whence they had a direct view of them; and on looking towards the
right hand, they saw below a large court, with an entrance into the
garden up a flight of steps. The whole of this court was surrounded
with very elegant apartments. The slave had left them, and, as they
were by themselves, they conversed together for some time. “I do
not doubt,” said the prince of Persia to Ebn Thaher, “that you,
who are a sedate and wise man, look with very little satisfaction
upon all these exhibitions of magnificence and power. In my eyes
nothing in the whole world can be more surprising; and when I add to
this the reflection, that it is the splendid abode of the too
amiable Schemselnihar, and that the first monarch of the world makes
it the place of his retirement, I confess to you, that I think
myself the most unfortunate of men. It seems to me, that there
cannot exist a more cruel fate than mine; to love an object
completely in the power of my rival, and in the very spot where that
rival is so powerful, that I am not, even at this very instant,
secure of my life.”
To this speech of the prince of Persia, Ebn Thaher thus answered:
“I wish to God, sir, that I could give you as perfect an assurance
of the happy issue of your attachment, as I can of the safety of
your person. Although this superb palace belongs to the caliph, it
was erected expressly for Schemselnihar, and is called the Palace of
continual pleasures, and although it makes a part, as it were, of
his own, yet be assured, this lady here enjoys most perfect liberty.
She is not surrounded by eunuchs, who watch her minutest actions.
These buildings are appropriated solely to her use, and she has the
absolute disposal of the whole, as she thinks proper. She goes out,
and walks about the city wherever she pleases, without asking leave
of any one; she returns at her own time, and the caliph never comes
to visit her, without first sending Mesrour, the chief of the
eunuchs, to give her notice of it, and to prepare for his reception.
Your mind, therefore, ought not to be disturbed, but remain in a
tranquil state; be attentive, therefore, to a concert, which I
perceive Schemselnihar is going to treat us with.”
At the very instant Ebn Thaher had done speaking, the prince of
Persia and he both observed the slave, who was the confidant of the
Favorite, come and order the females, that were seated in front of
them, to sing and play on their several instruments. They all
immediately began a sort of prelude, and after playing thus for some
time, one of them sung alone, and accompanied herself on a lute,
most admirably. As she had been informed of the subject upon which
she was to sing, the words of her song were in such perfect unison
with the feelings of the prince of Persia, that he could not help
applauding her at the conclusion of the couplet. “Is it
possible,” he cried, “that you can have the faculty of
penetrating the inmost thoughts of others, and that thus the
knowledge you have of what passes in my heart, has enabled you to
give my feelings utterance, by the sound of your delightful voice? I
could not myself have expressed them in more appropriate terms.”
To this speech the female answered not a word. She went on, and sung
several other stanzas, which so much affected the prince, that he
repeated some of them with tears in his eyes, whence it was
sufficiently evident to whom he made the application. When she had
finished all the couplets, she and her companions stood up and sang
altogether some words to the following effect, that _the full moon
was about to rise in all its splendour, and going soon to approach
the sun_. The meaning of which was, that Schemselnihar was about to
appear, and that the prince of Persia would immediately have the
pleasure of seeing her.
In fact, Ebn Thaher and the prince, looking towards one side of the
court, observed the confidential slave approach, followed by ten
black females, who with difficulty carried a large throne of massive
silver, most elegantly wrought, which the slave made them place at a
certain distance from the prince and Ebn Thaher. After this, the
black slaves retired behind some trees at the end of a walk. Then
twenty most beautiful females, richly and uniformly dressed,
advanced in two rows, singing and playing on different instruments,
and ranged themselves on each side of the throne.
The prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher beheld all these things with the
greatest possible attention, eager and curious to know in what it
would end. At last, they saw come out of the same door, whence the
ten black slaves, who had brought the throne, and the twenty other
slaves had come, ten other females equally beautiful and handsomely
adorned as the former. They stopped at the door, waiting some
moments for the Favorite, who then issued forth, and placed herself
in the midst of them. It was very easy to distinguish her from the
rest, as well by her person and majestic air, as by a sort of mantle
of very light materials enriched with azure and gold, which she wore
fastened to her shoulders, over the other parts of her dress, which
was the most appropriate, best made, and most magnificent you can
imagine. The diamonds, pearls, and rubies, which ornamented her
person, were not scattered in a confused manner. They were few in
number, properly arranged, and of inestimable value. She advanced
with a degree of majesty which did not ill represent the sun in its
course, in the midst of clouds, which received its rays without
diminishing its splendour. She then proceeded, and seated herself
upon the silver throne that they had brought for that purpose.
As soon as the prince of Persia perceived Schemselnihar, he had eyes
for nothing else. “We cease our inquiries,” said he to Ebn
Thaher, “after the object of our search, when it appears before
us; and we no longer are in a state of doubt, when the truth is
evident. Look at this divine beauty; she is the origin of all my
evils; evils, indeed, which I bless, however severe, and however
lasting they may become. At sight of this object I am no longer
myself: my restless soul revolts against its master, and I feel that
it strives to abandon me. Go, then, my soul, I give thee leave; but
let thy flight be for the advantage and preservation of this weak
frame. It is you, too cruel Ebn Thaher, who are the cause of my
disorder. You imagined it would afford me pleasure to bring me here;
and I perceive, that I am come here only to court my destruction.
Pardon me,” he added, recovering himself a little, “I deceive
myself, for I was determined to come, and can only complain of
myself.” At these words, he wept most violently. “I am very
glad,” said Ebn Thaher, “that you at last do me justice. When I
told you, that Schemselnihar was the first Favorite of the caliph, I
did so for the express purpose of preventing this direful and fatal
passion, which you seem to take a pleasure in nourishing in your
heart. Every thing you see here ought to make you endeavour to
disengage yourself, and to excite only sentiments of gratitude and
respect for the honour Schemselnihar has been willing to do you, in
ordering me to introduce you here. Recollect yourself then; recall
your wandering reason, and put yourself in a state to appear before
her, in a way her kindness and condescension deserves. See, she
approaches. If this affair was to come over again, I would, in
truth, act very differently; but the thing is done, and I trust in
God that we shall not repent it. I have nothing more to say,”
added he, “but that love is a traitor, who will involve you in
such an abyss, you can never again extricate yourself.
Ebn Thaher had no time to say any more, as Schemselnihar now came
up. She placed herself on the throne, and saluted them both by an
inclination of her hand. Her eyes, however, were fixed upon the
prince, and they both spoke a language intermingled with sighs, by
which, in a short time, they understood more than they would have
done in an age from actual conversation. The more Schemselnihar
looked at the prince, the more did his looks tend to confirm her
opinion, that she was not indifferent to him; and being thus already
convinced of his passion, Schemselnihar thought herself the happiest
being in the whole world. She at length took her eyes off him, to
give orders for the females, who had sung before, to approach. They
rose up, and while they were walking forward, the black slaves came
from the walk, where they had remained, and brought their seats, and
placed them near the balcony in the window, where the prince of
Persia and Ebn Thaher were. The manner in which all these were
arranged, together with the Favorite’s throne, and the females,
who were on each side of her, formed a semicircle before them.
When those who had before been seated, had again, by the permission
of Schemselnihar, who gave them a sign for that purpose, taken their
places, this charming Favorite fixed upon one of her women to sing.
After employing a little time in tuning her lute, she sung a song,
of which the sense of the words was as follows: When two lovers, who
are dotingly fond of each other, are attached by a passion without
bounds; when their hearts, although in two bodies, form but one; and
when any obstacle opposes their mutual desires, they may, with tears
in their eyes, say, “If we love each other, because each finds the
other amiable, ought we to incur displeasure? Fate alone is to
blame, not ourselves.”
Schemselnihar evidently showed, both by her eyes and actions, that
she thought these words applicable to herself and the prince, and
that he was no longer master of himself. He got up, and advancing
towards the balustrade, which served him to lean upon, he contrived
to catch the attention of one of the females who sung. And as she
was not far from him, he said to her, “Attend to me, and do me the
favor to accompany with your lute the song I am now going to sing
you.” He then sung an air, the tender and impassioned words of
which perfectly expressed the violence of his love. As soon as it
was finished, Schemselnihar, following his example, said to one of
her women, “Attend to me also, and accompany my voice.” She then
sung in a manner that increased, to a still greater degree, the
flame that burnt in the heart of the prince of Persia; who only
answered her by another air still more tender than the one he sung
before.
These two lovers having thus declared their mutual affection by
their songs, Schemselnihar at length completely yielded to the
strength of hers. She got up from her throne, almost forgetting what
she did, and proceeded towards the door of the saloon. The prince,
who was aware of her intention, instantly rose also, and hurried to
meet her. They met at the very door, where they seized each
other’s hands, and embraced with so much transport, that they both
fainted on the spot. They would have fallen to the ground, if the
female attendants, who followed Schemselnihar, had not prevented
them. They supported and led them to a sofa; and it was only by
throwing some perfumed water over them, and applying various
stimulants, that they returned to their senses.
The first thing Schemselnihar did, as soon as they had recovered,
was to look round on all sides; and not seeing Ebn Thaher, she
eagerly inquired where he was. The fact was, Ebn Thaher had retired
out of respect to her, while the slaves were employed in attending
their mistress; for he was really afraid, and not without reason,
that some unfortunate consequence would arise from this adventure.
As soon as he heard that Schemselnihar asked for him, he came
forward and presented himself before her.
She seemed highly satisfied at the appearance of Ebn Thaher, and
expressed her joy in these obliging terms. “I know not by what
means, Ebn Thaher, I can ever repay the obligations I am under to
you; but for you, I should never have become acquainted with the
prince of Persia, nor have gained the affections of the most amiable
being in the world. Be assured, however, that I shall not die
ungrateful; and that my gratitude shall, if possible, equal the
benefit I have received through your means.” Ebn Thaher could only
answer this flattering speech by an inclination of the head, and by
wishing the Favorite the attainment of every thing she could desire.
Schemselnihar then turned towards the prince of Persia, who was
seated by her side, and looking at him, though not without feeling
confused after what had passed between them; “I cannot, sir,”
she said to him, “but be perfectly assured that you love me; and,
however strong your passion for me may be, you cannot, I think,
doubt that mine is equally violent. Do not, however, let us
delusively flatter ourselves; whatever unison there may be between
your sentiments and mine, I can look forwards only to pain,
disappointment, and misery for each. And no remedy, alas, remains to
befriend us in our misfortunes, but perfect constancy in love,
entire submission to the will of Heaven, and patient expectation of
whatever it may please to decree as our destiny.” “Madam,”
replied the prince of Persia, “you would do me the greatest
injustice in the world, if you could for a moment doubt the
constancy and fidelity of my heart. My affection is so completely
blended with my soul, that it forms in fact a part of my very
existence; nay, I shall even preserve it beyond the grave. Neither
misery, torments, nor obstacles of any kind, can ever be capable of
lessening my love for you.” At the conclusion of this speech his
tears flowed in abundance; nor could Schemselnihar restrain hers.
Ebn Thaher took this opportunity to speak to the Favorite,
“Madam,” said he, “permit me to say, that instead of thus
remaining overwhelmed in misery, you ought rather to feel the
greatest joy in finding yourselves so fortunately in each other’s
society. I really do not understand the motives for your grief. If
it be so great now, what must you feel when necessity shall compel
you to separate. But why do I say shall compel you: we have already
been a long time here; and it is now necessary, as you must be
aware, madam, for us to take our departure.” “Alas,” replied
Schemselnihar, “how cruel you are! Have not you, who so well know
the cause of my tears, any pity for the unfortunate situation in
which you see me. O miserable destiny, why am I compelled to submit
to so severe a restriction, as to be for ever unable to obtain and
enjoy what absorbs my whole affection?”
As however she was well persuaded that Ebn Thaher had said nothing
but what was dictated by friendship, she was by no means angry at
his speech; she even profited from it; for she directly made a sign
to the slave, her confidant, who immediately went out, and soon
returned with a small collation of various fruits upon a silver
table, which she placed between the Favorite and the prince of
Persia. Schemselnihar chose what she thought was the best, and
presented it to the prince, entreating him to eat it for her sake.
He took it, and instantly carried it to his mouth; taking care, that
the very part which had felt the pressure of her fingers, should
first touch his lips. The prince, in his turn, then presented
something to Schemselnihar, who directly took and eat it in the same
manner. Nor did she forget to invite Ebn Thaher to partake with
them: but as he knew he was now staying longer in a place than was
perfectly safe, he would rather have returned home; and he eat
therefore only through complaisance. As soon as the things were
taken away, they brought some water in a vase of gold, and a silver
bason, in which they both washed their hands at the same time. After
this they returned to their seats, and then three of the ten black
females brought each of them a cup, formed of beautiful rock
crystal, and filled with the most exquisite wine, upon a golden
waiter, which they placed before Schemselnihar, the prince of
Persia, and Ebn Thaher.
In order to be more by themselves, Schemselnihar retained near her
only the ten black slaves, and the other ten females, who were
skilled in music and singing. After she had dismissed all the other
attendants, she took one of the cups, and holding it in her hand,
she sung some of the most tender words, which one of the females
accompanied with her lute. When this was finished, she drank the
wine. She then took one of the other cups, and, presenting it to the
prince, requested him to drink it for love of her, in the same
manner she had done hers. He received it with the greatest transport
of love and joy. But before he drank it, he sung in his turn an air,
accompanied by the instrument of another female; and in singing it,
the tears fell in abundance from his eyes: the words, also, which he
sung, expressed the idea, that he himself was ignorant whether it
was the wine that he was drinking, or his own tears. Schemselnihar
then presented the third cup to Ebn Thaher, who thanked her for the
honor and attention she showed him.
When this was over, the Favorite took a lute from one of her slaves,
and accompanied her own voice in so impassioned a manner, that she
was absolutely carried beyond herself; and the prince of Persia,
with his eyes intently fixed upon her, remained perfectly
motionless, like one enchanted. In the midst of these scenes the
trusty slave of the Favorite came in quite alarmed, and told her
mistress, that Mesrour, and two other officers, together with many
eunuchs, who accompanied them, were at the door, and desired to
speak to her as from the caliph. When the prince of Persia and Ebn
Thaher heard what the slave said, they changed colour; and trembled,
as if their discovery had actually taken place. Schemselnihar
however, who perceived them, soon dispelled their fears.
After having endeavoured to quiet their alarm, she charged her
confidential slave to go and keep Mesrour and the two officers of
the caliph in conversation, while she prepared herself to receive
them; and said, she would then send to her to introduce them. She
directly ordered all the windows of the saloon to be shut, and the
paintings on silk, which were in the garden, to be taken down; and
after having again assured the prince and Ebn Thaher, that they
might remain therein perfect safety, she opened the door that led to
the garden, went out, and shut it after her. In spite, however, of
every assurance which she had given them, that they were quite
secure from discovery, they could not avoid feeling very much
alarmed all the time they were alone.
As soon as Schemselnihar was in the garden, with the women who
attended her, she made them take away all the seats, on which the
females, who had formed the concert, had sat near the window, from
whence the prince and Ebn Thaher had heard them. When she saw that
every thing was in the state she wished, she sat down on the silver
throne; and then sent to inform her confidential slave, that she
might introduce the chief of the eunuchs, and his two under officers.
They appeared, followed by twenty black eunuchs, all properly
dressed; each having a scimitar by his side, and a large golden belt
round his body, four fingers in breadth. As soon as they perceived
the Favorite, although they were at a considerable distance, they
made a most profound reverence, which she returned them from her
throne. When they approached nearer, she got up, and went towards
Mesrour, who walked first. She asked him what intelligence he
brought; to which he replied, “The Commander of the Faithful,
madam, by whose order I am come, has charged me to say to you, that
he cannot live any longer without the pleasure of beholding you. He
purposes, therefore, to pay you a visit this evening; and I am come
in order to inform you of it, that you may prepare for his
reception. He hopes, madam, that you will feel as much joy at
receiving him, as he does impatience to be with you.”
When the Favorite observed that Mesrour had finished his speech, she
prostrated herself on the ground, to show the submission with which
she received the commands of the caliph. When she got up, she said
to him, “I beg you will inform the Commander of the Faithful, that
it will ever be my glory to fulfil the commands of his majesty, and
that his slave will endeavour to receive him with all the respect
that is due to him.” She at the same time gave orders to her
confidential slave, to make all the necessary preparations in the
palace for the caliph’s reception, by means of the black females,
who were kept for this purpose. Then taking leave of the chief of
the eunuchs, she said to him, “You must see, that it will take
some little time to make the necessary preparations; go, therefore,
I beg of you, and arrange matters so that the caliph may not be very
impatient, and that he may not arrive so soon as to find us quite in
confusion.”
The chief of the eunuchs then retired with his attendants; and
Schemselnihar returned to the saloon, very much afflicted at the
necessity she was under, of sending the prince of Persia back sooner
than she intended. She went to him with tears in her eyes, which
very much increased the alarm of Ebn Thaher, who seemed to
conjecture from it some unfortunate event. “I see, madam,” said
the prince to her, “that you come for the purpose of announcing to
me, that we are compelled to separate. Provided, however, that I
have nothing farther to dread, I trust that Heaven will grant me
patience, which I have so much need of, to enable me to support your
absence.” “Alas, my love, my dear soul,” cried the too tender
Schemselnihar, interrupting him, “how happy do I find yours, when
I compare it with my more wretched fate. You doubtless suffer
greatly from my absence, but that is your only grief; you can derive
consolation from the hopes of seeing me again: but I, just Heaven,
to what a painful task am I compelled! I am not only deprived of the
enjoyment of the only being I love, but am obliged to bear the sight
of one whom you have rendered hateful to me. Will not the caliph’s
arrival constantly bring to my recollection the necessity of your
departure? And absorbed as I shall be continually with your dear
image, how shall I be able to express to that prince any signs of
joy at his presence, which was hitherto always accompanied on my
part, as he often remarked, with pleasure sparkling in my eyes. When
I address him, my mind will be distracted; and the least possible
indulgence I shall grant to his affection, will plunge a poniard
into my very soul. Can I possibly derive the least pleasure from his
kind words and caresses? How dreadful the idea. Judge then, my
prince, to what torments I shall be exposed, when you have left
me.” The tears, which ran in streams from her eyes, and the
convulsive sobs of her bosom, prevented her further utterance. The
prince of Persia wished to make a reply, but he had not sufficient
strength of mind. His own grief, added to what he saw his mistress
suffer, took from him all power of speech.
Ebn Thaher, whose only object was to get out of the palace, was
obliged to console them, and beg them to have a little patience. At
this moment, the confidential slave broke in upon them; “Madam,”
she cried, “you have no time to lose; the eunuchs are beginning to
assemble, and you know the caliph, therefore, will very soon be
here.”--“Oh Heavens!” exclaimed the Favorite, “how cruel is
the separation! Hasten,” she cried to the slave, “and conduct
them to the gallery, which on one side looks towards the garden, and
on the other over the Tigris: and when night shall have thrown the
greatest obscurity over the face of the earth, let them out of the
gate that is on the back part of the palace, that they may retire in
perfect safety.” At these words she embraced the prince of Persia,
without having the power of saying another word; and then went to
meet the caliph, with her mind in such a disordered state as may
easily be imagined.
In the mean time the confidential slave conducted the prince and Ebn
Thaher to the gallery, where Schemselnihar had ordered her: as soon
as she had introduced them into it she left them there, and in going
away she shut the doors after her: having first assured them that
they had nothing to fear; and that she would come at the proper time
and let them out.
The slave, however, was no sooner gone, than both the prince and Ebn
Thaher forgot the assurances she had given them, that they had
nothing to be alarmed at. They examined all round the gallery; and
were extremely frightened when they found there was not a single
place by which they could escape, in case the caliph, or any of his
officers, should take it into their heads to come there.