Sire (said Scheherazadè) I have already had the honour of relating
to your majesty one excursion that the caliph Haroun Alraschid made
from his palace. I will now tell you of another.
One day, this prince desired his grand vizier Giafar to be with him
the following evening. “I wish,” said he, “to visit all parts
of the city, and make myself acquainted with the opinions generally
formed of my officers of justice. If there be any who are deservedly
complained of, we will discharge them, and place others in their
situation, who will perform their duty more successfully. If, on the
contrary, there be any who are praised, we will reward them
according to their deserts.” The grand vizier having repaired to
the palace at the appointed time, the caliph, himself, and Mesrour,
the chief of the eunuchs, disguised themselves that they might not
be known, and set out together.
They passed through several squares, and many market-places; and
coming into a small street, they perceived, by the light of the
moon, a man with a white beard, and of tall stature, carrying nets
on his head. He had on his arm a basket, made of palm leaves, and in
his hand a stick. “To see this old man,” said the caliph, “one
should not suppose him rich; let us address him, and ask him the
state of his fortune.”--“Good man,” said the vizier, “what
art thou?”--“My lord,” replied the old man, “I am a
fisherman, but the poorest, and most miserable of my trade. I went
out at noon to go and fish, and from that time till now I have not
taken one. And yet I have a wife and young children, but have not
sufficient means of supporting them.”
The caliph, touched with compassion, said to the fisherman,
“Should you have courage to return and throw your nets once more?
We will give you an hundred sequins for what you bring us.” The
fisherman, taking the caliph at his word, and forgetting all the
troubles of the past day, returned towards the Tigris, in company
with him, Giafar, and Mesrour, saying to himself, “These gentlemen
appear too civil, and too reasonable, not to recompense me for my
pains; and even should they give me only an hundredth part of what
they promise me, it will still be a great sum for me.”
They arrived on the banks of the river, and the fisherman, having
thrown his nets, drew out a case well closed, and very heavy. The
caliph immediately ordered the vizier to count him his hundred
sequins, and discharged him. Mesrour took the case on his shoulders
by order of his master, who in his curiosity to know what it could
contain, returned immediately to the palace. The case being opened,
they found a large basket made of palm leaves, and sewn at the
opening with a bit of red worsted. To satisfy the impatience of the
caliph, they cut the worsted with at knife, and drew out of the
basket a packet, wrapped in a piece of old carpet, and tied with
cord. The cord being untied, and the packet undone, they perceived
with horror, the body of a young lady, whiter than snow, and cut
into pieces. The caliph’s astonishment at this dismal spectacle
cannot be described; but his surprise was instantly changed to
anger, and casting a furious look at the vizier, “Wretch,” cried
he, “is this the way you inspect the actions of my people?
Assassinations are committed with impunity under your
administration, and my subjects are thrown into the Tigris, that
they may rise in vengeance against me on the day of judgment. If you
do not speedily revenge the death of this woman, by the execution of
her murderer, I swear by the holy name of God, that I will have you
hanged together with forty of your relations.”--“Commander of
the Faithful,” replied the grand vizier, “I entreat your majesty
to grant me time to make proper inquiries.”--“I give you three
days,” returned the caliph; “take care of yourself.”
The vizier Giafar returned home in the greatest confusion;
“Alas!” thought he, “how is it possible for me, in so large
and vast a city as Bagdad, to discover a murderer, who no doubt has
committed this crime secretly, and without witness, and has now in
all probability fled from the city? Another in my place might
perhaps take any wretch out of prison, and have him executed, to
satisfy the caliph; but I will not charge my conscience with such a
deed; I will rather die, than save my life on such terms.”
He ordered the officers of police and justice, who were under his
command, to make a strict search for the criminal. They not only
sent out their dependants, but went themselves on this affair, which
was not less interesting to them, than it was to the vizier. But all
their diligence was fruitless; they could discover no traces by
which to apprehend the perpetrator of the murder, and the vizier
concluded, that his death was inevitable, without the interference
of Heaven.
On the third day, an officer of the sultan’s came to the house of
this unhappy minister, and summoned him to follow him. The vizier
obeyed, and the caliph having inquired of him for the murderer, he
replied, with tears in his eyes, “O, Commander of the Faithful, I
have found no one who could give me any intelligence concerning
him.” The caliph reproached him in the most angry terms, and
commanded him to be hanged before the gates of the palace, together
with forty of the Barmecides. [8]
Whilst they were preparing the gibbets, and the officers went to
seize the forty Barmecides, at their different houses, a public
crier was ordered by the caliph to proclaim, in all the quarters of
the city, that, “Whoever wished to have the satisfaction of seeing
the grand vizier Giafar, and forty of his family, the Barmecides,
hanged, was to repair to the square before the palace.”
When every thing was ready, the criminal judge, and a great number
of attendants and guards, belonging to the palace, conducted the
grand vizier, together with the forty Barmecides, each under the
gibbet that was destined for him; and passed the cord round his
neck, by which they were to be elevated. The people, who crowded the
square, could not be present at such a spectacle, without feeling
pity, and shedding tears; for the vizier Giafar, and his relations,
the Barmecides, were much beloved for their probity, liberality, and
disinterestedness, not only at Bagdad, but throughout the whole
empire of the caliph.
Every thing was ready for the execution of the irrevocable order of
the prince, in this instance too severe, and they were on the point
of taking away the lives of some of the worthiest inhabitants of the
city, when a young man, of comely appearance, and well dressed,
pressed through the crowd till he reached the grand vizier; having
kissed his hand, “Sovereign vizier,” said he, addressing Giafar,
“chief of the emirs of this court, the refuge of the poor; you are
not guilty of the crime for which you are going to suffer; retire,
and let me expiate the death of the lady who was thrown into the
Tigris; I am her murderer, I alone ought to be punished.”
Although this discourse created great joy in the vizier, he
nevertheless felt pity for a youth, whose countenance, far from
expressing guilt, had something engaging in it; he was going to
reply, when a tall man, of an advanced age, having also pushed
through the crowd, came up, and said to the vizier, “My lord, do
not believe what this young man says to you. I was the only person
that killed the lady who was found in the case; I only am to be
punished. In the name of God, I conjure you not to confuse the
innocent with the guilty.”--“My lord,” interrupted the young
man, addressing himself to the vizier, “I assure you, that it was
I who committed this wicked action, and that no person in the world
is my accomplice.”--“Alas! my son,” replied the old man,
“despair has led you hither, and you wish to anticipate your
destiny; as for me, it is a long time that I have lived in this
world, I ought to quit it without regret; let me sacrifice my life
to save yours. My lord,” continued he, addressing the vizier, “I
repeat it, I am the assassin; sentence me to death, and do not defer
it.”
The contest between the old man and the youth obliged the vizier
Giafar to conduct them before the caliph, with the permission of the
attending officer of justice, who was happy in an opportunity of
obliging him.
When he was arrived in the presence of the sovereign, he kissed the
ground seven times, and then spoke in these terms: Commander of the
Faithful, I bring to you this old man, and this youth, who each
avers himself to be the murderer of the lady.” The caliph then
asked the accused, which of the two had murdered the lady in so
cruel a manner, and then thrown her into the Tigris. The youth
assured him, that he had committed the deed; the old man sustained
the contrary. “Go,” said the caliph to the vizier, “give
orders for them both to be hanged.”--“But, sire,” replied the
vizier, “if one only is criminal, it would be unjust to execute
the other.”
At these words the young man replied, “I swear by the great God,
who has elevated the heavens to where they now are, that it is I who
killed the lady, who cut her in pieces, and then threw her into the
Tigris four days since. I do not hope for mercy on the day of
judgment, if what I say be not true; therefore, I am the person who
is to be punished.” The caliph was surprised at this solemn oath,
which he was inclined to believe, as the old man made no reply.
Therefore, turning to the youth, “Unhappy wretch,” cried he,
“for what reason hast thou committed this detestable crime? and
what motive canst thou have for coming to offer thyself for
execution!” “Commander of the Faithful,” returned he, “if
all that has passed between this lady and myself could be written,
it would form a history, which might be serviceable to mankind.”
--“Relate it then,” replied the caliph, “I command you to do
it.” The young man obeyed, and began in these words.
THE HISTORY
OF THE LADY WHO WAS MURDERED, AND OF THE YOUNG MAN, HER HUSBAND.
“Sovereign of the Believers, I must acquaint your majesty, that
the lady who was massacred was my wife, and daughter to this old man
whom you see, and who is my uncle, on my father’s side. She was
only twelve years of age when he bestowed her on me in marriage, and
eleven years are passed since that period. I have three sons by her,
who are still alive; and must do her the justice to say, that she
never gave me the least subject for displeasure. She was prudent and
virtuous; and her greatest pleasure consisted in making me happy. On
my part I loved her with the truest affection, and anticipated all
her wishes, instead of opposing them.
About two months since she was taken ill; I treated her with all
possible care, and spared no pains to complete her cure: at the
expiration of a month she grew better, and wished to go to the bath.
Before she went out of the house she said to me, “Cousin,” for
that was my familiar appellation, “I wish to eat some apples; you
will oblige me very much, if you could procure me some; it is a long
time that I have had this desire, and I must confess, that it is now
increased to such a degree, that if I am not gratified I fear some
misfortune will be the consequence.”--“Very willingly,” I
replied, “I will do all in my power to content you.”
I immediately went in search of some apples, into all the markets
and shops I could think of, but I could not obtain one, although I
had offered to pay a sequin for it. I returned home much vexed at
having taken so much trouble to no purpose. As for my wife, when she
came back from the bath, and did not see any apples, she was so
chagrined, that she could not sleep all night. I arose early the
next morning, and went into all the gardens, but with no better
success than on the preceding day. I only met with an old gardener,
who told me, that whatever pains I might take I should not meet with
any excepting in your majesty’s gardens at Balsora.
As I was passionately fond of my wife, and I would not have to
reproach myself with having neglected any means of satisfying her
longing, I put on the dress of a traveller, and having informed her
of my intention, I set out for Balsora. I went with such dispatch,
that I returned to her at the end of a fortnight. I brought with me
three apples, which had cost me a sequin a piece. There were no more
in the garden, and the gardener would not sell them at a lower
price. When I arrived I presented them to my wife, but her longing
was then over, so she received them, and only placed them by her
side. She nevertheless continued in ill health, and I did not know
what remedy to apply for her disorder.
A few days after my return, being in my shop, at the public place
where all sorts of fine stuffs are sold, I saw a tall black slave
enter, holding an apple in his hand, which I knew to be one of those
I had brought from Balsora. I could have no doubts on the subject,
for I knew that there were none in Bagdad, nor in any of the gardens
in the environs. I called the slave, “My good slave,” said I,
“pray tell me where you got that apple.”--“It is a
present,” replied he, smiling, “that my mistress made me. I have
been to see her to-day, and found her unwell. I saw three apples by
her side, and asked her where she had got them; and she told me,
that her good man of a husband had been a journey of fifteen days on
purpose to get them for her. We breakfasted together, and when I
came away I brought this with me.”
This intelligence enraged me beyond measure. I got up, and having
shut up my shop, I ran home eagerly, and went into the chamber of my
wife. I looked for the apples, and seeing but two, I inquired what
was become of the third. My wife then turning her head towards the
side where the apples were, and perceiving that there were only two,
replied coldly, “I do not know what is become of it, cousin.”
This answer convinced me of the truth of what the slave had spoken.
I suffered myself to be transported by a fit of jealousy, and
drawing a knife, which hung from my girdle, I plunged it in the
breast of this unhappy woman. I then cut off her head, and divided
her body into quarters; I made a packet of it, which I concealed in
a folding basket, and after having sewed the opening of the basket
with some red worsted, I inclosed it in a chest, and as soon as it
was night, carried it on my shoulders to the Tigris, where I threw
it in.
My two youngest children were in bed, and asleep; and the third was
from home. On my return I found him sitting at the door, and weeping
bitterly. I asked him the reason of his tears.--“Father,” said
he, “this morning I took away from my mother, without her
perceiving me, one of the three apples you brought her. I kept it
some time, but as I was playing with it in the street, with my
little brothers, a great black slave, who was passing, snatched it
out of my hand, and took it away with him. I ran after him, asking
him for it; I told him, that it belonged to my mother, who was ill,
and that you had been a journey of fifteen days to procure it for
her. All was useless, for he would not return it; and as I went on
crying after him, he turned back and beat me, and then ran off as
fast as he could through so many winding streets, that I lost sight
of him. Since then I have been walking out of the city waiting for
your return. I was staying here for you, father, to beg that you
will not tell my mother, lest it should make her worse.” On
finishing these words he redoubled his tears.
This relation from my son plunged me in the deepest affliction. I
then saw the enormity of my crime, and repented, though too late, of
having given credit to the imposture of the wicked slave, who, from
what he had collected from my son, had composed the diabolical
fable, which I received as a truth. My uncle, who is now present,
arrived at that moment; he came to see his daughter, but instead of
finding her alive, he learnt from my lips that she was no more, for
I disguised nothing from him, and without waiting for his
condemnation, I accused myself as the most criminal of men.
Nevertheless, instead of pouring forth the reproaches I so justly
deserved, this good man mingled his tears with mine, and we wept
together three whole days; he for the loss of a daughter he had
always tenderly loved, I for that of a wife, who was dear to me; and
of whom I had deprived myself in so cruel a manner, by giving credit
to the false testimony of a lying slave.
This, Sovereign of the Faithful, is the sincere confession which
your majesty required of me; you know the extent of my crime, and I
humbly supplicate you to give orders for my punishment; however
rigorous it may be, I shall not murmur at it, but esteem it too
light.”
At this the caliph was in great astonishment; but this equitable
prince, finding that the youth was more to be pitied than blamed,
began to take his part. “The action of this young man,” said he,
“is excusable in the sight of God, and may be pardoned by man. The
wicked slave is the sole cause of this murder; he is the only one
who ought to be punished; therefore,” continued he, addressing the
vizier, “I give you three days to find him: if you do not produce
him by that time, your life shall be the forfeit instead of his.”
The unhappy Giafar, who had congratulated himself on his safety, was
again overwhelmed with despair on hearing this new decree of the
caliph; but as he did not dare to reply to his sovereign, whose
disposition he was well acquainted with, he went out of his
presence, and returned to his house with his eyes bathed in tears;
and persuaded, that he had only three days to live. He was so
convinced that it was impossible to find the slave, that he did not
even seek him. “It is not possible,” cried he, “that in such a
city as Bagdad, where there is such an infinity of black slaves, I
should ever be able to discover him in question. If God does not
reveal him to me, as he did the assassin, nothing can possibly save
me.”
He passed the two first days in affliction with his family, who
could not help murmuring at the rigour of the caliph. On the third
day he prepared for death with firmness, and like a minister, who
had ever acted with integrity, and had done nothing with which to
reproach himself. He sent for the cadi and other witnesses, who
signed the will he made in their presence. After that, he embraced
his wife and children, and bid them a last farewell. All his family
melted into tears, and never was there a more affecting spectacle.
At length an officer of the palace arrived, who told him, that the
caliph was much displeased at not having heard from him about the
black slave, whom he had commanded him to search for. “I am
ordered,” continued he, “to bring you to the foot of the
throne.” The afflicted vizier prepared to follow the officer, but
as he was going, his youngest daughter was brought to him. She was
five or six years old, and the women, who had the care of her, came
with her to take leave of her father.
As he was particularly fond of this daughter, he entreated the
officer to allow him a few minutes to speak to her. He approached
the child, and taking her in his arms, kissed her several times. In
kissing her he perceived she had something large in her bosom, which
had a strong smell. “My dear little girl,” said he, “what have
you in your bosom?”--“My dear father,” replied she, “it is
an apple, on which is written the name of the caliph, our lord and
master. Rihan [9] our slave sold it me for two sequins.”
At the words “apple” and “slave,” the grand vizier Giafar
made an exclamation through surprise and joy; and immediately took
the apple from the child’s bosom. He ordered the slave to be
called, and when he came into his presence, “Rascal,” said he,
“where didst thou get this apple?”--“My lord,” replied the
slave, “I swear to you, that I have not stolen it either from your
garden, or from that of the Commander of the Faithful.
“The other day, as I was passing through a street, where there
were three or four children at play, one of them had this apple in
his hand, and I took it away from him. The child ran after me,
saying that it did not belong to him, but to his mother, who was
ill; that his father, to gratify her longing, had gone to a great
distance to procure it, and had brought her three; that this was
one, which he had taken without his mother’s knowing it. He
entreated me to return it, but I would not attend to him, and
brought the apple home; after which I sold it to the little lady,
your daughter, for two sequins. This is all I have to say.”
Giafar could not help wondering that the roguery of a slave should
have caused the death of an innocent woman, and nearly deprived
himself of life. He took the slave with him, and when he had reached
the palace, he related to the caliph what the slave had confessed,
and the chance by which he discovered the crime.
The astonishment of the caliph cannot be equalled; he could not
contain himself, and burst into violent fits of laughter. At last,
having resumed a serious air, he said to the vizier, that since his
slave had occasioned so much confusion, he merited an exemplary
punishment. “Sire,” replied the vizier, “I cannot deny it; yet
his crime is not inexcusable. I know a history, far more surprising,
of a vizier of Cairo, called Noureddin [10] Ali, and Bedreddin
Hassan, [11] of Balsora. As your majesty takes pleasure in hearing
such stories, I am ready to relate it to you; provided, that if you
find it more wonderful than the circumstance which occasions me to
tell it, you will remit the punishment of my slave.”--“With all
my heart,” returned the caliph, “but you have undertaken a great
enterprize, and I do not think you can save your slave, for the
story of the apples is a very singular one.” Giafar then began his
story in these words.
THE HISTORY
OF NOUREDDIN ALI, AND BEDREDDIN HASSAN.
Commander of the Faithful, there was formerly a sultan in Egypt, who
was a great observer of justice; he was merciful, beneficent, and
liberal, and his valour made him the terror of the neighbouring
states. He provided for the poor, and protected men of learning,
whom he raised to the first employment in his state. The vizier of
this sultan was a prudent, wise, and penetrating man, skilled in
literature and all the sciences. This minister had two sons,
handsome in person, and resembling their father in talents. The
eldest was named Schemseddin [12] Mohammed, and the youngest
Noureddin Ali. This last, in particular, possessed as much merit as
can fall to the lot of any individual. The vizier, their father,
dying, the sultan sent for them, and having put on each the dress of
a common vizier, “I regret your father’s death,” said he,
“and feel sincerely for your loss; and as I wish to prove it to
you, I invest each of you with the same dignity, for I know you live
together, and are perfectly united. Go, and imitate your father.”
The two new viziers thanked the sultan for the favour he had
conferred on them: and returned home to order their father’s
funeral. When a month was expired, they made their appearance in
public; and went for the first time to the council of the sultan,
after which they continued to attend regularly every day, that it
assembled. Whenever the sultan had a hunting-party, one of the
brothers accompanied him; and they partook of this honour
alternately. One evening, on the morrow of which the eldest brother
was to be of the sultan’s hunting-party, they were talking after
supper on different subjects, when Schemseddin Mohammed said to
Noureddin, “Brother, as we are not yet married, and live in such
harmony, a thought has occurred to me. Let us both marry on the same
day, and to two sisters, whom we will choose out of some family,
whose rank is equal to our own. What think you of this proposal?”
--“I think, brother,” replied Noureddin Ali, “that it is
worthy of the friendship that unites us. You could not have arranged
a better plan, and I am ready to do whatever you wish in it.”
--“Oh,” resumed the eldest, “this is not all; my imagination
goes much farther. Suppose, that our wives become pregnant on the
first night of our marriage, and that they afterwards produce on the
same day, your wife a son, and mine a daughter, whom we will unite,
when they are of a proper age.”--“Ah!” exclaimed his brother,
“this is indeed an admirable project. This marriage will complete
our union, and I readily give my consent. But, brother,” added he,
“if it happens that this marriage takes place, should you expect
my son to settle a fortune on your daughter?”--“In that there
is no difficulty,” replied the other, “and I am persuaded, that
besides the usual agreements in a marriage contract, you would not
object to give in her name at least three thousand sequins, three
good estates, and three slaves.” “That I cannot agree to,”
returned Noureddin. “Are not we brothers and colleagues, each
invested with the same dignity and title? Besides, do not we both
know what is just? The male being more noble than the female, ought
not you to bestow a large portion on your daughter? I perceive you
are a man who wishes to enrich himself at other people’s
expense.”
Although Noureddin Ali had said these words in joke; yet his
brother, who was not of a good temper, was highly offended.
“Misery attend your son!” said he, angrily, “since you dare to
prefer him to my daughter. I am surprised that you should have the
impertinence only to suppose him worthy of her. You must have lost
your senses to make yourself my equal, by saying that we are
colleagues; know, that after such insolence, I would not marry my
daughter to your son, even if you were to give her more riches than
you are possessed of.” This curious quarrel between the brothers
about the marriage of their children, who were not yet born, did not
cease here. Schemseddin Mohammed went so far as to use menaces;
“If I were not obliged,” said he, “to accompany the sultan
to-morrow, I would treat you as you deserve; but on my return I will
show you, if it becomes the youngest brother to speak to the eldest
in the insolent manner you have treated me.” At these words he
retired to his apartment, and his brother did the same.
Schemseddin Mohammed arose very early the next morning, and repaired
to the palace; from whence he went out with the sultan, who bent his
course above Cairo, towards the pyramids. As for Noureddin Ali, he
passed the night in great distress; and having well considered, that
it was not possible for him to remain any longer with a brother, who
treated him with such contempt, he formed the resolution of quitting
the house; he prepared a good mule, furnished himself with money,
precious stones, and some eatables; and having told his people that
he was going a journey of three or four days, in which he wished to
be alone, he departed.
When he was out of Cairo, he went over the desert towards Arabia;
but his mule becoming lame on the road, he was obliged to continue
his journey on foot. He had the good fortune to be overtaken by a
courier who was going to Balsora, and who took him up behind him.
When they were arrived at Balsora, Noureddin Ali alighted, and
thanked the courier for the favour he had done him. As he walked
along the streets seeking for a lodging, he saw a person of great
quality and distinction coming, accompanied by a numerous train, to
whom all the inhabitants paid great respect, by waiting to let him
pass; and Noureddin Ali stopped like the rest. It was the grand
vizier of the sultan of Balsora, who was parading the city to
preserve peace and good order by his presence.
This minister having by chance cast his eyes on the young man, was
struck with his engaging countenance: he looked on him pleasantly,
and as he passed near him, perceiving that he was in the dress of a
traveller, he stopped to ask him, who he was and from whence he
came. “My lord,” replied Noureddin Ali, “I am from Egypt, and
born at Cairo. I have quitted my country on account of a quarrel
with one of my relations, and I have resolved to travel over the
whole world, and to die rather than return.” The grand vizier, who
was a venerable old man, having heard these words, replied, “My
son, do not put in execution the project you have formed. In this
world there is nothing but misery, and you little think what pains
you will have to endure. Rather come with me, and perhaps I can make
you forget the subject which has obliged you to abandon your
country.”
Noureddin Ali followed the grand vizier of Balsora, who soon
becoming acquainted with his good qualities conceiving a great
affection for him; so that one day, when they were alone together,
he thus addressed him: “My son, I am, as you see, so far advanced
in years, that there is no prospect of my living much longer. Heaven
has given me an only daughter, who is as handsome as yourself, and
now of a marriageable age. Many of the most powerful lords of this
court have already asked her for their sons, yet I never could bring
myself to part with her. But I love you, and think you so worthy of
being allied to my family, that I am willing to accept you as my
son-in-law, in preference to all who have applied. If you receive
this offer with pleasure, I will acquaint the sultan, my master,
that I have adopted you by this marriage, and I will entreat him to
grant me the reversion of my appointment as grand vizier of Balsora;
at the same time, as I wish for a little rest from business in my
old age, I will not only resign to you the disposal of all my
possessions, but also the administration of the affairs of state.”
The grand vizier had no sooner finished these words, which so
strongly evinced his goodness of heart and generosity, than
Noureddin Ali threw himself at his feet, and declared, in terms
which proclaimed the joy and gratitude that flowed from his heart,
that he was ready to do any thing that he would dictate. The grand
vizier then called the principal officers of his household, and
ordered them to prepare the great saloon in his house for a grand
entertainment: he then sent invitations to all the grandees of the
court as well as of the city to favour him with their company. When
they were all assembled, as Noureddin Ali had made him acquainted
with his rank, he thus addressed them: “My lords, I am happy to
inform you of a circumstance, which I have hitherto kept secret. I
have a brother, who is grand vizier of the sultan of Egypt, as I
have the honour to be grand vizier to the sultan of these dominions.
This brother of mine has an only son, whom he would not marry at the
court of Egypt, and he has sent him here to be united to my
daughter, that the two branches might be thus joined together. This
son, whom I recognised as my nephew on his arrival, and whom I am
going to make my son-in-law, is this young nobleman, whom I have the
pleasure of introducing to you. I flatter myself you will do him the
honour of being present at the nuptials, which I intend shall be
solemnized this day.” The grand vizier talked to them in this
style, thinking, that no one could be offended at his preferring his
nephew to all those who had offered their alliance; and in fact they
replied, that he did right to conclude this marriage, that they
would willingly be present at the ceremony, and that they hoped God
would bless them many years with the fruits of this happy union.
They had no sooner expressed their approbation of the marriage of
the vizier’s daughter with Noureddin Ali, than they sat down to
table, where they remained a considerable time. Towards the end of
the repast the confectionary was served, and each one, as is the
custom, having taken as much as he wished to carry away, the cadis
entered with the marriage contract in their hands. The principal
grandees signed it, after which the whole company retired.
When no one remained but the people belonging to the house, the
grand vizier desired those who had the care of the bath, to conduct
Noureddin Ali thither. He found it provided with new linen of a
beautiful fineness and whiteness, as well as with every other
necessary. When the bridegroom had been well washed and rubbed, he
was going to put on the same dress he had pulled off, but another of
the greatest magnificence was presented to him in its place. Thus
adorned and perfumed with the most exquisite odours, he returned to
the grand vizier, his father-in-law, who was charmed with his
appearance; and placing him by his side, “My son,” said he,
“you have disclosed to me who you are, and the rank you held at
the Egyptian court; you have also told me, that you had a quarrel
with your brother, for which reason you left your country; I entreat
you to relate to me the subject of your difference, for you must now
place an entire confidence in, and conceal nothing from, me.
Noureddin Ali recounted all the circumstances relative to his
dispute with his brother, at which the grand vizier could not
refrain from laughing very heartily. “This is indeed,” said he,
“the strangest thing I ever heard of! Is it possible, that your
quarrel was carried to such a height merely for an imaginary
wedding? I am sorry that you quarrelled with your elder brother for
such a trifle; however, I perceive that he was in the wrong to be
offended with what you said merely in joke, and I ought to be
thankful to Heaven, that this difference between you has been the
means of procuring me a son-in-law such as you. But,” continued
the old man, “the night is advancing, and it is time for you to
retire. Go, my daughter is expecting your arrival. To-morrow I will
present you to the sultan, and I flatter myself he will receive you
in a way to satisfy us both.”
Noureddin Ali left his father-in-law, to repair to the chamber of
his bride. What is very remarkable (continued the grand vizier
Giafar,) is, that on the same day that these nuptials were
celebrated at Balsora, Schemseddin Mohammed was married at Cairo, in
the manner I am going to relate.
After Noureddin Ali had left Cairo with the intention of never
revisiting it, Schemseddin Mohammed, his elder brother, who was gone
with the sultan on the hunting-party, returning at the end of a
month (for the sultan being passionately fond of hunting had been
absent thus Long,) ran into the apartment of Noureddin Ali; but what
was his surprise on being informed that he had left Cairo under
pretence of making a journey of four or five days, that he set off
on a mule on the very day of the hunting-party of the sultan, and
that since that time he had never been seen or heard of. Schemseddin
was the more chagrined at this intelligence, as he accused himself
of having been the cause of his brother’s absenting himself by the
harsh words which had passed between them. He dispatched a courier,
who passed through Damascus, and went on to Aleppo; but Noureddin
Ali was at that time at Balsora. When the courier returned without
bringing any tidings of him, Schemseddin Mohammed determined to send
in other parts to seek for him, but in the meantime he formed the
design of marrying. He made choice of the daughter of one of the
most powerful grandees of Cairo, and was united to her on the same
day that his brother married the daughter of the grand vizier of
Balsora.
But this is not all (continued Giafar;) I will now tell you,
Commander of the Faithful, what happened afterwards. At the
expiration of nine months the wife of Schemseddin Mohammed was
delivered of a daughter at Cairo, and on the same day the wife of
Noureddin Ali at Balsora brought into the world a boy, who was named
Bedreddin Hassan. The grand vizier of Balsora testified his joy by
great presents and public rejoicings, which he ordered on the birth
of his grandson. He afterwards, to prove his affection for Noureddin
Ali, went to the palace to entreat the sultan to grant him the
reversion of his office, that he might have the satisfaction, before
he died, of seeing his son-in-law in his place.
The sultan, who had seen Noureddin Ali immediately after his
marriage, and had heard him spoken of favourably since that time,
readily granted the favour which was requested of him; and he
ordered him to be robed in his presence in the dress of grand vizier.
The happiness of the father-in-law was complete, when he saw
Noureddin Ali preside at the council in his place, and perform all
the functions of grand vizier. Noureddin Ali acquitted himself so
well, that he appeared to have exercised that office all his life.
He continued to assist at the council, whenever the infirmities of
age would not allow his father-in-law to be present. This good old
man died four years after this marriage, with the satisfaction of
seeing a branch of his family, who promised to sustain the honour
and credit of it.
Noureddin Ali performed the last duties to his father-in-law, with
the greatest kindness and gratitude, and as soon as Bedreddin
Hassan, his son, had reached the age of seven years, he placed him
under the tuition of an excellent master, who began his education in
a way suitable to his birth. He found in his pupil a quick and
penetrating understanding, capable of profiting from the
instructions it received.
In the course of two years after Bedreddin Hassan had been with his
tutor, he had learnt to read, and was also acquainted with the koran
by heart. Noureddin Ali, his father, then procured him other
masters, by which he made such a rapid progress in his studies, that
at the age of twelve years he was no longer in need of their
assistance. By that time, as the features of his countenance were
fully formed, he became the admiration of all who saw him.
Till then Noureddin Ali had only sought to make him study, and had
not brought him out into the world. He now took him to the palace,
in order to have the honour of introducing him to the sultan, who
received him very favourably. The people in the streets, who saw him
as he went along, were so struck with his beauty, that they uttered
a thousand benedictions and exclamations of surprise.
As his father wished to make him capable of being equal, one day, to
fill the situation he himself held, he spared nothing to qualify him
for it, and by making him enter into affairs of the most difficult
nature, he prepared him early for that kind of employment. In short,
he neglected nothing that could tend to the advancement of a son
whom he tenderly loved; and he began to enjoy the fruits of his
trouble, when he was suddenly attacked by a disease so violent, that
he was sensible his end was approaching. He, therefore, did not
flatter himself with hopes of recovery, but prepared to die like a
good mussulman. In these precious moments, he did not forget his
beloved son Bedreddin; he ordered him to be called to his bedside,
and thus addressed him: “My son, you see that this world is
perishable: that only, to which I am shortly going, is eternal. You
must, from this moment, begin to adopt the sentiments I now feel,
and prepare to take this journey without regret; your conscience
acquitting you of having neglected any of the duties of a mussulman,
or of an honest man. With regard to your religion, you have been
sufficiently instructed in that by the masters you have had, as well
as by what you have read. As to what relates to an honest man, I
will now give you some advice, from which I hope you will endeavour
to profit. As it is in the first place necessary to know yourself,
and you cannot possibly have that knowledge without knowing who I
am, I will now inform you.
“I was born in Egypt,” continued he; “my father was prime
minister to the sultan of those dominions. I too had the honour of
being one of the viziers of the same sultan, jointly with my
brother, your uncle, who, I believe, is still alive, and is called
Schemseddin Mohammed. I was under the necessity of separating from
him, and I came into this country, where I reached the rank which I
have till now enjoyed. But you will be made acquainted with a fuller
detail of these circumstances by a packet, which I shall give you.”
Noureddin Ali then took out the packet, which he had written with
his own hand, and which he always carried about him, and giving it
to Bedreddin Hassan, “Take it,” said he, “you will read it at
your leisure; you will find in it, among other things, the day of my
marriage, and that of your birth. These are circumstances, which may
be useful to you in the end, and you must, therefore, carefully
preserve it.” Bedreddin Hassan, truly afflicted at seeing his
father in such a state, and sensibly touched by this discourse,
received the packet with tears in his eyes, promising never to let
it go out of his possession.
At this instant Noureddin Ali was seized with a fainting fit, which,
it was feared, would terminate his existence: he recovered, however,
and continuing to address his son, “The first maxim I wish to
impress on your mind,” said he, “is, not to hold intercourse
with all kinds of persons. The way to live in safety is to be
reserved, and not be too communicative.
“The second is, not to commit violence on any one; for were you to
do so, all the world would revolt against you, and you must regard
the world as a creditor, to whom you owe moderation, compassion, and
toleration.
“The third, never to reply when you are spoken to in anger. ‘He
is out of danger,’ says the proverb, ‘who remains silent.’ On
such occasions, in particular, you should attend to this. You know
also what one of our poets has written on this subject; ‘silence
is the ornament and safeguard of life; we should not by speaking
resemble the stormy rain, which spoils every thing.’ We never
repent of having been silent, but often regret having spoken.
“The fourth is, not to drink wine, for it is the source of all
vice.
“The fifth, to manage your fortune with economy; if you do not
spend it extravagantly, you will have what is necessary to assist
you in case of need. You must not, however, save too much, and
become a miser. If you have only a little, and yet spend that with
propriety, you will gain many friends; but if, on the contrary, you
possess great riches, and do not make a good use of them, every one
will despise and abandon you.”
Noureddin Ali continued giving this kind of advice to his son, till
the last moments of his life; and when he died, he was interred with
all the honours due to his rank and dignity. Bedreddin Hassan, of
Balsora, for thus he was named, from his being born in that town,
was inconsolable at the death of his father. Instead of one month,
as is the custom, he passed two in his retreat, to give way to his
sorrow; during which time, he would not see any one, nor even go out
to pay his respects to the sultan, who being displeased with this
neglect, which he considered as a mark of contempt towards him and
his court, suffered his anger to rise to a great height. He summoned
the new grand vizier, whom he had elected to supply the place of
Noureddin Ali, and ordered him to go to the house of the deceased,
and to confiscate it, together with all his other houses, grounds,
and effects, without leaving any thing for Bedreddin Hassan, whose
person also he desired to be seized.
The grand vizier, accompanied by a number of the officers of the
palace, immediately set out to execute his commission. One of the
slaves of Bedreddin Hassan, who had by chance joined the crowd, no
sooner learnt the intention of the grand vizier, than he hastened to
warn his master of the danger. He found him seated in the vestibule
of his house, in as deep affliction as if his father was but just
dead. He threw himself at his feet quite out of breath, and after
having kissed the bottom of his robe, “Fly, my lord,” cried he,
“fly quickly!”--“What is the matter?” inquired Bedreddin,
raising his head, “what news hast thou?”--“My lord,”
replied the slave, “you have not a moment to lose. The sultan is
enraged against you, and they are now coming, by his order, to
confiscate all your possessions, and even to seize your person.”
This intelligence of his faithful and affectionate slave occasioned
Bedreddin some perplexity. “But,” said he, “cannot I return
and take at least some money and jewels?”--“My dear lord,”
replied the slave, “the grand vizier will be here in a moment.
Depart instantly, and make your escape.” Bedreddin Hassan
immediately got up from the sofa on which he was sitting, and put on
his slippers; then covering his head with one corner of his robe, to
conceal his face, he fled without knowing where to turn his steps,
to avoid the danger which threatened him. The first thought that
occurred, was to reach the nearest gate of the city. He ran without
stopping, till he came to the public cemetery, and, as night was
approaching, determined to pass it near his father’s tomb. This
was a large edifice of a magnificent appearance, built in the shape
of a dome, which Noureddin Ali had erected during his lifetime; but
Bedreddin in his way met with a Jew, who was very rich, and a banker
and merchant by profession. He was returning to the city from a
place where he had been on business.
This Jew, who was called Isaac, knowing Bedreddin Hassan, stopped,
and saluted him very respectfully: after having kissed his hand, he
said, “My lord, may I take the liberty of asking you, where you
are going at this hour, alone, and in appearance so agitated? is
there any thing that afflicts you?”--“Yes,” replied
Bedreddin, “I fell asleep just now, and my father appeared to me
in a dream. He had a dreadful countenance, as if he had been very
angry with me. I awoke much terrified, and I set off immediately to
come and pray at his tomb.”--“My lord,” replied the Jew, who
did not know the real cause of Bedreddin’s quitting the city,
“as the late grand vizier your father, and my lord of happy
memory, had several vessels laden with merchandize, which are still
at sea, and now belong to you, I entreat you to grant me the
preference over any other merchant. I am in a situation to purchase
for ready money the cargoes of all your vessels, and as a proof of
what I say, if you approve of it, I will give you a thousand sequins
for the first which arrives in port. I have them here in a purse,
and am ready to advance them.” Saying this, he drew out from under
his robe, a large purse, sealed with his seal, which he showed him.
Bedreddin Hassan, situated as he was, forced to fly from his home,
and robbed of every thing he possessed, looked upon this proposition
of the Jew as a favour from Heaven; and accepted the offer with
great joy. “My lord,” said the Jew, “you grant me then the
cargo of the first of your vessels that arrives, for one thousand
sequins?”--“Yes,” replied Bedreddin, “I do, the bargain is
made.” The Jew then put the purse of sequins into his hands, at
the same time offering to count them, but Bedreddin spared him the
trouble, by saying he trusted in his honour. “Well, then, my
lord,” resumed the Jew, “will you have the goodness to write a
little agreement of the bargain we have made? He then pulled out
from his girdle an ink-horn, and having taken a cane prepared for
writing, he presented it to him with a bit of paper, which he found
in his pocket-book, and while he held the ink, Bedreddin wrote these
words:
“This writing is to witness, that Bedreddin Hassan, of Balsora,
has sold the cargo of the first of his ships, which make this port,
to the Jew Isaac, for the sum of one thousand sequins, received.
Bedreddin Hassan, of Balsora.”
Having written this, he gave it to the Jew, who put it in his
pocket-book, and they separated; Isaac pursuing his way to the city,
and Bedreddin Hassan that which led to the tomb of his father,
Noureddin Ali. When he had reached it, he prostrated himself with
his face towards the earth; and, bathed in tears, began to lament
his miserable fate. “Alas!” said he, “unfortunate Bedreddin,
what will become of thee? Where will thou go to seek an asylum from
the unjust prince who persecutes thee? Was it not affliction enough
to lose a father so dear? Why would fortune add another grief to
those thou hast already suffered?” He remained a considerable time
in this state; but at length he arose, and leaning his head on his
father’s sepulchre, he renewed his lamentations, and continued to
weep and sigh, until overtaken by sleep, he laid himself down on the
pavement, where he fell into a gentle slumber.
He scarcely tasted the sweets of repose, when a Genius, who had
chosen this cemetery as his retreat during the day, preparing to
begin his nightly excursions, perceived this young man in the tomb
of Noureddin Ali. He entered, and as Bedreddin lay on his back he
was struck with admiration of his beauty, and having examined him
attentively for some time, he said to himself, “To judge of this
creature by his countenance, it can only be an angel sent by God
from the terrestrial paradise, to inflame the world with his
beauty.” After he had considered him again, he rose into the air,
where by chance he met a fairy. They saluted each other, after which
he said, “I entreat you to descend with me to the cemetery where I
live, and I will show you a prodigy in beauty, who is no less worthy
of your admiration than of mine.” The fairy consented, and they
both instantly descended: when they were in the tomb, the Genius,
showing her Bedreddin, “Well,” said he, “did you ever see so
handsome a youth as this?”
The fairy examined Bedreddin attentively, then turning towards the
Genius, “I confess,” replied she, “that he is very well made,
but I have just seen at Cairo, an object still more wonderful; and
will tell you something concerning it, if you will attend to me.”
--“That I will with pleasure,” replied the genius.--“You must
know then,” resumed the fairy, “for I shall begin from an early
date, that the sultan of Egypt has a vizier, named Schemseddin
Mohammed, and he has a daughter about twenty years of age. She is
the most beautiful and perfect creature that was ever beheld. The
sultan hearing from every one of the extraordinary beauty of this
young lady, sent for the vizier, her father, a few days since, and
said to him. ‘I understand you have a daughter, who is
marriageable; and I wish to make her my wife; will not you give your
consent?’ The vizier, who did not at all expect such a proposal,
was rather disconcerted; but he was not dazzled by the prospect of
such a match for his daughter; and instead of accepting the offer
with joy, as many in his place would have done, he replied to the
sultan, ‘Sire, I am not worthy of the honour your majesty would
confer on me, and I humbly entreat you not to be displeased, that I
should oppose your design. You know that I had a brother, called
Noureddin Ali, who, as well as myself, had the honour of being one
of your viziers. We had a quarrel together, which was the cause of
his suddenly disappearing, and I have never heard of him since that
time, till within these four days; when I learnt, that he is lately
dead at Balsora, where he enjoyed the dignity of grand vizier to the
sultan of that kingdom. He has left one son, and as we formerly
agreed to marry our children, if ever we had any, to each other, I
am persuaded that when he died, he continued in the same design. For
this reason I wish, on my part, to perform my promise; and I
supplicate your majesty to permit me to do so. There are many nobles
in this court who have daughters as well as myself, and whom you can
honour with your alliance.’
“The sultan of Egypt was extremely irritated by the refusal of
Schemseddin Mohammed, and said to him, in a transport of anger,
which he could not suppress, ‘Is it thus you return the goodness
with which I condescended to propose my alliance with your family; I
shall know how to revenge myself for the preference you have the
assurance to show to another; and I swear to you, that your daughter
shall have no other husband than the lowest and most ill-looking of
my slaves.’ In saying this he dismissed the vizier, who returned
home, full of confusion, and much mortified.
“To-day the sultan ordered one of his grooms to be brought to him,
who is very much deformed, and so ugly it is impossible to look at
him without terror; and after having commanded Schemseddin Mohammed
to give his consent to the marriage of his daughter with this
horrible slave, he had the contract drawn up, and signed by
witnesses in his presence. The preparations for these curious
nuptials are now completed, and at this moment all the slaves of the
grandees of the Egyptian court are at the door of a bath, each with
a torch in his hand; they are waiting for hunchback, the groom, who
is in the bath, to come out, that they may lead him to his bride,
who is already dressed for his reception. At the time I left Cairo
the ladies were assembled to conduct her in her nuptial ornaments to
the hall, where she is to receive her deformed bridegroom, and where
she is now expecting him. I saw her; and assure you, that it is
impossible to view her without admiration.”
When the fairy had ceased speaking, the genius replied, that he
could not believe it possible for the beauty of this damsel to
surpass that of the youth before them. “I will not dispute with
you,” said the fairy; “I will only say, that he deserves to
marry the charming lady, who is destined for the groom; and I think
we should perform an action worthy of ourselves, were we to oppose
the injustice of the sultan, and to substitute this young man for
the slave.”--“You reason justly,” resumed the genius, “and
you cannot conceive how much I admire you for this idea; I consent;
let us counteract the vengeance of the sultan, console an afflicted
father, and make his daughter as happy as she now conceives herself
to be miserable. I will omit nothing to make this project succeed,
and I am persuaded, that on your part you will not be sparing in
your exertions; I take upon me to carry this youth to Cairo, without
waking him, and I leave to you the care of the disposal of him after
we have executed our enterprise.”
After the genius and the fairy had concerted together what they
should do, the former gently raised Bedreddin, and transported him
through the air with an inconceivable swiftness, and placed him at
the door of a public apartment adjoining the bath from whence the
groom was to come, accompanied by the slaves who were waiting for
him.
Bedreddin Hassan, awaking at this instant, was much astonished to
find himself in a city he was not acquainted with: and was going to
inquire where he was, when the genius gave him a gentle tap on the
shoulder, and warned him not to speak a word; then putting a torch
in his hand, “Go;” said he to him, “and mix with the people
whom you see at the door of that bath, and walk with them till you
come to a hall, where a wedding is going to be celebrated. You will
easily distinguish the bridegroom, by his being deformed. Place
yourself on his right hand, when you enter; and open now and then
the purse of sequins, which you have in your bosom, and distribute
them among the musicians and dancers as you go along. When you have
reached the hall, do not fail to give some also to the female
slaves, whom you will see about the bride, when they approach you.
But remember, whenever you put your hand in your purse, draw it out
full of sequins, and beware of sparing them. Do exactly as I have
told you, with confidence, and be not surprised at any thing; fear
no one, and trust for the consequence in the superior power of one
who will dispose of every thing as he thinks best for you.”
The young Bedreddin, well instructed in what he was to do, advanced
towards the door of the bath. The first thing he did was to light
his torch by that of a slave; then, mixing with the rest, as if he
had belonged to a grandee of Cairo, he walked with them, and
accompanied the groom, who came out of the bath, and mounted one of
the horses from the sultan’s stable.
Bedreddin, finding himself near the musicians and dancers, who
preceded the hunchback, frequently drew from his purse handfuls of
sequins, which he distributed amongst them. As he conferred these
bounties with admirable grace, and the most obliging air, all those
who received them cast their eyes on him; and no sooner had they
seen him than they were rivetted on him, so great was his beauty and
the symmetry of his person.
They at length arrived at the gates of Schemseddin Mohammed’s
palace, who little thought his nephew was so near him. Some of the
officers, to prevent confusion, stopped all the slaves who carried
torches, and would not suffer them to enter. They also wanted to
exclude Bedreddin Hassan, but the musicians and dancers, for whom
the doors were open, declared they would not proceed, if he were not
allowed to accompany them. “He is not one of the slaves,” said
they, “you have only to look at him to be fully convinced of that.
He must be some young stranger, who wishes from curiosity to see the
ceremonies observed at weddings in this city.” Saying this, they
placed him in the midst of them, and made him go in, notwithstanding
the officers. They took from him his torch; and after having
introduced him into the hall, they placed him on the right hand of
the groom, who was seated on a magnificent throne, next to the
daughter of the vizier.
She was dressed in her richest ornaments, but her countenance
displayed a langour, or rather a desponding sorrow, of which it was
no difficult matter to divine the cause, on seeing by her side so
deformed a husband, and one so little deserving her love. The throne
of this ill-matched pair was erected in the middle of a large sofa;
the wives of the emirs, viziers, and officers of the sultan’s
chamber, together with many other ladies of the court, as well as of
the city, were seated a little below on each side, according to
their rank; and all were so brilliantly and richly dressed, that the
whole formed a beautiful spectacle. They each held a lighted
flambeau.
When they saw Bedreddin Hassan enter, they all fixed their eyes on
him, and could not cease looking at him, so much were they struck
with the beauty of his figure and countenance. When he was seated,
each lady quitted her place to have an opportunity of observing him
closely, and not one returned to it again, who did not feel a tender
emotion arise in her bosom.
The difference which existed between Bedreddin Hassan and the
crooked groom, whose person excited disgust and horror, gave rise to
some murmurs in the assembly. “This handsome youth,” exclaimed
the ladies, “ought to possess our bride, and not this deformed
wretch.” They did not rest here, for they even ventured to utter
imprecations against the sultan, who, abusing his absolute power,
had united deformity to beauty. They also vented execrations on the
groom, and put him quite out of countenance, much to the diversion
of the spectators, who by their hootings, for some time interrupted
the symphony which was playing. At length the musicians again began
the concert, and the women, who had dressed the bride, approached
her.
Each time, continued the vizier Giafar, (for your majesty will
recollect it was he that was still addressing himself to the caliph
Haroun Alraschid,) each time the bride changed her dress, which it
was her custom to do seven different times, [13] she arose, and
followed by her women, passed before the groom, without deigning to
look at him, and went to present herself to Bedreddin Hassan, to
show herself to him in her new ornaments. Bedreddin then, according
to the instructions he had received from the Genius, put his hand
into the purse, and drew it out full of sequins, which he
distributed to the women who attended the bride. He did not forget
the musicians and dancers, and gave them some also. It was a
pleasure to see them all pushing and scrambling for the sequins:
they testified their gratitude, and told him by signs, that they
wished him to marry the bride, instead of the hunchback groom. The
women who were about her, said the same thing to her, not caring
whether the hunchback heard them; for they played him all kinds of
tricks, to the great amusement of the spectators.
When the ceremony of changing the dresses so many times was
completed, the musicians ceased to play, and retired, making signs
to Bedreddin to remain. The ladies did the same thing, and took
their leave, together with all those who did not belong to the
house. The bride went into a closet, where her women followed to
undress her, and there remained no one in the hall except the
hunchback groom, Bedreddin Hassan, and some servants. The hunchback,
who was furiously enraged with Bedreddin, gave him a scowling look
out of the corner of his eyes, “What art thou waiting for?” he
called out, “Why dost thou not depart with the rest? walk off.”
As Bedreddin had no pretext for remaining there, he retired, rather
embarrassed; but he was scarcely out of the vestibule, when the
Genius and the fairy presented themselves before him, and stopped
him. “Where art thou going?” said the Genius, “return, for the
hunchback has left the hall; you have nothing to do, but to go in
and make your way to the chamber of the bride. When you are alone
with her, tell her confidently, that you are her husband; that the
sultan only intended to divert himself with the hunchback, and that
to appease this pretended husband you have ordered him a large dish
of cream in his stable. Then tell her all you can think of, to
persuade her of the truth of this. With such a person as yours, you
will not find much difficulty in it, and she will be delighted with
so agreeable an exchange. We are now going to regulate matters so,
that the hunchback shall not return to prevent you from passing the
night with your bride; for she is yours, not his.”
While the Genius was thus encouraging Bedreddin, and instructing him
in what he was to do, the hunchback had really quitted the hall. The
Genius went to the place he had retired to, and assuming the figure
of a large black cat, began to mew in a terrific manner; the
hunchback clapped his hands, and made a noise to frighten it away,
but the cat, instead of retreating, made a high back, and fixed its
eyes, almost darting fire, fiercely on him, mewing still louder than
before. It then increased in size so much, that it shortly appeared
larger than an ass. The hunchback at this sight was going to call
for assistance, but he was so terrified, that he could not utter a
sound, and remained with his mouth open, unable to speak. To
increase his terror, the Genius suddenly changed into a large
buffalo, and under this shape cried with a loud voice “Base
hunchback.” At these words the frightened groom fell on the floor,
and covering his head with his robe to avoid seeing this horrible
beast, he replied, trembling: “Sovereign prince of the buffaloes,
what do you require of me?”--“Ill befal thee!” replied the
Genius, “thou hast the temerity to dare to marry my mistress?”
--“Ah, sir,” cried the hunchback, “I entreat you to pardon me;
if I am criminal, it is through ignorance alone. I did not know that
the lady had a buffalo for her lover; command me in whatever you
please, I swear I am ready to obey.”--“By death!” resumed the
Genius, “if thou quittest this spot, or break silence before the
sun rises; nay, if thou utterest but a syllable, I will crush thy
head to atoms. By that time I permit thee to leave this house, but I
command thee to fly quickly, and not to look back; and if thou hast
ever the audacity to return, it shall cost thee thy life.” Thus
saying, the Genius transformed himself into a man, and took the
hunchback by the heels; then, after holding him against the wall,
his head downwards, he added, “If thou darest to stir before the
sun rises, I will, as I have said, take thee by the feet and dash
thy head into a thousand pieces against this wall.”
But to return to Bedreddin Hassan, who, encouraged by the Genius and
by the fairy, who was present, had re-entered the hall, and had gone
privately into the nuptial chamber, where he seated himself,
waiting, with anxious expectation, the success of his adventure. At
the expiration of some time the bride arrived, conducted by an old
woman, who stopped at the door to wish the bridegroom happiness,
without looking if it was the hunchback or another; she then shut
it, and retired.