the fruit he had bought, and served it up himself to the lady, in a large
dish of the finest china ware, saying, Madam, be pleased to make choice
of some of this fruit, while a more solid entertainment, and more worthy
yourself, is made ready. He would fain have continued standing before
her; but she declared she would not touch any thing, unless he sat down
and ate with her. He obeyed; and when they had eaten some small matter,
Ganem observing that the lady’s veil, which she had laid down by her on a
sofa, was embroidered along the edge with golden letters, begged leave of
her to look upon that embroidery. The lady immediately took up the veil,
and delivered it to him, asking him whether he could read. Madam, replied
he, with a modest air, a merchant would be able to manage his business
very ill, if he could not at least read and write. Well then, said she,
read the words which are embroidered on that veil, which gives me an
opportunity of telling you my story.
Ganem took the veil, and read these words, ‘I am yours, and you are mine,
thou descendant from the prophet’s uncle.’ That descendant from the
prophet’s uncle was the caliph Haroun Alraschid, who then reigned, and
was descended from Abbas, Mahomet’s uncle.
When Ganem perceived the sense of these words, Alas! madam, said he, in a
melancholy tone, I have just saved your life, and this embroidery is my
death! I do not comprehend all the mystery; but it makes me too sensible
that I am the most unfortunate of men. Pardon the liberty I take, madam,
of telling you so much. It was impossible for me to see you without
giving you up my heart. You are not ignorant yourself, that it was not in
my power to refuse it to you; and that makes my presumption excusable. I
proposed to myself to move yours by my respect, my diligence, my
complaisance, my assiduity, my submission, and my constancy; and no
sooner had I flattered myself with that design, than I am robbed of all
my hopes. But be that as it will, I shall have the satisfaction of dying
entirely yours. Proceed, madam, I conjure you, to give me a full
information of my unhappy state.
He could not deliver those words without letting fall some tears. The
lady was moved, but was so far from being displeased at the declaration
he made, that she felt an inward joy, for her heart began to yield.
However, she concealed it; and, as if she had not regarded what Ganem
said, I would have been very cautious, answered she, of showing you my
veil, had I thought it would have made you so uneasy; and I do not
perceive that what I have to say to you can make your condition so
deplorable as you imagine.
You must understand, proceeded she, in order to acquaint you with my
story, that my name is Fetnah, (which signifies a storm or tempest) which
was given me at my birth, because it was judged that the sight of me
would occasion many calamities. You cannot be a stranger to it, since
nobody in Bagdad but knows that the caliph Haroun Alraschid, my sovereign
lord and yours, has a favourite so called.
I was carried into his palace in my very tender years, and I have been
brought up there with all the care that is usually taken with such
persons of my sex as are designed to reside there. I made no ill advances
in all they took the pains to teach me; and that, with some share of
beauty, gained me the caliph’s affection, who gave me a particular
apartment adjoining to his own. That prince was not satisfied with such a
mark of distinction: he appointed twenty women to wait on me, and as many
eunuchs; and, ever since, he has made me such considerable presents, that
I was once richer than any queen in the world. You may reasonably judge,
by what I have said, that Zobeide, the caliph’s wife and kinswoman, could
not but be jealous of my happiness. Though Haroun has all the regard
imaginable for her, she has used all her endeavours to ruin me.
Hitherto, I had secured myself against all her snares; but, at length, I
fell under the last effort of her jealousy; and, were it not for you, I
had now been exposed to inevitable death. I do not question but that she
had corrupted one of my slaves, who, last night, in some lemonade, gave
me a drug, which causes such a deep sleep, that it is easy to dispose of
those who have taken it; and that sleep is so profound, that nothing can
dispel it for the space of seven or eight hours. I have the more reason
to judge so, because naturally I am very light of sleep, and apt to wake
at the least noise.
Zobeide, the better to put her design in execution, has laid hold of the
opportunity of the absence of the caliph, who has been gone lately to put
himself at the head of his troops, to chastise some neighbouring kings,
who have presumed to join in league to make war on him. Were it not for
this opportunity, my rival, courageous as she is, durst not have presumed
to attempt any thing against my life. I know not what she will do to
conceal this action from the caliph; but you see it highly concerns me
that you should keep my secret. My life depends on it. I shall be safe in
your house as long as the caliph is from Bagdad. It behoves you to keep
my adventure private; for, should Zobeide know the obligation I owe you,
she would punish you for having saved me.
When the caliph returns, I shall not need to be so much upon my guard. I
shall find means to acquaint him with all that has happened, and I am
fully persuaded he will be more earnest than myself to requite a service
which restores me to his love.
As soon as Haroun Alraschid’s beautiful favourite had done speaking,
Ganem began, and said, Madam, I return you a thousand thanks for having
given me the information I took the liberty to desire of you; and I beg
of you to believe that you are here in safety; the sentiments you have
inspired in me are a pledge of my secrecy.
As for my slaves, I own there is cause to suspect them; they may perhaps
fail of the fidelity they owe me, should they know by what accident, and
in what place I had the good fortune to find you; but it is impossible
they should guess at that. Nay, I dare assure you that they will not have
the curiosity to inquire after it. It is so natural for young men to
purchase beautiful slaves, that it will be no way surprising to them to
see you here, as believing you to be one, and that I have bought you.
They will also believe that I had some particular reasons for bringing
you home as I did. Set your heart therefore at rest as to that point, and
remain satisfied that you shall be served with all the respect that is
due to the favourite of so great a monarch as ours is. But how great
soever he is, give me leave, madam, to declare, that nothing will be able
to make me recall the present I have made you of my heart. I know, and
shall never forget, that what belongs to the master is forbidden to the
slave; but I loved you before you told me that you were engaged to the
caliph: it is not in my power to overcome a passion, which, though now in
its infancy, has all the force of a love strengthened by a perfect
correspondence. I wish your august and most fortunate lover may revenge
you against the malice of Zobeide, by calling you back to him; and, when
you shall be restored to his wishes, that you may remember the
unfortunate Ganem, who is no less your conquest than the caliph. As
powerful as that prince is, I flatter myself he will not be able to blot
me out of your memory. If love be your predominant passion, he cannot
love you more passionately than I do; and I shall never cease to burn in
your flames, whatsoever part of the world I go into to expire, after
having lost you.
Fetnah perceived that Ganem was under the greatest of afflictions, and it
moved her; but, considering the uneasiness she was likely to bring upon
herself by prosecuting the discourse upon that subject, which might
insensibly lead her to discover the inclination she felt in herself for
him, she said, I perceive that this sort of conversation gives you too
much trouble; let us change the discourse, and talk of the infinite
obligations I owe you. I can never sufficiently express my satisfaction,
when I consider that, without your assistance, I had not beheld the light
of the sun.
It was happy for them both that somebody just then knocked at the door:
Ganem went to see who it was, and found it was one of his slaves to
acquaint him that the entertainment was ready. Ganem, who, by way of
precaution, would have none of his slaves to come into the room where
Fetnah was, took what was brought, and served it up himself to his
beautiful guest, whose soul was ravished to behold with what diligence
and respect he attended her.
When they had eaten, Ganem took away, as he covered the table; and having
delivered all things at the chamber-door to his slaves, he said to
Fetnah, Madam, you may now perhaps desire to take some rest; I will leave
you, and when you have reposed yourself you shall find me ready to
receive your commands.
Having spoken these words, he left her, and went to buy two women-slaves.
He also bought two parcels, the one of linen, and the other of all such
things as were proper to make up a toilet fit for the caliph’s favourite.
Having conducted home the two women-slaves, he presented them to Fetnah,
saying, Madam, a person of your quality cannot be without two maids, at
least, to serve you; be pleased to allow me to give you these.
Fetnah, admiring Ganem’s forecast, My lord, said she, I perceive you are
not one that will do things by halves: you add by your courtesy to the
obligations I owe you already; but I hope I shall not die ungrateful, and
that Heaven will soon put me in a condition to make acknowledgments for
all your acts of generosity.
When the women-slaves were withdrawn into a chamber adjoining, which the
young merchant showed them, he sat down on the sofa where Fetnah was;
but, at some distance from her, in token of the greater respect. He then
began again to discourse of his passion, and spoke very moving things
relating to the invincible obstacles which robbed him of all his hopes. I
dare not so much as hope, said he, by my passion, to excite the least
sensibility in a heart like yours, destined for the greatest prince in
the world. Alas! it would be a comfort to me, if I could flatter myself
that you have not looked upon the excess of my love with indifferency. My
lord, answered Fetnah—Alas! madam, said Ganem, interrupting her at the
word lord, this is a second time you have done me the honour to call me
lord; the presence of the women-slaves hindered me the first time from
taking notice of it to you: in the name of God, madam, do not give me
that title of honour; it does not belong to me: treat me, I beseech you,
as your slave: I am, and shall never cease to be so.
No, no, replied Fetnah, interrupting him in her turn, I shall be cautious
how I treat a man to whom I owe my life, after that manner. I should be
ungrateful could I say or do any thing that did not become you. Leave me
therefore to follow the dictates of my gratitude, and do not require it
of me that I misbehave myself towards you, in return for the benefits I
have received. I shall never be guilty of it; I am too sensible of your
respectful behaviour, to abuse it; and I will not stick to own, that I do
not look upon all your care with indifferency. You know the reason that
condemns me to silence.
Ganem was ravished at that declaration: he wept for joy; and not being
able to find expressions significant enough, in his own conceit, to
return Fetnah thanks, was satisfied with telling her, that, as she knew
what she owed to the caliph, he, on his part, was not ignorant, ‘that
what belongs to the master is forbidden to the servant.’
Night drawing on, he went out to fetch some light, which he brought in
himself, as also some collation, as is the custom in the city of Bagdad;
where, having made a good meal at noon, they, at night, are satisfied
with eating some fruit, and drinking a glass of wine; so diverting the
time till they go to bed.
They both sat down at table, and at first complimented each other,
presenting the fruit reciprocally. The excellency of the wine insensibly
drew them both on to drink; and having drunk two or three glasses, they
agreed that neither should take another glass without singing some air
first. Ganem sang verses he composed _extempore_, and which expressed the
vehemency of his passion; and Fetnah, encouraged by his example, composed
and sang verses relating to her adventure, and always containing
something which Ganem might take in a sense that was favourable to him;
bating, that she nicely observed the fidelity due to the caliph. The
collation held till very late, and the night was far advanced, before
they thought of parting. Ganem then withdrew to another apartment,
leaving Fetnah where she was, and the women-slaves he had bought coming
in to wait upon her.
They lived together after this manner for several days. The young
merchant went not abroad, unless upon business of the utmost consequence;
and, even for that, took the time when his lady was at her rest; for he
could not prevail upon himself to let slip a moment that might be spent
in her company. All his thoughts were taken up with his dear Fetnah, who,
on her side, giving way to her inclination, confessed she had no less
affection for him than he had for her. However, as fond as they were of
each other, their respect for the caliph kept them within those bounds
that were due to him, which still heightened their passion.
While Fetnah, thus snatched from the jaws of death, passed her time so
agreeably with Ganem, Zobeide was not without some apprehensions in
Haroun Alraschid’s palace.
As soon as the three slaves intrusted with the execution of her revenge,
had carried away the chest, without knowing what was in it, or so much as
the least curiosity to inquire into it, as being used to pay a blind
obedience to her commands, she was seized with a tormenting uneasiness: a
thousand perplexing thoughts disturbed her rest; sleep fled from her
eyes, and she spent the night in contriving how to conceal her crime. My
consort, said she, loves Fetnah more than ever he did any of his
favourites. What shall I say to him at his return, when he inquires of me
after her? Many contrivances occurred to her, but none were satisfactory:
she still met with difficulties, and knew not where to fix. There lived
with her an ancient lady, who had bred her up from her infancy: as soon
as it was day, she sent for her, and having intrusted her with the
secret, said, Dear mother, you have always been assisting to me with your
advice; if ever I stood in need of it, it is now; when the business
before you is to still my thoughts, distracted by a mortal concern, and
to show me some way to satisfy the caliph.
Dear madam, replied the old lady, it had been much better not to have run
yourself into the difficulties you labour under; but since the thing is
done, the best way is to say no more of it: all that must now be thought
of, is how to deceive the chief of believers; and I am of opinion that
you must immediately cause a wooden image to be carved resembling a dead
body; we will shroud it up in old linen; and, when shut up in a coffin,
it shall be buried in some part of the palace; then shall you immediately
cause a marble monument to be built, after the manner of a dome, over the
burial-place; and erect a figure which shall be covered with black cloth,
and set about with great candlesticks and large wax tapers. There is
another thing, added the old lady, which ought not to be forgot: you must
put on mourning, and cause the same to be done by all your own and
Fetnah’s women, your eunuchs, and all that belong to the palace. When the
caliph returns, and sees you and all the palace in mourning, he will be
sure to ask the occasion of it; then will you have an opportunity of
insinuating yourself into his favour, saying, it was in respect to him,
that you paid the last honours to Fetnah, snatched away by sudden death.
You may also tell him you have caused a mausoleum to be built; and, in
short, that you have paid all the dues to his favourite which he would
have done himself had he been present. His passion for her being
extraordinary, he will certainly go and shed some tears upon her grave;
and, perhaps, added the old woman, he will not believe she is really
dead; and suspect you have turned her out of the palace through jealousy,
and look upon all the mourning as an artifice to deceive him, and prevent
his making search after her. It is likely he will cause the coffin to be
taken up and opened, and it is certain he will be convinced of her death
as soon as he shall see the figure of a dead body buried. He will be
pleased with all you shall have done, and express his gratitude. As for
the wooden image, I will undertake to have it cut myself by a carver in
the city, who shall not know what use it is to be put to. As for your
part, madam, order Fetnah’s woman, who yesterday gave her the lemonade,
to give out that she had just found her mistress dead in her bed; and,
that they may only think of lamenting, without offering to go into her
chamber, let her add, she has already acquainted you with it, and that
you have ordered Mesrour to cause her to be laid out and buried.
As soon as the old lady had spoken these words, Zobeide took a rich
diamond ring out of her casket, and putting it on her finger, and
embracing her in a perfect transport of joy, said, How infinitely am I
beholden to you, my dear mother! I should never have thought of so
ingenious a contrivance. It cannot fail of success, and I perceive my
peace of mind begins to be restored to me. I leave the care of the wooden
figure to you, and I will go myself to order the rest.
The wooden image was got ready with as much expedition as Zobeide could
have wished, and then conveyed by the lady herself into Fetnah’s
bed-chamber, where she dressed it like a dead body, and put it into a
coffin. Then Mesrour, who was much deceived by it, caused the coffin, and
the representation of Fetnah, to be carried away; and buried it with the
usual ceremonies, in the place appointed by Zobeide, the favourite’s
women weeping and lamenting, and she who had given her the lemonade
setting them an example by her cries and howlings.
That very day, Zobeide sent for the architect of the palace, and of the
caliph’s other houses; and, according to the orders he received from her,
the mausoleum was finished in a very short time. Such potent princesses,
as was this consort of a monarch, whose power extended from east to west,
are always punctually obeyed in whatsoever they command, by all the
court; so that the news of Fetnah’s death was soon spread all over the
town.
Ganem was one of the last who had heard of it; for, as I have before
observed, he scarce went abroad. Being at length informed of it, Madam,
said he to the caliph’s fair favourite, you are thought to be dead in
Bagdad, and I do not question but that Zobeide herself believes it; I
bless Heaven that I am the cause, and the happy witness of your being
alive; and would to God, that, taking the advantage of this false report,
you would share my fortune, and go far from hence to reign in my heart!
But whither does this pleasing notion carry me? I do not consider that
you are born to make the greatest prince in the world happy, and that
only Haroun Alraschid is worthy of you. Supposing you could resolve to
give him up for me, and that you would follow me, ought I to consent to
it? No, it is my part always to remember, that what belongs to the master
is forbidden to the slave.
The lovely Fetnah, though moved by the tenderness of the passion he
expressed, yet prevailed with herself not to comply with it. My lord,
said she to him, we cannot obstruct Zobeide’s triumphing. I am not at all
surprised at the artifice she makes use of to conceal her guilt: but let
her proceed; I flatter myself that sorrow will soon follow her triumph:
the caliph will return, and we shall find means privately to inform him
of all that has happened. In the mean time, let us be more cautious than
ever, that she may not know I am alive. I have already told you the
consequences.
Three months after, the caliph returned to Bagdad with honour, having
vanquished all his enemies: he entered the palace with impatience to see
Fetnah, and to lay all his laurels at her feet; but was amazed to see all
the servants he had left behind him in mourning. It struck him, without
knowing the cause; and his concern was double, when, coming into the
apartment of Zobeide, he spied that princess coming to meet him with all
her women in mourning. He immediately asked her the cause of it, with
much concern. Chief of the believers, answered Zobeide, I am in mourning
for your slave Fetnah, who died so suddenly, that it was impossible to
apply any medicine to her distemper. She would have proceeded, but the
caliph did not give her time, being so surprised at the news, that he
cried out, and then fell into a swoon in the arms of Giafar, his grand
vizier, who attended him. Coming soon after to himself, he, with a weak
voice, which sufficiently expressed his concern, asked where his dear
Fetnah had been buried? Sir, said Zobeide, I took care myself of her
funeral, and spared for no cost to make it magnificent. I have caused a
marble mausoleum to be built over her grave, and will attend you thither,
if you desire it.
The caliph would not permit Zobeide to take that trouble, but was
satisfied to have Mesrour to conduct him. He went thither just as he was,
that is, in the camp dress. When he saw the figure covered with a black
cloth, the lighted candles all about it, and the magnificence of the
mausoleum, he was amazed that Zobeide should have performed the obsequies
of her rival with so much magnificence; and, being naturally of a jealous
temper, he suspected his wife’s generosity, and fancied his mistress
might perhaps be yet alive; that Zobeide, taking the advantage of his
long absence, might have turned her out of the palace, ordering those she
had intrusted with it to convey her so far-off, that she might never more
be heard of. This was all he suspected; for he did not think Zobeide
wicked enough to have murdered his favourite.
The better to discover the truth himself, that prince ordered the figure
to be removed, and caused the grave and the coffin to be opened in his
presence: but when he saw the linen which wrapped up the wooden image, he
durst not proceed any farther. That religious caliph thought it would be
an irreligious act to suffer the body of the dead lady to be touched; and
this scruple prevailed above his love and curiosity. He caused the coffin
to be shut up again, the grave to be filled, and the figure to be placed
as it was before.
The caliph, thinking himself obliged to pay some respect to the tomb of
his favourite, sent for the ministers of his religion, the officers of
the palace, and the readers of the Alcoran; and, whilst they were calling
together, he remained in the mausoleum, moistening the earth that covered
the phantom of his love with his tears. When all the persons he had sent
for were come, he stood before the figure, and they about it recited long
prayers; after which the readers of the Alcoran read several chapters.
The same ceremony was performed every day during the whole month, morning
and evening, the caliph being always present, with Giafar the grand
vizier, and the prime officers of the court, all of them in mourning, as
well as the caliph himself, who all that while failed not to honour the
memory of Fetnah with tears, and would not talk the least of any
business.
The last day of the month, the prayers and reading of the Alcoran lasted
from that morning till break of day the next morning; and at length, when
all was done, every man returned home. Haroun Alraschid, being tired with
sitting up all that time, went to take some rest in his apartment, and
fell asleep on a sofa between two of the court ladies, one of them
sitting at the bed’s head, and the other at the feet, who, whilst he
slept, were working some embroidery, and observed a profound silence.