had reached my twentieth year, my father permitted me to make a
journey to Bagdad; and, to support the rank of a king's son in that
great city, he ordered a splendid suite to attend me. He opened his
treasures and took out for me four camel-loads of gold; he appointed
officers of his own household to wait upon me, and a hundred soldiers
of his guard to form my escort.
I took my departure from Moussul with this numerous retinue in order
to travel to Bagdad. Nothing happened the first few days; but one
night, whilst we were quietly reposing in a meadow where we had
encamped, we were suddenly attacked so furiously by an overwhelming
body of Bedouin Arabs, that the greater part of my people were
massacred almost before I was aware of the danger. After the first
confusion I put myself at the head of such of the guards and officers
of my father's household as had escaped the first onslaught, and
charged the Bedouins. Such was the vigour of our attack, that more
than three hundred fell under our blows. As the day dawned, the
robbers, who were still sufficiently numerous to surround us on all
sides, seeing our insignificant numbers, and ashamed and irritated by
the obstinate resistance of such a handful of men, redoubled their
efforts. It was in vain that we fought with the fury of desperation;
they overpowered us; and at length we were forced to yield to
numbers.
They seized our arms and stripped off our clothes, and then, instead
of reserving us for slaves, or letting us depart, as people already
sufficiently wretched, in the state to which we were reduced, they
resolved to revenge the deaths of their comrades; and were cowards and
barbarians enough to slaughter the whole of their defenceless
prisoners. All my people perished; and the same fate was on the point
of being inflicted on me, when making myself known to the robbers,
"Stay, rash men," I exclaimed, "respect the blood of kings. I am
prince Al Abbas, only son of Ben-Ortoc, king of Moussul, and heir to
his throne." "I am glad to learn who thou art," replied the chief of
the Bedouins. "We have hated thy father mortally these many years; he
has hanged several of our comrades who fell into his hands; thou shalt
be treated after the same manner."
Thereupon they bound me; and the villains, after first sharing among
them all my baggage, carried me along with them to the foot of a
mountain between two forests, where a great number of small grey tents
were pitched. Here was their well-concealed camping ground. They
placed me under the chief's tent, which was both loftier and larger
than the rest. Here I was kept a whole day, after which they led me
forth and bound me to a tree, where, awaiting the lingering death that
was to put an end to my existence, I had to endure the mortification
of finding myself surrounded by the whole gang, insulted with bitter
taunts, and every feeling miserably outraged.
I had been tied to the tree for some considerable time, and the last
moments of my life appeared fast approaching, when a scout came
galloping in to inform the chief of the Bedouins that a splendid
chance offered itself seven leagues from thence; that a large caravan
was to encamp the next evening in a certain spot, which he named. The
chief instantly ordered his companions to prepare for the expedition;
this was accomplished in a very short time. They all mounted their
horses, and left me in their camp, not doubting but at their return
they would find me a corpse. But Heaven, which renders useless all the
resolves of men which do not agree with its eternal decrees, would not
suffer me to perish so young. The wife of the robber chief had, it
seems, taken pity on me; she managed to creep stealthily, during the
night, to the tree where I was bound, and said to me, "Young man, I am
touched by thy misfortune, and I would willingly release thee from the
dangers that surround thee; but, if I were to unbind thee, dost thou
think that thou hast strength enough left to escape." I replied, "The
same good God who has inspired thee with these charitable feelings
will give me strength to walk." The woman loosed my cords, gave me an
old caftan of her husband's, and showing me the road, "Take that
direction," said she, "and thou wilt speedily arrive at an inhabited
place." I thanked my kind benefactress, and walked all that night
without deviating from the road she had pointed out.
The next day, I perceived a man on foot, who was driving before him a
horse, laden with two large packages. I joined him, and, after telling
him that I was an unfortunate stranger, who did not know the country,
and had missed my way, I inquired of him where he was going. "I am
going," replied he, "to sell my merchandise at Bagdad, and I hope to
arrive there in two days." I accompanied this man, and only left him
when I entered that great city; he went about his business, and I
retired to a mosque, where I remained two days and two nights. I had
no desire to go forth into the streets; I was afraid of meeting
persons from Moussul, who might recognize me. So great was my shame at
finding myself in this plight, that far from thinking of making my
condition known, I wished to conceal it, even from myself. Hunger at
length overcame my shame, or rather I was obliged to yield to that
necessity which brooks no refusal. I resolved to beg my bread, until
some better prospect presented itself. I stood before the lower
window of a large house, and solicited alms with a loud voice. An old
female slave appeared almost immediately, with a loaf in her hand,
which she held out to me. As I advanced to take it, the wind by chance
raised the curtain of the window, and allowed me to catch a glimpse of
the interior of the chamber; there I saw a young lady of surpassing
beauty; her loveliness burst upon my vision like a flash of lightning.
I was completely dazzled. I received the bread without thinking what I
was about, and stood motionless before the old slave, instead of
thanking her, as I ought to have done.
I was so surprised, so confused, and so violently enamoured, that
doubtless she took me for a madman; she disappeared, leaving me in the
street, gazing intently, though fruitlessly, at the window, for the
wind did not again raise the curtain. I passed the whole day awaiting
a second favourable breeze. Not until I perceived night coming on,
could I make up my mind to think of retiring; but before quitting the
house, I asked an old man, who was passing, if he knew to whom it
belonged. "It is," replied he, "the house of Mouaffac, the son of
Adbane; he is a man of rank, and, moreover, a rich man and a man of
honour. It is not long since he was the governor of the city, but he
quarrelled with the cadi, who found means of ruining him in the
estimation of the caliph, and thereby caused him to lose his
appointment."
With my thoughts fully taken up by this adventure, I slowly wandered
out of the city, and entering the great cemetery determined to pass
the night there. I ate my bread without appetite, although my long
fast ought to have given me a good one, and then lay down near a tomb,
with my head resting on a pile of bricks. It was with difficulty that
I composed myself to sleep: the daughter of Mouaffac had made too deep
an impression upon me; the remembrance of her loveliness excited my
imagination too vividly, and the little food I had eaten was not
enough to cause the usual tendency to a refreshing sleep. At length,
however, I dozed off, in spite of the ideas that filled my
imagination; but my sleep was not destined to be of long duration; a
loud noise within the tomb soon awoke me.
Alarmed at the disturbance, the cause of which I did not stay to
ascertain, I started up, with the intention of flying from the
cemetery, when two men, who were standing at the entrance of the tomb,
perceiving me, stopped me, and demanded who I was, and what I was
doing there. "I am," I replied, "an unfortunate stranger, whom
misfortune has reduced to live upon the bounty of the charitable, and
I came here to pass the night, as I have no place to go to in the
town." "Since thou art a beggar," said one of them, "thank Heaven that
thou hast met with us; we will furnish thee with an excellent supper."
So saying, they dragged me into the tomb, where four of their comrades
were eating large radishes and dates, and washing them down with
copious draughts of raki.
They made me sit near them, at a long stone that served as a table,
and I was obliged to eat and drink, for politeness' sake. I suspected
them to be what they really were, that is to say, thieves, and they
soon confirmed my suspicions by their discourse. They began to speak
of a considerable theft they had just committed, and thought that it
would afford me infinite pleasure to become one of their gang; they
made me the offer, which threw me into great perplexity. You may
imagine that I had no desire to associate myself with such fellows,
but I was fearful of irritating them by a refusal. I was embarrassed,
and at a loss for a reply, when a sudden event freed me from my
trouble. The lieutenant of the cadi, followed by twenty or thirty
_asas_ (archers) well armed, entered the tomb, seized the robbers and
me, and took us all off to prison, where we passed the remainder of
the night. The following day, the cadi came and interrogated the
prisoners. The thieves confessed their crime, as they saw there was no
use in denying it; for myself, I related to the judge how I had met
with them, and, as they corroborated my statement, I was put on one
side. The cadi wished to speak to me in private, before he set me
free. Accordingly, he presently came over to me, and asked what took
me into the cemetery where I was caught, and how I spent my time in
Bagdad. In fact, he asked me a thousand questions, all of which I
answered with great candour, only concealing the royalty of my birth.
I recounted to him all that had happened to me, and I even told him of
my having stopped before the window of Mouaffac's house to beg, and of
my having seen, by chance, a young lady who had charmed me.
At the name of Mouaffac I noticed the eyes of the cadi sparkle, with a
curious expression. He remained a few moments immersed in thought;
then, assuming a joyous countenance, he said, "Young man, it depends
only on thyself to possess the lady thou sawest yesterday. It was
doubtless Mouaffac's daughter; for I have been informed that he has a
daughter of exquisite beauty. Though thou wert the most abject of
beings, I would find means for thee to possess the object of thine
ardent wishes. Thou hast but to leave it to me, and I will make thy
fortune."
I thanked him, without being able to penetrate his designs, and then
by his orders followed the aga of his black eunuchs, who released me
from the prison, and took me to the bath.
Whilst I was there, the judge sent two of his _tchaous_ (guards) to
Mouaffac's house, with a message that the cadi wished to speak to him
upon business of the greatest importance. Mouaffac accompanied the
guards back. As soon as the cadi saw him coming he went forward to
meet him, saluted him, and kissed him several times. Mouaffac was in
amazement at this reception.
"Ho! ho!" said he to himself, "how is this, that the cadi, my greatest
enemy, is become so civil to me to-day? There is something at the
bottom of all this."
"Friend Mouaffac," said the judge, "Heaven will not suffer us to be
enemies any longer. It has furnished us with an opportunity of
extinguishing that hatred which has separated our families for so many
years. The prince of Bozrah arrived here last night. He left Bozrah
without taking leave of his father the king. He has heard of your
daughter; and from the description of her beauty which he has
received, he has become so enamoured of her, that he is resolved to
ask her in marriage. He wishes me to arrange the marriage,--a task
which is the more agreeable to me, as it will be the means of
reconciling us."
"I am astounded," replied Mouaffac, "that the prince of Bozrah should
have condescended to confer upon me the honour of marrying my
daughter; and that you of all men should be the chosen means of
communicating this happiness to me, as you have always shown yourself
so anxious to injure me."
"Let us not speak of the past, friend Mouaffac," returned the cadi;
"pray let all recollection of what we have done to annoy each other be
obliterated in our happiness at the splendid connexion which is to
unite your daughter with the prince of Bozrah; let us pass the
remainder of our days in good fellowship."
Mouaffac was naturally as good and confiding as the cadi was crafty
and bad: he allowed himself to be deceived by the false expressions of
friendship that his enemy displayed. He stifled his hatred in a
moment, and received without distrust the perfidious caresses of the
cadi. They were in the act of embracing each other, and pledging an
inviolable friendship, when I entered the room, conducted by the aga.
This officer, on my coming out of the bath, had clothed me with a
beautiful dress, which he had ready, and a turban of Indian muslin,
with a gold fringe that hung down to my ear, and altogether my
appearance was such as fully to bear out the statements of the cadi.
"Great prince," said the cadi as soon as he perceived me, "blessed be
your feet, and your arrival in Bagdad, since it has pleased you to
take up your abode with me. What tongue can express to you the
gratitude I feel for so great an honour? Here is Mouaffac, whom I have
informed of the object of your visit to this city. He consents to give
you in marriage his daughter, who is as beautiful as a star."
Mouaffac then made me a profound obeisance, saying, "O son of the
mighty, I am overwhelmed with the honour you are willing to confer
upon my daughter; she would esteem herself sufficiently honoured in
being made a slave to one of the princesses of your harem."
Judge of the astonishment that this discourse caused me. I knew not
what to answer. I saluted Mouaffac without speaking; but the cadi,
perceiving my embarrassment, and fearing lest I should make some reply
which would destroy his plot, instantly took up the conversation.
"I venture to submit," said he, "that the sooner the marriage contract
is made in presence of the proper witnesses the better." So saying, he
ordered his aga to go for the witnesses, and in the mean time drew up
the contract himself.
When the aga arrived with the witnesses, the contract was read before
them. I signed it, then Mouaffac, and then the cadi, who attached his
signature the last. The judge then dismissed the witnesses, and
turning to Mouaffac said, "You know that with great people these
affairs are not managed as with persons of humble rank. Besides, in
this case you readily perceive that silence and despatch are
necessary. Conduct this prince, then, to your house, for he is now
your son-in-law; give speedy orders for the consummation of the
marriage, and take care that every thing is arranged as becomes his
exalted rank."
I left the cadi's house with Mouaffac. We found two mules richly
caparisoned awaiting us at the door; the judge insisted upon our
mounting them with great ceremony. Mouaffac conducted me to his house;
and when we were in the court-yard dismounted first, and with a
respectful air presented himself to hold my stirrup,--a ceremony to
which of course I was obliged to submit. He then took me by the hand
and conducted me to his daughter, with whom he left me alone, after
informing her of what had passed at the cadi's.
Zemroude, persuaded that her father had espoused her to a prince of
Bozrah, received me as a husband who would one day place her upon the
throne,--and I, the happiest of men, passed the day at her feet,
striving by tender and conciliating manners to inspire her with love
for me. I soon perceived that my pains were not bestowed in vain, and
that my youth and ardent affection produced a favourable impression
upon her. With what rapture did this discovery fill me! I redoubled my
efforts, and I had the gratification of remarking that each moment I
made advances in her esteem.
In the mean time Mouaffac had prepared a splendid repast to celebrate
his daughter's nuptials, at which several members of his family were
present. The bride appeared there more brilliant and more beautiful
than the houris. The sentiments with which I had already inspired her,
seemed to add new lustre to her beauty.
The next morning I heard a knock at my chamber-door; I got up and
opened it. There stood the black aga of the cadi carrying a large
bundle of clothes. I thought that perhaps the cadi had sent robes of
honour to my wife and myself, but I was deceived.
"Sir adventurer," said the negro in a bantering tone, "the cadi sends
his salutations, and begs you to return the dress he lent you
yesterday to play the part of the prince of Bozrah in. I have brought
you back your own old garment, and the rest of the tatters, which are
more suited to your station than the other."
I was astounded at the application; my eyes were opened, and I saw
through the whole malicious scheme of the cadi. However, making a
virtue of necessity, I gravely restored to the aga the robe and turban
of his master, and retook my own old caftan, which was a mass of rags.
Zemroude had heard part of the conversation; and seeing me covered
with rags, "O heavens!" she exclaimed, "what is the meaning of this
change, and what has that man been saying to you?"
"My princess," I replied, "the cadi is a great rascal, but he is the
dupe of his own malice. He thinks he has given you a beggar for a
husband, a man born in the lowest grade, but you are, indeed, the wife
of a prince, and my rank is in no way inferior to that of the husband,
whose hand you fancy you have received. I am to the full the equal of
the prince of Bozrah, for I am the only son of the king of Moussul,
and am heir to the kingdom of the great Ben-Ortoc; my name is Al
Abbas." I then related my history to her, without suppressing the
least circumstance. When I had finished the recital,
"My prince," said she, "even were you not the son of a great king, I
should love you none the less; and, believe me, that if I am overjoyed
to learn the circumstance of your exalted birth, it is but out of
regard to my father, who is more dazzled by the honours of the world
than I; my only ambition is to possess a husband who will love me
alone, and not grieve me by giving me rivals."
I did not fail to protest that I would love her, and her alone, all my
life, with which assurance she appeared delighted. She then summoned
one of her women, and ordered her to proceed with all speed and
secrecy to a merchant's, and buy a dress, ready made, of the richest
materials that could be procured. The slave who was charged with this
commission acquitted herself in the most satisfactory manner. She
returned speedily, bringing a magnificent dress and robe, and a turban
of Indian muslin as handsome, even handsomer, than what I had worn the
previous day, so that I found myself even more gorgeously dressed than
on the occasion of my first interview with my father-in-law. "Well, my
lord," said Zemroude, "do you think the cadi has much reason to be
satisfied with his work? He thought to heap reproaches on my family,
and he has bestowed upon it an imperishable honour. He thinks that we
are now overwhelmed with shame. What will be his grief when he knows
that he has conferred such a benefit upon his enemy? But before he is
made aware of your birth, we must invent some means of punishing him
for his wicked designs against us. I will take that task upon me.
There is in this city a dyer, who has a daughter most frightfully
ugly. I will not tell you further," she continued, checking herself.
"I will not deprive you of the pleasure of the surprise. I shall only
let you know that I have conceived a project which will drive the cadi
nearly mad, and make him the laughingstock of the court and the city."
She then dressed herself in plain clothes, and covering her face with
a thick veil, asked my permission to go out, which I granted her. She
went alone, repaired to the cadi's house, and placed herself in one
corner of the hall, where the judge gave audience.
He no sooner cast his eyes upon her, than he was struck with her
majestic figure; he sent an officer to ask who she was, and what she
desired. She answered that she was the daughter of an artisan in the
town, and that she wished to speak to the cadi on important private
business. The officer having borne her answer to the cadi, the judge
made a sign to Zemroude to approach, and enter his private apartment,
which was on one side of the court; she complied, making a low
obeisance. When she entered the cadi's private apartment, she took her
seat upon the sofa, and raised her veil. The cadi had followed her,
and as he seated himself near her, was astonished at her beauty.
"Well! my dear child," said he, patronizingly, "of what service can I
be to you?"
"My lord," she replied, "you, who have the power to make the laws
obeyed, who dispense justice to rich and poor alike, listen, I pray
you, to my complaint, and pity the unfortunate situation in which I am
placed."
"Explain yourself," replied the judge, already moved, "and I swear by
my head and my eyes that I will do every thing that is possible, ay,
and impossible, to serve you."
"Know then, my lord," replied Zemroude, "that, notwithstanding the
attractions which Heaven has bestowed upon me, I live in solitude and
obscurity in a house, forbidden not only to men, but even to women, so
that even the conversation of my own sex is denied me. Not that
advantageous proposals were at one time wanting for my hand; I should
have been married long ago, if my father had not had the cruelty to
refuse me to all who have asked me in marriage. To one he says, I am
as withered as a dead tree; to another, that I am bloated with
unnatural fat; to this one, that I am lame, and have lost the use of
my hands; to that one, that I have lost my senses, that I have a
cancer on my back, that I am dropsical; in fact, he wishes to make me
out a creature not worthy the society of human beings, and has so
decried me, that he has at length succeeded in making me the reproach
of the human race; nobody inquires about me now, and I am condemned to
perpetual celibacy."
When she ceased speaking she pretended to weep, and played her part so
well that the judge allowed himself to be deceived.
"What can be the reason, my angel," said he, "that your father
prevents your marrying? What can his motive be?"
"I know not, my lord," replied Zemroude; "I cannot conceive what his
intentions can be; but I confess my patience is exhausted. I can no
longer live in this state. I have found means to leave home, and I
have escaped to throw myself into your arms, and to implore your help;
take pity on me, I implore you, and interpose your authority, that
justice may be done to me, otherwise I will not answer for my life."
"No, no," replied he, "you shall not die, neither shall you waste your
youth in tears and sighs. It only remains with yourself to quit the
darkness in which your perfections are buried, and to become this very
day the wife of the cadi of Bagdad. Yes, lovely creature, more fair
than the houris, I am ready to marry you, if you will consent."
"My lord," replied the lady, "even were not your station one of the
most dignified and honourable in the city, I could have no objection
to give you my hand, for you appear to be one of the most amiable of
men; but I fear that you will not be able to obtain the consent of my
father, notwithstanding the honour of the alliance."
"Don't trouble yourself upon that point," replied the judge, "I will
pledge myself as to the issue; only tell me in what street your father
lives, what his name is, and what his profession."
"His name is Ousta Omar," replied Zemroude; "he is a dyer, he lives
upon the eastern quay of the Tigris, and in front of his door is a
palm-tree laden with dates."
"That is enough," said the cadi; "you can return home now; you shall
soon hear from me, depend upon my word."
The lady, after bestowing a gracious smile upon him, covered her face
again with her veil, left the private chamber, and returned to me.
"We shall be revenged," she said, laughing gaily; "our enemy, who
thought to make us the sport of the people, will himself become so."