Dakianos retired, confounded with this last reproach, but still more

distracted at having humbled himself so far.

In the midst of all these misfortunes which succeeded each other to

oppress this enemy of God, the revolt, which was considerably

augmented, demanded an example to be made, and the heart of Dakianos

engaged him to render it of the greatest severity. To that effect he

caused to be erected in the public square, upon the ashes of his

palace, a throne of iron; he commanded all his Court and all his

troops to be clothed in red,[4] and to be covered with black turbans.

He took care to put on the same habit, with a design of murdering in

one moment five or six hundred thousand souls, whom he resolved to

sacrifice to the safety of his throne, to the manes of his children,

to his lost honour, and to what affected him still more, the incessant

remorse and horror that gnawed his heart. But before he performed this

cruel execution, he resolved once more to visit the cavern, in hopes

that his weapons, the usual confidence of the wicked, might intimidate

those whom by prayers or by menaces he could obtain nothing from. When

he arrived there, he redoubled his usual blasphemies.

[Footnote 4: This colour in the East is a mark of the vengeance of

princes.]

"Tremble, thou wretch!" said Catnier then to him, without any emotion

or so much as raising his head, which lay upon his paws.

"Shall I tremble?" returned Dakianos: "Allah Himself cannot make me

tremble."

"But He can punish thee," pursued Catnier; "thou drawest near thy last

moment."

Dakianos, at that word, listening only to his resentment, took his

arrows and his bow.

"We shall see," said he, "whether I am not redoubtable--to thee at

least."

He then shot an arrow at him with the utmost strength of his arm; but

a supernatural power made it fall at the feet of him who shot it, and

at the same instant there sprang out of the cavern a serpent, which

was above twenty feet in length, and whose dreadful and inflamed look

made him tremble. Dakianos would have taken his flight; but the

serpent soon overtook him, grasped him round the body, and dragged him

through the whole city, that all his subjects might be witnesses of

his terror and of his punishment. He then conveyed him to the iron

throne which he had prepared for the scene of his vengeance. It was

there that, being devoured by degrees, Dakianos by his dreadful

sufferings gave a terrible example of the punishment due to

ingratitude and impiety. The serpent afterwards returned to his cavern

without having done the least hurt to any person, and all the

inhabitants of Ephesus loaded it with benedictions at its departure.

Several Kings succeeded Dakianos, and filled his throne during the

time of one hundred and forty years; after which it fell into the

power of the ancient Greeks, who enjoyed it for the space of one

hundred and sixty-nine years longer. When the time of the repose of

the Seven Sleepers was accomplished, that which was written happened

unto them. One of the seven awakened at that instant; and the dawn

beginning to appear, he raised himself up, and said within himself, "I

seem to have slept at least twenty-four hours;" and by degrees the

others awakened, struck with the same idea.

Jemlikha, always more lively than the rest, leapt up immediately, and

was extremely surprised to find, at the opening of the cavern, a wall

erected of large square stones, which entirely enclosed it. He

returned to his companions and told them the occasion of his

astonishment. Notwithstanding this inconvenience, they agreed that

they must absolutely send one of their number to the city to buy

provisions; and casting their eyes upon the shepherd, Jemlikha gave

him money, telling him that he ran no hazard by going. The shepherd

rising to do them that service, at that moment Catnier[5] awakened,

perfectly cured of his broken legs, and ran to caress them. The

shepherd strove in vain to get out of the cavern, for the passage that

Dakianos had reserved to himself was fallen down; and examining the

wall carefully, he remarked the enormous bigness of the stones that

composed it; and through the chinks that time had made between them,

he saw with astonishment that part of the trees were dead, others were

fallen, and that the water of the springs was differently placed; in

one word, he was so confounded at the uncommon change that he

perceived, that he returned into the cavern to inform his companions

of this surprising event. They immediately arose and went to the

entrance to judge of it themselves; but every fresh object redoubled

their amazement.

[Footnote 5: There are ten animals which, according to Mahommedans,

must enter into Paradise: the whale that swallowed Jonas; the ant of

Solomon; the ram of Ismael; the cuckoo of Belkis; the camel of the

Prophet of God; the ass of Aazis, Queen of Saba; the calf of Abraham;

the camel of the Prophet Saleb; the ox of Moses; and the dog that

accompanied the Seven Sleepers.]

Jemlikha then said to the shepherd, "Give me thy habit; I will go

myself to the city and fetch what is necessary for us, and endeavour

to find out what we cannot now comprehend."

The shepherd gave him his habit, and took his in return. Jemlikha,

with much labour, made himself a passage through the ruins of this

thick wall, followed the road to the city, and remarked over the gate

a standard, upon which was written, "There is no other god but the

true God."

He was astonished to find that one night had produced so great a

change. "Is not this a vision?" said he. "Do I awake, or do I feel the

illusions of a dream?"

Whilst he made these embarrassing reflections, he saw a man come out

of the castle, whom he approached, and asked him if this city was not

called Ephesus. He told him that was its name.

"What is the name of him who governs it?" resumed Jemlikha

immediately.

"It belongs to Encouch: he is the King of it, and has his residence in

it," replied the man.

Jemlikha, still more astonished, pursued his questions.

"What do these words signify," cried he, "which are upon the

standard?"

He satisfied his curiosity by telling him that they represented the

holy name of God.

"But I apprehend," interrupted Jemlikha, with eagerness, "that

Dakianos is the King of this city, and that he makes himself be

worshipped here as a god."

"I have never heard of any King so named," returned the inhabitant of

the city.

"What an uncommon sleep I am in!" cried Jemlikha. "Awaken me, I

conjure you," said he to him.

The man, surprised in his turn, could not forbear saying to him,

"What! you have asked me reasonable and sensible questions, you have

understood my answers, and can you imagine that you are asleep?"

Jemlikha, ashamed of speaking to him so inadvertently, quitted him,

saying within himself, "Most high Allah, have you deprived me of

reason?"

With this confusion of ideas, he entered into the city, which he could

not in the least recollect: the houses, the temples, the seraglios,

appeared under a new form to him. At length he stopped before the door

of a baker, where he chose out several loaves, and presented his money

for them: the baker examined it, and looking upon Jemlikha with much

attention, he was alarmed at it, and said to him,

"Why dost thou look upon me? Give me thy bread, take my money, and

concern thyself no further."

The baker answered him with the most eager curiosity, "Where hast thou

found this money?"

"What is that to thee?" resumed Jemlikha.

"I don't know this money," replied the baker, "it is not the coin of

the King that now reigns. Let me share the treasure which thou hast

doubtless been so happy as to find, and I promise thee to be secret."

Jemlikha, almost out of patience, said to him, "This money is struck

with the image of Dakianos, the absolute lord of this country. What

can I tell thee more?"

But the baker, still prepossessed with the same idea, pursued thus:

"Thou comest from the country: believe me, thy occupation of a

shepherd has not rendered thee cunning enough to deceive me, nor to

impose upon me. God has favoured thee with the discovery of a

treasure: if thou dost not consent to share it with me, I will go this

moment and declare it to the King; he will soon have thee arrested,

thy riches will be seized upon, and perhaps thou mayest be put to

death for not having declared them."

Jemlikha, impatient at this discourse of the baker's, would have taken

his bread and left him; but the baker detained him, and, their dispute

growing hot, a mob gathered round them to listen to it. Jemlikha said

to the baker,

"I went out of the city but yesterday, I return to it this day. What

can make thee imagine that I have found a treasure?"

"Nothing is more true," returned the baker, "and I am resolved to have

a share of it."

A man belonging to the King running in at the noise, and in the

incertitude he was in of the event, went and fetched the guards, who

seized upon Jemlikha, and conducted him before the King, whom they

informed of the occasion of this dispute.

And the Prince said to him, "Where hast thou found those ancient coins

they speak of?"

"Sire," replied Jemlikha, "I carried them yesterday from this city;

but in one night Ephesus has taken so different a form that I no

longer know it: all whom I have met, all whom I see, are unknown to

me, and yet I was born in this city, and I cannot express the

confusion of my mind."

The King said to him, "Thou seemest to have sense; thy countenance is

agreeable, and thy manner composed: how can thy speech be so

unreasonable? Is it to abuse me that thou feignest this distraction? I

will absolutely know where thou hast concealed the treasure which thy

good fortune has made thee possessor of. The fifth part by law belongs

to me, and I consent to leave thee the remainder."

"Sire," replied Jemlikha, "I have not found a treasure, but certainly

I have lost my senses."

Jemlikha durst not speak too plainly, he still fearing lest this King,

who was unknown to him, should be one of the viziers of Dakianos, who

might order him to be conveyed to that Prince, who perhaps was absent.

Happily for him, Encouch had a Vizier of a penetrating genius, and who

had an extensive knowledge of the precepts of the law, and of ancient

history: that of Dakianos was not unknown to him, and by consequence

he had some knowledge of the Seven Sleepers, who were imagined to be

in a neighbouring cavern. The discourse of Jemlikha gave him

suspicions; and to enlighten them, he said in a whisper to the King,

"I am much deceived, or this young man attended upon Dakianos. God

enlightened his mind, he quitted him, and retired into a cavern with

five of his companions, a shepherd, and a little dog. Those seven

persons were to appear out of this cavern after having slept three

hundred and nine years: their awakening was to confirm the people in

their duty, and everything induces me to believe that this young man

is the former slave of Dakianos."

Encouch, with reason, reposed much confidence in his Vizier;

therefore, addressing himself to Jemlikha, "Relate thy adventure to us

without disguise," said he, "or I will have thee seized this moment."

Jemlikha, who knew the necessity his friends were under of his return,

obeyed him, notwithstanding the fear he was under of seeing Dakianos,

and finished his recital, which proved conformable to all that the

Vizier had read in history; but what still further convinced the King

was, that he added, "Your Majesty may be pleased to know that I have a

house, a son, and several relations in this city, that can bear

witness to the truth of what I have said."

"Consider," said the prudent Vizier to him, "that all thou hast

related to the King happened three hundred and nine years since."

"Thou must, then, give us some other proof," resumed the King.

"I make no answer out of respect," returned Jemlikha, "to all the

difficulties that are made; but to persuade you of what I have

advanced, there is a considerable treasure, concealed by me in the

house that belongs to me, which none but myself has the knowledge of."

The King and all his Court immediately rose to repair to this house.

But Jemlikha, who went first, in order to conduct them, looked all

round, and knew neither the street nor his own house.

He was in this confusion, when God permitted an Angel, under the form

of a young man, to come to his assistance, who said to him, "Servant

of the true God, you seem to be much astonished."

"How can I but be surprised?" replied Jemlikha; "this city is so

changed in one night, that I cannot find my house, nor even the street

in which it is situated."

"Follow me," said the Angel of God; "I will conduct you thither."

Jemlikha, still accompanied by the King, the Beys, and the Viziers,

followed the Angel of God, who after some time stopped before a door

and disappeared, saying to him, "Behold your house."

Jemlikha, through his confidence in God, entered into it, and saw an

old man, unknown to him, and who was surrounded by several young

people. He saluted them all very politely, and said very affably to

the old man, "This house, I believe, belongs to me; why do I find you

here? and what business have you to do in it?"

"I believe you are mistaken," replied the old man, with the same

affability. "This house has long been in our family. My grandfather

left it to my father, who is not yet dead, but who indeed has but one

breath of life left."

The young men would have answered, and were enraged at Jemlikha; but

the old man said to them, "Be not angry, my children; passion is never

necessary. He has perhaps some good reason to give us: let us hearken

to him."

He afterwards turned himself towards Jemlikha, and said to him, "How

can this house belong to you? By what right do you pretend to it? Who

are you?"

"Ah! venerable old man," returned Jemlikha, "how can I tell you of my

adventure? None of those to whom I have related it will give credit to

it; I cannot myself comprehend it: judge of the situation I am in!"

The old man, touched with his affliction, said to him, "Take courage,

my child: I interest myself in your fate; my heart was moved at the

sight of you."

Jemlikha, reassured by this discourse, related to the old man all that

had happened to him; and he had no sooner heard his story than he went

and brought out a picture to compare it with Jemlikha. When he had

examined him for some time, he sighed, and his trouble and concern

increased. He kissed the picture several times, and threw himself at

the feet of Jemlikha, prostrating his wrinkled countenance, and his

beard, whitened by age, upon the ground. At length he cried out,

"Oh, my dearest ancestor!"

The torrent of tears which ran from his eyes prevented him from

saying more. The King and his Viziers, whom this scene had rendered

very attentive to the conversation, said then to the old man,

"What! do you acknowledge him for your ancestor?"

"Yes, sire," replied he: "he is the great-great-father of my father."

He could not finish these words without bursting again into tears. He

afterwards took him by the hand, and conducted him through the house.

Jemlikha, perceiving a beam of cypress, said,

"It was I who caused that beam to be placed. Under the end of it will

be found a large stone of granite; it covers ten vases, equal to those

that are in the King's treasury. They are filled with gold pieces of

the coin of Dakianos, and each of those pieces weighs a hundred

drachmas."

Whilst they laboured to raise up the cypress beam, the old man

approached Jemlikha with the greatest respect, and said to him, "My

father is still alive, but he has very little strength left. It is he

who has formerly related to me some of the things that you have told

me. Come," continued he, "come and see my father, and your

descendant."

Jemlikha followed him into another apartment, and saw a very old man. They

made him swallow a drop of milk; he opened his eyes, and could not forbear

shedding a torrent of tears when he heard who Jemlikha was, and Jemlikha

could not restrain his. What an astonishment to all those who saw a young

man whose grandson's son was in that excess of decrepitude--an old man

oppressed with years, and the children of that old man resembling by their

tone and countenance their great-grandfather! The people at the sight of

this miracle could not forbear admiring the greatness of the power of God.

They examined the annals, and found that the three hundred and nine years

were accomplished that day.

When the beam of cypress was taken up, they found all that Jemlikha

had declared. He made a present of one part of the treasure to the

King, and gave the other to the children of his great-grandson.

The King after this said to Jemlikha, "We are now convinced of the

truth of thy history: let us go to thy companions in the cavern, and

give them assistance."

"It is the only wish I have to form," replied Jemlikha.

The Prince then, caused a great quantity of provisions to be carried

with him, and departed, accompanied with his army and all the people,

to repair to the cavern. It appeared so dreadful that no one had

courage to enter it. It is said, however, that the King resolved to do

it--that he saw the companions of Jemlikha--but that it was at the

very moment of his entering it that Jemlikha gave up the ghost, with

the six others and the little dog. He even heard them repeat their

acts of adoration to the Sovereign Master of the universe, and die as

they pronounced them. Encouch caused everything to be brought that was

necessary to pay them the last duty, and had them interred in the same

cavern where they had slept so long. When all the people were gone out

of it, by a particular permission of God, the entrance of the cavern

was closed, and since that time it has been impossible for any man to

enter it. The King commanded a column to be erected some paces from

it, upon which he caused to be engraved the history of the Seven

Sleepers, to make known the power of God, to inspire a horror for

ingratitude, and to show by this example the efficacy of prayer.

[Illustration]

The Enchanters.

[Illustration]

At the death of the mighty Dabulcombar, the Lord of the East, Misnar,

the first-born of the Sultan, ascended the throne of India; but,

though he had scarcely arrived at the age of manhood, yet neither the

splendour of his Court nor the flatteries of the East could steal from

the youthful Sultan the knowledge of himself.

His first royal command was to assemble together the wise men

throughout his extensive dominions, from Cabul and Attok in the west

to Kehoa and Thoanoa in the east. The learned and devout accordingly

came from every part of his dominions. On an appointed day the Sultan

ordered the illustrious assembly to meet in the divan, where, being

placed on the throne of his forefathers, he thus opened unto them the

desires of his heart:

"O ye sources of light and fountains of knowledge!" said Misnar,

"more precious are your counsels to me than the mines of Raalconda:

wisdom is the true support of honour, and the Sultan is established by

the counsel of his sages. Say, then, what course shall Misnar pursue

that may secure him on the throne of the mighty Dabulcombar?"

The sages in the divan were struck with astonishment at the

condescension of their young Sultan, and one and all fell prostrate

before his throne. "May wisdom," said they, "guide the footsteps of

the illustrious Misnar! may the mind of our Sultan be as the eye of

day!"

Then arose the prophet Zeuramaund, and said, "I perceive, O mighty

Sultan, the dark clouds of evil are gathering to disturb the hours of

futurity; the spirits of the wicked are preparing the storm and the

tempest against thee!"

The venerable sages looked aghast as Zeuramaund uttered these ominous

predictions; the whole council were dismayed at his words, and all

fell again prostrate on the earth.

Misnar alone appeared to be unconcerned at his predicted fate. "O my

friends," said the youthful Sultan, "the rose cannot blossom without

the thorn, nor life be unchequered by the frowns of fate. Grieve not,

then, that trials await me, since the spirit of prudence and virtue

blossoms fairest in a rugged soil."

The sages arose as their royal master spake, and beheld with wonder

the youthful countenance of their prudent Sultan.

Silence and amazement for a time prevailed, till one of the sages,

advancing before the rest, thus counselled the intrepid Prince:

"O light of the earth!" said the trembling sage, "whose virtue and

innocence have not been vexed by frauds, and deceit, whose pure mind

seeth not the foul devices of man's heart, trust not to the fickle

interpositions of chance, where thine own arm can work security, and

establish a permanent foundation to thy father's throne. Thou hast a

brother, O my Sultan, whose veins are filled with royal blood, and

whose heart is by descent above control. Ahubal, therefore, ere his

youth unfolds in the fulness of manhood, should be cut off."

"What!" said the young Sultan Misnar, "what do thy base suspicious

fears advise? Is there no way to build up the seat of justice and

mercy but in murder and fratricide? Never let him who was born to

execute judgment secure his honours by cruelty and oppression. The

righteous Allah planted me not here to spread a poisonous shade over

the offspring of His Prophet Mahomet: though fear and submission be a

subject's tribute, yet is mercy the attribute of Allah, and the most

pleasing endowment of the vicegerents of earth. But as thou, weak man,

hast dared to advise the extirpation of one of the race of the mighty

Dabulcombar, the vengeance of my injured brother's blood fasten upon

thy life!"

The guards of the divan, hearing the sentence of the Sultan,

approached with their drawn sabres towards the decrepit sage; but

Misnar, rising, cried out,

"Who of my subjects shall dare to violate with blood the sanctity of

this refuge for the oppressed? Let the divan of justice be sacred:

nevertheless, lead that author of malice from my sight, and let his

own blood make satisfaction for the cruelty of his desires."

As he spake thus, the guards attempted to seize the sage; but when

they advanced towards him, flames of fire burst from his mouth, and

his whole form appeared as that of a fiery dragon. The rest of the

sages fled from the dreadful monster; but Misnar, with an intrepid

countenance, stood before his throne, with his drawn sabre pointing

towards the dragon, when through the flames he perceived a hoary

magician on the back of the monster.

"Vain, O silly child of Mahomet!" said the enchanter, "were thy sabre

against the power of my art, did not a superior force uphold thee; but

tremble at thy doom: twice four of my race are determined against

thee, and the throne of Dabulcombar noddeth over thy head; fear hath

now preserved thee, and the weakness of thy heart, which the credulous

believers of Mahomet will call prudence and moderation; but the fiend

of darkness is let loose, and the powers of enchantment shall

prevail." As the old magician spake thus, his fiery dragon, with

tremendous hissings, arose, and, cleaving the dome of the divan,

disappeared from their sight.

"Thus," said the illustrious Misnar, "let the enemies of Mahomet be

dismayed! But inform me, O ye sages, under the semblance of which of

your brethren did that foul enchanter gain admittance here?"

"As I travelled on the mountains from Queda," answered Bahilu, the

hermit of the Faithful from Queda, "and saw neither the footsteps of

beasts nor the flights of birds, behold, I chanced to pass through a

cavern, in whose hollow sides I found this accursed sage, to whom I

unfolded the invitation of the Sultan of India, and we journeyed

together towards the divan; but ere we entered he said unto me, 'Put

thy hand forth, and pull me toward thee into the divan, calling on the

name of Mahomet; for the evil spirits are on me and vex me.'"

After the hermit Bahilu had spoken, Mangelo arose.

"May the power of the Sultan of the East be multiplied!" said he; "but

know, O Sultan, that neither evil genius nor enchanter can enter this

seat of justice unless he be invited in the name of Mahomet."

"If it be so," answered the Sultan Misnar, "then neither can they be

masked against the voice of justice; for Thou, O righteous Allah, wilt

uphold the tribunal which Thou has founded upon earth, and make the

visions of fraud to depart from him who seeketh truth. Therefore,"

continued the Sultan, "lest this assembly be still tainted with malice

and infidelity, I command the evil spirits to stand confessed before

me."

At his word, sulphurous smokes arose, and from the thronged assembly

seven hideous forms broke forth.

First, on a vulture's pinions, the fell enchanter Tasnar soared aloft,

whose skin was as the parched Indian's when he writhes impaled upon

the bloody stake.

Next, on the back of an enormous scorpion, whose tail dropped deadly

poison, Ahaback appeared, and with his eyes darted malignant flashes

on the youthful Sultan.

Happuck, a subtle magician, followed him, seated on the shoulders of a

tiger, whose mane was shagged with snakes, and whose tail was covered

with twining adders.

Hapacuson also, that decrepit hag, who personated the righteous

Sallasalsor, from Nechal, now stripped of the garments of hypocrisy,

filled the eyes of the sages with terror and amazement. Her lean

bones, wrapped round with yellow skin, appeared like the superstitious

mummies of western Egypt. She was mounted on a dreadful monster. Its

form was like the deadly spider, but in bulk like the elephant of the

woods; hairs, like cobwebs, covered its long bony legs, and from

behind, a bag of venom, of a whitish hue, spurted forth its malignant

influence.

She was followed by her malicious sister Ulin, squatting on the back

of a hideous toad.

Then, with a loud hiss, started forth, in many a fold, a black

serpent, in length and bulk like the cedars of the forest, bearing the

powerful enchantress Desra, whose wide-extended ears covered a head of

iniquity.

Last, with majestic horrors, the giant Kifri swelled into his full

proportion: the long alligator that bore him groaned with his load,

and opening all his mouths (for every scale appeared a mouth), vomited

forth streams of blood. In his hand the giant brandished a tall pine,

and, shaking it at the dauntless Misnar, said,

"Tremble, vile reptile, at a giant's wrath! tremble at the magic

powers of all my brethren, for thy doom is fixed!"

At these words, the infernal crew joined with Kifri, and all at once

pronounced in harsh discordant sounds, "Tremble, vile reptile, for thy

doom is fixed!"

The enchanters were then involved in a thick cloud of smoke, from

which issued flashes of lightning, which, ascending to the roof of the

divan, disappeared in a moment.

"There is neither wisdom nor prudence," said Misnar, as he prostrated

himself on the ground, after the enchantments were at an end, "but

what is derived from Allah. If Thou dost vouchsafe to direct my steps,

O Protector of Mussulmen, the fear of evil shall not come upon me."

"Happy," said Candusa, the imam of Lahor, "happy is the Prince whose

trust is in Allah, and whose wisdom cometh from the Heavens."

"Happy," said all the sages, humbling themselves before the Sultan

Misnar, "happy is our Sultan, the favourite of Allah!"

"That, O sages," replied Misnar, "is too much for even the Sultan of

the East to hear. But, may the all-righteous Allah approve of my

thoughts and actions; so shall the infernal powers destroy the

wretches that employ them, and the dark poisoned arrow recoil upon him

that blew it forth. But, O sages, though your numbers are reduced,

your integrity is more tried and approved; therefore let your Sultan

partake of the sweetness of your counsels, and learn from aged

experience the wisdom of the sons of earth. Say, then, what doth the

peace and security of my throne require from me concerning my brother

Ahubal, the issue of the mighty Dabulcombar?"

"Far be it from me," said the sage Carnakan, "to presume to utter my

words as oracles before the Prince; but may not the security of the

East require that the Prince thy brother be not enlarged, as my Sultan

is, to do whatsoever seemeth good in his heart? Should not the younger

be as servant to the first-born of his father, and are not all the

Princes the vassals of the Sultans of the East? Let, therefore, the

Prince Ahubal enjoy the pleasure of life; but let him be removed from

giving pain and uneasiness to my royal Sultan Misnar. At the sources

of the springs of Ava, on the craggy rocks of Aboulfaken, is a royal

castle built by the sage Illfakircki, to which there is no passage but

through a narrow vale, which may be ever guarded by the slaves of

Misnar. Hither let the Prince be sent; and let him live there, and

enjoy life, without having any power to molest the glories of thy

reign."

The counsel of Carnakan was agreeable to the Sultan and his sages; and

Misnar gave immediate orders, that the mutes of his seraglio should

attend the Prince to the royal castle at Aboulfaken; and then

dismissing, for the present, the assembled sages, he commanded them to

attend the divan every week.

In a few days, the mutes and guards who were sent with the Prince

Ahubal being admitted into the presence of their Sultan, fell on their

faces, and cried out,

"Oh, let not the displeasure of the Sultan visit his slaves, who, in

obedience to thy royal word, journeyed toward the castle of

Aboulfaken, and, as they passed along through the deserts, a party of

five thousand horse appeared, who, setting upon us, ordered us either

to deliver up the Prince Ahubal, or defend him with our lives. Thy

slaves would willingly have chosen the latter fate. Yet, alas! what

were four hundred guards and twenty mutes to the army that opposed us?

But our consultation was vain; for while we debated how to defend

ourselves, the Prince drew his sabre, and, killing three of our

number, cut his way through the guards to his friends. The horsemen

then would have set upon us and hewed us in pieces; but their chief

forbade them, saying, 'No, let them live, and be the messengers of the

Prince's escape. Go,' continued he, 'dastard slaves! and let your

Sultan know, that Ahubal has friends who will shortly punish him for

his designs on the Prince.'"

At these words of the guards Misnar gave a deep sigh, and said, "Human

prudence alone is far too weak to fight against the wiles of the

deceitful; but Allah is more powerful than man. I will therefore send

for the prophets, and inquire of them where I may seek for the

assistance of Mahomet."

The Sultan then commanded Zeuramaund and his tribe, and Mangelo the

prophet, from the hollow rocks of Caxol, to be brought before him; and

when they were come into his presence, he demanded of them, where he

might seek for the assistance of Mahomet, and the countenance of

Allah.

Then Zeuramaund answered the Sultan in these words:

"In the tomb of the Prophet of Mecca is the signet of Mahomet, which

no human power may remove; but if the Prophet will hear the prayer of

the Sultan, it may easily be taken thence."

"Yes," replied Mangelo, "the seal of Mahomet will indeed preserve the

Prince from enchantment; but it is also necessary that he put on the

girdle of Opakka, which is worn by the giant Kifri, the sworn enemy of

the Eastern throne. For although the signet of Mahomet will preserve

the Sultan from evil, yet will the girdle of Opakka only save him from

deceit."

The Sultan Misnar was moved at the discourse of his prophets, and

spent the night in thought and perplexity. He had little hope that the

signet of Mahomet, which had for ages remained immovable, should

yield to him; or that, with all his numerous armies, he should be able

to force the girdle of Opakka from the loins of an enchanter, who

could in a moment overwhelm his troops by the power of his art.

However, he determined the next morning to go with his Court on a

public pilgrimage to Mecca, and to offer up the most solemn petitions

to the Prophet of his faith.

Early in the morning the Sultan arose from his seraglio, and commanded

his courtiers to prepare the procession, as he intended immediately to

make a public pilgrimage to Mecca.

But as Misnar was making known his intentions, a messenger arrived in

haste at the entrance of the seraglio, who brought advice that one of

the southern kingdoms had revolted, and was led on by a skilful

heroine, who declared her intentions of placing Ahubal, the brother of

the Sultan, on the throne of India.

Misnar was conscious that this revolt was brought about through the

contrivances of the enchanters, and therefore despaired of conquering

them by means of his armies; but lest the other kingdoms, seeing no

troops were sent to repel the rebels, should also join the adverse

party, the Sultan commanded the signal of war to sound; and sending

for his Grand Vizier Horam in private, he ordered him to lead out the

armies of Delhi against the rebels, and to dispatch daily messengers

to the capital, to bring advice of his success.

The Vizier Horam received the Sultan's commission with reverence, and

said, "Let not my Sultan be angry at his slave. If my lord should

require ten thousand messengers, his slave Horam would dispatch them.

But if my lord will accept of this tablet, he shall know in a moment

the success of his servant, though numberless leagues distant."

"What!" said Misnar, taking the tablet from his Vizier. "By what means

is this tablet endued with these rare virtues?"

"My lord," answered Horam, "when my father, through the malice of his

enemies, was banished from the presence of the mighty Dabulcombar--whom

the houris of Paradise do serve--he called me to him, and said, 'O Horam,

the evil-minded have prevailed, and thy father has fallen a sacrifice to

the enemies of truth! No more, my son, shall I behold the children of my

strength, nor the splendour of my Sultan's Court. Whither I go, I know

not. But take this tablet, my son; and whatever befalleth thy parent shall

at times be made known to thee in the leaves of this book; and to

whomsoever thou givest it, that friend shall, after my death, read therein

whatever Horam my son shall wish to make known unto him.'"

"Faithful Horam," answered the Sultan, "your present is of such

exquisite value, that I shall, in confidence, honour you with the

first place in my esteem. Know, then, my faithful Vizier, that the

powers of enchantment are let loose against my throne, and the

prophets have said, 'Thou shalt not prevail but with the signet of

Mahomet and the girdle of Opakka;' therefore it is expedient that I

first go to Mecca to obtain this valuable gift of the Prophet. My

purpose this morning was to go surrounded by the nobles of my Court;

but while rebellion stalketh abroad, pageants are idle, and the parade

of a Sultan's pilgrimage will give my enemies time to increase in

their numbers and strength. No, Horam; I myself will in secret

approach the tomb of my Prophet, for Allah requireth the service of

the heart, and searcheth out the purity of his servants' intentions: I

shall go with greater humility as a peasant than as a prince. In the

meantime my royal tent shall be pitched, and Horam only shall be

suffered to approach it. So shall my slaves imagine their Sultan goeth

forth with them to the field, and their hearts shall be strengthened."

"Be the desires of the Sultan fulfilled," said Horam, with reverence;

"but will not my lord take with him a guard in his pilgrimage?--for

the dangers of the journey are great over the mountains and deserts,

and the voyage by the seas is perilous."

"No," answered the Sultan; "those who are my slaves _here_, may at a

distance become my masters, and sell me to my foes: where the trust is

great, great is the danger also. Shall I set guards over my person in

the heart of my kingdom amidst my faithful subjects, and trust my life

in a slave's hand where I am neither known nor respected?"

The Vizier Horam was struck with the prudence of his youthful Sultan,

and bowed in assent to his words.

In a few days the armies of India assembled; the royal tent was

pitched, and the Vizier was declared the leader of his Sultan's

forces. Misnar entered his tent in great state, and Horam alone

followed the Sultan into the retirements of the movable pavilion.

The Vizier had, according to the Sultan's instructions, prepared a

disguise for his master; and at midnight led him, like a peasant,

through the encampment into a wood, where, falling at his feet, he

besought him to consider well the dangers he was about to encounter.

"Horam," answered the Sultan, "I well know the goodness of thy heart,

and that thy fears arise from thy love. Sensible am I that the dangers

of my pilgrimage are great; but what resource have I left? More than

man is risen up against me, and more than man must assist me, or I

perish. To whom, then, can I fly, but to the Prophet of the Faithful?

For I am well assured that no enchantment shall prevail against me

while I journey toward Mecca, for such is the faith of all true

believers: though they may oppress and fatigue me, yet in the end

shall I triumph. Besides, Horam, there remains no other course for

me."

"True, my Sultan," answered the Vizier: "without Allah, vain is the

counsel of man; but is not Allah everywhere present to aid and defend

the sons of the Faithful?"

"Though Allah be all-powerful," answered Misnar, "yet is not the slave

of His hand to direct the Lord of all things. If we would gain the

help and assistance of Allah, we must obey His commands; and well are

we assured in the law of our Prophet, that at Mecca shall the prayer

of the Faithful be heard. Wherefore, O Horam, no longer my slave, but

my friend, lead forth my armies with confidence and trust, and doubt

not that He, who daily refresheth the sun with light, will shortly

restore Misnar to the throne of his forefathers."

As he spake thus the Sultan broke from his Vizier, Horam, who had

fallen at his feet weeping at his fixed resolves, and penetrated into

the gloomy recesses of the forest.

All was silence and darkness, save where, through broken fragments of

fleeting clouds, the moon sometimes threw a feeble light on the gloom

of the forest.

"This gloomy recess," said Misnar, as he passed on, "which hides me

from the world, makes me better known to myself. In the Court of my

forefathers I am called the 'light of the world,' the 'glory of the

East,' and the 'eye of day;' but in the wild forest of Tarapajan I am

a poor helpless creature. What, then, is the pride of man but deceit,

and the glories of the earth but shadows? Surely more had I to fear

from enchantment on the throne of Dabulcombar than in the bosom of

this forest. Here the wild beast will not flatter me, nor will the

lordly lion acknowledge me the Sultan of his wild domains."

With such thoughts Misnar passed on for many days; till one night, at

a distance, he perceived the skies looked red with light from various

fires, and, by the noise, found that some Indians were carousing in

the woods before him.

The disguised Sultan endeavoured to avoid them, striking into a path

which led round their fires; but some of the Indians observing him,

called to their brother peasant, and desired him to partake of their

mirth.

Misnar thought it would be vain to refuse the request, as they all

seemed disposed to insist on their demands, and therefore hastened to

the scene of their festivity.

Here he found ten or twelve fires, with a number of males and females,

some sitting, and some dancing around them to the sound of rustic

music.

Misnar inquired the cause of their mirth.

"What!" said an ancient female, "though you are a stranger in

Tarapajan, and know not that the Feast of Tigers is celebrated by

these nightly fires, yet must you now learn that no stranger comes but

to partake of our joy, nor departs till, the fires are extinct."

"And how long," said Misnar, "doth this feast last?"

"This," answered the old woman, "is the third night, and these fires

must blaze yet eleven nights and days more, during which time the axe

is not seen in the hand of the forester, nor doth the bow twang in the

woods of Tarapajan; neither may he which seeth these rites depart till

they be fulfilled."

Misnar was thunderstruck at this relation. And ere he could answer,

the crowd gathered round him.

"Come," said he that appeared to be the chief, "let us initiate this

stranger into our rites: bring hither the skin of the tiger, and the

paw of the lion, and the lance, and the bow that twangs not in the

woods of Tarapajan during these nightly festivals."

Then one brought the skin of a tiger, and threw it over the shoulders

of Misnar; another came with the paw of a lion, and hung it before

him; a third brought a lance, and put it in Misnar's right hand; and a

fourth slung a bow on his breast. Then all the crowd made a loud

howling, and danced round the astonished Sultan.

"Now," said the chief, when the dance was finished, "sound the hollow

instruments of brass, which give notice to the moon and to the stars

that this stranger is about to swear not to reveal our rites. Lay

thine hand on thy head," said the chief to the disguised Sultan, "and

put thy fingers on thy mouth, and say, 'As the starless night is dark,

as the cave of death is dark, so shall my thoughts and words continue

in darkness concerning the festival of tigers.'"

"And wherefore," said Misnar, "is this silence imposed? And what shall

befall him that sweareth not unto you? Is not the mind of man free?

And who shall offend him who seeketh not to offend others?"

"Whosoever," answered the chief, "travelleth, should become obedient

to the customs of those people among whom he tarrieth."

"Right," continued Misnar; "and I am willing, on two conditions, to

fulfil your will: first, you shall all swear that I be at liberty to

pursue my journey on the eleventh day; and, next, that I shall not be

bound to perform aught contrary to the law of Mahomet."

"Stranger," replied the chief, "when we are at liberty to depart, thou

shalt depart likewise; but during this festival, which is held in

honour of our noble ancestor, who remained fourteen days in this

forest till he had subdued a ravenous race of tigers, no man that has

entered here may stir hence till the fires be extinguished: for by

the fire did our ancestor drive away and destroy the tigers and beasts

of the forest, and by fire do we commemorate his mighty deeds.

Neither," continued the chief, "may we reveal these rites to any one

but those who by accident espy them; for such as are present with us

we are bound to receive into our society; wherefore we compel those

who come among us to keep in silence the knowledge of our rites."

"If such is your custom," answered Misnar, "I shall willingly comply,

and swear to you, that 'As the starless night is dark, as the cave of

death is dark, so shall my words and thoughts continue in darkness

concerning the festival of tigers.'"

As he uttered these words, the whole assembly again danced around him,

till the hollow brazen instruments were ordered to sound, and all the

inhabitants of the forest were commanded to receive the disguised

Sultan as their brother.

Then the men, one by one, passed by Misnar, each as he passed laying

the hand of the Sultan on his breast. After they were passed by, came

the females also, who embraced their new brother. These Misnar

suffered to pass on without much reflection, till, among the youngest,

who last approached, he beheld a beautiful virgin, with downcast

looks, drawing near him, and who seemed ashamed of that freedom the

custom of the place obliged her to use.

At sight of this lovely figure, Misnar at once forgot his purpose and

his crown, and was impatient till the ceremony brought her near to

him. The other females perceived his emotion; and the chief of the

festival approaching her, asked the lovely Noradin "whether she would

at length fix her choice? for in this place," continued the chief,

addressing himself to Misnar, "every sex hath freedom, and none are

compelled to take the hand they do not love. Noradin hath for these

three days been courted by all our tribe, but she has refused every

advance: if she refuse not you, our joy will be complete, and then

none of our company will be without his companion."

Misnar, forgetting the great designs of his heart, waited for the fair

one's answer, and felt more fear at her silence than at this dreadful

enchantments of his monstrous enemies. At length Noradin answered,

"May the joy of my comrades be complete!" Misnar, in raptures at the

fair Noradin's preference, took her by the hand, and led up the dance,

while the instruments of brass a third time sounded, to proclaim the

choice of Noradin.

At the appearance of day, each repaired to the cottages around, and

Misnar and Noradin were led by the chief to a spot, where shortly the

whole assembly built them a cottage of bamboo and the leaves of the

plantain.

As soon as they retired, Noradin, taking Misnar by the hand, asked him

whether she deserved his constant love for the choice she had made.

Misnar reflected upon the words of his fair companion, and his heart

recoiled at them.

"What!" said the Sultan to himself, "shall I, for the gratification of

my passion, give up the glories of my father's kingdom, and the

viceregency of Mahomet? Or shall I basely betray that love which is

proffered me, and embitter fair Noradin's future cup of life? No,"

said he aloud, turning to his amiable companion, "never let the man of

integrity deceive the heart that means to make him happy. Forgive me,

all-beauteous Noradin! but the volumes of my fate are open, and the

Prophet of the Faithful will not permit me to indulge here my secret

affections: though the soul of thy slave will be torn and divided, yet

must he depart with the expiring fires of your festival."

"Base, cold, and senseless wretch!" said the false Noradin (as the

beauteous vision vanished from the eyes of the Sultan, and he beheld

the enchantress Ulin before him), "call not thy frozen purpose virtue,

but the green fruits of unripened manhood. Though thou art escaped,

puny animal as thou art! from the power of my enchantments, yet shall

the southern kingdoms of India feel my scourge. Proceed, then,

superstitious reptile! on thy tame pilgrimage to Mecca, while Horam

feels the vengeance of my army in the sultry deserts of Ahajah."

As she spake thus, she stretched out her wand, and the fires and the

foresters, and the enchantress Ulin, disappeared from the sight of the

astonished Sultan.

The Sultan immediately prostrated himself on the ground, and gave

glory to God for his wonderful escape; and, pursuing his journey,

continued his course for two moons through the wide-extended forest of

Tarapajan.

During this time he daily examined the tablets which the Vizier Horam

had given him; but was very uneasy at finding the leaves always fair.

"Alas!" said he to himself, "I have trusted to a base man, who perhaps

has taken this advantage of my credulity, and intends to set the crown

of India on my brother's head! There needed not the powers of

enchantment to overthrow me, since I have betrayed at once my folly

and my cause."

Misnar, therefore, resolved to travel back to Delhi, and learn the

cause of Horam's silence; but as he neglected not to look on the

tablets every day, he at length found the following inscription

therein:

"Horam, the faithful slave of the Sultan of the East, to Misnar, the

lord of his heart.

"Some time after I left my royal Sultan in the forest, while my heart

was sad within me, came a hasty messenger from the outskirts of the

rebel army, and declared their approach, and that the southern

provinces had revolted, and were added to the opposers of the Sultan

of the East. When thy slave was certain of this intelligence from the

mouths of many, who hastened to the camp with these bad tidings, I

commanded the armies of India to be increased, and a more exact

discipline to be observed in my master's camp; and, perceiving that

the enemy hastened to meet the forces, I shortened the march of my

slaves, that the fatigues of the deserts might not prevail more

against them than the face and the sword of their enemies. Moreover, I

led thy troops through the most cultivated countries, that the

necessaries of life might with the greater ease be procured for the

multitudes that followed thy tent. But, alas! the presence of my lord

is not with his people, and the army murmur that they are led by a

Sultan who cheers not their labours by the light of his person; so

that the hearts of thy people are withdrawn from Horam thy slave, and

the captains of thousands demand admittance to thy tent, and accuse

thy Vizier of evil devices against thee, my lord the Sultan."

As the Sultan read this intelligence in the tablet of Horam, his heart

failed within him, and the sight of his eyes was as a mist before him.

"O Misnar! Misnar!" said he, falling to the ground, "the fiend of

darkness is let loose upon thee! and the powers of enchantment still

prevail!"

"Yes," said Ulin the enchantress, who immediately appeared, "the

powers of enchantment shall prevail! Misnar, the faithful servant of

Mahomet, hath at length yielded to my power, and Allah hath given to

my vengeance the wretch that doubts His protection. Crawl, therefore,"

continued she, "vile reptile, on the earth, and become a toad."

At the powerful voice of her enchantment, the Sultan shrank from his

natural form and became a reptile on the earth. His change of form did

not take from Misnar his memory or recollection: he was sensible of

his disgrace, and of the justness of his sentence; and though he could

not fly from himself, yet he hastened into the thicket, that he might

hide from the light of heaven. But the calls of nature soon drove him

from his recess, to seek his proper food in the desert. He crawled

forth, and was led on by a scent that pleased him: his spirits seemed

enlivened by the sweet odour, and his cold feeble limbs were endued

with brisker motion.

"Surely," said he, in his heart, "the bounteous Allah hath not left

the meanest of His creatures without comfort and joy. The smell is as

the smell of roses, and life and vigour are in these attractive

paths."

With these thoughts he crawled forwards into the thickest covert; and

though his body was drawn with a secret impulse, yet his mind was

filled with horror when he came in sight of a mangled and corrupted

body, which lay hid among the bushes. One of his own deformed kind sat

squatting beside it, and, like himself, seemed to desire and yet

detest the loathsome feast.

Misnar, at sight of one of his hideous kind, was filled with scorn and

rage; and, forgetting his transformation, was about to drive him from

the mangled body, when the reptile, opening his mouth, addressed him

in the language of Delhi.

"Whether thou art really what thy form bespeaks thee," said the

reptile, "or, like me, the victim of enchantment, answer."

The Sultan, surprised at this address, and perceiving that misery was

not his portion alone, desired to know by what means his

fellow-creature suffered such a wretched change.

"Since I perceive by your speech," said the reptile, "that one event

has happened to us both, I shall not be adverse to declare to you the

cause of my transformation; but I shall expect that my confidence will

not be misplaced, and that, after I have made you acquainted with my

history, you will not refuse to reveal your own."

"A similitude in our fates," replied Misnar, "has already made us

brethren, and I should be unreasonable to ask a favour I meant not to

return."

"Well, then," said he, "we will depart from this wretched sight into a

different thicket, where we may unmolested bewail our uncommon fates;

for although the enchantress Ulin, to disgrace our former natures, and

to make us the more sensible of our present deformity, obliges us to

meet daily before this horrid spectacle, yet our food is of the fruits

of the earth; for the wicked enchantress has not the power to make us,

even in this deformed habit, do that which is contrary to our human

nature."

While he was speaking another toad came up.

"Here," continued the first, "is another of our brethren, and another

will soon be here: we were three before you came among us.--Where, O

Princess, is the last victim of Ulin's rage?" said he to the second.

"He was basking," answered the second, "in the sand; but I aroused

him, and he is now on his way."

In a few minutes the third arrived. As soon as he had beheld the

mangled body, and, the attraction ceased, the first leading the way,

they departed into another thicket.

"Here," said the first, "O stranger, we may rest securely, and the

serpent cannot annoy us, for we are seated under the shade of the

fragrant cinnamon."

"We are obliged to you for your care of us," said Misnar; "but I am

eager to hear the cause of your transformation."

THE HISTORY OF MAHOUD.

I am (replied the toad) the son of a jeweller in Delhi, and my name is

Mahoud. My father, after a life of industry and parsimony, finding

himself declining, sent for me, and on his death-bed said, "O Mahoud,

my days have been the days of care, but success hath attended them. I

have toiled, that thou mayest reap; sown, that thou mayest gather; and

laboured, that my son may enjoy the fruits of my industry. My peace

and comfort have been sacrificed to thine; and now I die, assured that

my beloved Mahoud will not be pinched by poverty or oppressed by

penury and want."

Thus said my aged father, and expired, and my tears accompanied his

departing spirit; but these soon gave place to that ardent curiosity

which drove me to explore the riches he had left me.

I opened box after box with silent rapture, and was pleased to find

wealth sufficient to satisfy even the appetite of youth. Many diamonds

were among my father's wealth, besides large quantities of gold and

silver; so that, in my youthful judgment, there appeared no end to my

riches.

It was not wonderful that, being so suddenly put in possession of

these riches, I should seek every pleasure and diversion which wealth

could purchase. All who were the companions of my childhood, all who

would court an inexperienced heart, were admitted to my table; and the

strict laws of Mahomet were less regarded at my house than the rich

wines which sparkled at my feasts. Nor were the charms of the fair

forgotten; and while our goblets were filled with wine, we envied not

the deceased their rivers of milk.

Thus passed I my life among those who jest with religion, and make

their mock at the rules of prudence and sobriety. But the time soon

came when my hours of revelry were to be changed for those of sorrow,

and when I was first to learn that a father's prudence will not secure

a wicked son from the shafts of bitterness and grief.

My possessions, though ample, were nearly exhausted by ignorance and

extortion; my jewels were gone; unacquainted with their value, I had

flung them away rather than sold them; my silver and gold were become

the property of my friends, who, when I applied to them in return,

were much more assiduous, if possible, in keeping it from me than I

had been in squandering it on them. So that, in a little while, even

the merchants, who had been such gainers by me, came to demand some

trifling sums that I had borrowed from them, which being unable to

pay, they seized my furniture and stripped me of my clothes to satisfy

their demands.

In this situation I was turned out of my own doors by those whom I had

received a thousand times in my arms, and spurned at like a dog by

those whom I had pressed to my bosom.

Stung by reflecting on my former follies, and ignorant where to fly

for shelter, I covered myself with some few rags that had been cast to

me, and sat down before the house of a rich young man, who, like

myself, seemed to be squandering his wealth on the scum of the earth.

Bennaskar--for that was his name--soon came forth, with his minstrels

and singers at his heels, and, seeing a miserable figure before his

door, he asked what I wanted. I told him that once, like himself, I

gave life to the dance and mirth to my friends; but that want of

caution had been the cause of my ruin, and too much confidence in

those who least deserved my favour.

Several of his friends, hearing this, would have driven me from his

presence, saying it was unfit such a wretch should even enjoy the

blessings of the air; but Bennaskar would not suffer it, and asked me,

"Whether the insincerity of my friends had taught me to be sincere to

others?"

I answered that I had ever been sincere, even to those who were

undeserving, and that I would rather die than betray my friend.

"If what you say is true," said Bennaskar, "I will try you. Go in, and

my servants shall clothe you, and you shall live with me. I only ask

in return, that you never disclose to any one what you hear or see

transacted in my house."

"Sir," answered I, "your offer is gracious, and bespeaks your generous

intentions; but I do not choose to live on another's bounty unless I

can make myself useful."

"That," answered Bennaskar, "you may do if I find I can trust you. I

have long been in search of one I could trust. I want such an one, but

cannot find him."

The friends of Bennaskar then surrounded their lord, and each

confusedly offered their services to him.

"No," said the young man, "though I appear unthoughtful in your eyes,

O, servile race of flatterers! yet know, to your confusion, that I

have tried you all, and find you trifling and insincere. This man

alone refuses my proffered love unless he can return it, and this man

alone is worthy of my esteem."

The friends of Bennaskar were thunderstruck at his words, and renewed

their protestations; but he commanded his servants to drive them from

his house, and, taking me by the hand, he led me into an inner but

sumptuous apartment.

As soon as we entered, I prostrated myself at his feet, and said, "Let

not my lord be angry with his servant, but thou hast not told me what

service thou wilt expect from me."

"All that I require," answered Bennaskar, "is that you disclose not to

any one what you hear or see transacted in my house."

"My lord," answered I, "of what service can I be to you by such a

compliance? If I am silent thy slaves may speak, and I shall be blamed

for their insincerity. I pray thee, let me return to my rags, and set

me not in a place where thy vassals will be tempted to ruin me in thy

favour."

"Your answer," said Bennaskar, "is the answer of a prudent man. But

fear not: I cannot do without you, and I hope you will not refuse my

proffered love. What you will see, none will see besides you;

therefore none but yourself will be unfaithful to me."

On this assurance, I accepted the offer of Bennaskar. After which the

slaves led me to the bath, where I washed, and was perfumed, and

arrayed in a vestment of my lord's.

Bennaskar was impatient to see me; and, as I was led into his

presence, the young man hastened to meet me, and, folding me in his

arms, he said, "May I at length meet a friend I call trust?"

And I answered, "May Mahoud be the friend of thy bosom?"

Bennaskar then led me into another apartment, and meats were set

before us, and he ordered the females that danced to come and

entertain us.

Thus I spent my time with the agreeable Bennaskar: every day we varied

our enjoyments, and were mutually satisfied with each other.

I had now been with my friend eighteen days, and nothing had occurred

to interrupt our friendship, when, on the nineteenth morning,

Bennaskar appeared with a clouded visage.

"What," said I, "my lord, is the cause of your grief? Shall not Mahoud

share alike with you the smiles and the frowns of Allah?"

"Is it not," asked Bennaskar, "O Mahoud, the full of the moon?"

"It is," replied I, with a smile; "but doth Bennaskar intend to change

with that fluctuating planet?"

"O Mahoud," said Bennaskar, "the fate of thy friend is dependent on

the caprice of the stars. To-night must I put thy utmost friendship to

the trial. If Mahoud prove insincere, then is Bennaskar cursed among

men. If thy heart is not firm, now, while there is time, depart. But

why should I doubt thee? surely Mahoud is of the sons of the Faithful.

What must I say? Leave me, Mahoud, leave me; nay, if thou departest,

where shall I find thy fellow? and the presence of a friend is

necessary to my quiet."

"Then," answered I, "fear not, Bennaskar: Mahoud may be unhappy, but

he cannot be unjust. But what is this dreadful trial that obliges

Bennaskar to suspect his friend?"

"True," said Bennaskar, "Mahoud is undeserving of suspicion. Let us

wait till the sun sink from the skies, and the stars return with their

glimmering light."

Bennaskar then proceeded to the bath, and arrayed himself in a costly

robe, and desired me to do the same. I obeyed my friend, and we met in

the saloon together.

"Alas!" said Bennaskar, as we met, "how can I request my friend to

wear the image of deformity?"

"What image of deformity," said I, "must Mahoud wear? All appearances

are to Mahoud alike; and the severer the trial, the more shall I

commend thy friendship."

"Then," said Bennaskar, pulling out a pot of black ointment, "thou

must suffer me to disguise thy face with this ointment: to-night thou

must personate a black slave."

"Is such a trifle," said I, "the test of friendship? Give me the

ointment, and furnish me with the habit of a slave."

"The habit," answered Bennaskar, "is ready, and all is ready; but you

must not as yet disguise yourself, lest my slaves observe us. Come,

let us for the present enjoy ourselves, and, when night approaches,

Bennaskar will rely on the friendship of Mahoud."

The slaves then brought us the costly viands of Delhi; but Bennaskar

remained pensive, and seemed not to relish the dainties before him.

I endeavoured all I could to divert his melancholy; I smiled, I sang

before him; the dancers were introduced with music to dissipate his

gloom; but Bennaskar still remained mute. The music continued till

night, when Bennaskar commanded the slaves to withdraw, and, taking a

lamp in his hand, led me through several apartments.

"Mahoud," said he, as we went along, "has never yet seen the wonders

of my palace."

"I am happy, my lord," answered I, "to see your wealth; but I am not

inquisitive to explore, unbidden, the secrets of another."

We had now arrived at a small vaulted room, from the centre of which

hung a lamp, which Bennaskar trimmed, putting out the one he held in

his hand.

"Now," said he, "Mahoud, enter that closet which is opposite to us,

and put on the slave's dress which you will find there, and anoint thy

face and hands with this black ointment."

I immediately obeyed, and in a short time came forth arrayed as a

slave.

"Kind Mahoud," said Bennaskar, "thou art excellently disguised; now

obey with silence, and stand as a mute before his lord."

I folded my arms and nodded assent, at which he smiled.

"Take hold, Mahoud," said he, "of that iron ring which is fastened to

the middle of the floor, and pull."

I obeyed, and a little trap-door opened. On looking down, I perceived

a woman in rich vestments, half buried in the earth. I shuddered at

the sight, and was falling backward, when Bennaskar struck me with a

chabouc,[6] which he drew from his bosom, and said, "Villain, if thou

fail me, I shall use thee as my slave."

[Footnote 6: A large whip.]

Although enraged at the blow, yet I remembered my promise, and

returned to the trap-door.

"Slave," said Bennaskar, "dig that female out of the ground: the spade

and the mattock are hidden under the floor."

I immediately jumped down, found the tools, and began to work; but

neither my fear nor my labour could prevent me from fixing my eyes on

the lovely female, who seemed as one dead.

As soon as I had removed the earth from her, which I did with great

care, Bennaskar commanded me to lift the body into the apartment, gave

me a phial of clear blue liquor, and ordered me to pour it into her

mouth, while he retired to the closet.

I willingly obeyed, and hastened to administer the liquid, while

Bennaskar retired.

The liquor was no sooner swallowed than the lovely female began to

move, and in a short time opening her eyes, she cast them upon me, and

shrieked out, clapping her hands together and crying, "O Allah, defend

me!"

Bennaskar at the same time spoke to her from the closet where he was

concealed.

"Hemjunah," said he, "are you as yet disposed to yield yourself to the

will of Bennaskar, or must we still experience the evils of opposite

enchantment?"

"Wretch!" answered the fair stranger, "I fear not the powers of your

accursed magic, for Macoma has assured me that you shall not be able

to harm me except with my own consent; and Mahomet, though for a time

he permits this enchantment, will at length assuredly deliver me."

"Then," answered Bennaskar, "must the lash be inflicted. Here,"

continued he, "slave Mahoud, inflict fifty lashes on that obdurate

female."

I took the chabouc from Bennaskar, and began, with trembling, my cruel

office, lamenting my own blind compliance in promising to obey a

monster whom I had mistaken for a friend.

As the lash touched the beautiful Hemjunah, she made the vaulted roof

re-echo with her cries; nor did my heart feel less sensibly the

strokes which I gave than her own. The tears trickled down my cheeks,

and I prayed inwardly to be delivered from the hateful task.

"What," said Bennaskar from the closet, "what doth Hemjunah now say to

my desires?"

"The hard-hearted and the cruel," said Hemjunah, faintly, "are the

last to win the soft affections of a female heart: rather let me die

than be the property of the vile Bennaskar."

"If so," said he, coming from the closet, "die: for the present I

resign my power. Let Macoma hide thee again in the dust of the earth."

Bennaskar no sooner appeared than the beautiful Hemjunah again seemed

to die away, and immediately a hissing noise was heard, and an ugly

dwarf arose from the trap-door, and took the body of Hemjunah and

replaced it in the earth, and the trap-door was closed with a roaring

noise.

Bennaskar then beckoned me to follow him, and leading me to the bath,

bade me wash and return to the saloon in my proper vestments.

I was so surprised at these horrors that I hardly knew what I did.

However, in the bath I had time to recollect myself; but recollection

was of little service, for reflection rather increased than cleared my

confusion. One moment I resolved to apply to the Cadi, and declare

every circumstance of the terrible adventure. The next I was awed by

the thoughts of my rash and imprudent vows of secrecy.

"Bennaskar," said I, "has for a month appeared as an angel before me;

but one base action has deformed all his former purity. How can I

reconcile these inconsistencies? Can he, who is the tenderest, the

best of friends, be also the vilest and most cruel of mankind? I have

been accessory to the torture of a most beautiful female--one, too,

who called on the perfect Allah to deliver her. I have been the

instrument of a mean revenge on a helpless woman, and now I yet delay

to inform the Cadi of the villanies of this house of enchantment."

I resolved immediately to repair to the Cadi, and give him full

information of the sorceries of Bennaskar. I hastened out of the bath,

threw my vestments over me, and advanced to the door.

"But," said I, as I went along, "what am I about to do? I shall

forfeit my faith without serving the distressed. Bennaskar expects me

in the saloon, and when he finds that I am gone forth, he will, by the

power of his art, secrete the beautiful female from the eyes of the

Cadi. I have been the guest of Bennaskar a month, and never, till this

day, did I perceive the rooms through which I was led to that

detestable act of cruelty: nay, Bennaskar himself was obliged to wait:

he was impatient till the full of the moon, and oppressed with sorrow

and care when it arose. I will, therefore, for the present, return to

Bennaskar, and will put on the face of cheerfulness, and make my

countenance to shine before him."

Bennaskar met me on my return. "Whence cometh Mahoud?" said he.

"I am," answered I, "just risen from the bath, and I come to meet my

friend Bennaskar."

"Mahoud," answered Bennaskar, "art thou faithful, and wilt thou ever

remain faithful to thy friend?"

These words embarrassed me, and, not daring to answer otherwise, I

said, "Why doth my lord doubt the sincerity of my heart?"

"Mahoud, then," returned he, "is faithful?"

"He is," answered I, but with an unwilling heart.

"I doubt not," continued Bennaskar, "that my friend is amazed at the

scene he lately beheld. But ask no explanations: let thy mouth be ever

closed to seek or reveal."

"Then," answered I, "you doubt the faithfulness of Mahoud; else why

may not I know the meaning of the wonders I have seen?"

"The age of thy friendship," said Bennaskar, "is a month, and wouldst

thou be admitted in so short a time to all the secrets of my heart?

Forbear, rash youth. A well-tried friend is Bennaskar's joy; but woes

and death are in the paths of his enemies."

As he said this, he frowned and left me, and I retired to my

apartment, irresolute in mind. As I entered my chamber, I perceived a

small book open on a desk before the burning lamps. I went up to it,

and found it was the Koran of our holy law. Being little desirous of

sleep, I sat down; and as I read, methought I saw the name of Mahoud

in the book.

Startled at the vision, I looked again, and read distinctly these

words:

"Mahoud! Mahoud! Mahoud! there is much good in the world, but there is

more evil; the good is the gift of Allah, but the evil is the choice

of His creatures. Because of man's sin, and because of the darkness of

his heart, do the evil genii and the enchantments of wickedness

prevail. Even now is Mahoud in the house of a magician, to whom he is

imprudently bound by the ties of honour: to draw back is meanness; but

to persist is sin. When men act wrong, they subject themselves to the

power of a wicked race; and we who are the guardians of mortality

cannot interpose but in proportion to their remorse. Taken by the

crafty dissimulation of Bennaskar, thy easy soul gave in to his

snares, and thy prudence was decoyed by the voice of his mouth. Thou

hast promised, at all events, not to reveal the secrets of his house,

and thou hast, unknowingly, joined thyself in the fellowship of the

wicked. But can man, who is bound to the service of Allah by an

unalterable law, dispose of himself against the will of his Maker? or

can the worm of the earth, the property of Heaven, set up itself

against the hand that formed it? Had Mahoud engaged to conceal

everything but what the law of Mahomet obliged him to reveal, he had

behaved wisely; but he who walketh in darkness will undoubtedly fall

into the pit. Past errors cannot be recalled; and Mahoud must learn

the wisdom of experience. Under the resemblance of the Koran, behold,

the genius Macoma instructs thine heart. I perceive evil will attend

thee, if thou dost attempt the enlargement of the Princess of

Cassimir; and yet, without it, thou must still continue the servant of

cruelty and oppression. Choose, therefore, for yourself: if injured

innocence can move thee, boldly suffer in the cause of truth, and take

this book in thy bosom, which shall at all times admit thee to a sight

of the Princess; if not, be still the slave of the enemy of thy

Prophet."

After this, I looked again on the book, but found I could read no

more; however, I hesitated not to engage in the service of the

Princess; and therefore, taking the book in my bosom, and the lamp in

my hand, I went toward the saloon, supposing that Bennaskar was

asleep. I searched for the rooms through which I had passed before,

and soon perceived the vaulted apartment at the end of them.

I hastened to take up the trap-door, and touching the Princess

Hemjunah with the book, essayed to deliver her from her miserable

confinement. The Princess awoke at the touch of the book; but, at the

sight of me, shrieked aloud, and I feared her cries would awaken

Bennaskar. I assured her that I was sent by the genius Macoma to

effect her deliverance, and that I abhorred every kind of cruelty

which I had practised upon her.

"Alas!" said she, still shrieking at intervals, "your story betrays

your wickedness. I never before saw you, unless you are, as I suspect,

the magician Bennaskar under some feigned appearance; but rest

assured, vile man! that no deceit or cruelty shall ever make me the

creature of Bennaskar. I will ever persist in my hatred of you; and I

am assured that you cannot injure or destroy me."

"Most gracious Princess Hemjunah!" said I, prostrating myself before

her, "let me beseech you to hear me: I am not Bennaskar, nor a

creature of Bennaskar's, but the servant of the genius Macoma, who has

instructed me, by means of this holy book (which I then pulled out),

to attempt your rescue, and I am willing to lay down my life for your

safety. You have not indeed seen me in my present character, but this

very night was I brought hither by Bennaskar, under the similitude of

a slave, and forced, through a most accursed oath, to inflict the

severest tortures on the most delicate of her sex."

"Wretch!" said the Princess, "I am now convinced of thy perfidy,

allowing thine own account to be true; for what promise could bind

thee to a cruel action? and why not rather be thyself a sufferer than

make an innocent virgin the subject of thy cruelties? But if thou art

truly the servant of Macoma, and ashamed of thy late inhuman deeds,

quit the house of the vile Bennaskar, and inform the Cadi of his

cruelties and sorceries."

"Rather," said I, "let me dig around you, and release you from this

miserable confinement."

"That," said the Princess, "you cannot do, unless you are indeed, as I

suspect, the wretch Bennaskar; for by his command alone can I be

released. Oh, fool that I was," continued she, with tears, "to listen

for a moment to the falsehood of man!"

"If my information," said I, "O lovely Hemjunah, will avail, this

moment will I fly to the Cadi, and acquaint him with your distress."

I then hastened to go; but oh, imagine my terror and amazement when I

saw Bennaskar moving through the apartments which led to the vaulted

chamber!

As he advanced, Hemjunah shrieked, and I was ready to sink: though my

intentions were just and good, yet was I terrified by his appearance,

so much was I sunk by the rash promise which I had made; and I every

moment expected the dreadful effects of his powerful malice.

As Bennaskar entered the vaulted chamber, I shrank back with fear, and

dared not lift up my eyes; but my terror was soon quieted, when I saw

him fall prostrate at my feet. I then no longer doubted that the

genius Macoma supported me, and attributed his behaviour to her

supernatural power.

"O Mahoud," said Bennaskar, "the friend of my bosom, the partner of my

secrets; although the power of love has not the rule in thine heart,

yet pity those who are the slaves of its dominion; if the lovely

Princess of Cassimir did but know the purity of my heart, the----"

"Hear not the villain," said Hemjunah, "O servant of Macoma, unless he

release me from this detested place: me he hath already deceived; and

you will be subjected likewise to his power, unless the prudent spirit

of Macoma direct thee."

"Then," said Bennaskar, rising up, and laying bare his bosom, "here,

Mahoud, strike, and end my miseries, and the miseries of Hemjunah; but

never will Bennaskar consent to lose the treasure of his heart."

"I will not," answered I, "lift up my private arm against thy life,

but I shall deliver thee to the power of the Cadi, who is the deputy

of the great Allah's vicegerent."

"Give me, then," said the Princess of Cassimir, "the book of the

genius Macoma, that I may be defended from the insults and

contrivances of the base Bennaskar."

The request of the Princess appeared to be so reasonable, that I

obeyed her, and put the book into her hands.

Bennaskar, when I was leaving the vaulted chamber, besought me not to

destroy the friend who had supported me; but I told him that Allah was

to be obeyed rather than man.

I hastened to the Cadi; but as it was night, his officers told me I

could not be heard, till I informed them that I had in my power a

wicked magician, who, by sorceries, had stolen the Princess of

Cassimir. When they heard this, they acquainted the Cadi; and that

vigilant magistrate arose, and followed me to the house of Bennaskar

with his guard.

As I entered the house, I was amazed to see him standing in the

entrance with a lamp in his hand; but my astonishment increased when I

saw him fall down before the Cadi, and confess his guilt.

The Cadi commanded the guards to seize him, and then ordered him to

lead us to the place where he had concealed the Princess of Cassimir.

Bennaskar obeyed; but as he went through the apartments, he said to

me, "Mahoud, you are sensible that the Princess Hemjunah's body is

half buried in the earth, and uncovered; therefore prevail upon the

Cadi that he suffer us to go before and release her: for my part, my

sins oppress me, and I wish to restore to her dignity a much-injured

Princess."

"If," said I, "you will promise to release the Princess, I will

endeavour to prevail on the Cadi to permit what you propose; but,

otherwise, let the whole world be a witness of your wicked malice."

"O my friend," said Bennaskar, "accuse me not, my own heart persecutes

me sufficiently. Yes, Mahoud," continued he, "I will, as you require

me, release the Princess, and trust to the mercy of the Cadi; for the

service of the evil genii will neither bring me profit nor peace."

I was pleased at this repentance of Bennaskar, and besought the Cadi

that he would suffer us to enter the vaulted chamber first, and

recover the Princess from her enchantment. The Cadi acquiesced in my

proposal, but ordered the guards to surround the entrance, while

Bennaskar and myself entered the chamber.

As soon as we entered, Bennaskar seized me suddenly by the throat,

and, before I could speak or recollect myself, he dragged me into the

closet and shut the door after us.

"Now," said he, "villain! receive the just rewards of a perjured

heart." Saying this, he spat in my face, and threw me on the ground,

and then flew out of the closet, shutting the door forcibly after him.

I remained for some moments stupefied by my fall; but after a time

arose, and opening the closet, I was surprised to see neither the

Princess of Cassimir nor the magician Bennaskar.

While I was in this confusion, the Cadi and his guards, being

impatient at our stay, entered the chamber, and the Cadi commanded his

guards to seize me, saying, "Villain! where is the Princess of

Cassimir, and the man who revealed thy unrighteous actions?"

At this I began to answer, when I perceived that my voice was as the

voice of Bennaskar. I immediately looked on my clothes, and found them

changed. In short, I doubted not that my malicious foe had transformed

me into his own appearance.

I fell at the feet of the Cadi, and besought him for one moment to

hear me. I acquainted him with every circumstance of my adventures,

from my entrance into the house of Bennaskar to the present moment.

But he and his guards laughed at my tale, and commanded me to deliver

up my friend and the Princess of Cassimir. In vain did I call Allah to

witness the truth of my story; the Cadi was enraged at my persisting

in the tale, and ordered his guards to give me a hundred strokes with

the chabouc.

To add to my misfortune, Bennaskar appeared at one end of the room;

and when I cried out and pointed to him, the Cadi, who saw him not,

thinking that I meant to mock him, ordered me another hundred lashes

with the chabouc.

Vexed with myself, and subdued by the pain, I fell on the ground, and

my guards were ordered to carry me to the prison, where I was loaded

with chains, and thrown into a deep dungeon.

The next morning I was brought out again before the Cadi, and carried

into the hall of justice. The Cadi there passed sentence upon me, that

I should be burnt alive the next day unless I delivered up Mahoud and

the Princess of Cassimir.

Finding it vain to repeat my declarations that I was the real Mahoud,

and that I suffered through the vile enchantments of Bennaskar, I

remained silent; but this was construed into surliness, and I was

ordered five hundred bastinadoes to make me speak.

The Cadi then commanded me to be carried back to the dungeon, and

ordered a large pile of wood to be raised in the market-place, whereon

I was to be burnt the next morning, before all the people.

I spent the night in the utmost horror, and earnestly wished that the

sun might never more behold my sorrows. But the darkness passed away

as usual, and I beheld the dreadful morning dawn. A tumultuous crowd

had collected before the door of the dungeon to see me pass to

execution, and as I was dragged along, the common people nearly

overwhelmed me with stones.

As I advanced to the pile, I perceived the Cadi and his officers were

seated before it. He commanded me to be brought again before him ere I

was bound to the pile.

"Art thou," said he, "wretched magician, willing to bring forth the

Princess, or thy friend, who are concealed by thy wicked arts, or must

the sentence of our law be executed upon thee?"

"O judge," said I, "since my tale will not gain credit with thee, at

least let me know by whose accusation it is that I am brought before

thee, and who it is that accuses me of magic or sorcery. Am not I

Bennaskar, the wealthy merchant of Delhi? and where are my accusers?

Who dare say aught against my fame? You came into my house by night,

you seized my person, you inflicted on me the punishment of a slave;

you cast me into a dungeon, and condemned me to the flames; and all

this without the appearance of a single witness against me: wherefore,

O Cadi, I appeal unto the righteous Sultan of the East, and I hope my

fellow-citizens will not suffer me to be executed while no proofs of

guilt are brought against me."

"Young man," answered the Cadi, "your appeal is unnecessary, for I am

not desirous of destroying my fellow-creatures without a cause. Your

plea were just and proper, did not your own confession contradict your

present assertion. Yesterday you declared that you were not Bennaskar,

and to-day you say you are; wherefore out of your own lips I have

convicted you of falsehood; whereas, had you really been Bennaskar the

merchant, and not a magician, there had been no need of two different

accounts of yourself."

The people, hearing this distinction of the Cadi, applauded their

judge; and one and all cried out that I was a magician, and deserved

the flames.

The guards were then ordered to bind me on the pile, and I was led up

and fixed to a post by the chains which had been fastened on my body

the day before; and now, amidst the acclamations of the mob, was the

pile kindled, and the smoke and the flame surrounded the unfortunate

Mahoud.

In a moment the crowd and the heavens disappeared from my sight, and I

found myself in the body of a toad, at the bottom of the pile. I

hopped forward out of the flames, and with difficulty hid myself

beneath a stone in the street.

The crowd, having waited till the pile was consumed, carried the ashes

out of the city, and scattered them in the air. I remained till night

beneath the stone.

It was my intention, as soon as it was dark, to creep out of the city

into the woods; but sleep overtook me at the time when animals retire

to their rest, and when I awoke in the morning I found myself in this

forest, where I remained during the space of a moon alone, till I met

with these two miserable companions of my solitude.

* * * * *

"Your adventures, O Mahoud," said the Sultan of India, "are wonderful,

and an excellent lesson of caution and prudence to us who are joined

in one common fate; and since I perceive both your misfortunes and my

own have been brought about by our want of trust and prudence, I

shall, with the utmost resignation, acknowledge that the all-perfect

Allah is ever willing to assist those who are not wanting to

themselves.

"But, O Mahoud, suffer me, ere I declare my own grief, to ask what has

become of the lovely Hemjunah, the Princess of Cassimir? and wonder

not at my solicitude, for the mention of her name brings to my memory

ideas of the past. How was it possible that lovely being should be

betrayed into the powers of those wicked enchanters? But why should I

be surprised at her weakness, who am myself the object of their

malice? Surely," continued the Sultan, "this our companion, whom you

called Princess, cannot be the daughter of Zebenezer, the Sultan of

Cassimir?"

"You are right, indeed, in your conjectures," answered Mahoud; "the

Princess of Cassimir is a fellow-sufferer with us, and he who is on my

right hand is Horam, the favourite of Misnar, the Lord of Delhi."

"What!" said Misnar, transported, and yet at the same time recoiling

with surprise, "is my faithful Horam also the unfortunate partner of

my griefs?"

Misnar then, turning to the Princess of Cassimir, said, "O Princess,

whom a severe enchantment has deprived of the most exquisite of

forms, to load thee with the most wretched, permit me to request an

account of your unfortunate labours since you left the Court of your

father Zebenezer; that at least I may indulge my wishes for your

recovery, though my arm is too weak to work either my own or your

deliverance."

"Most illustrious Sultan," answered the Princess, "I shall obey your

commands, although the remembrance of my misfortune is grievous, and

the confession of my indiscretion must fill me with shame."

"It is enough, O Princess," said the Sultan, "to confess our faults to

Heaven; and he is the weakest of the sons of earth who takes a

pleasure in hearing of the failings of others."

"O Sultan," replied Hemjunah, "your politeness cannot extenuate,

though it may gloss over, my imprudence; and by delaying to unfold my

little history to you, my crime may seem more black while hidden than

when it shall be revealed."

As the Princess uttered these words, a dervish, worn with age and

bowed down by infirmity, appeared among the thickets of the forest.

Horam immediately recollected the features of the good old saint, and

said, "My royal master, yonder is Shemshelnar, the most pious

worshipper of Allah among all the sons of Asia."

"I do not remember his features," answered Misnar: "came he not to the

council of our divan?"

"No, my royal lord," said Horam, "the infirmities of age were upon

him."

By this time Shemshelnar had reached the place where the transformed

company were seated; and, falling prostrate before Misnar, he said,

"Wonder not, O Prince of India, that Shemshelnar, thy slave, doth thus

acknowledge his Prince, though deformed by the enchantments of the

wicked. I knew the evils that surrounded thee; and although I was

unable to attend thy council, yet I prayed in secret to Him who

bestoweth at the noonday, that He would avert from my royal master the

misfortunes which threatened to overpower him. Allah heard my prayer

as I lay prostrate in my cell; and the genius Bahoudi appearing,

commanded me to seek thee in the forest of Tarapajan, whither thy

wayward fortune should lead thee. 'O genius,' replied I, 'how shall

age and infirmity comply with thy commands?'

"'Go,' said Bahoudi, touching me with his finger, 'for strength is

given thee from above. The enchantress Ulin hath transformed thy

Prince into the most hideous reptile of the earth. But wonder not at

the deformity of his appearance, nor at the malice of her who has

overpowered him; for such is the fate of those who are most exalted in

their virtues, that their enemies, whenever an opportunity is afforded

to them, will strive to render them most odious. Thy Prince, before

thou canst arrive in the forest, will be surrounded by three others in

equal affliction: it is permitted thee to rescue the Sultan of India;

but the rest must wear the chains of the enchantress till Ulin is no

more.'

"But ere I restore thee, O Sultan of my heart," continued Shemshelnar,

"such are the words which the genius hath commanded me to utter before

thee:

"Religion, O Misnar, is the first and the greatest duty of life, and

the service of Allah the sweetest offering of a grateful heart. But He

who appointed the ceremonies and services of piety and devotion hath

also given to all their respective stations in the warfare of life.

How, then, shall we pay honour to Allah, if we neglect and desert the

peculiar duties of that post wherein Allah hath placed us? The signet

of Mahomet, O Prince, of which Mangelo the prophet did prophesy, is it

not that seal which the Faithful bear on their frontlets, when they

obey the voice of reason and religion? and the girdle of Opakka, with

which Kifri, the enchanter, is endued, what is it but foresight and

prudence, the best allies of the Sultans of the earth? To save his

people my Prince has deserted them, and given away what he sought to

keep. When Allah placed thee on the throne of India, He thence

expected to hear thy petitions; but, as faults which proceed from

goodness, though uninstructed, are beheld with Heaven's piteous eye,

therefore arise, O Sultan," said Shemshelnar, and touched him, "rise

from the filth of the earth, and again assume the glories with which

Allah hath endued thee. And know, that such is His care over thee,

that He hath curbed the hands of thine enemies, and bids thee go

forth against them, assured of this, that they shall not be able by

their enchantments to foresee thy designs, nor to overpower thee by

the help of their magical deceits, unless thou yield to their snares.

Be prudent and vigilant, and fear them not. Only this is permitted

against thee,--if thou canst not overpower and destroy them unawares,

they may use their art to conceal their escape, and avoid thy arm;

therefore be bold and quick, and yet cautious and discerning, lest,

when force avails not, they employ fraud to destroy thee."

As Shemshelnar finished these words, Misnar arose in his natural form;

but, ere he spake to the holy dervish who had released him, he fell

prostrate, and adored the goodness of Allah, who had thus rescued him

from the power of Ulin. Then, rising, he took Shemshelnar by the hand,

and thanked him for his release and advice.

"Thou hast done right, O Misnar," said the dervish, "to give the

greatest honour to Allah, for to Him alone belongs all honour."

"And may I not hope," continued the Sultan, "that it will please Him

to release these my fellow-sufferers also?"

"Misnar alone can release them," answered the dervish. "Let Ulin

perish, and these unfortunate persons shall be restored to thee and

themselves; but in the meantime they must learn to bear their

misfortunes with patience, and offer their prayers for thy safety. The

road to Delhi is through this desert forest, and to the left is

situated the palace of Ulin. She is already aware of thy

re-transformation, and is studying to deceive thee a second time; but

beware, O Misnar! for if she prevail, death and destruction await

thee."

Misnar, having received the instructions of the dervish, took leave of

his companions, assuring them he was desirous of meeting the crafty

Ulin as soon as possible, that he might either give up all pretensions

to his kingdom, or deliver his subjects and his friends from the hands

of the enchantress.

The Sultan of the Indies, having left the dervish and his friends,

advanced into the forest, chewing some leaves which Shemshelnar had

given him to support him till he should arrive at his palace. He had

not advanced more than two days' journey in the forest before he heard

the violent shrieks of a distressed woman, and at a distance saw four

ruffians stripping a lady, and beating her inhumanly.

Misnar was enraged at what he saw, and, flying to the lady's

assistance, he bade the ruffians defend themselves. They chose not to

encounter the arm of Misnar, but, leaving the lady, fled; and the

Prince, stepping up to her, desired to know by what accident she had

fallen thus alone into the hands of the robbers.

"O noble sir!" said the lady in tears--"for I perceive by your mien I

speak to no common friend--it was my fate to be beloved by the

handsomest of the sons of the Faithful. I lived in Delhi, the daughter

of an Emir; and Hazar, the captain of a thousand in the army of

Misnar, the Sultan of the East, was my admirer; but, alas! his love

has proved my destruction. The second son of the great Dabulcombar,

assisted by Ulin the enchantress, aspired to his brother's throne; and

the soldiers, who loved the hazardous chance of war, deserted

frequently from Misnar our Sultan: among the rest Hazar, in spite of

my utmost endeavours, revolted with his thousand men."

"'There is no preferment,' said he, 'in the peaceful reign of Misnar;

I will follow the fortunes of his brother, whose throne must be gained

and supported by arms.' In vain I remonstrated, and urged both love

and duty. 'My love,' said Hazar, 'is still unalterable: thou wilt soon

see me return the favourite of the new monarch, and it will then be in

my power to raise thee to higher dignities than those which thy father

now possesses.'

"Hazar then left me by night, and soon I heard that he had joined the

rebel army; but, O generous stranger! what was my grief when I

understood that Ulin, the detestable enchantress, was stricken with

his appearance, and had deceived him! I set out without delay for the

camp, and, studying to avoid the army of Misnar, travelled through

this wood with four slaves.

"Being now arrived at the farther side, I struck into the thickest

part of the forest, and, losing sight of my attendants, I wandered

about for some time till morning, when on a sudden I heard several

voices among the trees. In an instant four ruffians surrounded me,

and, had not your powerful arm interposed, I should have suffered the

vilest of deaths."

Misnar endeavoured to comfort the afflicted stranger, and asked her

whether she thought it possible for any man to enter the palace of

Ulin undiscovered.

"O Sultan," said she, "let me prevail upon you to follow me, and I

will ensure your success."

Misnar besought her to walk before, and show him the path which led to

the palace.

"We will reach it by night," said the stranger, "when the darkness

shall protect thee."

The beautiful stranger then went forward, and Misnar followed after.

Ere they had proceeded twenty paces, Misnar said,

"It will be proper, O fair stranger, to draw my scimitar, lest we be

set upon suddenly by the robbers."

"You are right," answered the fair stranger, "and your precaution is

just."

The Sultan Misnar, having drawn his sabre, followed close behind the

beautiful stranger, and suddenly with a blow smote her on the

shoulders, and felled her to the ground.

She had no sooner fallen, than her countenance changed, and discovered

to Misnar the features of the malicious enchantress Ulin, who, though

nearly spent and exhausted by the blow, yet lived to utter the

following imprecations:

"May the curse of our sex light upon thee, thou traitor to manhood!

since neither the charms nor the afflictions of the fair have been

able to soften thine heart. Thou hast, indeed, avoided my snares, by

doing violence to the noblest of passions, and by trampling on the

most sacred laws of humanity and hospitality. Idiot that I was to

trust myself to thee, though guarded by the strongest appearances of

innocence and distress! The injured and the helpless can find no

protection in thy government, though thou boastest thyself the

delegate of Allah and the friend of the oppressed; and I, trusting to

thy specious virtues, have fallen a sacrifice to thy deceitful

heart."

Her iniquitous spirit then fled from the body of Ulin, and the Sultan

left her mangled and deformed corpse a prey to the beasts of the

forest.

He travelled for several days backward, hoping to find the former

companions of his misery, and at last came to the place which he had

left, but could see no signs of them; wherefore, concluding that their

enchantment was broken by the death of Ulin, the Sultan returned

towards Delhi, subsisting on the leaves which the dervish had given

him, and on the fruits of the earth, and in twelve days' time arrived

at a small town in his own dominions. Here he lodged at a poor

cottage, where he found an old woman and her son, and inquired whether

she could procure him any horses or mules to carry him the next

morning to Delhi.

"Alas!" answered the old woman, "we have no cattle with us; the army

has stripped us of all."

"What!" answered Misnar, "has the rebel army been foraging so near

Delhi?"

"Alack!" said the old woman, "I think all armies are rebels, for my

part. Indeed, the soldiers told us that they were the Sultan's army,

and that they were sent to guard us from the rebels; but in the

meantime they took our cattle and provision, and paid us nothing for

them; and still, every time they came, they called themselves our

guardians and friends. If this is all the friendship great men can

show us, we poor people should be best pleased to live as far from

them as we can."

Although Misnar smiled at the poor woman's speech, yet, lifting up his

eyes and hands secretly to heaven, as she went out for sticks to

kindle a fire to dress his provisions, he said, "O just and merciful

Allah, preserve me from the avarice of ambition! that, while the rich

and the proud advise me to delight in blood, I may ever remember the

severities which the poor must suffer; and that I may rather rejoice

to relieve one oppressed slave, than to enrich ten thousand flattering

Emirs of my Court!"

As soon as the old woman entered again into her house, the disguised

Sultan advised her and her neighbours to join in a petition, and

present it to the Sultan in his divan.

"A petition!" answered the old woman, "and for what?"

"To relieve your distresses," said Misnar.

"Alas! who is to relieve our distresses but Allah?" said the woman.

"Your Sultan, the servant of Allah, will relieve them," replied

Misnar.

"What!" answered the old woman; "can he restore to these arms my

dutiful first-born, who has been so long the joy of my aged heart, but

was lately torn from me to fill up the armies of the Sultan? Can he

call back the brave men he has caused to be destroyed, and give life

and spirits and joy again to the widows and orphans of India? If he

can, oh! let him hasten to relieve the afflicted hearts of his

subjects, and become as a god upon earth!"

The Sultan was astonished at the words and the gestures of the poor

old woman, and deeply stricken by her observations.

"How seldom," said he to himself, "do the rich feel the distresses of

the poor! and in the midst of conquest and acclamation, who regardeth

the tears and afflictions of those who have lost their friends in the

public service?"

The Sultan Misnar rested that night in the cottage of the old woman;

and the next morning he arose, and was conducted by her younger son to

a town half a day's journey farther. Here he supplied himself with

mules, and in one day more reached the city of Delhi.

The Sultan entered a caravanserai, where he found several merchants.

He asked them how they dared venture to trade, when the armies of the

rebels were spread over the face of India.

"As to that," answered the first merchant, "we have lived here some

time, in expectation that one party or the other would prevail. It

little matters to us which, provided trade be encouraged. As to the

Sultan's party, there was not, till within these few days, any hope of

their success. The young man himself had retired from his throne,

being fearful of encountering his enemies; and the captains of the

army had destroyed the Prime Vizier Horam."

"And what," interrupted Misnar, "is the cause of this change in favour

of the Sultan?"

"Ten days since," answered the merchant, "contrary to every one's

belief, as we all thought him dead, the Vizier Horam appeared at the

head of the army, and assured the officers that his lord Misnar was

living, and had destroyed the enchantress Ulin, who espoused the cause

of his brother Ahubal; that, in consequence of Ulin's death, Ahubal

had fled, and his army had been dispersed; and that he expected his

royal master would shortly appear among them."

The Sultan rejoiced at this news, and without delay hastened to the

palace of his Vizier.

The slaves of Horam, seeing the disguised Sultan, asked him his

business.

"I come," replied Misnar, "to communicate to thy lord tidings of our

Sultan."

At this word, the slaves of Horam conducted Misnar to their master's

presence; and Horam no sooner saw his master in the disguise with

which he had furnished him, than he fell at the Sultan's feet, and

congratulated him on his safe return.

"My faithful Horam," said Misnar, "arise. The day is not yet so far

spent but that my Court may be assembled. Give orders, Horam, that the

army be drawn up, and let thy slaves proceed to the palace, and bring

the imperial robes. My people require my presence, and Misnar yearns

to see the supporters of his throne."

Horam arose, and the Sultan, embracing him, said, "Horam, I am

desirous of hearing the particulars of thy fate; but public advantage

must not yield to private friendship."

The faithful Horam then hastened to call together the Princes and the

Viziers of the Court of Delhi, and gave orders that the army should be

drawn up in the royal square before the divan.

The Sultan Misnar, being arrayed in his imperial robes, delayed not to

show himself to his people; and no sooner did he appear, than his

subjects cried out, "Long live the Sultan of our hearts, who alone was

able to conquer the powers of enchantment!"

The Sultan was overjoyed to find that his people received him with

gladness, and commanded money to be thrown among the populace, and

double subsistence to be dealt out to his army. The viziers and

officers of justice being assembled in the divan, waited the arrival

of their Sultan; and Misnar, having ascended the throne, commanded

Horam to deliver to him a faithful account of his enemies.

Horam the Vizier then arose from his seat, and assured his Sultan that

the rebel army was dispersed, and that Ahubal had fled with a few

friends to the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The Sultan, on this report, commanded his army to be stationed at

suitable intervals, about a day's journey round the city of Delhi,

that their numbers should be reduced, and that peace should be

proclaimed the next day in the city.

No sooner were the Viziers dismissed from the divan, than Misnar,

retiring into his palace, sent for his faithful Vizier Horam, and

desired him to give him a true relation of what had happened to him

since his departure from the army.

"Royal sir," answered Horam, "you were no sooner departed than I began

to inspect the order and discipline of your troops; to look into the

methods of providing for the army; and to appoint proper officers, who

should take care that the soldiers had sufficient and wholesome

provision--that their tents were good--that the situations of the

different battalions were in healthy places, near springs and rivers,

but on dry soils, and as far as possible removed from swampy fens or

the stagnated air of the forests.

"During this time little occurred of which I could inform my lord, as

I meant not to trouble you with my own concerns, lest it should seem

that I was proud of the trifling dispositions which I had made in

favour of the army.

"The rebels in the meantime were quiet, and their distance only

prevented me from destroying them; but, on a sudden, a messenger

arrived with tidings that all the southern provinces had revolted;

that the enchantress Ulin was with them, and conducted their forces;

that Ahubal was declared Sultan of India by her; and that she was

determined to support his cause. Upon this I took such precautions as,

doubtless, my Sultan must have read in the tablets; but my precautions

seemed vain, for the next night we were on a sudden terrified with a

second alarm, that the rebels were within half a day's march of our

camp, which I thought, considering their former distance, must be the

effect of enchantment.

"This threw our officers into the greatest consternation, who,

collecting themselves in a body, came rushing towards the royal tent,

and demanded a sight of the Sultan, and declared their resolution of

revolting to the enemy unless you headed the troops.

"I was writing despatches in the royal tent when I heard their tumult,

and my heart fled as they approached; but as they stopped for some

time to fix upon one for their speaker, I had just time to slip on a

slave's habit, and cut my way through the hinder part of the tent.

"I ran as swiftly as my feet could carry me out of the encampment; and

being stopped by several sentinels, I told them I was dispatched by

the Vizier, and showed them my own signet.

"But I was no sooner clear of the army than I repented of my folly.

'What have I done?' said I to myself. 'I have deserted my post, and

ruined the interests of my lord: better had I died at the head of my

Sultan's troops, or fallen a sacrifice to their rage, than thus

ingloriously to perish! Besides, I may have been terrified without

just cause: the rebel army may not be so near. I ought to have stayed

in the tent, and endeavoured to pacify the officers of the army.'

"And now I was in doubt whether to return, or, as I had penetrated

thus far, whether it would not be most prudent to take a near survey

of the rebel army. I resolved upon the last, and cautiously travelled

towards the place where the spies said they were encamped.

"I arrived at the spot described, but saw neither sentinels nor

encampment. Amazed at this, I proceeded onwards during that and the

next day, but no army was to be seen, nor anything indicating their

approach.

"'Alas!' said I to myself, 'how little worthy wert thou of the

confidence of thy lord! And yet, better is this mistake than the

certainty of the rebels' approach, which could not have been effected

without the power of enchantment.'

"Ere it was too late, I resolved to return, hoping that I should

pacify the troops by assuring them that I had in person been a witness

to the untruth of the last alarm.

"But, alas! when I essayed to return, I found my feet fixed to the

ground: in a moment the earth trembled, and Ulin the enchantress arose

on the back of an enormous reptile.

"'Wise and gracious Vizier,' said she, in an insulting tone, 'I admire

your prudence and discretion! and although Mahomet and his faithful

crew of genii may not permit us to overpower you or your prudent

master while you resist our temptation, yet there is little to be

feared from their interposition while you become such easy dupes to

our artifices. The army which I led against thy wretched Sultan is not

less than forty days' march hence, and is embarrassed by the mountains

and the forests; and yet the credulous Vizier abandoned his charge on

the most improbable alarm, and fled into the arms of one who well

knows how to reward his prudence and address. Become, therefore, O

silly Vizier, a loathsome toad; and I shall in a moment transport thee

into the forest of Tarapajan, whither several of thy wise brethren are

gone before thee.'

"As she spake thus, the enchantress breathed on me with her

pestiferous breath, and, falling to the ground, I crawled like a toad

before her. Ulin then waved her hand, and sleep overpowered me. When I

awoke I found myself between the merchant of Delhi and the Princess of

Cassimir, who, like me, had felt the vengeance of Ulin the

enchantress.

"It was some consolation to us that our speech was not taken from us,

but that we were able to communicate to each other our misfortunes.

"Mahoud first inquired of me the adventures of my life, and I had just

finished them the day before you, O Sultan! appeared among us. While

Mahoud was relating his history, your voice struck my ears, and I

feared to ask whether my lord was in equal affliction with his slave."

"Did you not, then," said Misnar, "hear the adventures of Hemjunah,

the Princess of Cassimir?"

"I did not, my Sultan," answered Horam. "Hemjunah was about to relate

her adventures when you appeared; and after Shemshelnar, the dervish,

had released you, she desired to reserve them till such time as we

should meet hereafter in our natural forms.

"Two days after you left us with Shemshelnar, who endeavoured to

alleviate our afflictions, on a sudden we perceived a vivid flash of

lightning, which was succeeded by a violent clap of thunder, and while

we were all looking at each other, the wood instantly vanished, and I

found myself in my palace at Delhi. What became of Mahoud, or the

Princess of Cassimir, I know not; but I was sensible that my Prince

had conquered the enchantress, who had laid such hateful chains upon

us.

"I hastened to the divan of Viziers and Emirs, who were astonished at

my presence. They were met in order to appoint a Sultan, having just

heard from the army that both their Sultan and his Vizier had fled

from the encampments. A friend of Ahubal's had proposed that Prince to

succeed my royal master, and orders were given to proclaim him when I

arrived in the divan.

"Being acquainted with the resolutions of the Viziers and Emirs, I

proclaimed aloud that my royal master Misnar was alive, and that he

had destroyed the enchantress Ulin, who had espoused the cause of

Ahubal.

"At this declaration, the Viziers and Emirs prostrated themselves, and

gave thanks to Allah; and the trumpets and the cornets went through

the streets of Delhi, and proclaimed my arrival and the victory of

Misnar their Sultan over the enchantress Ulin.

"I dispatched orders, before the divan broke up, to the army, with

advice of your success, and commanded a part to march for the city of

Delhi, leaving only a sufficient number of troops to observe the

motions of the enemy if they should again unite; for I knew that

Ulin's destruction would cause a dispersion of their army.

"Having settled the affairs of my master, to complete my joy, tidings

were brought me of his approach, and Horam is again blessed with the

sight of his Sultan."

The Vizier Horam, having finished his relation, bowed himself before

the Sultan, and said, "Shall thy slave give orders that an ambassador

be sent to the Sultan of Cassimir to inquire after the fate of the

Princess Hemjunah?"

"Horam," answered the Sultan, "while war stalks thus boldly through

our dominions, it were vain to assume a state that we may in a moment

be deprived of. No, Horam, let us wait for more prosperous times."

Early in the morning several messengers arrived with the news of the

death of Ulin and the revolt of ten provinces from Ahubal, and soon

after the provinces sent deputies to excuse their rebellion, and to

beseech the Sultan to pardon their offences. Misnar yielded to their

prayers, but ordered some of the most faithful of his troops to march

into their borders and encamp among them.

The Sultan then redressed the grievances which his soldiers had

committed as far as he was able, and, by a just and equal law, obliged

every division to furnish such a number of troops; for, although no

clouds were then seen to interrupt his reign, yet Misnar was assured

that, through the wiles of his enemies the enchanters, he should

shortly be called upon to exercise his prudence.

Nor were his fears unjust. Ahubal, though deserted by the provinces,

was yet espoused by the magician Happuck, who, hearing of the defeat

of his sister Ulin, was resolved to revenge the cause of that detested

race.

It was not long before the Sultan heard that the magician Happuck was

encouraging the provinces who had followed Ulin to revolt again from

their Sultan; but the fear of Misnar's troops overawed them; so that

whatever might be their real inclinations, they refused the offers and

entreaties of Happuck.

The Sultan, more effectually to secure their obedience, increased the

number of his forces in the provinces, and preserved the chain of

communication from them quite through his extensive dominions.

The magician, finding the Sultan's forces so well disposed, and that

no encouragement could prevail on the southern provinces to revolt,

abandoned his design of succeeding by the force of arms, and flew to

the weapons of craft and dissimulation.

Though Happuck had now been employed nearly a year in raising

commotions among the subjects of India, two provinces only owned the

government of Ahubal: the rest continued firm in their loyalty to the

Sultan Misnar.

These provinces had raised a light army of about forty thousand men,

who, by forced marches, harassed the neighbouring provinces around

them.

Of these, three thousand horsemen parted suddenly from the rest, and,

by following unfrequented tracks over the mountains and through the

forests, arrived at length within two days' march of Delhi.

Here, pitching their tents, they sent several of their chief officers

to Delhi, to assure the Sultan that they were greatly afflicted at

their crimes, and were desirous of laying down their rebellious arms

at his feet.

Horam the Vizier received these suppliants, and representing their

contrition to the Sultan, he commanded them to join the main army; at

the same time sending dispatches to his general to dismount them from

their horses, and to encamp them in such a situation that they might

not be able either to escape or to annoy his army if they should be

disposed to revolt again.

The magician Happuck, who was among the officers that appeared at

Delhi, and who had contrived the revolt in order to get into the

presence of the Sultan, was greatly chagrined to find that the Vizier

Horam received him, and that he was not to be admitted into Misnar's

presence; but, concealing his disappointment, he, with the rest,

joined the three thousand horsemen, and marched to the grand army of

Misnar.

Once a year the whole army was reviewed by the Sultan in person, and

it happened that the disguised magician and his troops of horsemen

arrived at the army three days before this general review. The

magician rejoiced at this fortunate event.

"Ibrac," said he to the officer who commanded his troop, "fortune has

now given me an opportunity of revenging the death of my sister Ulin.

This disguise of an officer is not sufficient: I will descend to the

lowest station, where I shall be less suspected, and as the Sultan

Misnar passes between the ranks where I am situated, I will draw my

bow, and pierce him to the heart. Having done this, I shall render

myself invisible, and do you, in the general consternation, proclaim

Ahubal the Sultan of India."

"Most powerful magician," answered Ibrac, "what need is there of this

deceit? Since you are able to render yourself invisible, why cannot

you enter the Sultan's palace unseen, and stab him to the heart?"

"Faithful Ibrac," answered the magician, "you know not the powers

which support this boy-like urchin. The genius Bahoudi, at whose name

our race trembles, is his guardian, and prevents my approach; and it

is written in the volumes of fate that no enchantment shall prevail

against Misnar unless he first allow our crafty race to deceive him.

Otherwise, Ibrac, dost thou suppose that so many of my brethren,

before whom the mountains tremble and the ocean boils, should need to

league against a boy? No, Ibrac; Misnar were beneath our vengeance or

our art, did not Mahomet espouse him, and his mean vassals, the good

genii of mankind! The conquest of this boy, while thus supported,

would add strength to our cause."

Ibrac then furnished the magician with the clothing of one of the

common soldiers; and he was mustered with the rest of the troops.

Early in the morning on which Misnar was to review his men, the Sultan

arose, and bade his slaves, who waited in the pavilion, call his

Vizier Horam to him.

"Horam," said the Sultan, "I suspect the crafty magician Happuck: he

is doubtless here disguised in our camp, and if I expose myself

to-day, it may be in his power to destroy me, and set the crown of

India on my brother's head."

"Let my Sultan, then," said Horam, "proclaim a reward to him who

discovers the magician, even to the holding of the second place in

your empire."