Preface

There is no occasion to prepossess the reader with an opinion of

the merit and beauty of the following work. There needs no more

but to read it to satisfy any man, that hitherto nothing so fine

of this nature has appeared in any language.

What can be more ingenious than to compose such a prodigious

quantity of pleasant stories, whose variety is surprising, and

whose connexion is so wonderful? We know not the name of the

author of so great a work; but probably it is not all done by one

hand; for how can we suppose that one man alone could have

invention enough to make so many fine things?

If stories of this sort be pleasant and diverting, because of the

wonders they usually contain, these have certainly the advantage

above all that have yet been published; because they are full of

surprising events, which engage our attention, and show how much

the Arabians surpass other nations in compositions of this sort.

They must also be pleasing, because of the account they give of

the customs and manners of the eastern nations, and of the

ceremonies of their religion, as well Pagan as Mahometan, which

are better described here than in any author that has written of

them, or in the relation of travellers. All the eastern nations,

Persians, Tartars, and Indians, are here distinguished, and

appear such as they are, from the sovereign to the meanest

subject; so that, without the fatigue of going to see those

people in their respective countries, the reader has here the

pleasure to see them act, and hear them speak. Care has been

taken to preserve their characters, and to keep their sense; nor

have we varied from the text, but when modesty obliged us to it.

The translator flatters himself, that those who understand

Arabic, and will be at the pains to compare the original with the

translation, must agree that he has showed the Arabians to the

French with all the circumspection that the niceness of the

French tongue and of the times require; and if those who read

these stories have any inclination to profit by the example of

virtue and vice which they will here find exhibited, they may

reap an advantage by it that is not to be reaped in other

stories, which are more fit to corrupt than to reform our

manners.

Approbation.

I have read, by order of my Lord Chancellor, this manuscript, and

find nothing in it that should hinder its being printed.

(Signed)

Fontenelle.

Paris, October 4. 1706.

Arabian Nights Entertainments.

The chronicles of the Susanians, 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, the 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

embassador 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 embassador

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

more 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

of 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 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 mean while, Schahzenan made ready for his journey, took

orders about his most 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 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, pitching his royal pavilion

near the vizier's tent, and discoursed with that embassador 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 the household to

her bed, where they lay both fast asleep, 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 strange was his surprise, when,

by the light of the flambeaus, which burn all night in the

apartments of those eastern princes, he saw a man in her arms! He

stood immovable for a time, not knowing how to believe his own

eyes; but finding 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?

All! perfidious wretches, your crime shall not go unpunished. As

king, I am to punish wickednesses 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; the princes

were overjoyed fo 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, for it was set apart as a banqueting-house for

public entertainment, 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 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 been betwixt them. The time of supper

being come, they ate together; after which they renewed their

conversation, which continued till Schahriar, perceiving it was

very late, left his brother to his 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

represented 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 a 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, did only increase 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 misfortune.

Whilst 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 at it twenty women, in the midst of whom

marched the sultaness, who was easily distinguished from the rest

by her majestic air. This 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 out 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 betwixt the blacks and ladies. It is sufficient to say,

that Schahzenan saw enough to convince him that his brother had

as much cause to complain as himself. This amorous company

continued together till midnight and having bathed all together

in a great pond, 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.

All this having passed in the king of Tartary's sight, it gave

him occasion 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 will throw it off, and the remembrance of a misfortune

so common shall never after this disturb my quiet. So that, from

that moment, he forebore afflicting himself. Being unwilling to

sup till he saw the whole scene that was acted under his window,

he called then for his supper, ate with a better appetite than he

had done at any time after his coming to Samarcande, and listened

with pleasure to the agreeable concert of vocal and instrumental

music that was appointed to entertain him while at table.

He continued after this to be of a very good humour; and when he

knew that the sultan was returning, he went to meet him, and paid

him his compliments with a great deal of gaiety. Schahriar at

first took no notice of this great alteration, but expostulated

with him modestly, why he would not bear him company at hunting

the stag; and, without giving him time to reply, entertained him

with 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 answers to every thing, and being rid of that

melancholy which formerly over-clouded his wit, he said a

thousand agreeable and pleasant things to the sultan.

Schahriar, who expected to have found him in the same condition

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 on 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, replies the king of

Tartary; you may command Schahzenan as you please; pray speak, I

am impatient to know what you desire of me. Ever since you came

to my court, replies Schahriar, I found you swallowed up by a

deep melancholy, and I did in vain attempt to remove it by

diversions of all sorts. I imagined it might be occasioned by

reason of the 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 this was the

peculiar reason why I did not importune you upon the subject, for

fear of making you uneasy. But, without my being able to

contribute 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

how you came to be rid of it.

Upon this, the king of Tartary continued for some time as if he

had been in a dream, and contrived 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, 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;

pray judge whether I had not reason enough to give myself up to

it.

Oh! my brother, says the sultan, (in a tone which showed that he

had the same sentiments of the matter with the king of Tartary,)

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 put

such an outrage upon you. Nobody can blame you for that action:

it was just; and for my part, had the case been mine, I could

scarce have been so moderate as you, I should 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 of it 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

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 in it; but, being

obliged to yield to his pressing instances, answered, I must obey

you then, since your command is absolute; yet 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 have otherwise buried in eternal

oblivion. What you say, answers Schahriar, serves only to

increase my curiosity. Make haste to discover the secret,

whatever it may 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 lewd passion of the sultaness and her

ladies; and, to be sure, he did not forget Masoud. After having

been witness to those infamous actions, says he, I believed all

women to be that way naturally inclined, and that they could not

resist those violent desires. Being of this opinion, it seemed to

me to be an unaccountable weakness in men to make themselves

uneasy at their infidelity. This reflection brought many others

along with it; and, in short, I thought the best thing I could do

was to make myself easy. It cost me some pain indeed, but at last

I effected it; and, if you will take my advice, you shall follow

my example.

Though the advice was good, the sultan could not take 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,--unless I saw it with my eyes:

yours 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 pavilions, and at night let you and

I return alone to my apartment. I am certain that next day you

will see what I saw. The sultan, approving the stratagem,

immediately appointed a new hunting-match; and that same day the

pavilions 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 of his design, commanded him to stay in his place during his

absence, and to suffer no person to go out of the camp upon any

occasion 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 seen the disguised blacks act their

scene, 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 plainly

of his dishonour and misfortune.

O heavens! cried he, what 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, continues he, (embracing the king of Tartary,)

let us both renounce the world; honesty is banished out of it; if

it flatter us the 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 misfortune.

Schahzenan did not at all approve of such a 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 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, replied the king of Tartary; I

fancy our journey will be but short. Having said this, they went

secretly out of the palace by another way than they came. They

travelled as long as it was day, and lay the first night under

the trees; and getting up about break of day, they went on till

they came to a fine meadow upon the banks of the sea, in which

meadow there were tufts of great trees at some distance from one

another. They sat down under those trees to rest and refresh

themselves, and the chief subject of their conversation was the

lewdness of their wives.

They had not sat long, before they heard a frightful noise, and a

terrible cry from the sea, which filled them with fear; then the

sea opening, there rose up a thing 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 voice 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 genie that are mortal enemies to

mankind, and 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 on the lady's knees; and stretching out his legs, which

reached as far as the sea, he fell asleep, and snored so, that he

made the banks to 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 extraordinary 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, rose up, and spoke to them with a low

but quick 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

giant, 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,

say they, we hope you will be pleased to tell us. They are,

replies she, the rings of all the men to whom I have granted my

favour; There are full fourscore and eighteen of them, which I

keep in token to remember them; and asked yours for the same

reason, to make up my hundred. So that, continues she, I have had

a hundred gallants already, notwithstanding the vigilance of this

wicked genie, that never leaves me. He is much the nearer for

locking me up in this glass box, and hiding me in the bottom of

the sea; I find a way to cheat him for all his care. You may see

by this, that when a woman has formed a project, there is no

husband or gallant that can hinder her from putting it in

execution. Men had better not put their wives under such

restraint, if they have a mind they should be chaste. 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 the 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 women?

Yes, brother, answers the king of Great Tartary; and you must.

agree that the monster is more unfortunate, and has more reason

to complain, than we. Therefore, since we have found what we

sought for, let us return to our dominions, and let not this

hinder us to marry again. For my part, I know a method by which I

think I shall keep inviolable the faith that any woman shall

plight to me. I shall 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 gratification; after which

he told them he would go no further, 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; he 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

loaded 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 in order to be strangled, commanded him to get 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 the 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

theirs 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 had read abundance, and had such a prodigious memory

that she never forgot any thing. She had successfully applied

herself to philosophy, physic, history, and the liberal arts, and

for verse exceeded, the best poets of her times; 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 must

humbly pray you to grant it me. I will not refuse it, answered

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 have a design

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 disease you would remedy seems to be

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! replies 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 the next morning; and would you

that I should propose you to him? Pray 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 you

think that ever I will agree to it. When the sultan shall order

me to strike my poignard into your heart, alas! I must obey him;

and what a dismal 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 itself so. What

misfortune befel the ass? replies Scheherazade. I will tell you,

says the vizier, if you will hear me.

Fable.

The Ox, the Ass, and the Labourer.

A very rich merchant had several country-houses, where he had

abundance of cattle of all sorts. He went with his wife and

family to one of those estates, in order to improve it himself.

He had the gift of understanding the language of beasts, but with

this condition, that he should interpret it to nobody on pain of

death; and this hindered him from communicating to others what he

had learned by means of this gift.

He had in the same stall an ox and an ass; and one day as he sat

near them, and diverted himself to see his children play 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 quite different

manner, and my condition is as unfortunate as yours is pleasant.

It is scarce day-light when I am fastened to a plough, and there

they make me work till night, to till up the ground, which

fatigues me so, that sometimes my strength fails me. Besides, the

labourer, who is always behind me, beats me continually. By

drawing the plough my tail is all flead; and, in short, after

having laboured from morning till night, when I am brought in,

they give me nothing to eat but sorry dry beans, not so much as

cleaned from sand, or other things as pernicious; 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, till he had said all that he

had a mind to say; but, when he had made an end, answered, They

that call you a foolish beast do not lie; you are too simple, you

let them carry you whither they please, and show no manner of

resolution. In the mean time, what advantage do you reap by all

the indignities you suffer? You kill yourself for the ease,

pleasure, and profit of those that give you no thanks for so

doing. 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 not you make

resistance? why do not you strike them with your horns, and show

that you are angry by striking your foot against the ground? and,

in short, why do not you frighten them by bellowing aloud? Nature

has furnished you with means to procure you respect, but you do

not make use of them. They bring you sorry beans and bad straw;

eat none of them; only smell them, and leave them. If you follow

the advice I give you, you will quickly find a change, for which

you will thank me. The ox took the ass's advice in very good

part, and owned he was very much obliged to him for it.

Dear Sprightly, adds he, I will not fail to do all that you have

said, and you shall see how I shall acquit myself. They held

their peace after this discourse, of which the merchant heard

every word.

Next morning betimes the labourer came to take the ox; he

fastened him to the plough, and carried him to his ordinary work.

The ox, who had not forgotten the ass's counsel, was very

troublesome and untoward all that day; and in the evening, when

the labourer brought him back to the stall, and began to fasten

him to it, the malicious beast, instead of presenting his horns

willingly as he used to do, was restive, and went backward

bellowing, and then made at the labourer as if he would have

pushed him with his horns; in a word, he did all that the ass

advised him to. Next day the labourer came, as usual, to take the

ox to his labour; but, finding the stall full of beans, the straw

that he 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 he sick, pitied him, and thinking;

that it was not proper to carry him to work, went immediately and

acquainted the merchant with it; who, perceiving that the ox had

followed all the mischievous advices of the ass, whom he thought

fit to punish for it, ordered the labourer to go and put the ass

in the ox's place, and to be sure to work him hard. The labourer

did so: 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

sort 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

his stall, and rested himself the whole day. He was glad at the

heart that he had followed the ass's advice, blessed him a

thousand times for it, and did not fail to compliment him upon it

when he saw him come back. The ass answered him not one word, so

vexed was he to be so ill treated; but says 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; and as he spoke thus, his strength

was so much exhausted, that he fell down at his stall, as if he

had been half dead.

Here the grand visier addressed himself to Scheherazade, and

said, Daughter, you do like the ass; you will expose yourself to

destruction by your false prudence. Take my advice; be easy, and

do not take such measures as will hasten your death. Father,

replies Scheherazade, the example you bring me is not capable of

making me change my resolution; I will never cease importuning

you until you present me to the sultan to be 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 I named treated

his wife in a little time after.

The merchant, understanding that the ass was in a lamentable

condition, was curious to know what passed betwixt him and the

ox; therefore, after supper, he went out by moon-light, and sat

down by them, his wife bearing him company. When he arrived, 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? says the ox: I will continue to do as you taught

me. I will go off from him, and threaten him with my horns, as I

did yesterday; I will feign myself to be sick, and just ready to

die. Beware of that, replies 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?

says the ox; as you love me, hide nothing from me, my dear

Sprightly. Our master, replied the ass, had these sad expressions

to the labourer: Since the ox does not eat, and is not able to

work, I would have him killed tomorrow, and we will give his

flesh as an alms to the poor for God's sake; as for his skin,

that will be of use to us, and I would have you give it to the

currier to dress; therefore do not fail to send for the butcher.

This is what I had to tell you, says the ass. The concern I have

for your preservation, and my friendship for you, obliged me to

let you know it, 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 cured, and no doubt will

recal his orders for killing you; whereas, if you do otherwise,

you are certainly gone.

This discourse had the effect which the ass designed. The ox was

strangely troubled at it, and bellowed out for fear. The

merchant, who heard the discourse very attentively, fell into

such a fit of laughter, that his wife was surprised at it, and

said, Pray, husband, tell me what you laugh at so heartily, that

I may laugh with you. Wife, said he, you must content yourself

with hearing me laugh. No, replies she, I will know the reason. I

cannot give you that satisfaction, answers he, but only that I

laugh at what our ass just now said to our ox. The rest is a

secret, which I am not allowed to reveal. And what hinders you

from revealing the secret, says she? If I tell it you, answers

he, it will cost me my life. You only jeer me, cried his wife;

what you tell me now cannot be true. If you do not satisfy me

presently with what you laugh at, and tell me what the ox and 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 in a great fret, and,

setting 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 a very foolish woman to afflict

herself in that manner, the thing was not worth so much; and that

it concerned her as little to know the matter, as it concerned

him so much to keep it secret; therefore I conjure you to think

no more of it. I shall still think so much of it, says she, as

never to forbear weeping till you have satisfied my curiosity.

But I tell you very seriously, replied he, that it will cost me

my life, if I yield to your indiscretion. Let what will happen,

says she, I do insist upon it. I perceive, says 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 called, they did all they could to convince

her that she was in the wrong, but to no purpose: she told them

she would rather die than yield that point to her husband. Her

father and mother spoke to her by herself, and told her that what

she desired to know was of no importance to her; but that could

gain nothing upon her, either by their authority or entreaties.

When her children saw that nothing could prevail to bring her out

of that sullen temper, they wept bitterly. The merchant himself

was like a man out of his senses, and was almost ready to risk

his own life to save that of his wife, whom he loved dearly.

Now, my daughter, says the vizier to Scheherazade, this merchant

had fifty hens, and a cock, with a dog that gave good heed to all

that passed; and while the merchant was set down, as I said, and

considering what he had best do, he sees the dog run towards the

cock, as he was treading a hen, and heard him speak to him thus:

Cock, says he, I am sure Heaven will not let you live long; are

you not ashamed to do that thing to-day? The cock, standing up on

tip-toe, answers the dog fiercely, And why should I not do it

to-day as well as other days? As you do not know, replies the

dog, then I 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 it will cost him his life if he doth it.

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 with the tears that she

continually sheds, and perhaps it may cost him his life. We are

all alarmed at it, and you only insult our melancholy, and have

the imprudence 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

make use of his reason, he will speedily find a way to rid

himself of his trouble. How, says the dog,, what would you have

him to do? Let him go into the room where his wife is, says the

cock, lock the door, and take a good stick, and thrash her well,

and I will answer for it that that will bring her to her right

wits, and make her forbear to ask him any more what he ought not

to tell her. The merchant had no sooner heard what the cock said,

than he took up a good stick, went to his wife, whom he found

still a crying, and, shutting the door, belaboured her so

soundly, that she cried out, "It is enough, husband, it is

enough, let me alone, and I will never ask the question more."

Upon this, perceiving that she repented of her impertinent

curiosity, he forbore drubbing her; 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, adds the grand vizier, you deserve

to be treated as the merchant treated his wife.

Father, replies Scheherazade, I beg you will not take it ill that

I persist in my opinion. I am nothing moved by the story of that

woman; I can tell you abundance of others to persuade you that

you ought not to oppose my design. Besides, pardon me for

declaring to you that your opposing me would be in vain; for if

your paternal affection should hinder you to grant my request, I

would 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 very much grieved that he could

not divert her from such a fatal resolution, he went that minute

to acquaint the sultan that next night he would bring him

Scheherazade.

The sultan was much surprised at the sacrifice which the grand

vizier made to him. How could you resolve, says he, to bring me

your own daughter? Sir, answers the vizier, it is her own offer.

The sad destiny that attends it could not scare her; she prefers

the honour of being your majesty's wife for one night to her

life. But do not mistake yourself, vizier, says the sultan;

to-morrow, when I put Scheherazade into your hands, I expect you

shall take away her life; and, if you fail, I swear that yourself

shall die. Sir, rejoins 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 be 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 news to Scheherazade, who received

it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable thing in

the world; she thanked her father for having obliged her in so

sensible a manner; and, perceiving that he was overwhelmed with

grief, she told him, in order to his consolation, that she hoped

he would never repent his having married her to the sultan; but

that, on the contrary, he should have cause to rejoice at it all

his days.

All her business was to put herself in a condition to appear

before the sultan; but, before she went, she took her sister

Dinarzade apart, and says to her, My dear sister, I have need of

your help in a matter of very great importance, and must pray you

not to deny it me. My father is going to carry me to the sultan

to be his wife; do not let this frighten you, but hear me with

patience. As soon as I come to the sultan, 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

speedily, you would tell me one of the fine stories of which you

have read so many." Immediately I will tell you one; and I hope

by this means to deliver the city from the consternation they are

under at present. Dinarzade answered, that she would obey with

pleasure what she required of her.

The time of going to bed being come, 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, and found it

so beautiful, that he was perfectly charmed with her; and

perceiving her to be in tears, asked her the reason. Sir,

answered Scheherazade, I have a sister, who loves me tenderly, as

I do her, and I could wish that she might be allowed to be all

night in this chamber, that I might see her, and bid her once

more adieu. Will you be pleased to allow me the comfort of giving

her this last testimony of my friendship? Schahriar having

consented to it, Dinarzade was sent for, who came with all

possible diligence. The sultan went to bed with Scheherazade upon

an alcove raised very high, according to the custom of the

monarchs of the east; and Dinarzade lay in a bed that was

prepared for her, near the foot of the alcove.

An hour before day, Dinarzade, being awake, failed not to do as

her sister ordered her. My dear sister, cries she, if you be not

asleep, I pray, until day-break, which will be in a very little

time, that you will tell me one of those pleasant stories you

have read; alas! this may perhaps be the last time that ever I

shall have that satisfaction.

Scheherazade, instead of answering her sister, addressed herself

to the sultan thus: Sir, will your majesty be pleased to allow me

to give my sister this satisfaction? With all my heart, answers

the sultan. Then Scheherazade bid her sister listen; and

afterwards, addressing herself to Schahriar, began thus.

The First Night.

The Merchant and the Genie.

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 journies,

and talk with his correspondents; and one day being under the

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 despatched

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 the 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

these 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, replies the

genie, I tell thee that thou hast killed my son, and the way was

thus; when you threw your nut-shells about, my son was passing

by, and you threw one of them into his eye, which killed him;

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 to kill thee, as

thou killedst 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 Scheherazade 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 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

ended the story. So having resolved not to take away

Scheherazade's life that day, he rose and went to prayers, and

then called his council.

All this while the grand vizier was terribly uneasy. Instead of

sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and groans, bewailing the

lot 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 will 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.

The 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

tnat 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

prepare myself to die without regret. But I promise you that this

day twelve months I will return under these 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

answerable returns, fell a-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 told what had passed betwixt

him and the genie, and that he had given his oath to return at

the end of the year to receive death from his hands.

When they had heard these sad news, they all began to lament

heavily; his wife made a pitiful outcry, beat her face, and tore

her hairs. The children, being all in tears, made the house

resound with their groans; and the father, not being able to

overcome nature, mixed 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 along and to die

with, him; but, finding that he must be forced to part from 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 bitch, 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 if 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 by 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;

but the best of the story is yet to come. The sultan, resolving

to hear the end of it, suffered her to live that day also.

The Third Night.

Next morning Dinarzade made the same request to her sister as

formerly, thus: My dear sister, says she, if you be not asleep,

tell me one of those pleasant stories you have read: but the

sultan, willing to understand what followed betwixt the merchant

and the genie, bid her go on with that; which she did as follows:

Sir, while the merchant and the old man that led the bitch 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 bitch told him

the adventure of the merchant and genie, with all that had passed

betwixt them, particularly the merchant's oath. He added, that

this 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 scarcely begun to talk together, when 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 rising 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 his drawn

scimitar, and taking him by the arm, says, Get thee up, that I

may kill thee as thou didst kill 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 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.

The Fourth Night.

Towards the end of the following night, Dinarzade failed not to

awake the sultaness. Mv 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 that led the bitch saw the genie lay hold

of the merchant, and about to kill him without pity, 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 bitch 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, but answered at last, Well, then; I agree to

it.

THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST OLD MAN AND THE

BITCH.

I shall begin then, says the old man; listen to me I pray you,

with attention. This bitch you see is my cousin, nay, what is

more, my wife: she was only twelve years of 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 hot hinder my haying a great deal of complaisance

and friendship for her. The desire of having children only made

me to buy a slave, by whom I had a son, who was extremely

promising. My wife being jealous, conceived a hatred both for

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 the farmer.

At my return, I asked for the mother and child: your slave, says

she, is dead; and for your son, I know not what is become of him:

I have not seen him these two months. I was troubled at the death

of my slave; but my son having also 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,

seized with pity, I could not find in my heart to give her the

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 do you do, 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 combatting

my pity, 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 mell into the farmer's

hands, and bade him sacrifice her himself, for her tears and

bellowing pierced my heart.

The farmer, less compassionate than I, sacrificed her; and when

he flead her, found her 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 me it 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 that

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 would 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 found a tender pity, which made me concern

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 stead 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, said 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

day-light.

Then Dinarzade said, Sister, I am enchanted with this story,

which bespeaks my attention so agreeably. If the sultan will

suffer me to live to-day, answers Scheherazade, what I have to

tell you to-morrow will divert you abundantly more. Schahriar,

curious to know what would become of the old man's son, who led

the bitch, told the sultaness he would be very glad to hear the

end of that story next night.

The 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, readily agreed

to.

Sir, then, says Scheherazade, the first old man, who led the

bitch, continuing his story to the genie, the two other 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 not 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, replies

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

former 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 the mother and son;

and 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 farmer's daughter came: My good maid, says I, can you restore

my son to his former shape? Yes, says she, I can, Ah! said I, if

you can, I will make you mistress of my fortune. She replied to

me, smiling, You are our master, and know very well what I owe to

you, but 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, said 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 that 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 my son.

I agree to it, said I, provided you restore my son to me

beforehand.

Then the maid took a vessel full of water, pronounced words over

it 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 art a man, and 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 were married, she changed my wife

into a bitch, and this is she 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 has 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 while I should come home, I thought it fit to carry

her every where with me. This is the history of myself and this

bitch, is it not one of the most wonderful and surprising that

can be? I agree it is, 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 these 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 bitch. Then the second

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

Scheherazade.

The 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 genies, says the old man, you must know that we

are three brothers, I and the two black dogs you see: Our father

left each of us, when he died, 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. Upon this design, 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 to him narrowly, and knew him. Ah, my 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, said

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 could not; He sold it, and

with the money bought such goods as were suitable for 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 comes to me to propose a

trading voyage with them; I immediately rejected their proposal.

You have travelled, said 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 for 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 with it. 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 yours 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 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,

answered 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.

The 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, do not oppose it. Not at all, says Shahriar; 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 a

port, where we landed, and had a very great vent for our goods. I

especially sold mine so well, that I gained 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

banks 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 objections 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 fit

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, genie, you know well,

she could not be drowned; but for me, it is certain, I had been

lost without her help. I had scarcely fallen into the water, till

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 the disguise wherein you saw me. You have dealt

very generously with me, and I am mighty glad to have found an

opportunity of testifying my acknowledgment to you: But I am

incensed against your two 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, said I, 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 fly after 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

the sake of Heaven 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 these words; and as soon as I had spoken

them, she transported me in an instant 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, do not be 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 that 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 in 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 bitch, and sat down by them. This is my history,

O prince of genies, do not you think it very extraordinary? I own

it, says the genie, and, upon that account, remit the merchant

the second third of the crime which he has committed against me.

As soon as the second old man had finished his story, the third

began, and made the like demand 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, answers 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

night.

The 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 have 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 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 spoken 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

he bid them 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, how

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.