Though the advice was good, the sultan could not relish it, but fell
into a rage. What! says he, is the sultaness of the Indies capable
of prostituting herself in so base a manner? No, brother, I cannot
believe what you say, except I saw it with my own eyes; your’s
must needs have deceived you: the matter is so important, that I
must be satisfied of it myself. Dear brother, answers Schahzenan,
that you may without much difficulty. Appoint another hunting match;
and when we are out of town with your court and mine, we will stop
under our tents, and at night let you and I return alone to my
apartments; I am certain the next day you will see what I saw. The
sultan, approving the stratagem, immediately appointed a new
hunting-match; and that same day the tents were set up at the place
appointed.
Next day the two princes set out with all their retinue; they
arrived at the place of encampment, and staid there till night. Then
Schahriar called his grand vizier, and without acquainting him with
his design, commanded him to stay in his place during his absence,
and suffer no person to go out of the camp upon any account
whatever. As soon as he had given this order, the king of Grand
Tartary and he took horse, passed through the camp incognito,
returned to the city, and went to Schahzenan’s apartment. They had
scarce placed themselves in the same window where the king of
Tartary had beheld the scene of the disguised blacks, but the secret
gate opened, the sultaness and her ladies entered the garden with
the blacks, and she, having called upon Masoud, the sultan saw more
than enough to convince him fully of his dishonour and misfortune.
O heavens! cried he, what an indignity! what horror! Can the wife of
a sovereign such as I am, be capable of such an infamous action?
After this, let no prince boast of his being perfectly happy. Alas!
my brother, continued he, (embracing the king of Tartary,) let us
both renounce the world; honour is banished out of it; if it
flatters us one day, it betrays us the next! Let us abandon our
dominions and grandeur; let us go into foreign countries, where we
may lead an obscure life, and conceal our misfortunes. Schahzenan
did not at all approve of this resolution, but did not think fit to
contradict Schahriar in the heat of his passion. Dear brother, says
he, your will shall be mine; I am ready to follow you whither you
please: but promise me that you will return if we can meet with any
one that is more unhappy than ourselves. I agree to it, says the
sultan, but doubt much whether we shall. I am not of your mind in
this, replies the king of Tartary; I fancy our journey will be but
short. Having said thus, they went secretly out of the palace by a
different way from that by which they came. They travelled as long
as it was day, and lay the first night under trees; and getting up
about break of day, they went on till they came to a fine meadow
upon the bank of the sea, that was besprinkled with great trees.
They sat down under one of those trees to rest and refresh
themselves, and the chief subject of their conversation was the
infidelity of their wives.
They had not sat long, before they heard a frightful noise from the
sea, and a terrible cry, which filled them with fear; then, the sea
opening, there arose up something like a great black column, which
reached almost to the clouds. This redoubled their fear, made them
rise speedily, and climb up into a tree to hide themselves. They had
scarce got up, till looking to the place from whence the noise came,
and where the sea opened, they observed that the black column
advanced, winding about towards the shore, cleaving the water before
it. They could not at first think what it should be; but in a little
time they found that it was one of those malignant genii that are
mortal enemies to mankind, and are always doing them mischief. He
was black, frightful, had the shape of a giant, of a prodigious
stature, and carried on his head a great glass box, shut with four
locks of fine steel. He entered the meadow with his burden, which he
laid down just at the foot of the tree where the two princes were,
who looked upon themselves to be dead men. Meanwhile the genie sat
down by his box, and opening it with four keys that he had at his
girdle, there came out a lady magnificently apparelled, of a
majestic stature, and a complete beauty. The monster made her sit
down by him, and eying her with an amorous look, Lady, says he, nay,
most accomplished of all ladies who are admired for their beauty, my
charming mistress, whom I carried off on your wedding-day, and have
loved so constantly ever since, let me sleep a few moments by you;
for I found myself so very sleepy, that I came to this place to take
a little rest. Having spoken thus, he laid down his huge head upon
the lady’s knees, and stretching out his legs, which reached as
far as the sea, he fell asleep presently, and snored so that he made
the banks echo again.
The lady happening at the same time to look up to the tree, saw the
two princes, and made a sign to them with her hand to come down
without making any noise. Their fear was extreme when they found
themselves discovered, and they prayed the lady, by other signs, to
excuse them; but she, after having laid the monster’s head softly
down on the ground, rose up and spoke to them with a low, but eager
voice, to come down to her; she would take no denial. They made
signs to her that they were afraid of the genie, and would fain have
been excused. Upon which she ordered them to come down, and if they
did not make haste, threatened to awake the genie, and bid him kill
them.
These words did so much intimidate the princes, that they began to
come down with all possible precaution, lest they should awake the
genie. When they came down, the lady took them by the hand, and
going a little farther with them under the trees, made a very urgent
proposal to them. At first they rejected it, but she obliged them to
accept it by her threats. Having obtained what she desired, she
perceived that each of them had a ring on his finger, which she
demanded of them. As soon as she received them, she went and took a
box out of the bundle, where her toilet was, pulled out a string of
other rings of all sorts, which she showed them, and asked them if
they knew what those jewels meant. No, said they, we hope you will
be pleased to tell us. These are, replied she, the rings of all the
men to whom I have granted my favours. There are full fourscore and
eighteen of them, which I keep as tokens to remember them; and asked
your’s for the same reason, to make up the hundred. So that,
continued she, I have a hundred gallants already, notwithstanding
the vigilance of this wicked genie, who never leaves me. He may lock
me up in this glass box, and hide me in the bottom of the sea; I
find a way to cheat his care. You may see by this, that when a woman
has formed a project, there is no husband or lover that can hinder
her putting it into execution. Men had better not put their wives
under such restraint, as it only serves to teach them cunning.
Having spoken thus to them, she put their rings upon the same string
with the rest, and sitting down by the monster, as before, laid his
head again upon her lap, and made a sign for the princes to be gone.
They returned immediately by the same way they came, and when they
were out of sight of the lady and genie, Schahriar says to
Schahzenan, Well, brother, what do you think of this adventure? Has
not the genie a very faithful mistress? And do not you agree that
there is no wickedness equal to that of woman? Yes, brother, answers
the king of Tartary; and you must also agree that the monster is
more unfortunate, and more to be pitied than we. Therefore, since we
have found what we sought for, let us return to our dominions, and
let not this hinder us from marrying. For my part, I know a method
by which to keep inviolable the fidelity that my wife owes me. I
will say no more of it at present, but you will hear of it in a
little time, and I am sure you will follow my example. The sultan
agreed with his brother; and continuing their journey, they arrived
in the camp the third night after they left it.
The news of the sultan’s return being spread, the courtiers came
betimes in the morning before his pavilion, to wait on him. He
ordered them to enter, received them with a more pleasant air than
formerly, and gave each of them a present: after which he told them
he would go no farther, ordered them to take horse, and returned
speedily to his palace.
As soon as he arrived, he ran to the sultaness’s apartment,
commanded her to be bound before him, and delivered her to his grand
vizier, with an order to strangle her, which was accordingly
executed by that minister without inquiring into her crime. The
enraged prince did not stop here, but cut off the heads of all the
sultaness’s ladies with his own hand. After this rigorous
punishment, being persuaded that no woman was chaste, he resolved,
in order to prevent the disloyalty of such as he should afterwards
marry, to wed one every night, and have her strangled next morning.
Having imposed this cruel law upon himself, he swore that he would
observe it immediately after the departure of the king of Tartary,
who speedily took leave of him, and being laden with magnificent
presents, set forward on his journey.
Schahzenan being gone, Schahriar ordered his grand vizier to bring
him the daughter of one of his generals. The vizier obeyed; the
sultan lay with her, and putting her next morning into his hands
again, in order to be strangled, commanded him to get him another
next night. Whatever reluctance the vizier had to put such orders in
execution, as he owed blind obedience to the sultan his master, he
was forced to submit. He brought him then the daughter of a
subaltern, whom he also cut off next day. After her he brought a
citizen’s daughter; and, in a word, there was every day a maid
married, and a wife murdered.
The rumour of this unparalleled barbarity, occasioned a general
consternation in the city, where there was nothing but crying and
lamentation. Here, a father in tears, and inconsolable for the loss
of his daughter! and there, tender mothers, dreading lest their
daughters should have the same fate, making the air to resound
beforehand with their groans: so that, instead of the commendations
and blessings which the sultan had hitherto received from his
subjects, their mouths were now filled with imprecations against him.
The grand vizier, who, as has been already said, was the executioner
of this horrid injustice, against his will, had two daughters, the
eldest called Scheherazade, and the youngest Dinarzade. The latter
was a lady of very great merit; but the elder had courage, wit, and
penetration infinitely above her sex. She read much, and had such a
prodigious memory, that she never forgot any thing she had read. She
had successfully applied herself to philosophy, physic, history, and
the liberal arts; and for verse exceeded the best poets of her time.
Besides this, she was a perfect beauty, and all her fine
qualifications were crowned by solid virtue.
The vizier passionately loved a daughter so worthy of his tender
affection; and one day, as they were discoursing together, she says
to him, Father, I have one favour to beg of you, and most humbly
pray you to grant it me. I will not refuse it, answers he, provided
it be just and reasonable. For the justice of it, says she, there
can be no question, and you may judge of it by the motive which
obliges me to demand it of you. I wish to stop the course of that
barbarity which the sultan exercises upon the families of this city.
I would dispel those unjust fears which so many mothers have of
losing their daughters in such a fatal manner. Your design,
daughter, replies the vizier, is very commendable; but the evil you
would remedy to me seems incurable; how do you pretend to effect it?
--Father, says Scheherazade, since by your means the sultan makes
every day a new marriage, I conjure you by the tender affection you
bear to me, to procure me the honour of his bed. The vizier could
not hear this without horror. O heavens! replied he, in a passion,
have you lost your senses, daughter, that you make such a dangerous
request to me? You know the sultan has sworn by his soul that he
will never lie above one night with the same woman, and to order her
to be killed next morning: and would you have me propose you to him?
Consider well to what your indiscreet zeal will expose you. --Yes,
dear father, replies the virtuous daughter, I know the risk I run;
but that does not frighten me. If I perish, my death will be
glorious; and if I succeed, I shall do my country an important piece
of service. No, no, says the vizier, whatever you can represent to
engage me to let you throw yourself into that horrible danger, do
not think that ever I will agree to it. When the sultan shall order
me to strike my poinard into your heart, alas! I must obey him; and
what an employment is that for a father! Ah! if you do not fear
death, yet at least be afraid of occasioning me the mortal grief of
seeing my hand stained with your blood. Once more, father, says
Scheherazade, grant me the favour I beg. Your stubbornness, replies
the vizier, will make me angry; why will you run headlong to your
ruin? They that do not foresee the end of a dangerous enterprise,
can never bring it to a happy issue. I am afraid the same thing will
happen to you that happened to the ass, which was well, and could
not keep himself so. What misfortune befell the ass? replies
Scheherazade. I will tell you, says the vizier, if you will hear me.
FABLE.
The Ass, the Ox, and the Labourer.
A very wealthy merchant possessed several country-houses, where he
kept a large number of cattle of every kind. He retired with his
wife and family to one of these estates, in order to improve it
under his own direction. He had the gift of understanding the
language of beasts, but with this condition, that he should not, on
pain of death, interpret it to any one else. And this hindered him
from communicating to others what he learned by means of this
faculty.
He kept in the same stall an ox and an ass. One day as he sat near
them, and was amusing himself in looking at his children who were
playing about him, he heard the ox say to the ass, Sprightly, O! how
happy do I think you, when I consider the ease you enjoy, and the
little labour that is required of you. You are carefully rubbed down
and washed, you have well-dressed corn, and fresh clean water. Your
greatest business is to carry the merchant, our master, when he has
any little journey to make, and were it not for that you would be
perfectly idle. I am treated in a very different manner, and my
condition is as deplorable as yours is fortunate. Daylight no sooner
appears than I am fastened to a plough, and made to work till night,
which so fatigues me, that sometimes my strength entirely fails.
Besides, the labourer, who is always behind me, beats me
continually. By drawing the plough, my tail is all fleaed; and in
short, after having laboured from morning to night, when I am
brought in they give me nothing to eat but sorry dry beans, not so
much as cleansed from dirt, or other food equally bad; and to
heighten my misery, when I have filled my belly with such ordinary
stuff, I am forced to lie all night in my own dung; so that you see
I have reason to envy your lot.
The ass did not interrupt the ox; but when he had concluded,
answered, They that called you a foolish beast did not lie. You are
too simple; you suffer them to conduct you whither they please, and
show no manner of resolution. In the mean time, what advantage do
you reap from all the indignities you suffer? You kill yourself for
the ease, pleasure, and profit of those who give you no thanks for
your service. But they would not treat you so, if you had as much
courage as strength. When they come to fasten you to the stall, why
do you not resist? why do you not gore them with your horns, and
show that you are angry, by striking your foot against the ground?
And, in short, why do you not frighten them by bellowing aloud?
Nature has furnished you with means to command respect; but you do
not use them. They bring you sorry beans and bad straw; eat none of
them; only smell and then leave them. If you follow my advice, you
will soon experience a change, for which you will thank me.
The ox took the ass’s advice in very good part, and owned he was
much obliged to him. Dear Sprightly, added he, I will not fail to do
as you direct, and you shall see how I will acquit myself. Here
ended their conversation, of which the merchant lost not a word.
Early the next morning the labourer went for the ox. He fastened him
to the plough, and conducted him to his usual work. The ox, who had
not forgotten the ass’s counsel, was very troublesome and
untowardly all that day, and in the evening, when the labourer
brought him back to the stall, and began to fasten him, the
malicious beast, instead of presenting his head willingly as he used
to do, was restive, and drew back bellowing; and then made at the
labourer, as if he would have gored him with his horns. In a word,
he did all the ass had advised him. The day following, the labourer
came as usual, to take the ox to his labour; but finding the stall
full of beans, the straw that he had put in the night before not
touched, and the ox lying on the ground with his legs stretched out
and panting in a strange manner, he believed him to be unwell and
pitied him, and thinking that it was not proper to take him to work,
went immediately and acquainted his master with his condition. The
merchant perceiving that the ox had followed all the mischievous
advice of the ass, determined to punish the latter, and accordingly
ordered the labourer to go and put him in the ox’s place, and to
be sure to work him hard. The labourer did as he was desired. The
ass was forced to draw the plough all that day, which fatigued him
so much the more, as he was not accustomed to that kind of labour;
besides, he had been so soundly beaten, that he could scarcely stand
when he came back.
Meanwhile, the ox was mightily pleased; he ate up all that was in
the stall, and rested himself the whole day. He rejoiced that he had
followed the ass’s advice, blessed him a thousand times for the
kindness he had done him, and did not fail to express his obligation
when the ass had returned. The ass made no reply, so vexed was he at
the ill-treatment he had received; but he said within himself, It is
by my own imprudence I have brought this misfortune upon myself. I
lived happily, every thing smiled upon me; I had all that I could
wish; it is my own fault that I am brought to this miserable
condition; and if I cannot contrive some way to get out of it, I am
certainly undone. As he spoke, his strength was so much exhausted
that he fell down in his stall, as if he had been half dead.
Here the grand vizier addressed himself to Scheherazade, and said,
Daughter, you act just like this ass; you will expose yourself to
destruction by your erroneous policy. Take my advice, remain quiet,
and do not seek to hasten your death. Father, replied Scheherazade,
the example you have set before me will not induce me to change my
resolution. I will never cease importuning you until you present me
to the sultan as his bride. The vizier, perceiving that she
persisted in her demand, replied, Alas! then, since you will
continue obstinate, I shall be obliged to treat you in the same
manner as the merchant whom I before referred to, treated his wife a
short time after.
The merchant understanding that the ass was in a lamentable
condition, was desirous of knowing what passed between him and the
ox, therefore, after supper he went out by moonlight, and sat down
by them, his wife bearing him company. After his arrival, he heard
the ass say to the ox, Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what you intend
to do to-morrow, when the labourer brings you meat? What will I do!
replied the ox, I will continue to act as you taught me. I will draw
back from him and threaten him with my horns, as I did yesterday: I
will feign myself ill, and at the point of death. Beware of that,
replied the ass, it will ruin you; for as I came home this evening,
I heard the merchant, our master, say something that makes me
tremble for you. Alas! what did you hear? demanded the ox; as you
love me, withhold nothing from me, my dear Sprightly. Our master,
replied the ass, addressed himself thus to the labourer: Since the
ox does not eat and is not able to work, I would have him killed
to-morrow, and we will give his flesh as an alms to the poor for
God’s sake; as for the skin that will be of use to us, and I would
have you give it the currier to dress; therefore be sure to send for
the butcher. This is what I had to tell you, said the ass. The
interest I feel in your preservation, and my friendship for you,
obliged me to make it known to you, and to give you new advice. As
soon as they bring you your bran and straw, rise up, and eat
heartily. Our master will by this think that you are recovered, and
no doubt will recall his orders for killing you; but, if you act
otherwise, you will certainly he slaughtered.
This discourse had the effect which the ass designed. The ox was
greatly alarmed, and bellowed for fear. The merchant, who heard the
conversation very attentively, fell into a loud fit of laughter. His
wife was greatly surprised, and asked, Pray, husband, tell me what
you laugh at so heartily, that I may laugh with you. Wife, replied
he, you must content yourself with hearing me laugh. No, returned
she, I will know the reason. I cannot afford you that satisfaction,
answered he, and can only inform you that I laugh at what our ass
just now said to the ox. The rest is a secret, which I am not
allowed to reveal. What, demanded she, hinders you from revealing
the secret? If I tell it you, replied he, I shall forfeit my life.
You only jeer me, cried his wife; what you would have me believe
cannot be true. If you do not directly satisfy me as to what you
laugh at, and tell me what the ox and the ass said to one another, I
swear by heaven that you and I shall never bed together again.
Having spoken thus, she went into the house, and seating herself in
a corner, cried there all night. Her husband lay alone, and finding
next morning that she continued in the same humour, told her, she
was very foolish to afflict herself in that manner; that the thing
was not worth so much; that it concerned her very little to know,
while it was of the utmost consequence to him to keep the secret:
therefore, continued he, I conjure you to think no more of it. I
shall still think so much of it, replied she, as never to forbear
weeping till you have satisfied my curiosity. But I tell you very
seriously, answered he, that it will cost me my life if I yield to
your indiscreet solicitations. Let what will happen, said she, I do
insist upon it. I perceive, resumed the merchant, that it is
impossible to bring you to reason, and since I foresee that you will
occasion your own death by your obstinacy, I will call in your
children, that they may see you before you die. Accordingly he
called for them, and sent for her father and mother, and other
relations. When they were come, and heard the reason of their being
summoned, they did all they could to convince her that she was in
the wrong, but to no purpose: she told them that she would rather
die than yield that point to her husband. Her father and mother
spoke to her, and told her that what she desired to know was of no
importance to her; but they could produce no effect upon her, either
by their authority or entreaties. When her children saw that nothing
would prevail to draw her out of that sullen temper, they wept
bitterly. The merchant himself was half frantic, and almost ready to
risk his own life to save that of his wife, whom he sincerely loved.
Now, my daughter, continued the vizier to Scheherazade, this
merchant had fifty hens, and one cock, with a dog, that gave good
heed to all that passed. While the merchant was, as I said,
considering what he had best do, he saw his dog run towards the cock
as he was treading a hen, and heard him say to him: Cock, I am sure
heaven will not let you live long; are you not ashamed to act thus
to-day? The cock standing up on tiptoe, answered fiercely: and why
not to-day as well as other days? If you do not know, replied the
dog, then I will tell you, that this day our master is in great
perplexity. His wife would have him reveal a secret which is of such
a nature, that the disclosure would cost him his life. Things are
come to that pass, that it is to be feared he will scarcely have
resolution enough to resist his wife’s obstinacy; for he loves
her, and is affected by the tears she continually sheds. We are all
alarmed at his situation, while you only insult our melancholy, and
have the impudence to divert yourself with your hens.
The cock answered the dog’s reproof thus: What, has our master so
little sense? he has but one wife, and cannot govern her, and though
I have fifty I make them all do what I please. Let him use his
reason, he will soon find a way to get rid of his trouble. How?
demanded the dog; what would you have him to do? Let him go into the
room where his wife is, resumed the cock, lock the door, and take a
stick and thrash her well; and I will answer for it, that will bring
her to her senses, and make her forbear to importune him to discover
what he ought not to reveal. The merchant had no sooner heard what
the cock said, than he took up a stick, went to his wife whom he
found still crying, and shutting the door, belaboured her so
soundly, that she cried out “Enough, husband, enough, forbear, and
I will never ask the question more.” Upon this, perceiving that
she repented of her impertinent curiosity, he desisted; and opening
the door her friends came in, were glad to find her cured of her
obstinacy, and complimented her husband upon this happy expedient to
bring his wife to reason. Daughter, added the grand vizier, you
deserve to be treated as the merchant treated his wife.
Father, replied Scheherazade, I beg you would not take it ill that I
persist in my opinion. I am nothing moved by the story of this
woman. I could relate many, to persuade you that you ought not to
oppose my design. Besides, pardon me for declaring, that your
opposition is vain, for if your paternal affection should hinder you
from granting my request, I will go and offer myself to the sultan.
In short, the father, being overcome by the resolution of his
daughter, yielded to her importunity, and though he was much grieved
that he could not divert her from so fatal a resolution, he went
instantly to acquaint the sultan, that next night he would bring him
Scheherazade.
The sultan was much surprised at the sacrifice which the grand
vizier proposed to make. How could you, says he, resolve to bring me
your own daughter? Sir, answered the vizier, it is her own offer.
The sad destiny that awaits her could not intimidate her; she
prefers the honour of being your majesty’s wife for one night, to
her life. But do not act under a mistake, vizier, said the sultan;
to-morrow when I place Scheherazade in your hands, I expect you will
put her to death; and if you fail, I swear that your own life shall
answer. Sir, rejoined the vizier, my heart without doubt will be
full of grief to execute your commands; but it is to no purpose for
nature to murmur. Though I am her father, I will answer for the
fidelity of my hand to obey your order. Schahriar accepted his
minister’s offer, and told him he might bring his daughter when he
pleased.
The grand vizier went with the intelligence to Scheherazade, who
received it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable
information she could have received. She thanked her father for
having so greatly obliged her; and perceiving that he was
overwhelmed with grief, told him, for his consolation, that she
hoped he would never repent of having married her to the sultan; and
that, on the contrary, he should have reason to rejoice at his
compliance all his days.
Her business now was to adorn herself to appear before the sultan;
but before she went, she took her sister Dinarzade apart, and said
to her, My dear sister, I have need of your assistance in a matter
of great importance, and must pray you not to deny it me. My father
is going to conduct me to the sultan: do not let this alarm you, but
hear me with patience. As soon as I am in his presence, I will pray
him to allow you to lie in the bride-chamber, that I may enjoy your
company this one night more. If I obtain that favour, as I hope to
do, remember to awake me to-morrow an hour before day, and to
address me in these or some such words, “My sister, if you be not
asleep. I pray you that till day-break, which will be very shortly,
you will relate to me one of the entertaining stories of which you
have read so many.” I will immediately tell you one; and I hope by
this means to deliver the city from the consternation it is under at
present. Dinarzade answered that she would with pleasure act as she
required her.
The grand vizier conducted Scheherazade to the palace, and retired,
after having introduced her into the sultan’s apartment. As soon
as the sultan was left alone with her, he ordered her to uncover her
face; he found her so beautiful, that he was perfectly charmed; but
perceiving her to be in tears, demanded the reason. Sir, answered
Scheherazade. I have a sister who loves me tenderly, and I could
wish that she might be allowed to pass the night in this chamber,
that I might see her, and once more bid her adieu. Will you be
pleased to allow me the consolation of giving her this last
testimony of my affection? Schahriar having consented, Dinarzade was
sent for, who came with all possible expedition.
An hour before day, Dinarzade failed not to do as her sister had
ordered. My dear sister, cried she, if you be not asleep, I pray
that until day-break, which will be very shortly, you will tell me
one of those pleasant stories you have read. Alas! this may perhaps
be the last time that I shall enjoy that pleasure.
Scheherazade, instead of answering her sister, addressed herself to
the sultan; Sir, will your majesty be pleased to allow me to afford
my sister this satisfaction? With all my heart, replied the sultan.
Scheherazade then bade her sister attend, and afterwards addressing
herself to Schahriar, proceeded as follows.