thought him to be a Moussel merchant, went directly to him; and, after
having saluted him with a smiling countenance, and kissed his hand, said,
Sir, I congratulate you on your happy arrival, and beg of you to do me
the honour to go and sup with me, and repose yourself at my home this
night, after the fatigue of your voyage; and, to oblige him not to deny
him that favour, he told him his custom of entertaining the first
stranger he met with. The caliph found something so odd and singular in
Abon Hassan’s taste, that he was very desirous to know the bottom,
without quitting the character of a merchant; and told him, that he could
not better answer that great civility, which he did not expect at his
arrival at Bagdad, than by accepting the obliging offer that he made him.
Abon Hassan, who knew not that the guest which fortune presented to him
was so very much above him, treated him as his equal, carried him home,
and led him into a room very neatly furnished, where he set him on a
sofa, at the upper end of a table that was ready laid for supper, which
was soon after sent up by Abon Hassan’s mother, who took upon herself the
care of the kitchen, and consisted of three dishes. The first was a capon
and four large pullets, which were set in the middle; and the second and
third, placed on each side, were a fat roasted goose and boiled pigeons,
all dressed very neatly, and with proper sauces.
Abon Hassan sat down over against his guest, and he and the caliph began
to eat heartily of what they liked best, without speaking or drinking,
according to the custom of the country. When they had done eating, the
caliph’s slave brought them water to wash their hands; and, in the mean
time, Abon Hassan’s mother sent up a dessert of all sorts of dried
sweetmeats, and all the fruits then in season, as grapes, peaches,
apples, pears, &c. As soon as it grew dark, wax-candles were lighted, and
Abon Hassan, after charging his mother to take care of the caliph’s
slave, brought bottles and glasses.
Then Abon Hassan, sitting down with the pretended Moussel merchant again,
filled out a glass of wine, before he touched the dessert; and holding it
out in his hand, said to the caliph, You know, sir, that the cock never
drinks before he calls to his hens to come and drink with him; so I
invite you to follow my example. I do not know what you may think; for my
part, I cannot reckon him a wise man who does not love wine: come, let us
leave those sort of people to their dull melancholy humours, and seek for
mirth, which is only to be found in a brimmer.
While Abon Hassan was drinking, the caliph, taking the glass that was set
by him, said, Now I like you, you are an honest fellow; I am mightily
taken with your pleasant temper, and expect you should fill me as much.
Abon Hassan, as soon as he had drunk, filled the caliph’s glass, and
giving it to him, Here, sir, said he, taste this wine; I will warrant it
good. I am very well persuaded, replied the caliph, laughing, that you
know how to make choice of the best. O, replied Abon Hassan, while the
caliph was taking off his glass, one may easily find that you know what
good living is, and have seen the world. Alas! how happy is my house in
your presence, and how overjoyed am I for meeting with a man of so much
merit.
The caliph, who was naturally a merry man, was mightily diverted with
these sallies of Abon Hassan, and took great pleasure in promoting
drinking, often asking for wine, thinking that when that began to work,
he might penetrate so far into his discourse as to satisfy his curiosity.
Therefore, to enter into conversation, he asked him his name, his
business, and how he spent his life. My name, sir, replied he, is Abon
Hassan: my father, whom I buried, was a merchant of Bagdad; and though he
was not the richest, yet he lived very well. When he died, he left me
enough in my station to live free from ambition; but as he always kept a
very strict hand over me in his life-time, I was willing, when he was
gone, to make up the time I thought I had lost.
But notwithstanding, continued Abon Hassan, in this I was more prudent
than most young people are, who give themselves unto debauchery without
any thought, and who reduce themselves to the utmost poverty, and are
forced to do penance all the rest of their lives after. Now I, to avoid
this misfortune, divided what I had left me in two parts, and with one
bought an estate, with a resolution not to finger my rents at that time;
and kept the other in ready money to pursue my extravagances with. I
associated myself with young people of my age, and with my ready money,
which I spent profusely, treated them every day; and, in short, spared
for no sort of pleasure. But these feastings did not last long; for by
that time the year was out, I had got to the bottom of my cash, and then
all my friends vanished. I made a visit to every one of them, and
represented to them the miserable condition I was in, but none of them
would relieve me. Upon this, I renounced their friendship, and retrenched
so far as to live within the compass of my income, and obliged myself to
keep company with none but the first stranger I could meet with, coming
that day into Bagdad, and to entertain him but one night. I have told you
the rest before; and I thank my good fortune this day for meeting with a
stranger of so much worth.
The caliph was very well satisfied with this information, and said to
Abon Hassan, I cannot enough commend the measures you have taken, and the
prudence with which you have acted, by forsaking your debauchery; a
conduct rarely to be met with in young persons; and I esteem you the more
for being so just to yourself as you have been. It was a slippery path
you trode in; and I cannot enough admire, how, after having seen the end
of your ready money, you had so great a command over yourself not to
enter upon your estate. In short, I must own I envy your happiness: you
are the only happy man in the world, to enjoy every day the company of
some one honest man, with whom you can discourse freely and agreeably,
and to whom you give an opportunity to declare, wherever he goes, how
handsomely he was received by you. But we talk too long without drinking;
come drink, and pour out to me.
In this manner the caliph and Abon Hassan entertained each other,
drinking and talking of indifferent matters till the night was pretty far
advanced; when the caliph, pretending to be fatigued after his voyage,
told his host he stood in need of a little rest; but, added he, that I
may not deprive you of yours, before we part, because to-morrow I may be
gone before you are stirring, I would be glad to show you how sensible I
am of your civility, and the kind and obliging hospitality you have shown
me. The only thing that troubles me is, that I know not which way to pay
my acknowledgment; therefore I beg of you to let me understand how I may,
and you shall see I will not be ungrateful; for certainly you must have
some business in which you may be served, or must want something which
you could wish for. Speak freely, and declare your mind; for, though I am
but a merchant, it may be in mine or some friend’s power to oblige you.
To these offers of the caliph, Abon Hassan, taking him still for a
Moussel merchant, replied, I am very well persuaded, good sir, that it is
not out of a compliment that you make me these generous tenders; but,
upon the word of an honest man, I have nothing that troubles me, no
business nor desires, and want not any thing. I have not the least
ambition, as I told you before, but am very well satisfied with my
condition. Therefore, I can only thank you for your obliging proffers,
and the honour you have done me to come and take a slight repast with me.
Yet I must tell you, pursued Abon Hassan, there is one thing gives me
great uneasiness. You know the town of Bagdad is divided into several
parts and divisions, to each of which there belongs a mosque, and an iman
to read prayers at certain hours. The iman of the division I live in is
an old man, of an austere countenance, and the greatest hypocrite in the
world. This man, and four old men of this neighbourhood, who are people
of the same stamp, meet every day at the iman’s house; there they vent
their slander, calumny, and malice against me and the whole division, to
the disturbance of the public peace of the neighbourhood, and the
promotion of dissension. Some they threaten, others they rail against;
and, in short, would be lords paramount, and have every one govern
himself according to their caprice; and, at the same time, know not how
to govern themselves. Indeed, I would have them meddle with nothing but
their Alcoran, and let the world live quietly.
Well, I suppose, said the caliph, you would willingly put a stop to this
disorder. You have guessed it, answered Abon Hassan; and the only thing I
should desire, would be to be caliph only for one day, in the stead of
our sovereign lord and master Haroun Alraschid, the commander of the
faithful. What would you do if you were? said the caliph. I would make
them examples, answered Abon Hassan, to the satisfaction of all honest
men. I would punish the four old men with each a hundred bastinadoes on
the soles of their feet, and the iman with four hundred, to learn them
not to disturb and abuse their neighbours any more.
The caliph was extremely well pleased with this thought of Abon Hassan’s;
and, as he was a prince who loved adventures, he fancied to make this a
very singular one. Indeed, said he, I approve very much of your wish,
which I see proceeds from an upright mind, that cannot bear to see the
malice of wicked people go unpunished. I could like to see it take
effect, and that is not so impossible a thing as you imagine. I am
persuaded that the caliph would willingly put his authority for
twenty-four hours into your hands, if he knew your good intentions, and
the just use you would make of it. I see, said Abon Hassan, you laugh at
my foolish fancy; and the caliph himself would laugh at my extravagance
too if he knew it; but yet it would be a means of informing him of the
iman’s and his companions’ behaviour, and he might chastise them.
Heaven forbid, replied the caliph, that I, who have been so handsomely
entertained by you, should laugh at you; neither do I believe, as much a
stranger as I am, that the caliph would be displeased. But let us lay
this discourse aside; it is almost midnight, and time to go to bed. With
all my heart, said Abon Hassan, I would not be any hindrance to your
going to rest; but there is still some wine in the bottle, and, if you
please, we will drink it off first. The only thing that I have to
recommend to you is, that, when you go out in the morning, if I am not
up, you will give yourself the trouble of shutting the door after you,
which the caliph promised; and while Abon Hassan was talking, took the
bottle and two glasses, and filled his own first, saying, Here is a cup
of thanks to you; and then filling the other, put artfully a little
powder, which he had about him, into it, and giving it to Abon Hassan,
said, you have taken the pains to fill for me all this night, and it is
the least I can do to save you the trouble once; come, drink to our good
repose.
Abon Hassan took the glass, and, to show his guest with how much pleasure
he received the honour he did him, whipped it off at once; but had
scarcely set the glass upon the table before the powder began to work,
and he fell into so sound a sleep, that his head knocked against his
knees. The caliph ordered the slave that he had brought along with him,
and who came again into the room as soon as he had supped, to take him
upon his back, and follow him; but to be sure to observe the house, that
he might know it again when he should bring him back; and in this manner
the caliph, followed by the slave with Abon Hassan on his back, went out
of the house, but without shutting the door after him, as Abon Hassan
desired, and went directly to his palace, and, by a backdoor, into his
own apartment, where all the officers of his apartment were waiting for
him, whom he ordered to undress him, and put him in his bed, which they
immediately performed.
Then the caliph sent for all the officers and ladies of the palace, and
said to them, I would have all those whose business it is to attend my
levee wait to-morrow morning upon this man who lies in my bed, and pay
the same respect to him as to myself, and obey him in whatever he
commands; let him be refused in nothing that he asks for, and be spoken
to and answered in every thing he says or does, as if he was the
commander of the faithful. In short, I expect you to look upon him as the
true caliph, and neglect not the least circumstance.
The officers and ladies presently understood that the caliph had a mind
to divert himself, and made low bows to show their obedience, and then
withdrew, every one full of the part they were to act.
Then he sent for the grand vizier: Giafar, said he, I have sent for you
to instruct you, and to prevent your being surprised to-morrow when you
come to an audience, to see this man, that is laid here in my bed, seated
on my throne in my royal robes: accost him with the same reverence and
respect you pay to myself; observe, and punctually execute, whatever he
bids you do, the same as if I commanded you, even if his liberality
should extend so far as to empty all the coffers in my treasury; and
remember to acquaint all my emirs and huissirs, all the officers without
the palace, to pay him the same honour at audience as the commander of
the believers himself; and to carry on the matter so well, that he might
not perceive the least thing that may interrupt this joke which I am
diverting myself with.
Afterwards the grand vizier retired, and the caliph went to bed in
another apartment; and ordered Mesrour, the chief of his eunuchs, to take
care to manage things so well, that he might see how Abon Hassan would
use the power and authority of the caliph for the time he desired to have
it; and, above all, charged him to awake him at the usual hour, before he
awakened Abon Hassan, because he had a mind to be present when he rose.
Mesrour failed not to do as the caliph had commanded; and, as soon as the
caliph went into the room where Abon Hassan lay, he placed himself in a
little closet, from whence he could see all that passed. All the officers
and ladies who were to attend Abon Hassan’s levee, took their posts
according to their rank, with great silence, and discharged themselves as
punctually of their offices as if the caliph had been to rise.
As it was just day-break, and time to rise to morning prayer before
sun-rise, the officer that stood nearest to the head of the bed, put a
sponge steeped in vinegar to Abon Hassan’s nose; who, presently turning
his head about without opening his eyes, sneezed heartily, which was
generally the effect of the caliph’s powder, and which lasted longer or
shorter in proportion to the dose. Then opening his eyes, he found
himself, by the small light that appeared, in a stately room
magnificently furnished, the ceiling of which was finely painted, and the
floor covered with a rich silk tapestry, and surrounded by a great many
young and handsome ladies, with all sorts of instruments of music in
their hands, and black eunuchs richly clothed, all standing with great
modesty and respect. After casting his eyes on the quilt of the bed, he
perceived it was cloth of gold, richly embossed with pearls and diamonds;
and that there was laid by the bed a habit of the same stuff and
trimmings, with a caliph’s turban.
At the sight of these glittering objects, Abon Hassan was in the most
inexpressible confusion and amazement, and looked upon all he saw as a
dream. So, said he to himself, I am caliph; but, added he a little after,
it is only a dream, the effect of the wish I entertained my guest with
last night; and then he turned himself about to sleep again. At the same
time, the eunuch said very respectfully, Commander of the Faithful, it is
time for your majesty to rise to prayers; the morning begins to advance.
These words very much surprised Abon Hassan. Am I awake, or do I sleep?
said he to himself. Ah! certainly I am asleep! continued he, keeping his
eyes shut; there is no reason to doubt of it.
Immediately the eunuch, who saw he had no inclination to get up, and that
he gave him no answer, said again, Your majesty, I hope, will not be
angry, if I tell you once more that it is time to rise to morning prayer,
which you never neglect, and the sun is just upon rising. I am mistaken,
said Abon Hassan presently; I am not asleep, but awake: for those that
sleep do not hear, and I hear very distinctly. Then opening his eyes, he
saw plainly by broad daylight, what appeared but uncertain before, and
rising upon his breech, with a smiling countenance, like a man overjoyed
at a sudden promotion, pleased the caliph, who penetrated into the bottom
of his thoughts.
Then the ladies of the palace prostrated themselves with their faces to
the ground before Abon Hassan, and those who had the instruments of music
in their hands, wished him a good-morrow, by a concert of soft flutes,
hautboys, theorboes, and other harmonious instruments, with which he was
ravished, and was in such an ecstasy, that he knew not himself, nor where
he was; but, recovering at last his first idea, he doubted whether what
he saw was a dream or matter of fact. He clapped his hands before his
eyes, and lowering his head, said to himself, What means all this? where
am I? and whom does this palace belong to? What can these eunuchs,
officers, beautiful ladies, and musicians signify? How is it possible for
me to distinguish whether I am in my right senses or in a dream? When he
took his hands from his eyes, the sun shone full in at the
chamber-window; and at that instant, Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs,
came in, prostrated himself before Abon Hassan, and said, Commander of
the Faithful, your majesty will excuse me for representing to you, that
you used not to lie so long, and that the time of prayer is over; I am
afraid your majesty has had an ill night, and has been indisposed, and
may not be able to ascend your throne in council as usual: all your
generals, governors, and other officers of state, wait your presence in
the council-hall.
At this discourse of Mesrour’s, Abon Hassan was verily persuaded that he
was neither asleep nor in a dream; but, at the same time, was very much
embarrassed and confused. At last, looking earnestly at Mesrour, he said
to him in a serious tone, Who is it you speak to, and call the commander
of the faithful? For my part, I do not know you, and you mistake me for
somebody else.
Any person but Mesrour would have been dashed at these questions of Abon
Hassan’s; but he had been so well instructed by the caliph, that he
played his part to a wonder. My worthy lord and master, said he, your
majesty only speaks thus to try me: is not your majesty the commander of
the faithful, monarch of the world, and the prophet’s vicar on earth?
Mesrour, your slave, has not forgot you, after so many years that he has
had the honour and happiness to serve and pay his respects to your
majesty; and should think himself the most unhappy of all men if he has
incurred your displeasure, and begs of you most humbly to remove his
fears; but is apt to believe that you have been disturbed by some
troublesome dream last night.
Abon Hassan burst out a-laughing at these words of Mesrour’s, and fell
backwards upon the bolster, which pleased the caliph so much, that he
would have laughed as loud himself, if he had not been afraid of putting
a stop to the pleasant scene he promised himself.
Abon Hassan, when he had tired himself with laughing, sat up again on his
breech, and, speaking to a little black eunuch that stood by him, said,
Hark ye, tell me who I am. Sir, answered the little boy modestly, your
majesty is the commander of the believers, and God’s vicar on earth. You
are a liar, sooty face, said Abon Hassan. Then he called the lady that
stood the nearest to him: Come hither, fair one, said he, holding out his
hand, bite the end of my finger, that I may feel whether I am asleep or
awake.
The lady, who knew the caliph saw all that passed, was overjoyed to show
how capable she was of diverting him, and went with a grave countenance,
and putting his finger between her teeth, she bit so hard that he cried
out; and, snatching his hand quickly back again, said, I find I am awake,
and not asleep. But by what miracle am I become caliph in a night’s time?
This is certainly the most strange and surprising thing in the world!
Then addressing himself to the same lady, he said, I conjure you, for
Heaven’s sake, not to hide the truth from me; am I really the commander
of the faithful? It is so true, answered the lady, that we, who are your
slaves, are amazed to find that you will not believe yourself to be so.
Ah! you are a deceiver, replied Abon Hassan; I know very well who I am.
As the chief of the eunuchs perceived that Abon Hassan had a mind to
rise, he lent him his hand, and helped him to get out of bed. No sooner
were his feet set on the floor, than the chamber rang again with repeated
acclamations of the officers and ladies, who cried out, God preserve your
majesty, and give you a good day. O Heaven! cried Abon Hassan, what a
strange thing is this! Last night I was Abon Hassan, and this morning I
am the commander of the believers! I cannot comprehend this sudden and
surprising change. Presently some of the officers began to dress him; and
when they had done, Mesrour led him through all the eunuchs and ladies,
who were ranged on both sides quite to the council-chamber door, which
was opened by one of the huissirs. Mesrour walked before him to the foot
of the throne, where he stopped, and putting one hand under one arm,
while another officer did the same by the other, they helped him to
ascend the throne.
The caliph, in the mean time, came out of the closet where he was hid,
and went into another which looked into the council-hall, from whence he
could hear all that passed, and see Abon Hassan, who filled his throne
with all the gravity imaginable.
As soon as Abon Hassan had seated himself, the grand vizier Giafar
prostrated himself at the foot of the throne, and addressing himself to
him, said, God shower down blessings on your majesty in this life,
receive you into his paradise in the other world, and confound your
enemies!
Abon Hassan, after all that had happened that morning, and these words of
the grand vizier, never doubted but he was caliph, as he wished to be;
and so, without examining any farther, how, or by what adventure or
sudden change of fortune, he immediately began to exercise his power, and
looking very gravely upon the vizier, asked him what he had to say.
Commander of the Faithful, replied the grand vizier, the emirs, viziers,
and other officers who are of your majesty’s council, wait at the door,
until your majesty give them leave to come in, and pay their usual
respects to you. Abon Hassan presently bade that the door be opened, and
the grand vizier gave the sign to the huissir that waited for it.
When the door was opened, the viziers, emirs, and principal officers of
the court, all dressed magnificently in their habits of ceremony, went in
their order to the foot of the throne, and paid their respects to Abon
Hassan; and bowing their heads down to the carpet, kneeling on one knee,
saluted him with the title of Commander of the Faithful, according to the
instruction of the grand vizier, and afterwards took their seats.