seeing what he looked for, cried out, What is become of you, charming
Fetnah? did you really appear before mine eyes, or was it only an
illusion? No, sir, said the syndic, it was no illusion. It was I that
caused that lady to withdraw, but you shall see her again as soon as you
are in a condition to bear her sight. You now stand in need of rest, and
nothing ought to obstruct your taking it. The posture of your affairs is
altered, since you are, as I suppose, that Ganem, in favour of whom the
commander of the true believers has caused a proclamation to be made in
Bagdad, declaring that he forgives him what is past. Be satisfied for the
present, with knowing so much; the lady who just now spoke to you will
acquaint you with the rest; therefore think of nothing but recovering
your health: I will contribute all that shall be in my power towards it.
Having spoken these words, he left Ganem to take his rest, and went
himself to provide all such medicines for him as were proper to recover
his strength, quite spent by want and toil.
During that time Fetnah was in the room with Alcolomb and her mother,
where almost the same scene was acted over again; for when Ganem’s mother
understood that the sick man the syndic had then newly brought into his
house was Ganem himself, she was so overjoyed, that she also swooned
away; and when, with the assistance of Fetnah and the syndic’s wife, she
was again come to herself, she would have got up to see her son: but the
syndic coming in then, hindered her, giving her to understand that Ganem
was so weak and feeble that it would endanger his life, to excite in him
those commotions which must be the consequence of the unexpected sight of
a beloved mother and sister. There was no occasion for the syndic’s
making any long discourses to persuade Ganem’s mother: as soon as she was
told that she could not discourse to her son without hazarding his life,
she ceased insisting to go and see him. Then Fetnah, turning the
discourse, said, Let us bless Heaven for having brought us all together
into one place. I will return to the palace to give the caliph an account
of all these adventures, and to-morrow morning I will return to you: this
said, she embraced the mother and the daughter, and went away. As soon as
she came to the palace, she sent Mesrour to desire to be admitted to the
caliph in private, which was immediately granted; and being brought into
that prince’s closet, where he was alone, she prostrated herself at his
feet, with her face on the ground, according to custom. He commanded her
to rise, and having made her sit down, asked whether she had heard any
news of Ganem. Commander of the true believers, said she, I have been so
successful, that I have found him, as also his mother and sister. The
caliph was curious to know how she could find them in so short a time,
and she satisfied his curiosity, saying so many things in commendation of
Ganem’s mother and sister, that he desired to see them, as well as the
young merchant.
Though Haroun Alraschid was passionate, and in his heat sometimes guilty
of cruel actions; yet, to make amends, he was just, and the most generous
prince in the world, as soon as his anger was over, and he was made
sensible of the wrong he had done. Therefore, having no longer cause to
doubt but that he had unjustly persecuted Ganem and his family, and
having publicly wronged them, he resolved to make them public
satisfaction. I am overjoyed, said he to Fetnah, that your search has
proved so successful; it is a mighty satisfaction to me, not so much for
your sake as for my own. I will keep the promise I have made you. You
shall marry Ganem, and I here declare you are no longer my slave. Go back
to that young merchant; and, as soon as he has recovered his health, you
shall bring him to me, with his mother and sister.
The next morning early, Fetnah repaired to the syndic of the jewellers,
being impatient to hear of Ganem’s health, and to tell the mother and
daughter the good news she had for them. The first person she met was the
syndic, who told her that Ganem had rested very well that night; and that
his distemper altogether proceeded from melancholy, and the cause being
removed, he would soon recover his health.
Accordingly the son of Abou Ayoub was much mended. Rest, and the good
medicines applied to him, but, above all, the easiness of his mind, had
wrought so good an effect, that the syndic thought he might without
danger see his mother, his sister, and his mistress, provided he was
prepared to receive them; because there was ground to fear that, not
knowing his mother and sister were at Bagdad, the sight of them might
occasion too great joy and surprise. It was therefore resolved, that
Fetnah should first go alone into Ganem’s chamber, and then make a sign
to the two other ladies to appear, when she thought fit.
Affairs being so ordered, the sick man was acquainted with Fetnah’s
coming, by the syndic, which was so ravishing a sight to him, that he was
again near falling into a swoon. Well, Ganem, said she, drawing near to
his bed, you have again found your Fetnah, whom you thought you had lost
for ever. Ah! madam, said he, interrupting her, what miracle has restored
you to my sight? I thought you were in the caliph’s palace: that prince
has doubtless given ear to you. You have dispelled his jealousy, and he
has restored you to his favour. Yes, my dear Ganem, answered Fetnah, I
have cleared myself before the commander of the true believers, who, to
make amends for the wrong he has done you, bestows me on you for a wife.
These last words occasioned such an excess of joy in Ganem, that he knew
not for a while how to express himself, otherwise than by that passionate
silence so well known to lovers. At length he broke out with these words:
Ah, beautiful Fetnah, may I give credit to what you tell me? May I
believe that the caliph really resigns you to Abou Ayoub’s son? Nothing
is more certain, answered the lady. That prince, who before caused search
to be made for you to take away your life, and who in his fury caused
your mother and your sister to suffer a thousand indignities, desires now
to see you, that he may reward the respect you had for him; and there is
no question to be made, but that he will be profuse in his favours to
your family.
Ganem asked what the caliph had done to his mother and sister, which
Fetnah told him; and he could not forbear letting fall some tears at that
relation, notwithstanding his thoughts were so full of the news he had
heard of being married to his mistress. But when Fetnah informed him that
they were actually in Bagdad, and in the same house with him, he appeared
so impatient to see them, that the favourite could no longer defer giving
him that satisfaction; and accordingly called them in. They were then at
the door, only waiting that moment. They came in, made up to Ganem, and
embracing him in their turns, gave him a thousand kisses. How many tears
were shed amidst those embraces! Ganem’s face was bathed with them, as
well as his mother’s and sister’s; and Fetnah let fall in abundance. The
syndic himself, and his wife, being moved at the spectacle, could not
forbear weeping, nor sufficiently admire the secret workings of
Providence, which brought together into their house four persons whom
fortune had so cruelly parted.
When they had all dried up their tears, Ganem drew a fresh supply, by the
recital of all he had suffered from the day he left Fetnah, till the
moment the syndic brought him to his house. He told them, that having
reached a small village, he there fell sick; that some charitable
peasants had taken care of him, but finding he did not recover, a
camel-driver had undertaken to carry him to the hospital at Bagdad.
Fetnah, also, told them all the uneasiness of her imprisonment; how the
caliph, having heard her talk in the tower, had sent for her into his
closet, and how she had cleared herself. In the conclusion, when they had
all related what accidents had befallen them, Fetnah said, Let us bless
Heaven, which has brought us all together again, and let us think of
nothing but the happiness that attends us. As soon as Ganem has recovered
his health, he must appear before the caliph with his mother and sister;
but because they are not in a condition to be seen, I will go and make
some provision for them; so I desire you to stay a moment for me.
This said, she went away to the palace, and soon returned to the
syndic’s, with a purse containing a thousand pieces of gold, which she
delivered to the syndic, desiring him to buy clothes for the mother and
daughter. The syndic, who was a man of a good fancy, chose such as were
extraordinary fine, and had them made up with all speed. They were
finished in three days, and Ganem, finding himself strong enough to go
abroad, prepared for it; but on the day he had appointed to go and pay
his respects to the caliph, when he was making ready with his mother and
sister, the grand vizier Giafar came to the syndic’s house.
That minister came on horseback, attended by a great number of officers.
Sir, said he to Ganem, as soon as he came in, I am come from the
commander of the true believers, my master and yours; the orders I have,
differ very much from those which I do not care to revive in your memory.
I am to bear you company, and to present you to the caliph, who is
desirous to see you. Ganem returned no other answer to the vizier’s
compliments than by profoundly bowing his head, and then mounted a horse
brought from the caliph’s stables, which he managed very gracefully. The
mother and daughter were mounted on mules belonging to the palace; and
whilst Fetnah led them a by-way to the prince’s court, Giafar conducted
Ganem another way, and brought him into the presence-chamber. The caliph
was there sitting on his throne, encompassed with emirs, viziers, and
other attendants and courtiers, Arabs, Persians, Egyptians, Africans, and
Syrians, of his own dominions, not to mention strangers.
When the vizier had conducted Ganem to the foot of the throne, that young
merchant paid his obeisance, prostrating himself with his face on the
ground; and then rising, made his compliment in verse, which, though
_extempore_, met with the approbation of the whole court.
After his compliment, the caliph caused him to draw near, and said to
him, I am glad to see you, and desire to hear from your own mouth where
you found my favourite, and all that you did for her. Ganem obeyed, and
appeared so sincere, that the caliph was convinced of the reality of what
he said. That prince ordered a very rich vest to be given him, according
to the custom observed with those who are admitted to audience. After
which, he said to him, Ganem, I will have you live in my court. Commander
of the true believers, answered the young merchant, a slave has no will
but his master’s, on whom his life and fortune depend. The caliph was
highly pleased with Ganem’s answer, and assigned him a considerable
pension. Then that prince came down from his throne, and causing only
Ganem and the grand vizier to follow him, went into his own apartment.
Not questioning but Fetnah was there, with Abou Ayoub’s widow and
daughter, he caused them to be called in. They fell down before him: he
made them rise, and was so taken with Alcolomb’s beauty, that, after
viewing her very attentively, he said, I am so sorry for having treated
your charms so unworthily, that I owe them such a satisfaction as may
surpass the injury I have done them: I take you to wife; and by that
means shall punish Zobeide, who shall become the first cause of your good
fortune, as she was of your past sufferings. This is not all, added he,
turning towards Ganem’s mother; you are still young; I believe you will
not disdain to be allied to my grand vizier: I give you to Giafar. Let a
cadi and witnesses be called, and the three contracts be drawn up and
signed immediately. Ganem would have represented to the caliph, that it
would be honour enough for his sister to be one of his favourites; but
that prince was resolved to marry her.
He thought this such an extraordinary story, that he ordered a famous
historian to commit it to writing, with all its circumstances. It was
afterwards laid up in his library; and many copies being transcribed from
that original, it became public.
THE STORY OF
PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM, AND THE KING OF THE GENII.
A king of Balsora, who possessed great wealth and was well beloved by his
subjects, had no children, which was a great affliction to him; and
therefore he made presents to all the holy persons in his dominions to
engage them to beg a son for him of Heaven: and their prayers being
effectual, the queen proved with child, and was happily delivered of a
prince who was named Zeyn Alasnam, which signifies Ornament of the
Statues.
The king caused all the astrologers in his kingdom to be assembled, and
ordered them to calculate the infant’s nativity. They found by their
observations, that he would live long and be very brave; but that all his
courage would be little enough to bear him through the misfortunes that
would threaten him. The king was not daunted at the prediction. My son,
said he, is not to be pitied, since he will be brave: it is fit that
princes should have a taste of misfortunes; for adversity tries virtue,
and they are the fitter to reign.
He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused Zeyn to be
educated with the greatest care imaginable; appointing him able masters
as soon as he was of age to receive their instructions. In short, he
proposed to make him an accomplished prince; when, on a sudden, that good
king fell sick of a distemper which all the skill of his physicians could
not cure. Perceiving his disease was mortal, he sent for his son, and
among other things advised him rather to endeavour to be beloved than to
be feared by his people; not to give ear to flatterers; to be as slow in
rewarding as in punishing; because it often happens that monarchs, misled
by false appearances, load wicked men with favours, and oppress the
innocent.
As soon as king Zeyn was dead, prince Zeyn went into mourning, which he
wore seven days, and the eighth he ascended the throne, taking his
father’s seal off the royal treasure, and putting on his own. He began
thus to taste the sweets of ruling, the pleasure of seeing all his
courtiers bow down before him, and make it their whole business to show
their zeal and obedience. In a word, the sovereign power was too
agreeable to him. He only regarded what his subjects owed to him, without
considering what his duty was towards them, and consequently took little
care to govern them well. He wallowed in all sorts of debauchery among
the voluptuous youth, on whom he conferred the prime employments in the
kingdom; so that there was nothing regular. Being naturally prodigal, he
set no bounds to his grants, so that his women and his favourites
insensibly drained his treasure.
The queen his mother was still living, a discreet wise princess. She had
several times unsuccessfully tried to give some check to her son’s
prodigality and debauchery; giving him to understand, that if he did not
soon take another course, he would not only squander his wealth, but
would also alienate the minds of his people, and occasion some
revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and his life. What she
had foretold was very near falling out; the people began to mutter
against the government, and their muttering had certainly been followed
by a general revolt, had not the queen by her dexterity prevented it. But
that princess, being informed of the ill posture of affairs, gave notice
to the king, who at last suffered himself to be prevailed upon. He
committed the government to discreet ancient men, who knew how to keep
the people within the bounds of duty.
Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made no better
use of it. He fell into a dismal melancholy, and nothing could comfort
him. One night he saw in a dream, a venerable old man, who came towards
him, and with a smiling countenance said, Know, Zeyn, that there is no
sorrow but what is followed by mirth, no misfortune but what in the end
brings some happiness. If you desire to see the end of your affliction,
get up, set out for Egypt, go to Grand Cairo: a greater fortune attends
you there.
The prince, when he awaked in the morning, reflected on his dream, and
talked of it very seriously to his mother, who only laughed at it. My
son, said she to him, would you now go into Egypt upon belief of that
fine dream? Why not, madam? answered Zeyn: do you imagine all dreams are
chimerical? No, no, some of them are mysterious. My masters have told me
a thousand stories, which will not permit me to doubt of it. Besides,
though I were not otherwise convinced, I could not forbear giving some
credit to it. The old man that appeared to me had something supernatural.
He was not one of those men whom nothing but age makes venerable; there
appeared a sort of divine air about his person. In short, he was such a
one as our great prophet is represented; and if you will have me tell you
what I think, I believe it was he, who, pitying my affliction, designs to
ease it: I rely on the confidence he has inspired me with. I am full of
his promises, and have resolved to follow his advice. The queen
endeavoured to dissuade him; but it was in vain. The prince committed to
her the government of the kingdom, set out one night very privately from
his palace, and took the road to Cairo, without suffering any person to
attend him.
After much trouble and fatigue, he arrived at that famous city, like
which there are few in the world either for extent or beauty. He alighted
at the gate of a mosque, where, being spent with weariness, he lay down.
No sooner was he fallen asleep, than he saw the same old man, who said to
him, I am pleased with you, my son; you have given credit to my words.
You are come hither, without being deterred by the length or the
difficulties of the way: but take notice, that I have not put you upon
undertaking such a long journey upon any other design than to make trial
of you. I find you have courage and resolution. You deserve I should make
you the greatest and richest prince in the world. Return to Balsora, and
you shall find immense wealth in your palace. No king ever possessed so
much as is there.
The prince was not pleased with that dream.—Alas! thought he to himself,
when he awaked, how much was I mistaken! That old man, whom I took for
our prophet, is no other than the product of my disturbed imagination. My
fancy was so full of him, that it is no wonder I have seen him again. I
had best return to Balsora; what should I do here any longer? It is very
happy that I told none but my mother the occasion of my journey: I should
become a jest to my people if they knew it.
Accordingly he set out again for his kingdom; and as soon as he arrived
there, the queen asked him, whether he returned well pleased. He told her
all that had happened; and he was so much concerned for having been so
credulous, that the queen, instead of adding to his vexation by reproving
or laughing at him, comforted him. Forbear afflicting yourself, my son,
said she; if God has appointed you riches, you will have them without any
trouble. Be easy: all that I recommend to you is, to be virtuous.
Renounce the delight of dancing, music, and high-coloured wine: shun all
pleasures; they have already almost ruined you: apply yourself to the
making of your subjects happy; and, securing their happiness, you will
fix your own.
Prince Zeyn swore he would for the future follow his mother’s advice, and
be directed by the wise viziers she had made choice of to assist him in
supporting the weight of the government. But the very first night after
he returned to his palace, he the third time saw in a dream the old man,
who said to him, Brave Zeyn, the time of your prosperity is come.
To-morrow morning, as soon as you are up, take a little pick-axe, and go
dig in your father’s closet; you will there find a mighty treasure.
As soon as the prince awaked, he got up, ran to the queen’s apartment,
and with much earnestness told her the new dream of that night. Really,
my son, said his mother, that is a very positive man: he is not satisfied
with having deceived you twice; have you a mind to believe him again? No,
madam, answered Zeyn, I give no credit to what he has said; but I will,
for my own satisfaction, search my father’s closet. I really fancied so,
cried the queen, laughing very heartily: go, my son, please yourself; my
comfort is, that work is not so toilsome as the journey to Egypt.
Well, madam, answered the king, I must own that this third dream has
restored my belief, for it agrees with the two others; and, in short, let
us examine the old man’s words. He first directed me to go into Egypt;
there he told me, he had put me upon taking that journey only to try me.
Return to Balsora, said he; that is the place where you are to find
treasures: this night he has exactly pointed out the place where they
are. These three dreams, in my opinion, are connected. After all, they
may be chimerical; but I would rather search in vain, than blame myself
as long as I live for having perhaps missed of great riches, by being
unseasonably too hard of belief.
Having spoken these words, he left the queen’s apartment, caused a
pick-axe to be brought him, and went alone into the late king’s closet.
He fell to breaking up the ground, and took up above half the square
stones it was paved with; and yet found not the least appearance of what
he sought after. He ceased working to take a little rest, thinking within
himself, I am much afraid my mother had cause enough to laugh at me.
However, he took heart, and went on with his labour: nor had he cause to
repent; for, on a sudden, he discovered a white stone, which he took up,
and under it found a door made fast with a steel padlock, which he broke
with the pick-axe, and opened the door, which covered a staircase of
white marble. He immediately lighted a candle, and went down those stairs
into a room, the floor whereof was laid with tiles of china-ware, and the
roofs and walls were of crystal; but he particularly fixed his eyes on
four places a little raised above the rest of the floor, on each of which
there were ten urns of porphyry stone. He fancied they were full of wine:
Well, said he, that wine must needs be very old; I do not question but it
is excellent. He went up to one of the urns, took off the cover, and,
with no less joy than surprise, perceived it was full of pieces of gold.
He searched all the forty, one after another, and found them full of the
same coin, took out a handful, and carried it to the queen.
That princess was as much amazed as can be imagined, when the king gave
her an account of what he had seen. Oh! my son, said she, take heed that
you do not lavish away all that treasure foolishly, as you have already
done the royal treasure: let not your enemies have so much occasion to
rejoice. No, madam, answered Zeyn, I will from henceforward live after
such a manner as shall be pleasing to you.
The queen desired the king her son to conduct her to that wonderful
subterraneous place, which the late king her husband had made with such
secrecy, that she had never heard the least account of it. Zeyn led her
to the closet, down the marble stairs, and into the chamber where the
urns were. She observed every thing with singular curiosity, and in a
corner spied a little urn of the same sort of stone as the others. The
prince had not before taken notice of it, but opening, found in it a
golden key. My son, said the queen, the key certainly belongs to some
other treasure; let us look all about; perhaps we may discover the use it
is designed for.
They viewed all the chamber with the utmost exactness, and at length
found a key-hole in one of the pannels of the wall, and guessed it to be
that the key belonged to. The king immediately tried, and as readily
opened the door, which led into a chamber, in the midst of which were
nine pedestals of massy gold, on eight of which stood as many statues,
each of them made of one single diamond, and from them came such a
brightness that the whole room was perfectly light.
O Heavens! cried Zeyn, in a wonderful surprise, where could my father
find such rarities? The ninth pedestal redoubled their amazement, for it
was covered with a piece of white satin, on which were written these
words: ‘Dear son, it cost me much toil to get these statues: but though
they are extraordinary beautiful, you must understand that there is a
ninth in the world which surpasses them all: that alone is worth more
than a thousand such as these. If you desire to be master of it, go to
the city of Cairo in Egypt: one of my old slaves, whose name is Morabec,
lives there; you will easily find him; the first person you shall meet
will show you his house: go seek, and tell him all that has befallen you.
He will know you to be my son, and he will conduct you to the place where
that wonderful statue is, which you will get with safety.’