged, -told him out the money, and received the tube. - -Prince Ali was overjoyed at his bargain; and persuaded himself that, -as his brothers would not be able to meet with any thing so rare and -admirable, the princess Nouronnihar would be the recompense of his -fatigue and trouble. He thought now of only visiting the court of -Persia incognito, and seeing whatever was curious in and about -Schiraz, till the caravan with which he came returned back to the -Indies. He had satisfied his curiosity, when the caravan was ready -to set out. The prince joined them, and arrived happily without any -accident or trouble, otherwise than the length of the journey and -fatigue of travelling, at the place of rendezvous, where he found -prince Houssain, and both waited for prince Ahmed. - -Prince Ahmed took the road of Samarcande; and the next day after his -arrival there, went, as his brothers had done, into the bezestein; -where he had not walked long, but he heard a crier, who had an -artificial apple in his hand, cry it at five-and-thirty purses. He -stopped the crier, and said to him, Let me see that apple, and tell -me what virtue or extraordinary property it has, to be valued at so -high a rate. Sir, said the crier, giving it into his hand, if you -look at the outside of the apple, it is very inconsiderable; but if -you consider its properties, virtues, and the great use, and benefit -it is of to mankind, you will say it is invaluable, and it is -certain that he who possesses it, is master of a great treasure. It -cures all sick persons of the most mortal diseases, whether fever, -pleurisy, plague, or other malignant distempers; and, if the patient -is dying, it will recover him immediately, and restore him to -perfect health: and this is done after the easiest manner in the -world, merely by the patient’s smelling to the apple. - -If one may believe you, replied prince Ahmed, the virtues of this -apple are wonderful, and it is indeed invaluable: but what ground -has a plain man like myself, who may wish to become the purchaser, -to be persuaded that there is no disguise nor exaggeration in the -high praises you bestow on it. Sir, replied the crier, the thing is -known and averred by the whole city of Samarcande; but, without -going any farther, ask all these merchants you see here, and hear -what they say; you will find several of them will tell you, they had -not been alive this day if they had not made use of this excellent -remedy; and, that you may the better comprehend what it is, I must -tell you, it is the fruit of the study and experience of a -celebrated philosopher of this city, who applied himself all his -lifetime to the knowledge of the virtues of plants and minerals, and -at last attained to this composition, by which he performed such -surprising cures in this city as will never be forgotten; but died -suddenly himself, before he could apply his own sovereign remedy, -and left his wife and a great many young children behind him in very -indifferent circumstances; who, to support her family, and provide -for her children, has resolved to sell it. - -While the crier was telling prince Ahmed the virtues of the -artificial apple, a great many persons came about them, and -confirmed what he said; and one among the rest said he had a friend -dangerously ill, whose life was despaired of, which was a favourable -opportunity to show prince Ahmed the experiment. Upon which prince -Ahmed told the crier, he would give him forty purses if he cured the -sick person by smelling to it. - -The crier, who had orders to sell it at that price, said to prince -Ahmed, Come, sir, let us go and make the experiment, and the apple -shall be yours; and I say this with the greater confidence, as it is -an undoubted fact that it will always have the same effect as it -already has had as often as it has been employed to recover from -death so many sick persons whose life was despaired of. In short, -the experiment succeeded; and the prince, after he had counted out -to the crier forty purses, and the other had delivered the apple to -him, waited with the greatest impatience for the first caravan that -should return to the Indies. In the mean time he saw all that was -curious at and about Samarcande, and principally the valley of -Sogda, [107] so called from the river which waters it, and is -reckoned by the Arabians to be one of the four paradises of the -world, for the beauty of its fields and gardens, and the fine -palaces, and for its fertility in fruit of all sorts, and all the -other pleasures enjoyed there in the fine season. - -At last prince Ahmed joined himself to the first caravan that -returned to the Indies, and, notwithstanding the inevitable -inconveniences of so long a journey, arrived in perfect health at -the inn where the princes Houssain and Ali waited for him. - -Prince Ali, who came there some time before prince Ahmed, asked -prince Houssain, who got thither the first, how long he had been -there; who told him, three months: to which he replied, Then -certainly you have not been very far. I will tell you nothing now, -said prince Houssain, where I have been, but only assure you I was -above three months travelling to the place I went to. But then, -replied prince Ali, you made a short stay there. Indeed, brother, -said prince Houssain, you are mistaken: I resided at one place above -four or five months, and might have stayed longer. Unless you flew -back, replied prince Ali again, I cannot comprehend how you can have -been three months here, as you would make me believe. - -I tell you the truth, added prince Houssain, and it is a riddle -which I shall not explain to you till our brother Ahmed comes; when -I will let you know what rarity I have brought home from my travels. -For your part, I know not what you have got, but believe it to be -some trifle, because I do not perceive that your baggage is -increased. And pray what have you brought? replied prince Ali; for I -can see nothing but an ordinary piece of carpeting, with which you -cover your sofa, and therefore I think I may return your raillery; -and, as you seem to make what you brought a secret, you cannot take -it amiss that I do the same with respect to what I have brought. - -I look upon the rarity I have purchased, replied prince Houssain, to -excel all others whatever, and should not make any difficulty to -show it you, and make you agree that it is so, and at the same time -tell you how I came by it, without being in the least apprehensive -that that which you have got is to be preferred to it. But it is -proper that we should stay till our brother Ahmed arrives, that we -may all communicate our good fortune to each other. - -Prince Ali would not enter into a dispute with prince Houssain on -the preference he gave his rarity, but was satisfied and persuaded, -that, if his perspective glass was not preferable, it was impossible -it should be inferior to it; and therefore agreed to stay till -prince Ahmed arrived, to produce his purchase. - -When prince Ahmed came to his brothers, and they had embraced with -tenderness, and complimented each other on the happiness of meeting -together at the same place they set out from, prince Houssain, as -the elder brother, assumed the discourse, and said to them, -Brothers, we shall have time enough hereafter to entertain ourselves -with the particulars of our travels; let us come to that which is of -the greatest importance for us to know; and, as I do not doubt you -remember the principal motive which engaged us to travel, let us not -conceal from each other the curiosities we have brought home, but -show them, that we may do ourselves justice beforehand, and see to -which of us the sultan our father may give the preference. - -To set the example, continued prince Houssain, I will tell you that -the rarity which I have brought from my travels to the kingdom of -Bisnagar, is the carpeting on which I sit, which looks but ordinary, -and makes no show; but, when I have declared its virtues to you, you -will be struck with admiration, and will confess you never heard of -any thing like it. In short, whoever sits on it, as we do, and -desires to be transported to any place, be it ever so far off, is -immediately carried thither. I made the experiment myself before I -paid down the forty purses, which I most readily gave for it; and -when I had fully satisfied my curiosity, at the court of Bisnagar, -and had a mind to return, I made use of no other carriage than this -wonderful carpet for myself and servant, who can tell you how long -we were coming hither. I will show you both the experiment whenever -you please. I expect that you shall tell me whether what you have -brought is to be compared with this carpet. - -Here prince Houssain made an end of commending the excellency of his -carpet; and prince Ali, addressing himself to him, said, I must own, -brother, that your carpet is one of the most surprising things -imaginable, if it has, as I do not doubt in the least, that property -you speak of. But you must allow that there may be other things, I -will not say more, but at least as wonderful, in another way; and to -convince you there are, here is an ivory tube, which appears to the -eye no more a rarity than your carpet, and yet merits great -attention; it cost me as much, and I am as well satisfied with my -purchase as you can be with yours; and you will be so just as to own -that I have not been cheated, when you know by experience, that by -looking at one end, you see whatever object you wish to behold. I -would not have you take my word, added prince Ali, presenting the -tube to him; take it, make trial of it yourself. - -Prince Houssain took the ivory tube from prince Ali, and clapped -that end to his eye which prince Ali showed him, with an intention -to see the princess Nouronnihar, and to know how she did; when -prince Ali and prince Ahmed, who kept their eyes fixed upon him, -were extremely surprised to see his countenance change on a sudden -in such a manner as expressed an extraordinary surprise and -affliction. Prince Houssain would not give them time to ask what was -the matter, but cried out, Alas! princes, to what purpose have we -undertaken so long and fatiguing journeys, but with the hopes of -being recompensed by the possession of the charming Nouronnihar, -when in a few moments that lovely princess will breathe her last. I -saw her in her bed, surrounded by her women and eunuchs, who were -all in tears, and seem to expect nothing less than to see her give -up the ghost. Take the tube, behold yourselves the miserable state -she is in, and mingle your tears with mine. - -Prince Ali took the tube out of prince Houssain’s hand, and after -he had seen the same object with a sensible grief, presented it to -prince Ahmed, who took it, to behold the melancholy sight which so -much concerned them all. - -When prince Ahmed had taken the tube out of prince Ali’s hands, -and saw that the princess Nouronnihar’s end was so near, he -addressed himself to his two brothers, and said, Princes, the -princess Nouronnihar, equally the object of our vows, is indeed just -at death’s door; but provided we make haste, and lose no time, we -may preserve her life. Then he took the artificial apple out of his -bosom, and showing it to the princes his brothers, said to them, -This apple which you see here, cost me as much and more than either -the carpet or tube. The opportunity which now presents itself to -show you its wonderful virtue, makes me not regret the forty purses -I gave for it. But, not to keep you longer in suspense, it has the -virtue, if a sick person smells it, though in the last agonies, to -restore him to perfect health immediately. I have made the -experiment, and can show you its wonderful effect on the person of -princess Nouronnihar, if we make all due haste to assist her. - -If that is all, replied prince Houssain, we cannot make more -despatch than by transporting ourselves instantly into her chamber -by the means of my carpet. Come, lose no time; sit down on it by me; -it is large enough to hold us all three: but first let us give -orders to our servants to set out immediately, and join us at the -palace. - -As soon as the order was given, prince Ali and prince Ahmed went and -sat down by prince Houssain, and as their interest was the same, -they all three framed the same wish, and were transported into the -princess Nouronnihar’s chamber. - -The presence of the three princes, who were so little expected, -frightened the princess’s women and eunuchs, who could not -comprehend by what enchantment three men should be among them; for -they did not know them at first; and the eunuchs were ready to fall -upon them, as people who had got into a part of the palace where -they were not allowed to come; but they presently recollected and -found their mistake. - -Prince Ahmed no sooner saw himself in Nouronnihar’s chamber, and -perceived that princess dying, but he rose off the tapestry, as did -also the other two princes, and went to the bed-side, and put the -apple under her nose. Some moments after, the princess opened her -eyes, and turned her head from one side to another, looking at the -persons who stood about her; she then rose up in the bed and asked -to be dressed, with the same freedom and recollection as if she had -awaked out of a sound sleep. Her women presently informed her, in a -manner that showed their joy, that she was obliged to the three -princes her cousins, and particularly to prince Ahmed, for the -sudden recovery of her health. She immediately expressed her joy to -see them, and thanked them altogether, and afterwards prince Ahmed -in particular. As she desired to dress, the princes contented -themselves with telling her how great a pleasure it was to them, to -have come soon enough to contribute each in any degree towards -relieving her out of the immediate danger she was in, and what -ardent prayers they had offered for the continuance of her life, and -afterwards they retired. - -Whilst the princess was dressing, the princes went to throw -themselves at the sultan their father’s feet, and pay their -respects to him; but when they came before him, they found he had -been previously informed of their unexpected arrival by the chief of -the princess’s eunuchs, and by what means, used by them, the -princess had been perfectly cured. The sultan received and embraced -them with the greatest joy, both for their return and the wonderful -recovery of the princess his niece, whom he loved as if she had been -his own daughter, and who had been given over by the physicians. -After the usual compliments, the princes presented each the rarity -which he had brought: prince Houssain his carpet, which he had taken -care not to leave behind him in the princess’s chamber; prince Ali -his ivory tube, and prince Ahmed the artificial apple; and after -each had commended his present, when they put it into the sultan’s -hands, they begged of him to pronounce their fate, and declare to -which of them he would give the princess Nouronnihar for a wife, -according to his promise. - -The sultan of the Indies having kindly heard all that the princes -had to say in favour of their rarities, without interrupting them, -and being well informed of what had happened in relation to the -princess Nouronnihar’s cure, remained some time silent, as if he -was thinking on what answer he should make. At last he broke -silence, and said to them, in terms full of wisdom, I would declare -for one of you, my children, with a great deal of pleasure, if I -could do it with justice; but consider whether I can. It is true, -prince Ahmed, the princess my niece is obliged to your artificial -apple for her cure; but let me ask you, whether you could have been -so serviceable to her, if you had not known by prince Ali’s tube -the danger she was in, and if prince Houssain’s carpet had not -brought you to her so soon? Your tube, prince Ali, informed you and -your brothers that you were likely to lose the princess your cousin, -and so far she is greatly obliged to you. - -You must also grant that that knowledge would have been of no -service without the artificial apple and the carpet. And for you, -prince Houssain, the princess would be very ungrateful, if she -should not show her sense of the serviceableness of your carpet, -which was as necessary a means towards producing a cure. But -consider, it would have been of little use, if you had not been -acquainted with the princess’s illness by prince Ali’s tube, and -prince Ahmed had not applied his artificial apple. Therefore, as -neither the carpet, the ivory tube, nor the artificial apple, have -the least preference one before the other, but, on the contrary, -there is a perfect equality, I cannot grant the princess to any one -of you; and the only fruit you have reaped from your travels is the -glory of having equally contributed to restore her to health. - -If this be true, added the sultan, you see that I must have recourse -to other means to determine me with certainty in the choice I ought -to make among you; and as there is time enough between this and -night, I will do it to-day. Go, and get each of you a bow and arrow, -and repair to the great plain out of the city, where the horses are -exercised. I will soon come to you; and I declare I will give the -princess Nouronnihar to him that shoots the farthest. - -I do not, however, forget to thank you all in general, and each in -particular, for the present you brought me. I have a great many -rarities in my closet already, but nothing that comes up to the -singularity of the carpet, the ivory tube, and the artificial apple, -which shall have the first places among them, and shall be preserved -carefully, not only for pure curiosity, but to make an advantageous -use of them upon all occasions. - -The three princes had nothing to say against the decision of the -sultan. When they were out of his presence, they each provided -themselves with a bow and arrow, which they delivered to one of -their officers, and went to the plain appointed, followed by a great -concourse of people. - -The sultan did not make them wait long for him; and as soon as he -arrived, prince Houssain, as the eldest, took his bow and arrow, and -shot first. Prince Ali shot next and much beyond him; and prince -Ahmed last of all: but it so happened, that nobody could see where -his arrow fell; and notwithstanding all the diligence that was used -by himself and every body else, it was not to be found far or near. -And though it was believed that he shot the farthest, and that he -therefore deserved the princess Nouronnihar, it was however -necessary that his arrow should be found, to make the matter more -evident and certain; and, notwithstanding his remonstrances, the -sultan determined in favour of prince Ali, and gave orders for -preparations to be made for the solemnizing of the nuptials, which -were celebrated a few days after with great magnificence. - -Prince Houssain would not honour the feast with his presence; his -passion for the Princess Nouronnihar was so sincere and lively, that -he could scarce support with patience the mortification of seeing -the princess in the arms of prince Ali, who, he said, did not -deserve her better, nor loved her more, than himself. In short, his -grief was so violent and insupportable, that he left the court, and -renounced all right of succession to the crown, to turn dervise, and -put himself under the discipline of a famous scheik, who had gained -a reputation for his exemplary life, and had taken up his abode, and -that of his disciples, whose number was great, in an agreeable -solitude. - -Prince Ahmed, urged by the same motive, did not assist at prince Ali -and the princess Nouronnihar’s nuptials, any more than his brother -Houssain, but did not renounce the world as he had done. But as he -could not imagine what could become of his arrow, he stole away from -his attendants, and resolved to search after it, that he might not -have any thing to reproach himself with. With this intent, he went -to the place where the princes Houssain and Ali’s were gathered -up, and going straight forward from thence, looked carefully on both -sides of him. He went so far, that at last he began to think his -labour was in vain; yet he could not help going forwards, till he -came to some steep craggy rocks, which would have obliged him to -return, had he been ever so desirous to proceed. They were situated -in a barren country, about four leagues distant from whence he set -out. - -When prince Ahmed came nigh to these rocks, he perceived an arrow, -which he gathered up, looked earnestly at it, and was in the -greatest astonishment to find it was the same he shot. Certainly, -said he to himself, neither I, nor any man living, could shoot an -arrow so far; and finding it laid flat, not sticking into the -ground, he judged that it had rebounded from the rock. There must be -some mystery in this, said he to himself again, and it may be to my -advantage. Perhaps fortune, to make me amends for depriving me of -what I thought the greatest happiness of my life, may have reserved -a greater blessing for my comfort. - -As these rocks were full of sharp points and indentures between -them, the prince, full of these thoughts, entered into one of the -cavities, and looking about, cast his eyes on an iron door, which -seemed to have no lock. He feared it was fastened: but pushing -against it, it opened, and discovered an easy descent, but no steps, -which he walked down with his arrow in his hand. At first he thought -he was going into a dark place, but presently a quite different -light succeeded that which he came out of; and entering into a -spacious square, at about fifty or sixty paces distant, he perceived -a magnificent palace, the admirable structure of which he had not -time to look at: for at the same time, a lady of majestic port and -air, and of a beauty to which the richness of her clothes and the -jewels which adorned her person, added no advantage, advanced as far -as the porch, attended by a troop of ladies, of whom it was -difficult to distinguish which was the mistress. - -As soon as prince Ahmed perceived the lady, he hastened to pay his -respects; and the lady on her part, seeing him coming, prevented -him. Addressing her discourse to him first, and raising her voice, -she said to him, Come near, prince Ahmed; you are welcome. - -It was no small surprise to the prince to hear himself named in a -palace he had never heard of, though so nigh to his father’s -capital, and he could not comprehend how he should be known to a -lady who was a stranger to him. At last he returned the lady’s -compliment, by throwing himself at her feet, and rising up again, -said to her, Madam, I return you a thousand thanks for the assurance -you give me of a welcome to a place where I had reason to believe my -imprudent curiosity had made me penetrate too far. But, madam, may -I, without being guilty of rudeness, presume to ask you by what -adventure you know me? and that you, who live in the same -neighbourhood with me, should be so little known by me? Prince, said -the lady, let us go into the hall; there I will gratify you in your -request more commodiously for us both. - -After these words, the lady led prince Ahmed into the hall, the -noble structure of which, and the gold and azure which embellished -the dome, and the inestimable richness of the furniture, appeared so -great a novelty to him, that he could not enough express his -admiration, by crying out that he had never in his life beheld any -thing like it, and believed that nothing was to be compared to it. I -can assure you, replied the lady, that this is but a small part of -my palace, and you will say so when you have seen all the -apartments. Then she sat down on a sofa; and when the prince at her -entreaty had seated himself by her, she said, You are surprised, you -say, that I should know you, and not be known by you; but you will -be no longer surprised when I inform you who I am. You cannot be -ignorant that your religion teaches you to believe that the world is -inhabited by genies as well as men: I am the daughter of one of the -most powerful and distinguished of these genies, and my name is Pari -Banou; therefore you ought not to wonder that I know you, the sultan -your father, the princes your brothers, and the princess -Nouronnihar. I am no stranger to your loves or your travels, of -which I could tell you all the circumstances, since it was I myself -who exposed to sale the artificial apple which you bought at -Samarcande, the carpet which prince Houssain met with at Bisnagar, -and the tube which prince Ali brought from Schiraz. This is -sufficient to let you know that I am not unacquainted with any thing -that relates to you. The only thing I have to add is, that you -seemed to me worthy of a more happy fate than that of possessing the -princess Nouronnihar; and that you might attain to it, I was present -when you drew your arrow, and foresaw it would not go beyond prince -Houssain’s. I took it in the air, and gave it the necessary -motion, to strike against the rocks near which you found it. It is -in your power to avail yourself of the favourable opportunity which -it presents to make you happy. - -As the fairy Pari Banou pronounced these last words with a different -tone, and looked at the same time tenderly upon prince Ahmed, with -downcast eyes and a modest blush on her cheeks, it was not difficult -for the prince to comprehend what happiness she meant. He presently -considered that the princess Nouronnihar could never be his, and -that the fairy Pari Banou excelled her infinitely in beauty, -attractions, agreeableness, transcendant wit, and, as far as he -could conjecture by the magnificence of the palace where she -resided, in immense riches. He blessed the moment that he thought of -seeking after his arrow a second time, and yielding to his -inclination, which drew him towards the new object which had fired -his heart, Madam, replied he, should I, all my life, have had the -happiness of being your slave, and the admirer of the many charms -which ravish my soul, I should think myself the happiest of men. -Pardon me the boldness which inspires me to ask this favour, and do -not refuse to admit into your court a prince who is entirely devoted -to you. - -Prince, answered the fairy, as I have been a long time my own -mistress, and have no dependence on my parents’ consent, it is not -as a slave that I would admit you into my court, but as master of my -person, and all that belongs to me, by pledging your faith to me, -and taking me to be your wife. I hope you will not take it amiss -that I anticipate you in making this proposal. I am, as I said, -mistress of my will; and must add, that the same customs are not -observed among fairies as among other ladies, in whom it would not -have been decent to have made such advances: but it is what we do, -and we suppose we confer obligation by it. - -Prince Ahmed made no answer to this discourse, but was so penetrated -with gratitude, that he thought he could not express it better than -by coming to kiss the hem of her garment; which she would not give -him time to do, but presented her hand, which he kissed a thousand -times, and kept fast locked in his. Well, prince Ahmed, said she, -will you not pledge your faith to me, as I do mine to you? Yes, -madam, replied the prince, in an ecstasy of joy, what can I do -better, and with greater pleasure? Yes, my sultaness, my queen, I -will give it you with my heart, without the least reserve. Then, -answered the fairy, you are my husband, and I am your wife. Our -marriages are contracted with no other ceremonies, and yet are more -firm and indissoluble than those among men with all their -formalities. But as I suppose, pursued she, that you have eaten -nothing to-day, a slight repast shall be served up for you while -preparations are making for our nuptial feast this evening, and then -I will show you the apartments of my palace, and you shall judge if -this hall is not the smallest part of it. - -Some of the fairy’s women who came into the hall with them, and -guessed her intentions, went immediately out, and returned presently -with some excellent meats and wines. - -When prince Ahmed had eaten and drank as much as he cared for, the -fairy Pari Banou carried him through all the apartments, where he -saw diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and all sorts of fine jewels, -intermixed with pearls, agate, jasper, porphyry, and all kinds of -the most precious marbles; not to mention the richness of the -furniture, which was inestimable; the whole disposed with such -profusion, that the prince, instead of ever having seen any thing -like it, acknowledged that there could not be any thing in the world -that could come up to it. Prince, said the fairy, if you admire my -palace so much, which is indeed very beautiful, what would you say -to the palaces of the chief of our genies, which are much more -beautiful, spacious, and magnificent? I could also charm you with my -garden; but we will leave that till another time. Night draws near, -and it will be time to go to supper. - -The next hall which the fairy led the prince into, and where the -cloth was laid for the feast, was the only apartment the prince had -not seen, and it was not in the least inferior to the others. At his -entrance into it, he admired the infinite number of wax candles -perfumed with amber, the multitude of which, instead of being -confused, were placed with so just symmetry, as formed an agreeable -and pleasant sight. A large beaufet was set out with all sorts of -gold plate, so finely wrought, that the workmanship was much more -valuable than the weight of the gold. Several chorusses of beautiful -women richly dressed, and whose voices were ravishing, began a -concert, accompanied with all kinds of the most harmonious -instruments he had ever heard. When they were set down to table, the -fairy Pari Banou took care to help prince Ahmed to the most -delicious meats, which she named as she invited him to eat of them, -and which the prince had never heard of, but found so exquisite and -nice, that he commended them in the highest terms, crying, that the -entertainment which she gave him far surpassed those among men. He -found also the same excellence in the wines, which neither he nor -the fairy tasted of till the dessert was served up, which consisted -of the choicest sweetmeats and fruits. - -After the dessert, the fairy Pari Banou and prince Ahmed rose from -the table, which was immediately carried away, and sat on a sofa, at -their ease, with cushions of fine silk, curiously embroidered with -all sorts of large flowers, laid at their backs. Presently after a -great number of genies and fairies danced before them to the door of -the chamber where the nuptial bed was made; and when they came -there, they divided themselves into two rows, to let them pass, and -after that retired, leaving them to go to bed. - -The nuptial feast was continued the next day; or rather the days -following the celebration were a continual feast, which the fairy -Pari Banou, who could do it with the utmost ease, knew how to -diversify, by new dishes, new meats, new concerts, new dances, new -shows, and new diversions; which were all so extraordinary, that -prince Ahmed, if he had lived a thousand years among men, could not -have imagined. - -The fairy’s intention was not only to give the prince essential -proofs of the sincerity of her love, and the violence of her -passion, by so many ways; but to let him see, that as he had no -pretensions at his father’s court, he could meet with nothing -comparable to the happiness he enjoyed with her, independent of her -beauty and her charms, and to attach him entirely to herself, that -he might never leave her. In this scheme she succeeded so well, that -prince Ahmed’s passion was not in the least diminished by -possession; but increased so much, that if he had been so inclined, -it was not in his power to forbear loving her. - -At the end of six months prince Ahmed, who always loved and honoured -the sultan his father, conceived a great desire to know how he did; -and as that desire could not be satisfied without his absenting -himself to go and hear it in person, he mentioned it to the fairy, -and desired she would give him leave. - -This discourse alarmed the fairy, and made her fear it was only an -excuse to leave her. She said to him, What disgust can I have given -you to oblige you to ask me this leave? Is it possible you should -have forgotten that you have pledged your faith to me, and that you -no longer love one who is so passionately fond of you? Are not the -proofs I have repeatedly given you of my affection sufficient? - -My queen, replied the prince, I am perfectly convinced of your love, -and should be unworthy of it, if I did not testify my gratitude by a -reciprocal love. If you are offended at the leave I asked, I entreat -you to forgive me, and I will make all the reparation I am capable -of. I did not do it with any intention of displeasing you, but from -a motive of respect towards my father, whom I wish to free from the -affliction my so long absence must have overwhelmed him in; which -must be the greater, as I have reason to presume he believes that I -am dead. But since you do not consent that I should go and afford -him that comfort, I will do what you will, and there is nothing in -the world that I am not ready to do to please you. - -Prince Ahmed, who did not dissemble, and loved her in his heart as -much as he had assured her by these words, no longer insisted on the -leave he had asked; and the fairy expressed her satisfaction -thereat. But as he could not absolutely abandon the design he had -formed to himself, he frequently took an opportunity to speak to her -of the great qualifications of the sultan his father; and above all, -of his particular tenderness towards him, in hopes he might at -length be able to move her. - -As prince Ahmed supposed, the sultan of the Indies, in the midst of -the rejoicings on account of prince Ali’s and princess -Nouronnihar’s nuptials, was sensibly afflicted at the absence of -the other two princes his sons, though it was not long before he was -informed of the resolution prince Houssain had taken to forsake the -world, and the place he had made choice of for his retreat. As a -good father, whose happiness consists in seeing his children about -him, especially when they are deserving of his tenderness, he would -have been better pleased had he stayed at his court, about his -person; but as he could not disapprove of his choice of the state of -perfection in which he had engaged, he supported his absence more -patiently. He made the most diligent search after prince Ahmed, and -despatched couriers to all the provinces of his dominions, with -orders to the governors to stop him, and oblige him to return to -court; but all the pains he took had not the desired success, and -his trouble, instead of diminishing, increased. He would often talk -with his grand vizier about it; and say to him, Vizier, thou knowest -I always loved Ahmed the best of all my sons; and thou art not -insensible of the means I have used to find him out, without -success. My grief is so lively, I shall sink under it, if thou hast -not compassion on me; if thou hast any regard for the preservation -of my life, I conjure thee to assist and advise me. - -The grand vizier, no less attached to the person of the sultan, than -zealous to acquit himself well of the administration of the affairs -of state, considering how to give his sovereign some ease, bethought -himself of a sorceress, of whom he had heard wonders, and proposed -to send for her to consult her. The sultan consented, and the grand -vizier, after he had sent for her, introduced her to him himself. - -The sultan said to the magician, The affliction I have been in since -the marriage of my son prince Ali to the princess Nouronnihar, my -niece, on account of the absence of prince Ahmed, is so well known, -and so public, that undoubtedly thou canst be no stranger to it. By -thy art and skill canst thou tell me what is become of him? If he is -alive, where he is? What he is doing, and if I may hope ever to see -him again? To this the sorceress made answer, It is impossible, sir, -for me, though ever so skilful in my profession, to answer -immediately the questions your majesty asks me; but if you allow -till to-morrow, I will give an answer. The sultan granted her the -time, and sent her away, with a promise to recompense her well, if -her answer proved according to his desire. - -The magician returned the next day, and the grand vizier presented -her a second time to the sultan. Sir, said she, notwithstanding all -the diligence I have used in applying the rules of my art, to obey -your majesty in what you desire to know, I have not been able to -discover any thing more than that prince Ahmed is alive. This is -very certain, and you may depend on it; but as to the place where he -is I cannot find it out. - -The sultan of the Indies was obliged to be satisfied with this -answer; which left him in the same uneasiness as before as to the -prince’s fate. - -To return to prince Ahmed. He so often entertained the fairy Pari -Banou with talking about the sultan his father, without speaking any -more of his desire to see him, that she fully comprehended what he -meant; and perceiving this restraint he put upon himself, and his -fear of displeasing her after her first refusal, she first inferred -that his love for her was, by the repeated proofs he had given her, -sincere; and then judging by herself the injustice she was guilty of -in opposing a son’s tenderness for his father, and endeavouring to -make him renounce that natural inclination, she resolved to grant -him the leave which she saw he always so ardently desired. One day -she said to him, Prince, the leave you have asked me to go and see -the sultan your father, gave me a just fear that it was only a -pretext to show your inconstancy, and to leave me, and that was the -sole motive for my refusing you; but now I am so fully convinced by -your actions and words, that I can depend on your constancy, and the -steadiness of your love. I change my resolution, and grant you that -leave, upon condition that you will swear to me first, that your -absence shall not be long. You ought not to be concerned at this -condition, as if I asked it out of distrust. I do it only because I -know that it will give you no uneasiness, convinced as I am, as I -have already told you, of the sincerity of your love. - -Prince Ahmed would have thrown himself at the fairy’s feet, to -show his gratitude, but she prevented him. My sultaness, said he, I -am sensible of the great favour you grant me, but want words to -return the thanks I wish. Supply this defect, I conjure you, and -whatever you can suggest to yourself, be persuaded I think much -more. You may believe that the oath will give me no uneasiness, and -I take it more willingly, since it is not possible for me to live -without you. I go, but the haste I shall make to return shall show -you, that it is not for fear of being foresworn, but that I follow -my inclination, which is to live with you for ever; and if I am -absent some time with your consent, I shall always avoid the trouble -a too long absence will create me. - -Pari Banou was the more charmed with these sentiments of prince -Ahmed, because they removed the suspicions she had entertained of -him, fearing that his earnest desire to go to see the sultan his -father was only a pretext to break his faith with her. --Prince, -said she, go when you please; but first do not take it amiss that I -give you some advice how you shall behave yourself where you are -going. First, I do not think it proper for you to tell the sultan -your father of our marriage, nor of my quality, nor the place where -you are settled. Beg of him to be satisfied with knowing you are -happy, and that you desire no more; and let him know that the sole -end of your visit is to make him easy about your fate. - -She appointed twenty horsemen, well mounted and equipped, to attend -him. --When all was ready, prince Ahmed took his leave of the fairy, -embraced her, and renewed his promise to return soon. Then his -horse, which was most finely caparisoned, and was as beautiful a -creature as any in the sultan of the Indies’ stables, was brought -to him, and he mounted him with an extraordinary grace, with great -pleasure to the fairy; and after he had bid her adieu, set forward -on his journey. - -As it was not a great way to his father’s capital, prince Ahmed -soon arrived there. The people, glad to see him again, received him -with acclamations of joy, and followed him in crowds to the -sultan’s apartment. --The sultan received and embraced him with -great joy; complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, -of the affliction his long absence had been to him, which he said -was the more grievous, for that fortune having decided in favour of -prince Ali his brother, he was afraid he might have committed some -act of despair. - -Sir, replied prince Ahmed, I leave it to your majesty to consider, -if, after having lost the princess Nouronnihar, who was the only -object of my desires, I could resolve to be a witness of prince -Ali’s happiness. If I had been capable of so unworthy an action, -what would the court and city have thought of my love, or what your -majesty? Love is a passion we cannot throw off when we will; it -rules and governs us, and will not give a true lover time to make -use of his reason. --Your majesty knows, that when I shot my arrow, -the most extraordinary thing that ever befell any body happened to -me, that in so large and level a plain as that where the horses are -exercised, it should not be possible to find my arrow. I lost the -cause, the justice of which was as much due to my love as to that of -the princes my brothers. --Though thus vanquished by the caprice of -fate, I lost no time in vain complaints; but, to satisfy my -perplexed mind, in the adventure which I could not comprehend, I -gave my attendants the slip, and returned back again alone to look -for my arrow. I sought all about the place where prince Houssain’s -and prince Ali’s arrows were found, and where I imagined mine must -have fallen; but all my labour was in vain. I was not discouraged, -but continued my search on the same ground in a direct line, and -looked carefully about where I could guess it might have fallen; and -after this manner had gone above a league, without being able to -meet with any thing like an arrow, when I reflected that it was not -possible that mine should fly so far. I stopped, and asked myself -whether I was in my right senses, to flatter myself with having -strength enough to shoot an arrow so much farther than any of the -greatest heroes in the world were able to do. After I had argued -thus with myself, I was ready to abandon my enterprise; but when I -was on the point of putting my resolution in execution, I found -myself drawn forward almost against my will; and after having gone -four leagues to that part of the plain where it is bounded by rocks, -I perceived an arrow. I ran and took it up, and knew it to be the -same which I had shot, but which had not been found in the time or -place that it should have been. Far from thinking your majesty had -done me any injustice in declaring for my brother prince Ali, I -interpreted what had happened to me quite otherwise, and never -doubted but there was a mystery in it to my advantage; the discovery -of which I ought not to neglect, and which I found out without going -farther from the spot. But as to this mystery, I beg your majesty -will not take it ill that I am silent, and that you will be -satisfied to know from my own mouth that I am happy, and content -with my fate. - -In the midst of all my happiness, the only thing that troubled me, -or was capable of disturbing me, was the uneasiness I feared your -majesty was in, upon account of my leaving the court, and your not -knowing what was become of me. I thought it my duty to satisfy you -in this point. This was the only motive which brought me hither; the -only favour I ask of your majesty is to give me leave to come often -and pay you my respects, and inquire after your health. - -Son, answered the sultan of the Indies, I cannot refuse you the -leave you ask me, but, I should much rather you would resolve to -stay with me. At least, tell me were I may hear of you, if you -should fail to come, or when I may think your presence necessary. -Sir, replied prince Ahmed, what your majesty asks of me is part of -the mystery I spoke to your majesty of. I beg of you to give me -leave to remain silent on this head; for I shall come so frequently -where my duty calls, that I am afraid I shall sooner be thought -troublesome, than be accused of negligence in my duty, when my -presence may be necessary. - -The sultan of the Indies pressed prince Ahmed no more, but said to -him, Son, I penetrate no farther into your secrets, but leave you at -your liberty. I can only tell you, that you could not do me a -greater pleasure than to come, and, by your presence, restore to me -the joy I have not felt for a long time; and that you shall always -be welcome when you come, without interrupting your business or your -pleasure. - -Prince Ahmed stayed but three days at the sultan his father’s -court, and the fourth returned to the fairy Pari Banou, who received -him with the greater joy, as she did not expect him so soon. His -diligence made her condemn herself for suspecting his want of -fidelity. She never dissembled in the least, but frankly owned her -weakness to the prince, and asked his pardon. So perfect was the -union of these two lovers, that they had but one will between them. - -A month after prince Ahmed’s return from paying a visit to his -father, as the fairy Pari Banou had observed, that since the time -that the prince gave her an account of his journey, and his -conversation with his father, in which he asked his leave to come -and see him from time to time, he had never spoken of the sultan, as -if there had been no such person in the world, whereas before he was -always speaking of him, she thought he forbore on her account; and -therefore took an opportunity to say to him one day, Tell me, -prince, have you forgotten the sultan your father? Do not you -remember the promise you made to go and see him from time to time? -For my part, I have not forgotten what you told me at your return, -and put you in mind of it, that you may not be long before you -acquit yourself of your promise for the first time. - -Madam, replied prince Ahmed, with the same lively tone as the fairy -spoke to him, as I know I am not guilty of the forgetfulness you -speak of, I rather choose to be thus reproached, however -undeservedly, than expose myself to a refusal, by showing -unseasonably a desire for what it might have given you pain to -grant. Prince, said the fairy, I would not have you in this affair -have so much consideration for me, since it is a month since you -have seen the sultan your father. I think you should not be longer -than a month before you renew your visits. Pay him another visit -to-morrow, and after that, go and see him once a month, without -speaking to me, or waiting for my leave. I readily consent. - -Prince Ahmed went the next morning with the same attendants as -before, but much finer, and himself more magnificently mounted, -equipped, and dressed, and was received by the sultan with the same -joy and satisfaction. For several months he constantly paid him -visits, and always in a richer and more brilliant equipage. - -At last some viziers, the sultan’s favourites, who judged of -prince Ahmed’s grandeur and power by the figure he made, abused -the liberty the sultan gave them of speaking to him, to make him -jealous of his son. They represented to him that it was but common -prudence to know where the prince had retired, and how he could -afford to live at such a rate, since he had no revenue nor income -assigned him, and that he seemed to come to court only to brave him, -by affecting to show that he wanted nothing of him to live like a -prince, and that it was to be feared he might stir up the people’s -favour, and dethrone him. - -The sultan of the Indies was so far from thinking that prince Ahmed -could be capable of so wicked a design, as his favourites would make -him believe, that he said to them, You are mistaken; my son loves -me, and I am the more assured of his tenderness and fidelity, as I -have given him no reason to be disgusted. - -Upon these last words, one of the favourites took an opportunity to -say, Your majesty, in the opinion of the most sensible people, could -not have taken a better method than what you have done with the -three princes, respecting their marriage with the princess -Nouronnihar; but who knows whether prince Ahmed has submitted to his -fate with the same resignation as prince Houssain? May not he -imagine that he alone deserved her, and that your majesty, by -leaving that matter to be decided by chance, has done him injustice? - -Your majesty may say, added the malicious favourite, that prince -Ahmed has given no sign of dissatisfaction; that our fears are vain; -that we are too easily alarmed, and are to blame to suggest to you -suspicions of this sort, which may, perhaps, be unfounded, against a -prince of your blood. But, sir, pursued the favourite, it may be -also these suspicions may be well grounded. Your majesty is -sensible, that in so nice and important an affair, you cannot be too -much upon your guard, and should take the safest course. Consider, -it is the prince’s business to dissemble, amuse, and deceive you; -and the danger is the greater, as the prince resides not far from -your capital; and if your majesty give but the same attention that -we do, you may observe that every time he comes, he and his -attendants are fresh, and their clothes and their horses’ housings -are clean and bright, as if they were come from the maker’s hands, -and their horses look as if they had only been walked out. These are -sufficient signs that prince Ahmed does not come a great way; so -that we should think ourselves wanting in our duty if we did not -make our humble remonstrances, that, for your own preservation and -the good of your people, you might take such measures as you shall -think fit. - -When the favourite had made an end of this long speech, the sultan -said, Be it as it will, I do not believe my son Ahmed is so wicked -as you would persuade me he is; however, I am obliged to you for -your good advice, and do not doubt that it proceeds from a good -intention. - -The sultan of the Indies said this, that his favourites might not -know the impressions their discourse had made on his mind. He was, -however, so much alarmed by it, that he resolved to have prince -Ahmed watched, unknown to his grand vizier. For this end, he sent -for the female magician, who was introduced by a private door into -his closet. You told me the truth, said he, when you assured me my -son Ahmed was alive, for which I am obliged to you. You must do me -another pleasure. I have seen him since, and he comes to my court -every month; but I cannot learn from him where he resides, and I did -not wish to force his secret out of him, but believe you are capable -of satisfying my curiosity, without letting him, or any of my court, -know any thing of the matter. You know that at this present time he -is here with me, and is used to go away without taking leave of me, -or any of my court. Go immediately upon the road, and watch him so -well, as to find out where he retires, and bring me word. - -The magician left the sultan, and knowing the place where prince -Ahmed found his arrow, went immediately thither, and hid herself -near the rocks, so that nobody could see her. - -The next morning prince Ahmed set out by day-break, without taking -leave either of the sultan or any of his court, according to custom. -The magician seeing him coming, followed him with her eyes, till on -a sudden she lost sight of him and his attendants. - -The steepness of the rocks formed an insurmountable barrier to men, -whether on horseback or on foot, so that the magician judged that -there were but two ways; either that the prince retired into some -cavern, or into some place under ground, the abode of genies or -fairies. When she thought the prince and his attendants were out of -sight, and returned into the cavern or subterraneous place she -imagined, she came out of the place where she had hid herself, and -went directly to the hollow way where she had seen them go in. She -entered it, going and returning several times, and proceeding to the -spot where it terminated in many windings, looking carefully about -on all sides. But notwithstanding all her diligence, she could -perceive no opening, nor the iron gate which prince Ahmed -discovered: for this door was to be seen by and opened to none but -men, and only to such men whose presence was agreeable to the fairy -Pari Banou, and not at all to women. - -The magician, who saw it was in vain for her to search any farther, -was obliged to be satisfied with the discovery she had made, and -returned to give the sultan an account. When she had told him what -she had done, she added, Your majesty may easily understand, after -what I have had the honour to tell you, it will be no difficult -matter to give you the satisfaction you desire concerning prince -Ahmed’s conduct. I will not tell you now what I think, but choose -to let you know in a way that will not suffer you to doubt of it. To -do this, I only ask time, and that you will have patience, and give -me leave to do it, without inquiring what measures I design to take. - -The sultan was very well pleased with the magician’s conduct, and -said to her, Do you as you think fit; I will wait patiently the -event of your promises. And to encourage her, he made her a present -of a diamond of great value, telling her it was only an earnest of -the ample recompense she should receive when she had done him that -important piece of service, which he left to her management. - -As prince Ahmed, after he had obtained the fairy Pari Banou’s -leave to go to the sultan of the Indies’ court, never failed once -a month, and the magician knowing the time, went a day or two before -to the foot of the rock, where she lost sight of the prince and his -attendants, and waited there with an intention to execute the -project she had formed. - -The next morning prince Ahmed went out as usual at the iron gate, -with the same attendants as before, and passed by the magician, whom -he knew not to be such; and seeing her lie with her head upon the -rock, and complaining as if she was in great pain, he pitied her, -turned his horse about, and went to her, and asked her what was the -matter with her, and what he could do to relieve her. - -The artful sorceress, without lifting up her head, looked at the -prince in a manner to increase his compassion, already excited, and -answered in broken words and sighs, as if she could hardly fetch her -breath, that she was going to the city, but in the way thither was -taken with so violent a fever, that her strength failed her, and she -was forced to stop and lie down where he saw her, far from any -habitation, and without any hopes of assistance. - -Good woman, replied prince Ahmed, you are not so far from help as -you imagine. I am ready to assist you, and convey you where you -shall not only have all possible care taken of you, but where you -will find a speedy cure; only get up, and let one of my people take -you behind him. - -At these words, the magician, who pretended sickness only to know -where the prince lived, what he did, and what was his situation, did -not refuse the charitable offer he made her so freely; and, to show -her acceptance of it rather by her actions than by her words, she -made many affected efforts to get up, pretending that the violence -of her illness prevented her. At the same time, two of the -prince’s attendants alighting off their horses, helped her up, and -set her behind another. They mounted their horses again, and -followed the prince, who turned back to the iron gate, which was -opened by one of his retinue, who rode before. When he came into the -outward court of the fairy’s palace, without dismounting himself, -he sent to tell her he wanted to speak with her. - -The fairy Pari Banou came with all imaginable haste, not knowing -what made prince Ahmed return so soon; who, not giving her time to -ask him the reason, said, My princess, I desire you would have -compassion on this good woman, pointing to the magician, who was -taken off the horse by two of his retinue: I found her in the -condition you see her in, and promised her the assistance she stands -in need of. I recommend her to your care, and am persuaded that you, -from inclination, as well as at my request, will not abandon her. - -The fairy Pari Banou, who had her eyes fixed upon the pretended sick -woman all the time that the prince was talking to her, ordered two -of her women who followed her to take her from the two men that held -her, and carry her into an apartment of the palace, and take as much -care of her as of herself. - -Whilst the two women executed the fairy’s commands, she went up to -prince Ahmed, and whispering him in the ear, said, Prince, I commend -your compassion, which is worthy of you and your birth. I take great -pleasure in gratifying your good intention; but give me leave to -tell you, I am afraid it will be but ill rewarded. This woman is not -so sick as she pretends to be; and I am very much mistaken if she is -not sent hither on purpose to occasion you great trouble. But do not -be concerned, let what will be devised against you; be persuaded -that I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid for -you. Go and pursue your journey. - -This discourse of the fairy’s did not in the least alarm prince -Ahmed. My princess, said he, as I do not remember I ever did, or -designed to do, any body an injury. I cannot believe any body can -have a thought of doing me one; but if they have, I shall not -forbear doing good, whenever I have an opportunity. So saying, he -took leave of the fairy, and set forward again for his father’s -capital, where he soon arrived, and was received as usual by the -sultan, who constrained himself as much as possible, to disguise the -trouble arising from the suspicions suggested by his favourites. - -In the mean time, the two women to whom the fairy Pari Banou had -given her orders carried the magician into a very fine apartment, -richly furnished. First, they set her down upon a sofa, with her -back supported with a cushion of gold brocade, while they made a bed -on the same sofa before her, the quilt of which was finely -embroidered with silk, the sheets of the finest linen, and the -coverlid cloth of gold. When they had put her into bed, (for the old -sorceress pretended that her fever was so violent, she could not -help herself in the least,) one of the women went out, and returned -soon again with a china cup in her hand, full of a certain liquor, -which she presented to the magician, while the other helped her to -sit up. Drink this liquor, said she; it is the water of the fountain -of lions, and a sovereign remedy against all fevers whatsoever. You -will find the effect of it in less than an hour’s time. - -The magician, to dissemble the better, took it, after a great deal -of entreaty, as if she was very much averse to take that potion; but -at last she took the china cup, and shaking her head as if she did -great violence to herself, swallowed the liquor. When she was laid -down again, the two women covered her up. Lie quiet, said she who -brought her the china cup, and get a little sleep if you can: we -will leave you, and hope to find you perfectly cured when we come an -hour hence. - -The magician, who came not to act a sick part long, but only to -discover prince Ahmed’s retreat, and what made him leave his -father’s court, being fully satisfied in what she wanted to know, -would willingly have declared that the potion had then had its -effects, so great was her desire to return to the sultan, to inform -him of the success of her commission: but as she had been told that -the potion did not operate immediately, she was forced to wait the -women’s return. - -The two women came again at the time they said they should, and -found the magician up and dressed, and seated on the sofa; who, when -she saw them open the door of the apartment, cried out, O the -admirable potion! it has wrought its cure much sooner than you told -me it would, and I have waited a long time with impatience, to -desire you to carry me to your charitable mistress, to thank her for -her kindness, for which I shall always be obliged to her, since -being thus cured as by a miracle, I would not lose time, but -prosecute my journey. - -The two women, who were fairies as well as their mistress, after -they had told the magician how glad they were that she was cured so -soon, walked before her, and conducted her through several -apartments, all more superb than that wherein she lay, into a large -hall, the most richly and magnificently furnished of all the palace. - -Pari Banou was seated in this hall, on a throne of massy gold, -enriched with diamonds, rubies, and pearls of an extraordinary size, -and attended on each hand by a great number of beautiful fairies, -all richly dressed. At the sight of so much majesty, the magician -was not only dazzled, but was so struck, that after she had -prostrated herself before the throne, she could not open her lips to -thank the fairy, as she proposed. However, Pari Banou saved her the -trouble, and said to her, Good woman, I am glad I had an opportunity -to oblige you, and to see you are able to pursue your journey. I -will not detain you; but perhaps you may not be displeased to see my -palace: follow my women, and they will show it you. - -The old sorceress, who had not power nor courage to say a word, -prostrated herself a second time, with her head on the carpet that -covered the foot of the throne, and so took her leave, and was -conducted by the two fairies through all the same apartments which -were shown to prince Ahmed at his first arrival there, and at sight -of their uncommon magnificence, she made frequent exclamations. But -what surprised her most of all was, that the two fairies told her, -that all she saw and admired so much was a mere sketch of their -mistress’s grandeur and riches; and that in the extent of her -dominions she had so many palaces that they could not tell the -number of them, all of different plans and architecture, and equally -magnificent and superb. In talking of many other particulars, they -led her at last to the iron gate at which prince Ahmed brought her -in, and after she had taken her leave of them, and thanked them for -their trouble, they opened it, and wished her a good journey. - -After the magician had gone a little way, she turned back again to -observe the door and know it again, but all in vain; for, as was -before observed, it was invisible to her and all other women. Except -in this circumstance, she was very well satisfied with executing the -commission she had undertaken, and posted away to the sultan. When -she came to the capital, she went by a great many by-ways to the -private door of the palace. The sultan being informed of her -arrival, sent for her into his apartment, and perceiving a -melancholy hang upon her countenance, he thought she had not -succeeded, and said to her, By your looks I surmise that your -journey has been to no purpose, and that you have not made the -discovery I expected from your diligence. Sir, replied the magician, -your majesty must give me leave to represent to you, that you ought -not to judge by my looks whether or no I have acquitted myself well -in the execution of the commands you were pleased to honour me with; -but by the faithful report I shall make you of all that has happened -to me, and by which you will find that I have not neglected any -thing that could render me worthy of your approbation. The -melancholy you observe in my face proceeds from another cause than -the want of success, which I hope your majesty will have all the -reason in the world to be content with. I do not tell you the cause; -the relation I am going to give will, if you have patience, inform -you of it. - -Then the magician related to the sultan of the Indies how she -pretended to be sick, prince Ahmed compassionating her, had her -carried into a subterraneous abode, and presented and recommended -her himself to a fairy of incomparable beauty, desiring her by her -care to restore her health. Then she told him with how much -condescension the fairy presently ordered two fairies that attended -her, to take care of her, and not to leave her till she was -recovered; which great condescension, said she, could proceed from -no other person but from a wife to a husband. Afterwards the old -sorceress failed not to exaggerate on her surprise at the front of -the palace, which she said had not its fellow in the world, while -the two fairies held her by each arm, like a sick person, as she -feigned to be, that could not walk or support herself. She gave a -particular account of the care they took of her, after they had led -her into another apartment; of the potion they made her drink, and -of the quickness of her cure, which she pretended as well as her -sickness, though she doubted not the virtue of the draught; the -majesty of the fairy seated on a throne, brilliant with jewels, the -value of which exceeded all the riches of the kingdom of the Indies, -and all the other riches, beyond computation, contained in that vast -palace. - -Here the magician, finishing the relation of the success of her -commission, and continuing her discourse, said, What does your -majesty think of these unheard-of riches of the fairy? Perhaps you -will say, you are struck with admiration, and rejoice at the good -fortune of prince Ahmed your son, who enjoys them in common with the -fairy. For my part, sir, I beg of your majesty to forgive me, if I -take the liberty to remonstrate to you, that I think otherwise, and -that I shudder when I consider the misfortunes which may happen to -you from it. And this is the cause of the melancholy which I could -not so well dissemble, but that you soon perceived it. I would -believe that prince Ahmed, by his own good disposition, is incapable -of undertaking any thing against your majesty; but who can answer -that the fairy, by her attractions and caresses, and the influence -she has already over him, may not inspire him with a dangerous -design of dethroning your majesty, and seizing the crown of the -Indies? This is what your majesty ought to consider as a serious -affair of the utmost importance. - -Though the sultan of the Indies was very well persuaded that prince -Ahmed’s natural disposition was good, yet he could not help being -moved at the discourse of the old sorceress, and said, I thank you -for the pains you have taken, and your wholesome caution. I am so -sensible of the great importance it is to me, that I shall take -advice upon it. - -He was consulting with his favourites, when he was told of the -magician’s arrival. He ordered her to follow him to them. He -acquainted them with what he had learnt, and communicated to them -also the reason he had to fear the fairy’s influence over the -prince, and asked them what measures they thought most proper to be -taken to prevent so great a misfortune. One of the favourites, -taking upon himself to speak for the rest, said, Your majesty knows -who must be the author of this mischief. In order to prevent it, now -he is in your court, and in your power, you ought not to hesitate to -put him under arrest; I will not say, take away his life, for that -would make too much noise; but make him a close prisoner while he -lives. This advice all the other favourites unanimously applauded. - -The magician, who thought it too violent, asked the sultan leave to -speak, which being granted, she said, Sir, I am persuaded the zeal -of your counsellors for your majesty’s interest makes them propose -arresting prince Ahmed: but they will not take it amiss if I offer -to your and their consideration, that if you arrest the prince you -must also detain his retinue. But they are all genies. Do they think -it will be so easy to surprise, seize, and secure their persons? -Will they not disappear, by the property they possess of rendering -themselves invisible, and transport themselves instantly to the -fairy, and give her an account of the insult offered her husband? -And can it be supposed she will let it go unrevenged? But would it -not be better, if by any other means, which might not make so great -a noise, the sultan could secure himself against any ill designs -prince Ahmed may have against him, and not involve his majesty’s -honour, or any body suspect him of any ill design? If his majesty -has any confidence in my advice, as genies and fairies can do things -impracticable to men, he will pique prince Ahmed’s honour, and -engage him by means of the fairy to procure certain advantages, -under pretence of deriving a great return, --for which he will be -obliged to him. For example, every time your majesty takes the -field, you are obliged to be at a great expense, not only in -pavilions and tents for yourself and army, but likewise in mules and -camels, and other beasts of burden, to carry their baggage. Might -not you engage him to use his interest with the fairy, to procure -you a tent which might be carried in a man’s hand, and which -should be so large as to shelter your whole army. - -I need say no more to your majesty. If the prince brings such a -tent, you may make a great many other demands of the same nature, so -that at last he may sink under the difficulties and the -impossibility of executing them, however fertile in means and -inventions the fairy, who has enticed him from you by her -enchantments, may be; so that in time he will be ashamed to appear, -and will be forced to pass the rest of his life with his fairy, -excluded from any commerce with this world; and then your majesty -will have nothing to fear from him, and cannot be reproached with so -detestable an action as the shedding of a son’s blood, or -confining him in a prison for life. - -When the magician had finished her speech, the sultan asked his -favourites if they had any thing better to propose; and finding them -all silent, determined to follow the magician’s advice, as the -most reasonable and most agreeable to his mild manner of government. - -The next day, when the prince came into his father’s presence, who -was talking with his favourites, and had sat down by him, after a -conversation on different subjects, the sultan addressing himself to -prince Ahmed, said, Son, when you came and dispelled those clouds of -melancholy which your long absence had brought upon me, you made the -place you had chosen for your retreat a mystery to me. I was -satisfied with seeing you again, and knowing that you was content -with your condition, and wished not to penetrate into your secret, -which I found you did not care I should. I know not what reason you -had thus to treat a father, who ever did and still continues to -express what interest he takes in your happiness. I know your good -fortune. I rejoice with you, and very much approve of your conduct -in marrying a fairy so worthy of your love, and so rich and -powerful, as I am informed. Powerful as I am, it was not possible -for me to have procured so great a match for you. Now you are raised -to so high a rank, as to be envied by every body, but a father like -me, I not only desire you to preserve the good understanding we have -lived in hitherto, but that you will use all your credit with your -fairy to obtain for me her assistance, when I may want it. I -therefore will make a trial of your interest this day. - -You are not insensible at what a great expense, not to say trouble -to my generals, officers, and myself, every time I take the field, -they provide tents and pavilions, and mules and camels, and other -beasts of burden, to carry them. If you consider the pleasure you -would do me, I am persuaded you could easily procure from her a -pavilion that might be carried in a man’s hand, and which would -extend over my whole army; especially when you let her know it is -for me. Though it may be a difficult thing, she will not refuse you. -All the world, knows fairies are capable of doing most extraordinary -things. - -Prince Ahmed never expected that the sultan his father would have -asked such a thing, which at first sight appeared to him so -difficult, not to say impossible. Though he knew not absolutely how -great the power of genies and fairies was, he doubted whether it -extended so far as to furnish such a tent as his father desired. -Moreover he had never asked any thing like it of the fairy Pari -Banou, but was satisfied with the continual proofs she had given him -of her passion, that he forgot nothing to persuade her that his -heart perfectly corresponded without any views of interest, beyond -maintaining himself in her good graces; therefore he was in the -greatest embarrassment what answer to make. At last, he replied, If, -sir, I have concealed from your majesty what happened to me, and -what course I took after the finding my arrow, the reason was, that -I thought it was of no great importance to you to be informed of -them; and though I know not how this mystery has been revealed to -you, I cannot deny but your information is very just. I have married -the fairy you speak of. I love her, and am persuaded she loves me. -But I can say nothing as to the influence your majesty believes I -have over her. It is what I have not yet made an experiment of, nor -thought of, and should be very glad you would dispense with my -undertaking it, and let me enjoy the happiness of loving and being -beloved, with all the disinterestedness I proposed to myself. But -the demand of a father is a command upon every child, who, like me, -thinks it his duty to obey him in every thing. And though it is with -the greatest reluctance imaginable, I will not fail to ask my wife -the favour your majesty desires, but will not promise you to obtain -it; and if I should not have the honour to come again to pay you my -respects, that shall be the sign that I have not had success: but -beforehand, I desire you to forgive me, and consider that you -yourself have reduced me to this extremity. - -Son, replied the sultan of the Indies, I should be very sorry that -what I ask of you should give you reason to cause me the grief of -never seeing you more. I find you do not know the power a husband -has over a wife; and yours would show that her love to you was very -indifferent, if she, with the power she has as a fairy, should -refuse you so trifling a request as this I desire you to ask of her -for my sake. Lay aside your fears, which proceed from your believing -yourself not to be loved so well as you love her. Go; only ask her. -You will find the fairy loves you better than you imagine; and -remember, that people, for want of asking, often lose great -advantages. Think with yourself, that as you love her, you could -refuse her nothing; therefore, if she loves you, she will not deny -your requests. - -All this discourse of the sultan of the Indies could not persuade -prince Ahmed, who would rather he would have asked any thing else, -than to expose him to the hazard of displeasing his dear Pari Banou; -and so great was his vexation, that he left the court two days -sooner than he used to do. - -When he returned, the fairy, to whom he always before appeared with -a gay countenance, asked him the cause of the alteration she -perceived in his looks; and finding, that instead of answering her, -he inquired after her health, to avoid satisfying her, she said to -him, I will answer your question when you have answered mine. The -prince declined it a long time, protesting that nothing was the -matter with him; but the more he denied it, the more she pressed -him, and said to him, I cannot bear to see you in this condition: -tell me what makes you so uneasy, that I may remove the cause of it, -whatever it may be; for it must be very extraordinary if it is out -of my power, unless it be the death of the sultan your father; in -that case, time, with all that I will contribute on my part, will -comfort you. - -Prince Ahmed could not long withstand the pressing instances of the -fairy. Madam, said he, God prolong the sultan my father’s life, -and bless him to the end of his days. I left him alive, and in -perfect health; therefore that is not the cause of the melancholy -you perceive in me. The sultan is the occasion of it, and I am the -more concerned, because he has imposed upon me the disagreeable -necessity of importuning you. First, you know the care I have taken, -with your approbation, to conceal from him the happiness I have to -see you, to love you, to deserve your favour and love, and to have -received the pledge of your faith, after having pledged my faith -with you. How he has been informed of it I cannot tell. - -Here the fairy Pari Banou interrupted prince Ahmed, and said, But I -know. Remember what I told you of the woman who made you believe she -was sick, on whom you took so much compassion. It is she who has -acquainted the sultan your father with what you have taken so much -care to hide from him. I told you she was no more sick than you or -I, and she has made it appear so; for, in short, after the two -women, whom I charged to take care of her, had given her the water -sovereign against all fevers, which, however, she had no occasion -for, she pretended that water had cured her, and was brought to take -her leave of me, that she might go the sooner to give an account of -the success of her undertaking. She was in so much haste, that she -would have gone away without seeing my palace, if I had not, by -bidding my two women show it her, given her to understand that it -was worth her seeing. But go on, and tell me what is the necessity -your father has imposed on you to be so importunate, which I desire -you will be persuaded you can be. - -Madam, pursued prince Ahmed, you may have observed that hitherto I -have been content with your love, and have never asked you any other -favour: for what, after the possession of so amiable a wife, can I -desire more? I know how great your power is, but I have taken care -not to make trial of it. Consider then, I conjure you, that it is -not me, but the sultan my father, who, indiscreetly, as I think, -asks of you a pavilion large enough to shelter him, his court, and -army, from the violence of the weather, when he takes the field, and -which a man may carry in his hand. Once more, remember, it is not I, -but the sultan my father, who asks this favour. - -Prince, replied the fairy, smiling, I am sorry that so small a -matter should disturb you, and make you so uneasy as you appeared to -me. I see plainly two things have contributed towards it: one is, -the law you have imposed upon yourself, to be content with loving -me, and being beloved by me, and to deny yourself the liberty of -asking me the least favour that might try my power. The other, I do -not doubt, whatever you may say, was, you thought that what your -father asked of me was out of my power. As to the first, I commend -you for it, and shall love you the better, if possible, for it; and -for the second, I must tell you, that what the sultan you father -asks of me is a trifle; and upon occasions. I can do much more -difficult things. Therefore be easy, and persuaded, that far from -thinking myself importuned, I shall always take a great deal of -pleasure in whatever you can desire me to do for your sake. Then the -fairy sent for her treasurer, to whom, when she came, she said, -Nourgihan, [108] (which was her name,) bring me the largest pavilion -in my treasury. Nourgihan returned presently with a pavilion, which -could not only be held, but concealed in the palm of the hand, when -it was closed, and presented it to her mistress, who gave it prince -Ahmed to look at. - -When prince Ahmed saw the pavilion which the fairy called the -largest in her treasury, he fancied she had a mind to banter him, -and his surprise appeared presently in his countenance, which Pari -Banou perceiving, burst out a laughing. What! prince, cried she, do -you think I jest with you? You will see presently that I am in -earnest. Nourgihan, said she to her treasurer, taking the tent out -of prince Ahmed’s hand, go and set it up, that the prince may -judge whether the sultan his father will think it large enough. - -The treasurer went out immediately with it from the palace, and -carried it to such a distance, that when she had set it up, one end -reached to the palace. The prince, so far from thinking it small, -found it large enough to shelter two armies as numerous as that of -the sultan his father, and then said to Pari Banou, I ask my -princess a thousand pardons for my incredulity: after what I have -seen, I believe there is nothing impossible to you. You see, said -the fairy, that the pavilion is larger than your father may have -occasion for; but you are to observe, that it has one property, that -it becomes larger or smaller, according to the army it is to cover, -without applying any hands to it. - -The treasurer took down the tent again, reduced it to its first -size, and brought it and put it into the prince’s hands. He took -it, and without staying any longer than till the next day, mounted -his horse, and went with the usual attendants to the sultan his -father. - -The sultan, who was persuaded that such a tent as he asked for was -beyond all possibility, was in great surprise at the prince’s -diligence. He took the tent, and after he had admired its smallness, -his amazement was so great that he could not recover himself when he -had set it up in the great plain before mentioned, and found it -large enough to shelter an army twice as large as he could bring -into the field. Looking upon this circumstance to be a superfluity -that might be troublesome in the use, prince Ahmed told him, that -its size would always be in proportion to his army. - -To outward appearance the sultan expressed great obligations to the -prince his son for so noble a present, desiring him to return his -thanks to the fairy Pari Banou; and to show what a value he set on -it, he ordered it to be carefully laid up in his treasury. But -within himself he conceived a greater jealousy than what his -flatterers and the magician had suggested to him; considering that -by the fairy’s assistance, the prince his son might perform things -that were infinitely above his own power notwithstanding his -greatness and riches, therefore, more intent upon his ruin, he went -to consult the magician again, who advised him to engage the prince -to bring some of the water of the fountain of lions. - -In the evening, when the sultan was surrounded as usual by all the -court, and the prince came to pay his respects among the rest, he -addressed himself to him in these words: Son, said he, I have -already expressed to you how much I am obliged to you for the -present of the tent you have procured me, which I look upon as the -most valuable thing in my treasury; but you must do one thing more -for me, which will be no less agreeable to me. I am informed that -the fairy your spouse makes use of a certain water, called the water -of the fountain of lions, which cures all sorts of fevers, even the -most dangerous; and as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is -dear to you, I do not doubt but you will ask her for a bottle of -that water for me, and bring it me, as a sovereign remedy which I -may make use of when I have occasion. Do me this other important -piece of service, and thereby complete the duty of a good son -towards a tender father. - -Prince Ahmed, who believed that the sultan his father would have -been satisfied with so singular and useful a tent as that which he -had brought, and that he would not have imposed any new task upon -him which might hazard the fairy’s displeasure, was thunderstruck -at this new request, notwithstanding the assurance she had given him -of granting him whatever lay in her power. After a long silence, he -said, I beg of your majesty to be assured, that there is nothing I -would not undertake to procure you, which may contribute to the -prolonging of your life, but I could wish it might not be by the -means of my wife. For this reason I dare not promise to bring the -water. All I can do is, to assure you I will ask it of her; but it -will be with as great reluctance as when I asked for the tent. - -The next morning prince Ahmed returned to the fairy Pan Banou, and -related to her sincerely and faithfully all that had passed at the -sultan his father’s court, from the giving of the tent, which he -told her he received with the utmost gratitude for the favour she -had done him, to the new request he had charged him to make for him. -And when he had done, he added: But, my princess, I only tell you -this is a plain account of what passed between me and my father. I -leave you to your own pleasure, whether you will gratify or reject -this his new desire. It shall be as you please. - -No, no, replied the fairy Pari Banou, I am glad that the sultan of -the Indies knows that you are not indifferent to me. I will satisfy -him, and whatever advice the magician can give him, (for I see that -he hearkens to her) he shall find no fault with you or me. There is -a great deal of wickedness in this demand, as you will understand by -what I am going to tell you. The fountain of lions is situated in -the middle of a court of a great castle, the entrance into which is -guarded by four fierce lions, two of which sleep alternately, while -the other two are awake. But let not that frighten you. I will give -you means to pass by them without any danger. - -The fairy Pari Banou was at that time very hard at work with her -needle; and as she had by her several clues of thread, she took up -one, and presenting it to prince Ahmed, said, First take this clue -of thread; I will tell you presently the use of it. In the second -place, you must have two horses; one you must ride yourself, and the -other you must lead, which must be loaded with a sheep cut into four -quarters, that must be killed to-day. In the third place, you must -be provided with a bottle, which I will give you, to bring the water -in. Set out early to-morrow morning, and when you have passed the -iron gate, throw before you the clue of thread, which will roll till -it comes to the gates of the castle. Follow it, and when it stops, -as the gates will be open, you will see the four lions. The two that -are awake will, by their roaring, wake the other two. Be not -frightened, but throw each of them a quarter of the sheep, and then -clap spurs to your horse, and ride to the fountain. Fill your bottle -without alighting, and then return with the same expedition. The -lions will be so busy eating, they will let you pass by them. - -Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed him by -the fairy, and followed her directions punctually. When he arrived -at the gates of the castle, he distributed the quarters of the sheep -among the four lions, and passing through the midst of them with -intrepidity, got to the fountain, filled his bottle, and returned as -safe and sound as he went. When he had got a little distance from -the castle gates he turned about, and perceiving two of the lions -coming after him, he drew his sabre, and prepared himself for -defence. But as he went forwards, he saw one of them turned out of -the road at some distance, and showed by his head and tail that he -did not come to do him any harm, but only to go before him, and that -the other stayed behind to follow. He therefore put his sword again -into its scabbard. Guarded in this manner, he arrived at the capital -of the Indies: but the lions never left him till they had conducted -him to the gates of the sultan’s palace; after which they returned -the same way they came, though not without frightening all that saw -them, who fled or hid themselves to avoid them, though they walked -gently, and showed no signs of fierceness. - -A great many officers came to attend the prince while he dismounted, -and conducted him to the sultan’s apartment who was at that time -conversing with his favourites. He approached the throne, laid the -bottle at the sultan’s feet, and kissed the rich carpet which -covered the footstool, and, rising, said, I have brought you, sir, -the salutary water, which your majesty so much desired to keep among -your other rarities in your treasury; but at the same time wish you -such extraordinary health, as never to have occasion to make use of -it. - -After the prince had made an end of his compliment, the sultan -placed him on his right hand, and then said to him, Son, I am very -much obliged to you for this valuable present; as also for the great -danger you have exposed yourself to on my account, which I have been -informed of by the magician, who knows the fountain of lions; but do -me the pleasure, continued he, to inform me by what address, or -rather, by what incredible power, you have been preserved. - -Sir, replied prince Ahmed, I have no share in the compliment your -majesty is pleased to make me; all the honour is due to the fairy my -spouse, and I take no other merit than that of having followed her -good advice. Then he informed the sultan what that advice was by the -relation of this his expedition, and how he had conducted himself. -When he had done, the sultan, who showed outwardly all the -demonstrations of joy, but secretly became more and more jealous, -retired into an inward apartment, where he sent for the magician. - -The magician, at her arrival, saved the sultan the trouble to tell -her of the success of prince Ahmed’s journey, which she had heard -of before she came, and therefore was prepared with the infallible -means. This thought she communicated to the sultan, who declared it -the next day to the prince, in the midst of all his courtiers, in -these words: Son, said he, I have one thing more to ask of you, -after which, I shall expect nothing more from your obedience, nor -your interest with your wife. This request is, to bring me a man not -above a foot and a half high, and whose beard is thirty feet long, -who carries upon his shoulders a bar of iron of five hundred weight, -which he uses as a quarter-staff, and who can speak. - -Prince Ahmed, who did not believe that there was such a man in the -world as his father described, would gladly have excused himself; -but the sultan persisted in his demand, and told him the fairy could -do more incredible things. - -Next day the prince returned to the subterraneous kingdom of Pari -Banou, to whom he told his father’s new demand, which, he said, he -looked upon to be a thing more impossible than the two first: for, -added he, I cannot imagine there is or can be such a man in the -world: without doubt, he has a mind to try whether I am silly enough -to go about to seek it; or if there is such a man, he seeks my ruin. -In short, how can he suppose that I should lay hold of a man so -small, armed as he describes? what arms can I make use of to reduce -him to submission? If there are any means, I beg you will tell me -how I may come off with honour this time also. - -Do not affright yourself prince, replied the fairy; you ran a risk -in fetching the water of the fountain of lions for your father; but -there is no danger in finding out this man. It is my brother, -Shaibar, who is so far from being like me, though we both had the -same father, that he is of so violent a nature, that nothing can -prevent his giving bloody marks of his resentment for a slight -offence; yet, on the other hand, is so good as to oblige any one in -whatever they desire. He is made exactly as the sultan your father -has described him; and has no other arms than a bar of iron of five -hundred pounds weight, without which he never stirs, and which makes -him respected. I will send for him, and you shall judge of the truth -of what I tell you; but be sure to prepare yourself not to be -frightened at his extraordinary figure when you see him. What! my -queen, replied prince Ahmed, do you say Schaibar is your brother? -Let him be ever so ugly or deformed, I shall be so far from being -frightened at the sight of him, that I shall love and honour him, -and consider him as my nearest relation. - -The fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be set with a fire in it -under the porch of her palace, with a box of the same metal, which -was a present to her, out of which, taking some incense, and -throwing it into the fire, there arose a thick cloud of smoke. - -Some moments after, the fairy said to prince Ahmed, Prince, there -comes my brother; do you see him? The prince immediately perceived -Schaibar, who was but a foot and a half high, coming gravely with -his heavy bar on his shoulder; his beard thirty feet long, which -supported itself before him, and a pair of thick mustaches in -proportion, tucked up to his ears, and almost covering his face: his -eyes were very small, like a pig’s, and deep sunk in his head, -which was of an enormous size, and on which he wore a pointed cap: -besides all this, he had a hump behind and before. - -If prince Ahmed had not known that Schaibar was Pari Banou’s -brother, he would not have been able to look at him without fear; -but knowing first who he was, he waited for him with the fairy, and -received him without the least concern. - -Schaibar, as he came forwards, looked at the prince with an eye that -would have chilled his soul in his body, and asked Pari Banou, when -he first accosted her, who that man was? To which she replied, He is -my husband, brother; his name is Ahmed; he is son to the sultan of -the Indies. The reason why I did not invite you to my wedding was, I -was unwilling to divert you from the expedition you were engaged in, -and from which I heard with pleasure you returned victorious; on his -account I have taken the liberty now to call for you. - -At these words, Schaibar, looking on prince Ahmed with a favourable -eye, which however, diminished neither his fierceness nor savage -look, said, Is there any thing, sister, wherein I can serve him? he -has only to speak. It is enough to me that he is your husband, to -engage me to do for him whatever he desires. The sultan his father, -replied Pari Banou, has a curiosity to see you, and I desire he may -be your guide to the sultan’s court. He needs but lead me the way; -I will follow him, replied Schaibar. Brother, replied Pari Banou, it -is too late to go to-day, therefore stay till to-morrow morning; and -in the mean time, as it is fit you should know all that has passed -between the sultan of the Indies and prince Ahmed since our -marriage, I will inform you this evening. - -The next morning, after Schaibar had been informed of all that was -proper for him to know, he set out with the prince Ahmed, who was to -present him to the sultan. When they arrived at the gates of the -capital, the people no sooner saw Schaibar, but they ran and hid -themselves in the shops and houses, shutting their doors; while -others, taking to their heels, communicated their fears to all they -met, who staid not to look behind them, but ran too; insomuch that -Schaibar and prince Ahmed, as they went along, found all the streets -and squares desolate, till they came to the palace, where the -porters, instead of preventing Schaibar from entering, ran away too; -so that the prince and he advanced without any obstacle to the -council-hall, where the sultan was seated on his throne and giving -audience. Here likewise the officers, at the approach of Schaibar, -abandoned their posts, and gave them free admittance. - -Schaibar, carrying his head erect, went fiercely up to the throne, -without waiting to be presented by prince Ahmed, and accosted the -sultan of the Indies in these words: You have asked for me, said he: -see, here I am: what would you have with me? - -The sultan, instead of answering him, clapt his hands before his -eyes, and turned away his head, to avoid the sight of so terrible an -object. Schaibar was so much provoked at this uncivil and rude -reception, after he had given him the trouble to come so far, that -he instantly lifted up his iron bar, and saying, Speak, then let it -fall on his head and killed him, before prince Ahmed could intercede -in his behalf. All that he could do was to prevent his killing the -grand vizier, who sat not far from him on his right hand, -representing to him that he had always given the sultan his father -good advice. These are they then, said Schaibar, who gave him bad; -and as he pronounced these words, he killed all the other viziers on -the right and left, flatterers and favourites of the sultan, who -were prince Ahmed’s enemies. Every time he struck, he killed some -one or other, and none escaped but they who, not rendered motionless -by fear, saved themselves by flight. - -When this terrible execution was over, Schaibar came out of the -council-hall into the midst of the court-yard with the iron bar upon -his shoulder, and looking at the grand vizier, who owed his life to -prince Ahmed, he said, I know here is a certain female magician, who -is a greater enemy of the prince my brother-in-law than all those -base favourites I have chastized; let her be brought to me -presently. The grand vizier immediately sent for her, and as soon as -she was brought, Schaibar said, knocking her down with the iron bar, -Take the reward of thy pernicious counsel, and learn to feign -sickness again: he then left her dead on the spot. - -After this he said, This is not yet enough; I will treat the whole -city after the same manner, if they do not immediately acknowledge -prince Ahmed my brother-in-law for their sultan, and sultan of the -Indies. Then all that were present made the air ring with the -repeated acclamations of Long life to sultan Ahmed; and immediately -after he was proclaimed through the whole town. Schaibar made him be -clothed in the royal vestments, installed him on the throne, and -after he had made all swear homage and fidelity to him, went and -fetched his sister Pari Banou, whom he brought with great pomp, and -made her to be owned sultaness of the Indies. - -As for prince Ali and princess Nouronnihar, as they had no hand in -the conspiracy against prince Ahmed, who was now avenged, nor knew -of any such conspiracy, prince Ahmed assigned them a considerable -province, with its capital, where they spent the rest of their -lives. Afterwards he sent an officer to prince Houssain, to acquaint -him with the change, and make him an offer of which province he -liked best; but that prince thought himself so happy in his -solitude, that he bid the officer return the sultan his brother -thanks for the kindness he designed him, assuring him of his -submission; and that the only favour he desired of him was to give -him leave to live retired in the place he had made choice of for his -retreat. - - - - -The Story of the Sisters who envied their younger Sister. - - -There was a prince of Persia, named Khosrouschah, [109] who, when he -first came to his crown, in order to obtain a knowledge of the -world, took great pleasure in night adventures. He often disguised -himself, attended by a trusty minister, disguised like him, and -rambled through the whole city, and met with a great many particular -adventures, which, said Scheherazade to the sultan, I shall not at -present entertain your majesty with; but I hope you will hear with -pleasure what happened to him upon his first ramble, which was in a -little time after his accession to his father’s throne, who dying -in a good old age, left him heir to the kingdom of Persia. - -After the ceremonies of his deceased father’s funeral-rites, and -his own coronation, were over, the new sultan Khosrouschah, as well -from inclination as duty, went out one evening, attended by his -grand vizier, disguised like himself, to observe what passed. As he -went through a street in that part of the town inhabited only by the -meaner sort of people, he heard some people talking very loud; and -going up close to the house, from whence the noise came, and looking -through a crack in the door, perceived a light, and three sisters -sitting on a sofa, conversing together after supper. By what the -eldest said, he presently understood the subject of their discourse -was wishes; For, said she, since we have got upon wishes, mine shall -be to have the sultan’s baker for my husband, for then I shall eat -my fill of that bread, which by way of excellence is called the -sultan’s bread: let us see if your tastes are as good as mine. For -my part, replied the second sister, I wish I was the sultan’s -chief cook’s wife; for then I should eat of the most excellent -ragouts; and as I am persuaded that the sultan’s bread is common -in the palace, I should not want any of that; therefore you see, -sister, addressing herself to her eldest sister, that I have a -better taste than you. - -Then the youngest sister, who was very beautiful, and had more -charms and wit than the two eldest, spoke in her turn: For my part, -sisters, said she, I shall not limit my desires to such trifles, but -take a higher flight; and since we are upon wishing, I wish to be -the sultan’s wife. I would make him father of a prince, whose hair -should be gold on one side of his head, and silver on the other; -when he cries, the tears that fall from his eyes shall be pearl; and -when he smiles, his vermilion lips shall look like a rose-bud fresh -blown. - -The three sisters’ wishes, particularly the youngest’s, seemed -so singular to the sultan Khosrouschah, that he resolved to gratify -them in their desires; and without communicating this his design to -his grand vizier, he charged him only to take notice of the house, -and bring the three sisters before him the next day. - -The grand vizier, in executing the sultan’s orders, would but just -give the three sisters time to dress themselves to appear before -him, without telling them the reason. He brought them to the palace, -and presented them to the sultan, who said to them, Do you remember -the wishes you made last night, when you were all in so pleasant a -mood? Speak the truth; I must know what they were. - -At these unexpected words of the sultan, the three sisters were very -much confounded. They cast down their eyes and blushed, and the -colour which rose in the cheeks of the youngest quite captivated the -sultan’s heart. Modesty, and fear lest they might have offended -the sultan by their discourse, kept them silent. The sultan -perceiving it, to encourage them, said, Fear nothing, I did not send -for you to distress you; and since I see that is the effect of the -question I ask you, without my intending it, and I know the wish of -each, I will relieve you from your fears. You, added he, that wished -to be my wife, you shall have your desire this day; and you, -continued he, addressing himself to the two eldest sisters, you -shall also be married to my chief baker and cook. - -As soon as the sultan had declared his pleasure, the youngest -sister, setting the eldest an example, threw herself at the -sultan’s feet, to express her gratitude. Sir, said she, my wish, -since it has come to your majesty’s knowledge, was only by way of -conversation and amusement. I am unworthy of the honour you do me, -and ask pardon for my boldness. The two other sisters would have -excused themselves also; but the sultan interrupting them, said, No, -no; it shall be so; every one’s wish shall be fulfilled. - -The nuptials were all celebrated that day, as the sultan had -resolved, but after a different manner. The youngest sister’s were -solemnized with all the rejoicings usual at the marriages of the -sultans of Persia; and those of the other two sisters according to -the quality and distinction of their husbands; the one as the -sultan’s chief baker, and the other as head cook. - -The two elder sisters felt strongly the disproportion of their -marriages to that of their younger sister. This consideration made -them far from being content, though they were arrived at the utmost -height of their wishes, and much beyond their hopes. They gave -themselves up to an excess of jealousy, which not only disturbed -their joy, but was the cause of great troubles and afflictions to -the sultaness their younger sister. They had not an opportunity to -communicate their thoughts to each other upon the preference the -sultan had given her to their prejudice, but were altogether -employed in preparing themselves for the celebration of their -marriages. Some days afterwards, when they had an opportunity of -seeing each other at the public baths, the eldest sister said to the -other, Well, sister, what say you to our sister’s great fortune? -Is not she a fine person to be a sultaness! I must own, said the -other sister, I cannot conceive what charms the sultan could -discover in her, to be so bewitched by a young jade. You know in -what a state we have both seen her. Was it a reason sufficient for -him not to cast his eyes on you, because she was somewhat younger -than us? You were as worthy of his bed; and in justice he ought to -have preferred you. - -Sister, said the elder, I should not have said any thing, if the -sultan had but pitched upon you; but that he should choose that -hussy, is what grieves me. But I will revenge myself; and you, I -think, are as much concerned as I; therefore I would have us -contrive measures together, that we may act in concert in a common -cause, and communicate to me what you think the likeliest way to -mortify her, while I, on my side, will inform you what my desire of -revenge shall suggest to me. - -After this wicked plot, the two sisters saw each other very -frequently, and always consulted how they might disturb and -interrupt the happiness of the sultaness their younger sister. They -proposed a great many ways, but in deliberating about the manner of -executing them, they found so many difficulties, that they durst not -attempt them. In the mean time, they often went together to make her -visits with a detestable dissimulation, and every time gave her all -the marks of friendship they could imagine, to persuade her how -overjoyed they were to have a sister raised to so high a fortune. -The sultaness, on her part, always received them with all the -demonstrations of esteem and value they could expect from a sister -who was not puffed up with her high dignity, and loved them as -cordially as before. - -Some months after her marriage, the sultaness found herself to be -with child. The sultan expressed great joy, which was communicated -to all the court, and spread throughout the capital of Persia. Upon -this news, the two sisters came to pay their compliments, and -entering into discourse with her sister about her lying-in, they -proffered their service to deliver her, desiring her, if she was not -provided with a midwife, to accept of them. - -The sultaness said to them most obligingly, Sisters, I should desire -no better, if it was absolutely in my power to make choice of you. I -am however obliged to you for your good-will, but must submit to -what the sultan shall order on this occasion. Let your husbands -employ their friends to make interest, and get some courtier to ask -this favour of the sultan; and if he speaks to me about it, be -assured that I shall not only express the pleasure he does me, but -thank him for making choice of you. - -The two husbands applied themselves to some courtiers their patrons, -and begged of them to use their interest to procure their wives the -honour they aspired to. Those patrons exerted themselves so much in -their behalf, that the sultan promised them to consider of it, and -was as good as his word; for in conversation with the sultaness, he -told her that he thought her sisters were the most proper persons to -assist her in her labour; but would not name them before he asked -her consent. The sultaness, sensible of the deference the sultan so -obligingly paid her, said to him, Sir, I was prepared to do as your -majesty shall please to command me. But since you have been so kind -as to think of my sisters, I thank you for that regard you have -shown them for my sake; and therefore I shall not dissemble, that I -had rather have them than strangers. - -Then the sultan Khosrouschah named the sultaness’s two sisters to -be her midwives; and from that time they went backwards and forwards -to the palace, overjoyed at the opportunity they should have of -executing the detestable wickedness they had meditated against the -sultaness their sister. - -When the sultaness’s reckoning was out, she was safely delivered -of a young prince, as bright as the day; but neither his innocence -nor beauty were capable of moving the cruel hearts of the merciless -sisters. They wrapped him up carelessly in his blankets, and put him -into a basket, which they abandoned to the stream of a small canal -which ran under the sultaness’s apartment, and declared she was -delivered of a little dead dog, which they produced. This -disagreeable news was announced to the sultan, who conceived so much -anger thereat, as might have proved fatal to the sultaness, if his -grand vizier had not represented to him that he could not, without -injustice, make her answerable for the caprices of nature. - -In the mean time, the basket in which the little prince was exposed -was carried by the stream beyond a wall which bounded the prospect -of the sultaness’s apartment, and from thence floated with the -current down the gardens. By chance the intendant of the sultan’s -garden, one of the principal and most considerable officers of the -kingdom, walking in the garden by the side of this canal, and -perceiving a basket floating, called to a gardener, who was not far -off, and bid him come presently to him, and reach him that basket, -which he showed him that he might see what was in it. The gardener, -with a spade which he had in his hand, brought the basket to the -side of the canal, took it up, and gave it to him. - -The intendant of the gardens was extremely surprised to see in the -basket a child, which, though he easily knew it to be but just born, -had very fine features. This officer had been married several years, -and though he had always been desirous of having children, Heaven -had never blessed him with any. This accident interrupted his walk: -he made the gardener follow him with the child; and when he came to -his own house, which was situated at the entrance into the gardens -of the palace, he went into his wife’s apartment. Wife, said he, -as we have no children of our own, God has sent us one. I recommend -him to you; provide him a nurse presently, and take as much care of -him as if he were our own son; for, from this moment, I acknowledge -him as such. The intendant’s wife received the child with great -joy, and took particular pleasure in the care of him. The intendant -himself would not inquire too narrowly whence the child came. He saw -plainly it came not far off the sultaness’s apartment; but it was -not his business to examine too closely into what had passed, nor to -create disturbances in a place where peace was so necessary. - -The year after the sultaness was brought to bed of another prince, -on whom the unnatural sisters had no more compassion than on his -brother; but exposed him likewise in a basket, and set him adrift in -the canal, pretending this time that the sultaness was delivered of -a cat. It was happy also for this child that the intendant of the -gardens was walking by the canal side, who had it carried to his -wife, and charged her to take as much care of it as of the first; -which suited as well her inclination, as it was agreeable to the -intendant. - -The sultan of Persia was more enraged this time against the -sultaness than before, and she had felt the effects of his anger, if -the grand vizier’s remonstrances had not prevailed. - -The third time the sultaness lay in she was delivered of a princess, -which innocent babe underwent the same fate as the princes her -brothers; for the two sisters being determined not to put an end to -their detestable schemes, till they had seen the sultaness their -younger sister at least cast off, turned out, and humbled, exposed -this child also on the canal. But the princess was preserved from -certain death by the compassion and charity of the intendant of the -gardens, as well as the two princes her brothers. - -To this inhumanity the two sisters added a lie and deceit as before. -They produced a piece of wood, and affirmed it to be a false birth -which the sultaness was delivered of. - -The sultan Khosrouschah could no longer contain himself, when he was -informed of the new extraordinary birth. What! said he, this woman, -unworthy of my bed, will fill my palace with monsters, if I let her -live any longer! No, it shall not be, added he: she is a monster -herself, and I must rid the world of her. He pronounced this -sentence of death, and ordered the grand vizier to see it executed. - -The grand vizier, and the courtiers who were present, cast -themselves at the sultan’s feet, to beg of him to revoke that -sentence. Your majesty, I hope, will give me leave, said the grand -vizier, to represent to you, that the laws which condemn persons to -death were made to punish crimes: the three extraordinary labours of -the sultaness are not crimes; for in what can she be said to have -contributed towards them? A great many other women have had, and -have the same every day, and are to be pitied; but not punished. -Your majesty may abstain from seeing her, and let her live. The -affliction in which she will spend the rest of her life after the -loss of your favour, will be a punishment great enough. - -The sultan of Persia considered with himself, and found that it was -injustice in him to condemn the sultaness to death for extraordinary -births, and said, Let her live then; I will give her life; but it -shall be on this condition, that she shall desire to die more than -once every day. Let a wooden shed be built for her at the gate of -the principal mosque, with iron bars to the windows, and let her be -put into it, in the coarsest habit; and every Mussulman that shall -go into the mosque to prayers shall spit in her face. --If any one -fail, I will have him exposed to the same punishment; and that I may -be punctually obeyed, I charge you, vizier, to appoint persons to -see this done. - -The sultan pronounced this last sentence in such a tone, that the -grand vizier durst not open his mouth; and it was executed, to the -great satisfaction of the two envious sisters. A shed was built, and -the sultaness, truly worthy of compassion, as soon as her month was -up, was put into it, and exposed ignominiously to the contempt of -the people; which usage, as she did not deserve, she bore with a -constancy which excited the admiration, as well as compassion, of -those who judged of things better than the vulgar. - -The two princes and the princess were nursed and brought up by the -intendant of the gardens and his wife, with all the tenderness of a -father and mother; and as they advanced in age, they all showed -marks of superior greatness, (and the princess in particular, a -charming beauty,) which discovered itself every day by their -docility and good inclinations above trifles, and different from -those of common children, and by a certain air which could only -belong to princes and princesses. All this increased the affections -of the intendant and his wife, who called the eldest prince Bahman, -and the second Perviz, both of them names of the most ancient -sultans of Persia, and the princess Parizade, which name also had -been borne by several sultanesses and princesses of the kingdom. -[110] - -As soon as the two princes were old enough, the intendant provided -proper masters to teach them to read and write; and the princess -their sister, who was often with them when they were learning their -lessons, showing a great desire to learn to read and write, though -much younger than they, the intendant was so much taken with that -disposition of hers, that he employed the same master to teach her -also. Her emulation, vivacity, and piercing wit, made her in a -little time as great a proficient as her brothers. - -From that time, the brothers and sister had all the same masters in -all the other arts, in geography, poetry, history, even the secret -sciences; all which came so easily to them, and in a little time -they made so wonderful a progress, that their masters were amazed, -and frankly owned, that if they held on so but a little longer, they -could teach them no farther. At the hours of recreation, the -princess learned to sing, and play upon all sorts of instruments; -and when the princes were learning to ride, she would not permit -them to have that advantage over her, but went through all exercises -with them, learning to ride, bend the bow, and dart the reed or -javelin, and oftentimes outstrip them in the race. - -The intendant of the gardens was so overjoyed to find his adopted -children so accomplished in all the perfections of body and mind, -and that they answered so well the charge he had been at upon their -education, that he resolved to be still at a greater expense; for -whereas he had till then been content only with his lodge at the -entrance of the garden, and kept no country-house, he purchased a -country-seat at a small distance from the city, surrounded with a -large tract of arable land, meadows, and woods. As the house was not -sufficiently handsome nor convenient, he pulled it down, and spared -no expense to make it magnificent. He went every day to hasten, by -his presence, the great number of workmen he employed; and as soon -as there was an apartment ready to receive him, he passed several -days together there, when his presence was not necessary at court; -and by the same exertions, the house was furnished in the richest -manner, answerably to the magnificence of the edifice. Afterwards he -made gardens, according to the plan drawn by himself, after the -manner of the great lords in Persia. He took in a large compass of -ground for a park, which he walled round, and stocked with fallow -deer, that the princes and princess might divert themselves with -hunting when they pleased. - -When this country-seat was finished and fit for habitation, the -intendant of the gardens went and cast himself at the sultan’s -feet, and, after representing to him how long he had served him, and -the infirmities of age which he found growing upon him, he begged he -would permit him to resign his charge into his majesty’s hands, -and retire. The sultan gave him leave with the more pleasure, -because he was satisfied with his long services, both in his -father’s reign and his own; and when he granted it, he asked him -what he should do to recompense him. Sir, replied the intendant of -the gardens, I have received so many obligations from your majesty, -and the late sultan your father, of happy memory, that I desire no -more than the honour of dying in your favour. - -He took his leave of the sultan Khosrouschah, and afterwards -returned to the country retreat he had built, with the two princes, -Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Parizade. His wife had been dead -some years, and he himself had not lived above six months with them, -before he was surprised by so sudden a death, that he had not time -to give them the least account of their birth, which he had resolved -to do, as necessary to oblige them to continue to live, as they had -then done, agreeably to their rank and condition, and the education -he had given them, and to their own inclination. - -The princes Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Parizade, who knew -no other tether than the intendant of the sultan’s gardens, -regretted and bewailed him as such, and paid him all the honours in -his funeral obsequies which their love and filial gratitude required -of them. Content with the plentiful fortune he left them, they lived -together in the same perfect union, free from the ambition of -distinguishing themselves at court, with a view to places of honour -and dignity, which they might easily have obtained. - -One day, when the two princes were hunting, and the princess -Parizade stayed at home, a religious old woman came to the gate, and -desired leave to go in to say her prayers, it being then the hour. -The servants went and asked the princess’s leave, who ordered them -to show her into the oratory, which the intendant of the sultan’s -gardens had taken care to fit up in his house, for want of a mosque -in the neighbourhood. She bade them also, after the good woman had -finished her prayers, show her the house and gardens, and then bring -her to her. - -The religious old woman went into the oratory, said her prayers, and -when she came out again, two of the princess’s women, who waited -on her, invited her to see the house and gardens; which civility she -accepted of, and followed them from one apartment to another, and -observed, as a person who understood what belonged to furniture, the -nice arrangement of every thing. They conducted her also into the -garden, the disposition of which she found so new and well planned, -that she admired it, observing that the person who drew it, must -have been an excellent master of his art. Afterwards she was brought -before the princess, who waited for her in the great hall, which, in -propriety, beauty, and richness, exceeded all she had admired before -in the apartments. - -As soon as the princess saw the devout woman, she said to her, My -good mother, come near and sit down by me. I am overjoyed at the -happiness of having the opportunity of profiting for some moments by -the good example and discourse of such a person as you, who has -taken the right way, by dedicating yourself to the service of God. I -wish every body were as wise. - -The religious woman, instead of sitting upon a sofa, would only sit -upon the edge of it. The princess would not permit her to do so, but -rising from her seat, and taking her by the hand, obliged her to -come and sit by her. The good woman, sensible of the civility, said, -Madam, I ought not to have so much respect shown me; but since you -command me, and are mistress of your own house, I obey you. When she -had sat down, before they entered into any conversation, one of the -princess’s women brought a little low table of mother of pearl and -ebony, with a china dish full of cakes upon it, and a great many -others set round it full of fruits in season, and wet and dry -sweetmeats. - -The princess took up one of the cakes, and presenting her with it, -said, Eat, good mother, and make choice of what you like best; you -had need to eat after coming so far. Madam, replied the good woman, -I am not used to eat such nice things; but will not refuse what God -has sent me by so liberal a hand as yours. - -While the religious woman was eating, the princess ate something -too, to bear her company, and asked her a great many questions upon -the exercise of devotion which she practised, and how she lived; all -which questions she asked with great modesty. Talking of several -things, at last she asked her what she thought of the house, and how -she liked it. - -Madam, answered the devout woman, I must certainly have very bad -taste to disapprove any thing in it, since it is beautiful, regular, -and magnificently furnished with exactness and judgment, and all its -ornaments adjusted in the best manner. Its situation is an agreeable -spot, and no garden can be more delightful; but yet if you will give -me leave to speak my mind freely, I will take the liberty to tell -you, that this house would be incomparable, if it had three things -which are wanting to it. My good mother, replied the princess -Parizade, what are those three things? I conjure you, in God’s -name, to tell me what they are: I will spare nothing to get them if -it be possible. - -Madam, replied the devout woman, the first of these three things, is -the speaking bird, which is called Bulbulkezer, and is so singular a -creature that it can draw round it all the singing birds of the -neighbourhood, which come to accompany his song. The second is, the -singing tree, the leaves of which are so many mouths which form a -harmonious concert of different voices, and never cease. The third -is the yellow water of gold colour, a single drop of which being -poured in a vessel properly prepared in whatever part of the garden, -it increases so that it fills it immediately, and rises up in the -middle like a fountain, which continually plays in it, and yet the -basin never overflows. - -Ah! my good mother, cried the princess, how much I am obliged to you -for the knowledge of these things! They are surprising, and I never -before heard there were such curious and wonderful things in the -world; but as I am well persuaded that you know where they are, I -expect that you should do me the favour to tell me. - -Madam, replied the good woman, I should be unworthy the hospitality -you have with so much goodness shown me, if I should refuse to -satisfy your curiosity in that point; and am glad to have the honour -to tell you that these three things are to be met with in the same -spot on the confines of this kingdom towards India. The road to it -lies before your house, and whoever you send needs but to follow it -for twenty days, and on the twentieth let him but ask the first -person he meets, where the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow -water are, and he will be informed. After these words, she rose from -her seat, took her leave, and went her way. - -The princess Parizade’s thoughts were so taken up with what the -religious woman had told her of the speaking bird, singing tree, and -yellow water, that she never perceived she was gone, till she wanted -to ask her some question for her better information; for she thought -that what she had told her was not a sufficient reason for exposing -herself by undertaking a long journey possibly to no purpose. -However, she would not send after her to fetch her back, but -endeavoured to remember all she had told her; and when she thought -she had recollected every word, she took real pleasure in thinking -of the satisfaction she should have, if she could get these -wonderful things into her possession; but the difficulties she -apprehended, and the fear of not succeeding, made her very uneasy. - -She was lost in these thoughts, when her brothers returned from -hunting; who, when they entered the great hall, instead of finding -her lively and gay, as she used to be, were amazed to see her so -pensive, and hang down her head as if something troubled her. - -Sister, said prince Bahman, what is become of all your mirth and -gayety? Are you not well? or has some misfortune befallen you? Has -any body given you reason to be so melancholy? Tell us, that we may -know how to act, and give you some relief. If any body has affronted -you, we will resent it. - -The princess Parizade remained in the same posture some time without -answering; but at last lifted up her eyes to look at her brothers, -and then held them down again, telling them nothing disturbed her. - -Sister, said prince Bahman, you conceal the truth from us; there -must be something of consequence. It is impossible, for the short -time we have been absent, we could observe so sudden a change, if -nothing was the matter with you. You would not have us satisfied -with the unsatisfactory answer you have given us: do not conceal any -thing from us, unless you would have us believe that you renounce -the friendship and strict union which have hitherto subsisted -between us from our infancy. - -The princess, who had not the smallest intention to break with her -brothers, would not suffer them to entertain such a thought, but -said, When I told you nothing disturbed me, I meant, nothing that -was of any great importance to you; but to me it is of some -consequence; and since you press me to tell you by our strict union -and friendship, which are so dear to me, I will. You think, and I -always believed so too, that this house, which our late father built -for us, was complete in every thing, and that nothing was wanting. -But this day I have learned that it wants three things, which would -render it so perfect, that no country-seat in the world could be -compared with it. These three things are, the speaking bird, the -singing tree, and the yellow water. After she had informed them -wherein consisted the excellency of these three rarities, A -religious woman, added she, has made this discovery to me, and told -me the place where they are to be found, and the way thither. -Perhaps you may imagine these things to be trifles, and of little -consequence to render our house complete, and that, without these -additions, it will always be thought fine enough with what it -already contains, and that we can do without them. You may think as -you please; but I cannot help telling you that I am persuaded they -are absolutely necessary, and I shall not be easy without them. -Therefore, whether you value them or not, I desire you to give me -your opinion, and consider what person you may think proper for me -to send on this conquest. - -Sister, replied prince Bahman, nothing can concern you in which we -have not an equal interest. It is enough you have an earnest desire -for the things you mention, to oblige us to take the same interest; -but if you had not, we feel ourselves inclined of our own accord, -and for our own particular satisfaction. I am persuaded my brother -is of the same opinion, and therefore we ought to undertake this -conquest, as you call it; for the importance and singularity of it -deserves that name. I will take that charge upon myself; only tell -me the place, and the way to it, and I will defer my journey no -longer than till to-morrow. - -Brother, said prince Perviz, it is not convenient that you, who are -the head and support of the family, should be absent so long. I -desire my sister would join with me to oblige you to abandon your -design, and allow me to undertake it. I hope to acquit myself as -well as you, and it will be a more regular proceeding. --I am -persuaded of your good-will, brother, replied prince Bahman, and -that you will acquit yourself as well as me in this journey; but I -have resolved on it, and will do it. You shall stay at home with our -sister, and I need not recommend her to you. He spent the remainder -of that day in making preparations for his journey, and informing -himself from the princess of the directions the devout woman left -her, that he might not miss his way. - -The next morning early, prince Bahman mounted his horse, and prince -Perviz and the princess Parizade, who would see him set out, -embraced, and wished him a good journey. But in the midst of their -adieus, the princess recollected one thing, which she had not -thought on before. Brother, said she, I had quite forgotten the -accidents which attend travellers. Who knows whether I shall ever -see you again? Alight, I beseech you, and give up this journey. I -would rather be deprived of the sight and possession of the speaking -bird, singing-tree, and yellow water, than run the risk of never -seeing you more. - -Sister, replied prince Bahman, smiling at the sudden fears of the -princess Parizade, my resolution is fixed, and was it not, I should -determine upon it now, and you must allow me to execute it. The -accidents you speak of befall only those who are unfortunate. It is -true, I may be of that number; but there are more who are not so -than who are, and I may be of the former number. But as events are -uncertain, and I may fall in this undertaking, all I can do is to -leave you this knife. - -Then prince Bahman pulled a knife out of his pocket, and presenting -it in the sheath to the princess, said, Take this knife, sister, and -give yourself the trouble sometimes to pull it out of the sheath: -while you see it clean as it is now, it shall be a sign that I am -alive; but if you find it stained with blood, then you may believe -me dead, and indulge me with your prayers. - -The princess Parizade could obtain nothing more of prince Bahman. He -bade adieu to her and prince Perviz for the last time, and rode away -well mounted, armed, and equipped. When he got into the road, he -never turned to the right hand nor to the left, but went directly -forwards toward India. The twentieth day he perceived on the road -side a hideous old man, who sat under a tree some small distance -from a thatched house, which was his retreat from the weather. - -His eyebrows were as white as snow, and so was the hair of his head; -his whiskers covered his mouth, and his beard and hair reached down -to his feet. The nails of his hands and feet were grown to an -extensive length; his flat broad hat, like an umbrella, covered his -head. He had no clothes, but only a mat thrown round his body. - -This old man was a dervise, who had for many years retired from the -world, and had neglected himself to give himself up entirely to the -service of God; so that at last he was become what we have described. - -Prince Bahman, who had been all that morning very attentive to see -if he could meet with any body that could give him information of -the place he was going to, stopped when he came near the dervise, as -the first person he had met and alighted from off his horse, in -conformity to the directions the religious woman had given the -princess Parizade; and leading his horse by the bridle, advanced -towards him, and saluting him, said, God prolong your days, good -father, and grant you the accomplishment of your desires. - -The dervise returned the prince’s salutation, but so -unintelligibly, that he could not understand one word he said: -prince Bahman perceiving that this difficulty proceeded from the -dervise’s whiskers hanging over his mouth, and unwilling to go any -farther without the instructions he wanted, he pulled out a pair of -scissors he had about him, and having tied his horse to a branch of -the tree, said to the dervise, Good dervise, I want to have some -talk with you; but your whiskers prevent my understanding what you -say; and if you will consent, I will cut off some part of them and -of your eyebrows, which disfigures you so much, that you look more -like a bear than a man. - -The dervise did not oppose the prince, but let him do it; and when -the prince had cut off as much hair as he thought fit, he perceived -that the dervise had a good complexion, and that he did not seem so -old as he really was. Good dervise, said he, if I had a glass, I -would show you how young you look: you are now a man, but before, -nobody could tell what you were. - -The kind behaviour of prince Bahman made the dervise smile, and -return his compliment. Sir, said be, whoever you are, I am -infinitely obliged to you for the good office you have done me, and -am ready to show my gratitude, by doing any thing in my power for -you. You must have alighted here upon some account or other. Tell me -what it is, and I will endeavour to serve you if I can. - -Good dervise, replied prince Bahman, I have come a great way, and am -in search after the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow -water; I know these three things are not far from hence, but cannot -tell exactly the place where they are to be found: if you know, I -conjure you to show me the way, that I may not mistake it, and lose -my labour after so long a journey. - -The prince, while he spoke, observed that the dervise changed -countenance, held down his eyes, and looked very serious, and, -instead of making any reply, remained silent; which obliged him to -say to him again, Good father, I fancy you heard me; tell me whether -you know what I ask you, that I may not lose my time, and inform -myself somewhere else. - -At last the dervise broke silence. Sir, said he to prince Bahman, I -know the way you ask of me; but the friendship which I conceived for -you the first moment I saw you, and which is grown stronger by the -service you have done me, kept me in suspense, whether I should give -you the satisfaction you desire. What motive can hinder you? replied -the prince; and what difficulties do you find in so doing? I will -tell you, replied the dervise; the danger you are going to expose -yourself to is greater than you can believe. A great number of -gentlemen, of as much bravery and courage as you can have, passed by -here, and asked me the same question you do now. When I had used all -my endeavours to persuade them to desist, they would not believe me; -at last, I have yielded to their importunities; I was compelled to -show them the way, and I can assure you they have all perished, and -I have not seen one come back again. Therefore, if you have any -regard for your life, take my advice, go no farther, return home. - -Prince Bahman persisted in his resolution. I will not believe, said -he to the dervise, but that your advice is sincere. I am obliged to -you for the friendship you express for me; but whatever may be the -danger you tell me of, nothing shall make me change my intention: -whoever attacks me, I am well armed, and can say I am as brave as -any one. But they who shall attack you are not to be seen, replied -the dervise, for there are a great many of them; how will you defend -yourself against invisible persons? It is no matter, answered the -prince; all you say shall not persuade me to do any thing contrary -to my duty. Since you know the way, I conjure you once more to tell -me, and not refuse me that favour. - -When the dervise found he could not prevail upon prince Bahman, and -that he was obstinately bent to pursue his journey, notwithstanding -the wholesome advice he gave him, he put his hand into a bag that -lay by him, and pulled out a bowl, which he presented to him. Since -I cannot prevail on you to hear me and take my advice, said he, take -this bowl, and when you are on horseback throw it before you, and -follow it to the foot of a mountain, where it will stop. As soon as -the bowl stops, alight, and leave your horse with the bridle over -his neck, and he will stand in the same place till you return. As -you go up the hill, you will see on your right and left hand a great -quantity of large black stones, and will hear on all sides of you a -confusion of voices, which will say a thousand injurious things to -you to discourage you, and prevent your climbing up to the top of -the hill: but take care, and be not afraid; and, above all things, -do not turn your head to look behind you; for in that instant you -will be changed into such a black stone as those you see, which are -all so many gentlemen, who have failed in this enterprise, as I told -you. If you escape the danger which I give you but a slight -description of, that you might reflect on it, and get to the top of -the mountain, you will see a cage, and in that cage is the bird you -seek: ask him where are the singing tree and the yellow water, and -he will tell you. I have nothing more to say; this is what you have -to do, and the danger you have to avoid; but if you would believe -me, you would take my advice, and not expose your life. Consider -once more while you have time, that the difficulty is almost -insuperable, and attached to a condition which may be counteracted -even by inadvertence, as you may easily comprehend. - -I am very much obliged to you for your repeated advice, replied -prince Bahman, after he had received the bowl, but I cannot follow -it. However, I will endeavour to conform myself to that part of it -which bids me not to look behind me as I go up, and I hope to come -and see you again soon, and thank you more when I have got what I am -in search after. After these words, to which the dervise made no -other answer than that he should be overjoyed to see him again, and -wished that might be the case, he mounted his horse, took his leave -of the dervise with a low bow, and threw the bowl before him. - -The bowl rolled away to the last with as much swiftness as when -prince Bahman first delivered it out of his hand, which obliged him -to put his horse to the same pace to follow it without losing sight -of it, and when it came to the foot of the mountain which the -dervise named, it stopped. The prince alighted from off his horse, -which never stirred from the spot, though he had the bridle on his -neck; and having first surveyed the mountain, and seen the black -stones, he began to climb up it; but he had not gone four steps, -before he heard the voices mentioned by the dervise, though he could -see nobody. Some said, Where is that fool going? where is he going? -what would he have? do not let him pass. Others, Stop him, catch -him, kill him; and others with a voice like thunder, Thief! -assassin! murderer! while some in a gibing tone, cried, No, no, do -not hurt him; let the pretty fellow pass; the cage and bird are kept -for him. - -Notwithstanding all those troublesome voices, prince Bahman mounted -with courage and resolution for some time, but the voices increasing -with so loud a din so near him, both behind and before, at last he -was seized with fear, his legs trembled under him, he staggered, and -presently finding that his strength failed him, he forgot the -dervise’s advice, turned about to run down the hill, and was that -instant changed into a black stone, --a metamorphosis which had -happened to so many before him, who had attempted the same thing. -His horse likewise underwent the same change. - -From the time of prince Bahman’s departure, the princess Parizade -always wore the knife and sheath in her girdle, and pulled it out -several times in a day to know whether her brother was alive. She -had the consolation to understand he was in perfect health, and to -talk of him frequently with prince Perviz, who sometimes prevented -her by asking her what news. - -On the fatal day that prince Bahman was metamorphosed into a stone, -as prince Perviz and the princess were talking together in the -evening, as usual, the prince desired his sister to pull out the -knife, to know how their brother did. The princess drew out the -knife, and looking upon it, and seeing the blood run down the point, -was seized with so much horror and grief, that she threw it down. -Ah! my dear brother, cried she; I have been the cause of your death, -and shall never see you more! How unhappy am I! Why did I tell you -of the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water? or rather, of -what importance was it to me to know whether the religious woman -thought this house ugly or handsome, or complete or not? I wish to -heaven she had never addressed herself to me! Deceitful hypocrite! -added she, is this the return you have made me for the kind -reception I gave you? Why did you tell me of a bird, a tree, and a -water, which, imaginary as I am persuaded they are, by my dear -brother’s death, yet disturb me, by your enchantment. - -Prince Perviz was as much afflicted at the death of prince Bahman as -the princess; but not to waste time in needless regret, as he knew -by the princess’s sorrow that she still passionately desired the -possession of the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the golden -water, he interrupted her, and said, Sister, our regret for our -brother Bahman is vain and useless, for our grief and lamentations -cannot restore him to life; it is the will of God, and we must -submit to it, and adore the decrees of the Almighty, without -searching into them. Why should you now doubt of the truth of what -the holy woman told you? do you think she spoke to you of three -things that were not in being? and that she invented them on purpose -to deceive you, who had given her no cause to do so, but received -her with so much goodness and civility? Let us rather believe that -our brother’s death is owing to some fault of his, or some -accident, which we cannot conceive. It ought not therefore to -prevent us from pursuing our object. I offered to go this journey, -and am in the same mind still; his example has no effect upon my -resolution; to-morrow I will go myself. - -The princess did all she could to dissuade prince Perviz, conjuring -him not to expose her to the danger of losing two brothers instead -of one; but he was resolved, and all the remonstrances she could -urge had no effect upon him. Before he went, that she might know -what success he had, as she did that of his brother by the knife, he -left her a string of a hundred pearls, telling her, that if they -would not run when she told them upon the string, but remain fixed, -that should be a certain sign he had undergone the same late as his -brother; but at the same time told her, he hoped that would never -happen, but that he should have the happiness to see her again, to -their mutual satisfaction. - -Prince Perviz, on the twentieth day from his setting out, met with -the same dervise in the same place his brother Bahman had done -before him. He went directly up to him, and after he had saluted -him, asked him if he could tell him where to find the speaking bird, -the singing tree, and the golden water? The dervise made the same -difficulties and remonstrances he had done to prince Bahman, telling -him, that a young gentleman, who very much resembled him, was with -him a short time before; that, overcome by his importunity and -pressing instances, he showed him the way, gave turn a guide, and -told him how he should act to succeed; but that he had not seen him -since, and doubted not but he had shared the same fate as all before -him. - -Good dervise, answered prince Perviz, I know whom you speak of; he -was my elder brother, and I am informed of the certainty of his -death, but know not what it was. I can tell you, replied the -dervise: he was changed into a black stone, as all I speak of have -been; and you must expect the same change, unless you observe more -exactly than he has done the good advice I gave him, in case you -persist in your resolution, which I once more entreat you to -renounce. - -Dervise, said prince Perviz, I cannot enough express how much I am -obliged to you for the care you take of my life, who am a stranger -to you, and have done nothing to deserve your kindness: but I must -tell you, I have thoroughly considered this enterprise before I -undertook it, and I cannot give it up: therefore I beg of you to do -me the same favour you have done my brother. Perhaps I may have -better success in following the directions I expect from you. Since -I cannot prevail with you, said the dervise, nor persuade you to -give up your obstinate resolution, if my age did not prevent me, and -I could stand, I would get up to reach you a bowl I have here, which -will show you the way. - -Without giving the dervise time to say more, the prince alighted -from his horse, and went up to the dervise, who had taken a bowl out -of his bag, in which he had a great many others, and gave it him, -with the same directions he had given prince Bahman; and, after -warning him not to be frightened at the voices he should hear, -without seeing any body, however threatening they might be, but to -continue his way up the hill till he saw the cage and bird, he let -him go. - -Prince Perviz thanked the dervise, and when he had remounted his -horse, and taken his leave, he threw the bowl before his horse, and -spurring him at the same time, followed it. When the bowl came to -the bottom of the hill, it stopped, and the prince got off his -horse, and stood some time to recollect the dervise’s directions. -He encouraged himself, and began to walk up with a resolution to -reach the top; but before he had gone above six steps, he heard a -voice, which seemed to be very near him, as of a man behind him, -say, in an insulting tone, Stay, rash youth, that I may punish you -for your boldness. - -Upon this affront, the prince forgetting the dervise’s advice, -clapped his hand upon his sword and drew it, and turned about to -revenge himself; but had scarce time to see that nobody followed -him, before he and his horse were changed into black stones. - -In the mean time the princess Parizade, several times a day after -her brother Perviz set out, strung over her chaplet which she -received from his hand the day he set out; and when she had nothing -else to do, she told the grains over her fingers, one after another. -She did not omit it at night, but when she went to bed put it about -her neck; and in the morning when she awoke, counted over the pearls -again to see if they would slide. - -The day that prince Perviz was changed into a stone, she was pulling -over the pearls as she used to do, when all of a sudden she could -not stir them, and never doubted that it was a certain token that -the prince her brother was dead. As she had determined before what -to do, in case it should so happen, she lost no time in outward show -of grief, which she concealed as much as possible; but having -disguised herself in man’s apparel, armed and equipped, she -mounted her horse the next morning, having told her servants she -should return in two or three days, and took the same road her -brothers had done before her. - -The princess, who had been used to ride on horseback in hunting, -supported the fatigue of so long a journey better than other ladies -could have done; and as she made the same days’ journeys as her -brothers, she also met with the dervise on the twentieth day. When -she came near him, she alighted off her horse, and leading him by -the bridle, went and sat down by the dervise, and after she had -saluted him, she said, Good dervise, give me leave to rest myself by -you; and do me the favour to tell me if you have not heard that -there are somewhere hereabouts a speaking bird, a singing tree, and -golden water. - -Madam, answered the dervise, for so I must call you, since by your -voice I know you to be a woman disguised in man’s apparel, I thank -you for your compliment, and receive the honour you do me with great -pleasure. I know the place very well where these things you speak of -are to be found: but what makes you ask me this question? - -Good dervise, replied the princess, I have had such an advantageous -relation of them given me, that I have a very great desire to -possess them. --Madam, replied the dervise, you have been told the -truth. These things are more singular and surprising than they have -been represented to you, but you have not been acquainted with the -difficulties which must be surmounted in order to obtain them. If -you had been fully informed of them, you would not have undertaken -so troublesome and dangerous an enterprise. Take my advice; go no -farther; return, and do not urge me to contribute towards your ruin. - -Good father, said the princess, I have come a great way, and should -be sorry to return home without executing my design. You talk of -difficulties, and danger of my life; but you do not tell me what -those difficulties are, and wherein the danger consists. This is -what I desire to know, that I may consider of it, and judge whether -I can or cannot trust my courage and strength to undertake it. - -Then the dervise repeated to the princess Parizade what he had said -to the princes Bahman and Perviz, exaggerating the difficulties of -climbing up to the top of the mountain, where she was to make -herself mistress of the bird, which would inform her of the singing -tree and golden water; the noise and din of the terrible threatening -voices which she would hear on all sides of her, without seeing any -body; and in short, the great quantity of black stones, alone -sufficient to strike terror into her and every one else. He -entreated her to reflect, that those stones were so many brave -gentlemen, so metamorphosed, for omitting to observe the principal -condition for success in that undertaking, which was, not to look -behind them before they had got possession of the cage. - -When the dervise had done, the princess replied, By what I -comprehend from your discourse, the difficulty of succeeding in this -affair is, first, the getting up to the cage, without being -frightened at the terrible din of voices I shall hear; and secondly, -not to look behind me: for this last, I hope I shall be mistress -enough of myself to observe it. As to the first, I own that those -voices, such as you represent them to be, are capable of striking -terror into the most undaunted; but as in all enterprises and -dangers every one may use contrivance, I desire to know of you if I -may make use of it in one of so great importance to me? And what is -that you would make use of, said the dervise. To stop my ears with -cotton, answered the princess, that the voices, however loud and -terrible they may be, may make less impression on my imagination, -and my mind may remain free from that disturbance which might make -me lose the use of my reason. - -Madam, replied the dervise, of all the persons who have addressed -themselves to me, to ask the way, I do not know that ever any one -made use of the contrivance you propose. All I know is, they all -perished. If you persist in your design, you may make the -experiment. You will be fortunate if it succeeds; but I would advise -you not to expose yourself to the danger. - -My good father, replied the princess, nothing prevents my persisting -in my design. I am sure my contrivance will succeed, and am resolved -to try the experiment. Nothing remains for me but to know which way -I must go, a favour I conjure you not to refuse me. The dervise -exhorted her again, for the last time, to consider well what she was -going to do; but finding her resolute, he took out a bowl, and -presenting it to her, said, Take this bowl; mount your horse again, -and when you have thrown it before you, follow it through all its -windings, till it stops at the bottom of the mountain, and there do -you stop, light off your horse, and ascend the mountain. Go, you -know the rest; but be sure not to forget to avail yourself of what I -have told you. - -After the princess Parizade had thanked the dervise, and taken her -leave of him, she mounted her horse, threw the bowl before her, and -followed it till it stopped at the foot of the mountain. - -The princess alighted from her horse, stopped her ears with cotton; -and after she had well examined the way she was to keep to get up to -the top, she began with a moderate pace, and walked up with -intrepidity. She heard the voices, and perceived the great service -the cotton was to her. The higher she went, the louder and more -numerous the voices seemed; but they were not capable of making any -impression on her. She heard a great many affronting speeches, and -raillery very disagreeable to a woman, which she only laughed at. I -mind not, said she to herself, all that can be said, were it worse; -I only laugh at them, and shall pursue my way. At last she got so -high, that she began to perceive the cage and bird, which -endeavoured, with the voices, to frighten her, crying in a -thundering voice, notwithstanding the smallness of its size, Retire, -fool, and come no higher. - -The princess, encouraged more by this object, redoubled her haste, -and soon saw herself just at her journey’s end; she got to the top -of the mountain, where the ground was level; and running directly to -the cage, and clapping her hand upon it, cried, Bird, I have you, in -spite of you, and you shall not escape me. - -When the princess Parizade was pulling the cotton out of her ears, -the bird said to her, Brave lady, be not angry with me for joining -with those who exerted themselves to preserve my liberty. Though -kept in a cage, I was content with my condition; but since I am -destined to be a slave, I would rather be yours than any other -person’s in the world, since you have obtained me so courageously -and so worthily. From this instant I swear inviolable fidelity to -you, and an entire submission to your commands. I know who you are, -and will tell you. You do not know yourself who you are; but the -time will come when I shall do you a piece of service, which I hope -you will think yourself obliged to me for. For a proof of my -sincerity, tell me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you. - -The princess’s joy was the more inexpressible, because the -conquest she had made had cost her the lives of two beloved -brothers, and given her more trouble and danger than she could have -imagined before she tried it, notwithstanding what the dervise had -represented to her. Bird, said she, it was my intention to have told -you that I wish for many things which are of the last importance to -me; and am overjoyed that you have shown your good will, and -prevented me. I have been told that there is not far off a golden -water, the property of which is very wonderful; before all things, I -ask you to tell me where it is. The bird showed her the place, which -was just by, and she went and filled a little silver flagon which -she had brought along with her. She returned to the bird, and said, -Bird, this is not enough; I want also the singing tree: tell me -where it is. Turn about, said the bird, and you will see behind you -a wood, where you will find this tree. The princess went into the -wood, and by the harmonious concert she heard, soon knew the tree -among many others, but it was very large and high. She came back to -the bird, and said to it, Bird, I have found the singing tree, but I -can neither pull it up by the roots nor carry it. The bird replied, -It is not necessary that you should take it up by the roots; it is -enough that you break off a branch, and carry it to plant in your -garden: it will take root as soon as it is put into the earth, and -in a little time will grow to as fine a tree as this you see. - -When the princess Parizade had in her hand the three things which -the religious woman had told her of, and for which she had conceived -so great a desire, she said again to the bird, Bird, all you have -done for me yet is not enough. You have been the cause of the death -of my two brothers, who must be among the black stones which I saw -as I came up the hill. I wish to take them home with me. - -The bird seemed reluctant to satisfy the princess in this point, -and, indeed, made some difficulty to do it. Bird, said the princess, -remember you told me that you were my slave. You are so; and your -life is at my disposal. I cannot controvert that truth, answered the -bird; but, although what you now ask of me is more difficult than -all the rest, yet I will do it for you. --Cast your eyes around, -added he, and look if you can see a little pitcher. I see it -already, said the princess. Take it, then, said he, and as you go -down the hill, spill a little of the water that is in it upon every -black stone, and that will be the way to find your brothers again. - -The princess Parizade took up the pitcher, and carried with her the -cage and bird, the flagon of golden water, and the branch of the -singing tree; and as she went down the hill, spilt a little of the -water on every black stone, which was changed immediately into a -man; and as she did not miss one stone, all the horses, both of the -princes her brothers, and of the other gentlemen, resumed their -former shape. She presently knew prince Bahman and prince Perviz, as -they did her, and ran to embrace her. She returned their embraces, -and expressed her amazement. What do you here, my dear brothers? -said she. They told her they had been asleep. Yes, replied she, and -if it had not been for me, perhaps you might have slept till the day -of judgment. Do not you remember that you came here to fetch the -speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water? and did not -you see, as you came along, the place covered with black stones? -Look and see if there be any now. The gentlemen you see here, and -their horses which surround us, and you yourselves, were these black -stones. If you desire to know how this wonder was performed, -continued she, showing the pitcher, which she set down at the foot -of the mountain, having no further use for it, it was done by virtue -of the water which was in this pitcher, with which I sprinkled every -stone. After I had made this speaking bird (which you see in this -cage) my slave, by his directions I found out the singing tree, a -branch of which I have now in my hand, and the yellow water, which -this flagon is filled with; but being still unwilling to return home -without taking you with me, I constrained the bird, by the power I -had over him, to afford me the means. He told me where to find this -pitcher, and the use I was to make of it. - -Prince Bahman and prince Perviz knew by this discourse the -obligation they had to the princess their sister, as did all the -other gentlemen, who were collected round, and heard all that was -said; and expressed to the princes, that, far from envying her -happiness in the conquest she had made, and which they all aspired -to, they thought that they could not any otherwise acknowledge the -favour she had done them, or better express their gratitude to her -for restoring them to life again, than by declaring themselves all -her slaves, and that they were ready to obey her in whatever she -should command. - -Gentlemen, replied the princess, if you had given any attention to -my discourse, you might have observed, that I had no other intention -in what I have done than to find out my brothers again; therefore, -if you have received any benefit, you have no obligation to me for -it, and I have no further share in your compliment than your -politeness towards me, and I return you my thanks, as I ought. In -other respects, I look upon each of you individually as persons -free, as you were before your misfortunes; and I rejoice with you -for the happiness which has accrued to you by my means. Let us, -however, stay no longer in a place where we have nothing to detain -us, but mount our horses, and return to our respective homes. - -The princess Parizade showed them the way. She went and took her -horse, which stood in the same place where she left him. Before she -mounted, prince Bahman, who would help her, desired her to give him -the cage to carry. Brother, replied the princess, the bird is my -slave, and I will carry him myself; if you will take the pains to -carry the branch of the singing tree, there it is; only hold the -cage while I get on horseback. When she had mounted her horse, and -prince Bahman had given her the cage, she turned about, and said to -prince Perviz, I leave the flagon of golden water to your care, if -it will not be too much trouble for you to carry. Prince Perviz took -charge of it with pleasure. - -When prince Bahman and prince Perviz, and all the gentlemen, had -mounted their horses, the princess Parizade waited for some of them -to lead the way. The two princes paid that compliment to the -gentlemen, and they again to the princess, who, finding that none of -them would accept of the honour, but that it was reserved for her, -addressed herself to them, and said, Gentlemen, I expect that some -of you should lead the way; to which one who was nearest to her, in -the name of the rest, replied, Madam, were we ignorant of the -respect due to your sex, yet, after what you have done for us, there -is no respect we would not willingly pay you, notwithstanding your -modesty; we entreat you no longer to deprive us of the happiness of -following you. - -Gentlemen, said the princess, I do not deserve the honour you do me, -and accept it only because you desire it. At the same time, she led -the way, and the two princes and gentlemen followed her without the -least distinction. - -This illustrious company called upon the dervise, as they passed by, -to thank him for his good reception and wholesome advice, which they -all found to be sincere. But he was dead; whether of old age, or -because he was no longer necessary to show the way to the obtaining -the three rarities which the princess Parizade was possessed of, did -not appear. They pursued their way, but lessened in their numbers -every day. The gentlemen, who, as we said before, had come from -different countries, after severally repeating their obligations to -the princess and her brothers, took leave of them one after another -as they approached the road by which they had come. The princess and -the two princes made the best of their way home. - -As soon as the princess came home, she placed the cage in the -garden, just by the hall; and the bird no sooner began to sing, but -he was surrounded by nightingales, chaffinches, larks, linnets, -goldfinches, and a great many birds of the country. As for the -branch of the singing tree, it was no sooner set in the midst of the -parterre, a little distance from the house, but it took root, and in -a short time became a large tree; the leaves of which soon gave as -harmonious a concert as those of the tree from which it was -gathered. As to the flagon of the yellow golden water, a large basin -of beautiful marble was made in the midst of the parterre; and when -it was finished, the princess poured into it all the yellow water -that was in the flagon, which increased and swelled so much, that it -soon reached up to the edges of the basin, and afterwards formed in -the middle a fountain twenty feet high, which fell again into the -basin perpetually, without running over. - -The report of these wonders was presently spread abroad in that -neighbourhood; and as the doors of the house and those of the -gardens were shut to nobody, a great number of people came to admire -them. - -Some days after, when the princes Bahman and Perviz had recovered -from the fatigue of their journeys, they resumed their former way of -living; and as their usual diversion was hunting, they mounted their -horses, and went for the first time since their return, not in their -own park, but two or three leagues from their house. As they pursued -their sport, the sultan of Persia came up hunting on the same spot -of ground that they had made choice of. When they perceived by the -number of horsemen in different places that he would soon be up, -they resolved to leave off their chase, and retire to avoid meeting -him; but in the very road they took, they chanced to meet him in so -narrow a way, that they could not turn away nor retreat without -being seen. In their surprise, they had only time to alight, and -prostrate themselves before the sultan, without lifting up their -heads to look at him. The sultan, who saw they were as well mounted -and dressed as if they had belonged to his court, had the curiosity -to see their faces. He stopped, and commanded them to rise. The -princes rose up, and stood before the sultan with an easy and -graceful air, accompanied with respectful, modest countenances. The -sultan took some time to view them from head to foot, before he -spoke; and after he had admired their good air and mien, he asked -them who they were, and where they lived. - -Sir, said prince Bahman, we are the sons of your majesty’s late -intendant of your gardens; and we live in a house which he built, a -little before he died, for us to live in, till we should be fit to -serve your majesty, and ask of you some employment when opportunity -offered. - -By what I perceive from you, replied the sultan, you love hunting. -Sir, answered prince Bahman, it is our common exercise, and what -none of your majesty’s subjects, who intend to bear arms in your -armies, ought, according to the ancient custom of the kingdom, to -neglect. The sultan, charmed with so prudent an answer, said, Since -it is so, I should be glad to see you hunt game; make choice of what -you like. - -The princes mounted their horses again, and followed the sultan; but -had not gone far before they met a great many wild beasts together. -Prince Bahman chose a lion, and prince Perviz a bear; and pursued -them with so much intrepidity, that the sultan was surprised. They -came up with their game nearly at the same time, and darted their -javelins with so much skill and address, that they pierced, the one -the lion, and the other the bear, through and through, so that the -sultan, with his own eyes, saw them fall a little time one after the -other. Immediately afterwards prince Bahman pursued another bear, -and prince Perviz another lion, and killed them in a short time, and -would have beat out for fresh game, but the sultan would not let -them, but sent to them to come to him. When they came near him, he -said, If I would have given you leave, you would soon have destroyed -all my game: but it is not that which I would preserve, but your -persons; for I am so very well assured your bravery may one time or -other be serviceable to me, that from this moment your lives will be -always dear to me. - -The sultan Khosrouschah, in short, conceived so great a kindness for -the two princes, that he invited them immediately to make him a -visit; to which prince Bahman replied, Your majesty does us an -honour we do not deserve; and we beg you will excuse us. - -The sultan, who could not comprehend what reason the princes could -have to refuse this token of his favour, asked and pressed them to -tell him why they excused themselves. Sir, said prince Bahman, we -have a sister younger than us, with whom we live in so perfect a -union, that we undertake and do nothing before we consult her, nor -she any thing without asking our advice. I commend your brotherly -affection, answered the sultan. Consult your sister, meet me here -to-morrow hunting, and give me an answer. - -The princes went home; but not only forgot to speak of their -adventure in meeting the sultan, and hunting with him, but to tell -the princess the honour he had done them, by asking them to go home -with him; yet did not the next morning fail to meet him at the place -appointed. Well, said the sultan, have you spoken to your sister? -And has she consented to the pleasure I expect of seeing you? The -princes looked at each other and blushed. Sir, said prince Bahman, -we beg your majesty to excuse us; for both my brother and I forgot. -Then remember to-day, replied the sultan, and be sure to bring me an -answer to-morrow. - -The princes were guilty of the same fault a second time, and the -sultan was so good-natured as to forgive their negligence; but to -prevent their forgetfulness the third time, he pulled three little -golden balls out of a purse, and put them into prince Bahman’s -bosom. These balls, said he, smiling, will prevent your forgetting a -third time what I wish you to do for my sake; since the noise they -will make by falling on the floor, when you undress yourself, will -remind you, if you do not recollect it before. The event happened -just as the sultan foresaw; and without these balls the princes had -not thought of speaking to their sister of this affair. For as -prince Bahman unloosed his girdle to go to bed, the balls dropped on -the floor, and thereupon he ran into prince Perviz’s chamber, and -both went to princess Parizade’s apartment before she was got into -bed, and after they had asked her pardon for coming at so -unseasonable a time, they told her all the circumstances of their -meeting the sultan. - -The princess Parizade was somewhat surprised at this news. Your -meeting with the sultan, said she, is very happy and honourable, and -may in the end be very advantageous to you, but it is very -disagreeable and distressing to me. It was on my account, I know, -you refused the sultan, and I am infinitely obliged to you for it. I -know by this your friendship is perfectly consistent with mine, -since you would rather be guilty of incivility towards the sultan, -than break the brotherly union we have sworn to each other. You -judged right, that if you had once gone, you would insensibly have -been engaged to leave me, to devote yourselves to him. But do you -think it an easy matter absolutely to refuse the sultan what he -seems so earnestly to desire? Sultans will be obeyed in their -desires, and it may be dangerous to oppose them; therefore, if to -follow my inclination, I should dissuade you from showing the -complaisance he expects from you, it may expose you to his -resentment, and may render myself and you miserable. These are my -sentiments: but before we conclude on any thing, let us consult the -speaking bird, and hear what he says; he is penetrating, and has -promised his assistance in all difficulties. - -The princess Parizade sent for the cage, and after she had related -the fact to the bird in the presence of her brothers, she asked him -what they should do in this perplexity. The bird answered, The -princes your brothers must conform to the sultan’s pleasure, and -in their turn invite him to come and see your house. - -But, bird, replied the princess, my brothers and I love one another, -and our friendship is unparalleled: will not this step be injurious -to that friendship? Not at all, replied the bird; it will become -stronger thereby. Then, answered the princess, the sultan will see -me. The bird told her it was necessary he should see her, and that -every thing would go better afterwards. - -Next morning the princes met the sultan hunting, who, at as great a -distance as he could make himself be heard, asked them, if they had -remembered to speak to their sister. Prince Bahman drew near, and -answered, Sir, your majesty may dispose of us as you please; we are -ready to obey you; for we have not only obtained our sister’s -consent with great ease, but she took it amiss that we should pay -her that deference in a matter wherein our duty to your majesty was -concerned. But she is so deserving of it, that if we have offended, -we hope you will pardon us. Do not be uneasy upon that account, -replied the sultan; so far from taking amiss what you have done, I -approve of it, and hope you will have the same deference and -attachment to my person, if I have ever so little share in your -friendship. The princes, confounded at the sultan’s goodness, -returned no other answer but by a low bow, to show the great respect -with which they received it. - -The sultan, contrary to his usual custom, did not hunt long that -day. Presuming that the princes possessed wit equal to their courage -and bravery, he longed with impatience to discourse with them more -at liberty. He made them ride on each side of him, an honour which, -without speaking of the principal courtiers who accompanied him, was -envied by the grand vizier, who was very much mortified to see them -preferred before him. - -When the sultan entered his capital, the eyes of the people, who -stood in crowds in the streets, were fixed only upon the two princes -Bahman and Perviz; and they were earnest to know who they might be, -whether foreigners or natives. - -All, however, agreed in wishing that the sultan had been blessed -with two such handsome lovely princes, and said, he might have had -children as old, if the sultaness, who had suffered the punishment -of her misfortune, had been more fortunate in her lyings-in. - -The first thing that the sultan did when he arrived at the palace, -was to carry the princes into the principal apartments; who praised, -without affectation, like persons conversant in such matters, the -beauty and symmetry of the rooms, and the richness of the furniture -and ornaments. Afterwards a magnificent repast was served up, and -the sultan made them sit at the same table with him, which they at -first refused; but finding that it was his pleasure they obeyed. - -The sultan, who had himself a great deal of wit, and had made a -considerable progress in the sciences, and particularly in history, -foresaw that the princes, out of modesty and respect, would not take -the liberty of beginning any conversation. Therefore, to give them -an opportunity, he began, and furnished them with subjects all -dinner-time. But whatever he turned the discourse on, they showed so -much wit, judgment, and discernment, that he was struck with -admiration. Were these my own children said he to himself, and I had -improved their talents by suitable education, they could not have -been more ingenious or better informed. In short, he took so great -pleasure in their conversation, that after having sat at table -longer than usual, he went into his closet, where he discoursed a -long time with them, and at last said to them, I never believed that -there were, among my subjects in the country, young gentlemen so -well brought up, so lively, so capable; and I never was better -pleased in my life with any conversation than yours: but it is time -now we should regale our minds with some diversions of my court; and -as nothing is more capable of enlivening the mind than music, you -shall hear a vocal and instrumental concert, which may not be -disagreeable to you. - -The sultan no sooner spoke for them, but the musicians, who had -orders to attend, entered, and answered fully the expectations the -princes had entertained of their abilities. After the concerts, an -excellent farce was acted, and the entertainment was concluded by -dancers of both sexes. - -The two princes, seeing night drawing on apace, prostrated -themselves at the sultan’s feet; and having first thanked him for -the favours and honours he had heaped on them, asked his leave to -retire; which was granted them by the sultan, who, dismissing them, -said, I give you leave to go; but remember I brought you to the -palace myself only to show you the way; you will be always welcome, -and the oftener you come, you will do me the greater pleasure. - -Before they went out of the sultan’s presence, prince Bahman said, -Sir, may we presume to request that your majesty will do us and our -sister the favour to pass by our house, and rest and refresh -yourself after your fatigue, the first time you take the diversion -of hunting in that neighbourhood? It is not worthy your presence; -but monarchs sometimes have vouchsafed to take shelter in a cottage. -Gentlemen, replied the sultan, your house cannot be otherwise than -beautiful, and worthy of you. I will call and see it with pleasure, -which will be the greater, to have for my hosts you and your sister, -who is already dear to me before I have seen her, from the account -you give me of the rare qualities with which she is endowed: and -this satisfaction I will defer no longer than to-morrow morning. I -will be early there to-morrow morning, at the same place where I -shall never forget that I first saw you. Meet me, and you shall be -my guides. - -When the princes Bahman and Perviz went home, they gave the princess -Parizade an account of the honourable reception the sultan had given -them; and withal told her that they had invited him to do them the -honour, as he passed by, to call at their house; and that he had -appointed the next day. - -If it be so, replied the princess, we must think presently of -preparing a repast fit for his majesty; and for that end, I think it -would be proper we should consult the speaking bird; he will tell -us, perhaps, what meats the sultan likes best. The princes approved -of her thought, and after they retired she consulted the bird alone. -Bird, said she, the sultan will do us the honour to-morrow to come -and see our house, and we are to entertain him; tell us what we -shall do to acquit ourselves to his satisfaction. - -Good mistress, replied the bird, you have excellent cooks, let them -do the best they can; but above all things, let them prepare a dish -of cucumbers, stuffed full of pearls, which must be set before the -sultan in the first course before all other meats. - -Cucumbers stuffed full of pearls! cried princess Parizade, with -amazement; surely, bird, you do not know what you say; it is an -unheard-of dish. The sultan may admire it as a piece of -magnificence, but he will sit down to table to eat, and not to -admire pearls; besides, the pearls I am worth are not enough for -such a dish. - -Mistress, said the bird, do what I say, and be not uneasy at what -shall happen. Nothing but good will follow. As to the pearls, go -early to-morrow morning to the foot of the first tree on your right -hand, in the park, and dig under it, and you will find more than you -want. - -That night the princess ordered a gardener to be ready to wait on -her, and the next morning early took him with her, and carried him -to the tree the bird told her of, and bade him dig at its foot. When -the gardener came to a certain depth, he found some resistance to -the spade, and presently discovered a gold box about a foot square, -which he showed the princess. This, said she, is what I brought you -for; take care not to hurt it with the spade. - -When the gardener took up the box, he gave it into the princess’s -hands, who, as it was only fastened with neat little hasps, soon -opened it, and found it full of pearls of a moderate size; but equal -and fit for the use that was to be made of them. Very well satisfied -with having found this treasure, after she had shut the box again, -she put it under her arm, and went back to the house, while the -gardener threw the earth into the hole at the foot of the tree as -before. - -The princes Bahman and Perviz, who, as they were dressing themselves -in their own apartments, saw the princess their sister in the garden -earlier than usual, as soon as they could get out, went to her, and -met her as she was coming back, with a gold box under her arm, which -very much surprised them. Sister, said Bahman, you carried nothing -with you when we saw you before with the gardener, and now we see -you have got a golden box: is this some treasure found by the -gardener, and did he come and tell you of it? - -No, brother, answered the princess, I carried the gardener to the -place where this coffer was hid, and showed him where to dig: but -you will be more amazed when you see what it holds. - -The princess opened the box, and when the princes saw it was full of -pearls, which, though small, were of great value, they asked her how -she came to the knowledge of this treasure. Brothers, said she, if -nothing more pressing calls you elsewhere, come with me, and I will -tell you. What more pressing business, said prince Perviz, can we -have than to be informed of what concerns us so much? We have -nothing to do but meet you. The princess, as they returned back to -the house, gave them an account of her consulting the bird, as they -had agreed she should, and the answer he gave her; the objection she -raised to preparing a dish of cucumbers stuffed full of pearls, and -pointed out the manner of doing it, and how he had told her where to -find this box. The princes and princess formed many conjectures to -penetrate into what the bird could mean by ordering them to prepare -such a dish; and after much conversation, though they could not by -any means guess at his reason for so doing, they nevertheless agreed -to follow his advice exactly. - -As soon as the princess got into the house, she called for the head -cook; and after she had given him directions about the entertainment -for the sultan, she said to him, Besides all this you must dress an -extraordinary dish for the sultan’s own eating, which nobody else -must have any thing to do with besides yourself. This dish must be -of cucumbers stuffed with these pearls; and at the same time she -opened the box, and showed him the pearls. - -The chief cook, who had never heard of such a dish, started back, -and showed by his looks his thoughts; which the princess penetrating -into, said, I see you take me to be mad to order such a dish, which -you never heard of, and which one may say with certainty was never -made. I know this as well as you; but I am not mad, and give you -these orders with the most perfect recollection. You must go and -invent and do the best you can, and bring me back what pearls are -left. The cook could make no reply, but took the box and went away -with it: and afterwards the princess gave directions to all the -servants to have every thing in order, both in the house and -gardens, to receive the sultan. - -Next day the two princes went to the place appointed; and as soon as -the sultan of Persia came, the chase began, which lasted till the -heat of the sun obliged him to leave off. While prince Bahman stayed -to conduct the sultan to their house, prince Perviz rode before to -show the way, and when he came in sight of the house, spurred his -horse, to inform the princess Parizade that the sultan was coming; -but she had been told by some servants whom she placed to give -notice before, and the prince found her waiting ready to receive him. - -When the sultan entered the court-yard, and alighted at the portico, -the princess Parizade came and threw herself at his feet, and the -two princes informed him she was their sister, and besought him to -accept of her respects. - -The sultan stooped to help her up, and after he had gazed some time -on her beauty, and, struck with her good person, noble air, and a -_je ne scai quoi_, which seemed different from the country where she -lived, he said, The brothers are worthy of the sister, and she -worthy of them; and to judge of her understanding by her person, I -am not amazed that the brothers would do nothing without their -sister’s consent; but, added he, I hope to be better acquainted -with you, madam, after I have seen the house. - -Sir, said the princess, it is only a plain country-house, fit for -such people as we are, who live retired from the great world. It is -not to be compared with houses in great cities, much less with -magnificent palaces of sultans. I cannot perfectly agree with you in -opinion, said the sultan, very obligingly, for its first appearance -makes me suspect you; however, I will not pass my judgment upon it -till I have seen it all; therefore be pleased to conduct me through -the apartments. - -The princess led the sultan through all the rooms but the hall; and, -after he had considered them all very attentively, and admired their -variety, My fair one, said he to the princess Parizade, do you call -this a country-house? The finest and largest cities would soon be -deserted, if all country-houses were like yours. I am no longer -surprised that you take so much delight in it, and despise the town. -Now let me see the garden, which I doubt not is answerable to the -house. - -The princess opened a door which led into the garden; and the first -object that presented itself to the sultan’s view was the golden -fountain. Surprised at so rare a sight, he asked from whence came -that wonderful water, which gave so much pleasure to behold; where -was its source? and by what art it was made to play so high, that he -thought nothing in the world was to be compared to it? He said he -would presently take a nearer view of it. - -Then the princess led him to the spot where the harmonious tree was -planted; and there the sultan heard a concert, which was different -from all the concerts he had ever heard in his life: and stopping to -see where the musicians were, he could discern nobody far nor near; -but still distinctly heard the music, which ravished his senses. My -fair one, said he, to the princess Parizade, where are the musicians -whom I hear? Are they under ground, or invisible in the air? Such -excellent, charming voices, will hazard nothing by being seen; on -the contrary, they would please the more. - -Sir, answered the princess smiling, it is not musicians, but the -tree your majesty sees before you, which forms this concert; and if -you will give yourself the trouble to go a little nearer to it, you -will not doubt it, and the voices will be the more distinct. - -The sultan went nearer, and was so charmed with the sweet harmony, -that he would never have been tired with hearing it, but that his -desire to have a nearer view of the fountain of yellow water forced -him away. Fair one, said he, tell me, I pray you, whether this -wonderful tree was found in your garden by chance, or if it was a -present made to you, or have you procured it from some foreign -country? It must certainly have come a great way off, otherwise, -curious as I am after natural rarities, I should have heard of it. -What name do you call it by? - -Sir, replied the princess, this tree has no other name than that of -the singing tree, and is not a native of this country. It will be -too long to tell you by what adventures it came here; its history is -connected with the yellow water and the speaking bird, which came to -me at the same time, and which your majesty may see after you have -taken a nearer view of the golden water. But if it be agreeable to -your majesty, after you have rested yourself, and recovered the -fatigue of hunting, which must be the greater because of the sun’s -intense heat, I will do myself the honour of relating it to you. - -My fair one, replied the sultan, my fatigue is so well recompensed -by the wonderful things you have shown me, that I do not feel it in -the least. I think only of the trouble I give you. Let us finish by -seeing the yellow water. I am impatient to see and admire the -speaking bird. - -When the sultan came to the yellow water, his eyes were fixed so -stedfastly upon the fountain, that he could not take them off. At -last, addressing himself to the princess, he said, As you tell me, -fair one, that this water has no spring or communication hereabouts, -by any means whatsoever, I conclude that it is foreign, as well as -the singing tree. - -Sir, replied the princess, it is as your majesty says; and to let -you know that this water has no communication with any spring, I -must inform you, that the basin is one entire stone, so that the -water cannot come in at the sides or underneath. But what your -majesty will think most wonderful is, that all this water proceeded -but from one flagon, which I emptied into this basin, which -increased of itself to the quantity you see, by a property peculiar -to itself, and formed this fountain. Well, said the sultan, going -from the fountain, this is enough for one time. I promise myself the -pleasure to come and visit it very often; but now let us go and see -the speaking bird. - -As he went towards the hall, the sultan perceived a prodigious -number of singing birds in the trees thereabouts, (filling the air -with their songs and warblings,) and asked why there were so many -there, and none on the other trees in the garden? The reason, sir, -answered the princess, is, because they come from all parts around -to accompany the song of the speaking bird, which your majesty may -perceive in a cage on one of the windows of the hall we are going -into; and if you attend, you will perceive that his notes are -sweeter than those of all the other birds, even the nightingale’s. - -The sultan went into the hall; and as the bird continued singing, -the princess raised her voice, and said, My slave, here is the -sultan; pay your compliments to him. The bird left off singing that -instant, and all the other birds ceased alternately, and said, The -sultan is welcome here: God prosper him, and prolong his life! As -the entertainment was served on the sofa near the window where the -bird was, the sultan replied, as he was sitting down at the table, -Bird, I thank you, and I am overjoyed to find in you the sultan and -king of birds. - -As soon as the sultan saw the dish of cucumbers set before him, -thinking it was stuffed in the best manner, he reached out his hand -and took one; but when he cut it, he was in an extreme surprise to -find it dressed with pearls. What novelty is this? said he; and with -what design were these cucumbers stuffed thus with pearls, since -pearls are not to be eaten? Then he looked at the two princes and -princess, to ask them the meaning of it: when the bird, interrupting -him, said, Can your majesty be in so great astonishment at cucumbers -stuffed with pearls, which you see with your own eyes, and yet could -so easily believe that the sultaness your wife was delivered of a -dog, a cat, and a piece of wood? I believed it, replied the sultan, -because the midwives assured me of it. Those midwives, sir, replied -the bird, were the sultaness’s two sisters, who, envious of her -happiness in being preferred by your majesty before them, to satisfy -their envy and revenge, have abused your majesty so easily. If you -interrogate them, they will confess their crime. The two brothers -and the sister whom you see before you, are your own children, whom -they exposed, and who were taken in by the intendant of your -gardens, who provided nurses for them, and took care of their -education. - -This discourse of the bird’s presently cleared up the sultan’s -understanding. Bird, cried he, I easily believe the truth which you -discover to me. The inclination which drew me to them, and the -tenderness I have always had for them, told me but too plainly they -are my own blood. Come then, my children, come, my daughter, let me -embrace you, and give you the first marks of a father’s love and -tenderness. Then he rose up, and after having embraced the two -princes and the princess, and mingled his tears with theirs, he -said, It is not enough, my children; you must embrace each other, -not as the children of the intendant of my gardens, to whom I have -been very much obliged for preserving your lives, but as my own -children, of the royal blood of the sultans of Persia, whose glory, -I am persuaded, you will maintain. - -After the two princes and princess had embraced each other mutually -with new satisfaction, the sultan sat down to table again with them, -and finished his meal in haste; and when he had done, he said, My -children, you see in me your father: tomorrow I will bring the -sultaness your mother, therefore prepare to receive her. - -Afterwards the sultan mounted his horse, and returned in all haste -to his capital. The first thing he did, as soon as he alighted and -entered his palace, was to command the grand vizier to try the -sultaness’s two sisters. They were taken from their houses -separately, convicted, and condemned to be quartered; which sentence -was put into execution within an hour. - -In the mean time, the sultan Khosrouschah, followed by all the lords -of his court who were then present, went on foot to the door of the -great mosque; and after he had taken the sultaness out of the strict -confinement she had languished under for so many years, embracing -her in the miserable condition she was then in, he said to her with -tears in his eyes, I come, madam, to ask your pardon for the -injustice I have done you, and to make you the reparation I ought to -do; which I have begun, by punishing the persons who put the -abominable cheat upon me; and I hope you will look upon it as -complete, when I present to you two accomplished princes, and a -charming lovely princess, our children. Come and resume your former -rank, with all the honours which are your due. All this was done and -said before great crowds of people, who flocked from all parts at -the first news of what was passing, and immediately spread the news -through the town. - -Next morning early, the sultan and sultaness, whose mournful -humiliating dress was changed into magnificent robes suitable to -her, went with all their court to the house built by the intendant -of the gardens, where the sultan presented the princes Bahman and -Perviz, and the princess Parizade, to the sultaness. These, madam, -said he, are the two princes your sons, and this princess your -daughter; embrace them with the same tenderness I have done, since -they are worthy both of me and you. The tears flowed plentifully -down their cheeks at these tender embraces, especially the -sultaness’s, for the comfort and joy of having two such princes -for her sons, and such a princess for her daughter, on whose -accounts she had endured such afflictions so long. - -The two princes and the princess had prepared a magnificent repast -for the sultan and sultaness, and their court. As soon as that was -over, the sultan led the sultaness into the garden, and showed her -the harmonious tree and the beautiful effect of the yellow fountain. -As for the bird, she had seen him in his cage, and the sultan had -spared no panegyric in his praise during the repast. - -When there was nothing to detain the sultan any longer, he took -horse again, and with the princes Bahman and Perviz on his right and -left hand, and the sultaness and the princess at his left, preceded -and followed by all the officers of his court, according to their -rank, returned to his capital. Crowds of people came out to meet -them, and with acclamations of joy ushered them into the city, where -all eyes were fixed not only upon the sultaness, the two princes, -and the princess, but also upon the bird, which the princess carried -before her in his cage, admiring his sweet notes, which had drawn -all the other birds about him, which followed him, flying from tree -to tree in the country, and from one house-top to another in the -city. The princes Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Parizade, were -at length brought to the palace with this pomp, and nothing was to -be seen or heard all that night but illuminations and rejoicings -both in the palace and in the utmost parts of the city, which lasted -many days. - -The sultan of the Indies could not but admire the prodigious and -inexhaustible memory of the sultaness his wife, who had entertained -him so many nights with so many different stories. - -A thousand and one nights had passed away in those innocent -amusements, which contributed so much towards removing the -sultan’s unhappy prejudice against the fidelity of women. His -temper was softened. He was convinced of the merit and great wisdom -of the sultaness Scheherazade. He remembered with what courage she -exposed herself voluntarily to be his wife, without fearing the -death to which she knew she subjected herself, as the many -sultanesses did before her. - -These considerations, and the many other good qualities he knew her -to be mistress of, induced him at last to forgive her. I see, lovely -Scheherazade, said he, that you can never be at a loss for this sort -of little stories which have so long diverted me. You have appeased -my anger. I freely renounce, in your favour, the cruel law I had -imposed on myself. I restore you completely to my favour, and will -have you be looked upon as the deliverer of the many damsels I had -resolved to have sacrificed to my unjust resentment. - -The sultaness cast herself at his feet, and embraced them tenderly -with all the marks of the most lively and perfect gratitude. - -The grand vizier was the first that learned this agreeable news from -the sultan’s own mouth. It presently was carried to the city, -towns, and provinces; and gained the sultan, and the lovely -Scheherazade, his consort, universal applause, and the blessings of -all the people of the large empire of the Indies. - -THE END - - - - - -Footnotes: - - -[1] This game is played on horseback. - -[2] This introduction is not in the last French edition. - -[3] A sort of Mahometan Monks. - -[4] It is remarkable that the names of “Sindbad” and -“Hindbad” are both derived from the old Persian language. -“Bad” signifies a city; “Sind” and “Hind” are the -territories on either side of the Indus. “Sind,” indeed, is its -original name, but “Hind” is of those countries which lie -betwixt it and the Ganges. --Hole - -[5] A port in the Persian gulf. - -[6] These islands, according to the Arabians, are beyond China, and -are so called from a tree which bears a fruit of that name. They -are, without doubt, the isles of Japan; which are not, however, far -from Abyssinia. - -[7] Mr. Hole, p. 27, says this is probably one of the three islands -near Ceylon, called Ilhas de Cavalos, from the wild horses, to which -the Dutch annually send mares to improve the breed. --Wolf’s -Account of Ceylon; but p. 256 he alters his opinion. - -[8] We meet with king Mihrage in the accounts of India and China by -two Mahomedan travellers in the ninth century, and the island of -Zapage, and the Friendly Islands, answers to Borneo. --Hole. - -[9] The same in one of the islands of Eolus. Perhaps the roaring of -the waves among the rocks. --Hole. Like the cave in Britain, -mentioned by Clemens Alexandrinus, where the wind produced a sound -as of cymbals. - -[10] Degial, with the Mahometans, is the same as Antichrist with us. -According to them, he is to appear about the end of the world, and -will conquer all the earth, except Mecca, Medina, Tarsus, and -Jerusalem, which are to be preserved by angels which he shall set -round them. - -[11] The sea serpents on the Malabar coast. --Hole. - -[12] Martini mentions fishes with birds’ faces in the China seas. ---Hole. - -[13] The Turkish sequin is about nine shillings sterling. - -[14] Marco Paolo, in his Travels, and Father Martini, in his History -of China, speak of this bird called “Ruch,” and say it will take -up an elephant and a rhinoceros. See also Vigafetto, in Ramusio’s -Collection of Voyages, 1369. The combat between eagles and elephants -is to be found in Pliny, Solinus, and Diodorus Siculus. --Hole. - -[15] Of serpents devoured by eagles, see Marco Paolo, hereafter -cited. --Hole. - -[16] Epiphanius, in a treatise on the twelve stones in the Jewish -high priest’s breast-plate, tells a like story of the Jacinths in -the deserts of Scythia. Marco Paolo places it beyond Malabar, in a -situation which would suit Golconda. See also Benjamin of Tudela, -who travelled between 1160 and 1173. --Hole. - -[17] Ptolemy places the island of Satyrs, inhabited by cannibals, to -the eastward of the island of Sunda. --Hole. - -[18] These are described by William de Rubruquis, 1253, and supposed -to be apes. --Hole. - -[19] The long-eared people, mentioned by Strabo and Pliny, vii. 2; -and Marsden’s History of Sumatra, p. 47. --Hole. - -[20] Without going back to the Cyclops in the ninth book of the -Odyssey, Sir John Mandeville will furnish such one-eyed giants in -one of the Indian islands. --Hole. - -[21] It would seem the Arabian author has taken this story from -Homer’s Odyssey. - -[22] Possibly Timor, which Linschoten celebrates for its woods and -wildernesses of sanders. Purchas’ Pilgrims, ii. p. 1784. --Hole. - -[23] Ellian, Hist. An. xvi. 16. describes tortoises fifteen cubits -long, the shells big enough to cover a house; and Mandeville says -three men might hide under them in the island of Calonah, not far -from Java. --Hole. - -[24] The hippopotamus. - -[25] The manatre. - -[26] In the sea of Andaman, or bay of Bengal, the Mahometan -travellers, in the ninth century, mention negro cannibals. Ptolemy -places them in the same bay in the Nicobar island. -- Hole. - -[27] The lotus of Homer’s Odyssey, the intoxicating “seed” of -Sumatra, mentioned by Davis, 1597; and the herb “dutroa” of -Linschoten, or “dutro” of Lobo: “dutry” and “bung,” or -“bang,” of Fryer. --Hole. - -[28] Sunda islands and Sumatra produce plenty of pepper and -cocoa-nuts. -- Hole. - -[29] Mandeville mentions the burying the wives alive with the dead -husband, in the island of Calanack; and Jerom, the husband with the -wives in Scythia. --Hole. - -[30] He was a Mahometan, and they allow polygamy. - -[31] See the escape of Aristomenes, in his life by Rowe. --Hole. - -[32] Now Ceylon. Serendib is Ceylon, and Kela is Cala or Calabar, -where the Arabians touched in their way to China; so that it must -have been somewhere about the point of Malabar. --Renaudot. - -[33] Sugar-canes, or bamboo trees. - -[34] Bochart (Hieroz, vol. ii. p. 854) tells a story exactly -similar, from Demur or Damur an Arabian writer, who died in 1405. - -[35] An ourang-outang. --Hole. - -[36] Grapes grow in the isles of Banda. Hain’s Collect. i. 464. ---Hole. - -[37] In the straits of Sunda. --Hole. - -[38] This island, or peninsula, ends at the cape which we now call -cape Comorin. It is also called Comar, and Camor. The Mahometan -travellers say the king of Comar (whence they bring aloes) was -subdued by Mihrage. The inhabitants are very virtuous, and -debauchery with women, and the use of wine, are forbidden them. -Accounts of India and China, p. 63. - -[39] There still is, and has been from time immemorial, a pearl -fishery in the neighbourhood of cape Comorin. See Marco Paolo. ---Hole. - -[40] Mr. Ives mentions wells of fresh water under the sea in the -Persian gulf, near the island of Barien. --Hole. - -[41] Such fountains are not unfrequent in India and Ceylon, and the -Mahometan travellers speak of ambergris swallowed by whales, who are -made sick by, and regorge it. --Hole. - -[42] Ceylon. - -[43] Geographers place it on this side the line, in the first -climate. Diodorus Siculus, and Ptolemy, place it in the same island -as Sindbad, though not the true one. - -[44] The eastern geographers made a parasang longer than a French -league. - -[45] Knox and Wolf confirm this account of the situation of Ceylon, -and the productions of its mountains. Pico d’Adam is the high -mountain here described. - -[46] Yellow vellum, or the skin of the hog deer, from Prince’s -Island, in the straits of Sunda. The elephants, rubies, &c. are -illustrated by Mr. Hole. - -[47] Ceylon is known to produce large rubies, and the Indian ocean -abounds in pearls of extraordinary size. --Hole. - -[48] There is a snake in Bengal, whose skin is esteemed a cure for -external pains, by applying it to the part affected. --Hole. - -[49] Solomon. - -[50] An ancient king of a great island of the same name in the -Indies, and very much famed among the Arabians for his power and -wisdom. - -[51] A port on the Red Sea. - -[52] A town of Arabia. - -[53] A regular wind that blows six months from the east, and as many -from the west. - -[54] This is the last interruption the stories will receive by being -divided into portions related on successive nights. The reader is -therefore to suppose that Scheherazade now continues speaking -without being interrupted. - -[55] The Bermecides were a family that came out of Persia, and of -them the grand vizier was descended. - -[56] This word signifies in Arabic, Basilick, an odoriferous plant: -and the Arabians call their slaves by this name, as the custom in -France is to give the name of Jessamin to a footman. - -[57] Nourreddin signifies in Arabic the light of religion. - -[58] Bedreddin signifies the full moon of religion. - -[59] That is to say, the sun of religion. - -[60] All the eastern nations lie in their drawers, but this -circumstance will stand him in stead in the sequel of the story. - -[61] The town of Moussoul is in Mesopotamia, built over against old -Nineveh. - -[62] This word in Arabic signifies wonderful. - -[63] That is, of the caliphs that reigned after the four first -successors of Mahomet, and were so named from one of their -ancestors, whose name was Ommiah. - -[64] This prayer is always said two hours and a half before sun-set. - -[65] The Mahometans having a custom of washing their hands five -times a day, when they go to prayers, they reckon they have no -occasion to wash before eating, but they always wash after eating, -because they eat without forks. - -[66] This is done all over the Levant, for making their drink cool. - -[67] The Mahometans give this name generally to the black eunuchs. - -[68] Here the Arabian author plays upon the Jews: this ass is that -which, as the Mahometans believe, Esdras rode upon when he came from -the Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. - -[69] A bezestein is a public place, where silk stuffs and other -precious things are exposed for sale. - -[70] This is called in English, Saltwort. - -[71] There is a fountain at Mecca, which, according to the -Mahometans, is the spring that God showed to Hagar, after Abraham -was obliged to put her away. The water of this spring is drank by -way of devotion, and is sent in presents to the princes and -princesses. - -[72] A sherif is the same with a sequin. This word occurs in our -ancient authors. - -[73] This year 653 is one of the Hegira, the common epocha of the -Mahometans, and answers to the year 1255 from the nativity of -Christ; from whence we may conjecture that these computations were -made in Arabia about that time. - -[74] As for the year 7320, the author is mistaken in that -computation. The year 653 of the Hegira, and the 1255 of Christ, -coincide only with the 1557 of the era or epocha of the Seleucides, -which is the same with that of Alexander the Great, who is called -Iskender with two horns, according to the expression of the -Arabians. This name he has from his father, Jupiter Ammon, in memory -of whom he is represented sometimes with the horns of a ram on his -head. - -[75] A public place in the towns of the Levant, where strangers -lodge. - -[76] He was raised to this dignity in the year of the Hegira 623, -and Anno Dom. 1226, and was the 36th caliph of the race of the -Abassides. - -[77] The Barmecides, as has been said already, were a noble family -of Persia, who settled at Bagdad. - -[78] The Easterns, and particularly the Mahometans, do not drink -till after meals. - -[79] Or vagabond Arabs, who wander in the deserts, and plunder the -caravans when they are not strong enough to resist them. - -[80] This word signifies in Arabic, “the sun of the day.” - -[81] The Arabians, Persians, and Turks, when they write, hold the -paper commonly upon their knee with their left hand, and write with -their right, with a little reed or cane, cut and slit like our pens. -The cane is hollow, and resembles our reeds, but is harder. - -[82] A city on the Tigris, 20 leagues below Bagdad. - -[83] That is to say, in Persian, King of the Time, or King of the -Age. - -[84] A scheme of her nativity, drawn from the constellations of -heaven. - -[85] There is an adventure like this in the romance of Peter of -Provence and the fair Magdalena, which was taken from the Arabic. - -[86] This is an Arabic word, which signifies the life of the soul. - -[87] This incident is also much the same in the romance of Peter of -Provence and the fair Magdalena. - -[88] A famous player on the lute, who lived in Bagdad in the reign -of the caliph. - -[89] Gulnare, in Arabic, is a rose or pomegranate flower. - -[90] Saleh, in Arabic, signifies good. - -[91] “Giauhara,” in Arabic, signifies a “precious stone.” - -[92] Sequins. - -[93] “Mobarec” is the name of a Mahommedan saint, and of several -Arabian writers mentioned by l’Herbelot. - -[94] Given of God. - -[95] Master of the world above and below. - -[96] Ballas rubies are rubies of the brightest colour. - -[97] Which is to say, the Full Moon of Full Moons. - -[98] “Reml” or “Raml” signifies “sand prepared,” or a -preparation of sand, on which are marked certain points serving for -a kind of divination, which we call “Geomancy;” and the Arabs, -Romans, and Turks, “e’ con alraml.” These points, disposed in -a certain number on many unequal lines, are described also with a -pen on paper; and the person who practises divination by this art is -called “Rammal.” --D’Herbelot, art. Raml. - -[99] In the French it is Sidi Noman, and Noman is the name of a king -of one of the dynasties in Herbelot. - -[100] “Sesame” is a sort of corn. - -[101] “Nevrouz,” or the New Day, is the name which the ancient -Persians gave to the first day of their year, which was solar. -Giarischid, king of the first dynasty of the Pischdadians, -instituted the solemnity of the Nevrouz, which is still celebrated -by the Persians, though they are Mahometans, and consequently -obliged to use the Arabian year, which is lunar. The first day was -fixed in the vernal equinox, at the point when the sun enters into -the first degree of Aries. There is another Nevrouz of the autumnal -equinox. --D’Herbelot. - -[102] Chaucer’s Squire’s Tale, the poem by which Milton -describes and characterises him, is founded on this adventure. The -imagination of this story consists in Arabian fiction, engrafted on -Gothic chivalry. Nor is this Arabian fiction purely the sport of -arbitrary fancy; it is, in a great measure, founded on Arabian -learning. The idea of a horse of brass took its rise from the -mechanical knowledge of the Arabians, and their experiments in -metals. The poets of romance, Lydgate, and Gower, who deal in -Arabian ideas, describe the Trojan horse to be made of brass. ---Wharton’s Hist. of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 398-400. Chaucer -has borrowed only the description of the horse and the two pins, the -ascending one in his ear, and the use to be made of him. That -Chaucer never finished the story is more than probable, from -Milton’s speaking of it as ‘left untold,’ which does not apply -to loss after finishing. - -[103] Two Persian words, which signify the same, the “female -fairy,” or “genie.” See the preface. - -[104] An Arabian word that signifies “daylight.” - -[105] This circumstance has been also brought into Europe, and -copied by the Normans. Duke Richard, surnamed “Richard sans -peur,” walking one evening in the forest of Moulineaux near one of -his castles, on the banks of the Seine, with his courtiers, hearing -a prodigious noise coming towards him, sent one of his esquires to -know what was the matter, who brought him word, that it was a -company of people under a leader or king. Richard, with five hundred -of his bravest Norman, went out to see a sight which the peasants -were so accustomed to that they viewed it two or three times a week -without fear. The sight of the troop, preceded by two men who spread -a cloth on the ground, made all the Normans run away, and leave the -duke alone. He saw the strangers form themselves into a circle on -the cloth, and on asking who they were, was told, they were the -spirits of Charles V. king of France and his servants, condemned to -expiate their sins by fighting all night against the wicked and the -damned. Richard desired to be of their party, and receiving a strict -charge not to quit the cloth, was conveyed with them to mount Sinai, -where leaving them without quitting the cloth, he said his prayers -in the church of St. Catherine’s abbey there, while they were -fighting, and returned with them. In proof of the truth of this -story, he brought back half the wedding-ring of a knight in that -convent, whose wife, after six years, concluded him dead, and was -going to take a second husband. - -[106] From such a story as this was probably borrowed the strange -knight’s ‘Mirror of Glass,’ mentioned by Chaucer in the -Squire’s Tale, brought with the Indian with the wonderful horse. -The virtues of that mirror were, that men might see when any -adversity befell the kingdom or the king, and who is a friend, or -foe; and any lady might see if the object of her love were false. -This mirror was carried up into the principal tower, and there fixed -for use. Such an one Gower ascribes to Virgil, who set it upon a -marble pillar at Rome for similar purposes; and with this -corresponds Merlin’s Glassie Mirror, in Spenser, F. Q. ii. 24, and -the globe shown to de Gama in the Lusiad. Warton’s History of -English Poetry, i. 406, 407. Such a mirror is said by the oriental -writers to have been possessed by Giamschid, one of their kings, by -which he and his people knew natural and supernatural things. -(Herbelot in voce.) Our great countryman, Roger Bacon, in his -‘Opus Majus,’ a work entirely founded on the Aristotelian and -Arabian Philosophy, describes a variety of specula, and explains -their construction and uses. This is the most curious and -extraordinary part of Bacon’s book, written about 1270. His Optic -Tube, in which he pretended to see future events, was famous in his -time, and long afterwards, and chiefly contributed to give him the -name of a magician. He asserts that ‘all things are known by -perspective.’ A mirror in the head of a monstrous fowl showed the -Mexicans their future invaders the Spaniards; and C. Agrippa, in -such a mirror, showed the earl of Surrey, Geraldine sick on a couch. -Warton, ib. - -[107] ‘Sogd Samarcand,’ or the plain of Samarcand, is on the -north side of that city, and from it the province called by the -ancients ‘Sogdiana’ took its name. The oriental writers say, -that this plain or valley is one of the four paradises or most -delightful places in the world, as well as the plain and valley of -Damascus, which is called ‘Gauthah.’ They make it eight days -journey in extent; and it is covered on every side with gardens full -of fruit of admirable beauty and variety, or corn-fields and -pastures ever green, the soil being watered by springs and rivulets -issuing from a large and principal river called ‘Cai,’ running -through the middle of the plain. A number of populous towns and -villages, full of industrious cultivators of the soil, over-spread -this rich valley. --Herbelot. - -[108] Nourgihan signifies ‘Light of the world,’ and was the name -of the wife of Gehanghir, son of Akbar, king of India, whom she -governed by her prudence. --Herbelot. - -[109] ‘Khosrou,’ ‘Khosrau’ or ‘Khosrev,’ is a name -common to many kings of Persia, and the ‘Chosroes’ of the Greek -historians. - -[110] “Bahaman” was the name of the sixth king of Persia of the -second dynasty of the Caianides, and signifies “just” and -“beneficent,” being, according to some writers, only an epithet -of “Ardschir Dirazdest” or “Artaxerxes Longimanus.” He is -said to have reigned 112 years, and to have been contemporary with -Hippocrates and Galen. --Herbelot. “Parizadeh,” the -“Parisatis” of the Greeks, signifies “born of a fairy.” ---Idem. “Pervis” has the same origin. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Arabian Nights' Entertainments, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS *** - -***** This file should be named 62687-0.txt or 62687-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/6/8/62687/ - -Produced by Mohammad Aboomar for the QuantiQual Project; -Project ID: COALESCE/2017/117 (Irish Research Council) - -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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