hunchback, Bedreddin Hassan, who presented himself to her with the
utmost grace imaginable, “Ha! my friend,” exclaimed she, “how
came you here at this hour? I suppose you are one of my husband’s
comrades.”--“No, madam,” replied Bedreddin, “I am in a
different situation from that disgusting hunchback.”--“But,”
replied she, “you do not seem to be aware, that you are abusing my
husband.”--“He your husband, madam!” returned Bedreddin,
“can you remain so long in this opinion? Be undeceived: such
beauty will not be sacrificed to the most despicable of men. I,
madam, am the happy mortal for whom it is reserved. The sultan chose
to amuse himself with imposing this little deceit on the vizier,
your father, and has fixed on me for your true husband. You must
have observed, that the ladies, the musicians, the dancers, your
women, in short every one belonging to your house, were diverted
with this comedy. We have dismissed the poor hunchback to his
stable, where he is now regaling himself with a dish of cream; and
you may rest assured, that he will never more appear before your
beautiful eyes.”
At this discourse the daughter of the vizier, who had entered the
nuptial chamber more dead than alive, changed countenance, and
assumed an air of gaiety, which added so much to her beauty, that
Bedreddin was quite charmed with her. “I did not expect,” said
she, “so agreeable a surprise, I considered myself as condemned to
pass the rest of my days in misery, but my happiness is so much
greater, as I am going to be united to a man so worthy of my
affection.” She then undressed herself and went to bed. Bedreddin
Hassan, on his part, was delighted to find himself in possession of
so many charms, and quickly undressed. He put his clothes on a
chair, together with the purse, which the Jew had given him, and
which was still full, notwithstanding all he had taken from it. He
took off his turban to put on one for the night, which had been
prepared for the hunchback, and he laid down in his shirt and
drawers. [14] The drawers were of blue satin, and tied with a golden
cord.
When the two lovers were asleep, the Genius, who had rejoined the
fairy, told her it was now time to complete what they had so well
begun, and so happily conducted thus far. “Let us not be
surprised,” said he, “by day-light, which will now soon appear;
go and take away the young man without waking him.”
The fairy repaired to the chamber of the lovers, who were both in a
profound sleep, and stole away Bedreddin Hassan, drest as he was in
his shirt and drawers: then flying with wonderful swiftness to the
gates of Damascus, in Syria, whither she was accompanied by the
Genius, they arrived precisely at the time, when the minister,
appointed for that purpose, was calling the people to prayers at
break of day. [15] The fairy gently placed Bedreddin on the ground,
near the gate, and then retired with the Genius.
The gates were opened: and the people, who had assembled in great
numbers to go out, were extremely surprised at seeing Bedreddin
Hassan extended on the ground in only his shirt and drawers. One
said, “He was obliged to decamp from his mistress in such haste,
he had not time to dress himself.”--“See,” said another,
“to what accidents one is exposed; he has passed the night in
drinking with his friends, and being inebriated, went out for some
purpose, and instead of returning he has wandered here, not knowing
what he did, and has been overtaken by sleep.” Others formed
different opinions, but no one could guess by what chance he got
there. A slight breeze, which was beginning to rise, blew aside his
shirt, and exposed a bosom whiter than snow. They were all so
surprised with the whiteness of his skin, that they exclaimed with
admiration so loud as to awaken the young man. His astonishment was
not less than theirs on finding himself at the gate of a city where
he had never been, and surrounded by a crowd of people, who were
examining him attentively. “Gentlemen,” said he, “I entreat
you to inform me where I am, and what you want of me.” One of them
replied, “Young man, the gates of this city are but just opened,
and when we came out, we found you lying here, just as you now are;
and we stopped to look at you. Have you passed the night here, and
do you know, that you are at one of the gates of Damascus?”
--“At one of the gates of Damascus!” exclaimed Bedreddin, “you
are joking with me; when I went to bed last night I was at Cairo.”
At these words some of the people, moved with compassion, said it
was a pity, that so handsome a youth should have lost his senses,
and then passed on.
“My son,” said a good old man to him, “you must be mistaken;
for how could you be last night at Cairo, and this morning at
Damascus? That cannot be.”--“It is very true
notwithstanding,” replied Bedreddin, “and I protest to you also,
that I passed the whole of yesterday at Balsora.” He had scarcely
pronounced these words, when they all burst into a laugh, and cried,
“he is mad, he is mad.” Some however pitied him, on account of
his extreme youth; and a man, who was present, said, “My son, you
have lost your reason: you know not what you say. How is it possible
that a man should be in the day at Balsora, in the night at Cairo,
and in the morning at Damascus? You surely cannot be awake: collect
your thoughts a little.”--“What I tell you,” rejoined
Bedreddin, “is so true, that I was last night married in the city
of Cairo.” All those who had laughed before, now redoubled their
laughter at hearing this. “Take care,” resumed the person who
addressed him before, “you must have dreamt all this, and the
illusion still remains impressed on your mind.”--“I know what I
say,” replied the youth, “tell me then how I should have dreamt
I was at Cairo, where I am persuaded I was in reality; where my
bride was conducted seven times before me, each time in a different
dress; and where I saw a frightful hunchback, to whom they were
going to marry her? Tell me too, what is become of my robe, my
turban, and the purse of sequins I had at Cairo.”
Although he assured them that all this was true, yet the people, who
listened to him, only laughed at what he said, which so confused
him, that he did not know himself what to think of all that had
happened. At length he arose, and walked into the city, and the
crowd followed him, crying out, “A madman! a madman!” On hearing
this, some ran to the windows, others came out at their doors, and
some joining those who had surrounded Bedreddin, cried out also in
the same manner, “A madman!” without knowing why. Being much
embarrassed by this occurrence, he came to the house of a
pastry-cook, who was opening his shop, and entered it, to escape
from the hooting of the mob, who followed him.
This pastry-cook had formerly been the chief of a troop of wandering
Arabs, who attacked caravans, and although he was established at
Damascus, where no one had any reason to complain of his conduct,
yet was he feared by all, who had any knowledge of him. The first
look, therefore, which he cast on the populace that followed
Bedreddin, dispersed them. The pastry-cook, seeing the coast clear,
began to question the young man, inquiring who he was, and what had
led him to Damascus. Bedreddin did not conceal either his birth, or
the death of the grand vizier, his father; and then proceeded to
relate how he had left Balsora, and in what manner, after falling
asleep on the tomb of his father, he had, on waking, found himself
at Cairo, where he had married a lady. Lastly, he expressed his
surprise at seeing himself in Damascus, without being able to
comprehend any of these miracles.
“Your history is very astonishing,” said the pastry-cook, “but
if you will follow my advice, you will not disclose to any one the
circumstance you have related to me; and you will wait patiently,
until Heaven shall be pleased to put a period to the misfortunes
with which it thinks proper to afflict you. You may remain with me
till such a change takes place, and as I have no children, I will
acknowledge you as my son, if you consent. After I have adopted you,
you may go freely about the city, and will no longer be exposed to
the insults of the populace.”
Although this adoption conferred no great honour on the son of a
grand vizier, Bedreddin nevertheless accepted the proposal of the
pastry-cook; judging very properly, that it was the only step he
could take in his present situation. The pastry-cook procured him a
dress, and taking witnesses with him, went before a cadi, to
declare, that he acknowledged him as his son; after which Bedreddin
resided with him, taking only the simple name of Hassan, and learned
the art of making pastry.
Whilst this was passing at Damascus, the daughter of Schemseddin
Mohammed awoke; and not finding Bedreddin by her side, concluded,
that he had risen softly, not to interrupt her slumbers, and that he
would soon come back again. She was waiting his return, when the
vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, her father, much affected by the
affront he conceived had been put upon him by the sultan of Egypt,
came and knocked at the door of her apartment, that he might bewail
with her the unhappy destiny she had been forced to submit to. He
called her by her name, and she no sooner heard his voice than she
got up to open the door to him. She kissed his hand, and received
him with an air of so much satisfaction, that the vizier, who
expected to find her bathed in tears, and as much afflicted as he
felt himself, was extremely surprised. “Unhappy girl,” cried he,
in an angry tone, “is it thus you appear before me? After the
horrid sacrifice you have just completed, can you present yourself
to me with a countenance which bespeaks content?” When the bride
perceived her father’s displeasure at the joy which brightened her
features, she replied, “My lord, I entreat you not to reproach me
so unjustly. It is not that monster, the hunchback, who is more
detestable in my eyes, than death itself, to whom I have been
married; all the company treated him with such derision and
contempt, that he was obliged to go away and hide himself, and make
room for a charming young man who is my true husband.”--“What
story are you relating,” interrupted the grand vizier, “has not
the hunchback slept with you to-night?”--“No, my lord,”
returned she, “I have slept only with the young man I was speaking
of, who has large eyes, and fine black eyebrows.” At these words
Schemseddin lost all patience, and put himself in a violent rage
with his daughter. “Ah, foolish girl,” said he, “will you make
me lose my senses, by relating such falsehoods?”--“It is you,
father,” replied she, “who almost drive me out of my senses by
your incredulity.”--“Is it not true then,” continued the
vizier, “that the hunchback,--”--“Ah, let us talk no more of
the hunchback,” interrupted she, “evil attend the hunchback!
must I for ever hear nothing but the hunchback’s name repeated in
my ears? I again tell you,” added she, “that he has not passed
the night in my chamber; but my dear husband, whom I have mentioned
to you, was the person, and indeed he cannot now be at any great
distance from hence.”
Schemseddin Mohammed went out immediately to look for him; but
instead of finding him, he was in the greatest astonishment at
seeing the hunchback fellow standing on his head with his feet in
the air, and in the very situation in which the Genius had left him.
“What is the meaning of all this?” he asked him, “who placed
you in that situation?” The hunchback, who instantly recognised
the vizier, answered directly, “Ah, ha, you wish to give me in
marriage to the mistress of a buffalo, do you; to one who is in love
with a villainous Genius? but I won’t be your dupe, I promise you;
so do not think of tricking me in that manner.”
Schemseddin Mohammed thought the hunchback was out of his senses,
when he heard him talk in this manner. “Get away from hence,” he
cried, “and stand upon your legs.”--“I will take good care
how I do that,” answered he, “unless, indeed, the sun be risen.
You must know, that as I was coming here yesterday evening, a large
black cat suddenly appeared to me, and it kept increasing in size,
till it was as large as a buffalo. I shall never forget what it said
to me: mind therefore your own concerns, and leave me here.”
Instead, however, of going, the vizier took hold of the hunchback by
the legs, and obliged him to get up. He was no sooner on his legs
than he ran away as fast as ever he could, without stopping once to
look behind him. He went directly to the palace, and presented
himself before the sultan of Egypt, who was highly diverted at the
account he gave of the manner in which the Genius had treated him.
Schemseddin Mohammed then went back to his daughter’s apartment,
still more astonished than before, and quite uncertain how to think
or act, “Well, dishonoured girl,” said he to his daughter,
“can you give me no farther account of this adventure, which both
confuses and distracts me?”--“Sir,” she replied, “I cannot
tell you any thing more than I have already had the honor of
informing you of. But look here,” she added, “here is some part
of my husband’s dress, which he has left on this chair, and
perhaps this may throw some light upon what you wish to discover.”
In saying this, she presented the turban of Bedreddin to the vizier,
who took and examined it in every part. “I should conjecture this
to be a turban that belonged to a vizier, if it were not made in the
fashion of those [16] of Moussoul.” As he was thus feeling it, he
thought he perceived something sewn up in the inside of it between
the folds. He asked therefore for some scissors, and having unripped
it, he discovered a paper folded up. This was in fact the packet
which Noureddin Ali had given to his son Bedreddin, on his
death-bed, and who had concealed it in this place, as the best
method of preserving it. Schemseddin Mohammed having opened the
packet, instantly knew the hand-writing of his brother Noureddin
Ali, and read the following direction, _For my son, Bedreddin
Hassan._ Before he had time to reflect on those circumstances, his
daughter put the purse into her father’s hands, which she had
found in Bedreddin’s pocket. He immediately opened it, and saw it
filled with sequins, as I have before mentioned; for through the
care of the Genius and fairy it constantly remained full, in spite
of all the sums that Bedreddin had bestowed on those around him.
Upon a sort of ticket, attached to the purse, he read these words;
_a thousand sequins belonging to the Jew Isaac_. And under them the
following, which the Jew had written before he had left Bedreddin:
_Delivered to Bedreddin Hassan, in payment for the cargo which he
has sold me of the first vessel that arrives in port belonging to
him; and which did belong to Noureddin Ali, his father, of happy
memory._ He had scarcely finished reading these words, when he
uttered a loud cry, and fainted away.
When the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed was recovered from his
fainting, by the assistance of his daughter, and the women she had
called, “My daughter,” said he, “be not surprised at the
accident which has just happened to me; the cause of it is such,
that you will hardly give credit to it. The husband, who has passed
the night with you, is no other than your cousin, the son of
Noureddin Ali. The thousand sequins that are in this purse, remind
me of the quarrel I had with my dear brother. This, without doubt,
is the wedding present he makes you. God be praised for all these
things, and particularly for this wonderful adventure, which so
manifestly proves his power.” He then looked at the writing of his
brother, and kissed it several times, bathing it with his tears.
“Why cannot I,” said he, “see Noureddin himself here, and be
reconciled to him, as well as I see his hand, which causes me so
much joy?”
He read the packet through, and found the dates of his brother’s
arrival at Balsora, of his marriage, and of the birth of Bedreddin
Hassan; then comparing these dates with those of his own marriage,
and of his daughter’s birth at Cairo, he could not help wondering
at the coincidence; and reflecting, that his nephew was his
son-in-law, he gave himself up entirely to the emotions of pleasure
which all these circumstances gave rise to. He took the packet, and
the ticket off the purse, and showed them to the sultan, who forgave
what had past; and was so pleased with the history, that he ordered
it to be written, that it might descend to posterity.
Nevertheless Schemseddin Mohammed could not comprehend why his
nephew had disappeared; he hoped, however, every moment, that he
would arrive, and expected him with the greatest impatience, that he
might embrace him. Having waited seven days without seeing him, he
ordered him to be sought for in every part of Cairo, but he could
hear no tidings of him, which caused him great uneasiness. “This
is, indeed,” said he, “a singular adventure; surely such never
befel mortal before.”
Uncertain what might happen in the course of time, he thought proper
to write himself the account of what had taken place; the manner in
which the nuptials were celebrated, and how the hall and the chamber
of his daughter were furnished. He also made a parcel of the turban,
the purse, and the rest of the dress of Bedreddin, and locked it up.
At the expiration of a few days, the daughter of Schemseddin
Mohammed perceived herself to be pregnant, and in nine months she
was delivered of a son. A nurse was provided for the child, with
other women and slaves to attend upon him, and his grandfather named
him Agib. [17]
When the young Agib had attained the age of seven years, the vizier
Schemseddin Mohammed, instead of having him taught to read at home,
sent him to school to a master, who had a great reputation for his
learning, and two slaves had the care of conducting and bringing him
back every day. Agib used to play with his comrades, and as they
were all of much inferior condition to himself, they behaved towards
him with great deference; and in this the master of the school set
the example, by excusing many faults in Agib which he did not pass
over in the other scholars. The blind submission with which Agib was
treated, completely spoilt him; he became proud and insolent; he
expected his companions to bear every thing from him, but would not
in return comply with any of their wishes. He domineered every
where; and if any one dared to oppose his desires, he vented his
anger in abusive language, and often even in blows. At last he made
himself so insupportable to all the scholars, that they complained
of him to the master of the school. At first he exhorted them to
have patience, but when he perceived, that by so doing he only
increased the insolence of Agib, and being tired himself of the
trouble he gave him, he said to them, “My boys, I see that Agib is
an impertinent fellow; I will tell you how to mortify him; and in a
way that will prevent his tormenting you any longer; indeed that may
perhaps prevent his returning any more to school. To-morrow when he
comes, and you are going to play together, place yourselves round
him, and let one of you say aloud, ‘We are going to play, but on
condition that they who play shall tell their name, and that of
their father and mother. Those who refuse to do so, we shall
consider as bastards, and will not admit them to our games.’”
The master then explained to them the confusion that Agib would feel
on this occasion, and they all went home with the greatest
satisfaction.
The following day, when they were assembled, they did not fail to do
as their master had instructed them. They surrounded Agib, and one
of them said, “Let us play at some game, but on condition that he
who cannot tell his name, and that of his father and mother, shall
not play with us.” They all agreed, Agib as well as the rest, to
these conditions. Then the boy, who had spoken first, interrogated
them all, and each answered satisfactorily till he came to Agib, who
replied, “I am called Agib, my mother is named the Queen of
Beauty, and my father Schemseddin Mohammed, the vizier of the
sultan.”
At these words all the children cried, “Agib, what are you saying?
that is not the name of your father, but of your grandfather.”
--“Heaven confound you!” replied he angrily, “what! do you
dare say, that the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed is not my father?”
The scholars then all laughed at him, saying, “No, no; he is only
your grandfather, and you shall not play with us; we will take care
not to come near you.” Then they left him, and continued to laugh
amongst themselves. Agib was mortified at their joking him, and
began to cry.
The master, who had been listening, and heard all that passed, now
made his appearance, and addressing Agib, “Do not you yet know,
Agib,” said he, “that the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed is not
your father? He is your grandfather, and the father of your mother,
the Queen of Beauty. We, as well as yourself, are ignorant of the
name of your father; we only know, that the sultan wished to marry
your mother to one of his grooms, who was deformed, but that a
Genius slept with her. This is unpleasant for you, but it ought to
teach you to treat your companions with less haughtiness than you
have hitherto done.”
The little Agib, vexed at the joke of his school-fellows,
immediately left the school, and returned home in tears. He went
first to the apartment of his mother, who, alarmed at seeing him in
so much affliction, anxiously inquired the cause. He could only
answer by broken words, interrupted with sobs, so great was his
grief; and it was not till after several attempts, that he could
explain the mortifying subject of his sorrow. When he had finished,
“In the name of God, mother,” added he, “do tell me who is my
father?”--“My son,” replied she, “your father is the vizier
Schemseddin Mohammed, who embraces you every day.”--“You do not
tell me the truth,” resumed he, “he is not my father, but yours.
But whose son am I?” At this question, the Queen of Beauty,
recalling to her mind the night of her marriage, which had been
followed by so long a widowhood, began to weep with the utmost
regret, for the loss of a husband so amiable as Bedreddin.
At the moment when the Queen of Beauty, as well as her son Agib, was
weeping, the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed entered, and desired to
know the cause of their affliction. His daughter informed him, by
relating the mortification her son had met with at school. This
account very much affected the vizier, who joined his tears with
theirs; and who supposing from this, that the world entertained
opinions not very favourable to his daughter’s virtue, felt
extremely mortified. Being very much disturbed by this cruel
reflection, he went to the palace of the sultan, and after having
prostrated himself at his feet, he humbly entreated him to grant him
permission to take a journey into the provinces of the Levant, and
more particularly to Balsora, to seek his nephew Bedreddin Hassan;
for he could not bear, that the whole city should suppose that a
Genius had slept with his daughter. The sultan felt for the grief of
the vizier, approved his intention, and gave him leave to execute
it; he even wrote a letter of recommendation, in the most obliging
manner, to the princes and nobles in whose dominions Bedreddin might
be, to give their consent that he should accompany the grand vizier.
Schemseddin Mohammed could not find words to express his gratitude
to the sultan for all his goodness towards him. He could only
prostrate himself a second time before this prince; but the tears
which flowed from his eyes sufficiently proved his feelings. At
length, he took his leave of the sultan, after wishing him every
kind of prosperity. When he returned home, he immediately began to
prepare for his departure, which was done with so much diligence,
that at the end of four days he set off, accompanied by his daughter
and by Agib, his grandson.
They took the road to Damascus, and travelled nineteen days without
stopping: but on the twentieth, being arrived in a beautiful meadow,
at a little distance from the gates of that city, they alighted; and
had their tents pitched on the banks of a river, which runs through
the city, and renders the surrounding country very agreeable.
The vizier Schemseddin Mohammed declared his intention of remaining
two days in this beautiful spot, and that he intended on the third
to continue his journey. He, however, allowed the persons in his
suite to visit Damascus. They almost all availed themselves of this
permission, some from curiosity to see a city they had heard so
favourably spoken of; others to dispose of Egyptian merchandise,
which they had brought with them, or to buy the silks and rarities
it produced.
The Queen of Beauty, wishing that her son Agib should also have the
gratification of walking about this celebrated city, ordered the
black eunuch, who filled the office of governor to the child, to
take him there; and be very careful, that he did not meet with any
accident.
Agib, being magnificently dressed, set out with the eunuch, who
carried a large cane in his hand. They had no sooner entered the
city, than Agib, who was as beautiful as the morning, attracted the
admiration of every one. Some ran out from their doors to see him
nearer; others came to the windows; and those who were walking in
the streets, not satisfied with stopping to look at him, accompanied
him, in order to have the pleasure of contemplating his beauty for a
longer time. In short, every one admired him, and poured
benedictions on his father and mother, for having brought into the
world so sweet a boy. The eunuch and he came by chance to the shop
where Bedreddin Hassan was, and being surrounded by so great a crowd
of people, they were obliged to stop at his door.
The pastry-cook, who had adopted Bedreddin as his son, had been dead
some years, and left him, as his heir, his shop, and all his
property. Bedreddin, therefore, was now master of the shop; and
exercised the trade of pastry-cook so successfully, that he had
acquired a great reputation in Damascus. Observing so many people
assembled round his door to look at Agib and the black eunuch, he
also began to examine them attentively.
Having cast his eyes on Agib, he felt himself agitated, yet without
knowing why. He was not struck, like the mob, with the extreme
beauty of this boy; his emotion arose from another cause, which he
could not comprehend. It was the force of blood, which agitated this
tender father, who, leaving his occupations, approached Agib, and
said to him, with an engaging air. “My little gentleman, you have
won my heart; and I beg you will do me the favour to walk into my
shop, and eat some of my pastry; that I may, during that time, have
the pleasure of admiring you at my leisure.” He pronounced these
words with so much tenderness, that the tears came into his eyes.
The little Agib was affected by it, and turning towards the eunuch,
said, “This good man has a countenance that pleases me; and he
speaks to me in so affectionate a manner, that I cannot avoid doing
what he requests; let us go in, and eat some of his pastry.”
--“Oh no, indeed,” replied the eunuch, “it would be a pretty
tale to tell, that the son of a vizier, as you are, went into a
pastry-cook’s shop to eat; do not think that I shall suffer it.”
--“Alas, my young gentleman,” cried Bedreddin “then they are
very cruel to trust you with a man who treats you so harshly:”
then addressing the eunuch, “My good friend,” said he, “do not
prevent this young gentleman from doing me the favour I ask; do not
mortify me so. Rather do me the honour of coming in with him, and by
so doing, you will evince, that although you are without as brown as
the chesnut, yet that you are equally white within. Do you know,”
continued he, “that I have a secret, which will change your colour
from black to white?” The eunuch began to laugh on hearing this,
and asked Bedreddin what this secret was. “I will tell you,”
replied he, and immediately he recited some verses in praise of
black eunuchs, saying that it was owing to them, that the honour of
sultans, of princes, and of all great men was in safety. The eunuch
was delighted with these verses, and no longer resisting the
entreaties of Bedreddin, he suffered Agib to go into his shop,
whither he also accompanied him.
Bedreddin Hassan was extremely pleased at having obtained his
request; and returning to his work which he had left, “I was
making,” said he, “some cheesecakes; you must, if you please,
eat some, for I am persuaded you will find them excellent; my
mother, who makes them admirably, taught me how to make them also,
and they come from all quarters of the town to buy them of me.”
Saying this he drew a cheesecake out of the oven, and having strewed
on it some grains of pomegranate and sugar, he served it to Agib,
who found it delicious. The eunuch, to whom Bedreddin presented one
likewise, was of the same opinion.
Whilst they were both eating, Bedreddin examined Agib with the
greatest attention; and reflecting, that he perhaps had such a son
by the charming wife, from whom he had been so soon and so cruelly
separated, he could not suppress some tears. He was preparing to
question the little Agib on the reason of his journey to Damascus,
but had not time to satisfy his curiosity: for the eunuch, who
wished to hasten his return to the tents of his grandfather, took
him away as soon as he had done eating. Bedreddin Hassan was not
satisfied with following him with his eyes only, but immediately
shutting up his shop, he set off after them, and overtook them by
the time they had reached the gate of the city.
The eunuch, perceiving that he followed them, was very much
surprised, and said to him angrily, “How importunate you are, what
do you want?”--“My good friend,” replied Bedreddin, “do not
be displeased; I have a little business just out of the city, which
I have thought of, and I must go and give orders concerning it.”
This answer did not satisfy the eunuch, who turning to Agib, said,
“See what you have brought on me; I foresaw, that I should repent
of my compliance; you would go into this man’s shop, but indeed I
was a fool to suffer it.”--“Perhaps,” said Agib, “he may
really have business out of the city, and the road is free for every
one.” They then continued walking, without looking behind them,
till they were arrived at the tents of the grand vizier; they then
looked back, and saw that Bedreddin followed close. Agib, perceiving
that he was within a few paces of him, blushed and turned pale
successively, according to the different emotions which arose. He
feared that the vizier, his grandfather, would learn, that he had
been in a pastry-cook’s shop to eat. With this apprehension he
took up a large stone, that lay at his feet, threw it at Bedreddin,
and striking him in the middle of his forehead, covered him with
blood. He then ran away, as fast as he could, into the tent with the
eunuch, who said to Bedreddin, that he must not complain of a
misfortune, which he deserved, and had brought upon himself.
Bedreddin returned to the city, stopping the blood from his wound
with his apron, which he had not taken off. “I was wrong,” said
he to himself, “to leave my house, and occasion so much pain to
this child; for he only treated me thus, because he no doubt
supposed that I had some bad design against him.” Being returned
home he had his wound dressed; and consoled himself with reflecting,
that there were many people in this world more unfortunate than
himself.
Bedreddin continued to exercise the business of pastry-cook at
Damascus, and his uncle Schemseddin Mohammed left it three days
after his arrival. He took the road to Emaus, from thence to Hamah,
and thence to Aleppo, where he rested two days. From Aleppo he
crossed the Euphrates, entered Mesopotamia, and after having
traversed Mardin, Moussoul, Sengira, Diarbekir, and several other
towns, he arrived at last at Balsora, where he directly requested an
audience of the sultan, who was no sooner informed of the rank of
Schemseddin Mohammed, than he granted it. He received him very
favourably, and asked him the cause of his journey to Balsora.
“Sire,” replied the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, “I am come to
learn tidings of the son of Noureddin Ali, my brother, who had the
honour of serving your majesty.”--“It is a long time since
Noureddin Ali died,” answered the sultan, “as for his son, all
that I can inform you of is, that about two months after the death
of his father, he suddenly disappeared; and no one has seen him
since, notwithstanding the pains I have been at to discover him. But
his mother, who was the daughter of one of my viziers, is still
living.” Schemseddin Mohammed requested permission to see her, and
to conduct her into Egypt, to which the sultan having consented, he
would not defer till the morrow so great a gratification; he
inquired for the abode of this lady, and went to her immediately,
accompanied by his daughter and her son.
The widow of Noureddin Ali lived in the same house which had been
occupied by her husband during his life. It was a handsome mansion,
built in a superb style, and ornamented with columns of marble; but
Schemseddin did not stop to admire it. On entering it he kissed the
door, and a marble, on which was written, in letters of gold, the
name of his brother. He desired to speak to his sister-in-law, whose
servants informed him, that she was in a small edifice, built in the
shape of a dome, which they showed him in the middle of a spacious
court. This tender mother was accustomed to pass the greatest part
of the day and night in this building, which she had erected to
represent the tomb of Bedreddin Hassan, whom she supposed to be
dead; having so long in vain expected his return. She was then
occupied in weeping for the loss of this dear son, and Schemseddin
Mohammed found her buried in the deepest affliction.
He paid his compliments to her on entering, and having entreated her
to suspend her tears and lamentations, he acquainted her, that he
had the honour of being her brother-in-law; and also told her the
reason which had caused him to leave Cairo, and travel to Balsora.
After having informed his sister-in-law of every thing that had
happened at Cairo on the night of his daughter’s nuptials, and the
surprize which the discovery of the packet, that was found sewn up
in Bedreddin’s turban, had occasioned, he presented Agib and the
Queen of Beauty to her.
When the widow of Noureddin Ali, who had hitherto remained seated,
like one who took no interest in the affairs of this world,
understood by the conversation of Schemseddin Mohammed, that the
dear son she so much regretted might still be alive, she got up, and
closely embraced the Queen of Beauty and the little Agib, in whom
she recognised the features of Bedreddin. The tears that now fell
from her eyes, were different from those she had long been in the
habit of shedding. She could not kiss the youth enough, who, on his
part, received her embraces with every demonstration of joy he was
capable of. “It is time, madam,” said Schemseddin Mohammed,
“to put an end to your sorrows, and to dry your tears: for you
must now arrange your affairs, and go with us into Egypt. The sultan
of Balsora has given me permission to take you with me; and, I
trust, you will not refuse your consent. I hope we shall have the
good fortune to meet with my nephew, your son; and, if that should
happen, the history of him, of you, of my daughter, and myself, will
be worthy of being written down, and transmitted to after-ages.”
The widow of Noureddin Ali listened to this proposal with great
pleasure, and instantly began to make preparations for departure.
During this, Schemseddin Mohammed requested another audience; and
having taken leave of the sultan, who sent him back, laden with
honours, and with a considerable present for the sultan of Egypt, he
left Balsora, and again took the road to Damascus.
As soon as they had arrived in the vicinity of that city,
Schemseddin ordered them to pitch their tents just without the gate,
by which they were to enter; and told his people, he should remain
there three days, for the purpose of resting; and also to purchase
whatever was to be found most curious and worthy of being presented
to the sultan of Egypt. While he himself was occupied in making
choice of the most beautiful stuffs, which the principal merchants
had brought to him, Agib entreated the black eunuch, his governor,
to go and walk in the city with him; telling him, that he was
desirous of seeing whatever he had not had time to see when he was
there before; and that he was also very anxious to get some
intelligence of the pastry-cook, at whom he had thrown the stone,
and wounded. The eunuch agreed to it, and walked into the city with
him; having first obtained leave of his mother, the Queen of Beauty.
They entered Damascus by the gate which led to the palace, and which
was the one that was nearest to the tents of the vizier Schemseddin
Mohammed. They walked through the great squares, saw the public
buildings, and the covered market, or place where the richest
merchandize was sold. They then came to the antient mosque of the
Ommiades, [18] about the time they were assembling for prayers, [19]
between noon and sun-set. They then passed by the shop of Bedreddin
Hassan, whom they found still engaged in making cheesecakes. “Your
servant,” said Agib to him, “look at me; don’t you remember to
have seen me before.” At these words Bedreddin cast his eyes upon
him, and instantly recognised him. At the very same moment, O
surprising effect of paternal love! he felt the same emotion he had
done the first time. He was much troubled; and instead of answering
him, he remained some time without the power of speaking a single
word. Having at length recollected himself, he said, “Do me the
favor, my young lord, once more to come into my shop with your
governor, and taste a cheesecake. I beg you will pardon me for the
displeasure I caused you by following you out of the city: I was
hardly myself, and knew not what I did. It was a sort of charm,
which drew me after you, and which I could neither resist nor
account for.”
Agib, surprised at this speech of Bedreddin, replied, “The
friendship you profess towards me, is carried to an excess, and I
will not come into your house, unless you promise faithfully not to
follow me when I go away. If you pledge your word, and keep it, I
will come again to-morrow, while the vizier, my grandfather, is
engaged in making purchases for a present to the sultan of Egypt.”
--“My little master,” answered Bedreddin Hassan, “I will do
any thing you desire me.” Agib and the eunuch then entered into
his shop.
Bedreddin immediately presented them with some cheesecakes, which
were as delicate and good as those they had tasted the first time.
“Come,” said Agib, “sit down next me, and eat with us.”
Bedreddin, being seated, was going to embrace Agib, to express to
him the joy he experienced at being near him, but Agib pushed him
back, saying, “Be quiet, your friendship is too tender. Be content
with looking at and conversing with me.” Bedreddin obeyed, and
began to sing a song, which he composed at the moment in praise of
Agib. He did not eat, and was only attentive to serve his guests.
When they had done eating, he gave them water to wash in, [20] and a
very white and delicate napkin to wipe their hands. He then took a
vase of sherbet, and prepared a large china bowl full, in which he
put some snow; [21] and presenting the bowl to the little Agib,
“Take it,” said he, “it is some rose sherbet, the most
delicious that this city can produce; you never tasted any so
good.” Agib drank some with great pleasure; Bedreddin then took
the bowl and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it up to the last
drop.
When Agib and his governor were satisfied, they thanked the
pastry-cook for the good cheer they had received; and returned as
quick as they could, it being rather late. They arrived at the tents
of Schemseddin Mohammed, and went first to that which the ladies
occupied. The grandmother of Agib was rejoiced to see him again, and
as she had always her son Bedreddin in her mind, she could not
refrain from tears on embracing Agib. “Ah, my child,” cried she,
“my happiness would be complete, if I could have the pleasure of
embracing your father, Bedreddin Hassan, as I do you.” She was
just going to supper; she made him sit next her, and asked him many
questions about his walk; then, saying that he must have a good
appetite, she helped him to a piece of cheesecake, that she had made
herself, and which was excellent; for, as we have already said, she
could make them better than any pastry-cook. She gave some to the
eunuch also, but they had both eaten so much with Bedreddin, that
they could with difficulty taste it.
Agib had scarcely touched a bit of the cheesecake he had been helped
to, when pretending that it did not suit his palate, he left it on
his plate; and Schaban, [22] for this was the name of the eunuch,
did the same. The widow of Noureddin Ali, vexed at seeing her
grandson so indifferent about her cheesecake, said, “What, my son!
do you scorn the work of my hands in this way? Let me tell you, that
no one in the world can make such good cheesecakes, excepting your
father, Bedreddin Hassan, to whom I myself taught the curious art of
making them.”--“Ah, my good grandmother,” cried Agib,
“allow me to say, that if you cannot make them better than this,
there is a pastry-cook in this city who surpasses you in this great
art: we have just been eating one in his shop, which is a great deal
better than this of yours.”
At these words the grandmother, casting an angry look at the eunuch,
“What, Schaban,” said she, “is my grandson intrusted to your
care in order that you should take him to eat at a pastry-cook’s
like a beggar’s child!”--“Madam,” replied the eunuch, “it
is true that we have been talking to a pastry-cook, but we did not
eat with him.”--“Pardon me,” interrupted Agib, “we went
into his shop, and eat a cheesecake.” The lady, still more
irritated against the eunuch, left the table abruptly, and ran to
the tent of Schemseddin Mohammed, whom she acquainted with this
misdemeanor of the eunuch, in terms more fitted to exasperate the
vizier against the delinquent, than to incline him to forgive the
fault.
Schemseddin Mohammed, who was naturally of a warm temper, did not
omit so favourable an opportunity of putting himself in a passion.
He immediately repaired to the tent of his sister-in-law, and said
to the eunuch: “Wretch, hast thou the temerity to abuse the
confidence I have placed in thee?” Schaban, although sufficiently
convicted by the testimony of Agib, thought proper still to deny the
fact. But the child maintained the contrary: “Grandfather,” said
he to Schemseddin Mohammed, “I assure you that we have eaten so
much, that we are not in want of any supper. The pastry-cook also
regaled us with a large bowl of sherbet.”--“Well, wicked
slave,” cried the vizier, turning to the eunuch, “after this
wilt thou still deny, that you both went into a pastry-shop and eat
there?” Schaban had the effrontery to swear, that it was not true.
“Thou art a liar,” said the vizier, “I believe my grandson
rather than thee. Nevertheless, if thou canst eat the whole of the
cheesecake which was on this table, I shall be persuaded that thou
speakest truth.”
Schaban, although full to the very throat, submitted to this trial,
and took a bit of the cheesecake; but he was obliged to take it out
of his mouth again, for his stomach turned against it. He, however,
continued in his falsehood, and said, that he had eaten so much the
preceding day, that his appetite was not yet returned. The vizier,
irritated by the repeated falsities of the eunuch, and fully
convinced that he was guilty, had him laid on the ground, and
ordered him to receive the bastinado. The unhappy wretch uttered
loud cries on suffering this punishment, and confessed the fact.
“It is true,” cried he, “that we did eat a cheesecake at a
pastry-shop, and it was an hundred times better than that which is
on this table.”
The widow of Noureddin Ali thought, that it was through spite to
her, and to mortify her, that Schaban praised the pastry-cook’s
cheesecake; therefore, addressing herself to him, “I cannot
believe,” said she, “that the cheesecakes of this pastry-cook
are more excellent than mine. I will be satisfied on this point;
thou knowest where he lives; go to him, and bring me back a
cheesecake directly. She then ordered some money to be given to the
eunuch to buy the cheesecake, and he set off. Being come to the shop
of Bedreddin, “Here, my good pastry-cook,” said he, “here is
some money for you; give me one of your cheesecakes; one of our
ladies wishes to taste them.” There happened to be some hot, just
out of the oven; Bedreddin chose the best, and giving it to the
eunuch, said, “Take this, I warrant it to be excellent; and I can
assure you, that no one in the world can make such, excepting my
mother, who perhaps is still living.”
Schaban returned quickly to the tent with his cheesecake. He
presented it to the widow of Noureddin Ali, who was impatiently
expecting it. She broke off a piece to taste it, but it had scarcely
touched her lips, when she uttered a loud cry, and fainted away.
Schemseddin Mohammed, who was present, was very much surprised at
this accident: he himself threw some water on his sister-in-law’s
face, and did all in his power to relieve her. As soon as she was
recovered from her fainting, “Oh God,” cried she, “it must
have been my son, my dear son, Bedreddin, who made this cake.”
When the vizier, Schemseddin Mohammed, heard his sister-in-law say,
that it was Bedreddin Hassan who had made the cheesecake brought by
the eunuch, he felt inexpressible joy; but then reflecting that this
joy was without foundation, and that according to all appearance,
the conjecture of the widow of Noureddin Ali was false, he said to
her, “But, madam, what makes you think this? Cannot there be a
pastry-cook in the world who is able to make cheesecakes as well as
your son?”--“I allow,” replied she, “that there may be
pastry-cooks capable of making them as good; but as I make them in a
very particular manner, and as no one except my son possesses this
secret, it must absolutely have been he who made this. Let us
rejoice, my dear brother,” added she, with transport, “we have
at length found what we have been so long and so anxiously
seeking.”--“Madam,” replied the vizier, “I entreat you to
moderate your impatience, we shall soon know what to think of this
circumstance. We have only to desire the pastry-cook to come here;
if he be Bedreddin Hassan, you as well as my daughter will recollect
him. But you must conceal yourselves, and see him without his seeing
you: for I do not wish the discovery to take place at Damascus. I
intend to postpone it till we return to Cairo; where I propose
giving you a very agreeable entertainment.”
Saying this, he left the ladies in their tent, and retired to his
own. He there made fifty of his people come before him, and said to
them, “Take each of you a stick, and follow Schaban, who will
conduct you to a pastry-cook in the city. When you arrive, break
every thing you find in his shop; if he inquires why you commit such
an outrage, only ask if it was not he who made the cheesecake that
was bought of him; if he replies in the affirmative, seize his
person; bind him well, and bring him to me; but take care that you
do not strike or hurt him. Go, and lose no time.”
The vizier was quickly obeyed; his people, armed with sticks, and
conducted by the black eunuch, repaired to the house of Bedreddin
Hassan, where they broke in pieces the plates, the boilers, the
saucepans, the tables, and all the other furniture and utensils they
could meet with; and deluged his shop with sherbet, cream, and
confectionary. At this sight Bedreddin Hassan, being much
astonished, said to them, in a pitiful tone, “My good people, why
do you treat me thus? What is the matter? What have I done?”
--“Was it you,” replied they, “who made the cheesecake which
you sold to the eunuch, who is with us?”--“Yes,” returned he,
“I made it myself; what fault have you to find with it? I defy any
one to make a better!” Instead of returning any answer, they
continued to break every thing; and the oven itself was not spared.
The neighbours, being by this time attracted by the noise, and much
surprised to see fifty armed men committing such depredations,
inquired the cause of this violent usage. Bedreddin once more said
to those who were engaged in it, “I entreat you to inform me what
crime I have committed, that you should thus break and destroy every
thing in my house.”--“Is it not you,” replied they, “who
made the cheesecake that you sold to this eunuch?”--“Yes, yes,
I am the person,” cried he, “and I will maintain that it is
excellent, and that I do not deserve this unjust treatment.” They
seized his person, without listening to him, and having torn off the
linen of his turban, they made use of it to tie his hands behind
him; then dragging him by force out of his shop, they led him along.
The populace, which had assembled, touched with compassion for
Bedreddin, took his part, and was inclined to oppose the designs of
the people of Schemseddin Mohammed; but, at this moment, some
officers of the governor of the city arrived, and, dispersing the
mob, favoured the carrying off of Bedreddin; for Schemseddin
Mohammed had been to the governor of Damascus, to acquaint him with
the order he had given, and to request his assistance and guard; and
this governor, who commanded over Syria in the name of the sultan of
Egypt, did not dare to refuse any thing to the vizier of his master.
Bedreddin, therefore, was dragged on, notwithstanding his
lamentations and tears.
He asked the people who surrounded him as he went along, what had
been discovered in his cheesecake; but they did not return any
answer. At length he arrived at the tents, where he was made to
wait, till Schemseddin Mohammed returned from the governor of
Damascus.
The vizier being arrived, inquired about the pastrycook. When he was
brought before him, “My lord,” said Bedreddin, with tears in his
eyes, “do me the favour to tell me in what I have offended you.”
--“Ah, wretch,” exclaimed the vizier, “was it not thou who
madest the cheesecake thou sentest me?”--“I confess that it
was,” replied Bedreddin, “but what crime have I committed by
doing so?”--“I will punish thee as thou deservest;” resumed
Schemseddin Mohammed, “and it will cost thee thy life for having
made so bad a cake.”--“Ah, good God,” cried Bedreddin,
“what do I hear! is it a crime worthy of death to have made a bad
cheesecake?”--“Yes,” replied the vizier, “and thou must not
expect from me any other treatment.”
While they were thus engaged together, the ladies, who were
concealed, observed Bedreddin attentively, and had not much
difficulty in recollecting him, although so long a time had elapsed
since they had seen him. The joy they experienced was such, that
they both fainted away. When they had recovered they wanted to go
and embrace Bedreddin, but the promise they had made the vizier not
to show themselves, prevailed over the most tender emotions of
nature and love.
As Schemseddin Mohammed had resolved to set off that same night, he
ordered the tents to be struck, and the carriages to be prepared for
the commencement of the journey. As for Bedreddin, he gave
instructions that he might be put in a case well fastened, and
carried on a camel. As soon as every thing was in readiness for
their departure, the vizier and the people in his suite began their
march. They travelled the whole of that night and the following day
without resting; at the approach of night they stopped. They then
took Bedreddin out of his case, to make him take some nourishment;
but they were careful to keep him at a distance from his mother and
his wife; and during the twenty days they were on their journey,
they treated him in the same manner.
When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped without the city walls, by
order of the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed, who desired Bedreddin to
be brought to him. When he was come, he said to a carpenter, whom he
had sent for on purpose, “Go and get some wood, and cut out a
large stake immediately.” “Ah, my lord,” cried Bedreddin,
“what are you going to do with this stake?”--“To fasten you
to it,” replied the vizier “and then have you dragged through
all the quarters of the city, that every one may behold in thee a
vile pastry-cook, who makes cheesecakes without putting pepper in
them.” At these words, Bedreddin Hassan exclaimed in so pleasant a
manner, that Schemseddin Mohammed had difficulty to refrain from
laughter: “Great God! is it then for not having put pepper in a
cheesecake, that I am condemned to suffer a death as cruel as
ignominious?”
The caliph, Haroun Alraschid, notwithstanding his gravity, could not
avoid laughing, when the vizier Giafar said, that Schemseddin
Mohammed threatened Bedreddin Hassan with death, for not having put
pepper in the cheesecake he had sold to Schaban.
“What!” said Bedreddin, “was every thing in my house to be
broken and destroyed, myself imprisoned in a box, and at last a
stake prepared for my execution; was all this done only because I
did not put pepper in a cheesecake? Great God, who ever heard of
such a thing? Are these actions worthy of mussulmen, of persons who
profess to practice justice, probity, and all kinds of good
works?” Saying this he burst into tears, then beginning again his
lamentations, “No,” continued he, “no one was ever treated so
unjustly and so rigorously. Is it possible that they should deprive
a man of life, for not having put pepper in a cheesecake? Cursed be
all cheesecakes, as well as the hour in which I was born! would to
God I had died at that instant!”
The unhappy Bedreddin did not cease his complaints, and when the
stake was brought, and the nails to fasten him to it, he uttered
dreadful cries at so horrid a spectacle: “Oh God!” said he,
“canst thou permit me to suffer a death so infamous and
excruciating? And for what crime too? It is not for having stolen,
nor for having committed murder, neither for having denied my
religion; it is for not having put pepper in a cheesecake!”
As the night was now far advanced, the vizier, Schemseddin Mohammed,
ordered Bedreddin to be put again into his case, and said to him,
“Remain there till to-morrow; the day shall not pass before I
order thee to be put to death.” The case was taken away, and
placed on the camel that had brought it from Damascus; all the other
camels were reladen, and the vizier, mounting his horse, ordered
that the camel, which carried his nephew, should go before him, and
entered the city, followed by all his equipage. After passing
through several streets, where no one appeared, as the inhabitants
had retired to rest, he arrived at his house, where the case was
conveyed with strict charge not to open it till he should think
proper.
Whilst they were unlading the other camels, he took aside the mother
of Bedreddin Hassan and his daughter, and addressing the latter,
“God be praised,” said he, “my dear daughter, that we have so
happily met with your cousin and husband. I dare say you recollect
the state in which your chamber was on the night of your nuptials.
Go, and have every thing placed as it was then. If by chance you do
not remember it, I can supply the defect in your memory, by the
description I wrote at the time. On my part, I will go and give
orders for the rest.”
The Queen of Beauty went with joy to execute the commands of her
father, who began to place all the things in the hall in the same
way as they were when Bedreddin Hassan was there with the hunchback
groom of the sultan of Egypt. As he read the writing, his servants
put each piece of furniture in its place. The throne was not
forgotten, nor the lighted flambeaux. When every thing was prepared
in the hall, the vizier entered the chamber of his daughter, where
he placed the dress of Bedreddin, together with the purse of
sequins. This being done, he said to the Queen of Beauty, “Undress
yourself, my daughter, and go to bed; and when Bedreddin comes into
this chamber, begin to complain of his having been out too long a
time, and tell him, that you were much surprised when you awoke, not
to find him by your side. Press him to return to bed, and to-morrow
morning you will entertain your mother-in-law and me with the
account of what passed in the night.” At these words he went out
of his daughter’s chamber, and left her to retire to bed.
Schemseddin commanded all the servants to go out of the hall,
excepting only two or three whom he wished to remain, and gave
directions for them to take Bedreddin out of the case, to put him on
a shirt and drawers, and in that state to bring him into the hall,
where they were to leave him alone, and shut the door. Bedreddin
Hassan, although in so unhappy a condition, had fallen so sound
asleep, that the servants of the vizier took him out of the case,
and put on his shirt and drawers, without waking him; and then
carried him so quickly into the hall, that they did not give him
time to recollect himself. When he found himself alone in the hall,
he looked around him, and the things he saw reminding him of his
marriage, he perceived with astonishment, on a closer inspection,
that this was the same hall in which he had seen the hunchback
groom. His surprise increased, when drawing near to the door of a
chamber, which he found open, he saw his clothes in the same spot
where he remembered to have placed them on the night of his
nuptials. “Great God,” said he, rubbing his eyes, “am I asleep
or awake?”
The Queen of Beauty, who watched him, after entertaining herself
with his astonishment, undrew the curtains of the bed, and advancing
her head, said in a tender voice, “My lord, what are you doing at
the door? Come, and lie down again. You have been out of the room a
long time: I was much surprised, when I awoke, not to find you by my
side.” Bedreddin’s countenance changed, when he perceived that
the lady, who spoke to him, was the same charming person with whom
he remembered to have slept. He went into the chamber, but instead
of going to bed, as his mind was full of the thoughts of what had
passed during the last ten years, and he could not persuade himself
that so many events had taken place in only one night, he approached
the chair, where his clothes and purse of sequins were, and having
examined them with great attention, “By the great living God!”
cried he, “these are things which I cannot comprehend.” The
lady, who was diverted with his embarrassment, said to him, “Once
more, my dear lord, let me beg you to come to bed; what engages your
attention?” At these words, he advanced towards the Queen of
Beauty, “I entreat you, madam,” said he, “to acquaint me, if
it is long since I was with you.”--“The question surprises
me,” replied she, “did you not just now rise from my side? Your
mind must be strangely absent.”--“Madam,” resumed Bedreddin,
“my spirits certainly are not very composed. I remember to have
been with you, it is true; but I also remember to have lived ten
years at Damascus. If I have really slept with you this night, I
cannot have been absent so long.”--“Yes, my lord,” replied
the Queen of Beauty, “you have no doubt dreamt that you were at
Damascus.”--“Nothing can be so ridiculous,” cried Bedreddin,
bursting into a laugh, “I assure you, madam, that this dream will
appear to you very laughable. Imagine, if you please, that I found
myself at the gates of Damascus in my shirt and drawers, just as I
am at this moment; that I entered the city amidst the shouts and
hisses of the populace, who followed to insult me; that I took
refuge with a pastry-cook, who adopted me, taught me his business,
and left me all his property when he died; that after his death, I
kept his shop. In short, madam, an infinity of adventures befel me,
which would be too tedious to relate; all I can say is, that I did
well to awake, otherwise I should have been nailed to a stake.”
--“And why, pray,” said the Queen of Beauty, pretending
surprise, “were you to suffer so cruelly? You must have committed
some heinous crime.”--“No, indeed,” replied Bedreddin, “it
was for the most comical and ridiculous thing you can conceive. My
only crime was the having sold a cheesecake in which I had not put
any pepper.”--“I must confess,” said the lady, laughing
heartily, “that you were treated very unjustly.”--“Oh,
madam,” resumed he, “this was not all; on account of this cursed
cheesecake, in which I was accused of not having put any pepper,
they had broken and destroyed every thing in my shop; they had bound
me with cords, and shut me up in a case, where I was so closely
confined, that I feel still as if I were in it. At last, they had
sent for a carpenter, and ordered him to prepare a stake to fasten
me to. But God be praised, that all this is only an effect of
sleep.”
Bedreddin did not pass the night very quietly; he awoke from time to
time, and asked himself, whether he was dreaming or awake. He
doubted his good fortune, and wishing to ascertain the truth, he
undrew the curtains, and cast his eyes over the room. ”I am not
deceived;” said he, ”this is the same chamber into which I came
instead of the hunchback, and slept with the beautiful lady who was
destined for him.” Day-light, which now began to appear, had not
removed his uneasiness, when the vizier, Schemseddin Mohammed, his
uncle, knocked at the door, and entered at the same moment to wish
him good day. Bedreddin Hassan was extremely surprised to see a man
he was so well acquainted with appear immediately after, but he no
longer bore the appearance of the terrible judge, who had pronounced
the decree of his death. “Ah!” cried he, “it is you who have
treated me so cruelly, and condemned me to a death, the thoughts of
which still fill me with horror, for having made a cheesecake
without putting pepper in it.” The vizier began to laugh; and, to
dispel his fears, related how, by the interference of a Genius, (for
the account he had received from the hunchback made him suspect the
truth) he had been conveyed to his house, and had married his
daughter, instead of the groom belonging to the sultan. He then
acquainted him, that it was by means of the packet, written by
Noureddin Ali, that he had discovered him to be his nephew; and at
last told him, that it was in consequence of this discovery, that he
left Cairo, and had gone to Balsora in search of him. “My dear
nephew,” added he, embracing him with the greatest tenderness,
“I beg your pardon for all I have made you suffer since I have
discovered you. I wished to reconduct you here before I acquainted
you with your good fortune, which you must find so much the more
pleasant as it has cost you more pain. Console yourself for all your
afflictions, with the joy you must experience at being again with
persons who are the most dear to you. Whilst you dress yourself, I
will go and acquaint the lady, your mother, who is all impatience to
embrace you; and I will bring you your son, whom you saw at
Damascus, and towards whom you felt so much affection without
knowing him.
No words are sufficiently expressive to give any idea of the joy of
Bedreddin, when he saw his mother and his son Agib. These three
persons did not cease embracing each other, and evincing all the
transports which nature and the tenderest affection can inspire. The
mother said the most affecting things to Bedreddin; she related to
him the sorrow which so long an absence had created, and the tears
she had shed on his account. The little Agib, instead of avoiding
the embraces of his father, as he had done at Damascus, flew to
receive them; and Bedreddin Hassan, divided between two objects so
worthy of his love, thought he could not lavish on them sufficient
proofs of his affection.
Whilst these things were passing in the house of Schemseddin
Mohammed, the vizier himself was gone to the palace, to give the
sultan an account of the happy success of his journey. The sultan
was so delighted with the relation of this wonderful history, that
he ordered it to be written and carefully preserved amongst the
archives of his kingdom. As soon as Schemseddin Mohammed returned
home, as he had prepared a superb entertainment, he sat down to
table with all his family, and his whole household passed the day in
great festivity and rejoicings.
The vizier Giafar having concluded the history of Bedreddin Hassan,
said to the caliph, Haroun Alraschid, “Commander of the Faithful,
this is what I had to relate to your majesty.” The caliph thought
this history so surprising, that he did not hesitate to grant his
pardon to the slave Rihan: and to console the young man for having
so unhappily deprived himself of a wife he tenderly loved, this
prince married him to one of his slaves, loaded him with gifts, and
continued to bestow his favours upon him as long as he lived.
“But, Sire,” added Scheherazadè, “however entertaining the
history I have related may have been, I know another, which is far
more so: if your majesty wishes to hear it to-morrow night, I am
sure you will think so too.” Schahriar arose without making any
reply, and very uncertain what he should do.
“This good sultana,” said he to himself, “relates very long
stories, and when she has once begun one, there is no possibility of
refusing to hear the whole of it. I do not know, whether I ought not
to order her death to-day; yet no; I will not do any thing
precipitately; the story she promises me is, perhaps, the most
diverting of any I have yet heard, and I must not deprive myself of
the pleasure of hearing it; after she has finished it, I will give
orders for her execution.”
Dinarzadè did not fail the following morning to wake the sultana of
the Indies before day-break, according to her usual custom. And
Scheherazadè, having requested permission of Schahriar to begin the
history she had promised him, proceeded as follows: