Dinarzade longed to hear the story of Amine, and therefore waked the
sultaness a long while before day, saying, Dear sister, pray let us
know why fair Amine had her breast so covered with scars. --I
consent to it, said the sultaness; and that no time may be lost, you
may know that Amine addressed herself to the caliph, and began her
story after this manner:
The story of Amine.
Commander of the faithful, said she, to avoid repeating what your
majesty has already heard by my sister’s story, I shall only add,
that after my mother had taken a house for herself to live in during
her widowhood, she gave me in marriage, with the portion my father
left me, to a gentleman that had one of the best estates in the city.
I had scarce been a year married, when I became a widow, and was
left in possession of all my husband’s estate, which amounted to
ninety thousand sequins. The interest of this money was sufficient
to maintain me very honourably. In the mean time, when my first six
months’ mourning was over, I caused to be made me ten suits of
clothes, very rich, so that each suit came to a thousand sequins;
and when the year was past, I began to wear them.
One day as I was busy alone about my domestic affairs, I was told
that a lady desired to speak to me. I ordered her to be brought in.
She was a person advanced in years: she saluted me by kissing the
ground, and told me, kneeling, dear lady, excuse the freedom I take
to trouble you; the confidence I have in your charity makes me thus
bold. I must acquaint your ladyship, that I have an orphan daughter,
who is to be married this day: she and I are both strangers, and
have no acquaintance in this town; which much perplexes me, for we
wish the numerous family with whom we are going to ally ourselves to
think we are not altogether strangers, and without credit;
therefore, most beautiful lady, if you would vouchsafe to honour the
wedding with your presence, we shall be infinitely obliged to you,
because the ladies of your country will then know that we are not
looked upon here as despicable wretches, when they shall come to
understand that a lady of your quality did us that honour. But alas,
madam, if you refuse this request, we shall be altogether disgraced,
and dare not address ourselves to any other.
This poor woman’s discourse, mixed with tears, moved my
compassion. Good woman, said I, do not afflict yourself; I am
willing to grant you the favour you desire; tell me what place I
must come to, and I will meet you as soon as I am dressed. The old
woman was so transported with joy at my answer, that she kissed my
feet without my being able to hinder it. Good charitable lady, said
she, rising up, God will reward the kindness you have showed to your
servants, and make your heart as joyful as you have made theirs. It
is too soon yet to give yourself that trouble: it will be time
enough when I come to call you in the evening. So farewell, madam,
said she, till I have the honour to see you again.
As soon as she was gone, I took the suit I liked best, with a
necklace of large pearl, bracelets, pendents in my ears, and rings
set with the finest and most sparkling diamonds; for my mind
presaged what would befal me.
When night drew on, the old woman came to call me, with a
countenance full of joy; she kissed my hands, and said, My dear
lady, the relations of my son-in-law, who are the principal ladies
of the town, are now met together; you may come when you please, I
am ready to wait on you. We went immediately, she going before, and
I followed her, with a good number of my maids and slaves, very well
dressed. We stopt in a wide street, newly swept and watered, at a
spacious gate with a lantern before it, by the light of which I
could read this inscription over the gate in golden letters: “Here
is the abode of everlasting pleasures and content.” The old woman
knocked, and the gate was opened immediately.
They brought me to the lower end of the court, into a large hall,
where I was received by a young lady of admirable beauty. She came
up to me, and after having embraced me, she made me sit down by her
upon a sofa, where there was a throne of precious wood, set with
diamonds. Madam, said she, you are brought hither to assist at a
wedding; but I hope this marriage will prove otherwise than what you
expected. I have a brother, one of the handsomest men in the world:
he is fallen so much in love with the fame of your beauty, that his
fate depends wholly upon you, and he will be the unhappiest of men
if you do not take pity on him. He knows your quality, and I can
assure you he is in nowise unworthy of your alliance. If my prayers,
madam, can prevail, I shall join them with his, and humbly beg you
will not refuse the offer of being his wife.
After the death of my husband, I had no thought of marrying again:
but I had no power to refuse the offer made by so charming a lady.
As soon as I had given consent by silence, accompanied with a blush,
the young lady clapt her hands; and immediately a closet door
opened, out of which came a young man of a majestic air, and so
graceful a behaviour, that I thought myself happy to have made so
great a conquest. He sat down by me, and by the discourse we had
together, I found that his merits far exceeded the account his
sister had given me of him. When she saw that we were satisfied with
one another, she clapt her hands a second time, and out came a cadi,
or scrivener, who wrote our contract of marriage, signed it himself,
and caused it to be attested by four witnesses he brought along with
him. The only thing that my new spouse made me promise, was, that I
should not be seen by nor speak with any other man but himself; and
he vowed to me, upon that condition, that I should have no reason to
complain of him. Our marriage was concluded and finished after this
manner; so I became the principal actress in a wedding whereunto I
was only invited as a guest.
After we had been married a month, I had occasion for some stuffs. I
asked my husband’s leave to go out and buy them, which he granted;
and I took that old woman along with me, of whom I spoke before, she
being one of the family, and two of my own female slaves.
When we came to the street where the merchants dwell, the old woman
told me, Dear mistress, since you want silk stuffs, I must carry you
to a young merchant of my acquaintance: he has of all sorts, and it
will prevent your wearying yourself by going from one shop to
another. I can assure you that he is able to furnish you with that
which nobody else can. I was easily persuaded, and we entered into a
shop belonging to a young merchant who was tolerably handsome. I sat
down, and bade the old woman desire him to show me the finest silk
stuffs he had. The woman bade me speak myself; but I told her it was
one of the articles of my marriage contract, not to speak to any man
but my husband, which I ought to keep.
The merchant shewed me several stuffs, of which one pleased me
better than the rest; but I bade her ask the price. He answered the
old woman, I will not sell it for gold or money, but I will make her
a present of it, if she will give me leave to kiss her cheek. I
ordered the old woman to tell him that he was very rude to propose
such a thing; but instead of obeying me, she said, What the merchant
desires of you is no such great matter; you need not speak, but only
present him your cheek, and the business will soon be done. The
stuff pleased me so much that I was foolish enough to take her
advice. The old woman and my slaves stood up, that nobody should
see, and I put up my veil; but instead of a kiss, the merchant bit
me till the blood came.
The pain and surprise were so great, that I fell down in a swoon,
and continued in it so long, that the merchant had time to shut his
shop, and fly for it. When I came to myself, I found my cheek all
bloody; the old woman and my slaves took care to cover it with my
veil, that the people who came about us could not perceive it, but
supposed it to be only a fainting fit.
Scheherazade, as she spoke these words, perceived day, and held her
peace. The sultan finding the story both extraordinary and pleasant,
rose up, with a design to hear the rest of it.