"I speak the melancholy truth," cried Mohammed; "I have not a noble
heart like thine. Some time since I discovered in the wall the gold
and silver which the Jew thought to find there; but instead of saying
as thou hast done, 'I will share it with my friend,' I put off from
day to day the fulfilment of this sacred duty. Ah, Yousouf, I am
unworthy of thy friendship, and am very unhappy!"
Yousouf remained silent for a few moments, but soon his brow grew
clear, and a pleasing smile diffused itself over his features and
illuminated his fine dark eyes.
"What man," said he, "is entirely master over his own thoughts? Thou
didst hesitate, sayst thou, before confiding to me the discovery thou
hadst made. That may be, but thou wouldst not have failed to do so at
last. Thou wouldst never have been able to behold thyself rich,
knowing me to be poor, and to sit at a feast whilst I lived upon black
bread. Thou didst not thoroughly understand the wants and feelings of
thy heart: that is all. Thou didst not at once perceive wherein lies
true happiness, for which reason thou hast caused thyself much
uneasiness. It is over now; our friendship has been tried by gold;
nothing remains for us but to enjoy the good fortune that has befallen
us. Let us seek to do so like wise men, and never let us forget to set
apart for the poor a portion of that which Allah has bestowed upon
us."
The two friends agreed therefore to give a hundred doubloons to the
poor of the great mosque. Then with the rest of their treasure they
purchased a beautiful country house not far from the sea, on the coast
of Punta Pescada. There they lived happily for many long years, always
admired and esteemed for their mutual affection, and for the goodness
of their hearts; for, strange to say, their sudden and unexpected
change of fortune never served to render them callous to the poor, nor
indifferent to the wants and troubles of their fellow-creatures.
VII.
THE STORY OF THE TREASURES OF BASRA.
All historians agree that the caliph Haroun-al-Raschid would have been
the most perfect prince of his time, as he was also the most powerful,
if he had not so often given way both to anger and to an insupportable
vanity. He was always saying that no prince in the world was so
generous as himself. Giafar, his chief vizir, being at last quite
disgusted with his boasting, took the liberty to say to him one day,
"Oh, my sovereign lord, monarch of the world, pardon your slave if he
dares to represent to you that you ought not thus to praise yourself.
Leave that to your subjects and the crowds of strangers who frequent
your court. Content yourself with the knowledge that the former thank
heaven for being born in your dominions, and that the latter
congratulate themselves on having quitted their country to come and
live under your laws." Haroun was very angry at these words; he looked
sternly at his vizir, and asked him if he knew any one who could be
compared to himself in generosity.
"Yes, my lord," answered Giafar, "there is in the town of Basra a
young man named Aboulcassem, who, though a private individual, lives
in more magnificence than kings, and without excepting even your
majesty, no prince is more generous than this man."
The caliph reddened at these words, his eyes flashed with anger. "Do
you know," he said, "that a subject who has the audacity to lie to his
master merits death?"
"I have said nothing but the truth," replied the vizir. "During my
last visit to Basra I saw this Aboulcassem; I stayed at his house; my
eyes, though accustomed to your treasures, were surprised at his
riches, and I was charmed with the generosity of his manners."
At these words the impetuous Haroun could no longer contain his anger.
"You are most insolent," he cried, "to place a private individual on
an equality with myself! Your imprudence shall not remain unpunished."
So saying, he made a sign for the captain of his guards to approach,
and commanded him to arrest the vizir Giafar. He then went to the
apartment of the princess Zobeide his wife, who grew pale with fear on
seeing his irritated countenance.
"What is the matter, my lord?" said she; "what causes you to be thus
agitated?"
Haroun told her all that had passed, and complained of his vizir in
terms that soon made Zobeide comprehend how enraged he was with the
minister. This wise princess advised him to suspend his resentment,
and send some one to Basra to ascertain the truth of Giafar's
assertion; if it was false, she argued, the vizir should be punished;
on the contrary, if it proved true, which she could not believe, it
was not just to treat him as a criminal. This discourse calmed the
fury of the caliph.
"I approve of this counsel, madam," said he, "and will acknowledge
that I owe this justice to such a minister as Giafar. I will do still
more; as any other person I charged with this office might, from an
aversion to my vizir, give me a false statement, I will myself go to
Basra and judge of the truth of this report. I will make acquaintance
with this young man, whose generosity is thus extolled; if Giafar has
told me true, I will load him with benefits instead of punishing him
for his frankness; but I swear he shall forfeit his life if I find he
has told me a falsehood."
As soon as Haroun had formed this resolution he thought of nothing but
how to execute it. One night he secretly left the palace, mounted his
horse, and left the city, not wishing any one to follow him, though
Zobeide entreated him not to go alone. Arriving at Basra, he
dismounted at the first caravansary he found on entering the city, the
landlord of which seemed a good old man.
"Father," said Haroun, "is it true that there is in this city a young
man called Aboulcassem, who surpasses even kings in magnificence and
generosity?"
"Yes, my lord," answered the landlord; "and if I had a hundred mouths,
and in each mouth a hundred tongues, I could not relate to you all his
generous actions." As the caliph had now need of some repose, he
retired to rest after partaking of a slight refreshment. He was up
very early in the morning, and walked about until sunrise. Then he
approached a tailor's shop and asked for the dwelling of Aboulcassem.
"From what country do you come?" said the tailor; "most certainly you
have never been at Basra before, or you would have heard where the
lord Aboulcassem lives; why, his house is better known than the palace
of the king."
The caliph answered, "I am a stranger; I know no one in this city, and
I shall be obliged if you will conduct me to this lord's house."
Upon that the tailor ordered one of his boys to show the caliph the
way to the residence of Aboulcassem. It was a large house built of
stone, with a doorway of marble and jasper. The prince entered the
court, where there was a crowd of servants and liberated slaves who
were amusing themselves in different ways while they awaited the
orders of their master. He approached one of them and said, "Friend, I
wish you would take the trouble to go to the lord Aboulcassem and tell
him a stranger wishes to see him." The domestic judged from the
appearance of Haroun that he was no common man. He ran to apprise his
master, who coming into the court took the stranger by the hand and
conducted him to a very beautiful saloon. The caliph then told the
young man, that having heard him mentioned in terms of praise, he had
become desirous of seeing him, and had travelled to Basra for that
purpose. Aboulcassem modestly replied to this compliment, and seating
his guest on a sofa, asked of what country and profession he was, and
where he lodged at Basra.
"I am a merchant of Bagdad," replied the caliph, "and I have taken a
lodging at the first caravansary I found on my arrival."
After they had conversed for a short time there entered twelve pages
bearing vases of agate and rock crystal, enriched with precious
stones, and full of the most exquisite beverages. They were followed
by twelve very beautiful female slaves, some carrying china bowls
filled with fruit and flowers, and others golden caskets containing
conserves of an exquisite flavour. The pages presented their beverages
to the caliph; the prince tasted them, and though accustomed to the
most delicious that could be obtained in the East, he acknowledged
that he had never tasted better. As it was now near the hour for
dinner, Aboulcassem conducted his guest to another room, where they
found a table covered with the choicest delicacies served on dishes of
massive gold. The repast finished, the young man took the caliph by
the hand and led him to a third room more richly furnished than the
two others. Here the slaves brought a prodigious quantity of gold
vases, enriched with rubies, filled with all sorts of rare wines, and
china plates containing dried sweetmeats. While the host and his guest
were partaking of these delicious wines there entered singers and
musicians, who commenced a concert, with which Haroun was enchanted.
"I have," he said to himself, "the most admirable voices in _my_
palace, but I must confess they cannot bear comparison with these. I
do not understand how a private individual can live in such
magnificence."
Amongst the voices there was one in particular the extraordinary
sweetness of which attracted the attention of the prince, and whilst
he was absorbed in listening to it Aboulcassem left the room and
returned a moment after holding in one hand a wand, and in the other a
little tree whose stem was of silver, the branches and leaves
emeralds, and the fruit rubies. On the top of this tree was a golden
peacock beautifully executed, the body of which was filled with amber,
essence of aloes, and other perfumes. He placed this tree at the
caliph's feet; then striking the head of the peacock with his wand,
the bird extended its wings and tail, and moved itself quickly to the
right and left, whilst at each movement of its body the most
odoriferous perfumes filled the apartment. The caliph was so
astonished and delighted that he could not take his eyes off the tree
and the peacock, and he was just going to express his admiration when
Aboulcassem suddenly took them away. Haroun was offended at this, and
said to himself, "What does all this mean? It appears to me this young
man does not merit so much praise. He takes away the tree and the
peacock when he sees me occupied in looking at them more than he
likes. Is he afraid I want him to make me a present? I fear Giafar is
mistaken in calling him a generous man." He was thus thinking when
Aboulcassem returned accompanied by a little page as beautiful as the
sun. This lovely child was dressed in gold brocade covered with pearls
and diamonds. He held in his hand a cup made of one single ruby, and
filled with wine of a purple colour. He approached the caliph, and
prostrating himself to the ground, presented the cup. The prince
extended his hand to receive it, but, wonderful to relate, he
perceived on giving back the cup to the page, that though he had
emptied the cup, it was still quite full. He put it again to his lips
and emptied it to the very last drop. He then placed it again in the
hands of the page, and at the same moment saw it filling without any
one approaching it. The surprise of Haroun was extreme at this
wonderful circumstance, which made him forget the tree and the
peacock. He asked how it was accomplished. "My lord," said
Aboulcassem, "it is the work of an ancient sage who was acquainted
with most of the secrets of nature;" and then, taking the page by the
hand, he precipitately left the apartment. The caliph was indignant at
this behaviour. "I see how it is," said he, "this young man has lost
his senses. He brings me all these curiosities of his own accord, he
presents them to my view, and when he perceives my admiration, he
instantly removes his treasures. I never experienced treatment so
ridiculous or uncourteous. Ah, Giafar! I thought you a better judge of
men."
In this manner they continued amusing themselves till sunset. Then
Haroun said to the young man, "Oh, generous Aboulcassem, I am confused
with the reception you have given me; permit me now to retire and
leave you to repose." The young lord of Basra not wishing to
inconvenience his guest, politely saluted him, and conducted him to
the door of the house, apologizing for not having received him in a
more magnificent style. "I quite acknowledge," said the caliph on
returning to his caravansary, "that for magnificence Aboulcassem
surpasses kings, but for generosity, there my vizir was wrong in
placing him in comparison with myself; for what present has he made me
during my visit? I was lavish in my praises of the tree, the cup, and
the page, and I should have thought my admiration would have induced
him to offer me, at least, one of these things. No, this man is
ostentatious; he feels a pleasure in displaying his riches to the eyes
of strangers. And why? Only to satisfy his pride and vanity. In
reality he is a miser, and I ought not to pardon Giafar for thus
deceiving me." Whilst making these disagreeable reflections on his
minister, he arrived at the caravansary. But what was his astonishment
on finding there silken carpets, magnificent tents, a great number of
servants, slaves, horses, mules, camels, and besides all these, the
tree and the peacock, and the page with his cup? The domestics
prostrated themselves before him, and presented a roll of silk paper,
on which were written these words, "Dear and amiable guest, I have
not, perhaps, shown you the respect which is your due; I pray you to
forget any appearance of neglect in my manner of receiving you, and do
not distress me by refusing the little presents I have sent you. As to
the tree, the peacock, the page, and the cup, since they please you,
they are yours already, for any thing that delights my guests ceases
to be mine from that instant." When the caliph had finished reading
this letter, he was astounded at the liberality of Aboulcassem, and
remembered how wrongly he had judged the young man. "A thousand
blessings," cried he, "on my vizir Giafar! He has caused me to be
undeceived. Ah, Haroun, never again boast of being the most
magnificent and generous of men! one of your subjects surpasses you.
But how is a private individual able to make such presents? I ought to
have asked where he amassed such riches; I was wrong not to have
questioned him on this point: I must not return to Bagdad without
investigating this affair. Besides, it concerns me to know why there
is a man in my dominions who leads a more princely life than myself. I
must see him again, and try to discover by what means he has acquired
such an immense fortune."
Impatient to satisfy his curiosity, he left his new servants in the
caravansary, and returned immediately to the young man's residence.
When he found himself in his presence he said, "Oh, too amiable
Aboulcassem, the presents you have made me are so valuable, that I
fear I cannot accept them without abusing your generosity. Permit me
to send them back before I return to Bagdad, and publish to the world
your magnificence and generous hospitality." "My lord," answered the
young man with a mortified air, "you certainly must have had reason to
complain of the unhappy Aboulcassem; I fear some of his actions have
displeased you, since you reject his presents; you would not have done
me this injury, if you were satisfied with me."
"No," replied the prince, "heaven is my witness that I am enchanted
with your politeness; but your presents are too costly; they surpass
those of kings, and if I dared tell you what I think, you would be
less prodigal with your riches, and remember that they may soon be
exhausted."
Aboulcassem smiled at these words and said to the caliph, "My lord, I
am very glad to learn that it is not to punish me for having committed
any fault against yourself that you wished to refuse my presents; and
now to oblige you to accept them, I will tell you that every day I can
make the same and even more magnificent ones without inconveniencing
myself. I see," added he, "that this astonishes you, but you will
cease to be surprised when I have told you all the adventures which
have happened to me. It is necessary that I should thus confide in
you."
Upon this he conducted Haroun to a room a thousand times richer and
more ornamented than any of the others. The most exquisite essences
perfumed this apartment, in which was a throne of gold placed on the
richest carpets. Haroun could not believe he was in the house of a
subject; he imagined he must be in the abode of a prince infinitely
more powerful than himself. The young man made him mount the throne,
and placing himself by his side, commenced the history of his life.
HISTORY OF ABOULCASSEM.
I am the son of a jeweller of Cairo, named Abdelaziz. He possessed
such immense riches, that fearing to draw upon himself the envy or
avarice of the sultan of Egypt, he quitted his native country and
established himself at Basra, where he married the only daughter of
the richest merchant in that city. I am the only child of that
marriage, so that inheriting the estates of both my parents I became
possessed on their death of a very splendid fortune. But I was young,
I liked extravagance, and having wherewith to exercise my liberal
propensities, or rather my prodigality, I lived with so much
profusion, that in less than three years my fortune was dissipated.
Then, like all who repent of their foolish conduct, I made the most
promising resolutions for the future.
After the life I had led at Basra, I thought it better to leave that
place, for it seemed to me my misery would be more supportable among
strangers. Accordingly I sold my house, and left the city before
daybreak. When it was light I perceived a caravan of merchants who had
encamped on a spot of ground near me. I joined them, and as they were
on their road to Bagdad, where I also wished to go, I departed with
them; I arrived there without accident, but soon found myself in a
very miserable situation. I was without money, and of all my large
fortune there remained but one gold sequin. In order to do something
for a living I changed my sequin into aspres, and purchased some
preserved apples, sweetmeats, balms, and roses. With these I went
every day to the house of a merchant where many persons of rank and
others were accustomed to assemble and converse together. I presented
to them in a basket what I had to sell. Each took what he liked, and
never failed to remunerate me, so that by this little commerce I
contrived to live very comfortably. One day as I was as usual selling
flowers at the merchant's house, there was seated in a corner of the
room an old man, of whom I took no notice, and on perceiving that I
did not address him, he called me and said, "My friend, how comes it
that you do not offer your merchandise to me as well as the others? Do
you take me for a dishonest man, or imagine that my purse is empty?"
"My lord," answered I, "I pray you pardon me. All that I have is at
your service, I ask nothing for it." At the same time I offered him my
basket; he took some perfume, and told me to sit down by him. I did
so, and he asked me a number of questions, who I was, and what was my
name.
"Excuse me satisfying your curiosity," said I, sighing; "I cannot do
so without reopening wounds which time is beginning to heal."
These words, or the tone in which I uttered them, prevented the old
man from questioning me further. He changed the discourse, and after a
long conversation, on rising to depart he took out his purse and gave
me ten gold sequins. I was greatly surprised at this liberality. The
wealthiest lords to whom I had been accustomed to present my basket
had never given me even one sequin, and I could not tell what to make
of this man.
On the morrow, when I returned to the merchants, I again found my old
friend; and for many days he continued to attract my attention. At
length, one day, as I was addressing him after he had taken a little
balm from my basket, he made me again sit by him, and pressed me so
earnestly to relate my history, that I could not refuse him. I
informed him of all that had happened to me; after this confidence he
said:
"Young man, I knew your father. I am a merchant of Basra; I have no
child, and have conceived a friendship for you; I will adopt you as my
son, therefore console yourself for your past misfortunes. You have
found a father richer by far than Abdelaziz, and who will have as much
affection for you." I thanked the venerable old man for the honour he
did me, and followed him as he left the house. He made me throw away
my basket of flowers, and conducted me to a large mansion that he had
hired. There I was lodged in a spacious apartment with slaves to wait
on me, and by his order they brought me rich clothes. One would have
thought my father Abdelaziz again lived, and it seemed as if I had
never known sorrow. When the merchant had finished the business that
detained him at Bagdad,--namely, when he had sold the merchandise he
brought with him,--we both took the road to Basra. My friends, who
never thought to see me again, were not a little surprised to hear I
had been adopted by a man who passed for the richest merchant in the
city. I did my best to please the old man. He was charmed with my
behaviour. "Aboulcassem," he often said to me, "I am enchanted that I
met you at Bagdad. You appear worthy of all I have done for you." I
was touched with the kindness he evinced for me, and far from abusing
it, endeavoured to do all I could to please my kind benefactor.
Instead of seeking companions of my own age, I always kept in his
company, scarcely ever leaving him. At last this good old man fell
sick, and the physicians despaired of his life. When he was at the
last extremity he made all but myself leave him, and then said, "Now
is the time, my son, to reveal to you a most important secret. If I
had only this house with all its riches to bequeath, I should leave
you but a moderate fortune; but all that I have amassed during the
course of my life, though considerable for a merchant, is nothing in
comparison to the treasure that is concealed here, and which I am now
about to reveal to you. I shall not tell you how long ago, by whom, or
in what manner it was found, for I am ignorant of that myself; all I
know is, that my grandfather, when dying, told the secret to my
father, who also made me acquainted with it a few days before his
death. But," continued he, "I have one advice to give you, and take
care you do not slight it. You are naturally generous. When you are at
liberty to follow your own inclinations, you will no doubt be lavish
of your riches. You will receive with magnificence any strangers who
may come to your house. You will load them with presents, and will do
good to all who implore your assistance. This conduct, which I much
approve of if you can keep it within bounds, will at last be the cause
of your ruin. The splendour of your establishment will excite the envy
of the king of Basra, and the avarice of his ministers. They will
suspect you of having some hidden treasure. They will spare no means
to discover it, and will imprison you. To prevent this misfortune, you
have only to follow my example. I have always, as well as my
grandfather and father, carried on my business and enjoyed this
treasure without ostentation; we have never indulged in any
extravagance calculated to surprise the world."