She who sat at the bed’s head, and whose name was Nouron-Nihar

(that is, Dawn of the Day,) perceiving the caliph was asleep,

whispered to the other, called Negmatos Sohi (signifying

Morning-Star,) There is great news! The commander of the believers,

our master, will be overjoyed when he awakes, and hears what I have

to tell him: Fetnah is not dead; she is in perfect health. O

heavens! cried Morning-Star, in a transport of joy, is it possible

that the beautiful, the charming, the incomparable Fetnah, should be

still among the living? Morning Star uttered these words with so

much vivacity, and so loud, that the caliph awaked. He asked why

they had disturbed his rest? Alas! my sovereign lord, answered

Morning-Star, pardon me this indiscretion; I could not without

transport hear that Fetnah is still alive; it caused such emotion in

me, that I could not conceal it. What then is become of her, said

the caliph, if she is not dead? Chief of the believers, replied Dawn

of the Day, I this evening received a note, not signed, from a

person unknown, but written with Fetnah’s own hand, who gives me

an account of her melancholy adventure, and orders me to acquaint

you with it. I thought fit, before I fulfilled my commission, to let

you take some few moments’ rest, believing you must stand in need

of it, after your fatigue; and-- Give me that note, said the caliph,

interrupting her eagerly; you were wrong to defer delivering it to

me.

Dawn of the Day immediately presented to him the note, which he

opened with much impatience, and in it Fetnah gave a particular

account of all that had befallen her, but enlarged a little too much

on the care Ganem took of her. The caliph, who was naturally

jealous, instead of being provoked at the inhumanity of Zobeide, was

more concerned at the infidelity he fancied Fetnah had been guilty

of towards him. Is it so? said he, after reading the note; the

perfidious wretch has been four months with a young merchant, and

has the effrontery to boast of his attention to her. Thirty days are

past since my return to Bagdad, and she now bethinks herself of

sending me news of herself. Ungrateful creature! whilst I spend the

days in bewailing her, she passes them in betraying me. Go to; let

us take vengeance of a false woman, and that bold youth who affronts

me. Having spoken these words, that prince rose up, and went into a

great hall where he used to appear in public, and give audience to

the great men of his court. The first gate was opened, and

immediately all the courtiers, who were waiting without, entered.

The grand vizier came in, and prostrated himself before the throne

the caliph sat on. Then rising, he stood before his master, who, in

a tone which denoted he would be instantly obeyed, said to him,

Giafar, your presence is requisite for putting in execution an

important affair I am about to commit to you. Take four hundred men

of my guards along with you, and first inquire where a merchant of

Damascus lives, whose name is Ganem, the son of Ayoub. When you have

learnt it, repair to his house, and cause it to be razed to the

foundation; but first secure Ganem, and bring him hither, with my

slave Fetnah, who has lived with him these four months. I will

punish her, and make an example of that insolent man, who has

presumed to fail in respect to me.

The grand vizier having received this positive command, made a low

bow to the caliph, having his hand on his head, in token that he

would rather lose it than disobey him, and departed. The first thing

he did was to send to the syndic of the dealers in foreign stuffs

and fine silks for the new ones bought of Ganem, with strict orders,

above all things, to find out the street and house he lived in. The

officer he sent with these orders brought him back word, that he had

scarce been seen for some months, and no man knew what could keep

him at home, if he was there. The same officer likewise told Giafar

where Ganem lived, and the name of the widow who had let him the

house.

Upon this exact information, that minister, without losing time,

marched with the soldiers the caliph had ordered him to take, went

to the judge of the police, whom he caused to bear him company, and

attended by a great number of carpenters and masons, with the

necessary tools for razing a house, came to that where Ganem lived;

and finding it stood single, he posted his soldiers round it, to

prevent the young merchant’s making his escape.

Fetnah and Ganem had just dined: the lady was sitting at a window

next the street; hearing a noise, she looked out through the

lattice, and seeing the grand vizier draw near, with all his

attendants, she concluded she was their object as well as Ganem. She

perceived her note had been received, but had not expected such an

answer, having hoped that the caliph would have taken the matter in

a different light. She knew not how long that prince had been come

home; and though she was acquainted with his jealous temper, yet she

apprehended nothing on that account. However, the sight of the grand

vizier and the soldiers made her tremble, not indeed for herself,

but for Ganem; she did not question clearing herself, provided the

caliph would but hear her. As for Ganem, whom she loved less out of

gratitude than inclination, she plainly foresaw that his incensed

rival would see, and might be apt to condemn him, upon account of

his youth and person. Full of that thought, she turned to the young

merchant, and said, Alas! Ganem, we are undone! it is you and I that

are sought after. He presently looked through the lattice, and was

seized with dread when he beheld the caliph’s guards, with their

naked scimitars, and the grand vizier, with the civil magistrate, at

the head of them. At that sight he stood motionless, and had not

power to utter one word. Ganem, said the favourite, there is no time

to be lost; if you love me, put on the habit of one of your slaves

immediately, and daub your face and arms with soot; --then put some

of these dishes on your head, you may be taken for a servant

belonging to the eating-house, and they will let you pass. If they

happen to ask you where the master of the house is, answer, without

any hesitation, that he is within. Alas! madam, answered Ganem, less

concerned for himself than for Fetnah, you only take care of me

--what will become of you? Let not that trouble you, replied Fetnah;

it is my part to look to that. As for what you leave in this house,

I will take care of it, and I hope it will be one day faithfully

restored to you, when the caliph’s anger shall be over; but do you

avoid his fury. The orders he gives in the heat of passion are

always fatal. The young merchant’s affliction was so great, that

he knew not what course to fix upon, and would certainly have

suffered himself to have been seized by the caliph’s soldiers, had

not Fetnah pressed him to disguise himself. He submitted to her

persuasions, put on the habit of a slave, daubed himself with soot;

and it was high time, for they were knocking at the door, and all

they could do was to embrace each other tenderly. They were both so

overwhelmed with sorrow, that they could not utter one word. Thus

they parted. Ganem went out with some dishes on his head; he was

taken for the servant of an eating house, and nobody offered to stop

him. On the contrary, the grand vizier, who was the first that met

him, gave way and let him pass, little thinking that he was the man

he looked for. Those who were behind the grand vizier made way as he

had done, and thus favoured his escape. He got speedily to one of

the city gates, and so clear away.

Whilst he was making the best of his way from the grand vizier

Giafar, that minister came into the room where Fetnah was sitting on

a sofa, and where there were many chests full of Ganem’s clothes,

and of the money he had made of his goods.

As soon as Fetnah saw the grand vizier come into the room, she fell

flat on her face, and continuing in that posture, as it were, ready

to receive her death, My lord, said she, I am ready to undergo the

sentence passed against me by the commander of the believers; you

need only make it known to me. Madam, answered Giafar, falling also

down till she had raised herself, God forbid any man should presume

to lay profane hands on you. I do not intend to offer you the least

harm. I have no farther orders than to entreat you will be pleased

to go with me to the palace, and to conduct you thither, with the

merchant that lives in this house. My lord, replied the favourite,

let us go; I am ready to follow you. As for the young merchant, to

whom I am indebted for my life, he is not here; he has been gone

about a month since to Damascus, whither his business called him,

and he has left these chests you see under my care till he returns.

I conjure you to cause them to be carried to the palace, and order

them to be secured, that I may perform the promise I made him to

take all possible care of them.

You shall be obeyed, said Giafar; and immediately sent for porters,

whom he commanded to take up the chests, and carry them to Mesrour.

As soon as the porters were gone, he whispered the civil magistrate,

committing to him the care of seeing the house razed, but first to

cause diligent search to be made for Ganem, who, he suspected, might

be hid, notwithstanding what Fetnah had told him. Then he went out,

taking this young lady with him, attended by the two slaves that

waited on her. As for Ganem’s slaves, they were not regarded; they

ran in among the crowd, and it was not known what became of them.

No sooner was Giafar out of the house, than the masons and

carpenters began to raze it, and did their business so effectually,

that, in a few hours, none of it remained. But the civil magistrate,

not finding Ganem, after the strictest search, sent to acquaint the

grand vizier with it, before that minister reached the palace. Well,

said Haroun Alraschid, seeing him come into his closet, have you

executed my orders? Yes, sir, answered Giafar; the house Ganem lived

in is levelled with the ground, and I have brought you your

favourite Fetnah; she is at your closet door, and I will call her

in, if you command me. As for the young merchant, we could not find

him, though every place has been searched; and Fetnah affirms that

he has been gone a month to Damascus.

Never was any man in such a passion as the caliph, when he heard

that Ganem had made his escape. As for his favourite, being

possessed that she had been false to him, he would neither see nor

speak to her. Mesrour, said he to the chief of the eunuchs, who was

then present, take the ungrateful, the perfidious Fetnah, and go

shut her up in the dark tower. That tower was within the precinct of

the palace, and commonly served as a prison for the favourites who

any way offended the caliph.

Mesrour being used to execute his sovereign’s orders, though never

so unjust, without making any answer, obeyed this with some

reluctance. He signified his concern to Fetnah, who was the more

grieved at it, because she had reckoned that the caliph would not

refuse to speak to her. She was obliged to submit to her hard fate,

and to follow Mesrour, who conducted her to the dark tower, and

there left her.

In the mean time, the enraged caliph dismissed his grand vizier,

and, only hearkening to his passion, writ the following letter with

his own hand to the king of Syria, his cousin and tributary who

resided at Damascus:--

The Letter from the Caliph Haroun Alraschid to Mohammed Zinebi, King

of Syria.

‘Cousin,

‘This letter is to inform you, that a merchant of Damascus, whose

name is Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub, has seduced the most amiable

of my women slaves, called Fetnah, and is fled. It is my will, that

when you have read my letter, you cause search to be made for Ganem,

and secure him. When he is in your power, you shall cause him to be

loaded with irons, and, for three days successively, let him receive

fifty strokes with a bull’s pizzle. Then let him be led through

all parts of the city, with a crier, crying, This is the smallest

punishment the commander of the believers inflicts on him that

offends his lord, and debauches one of his slaves. After that, you

shall send him to me under a strong guard. It is my will that you

cause his house to be plundered; and when it shall be razed, order

the materials to be carried out of the city into the middle of the

plain. Besides this, if he has father, mother, sister, wives,

daughters, or other kindred, cause them to be stripped; and when

they are naked, expose them three days to the whole city, forbidding

any person, on pain of death, to afford them any shelter. I expect

you will without delay execute my command.

‘Haroun Alraschid.’

The caliph having written this letter, sent it away by an express,

ordering him to make all possible speed, and to take pigeons along

with him, that he might the sooner hear what had been done by

Mohammed Zinebi.

The pigeons of Bagdad have this peculiar quality, that, though they

be carried never so far, they return to Bagdad as soon as they are

turned loose, especially when they have young ones. A letter rolled

up is made fast under their wing, and by that means, advice is

speedily received from such places as it is desired.

The caliph’s courier travelled night and day, as his master’s

impatience required; and being come to Damascus, went directly to

king Zinebi’s palace, who sat upon his throne to receive the

caliph’s letter. The courier having delivered it, Mohammed,

looking upon it, and knowing the hand, stood up to show his respect,

kissed the letter, and laid it on his head, to denote he was ready

submissively to obey the orders contained in it. He opened it, and

having read it, immediately descended from his throne, and, without

losing time, mounted on horseback, with the principal officers of

his household. He also sent for the civil magistrate, who came to

him; and then he went directly to Ganem’s house, attended by all

his guards.

That young merchant’s mother had never heard or received any

letter from him since he left Damascus; but the other merchants with

whom he went to Bagdad were returned, and all of them told her they

had left her son in perfect health. However, seeing he did not

return himself, and neglecting to write, the tender mother could not

but be persuaded that he was dead, and was so fully convinced of it

in her imagination, that she went into mourning. She bewailed Ganem

as if she had seen him die, and had herself closed his eyes; never

mother expressed greater sorrow; and so far was she from seeking any

comfort, that she delighted in indulging her sorrow. She caused a

dome to be built in the middle of the court belonging to her house,

in which she placed a figure representing her son, and covered it

with black cloth. She spent the greatest part of the days and nights

in weeping under that dome, as if her son had been buried there; the

beautiful Alcolomb, or Ravisher of Hearts, her daughter, bore her

company, and mixed her tears with hers.

It was now some time since they had thus devoted themselves to

sorrow, and since the neighbourhood, hearing their cries and

lamentations, pitied such tender relations, when king Mohammed

Zinebi knocked at the door, which being opened by a slave belonging

to the family, he went briskly into the house, inquiring for Ganem,

the son of Abou Ayoub.

Though the slave had never seen king Zinebi, she easily guessed by

his retinue that this must be one of the principal officers in

Damascus. My lord, said she, that Ganem you inquire for is dead; my

mistress, his mother, is in that monument you see there, actually

lamenting the loss of him. The king, not regarding what was said by

the slave, caused all the house to be diligently searched by his

guards for Ganem. Then he advanced towards the monument, where he

saw the mother and daughter sitting on a mat by the figure which

represented Ganem, and their faces appeared to him bathed in tears.

These poor women immediately veiled themselves as soon as they

beheld a man at the door of the dome; but the mother, knowing the

king of Damascus, got up, and ran to cast herself at his feet. My

good lady, said he, I was looking for your son Ganem; is he here?

Alas! sir, cried the mother, it is a long time since he has ceased

to be; would to God I had at least put him into his coffin with my

own hands, and had the comfort of having his bones in this monument!

O my son, my dear son! She would have said more, but was oppressed

with so violent sorrow, that she was not able.

Zinebi was moved, for he was a prince of a mild nature, and had much

compassion for the sufferings of the unfortunate. If Ganem alone is

guilty, thought he to himself, why should the mother and the

daughter, who are innocent, be punished? Ah! cruel Haroun Alraschid!

what a mortification do you put upon me, in making me the

executioner of your vengeance, obliging me to persecute persons who

have not offended you!

The guards whom the king had ordered to search for Ganem came and

told him their search was without any success. He was fully

convinced of this --the tears of those two women would not leave him

any room to doubt. It distracted him to be obliged to execute the

caliph’s order. My good lady, said he to Ganem’s mother, come

out of this monument with your daughter; it is no place of safety

for you. They went out, and he, to secure them against any insult,

took off his own robe, which was very large, and covered them both

with it, bidding them keep close to him. Then he ordered the

populace to be let in to plunder, which was performed with the

utmost rapaciousness, and with shouts, which terrified Ganem’s

mother and sister the more, because they knew not the reason of it.

The rabble carried off the richest goods, chests full of wealth, the

fine Persian and Indian carpets, cushions covered with cloth of gold

and silver, fine china ware; in short, all was taken away; nothing

was left but the bare walls of the house; and it was a dismal

spectacle for the unhappy ladies to see all their goods plundered,

without knowing why they were so cruelly treated.

When the house was plundered, Mohammed ordered the civil magistrate

to raze the house and monument; and while that was doing, he carried

away Alcolomb and her mother to his palace. There it was he

redoubled their affliction, acquainting them with the caliph’s

will. He commands me, said he to them, to cause you to be stripped,

and exposed stark naked for three days to the view of the people. It

is with the utmost reluctance that I execute that cruel and

ignominous sentence. The king delivered these words with such an

air, as plainly made it appear his heart was really pierced with

grief and compassion. Though the fear of being dethroned prevented

his following the dictates of his pity, yet he in some measure

moderated the rigour of Haroun Alraschid’s orders, causing large

shifts, without sleeves, to be made of coarse horsehair for

Ganem’s mother and his sister Alcolomb.

The next day, these two victims of the caliph’s rage were stripped

of their clothes, and their horse-hair shifts put upon them; their

head-dress was also taken away, so that their dishevelled hair hung

floating on their backs. Alcolomb had the finest hair in the world,

and it hung down to the ground. In that condition they were exposed

to the people. The civil magistrate, attended by his officers, went

along with them, and they were conducted through the city. A crier

went before them, who every now and then cried, ‘This is the

punishment due to those who have drawn on themselves the indignation

of the commander of the believers.’

Whilst they walked in this manner along the streets of Damascus,

with their arms and feet naked, clad in such a strange garment, and

endeavouring to hide their confusion under their hair, with which

they covered their faces, all the people were dissolved in tears;

more especially the ladies, looking on them as innocent persons,

through their lattice-windows, and being particularly moved by

Alcolomb’s youth and beauty, made the air ring with their dreadful

shrieks as they passed before their houses. The very children,

frightened at those shrieks, and at the spectacle that occasioned

them, mixed their cries with that general lamentation, and added new

horror to it. In short, had an enemy been in Damascus, putting all

to fire and sword, the consternation could not have been greater.

It was near night when that dismal scene concluded. The mother and

daughter were both conducted back to king Mohammed’s palace. Not

being used to walk barefoot, they were so spent, that they lay a

long time in a swoon. The queen of Damascus, highly afflicted at

their misfortune, notwithstanding the caliph’s prohibition to

relieve them, sent some of her women to comfort them, with all sorts

of refreshments and wine to recover their spirits.

The queen’s women found them still in a swoon, and almost past

receiving any benefit by what they offered them. However, with much

difficulty, they were brought to themselves. Ganem’s mother

immediately returned them thanks for their courtesy. --My good

ladies, said one of the queen’s ladies to her, we are highly

concerned at your affliction, and the queen of Syria, our mistress,

has done us a favour in employing us to assist you. We can assure

you, that princess is much afflicted at your misfortunes, as well as

the king her consort. Ganem’s mother entreated the queen’s women

to return her majesty a thousand thanks from her and her daughter

Alcolomb; and then directing her discourse to the lady that spoke to

her, Madam, said she to her, the king has not told me why the chief

of the believers inflicts so many outrages on us; pray be pleased to

tell us what crimes we have been guilty of. My good lady, answered

the other, the origin of your misfortunes proceeds from your son

Ganem. He is not dead, as you imagine. He is accused of having

stolen the beautiful Fetnah, the best beloved of all the king’s

favourites; and he having, by timely flight, withdrawn himself from

that prince’s indignation, the punishment is fallen on you. All

the world condemns the caliph’s resentment, but all the world

fears him; and you see king Zinebi himself dares not resist his

orders, for fear of incurring his displeasure. All we can do is to

pity you, and exhort you to have patience.

I know my son, answered Ganem’s mother; I have educated him very

carefully and in that respect which is due to the commander of the

believers. He has not committed the crime he is accused of: I dare

answer for his innocence. But I will give over murmuring and

complaining, since it is for him that I suffer, and he is not dead.

O Ganem! added she, in a transport of love and joy, my dear son

Ganem! is it possible that you are still alive? I am no longer

concerned for the loss of my goods; and how extravagant soever the

caliph’s orders may be, I forgive him all the severity of them,

provided Heaven has preserved my son. I am only concerned for my

daughter; her sufferings alone afflict me: yet I believe her to be

so good a sister as to follow my example.

At hearing these words, Alcolomb, who, till then, had appeared

insensible, turned to her mother, and clasping her arms about her

neck, Yes, dear mother, said she, I will always follow your example,

whatever extremity your love for my brother brings you to.

The mother and daughter thus interchanging their sighs and tears,

continued a considerable time in such moving embraces. In the mean

time the queen’s women, who were much moved at that spectacle,

omitted no persuasions to prevail with Ganem’s mother to take some

sustenance. She eat a morsel out of complaisance, and Alcolomb did

the like.

The caliph having ordered that Ganem’s kindred should be exposed

three days successively to the sight of the people in the condition

already mentioned, Alcolomb and her mother afforded the same

spectacle the second time next day, from morning till night. But

that day and the following, things did not pass after the same

manner: the streets, which at first had been full of people, were

now quite empty. All the merchants, incensed at the ill usage of

Abou Ayoub’s widow and daughter, shut up their shops and kept

themselves close within their houses. The ladies, instead of looking

through their lattice windows, withdrew into the back parts of their

houses. There was not a soul to be seen in the public places those

unfortunate women were carried through. It looked as if all the

inhabitants of Damascus had abandoned their city.

On the fourth day, king Mahommed Zinebi, who was resolved punctually

to obey the caliph’s orders, though he did not approve of them,

sent criers into all quarters of the city to make proclamation,

strictly forbidding all the inhabitants of Damascus, and strangers,

of what condition soever, upon pain of death, and having their

bodies cast to the dogs to be devoured, to receive Ganem’s mother

and sister into their houses, or to give them a morsel of bread or a

drop of water, and, in a word, to afford them the least support, or

hold the least correspondence with them.

When the criers had performed what the king had enjoined them, that

prince ordered the mother and the daughter to be turned out of the

palace, and left to their choice to go where they thought fit. As

soon as they appeared, all persons fled from them, so great an

impression had the late prohibition made upon them all. They easily

perceived that every body shunned them; but not knowing the reason

of it, were much surprised; and their amazement was the greater,

when coming into any street, or among many persons, they recollected

some of their best friends, who presently vanished with as much

haste as the rest. What is the meaning of this? said Ganem’s

mother; do we carry the plague about us? Must the unjust and

barbarous usage we have received render us odious to our

fellow-citizens? Come, my child, added she, let us depart from

Damascus with all speed; let us not stay any longer in a city where

we are become frightful to our very friends.

The two wretched ladies, discoursing after this manner, came to one

of the extremities of the city, and retired to a ruined house, there

to pass the night. Thither some Musselmen, out of charity and

compassion, resorted to them after the day was shut in. They carried

them provisions, but durst not stay to comfort them, for fear of

being discovered, and punished for disobeying the caliph’s orders.

In the mean time king Zinebi had let fly a pigeon to give Haroun

Alraschid an account of his exact obedience. He informed him of all

that had been done, and conjured him to direct what he would have

done with Ganem’s mother and sister. He soon received the

caliph’s answer the same way, which was, that he banish them from

Damascus for ever. Immediately the king of Syria sent men to the old

house, with orders to take the mother and daughter, and to conduct

them three days journey from Damascus, and there to leave them,

forbidding them ever to return to the city.

Zinebi’s men executed their commission, but being less exact than

their master, in the strict performance of every tittle of Haroun

Alraschid’s orders, they in pity gave Alcolomb and her mother some

small pieces of money to buy them some subsistence, and each of them

a bag, which they hung about their necks, to carry their provisions.

In this miserable condition they came to the first village. The

peasants’ wives flocked about them, and as it appeared through

their disguise that they were people of some fashion, they asked

them what was the occasion of their travelling after that manner, in

a habit that did not seem to belong to them. Instead of answering

the question put to them, they fell to weeping, which only served to

heighten the curiosity of the peasants, and to move their

compassion. Ganem’s mother told them what she and her daughter had

endured; at which the good countrywomen were sensibly afflicted, and

endeavoured to comfort them. They treated them as well as their

poverty would permit, took off their horse-hair shifts, which were

very uneasy to them, and put on them others which they gave them,

with shoes, and something to cover their heads, and save their hair.

Having expressed their gratitude to those charitable women, Alcolomb

and her mother departed from that village, taking short journeys

towards Aleppo. They used at night to retire near or into the

mosques, where they passed the night on the mat, if there was any,

or else on the bare pavement; and sometimes put up in the public

places appointed for the use of travellers. As for sustenance, they

did not want it, for they often came to places where bread, boiled

rice, and other provisions, are distributed to all travellers who

desire it.

At length they came to Aleppo, but would not stay there, and

continuing their journey towards the Euphrates, crossed that river,

and entered into Mesopotamia, which they traversed as far as

Moussoul. Thence, notwithstanding all they had endured, they

proceeded to Bagdad. That was the place they had fixed their

thoughts upon, hoping to find Ganem there, though they ought not to

have fancied that he was in the city where the caliph resided: but

they hoped, because they wished it; their affection for him

increasing instead of diminishing, in spite of their misfortunes.

Their conversation was generally about him, and they inquired for

him of all they met. But let us leave Alcolomb and her mother, and

return to Fetnah.

She was still confined close in the dark tower, ever since the day

that had been so fatal to Ganem and her. However, as disagreeable as

her prison was to her, it was much less grievous than the thoughts

of Ganem’s misfortune, the uncertainty of whose fate was a killing

affliction to her. There was scarce a moment in which she did not

lament him.

The caliph was accustomed to walk frequently at night within the

enclosure of his palace, for he was the most inquisitive prince in

the world, and sometimes by those night-walks, he came to the

knowledge of things that happened in his palace, which would

otherwise never have come to his ear: one of those nights, in his

walk, he happened to pass by the dark tower, and fancying he heard

somebody talk, he stopt, and drew near the door to listen, and

distinctly heard these words, which Fetnah, whose thoughts were

always on Ganem, uttered with a loud voice: O Ganem, too unfortunate

Ganem! where are you at this time? whither has thy cruel fate led

thee? Alas! it is I that have made you wretched! Why did you not let

me perish miserably, rather than afford me your generous relief?

What melancholy reward have you received for your care and respect!

The commander of the faithful, who ought to have rewarded,

persecutes you; and in return for having always regarded me as a

person reserved for his bed, you lose all your goods, and are

obliged to seek for safety in flight. O caliph, barbarous caliph,

what will you say for yourself, when you shall appear with Ganem

before the tribunal of the Supreme Judge, and the angels shall

testify the truth before your face? All the power you are now

invested with, and which makes almost the whole world tremble, will

not prevent your being condemned and punished for your violent and

unjust proceedings. Here Fetnah ceased her complaints, her sighs and

tears putting a stop to her utterance.

This was enough to make the caliph reflect. He plainly perceived,

that if what he heard was true, his favourite must be innocent, and

that he had been too hasty in giving such orders against Ganem and

his family. Being resolved to be rightly informed in an affair which

so nearly concerned him in point of equity, on which he valued

himself, he immediately returned to his apartment, and that moment

ordered Mesrour to repair to the dark tower, and bring Fetnah to him.

By this command, and much more by the caliph’s manner of speaking,

the chief of the eunuchs guessed that his master designed to pardon

his favourite, and take her to himself again. He was overjoyed at

it, for he loved Fetnah, and had been much concerned at her

disgrace; and therefore flying instantly to the tower, Madam, said

he to the favourite, with such an air as expressed his satisfaction,

be pleased to follow me; I hope you will never more return to this

vile dark tower: the commander of the faithful wishes to speak with

you, and I draw from it a happy omen.

Fetnah followed Mesrour, who conducted her into the caliph’s

closet. She prostrated herself before that prince, and so continued,

her face bathed in tears. Fetnah, said the caliph, without bidding

her rise, I think you charge me with violence and injustice. Who is

he, that notwithstanding the regard and respect he had for me, is in

a miserable condition? Speak freely; you know the natural goodness

of my disposition, and that I love to do justice.

By these words the favourite saw plainly that the caliph had heard

what she had said, and laying hold on so favourable an opportunity

to clear her dear Ganem, Commander of the true believers, said she,

if I have let fall any word that is not agreeable to your majesty, I

most humbly beseech you to forgive me; but he whose innocence and

wretched state you desire to be informed of, is Ganem, the unhappy

son of Abou Ayoub, merchant of Damascus. He is the man that saved my

life, and afforded me a safe sanctuary in his house. I must own,

that, from the first moment he saw me, he perhaps designed to devote

himself to me, and conceived hopes of engaging me to admit his

services. I guessed at this, by the eagerness he showed in

entertaining me, and doing me all the good offices which I wanted

under the circumstances I was then in; but as soon as he heard that

I had the honour to belong to you, Ah, madam, said he, that which

belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave. From that moment, I

owe this justice to his virtue, his behaviour was always suitable to

his words. However, you, commander of the true believers, well know

with what rigour you have treated him, and you will answer for it

before the tribunal of God.

The caliph was not displeased with Fetnah for the freedom of those

words; but may I, answered he, rely on the assurance you give me of

Ganem’s virtue? Yes, replied Fetnah, you may. I would not for the

world conceal the truth from you: and to prove to you that I am

sincere, I must make a confession to you, which perhaps may

displease you; but I beg pardon of your majesty beforehand. Speak,

daughter, said Haroun Alraschid; I forgive you all, provided you

conceal nothing from me. Well, then, replied Fetnah, let me inform

you, that Ganem’s respectful behaviour, joined to all the good

offices he did me, gained him my esteem. I went farther yet: you

know the tyranny of love. I felt some tender inclination rising in

my breast. He perceived it, but far from availing himself of my

frailty, and notwithstanding the flame which consumed him, he still

remained steady in his duty; and all that his passion could force

from him was those words I have already told your majesty; ‘That

which belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.’

This ingenuous confession might have provoked any other man than the

caliph; but it completely appeased that prince. He commanded her to

rise, and making her sit by him, Tell me your story, said he, from

the beginning to the end. She did so with much art and spirit,

passing slightly over what regarded Zobeide and enlarging on the

obligation she owed to Ganem; the expense he had been at for her;

and above all, she highly extolled his discretion, endeavouring by

that means to make the caliph sensible that she had been under the

necessity of remaining concealed in Ganem’s house, to deceive

Zobeide. She concluded with the young merchant’s escape, which she

plainly told the caliph she had compelled him to, that he might

avoid his indignation.

When she had done speaking, that prince said to her, I believe all

you have told me; but why was it so long before you let me hear from

you? Was there any need of staying a whole month after my return,

before you sent me word where you were? Commander of the true

believers, answered Fetnah, Ganem went abroad so very seldom, that

you need not wonder we were not the first that heard of your return.

Besides that, Ganem, who took upon him to deliver the letter I wrote

to Nouron Nihar, was a long time before he could find an opportunity

of putting it into her own hands.

It is enough, Fetnah, replied the caliph; I acknowledge my fault,

and would willingly make amends for it, by heaping favours on that

young merchant of Damascus. Consider, therefore, what I can do for

him. Ask what you think fit, and I will grant it. Hereupon the

favourite fell down at the caliph’s feet, with her face to the

ground; and rising again, said, Commander of the true believers,

after returning your majesty thanks for Ganem, I most humbly intreat

you to cause it to be published throughout your dominions, that you

pardon the son of Abou Ayoub, and that he may safely come to you. I

will do more, rejoined that prince; in requital for having saved

your life, and the respect he has shown me, to make amends for the

loss of his goods, and in short, to repair the wrong I have done to

his family, I give him to you for a husband. Fetnah had not words

expressive enough to thank the caliph for his generosity: she then

withdrew into the apartment she had occupied before her melancholy

adventure. The same furniture was still in it; nothing had been

removed: but that which pleased her most, was to find there

Ganem’s chests and packs, which Mesrour had taken care to convey

thither.

The next day Haroun Alraschid ordered the grand vizier to cause

proclamation to be made throughout all his dominions, that he

pardoned Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub; but this proved of no effect,

for a long time elapsed without any news of that young merchant

Fetnah concluded, that he had not been able to survive the pain of

losing her. A dreadful uneasiness seized her mind; but as hope is

the last thing which forsakes lovers, she entreated the caliph to

give her leave to seek for Ganem herself; which being granted, she

took a purse with a thousand pieces of gold out of her casket, and

went one morning out of the palace, mounted on a mule she had out of

the caliph’s stables, very richly accoutred. Black eunuchs

attended her, with their hands on each side upon the mule’s rump.

Thus she went from mosque to mosque, bestowing her alms among the

devotees of the Mahometan religion, desiring their prayers for the

accomplishment of an affair, on which the happiness of two persons,

she told them, depended. She spent the whole day and the thousand

pieces of gold in giving alms at the mosques, and returned to the

palace in the evening.

The next day she took another purse of the same value, and, in the

like equipage as the day before, went to the place where all the

jewellers’ shops were, and stopping at the door without alighting,

sent one of her black eunuchs for the syndic or chief of them. That

syndic, who was a most charitable man, and spent above two-thirds of

his income in relieving poor strangers, whether they happened to be

sick or in distress, did not make Fetnah wait, knowing by her dress

that she was a lady belonging to the palace. I apply myself to you,

said she, putting the purse into his hands, as a person whose piety

is cried up throughout the city. I desire you to distribute that

gold among the poor strangers you relieve; for I know you make it

your business to assist poor strangers who apply to your charity. I

am also satisfied that you prevent their wants, and that nothing is

more agreeable to you than to have an opportunity of relieving their

misery. Madam, answered the syndic, I shall obey your commands with

pleasure, but if you desire to exercise your charity in person, and

will be pleased to step to my house, you will there see two women

worthy of your compassion: I met them yesterday as they were coming

into the city; they were in a deplorable condition, and it moved me

the more, because I thought they were persons of rank. --Through all

the rags that covered them, notwithstanding the impression the sun

has made on their faces, I discovered a noble air, not to be

commonly found in those poor people I relieve. I carried them both

to my house, and delivered them to my wife, who was of the same

opinion with me. She caused her slaves to provide them good beds,

whilst she herself washed their faces, and gave them clean linen. We

know not as yet who they are, because we wish to let them take some

rest before we trouble them with our questions.

Fetnah, without knowing why, felt a curiosity to see them. The

syndic would have conducted her to his house, but she would not give

him the trouble, and was satisfied that a slave of his should show

her the way. She alighted at the door, and followed the syndic’s

slave, who was gone before to give notice to his mistress, she being

then in the chamber with Alcolomb and her mother; for they were the

persons the syndic had been speaking of to Fetnah.

The syndic’s wife, being informed by the slave that a lady from

the palace was in her house, was going out of the room to meet her;

but Fetnah, who had followed the slave close, did not give her time:

and coming into the chamber, the syndic’s wife prostrated herself

before her, to express the respect she had for all that belonged to

the caliph. Fetnah took her up, and said, My good lady, I desire you

will let me speak with those two strangers that arrived at Bagdad

last night. Madam, answered the syndic’s wife, they lie in those

two little beds you see close by each other. The favourite

immediately drew near the mother’s, and viewing her carefully,

Good woman, said she, I come to offer you my assistance: I have a

considerable interest in this city, and may be of service to you and

your companion. Madam, answered Ganem’s mother, I perceive by your

obliging offers, that Heaven has not quite forsaken us, though we

had cause to believe it, after so many misfortunes as have befallen

us. Having uttered these words, she wept so bitterly that Fetnah and

the syndic’s wife could not forbear letting fall some tears.

The caliph’s favourite having dried up here, said to Ganem’s

mother, Be so kind as to tell us your misfortune, and recount your

story. You cannot give the relation to any persons better disposed

than we are to use all possible means to comfort you. Madam, replied

Abou Ayoub’s disconsolate widow, a favourite of the commander of

the true believers, a lady whose name is Fetnah, is the occasion of

all our misfortunes. These words were like a thunderbolt to the

favourite; but suppressing her agitation and concern, she suffered

Ganem’s mother to proceed in the following manner:-- I am the

widow of Abou Ayoub, a merchant of Damascus: I had a son called

Ganem, who coming to trade at Bagdad, has been accused of having

carried off that Fetnah. The caliph has caused search to be made for

him every where, to put him to death; and not finding him, has

written to the king of Damascus, to cause our house to be plundered

and razed, and to expose my daughter and me three days successively

stark-naked to the populace, and then to banish us out of Syria for

ever. But how unworthy soever our usage has been, I should still be

comforted, were my son alive, and I could meet with him. What a

pleasure would it be for his sister and me to see him again!

Embracing him, we should forget the loss of our goods, and all the

evils we have suffered for him. Alas! I am fully persuaded he is

only the innocent cause of them, and that he is no more guilty

towards the caliph than his sister and I.

No doubt of it, said Fetnah, interrupting her there, he is no more

guilty than you are: I can assure you of his innocence; for I am

that very Fetnah you so much complain of; who, through some fatality

in my stars, have occasioned you so many misfortunes. To me you must

impute the loss of your son, if he is no more; but if I have

occasioned your misfortune, I can in some measure relieve it. I have

already justified Ganem to the caliph; that prince has caused it to

be proclaimed throughout his dominions, that he pardons the son of

Abou Ayoub; and doubt not he will do you as much good as he has done

you harm. You are no longer his enemies. He waits for Ganem to

requite the service he has done me, by uniting our fortunes; he

gives me to him for his consort; therefore look on me as your

daughter, and permit me to vow eternal friendship to you. Having so

said, she bowed down on Ganem’s mother, who was so astonished,

that she could return no answer. Fetnah held her a long time in her

arms, and only left her to run to the other bed to embrace Alcolomb,

who sitting up, held out her arms to receive her.

When the caliph’s charming favourite had given the mother and

daughter all the tokens of affection they could expect from

Ganem’s wife, she said to them, Cease both of you to afflict

yourselves: the wealth Ganem had in this city is not lost; it is in

my apartment in the palace: I know all the treasure of the world

cannot comfort you without Ganem: I judge so of his mother and

sister, if I may judge of them by myself. Blood is no less powerful

than love in great minds; but why should we despair of seeing him

again? We shall find him; the happiness of meeting with you makes me

conceive fresh hopes. Perhaps this is the last day of your

sufferings, and the beginning of a greater felicity than you enjoyed

in Damascus, when Ganem was with you.

Fetnah would have gone on, when the syndic of the jewellers came in:

Madam, said he to her, I come from seeing a very moving object; it

is a young man, whom a camel-driver has just carried to the hospital

at Bagdad: he was bound with cords on a camel, because he had not

strength enough to sit on him. They had already unbound him, and

were carrying him into the hospital, when I happened to pass by. I

went up to the young man, viewed him attentively, and fancied his

countenance was not altogether unknown to me. I asked him some

questions concerning his family and his country; but all the answers

I could get were only sighs and tears. I took pity on him, and by

being so much used to sick people, perceived that he had need to

have particular care taken of him. I would not permit him to be put

into the hospital; for I am too well acquainted with their way of

managing the sick, and am sensible of the incapacity of the

physicians. I have caused him to be brought home to my house, by my

slaves; and they are now, by my orders, in a private room where I

placed him, putting on some of my own linen, and treating him as

they would do me.

Fetnah’s heart leaped at these words of the jeweller, and she felt

a sudden emotion, for which she could not account: Show me, said she

to the syndic, into that sick man’s room; I should be glad to see

him. The syndic conducted her, and whilst she was going thither,

Ganem’s mother said to Alcolomb, Alas! daughter, wretched as that

sick stranger is, your brother, if he be living, is not perhaps in a

more happy condition.

The caliph’s favourite, coming into the chamber where the sick man

was, drew near the bed, in which the syndic’s slaves had already

laid him. She saw a young man, whose eyes were closed, his

countenance pale, disfigured, and bathed in tears. She gazed

earnestly on him, her heart beat, and she fancied she beheld Ganem;

but yet she would not believe her eyes. Though she found something

of Ganem in the object she beheld, yet in other respects he appeared

so different, that she durst not imagine it was he that lay before

her. Unable, however, to withstand the earnest desire of being

satisfied, Ganem, said she, with a trembling voice, is it you I

behold? Having spoken these words, she stopped to give the young man

time to answer; but observing that he seemed insensible, Alas!

Ganem, added she, it is not you that I talk to. My imagination being

overcharged with your image, has given this stranger a deceitful

resemblance. The son of Abou Ayoub, though never so sick, would know

the voice of Fetnah. At the name of Fetnah, Ganem (for it was really

he) opened his eyes, and turned his face towards the person that

spoke to him; and knowing the caliph’s favourite, Ah! madam, said

he, by what miracle --He could say no more; such a sudden transport

of joy seized him, that he fainted away. Fetnah and the syndic did

all they could to bring him to himself; but as soon as they

perceived he began to revive, the syndic desired the lady to

withdraw, for fear lest the sight of her should heighten Ganem’s

distemper.

The young man, having recovered his senses, looked all around, and

not seeing what he looked for, cried out, What is become of you,

charming Fetnah? Did you really appear before my eyes, or was it

only an illusion? No, sir, said the syndic, it was no illusion. It

was I that caused that lady to withdraw, but you shall see her

again, as soon as you are in a condition to bear her sight. You now

stand in need of rest, and nothing ought to obstruct your taking it.

The situation of your affairs is altered, since you are, as I

suppose, that Ganem, in favour of whom the commander of the true

believers has caused a proclamation to be made in Bagdad, declaring

that he forgives him what is passed. Be satisfied for the present

with knowing so much; the lady who just now spoke to you will

acquaint you with the rest, therefore think of nothing but

recovering your health; I will contribute all in my power towards

it. Having spoken these words, he left Ganem to take his rest, and

went himself to provide for him all such medicines as were proper to

recover his strength, exhausted by hard living and toil.

During that time Fetnah was in the room with Alcolomb and her

mother, where almost the same scene was acted over again; for when

Ganem’s mother understood that the sick stranger whom the syndic

had just brought into his house was Ganem himself, she was so

overjoyed, that she also swooned away; and when, with the assistance

of Fetnah and the syndic’s wife, she was again come to herself,

she would have got up, to go and see her son; but the syndic coming

in, hindered her, representing that Ganem was so weak and emaciated,

that it would endanger his life to excite in him those emotions

which must be the consequence of the unexpected sight of a beloved

mother and sister. There was no occasion for the syndic’s saying

any more to Ganem’s mother; as soon as she was told that she could

not converse with her son, without hazarding his life, she ceased

insisting to go and see him. Then Fetnah said, Let us bless Heaven

for having brought us all together into one place. I will return to

the palace to give the caliph an account of all these adventures,

and to-morrow morning I will return to you. This said, she embraced

the mother and the daughter, and went away. As soon as she came to

the palace, she sent Mesrour to request a private audience of the

caliph, which was immediately granted; and being brought into that

prince’s closet, where he was alone, she prostrated herself at his

feet, with her hands on the ground, according to custom. He

commanded her to rise, and having made her sit down, asked whether

she had heard any news of Ganem? Commander of the true believers,

said she, I have been so successful, that I have found him, as also

his mother and sister. The caliph was curious to know how she could

find them in so short a time, and she satisfied his curiosity,

saying so many things in commendation of Ganem’s mother and

sister, that he desired to see them, as well as the young merchant.

Though Haroun Alraschid was passionate, and in his heat sometimes

guilty of cruel actions; yet in return, he was just, and the most

generous prince in the world, as soon as his anger was over, and he

was made sensible of the wrong he had done. Having therefore no

longer cause to doubt but that he had unjustly persecuted Ganem and

his family, and having publicly wronged them, he resolved to make

them public satisfaction. I am overjoyed, said he to Fetnah, that

your search has proved so successful; it is a mighty satisfaction to

me, not so much for your sake as for my own. I will keep the promise

I have made you. You shall marry Ganem, and I here declare you are

no longer my slave; you are free. Go back to that young merchant,

and as soon as he has recovered his health, you shall bring him to

me, with his mother and sister.

The next morning early Fetnah repaired to the syndic of the

jewellers, being impatient to hear of Ganem’s health, and to tell

the mother and daughter the good news she had for them. The first

person she met with was the syndic, who told her that Ganem had

rested very well that night; and that his distemper proceeded

altogether from melancholy, and the cause being removed, he would

soon recover his health.

Accordingly the son of Abou Ayoub was much amended. Rest, and the

good medicines he had taken, but, above all, the different situation

of his mind, had wrought so good an effect, that the syndic thought

he might without danger see his mother, his sister, and his

mistress, provided he was prepared to receive them; because there

was ground to fear, that, not knowing his mother and sister were at

Bagdad, the sight of them might occasion too great surprise and joy.

It was therefore resolved, that Fetnah should first go alone into

Ganem’s chamber, and then make a sign to the two other ladies to

appear, when she thought it was proper.

Matters being so ordered, the syndic announced Fetnah’s coming to

the sick man, who was so transported to see her, that he was again

near fainting away. Well, Ganem, said she, drawing near to his bed,

you have again found your Fetnah, whom you thought you had lost for

ever. Ah, madam, eagerly interrupting her, what miracle has restored

you to my sight? I thought you were in the caliph’s palace; that

prince has doubtless listened to you. You have dispelled his

jealousy, and he has restored you to his favour.

Yes, my dear Ganem, answered Fetnah, I have cleared myself before

the commander of the true believers, who, to make amends for the

wrong he has done you, bestows me on you for a wife. These last

words occasioned such an excess of joy in Ganem, that he knew not

for a while how to express himself, otherwise than by that

passionate silence so well known to lovers. At length he broke out

in these words: Beautiful Fetnah, cried he, may I give credit to

what you tell me? May I believe that the caliph really resigns you

to Abou Ayoub’s son? Nothing is more certain, answered the lady.

That prince, who before caused search to be made for you, to take

away your life, and who in his fury caused your mother and your

sister to suffer a thousand indignities, desires now to see you,

that he may reward the respect you had for him; and there is no

question to be made but that he will load your family with his

favours.

Ganem asked what the caliph had done to his mother and sister, which

Fetnah told him; and he could not forbear letting fall some tears at

that relation, notwithstanding the thoughts which arose in his mind

at the news of being married to his mistress. But when Fetnah

informed him that they were actually in Bagdad, and in the same

house with him, he appeared so impatient to see them, that the

favourite could no longer defer giving him that satisfaction; and

accordingly called them in. They were at the door, only waiting for

that moment. They came in, went up to Ganem, and embracing him in

their turns, kissed him a thousand times. What tears were shed

amidst those embraces! Ganem’s face was bathed with them, as well

as his mother’s and sister’s; and Fetnah let fall abundance. The

syndic himself and his wife were so moved at the spectacle, that

they could not forbear weeping, nor sufficiently admire the secret

workings of Providence, which brought together into their house four

persons, whom fortune had so cruelly parted.

When they had all dried up their tears, Ganem drew fresh torrents,

by the recital of all he had suffered from the day he left Fetnah

till the moment the syndic brought him to his house. He told them,

that having taken refuge in a small village, he there fell sick;

that some charitable peasants had taken care of him, but finding he

did not recover, a camel-driver had undertaken to carry him to the

hospital at Bagdad. Fetnah also told them all the uneasiness of her

imprisonment; how the caliph, having heard her talk in the tower,

had sent for her into his closet, and how she had cleared herself.

In conclusion, when they had related what accidents had befallen

them, Fetnah said, Let us bless Heaven, which has brought us all

together again, and let us think of nothing but the happiness that

attends us. As soon as Ganem has recovered his health, he must

appear before the caliph, with his mother and sister; but as they

are not in a condition to be seen, I will make some provision for

them. I desire you to stay a moment.

This said, she went away to the palace, and soon returned to the

syndic’s with a purse containing a thousand pieces of gold, which

she delivered to the syndic, desiring him to buy clothes for the

mother and daughter. The syndic, who was a man of good taste, chose

such as were very handsome, and had them made up with all speed.

They were finished in three days, and Ganem finding himself strong

enough to go abroad, prepared for it; but on the day he had

appointed to pay his respects to the caliph, when he was making

ready, with his mother and sister, the grand vizier Giafar came to

the syndic’s house.

That minister came on horseback, attended by a great number of

officers. Sir, said he to Ganem, as soon as he came in, I am come

from the commander of the true believers, my master and yours; the

orders I have differ very much from those which I do not care to

revive in your memory; I am to bear you company, and to present you

to the caliph, who is desirous to see you. Ganem returned no other

answer to the vizier’s compliment, than by profoundly bowing his

head, and then mounted a horse brought from the caliph’s stables,

which he managed very gracefully. The mother and daughter were

mounted on mules belonging to the palace, and whilst Fetnah on

another mule led them a by-way to the prince’s court, Giafar

conducted Ganem another way, and brought him into the hall of

audience. The caliph was there sitting on his throne, encompassed

with emirs, viziers, and other attendants and courtiers, Arabs,

Persians, Egyptians, Africans, and Syrians, of his own dominions,

not to mention strangers.

When the vizier had conducted Ganem to the foot of the throne, that

young merchant paid his obeisance, prostrating himself with his face

to the ground, and then rising, made a handsome compliment in verse,

which, though _extempore_, met with the approbation of the whole

court. After his compliment, the caliph caused him to draw near, and

said to him, I am glad to see you, and desire to hear from your own

mouth where you found my favourite, and all that you have done for

her. Ganem obeyed, and appeared so sincere, that the caliph was

convinced of his sincerity. That prince ordered a very rich vest to

be given him, according to the custom observed with those who are

admitted to audience. After which he said to him, Ganem, I will have

you live in my court. Commander of the true believers, answered the

young merchant, a slave has no will but his master’s, on whom his

life and fortune depend. The caliph was highly pleased with

Ganem’s answer, and assigned him a considerable pension. Then the

prince came down from his throne, and causing only Ganem and the

grand vizier to follow him, went into his own apartment.

Not questioning but that Fetnah was there, with Abou Ayoub’s widow

and daughter, he caused them to be called in. They prostrated

themselves before him; he made them rise; and was so taken with

Alcolomb’s beauty, that after viewing her very attentively, he

said, I am so sorry for having treated your charms so unworthily,

that I owe them such a satisfaction as may surpass the injury I have

done them. I take you to wife; and by that means shall punish

Zobeide, who shall become the first cause of your good fortune, as

she was of your past sufferings. This is not all, added he, turning

towards Ganem’s mother: you are still young; I believe you will

not disdain to be allied to my grand vizier: I give you to Giafar,

and you, Fetnah, to Ganem. Let a cadi and witnesses be called, and

the three contracts be drawn up and signed immediately. Ganem would

have represented to the caliph, that it would be honour enough for

his sister to be one of his favourites; but that prince was resolved

to marry her.

He thought this such an extraordinary story, that he ordered a

famous historian to commit it to writing with all its circumstances.

It was afterwards laid up in his library, and many copies being

transcribed from that original, it became public.

After Scheherazade had finished the history of Ganem, son of Abou

Ayoub, the sultan of the Indies expressed his satisfaction: Sir,

said the sultaness, since this story has pleased you, I humbly

intreat your majesty to be pleased to hear that of Zeyn Alasnam and

the King of the Genii, which will afford you equal pleasure:

Schahriar consented; but as day began to appear, it was deferred

till the following night, when she began as follows:

The History of Prince Zeyn Alasnam and the King of the Genii.

A king of Balsora, who possessed great wealth, and was well beloved

by his subjects, had no children, which was a great affliction to

him; and therefore he made presents to all the holy persons in his

dominions, to engage them to beg a son for him of heaven: and their

prayers being effectual, the queen proved with child, and was

happily delivered of a prince, who was named Zeyn Alasnam, which

signifies Ornament of the Statues.

The king caused all the astrologers in his kingdom to be assembled,

and ordered them to calculate the infant’s nativity. They found by

their observations that he would live long, and be very brave; but

that all his courage would be little enough to carry him through the

misfortunes that threatened him. The king was not daunted at this

prediction: My son, said he, is not to be pitied, since he will be

brave: it is fit that princes should have a taste of misfortunes;

for adversity tries virtue, and they are the better qualified to

reign.

He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused Zeyn to

be educated with the greatest care imaginable, appointing him able

masters as soon as he was of age to receive their instructions. In

short, he proposed to make him an accomplished prince, when on a

sudden this good king fell sick of a distemper, which all the skill

of his physicians could not cure. Perceiving his disease was mortal,

he sent for his son, and among other things advised him rather to

endeavour to be beloved than to be feared by his people; not to give

ear to flatterers; to be as slow in rewarding as in punishing,

because it often happens that monarchs, misled by false appearances,

load wicked men with favours, and oppress the innocent.

As soon as the king was dead, prince Zeyn went into mourning, which

he wore seven days, and the eighth he ascended the throne, taking

his father’s seal off the royal treasury, and putting on his own,

beginning thus to taste the sweets of ruling, the pleasure of seeing

all his courtiers bow down before him, and make it their whole study

to show their zeal and obedience. In a word, the sovereign power was

too agreeable to him. He only regarded what his subjects owed to

him, without considering what was his duty towards them, and

consequently took little care to govern them well. He wallowed in

all sorts of debauchery among the voluptuous youth, on whom he

conferred the prime employments of the kingdom. He lost all command

of his power. Being naturally prodigal, he set no bounds to his

grants, so that his women and his favourites insensibly drained his

treasury.

The queen his mother was still living, a discreet wise princess. She

had several times unsuccessfully tried to check her son’s

prodigality and debauchery, giving him to understand, that, if he

did not soon take another course, he would not only squander his

wealth, but would also alienate the minds of his people, and

occasion some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and

his life. What she had foretold was very near falling out: the

people began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs had

certainly been followed by a general revolt, had not the queen had

the address to prevent it. But that princess being acquainted with

the ill posture of affairs, informed the king, who at last suffered

himself to be prevailed upon. He committed the government to

discreet aged men, who knew how to keep the people within the bounds

of duty.

Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made no

better use of it. He fell into a deadly melancholy, and nothing

could comfort him. One night he saw in a dream a venerable old man

coming towards him, who with a smiling countenance said, Know, Zeyn,

that there is no sorrow but what is followed by mirth, no misfortune

but what in the end brings some happiness. If you desire to see the

end of your affliction, get up, set out for Egypt, go to Grand

Cairo; a great fortune attends you there.

The prince, when he awaked in the morning, was struck with this

dream, and spoke of it very seriously to his mother, who only

laughed at it. My son, said she to him, would you now go into Egypt

on the faith of that fine dream? Why not, madam? answered Zeyn: do

you imagine all dreams are chimerical? No, no, some of them are

mysterious. My preceptors have told me a thousand stories, which

will not permit me to doubt of it. Besides, though I were not

otherwise convinced, I could not forbear giving some credit to my

dreams. The old man that appeared to me had something supernatural:

he was not one of those men whom nothing but age makes venerable;

there appeared a divine air about his person. In short, he was such

a one as our great prophet is represented; and it you will have me

tell you what I think, I believe it was he, who, pitying my

affliction, designs to relieve it. I rely on the confidence he has

inspired me with. I am full of his promises, and have resolved to

follow his advice. The queen endeavoured to dissuade him, but in

vain. The prince committed to her the government of the kingdom, set

out one night very privately from his palace, and took the road to

Cairo, without suffering any person to attend him.

After much trouble and fatigue, he arrived at that famous city, like

which there are few in the world, either for extent or beauty. He

alighted at the gate of a mosque, where, being spent by weariness,

he lay down. No sooner was he fallen asleep, than he saw the same

old man, who said to him, I am pleased with you, my son; you have

given credit to my words. You have come hither without being

deterred by the length or the difficulties of the way: but know I

have not put you upon undertaking such a long journey with any other

design than to try you. I find you have courage and resolution. You

deserve I should make you the richest and happiest prince in the

world. Return to Balsora, and you shall find immense wealth in your

palace. No king ever possessed so much as there is.

The prince was not pleased with that dream. Alas! thought he to

himself, when he awaked, how much was I mistaken? That old man, whom

I took for our prophet, is no other than the production of my

disturbed imagination. My fancy was so full of him, that it is no

wonder I have seen him again. I had best return to Balsora: what

should I do here any longer? It is very happy that I told none but

my mother the motive of my journey: I should become a jest to my

people, if they knew it.

Accordingly, he set out again for his kingdom, and as soon as he

arrived there, the queen asked him whether he returned well pleased?

He told her all that had happened, and was so much concerned for

having been so credulous, that the queen, instead of adding to his

vexation, by reproving or laughing at him, comforted him. Forbear

afflicting yourself, my son, said she: if God has appointed you

riches, you will have them without any trouble. Be easy; all that I

recommend to you is, to be virtuous; renounce the delights of

dancing, music, and high coloured wine: shun all these pleasures;

they have already almost ruined you; apply yourself to make your

subjects happy; by securing their happiness, you will establish your

own.

Prince Zeyn swore he would for the future follow his mother’s

advice, and be directed by the wise viziers she had made choice of

to assist him in supporting the weight of the government. But the

very night after he returned to his palace, he saw the old man the

third time in a dream, who said to him, The time of your prosperity

is come, brave Zeyn: to-morrow morning, as soon as you are up, take

a little pick-axe, and go dig in the late king’s closet; you will

there find a mighty treasure.

As soon as the prince awaked, he got up, ran to the queen’s

apartment, and with much eagerness told her the new dream of that

night. Really, my son, said the queen, smiling, that is a very

positive old man; he is not satisfied with having deceived you

twice; have you a mind to believe him again? No, madam, answered

Zeyn, I give no credit to what he has said; but I will, for my own

satisfaction, search my father’s closet. I really fancied so,

cried the queen, laughing heartily; go, my son, satisfy yourself; my

comfort is, that work is not so fatiguing as the journey to Egypt.

Well, madam, answered the king, I must own that this third dream has

restored my confidence, for it is connected with the two others: let

us examine the old man’s words. He first directed me to go into

Egypt; there he told me he had put me upon taking that journey only

to try me. Return to Balsora, said he; that is the place where you

are to find treasures: this night he has exactly pointed out to me

the place where they are: these three dreams, in my opinion, are

connected. After all, they may be chimerical: but I would rather

search in vain than blame myself as long as I live, for having

perhaps missed of great riches by being unseasonably incredulous.

Having spoken these words, he left the queen’s apartment, caused a

pick-axe to be brought him, and went alone into the late king’s

closet. He fell to breaking up the ground, and took up above half

the square stones it was paved with, and yet saw not the least

appearance of what he sought after. He ceased working to take a

little rest, thinking within himself, I am much afraid my mother had

cause enough to laugh at me. However, he took heart, and went on

with his labour, nor had he cause to repent; for on a sudden he

discovered a white stone, which he took up, and under it found a

door, made fast with a steel padlock; this he broke with the

pick-axe, and opened the door, which covered a staircase of white

marble. He immediately lighted a candle, and went down those stairs

into a room, the floor whereof was laid with tiles of china-ware,

and the roof and walls were of crystal; but he particularly fixed

his eyes upon four shelves, a little raised above the rest of the

floor, on each of which there were ten urns of porphyry. He fancied

they were full of wine: Well, said he, that wine must be very old; I

do not question but it is excellent. He went up to one of the urns,

took off the cover, and with no less joy than surprise perceived it

was full of pieces of gold. [92] He searched all the forty, one

after another, and found them full of the same coin, took out a

handful, and carried it to the queen.

That princess, it may be imagined, was amazed when the king gave her

an account of what he had seen. O! my son, said she, take heed you

do not lavish away all that treasure foolishly, as you have already

done the royal treasure. Let not your enemies have so much occasion

to rejoice. No, madam, answered Zeyn, I will from henceforward live

after such a manner as shall be pleasing to you.

The queen desired the king her son to conduct her to that wonderful

subterraneous place, which the late king her husband had made with

such secrecy, that she had never heard the least of it. Zeyn led her

to the closet, down the marble stairs, and into the chamber where

the urns were. She observed every thing with the eye of curiosity,

and in a corner spied a little urn of the same sort of stone as the

others. The prince had not before taken notice of it, but opening,

found in it a golden key. My son, said the queen, this key certainly

belongs to some other treasure: let us look all about; perhaps we

may discover the use it is designed for.

They examined the chamber with the utmost exactness, and at length

found a key-hole in one of the pannels of the wall, and guessed it

to be that to which the key belonged. The king immediately tried,

and as readily opened the door, which led into a chamber, in the

midst of which were nine pedestals of massy gold, on eight of which

stood as many statues, each of them made of a single diamond, and

from them came such a brightness, that the whole room was perfectly

light.

O Heavens! cried Zeyn, in astonishment, where could my father find

such rarities? The ninth pedestal redoubled this amazement, for it

was covered with a piece of white satin, on which were written these

words, ‘Dear son, it cost me much toil to get these eight statues;

but though they are extraordinarily beautiful, you must understand

that there is a ninth in the world, which surpasses them all: that

alone is worth more than a thousand such as these: if you desire to

be master of it, go to the city of Cairo in Egypt: one of my old

slaves, whose name is Mobarec, [93] lives there; you will easily

find him; the first person you meet will show you his house; find

him out, and tell him all that has befallen you: he will know you to

be my son, and he will conduct you to the place where that wonderful

statue is, which you will get with safety.’

The prince having read these words, said to the queen, I should be

sorry to be without that ninth statue; it must certainly be a very

rare piece, since all these together are not of so great value. I

will set out for Grand Cairo; nor do I believe, madam, that you will

oppose my design. No, my son, answered the queen, I am not against

it: you are certainly under the special protection of our great

prophet; he will not suffer you to perish in this journey. Set out

when you think fit: your viziers and I will take care of the

government during your absence. The prince made ready his equipage,

but would take only a small number of slaves with him.

Nothing remarkable befell him by the way, but arriving at Cairo, he

inquired for Mobarec. The people told him he was one of the

wealthiest inhabitants of the city; that he lived like a great lord;

and that his house was open, especially for strangers. Zeyn was

conducted thither, knocked at the gate, which a slave opened, and

said, What is it you want, and who are you? I am a stranger,

answered the prince, and having heard much of the lord Mobarec’s

generosity, am come to take up my lodging with him. The slave

desired Zeyn to stay awhile, and went to acquaint his master, who

ordered him to desire the stranger to walk in. The slave returned to

the gate, and told the prince he was welcome.

Zeyn went in, crossed a large court, and entered into a hall

magnificently furnished, where Mobarec expected him, and received

him very courteously, returning thanks for the honour he did him in

accepting a lodging in his house. The prince, having answered his

compliment, said to Mobarec, I am son to the late king of Balsora,

and my name is Zeyn Alasnam. That king, said Mobarec, was formerly

my master; but, my lord, I never knew of any children he had: what

is your age? I am twenty years old, answered the prince. How long is

it since you left my father’s court? Almost two and twenty years,

replied Mobarec: but how can you convince me that you are his son?

My father, rejoined Zeyn, had a subterraneous place under his

closet, in which I have found forty porphyry urns of gold. And what

more is there? said Mobarec. There are, answered the prince, nine

pedestals of massive gold; on eight whereof there are eight diamond

statues; and on the ninth is a piece of white satin, on which my

father has written what I am to do to get another statue, more

valuable than all those together. You know where that statue is; for

it is mentioned on the satin that you will conduct me to it.

As soon as he had spoke these words, Mobarec fell down at his feet,

and kissing one of his hands several times, said, I bless God for

having brought you hither: I know you to be the king of Balsora’s

son. If you will go to the place where the wonderful statue is, I

will conduct you; but you must first rest here a few days. This day

I treat the great men of the court; we were at table when word was

brought me of your being at the door. Will you vouchsafe to come and

be merry with us? I shall be very glad, replied Zeyn, to be admitted

to your feast. Mobarec immediately led him under a dome where the

company was, seated him at the table, and served him on the knee.

The great men of Cairo were surprised, and whispered to one another,

Who is this stranger, to whom Mobarec pays so much respect?

When they had dined, Mobarec, directing his discourse to the

company, said, Great men of Cairo, do not think much to see me serve

this young stranger after this manner; know that he is the son of

the king of Balsora, my master. His father purchased me with his

money, and died without making me free; so that I am still a slave,

and consequently all I have of right belongs to this young prince,

his sole heir. Here Zeyn interrupted him: Mobarec, said he, I

declare, before all these lords, that I make you free from this

moment, and that I renounce all right to your person, and all you

possess. Consider what you would have me do more for you. Mobarec

then kissed the ground, and returned the prince most hearty thanks.

Wine was then brought in; they drank all day; and towards the

evening presents were distributed among the guests, who then went

away.

The next day Zeyn said to Mobarec, I have taken rest enough. I came

not to Cairo to take my pleasure: my design is to get the ninth

statue; it is time for us to set out in search of it. Sir, said

Mobarec, I am ready to comply with your desires; but you know not

what dangers you must encounter to make this precious conquest.

Whatsoever the danger may be, answered the prince, I have resolved

to undertake it: I will either perish or succeed. All that happens

in this world is by God’s direction. Do you but bear me company,

and let your resolution be equal to mine.

Mobarec, finding him determined to set out, called his servants, and

ordered them to make ready his equipage. Then the prince and he

performed the ablution, or washing, and the prayer enjoined, which

is called Farz; and that done, they set out. By the way they took

notice of abundance of strange and wonderful things, and travelled

many days; at the end whereof, being come to a delightful spot, they

alighted from their horses. Then Mobarec said to all the servants

that attended them, Do you stay in this place, and take care of our

equipage till we return. Then he said to Zeyn, Now, sir, let us two

go on by ourselves. We are near the dreadful place, where the ninth

statue is kept. You will stand in need of all your courage.

They soon came to a lake: Mobarec sat down on the brink of it,

saying to the prince, We must cross this sea. How can we cross it,

answered Zeyn, when we have no boat? You will see one appear in a

moment, replied Mobarec; the enchanted boat of the king of the genii

will come for us. But do not forget what I am going to say to you:

you must observe a profound silence: do not speak to the boatman,

though his figure seem never so strange to you: whatsoever

extraordinary circumstance you observe, say nothing; for I tell you

beforehand, that if you utter the least word, when we are embarked,

the boat will sink down. I shall take care to hold my peace, said

the prince, you need only tell me what I am to do, and I will

strictly observe it.

While they were talking, he spied on a sudden a boat in the lake,

and it was made of red sandal wood. It had a mast of fine amber, and

a blue satin flag: there was only one boatman in it, whose head was

like an elephant’s, and his body like a tiger’s. When the boat

was come up to the prince and Mobarec, the monstrous boatman took

them up one after another with his trunk, and put them into his

boat, and carried them over the lake in a moment. He then again took

them up with his trunk, set them on shore, and immediately vanished

with his boat.

Now we may talk, said Mobarec: the island we are on belongs to the

king of the genii; there are no more such in the world. Look round

you, prince: can there be a more delightful place? It is certainly a

lively representation of the charming place God has appointed for

the faithful observers of our law. Behold the fields adorned with

all sorts of flowers and odoriferous plants; admire those beautiful

trees, whose delicious fruit makes the branches bend down to the

ground; enjoy the pleasures of those harmonious songs formed in the

air, by a thousand birds of as many various sorts unknown in other

countries. Zeyn could not sufficiently admire the beauties of those

with which he was surrounded, and still found something new, as he

advanced farther into the island.

At length they came before a palace made of fine emeralds,

encompassed with a ditch, on the banks whereof at certain distances,

were planted such tall trees, that they shaded the whole palace.

Before the gate, which was of massy gold, was a bridge, made of one

single shell of a fish, though it was at least six fathoms long, and

three in breadth. At the head of the bridge stood a company of

genii, of a prodigious height, who guarded the entrance into the

castle with great clubs of China steel.

Let us go no farther, said Mobarec; these genii will knock us down:

and in order to prevent their coming to us, we must perform a

magical ceremony. He then drew out of a purse, which he had under

his garment, four long slips of yellow taffety; one he put about his

middle, and laid the other on his back, giving the other two to the

prince, who did the like. Then Mobarec laid on the ground two large

table-cloths, on the edges whereof he scattered some precious

stones, musk, and amber. Then he sat down on one of those cloths,

and Zeyn on the other; and Mobarec said to the prince, I shall now,

sir, conjure the king of the genii, who lives in the palace that is

before us: may he come in a peaceable mood to us! I confess I am not

without apprehension about the reception he may give us. If our

coming into this island is displeasing to him, he will appear in the

shape of a dreadful monster; but if he approves of your design, he

will show himself in the shape of a handsome man. As soon as he

appears before us, you must rise and salute him, without going off

your cloth; for you would certainly perish should you stir off it.

You must say to him, Sovereign lord of the genii, my father, who was

your servant, has been taken away by the angel of death: I wish your

majesty may protect me, as you always protected my father. If the

king of the genii, added Mobarec, ask you what favour you desire of

him, you must answer, Sir, I must humbly beg of you to give me the

ninth statue.

Mobarec, having thus instructed prince Zeyn, began his conjuration.

Immediately their eyes were dazzled with a long flash of lightning,

which was followed by a clap of thunder. The whole island was

covered with a thick darkness, a furious storm of wind blew, a

dreadful cry was heard, the island felt a shock, and there was such

an earthquake as that which Asrayel is to cause on the day of

judgment.

Zeyn was startled, and began to look upon that noise as a very ill

omen; when Mobarec, who knew better than he what to think of it,

began to smile, and said, Take courage, my prince; all goes well. In

short, that very moment the king of the genii appeared in the shape

of a very handsome man, yet there was something of a sternness in

his air.

As soon as prince Zeyn had made him the compliment he had been

taught by Mobarec, the king of the genii smiling, answered, My son,

I loved your father, and every time he came to pay me his respects,

I presented him with a statue, which he carried away with him. I

have no less kindness for you. I obliged your father some days

before he died, to write that which you read on the piece of white

satin. I promised him to receive you under my protection, and to

give you the ninth statue, which in beauty surpasses those you have

already. I have begun to perform my promise to him. It was I whom

you saw in a dream, in the shape of an old man: I caused you to open

the subterraneous place, where the urns and the statues are: I have

a great share in all that has befallen you, or rather am the

occasion of it. I know the motive that brought you hither: you shall

obtain what you desire. Though I had not promised your father to

give it, I would willingly grant it to you: but you must first swear

to me by all that is sacred, that you will return to this island,

and that you will bring a maid that is in her fifteenth year, and

who has never known man, nor desired to know any. She must also be

perfectly beautiful; and you so much a master of yourself, as not

even to desire to enjoy her, as you are conducting her hither.

Zeyn took the rash oath that was required of him. But, my lord, said

he then, suppose I should be so fortunate as to meet with such a

maid as you require, how shall I know that I have found her? I own,

answered the king of the genii, smiling, that you might be mistaken

in her appearance: that knowledge is above the sons of Adam, and

therefore I do not mean to depend upon your judgment in that

particular: I will give you a looking-glass, which will be more

certain than your conjectures. When you shall have seen a maiden

fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, you shall only need look

into the glass, in which you shall see her figure. If she be chaste,

the glass will remain clean and unsullied; but if, on the contrary,

it sullies, that will be a certain sign that she has not always been

prudent, or at least that she has desired to cease to be so. Do not

forget the oath you have taken: keep it like a man of honour;

otherwise I will take away your life, as much kindness as I have for

you. Prince Zeyn Alasnam protested again that he would faithfully

keep his word.

Then the king of the genii delivered to him a looking-glass, saying,

My son, you may return when you please; there is the glass you are

to make use of. Zeyn and Mobarec took leave of the king of the

genii, and went towards the lake. The boatman with the elephant’s

head brought the boat, and carried them over the lake as he had done

before. They joined their servants, and returned with them again to

Cairo.

Prince Alasnam rested a few days at Mobarec’s house, and then said

to him, Let us go to Bagdad to seek a maiden for the king of the

genii. Why, are we not at Grand Cairo? said Mobarec: shall we not

there find beautiful maidens enough? You are in the right, answered

the prince; but how shall we do to find where they are? Do not

trouble yourself about that, sir, answered Mobarec; I know a very

shrewd old woman, whom I will entrust with that affair, and she will

acquit herself well.

[Illustration: ZEYN ALASNAM & THE KING OF THE GENII.]

Accordingly the old woman found means to show the prince a

considerable number of beautiful maidens of fifteen years of age;

but when he had viewed them, and came to consult his looking-glass,

the faithful touchstone of their virtue, the glass always appeared

sullied. All the maidens in the court and city, that were in their

fifteenth year, underwent the trial one after another, and the glass

never remained bright and clear.

When they saw there were no chaste maids to be found in Cairo, they

went to Bagdad, where they hired a magnificent palace in one of the

chief quarters of the city, and began to live splendidly. They kept

open house; and after all people had eaten in the palace, the

fragments were carried to the dervises, who by that means had

comfortable subsistence.

There lived in that quarter an iman, whose name was Boubekir Muezin,

a vain, haughty, and envious person: he hated the rich, only because

he was poor, his misery making him angry at his neighbour’s

prosperity. He heard talk of Zeyn Alasnam, and of the plenty his

house afforded. This was enough for him to take an aversion to that

prince; and it proceeded so far, that one day after the evening

prayer in the mosque, he said to the people, Brethren, I have been

told there is come to live in our ward a stranger, who every day

gives away immense sums. How do we know but that this unknown person

is some villain, who has committed a great robbery in his own

country, and comes hitherto enjoy himself? Let us take care,

brethren: if the caliph should be informed that such a man is in our

ward, it is to be feared he will punish us for not acquainting him

with it. I declare, for my part, I wash my hands of it; and if any

thing should happen amiss, it shall not lie at my door. The

multitude, who are easily led away, with one voice cried to

Boubekir, It is your business, doctor: do you acquaint the council

with it. The iman went home well pleased, and drew up a memorial,

resolving to present it to the caliph next day.

But Mobarec, who had been at prayers, and heard all that was said by

the doctor, as well as the rest of the company, put five hundred

pieces of gold into a handkerchief, made up with a parcel of several

silks, and went away to Boubekir’s house. The doctor asked him in

a harsh tone, what he wanted. Doctor, answered Mobarec, with an

obliging air, and at the same time putting into his hand the gold

and the silk, I am your neighbour and your servant: I come from

prince Zeyn, who lives in this ward: he has heard of your worth, and

has ordered me to come and tell you that he desires to be acquainted

with you, and in the mean time desires you to accept of this small

present. Boubekir was transported with joy, and answered Mobarec

thus: Be pleased, sir, to beg the prince’s pardon for me: I am

ashamed I have not yet been to see him, but I will atone for my

fault, and wait on him to-morrow.

Accordingly the next day, after morning prayer, he said to the

people, You must understand, brethren, that no man is without some

enemies: envy pursues those chiefly who are very rich. The stranger

I spoke to you about yesterday in the evening is no ill man, as some

ill-designing persons would have persuaded me: he is a young prince

endowed with every virtue. It behoves us to take care how we go and

give any ill account of him to the caliph.

Boubekir having thus wiped off the ill impression he had the day

before given the people concerning Zeyn, returned home, put on his

best apparel, and went to visit that young prince, who gave him a

courteous reception. After several compliments had passed on both

sides, Boubekir said to the prince, sir, do you design to stay long

at Bagdad? I shall stay, answered Zeyn, till I can find a maid,

fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, and so chaste, that she

has not only never known a man, but even never desired to know him.

You seek after a great rarity, replied the iman; and I should be apt

to fear your search would prove unsuccessful, did I not know where

there is a maid of that character. Her father was formerly vizier;

but he has left the court; and lived a long time in a house by

itself, where he applies himself solely to the education of his

daughter. If you please, I will go ask her of him for you: I do not

question but he will be overjoyed to have a son-in-law of your

quality. Not so fast, said the prince, I shall not marry that maid

before I know whether I like her. As for her beauty, I can depend on

you: but what assurance can you give me in relation to her virtue?

What assurance do you require? said Boubekir. I must see her face,

answered Zeyn; that is enough for me to form a resolution. You are

skilful then in physiognomy? replied the iman, smiling. Well, come

along with me to her father’s: I will desire him to let you see

her one moment in his presence.

Muezin conducted the prince to the vizier’s; who, as soon as he

was acquainted with the prince’s birth and design, called his

daughter, and made her take off her veil. Never had the young king

of Balsora beheld such a perfect and striking beauty. He stood

amazed, and since he could then try whether the maid was as chaste

as fair, he pulled out his glass, which remained bright and

unsullied.

When he perceived he had at length found such a person as he

desired, he entreated the vizier to grant her to him. Immediately

the lady was sent for, and came; the contract was signed, and the

marriage prayer said. After which ceremony, Zeyn carried the vizier

to his house, where he treated him magnificently, and gave him

considerable presents. Next he sent a prodigious quantity of jewels

to the bride by Mobarec, who brought her to his house, where the

wedding was kept with all the pomp that became Zeyn’s quality.

When all the company was dismissed, Mobarec said to his master, Let

us begone, sir; let us not stay any longer at Bagdad, but return to

Cairo; remember the promise you made the king of the genii. Let us

go, answered the prince; I must take care to perform it exactly: yet

I must confess, my dear Mobarec, that if I obey the king of the

genii, it is not without reluctance. The person I have married is

charming, and I am tempted to carry her to Balsora, and place her on

the throne. Alas! sir, answered Mobarec, take heed how you give way

to your inclination: make yourself master of your passions, and

whatsoever it cost you, be as good as your word to the king of the

genii. Well, then, Mobarec, said the prince, do you take care to

conceal that lovely maid from me; let her never appear in my sight;

perhaps, I have already seen too much of her.

Mobarec made all ready for their departure; they returned to Cairo,

and thence set out for the island of the king of the genii. When

they were there, the maid who had performed the journey in a

horse-litter, and whom the prince had never seen since his

wedding-day, said to Mobarec, where are we? Shall we be soon in the

dominions of the prince, my husband? Madam, answered Mobarec, it is

time to undeceive you. Prince Zeyn married you only in order to get

you from your father: he did not engage his faith to you, to make

you sovereign of Balsora, but to deliver you to the king of the

genii, who asked of him a virgin of your character. At these words

she began to weep bitterly, which moved the prince and Mobarec. Take

pity on me, said she; I am a stranger; you will be accountable to

God for your treachery towards me.

Her tears and complaints were of no effect, for she was presented to

the king of the genii, who having gazed on her with attention, said

to Zeyn, Prince, I am satisfied with your behaviour; the virgin you

have brought me is beautiful and chaste, and I am pleased with the

force you have put upon yourself to be as good as your word to me.

Return to your dominions, and when you shall enter the subterraneous

room, where the eight statues are, you shall find the ninth which I

promised you. I will make my genii carry it thither. Zeyn thanked

the king, and returned to Cairo with Mobarec, but did not stay long

there; his impatience to see the ninth statue made him hasten his

departure. However, he could not but often think of the young virgin

he married; and blaming himself for having deceived her, he looked

upon himself as the cause and instrument of her misfortune. Alas,

said he to himself, I have taken her from a tender father, to

sacrifice her to a genie. Oh, incomparable beauty! you deserve a

better fate.

Prince Zeyn, disturbed with these thoughts, at length reached

Balsora, where his subjects made extraordinary rejoicings for his

return. He went directly to give an account of his journey to his

mother, who was in a rapture to hear he had obtained the ninth

statue. Let us go, my son, said she, let us go see it, for it is

certainly in the chamber under ground, since the king of the genii

told you you should find it there. The young king and his mother,

being both impatient to see that wonderful statue, went down to the

subterraneous place, and into the room of the statues; but how great

was their surprise, when, instead of a statue of diamonds, they

espied on the ninth pedestal a most beautiful virgin, whom the

prince knew to be the same he had conducted to the island of the

genii! Prince, said the young maid, you are surprised to see me

here; you expected to have found something more precious than me,

and I question not but that you now repent having taken so much

trouble: you expected a better reward. Madam, answered Zeyn, Heaven

is my witness, that I more than once was like to have broken my word

with the king of the genii, to keep you to myself. Whatsoever be the

value of a diamond statue, is it worthy the satisfaction of enjoying

you? I love you above all the diamonds and wealth in the world.

Just as he was done speaking, a clap of thunder was heard, which

shook that subterraneous place. Zeyn’s mother was frightened, but

the king of the genii immediately appearing, dispelled her fear,

Madam, said he to her, I protect and love your son: I had a mind to

try whether, at his age, he could subdue his passions. I know the

charms of this young lady have wrought on him, and that he did not

punctually keep the promise he had made me, not to desire to enjoy

her; but I am too well acquainted with the frailty of the human

nature. This is the ninth statue I designed for him; it is more rare

and precious than the others. Live, said he, directing his discourse

to the young prince, live happy, Zeyn, with this young lady, who is

your wife; and if you would have her true and constant to you, love

her always, and love her only. Give her no rival, and I will answer

for her fidelity. Having spoke these words, the king of the genii

vanished, and Zeyn, enchanted with that young lady, consummated the

marriage the same day, and caused her to be proclaimed queen of

Balsora. Those two ever-faithful and loving consorts lived together

many years.

The History of Codadad and his Brothers.

Those who have written the history of the kingdom of Diarbekir

inform us, that there formerly reigned in the city of Harran a most

magnificent and potent king, who loved his subjects, and was equally

beloved by them. He was endued with all virtues, and wanted nothing

to complete his happiness but an heir. Though he had the finest

women in the world in his seraglio, yet was he destitute of

children. He continually prayed to heaven for them; and one night in

his sleep, a comely person, or rather a prophet, appeared to him,

and said, Your prayers are heard; you have obtained what you

desired: rise as soon as you awake, go to your prayers, and make two

genuflexions; then walk into the garden of your palace, call your

gardener, and bid him bring you a pomegranate; eat as many of the

seeds as you please, and your wishes shall be accomplished.

The king calling to mind his dream when he awaked, returned thanks

to heaven, got up, went to prayers, made two genuflexions, and then

went down into his garden, where he took fifty pomegranate seeds,

which he counted, and eat. He had fifty wives who shared his bed;

they all proved with child; but there was one called Pirouze, who

did not appear to be pregnant. He took an aversion to that lady, and

would have her put to death. Her barrenness, said he, is a certain

token that Heaven does not judge Pirouze worthy to bear a prince; it

is my duty to deliver the world from an object that is odious to the

Lord. He had taken this cruel resolution, but his vizier diverted

him from putting it in execution; representing to him, that all

women were not of the same constitution, and that it was not

impossible but that Pirouze might be with child, though it did not

yet appear. Well, answered the king, let her live; but let her

depart my court, for I cannot endure her. Your majesty, replied the

vizier, may send her to prince Samer, your cousin. The king approved

of his advice; he sent Pirouze to Samaria, with a letter, in which

he ordered his cousin to treat her well, and in case she proved with

child, to give him notice of her being brought to bed.

No sooner was Pirouze arrived in that country, but it appeared that

she was with child, and at length she was delivered of a most

beautiful prince. The prince of Samaria wrote immediately to the

king of Harran, to acquaint him with the birth of that son, and to

congratulate him on that occasion. The king was much rejoiced at it,

and answered prince Samer as follows: ‘Cousin, all my other wives

have each been delivered of a prince; so that we have a great number

of children here. I desire you to breed up that of Pirouze, to give

him the name of Codadad, [94] and to send him to me when I send for

him.’

The prince of Samaria spared nothing that might improve the

education of his nephew. He taught him to ride, draw the bow, and

all the other things becoming the son of a king: so that Codadad, at

eighteen years of age, was looked upon as a prodigy. The young

prince being inspired with a courage worthy his birth, said one day

to his mother, Madam, I begin to grow weary of Samaria; I feel a

passion for glory; give me leave to go seek it amidst the perils of

war. My father, the king of Harran, has many enemies: some

neighbouring princes wish to disturb his repose. Why does he not

call me to his assistance? Why does he leave me here so long in

infancy! Must I spend my life here in sloth, when all my brothers

have the happiness to be fighting by his side? --My son, answered

Pirouze, I am no less impatient to have your name become famous; I

could wish you had already signalized yourself against your

father’s enemies; but we must wait till he requires it. No, madam,

replied Codadad; I have already waited but too long. I long to see

the king, and am tempted to go offer him my service, as a young

stranger: no doubt but he will accept of it, and I will not discover

myself till I have performed a thousand glorious actions: I desire

to merit his esteem before he knows who I am. Pirouze approved of

his generous resolution, and Codadad one day departed from Samaria,

as if he had been going a hunting, without acquainting prince Samer,

for fear he should thwart his design.

He was mounted on a white horse, who had a gold bit and shoes; his

housing was of blue satin embroidered with pearls; the hilt of his

scimitar was of one single diamond, and the scabbard of sandal-wood,

all adorned with emeralds and rubies, and on his shoulder he carried

his bow and quiver. In this equipage, which greatly set off his good

person, he arrived at the city of Harran, and soon found means to

offer his service to the king; who, being charmed with his beauty

and advantageous presence, and perhaps, indeed by natural sympathy,

gave him a favourable reception, and asked his name and quality.

Sir, answered Codadad, I am son to an emir of Grand Cairo: an

inclination to travel has made me quit my country, and

understanding, in my passage through your dominions, that you were

engaged in war with some of your neighbours, I am come to your court

to offer your majesty my service. The king showed him extraordinary

kindness, and gave him an employment in his troop.

The young prince soon signalized his bravery. He gained the esteem

of the officers, and was admired by the soldiers. And having no less

wit than courage, he so far advanced himself in the king’s

affection, as to become his favourite. All the ministers and other

courtiers daily resorted to Codadad, and were so eager to purchase

his friendship, that they neglected the king’s other sons. Those

princes could not but resent it; and imputing it to the stranger,

they all conceived an implacable hatred against him; but the

king’s affection daily increasing, he was never weary of giving

him fresh testimonies of it. He always would have him near him; he

admired his discourse, ever full of wit and discretion; and to show

his high opinion of his wisdom and prudence, he committed to his

care the other princes, though he was of the same age as they; so

that Codadad was made governor of his brothers.

This only served to heighten their hatred. Is it come to this, said

they, that the king, not satisfied with loving a stranger more than

us, will have him to be our governor, and not allow us to do any

thing without his leave? This is not to be endured. We must rid

ourselves of this stranger. Let us go together, said one of them,

and despatch him. No, no, answered another; we had better be

cautious how we sacrifice ourselves. His death would render us

odious to the king, who in return would declare us all unworthy to

reign. Let us destroy the stranger artfully. We will ask his leave

to go hunting, and when at a distance from the palace, we will

proceed to some other city, and stay there some time. The king will

wonder at our absence, and perceiving we do not return, he may

perhaps put the stranger to death, or at least will turn him out of

the court, for suffering us to leave the palace.

All the princes applauded this artifice. They went together to

Codadad, and desired him to give them leave to take the diversion of

hunting, promising to return the same day. Pirouze’s son was taken

in the snare, and granted the leave his brothers desired. They set

out, but never returned. They had been three days absent, when the

king asked Codadad where the princes were, for it was long since he

had seen them. Sir, answered Codadad, after making a profound

reverence, they have been hunting these three days, but they

promised me they would return sooner. The king grew uneasy, and his

uneasiness increased when he perceived the princes did not return

the next day. He could not check his anger: Indiscreet stranger,

said he to Codadad, why did you let my sons go without bearing them

company? Is it thus you discharge the trust I have reposed in you?

Go seek them immediately, and bring them to me, or you are a dead

man.

These words chilled with fear Pirouze’s unfortunate son. He armed

himself, went out of the city, and, like a shepherd who had lost his

flock, searched all the country for his brothers, inquiring at every

village whether they had been seen: and hearing no news of them,

abandoned himself to the most lively grief. Alas! my brothers, said

he, what is become of you? Are you fallen into the hands of our

enemies? Am I come to the court of Harran to be the occasion of

giving the king so much anxiety? He was inconsolable for having

given the princes leave to go a hunting, or for not having borne

them company.

After some days spent in fruitless search, he came to a plain of

prodigious extent, in the midst whereof was a palace built of black

marble. He drew near, and at one of the windows spied a most

beautiful lady, but set off with no other ornament than her own

beauty; for her hair was dishevelled, her garments torn, and on her

countenance appeared all the marks of the greatest affliction. As

soon as she saw Codadad, and judged he might hear her, she directed

her discourse to him, saying, Young man, get away from this fatal

place, or you will soon fall into the hands of the monster that

inhabits it: a black, who feeds only on human blood, resides in this

palace; he seizes all persons whom their ill fate conducts to this

plain, and shuts them up in his dark dungeons, whence they are never

released but to be devoured by him.

Madam, answered Codadad, tell me who you are, and be not concerned

for any more. I am a young woman of quality of Grand Cairo, replied

the lady; I was passing by this castle yesterday, in my way to

Bagdad, and met with the black, who killed all my servants, and

brought me hither: I wish I had nothing but death to fear; but to

add to my calamity, this monster would persuade me to love him, and,

in case I do not yield to-morrow to his brutality, I must expect the

last violence. Once more, added she, make your escape: the black

will soon return; he is gone out to pursue some travellers he espied

at a distance on the plain. Lose no time; I know not whether you can

escape him by a speedy flight.

She had scarce done speaking these words, before the black appeared.

He was a man of monstrous bulk, and of a dreadful aspect, mounted on

a mighty Tartar horse, and bore such a large and heavy scimitar,

that none but himself could make use of it. The prince seeing him,

was amazed at his monstrous stature, directed his prayers to Heaven

to assist him, then drew his scimitar, and firmly awaited the black;

who, despising so inconsiderable an enemy, called to him to yield

himself without fighting: but Codadad by his countenance showed that

he was resolved to defend his life; for he drew near, and gave him a

great cut on the knee. The black, feeling himself wounded, uttered

such a dreadful shriek as made all the plain resound. He grew

furious, and foamed with rage, and raising himself in his stirrups,

made at Codadad with his dreadful scimitar. The blow was so violent,

that it would have put an end to the young prince, had not he

avoided it by a sudden spring which he made his horse take. The

scimitar made a horrible hissing in the air: but before the black

could have time to make a second blow, Codadad let fall one on his

right arm with such fury, that he cut it off. The dreadful scimitar

fell with the hand that held it, and the black, yielding under the

violence of the stroke, lost his stirrups, and made the earth shake

with the noise of his fall. The prince alighted at the same time,

and cut off his enemy’s head. Just then the lady, who had been a

spectator of that combat, and was still offering up her earnest

prayers to Heaven for that young hero, whom she admired, gave a

shriek of joy, and said to Codadad, Prince (for the dangerous

victory you have obtained convinces me, as well as your noble air,

that you are of no common rank,) finish the work you have begun: the

black has the keys of this castle; take them, and deliver me out of

prison. The prince searched the wretch’s pockets, as he lay

stretched on the ground, and found several keys.

He opened the first door, and went into a court, where he met the

lady coming to meet him: she would have cast herself at his feet,

the better to express her gratitude; but he would not permit it. She

commended his valour, and extolled him above all the heroes in the

world. He returned her compliments, and she appeared still more

lovely to him near at hand than at a distance. I know not whether

she felt more joy at being delivered from the desperate danger she

had been in, than he for having done so considerable a service to so

beautiful a person.

Their discourse was interrupted by dismal cries and groans. What do

I hear? said Codadad: Whence come those miserable cries, which

pierce my ears? My lord, said the lady to him, pointing to a little

door in the court, they come from thence. There are I know not how

many wretched persons whom fate has made to fall into the hands of

the black. They are all chained, and the monster drew out one every

day to devour.

It is an addition to my joy, answered the young prince, to

understand that my victory will save the lives of those unfortunate

persons. Come along with me, madam, to partake in the satisfaction

of giving them their liberty. You may judge by yourself how welcome

we shall be to them. Having so said, they advanced towards the door

of the dungeon, and the nearer they drew, the more distinctly they

heard the complaints of the prisoners. Codadad pitying them, and

impatient to put an end to their sufferings, presently put one of

the keys into the lock. He did not take the right at first, and

therefore he took another; which noise made all those unfortunate

creatures, concluding it was the black who came, according to

custom, to bring them some meat, and at the same time to seize one

of them to eat himself, redoubled their cries and groans. Lamentable

voices were heard, which seemed to come from the centre of the earth.

In the mean time, the prince had opened the door, and went down a

very steep staircase into a large and deep vault, which received

some feeble light from a little window, and in which there were

above a hundred persons, bound to stakes, and their hands tied.

Unfortunate travellers, said he, to them, wretched victims, who only

expected the moment of an approaching cruel death, give thanks to

Heaven, which has this day delivered you by my means. I have slain

the black by whom you were to be devoured, and am come to knock off

your irons. The prisoners hearing these words, all together gave a

shout mingled with joy and surprise. Codadad and the lady began to

unbind them; and as soon as any of them were loose, they helped to

take off the fetters from the rest; so that in a short time they

were all at liberty.

They then kneeled down, and having returned thanks to Codadad for

what he had done for them, went out of that dungeon; and when they

were come into the court, how was the prince surprised to see among

the prisoners those he was in search of, and almost without hopes to

find! Princes, cried he, am I not deceived? Is it you whom I behold?

May I flatter myself that it will be in my power to restore you to

the king your father, who is inconsolable for the loss of you? But

will he not have some one to lament? Are you all here alive? Alas!

the death of one of you will suffice to damp the joy I feel for

having delivered you.

The forty-nine princes all made themselves known to Codadad, who

embraced them one after another, and told them how uneasy their

father was on account of their absence. They gave their deliverer

all the commendations he deserved, as did the other prisoners, who

could not find words expressive enough to declare their gratitude.

Codadad, with them, took a view of the whole castle, where was

immense wealth; curious silks, gold brocades, Persian carpets, China

satins, and an infinite quantity of other goods, which the black had

taken from the caravans he had plundered; a considerable part

whereof belonged to the prisoners Codadad had then set free. Every

man knew and claimed his property. The prince restored them their

own, and divided the rest of the merchandize among them. Then he

said to them, How will you do to carry away your goods? We are here

in a desert place, and there is no likelihood of your getting

horses. My lord, answered one of the prisoners, the black robbed us

of our camels as well as our goods, and perhaps they may be in the

stables of this castle. This is not unlikely, replied Codadad; let

us see. Accordingly they went to the stables, where they not only

found the camels, but also the horses belonging to the king of

Harran’s sons. There were some black slaves in the stables, who,

seeing all the prisoners released, and guessing thereby that their

master had been killed, fled through by-ways well known to them.

Nobody minded to pursue them. All the merchants, overjoyed that they

had recovered their goods and camels, together with their liberty,

thought of nothing but prosecuting their journey; but first repeated

their thanks to their deliverer.

When they were gone, Codadad, directing his discourse to the lady,

said, What place, madam, do you desire to go to? Whither were you

bound when you were seized by the black? I intend to bear you

company to the place you shall choose for your retreat, and I

question not but that all these princes will do the same. The king

of Harran’s sons protested to the lady that they would not leave

her till she was restored to her friends.

Princes, said she, I am of a country too remote from hence; and,

besides that, it would be abusing your generosity to oblige you to

travel so far. I must confess that I have left my native country for

ever. I told you awhile ago that I was a lady of Grand Cairo; but

since you have shown me so much favour, and I am so highly obliged

to you, added she, looking upon Codadad, I should be much in the

wrong in concealing the truth from you. I am a king’s daughter. An

usurper has possessed himself of my father’s throne, after having

murdered him, and I have been forced to fly to save my life.

Then Codadad and his brothers desired the princess to tell them her

story, assuring her they felt a particular interest in her

misfortunes, and were determined to spare for nothing that might

contribute to render her more happy. After thanking them for their

repeated protestations of readiness to serve her, she could not

refuse to satisfy their curiosity, and began the recital of her

adventures in the following manner:--

History of the Princess of Deryabar.

There is in a certain island a great city called Deryabar; it has

been long governed by a potent, magnificent, and virtuous king. That

prince had no children, which was the only thing wanting to make him

happy. He continually addressed his prayers to Heaven, but Heaven

granted his requests by halves; for the queen his wife, after a long

expectation, brought forth a daughter.

I am the unfortunate princess: my father was rather troubled than

pleased at my birth; but he submitted to the will of God, and caused

me to be educated with all possible care, being resolved, since he

had no son, to teach me the art of ruling, that I might supply his

place after his death.

One day, when he was taking the diversion of hunting, he espied a

wild ass, which he chased, lost his company, and was carried away so

far by his eagerness, as to ride on till night. He then alighted,

and sat down at the entrance of a wood, into which he observed the

ass had taken. No sooner was the day shut in than he discovered

among the trees a light, which made him conclude that he was not far

from some village. He rejoiced at it, hoping that he might pass the

night there, and find some person to send to his followers to

acquaint them where he was; and accordingly he got up and walked

towards the light, which served to guide him.

He soon found he had been deceived, that light being no other than a

fire lighted in a hut; however, he drew near, and, with amazement,

beheld a great black man, or rather a dreadful giant, sitting on a

sofa. Before the monster was a great pitcher of wine, and he was

roasting an ox he had newly killed. Sometimes he drank out of the

pitcher, and sometimes he cut slices off the ox, and eat them. But

that which most drew the king my father’s attention was a

beautiful woman whom he saw in the hut. She seemed overwhelmed with

grief; her hands were bound, and at her feet was a little child,

about two or three years old, who, as if he was sensible of his

mother’s misfortunes, wept without ceasing, and rent the air with

his cries.