Sir, said she to the sultan of the Indies, Sindbad went on with his
seventh voyage thus:
The ships arrived at last, and my patron himself having made choice
of the ship wherein I was to embark, he loaded half of it with ivory
on my account, he laid in provisions in abundance for my passage,
and besides obliged me to accept a present of the curiosities of the
country of great value. After I had returned him a thousand thanks
for all his favours, I went aboard. We set sail, and as the
adventure which procured me this liberty was very extraordinary, I
had it continually in my thoughts.
We stopped at some islands to take in fresh provisions. Our vessel
being come to a port on the main land in the Indies, we touched
there, and not being willing to venture by sea to Balsora, I landed
my proportion of the ivory, resolving to proceed on my journey by
land. I made vast sums of my ivory, I bought several rarities, which
I intended for presents, and when my equipage was got ready, I set
out in company of a large caravan of merchants. I was a long time on
the way, and suffered very much; but endured all with patience, when
I considered that I had nothing to fear from the seas, from pirates,
from serpents, nor of the other perils I had undergone.
All these fatigues ended at last, and I came safe to Bagdad. I went
immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account of my
embassy. That prince told me he had been uneasy, by reason I was so
long in returning, but that he always hoped God would preserve me.
When I told him of the adventure of the elephants, he seemed to be
much surprised at it, and would never have given any credit to it
had he not known my sincerity. He reckoned this story, and the other
relations I had given him, to be so curious, that he ordered one of
his secretaries to write them in characters of gold, and lay them up
in his treasury. I retired very well satisfied with the honours I
received, and the presents which he gave me; and after that I gave
myself up wholly to my family, kindred, and friends.
Sindbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage,
and then, addressing himself to Hindbad, Well, friend, said he, did
you ever hear of any person that suffered so much as I have done, or
of any mortal that has gone through so many perplexities? Is it not
reasonable that, after all this, I should enjoy a quiet and pleasant
life? As he said this, Hindbad drew near to him, and kissing his
hand, said, I must acknowledge, sir, you have gone through terrible
dangers; my troubles are not comparable to yours: if they afflict me
for a time, I comfort myself with the thoughts of the profit I get
by them. You not only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy besides
of all the riches you enjoy, because you make such a good and
generous use of them. May you therefore continue to live in
happiness and joy, till the day of your death. Sindbad gave him a
hundred sequins more, received him into the number of his friends,
and desired him to quit his porter’s employment, and come and dine
every day with him, that he might all his days have reason to
remember Sindbad the sailor.
The three Apples.
The Caliph Haroun Alraschid one day commanded the grand vizier
Giafar, to come to his palace the night following. Vizier, said he,
I will take a walk around the town, to inform myself what people
say, and particularly how they are pleased with my officers of
justice. If there be any against whom they have reason of just
complaint, we will turn them out, and put others in their stead who
shall officiate better. If, on the contrary, there be any that have
gained their applause, we will have that esteem for them which they
deserve. The grand vizier being come to the palace at the hour
appointed, the caliph, he, and Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs,
disguised themselves so that they could not be known, and went out
all three together.
They passed through several places, and by several markets; and as
they entered a small street, they perceived, by the light of the
moon, a tall man, with a white beard, who carried nets on his head,
and a club in his hand. The old man, said the caliph, does not seem
to be rich; let us go to him, and inquire into his circumstances.
Honest man, said the vizier, who art thou? The old man replied, Sir,
I am a fisher, but one of the poorest and most miserable of the
trade; I went from my house about noon to go a fishing, and from
that time to this I have not been able to catch one fish; and at the
same time I have a wife and small children, and nothing to maintain
them.
The caliph, moved with compassion, said to the fisherman, Hast thou
the courage to go back and cast thy net once more? We will give thee
a hundred sequins for what thou shalt bring up. At this proposal,
the fisherman, forgetting all his day’s toil, took the caliph at
his word; and with him, Giafar and Mesrour, returned to the Tigris;
he saying to himself: These gentlemen seem to be too honest and
reasonable not to reward my pains; and if they give me the hundredth
part of what they promise me, it will be a great deal.
They came to the bank of the river, and the fisherman throwing in
his net, when he drew it again, brought up a trunk, close shut, and
very heavy. The caliph made the grand vizier pay him a hundred
sequins immediately, and sent him away. Mesrour, by his master’s
order, carried the trunk on his shoulder; and the caliph was so very
eager to know what was in it, that he returned to the palace with
all speed. When the trunk was opened, they found in it a large
basket made of palm leaves, shut up, and the covering of it sewed
with red thread. To satisfy the caliph’s impatience, they would
not take time to unrip it, but cut the thread with a knife, and they
took out of the basket a bundle wrapt up in a sorry piece of
hanging, and bound about with a rope, which being untied, and the
bundle opened, they found, to their great amazement, the corpse of a
young lady, whiter than snow, all cut in pieces.
The astonishment of the caliph at this dreadful spectacle may be
more easily imagined than expressed; his surprise was instantly
changed into passion, and darting an angry look at the vizier, Ah!
thou wretch, said he, is this your inspection into the actions of my
people? Do they commit such impious murders under thy ministry in my
capital city, and throw my subjects into the Tigris, that they may
cry for vengeance against me at the day of judgment? If thou dost
not speedily revenge the murder of this woman by the death of her
murderer, I swear by heaven, that I will cause thee to be hanged,
and forty more of thy kindred. Commander of the faithful, replied
the grand vizier, I beg your majesty to grant me time to make
inquiry. I will allow thee no more, said the caliph, than three
days; therefore, thou must look to it.
The vizier Giafar went home in great confusion of mind. Alas! said
he, how is it possible, that in such a vast and populous city as
Bagdad, I should be able to detect a murderer, who undoubtedly
committed the crime without witness, and perhaps may be already gone
from hence? Any other but I would take some wretched person out of
prison, and cause him to die, to satisfy the caliph; but I will not
burden my conscience with such a barbarous action; I will rather die
than save my life at that rate.
He ordered the officers of the police and justice to make strict
search for the criminal; they sent their servants about, and they
themselves were not idle, for they were no less concerned in this
matter than the vizier. But all their endeavours amounted to
nothing; what pains soever they took they could not find out the
murderer; so that the vizier concluded his life to be gone, unless
some remarkable providence hinder it.
The third day being come, an officer came to this unfortunate
minister with a summons to follow him, which the vizier obeyed. The
caliph asked him for the murderer. He answered, with tears in his
eyes, Commander of the faithful, I have not found any person that
could give me the least account of him. The caliph, full of fury and
rage, gave him many reproachful words, and ordered that he and forty
Bermecides [55] more should be hanged up at the gate of the palace.
In the mean while, the gibbets were preparing, and orders were sent
to seize forty Bermecides more in their houses; a public crier was
sent about the city to cry thus, by the caliph’s order:-- Those
who have a desire to see the grand vizier Giafar hanged, and forty
more Bermecides of his kindred, let them come to the square before
the palace.
When all things were ready, the criminal judge and a great many
officers belonging to the palace, brought out the grand vizier with
the forty Bermecides, and set each of them at the foot of the gibbet
designed for them, and a rope was put about each of their necks. The
multitude of people that filled the square, could not without grief
and tears behold this tragical sight; for the grand vizier and the
Bermecides were loved and honoured on account of their probity,
bounty, and impartiality, not only in Bagdad, but through all the
dominions of the caliph.
Nothing could prevent the execution of this prince’s too severe
and irrevocable sentence, and the lives of the most honest people in
the city were just going to be taken away, when a young man of
handsome mien and good apparel, pressed through the crowd till he
came where the grand vizier was, and after he had kissed his hand,
said, Most excellent vizier, chief of the emirs of this court, and
comforter of the poor, you are not guilty of the crime for which you
stand here. Withdraw, and let me expiate the death of the lady that
was thrown into the Tigris. It was I who murdered her, and I deserve
to be punished for it.
Though these words occasioned great joy to the vizier, yet he could
not but pity the young man, in whose look he saw something, that
instead of being ominous, was engaging; but as he was about to
answer him, a tall man, pretty well in years, who had likewise
forced his way through the crowd, came up to him, saying, Sir, do
not believe what this young man tells you; I killed that lady who
was found in the trunk, and this punishment ought only to fall upon
me. I conjure you in the name of God not to punish the innocent for
the guilty. Sir, said the young man to the vizier, I do protest that
I am he who committed this vile act, and nobody else had any hand in
it. --My son, said the old man, it is despair that brought you
hither, and you would anticipate your destiny. I have lived a long
time in the world, and it is time for me to be gone; let me,
therefore, sacrifice my life for yours. Sir, said he again to the
vizier, I tell you once more I am the murderer; let me die without
any more ado.
The controversy between the old man and the young one obliged the
grand vizier Giafar to carry them both before the caliph, which the
judge criminal consented to, being very glad to serve the vizier.
When he came before the prince, he kissed the ground seven times,
and spake after this manner: Commander of the faithful, I have
brought here before your majesty this old man and this young man,
who both confess themselves to be the sole murderers of the lady.
Then the caliph asked the criminals, which of them it was that so
cruelly murdered the lady, and threw her into the Tigris. The young
man assured him it was he, but the old man maintained the contrary.
Go, said the caliph to the grand vizier, and cause them both to be
hanged. But, sir, said the vizier, if only one of them be guilty, it
would be unjust to take the lives of both. At these words, the young
man spoke again --I swear by the great God, who has raised the
heaven so high, that I am the man who killed the lady, cut her in
quarters, and threw her into the Tigris about four days ago. I
renounce my part of happiness amongst the just at the day of
judgment, if what I say be not true; therefore I am he that ought to
suffer. The caliph being surprised at this oath, believed him,
especially since the old man made no answer to this. Whereupon,
turning to the young man, Thou wretch, said he, what was it that
made thee commit that detestable crime, and what is it that moves
thee to offer thyself voluntarily to die? Commander of the faithful,
said he, if all that has passed between that lady and me were set
down in writing, it would be a history that might be very useful for
other men. I command thee, then, to relate it, said the caliph. The
young man obeyed, and began. His history was thus:
The Story of the Lady that was murdered, and of the young Man, her
Husband.
Commander of the faithful, your majesty may be pleased to know, that
this murdered lady was my wife, the daughter of this old man you see
here, who is my own uncle by the father’s side. She was not above
twelve years old when he gave her to me, and it is now eleven years
ago. I have three children by her, all boys, yet alive; and I must
do her that justice to say, that she never gave me the least
occasion for offence. She was chaste, of good behaviour, and made it
her whole business to please me; and, for my part, I loved her
entirely, and rather prevented her in granting any thing she
desired, than opposed it.
About two months ago, she fell sick; I took all imaginable care of
her, and spared nothing that could procure her a speedy recovery.
After a month she began to grow better, and had a mind to go to the
bath. Before she went out of the house, Cousin, said she, (for so
she used to call me out of familiarity,) I long for some apples; if
you would get me any, you would please me extremely. I have longed
for them a great while; and I must own it is come to that height,
that if I be not satisfied very soon, I fear some misfortune will
befall me. With all my heart, said I, I will do all that is in my
power to make you easy.
I went immediately round all the markets and shops in the town to
seek for apples, but I could not get one, though I offered to pay a
sequin a-piece. I returned home very much dissatisfied at my
disappointment; and for my wife, when she returned from the bagnio,
and saw no apples, she became so very uneasy, that she could not
sleep all night I got up betimes in the morning, and went through
all the gardens, but had no better success than the day before; only
I happened to meet an old gardener, who told me that all my pains
would signify nothing, for I could not expect to find apples any
where but in your majesty’s garden at Balsora. As I loved my wife
passionately, and would not have any neglect to satisfy her
chargeable upon me, I dressed myself in a traveller’s habit, and
after I had told her my design, I went to Balsora, and made my
journey with so great diligence, that I returned at the end of
fifteen days, with three apples, which cost me a sequin a-piece;
there were no more left in the garden, so that the gardener would
not let me have them cheaper. As soon as I came home, I presented
them to my wife; but her longing was over, so she satisfied herself
with receiving them, and laid them down by her. In the mean time,
she continued sickly, and I knew not what remedy to get for her.
Some few days after I returned from my journey, I was sitting in my
shop in the public place where all sorts of fine stuffs are sold,
and saw an ugly, tall, black slave come in, with an apple in his
hand, which I knew to be one of those I had brought from Balsora. I
had no reason to doubt it, because I was certain there was not one
to be had in all Bagdad, nor in any of the gardens about it. I
called to him, and said, Good slave, prithee tell me where thou
hadst this apple? It is a present, said he, smiling, from my
mistress. I went to see her to-day, and found her out of order. I
saw three apples lying by her, and asked her where she had them. She
told me, the good man, her husband, had made a fortnight’s journey
on purpose for them, and brought them her. We had a collation
together, and when I took my leave of her, I brought away this apple
that you see.
This discourse put me out of my senses. I rose, shut up my shop, ran
home with all speed, and going to my wife’s chamber, looked
immediately for the apples; and seeing only a couple, asked what was
become of the third. Then my wife turning her head to the place
where the apples lay, and perceiving there were but two, answered me
coldly, Cousin, I know not what is become of it. At this answer, I
did verily believe what the slave told me to be true; and at the
same time, giving myself up to madness and jealousy, I drew my knife
from my girdle, and thrust it into the unfortunate creature’s
throat. I afterwards cut off her head, and divided her body into
four quarters, which I packed up in a bundle, and hiding it in a
basket, sewed it up with a thread of red yarn, put all together in a
trunk, and when night came, I carried it on my shoulder down to the
Tigris, where I sunk it.
The two youngest of my children were already put to bed and asleep,
the third was gone abroad; but at my return, I found him sitting by
my gate, weeping very sore. I asked him the reason: Father, said he,
I took this morning from my mother, without her knowledge, one of
those three apples you brought her, and I kept it a long while; but
as I was playing some time ago with my little brother, in the
street, a tall slave that went by, snatched it out of my hands, and
carried it with him. I ran after him, demanded it back, and besides,
told him, that it belonged to my mother, who was sick, and that you
had made a fortnight’s journey to fetch it; but all to no purpose
--he would not restore it. And as I still followed him, crying out,
he turned and beat me, and then ran away as fast as he could from
one lane to another, till at length I lost sight of him. I have
since been walking without the town expecting your return, to pray
you, dear father, not to tell my mother of it, lest it should make
her worse; and when he had said these words, he fell a weeping again
more bitterly than before.
My son’s discourse afflicted me beyond all measure. I then found
myself guilty of an enormous crime, and repented too late of having
so easily believed the calumnies of a wretched slave, who, from what
he had learnt of my son, invented that fatal lie.
My uncle here present, came just at the time to see his daughter;
but instead of finding her alive, understood from me that she was
dead, for I concealed nothing from him; and without staying for his
censure, declared myself the greatest criminal in the world.
Upon this, instead of reproaching me, he joined his tears with mine,
and we wept three days together, without intermission; he for the
loss of a daughter whom he always loved tenderly, and I for the loss
of a dear wife, of whom I had deprived myself after so cruel a
manner, by giving too easy credit to the report of a lying slave.
This, commander of the faithful, is the sincere confession your
majesty commanded from me. You have heard now all the circumstances
of my crime, and I most humbly beg of you to order the punishment
due for it; how severe soever it may be, I shall not in the least
complain, but esteem it too easy and gentle.
The caliph was very much astonished at the young man’s relation.
But this just prince, finding that he was rather to be pitied than
condemned, began to speak in his favour: This young man’s crime,
said he, is pardonable before God, and excusable with men. The
wicked slave is the sole cause of this murder --it is he alone that
must be punished; wherefore, said he, looking upon the grand vizier,
I give you three day’s time to find him out; if you do not bring
him within that space, you shall die in his stead. The unfortunate
Giafar, who thought himself now out of danger, was terribly
perplexed at this new order of the caliph; but as he durst not
return any answer to this prince, whose hasty temper he knew too
well, he departed from his presence, and retired to his house with
tears in his eyes, persuading himself he had but three days to live;
for he was so fully persuaded that he should not find the slave,
that he made not the least inquiry about him. Is it possible, said
he, that in such a city as Bagdad, where there is an infinite number
of negro slaves, I should be able to find him out that is guilty? So
that unless God be pleased to bring it about, as he hath already
detected the murderer, nothing can save my life.
He spent the two first days in mourning with his family, who sat
around him weeping and complaining of the caliph’s cruelty. The
third day being come, he prepared himself to die with courage, as an
honest minister, and one that had nothing to trouble his conscience;
he sent for notaries and witnesses, who signed the last will he made
in their presence. After which, he took leave of his wife and
children, and bid them the last farewell. All his family were
drowned in tears, so that there never was a more sorrowful
spectacle. At last, the messenger came from the caliph to tell him
that he was out of all patience, haring heard nothing from him, nor
concerning the negro slave which he had commanded him to search for;
I am therefore ordered, said he, to bring you before his throne. The
afflicted vizier made ready to follow the messenger; but as he was
going out, they brought him his youngest daughter, about five or six
years of age. The nurses that attended her, presented her to her
father to receive his last blessing.
As he had a particular love for that child, he prayed the messenger
to give him leave to stop for a moment; and taking his daughter in
his arms, he kissed her several times. As he kissed her, he
perceived she had somewhat in her bosom that looked bulky, and had a
sweet scent. My dear little one, said he, what hast thou in thy
bosom? My dear father, said she, it is an apple, upon which is
written the name of our lord and master, the caliph; our slave Rihan
[56] sold it me for two sequins.
At these words apple and slave, the grand vizier cried out with
surprise, intermixed with joy, and putting his hand into the
child’s bosom, pulled out the apple. He caused the slave, who was
not far off, to be brought immediately; and when he came, Rascal,
said he, where hadst thou this apple? My lord, said the slave, I
swear to you, that I neither stole it in your house, nor out of the
commander of the faithful’s garden, but the other day, as I was
going along a street where three or four small children were at
play, one of them having it in his hand, I snatched it from him, and
carried it away. The child ran after me, telling me it was none of
his own, but belonged to his mother, who was sick, and that his
father, to save her longing, had made a long journey, and brought
home three apples, whereof this was one, which he had taken from his
mother, without her knowledge. He said what he could to make me give
it him back, but I would not; and so I brought it home, and sold it
for two sequins to the little lady, your daughter; and this is the
whole truth of the matter.
Giafar could not enough admire, how the roguery of a slave had been
the cause of an innocent woman’s death, and almost of his own. He
carried the slave along with him; and when he came before the
caliph, he gave that prince an exact account of all that the slave
had told him, and the chance that had brought him to the discovery
of his crime.
Never was any surprise so great as that of the caliph, yet he could
not prevent himself from falling into excessive fits of laughter. At
last, he recovered himself, and with a serious mien, told the
vizier, that since his slave had been the occasion of a strange
accident, he deserved an exemplary punishment. Sir, I must own it,
said the vizier, but his guilt is not irremissible. I remember a
strange story of a vizier of Cairo, called Nourreddin Ali, [57] and
Bedreddin Hassan, [58] of Balsora; and since your majesty delights
to hear such things, I am ready to tell it, upon condition, that if
your majesty finds it more astonishing than that which gives me
occasion to tell it, you will be pleased to pardon my slave. I am
content, said the caliph; but you undertake a hard task, for I do
not believe you can save your slave, the story of the apples being
so very singular. Upon this, Giafar began his story thus:
The Story of Nourreddin Ali and Bedreddin Hassan.
Commander of the faithful, there was in former days a sultan of
Egypt, a strict observer of justice, gracious, merciful, and
liberal; and his valour made him terrible to his neighbours. He
loved the poor, and protected the learned, whom he advanced to the
highest dignities. This sultan had a vizier, who was prudent, wise,
sagacious, and well versed in other sciences. This minister had two
sons, very handsome men, and who, in every thing, followed his own
footsteps. The eldest was called Schemseddin [59] Mohammed, and the
younger Nourreddin Ali. The last especially was endowed with all the
good qualities that any man could possess.
The vizier, their father, being dead, the sultan sent for them; and
after he had caused them both to put on the usual robes of a vizier,
I am as sorry, said he, for the loss of your father as you
yourselves; and because I know you live together, and love one
another entirely, I will bestow his dignity upon you conjunctly. Go,
and imitate your father’s conduct.
The two new viziers humbly thanked the sultan, and went home to
their house, to make due preparation for their father’s interment.
They did not go abroad for a month, and then went to court, where
they appeared continually on council days. When the sultan went out
a hunting, one of the brothers went along with him, and this honour
they had by turns. One evening, as they were talking after supper,
the next day being the elder brother’s turn to go a hunting with
the sultan, he said to his younger brother, Since neither of us is
yet married, and we live so lovingly together, a thought is come
into my head: let us both marry in one day, and let us choose two
sisters out of some family that may suit our quality; --what do you
think of this fancy? I must tell you, brother, answered Nourreddin
Ali, that it is very suitable to our friendship --there cannot be a
better thought; for my part, I am ready to agree to any thing you
should think fit. But hold, this is not all, said Schemseddin
Mohammed; my fancy carries me farther: suppose both our wives should
conceive the first night of our marriage, and should happen to be
brought to bed on one day, yours of a son, and mine of a daughter
--we will give them to one another in marriage, when they come to
age. Nay, said Nourreddin Ali, aloud, I must acknowledge that this
prospect is admirable; such a marriage will perfect our union, and I
willingly consent to it. But then, brother, said he farther, if this
marriage should happen, would you expect that my son should settle a
jointure on your daughter? There is no difficulty in that, replied
the other; for I am persuaded, that besides the usual articles of
the marriage contract, you will not fail to promise, in his name, at
least three thousand sequins, three good manors, and three slaves.
No, said the younger, I will not consent to that: are we not
brethren, and equal in title and dignity? Do not you and I both know
what is just? The male being nobler than the female, it is your part
to give a large dowry with your daughter. By what I perceive, you
are a man that would have your business done at another man’s
charge.
Although Nourreddin Ali spoke these words in jest, his brother,
being of an ill-temper, was offended at it, and falling into a
passion, A mischief upon your son, said he, since you prefer him
before my daughter! I wonder you had so much confidence as to
believe him worthy of her; --you must needs have lost your judgment
to think you are my equal, and say we are colleagues. --I would have
you to know, you fool, that since you are so impudent, I would not
marry my daughter to your son, though you would give him more than
you are worth. This pleasant quarrel between two brothers about the
marriage of their children before they were born, went so far, that
Schemseddin Mohammed concluded with threatening: Were I not
to-morrow, said he, to attend the sultan, I would treat you
according as you deserve; but at my return, I shall make you
sensible that it does not become a younger brother to speak so
insolently to his elder brother, as you have done to me. Upon this,
he retired to his apartment, and his brother went to bed.
Schemseddin Mohammed rose very early next morning, and goes to the
palace to attend the sultan, who went to hunt about Cairo, near the
pyramids. As for Nourreddin Ali, he was very uneasy all the night;
and, considering that it would not be possible for him to live
longer with a brother, who treated him with so much haughtiness, he
provided a good mule, furnished himself with money, jewels,
provisions and victuals, and having told his people that he was
going on a private journey for two or three days, he departed.
When he was out of Cairo, he rode by the desert towards Arabia; but
his mule happening to tire by the way, he was forced to continue his
journey on foot. A courier that was going to Balsora, by good
fortune, overtaking him, took him up behind him. As soon as the
courier came to Balsora, Nourreddin Ali alighted, and returned him
thanks for his kindness. As he went about to seek for a lodging, he
saw a person of quality, with a great retinue, coming along, to whom
all the people showed the greatest respect, and stood still till he
passed by; Nourreddin Ali stopt among the rest. This was the grand
vizier to the sultan of Balsora, who walked through the city to see
that the inhabitants kept good order and discipline.
This minister casting his eyes by chance on Nourreddin Ali, found
something extraordinary in his aspect, looked very attentively upon
him, and as he came near him, and saw him in a traveller’s habit,
he stood still, asked him who he was, and from whence he came. Sir,
said Nourreddin Ali, I am an Egyptian, born at Cairo, and have left
my country because of the unkindness of a near relation, and am
resolved to travel through the world, and rather to die than to
return home again. The grand vizier, who was a reverend old
gentleman, after hearing these words, said to him, Son, beware; do
not pursue your design; there is nothing but misery in the world;
you are not sensible of the hardships you must endure: come, follow
me; I may perhaps make you forget the thing that has forced you to
leave your own country.
Nourreddin Ali followed the grand vizier who soon perceived his good
qualities, and fell so much in love with him, that one day he said
to him in private, My son, I am, as you see, so far gone in years,
that there is no likelihood I shall live much longer. Heaven has
bestowed only one daughter upon me, who is as beautiful as you are
handsome, and now fit for marriage. Several people of the greatest
quality at this court have desired her for their sons, but I could
not grant their request. I have a love for you, and think you so
worthy to be received into my family, that, preferring you before
all those that have sought her, I am ready to accept you for my
son-in-law. If you like the proposal, I will acquaint the sultan my
master that I have adopted you by this marriage, and I will pray him
to grant you the reversion of my dignity of grand vizier in the
kingdom of Balsora. In the mean time nothing being more requisite
for me than ease in my old age, I will not only put you in
possession of my estate, but leave the administration of public
affairs to your management.
When the grand vizier had made an end of this kind and generous
proposal, Nourreddin Ali fell at his feet, and expressing himself in
terms that demonstrated his joy and gratitude, told the vizier that
he was at his command in every thing. Upon this the vizier sent for
his chief domestics, ordered them to furnish the great hall of his
palace, and prepare a great feast: he afterwards sent to invite the
nobility of the court and city to honour him with their company; and
when they were all met, (Nourreddin Ali having now told him who he
was,) he said to those lords, for he thought it proper to speak thus
on purpose to satisfy such of them to whom he had refused his
alliance, --I am now, my lords, to discover a thing to you which
hitherto I have kept secret. I have a brother, who is grand vizier
to the sultan of Egypt, as I am to the sultan of this kingdom. This
brother has but one son, whom he would not marry in the court of
Egypt, but sent him hither to marry my daughter, that both our
branches may be re-united. His son, whom I knew to be my nephew as
soon as I saw him, is the young gentleman I here present to you, and
is to be my son-in-law. I hope you will do me the honour to be
present at this wedding, which I am resolved to celebrate this day.
The noblemen, who could not take it ill that he preferred his nephew
before all the great matches that had been proposed to him, said
that he had very good reason for what he did, were willing to be
witnesses to the ceremony, and wished that God might prolong his
days to enjoy the satisfaction of the happy match.
The lords met at the vizier of Balsora’s house, having testified
their satisfaction at the marriage of his daughter with Nourreddin
Ali, sat down to dinner, which lasted a long while; and the latter
course was sweetmeats, of which every one, according to custom, took
what they thought fit. The notaries came in with the marriage
contract, the chief lords signed it, and when the company departed,
the grand vizier ordered his servants to prepare a bath, and had
every thing in readiness for Nourreddin Ali to bathe. He had fine
new linen, and every thing else provided for him in the most curious
manner. When he had washed and dried himself, he was going to put on
his former apparel, but had an extraordinary rich suit brought him.
Being dressed and perfumed with the most odoriferous essences, he
went to see the grand vizier, his father-in-law, who was exceedingly
well pleased with his genteel mien; and having made him sit down, My
son, said he, you have declared unto me who you are, and the quality
you had at the court of Egypt. You have also told me of a difference
betwixt you and your brother, which occasioned you to leave your
country. I desire you to make me your entire confidant, and to
acquaint me with the cause of your quarrel; for now you have no
reason either to doubt me, or to conceal any thing from me.
Nourreddin Ali gave him an account of every circumstance of the
quarrel; at which the vizier burst out into a fit of laughter, and
said, This is one of the oddest things that I ever have heard: is it
possible, my son, that your quarrel should rise so high about an
imaginary marriage? I am sorry you fell out with your elder brother
upon such a frivolous matter; but I find he is in the wrong to be
angry at what you only spoke in jest, and I ought to thank Heaven
for that difference which has procured me such a son-in-law. But,
said the old gentleman, it is late, and time for you to retire; go
to your bride, my son, she expects you; to-morrow I will present you
to the sultan, and hope he will receive you in such a manner as
shall satisfy us both.
Nourreddin Ali took leave of his father-in-law, and went to his
spouse’s apartment. It is remarkable, continued Giafar, that
Schemseddin Mohammed happened also to marry at Cairo the very same
day that this marriage was solemnized at Balsora, the particulars of
which are as fellow:
After Nourreddin Ali left Cairo, with an intention never to return,
Schemseddin Mohammed, his elder brother, who was gone a hunting with
the sultan of Egypt, did not come back in a month; for the sultan
loved that game extremely, and therefore continued the sport all
that while. Schemseddin at his return ran to Nourreddin Ali’s
apartment, but was much surprised when he understood, that under
pretence of taking a journey of two or three days, he went away on a
mule the same day that the sultan went a hunting, and had never
appeared since. It vexed him so much the more, because he did not
doubt but the hard words he had given him were the cause of his
going away. He sent a messenger in search of him, who went to
Damascus, and as far as Aleppo, but Nourreddin was then at Balsora.
When the courier returned, and brought word that he heard no news of
him, Schemseddin Mohammed intended to make further inquiry after him
in other parts, and in the mean time had a fancy to marry, and
matched with the daughter of one of the greatest lords in Cairo,
upon the same day his brother married the daughter of the grand
vizier of Balsora.
But this is not all, said Giafar: at the end of nine months
Schemseddin Mohammed’s wife was brought to bed of a daughter at
Cairo, and on the same day Nourreddin’s wife brought forth a son
at Balsora, who was called Bedreddin Hassan.
The grand vizier of Balsora testified his joy by great gifts and
public entertainments for the birth of his grandson: and to show his
son-in-law the great esteem he had for him, he went to the palace,
and most humbly besought the sultan to grant Nourreddin Ali his
office, that he might have the comfort before his death to see his
son-in-law made grand vizier in his stead.
The sultan, who had taken a great liking to Nourreddin, when his
father presented him after his marriage, and had ever since heard
every body speak well of him, readily granted his father-in-law’s
request, and caused Nourreddin immediately to put on the robe of
grand vizier.
The next day, when the father saw his son-in-law preside in council,
as he himself had done, and perform all the offices of grand vizier,
his joy was complete. Nourreddin Ali behaved himself so well in
every thing, that one would have thought he had been all his
lifetime employed in such affairs. He continued afterwards to assist
in council every time when the infirmities of age would not permit
his father-in-law to appear.
The old gentleman died about four years after, with great
satisfaction to see a branch of his family that promised so fair to
support the grandeur of it.
Nourreddin Ali performed his last duty to him with all possible love
and gratitude. And as soon as his son Bedreddin Hassan had attained
to the age of seven years, he provided him a most excellent tutor,
who taught him such things as became his birth. The child had a
ready wit, and a genius capable of receiving all the good
instructions that could be given.
After Bedreddin Hassan had been two years under the tuition of his
master, who taught him perfectly to read, he learnt the Koran by
heart. His father, Nourreddin Ali, put him afterwards to other
tutors, by whom his mind was cultivated to such a degree, that when
he was twelve years of age he had no more occasion for them; and
then, as his physiognomy promised wonders, he was admired by all
that looked upon him.
Hitherto, Nourreddin Ali had kept him to his study, and had not yet
brought him in public; but now he carried him to the palace, on
purpose to have the honour of kissing the sultan’s hand, who
received him very graciously. The people that saw him in the streets
were charmed with his gentle mien, and gave him a thousand blessings.
His father proposing to make him capable of supplying his place,
spared no cost for that end, and brought him up to business of the
greatest moment, on purpose to qualify him betimes. In short, he
omitted nothing to advance a son he loved so well. But as he began
to enjoy the fruits of his labour, he was all of a sudden taken with
a violent fit of sickness; and finding himself past recovery,
disposed himself to die a good mussulman.
In that last and precious moment he forgot not his son Bedreddin,
but called for him, and said, My son, you see this world is
transitory; there is nothing durable but in that which I shall
speedily go to. You must therefore from henceforth begin to fit
yourself for this charge, as I have done; you must prepare for it
without murmuring, and so as to have no trouble of conscience for
not acting the part of a real honest man. As for your religion, you
are sufficiently instructed in it by what you have learnt from your
tutors and your own study; and as to what belongs to an honest man,
I shall give you some instructions, which I hope you will make good
use of. As it is a necessary thing to know one’s self, and that
you cannot come to that knowledge without you first understand who I
am, I shall now tell it you.
I am, said he, a native of Egypt; my father, your grandfather, was
first minister to the sultan of that kingdom. I myself had the
honour to be vizier to that same sultan, and so has my brother, your
uncle, who I suppose is yet alive; his name is Schemseddin Mohammed.
I was obliged to leave him, and come into this country, where I have
raised myself to the high dignity I now enjoy. But you will
understand all these matters more fully by a manuscript that I shall
give you.
At the same time Nourreddin Ali pulled out his pocket-book, which he
had written with his own hand, and carried always about him, and
giving it to Bedreddin Hassan, Take it, said he, and read it at your
leisure; you will find, among other things, the day of my marriage,
and that of your birth; these are such circumstances as perhaps you
may hereafter have occasion to know, therefore you must keep it very
carefully.
Bedreddin Hassan being most afflicted to see his father in that
condition, and sensibly touched with this discourse, could not but
weep when he received the pocket-book, and promised at the same time
never to part with it.
That very moment Nourreddin Ali fainted, so that it was thought he
would have expired; but he came to himself again, and uttered these
words:
My son, said he, the first instruction I give you is, not to make
yourself familiar with all sorts of people. The way to live happy is
to keep your mind to yourself, and not to tell your thoughts easily.
Secondly, Not to do violence to any body whatever; for in that case
you will draw every body’s hatred upon you. You ought to consider
the world as a creditor, to whom you owe moderation, compassion, and
forbearance.
Thirdly, Not to say a word when you are reproached: for, as the
proverb says, He that keeps silence is out of danger. And in this
case particularly you ought to practise it. You also know what one
of our poets says upon this subject, That silence is the ornament
and safeguard of life; That our speech ought not to be like a storm
of rain that spoils all. Never did any man yet repent of having
spoken too little, whereas many have been sorry that they spoke so
much.
Fourthly, To drink no wine, for that is the source of all vices.
Fifthly, To be frugal in your way of living: if you do not squander
your estate away, it will maintain you in time of necessity. I do
not mean you should be either too liberal or too niggardly; for
though you have never so little, if you husband it well, and lay it
out on proper occasions, you shall have many friends; but if, on the
contrary, you have great riches, and make but a bad use of them, all
the world will forsake you, and leave you to yourself.
In short, Nourreddin Ali continued till the last moment of his
breath to give good advice to his son; and when he was dead, he was
magnificently interred with all the honours due to his quality.
Bedreddin Hassan, of Balsora, for so he was called, because born in
that town, was so overwhelmed with grief for the death of his
father, that instead of a month’s time to mourn, according to
custom, he kept himself close shut up in tears and solitude about
two months, without seeing any body, or so much as going abroad to
pay his duty to the sultan of Balsora; who, being displeased at his
neglect, looked upon it as a slight put on his court and person,
suffered his passion to prevail, and in his fury, called for the new
grand vizier, (for he had created a new one as soon as Nourreddin
Ali died,) commanded him to go to the house of the deceased, and
seize upon it, with all his other houses, lands, and effects,
without leaving any thing for Bedreddin Hassan, and to bring him
prisoner along with him.
The new grand vizier, accompanied with a great many messengers
belonging to the palace, justices, and other officers, went
immediately to execute his commission. But one of Bedreddin
Hassan’s slaves happening accidentally to come into the crowd, no
sooner understood the vizier’s errand, but he ran before in all
haste to give his master warning. He found him sitting in the porch
of his house, as melancholy as if his father had been but newly
dead. He fell down at his feet out of breath, and after he had
kissed the hem of his garment, cried out, My lord, save yourself
immediately. Bedreddin Hassan, lifting up his head, What is the
matter? what news dost thou bring? --My lord, said he, there is no
time to be lost; the sultan is horribly incensed against you, and he
has sent people to take all you have, and also to seize your person.
The words of this faithful and affectionate slave put Bedreddin
Hassan into great confusion. May not I have so much time, said he,
as to take some money and jewels along with me? --No, sir, replied
the slave; the grand vizier will be here this moment: begone
immediately; save yourself. Bedreddin Hassan rose up from his sofa
in all haste, put his feet in his sandals, and after he had covered
his head with the tail of his gown, that his face might not be
known, he fled, without knowing what way to go, to avoid the
impending danger.
The first thought that came into his head was to get out of the next
gate with all speed. He ran without stopping till he came to the
public burying-ground, and since it was growing dark, he resolved to
pass that night on his father’s tomb. It was a large edifice, in
form of a dome, which Noureddin Ali built when he was alive.
Bedreddin met a very rich Jew by the way, who was a banker and
merchant, and was returning from a place where his affairs had
called him to the city.
Isaac, the Jew, after he had paid his respects to Bedreddin Hassan,
by kissing his hand, said, My lord, dare I be so bold as to ask
whither you are going at this time of night all alone, and so much
troubled? Has any thing disquieted you? --Yes, said Bedreddin; a
while ago I was asleep, and my father appeared to me in a dream,
looking very fiercely upon me, as if he were extraordinarily angry.
I started out of my sleep very much frightened, and came out
immediately to go and pray upon his tomb.
My lord, said the Jew (who did not know the true reason why
Bedreddin left the town,) your father of happy memory, and my good
lord, had store of merchandize in several vessels, which are yet at
sea, and belong to you; I beg the favour of you to grant me the
first refusal of them before any other merchant I am able to pay
down ready money for all the goods that are in your ships: and to
begin, if you will give me those that happen to come in the first
ship that arrives in safety, I will pay you down in part of payment
a thousand sequins. And drawing out a bag from under his gown, he
showed it him, sealed up with one seal.
Bedreddin Hassan being banished from home, and dispossessed of all
that he had in the world, looked upon this proposal of the Jew as a
favour from heaven, and therefore accepted it with a great deal of
joy. My lord, said the Jew, then you sell unto me, for a thousand
sequins, the lading of the first of your ships that shall arrive in
port. --Yes, answered Bedreddin, I sell it you for a thousand
sequins; it is done. Upon this the Jew delivered him the bag of a
thousand sequins, and offered to count them, but Bedreddin Hassan
saved him the trouble, and said he would trust his word. Since it is
so, my lord, said he, be pleased to favour me with a small note in
writing of the bargain we have made. And having said this, he pulled
the inkhorn from his girdle, and taking a small reed out of it
neatly cut for writing, he presented it to him, with a piece of
paper he took out of his letter-case; and whilst he held the
inkhorn, Bedreddin Hassan wrote these words:
“This writing is to testify, that Bedreddin Hassan of Balsora has
sold to Isaac the Jew, for the sum of one thousand sequins, received
in hand, the lading of the first of his ships that shall arrive in
this port.
“Bedreddin Hassan of Balsora.”
This note he delivered to the Jew, who put it in his letter-case,
and then took his leave of him.
While Isaac pursued his journey to the city, Bedreddin Hassan made
the best of his way to his father Nourreddin Ali’s tomb. When he
came to it, he bowed his face to the ground, and, with his eyes full
of tears, deplored his miserable condition. Alas! said he,
unfortunate Bedreddin, what will become of thee? Whither canst thou
fly for refuge against the unjust prince that persecutes thee? Was
it not enough to be afflicted for the death of so dear a father?
Must fortune needs add new misfortunes to just complaints? He
continued a long time in this posture, but at last rose up again,
and leaning his head upon his father’s sepulchre, his sorrows
returned more violently than before; so that he sighed and mourned,
till, overcome with heaviness, he stretched himself all along upon
the floor, and fell asleep.
He had not slept long, when a genie, who had retired to that
cemetery during the day, and was intending, according to his custom,
to range about the world at night, espying this young man in
Nourreddin Ali’s tomb, he entered, and finding Bedreddin lying on
his back, was surprised at his beauty. When the genie had
attentively considered Bedreddin Hassan, he said to himself, To
judge of this creature by his good mien, he would seem to be an
angel of the terrestrial paradise, whom God has sent to put the
world in a flame with his beauty. At last after he had satisfied
himself with looking upon him, he took a flight into the air, where
meeting by chance with a fairy, they saluted one another; after
which, he said to her, Pray descend with me into the cemetery, where
I stay, and I will show you a prodigious beauty, which is worthy
your admiration as well as mine. The fairy consented, and both
descended; in an instant they came into the tomb. Look ye, said the
genie to the fairy, showing her Bedreddin Hassan, did you ever see a
young man of a better shape, and more beautiful than this?
The fairy having attentively observed Bedreddin, returned to the
genie: I must confess, said she, that he is a very handsome man; but
I just now came from seeing an object at Cairo, more admirable than
this, and if you will hear me, I will tell you a strange story
concerning her. You will very much oblige me in so doing, answered
the genie. You must know then, said the fairy, (for I will tell it
you at length), that the sultan of Egypt has a vizier called
Schemseddin Mohammed, who has a daughter of about twenty years of
age, the most beautiful and complete person that ever was known. The
sultan having heard of this young lady’s beauty, sent the other
day for her father, and told him, I understand you have a daughter
to marry; I have a mind to marry her: will not you consent to it?
The vizier, who did not expect this proposal, was troubled at it;
and instead of accepting it joyfully, which another in his place
would certainly have done, he answered the sultan, May it please
your majesty, I am not worthy of the honour you confer upon me, and
I most humbly beseech you to pardon me, if I do not agree to your
request. You know I had a brother called Nourreddin Ali, who had the
honour, as well as myself, to be one of your viziers: we had some
difference together, which was the cause of his leaving me on a
sudden, and since that time I have had no account of him till within
these four days, that I heard he died at Balsora, being grand vizier
to the sultan of that kingdom.
He has left a son behind him, and there having been an agreement
between us to match our children together, if ever we had any, I am
persuaded he intended that match when he died, and being desirous to
fulfil the promise on my part, I conjure your majesty to grant me
leave. You have in your court many other lords who have daughters as
well as I, on whom you may please to bestow that honour.
The sultan of Egypt, provoked at this bold denial of Schemseddin
Mohammed, said to him in a passion, which he could not restrain, Is
this the way you requite my proposal to stoop so low as to desire
your alliance? I know how to revenge your daring to prefer another
to me, and I swear that your daughter shall be married to the most
contemptible and ugly of all my slaves; and having spoken those
words, he angrily bid the vizier begone, who went home to his house
full of confusion, and extraordinarily sad.
This very day, the sultan sent for one of his grooms who is
hump-backed, big-bellied, crook-legged, and as ugly as a hobgoblin;
and after having commanded Schemseddin Mohammed to consent to marry
his daughter to this ghastly slave, he caused the contract to be
made and signed by witnesses in his own presence. The preparations
for this fantastical wedding are all ready, and this very moment all
the slaves belonging to the lords of the court of Egypt are waiting
at the door of a bath, each with a flambeau in his hand, for the
crook-backed groom, who is bathing himself, to go along with them to
his bride, who is already dressed to receive him; and when I
departed from Cairo, the ladies met for that purpose were going to
conduct her in her nuptial attire to the hall, where she is to
receive her hump-backed bridegroom, and is this minute now expecting
him. I have seen her, and do assure you, that no person can look
upon her without admiration.
When the fairy left off speaking, the genie said to her, Whatever
you think or say, I cannot be persuaded that the girl’s beauty
exceeds that of this young man. I will not dispute it with you,
answered the fairy; for I must confess he deserves to be married to
that charming creature which they design for hump-back. And I think
it were a deed worthy of us to obstruct the sultan of Egypt’s
injustice, and to put this young gentleman in the room of the slave.
--You are in the right, answered the genie; I am extremely obliged
to you for so good a thought, let us deceive him. I consent to your
revenge upon the sultan of Egypt; let us comfort a distressed
father, and make his daughter as happy as she thinks herself
miserable. I will no my utmost endeavour to make this project
succeed, and I am persuaded you will not be backward. I will be at
the pains to carry him to Cairo before he awake, and afterwards
leave it to your care to carry him elsewhere, when we have
accomplished our design.
The fairy and the genie having thus concerted what they had to do,
the genie lifted up Bedreddin Hassan gently, and with an
inconceivable swiftness carried him through the air, and set him
down at the door of a public house, next to the bath, whence
hump-back was to come with the train of slaves that waited for him.
Bedreddin Hassan awaked that very moment, and was mightily surprised
to find himself in the middle of a city he knew not. He was going to
cry out, and to ask where he was; but the genie touched him gently
on the shoulder, and forbid him to speak a word. Then he put a torch
in his hand, and bid him go and mix with the crowd at the door of
the bath --follow them till you come into a hall, where they are
going to celebrate a marriage. The bridegroom is a hump-backed
fellow, and by that you will easily know him. Put yourself at the
right hand as you go in, and then immediately open the purse of
sequins you have in your bosom, and distribute them among the
musicians and dancers as they go along; and when you are got into
the hall, give money also to the female slaves you see about the
bride, when they come near you; but every time you put your hand in
your purse, be sure to take out a whole handful, and do not spare
them. Observe to do every thing exactly as I have told you, with
great presence of mind; be not afraid of any person or thing, and
leave the rest to a superior power, who will order matters as he
thinks fit.
Young Bedreddin being well instructed in all that he was to do,
advanced towards the door of the bath; the first thing he did was to
light his torch as that of a slave; and then mixing among them as if
he belonged to some nobleman of Cairo, he marched along as they did,
and followed hump-back, who came out of the bath, and mounted a
horse out of the sultan’s own stable.
Bedreddin Hassan coming near to the musicians, and men and women
dancers, who went just before the bridegroom, pulled out time after
time whole handfuls of sequins, which he distributed among them; and
as he thus gave his money with an unparalleled grace and engaging
mien, all who received it cast their eyes upon him; and after they
had a full view of his face, they found him so handsome and comely,
that they could not look off again.
At last they came to Schemseddin Mohammed’s gate, who was
Bedreddin Hassan’s uncle, and little thought his nephew was so
near. The doorkeepers, to prevent any disorder, kept back all the
slaves that carried torches, and would not let them come in.
Bedreddin was likewise refused; but the musicians, who had free
entrance, stood still, and protested they would not go in, if they
hindered him from going along with them. He is not one of the
slaves, said they: look upon him, and you will soon be satisfied as
to that. He is certainly a young stranger who is curious to see the
ceremonies observed at weddings in this city; and saying thus, they
put him in the midst of them, and carried him in, whether the
porters would or no; they took his torch out of his hand, and gave
it to the first they met: having brought him into the hall, they
placed him at the right hand of the hump-backed bridegroom, who sat
near the vizier’s daughter on a throne most richly adorned.
She appeared very lovely in all her dresses, but in her face there
was nothing to be seen but vexation and mortal grief. The cause of
this was easy to be guessed at, when she had by her side a
bridegroom so very deformed; and so unworthy of her love. The throne
of that ill matched couple was in the midst of a sofa. The ladies of
the emirs, viziers, and those of the sultan’s bedchamber, and
several other ladies of the court and city, were placed on each
side, a little lower, every one according to their quality, and all
of them so finely and richly dressed, that it was one of the
pleasantest sights that could be seen, each of them holding a large
wax taper in their hand.
When they saw Bedreddin Hassan come into the room, they all fixed
their eyes upon him, and admiring his shape, his behaviour, and the
beauty of his face, they could not forbear looking upon him. When he
was set down, every one left their seats and came near to him to
have a full view of his face, and almost all of them, as they turned
to their seats, found themselves moved with tender passion.
The disparity between Bedreddin Hassan and the hump-backed groom,
who made such a horrible figure, occasioned a great murmuring among
the company, insomuch that the ladies cried out, We must give our
bride to this handsome young gentleman, and not to this ugly
hump-back. Nor did they rest here, but uttered imprecations against
the sultan, who, abusing his absolute power, would unite ugliness
and beauty together. They did also upbraid the bridegroom, so as
they put him quite out of countenance, to the great satisfaction of
the spectators, whose shouts for some time put a stop to the concert
of music in the hall. At last, the musicians began again, and the
women who had dressed the bride came all about her.
At the sound of the instruments, the bride changed her dress seven
different times, and each time that she did so, she rose up from her
seat, followed by her bride-woman, and passed by hump-back, without
giving him one look, and went towards Bedreddin Hassan, before whom
she presented herself in her new attire. On this occasion,
Bedreddin, according to the instructions given him by the genie,
failed not to put his hands in his purse, and pulled out handfuls of
sequins, which he distributed among the women that followed the
bride. Nor did he forget the players and dancers, but also threw
money to them. It was pleasant to see how they pushed one another to
gather it up. They showed themselves very thankful, and made him
signs that the young bride should be for him, and not for the
hump-back fellow. The women that attended her, told her the same
thing, and did not value whether the groom heard them or not; for
they put a thousand tricks upon him, which very much pleased the
spectators.
When the ceremony of changing habits was passed, the music ceased
and went away, but made a sign to Bedreddin Hassan to stay behind.
The ladies did the same, and went all home, but those that belonged
to the house. The bride went into a closet, whither her woman
followed to undress her, and none remained in the hall but the
hump-back groom, Bedreddin Hassan, and some of the domestics.
Hump-back, who was furiously mad at Bedreddin, suspecting him to be
his rival, gave him a cross look, and said, And thou, what dost thou
wait for? Why art thou not gone as well as the rest? Begone.
Bedreddin having no pretence to stay, withdrew, not knowing what to
do with himself. But he was not gone out of the porch, when the
genie and the fairy met and stopped him. Whither are you going? said
the fairy; stay, for hump-back is not in the hall, he is gone out
about some business; you have nothing to do but return, and
introduce yourself into the bride’s chamber. As soon as you are
alone with her, tell her boldly that you are her husband, that the
sultan’s intention was only to make sport with the groom; and to
make this pretended bridegroom some amends, you had caused to be
prepared for him in the stable, a good dish of cream. And then tell
her all the fine things you can think on to persuade her; for being
so handsome as you are, little persuasion will do; she will think
herself happy in being deceived so agreeably. In the mean time, we
will take care that the hump-back shall not return, and let nothing
hinder you from passing the night with your bride, for she is yours,
and none of his.
While the fairy thus encouraged Bedreddin, and instructed him how he
should behave himself, hump-back was really gone out of the room:
for the genie went to him in the shape of a great cat mewing at a
most fearful rate. The fellow called to the cat, he clapped his
hands to make her flee; but instead of that the cat stood upon her
hinder feet, staring with her eyes like fire, looking fiercely at
him, mewing louder than she did at first, and growing bigger till
she was as large as an ass. At this sight, hump-back would have
cried out for help, but his fear was so great, that he stood gaping,
and could not utter one word; and that he might have no time to
recover, the genie changed himself immediately into a large buffalo,
and in this shape, called to him with a voice that redoubled his
fear, Thou hump-backed villain! At these words, the affrighted groom
cast himself upon the ground, and covering his face with his gown,
that he might not see this dreadful beast, Sovereign prince of
buffaloes, said he, what is it you want of me? --Wo be to thee,
replied the genie; hast thou the boldness to venture to marry my
mistress? O my lord, said hump-back, I pray you to pardon me; if I
am guilty, it is through ignorance; I did not know that this lady
had a buffalo to her sweetheart; command me in any thing you please,
I give you my oath that I am ready to obey you. --By death, replied
the genie, if thou goest out from hence, or speakest a word till the
sun rises, I will crush thy head to pieces; but then I give thee
leave to go from hence: I warn thee to make despatch, and not to
look back, but if thou hast the imprudence to return, it shall cost
thee thy life. When the genie had done speaking, he transformed
himself into the shape of a man, took hump-back by the legs, and
after having set him against the wall, with his head downwards, if
thou stir, said he, before the sun rise, as I have told thee
already, I will take thee by the heels again, and dash thy head in a
thousand pieces against the wall.
To return to Bedreddin Hassan, who being prompted by the genie and
the presence of the fairy, got into the hall again, from whence he
slipt into the bride-chamber, where he sat down, expecting the
success of his adventure. After a while, the bride arrived,
conducted by an old matron, who came no farther than the door,
exhorting the bridegroom to do his duty like a man, without looking
in to see if it was hump-back or another, and then locked the door,
and retired.
The young bride was mightily surprised, instead of hump-back, to
find Bedreddin Hassan, who came up to her with the best grace in the
world. What! my dear friend, said she, by your being here at this
time of night, you must be my husband’s comrade? --No, madam, said
Bedreddin, I am of another sort of quality than that ugly hump-back.
But, said she, you do not consider that you speak degradingly of my
husband. --He your husband, madam! replied he; can you retain those
thoughts so long? Be convinced of your mistake, madam, for so much
beauty must never be sacrificed to the most contemptible of all
mankind. It is I, madam, that am the happy mortal for whom it is
reserved. The sultan had a mind to make himself merry by putting
this trick upon the vizier your father, but he chose me to be your
real husband. You might have observed how the ladies, the musicians,
the dancers, your women, and all the servants of your family, were
pleased with this comedy. We have sent that hump-backed fellow to
his stable again, where he is just now eating a dish of cream; and
you may rest assured that he will never appear any more before your
eyes.
At this discourse, the vizier’s daughter, who was more like one
dead than alive when she came into the bride-chamber, put on a gay
air, which made her so handsome that Bedreddin was perfectly charmed
with her.
I did not expect, said she, to meet with so pleasing a surprise; and
I had condemned myself to live unhappily all my days. But my good
fortune is so much the greater that I possess in you a man that is
worthy of my tenderest affection.
Having spoken thus, she undressed herself and stept into bed.
Bedreddin Hassan, overjoyed to see himself possessor of so many
charms, made haste to follow her, and laid his clothes upon a chair,
with the bag that he got from the Jew; which, notwithstanding all
the money he had pulled out, was still full. He likewise laid off
his turban, and put on a night-cap that had been ordained for
hump-back, and so went to bed in his shirt and drawers. [60] His
drawers were of blue satin, tied with a lace of gold.
Whilst the two lovers were asleep, the genie, who had met again with
the fairy, told her that it was high time to finish what was begun,
and so successfully carried on hitherto: then let us not be
overtaken by daylight, which will soon appear; go you and bring off
the young man again without awaking him.
The fairy went into the bed-chamber where the two lovers were fast
asleep, and took up Bedreddin Hassan just as he was, that is to say,
in his shirt and drawers; and in company with the genie, with a
wonderful swiftness flew away with him to the gates of Damascus, in
Syria, where they arrived just at the time when the officers of the
mosques, appointed for that end, were calling the people to come to
prayers at break of day. The fairy laid Bedreddin Hassan softly on
the ground, and leaving him close by the gate, departed with the
genie.
The gate of the city being opened, and a great many people assembled
to get out, they were mightly surprised to see Bedreddin Hassan
lying in his shirt and drawers upon the ground. One said, He has
been hard put to it to get away from his mistress, that he could not
get time to put on his clothes. --Look ye, said another, how people
expose themselves: sure enough he has spent most part of the night
in drinking with his friends, till he has got drunk; and then,
perhaps, having occasion to go out, instead of returning, is come
this length, and not having his senses about him, was overtaken with
sleep. Others were of another opinion; but nobody could guess what
had been the occasion of his coming thither.
A small puff of wind happening to blow at the same time, uncovered
his breast, that was whiter than snow. Every one being struck with
admiration at the fineness of his complexion, they spoke so loud
that it awaked the young man.
His surprise was as great as theirs, when he found himself at the
gate of a city where he had never been before, and encompassed by a
crowd of people gazing at him. Gentlemen, said he, for God’s sake
tell me where I am, and what you would have of me? One of the crowd
spoke to him, saying, Young man, the gates of the city were just now
opened, and as we came out we found you lying here in this
condition, and stood still to look on you: Have you lain here all
night? and do not you know that you are at one of the gates of
Damascus? --At one of the gates of Damascus! answered Bedreddin;
sure you mock me. When I lay down to sleep last night I was at
Cairo. When he said these words, some of the people, moved with
compassion for him, said, It is pity that such a handsome young man
should have lost his senses! and so went away.
My son, said an old gentleman to him, you know not what you say. How
is it possible that you, being this morning at Damascus, could be
last night at Cairo? --It is true, for all that, said Bedreddin; for
I swear to you, that I was all day yesterday at Balsora. He had no
sooner said these words, but all the people fell into a fit of
laughter, and cried out, He’s a fool, he’s a madman. There were
some, however, that pitied him because of his youth; and one among
the company said to him, My son, you must certainly be crazed; you
do not consider what you say. Is it possible that a man could
yesterday be at Balsora, the same night at Cairo, and next morning
at Damascus? Sure you are asleep still: come, rouse up your spirits.
--What I say, answered Bedreddin Hassan, is so true, that last night
I was married in the city of Cairo. All those that laughed before
could not forbear laughing again, when he said so. Call yourself to
mind, said the same person that spoke before; you have sure enough
dreamt all this, and that fancy still possesses your brain. --I am
sensible of what I say, answered the young man. Pray can you tell me
how it was possible for me to go in a dream to Cairo, where I am
very certain I was in person, and where my bride was seven times
brought before me, each time dressed in a different habit: and where
I saw an ugly hump-backed follow, to whom they intended to give her?
Besides, I want to know what is become of my gown, my turban, and
the bag of sequins I had at Cairo.
Though he assured them that all these things were matter of fact,
yet they could not forbear to laugh at him; which put him into such
confusion, that he knew not what to think of all those adventures.
After Bedreddin Hassan had confidently affirmed all that he said to
be true, he rose up to go into the town, and every one that followed
him called out, A madman, a fool. Upon this some looked out at their
windows, some came to their doors, and others joined with those that
were about him, calling out as they did, A madman; but not knowing
for what In this perplexity of mind the young gentleman happened to
come before a pastrycook’s shop, and went into it to avoid the
rabble.
This pastrycook had formerly been captain to a troop of Arabian
robbers, who plundered the caravans; and though he was become a
citizen of Damascus, where he behaved himself to every one’s
content, yet he was dreaded by all those that knew him; wherefore,
as soon as he came out to the rabble that followed Bedreddin, they
dispersed.
The pastrycook seeing them all gone, asked him who he was, and what
brought him thither? Bedreddin Hassan told him all, not concealing
his birth, nor the death of his father, the grand vizier. He
afterwards gave him an account why he left Balsora; now, after he
had fallen asleep the night following upon his father’s tomb, he
found himself when he awaked at Cairo, where he had married a lady;
and at last, in what amazement he was, when he found himself at
Damascus, without being able to penetrate into all those wonderful
adventures.
Your history is one of the most surprising, said the pastrycook; but
if you will follow my advice, you shall let no man know those
matters you have revealed to me, but patiently expect till heaven
think fit to put an end to your misfortunes; you shall be free to
stay with me till then; and since I have no children, I will own you
for my son, if you consent to it; and after you are so adopted, you
may freely walk up and down the city, without being exposed any more
to the insults of the rabble.
Though this adoption was below the son of a grand vizier, Bedreddin
was glad to accept of the pastrycook’s proposals, judging it the
best thing he could do, considering his then circumstances. The cook
clothed him, called for witnesses, and went before a notary, where
he acknowledged him for his son. After this Bedreddin staid with him
by the name of Hassan, and learned the pastry trade.
Whilst this passed at Damascus, Schemseddin Mohammed’s daughter
awaked, and finding Bedreddin gone out of bed, supposed he had risen
softly for fear of disturbing her, but he would soon return. As she
was in expectation of him, her father, the vizier (who was mightily
vexed at the affront put upon him by the sultan) came and knocked at
her chamber-door with a resolution to bewail her sad destiny. He
called her by her name, and she knowing him by his voice,
immediately got up, and opened the door. She kissed his hand, and
received him with so much satisfaction in her countenance as
surprised the vizier, (who expected to find her drowned in tears,
and as much grieved as himself.) Unhappy wretch! said he in a
passion, do you appear before me thus? After the hideous sacrifice
you have just consummated, can you see me with so much satisfaction?
The new bride seeing her father angry at her pleasant countenance,
said to him, For God’s sake, sir, do not reproach me wrongfully;
it is not the hump-back fellow, whom I abhor more than death; it is
not that monster I have married; every body laughed him to scorn,
and put him so out of countenance, that he was forced to run away
and hide himself, to make room for a charming young gentleman, who
is my real husband. --What fable do you tell me? said Schemseddin
Mohammed, roughly. What! did not crook-back lie with you to-night?
--No, sir, said she; it was that young gentleman I told you of, who
has large eyes and black eyebrows. At these words, the vizier lost
all patience, and fell into a terrible passion. --Ah! wicked woman,
said he, you will make me distracted! --It is you, father, said she,
that put me out of my senses by your incredulity. --So it is not
true, replied the vizier, that hump-back --Let us talk no more of
hump-back, said she; a curse upon hump-back! must I always have him
cast in my dish? Father, said she, I tell you once more, that I did
not bed with him, but with my dear spouse, who, I believe, is not
very far off.
Schemseddin Mohammed went out to seek him, but instead of seeing him
was mightily surprised to find hump-back with his head on the
ground, and his heels uppermost, as the genie had set him against
the wall. What is the meaning of this? said he; who placed you thus?
Crook-back, knowing it to be the vizier, answered, Alas! alas! it is
you then that would marry me to the mistress of a buffalo, the
sweetheart of an ugly genie; I won’t be your fool; you shan’t
put a trick upon me.
Schemseddin Mohammed, when he heard hump-back speak thus, thought he
was raving, and bid him move, and stand upon his legs. I will take
care how I do that, said hump-back, unless the sun be risen. --Know,
sir, that when I came hither last night, on a sudden, a black cat
appeared to me, and in an instant grew as big as a buffalo. I have
not forgot what he said to me; therefore, you may go about your
business, and leave me here. The vizier, instead of going away, took
him by the heels, and made him get up. Then hump-back ran off as
fast as he could, without looking behind him; and coming to the
palace, presented himself to the sultan, who laughed heartily when
he told him the story how the genie had served him.
Schemseddin Mohammed returned to his daughter’s chamber more
astonished than before. Well, then, my abused daughter, said he, can
you give me no farther light into this matter? --Sir, said she, I
can give you no other account than what I have done already. Here
are my husband’s clothes, which he left upon the chair; perhaps
you may find somewhat there, that may solve your doubt. Then she
showed him Bedreddin’s turban, which he took and examined narrowly
on all sides. I should take this to be a vizier’s turban, if it
were not made after the Moussoul [61] fashion. But perceiving
somewhat to be sewed between the stuff and the lining, he called for
scissors, and having unript it, found the paper which Nourreddin Ali
gave Bedreddin, his son, as he was dying, and which he had put into
his turban for more security.
Schemseddin Mohammed having opened the paper, knew his brother
Nourreddin’s hand, and found this superscription, ‘For my son,
Bedreddin Hassan.’ Before he could make any reflections upon it,
his daughter delivered him the bag that lay under his clothes, which
he likewise opened, and found it full of sequins; for, as I told you
before, notwithstanding all the liberality of Bedreddin, it was
still kept full by the genie and fairy. He read these following
words upon a note in the bag: ‘A thousand sequins belonging to
Isaac the Jew.’ And these lines underneath, which the Jew wrote
before he parted from Bedreddin Hassan. ‘Delivered to Bedreddin
Hassan, for the cargo of the first of those ships that formerly
belonged to Nourreddin Ali, his father, of worthy memory, sold unto
me upon its arrival in this place.’ He had scarce read these
words, when he gave a shout, and fainted away.
The vizier, Schemseddin Mohammed, being recovered from his fit by
the help of his daughter, and the woman she called to her
assistance. Daughter, said he, do not frighten yourself at this
accident; the reason of it is such as you can scarcely believe. Your
bridegroom is your cousin, the son of Nourreddin Ali. The thousand
sequins in the bag puts me in mind of a quarrel I had with my dear
brother; it is, without doubt, the dowry he gives you. God be
praised for all things, and particularly for this miraculous
adventure, which demonstrates his almighty power. Then looking again
upon his brother’s writing, he kissed it several times, shedding
abundance of tears.
He looked over the book from one end to the other, where he found
the date of his brother’s arrival at Balsora, of his marriage, and
of the birth of Bedreddin Hassan; and when he compared the same with
the day of his own marriage, and the birth of his daughter at Cairo,
he admired how every thing did agree so exactly.
The happy discovery put him into such a transport of joy, that he
took up the book, with the ticket of the bag, and showed it to the
sultan, who pardoned what was past, and was so much pleased with the
relation of this adventure, that he caused it, with all its
circumstances, to be put in writing for the use of posterity.
Meanwhile, the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed could not comprehend the
reason why his nephew did not appear; he expected him every moment,
and was impatient to have him in his arms. After he had expected him
seven days in vain, he searched for him through all Cairo, but could
hear no news of him, which perplexed him very much. This is the
strangest adventure, said he, that ever man met with, and not
knowing what alteration might happen, he thought fit to draw up in
writing with his own hand, after what manner the wedding had been
solemnized; how the hall and his daughter’s bed-chamber were
furnished, and other circumstances. He likewise made the turban, the
bag, and the rest of Bedreddin’s things, into a bundle, and locked
them up.
After some days were past, the vizier’s daughter perceived herself
with child, and was brought to bed of a son after nine months. A
nurse was provided for the child, besides other women and slaves to
wait upon him; and his grandfather called him Agib. [62]
When young Agib had attained the age of seven, the vizier, instead
of teaching him to read at home, put him to school with a master,
who was in great esteem; and two slaves were ordered to wait upon
him. Agib used to play with his schoolfellows, and as they were all
inferior to him in quality, they showed him great respect, according
to the example of their master, who many times would pass by faults
in him, that he would not pass by in the rest. This complaisance
spoiled Agib, so that he became proud and insolent, would have his
playfellows bear all from him, and would bear nothing from them, but
be master every where; and if any one took the liberty to thwart
him, he would call them a thousand names, and many times beat them.
In short, all the scholars were weary of his company, and complained
of him to their master. He answered, that they must have patience.
But when he saw that Agib still grew more and more insolent, and
occasioned him a great deal of trouble, Children, said he to his
scholars, I find Agib is a little insolent gentleman; I will show
you a way how to mortify him, so as he shall never torment you any
more: nay, I believe it will make him leave the school. When he
comes again to-morrow, and that you have a mind to play together,
set yourselves round him, and do one of you call out, Come, let us
play, but upon condition, that they who desire to play shall tell
his own name, and the names of his father and mother, and they who
refuse it shall be esteemed bastards, and not suffered to play in
our company.
Next day, when they were gathered together, they failed not to
follow their master’s instructions; they placed themselves round
Agib, and one of them called out, Let us begin a play, but on
condition, that he who cannot tell his own name, and that of his
father and mother, shall not play at all. They all cried out, and so
did Agib, We consent to it. Then he that spoke first asked every one
the question, and all fulfilled the condition except Agib, who
answered, my name is Agib; my mother is called the lady of beauty,
and my father Schemseddin Mohammed, vizier to the sultan.
At these words all the children cried out, Agib, what did you say?
That is not the name of your father, but your grandfather. A curse
on you, said he in a passion; what! dare you say that the vizier
Schemseddin Mohammed is not my father? No, no, cried they, with
great laughter, he is but your grandfather, and you shall not play
with us. Nay, we will take care how we come into your company.
Having spoken thus, they all left him, scoffing him, and laughing
among themselves, which mortified Agib so much that he wept.
This schoolmaster, who was near, and heard all that passed, came
just at the nick of time, and speaking to Agib, said he, Agib, do
not you know that the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed is none of your
father, but your grandfather, and the father of your mother, the
lady of beauty? We know not the name of your father no more than you
do. We only know that the sultan was going to marry your mother to
one of his grooms, a hump-back fellow; but a genie lay with her.
This is hard upon you, and ought to teach you to treat your
schoolfellows with less haughtiness than you have done hitherto.
Little Agib being nettled at this, ran hastily out of the school,
and went home crying. He came straight to his mother’s chamber,
who being alarmed to see him thus grieved, asked him the reason. He
could not answer for tears, his grief was so great; and it was but
now and then he could speak plain enough to repeat what had been
said to him, and occasioned his sorrow.
When he came to himself, Mother, said he, for the love of God be
pleased to tell me who is my father. My son, said she, Schemseddin
Mohammed, that every day makes so much of you, is your father. You
do not tell me truth, said he; he is your father, and none of mine.
But whose son am I? At this question, the lady of beauty calling to
mind her wedding-night, which had been succeeded by a long
widowhood, began to shed tears, repining bitterly at the loss of so
lovely a husband as Bedreddin.
Whilst the lady of beauty and Agib were both weeping, in comes the
vizier, who demanded the reason of their sorrow. The lady told him
the shame Agib had undergone at school, which so much affected the
vizier, that he joined his tears with theirs, and judging from this,
that the misfortune which had happened to his daughter was the
common discourse of the town, he was quite out of patience.
Being thus afflicted, he went to the sultan’s palace, and falling
prostrate at his feet, most humbly prayed him to give him leave to
make a journey into the provinces of the Levant, and particularly to
Balsora, in search of his nephew Bedreddin Hassan. For he could not
bear any longer that the people of the city should believe a genie
had got his daughter with child.
The sultan was much concerned at the vizier’s affliction, approved
his resolution, and gave him leave to go. He caused a passport also
to be written for him, praying, in the most obliging terms that
could be, all kings and princes, in whose dominions the said
Bedreddin might sojourn, to grant that the vizier might bring him
along with him.
Schemseddin Mohammed, not knowing how to express his thankfulness to
the sultan for this favour, thought it his duty to fall down before
him a second time, and the floods of tears he shed gave him
sufficient testimony of his gratitude. At last, having wished the
sultan all manner of prosperity, he took his leave, and went home to
his house, where he disposed every thing for his journey; and the
preparations for it were carried on with so much diligence, that in
four days after he left the city, accompanied by his daughter the
lady of beauty, and his grandson, Agib.
They travelled nineteen days without stopping any where; but on the
twentieth, arriving in a very pleasant mead, at a small distance
from the gate of Damascus, they stopped there, and pitched their
tents upon the banks of a river, that runs through the town, and
gives a very agreeable prospect to its neighbourhood.
The vizier Schemseddin Mohammed declared he would stay in that
pleasant place two days, and pursue his journey on the third. In the
mean time he gave leave to his retinue to go to Damascus: and almost
all of them made use of it: some influenced by curiosity to see a
city they had heard so much of, and others by the opportunity of
vending there the Egyptian goods they had brought with them, or
buying stuffs, and the rarities of the country. The beautiful lady
desiring her son Agib might share in the satisfaction of viewing
that celebrated city, ordered the black eunuch that acted in quality
of his governor, to conduct him thither, and take care he came to no
harm.
Agib, in magnificent apparel, went along with the eunuch, who had a
large cane in his hand. They had no sooner entered the city, than
Agib, fair and glorious as the day, attracted the eyes of the
people. Some got out of their houses to gain a nearer and narrower
view of him; others put their heads out of the windows, and those
who passed along the street were not satisfied in stopping to look
upon him; but kept pace with him, to prolong the pleasure of the
agreeable sight: in fine, there was nobody that did not admire him,
and bestow a thousand benedictions on the father and mother that had
given being to so fine a child. By chance the eunuch and he passed
by the shop where Bedreddin Hassan was, and there the crowd was so
great, that they were forced to halt.
The pastrycook, that had adopted Bedreddin Hassan, had died some
years before, and left him his shop and all his estates. So
Bedreddin became master of the shop, and managed the pastry trade so
dexterously, that he gained great reputation in Damascus. Bedreddin
seeing so great a crowd before his door, that were gazing so
attentively upon Agib, and the black eunuch, stepped out to see them
himself; and having cast his eyes particularly upon Agib, presently
found himself moved, he knew not how, nor why. He was not struck,
like the people, with the brilliant beauty of the boy: another
cause, unknown to him, gave rise to the uneasiness and emotion he
felt. It was the force of blood that wrought in this tender father;
who laying aside his business, made up to Agib, and with an engaging
air, said to him: My little lord, who hast won my soul, be so kind
as to come into my shop, and eat a bit of such fare as I have; that
I may have the pleasure of admiring you at my ease. These words he
pronounced with such tenderness, that tears trickled from his eyes.
Little Agib was moved when he saw it, and turning to the eunuch,
This honest man, said he, has a face that pleases me; he speaks in
such an affectionate manner, that I cannot avoid complying with his
request; let us step into his house and taste his pastry. It would
be a fine thing truly, replied the slave, to see the son of a
vizier, like you, go into a pastrycook’s shop to eat; do not
imagine that I will suffer any such thing. --Alas! my little lord,
cried Bedreddin, it is a great piece of cruelty to trust the conduct
of you in the hands of a person who treats you so harshly. Then
applying himself to the eunuch, My good friend, continued he, pray
do not hinder this young lord from granting me the favour I ask; do
not put that piece of mortification upon me: rather do me the honour
to walk in along with him, and by so doing, you will let the world
know, that, though your outside is brown like a chestnut, your
inside is as white. Do you know, continued he, that I am master of
the secret to make you white, instead of being black as you are?
This set the eunuch a laughing, and then he asked Bedreddin what
that secret was. I will tell you, replied Bedreddin, and so he
repeated some verses in praise of black eunuchs, implying, that it
was by their ministry that the honour of princes and of all great
men was secured. The eunuch was so charmed with these verses, that,
without further hesitation, he suffered Agib to go into the shop,
and went in with him himself.
Bedreddin Hassan was overjoyed in having obtained what he had so
passionately desired, and falling again to the work he had thus
discontinued, I was making, said he, cream-tarts; and you must, with
submission, eat of them. I am persuaded you will find them very
good; for my own mother, who makes them incomparably well, taught me
to make them, and the people send to buy them of me from all
quarters of the town. This said, he took a cream tart out of the
oven, and after strewing upon it some pomegranate kernels and sugar,
set it before Agib, who found it very delicious.
Another was served up to the eunuch, and he gave the same judgment.
While they were both eating, Bedreddin Hassan minded Agib very
attentively; and after looking upon him again and again, it came
into his mind, that for any thing he knew, he might have such a son
by his charming wife, from whom he had been so soon and so cruelly
separated; and the very thought drew tears from his eyes. He was
thinking to have put some question to little Agib about his journey
to Damascus; but the child had no time to gratify his curiosity, for
the eunuch pressing him to return to his grandfather’s tents, took
him away as soon as he had done eating. Bedreddin Hassan, not
contented with looking after him, shut up his shop immediately, and
went after him.
Bedreddin Hassan ran after Agib and the eunuch, and overtook them
before they were got to the gate of the city. The eunuch perceiving
he followed them was extremely surprised. You impertinent fellow,
you, said he, with an angry tone, what do you want? My dear friend,
replied Bedreddin, do not you trouble yourself. I have a little
business out of town, that is just come into my head, and I must
needs go and look after it. This answer, however, did not at all
satisfy the eunuch, who, turning to Agib, said, This is all owing to
you; I foresaw I should repent of my complaisance; you would needs
go into the man’s shop --it was not wisely done in me to give you
leave. Perhaps, replied Agib, he has real business out of town, and
the road is free to every body. While this passed, they kept walking
together, without looking behind them, till they came near the
vizier’s tents, upon which they turned about to see if Bedreddin
followed them. Agib, perceiving he was within two paces of him,
reddened and whitened alternately, according to the different
emotions that affected him. He was afraid the grand vizier, his
grandfather, should come to know he had been in the pastry shop, and
had eaten there. In this dread, he took up a pretty large stone that
lay at his foot, and throwing it at Bedreddin Hassan, hit him in the
forehead, which gave him such a wound, that his face was covered
with blood. Then he took to his heels, and ran under the eunuch’s
tent. The eunuch gave Bedreddin to understand, he had no reason to
complain of a mischance that he had merited and brought upon himself.
Bedreddin turned towards the city, stanching the blood of this wound
with his apron, which he had not put off. I was a fool, said he
within himself, for leaving my house, to take so much pains about
this brat; for doubtless he would never have used me after this
manner, if he had not thought I had some ill design against him.
When he got home, he had his wound dressed, and softened the sense
of his mischance by the reflection, that there was an infinite
number of people upon the earth that were yet more unfortunate than
he.
Bedreddin kept on the pastry trade at Damascus, and his uncle,
Schemseddin Mohammed, went from thence three days after his arrival.
He went by way of Emaus, Hanah, and Halep; then crossed the
Euphrates, and, after passing through Mardin, Moussoul, Singier,
Diarbeker, and several other towns, arrived at last at Balsora; and
immediately after his arrival, desired audience of the sultan, who
was no sooner informed of Schemseddin’s quality than he gave him
audience, received him very favourably, and asked him the occasion
of his journey to Balsora. Sir, replied the vizier Schemseddin
Mohammed, I come to know what is become of the son of Nourreddin
Ali, my brother, who has had the honour to serve your majesty.
Nourreddin Ali, said the sultan, has been dead a long while; as for
his son, all I can tell you of him is, that he disappeared all on a
sudden, about two months after his father’s death, and nobody has
seen him since, notwithstanding all the inquiry I ordered to be
made. But his mother, who is daughter of one of my vizier’s, is
still alive. Schemseddin Mohammed desired leave of the sultan to see
her, and carry her to Egypt; and having obtained his request,
without tarrying till the next day for the satisfaction of seeing
her, inquired after her place of abode, and that very hour went to
her house, accompanied with his daughter and his grandson.
The widow of Nourreddin Ali lived still in the same place where her
husband had lived. It was a fine stately house, adorned with marble
pillars; but Schemseddin did not stop to view it. At his entry, he
kissed the gate, and the piece of marble upon which his brother’s
name was written in letters of gold. He asked to speak with his
sister-in-law, and was told by her servants that she was in a small
building in form of a dome, which they showed to him, in the middle
of a very spacious court. This tender mother used to spend the
greatest part of the day and night in that room, which she had built
for a representation of the tomb of Bedreddin Hassan, whom she took
to be dead after so long absence. At that very minute she was
pouring tears over the thoughts of that dear child, and Schemseddin
Mohammed entering, found her buried in the deepest affliction.
He made his compliment, and after beseeching her to suspend her
tears and sighs, informed her, he had the honour to be her
brother-in-law, and acquainted her with the reason of his journey
from Cairo to Balsora. He also acquainted his sister-in-law with all
that had passed at Cairo on his daughter’s wedding night, and
after informing her of the surprise occasioned by the discovery of
the paper sewed up in Bedreddin’s turban, presented to her Agib
and the beautiful Lady.
The widow of Nourreddin Ali, who had still continued sitting like a
woman dejected and weaned from the affairs of this world, no sooner
understood by his discourse that her dear son, whom she lamented so
bitterly, might still be alive, than she arose, and repeatedly
embraced the beautiful lady and her grandchild, Agib, and perceiving
in the youth the features of Bedreddin, shed tears of a quite
different stamp from what she had been so long accustomed to shed.
She could not forbear kissing the youth, who, for his part, received
her embraces with all the demonstrations of joy he was capable of.
Madam, said Schemseddin Mohammed, it is time to wipe off your tears,
and cease your groans; you must think of going along with us to
Egypt. The sultan of Balsora gives me leave to carry you thither,
and I doubt not you will agree to it. I am in hopes we shall at last
find out your son, my nephew; and if that comes to pass, the history
of him, of you, of my own daughter, and of my own adventures, will
deserve to be committed to writing, and transmitted to posterity.
The widow of Nourreddin Ali heard this proposal with pleasure, and
from that minute, ordered preparations to be made for her departure.
While that was doing, Schemseddin Mohammed desired a second
audience; and after taking leave of the sultan, who dismissed him
with ample marks of respect, and gave him a considerable present for
himself and another of great value for the sultan of Egypt, set out
from Balsora for the city of Damascus.
When he arrived in the neighbourhood of Damascus, he ordered his
tents to be pitched without the gate, at which he designed to enter
the city; and gave out he would tarry there three days, to give his
suite rest, and buy up the best curiosities he could meet with, and
such as were worthy of being presented to the sultan of Egypt.
While he was employed in looking upon and picking out the finest
stuffs that the principal merchants had brought to his tents, Agib
begged the black eunuch, his governor, to carry him through the
city, in order to see what he had not leisure to view as he passed
before, and to know what was become of the pastry cook that he had
wounded with a stone. The eunuch complying with his request, went
along with him towards the city, after leave obtained of the
beautiful lady his mother.
They entered Damascus by the Paradise gate, which lay next to the
tents of the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed. --They walked through the
great squares and the public places where the richest goods were
sold, and took a view of the ancient mosque of the Ommiadæ, [63] at
the hour of prayer, between noon and sunset. [64] After that they
passed by the shop of Bedreddin Hassan, whom they found still
employed in making cream tarts. I salute you, sir, said Agib. Do you
know me? do you remember you ever saw me before? Bedreddin, hearing
these words, cast his eyes upon him, and knowing him, (such was the
surprising effect of paternal love!) felt the same emotion as when
he saw him first of all. He was confused, and, instead of making an
answer, continued a long time without uttering one word. But after
all, recovering himself, My little lord, said he, be so kind as to
come once more with your governor into my house, and taste a cream
tart, I beg your lordship’s pardon for the trouble I gave you in
following you out of town; I was at that time not myself, I did not
know what I did. You drew me after you, and the violence of the
attraction was so strong, that I could not withstand it.
Agib, astonished at what Bedreddin said, replied thus: There is an
excess in the kindness you express, and unless you engage, under
oath, not to follow me when I go from hence, I will not enter into
your house. If you give me your promise, and prove a man of your
word, I will visit you again to-morrow, since the vizier, my
grandfather, is still employed in buying up things for a present to
the sultan of Egypt. My little lord, replied Bedreddin, I will do
whatever you would have me to do. This said, Agib and the eunuch
went into the shop.
Presently after, Bedreddin set before them a cream tart that was
full as good as what they had eaten of when they saw him before.
Come, said Agib, addressing himself to Bedreddin, sit down by me,
and eat with us. Bedreddin sat down, and made offers to embrace
Agib, as a testimony of the joy he conceived upon his sitting by
him. But Agib shoved him off, desiring him to be quiet, not to be
too familiar in his friendship, and to content himself with seeing
and conversing with him. Bedreddin obeyed, and fell to singing a
song, the words of which he composed off-hand, in praise of Agib. He
did not eat, but made it his business to serve his guests. When they
had done eating, he brought them water to wash with, [65] and a very
white napkin to wipe their hands. Then he filled a large china cup
with sherbet, and put snow into it; [66] and offering it to Agib,
This, said he, is sherbet of roses, and the pleasantest you will
meet with all the town over; I am sure you never tasted better. Agib
having drank of it with pleasure, Bedreddin Hassan took the cup from
him, and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it all off at once.
In fine, Agib and his governor having fared well, returned thanks to
the pastrycook for their good entertainment, and moved homewards, it
being then late. When they arrived at the tents of Schemseddin
Mohammed, they repaired immediately to the lady’s tent. Agib’s
grandmother received him with transports of joy: her son, Bedreddin,
ran always in her mind, and in embracing Agib, the remembrance of
him drew tears from her eyes. Ah! my child said she, my joy would be
perfect if I had the pleasure of embracing your father, Bedreddin
Hassan, as I now embrace you. Then sitting down to supper, she made
Agib sit by her, and put several questions to him, relating to the
walk he had been taking along with the eunuch; and when he
complained of his weak stomach, she gave him a piece of cream tart,
which she had made for herself, and was indeed very good, for I told
you before that she could make them better than the best pastry
cooks. She likewise gave some to the eunuch; but both of them had
eaten so heartily at Bedreddin’s house, that they could not taste
a bit.
Agib no sooner touched the piece of cream tart that had been set
before him, than he pretended he did not like it, and left it uncut;
and Schaban, [67] (such was the eunuch’s name,) did the same
thing. The widow of Nourreddin Ali observed with regret that her
grandson did not like the tart. What! said she, does my child thus
despise the work of my hands! Be it known to you, no one in the
world can make such cream tarts besides myself and your father,
Bedreddin Hassan, whom I myself taught to make them. My good mother,
replied Agib, give me leave to tell you, if you do not know how to
make better, there is a pastry-cook in this town that out-does you
in that point. We were at his shop but now, and eat of one that is
much better than yours.
This said, the grandmother, frowning upon the eunuch, How now,
Schaban, said she, was the care of my grandchild committed to you,
to carry him to eat at pastry-shops like a beggar? Madam, replied
the eunuch, it is true, we did stop a little while and talked with
the pastry-cook, but we did not eat with him. Pardon me, said Agib,
we went into his shop, and there eat a cream tart. Upon this, the
lady more incensed against the eunuch than before, rose in a passion
from the table, and running to the tent of Schemseddin Mohammed,
informed him of the eunuch’s crime, and that in such terms, as
tended more to inflame the vizier, than to dispose him to excuse it.
Schemseddin Mohammed, who was naturally passionate, did not fail, on
this occasion, to display his anger. He went forthwith to his
sister-in-law’s tent, and making up to the eunuch, What! said he,
you pitiful wretch, have you the impudence to abuse the trust I
repose in you? Schaban, though sufficiently convicted by Agib’s
testimony, denied the fact still. But the child persisting in what
he had affirmed, Grandfather, said he, I can assure you we not only
eat, but we eat both of us so heartily, that we have no occasion for
supper; besides, the pastry-cook treated us also with a great bowl
of sherbet. Well, cried Schemseddin, turning to Schaban, after all
this, will you continue to deny that you entered the pastry-cook’s
house, and eat there? Schaban had still the impudence to swear it
was not true. Then you are a liar, said the vizier, I believe my
grandchild before I believe you; but after all, said he, if you can
eat up this cream tart that is upon the table, I shall be persuaded
you have truth on your side.
Though Schaban had crammed himself up to the throat before, he
agreed to stand that test, and accordingly took a piece of tart; but
his stomach rising against it, he was obliged to spit it out of his
mouth. Yet he still pursued the lie, and pretended he had over-eat
himself the day before, so that he had not recovered his appetite.
The vizier, irritated with all the eunuch’s frivolous pretences,
and convinced of his guilt, ordered him to lie flat upon the ground,
and to be soundly bastinadoed. In undergoing this punishment, the
poor wretch shrieked out aloud, and at last, confessed the truth. I
own, cries he, that we did eat a cream tart at the pastry-cook’s,
and that it was much better than that upon the table.
The widow of Nourreddin Ali thought it was out of spite to her, and
with a design to mortify her, that Schaban commended the
pastry-cook’s tart: and accordingly said, I cannot believe the
cook’s tarts are better than mine: I am resolved to satisfy myself
upon that head. Where does he live? Go immediately, and buy me one
of his tarts.
The eunuch having received of her what money was sufficient for that
purpose, repaired to Bedreddin’s shop, and addressing himself to
Bedreddin, Good Mr. Pastry-cook, said he, take this money here, and
let me have one of your cream tarts; one of our ladies wants to
taste them. Bedreddin chose one of the best, and gave it to the
eunuch: Take this, said he; I will engage it is an excellent one,
and I can assure you that no person is able to make the like, unless
it be my mother, who perhaps is still alive.
Schaban returned speedily to the tents, and gave the tart to
Nourreddin’s widow, and she, snatching it greedily, broke a piece
off; but no sooner put it to her mouth, than she cried out, and
swooned away. Schemseddin Mohammed, who was present, was extremely
surprised at the accident: he threw water himself upon her face, and
was very active in succouring her. As soon as she came to herself,
My God! cried she, it must needs be my dear son, my dear Bedreddin,
that made this tart.
When the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed heard his sister-in-law say,
that the maker of the tart, brought by the eunuch, must needs be
Bedreddin Hassan, he was overjoyed; but reflecting that his joy
might prove groundless, and in all likelihood the conjecture of
Nourreddin’s widow was false, Madam, said he, why are you of that
mind? Do you think there may not be a pastrycook in the whole world,
that knows how to make cream tarts as well us your son? --I own,
replied she, there may be pastrycooks that can make as good tarts as
he; but forasmuch as I make them after a peculiar manner, and nobody
but my son is let into the secret, it must absolutely be he that
made this. Come, my brother, added she, in a transport, let us call
up mirth and joy; we have at last found what we have been so long
looking for. --Madam, said the vizier in answer, I entreat you to
moderate your impatience, for we shall quickly know the bottom of
it. All we have to do, is to bring the pastrycook hither; and then
you and my daughter will readily distinguish whether it is Bedreddin
or not. But you must both be hid, so as to have a view of Bedreddin,
while he cannot see you; for I would not have our interview and
mutual discovery laid at Damascus. My design is to delay the
discovery till we return to Cairo, where I promise to regale you
with very agreeable diversion.
This said, he left the ladies in their tent, and retired to his own;
where he called for fifty of his men, and said to them, Take each of
you a stick in your hands, and follow Schaban, who will conduct you
to a pastrycook’s in this city. When you arrive there, break and
dash in pieces all you find in the shop: if he asks you why you
commit that disorder, only ask him again if it was not he that made
the cream tart, that was brought from his house. If he says he is
the man, seize his person, fetter him, and bring him along with you;
but take care you do not beat him, nor do him the least harm. Go,
and lose no time.
The vizier’s orders were immediately executed. The detachment
conducted by the black eunuch, went with expedition to Bedreddin’s
house, and broke in pieces the plates, kettles, copper-pans, tables,
and all the other moveables and utensils they met with, and drowned
the sherbet-shop with cream and comfits. Bedreddin, astonished at
the sight, said with a pitiful tone, Pray, good people, why do you
serve me so? What is the matter? What have I done? Was it not you,
said they, that sold this eunuch the cream tart? --Yes, replied he,
I am the man: and who says any thing against it? I defy any one to
make a better. Instead of giving him an answer, they continued to
break all around them, and the oven itself was not spared.
In the mean time the neighbours took the alarm, and surprised to see
fifty armed men commit such a disorder, asked the reason of such
violence; and Bedreddin said once more to the actors of it, Pray
tell me what crime I am guilty of, to have deserved this usage?
--Was it not you, replied they, that made the cream tart you sold to
the eunuch? --Yes, yes, it is I, replied he; I maintain it is a good
one. I do not deserve such usage as you give me. However, without
listening to him, they seized his person, and snatching the cloth
off his turban, tied his hands with it behind his back, and, after
dragging him by force out of his shop, marched off.
The mob gathering, and taking compassion for Bedreddin, took his
part, and offered opposition to Schemseddin’s men; but that very
minute up came some officers from the governor of the city, who
dispersed the people, and favoured the carrying off of Bedreddin;
for Schemseddin Mohammed had in the mean time gone to the
governor’s house to acquaint him with what order he had given, and
to demand the interposition of force to favour the execution; and
the governor, who commanded all Syria in the name of the sultan of
Egypt, was unwilling to refuse any thing to his master’s vizier.
So Bedreddin was carried off, after all his cries and tears.
It was needless for Bedreddin Hassan to ask by the way those who
carried him off, what fault had been found with his cream tart; they
gave him no answer. In short, they carried him to the tents, and
made him stay there till Schemseddin Mohammed returned from the
governor of Damascus’s house.
Upon the vizier’s return, Bedreddin Hassan was brought before him.
My lord, said Bedreddin, with tears in his eyes, pray do me the
favour to let me know wherein I have displeased you. --Why, you
wretch you, said the vizier, was it not you that made the cream tart
you sent me? --I own I am the man, replied Bedreddin; but pray what
crime is that? --I will punish you according to your deserts, said
Schemseddin; it shall cost you your life, for sending me such a
sorry tart. --Good God! cried Bedreddin, what news is this! Is it a
capital crime to make a bad cream tart? --Yes, said the vizier, and
you are to expect no other usage from me.
While this interview lasted, the ladies, who were hid, minded
Bedreddin narrowly, and readily knew him, notwithstanding he had
been so long absent. They were so transported with joy, that they
swooned away; and, when they recovered, would fain have ran up and
fallen upon Bedreddin’s neck; but the promise they had made to the
vizier of not discovering themselves, restrained the tender emotions
of love and of nature.
Schemseddin Mohammed, having resolved to set out that very night,
ordered the tents to be struck, and the necessary preparations to be
made for his journey. And as for Bedreddin, he ordered him to be
clapped into a chest or box well locked, and laid on a camel. When
every thing was got ready, the vizier and his retinue began their
march, and travelled the rest of that night, and all the next day,
without stopping. In the evening they halted, and Bedreddin was
taken out of his cage, in order to be served with the necessary
refreshments, but still carefully kept at a distance from his mother
and his wife; and during the whole expedition, which lasted twenty
days, was served in the same manner.
When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped in the neighbourhood of
that place. Schemseddin called for Bedreddin, gave orders, in his
presence, to a carpenter to get some wood with all expedition, and
make a stake. Heyday, said Bedreddin, what do you mean to do with a
stake? --Why to nail you to it, replied Schemseddin, then to have
you carried through all the quarters of the town, that the people
may have the spectacle of a worthless pastrycook, who makes cream
tarts without pepper. This said, Bedreddin cried out so comically,
that Schemseddin had enough to do to keep his countenance. Good God!
cried he, must I suffer a death, as cruel as it is ignominious, for
not putting pepper in a cream tart? and must I be rifled, and have
all the goods in my house broken to pieces? Must I be imprisoned in
a chest, and at last nailed to a stake, and all for not putting
pepper in a cream tart? Good God! who ever heard of such a thing?
Are these the actions of Mussulmen, of persons that make a
profession of probity and justice, and practise all manner of good
works? --With these words, he shed tears, and then renewing his
complaint; No, continued he, never was man used so unjustly, nor so
severely. Is it possible they should be capable of taking a man’s
life for not putting pepper in a cream tart? Cursed be all cream
tarts, as well as the hour in which I was born! --Would to God I had
died that minute!
Disconsolate Bedreddin did not cease his lamentations; and when the
stake was brought, and the nails to fasten him to it, he cried out
bitterly at the horrid sight. Heaven! said he, can you suffer me to
die an ignominious and painful death? And all this, for what crime?
not for robbery or murder, or renouncing my religion, but for not
putting pepper in a cream tart.
Night being then pretty far advanced, the vizier Schemseddin
Mohammed ordered Bedreddin to be clapped up again in his cage,
saying to him, Stay there till to-morrow; the day shall not be spent
before I give orders for your death. Then the chest or cage was
carried away and laid upon the camel that had brought it from
Damascus: at the same time, all the other camels were loaded again;
and the vizier mounting his horse, ordered the camel that carried
his nephew to march before him, and so entered the city with all his
suite. After passing through several streets, where nobody appeared,
every one being in bed, he arrived at his house, where he ordered
the chest to be taken down, but not opened till farther orders.