understanding, that in a few days after, he entrusted him with his
household and all his affairs. My brother acquitted himself very
well in that employment for twenty years; at the end of which the
generous Barmecide died, and leaving no heirs, all his property was
confiscated to the use of the prince, and my brother lost all he had
acquired: and, being reduced to his first condition, he joined a
caravan of pilgrims going to Mecca, designing to accomplish that
pilgrimage by their charity: but unfortunately the caravan was
attacked and plundered by a number of Bedouins, [79] superior to
that of the pilgrims. My brother was then taken as a slave by one of
the Bedouins, who put him under the bastinado for several days, to
oblige him to ransom himself. Schacabac protested to him, that it
was all in vain. I am your slave, said he; you may dispose of me as
you please; but I declare to you, that I am extremely poor, and not
able to redeem myself. In a word, my brother discovered to him all
his misfortunes, and endeavoured to soften him with tears; but the
Bedouin was not to be moved, and being vexed to find himself
disappointed of a considerable sum which he reckoned himself sure
of, he took his knife, and slit my brother’s lips, to avenge
himself by this inhumanity for the loss that he thought he had
sustained.
The Bedouin had a handsome wife, and frequently when he went on his
excursions, he left my brother alone with her, and then she used all
her endeavours to comfort my brother under the rigour of his
slavery: she gave him tokens enough that she loved him, out he durst
not return her passion, for fear he should repent it; and therefore
he avoided being alone with her, as much as she sought the
opportunity to be alone with him. She had so great a custom of
toying and playing with the miserable Schacabac, whenever she saw
him, that one day she happened to do it in presence of her husband.
My brother, without taking notice that he observed them (so his sins
would have it) played likewise with her. The Bedouin immediately
supposing that they lived together in a criminal manner, fell upon
my brother in a rage, and after he had mutilated him in a barbarous
manner, he carried him on a camel to the top of a desert mountain,
where he left him. The mountain was on the road to Bagdad, so that
the passengers who saw him there informed me where he was. I went
thither speedily, and found unfortunate Schacabac in a deplorable
condition: I gave him what help he stood in need of, and brought him
back to the city.
This is what I told the caliph Monstanser Billah, added the barber;
that prince applauded me with new fits of laughter. Now, said he, I
cannot doubt but they justly gave you the surname of Silent. Nobody
can say the contrary; for certain reasons, however, I command you to
depart this town immediately, and let me hear no more of you. I
yielded to necessity, and travelled for several years in distant
countries. Understanding at last that the caliph was dead, I
returned to Bagdad, where I found not one of my brothers alive. It
was on my return to this city, that I did the lame young man the
important service which you have heard. You are, however, witness of
his ingratitude, and of the injurious manner in which he treated me:
instead of testifying his obligation, he rather chose to fly from
me, and to leave his own country. When I understood that he was not
at Bagdad, though nobody could tell me truly whither he was gone, I
did not forbear to go and seek him. I travelled from province to
province a long time; and when I least expected, I met him this day;
but I little thought to find him so incensed against me.
The tailor thus made an end of telling the sultan of Casgar the
history of the lame young man and the barber of Bagdad. When the
barber, continued he, had finished his story, we found that the
young man was not to blame for calling him a great chatterer.
However, we wished him to stay with us, and partake of the treat
which the master of the house had prepared for us. We sat down to
table, and were merry together till afternoon prayers; then all the
company parted, and I went to my shop till it was time for me to
return home.
It was during this interval, that Hump-back came half drunk before
my shop, where he sung and played on his tabor. I thought that by
carrying him home with me, I should divert my wife, therefore I
brought him in. My wife gave us a dish of fish, and I presented
Hump-back with some, which he ate without taking notice of a bone.
He fell down dead before us; and after having in vain essayed to
help him, in the trouble and fear occasioned by such an unlucky
accident we carried the corpse out, and dexterously lodged him with
the Jewish doctor. The Jewish doctor put him into the chamber of the
purveyor, and the purveyor carried him out into the street, where it
was believed the merchant had killed him. This, sir, added the
tailor, is what I had to say to satisfy your majesty, who must
pronounce, whether we be worthy of mercy or wrath, life or death.
The sultan of Casgar showed a satisfaction in his countenance, which
restored the tailor and his comrades to life. I cannot but
acknowledge, said he, that I am more struck with the history of the
young cripple, with that of the barber, and with the adventures of
his brothers, than with the story of my jester: but before I send
you all four away, and before we bury Humpback, I should like to see
the barber who is the cause that I have pardoned you; since he is in
my capital, it is easy to satisfy my curiosity. At the same time he
sent an officer with the tailor to find him.
The officer and the tailor went immediately, and brought the barber,
whom they presented to the sultan. The barber was an old man, about
ninety years old; his eyebrows and beard were white as snow, his
ears hanging down, and his nose very long. The sultan could not
forbear laughing when he saw him. Silent man, said he to him, I
understand that you know wonderful stories; will you tell me some of
them? --Sir, answered the barber, let us forbear the stories, if you
please at present. I most humbly beg your majesty to permit me to
ask what that Christian, that Jew, that Mussulman, and that dead
Humpback, who lies on the ground, do here before your majesty? The
sultan smiled at the barber’s freedom, and replied, Why do you
ask? --Sir, replied the barber, it concerns me to ask, that your
majesty may know I am not so great a talker as some pretend, but a
man justly called Silent.
The sultan of Casgar had the complaisance to satisfy the barber’s
curiosity. He commanded them to tell him the story of the Humpback,
which he seemed earnestly to wish for. When the barber heard it, he
shook his head, as if he would say, there was something under this
which he did not understand. Truly, cried he, this is a surprising
story; but I wish to examine Humpback a little nearer. He drew near
him, sat down on the ground, took his head between his knees, and
after he had looked upon him stedfastly, he fell into so great a fit
of laughter, and had so little command of himself, that he fell
backwards on the ground, without considering that he was before the
sultan of Casgar. As soon as he came to himself, It is said, cried
he, and not without reason, that no man dies without a cause. If
ever any history deserved to be written in letters of gold, it is
that of this Humpback.
At this, all the people looked upon the barber as a buffoon, or an
old dotard. Silent man, said the sultan, speak to me: why do you
laugh so much? Sir, answered the barber, I swear by your majesty’s
benevolence, that Humpback is not dead; he is yet alive, and I shall
be content to pass for a madman if I do not let you see it this
minute. So saying, he took a box wherein he had several medicines
that he carried about him to make use of on occasion, and he took
out a little phial of balsam, with which he rubbed Humpback’s neck
a long time; then he took out of his case a neat iron instrument,
which he put between his teeth; and after he had opened his mouth,
he thrust down his throat a pair of small pincers, with which he
took out a bit of fish and bone, which he showed to all the people.
Immediately Humpback sneezed, stretched forth his arms and feet,
opened his eyes, and allowed several other signs of life.
The sultan of Casgar, and all those who were witnesses of this
operation, were less surprised to see Humpback revive, after he had
passed a whole night and great part of a day without giving any sign
of life, than at the merit and capacity of the barber, who performed
this, and notwithstanding all his faults, began to look upon him as
a great person. The sultan, transported with joy and admiration,
ordered the story of Humpback to be written down, with that of the
barber, that the memory of it might, as it deserved, be preserved
for ever. Nor did he stop here; but that the tailor, Jewish doctor,
purveyor, and Christian merchant, might remember the adventure which
the accident of Humpback had occasioned to them with pleasure, he
did not send them away till he had given each of them a very rich
robe, with which he caused them to be clothed in his presence. As
for the barber, he honoured him with a great pension, and kept him
near his person.
The History of Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, and Schemselnihar,
favourite of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid.
In the reign of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, there was at Bagdad a
druggist, called Alboussan Ebn Thaher, a very rich, handsome man. He
had more wit and politeness than people of his profession ordinarily
have: his integrity, sincerity, and jovial humour, made him beloved
and sought after by all sorts of people. The caliph, who knew his
merit, had an entire confidence in him. He had so great an esteem
for him, that he intrusted him with the care to provide his
favourite ladies with all the things they stood in need of: he chose
for them their clothes, furniture, and jewels, with admirable taste.
His good qualities, and the favour of the caliph, made the sons of
emirs, and other officers of the first rank, be always about him:
his house was the rendezvous of all the nobility of the court. But
among the young lords that went daily to visit him, there was one
whom he took more notice of than the rest, and with whom he
contracted a particular friendship, called Aboulhassen Ali Ebn
Becar, originally of an ancient royal family of Persia. This family
continued at Bagdad ever since the Mussulmen made a conquest of that
kingdom. Nature seemed to have taken pleasure to endow this young
prince with the rarest qualities of body and mind: his face was so
very beautiful, his shape so fine, his air so easy, and his
physiognomy so engaging, that it was impossible to see him without
immediately loving him. When he spoke, he expressed himself always
in terms proper and well chosen, with a new and agreeable turn, and
his voice charmed all that heard him; with this he had so much wit
and judgment, that he thought and spoke of all subjects with
admirable exactness. He was so reserved and modest, that he advanced
nothing till after he had taken all possible care to avoid giving
any ground of suspicion that he preferred his own opinion to that of
others.
Being such a person as I have represented him, we need not wonder
that Ebn Thaher distinguished him from all the other young noblemen
of the court, most of whom had the vices contrary to his virtues.
One day, when the prince was with Ebn Thaher, there came a lady
mounted on a pie-bald mule, in the midst often female slaves who
accompanied her on foot, all very handsome, as far as could be
judged by their air, and through their veils which covered their
faces. The lady had a girdle of a rose-colour, four inches broad,
embroidered with pearls and diamonds of an extraordinary bigness;
and for beauty, it was easy to perceive that she surpassed all her
women, as far as the full moon does that of two days old. She came
to buy something; and as she wanted to speak to Ebn Thaher, she
entered his shop, which was very neat and spacious, and he received
her with all the marks of the most profound respect, entreating her
to sit down, and showing her with his hand the most honourable place.
In the mean time, the prince of Persia, unwilling to let slip such
an opportunity of showing his good breeding and gallantry, beat up
the cushion of cloth of gold for the lady to lean on; after which he
retired speedily, that she might sit down; and having saluted her by
kissing the carpet under her feet, he rose and stood before her at
the lower end of the sofa. It being her custom to be free with Ebn
Thaher, she lifted up her veil, and then discovered to the prince of
Persia such an extraordinary beauty, that he was struck with it to
the heart. On the other hand, the lady could not contain herself
from looking upon the prince, the sight of whom had made the same
impressions upon her. My lord, said she to him, with an obliging
air, pray sit down. The prince of Persia obeyed, and sat down upon
the edge of the sofa. He had his eyes constantly fixed upon her, and
swallowed down large draughts of the sweet poison of love. She
quickly perceived what passed in his heart, and this discovery
served to inflame her the more towards him. She rose up, went to Ebn
Thaher, and after she had whispered to him the cause of her coming,
she asked the name and country of the prince. Madam, answered Ebn
Thaher, this young nobleman’s name is Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar,
and he is prince of the blood royal.
The lady was transported at hearing that the person she already
loved so passionately was of so high a rank. You mean certainly,
said she, that he is descended from the kings of Persia? --Yes,
madam, replied Ebn Thaher, the last kings of Persia were his
ancestors; and since the conquest of that kingdom, the princes of
his family have always made themselves very acceptable at the court
of our caliphs. --You will oblige me much, she added, by making me
acquainted with this young nobleman. When I send this woman, said
she, pointing to one of her slaves, to give you notice to come and
see me, pray bring him with you; I shall be very glad that he should
see the magnificence of my house, that he may have it in his power
to say, that avarice does not reign at Bagdad among persons of
quality. You know what I mean? Do not fail, otherwise I will be very
angry with you, and never come hither again while I live.
Ebn Thaher was a man of too much penetration not to perceive the
lady’s mind by these words. My princess, my queen, replied he, God
preserve me from giving you any occasion of anger against me: I
shall always make it a law to obey your commands. At this answer the
lady bowed to Ebn Thaher, and took her leave; and after she had
given a favourable look to the prince of Persia, she remounted her
mule, and went away.
The prince of Persia was so deeply in love with the lady, that he
looked after her as far as he could see her; and long after she was
out of sight, he directed his eyes that way. Ebn Thaher told him,
that he remarked several persons observed him, and began to laugh to
see him in this posture. Alas! said the prince to him, the world and
you would pity me, if you knew that the beautiful lady, who is just
now gone from you, has carried with her the best part of me, and
that the remaining part seeks for an opportunity to go after her.
Tell me, I conjure you, added he, what cruel lady is this, who
forces people to love her, without giving them time to reflect? --My
lord, answered Ebn Thaher, this is the celebrated Schemselnihar,
[80] the principal favourite of the caliph our master. --She is
justly so called, added the prince, since she is more beautiful than
the sun at noon-day. --True, replied Ebn Thaher; therefore the
commander of the faithful loves or rather adores her: he gave me
express orders to furnish her with all that she asked of me, and to
prevent her wishes, as far as lies in my power.
He spoke thus to hinder him from engaging in a passion which could
not but prove unfortunate to him; but this served only to inflame it
the more. I feared, charming Schemselnihar, cried he, I should not
be allowed so much as to think of you; I perceive, however, that
without hopes of being loved by you, I cannot forbear loving you: I
will love you then, and bless my lot that I am the slave of an
object fairer than the meridian sun.
While the prince of Persia thus consecrated his heart to the fair
Schemselnihar, this lady, as she went home, contrived how she might
see and have free converse with him. She no sooner entered her
palace, but she sent to Ebn Thaher the woman she had shown him, and
in whom she had placed all her confidence, to tell him to come and
see her without delay, and bring the prince of Persia with him. The
slave came to Ebn Thaher’s shop while he was speaking to the
prince, and endeavouring to dissuade him by very strong arguments,
from loving the caliph’s favourite. When she saw them together,
Gentlemen, said she to them, my honourable mistress, Schemselnihar,
the chief favourite of the commander of the faithful, entreats you
to come to her palace, where she waits for you. Ebn Thaher, to
testify his obedience, rose up immediately, without answering the
slave, and followed her, not without some reluctance. As for the
prince, he followed her, without reflecting on the danger there
might be in such a visit. --The presence of Ebn Thaher, who had
liberty to go to the favourite when he pleased, made the prince very
easy. They followed the slave, who went a little before them, and
entered after her into the caliph’s palace, and joined her at the
gate of Schemselnihar’s little palace, which was ready open. She
introduced them into a great hall, where she prayed them to sit down.
The prince of Persia thought himself in one of those delicious
palaces that are promised us in the other world: he had never seen
any thing that came near the magnificence of the place he was in.
The carpets, cushions, and other appendages of the sofa, the
furniture, ornaments, and architecture, were surprisingly rich and
beautiful. A little time after Ebn Thaher and he had sat down, a
very handsome black slave brought in a table covered with several
delicacies, the admirable smell of which shewed how deliciously they
were seasoned. While they were eating, the slave who brought them in
waited upon them; she took particular care to invite them to eat of
what she knew to be the greatest dainties. The other slaves brought
them excellent wine after they had eaten. When they had done, there
was presented to each of them a fine gold basin full of water to
wash their hands; after which they brought them a golden pot full of
the perfume of aloes, with which they perfumed their beards and
clothes. Odoriferous water was not forgotten, but served in a golden
vessel, enriched with diamonds and rubies, made on purpose, and it
was thrown upon their beards and faces, according to custom. Then
they resumed their places; but they had scarce sat down, when the
slave entreated them to arise and follow her. She opened a door of
the hall where they were, and they entered into a large saloon of
wonderful structure. It was a dome of the most agreeable form,
supported by a hundred pillars of marble, white as alabaster. The
bases and chapiters of the pillars were adorned with four-footed
beasts, and birds of various sorts, gilded. The carpet of this noble
saloon consisted of one piece of cloth of gold, embroidered with
bunches of roses in red and white silk; and the dome, painted in the
same manner, after the Arabian fashion, presented to the mind one of
the most charming objects. Betwixt each column was a little sofa
adorned in the same manner, and great vessels of china, crystal,
jasper, jet, porphyry, agate, and other precious materials,
garnished with gold and jewels; --the spaces betwixt the columns
were so many large windows, with seats projecting breast high,
fitted up as the sofas, and looking out into the most delicious
garden; the walks were of little pebbles of different colours, of
the same pattern as the carpet of the saloon; so that, looking upon
the carpet within and without, it seemed as if the dome and the
garden, with all its ornaments, had been upon the same carpet. The
prospect round was, at the end of the walks, terminated by two
canals of clear water, of the same circular figure as the dome, one
of which being higher than the other, emptied its water into the
lowermost, in form of a sheet; and curious pots of gilt brass, with
flowers and shrubs, were set upon the banks of the canals at equal
distances. Those walks lav betwixt great plots of ground planted
with straight and bushy trees, where a thousand birds formed a
melodious concert, and diverted the eye by flying about, and playing
together, or fighting in the air.
The prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher were a long time engaged in
viewing the magnificence of the place, and expressed their surprise
at every thing they saw, especially the prince, who had never beheld
any thing like it. Ebn Thaher, though he had been several times in
that delicious place, could not but observe many new beauties. In a
word, they never grew weary in admiring so many singularities, and
were thus agreeably employed, when they perceived a company of
ladies, richly apparelled, sitting without, at some distance from
the dome, each of them upon a seat of Indian plane wood, inlaid with
silver filigree in compartments, with instruments of music in their
hands, waiting for orders to play. They both went forward, and had a
full view of the ladies; and on the right they saw a great court,
with a stair up from the garden, encompassed with beautiful
apartments. The slave had left them, and being alone, they conversed
together. For you, who are a wise man, said the prince of Persia, I
doubt not but you look with a great deal of satisfaction upon all
these marks of grandeur and power; for my part, I do not think there
is any thing in the world more surprising. But when I consider that
this is the glorious habitation of the lovely Schemselnihar, and
that the greatest monarch of the earth keeps her here, I confess to
you, that I look upon myself to be the most unfortunate of all
mankind, and that no destiny can be more cruel than mine, to love an
object possessed by my rival, and that too in a place where he is so
potent, that I cannot think myself sure of my life one moment.
Ebn Thaher, hearing the prince of Persia speak thus, said to him,
Sir, I wish you could give me as good assurance of the happy success
of your passion, as I can give you of the safety of your life.
Though this stately palace belongs to the caliph, who built it on
purpose for Schemselnihar, and called it the _Palace of Eternal
Pleasures_, and though it makes part of his own palace, yet you must
know that this lady lives here at absolute liberty. She is not beset
by eunuchs to be spies upon her; this is her private house,
absolutely at her disposal. She goes into the city when she pleases,
and returns again, without asking leave of any body; and the caliph
never comes to see her, but he sends Mesrour, the chief of his
eunuchs, to give her notice, that she may be prepared to receive
him. Therefore you may be easy, and give full attention to the
concert of music which I perceive Schemselnihar is preparing for you.
Just as Ebn Thaher had spoke these words, the prince of Persia and
he saw the favourite’s trusty slave come and give orders to the
ladies to begin to sing, and play with the instruments. They all
began immediately to play together, as a prelude; and, after they
had played some time, one of them began to sing alone, and played at
the same time admirably upon her lute, being informed beforehand
upon what subject she was to sing. The words were so agreeable to
the prince of Persia’s sentiments, that he could not forbear to
applaud her at the end of the couplet. Is it possible, cried he,
that you have the gift of knowing people’s hearts, and that the
knowledge of what is in my mind has occasioned you to give us a
taste of your charming voice by those words? I should not express
myself otherwise were I to choose. The lady replied nothing, but
went on and sung several other staves, with which the prince was so
affected, that he repeated some of them with tears in his eyes;
which discovered plainly enough that he applied them to himself.
When she had made an end, she and her companions rose up and sung
all together; signifying by their words, that ‘the full moon was
going to rise in all her splendour, and that they should speedily
see her approach the sun;’ intimating that Schemselnihar was
coming, and that the prince of Persia would soon have the pleasure
to see her.
In fact, as they looked towards the court, they saw
Schemselnihar’s confidant coming towards them, followed by ten
black women, who with much difficulty carried a throne of massy
silver, curiously wrought, which they set down before them at a
certain distance; after which the black slaves retired behind the
trees, to the entrance of a walk. After this came twenty handsome
ladies, richly apparelled, in uniform dress; they advanced in two
rows, each singing, and playing upon instruments which they held in
their hands, and placed themselves on each side of the throne.
All these things kept the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher in so much
the greater expectation, that they were curious to know how they
would end. They then saw come out at the same gate from whence the
ten black women came, ten other ladies, equally handsome and
well-dressed, who halted there a few moments, expecting the
favourite, who came out last, and placed herself in the midst of
them.
Schemselnihar was easily distinguished from the rest by her fine
shape and majestic air, as well as by a sort of mantle, of a very
fine stuff of gold and sky-blue, fastened to her shoulders, over her
other apparel, which was the most handsome, most magnificent, and
best contrived, that could be imagined.
The pearls, rubies, and diamonds, which adorned her, were well
disposed; not many in number, but well chosen, and of inestimable
value. She came forward, with a majesty resembling the sun in its
course amidst the clouds, which receive his splendour without hiding
his lustre, and sat down upon the silver throne that had been
brought for her.
As soon as the prince of Persia saw Schemselnihar, he could not take
his eyes off her. We cease inquiring, said he to Ebn Thaher, after
what we seek, when once we see it; and there is no doubt left, when
once the truth appears. Do you see this charming beauty? She is the
cause of all my sufferings, which I bless, and will never forbear to
bless, however severe and lasting. At the sight of this object I am
not my own master; my soul is disturbed, and rebels, and seems
disposed to leave me. Go then, my soul, I allow thee; but let it be
for the welfare and preservation of this weak body. It is you, cruel
Ebn Thaher, who are the cause of this disorder. You thought to do me
a great pleasure in bringing me hither, and I perceive I am only
come to complete my ruin. Pardon me, said he, interrupting himself;
I am mistaken: I would come, and can blame nobody but myself; --and
at these words he burst into tears. I am glad, said Ebn Thaher, that
you do me justice. When I told you at first that Schemselnihar was
the caliph’s chief favourite, I did it on purpose to prevent that
fatal passion which you please yourself with entertaining in your
breast. All that you see here ought to disengage you, and you are to
think of nothing but of acknowledging the honour which Schemselnihar
has done you, by ordering me to bring you with me. Recall then your
wandering reason, and prepare to appear before her as good breeding
requires. See, there she comes. Were we to begin again, I would take
other measures; but since the thing is done, I pray God we may not
have cause to repent it. All I have now to say to you is, that love
is a traitor, who may involve you in difficulties from which you
will never be able to extricate yourself.
Ebn Thaher had no time to say more, because Schemselnihar came; and
sitting down upon her throne, saluted them both by bowing her head;
but she fixed her eyes on the prince of Persia, and they spoke to
one another in a silent language, intermixed with sighs, by which,
in a few moments, they spoke more than they could have done by words
in a great deal of time. The more Schemselnihar looked upon the
prince, the more she found by his looks to confirm her in the
opinion that he was in love with her; and being thus persuaded of
his passion, thought herself the happiest woman in the world. At
last, she turned her eyes from him to command the women, who began
to sing first, to come near; they rose, and as they advanced, the
black woman, who came out of the walk into which they had retired,
brought their seats, and set them near the window, in the front of
the dome, where Ebn Thaher and the prince of Persia stood, and their
seats were so disposed, that with the favourite’s throne, and the
women on each side of her, they formed a semicircle before them.
The women, who were sitting before she came, resumed their places,
with the permission of Schemselnihar, who ordered them by a sign.
That charming favourite chose one of those women to sing; who, after
she had spent some moments in tuning her lute, sung a song, the
meaning whereof was, that when two lovers entirely loved one another
with boundless affection, their hearts though in two bodies were
united; and when any thing opposed their desires, could say, with
tears in their eyes, If we love, because we find one another
amiable, ought we to be blamed for this? Let destiny bear the blame.
Schemselnihar discovered so well by her eyes and gestures that those
words were applicable to herself and the prince of Persia, that he
could not contain himself, he arose, and advancing to a balustrade,
which he leaned upon, obliged one of the companions of the woman who
had just done singing to observe him. As she was near him, Attend to
me, said he to her, and do me the favour to accompany with your lute
a song which you shall hear forthwith. Then he sung with an air so
tender and passionate, as perfectly expressed the violence of his
love. As soon as he had done, Schemselnihar following his example,
said to one of the women, Attend to me likewise, and accompany my
voice. At the same time she sung after such a manner, as did farther
pierce the heart of the prince of Persia, who answered by a new air,
more passionate than the former.
Those two lovers having declared their mutual affection by their
songs, Schemselnihar yielded to the force of hers; she arose from
her throne in transport, and advanced towards the door of the hall.
The prince, who perceived her design, rose up immediately, and went
to meet her in all haste. They met at the door, where they took one
another by the hand, and embraced with so much passion, that they
fainted and would have fallen, if the women who followed
Schemselnihar had not hindered them. They supported them, and
carried them to a sofa, where they were brought to themselves again
by throwing odoriferous water upon their faces, and by giving them
something to smell to.
When they came to themselves, the first thing that Schemselnihar did
was to look about, and not seeing Ebn Thaher, she asked, with
eagerness, where he was. He had withdrawn out of respect, whilst her
women were engaged in recovering her, and dreaded, not without
reason, that some disagreeable consequence might follow what he had
seen; but as soon as he heard Schemselnihar ask for him, he came
forward and presented himself before her.
Schemselnihar was very well pleased to see Ebn Thaher, and expressed
her joy in these obliging terms: Ebn Thaher, I know not how to
return the great obligations you have put upon me; without you, I
should never have seen the prince of Persia, nor have loved the most
amiable person in the world; assure yourself I shall not be
ungrateful, and that my gratitude, if possible, shall be equal to
the obligation. Ebn Thaher answered this compliment by a low bow,
and wished the favourite the accomplishment of all her desires.
Schemselnihar, turning towards the prince of Persia, who sat by her,
and looking upon him with some sort of confusion after what had
passed betwixt them, said to him, Sir, I am very well assured you
love me; and how great soever your love may be to me, you need not
doubt but mine is as great towards you. But let us not flatter
ourselves; for, notwithstanding this conformity of our sentiments, I
see nothing for you and me but trouble, impatience, and tormenting
grief. There is no other remedy for our evils but to love one
another constantly, to refer ourselves to the disposal of heaven,
and to wait its determination of our destiny. Madam, replied the
prince of Persia, you will do me the greatest injustice, if you
doubt for a moment the continuance of my love. It is so united to my
soul, that I can justly say it makes the best part of it, and that I
shall persevere in it after death. Pains, torments, obstacles,
nothing shall be capable of hindering my loving you. Speaking these
words, he shed tears in abundance, and Schemselnihar was not able to
restrain hers.
Ebn Thaher took this opportunity to speak to the favourite: Madam,
said he, allow me to represent to you, that, instead of melting into
tears, you ought to rejoice that you are now together. I understand
not this grief. What will it be when you are obliged to part? But
why do I talk of that? We have been a long while here, and you know,
madam, it is time for us to be going. Ah! how cruel are you! replied
Schemselnihar. You, who know the cause of my tears, have you no pity
for my unfortunate condition? Oh! sad fatality! what have I done, to
be subject to the severe law, of not being able to enjoy the only
person I love?
Persuaded as she was, that Ebn Thaher spoke to her only out of
friendship, she did not take amiss what he said to her, but made a
proper use of it. She made a sign to the slave, her confidant, who
immediately went out, and in a little time brought a collation of
fruits upon a small silver table, which she set down betwixt her
mistress and the prince of Persia. Schemselnihar took some of the
best, and presented to the prince, praying him to eat it for her
sake; he took it, and put to his mouth that part which she touched;
and then he presented some to her, which she took, and ate in the
same manner. She did not forget to invite Ebn Thaher to eat with
them; but he, thinking himself not safe in that place, and wishing
himself at home, ate only out of complaisance. After the collation
was taken away, they brought a silver basin, with water in a vessel
of gold, and washed together; they afterwards returned to their
places, and three of the ten black women brought each a cup of rock
crystal full of exquisite wine, upon a golden salver, which they set
down before Schemselnihar, the prince of Persia, and Ebn Thaher.
That they might be more private, Schemselnihar kept with her only
ten black women, with ten others, who began to sing and play upon
instruments; and after she had sent away all the rest, she took up
one of the cups, and holding it in her hand, sung some tender words,
which one of her women accompanied with her lute. When she had done,
she drank, and afterwards took up one of the other cups, and
presented it to the prince, praying him to drink for love of her, as
she had drank for love of him. He received the cup with a transport
of love and joy; but before he drank, he sung also a song, which
another woman accompanied with an instrument; and as he sang, the
tears fell from his eyes in such abundance, that he could not
forbear expressing in his song, that he knew not whether he was
going to drink the wine she had presented to him, or his own tears.
Schemselnihar, at last, presented the third cup to Ebn Thaher, who
thanked her for her kindness, and for the honour she did him.
After this, she took a lute from one of her women, and sung to it in
such a passionate manner, that she seemed to be transported out of
herself, and the prince of Persia stood with his eyes fixed upon
her, as if he had been enchanted. As these things passed, her trusty
slave came in a great fright, and addressing herself to her
mistress, said, Madam Mesrour, and two other officers, with several
eunuchs that attend them, are at the gate, and want to speak with
you from the caliph. When the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher heard
these words, they changed colour, and began to tremble, as if they
had been undone; but Schemselnihar, who perceived it, recovered
their courage by a sigh.
After Schemselnihar had quieted the fears of the prince of Persia
and Ebn Thaher, she ordered the slave, her confidant, to go and
converse with Mesrour, and the two other officers, till she had put
herself in a condition to receive them, and could send her to
introduce them. Immediately, she ordered all the windows of the
saloon to be shut, and the painted cloth on the side of the garden
to be let down; and after having assured the prince and Ebn Thaher,
that they might continue there without any fear, she went out at the
great gate leading to the garden, and shut it upon them; but
whatever assurance she had given them of their being safe, they were
desperately afraid all the while they were there.
As soon as Schemselnihar was in the garden with the woman that had
followed her, she ordered all the seats, which served the women who
played on the instruments, to be set near the window, where the
prince of Persia, and Ebn Thaher heard them; and having got things
in order, she sat down upon her silver throne; then she sent notice
to the slave, her confidant, to bring in the chief of the eunuchs,
and his two subaltern officers with him.
They appeared, followed by twenty black eunuchs, all handsomely
clothed, with scimitars by their sides, and gold belts of four
inches broad. As soon as they perceived the favourite Schemselnihar
at a distance, they made her a profound reverence, which she
returned them from her throne. When they came near, she got up and
went to meet Mesrour, who came first; she asked what news he
brought. He answered, Madam, the commander of the faithful has sent
me to signify, that he cannot live longer without seeing you; he
designs to come and see you to-night, and I come beforehand to give
you notice, that you may be ready to receive him. He hopes, madam,
that you will receive him with as much pleasure as he feels
impatience to see you.
Upon this discourse of Mesrour, the favourite Schemselnihar
prostrated herself to the ground, as a mark of that submission with
which she received the caliph’s order. When she rose up again, she
said, Pray tell the commander of the faithful, that I shall always
reckon it my glory to execute his majesty’s commands, and that his
slave will do her utmost to receive him with all the respect that is
due to him. At the same time she ordered the slave, her confidant,
to tell the black women appointed for that service to get the palace
ready to receive the caliph; and dismissing the chief of the
eunuchs, said to him, You see it requires some time to get all
things ready; therefore I entreat you to curb his majesty’s
impatience, that, when he arrives, he may not find things out of
order.
The chief of the eunuchs and his retinue being gone, Schemselnihar
returned to the saloon, extremely concerned at the necessity she was
under of sending back the prince of Persia sooner than she thought
to have done. She came up to him again with tears in her eyes, which
heightened Ebn Thaher’s fear, who thought it no good omen. Madam,
said the prince to her, I perceive you are come to tell me that we
must part: if there be nothing more to dread, I hope heaven will
give me the patience which is necessary to support your absence.
Alas! my dear heart, my dear soul, replied the too tender
Schemselnihar, how happy do I think you, and how unhappy do I think
myself, when I compare your lot with my sad destiny! No doubt you
will suffer by my absence, but that is all, and you may comfort
yourself with hopes of seeing me again; but as for me, just heaven!
what a terrible trial am I brought to! I must not only be deprived
of the sight of the only person whom I love, but I must be tormented
with the sight of one whom you have made hateful to me. --Will not
the arrival of the caliph put me in mind of your departure? And how
can I, when I am taken up with thinking on your dear image, express
to that prince the joy which he always observed in my eyes, whenever
he came to see me? I shall have my mind perplexed when I speak to
him, and the least complaisance which I show to his love will stab
me to the heart like a dagger. Can I relish his kind words and
caresses? --Think, prince, to what torments I shall be exposed when
I can see you no more! Her tears and sighs hindered her from going
on, and the prince of Persia would have replied to her, but his own
grief, and that of his mistress, deprived him of the power of speech.
Ebn Thaher, who only wished to get out of the palace, was obliged to
comfort them, and to exhort them to have patience; but the trusty
slave interrupted them: Madam, said she to Schemselnihar, you have
no time to lose; the eunuchs begin to arrive, and you know the
caliph will be here immediately. O Heaven! how cruel is this
separation! cried the favourite: Make haste, said she, to the
confidant, carry them both to the gallery which looks into the
garden on the one side, and to the Tigris on the other: and when the
night grows dark, let them out by the back gate, that they may
retire with safety. Having spoken thus, she tenderly embraced the
prince of Persia, without being able to say one word more, and went
to meet the caliph in such disorder as cannot well be imagined.
In the mean time the trusty slave carried the prince and Ebn Thaher
to the gallery, as Schemselnihar had appointed: and having brought
them in, left them there, and shut the door upon them, after having
assured them that they had nothing to fear, and that she would come
for them when it was time.
When Schemselnihar’s trusty slave left the prince of Persia and
Ebn Thaher, they forgot she had assured them that they needed not to
be afraid: they examined the gallery, and were seized with extreme
fear, because they knew no means of escape if the caliph or any of
his officers should happen to come there.
A great light, which came all of a sudden from the side of the
garden through the lattices, caused them to approach them to see
from whence it came. It was occasioned by a hundred flambeaux of
white wax, carried by as many young eunuchs; these were followed by
more than a hundred others, who guarded the ladies of the caliph’s
palace, clothed and armed with scimitars, in the same manner as
those I spoke of before; and the caliph came after them, betwixt
Mesrour their captain on his right, and Vassif their second officer
on his left hand.
Schemselnihar waited for the caliph at the entry of a walk,
accompanied with twenty women, all of surprising beauty, adorned
with necklaces and ear-rings of large diamonds, and others which
covered their heads entirely: they sung and played on their
instruments, and formed a charming concert. The favourite no sooner
saw the prince appear, but she advanced, and prostrated herself at
his feet; and while she was doing this, Prince of Persia, said she
within herself, if your sad eyes witness what I do, judge of my hard
lot; if I was humbling myself so before you, my heart would feel no
reluctance.
The caliph was delighted to see Schemselnihar. Rise, madam, said he
to her: come near: I am angry with myself that I should have
deprived myself so long of the pleasure of seeing you. As he spoke
thus, he took her by the hand, and, with many tender expressions,
went and sat down upon the silver throne which Schemselnihar caused
to be brought for him, and she sat down upon a seat before him; and
the twenty women made a circle round them upon other seats, while
the young eunuchs, who carried flambeaux, dispersed themselves at a
certain distance from one another, that the caliph might enjoy the
cool of the evening the better.
When the caliph sat down, he looked round him, and beheld with great
satisfaction the garden illuminated with a great many other lights,
besides those flambeaux which the young eunuchs held: but taking
notice that the saloon was shut, was astonished thereat, and
demanded the reason. It was done on purpose to surprise him; for he
had no sooner spoken, but all the windows flew open at once, he saw
it illuminated within and without, in a much better manner than ever
he had seen it before. Charming Schemselnihar, cried he, at this
sight, I understand you: you would have me to know there are as fine
nights as days. After what I have seen, I cannot deny it.
Let us return to the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher, whom we left
in the gallery. Ebn Thaher could not enough admire all that he saw:
I am not very young, said he, and I have seen great entertainments
in my time; but I do not think any thing can be seen so surprising
and magnificent. All that is said of enchanted palaces does not come
up to the prodigious spectacles we now see. What riches and
magnificence united!
The prince of Persia was not at all moved with those objects which
so delighted Ebn Thaher; he could look on nothing but Schemselnihar,
and the presence of the caliph threw him into an inconceivable
grief. Dear Ebn Thaher, said he, would to God I had my mind as much
at liberty to attend to those objects of admiration as you! But,
alas! I am in quite a different situation; all those objects serve
only to increase my torment. Can I see the caliph familiar with the
object of my love, and not die of grief? Must such a passionate love
as mine be disturbed with so potent a rival? O heavens! How cruel
and strange is my destiny! It is but a moment since I esteemed
myself the most fortunate lover in the world, and at this instant I
feel a death-stroke to my heart. I cannot resist it, my dear Ebn
Thaher; my patience is exhausted, my disorder overwhelms me, and my
courage fails. While he was speaking those words, he saw something
pass in the garden, which obliged him to keep silence, and to turn
all his attention that way.
The caliph had ordered one of the women who was near him, to play
upon her lute and she began to sing; the words that she sung were
very passionate, and the caliph, persuaded that she sung thus by
order of Schemselnihar, who had frequently entertained him with the
like testimonies of her affections, interpreted them in his own
favour. But this was not now Schemselnihar’s meaning; she applied
it to her dear Ali Ebn Becar, and was so sensibly touched with
grief, to have before her an object whose presence she could no
longer enjoy, that she fainted and fell backwards upon her seat,
which having no arms to support her, she must have fallen down, had
not some of the women given her timely assistance, taken her up, and
carried her into the saloon.
Ebn Thaher, who was in the gallery, being surprised at this
accident, turned towards the prince of Persia; but, instead of
seeing him stand and look through the window as before, he was
extremely amazed to see him lying at his feet motionless. This
convinced him of the violence of that prince’s passion for
Schemselnihar, and he admired that strange effect of sympathy, which
put him into a mortal fear, because of the place they were in. He
did all he could to recover the prince, but in vain. Ebn Thaher was
in this perplexity, when Schemselnihar’s confidant opened the
gallery door, and came in out of breath, as one who knew not where
she was. Come speedily, cried she, that I may let you out: all is in
confusion here, and I fear this will be the last of our days. --Ah!
how would you have us go? replied Ebn Thaher, with a mournful voice;
come near, I pray you, and see what a condition the prince of Persia
is in. When the slave saw him in a swoon, she ran in all haste for
water, and returned in an instant.
At last the prince of Persia, after they had thrown water on his
face, recovered his spirits. Prince, said Ebn Thaher to him, we run
the risk of perishing, if we stay here any longer: exert yourself,
therefore; let us endeavour to save our lives. He was so feeble,
that he could not rise alone; Ebn Thaher and the confidant lent him
their hands, and supported him on each side. They came to a little
iron gate which opens towards the Tigris, went out at it, and came
to the side of a little canal which has a communication with the
river. The confidant clapped her hands, and immediately a little
boat appeared, and came towards them with one rower. Ali Ebn Becar
and his comrade went aboard, and the confidant staid at the side of
the canal. As soon as the prince sat down in the boat, he stretched
out one hand towards the palace, and laying the other upon his
heart, Dear object of my soul, cried he, with a feeble voice,
receive my faith with this hand, while I assure you with the other,
that my heart shall for ever preserve the fire with which it burns
for you.
In the mean time the boatman rowed with all his might, and
Schemselnihar’s confidant accompanied the prince of Persia and Ebn
Thaher, walking along the side of the canal, until they came to the
Tigris, and when she could go no further, she took leave of them,
and returned.
The prince of Persia continued very feeble: Ebn Thaher comforted
him, and exhorted him to take courage. Consider, said he to him,
that when we are landed, we have a great way to go before we reach
my house; and I would not advise you to go to your lodging, which is
a great deal farther than mine, at this hour, and in this condition.
At last they went out of the boat, but the prince had so little
strength, that he could not walk, which put Ebn Thaher into great
perplexity. He recollected he had a friend in the neighbourhood, and
carried the prince thither with great difficulty. His friend
received him very cheerfully, and when he made them sit down, he
asked them where they had been so late. Ebn Thaher answered him, I
heard this evening that a man who owed me a considerable sum of
money was setting out on a long voyage. I lost no time to find him,
and by the way I met with this young nobleman whom you see, and to
whom I am under a thousand obligations; for, knowing my debtor, he
did me the favour to go along with me. We had a great deal of
trouble to bring the man to reason. We have at length succeeded, and
this is the cause of our being so late. In our return home, this
good lord, to whom I am for ever bound to show all possible respect,
was attacked by a sudden illness, which made me take the liberty to
knock at your door, flattering myself that you would be pleased to
lodge us this night.
Ebn Thaher’s friend took all this for truth, told them they were
welcome, and offered the prince of Persia, whom he knew not, all the
assistance he could desire; but Ebn Thaher spoke for the prince, and
said, that his distemper was of that nature as required nothing but
rest. His friend understood by this that they desired to go to bed.
Upon which he conducted them to an apartment, where he left them.
Though the prince of Persia slept, he was interrupted by troublesome
dreams, which represented Schemselnihar in a swoon at the caliph’s
feet, and increased his affliction. Ebn Thaher was very impatient to
be at home, and doubted not but his family was under great
apprehension, because he never used to sleep out. He arose and
departed early in the morning, after he had taken leave of his
friend, who rose at break of day to prayers. At last he came home,
and the first thing the prince of Persia did, who had walked so far
with much trouble, was to lie down upon a sofa, as weary as if he
had gone a long journey. Being not in a condition to go to his own
house, Ebn Thaher ordered a chamber to be made ready for him, and
sent to acquaint his friends with his condition and where he was. In
the mean time he begged him to compose himself, to command in his
house, and to dispose of all things as he pleased. I thank you
heartily for those obliging offers, said the prince of Persia; but
that I may not be any way troublesome to you, I conjure you to deal
with me as if I were not at your house. I would not stay one moment,
if I thought my presence would incommode you in the least.
As soon as Ebn Thaher had time to recollect himself, he told his
family all that had passed at Schemselnihar’s palace, and
concluded by thanking God, who had delivered him from the danger he
was in. The prince of Persia’s principal domestics came to receive
his orders at Ebn Thaher’s house, and in a little time there
arrived several of his friends who had notice of his indisposition.
Those friends passed the greatest part of the day with him; and
though their conversation could not extinguish those sad ideas which
were the cause of his trouble, yet it gave him some relief. He would
have taken his leave of Ebn Thaher towards the evening; but this
faithful friend found him still so weak, that he obliged him to stay
till next day, and in the mean time, to divert him, he gave him a
concert of vocal and instrumental music in the evening; but this
concert served only to put him in mind of the preceding night, and
renewed his trouble, instead of assuaging it; so that next day his
distemper seemed to increase. Upon this Ebn Thaher did not oppose
his going home, but took care to accompany him thither; and when he
was with him alone in his chamber, he represented to him all those
arguments which might influence him to a generous effort to overcome
that passion which in the end would neither prove lucky to himself
nor to the favourite. Ah! dear Ebn Thaher, cried the prince, how
easy is it for you to give this advice, but how hard is it for me to
follow it! I am sensible of its importance, but am not able to
profit by it. I have said already, that I shall carry to the grave
with me the love that I bear to Schemselnihar. When Ebn Thaher saw
that he could gain nothing upon the prince, he took his leave of
him, and would have retired.
The prince of Persia stopt him, and said, Kind Ebn Thaher, since I
have declared to you that it is not in my power to follow your wise
counsels, I beg you would not charge it on me as a crime, nor
forbear to give me the usual testimonies of your friendship; you
cannot do me a greater favour than to inform me of the destiny of my
dear Schemselnihar, when you hear any news of her: the uncertainty I
am in concerning her fate, and the mortal apprehensions her fainting
has occasioned in me, keep me in this languishing condition you
reproach me with. --My lord, answered Ebn Thaher, you have reason to
hope that her fainting was not attended with any bad consequences;
her confidant will quickly come and inform me of the issue; and as
soon as I know the particulars, I will not fail to impart them.
Ebn Thaher left the prince in this hope, and returned home, where he
expected Schemselnihar’s confidant all the rest of the day, but in
vain; nor did she come next day. His uneasiness to know the state of
the prince of Persia’s health would not suffer him to stay any
longer without seeing him; he went to his lodging to exhort him to
patience, and found him lying on his bed as ill as ever, surrounded
by a great many of his friends, and several physicians, who made use
of all their art to discover the cause of his distemper. As soon as
he saw Ebn Thaher, he looked upon him smiling, to signify that he
had two things to tell him; the one, that he was glad to see him;
the other, how much the physicians, who could not discover the cause
of his distemper, were out in their reasonings.
His friends and physicians retired one after another, so that Ebn
Thaher being alone with him, came near his bed to ask him how he did
since he saw him. I must tell you, answered the prince, that my
passion, which continually gathers new strength, and the uncertainty
of the lovely Schemselnihar’s destiny, augment my distemper every
moment, and cast me into such a state, as afflicts my kindred and
friends, and breaks the measures of my physicians, who do not
understand it. You cannot think, added he, how much I suffer by
seeing so many people about me, who importune me, and whom I cannot
in civility put away. Your company alone relieves me; but I conjure
you not to dissemble with me: What news do you bring me of
Schemselnihar? Have you seen her confidant? What said she to you?
--Ebn Thaher answered, that he had not seen her yet; and no sooner
had he told the prince of Persia this sad news, but the tears came
into his eyes; he could not answer one word, his heart was so
oppressed. Prince, added Ebn Thaher, suffer me to tell you, that you
are too ingenious in tormenting yourself. In the name of God, wipe
away your tears: if any of your people should come in, they would
discover you by this, notwithstanding the care you ought to take to
conceal your thoughts. Whatever this judicious confidant could say,
it was not possible for the prince to refrain from weeping. Wise Ebn
Thaher, said he, when he had recovered his speech, I may indeed
hinder my tongue from revealing the secrets of my heart, but I have
no power over my tears, upon such an alarming subject as
Schemselnihar’s danger. If that adorable and only object of my
desires be no longer in the world, I shall not survive her a moment.
--Reject so afflicting a thought, replied Ebn Thaher; Schemselnihar
is yet alive, you need not doubt of it; if you have heard no news of
her, it is because she could find no opportunity to send to you, and
I hope you will hear from her to-day. To this he added several other
consoling arguments, and then withdrew.
Ebn Thaher was scarce at his own house when Schemselnihar’s
confidant arrived with a melancholy countenance, which he reckoned a
bad omen. He asked news of her mistress: Tell me yours first, said
the confidant, for I was in great trouble to see the prince of
Persia go away in that condition. Ebn Thaher told her all that she
wished to know, and when he had done, the slave began thus:-- If the
prince of Persia, said she, has suffered, and does still suffer, for
my mistress, she suffers no less for him. After I departed from you,
continued she. I returned to the saloon, where I found Schemselnihar
not yet recovered from her swoon, notwithstanding all the help they
endeavoured to give her. The caliph was sitting near her with all
the signs of real grief; he asked all the women, and me in
particular, if we knew the cause of her distemper; but we kept all
secret, and told him we were altogether ignorant of it. In the mean
time, we all wept to see her suffer so long, and forgot nothing that
might any way help her. In a word, it was almost midnight before she
came to herself. The caliph, who had the patience to wait the event,
was rejoiced at her recovery, and asked Schemselnihar the cause of
her distemper. As soon as she heard him speak, she endeavoured to
recover her seat; and after she had kissed his feet, before he could
hinder her, Sir, said she, I have reason to complain of heaven, that
it did not allow me to expire at your majesty’s feet, to testify
thereby how sensible I am of your favours.
I am persuaded you love me, said the caliph to her, and I command
you to preserve yourself for my sake. You have probably exceeded in
something to-day, which has occasioned this indisposition: take
care, I entreat you; abstain from it for the future. I am very glad
to see you better, and I advise you to stay here to-night, and not
to return to your chamber, for fear the motion affect you. He then
commanded a little wine to be brought her, in order to strengthen
her; and taking leave of her, returned to his apartment.
As soon as the caliph was gone, my mistress gave me a sign to come
near her. She asked me earnestly concerning you; I assured her that
you had been gone a long time, which made her easy on that head: I
took care not to speak of the prince of Persia’s fainting, lest it
should make her fall into the same state, from which we had so much
trouble to recover her; but my precautions were in vain, as you
shall hear. Prince, said she, I henceforth renounce all pleasure us
long as I am deprived of the sight of you. If I have understood your
heart right, I only follow your example. You will not cease to weep
until you see me again; it is but just that I weep and mourn until I
see you. At these words, which she uttered in a manner expressive of
the violence of her passion, she fainted a second time in my arms.
Schemselnihar’s confidant continued to tell Ebn Thaher all that
had happened to her mistress after the first fainting. My companions
and I, said she, were a long time recovering her; at last, she came
to herself; and then I said to her, Madam, are you resolved to kill
yourself, and to make us also die with you? I entreat you, in the
name of the prince of Persia, who is so deeply interested in your
life, to preserve it, as you love yourself; be persuaded to this
effort, as you love the prince, and for our fidelity to you. I am
very much obliged to you, replied she, for your care, your zeal, and
your advice; but, alas! they are useless to me: you are not to
flatter us with any hopes, for we can expect no end of our torment
but in the grave.
One of my companions would have diverted these sad thought by
playing on the lute, but she commanded her to be silent, and ordered
all of them to retire except me, whom she kept all night with her. O
heavens! what a night it was! she passed it in tears and groans, and
incessantly naming the prince of Persia. She lamented her lot, that
had destined her to the caliph, whom she could not love, and not for
him whom she loved so dearly.
Next morning, because she was not commodiously lodged in the saloon,
I helped her to her chamber, where she no sooner arrived than all
the physicians of the palace came to see her by order of the caliph,
who was not long in coming himself. The medicines which the
physicians prescribed to Schemselnihar were ineffectual, because
they were ignorant of the cause of her distemper; and the presence
of the caliph augmented it. She got a little rest, however, this
night, and as soon as she awoke, she charged me to come to you, to
hear news of the prince of Persia. I have already informed you of
his case, said Ebn Thaher; so return to your mistress, and assure
her, that the prince of Persia waits for news from her with the like
impatience that she does from him; above all, exhort her to
moderation, and to overcome herself, for fear she drop before the
caliph some word which may prove fatal to us all. As for me, replied
the confidant, I confess I dread her transports; I have taken the
liberty to tell her my mind, and am persuaded that she will not take
it ill that I tell her again this from you.
Ebn Thaher, who had but just come from the prince of Persia’s
lodgings, thought it not convenient to return so soon, and neglect
his own important affairs, and therefore went not till the evening;
the prince was alone, and no better than in the morning; Ebn Thaher
said he to him, as soon as he saw him, you have doubtless many
friends, but they do not know your worth, which you discover to me
by your zeal, your care, and the trouble you give yourself to oblige
me. I am confounded with all that you do for me with so great
affection, and I know not how I shall be able to express my
gratitude. Prince, answered Ebn Thaher, do not speak so, I entreat
you; I am ready, not only to give one of my eyes, to save one of
yours, but to sacrifice my life for you. But this is not the present
business; I come to tell you that Schemselnihar sent her confidant
to ask me about you, and at the same time, to inform me of her
condition. You may assure yourself, that I said nothing but what
might confirm the excess of your passion for her mistress, and the
constancy with which you love her. Then Ebn Thaher gave him a
particular account of all that had passed betwixt the trusty slave
and him.
The prince listened with all the different emotions of fear,
jealousy, affection, and compassion, which this conversation could
inspire him with, making upon every thing which he heard, all the
afflicting or comforting reflections that so passionate a lover was
capable of.
Their conversation continued so long, that the night was far
advanced, so that the prince of Persia obliged Ebn Thaher to stay
with him. The next morning, as his trusty friend returned home,
there came to him a woman, whom he knew to be Schemselnihar’s
confidant, and immediately she spoke to him thus: My mistress
salutes you, and I am come to entreat you in her name to deliver
this letter to the prince of Persia. The zealous Ebn Thaher took the
letter, and returned to the prince, accompanied by the confidant
slave.
When Ebn Thaher entered the prince of Persia’s house, with
Schemselnihar’s confidant, he prayed her to stay, and wait for him
a moment in the drawing room. As soon as the prince of Persia saw
him, he asked earnestly what news he had to tell him? The best you
can expect, answered Ebn Thaher. You are as dearly beloved as you
love; Schemselnihar’s confidant is in your drawing room; she has
brought you a letter from her mistress, and waits for your orders to
come in. Let her come in, cried the prince, with a transport of joy;
and so saying, he sat up to receive her.
The prince’s attendants went from him as soon as they saw Ebn
Thaher, and left him alone with their master. Ebn Thaher went and
opened the door himself, and brought in the confidant. The prince
knew her, and received her with great politeness. My lord, said she
to him, I am sensible of the affliction you have endured since I had
the honour to conduct you to the boat which waited to bring you
back; but I hope the letter I have brought will contribute to your
cure. So saying, she presented him the letter. He took it, and after
he had kissed it several times, he opened and read it as follows:
A Letter from Schemselnihar to Ali Ebn Becar, Prince of Persia.
‘The person who brings you this letter will give you a better
account concerning me than I can do, for I have not been myself
since I saw you; being deprived of your presence, I sought to
deceive myself by conversing with you by these ill-written lines,
with the same pleasure as if I had the good fortune to speak to you.
‘It is said, that patience is a cure for all evils, but it
heightens my sufferings, instead of relieving them. Although your
picture be deeply engraven in my heart, my eyes, desire speedily
once more to see the original, and they will lose all their light if
they be any considerable time deprived of it. May I flatter myself
that yours have the same impatience to see me? Yes, I can; their
tender glances have sufficiently discovered it to me. How happy,
prince, should you and Schemselnihar both be, if our united desires
were not thwarted by invincible obstacles, which afflict me the more
sensibly as they have that effect on you.
‘Those thoughts which my fingers write, and which I express with
incredible pleasure, repeating them again and again, proceed from
the bottom of my heart, and from the incurable wound which you have
made in it, a wound which I bless a thousand times, notwithstanding
the cruel torments I endure for your absence. I would reckon all
that opposes our love nothing, were I only allowed to see you
sometimes with freedom; I should then enjoy you, and what could I
desire more?
‘Do not imagine that I say more than I think. Alas! whatever
expressions I make use of, I feel that I think more than I can tell
you. My eyes, which are continually watching and weeping for your
return; my afflicted heart, which desires you alone; the sighs that
escape me as often as I think on you, that is every moment; my
imagination, which represents no other object to me than my dear
prince; the complaints that I make to heaven for the rigour of my
destiny; in a word, my grief, my distress, my torments, which give
me no ease ever since I lost sight of you, will vouch for what I
write.
‘Am I not unhappy to be born to love, without hope of enjoying him
whom I love? This afflicting thought oppresses me so that I should
die were I not persuaded that you love me: but this sweet comfort
balances my despair, and preserves my life. Tell me that you love me
always; I will keep your letter carefully, and read it a thousand
times a day; I should endure my afflictions with less impatience: I
pray heaven may cease to be angry at us, and grant us an opportunity
to say, that we love one another without fear; and that we shall
never cease to love one another. Adieu. I salute Ebn Thaher, to whom
we are so much obliged.’
The prince of Persia was not satisfied with reading the letter once;
he thought he had read it with too little attention, and therefore
read it again with more leisure; and as he read, sometimes he
uttered deep sighs, sometimes he shed tears, and sometimes he broke
out into transports of joy and tenderness, as he was affected with
what he read. In short, he could not keep his eyes off those
characters drawn by so beloved a hand, and was beginning to read it
a third time, when Ebn Thaher observed to him, that the confidant
had no time to lose, and that he ought to think of giving an answer.
Alas! cried the prince, how would you have me answer so kind a
letter? In what terms shall I express myself in the disturbed state
I am in? My mind is tossed with a thousand tormenting thoughts,
which are lost the same moment they are conceived, to make way for
others. So long as my body is influenced by the impressions of my
mind, how shall I be able to hold the paper, or guide my reed to
write? [81]
So saying, he took out of a little desk which was near him, paper, a
cane ready cut, and an inkhorn.
The prince of Persia, before he began to write, gave
Schemselnihar’s letter to Ebn Thaher, and prayed him to hold it
open while he wrote, that by casting his eyes upon it, he might the
better see what to answer. He began to write; but the tears that
fell from his eyes upon the paper, obliged him several times to
stop, that they might fall the more freely. At last, he finished his
letter, and giving it to Ebn Thaher, Read it, I pray, said he to
him, and do me the favour to see if the disorder of my mind has
allowed me to give a favourable answer. Ebn Thaher took it, and read
as follows:
The Prince of Persia’s answer to Schemselnihar’s Letter.
‘I was plunged in the deepest grief when I received your letter,
at the sight of which, I was transported with unspeakable joy; and
at sight of the characters written by your lovely hand, my eyes were
enlightened by a stronger light than they lost, when yours were
closed on a sudden at the feet of my rival. These words contained in
your kind letter are so many rays of light, which have dispelled the
darkness wherewith my soul was obscured; they show me how much you
suffer for love of me, and that you are not ignorant of what I
endure for you, and thereby comfort me in my afflictions. On the one
hand, they make me shed tears in abundance; and on the other, they
inflame my heart with a fire which supports it, and prevents my
dying of grief. I have not had one moment’s rest since our cruel
separation. Your letter alone gave me some ease. I kept a mournful
silence till the moment I received it, and then it restored my
speech. I was buried in profound melancholy, but it inspired me with
joy, which immediately appeared in my eyes and countenance. But my
surprise at receiving a favour which I had not yet deserved was so
great, that I knew not how to begin to testify my thankfulness for
it. In a word, after having kissed it several times as a precious
pledge of your goodness, I read it over and over, and was confounded
at the excess of my good fortune. You would have me signify to you,
that I always love you. Ah! though I did not love you so perfectly
as I do, I could not forbear adoring you, after all the marks you
have given me of a love so uncommon; yes, I love you my dear soul,
and shall account it my glory to burn all my days with that sweet
fire you have kindled in my heart. I will never complain of that
ardour with which I feel it consumes me: and how rigorous soever the
evils be which I suffer, I will bear them with fortitude, in hopes
to see you some time or other. Would to heaven it were to-day, and
that, instead of sending you my letter, I might be allowed to come
and assure you, that I die for love of you! My tears hinder me from
saying any more. Adieu.’
Ebn Thaher could not read those last lines without weeping. He
returned the letter to the prince of Persia, and assured him it
wanted no correction. The prince closed it, and when he had sealed
it, he desired the trusty slave to come near, and said to her, This
is my answer to your dear mistress’s letter. I conjure you to
carry it to her, and to salute her in my name. The slave took the
letter, and retired with Ebn Thaher.
After Ebn Thaher had walked some way with the slave, he left her,
and went to his house, and began to think in earnest upon the
amorous intrigue into which he found himself unhappily engaged. He
considered, that the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar,
notwithstanding their interest to conceal their correspondence,
conducted themselves with so little discretion, that it could not be
long a secret. He drew all the consequences from it, which a man of
good sense ought to do. Were Schemselnihar, said he to himself, a
lady of common rank, I would contribute all in my power to make her
and her lover happy; but she is the caliph’s favourite, and no man
can without danger attempt to engage the affections of the object of
his choice. His anger would fall in the first instance on
Schemselnihar; it will next cost the prince of Persia his life, and
I shall be involved in his misfortune. --In the mean time, I have my
honour, my quiet, my family, and my estate to preserve. I must,
while I can, extricate myself out of such a risk.
These thoughts occupied his mind all that day; next morning, he went
to the prince of Persia, with a design to make one more effort to
oblige him to conquer his passion. He represented to him what he had
before represented in vain; that it would be much better for him to
call up all his resolution, to overcome his inclination for
Schemselnihar, than to suffer himself to be hurried away by it; and
that his passion was so much the more dangerous, as his rival was
powerful. In short, sir, added he, if you will hearken to me, you
ought to think of nothing but to triumph over your love; otherwise,
you run the risk of destroying yourself with Schemselnihar, whose
life ought to be dearer to you than your own. I give you this advice
as a friend, for which you will some time or other thank me.
The prince heard Ebn Thaher with great impatience, but suffered him
to speak his mind, and then replied to him thus: Ebn Thaher, said
he, do you think I can cease to love Schemselnihar, who loves me so
tenderly? She is not afraid to expose her life for me, and would you
have me regard mine? No; whatever misfortunes befall me, I will love
Schemselnihar to my last breath.
Ebn Thaher, shocked at the obstinacy of the prince of Persia, left
him hastily, and going to his own house, recalled to his mind his
former reflections, and began to think seriously what he should do.
In the mean time, a jeweller, one of his intimate friends, came to
see him. The jeweller had perceived that Schemselnihar’s confidant
came oftener to Ebn Thaher than usual, and that he was constantly
with the prince of Persia, whose sickness was known to every one,
though not the cause of it. This had awakened the jeweller’s
suspicions, and finding Ebn Thaher very pensive, he presently judged
that he was perplexed with some important affair, and fancying that
he knew the cause, he asked, what Schemselnihar’s confidant wanted
with him? Ebn Thaher being struck with this question, would have
dissembled, and told him, that it was for a trifle she came so
frequently to him. You do not tell me the truth, said the jeweller,
and you think to persuade me, by your dissimulation, that this
trifle is a more important affair than at first I thought it to be.
Ebn Thaher perceiving that his friend pressed him so much, said to
him, it is true, that it is an affair of the greatest consequence! I
had resolved to keep it secret, but since I know how much you are my
friend, I choose rather to make you my confidant, than to suffer you
to be under a mistake about it. --I do not recommend to you secrecy,
for you will easily judge by what I am going to tell you, how
important it is to keep it. After this preamble, he told him the
amour between Schemselnihar, and the prince of Persia. You know,
continued he, in what esteem I am at court, in the city, and with
lords and ladies of the greatest quality; what a disgrace it would
be for me, should this rash amour come to be discovered? But what do
I say; should not I and my family be completely ruined? That is what
perplexes my mind; but I have just formed my resolution: I will go
immediately and satisfy my creditors, and recover my debts, and when
I have secured my property, will retire to Balsora, and stay till
the storm that I foresee is blown over. My friendship for
Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia makes me very sensible to
what dangers they are exposed. I pray heaven to convince them of it,
and to preserve them; but if their evil destiny should bring their
amours to the knowledge of the caliph, I shall, at least, be out of
the reach of his resentment; for I do not think them so wicked as to
design to involve me in their misfortunes. It would be the height of
ingratitude, and a bad reward for the service I have done them, and
the good advice I have given them, particularly to the prince of
Persia, who may save both himself and his mistress from this
precipice, if he pleases: he may as easily leave Bagdad as I; and
absence will insensibly disengage him from a passion, which will
only increase whilst he continues in this place.
The jeweller was extremely surprised at what Ebn Thaher told him.
What you say to me, says he, is of so great importance, that I
cannot understand how Schemselnihar and the prince could have
abandoned themselves to such a violent passion; what inclination
soever they may have for one another, instead of yielding to it,
they ought to resist it, and make a better use of their reason. Is
it possible they can be insensible of the dangerous consequence of
their correspondence? How deplorable is their blindness! I perceive
all the consequences of it as well as you; but you are wise and
prudent, and I approve your resolution; the only way to deliver
yourself from the fatal events which you have reason to fear. After
this conversation, the jeweller rose up, and took his leave of Ebn
Thaher.
Before the jeweller retired, Ebn Thaher conjured him by the
friendship betwixt them, to say nothing of this to any body. Fear
not, said the jeweller; I will keep this secret on peril of my life.
Two days after, the jeweller went to Ebn Thaher’s shop, and seeing
it shut, he doubted not but he had executed the design he spoke of;
but, to be more sure, he asked a neighbour, if he knew why it was
shut? The neighbour answered that he knew not, unless Ebn Thaher was
gone a journey. There was no need of his inquiring farther, and he
immediately thought of the prince of Persia: Unhappy prince, said he
to himself, what will be your grief when you hear this news? How
will you now carry on your correspondence with Schemselnihar? I fear
you will die of despair. I pity you, and must make up your loss of a
too timid confidant.
The business that obliged him to come abroad was of no consequence,
so that he neglected it: and though he had no knowledge of the
prince of Persia, but only by having sold him some jewels, he went
to his house; he addressed himself to one of his servants, and
prayed him to tell his master, that he desired to speak with him
about business of very great importance. The servant returned
immediately to the jeweller, and introduced him to the prince’s
chamber, who was leaning on a sofa, with his head upon a cushion. As
soon as the prince saw him, he rose up to receive and welcome him,
and intreated him to sit down; asked if he could serve him in any
thing, or if he came to tell him any thing interesting concerning
himself. Prince, answered the jeweller, though I have not the honour
to be particularly acquainted with you, yet the desire of testifying
my zeal has made me take the liberty to come to your house, to
impart to you a piece of news that concerns you. I hope you will
pardon my boldness for my good intention.
After this introduction, the jeweller entered upon the matter, and
continued thus: Prince, I shall have the honour to tell you, that it
is a long time since the conformity of disposition, and some
business we have had together, united Ebn Thaher and me in strict
friendship. I know you are acquainted with him, and that he has
employed himself in obliging you to his utmost; I have learnt this
from himself for he keeps nothing secret from me, nor I from him. I
went just now to his shop, and was surprised to find it shut: I
addressed myself to one of his neighbours, to ask the reason; he
answered me, that two days ago Ebn Thaher took leave of him, and
other neighbours, offering them his service at Balsora, whither he
is gone, said he, about an affair of great importance. Not being
satisfied with this answer, my concern for his welfare determined me
to come and ask if you knew any thing particularly concerning this
his sudden departure.
At this discourse, which the jeweller accommodated to the subject,
the better to compass his design, the prince of Persia changed
colour, and looked at the jeweller in a manner which convinced him
how much he was disconcerted with the news. I am surprised at what
you inform me, said he; a greater misfortune could not befal me. Ah!
said he, with tears in his eyes, if what you tell me be true, I am
undone! Has Ebn Thaher, who was all my comfort, in whom I put all my
confidence, left me? I cannot think of living after so cruel a blow.
The jeweller needed no more to convince him fully of the prince of
Persia’s violent passion, which Ebn Thaher told him of: mere
friendship would not make him speak so; nothing but love could
produce such lively sensations.
The prince continued some moments absorbed in those melancholy
thoughts; at last he lifted up his head, and calling one of his
servants, Go, said he, to Ebn Thaher’s house, and ask some of his
domestics if he be gone to Balsora: run, and come back quickly, and
tell me what you hear. While the servant was gone, the jeweller
endeavoured to entertain the prince of Persia with indifferent
subjects; but the prince gave little heed to him: he was a prey to
fatal grief. Sometimes he could not persuade himself that Ebn Thaher
was gone, and at other times he did not doubt of it, when he
reflected upon the conversation he had with him the last time he saw
him, and the abrupt manner in which he left him.
At last the prince’s servant returned, and reported that he had
spoken with one of Ebn Thaher’s servants, who assured him that he
had been gone two days to Balsora. As I came from Ebn Thaher’s
house, added the servant, a slave well dressed met me; and after she
had asked me if I had the honour to belong to you, she told me she
wanted to speak with you, and begged at the same time that she might
come along with me: she is in the outer room, and I believe she has
a letter to give you from some person of consequence. The prince
commanded her to be immediately introduced, not doubting but it was
Schemselnihar’s confidant slave, as indeed it was. The jeweller
knew who she was, having seen her several times at Ebn Thaher’s
house. She could not have come in a better time to save the prince
from despair. She saluted him.
The prince of Persia returned the salute of Schemselnihar’s
confidant. The jeweller arose as soon as he saw her appear, and
retired, to leave them at liberty to converse together. The
confidant, after she had conversed some time with the prince, took
her leave and departed. She left him quite another person from what
he was before; his eyes appeared brighter, and his countenance more
gay; which satisfied the jeweller that the good slave came to tell
him something favourable to his amour.
The jeweller having taken his place again near the prince, said to
him, smiling, I see, prince, you have business of importance at the
caliph’s palace. The prince of Persia, astonished and alarmed at
this discourse, answered the jeweller, What leads you to suppose
that I have business at the caliph’s palace? --I judge so, replied
the jeweller, by the slave that is gone forth. And to whom, think
you, belongs this slave? replied the prince. --To Schemselnihar, the
caliph’s favourite, answered the jeweller. I know, continued he,
both the slave and her mistress, who has several times done me the
honour to come to my house and buy jewels. Besides, I know that
Schemselnihar keeps nothing secret from this slave; and I have seen
her go and come for several days along the streets, as I thought,
very much troubled: I imagined that it was for some affair of
consequence concerning her mistress.
The jeweller’s words did much trouble the prince of Persia. He
would not say so, said he to himself, if he did not suspect, or
rather was not acquainted with my secret. He remained silent for
some time, not knowing what course to take. At last he began, and
said to the jeweller, You have told me things which make me believe
that you know yet more than you have acquainted me with; it concerns
my repose, that I be perfectly informed; I conjure you, therefore,
not to conceal any thing from me.
Then the jeweller, who desired nothing more, gave him a particular
account of what had passed betwixt Ebn Thaher and himself: he let
him know that he was informed of his correspondence with
Schemselnihar, and forgot not to tell him that Ebn Thaher, alarmed
at the danger of being his confidant in the matter, had communicated
to him his intention of retiring to Balsora, to stay there until the
storm which he dreaded should be blown over. This he has executed,
added the jeweller; and I am surprised how he could determine
himself to abandon you, in the condition he informed me you was in.
As for me, prince, I confess I am moved with compassion towards
you, and am come to offer you my service; and if you do me the
favour to accept of it, I engage myself to be as faithful to you as
Ebn Thaher; besides, I promise to be more resolute. I am ready to
sacrifice my honour and life for you; and, that you may not doubt of
my sincerity, I swear by all that is sacred in our religion, to keep
your secret inviolable. Be persuaded then, prince, that you will
find in me the friend whom you have lost. This discourse encouraged
the prince, and comforted him under Ebn Thaher’s absence. I am
very glad, said he to the jeweller, to find in you a reparation of
my loss: I want words to express the obligations I am under to you.
I pray God to recompense your generosity, and I accept your obliging
offer with all my heart. Believe me, continued he, Schemselnihar’s
confidant came to speak to me concerning you: she told me that it
was you who advised Ebn Thaher to go from Bagdad: these were the
last words she spoke to me when she went away, and she seemed
persuaded of what she said; but they do not do you justice. I doubt
not, after what you have told me, she is deceived. Prince, replied
the jeweller, I have had the honour to give you a faithful account
of my conversation with Ebn Thaher. It is true, when he told me he
meant to retire to Balsora, I did not oppose his design, but said he
was a wise and prudent man; but let not this prevent your putting
confidence in me. I am ready to serve you with all imaginable zeal.
If you do not make any use of my service, this shall not hinder me
from keeping your secret religiously, according to my oath. --I have
already told you, replied the prince, that I did not believe what
the confidant said: it is her zeal which inspired her with this
groundless suspicion, and you ought to excuse it, as I do.
They continued their conversation for some time, and consulted
together about the most convenient means to keep up the prince’s
correspondence with Schemselnihar. They agreed to begin by
undeceiving the confidant, who was so unjustly prepossessed against
the jeweller. The prince engaged to remove her mistake the first
time he saw her again, and to entreat her to address herself to the
jeweller whenever she might bring letters, or any other information,
from her mistress to him. In short, they agreed that she ought not
to come so frequently to the prince’s house, because thereby she
might lead to the discovery of what it was of so great importance to
conceal. At last the jeweller arose, and after having again
entreated the prince of Persia to place an unreserved confidence in
him, he withdrew.
The jeweller returning to his house, perceived before him a letter,
which somebody had dropped in the street. He took it up, and as it
was not sealed, he opened it, and found it conceived in these terms:
A Letter from Schemselnihar to the Prince of Persia.
‘I learn from my confidant a piece of news, which gives me no less
concern than it must give you. By losing Ebn Thaher, we have indeed
suffered a great loss; but let not this hinder you, dear prince,
from thinking to preserve yourself. If our confidant has abandoned
us through a panic fear, let us consider that it is a misfortune
which we could not avoid. I confess Ebn Thaher has left us at a time
when we most needed his assistance; but let us fortify ourselves by
patience against the unexpected stroke, and let us not forbear to
love one another constantly. Fortify your heart against this
misfortune. The object of our wishes is not to be obtained without
trouble. Let us not be discouraged, but hope that heaven will favour
us: and that, after so many afflictions, we shall see a happy
accomplishment of our desires. Adieu.’
While the jeweller was conversing with the prince of Persia, the
confidant had time to return to the palace, and communicate to her
mistress the ill news of Ebn Thaher’s departure. Schemselnihar
immediately wrote this letter, and sent back her confidant with it
to the prince of Persia, but she negligently dropped it.
The jeweller was glad to find it, for it furnished him with an
opportunity of justifying himself to the confidant, and bringing her
to the point he desired. When he had read it, he perceived the slave
seeking for it with the greatest anxiety, and looking about every
where. He closed it again quickly, and put it into his bosom; but
the slave observed him, and running to him, --Sir, said she, I have
dropped a letter, which you had just now in your hand; I beseech you
to restore it. The jeweller, taking no notice that he heard her,
continued his way till he came to his house. He did not shut the
door after him, that the confidant, who followed him, might come in.
She did so; and when she came to his chamber, Sir, said she to him,
you can make no use of that letter you have found; and you would not
hesitate to return it to me, if you knew from whom it came, and to
whom it is directed. Besides, allow me to tell you, you cannot
honestly keep it.
Before the jeweller answered the confidant, he made her sit down,
and then he said to her, Is not this letter from Schemselnihar, and
is it not directed to the prince of Persia? The slave, who expected
no such question, blushed. The question embarrasses you, replied he;
but I assure you I do not put it rashly. I could have given you the
letter in the street, but I wished you to follow me, on purpose that
I might come to some explanation with you. Is it just, tell me, to
impute an unhappy accident to people who no ways contributed towards
it? Yet this you have done, in telling the prince of Persia that it
was I who advised Ebn Thaher to leave Bagdad for his own safety. I
do not intend to lose time in justifying myself to you; it is enough
that the prince of Persia is fully persuaded of my innocence in this
matter: I will only tell you, that instead of contributing to Ebn
Thaher’s departure, I have been extremely afflicted at it; not so
much from my friendship to him, as out of compassion for the
condition he left the prince of Persia in, whose correspondence with
Schemselnihar he has discovered to me. As soon as I knew certainly
that Ebn Thaher was gone from Bagdad, I went and presented myself to
the prince, in whose house you found me, to inform him of this news,
and to offer him the same service which he did him; and provided you
put the same confidence in me that you did in Ebn Thaher, it will be
your own fault if you do not make my assistance of use to you.
Inform your mistress of what I have told you; and assure her that
though I should die for engaging in so dangerous an intrigue, I
should not repent of having sacrificed myself for two lovers so
worthy of one another.
The confidant, after having heard the jeweller with great
satisfaction, begged him to pardon the ill opinion she had conceived
of him, for the zeal she had for her mistress’s interest. I am
beyond measure glad, added she, that Schemselnihar and the prince
have found in you a person so fit to supply Ebn Thaher’s place. I
will not fail to convince my mistress of the good will you bear her.
After the confidant had testified to the jeweller her joy to see him
so well disposed to serve Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia,
the jeweller took the letter out of his bosom, and restored it to
her, saying, Go, carry it quickly to the prince of Persia, and come
back this way, that I may see the answer. Forget not to give him an
account of our conversation.
The confidant took the letter and carried it to the prince, who
answered it immediately. She returned to the jeweller’s house to
show him the answer, which was in these words:
The Prince of Persia’s Answer to Schemselnihar.
‘Your precious letter had a great effect upon me, but not so great
as I could have wished. You endeavour to comfort me for the loss of
Ebn Thaher; alas! however sensible I am of this, it is but the least
of my troubles. You know these troubles, and you know also that your
presence alone can cure me. When will the time come that I shall
enjoy it without fear of being deprived of it? how long does it seem
to me! or shall we flatter ourselves that we may ever see it? You
command me to preserve myself; I will obey you, since I have
renounced my own will to follow only yours. Adieu.’
After the jeweller had read this letter, he gave it again to the
confidant; who said, as she was going away, I will desire my
mistress to put the same confidence in you that she did in Ebn
Thaher: you shall hear of me to-morrow. Accordingly next day she
returned with a pleasant countenance. Your very looks, said he to
her, inform me that you have brought Schemselnihar to the point you
wished for. It is true, said the confidant, and you shall hear how I
effected it. I found yesterday, continued she, Schemselnihar
expecting me with impatience; I gave her the prince of Persia’s
letter, and she read it with tears in her eyes; and when she had
done, I saw that she had abandoned herself to her usual sorrow.
Madam, said I to her, it is doubtless Ebn Thaher’s removal that
troubles you; but suffer me to conjure you, in the name of God, to
alarm yourself no farther on that head. We have found another who
offers himself to oblige you with equal zeal, and, what is yet more
important, with greater courage. Then I spoke to her of you,
continued the slave, and acquainted her with the motive which led
you to the prince of Persia’s house: in short, I assured her that
you would inviolably keep the secret betwixt her and the prince of
Persia, and that you was resolved to favour their amour with all
your might. She seemed to be much relieved by my discourse. Ah! what
obligations, said she, are the prince of Persia and I under to that
honest man you speak of! I must be acquainted with him and see him,
that I may hear from his own mouth what you tell me, and thank him
for such an unheard-of piece of generosity towards persons that he
is no way obliged to concern himself with. The sight of him will
give me pleasure, and I shall omit nothing to confirm him in those
good sentiments. Fail not to bring him to me to-morrow. Therefore,
sir, be so good as to go with me to the palace.
The confidant’s discourse perplexed the jeweller. Your mistress,
replied he, must allow me to say, that she has not duly considered
what she requires of me. Ebn Thaher’s access to the caliph gave
him admission every where, and the officers who knew him, allowed
him free access to Schemselnihar’s palace; but as for me, how dare
I enter? You see clearly that it is impossible. I entreat you to
represent to Schemselnihar the reasons which prevent me from giving
her that satisfaction, and acquaint her with all the ill
consequences that would attend it. If she considers it ever so
little, she would find that it would expose me needlessly to very
great danger.
The confidant endeavoured to encourage the jeweller: Can you
believe, said she, that Schemselnihar is so unreasonable as by
bringing you to her, to expose you to the least danger, from which
she expects so important services? Consider with yourself that there
is not the least appearance of risk for you; my mistress and I are
too much interested in this affair to involve you in any danger. You
may depend upon me, and leave yourself to my conduct. After the
thing is over, you will be the first to confess that your fear was
groundless.
The jeweller yielded to the confidant’s discourse, and rose up to
follow her; but notwithstanding his boasted courage, he was seized
with such terror, that his whole body trembled. In your present
state, said she, I perceive it will be better for you to stay at
home, and that Schemselnihar should take other measures to see you.
It is not to be doubted, but that to satisfy her desire, she will
come hither herself; the case being so, sir, I would not have you
go. I am persuaded it will not be long ere you see her come to you.
The confidant foresaw this; for she no sooner informed Schemselnihar
of the jeweller’s fear, but she prepared to go to his house.
He received her with all the expressions of profound respect. When
she sat down, being a little fatigued with coming, she unveiled
herself, and let the jeweller see such beauty, as convinced him that
the prince of Persia was excusable in giving his heart to the
caliph’s favourite. Then she saluted the jeweller with a graceful
air, and said to him, I could not hear with what zeal you have
engaged in the prince of Persia’s concerns and mine, without
immediately forming a design to express my gratitude in person. I
thank heaven for having so soon made up Ebn Thaher’s loss.
Schemselnihar said many other obliging things to the jeweller, after
which, she returned to her palace. The jeweller went immediately to
give an account of this visit to the prince of Persia, who said to
him as soon as he saw him, I have expected you impatiently. The
trusty slave has brought me a letter from her mistress, but it does
not relieve me. Whatever the lovely Schemselnihar says, I dare not
hope for any thing; my patience is at an end; I know not now what
measures to take. Ebn Thaher’s departure makes me despair: he was
my only support --I lost all by losing him; I flattered myself with
some hopes by reason of his access to Schemselnihar.
After these words, which the prince pronounced with so much
eagerness, that he gave the jeweller no time to interrupt him, he
said to the prince, No man can take more interest in your affliction
than I do; and if you will have patience to hear me, you will
perceive that I can relieve you. Upon this, the prince held his
peace, and listened to him. I see very well, said the jeweller, that
the only way to give you satisfaction is to fall upon a plan that
will afford you an opportunity to converse freely with
Schemselnihar. This I wish to procure you, and tomorrow will set
about it. You must by no means expose yourself to enter
Schemselnihar’s palace; you know by experience the danger of that
step: I know a fitter place for this interview, where you will be
safe. When the jeweller had finished speaking, the prince embraced
him with transports of joy. You revive, said he, by this charming
promise, a wretched lover, who was condemned to die. I see that you
have fully repaired the loss of Ebn Thaher: whatever you do will be
well done; I leave myself entirely to your conduct.
After the prince had thus thanked him for his zeal, the Jeweller
returned home, and next morning Schemselnihar’s confidant came to
him. He told her that he had given the prince of Persia hopes that
he should see Schemselnihar speedily. I am come on purpose, answered
she, to concert measures with you for that end. I think, continued
she, this house will be convenient enough for their interview. I
could receive them very well here, replied he; but I think they will
have more liberty in another house of mine, where nobody lives at
present; I will quickly furnish it for their reception. There
remains nothing then for me to do, replied the confidant, but to
bring Schemselnihar to consent to it. I will go and speak to her,
and return speedily with an answer.
She was as diligent as her promise; and returning to the jeweller,
told him that her mistress would not fail to keep the appointment in
the evening. In the mean time, she gave him a purse, and told him it
was to prepare a collation. He carried her immediately to the house
where the lovers were to meet, that she might know whither to bring
her mistress; and when she was gone, he went to borrow from his
friends gold and silver plate, tapestry, rich cushions, and other
furniture, with which he furnished the house very magnificently; and
when he had put all things in order, he went to the prince of Persia.
You may easily conceive the prince of Persia’s joy, when the
jeweller told him that he came to conduct him to the house he had
prepared to receive him and Schemselnihar. This news made him forget
all his former troubles. He put on a magnificent robe, and went
without his retinue along with the jeweller, who led him through
several by-streets, that nobody might observe them, and at last
brought him to the house, where they conversed together until
Schemselnihar came.
They did not stay long for this passionate lover; she came after
evening prayer with her confidant and two other slaves. It is
impossible to express the excess of joy that seized those two lovers
when they saw one another: they sat down together upon a sofa,
looking upon one another for some time, without being able to speak,
they were so much overjoyed, but when their speech returned, they
soon made up for their silence. They said to each other so many
tender things, as made the jeweller, the confidant, and the two
other slaves weep. The jeweller, however, restrained his tears, to
attend to the collation, which he brought in himself. The lovers ate
and drank little, after which they sat down again upon the sofa.
Schemselnihar asked the jeweller if he had a lute, or any other
instrument. --The jeweller, who took care to provide all that could
please her, brought her a lute; she spent some time in tuning it,
and then sung.
While Schemselnihar was charming the prince of Persia, and
expressing her passion by words composed extempore, a great noise
was heard, and immediately the slave whom the jeweller had brought
with him, came in a great fright, to tell him, that some people were
breaking in at the gate, that he asked who it was, but instead of
any answer, the blows were redoubled. The jeweller being alarmed,
left Schemselnihar and the prince to go and inform himself of the
truth of this bad news. No sooner was he got into the court, than he
saw, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, a company of men,
armed with bayonets and scimitars, who had broken the gate, and came
directly towards him. He stood close to a wall for fear of his life,
and saw ten of them pass without being perceived by them. Finding he
could give no great assistance to the prince of Persia and
Schemselnihar, he contented himself with lamenting their fate, and
fled for refuge to a neighbour’s house, who was not yet gone to
bed. He did not doubt but this unexpected violence was by the
caliph’s order, who, he thought, had been informed of his
favourite’s meeting the prince of Persia there. He heard a great
noise in his own house, which continued till midnight; and when all
was quiet, as he thought, he desired his neighbour to lend him a
scimitar; and being thus armed, went on till he came to the gate of
his own house. He entered the court full of fear, and perceived a
man, who asked him who he was; he knew by his voice, that it was his
own slave. How did you manage, said he, to avoid being taken by the
watch? Sir, answered the slave, I hid myself in a corner of the
court, and I went out so soon as I heard the noise. But it was not
the watch who broke into your house; they were robbers, who, within
these few days, robbed another house in the neighbourhood; they,
doubtless, had notice of the rich furniture you brought hither, and
had that in view.
The jeweller thought his slave’s conjecture probable enough; he
visited the house, and saw that the robbers had taken all the
furniture out of the chamber where he received Schemselnihar and her
lover; that they had also carried off the gold and silver plate,
and, in a word, had left nothing. --Being in this condition, O
heaven! cried he, I am irrecoverably undone! What will my friends
say, and what excuse can I make, when I shall tell them that the
robbers have broken into my house, and robbed me of all they had
generously lent me? I shall never be able to make up their loss.
Besides, what is become of Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia?
This business will be so public, that it will be impossible but it
must reach the caliph’s ears. He will get notice of this meeting,
and I shall fall a sacrifice to his fury! The slave, who was very
much attached to him, endeavoured to comfort him. As to
Schemselnihar, said he, the robbers probably would content
themselves with stripping her, and you have reason to think, that
she is retired to her palace with her slaves. The prince of Persia
is probably in the same condition; so that you have reason to hope
the caliph will never know this adventure. As for the loss your
friends have sustained, that is a misfortune that you could not
avoid. They know very well the robbers are numerous, that they have
not only pillaged the house I have already spoken of, but many other
houses of the principal noblemen of the court; and they are not
ignorant, that notwithstanding the orders given to apprehend them,
nobody has been yet able to seize any of them. You will be acquitted
by restoring your friends the value of the things that are stolen,
and blessed be God, you will have enough left.
Waiting till day, the jeweller ordered the slave to mend the street
door, which was broken, as well as he could; after which he returned
to his usual residence with his slave, making melancholy reflections
upon what had happened. Ebn Thaher, said he to himself, has been
wiser than I: he foresaw the misfortune into which I have blindly
thrown myself; would to God I had never meddled in this intrigue,
which will, perhaps, cost me my life!
It was scarce day when the report of the robbery spread through the
city, and a great many of his friends and neighbours came to his
house to express their concern for his misfortune, but were curious
to know the particulars. He thanked them for their affection, and
had at least the consolation, that he heard nobody mention
Schemselnihar or the prince of Persia, which made him believe they
were at their houses, or in some secure place.
When the jeweller was alone, his servants brought him something to
eat, but he could not eat a bit. About noon one of his slaves came
to tell him there was a man at the gate, whom he knew not, that
desired to speak with him. The jeweller, not choosing to receive a
stranger into his house, rose up, and went to speak with him. Though
you do not know me, said the man, yet I know you, and I am come to
talk to you about an important affair. The jeweller desired him to
come in. No, answered the stranger; if you please, rather take the
trouble to go with me to your other house. How know you, replied the
jeweller, that I have another house? I know very well, answered the
stranger; follow me, and do not fear any thing: I have something to
communicate to you which will please you. The jeweller went
immediately with him; and after he had considered by the way how the
house they were going to was robbed, he said to him, that it was not
fit to receive him.
When they were before the house, and the stranger saw the gate half
broken down, said he to the jeweller, I see you have told me the
truth; I will carry you to a place where we shall be better
accommodated. --When he had said this, he went on, and walked all
the rest of the day without stopping. The jeweller being weary with
walking, vexed to see night approach, and that the stranger went on
without telling him where he was going, began to lose his patience,
when they came to a path which led to the Tigris; and as soon as
they came to the river, they embarked in a little boat, and went
over. The stranger led the jeweller through a long street, where he
had never been before in his life: and after he had brought him
through I know not how many by-streets, he stopped at a gate, which
he opened. He caused the jeweller to go in: then he shut and bolted
the gate with a huge iron bolt, and conducted him to a chamber,
where there were ten other men, all of them as great strangers to
the jeweller as he that brought him hither.
These ten men received the jeweller without any compliments. They
bade him sit down, of which he had great need: for he was not only
out of breath with walking so far, but the fear he was in, to find
himself with people whom he thought he had reason to be afraid of,
would have disabled him from standing. They waited for their leader
to go to supper, and as soon as he came it was served up. They
washed their hands, obliged the jeweller to do the like, and to sit
at table with them. After supper, the men asked him if he knew whom
he spoke to? He answered, No, and that he knew not the place he was
in. Tell us your last night’s adventure, said they to him, and
conceal nothing from us. The jeweller, being astonished at this
discourse, answered, Gentlemen, it is probable you know it already.
That is true, replied they; the young man and the young lady, who
were at your house yester-night, told it us; but we would know it
from your own mouth. The jeweller needed no more to inform him that
he spoke to the robbers who had broken into and plundered his house.
Gentlemen, said he, I am much troubled for that young man and lady;
can you give me any tidings of them?
Upon the jeweller’s inquiry of the thieves, if they knew any thing
of the young man and the young lady, they answered, Be not concerned
for them --they are safe and well. So saying, they showed him two
closets, where they assured him they were separately shut up. They
added, We are informed you alone know what relates to them, which we
no sooner came to understand, but we showed them all imaginable
respect, and were so far from doing them any injury, that we treated
them with all possible kindness on your account. We answer for the
same, proceeded they, for your own person; you may put unlimited
confidence in us.
The jeweller being encouraged at this, and overjoyed to hear that
the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar were safe, resolved to engage
the robbers yet farther in their interest. He commended them,
flattered them, and gave them a thousand benedictions. --Gentlemen,
said he, I must confess I have not the honour to know you, yet it is
no small happiness to me that I am not wholly unknown to you; and I
can never be sufficiently grateful for the favours which that
knowledge has procured me at your hands. Not to mention your great
humanity, I am fully persuaded now that persons of your character
are capable of keeping a secret faithfully; and none are so fit to
undertake a great enterprise, which you can best bring to a good
issue by your zeal, courage, and intrepidity. Confiding in these
qualities, which are so much your due, I hesitate not to tell you my
whole history, with that of those two persons you found in my house,
with all the fidelity you desire me.
After the jeweller had thus secured, as he thought, the confidence
of the robbers, he made no scruple to relate to them the whole amour
of the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, from the beginning of it
to the time he received them into his house.
The robbers were greatly astonished at all the particulars they
heard, and could not forbear crying out, How! is it possible that
the young man should be the illustrious Ali Ebn Becar, prince of
Persia, and the young lady the fair and celebrated beauty
Schemselnihar? The jeweller assured them nothing was more certain,
and that they needed not to think it strange, that persons of so
distinguished a character should wish not to be known.
Upon this assurance of their quality, the robbers went immediately,
one after another, and threw themselves at their feet, imploring
their pardon, and protesting that nothing of the kind would have
happened to them, had they been informed of the quality of their
persons before they broke into the house; and that they would by
their future conduct endeavour to make amends for the crime they had
thus ignorantly committed. Then turning to the jeweller, they told
him, they were heartily sorry they could not restore to him all that
had been taken from him, part of it being no longer in their
possession; but as for what remained, if he would content himself
with his plate, it should be forthwith put into his hand.
The jeweller was overjoyed at the favour done him, and after the
robbers had delivered to him the plate, they required of the prince,
Schemselnihar, and him, to promise them upon oath, that they would
not betray them, and they would carry them to a place whence they
might easily go to their respective homes. The prince,
Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, replied, that they might rely on
their words; but, since they desired an oath of them, they solemnly
swore not to discover them. The thieves, satisfied with this,
immediately went out with them.
By the way, the jeweller, uneasy at not seeing the confidant and the
two slaves, came up to Schemselnihar, and begged her to inform him
what was become of them. She answered, she knew nothing of them, and
that all she could tell him was, that she was carried away from his
house, ferried over the river, and brought to the place from whence
they were just now come.
Schemselnihar and the jeweller had no farther discourse: they let
the robbers conduct them with the prince to the river’s side, when
the robbers immediately took boat, and carried them over to the
other side.
While the prince, Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, were landing,
they heard the noise of the horse-patrol coming towards them, just
as the boat arrived, and had conveyed the robbers back by dint of
rowing.
The commander of the brigade demanded of the prince, Schemselnihar,
and the jeweller, who they were, and whence they came so late.
Frightened as they were, and apprehensive of saying any thing that
might prejudice them, they could not speak; but at length it was
necessary they should: the jeweller found his tongue, his mind being
freer, and said, Sir, I can assure you, we are very honest people of
the city, and that those people who have just landed us, and are got
back to the other side of the water, are thieves, who having last
night broken open the house where we were, pillaged it, and
afterwards carried us to their quarters, where, by fair words, we
prevailed on them to let us have our liberty; and they brought us
hither. They have restored us part of the booty they had taken from
us. At which words he showed the parcel of plate he had recovered.
The commander, not satisfied with what the jeweller had told him,
came up to him and the prince of Persia, and looking stedfastly at
them, said, Tell me truly, who is this lady? How came you to know
her? and whereabouts do you live?
This question embarrassed them so much, that neither of them could
answer; till at length Schemselnihar extricated them from their
difficulty, and taking the commander aside, told him who she was;
which he no sooner knew, but he alighted with great expressions of
respect and politeness, and ordered his men to bring two boats.
When the boats were come, he put Schemselnihar into one, and the
prince of Persia and the jeweller into the other, with two of his
people in each boat; with orders to accompany each of them
whithersoever they were bound. The two boats took different routes;
but we shall at present speak only of that wherein was the prince
and jeweller.
The prince, to save his guides trouble, bid them land the jeweller
at his house, naming the place. The guide, by this direction,
stopped just before the caliph’s palace, which put both him and
the jeweller into a mortal fright, though he durst not show it:
although they had heard the commander’s orders to his men, they
could not help imagining they were to be delivered up to the guard,
to be brought before the caliph next morning.
This, nevertheless, was not the intention of the guides; for after
they had landed them, they, by their master’s command, recommended
them to an officer of the caliph’s guard, who assigned them two
soldiers to conduct them by land to the prince’s house, which was
at some distance from the river. They arrived there, but so tired
and weary that they could hardly move.
The prince being come home, with the fatigue of his journey, and
this misadventure to himself and Schemselnihar, which deprived him
of all hope of ever seeing her more, fell into a swoon on his sofa.
While the greatest part of his servants were endeavouring to recover
him, the rest gathered about the jeweller, and begged him to tell
them what had happened to the prince their lord, whose absence had
occasioned them such inexpressible uneasiness.
Whilst the greatest part of the prince’s domestics were
endeavouring to recover him from his swoon, others of them were got
about the jeweller, desiring to know what had happened to their
lord. The jeweller, who took care to discover nothing to them that
was not proper for them to know, told them it was an extraordinary
case, but that it was not a time to relate it, and that they would
do better to go and assist the prince. By good fortune the prince
came to himself that moment, and those that had but just before
required his history with so much earnestness, began to keep a
respectful distance, and pay that respect which was due from them.