_Mangogul's dangerous Temptation._
Scarcely was Mangogul in possession of Cucufa's mysterious ring,
when he was tempted to make the first trial of it on the favorite. I
forgot to mention, that besides the vertue of obliging the Toys of
those women, on whom he turn'd the stone, to speak, it had that also
of rendering the person invisible, who wore it on the little finger.
Thus could Mangogul transport himself in the twinkling of an eye to a
thousand places where he was not expected, and with his own eyes see
many things, which are frequently transacted without witnesses. He had
nothing more to do than to put on his ring, and say "I desire to be
in such a place," and he was there in an instant. Behold him then in
Mirzoza's bed-chamber.
Mirzoza, who gave over all hopes of the Sultan's company, was in bed.
Mangogul approach'd her pillow softly, and saw by the glimmering
light of a night taper, that she was asleep. "Good," say he, "she
sleeps, let us quickly shift the ring on another finger, resume our
natural shape, turn the stone on this fair sleeper, and awake her
Toy a little while.--But what stops me?--I tremble.--Is it possible
that Mirzoza?--No, it is not possible, Mirzoza is faithful to me.
Fly from me, injurious suspicions, I will not, I ought not to heed
ye." He said, and put his fingers on the ring: but taking them off as
hastily as if it had been fire, he cried within himself. "What do I do,
wretched man! I insult Cucufa's advice. For the sake of satisfying a
silly curiosity, I am going to run the hazard of losing my mistress and
my life. If her Toy should be in the humor of talking extravagantly,
I should never see her more, and I should dye of grief. And who knows
what a Toy may have in its soul?" Mangogul's agitation made him in some
measure forget himself: he pronounced these last words pretty loud, and
the favorite awoke. "Ah, Prince," said she, less surprized than charmed
at his presence, "you are here. Why did you not send me notice? Must
you condescend to wait for my awaking?"
Mangogul answered the favorite by relating the success of his interview
with Cucufa, shew'd her the ring, and did not conceal one of its
properties from her. "Ah! what a diabolical secret has he given you!"
cry'd Mirzoza. "But pray, Prince, do you intend to make any use of it."
"How," said the Sultan, "do I intend to use it? I shall begin by you,
if you argue with me." At these terrible words the favorite turn'd
pale, trembled, recover'd herself, and conjured the Sultan by Brama,
and all the Pagoda's of the Indies and Congo, not to try the experiment
on her of a secret power, which indicated a diffidence of her fidelity.
"If I have been constantly honest," continued she, "my Toy will not
speak a word, and you will have done me such an injury as I shall
never forgive. If it happens to speak, I shall lose your esteem and
heart, and that will make you run distracted. Hitherto you have, in my
opinion, found your account in our connection; why would you run the
risk of breaking it off? Prince, believe me. Follow the advice of the
Genius; he has had great experience, and advices of Genius are always
good to follow."
"This is exactly what I was saying to myself," answered Mangogul, "when
you awoke. And yet if you had slept two minutes longer, I cannot answer
for what might have happened."
"What would have happened," says Mirzoza, "is, that my Toy would have
given you no information, and that you would have lost me for ever."
"That may be," replied Mangogul; "but now that I have a full view of
the danger which I incurred, I solemnly swear to you by the eternal
Pagoda, that you shall be excepted from the number of those, on whom I
shall turn the ring."
At these words Mirzoza brightened up, and fell to joking at the expence
of the Toys which the Prince should hereafter interrogate. "Cydalisa's
Toy," said she, "has many stories to tell, and if it be as indiscreet
as its mistress, it will not require much intreaty. Haria's Toy is
no longer of this world, and your highness will obtain no tales from
it of fresher date than the days of my grandmother. As for that of
Glauce, I believe it is a proper one to be consulted. She is a coquet
and pretty." "And for that reason precisely it is," replied the Sultan,
"that her Toy will be mute." "Why then," said the Sultana, "apply to
that of Phedima, she is ugly, and loves gallantry." "Yes," continued
the Sultan; "and so ugly, that one must be as ill-natured as you, to
accuse her of gallantry. Phedima is sober; 'tis I who say it, and who
know something of the matter." "As sober as you please," replied the
favorite, "but she has a sort of grey eyes that speak the contrary."
"Her eyes belye her," said the Sultan warmly. "You tire my patience
with your Phedima. Might not one say, that there is no other Toy but
this to examine." "But may I presume, without offending your highness,"
added Mirzoza, "to ask which is the first you intend to honour with
your choice." "We shall see anon," said Mangogul, "in the circle of the
Manimonbanda, (the Congese name of the great Sultana). We shall have
a good deal of work upon our hands and when we happen to be tired of
the Toys of my court, we may chance make a tour thro' Banza. Possibly
we may find those of the city women more reasonable than those of
dutchesses." "Prince," said Mirzoza, "I have some acquaintance with
the former, and can assure you, that they are only more circumspect."
"We shall soon hear from them: but I cannot refrain from laughter,"
continued Mangogul, "when I think on the confusion and surprize of
these women at the first words of their Toys, ha, ha, ha! Remember,
delight of my soul, that I shall expect you at the great Sultana's,
and that I shall make no use of my ring till you are come." "Prince,"
said Mirzoza, "I rely on the promise you have made me." Mangogul smiled
at her allarm, reiterated his promise, sealed them with kisses, and
retired.