being laid upon a sofa, and every thing in order, Noureddin and the Fair
Persian and he sat down and ate together. When supper was done, and they
had washed their hands, Noureddin opened the casement, and calling the
Fair Persian to him, Come hither, my dear, said he, and with me admire
the charming prospect and beauty of the garden by moonlight; for
certainly nothing can be more agreeable. She came to him, and they both
together diverted themselves with that lovely object, while Scheich
Ibrahim was busy in taking away the cloth.
When Scheich Ibrahim came to his guests again, Noureddin asked him
whether he had any good liquor in his lodgings to treat them with. What
liquor would you have? replied Scheich Ibrahim. Sherbet, I have the best
in the world; but sherbet, you know, my son, is never drunk after supper.
I know that very well, said Noureddin; it is not sherbet, but another
sort of liquor that we ask you for; and I am surprised at your not
understanding me. It is wine that I perceive you speak of, said Scheich
Ibrahim. You have hit right, replied Noureddin; and if you have any, pray
let us have a bottle: you know a bottle after supper is a very proper
companion to spend the hours with till bed-time.
Heaven defend me from keeping wine in my house, cried Scheich Ibrahim,
and from ever coming to a place where any is to be sold! A man as I am,
who has been a pilgrimage four times to Mecca, has renounced wine for
ever.
However, said Noureddin, you would do us a singular kindness in getting
us a little for our own drinking: and if it be not too much trouble, I
will put you in a way how you may do it, without ever going into the inn,
or so much as laying your hand upon the vessel that contains it. Upon
that condition, I will do it, replied Scheich Ibrahim; therefore pray let
me know how I am to manage it.
Why then, said Noureddin to him, we just now saw an ass tied at the
entrance of the garden, which certainly must be yours, and which you may
make use of in this extremity. Here are two pieces of gold more; take
them, and lead your ass with the panniers towards the next inn: you may
stand at as great a distance as you please; only give something to the
next passenger that comes by, and desire him to go with your ass to the
inn, there load him with two pitchers of wine, one in one pannier and
another in another, which he must pay for out of the money we have given
you; and so let him bring the ass back to you: you will have nothing to
do but drive the beast hither before you; for we will take the wine out
of the panniers; and by this means you will act nothing but what you may
do without any scruple at all.
The two last pieces of gold that Scheich Ibrahim was going to receive,
wrought wonderfully upon his temper. Ah! my son, cried he, after
Noureddin had done speaking, you have contrived the matter rarely; and
had it not been for your invention, I should never have found out a way
of getting you some wine, without a little scruple of conscience. Away he
went to execute the orders he had received; and upon his return, which
was in a little time, Noureddin went down stairs, and taking the wine out
of the panniers, carried it into the hall.
Scheich Ibrahim having led the ass back to the place from whence he took
him, came back again. Scheich Ibrahim, said Noureddin to him, we cannot
enough thank you for the trouble we have already given you; but, my
friend, we want something yet. What is that? replied Scheich Ibrahim; is
it anything that I can be farther serviceable to you in? Why, said
Noureddin, we have no cups to drink out of; and a little choice fruit, if
you have any, would be very acceptable to us. Do but say what you have a
mind to, replied Scheich Ibrahim, and you shall have every thing to your
heart’s content.
Down went Scheich Ibrahim, and in a short time spread a table for them
with porcelain dishes, full of all sorts of delicious fruits, besides a
great number of gold and silver cups to drink out of; and having asked
them if they wanted any thing else, he withdrew, though they pressed him
earnestly to stay.
Noureddin and the Fair Persian sat down again, and after a cup a-piece,
they were mightily pleased with the wine. Well, my dear, said Noureddin
to the Fair Persian, are we not the most fortunate persons in the world,
after so many dangers, to meet with so charming and agreeable a place?
come, let us be merry, and think no more on the hardships of our voyage.
Can my happiness be greater in this world, than to have you on one side
of me, and my bottle on the other? They took off their cups pretty
heartily, and diverted themselves very agreeably, in singing each of them
a song.
Both of them having very fine voices, but especially the Fair Persian,
Scheich Ibrahim, who had stood hearkening a great while on the steps
without discovering himself, was perfectly charmed with their songs. He
could contain himself no longer; but, thrusting his head in at the door,
Courage, sir, said he to Noureddin, whom he took to be quite drunk; I am
overjoyed to see you so merry.
Ah! Scheich Ibrahim, cried Noureddin, turning to him, you are a glorious
man, and we are extremely obliged to you. We dare not ask you to drink a
cup; but pray walk in, and let us have the honour at least of your
company. Excuse me, sir, said Scheich Ibrahim; the pleasure of hearing
your songs is sufficient for me. Upon this, he immediately retired.
The Fair Persian perceiving Scheich Ibrahim, through one of the windows,
standing upon the steps without the door, told Noureddin of it. Sir, said
she, you see what an aversion he has for wine; yet I question not in the
least to make him drink some, if you would do as I would have you.
Noureddin asked her what it was. Do but say the word, replied he, and I
am ready to do what you please. Prevail with him, then, only to come in
and bear us company: some time after, fill up a bumper, and give it him;
if he refuses it, drink it off, feign yourself to be asleep, and leave
the rest to me.
Noureddin quickly finding out the drift of the Fair Persian’s design,
called to Scheich Ibrahim, who came again to the door: Scheich Ibrahim,
said he, we are your guests; you have entertained us after the most
obliging manner in the world; and will you now refuse us the honour of
bearing us company? We do not ask you to drink, but only the favour of
seeing you.
Scheich Ibrahim being at last prevailed upon, came into the hall, and sat
down upon the edge of a sofa that stood the nearest to the door. You do
not sit well there, said Noureddin; besides, you are too far off for us
to converse with you: pray come nearer, and sit down by the lady, since
she will have it so. I will obey you, replied Scheich Ibrahim; so, coming
forward with a simpering countenance, to think he should be seated near
so beautiful a creature, he placed himself at some distance from the Fair
Persian. Noureddin desired a song of her, upon the account of the honour
that Scheich Ibrahim had done them; and she sang one that charmed him to
an ecstasy.
When the Fair Persian had ended her song, Noureddin poured out a cup of
wine, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim; Scheich Ibrahim, said he,
here, drink this to our healths. Sir, replied he, starting back, as if
the very sight of the wine had put him into a horror and confusion, I
beseech you to excuse me; I have already told you, that I have forsworn
the use of wine these many years. Then positively you will not drink our
healths, said Noureddin; however, give me leave to drink yours.
While Noureddin was drinking, the Fair Persian cut a piece of apple, and
presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. Though you refused drinking, said she,
yet I believe you will not refuse eating this piece of apple, since it is
a very good one. Scheich Ibrahim had no power to refuse it from so fair a
hand; but taking it with a very low bow, kissed it, and put it in his
mouth. She said a great many amorous things upon that occasion; and
Noureddin tumbling back upon a sofa, pretended to fall fast asleep. The
Fair Persian presently advanced towards Scheich Ibrahim; and speaking in
a very low voice, See, said she, the sleepy sot! thus, in all our merry
bouts, he constantly serves me; and no sooner has he drunk a cup or two,
than he falls asleep, and leaves me alone; but I hope you will have the
goodness to keep me company till he awakes.
At this, the Fair Persian took a cup, and filling it to the brim with
wine, offered it to Scheich Ibrahim: Here, said she, drink off this to my
health: I am going to pledge you. Scheich Ibrahim made a great many
difficulties of the matter at first, and begged her to excuse him from
drinking; but, at last, overcome by her charms and entreaties, he took
the cup, and drank every drop of the wine off.
The good old man loved a cheruping cup to his heart, but was ashamed to
drink among strangers. He often went to the tavern in private, as
abundance of people do; and now his hand being once in, without any more
ceremony, or round-about ways, as Noureddin had instructed him, he goes
directly to the next inn, where he was very well known, and fetches some
more wine (the night serving him instead of a cloak) with the money that
Noureddin had ordered him to give the messenger that went for the first.
As soon as Scheich Ibrahim had taken off his cup, and made an end of the
piece of apple, the Fair Persian filled him out another, which he
received with less difficulty than the former, but made none at all at
the third. In short, he drank four times before ever Noureddin discovered
his pretended sleeping; but then bursting out into a violent fit of
laughter, he rose up, and looking upon him, Ha! ha! said he, Scheich
Ibrahim, are you caught at last? did you not tell me you had forsworn
wine? and now you have drank it all up from me.
Scheich Ibrahim, not expecting to be surprised after that manner, blushed
a little: however, that did not spoil his draught: but when he had done,
Sir, said he to Noureddin, laughing, if there is any crime in what I have
done, it lies at this fair lady’s door, not mine; for who could possibly
resist so many charms?
The Fair Persian, who knew well enough what Noureddin would be at, took
Scheich Ibrahim’s part: Let him talk, said she; Scheich Ibrahim, take no
notice of him; but let us drink on, and be merry. A while after,
Noureddin fills out a cup for himself and the Fair Persian; but when
Scheich Ibrahim saw that Noureddin had forgot him in his turn, he took
his cup, and presenting it to the Fair Persian, Madam, said he, do I
pretend I cannot drink now?
At these words of Scheich Ibrahim’s, Noureddin and the Fair Persian were
ready to split their sides with laughing. Noureddin poured him out some
wine; and there they sat laughing, chatting, and drinking, till pretty
near midnight. About that hour, the Fair Persian began to take notice of
there being but one candle upon the table. Scheich Ibrahim, said she to
the good old officer, methinks you might have afforded us another candle,
since there are so many wax-lights yonder: pray do us the favour to light
some of them, that we may see a little better what we are doing here.
Scheich Ibrahim making use of the liberty that wine gives a man, when it
gets up into the crown-office, and not caring to be interrupted in his
discourse with Noureddin, bid the Fair Persian light them herself: It is
fitter for you to do it than me, said he: but, hark ye, be sure not to
light above five or six; for this is enough. Up rose the Fair Persian
immediately, and taking a wax-candle in her hand, lights it with that
which stood upon the table; and, without any regard to Scheich Ibrahim’s
orders, set fire to the whole fourscore.
By and by, while Scheich Ibrahim was entertaining the Fair Persian with
some other discourse, Noureddin took his turn to desire him to light up
some of the candles in the branched candlesticks, not taking notice that
all the wax-lights were already in a blaze: Certainly, replied Scheich
Ibrahim, you are lazier, or less vigorous, than I am, that you are not
able to light them yourself: get you gone; but be sure you light no more
than three. To work he went; but, instead of that number, he lighted them
all, and opened the shutters of the fourscore windows, before Scheich
Ibrahim, who was deeply engaged with the Fair Persian, knew any thing of
the matter.
The caliph Haroun Alraschid being not yet gone to bed, was in a parlour
at his palace by the river Tigris, from whence he could take a side-view
both of the garden and pavilion. By chance, he opened the casement, and
seeing the pavilion was illuminated, was mightily surprised at it; and at
first, by the greatness of the light, thought the city was on fire. The
grand vizier Giafar was still with him, who only waited for his going to
rest, and then designed to go home too. The caliph, in a great rage,
called the vizier to him: Careless vizier, said he, come hither, look
upon the pavilion of pictures, and tell me the reason of its being
illuminated, now I am not there.
The grand vizier Giafar, upon this news, fell into a violent trembling,
fearing something else was the matter; but, when he came nearer, and with
his own eyes saw the truth of what the caliph had told him, he was more
astonished than before. However, being obliged to make some excuse to
appease the caliph’s anger, he said, Commander of the true believers, all
that I can say to your majesty about this matter is, that about five or
six days ago, Scheich Ibrahim came to acquaint me, that he had a design
to call an assembly of the ministers of his mosque, to assist at a
ceremony he was ambitious of performing in your majesty’s auspicious
reign. I asked him if I could be any way serviceable to him in this
affair; upon which he entreated me to get leave of your majesty to
perform the ceremony in the pavilion. When he left me, I told him he
might do it, and I would take care to acquaint your majesty with it; but
indeed I had quite forgot it, and I heartily ask pardon. Scheich Ibrahim,
continued he, has certainly made choice of this day for the ceremony;
and, after treating the ministers of his mosque, he was willing to divert
them with the sight of this illumination.
Giafar, said the caliph, with a tone that plainly showed his anger was a
little mollified, according to thy own words, thou hast committed three
faults that are unpardonable: the first, in giving Scheich Ibrahim leave
to perform his ceremony in my pavilion; for a person in so mean an office
as his, is not worthy of so great an honour: the second, in not
acquainting me with it: and the third, in not diving into the bottom of
the good old man’s intention. For my part, I am persuaded he only did it
to try if he could get any money towards bearing the charge of it; but
perhaps that never came into thy head: and sure I shall not wrong him, in
forgiving him the expense of the night’s illumination, which will be some
amends for thy presenting him with nothing.
The grand vizier Giafar, overjoyed to hear the caliph put the matter upon
that foot, very willingly owned the faults he reproached him with, and
freely confessed he was to blame in not giving Scheich Ibrahim a few
pieces of gold. Since the case is so, added the caliph, it is just that
thou shouldst be punished for thy mistakes; but thy punishment shall be
light: thou shalt spend the remainder of the night as I do, with these
honest souls, whose company I am very well pleased with; and while I am
putting on a citizen’s habit, go thou and disguise thyself, with Mesrour,
and come both of you along with me. The vizier Giafar told him it was
late, and that all the company would be gone before he could get thither;
but the caliph said he would positively go. The vizier, who knew that not
a syllable of what he said before was true, began to be in great
consternation; but there was no reply to be made, and go he must.
The caliph then, disguised like a citizen, with the grand vizier Giafar,
and Mesrour, chief of the eunuchs, stole out of the palace together. They
rambled through the streets of Bagdad, till at last they came to the
garden: the door, through the carelessness of Scheich Ibrahim, was open,
having forgot to shut it when he came back from buying the wine. The
caliph was very angry at it: Giafar, said he to the grand vizier, what
excuse have you for the door’s being open at this unseasonable hour? Is
it possible that Scheich Ibrahim makes a custom of leaving it thus all
night? No; I rather believe the hurry of the feast has been the occasion
of this neglect.
The caliph went into the garden; and when he came to the pavilion,
resolving not to go into the hall till he knew what they were doing
there, he consulted with the grand vizier, whether it was not his best
way to climb up into one of the trees that was near it, to make a
discovery. The grand vizier at last casting his eye upon the door,
perceived it stood half open, and told the caliph of it. It seems Scheich
Ibrahim had left it so, when he was prevailed upon to come in and bear
Noureddin and the Fair Persian company.
The caliph laying aside his first design, stole softly up to the
hall-door, which standing half-open, he had the conveniency of seeing all
the company that were within, without being discovered himself.
Never was any person so surprised as he, when he saw a lady of an
incomparable beauty, and a young, handsome, fine-shaped man, sitting at
the table, with Scheich Ibrahim by them. Scheich Ibrahim had just then
got a cup in his hand: My dear creature, said he to the Fair Persian, a
right toper never drinks without singing a brisk tune first. If you
please to hear, I will give you one of my best songs.
Scheich Ibrahim sang; and the caliph wondered at it more, because till
that very moment he never knew any thing of his drinking wine, but always
took him for a grave solid man, as he seemed to be to outward appearance.
The caliph retired from the door with the same caution as he made his
approach to it; and coming to the grand vizier Giafar, who was standing
upon the steps a little lower, Come up, said he to him, and see if those
within yonder are the ministers of the mosque, as you would fain have me
believe.
By the tone of the voice in which the caliph spoke these last words, the
vizier understood that things went ill on his side: however, he went up
the steps; but when he had peeped in at the door, and saw them all three
sitting, and in that condition, he fell a-trembling for fear of his life.
He went back to the caliph, but in so great a confusion, that he had not
a word to say to him. What riotous doings are here? said the caliph to
him: who are those people that have presumed to take the liberty of
diverting themselves in my garden and pavilion? and how durst Scheich
Ibrahim give them admittance, and partake of the diversion with them?
However, I must confess, I never saw two persons more beautiful, or
better paired, in my life; and therefore, before I discover my anger, I
will inform myself a little better, and inquire who they are, and the
reason of their being here. He went to the door again, to observe them
more narrowly; and the vizier who followed, stood behind him, and fixed
his eyes upon them. They both of them plainly heard every word that
Scheich Ibrahim spoke to the Fair Persian. Is there any thing, my
charming lady, wanting to render the pleasures of this night complete?
Nothing but a lute, replied the Fair Persian; and methinks, if you could
get me one, all things would be very well. Can you play upon it? said
Scheich Ibrahim. Fetch me one, replied the Fair Persian, and you shall
hear whether I can or not.
Scheich Ibrahim, without stirring very far from his place, pulled a lute
out of a cupboard, and presented it to the Fair Persian, who began to put
it in tune. The caliph, in the mean time, turning to the grand vizier;
Giafar, said he, the young lady is going to play upon the lute; and if
she performs well, I will forgive her, and the young man for her sake;
but, as for thee, thou mayest go hang thyself. Commander of the true
believers, replied the grand vizier, if that is your intention I wish she
may play ill. Why so? said the caliph. Because, replied the grand vizier,
the longer we live in this world, the more time we shall have to comfort
ourselves with the hopes of dying in good social company. The caliph, who
loved a jest dearly, began to laugh at this repartee; and putting his ear
to the open side of the door, he listened to hear the Fair Persian play.
The Fair Persian made such artful flourishes upon the lute, that from the
first moment of her touching it, the caliph perceived that she did it
with a masterly hand. Afterwards, she began to sing; and suiting her
voice, which was admirably fine, to the lute, she sang and played with so
much skill and sweetness, that the caliph was quite ravished to hear her.
As soon as the Fair Persian had finished her song, the caliph went down
the steps, and the vizier Giafar after him. When he came to the bottom,
By my soul, said he to the vizier, I never heard a more charming voice,
or a lute better touched in my life. Isaac[1], that hitherto I thought
the most skilful player in the world, does not come up to her. In short,
I am so charmed with her music, that I must hear her play before me; and
therefore contrive some way how to bring it about.
Commander of the true believers, said the grand vizier, if you should go
in, and Scheich Ibrahim chance to know you, he would infallibly die with
the fright. I should be extremely concerned at that, replied the caliph,
and should be loath to be the occasion of his death, after so many years’
service. But there is a thought just come into my head, how to compass my
design: stay here with Mesrour, and wait for me in the next alley till I
come.
The neighbourhood of the Tigris had given the caliph the conveniency of
turning a sufficient quantity of water under a stately bridge, well
terraced, into his garden, to make a fine canal, whither the choicest
fish of the whole river used to retire. The fishermen knew it very well,
and would have given the world to fish there; but the caliph had
expressly charged Scheich Ibrahim not to suffer any of them to come near
it. However, that very night, a fisherman passing by the garden door,
which the caliph had left open as he found it, made use of this
opportunity, and going in, went directly to the canal.
The fisherman immediately fell to work with his casting-nets, and was
just ready to draw them, when the caliph, fearing what would be the
effect of Scheich Ibrahim’s negligence, but willing to make use of it, to
bring his design about, came to the same place. The fisherman, in spite
of his disguise, knew him, and throwing himself at his feet, humbly
implored his pardon, and excused himself upon account of his poverty.
Rise, saith the caliph, and be not afraid; only draw your nets, that I
may see what fish you have got.
The fisherman, recovered of his fright, quickly obeyed the caliph’s
orders. He drew out five or six very large fishes; and the caliph,
choosing the two largest, tied them together by the head with a sprig of
a tree. After this, said he to the fisherman, Give me thy clothes, and
here take mine. The exchange was soon made; and the caliph being dressed
like a fisherman, even to his boots and turban, Take thy nets, said he to
the fisherman, and get thee about thy business.
When the fisherman, very well pleased with his good fortune, was gone,
the caliph, taking the two fishes in his hand, went to look after the
grand vizier Giafar and Mesrour. He made a full stop at the grand vizier,
who, not knowing him, asked him what he wanted, and bade him go about his
business. Upon this, the caliph fell a-laughing; by which the vizier
finding it to be him, Commander of the true believers, said he, is it
possible it can be you? I knew you not; and I ask a thousand pardons for
my rudeness: you are so strangely disguised now, that without any fear of
being discovered by Scheich Ibrahim, you may venture into the hall. Stay
you here with Mesrour, said the caliph, while I go yonder and play my
part.
The caliph went up to the hall, and knocked at the door. Noureddin
hearing him first, told Scheich Ibrahim of it, who asked who was there.
The caliph opened the door, and stepping a little way into the hall to
show himself, Scheich Ibrahim, said he, I am the fisherman Kerim, who
being informed of your design to treat some of your friends, have brought
two very large fishes, fresh caught, to see if you have any occasion for
them.