"Although your enemies, O Misnar, are no more," said the genius, "yet

the assistance of Allah is as necessary for your support as for their

defeat; wherefore He hath given life to the springs of the pools of

the desert, and your troops will find such refreshment from them, that

you may safely march over the sandy plains; and, to add to your

happiness, the old Sultan Zebenezer, being released from the

enchantments of Hapacuson, waits, with his daughter Hemjunah, your

safe arrival, and knows not as yet those wonders which I leave your

prudence to reveal to him."

The Sultan Misnar well understood the mysterious speech of the genius

Macoma; but before he or his troops tasted of the pools or pursued

their march, he commanded them to fall down before Allah, the only

Lord of the world.

The soldiers, having done reverence to Allah, were desirous of

repeating it before Misnar, to ask his forgiveness; but the Sultan

would not permit them. "Let us make," said he, "Allah and His Prophet

our guide and defence, and then neither presumption nor rebellion

shall lead us into error."

The unexpected change reached not the Court of Delhi till the troops

were within a few day's march of the city; and Zebenezer and Hemjunah

were but just prepared to meet the Sultan Misnar when he entered the

gates of the palace.

As Misnar advanced toward the aged Zebenezer, the good old man started

with surprise, and cried out, "Oh! is it possible that the Sultan of

India and the Prince of Georgia should be one and the same?"

The Princess Hemjunah was confounded at her father's speech, and she

fell on his bosom and hid her face.

"What you suspect, my royal friend," said Misnar, "is true: I am

indeed the man who once passed in Cassimir for the Prince of Georgia.

I beseech thee, O Zebenezer, forgive my deception."

"You have no forgiveness," said the aged Zebenezer, "O Sultan, to ask

from me."

"Indeed," answered the Sultan, "my title was just: my royal father,

Dabulcombar, being treacherously advised by those who wished to place

his younger son Ahubal on the throne, commanded me to travel, and gain

renown and experience in arms; and, to conceal my importance, gave me

the title of Prince of Georgia. In this disguise I came to the royal

Court of Cassimir, and engaged in your service, O venerable Sultan,

and Allah sent His blessing on us: your enemies were put to flight,

and your subjects, who favoured me, gave the credit of the defeat to

my arms.

"Hearing that you intended me the honour of an alliance with your

illustrious family, I resolved first to see the Princess Hemjunah,

whom I heard you had confined, being warned, from an ancient prophecy,

that a stranger should deprive you of her. I saw the Princess by means

of one of her slaves, and Hemjunah from that moment took possession of

my heart. I was earnest, therefore, with you to propose the nuptials,

and was to have been introduced to the Princess, when I received

advice that my father was drawing near his end. In expectation of

demanding your daughter as the Sultan of India, and not as an obscure

Prince, I journeyed to Delhi, and arrived time enough to see my royal

sire ere he departed.

"'Son,' said he, 'evil threatens your reign: extricate, therefore,

yourself from danger, and do not involve others in your ruin.'

"Mindful of my father's words, I resolved to quell the commotions of

the empire before I made myself known to the Sultan of Cassimir; but

Allah has so wound the string of our fates together, that it is

needless to repeat the rest of my adventures. Only the Princess must

forgive me this, that, hearing she had been taken away from her

father's Court, I was resolved to conceal my interest in her affairs

till I was sensible that the Prince of Georgia, though not blessed

with her smiles, had yet no rival in her affections."

"Most noble Sultan," said the Princess Hemjunah, "it is vain to

dissemble: suffer me, therefore, freely to declare that the Sultan of

India has totally extirpated the Prince of Georgia from my heart; but,

whatever my own sentiments may be, assure yourself that I shall not,

at my father's commands, refuse the Prince of Georgia my hand."

The Sultan of India and Zebenezer were both delighted with the

Princess Hemjunah's answer; and the faithful Vizier Horam rejoiced to

find that his master and the Princess Hemjunah were to be united. The

whole Court expected the nuptials with impatience; and the good old

Sultan Zebenezer stayed to see his daughter the Sultaness of India,

and Misnar the happiest and the most thankful of the children of

Allah.

"The children of Allah," said the sage Horam, "have indeed a freedom

of action; but that freedom is best exercised when it leads them to

trust and depend on the Lord of all things: not that He who seeth even

beyond the confines of light is pleased with idleness, or giveth

encouragement to the sons of sloth; the spirit which He has infused

into mankind He expects to find active and industrious; and, when

prudence is joined with religion, Allah either gives success to its

dictates, or, by counteracting its motions, draws forth the brighter

virtues of patience and resignation. Learn, therefore, ye pupils of

the race of immortals, not to forget your dependence on Allah while ye

follow the prudent maxims of wisdom and experience; for he only is

truly prudent who adds faith to his practice, and he truly religious

whose actions are the result of his faith."

[Illustration]

Sadik Beg.

Sadik Beg was of good family, handsome in person, and possessed of

both sense and courage; but he was poor, having no property but his

sword and his horse, with which he served as a gentleman retainer of a

Pasha. The latter, satisfied with the purity of Sadik's descent, and

entertaining a respect for his character, determined to make him the

husband of his daughter Hooseinee, who, though beautiful as her name

implied, was remarkable for her haughty manner and ungovernable

temper.

Giving a husband of the condition of Sadik Beg to a lady of

Hooseinee's rank was, according to usage in such unequal matches, like

giving her a slave; and as she heard a good report of his personal

qualities, she offered no objections to the marriage, which was

celebrated soon after it was proposed, and apartments were assigned to

the happy couple in the Pasha's palace.

Some of Sadik Beg's friends rejoiced in his good fortune, as they saw,

in the connection he had formed, a sure prospect of his advancement.

Others mourned the fate of so fine and promising a young man, now

condemned to bear through life all the humours of a proud and

capricious woman; but one of his friends, a little man called Merdek,

who was completely henpecked, was particularly rejoiced, and quite

chuckled at the thought of seeing another in the same condition with

himself.

About a month after the nuptials, Merdek met his friend, and, with

malicious pleasure, wished him joy of his marriage.

"Most sincerely do I congratulate you, Sadik," said he, "on this happy

event."

"Thank you, my good fellow, I am very happy indeed, and rendered more

so by the joy I perceive it gives my friends."

"Do you really mean to say you are happy?" said Merdek, with a smile.

"I really am so," replied Sadik.

"Nonsense!" said his friend; "do we not all know to what a termagant

you are united? and her temper and high rank combined must no doubt

make her a sweet companion." Here he burst into a loud laugh, and the

little man actually strutted with a feeling of superiority over the

bridegroom.

Sadik, who knew his situation and feelings, was amused instead of

being angry. "My friend," said he, "I quite understand the grounds of

your apprehension for my happiness. Before I was married, I had heard

the same reports as you have done of my beloved bride's disposition;

but I am happy to say, I have found it quite otherwise: she is a most

docile and obedient wife."

"But how has this miraculous change been wrought?"

"Why," said Sadik, "I believe I have some merit in effecting it; but

you shall hear. After the ceremonies of our nuptials were over, I went

in my military dress, and with my sword by my side, to the apartment

of Hooseinee. She was sitting in a most dignified posture to receive

me, and her looks were anything but inviting. As I entered the room, a

beautiful cat, evidently a great favourite, came purring up to me. I

deliberately drew my sword, struck its head off, and taking that in

one hand and the body in the other, threw them out of the window. I

then very unconcernedly turned to the lady, who appeared in some

alarm; she, however, made no observations, but was in every way kind

and submissive, and has continued so ever since."

"Thank you, my dear fellow," said little Merdek, with a significant

shake of the head: "a word to the wise." And away he capered,

obviously quite rejoiced.

It was near evening when this conversation took place; soon after,

when the dark cloak of night had enveloped the bright radiance of day,

Merdek entered the chamber of his spouse, with something of a martial

swagger, armed with a scimitar. The unsuspecting cat came forward as

usual, to welcome the husband of her mistress, but in an instant her

head was divided from her body by a blow from the hand which had so

often caressed her. Merdek, having proceeded so far courageously,

stooped to take up the dissevered members of the cat, but before he

could effect this, a blow upon the side of the head, from his incensed

lady, laid him sprawling on the floor.

The tattle and scandal of the day spreads from zenaneh to zenaneh with

surprising rapidity, and the wife of Merdek saw in a moment whose

example it was that he had imitated.

"Take that!" said she, as she gave him another cuff, "take that, you

paltry wretch! You should," she added, laughing him to scorn, "have

killed the cat on the wedding day."

[Illustration]

Halechalbe and the Unknown Lady.

[Illustration]

The Caliph Haroun al Raschid sent for Giafar, his Grand Vizier, and

Mesrour, his Chief Eunuch.

"I intend," said he, "to go down to Bagdad in disguise, that I may

visit my hospitals, and examine whether the administration of them is

wise and regular, and whether the patients there receive the

assistance and relief of which they stand in need. I will assume the

disguise of a dervish: do you, who are to accompany me, choose a dress

by which you will be completely concealed."

The orders of the Caliph were obeyed, and he set out with his

attendants on his expedition. He was in the centre of the

establishments which he had proposed to visit, and everything appeared

in the order which he wished for, until he arrived at the gate of a

very large court, where he heard a noise.

"Whence comes this noise?" said he to Giafar.

"This," answered the Vizier, "is the place where mad people are

confined. Those whose madness is not dangerous are allowed to walk in

the great court, and they have their cells or small apartments all

around."

"Let us go in," said the Caliph: "this object is also interesting. Let

us first ascertain if they are all confined for proper reasons. There

are many people left at liberty who deserve to be confined; perhaps

there are some here whom it would be for the interest, both of society

and themselves, to restore to freedom. Let each of us examine apart

one of the inhabitants of this place; let us determine by lot which of

the three shall begin the examination, and we will immediately set to

work."

The lot decided that Mesrour should begin.

All three having entered the court, the Chief Eunuch went straight to

the first cell. He found there a man of about forty years of age,

smoking a pipe with a serious air, and leaning his elbow on a table,

upon which there were some papers. He saluted the smoker, who made him

a due return.

"I suppose," said Mesrour to him, "that you are entrusted with

overseeing those who make a noise in the court?"

"Overseeing," answered the smoker, "is a trouble from which I am free;

I am entrusted with watching over myself, and that is quite enough."

"But surely," said Mesrour, "you are not kept here in confinement

among the number of mad people?"

"And why should I not be kept in that character? Do you think me wiser

than others? They have done me that justice, which they ought to do to

all the inhabitants of Bagdad. I cannot complain: I was condemned by

my equals, and they are so attentive as to come here every day to

visit me."

"I understand you," said Mesrour: "we have all a small grain of

madness. However, when it does not pass certain bounds, we are very

properly allowed to enjoy our liberty. It is only extraordinary

madness----"

"Ah, you are right," interrupted the smoker: "men excuse all their

ordinary follies, however ridiculous; but when any one raises himself,

by his ideas, knowledge, and observation, above others, he is a kind

of reproach to them for the debasement into which they allow

themselves to fall, and they endeavour to remove him from their sight.

This is my history: I knew more than the vulgar, and therefore was

separated from them."

"In what branch did you excel?" inquired Mesrour.

"In that science which is the chief of all others--astrology."

"And were you in possession of that science?"

"I endeavoured after it, but my progress was interrupted."

"You were in correspondence with the stars, then?"

"Yes, indeed."

"And by whom were you chiefly favoured?"

"By the moon."

"Are you no longer in favour with her?"

"Since I have lost my liberty, she uses me as she pleases. She

formerly owed me great obligations, but now she has forgotten them.

She had an enormous wart upon her nose, of which I cured her. Thus it

is to me she owes that beautiful appearance which you sometimes see

her assume. Besides, by causing her to go on her side, I saved her

from an eclipse which was expected by all the astronomers. At first

she showed me some gratitude; but since I have been confined, if I

address her in her increase, she is yet too weak to act in my favour;

if I address her when she is full, she is surrounded with clouds and

mist; but if in her wane, all her malignant influences are at my

service. Defluxions, rheumatisms, catarrhs are showered down upon me.

I endeavour actually to deliver myself from this last mark of her

beneficence. Ah! if I could get hold of her some day, she would find

that she has not obliged an ungrateful person."

"And what will you do to get hold of her?" inquired Mesrour.

"Nothing can be more easy," said the smoker: "if a man like you would

assist me; she will come this evening at nine o'clock to admire

herself, and to bathe in that well which you see in the middle of the

court. I will give you my table, and you will lie in wait. She will

not suspect you; and while she is amusing herself with making her

beams play upon the water, you will suddenly shut the well: then we

shall get hold of her. It will make both our fortunes, and we will see

how she will be put to it to justify her conduct."

"She will speak, then?" said Mesrour. "Shall we hear her?"

"I don't say that you will hear it very distinctly," answered the

smoker; "but I, whose ear is by practice become so perfect as to be

able to mark the cadence of the celestial harmony, shall not lose a

single word. With respect to you, we must know how your ear is

formed."

So saying, the smoker laid down his pipe, examined narrowly Mesrour's

ear, and, taking hold of it very roughly, suddenly pulled it with all

his force, crying out, "Your ear is too short!"

Mesrour uttered a dreadful cry. One of the keepers ran up, and caused

the astrologer to quit his hold. The eunuch, holding his ear with both

his hands, rejoined the Caliph, and related to him his lamentable

adventure.

"I have long been persuaded," said Haroun, smiling, "that those madmen

who have an air of wisdom are most to be distrusted. Come, Giafar,"

said he to his Grand Vizier, "you are warned beforehand not to allow

your ear to be pulled. Proceed to your examination: Mesrour and I will

not go far from the cell which you enter, that we may be at hand to

assist you if there is occasion."

The Grand Vizier had already cast his eye upon a door, by the side of

which sat an old man, with a venerable beard and an engaging air. He

began with giving him alms, and then saluted him. He appeared more

attentive to the civility of the salutation than to the alms he had

received. He returned the salute, and made a sign to Giafar to sit

down on a seat a few paces distant from him.

"You are undoubtedly come here to be instructed, young man," said he

to him. "You ought to thank Heaven for having been so well directed.

Of what chapter in my book do you wish to understand the text or the

explanation?"

The book, of which this man seemed to speak, was a small square plank

of cedar, on which there were no characters. Giafar asked what book it

was.

"What! do you not distinguish in these characters the finger of God,

and the inspiration of the angel Gabriel? A Mussulman not know the

divine Koran, nor discover in him who presents it, according as he was

inspired, the great prophet Mahomet!"

Upon this exclamation, the Vizier rose up and withdrew.

Having joined the Caliph, "Commander of the Faithful," said he, "I

have been forced to abandon my project. The man whom I have left makes

me tremble at his blasphemy: he says he is the Great Prophet."

"It is not certain that he blasphemes," replied the Caliph: "every man

may call himself a prophet, provided he proves his mission by

miracles. Go and ask him concerning this point."

Giafar obeyed, and returned to his place.

"If you are Mahomet," said he to the old madman, "who has put you in a

place like this?"

"My ungrateful people," replied the pretended prophet. "They would not

believe in me, and this has vexed rather than surprised me, for they

scarcely believe in Allah."

"But a prophet proves his mission by miracles. Why have you wrought

none?"

"My people should first have demanded them from me; but they were

afraid of being convinced: they seek to believe nothing."

"You could work miracles, then?"

"Do you doubt the power of Mahomet?"

"Work them immediately."

"Your request shall not be refused. Ascend to the top of this spire by

this outer stair, and throw yourself down from it without hesitation.

When you are at the earth, though you were in a thousand pieces, with

one word I will set you upon your feet, straighter and with a better

carriage than you now have."

"I would rather," said Giafar as he was going away, "believe you a

prophet than oblige you to prove yourself one."

He came and gave the Caliph an account of the proposal which had been

made to him.

"You can learn very little," said Haroun to him, "for you will make no

trial."

"If any one wishes to be instructed in this matter," replied Giafar,

"the man and the tower are there, he may try the adventure--I will not

be jealous of his success."

The conversation of the Prince and his ministers was a little

interrupted by some persons who accosted them. One of them was Caliph,

and came to propose Haroun's quitting his habit of dervish, and

accepting the place of Vizier. He intended to clothe him in a

magnificent robe: it was an old piece of stuff, full of holes, dirty,

and devoured by vermin. Another, with a basket full of nut-shells,

came to sell him confections.

These short and public scenes did not answer the design of Haroun, nor

the purpose of the agreement into which he had entered with his

ministers. It was his turn to go into a cell, where, like his two

companions in adventure, he might have a private conversation. He

passed near one, which appeared larger and better furnished than the

rest. A young man, of a soft and engaging figure, was sitting upon a

sofa, and appeared to be in deep melancholy: he held in his hand the

Koran. The Caliph accosted and saluted him, addressing him in that

kind and familiar tone which the robe of a dervish authorized him to

assume.

"Young man," said he, "why is a man so rational as you appear to be,

to be found among mad people?"

At this question, the young man shut his book, modestly opened his

eyes, looked at the dervish, and answered him: "All the actions of my

life have not been rational; I have given reason for the abuse which

is now made of power in keeping me here."

"And could not I," said the dervish, "learn from you your history,

when you appear to be so well qualified for giving it?"

"Pious dervish," answered the young man, "were you the Caliph, I would

persuade you to sit down by me, and I would open to you my heart.

Every day do I beseech God to send me this equitable Prince; but it

would serve no purpose to have any other confidant. You see here a

victim of his Grand Vizier Giafar, by whose orders I was brought

hither, for a reason which appeared well founded; but I can declare

that there is no reason why I should be still detained; and without

the support of religion, I should sink under the weight of my

misfortune and the horror of my situation."

The Caliph was greatly astonished to hear so reasonable and connected

a discourse. He called Giafar and Mesrour, and repeated what he had

heard. The Grand Vizier attentively considered the young man, and

assured the Caliph that the prisoner and his history were totally

unknown to him. Haroun's curiosity grew stronger, and made him anxious

to hear his history. He entered the cell with that freedom which

dervishes generally use, and sat down beside the supposed victim of

Giafar's orders.

"Unfortunate young man," said he to him, "you know that people of my

character have many privileges, and especially that of approaching the

great, and of speaking to them the truth. The Commander of the

Faithful is to us of all men the easiest of access: depend upon my

zeal; it may be possible for me to serve you; you will entrust your

misfortunes to a prudent ear, and to a soul truly charitable."

The young man again sighed, mused a short time, shed some tears, and

thus began his history:

"My name is Halechalbe, and my father is syndic of the trade of

Bagdad. One evening he invited to supper the principal merchants in

the city, each of whom brought with him his eldest son. After the

repast, which was plentiful and gay, the guests began to converse

concerning the disposal of their children.

"One had sent his son to a foreign counting-house; another had

entrusted to his a vessel full of merchandise; a third had given up a

certain branch of his trade; in short, it appeared from what I heard,

that all my contemporaries were either advantageously placed or

settled in life. After fully discoursing of these different

arrangements, the company retired.

"Remaining behind with my father, I observed to him, that though the

son of the first in our profession, I alone was unemployed. He allowed

the force of the observation, and proposed that I should open a

warehouse of whatever goods I chose, in one of the quarters of Bagdad.

"This proposal was agreeable to my inclination for trade and

independence. I accepted it; and next day was put into possession of a

large assortment of the most beautiful Persian and Indian stuffs. I

had slaves who were skilled in trade, and who relieved me of the

troublesome part of the business.

"Being surrounded during the day with all the nobility of Bagdad, with

whom I had an opportunity of getting acquainted, I returned in the

evening to my father's house. In the management of my business I led a

very active and busy life--a life, in short, agreeable to my own

taste. My father often visited me in my shop, and was pleased to see

the concourse of virtuosi and customers of both sexes. He never

received anything uncommon from abroad but he was happy to send it to

me; the manager of his own trade had orders to that purpose.

"I was one day surrounded with a great many people in my

counting-house, when two women of a fine external appearance came in.

Civility made the other customers give place; and one of the two women

put aside her veil sufficiently to discover charms which dazzled the

sight.

"They sat down upon a sofa, asked for the richest stuffs, bargained

with me, and bought them for three thousand crowns. By this bargain,

from calculation, I was a gainer of five hundred crowns. The goods

were folded up, and, by the orders of one of the women who appeared

mistress, were carried away by slaves. I was preparing to hold out my

hand for payment, when the young lady began to speak.

"'Halechalbe,' said she to me, 'I have brought no money with me; but

be not uneasy about what is owing to you: I will return in a few days

and bring it with me, at which time I intend to make very considerable

purchases from you.'

"'The other woman then spoke.

"'Madam,' said she, 'do you speak to a son of the chief of trade, a

man of acknowledged opulence, and whose worth is known to the Caliph

himself, as if you supposed that he would not reckon it an honour to

give so trifling a credit to a lady like you?'

"The discourse of this woman, the impression made upon me by the

beautiful eyes of her mistress, in consequence of the derangement of

her veil, and my natural timidity, prevented me not only from

venturing to ask payment, but even from insisting to know the name of

the lady to whom I gave credit. She left me, after saluting me in a

very graceful manner; and I remained at my door, fixed like a post,

without taking the precaution to cause a slave to follow her, and

observe the place of her abode.

"When I was alone, the imprudence of which I had been guilty presented

itself to my mind in the strongest colours. To whom had I given my

goods? Could I forget, after the lessons I had received from my

father, that Bagdad swarmed with adventurers, who could appear in any

form and assume any tone? Everything, even the beautiful eyes which

she had allowed me to see, then became suspicious. I believed myself

cheated out of my goods, and returned to my father's house, trembling

for the reproaches which I thought I had brought upon myself.

"My mother soon perceived my distress. She well knew how to draw from

me a confession of the cause, and endeavoured, as much as she could,

to calm my apprehensions.

"'The merchant who knows not how to lose,' said she, 'deserves not to

gain. If you are embarrassed in your accounts with your father, my

purse will supply the defect.'

"I returned next day to my shop, hurt at being duped and at the loss

which I had sustained. I had some hopes, however, that the lady would

return; but the evening came, and she had not made her appearance.

This unhappy day was followed by two others of the same kind, and my

mother saw my distress increase, without being able to give it any

relief.

"In vain did she tell me that she would supply this loss out of her

own purse, and that I should consider what had happened to me as a

useful misfortune, for it was only by experience that man could learn

wisdom.

"All her discourses were in vain: nothing could console me for having

allowed myself to be cheated by a pair of fine eyes, by mere

compliment and show; my vanity, which was hurt, tormented my soul.

"On the fourth day the unknown lady at last came to my shop, and threw

a large purse upon my counter.

"'Fair young man,' said she, 'I bring you your money; see if the

account is right.'

"At this desirable and unexpected sight my fears and anxieties

vanished, and I felt myself suddenly recover new life.

"The unknown lady caused other stuffs to be brought to her. She chose

some of them, and carried from my shop goods to the value of three

hundred pieces of gold. In my enthusiasm I would have given her credit

for two thousand. As soon as she was gone I returned to my mother, and

now showed as much joy as formerly I had shown sorrow and dejection. I

related to her the lucky adventure of the day, and perceived the full

force of the reasoning which till that time she had made use of in

vain, to persuade me that in trade _he who never ventures can never

gain_.

"In short, respectable dervish, I continued to deal in the same manner

with the unknown lady, who always carried from my shop stuffs worth

more money than she left in it, till she was owing me about ten

thousand crowns, equal to all the profit which I had been able to make

in my different bargains with her.

"One day, after opening my shop, I was scarcely seated on my sofa when

an aged woman came and accosted me. I thought she wanted some robes or

stuffs, and proposed to show them to her.

"'No, my son,' answered she, 'I am entrusted with a commission of much

greater importance: I come from the young lady who owes you ten

thousand crowns. I do not bring you payment, but I am charged by her

to tell you that you became her merchant in preference to every other

of the same profession at Bagdad, only because her heart granted you a

preference of another kind. In short, she is beautiful, young, and

rich, and offers you her hand in marriage. If you find it agreeable

to enter into this engagement after you have seen and conversed with

her, no other dowry is required than the ten thousand crowns in which

she stands indebted to you; if you do not agree to it, the money shall

instantly be paid down. But you must resolve to follow me, that you

may have it in your power to know whether the affair is agreeable to

your wishes.'

"During this discourse of the old woman, a flame, to which I was till

then quite a stranger, penetrated through my veins, and the hope which

was now suggested having increased its violence, I soon felt the fire

of love burning in my heart. The beautiful eyes of the lady, from the

first moment I beheld them, had so dazzled and blinded me concerning

my real interest, that I allowed her to carry off my goods without

knowing how I should receive payment for them. Though, in the visits

which she afterwards made me, her veil had wholly concealed the

features of her countenance, yet the fulness of her dress could not

conceal the elegance of her stature, the gracefulness of her motions,

the exquisite form of her foot, and the extraordinary beauty of her

hands. Besides, she disputed with me about the price with so much

courtesy, and with such an angelic voice, that she never left my shop

without carrying away something more than my goods; but I did not well

know what it was. Scarcely had she left my shop, when I felt myself

extremely uneasy; said to myself, This is a charming lady! and then

fell into a long state of profound thoughtfulness.

"When the old woman had informed me that the unknown lady was in love

with me, my passion increased to a desperate height. I ordered my

slaves to shut up my shop; and, having desired them to tell my father

and mother that I was going to enjoy myself with some of my friends,

in a garden at some distance from the city, before I returned home, I

put myself under the direction of the old woman.

"'You will never repent,' said she, as we went along, 'of having put

confidence in me; but you must still give me another proof of it. If

the lady is not agreeable to you, if you do not accept the proposals

which she is to make, and consequently a separation takes place, it is

proper that she should remain always unknown. Her delicacy requires

this; and I was ordered to put a covering over your eyes, that you may

not be able to discover the house to which you are going.'

"I readily agreed to this condition; and we withdrew under a portico,

where, being concealed by two advanced pillars, she covered my eyes

with a very thick silk handkerchief. She made me turn three or four

times round on my heel; then took me by the hand, and caused me to

walk by her side for a full quarter of an hour. We suddenly stopped. I

heard her knock at a door, which opened, and, as soon as we had

entered, immediately shut.

"I was in a short time restored to the use of my eyes, and committed

to the care of two female slaves of remarkable beauty and richness of

dress. They conducted me through seven doors, at the end of which I

was received by fourteen other slaves, whose figures were so striking,

and whose dress so magnificent, that I was dazzled with beholding

them. I was now in a superb apartment, where everything was marble,

jasper, or rich gilding. My adventure had so much the appearance of a

dream, that, though my eyes were open, I could scarcely be convinced

that I was really awake. The old woman, who had still followed me,

went out for an instant, and soon returned, accompanied by a slave,

who brought breakfast upon a large golden plate. I sat down to refresh

myself.

"While I was satisfying my hunger, the old woman counted down upon a

table the ten thousand crowns which were owing to me. 'There is your

whole sum,' said she. 'Be not uneasy that my mistress does not yet

appear. The law commands, and decency requires, that you should not

see one another before the contract is made.'

"Before she had done speaking, a Cadi appeared, with ten persons in

his train. I arose to salute him, when the old woman, addressing the

lawyer, said to him,

"'The young lady who is to be married to this merchant has chosen you

for her guardian: do you agree to accept the office?'

"The Cadi replied, 'that he reckoned himself highly honoured by the

choice which had been made of him.'

"He immediately drew up the contract, and got it signed by the

witnesses whom he had brought with him. After partaking of an ample

collation, which was served up to him and his attendants, and having

been presented with a magnificent dress and three hundred sequins, he

retired, charging the old woman to beg her mistress to accept his

thanks.

"I was so astonished at what I saw, that when the Cadi went away, I

made a motion to follow him, without perceiving that I left my money

behind. I was prevented by the old woman, who made me sit down again.

"'Are you mad?' said she. 'Need I inform you that the marriage follows

the contract? Come, be wiser, and remain quiet till night, when

everything will be ready for the completion of the ceremony.'

"I continued in the hall, where a great number of slaves were

attentive to every motion and ready to anticipate every wish. I was in

a very extraordinary state of mind. The power of that feeling which

had made me run so fast with my eyes blindfolded was no longer felt,

and love remained fixed at the bottom of my heart, astonished at the

luxury with which I was surrounded, and the ceremony of this

extraordinary marriage.

"Towards the evening, a magnificent repast was served up, accompanied

with all kinds of confections, and exquisite wines, which I used very

sparingly. As soon as I made a signal for them to remove the dishes,

the old woman took me by the hand, and conducted me to the bath. I was

there received by eight slaves, dressed in silk, who wrapped me in

stuffs of the same material, entered into the water with me, and

served me with all that respect and attention which could have been

paid to the Caliph himself.

"Imagine, O respectable dervish, my astonishment: it almost deprived

me of my senses! I was soon drawn from it, however, by the appearance

of twenty female slaves, beautiful and well dressed. Some held

flambeaux, and other pots full of exquisite perfumes, the sweet odour

of which, mingled with that of the wood of aloes, which served to warm

the bath, embalmed the air, and raised an agreeable vapour to the very

roof of the apartment.

"From these delights I was carried to the enjoyment of others. Twenty

slaves went before me, and conducted me into a magnificent apartment;

I sat down on a sofa covered with cloth of gold. I was there attended

by the most melodious music, which was at the same time so cheerful

and lively, and so fitted to inspire delight, that I could not help

feeling a little reanimated. The slaves at length proposed to conduct

me into the apartment destined for the celebration of the nuptials.

"I arose. A great door opened; and I beheld the person approach who

had marked me out for her husband, preceded by twenty other slaves,

whom she alone could surpass in beauty. At the sight of her I remained

almost senseless; but this first impression instantly gave place to

love; and my passion at length assumed over me that power, which even

at this day makes me, every moment of my life, endure torments worse

than death.

"The beautiful stranger, preceded by her twenty slaves, and I attended

by the same number, went into the grand apartment prepared for our

nuptials, and there sat down together on the same sofa. The old woman

then appeared at the head of four slaves, and brought us, on golden

plates, different refreshments, exquisite confections, and fruit of

all kinds, which we mutually presented to one another. After this, the

service disappeared, and we remained alone.

"I was almost trembling, when the lovely unknown lady took me by the

hand to encourage me.

"'Halechalbe,' said she, 'since the day when curiosity first led me

into your shop I have loved you; and the same sentiment has frequently

carried me back, under pretence of cheapening and purchasing goods.

The little intercourse we have had together has given me an

opportunity of knowing you; and my liking for you has so much

increased as to make me ambitious of being united to you for life. Can

you think of sacrificing your liberty?'

"'Madam,' answered I, 'from the first moment you appeared in my sight,

your charms failed not to produce their effect. I never saw you

without feeling an unaccountable disorder, mixed, however, with the

sweetest pleasure. You never left me without occasioning the most

lively regret: I expected you every day, and my thoughts were

incessantly occupied about your image. I dared not avow my passion to

myself; but since you have confessed your regard for me, I swear to

you, that nothing can equal the strength of my love, and that the

sacrifice of liberty is nothing to one who would give his life for

your sake.'

"'Halechalbe,' said she, 'truth seems to flow from your lips: spare

your life; it is essential to my happiness; but if we are to be united

for life, attend to the conditions upon which I will yield my heart.

My name and rank must remain unknown to you until the steps I am now

taking shall have enabled me publicly to acknowledge you for my

husband. You shall make no inquiry within this place for the purpose

of getting information, and the door of the house shall be opened only

once a year.'

"'O madam,' said I, 'I will keep silence; I will remain ignorant; I

will never leave the house----

"'Stop,' said she, 'I have a still more severe condition to impose

upon you: as I give myself wholly to you, it is reasonable that you

should be wholly mine. My slaves are become yours, and will obey you

in everything; but you must not speak to them, except to require their

services. If you condescend to use the smallest familiarity with any

one of them, further than mere expressions of kindness, if----I must

discover to you a part of my character. I am inclined to be jealous;

and if you make me the subject of this fatal passion, I know not how

far my resentment may carry me against you.'

"'Take courage,' said I, 'my adorable spouse: the strength of my

passion secures you from every indiscretion on my part. I should die

with vexation were I capable of displeasing you; but I am not afraid

that I will ever be so unlucky as to give you offence.'

"The unknown lady burst into tears when she saw the frankness and air

of sincerity with which my protestations were accompanied.

'Halechalbe,' said she, 'we will now be united; but had you hesitated

about accepting them, I would have sacrificed my happiness to my

delicacy, and we would have separated for ever.'

"I tenderly embraced her, and she fainted away in my arms. A slave

was called, and she, the idol of my heart, after a time opened her

beautiful eyes, and with rapture I beheld them turned towards me.

"I pass over the remaining events of my marriage, because they cannot

be interesting to you, and the remembrance of them is still the

torment of my life.

"I was so enchanted by my passion, that I spent a fortnight in total

forgetfulness of the whole world besides; and I will confess, to my

shame, that I even omitted the most essential of all duties, for I

never once thought of the uneasiness of my father and mother on my

account. At last, by little and little, nature resumed her rights, and

I began to think seriously of the grief which I must have occasioned

to my affectionate parents. I uttered some sighs, which proceeded from

the bottom of my heart; and the distress of my mind appeared in my

countenance. My wife, who possessed great discernment, soon perceived

the change which I underwent, got from me the secret, took an interest

in my pain, and pointed out the method of being delivered from its

attacks.

"'Dear Halechalbe,' said she, 'I commend you for your attachment to

your father and mother: they are dear to me on your account. We have

given ourselves laws; but, as we are the judges, we must not allow

them to do injury to nature. You will go to see your parents, spend a

week with them, and also resume your business. There are many reasons

for so doing. First of all, it will serve as a cloak to hide our

marriage, and will furnish you with an opportunity of being present or

absent at pleasure, without occasioning any suspicion of our marriage.

It will likewise enable you to acquire, by your civil, frank, and

generous dealings, the public esteem, which will one day be of great

advantage to us; for we live under the government of a Caliph who has

ears everywhere, and who likewise makes very good use of his own. Go,

then, and my heart will accompany you wherever you are: if it could be

rendered visible, you would see it continually fluttering around you.

Besides, you will be under my hand: we have our trusty old woman, by

whose means you will have the satisfaction of hearing me spoken of,

and I shall have that of being informed of your welfare, and

communicating to you my wishes. Above all,' added she, 'as our

marriage cannot be concealed from your parents, charge them to keep it

a profound secret.'

"Night was beginning to come on when this discourse was ended; and my

wife ordered the old woman to blindfold me, and conduct me out of the

gates of the palace till I was under the portico where I had first

submitted to this operation. As soon as my guide had restored to me

the use of my eyes, I flew with all speed to my father's house. A

neighbouring lady was just entering it. She discovered me by the light

of a shop before which I passed.

"'Halechalbe!' exclaimed she, 'what! is it you? Do not show yourself

so unexpectedly to your mother. Retire for a few minutes into my

house, and in the meantime my husband will go and inform her of your

return. She is in the utmost distress and despair at your loss; and

the joy occasioned by your sudden and unexpected return might be

productive of fatal consequences.

"'Whence come you, wicked young man?' said she, as soon as she had sat

down. 'How could you let your worthy parents continue ignorant of what

had become of you?'

"Not having a story ready made for the first inquisitive person I

should meet, and it being necessary to conceal my marriage from

everybody, I was very much at a loss what answer to give. But I made

it up by presence of mind, and was obliged to have recourse to a lie.

"'I am astonished, madam,' answered I, 'to hear you talk of the

vexation which I have occasioned to my parents. Having met with an

opportunity of going to Balsora, where I had a very urgent and

important examination to take against one of my most considerable

debtors, and, not having a moment to lose, I set out without being

able to inform my father of my departure. I dispatched an express as

soon as it was in my power; but some accident must have befallen him,

as no news have been received of me.'

"The lady was satisfied with the excuse.

"'All Bagdad, however,' said she, 'supposed you dead, and, moreover,

magnificently buried; for a superb funeral was given you yesterday. I

will relate the whole affair to you, when once my husband has prepared

our neighbours for again seeing in good health the son whom they

believed dead.'

"The husband having with great pleasure undertaken the commission, the

woman returned to her recital.

"'Your slave informed your father and mother that you were to spend

the remainder of the day and the night in a garden with your friends.

This prevented them from being uneasy during that evening and next

day; but on the following days all the merchants of Bagdad were in

search of you. Messengers were sent to all the gardens in the

neighbourhood of the city, to the woods, and to a great distance in

the country. As you were nowhere to be found, and nobody had observed

you, it was conjectured that you had fallen into one of those snares

which are too common at Bagdad, where young people without knowledge

and experience find death in the very cup of pleasure.

"'Your father and mother tore their hair through grief; your family

and friends went into mourning. Some kind of consolation was supposed

to be derived from the pretended funeral, which all the mourners in

Bagdad were hired to attend, but where many real tears were shed.

Every person was affected with the distress of your parents.'

"This recital, O virtuous dervish! made me very uneasy. I perceived

the dreadful consequences of forgetting myself and my duty; and I

always considered my misfortunes, and the distraction of mind which

was the consequence thereof, as a punishment from Heaven, because, in

the arms of love, I was unmindful of the sacred obligations of nature.

"After our neighbour had related that part of my history which it was

necessary I should know, she rose up.

"'It is now time,' said she, 'to appear: my husband must already have

announced you; go, and confirm the account which he has given of your

return.'

"I then entered my father's house, and it is impossible to describe

his joy, much less that of my mother, who fainted away in my arms.

"'What!' said my father, 'you are returned from Balsora? Poor child!

the loss you might have sustained was not nearly equal in my

estimation to the danger which you have run and the fatigues you have

undergone.'

"'Father,' said I, still keeping up before the neighbours the story

which I had thought it convenient to adopt, 'I know not whether our

correspondent is to fail, but I will deliver to you securities

sufficient to remove every fear. There is a diamond to put in your

turban; here is one for the hilt of your poniard; another for the

handle of your scimitar, and a bracelet for my mother. I believe that

this is a full equivalent for the sum which we may lose by him.'

"They again embraced me, without asking any further explanation; the

weeds of mourning soon disappeared, and every one was dressed in his

festival robes. The house was filled with music; a thousand tapers

shed their light, and the friends of my father and mother assembled to

enjoy a splendid entertainment. The evening and night were spent by

the company in amusement and joy.

"Next morning I thought it my duty to eradicate from the mind of my

parents those opinions which, in order to deceive the public, prudence

had made me establish the evening before. I related to them the

circumstances of my marriage, and besought them to keep it secret, as

my happiness depended on its being concealed. Everything increased

their astonishment, and the rich jewels which I had brought them from

my wife were speaking proofs.

"'He must have married the daughter of a genie,' said my mother.

"'Such nuptials,' said my father, 'are celebrated without a Cadi.'

"They knew not what to think; but they saw me happy, and they were

satisfied.

"I proposed to my parents to resume my trade. They were delighted to

find that fortune had not deprived me of economy and diligence, and

next day I again appeared in my shop. The quarter in which I lived

expressed their happiness at seeing me again. As I was no longer

directed by the hope of gain, I was perfectly easy and disinterested

in my dealings, and brought to my shop all the people of Bagdad. In

the evening I returned as usual to my father's house.

"On the evening preceding the seventh day, I informed my father that I

was again to disappear. He endeavoured to get my place filled up by an

intelligent clerk, who was bound to conduct himself according to my

principles. It was easy to account for my being a second time absent,

by pretending that I had some business abroad.

"On the seventh day, towards evening, the old woman came and informed

me that my wife was waiting impatiently for my arrival. As I was

equally impatient to rejoin her, I needed no entreaties to persuade me

to follow my guide. The same mystery as before was still observed in

conducting me to the palace, where my presence was expected, and I was

received at the first door by my charming wife, who loosened the

bandage with her own hands.

"I passed another fortnight, still happier than the former, in those

enjoyments which mutual love bestows, and amid those delights,

pleasures, and amusements which the eager wishes and riches of my

spouse could bring together. At the conclusion of this period, which

seemed very short, I returned to my father's house, and afterwards to

my business. My parents received me with the greatest affection; but

scarcely did I enjoy it before I sighed for the return of the seventh

day, when the old woman would come to blindfold me, and conduct me to

an abode which I now considered as a celestial Paradise.

"My wife appeared to feel with equal force the pangs of separation.

During my absence from the palace, the only method which she pursued

to divert her attention was to play upon a musical instrument, or to

sing in concert with her slaves.

"One day, during my absence, while my mistress and her slaves were

singing my praises and our loves, Zaliza, one of the slaves, hearing a

couplet in praise of my fidelity, affected to drop her lute, as if

through impatience, and did not take it up again.

"'Why,' said my spouse, 'do you leave your lute lying upon the

ground?'

"'I cannot sing the fidelity of men,' answered Zaliza, 'for I do not

believe it. Halechalbe,' continued she, 'is very amiable; he

undoubtedly loves you, and who would not? But I do not believe that

his affection is equal to yours, or that he is more faithful than

another: of this I can give proofs whenever they are required.'

"These base and perfidious words infused the most fatal jealousy into

the heart of my spouse: she gave me no opportunity, however, of

perceiving that she entertained any suspicions. At the time fixed

between us, I returned to my father's house and my ordinary business,

and when I went back to the lady I was received as kindly and

affectionately as before.

"One day I was in my shop, when, about two hours before the usual time

of the old woman's arrival to conduct me to my spouse, the public

crier proclaimed in the street a golden censer set with diamonds, to

be sold for two thousand sequins. I ordered a slave to call the crier.

"'Who is the proprietor of that censer?' said I to him.

"'It belongs,' answered he, 'to a young lady, whom you behold there;'

at the same time he pointed out a handsome and well-dressed woman, and

I desired him to bid her speak with me.

"The woman took the censer from the crier, gave him a reward, and

advanced towards me.

"'Madam,' said I, 'since this censer belongs to you, I know where to

place it; will you allow me to have it?'

"'Since it pleases you, Halechalbe,' said the lady, 'it is yours, and

I demand nothing in return.'

"'I am not accustomed,' answered I, 'to make such bargains.'

"'Nor I,' said the lady, 'to enjoy the happiness of making a present

to the most amiable and best-beloved of his sex. I have,' continued

she, 'for a long time past frequented your shop, unobserved, alas! by

you; but your figure and your manners enchanted me, and still enchant

me more and more. Since the censer pleases you, I reckon myself very

fortunate in having it in my power to present you with it.'

"'I will receive your present, madam,' said I, 'if you will accept

from me its value.'

"'Silver and gold,' said she, 'are of no account in my estimation.

The love which I bear you has deprived me of repose: do not treat me

with cruel disdain. A liking for me would do you no dishonour, for,

thank God! I may be proud of my descent. But if, despised by you, I

cannot aspire to the highest marks of your affection, let me have a

single kiss, and the censer shall be yours.'

"'I cannot agree,' replied I, 'that you should make so bad a bargain.

Take your money, or keep your censer. A kiss is no trading price.'

"'It is beyond price,' answered the lady, 'to one who dies of love. I

brought not this censer here to sell, but to give it to you; accept it

at the price mentioned, and you will save my life.'

"Venerable dervish, I will confess my weakness, and declare that I was

gained over by these flattering praises and this language of love. I

had no suspicions, and was unable to discover the features of the lady

through her veil. Overcome by self-love more than by her entreaties, I

retired into a dark part of the shop, and presented my cheek; but

instead of kissing it, she bit it with such force as made me cry out;

and I was left alone with the censer in my hand, my cheek bathed in

blood, and my countenance totally disfigured. The blood was at length

stopped, but I was unable to allay the swelling or remove the marks of

her cruel teeth.

"At this moment the old woman came for me, and appeared surprised at

the situation in which she beheld me. I intended to tell her that I

had fallen upon a piece of broken glass, and I was ready to give the

same account to my spouse. But the treacherous Zaliza had previously

informed her of the whole matter. It was she who had played me that

base trick, and she had no doubt reported it to my spouse in such a

manner as to make me appear much more guilty than I really was. When I

arrived at the palace, instead of being received as formerly by an

eager and affectionate wife, I fell into the power of an enraged and

implacable judge.

"'What has hurt your cheek?' was the first question proposed by my

wife as soon as I was before her. I was about to tell her of the

pieces of glass, but she interrupted me with asking, 'whence I got the

censer which I held in my hand?'

"'It cost me two thousand sequins,' said I, stammering.

"'Liar!' replied my spouse, her eyes inflamed with rage, 'it cost you

much more: the account of it is on your cheek. Vile and base man! you

have made a trade of your love, but you shall pay dear for your

infamous conduct. Morigen,' said she, addressing her first eunuch,

'let him be beheaded.'

"Morigen had already seized me, when the old woman, our confidante,

threw herself at the feet of her mistress.

"'Oh, madam!' said she, 'do not commit such a crime; do not expose

yourself to remorse which you will be unable to support.'

"The behaviour of the old slave brought my wife to reflection. She

appeared to meditate a little; and then, changing her opinion, ordered

me to receive the bastinado. While Morigen was executing her rigorous

orders, which I endeavoured to bear without complaining, she seized a

musical instrument, and made the chords resound with an air which

expressed a mixture of jealous rage and malignant satisfaction.

"The pain I suffered totally deprived me of feeling; and I did not

recover till I was in my father's house, placed upon a bed, surrounded

by the whole family, and attended by physicians, who were employed in

procuring me relief. I had been carried away after the fatal execution

of my wife's orders, and left on the threshold of my father's door.

"It was six weeks before I recovered from the consequences of the

severe treatment I had undergone. At the end of this time, when I was

again able to be out of bed, my father tried to gain my confidence,

and I concealed not the smallest circumstance of my last adventure.

"'O Heaven!' said he, 'you are united, my son, to a monster of cruelty

and injustice.'

"'Do not say so, father!' exclaimed I: 'my wife, I must confess, was

cruel, but she thought she had reason to complain, and I was wanting

in my duty to her, even when she loaded me with kindness and

affection. I find that I still adore her, and that my love is

increased by the consciousness of my fault, and by the fear of a

final separation. Ah! would that I were admitted to be the lowest of

her slaves!'

"'You have not the feelings of a man,' said my father: 'know the

dignity of your sex. I cannot determine to what kind of a being you

have been united by the ceremony of a contract. I should suppose it

entirely whimsical, if so strong proofs, and particularly the last,

had not been given us of its reality. Be ashamed, that a man like you,

who are well descended, and who might have aspired to a connection

with the best families in Bagdad, has been hurried away by a foolish

passion to so extraordinary and unequal a connection as that which you

have now formed. Forget your disgraceful passion.'

"Every word which my father uttered, by way of invective against my

marriage and my wife, was a dagger to my heart.

"'I shall one day discover this abominable creature,' added he. 'I

will bring an information against her before the Caliph, who will put

it out of her power to make further victims.'

"Instead of seconding my father's resentment, my heart revolted

against his plans of revenge, and placed itself betwixt him and my

cruel but charming spouse.

"This disposition of mind, in spite of the assistance of medicine,

soon injured my health, and deranged my understanding. I became

thoughtful and melancholy, refused every means of consolation, grieved

my too affectionate parents, and was a torment to all the domestics.

Nothing could be prepared to my taste, and I constantly blamed the

unskilfulness of the cooks.

"One of them came one day to justify his conduct.

"'See,' said I, overturning the table, and treading the dishes under

my feet, 'there is the estimation in which I hold your skill and

diligence!'

"As he wanted to make a reply, I threw myself upon him to give him a

hearty beating. His cries and screams soon brought my mother, who

wished to tear from me the person at whom I was offended. She even

ventured to add blows to her reproofs; and, in the blindness of my

fury, I unfortunately struck her. When my father arrived, he was not

more prudent, and I was at length put in chains. I recollect that,

having put my hand across my mouth, it was covered with foam. In

short, I lost my recollection, and only recovered it to behold myself

an inhabitant of this mournful abode. I then learned that I was kept

here by order of Giafar, the Grand Vizier.

"Many months have now elapsed since I groaned a miserable captive in

this place. I have now recovered soundness of mind, in consequence of

the solitude, but more especially the opportunity of indulging my

unfortunate passion, which I here enjoy without hearing the person

whom I will ever love loaded with imprecations.

"Here, O respectable dervish! I am swayed by sadness, and not by

passion, and can discover in myself nothing for which I ought to be

detained in this hospital. My friends, it would appear, have forgotten

me; but it is the duty of the Grand Vizier, whose orders are here

followed, to inspect this place, and endeavour to bring back to me my

parents, since I only offended by one fit of madness, and have now

sufficiently recovered my reason to regulate my conduct. This,

venerable dervish, is the whole of my history. All my consolation is

the Koran, and the hope that some time or other the Commander of the

Faithful, who wishes to see everything himself, will direct his steps

towards this mournful abode. I ask this from Allah a hundred times a

day; but, alas! my supplications have never reached his throne."

"Cease not to pray, my dear son," replied the Caliph: "you will soon

know the efficacy thereof, and your request will be heard."

After these words of consolation, Haroun returned with Giafar and

Mesrour to the palace.

"What think you," said the Prince to the companions of his adventures,

"of the story which has now been related? You were at hand, and must

have heard everything which was spoken."

"I think," said Giafar, "that this young man, of whom I never heard

before, though he accuses me of being the cause of his misfortunes,

has been employing his invention to relate to you a collection of

dreams or falsehoods."

"It is impossible that everything can be false in his relation,"

replied the Caliph; "and I command you to think on the means of

ascertaining the truth. To-morrow I expect to hear from you."

Next day the Grand Vizier gave an account of the plan which he had

devised for discovering what trust was to be placed in the history and

complaints of Halechalbe.

"Those people," said the minister, "who are deranged in their mind,

are never consistent in their accounts. Let your Highness therefore

order the young man to be brought before you; and if he repeats his

long story in the same connection he did yesterday, and without

varying its circumstances, it will then be proper to make the

necessary inquiries for ascertaining the truth of the facts."

The Vizier's opinion was highly approved of, and orders were instantly

given to go for Halechalbe.

When the young man was at the foot of the throne, the Caliph thus

addressed him: "Halechalbe, I have been informed that you have been

confined in a madhouse, by a series of the most extraordinary

adventures: recover your spirits, and be assured that I am anxious to

do justice to all my subjects. But in the relation I demand from you,

omit no circumstance, and consider the respect which is due to truth

and to my presence."

Halechalbe, seeing the prediction of the dervish fulfilled, being

inspired with confidence and affected with his subject, again began

his history, and made not the smallest variations, even in the

expressions.

Giafar was obliged to own that the recital which he had twice heard

bore very striking marks of veracity. His sole object now was to

discover Halechalbe's beloved but cruel enemy, in order to procure

justice from her towards her injured husband; and his sagacity soon

suggested the steps which were proper to be taken.

By calling together all the Cadis in Bagdad, in order to learn by whom

the contract had been drawn up, the affair would be in danger of being

divulged, without resolving the difficulty. For, if any of them had,

contrary to law, drawn up a contract of so extraordinary a nature, he

would not readily confess it; and besides, a man might have been

suborned to act the part.

If Halechalbe's father was reconciled to him, and persuaded again to

entrust his son with the management of his trade, it was probable that

the old woman would be going about him, were it only from curiosity;

and spies, properly placed, might apprehend her, and force her to

disclose the name of her mistress.

The Caliph approved the scheme, and the syndic was immediately sent

for. This unfortunate father, still supposing that his son was totally

deranged in his mind, was greatly astonished to find himself in his

company at the foot of the Caliph's throne, and still more to see

Halechalbe treated by Haroun with the kindest attention.

Upon the first proposal of a reconciliation made by the Grand Vizier,

the father stretched out his arms to receive his son. Measures were

then agreed upon for unravelling the adventure, and Halechalbe's

father promised to execute with fidelity the orders which he received.

The father and son returned to their house, after having received two

rich robes from the munificent Caliph; and next day Halechalbe was

re-established in his shop, which was as richly furnished as before.

The young man endeavoured, by submission, kindness, and attention, to

make his parents forget the cause of complaint which he had given

them. Though still inflamed by love, he strove to conceal from them

its effects, and to get the better of his melancholy. He yielded to it

only when free from every other business, and when left to himself in

solitude and retirement.

Halechalbe's wife did not long enjoy the satisfaction of her revenge.

Having come to serious reflection on her conduct, she blamed herself

for the excess of her cruelty, and at length became uneasy about the

fate of the husband whom she had treated with too much severity,

though she still supposed him criminal and ungrateful. Love soon

regained the empire of her heart; and though she struggled for some

days against a feeling which she durst not avow, silence at length

became burdensome to her, and she ordered the old woman, as if solely

through compassion, to make inquiry about the situation of her

unfortunate husband.

"Alas, madam!" answered she, "my pity for him led me to his father's

house, and I there learned from the inhabitants of that quarter, that

the poor young man's life was in danger."

"His life in danger!" replied the lady. "Ah! unfortunate that I am! I

have killed the only man in the world I ever loved, or can love! Can I

not inform him that my life depends upon his? but everything prevents

me from doing so. Go, however, and speedily get information concerning

him, as far as you can, consistently with the safety of my honour."

The old woman received the order with great pleasure, and for some

time was able to give her mistress good hopes of the recovery of her

husband's health. But her inquiries soon became fruitless, for the

neighbours were altogether silent concerning Halechalbe, from the

moment when he was privately taken to a madhouse in a state of

insanity.

Her mistress now yielded to despair, and shut herself up with her

confidante, that she might indulge her sorrow and shed her tears

without restraint. The musical instrument, which had formerly been

employed to insult over the misfortune of Halechalbe, now served to

express her own complaints. The lady, quite inconsolable, could no

longer make verses, as she was wont to do when inspired by love or

revenge, but only uttered a few broken words, intermingled with sighs

and tears.

The good old woman was one day traversing the city, little thinking

that she would have any agreeable news to carry to her mistress, when,

as she passed through the quarter where Halechalbe's shop was, she

observed it open. Stopping to look at it, she discovered the master

himself, seated on a sofa and lost in deep thought, and she determined

to enter. As soon as she saw him she wished to throw herself into his

arms, and Halechalbe was running to meet her when he perceived her

approaching; but the Grand Vizier's spies, who had not lost sight of

the slave, interposed, carried off the woman, and conducted her to

Giafar.

Great was the astonishment of Giafar to find that the woman now

brought before him was Nemana, the old governess of his beloved

daughter Zeraide.

"Is it possible," said he, "that you whom my daughter loads with her

kindness should be engaged in the intrigue of Halechalbe's marriage?

Who is the woman you have given him for a wife?"

"O my Prince and master," answered Nemana, in great astonishment,

"whom could I serve but your daughter, the Princess Zeraide?"

Giafar was thunderstruck when he learned that his daughter had married

without his knowledge and consent; but knowing that the Caliph was

very anxious to get this affair unravelled, instead of returning to

his own palace to get an explanation from Zeraide, he instantly

repaired to the Commander of the Faithful, followed by Nemana and the

spies whom he had sent in pursuit of her.

"Wise Prince," said he "the old woman who was concerned in

Halechalbe's marriage has been found: she is at the door, and I have

put some questions to her. Halechalbe's wife," continued the Vizier,

"has only availed herself of the law delivered in the Koran, by

chastising her husband, who was surprised in a fault worthy of

punishment. The duties of husband and wife are reciprocal, and

Halechalbe had received the caresses of a strange woman."

"I think," said Haroun, "you strain the expressions of the law: you

make it too sanguinary, and you would expose a great many in Bagdad to

danger if the right of doing themselves justice was granted to all who

really are, or think themselves, injured in this respect."

"Marriages of every kind," replied the Vizier, "will not admit of the

rigorous application of the law; but when the lady who is married,

while she subjects herself to the law in all its rigour, has it

likewise in her power to demand the same subjection from the man whom

she is to marry, and this condition is freely accepted, the injured

person in avenging herself only makes use of her legal right."

"Notwithstanding all your fine arguments," said Haroun, "I am still

inclined to favour the unfortunate Halechalbe: it yet remains that I

be informed of the name of the woman in whose cause you are so

eloquent."

"She is my daughter," answered the Vizier in great confusion.

"You have now," replied the Caliph, "let me into the secret. I see

that the multiplicity of my affairs makes you neglect your own, and

renders you perfectly ignorant of what passes in your own house.

Marriages are contracted, and men's lives disposed of, without your

knowing anything of the matter. Imagine the consequences which would

result from allowing an arm directed by passion to execute a rigorous

law. I know the rights which are assumed by women in cases of unequal

marriages. If conveniency and prudence, those powerful directors of

human conduct, sometimes oblige them to give their hand to one of an

inferior station, then they may avail themselves of these rights to a

certain extent: they are a sort of compensation for the sacrifice

which they make. But this is not the case with your daughter, who has

made no sacrifice but to her own taste, and the son of the chief of

trade is in every respect become her equal. He loves and adores her,

notwithstanding all the cruelty which she has exercised against him,

and she would certainly be too happy in having him again for her

husband. You well know that with one word I can make my meanest

subject a Prince. I will raise Halechalbe's father to that dignity,

from a principle of justice, and I will take care of the son, from

regard to himself and to you. Find out the name of the Cadi who drew

up the contract, and why he ventured to do so without your consent,

since without that the deed would be void; take care that nothing be

wanting in the form." After this discourse with his Vizier, the Caliph

ordered Halechalbe to approach.

"Young man," said he, "your wife shall be restored to you, and you

shall have it in your power either to pardon or punish her. She is my

Grand Vizier's daughter; but nothing ought to have any influence in

preventing you from following the inclinations of your heart and the

dictates of your mind."

"O Commander of the Faithful!" exclaimed the young Halechalbe, "can I

retain any resentment against the person who is dearer to me than

life? I aspire after nothing but the happiness of seeing her again,

and if I can once more gain her heart, and the consent of her father,

I vow to an affection which will terminate only with my existence."

"Giafar," replied the Caliph, "I recommend the interests of your

daughter and son-in-law to your care. Henceforth consider him as a man

connected with my service, and for whom I mean to provide."

The Grand Vizier returned to his palace, holding Halechalbe by the

hand, and followed by the old woman, who perceiving herself at

liberty, soon made her escape to go and inform her mistress of the

visit which she might expect to receive. The Vizier, whom she had

outrun, at length arrived at his house. Zeraide arose to meet him, and

to give the usual marks of her attachment and respect; but a signal

with his hand, and a look of severity, forced her to desist.

"Suppress these demonstrations of attachment," said Giafar: "there can

be no love without confidence, and no respect without obedience. You

first married without my consent, and then, in a fit of delirium,

abusing the authority which I gave you over my servants, you went to

the most criminal excess against your husband, and committed a crime

which exposed us to the wrath of the Caliph. When you gave your hand

to the son of the chief of trade at Bagdad--a man esteemed and

respected by everybody, and valued even by the Caliph himself--did you

think that you were entering into a connection with the meanest slave?

And if the life even of these is to be spared, how could you imagine

that you might dispose of your husband's according to your pleasure

and caprice? I have brought him to you; he is your master, and in his

turn has your life in his power. Fall at his feet, and be assured that

you can never regain my esteem unless you obliterate from his mind, by

submission and obedience, the undeserved and cruel treatment which he

has received."

While the Vizier was speaking, the trembling Zeraide would have fallen

dead at his feet if she had not perceived in the eyes of Halechalbe

something more than compassion for the confusion to which she was

reduced. With pleasure did she throw herself at his feet, and kissed

them with transport. The young husband, happy beyond expression,

having raised Zeraide, embraced her, and for some moments their tears

were mingled together. This affecting scene made an impression on

Giafar, who was passionately fond of his daughter: the father and the

minister were at once disarmed. But the Cadi must be called to correct

the irregularity in the contract of marriage. He learned that his name

was Yaleddin, and ordered him to be instantly sent for.

Yaleddin arrived, and did not allow Giafar time to ask why he agreed

to marry Zeraide in private, and without the concurrence of any one

but the young lady.

"Your daughter," said the judge, "sent for me, and discovered the

excess of her passion. I thought it my duty to fulfil her wishes, that

I might prevent, though by an irregular proceeding on my part, a

conduct still more irregular in her. She proposed that I should be her

guardian; and having undertaken this character, and not condemning her

choice, I believed I was doing an important service to this fond

couple, and I plainly foresaw that one day it would not meet your

disapprobation."

Giafar, instead of showing dissatisfaction, generously expressed his

gratitude to the Cadi; but ordered the slave Zaliza to be delivered to

him, that she might be punished, after a confession should be extorted

from her of the odious stratagem which she had employed for separating

her mistress and her husband.

The happy pair were then left to themselves, after the Vizier had

assured Halechalbe that he would be as dear to him as his own son.

Magnificent feasts were afterwards given, that all possible splendour

might accompany an union authorized and approved by the Caliph, and

which diffused joy among all the inhabitants of Bagdad.

Thus did Halechalbe pass almost unexpectedly from a madhouse to that

honourable elevation to which he was raised by the Caliph Haroun, and

from the most mournful of all situations to the highest degree of

happiness.

[Illustration]

The Four Talismans.

[Illustration]

Abouali Nabul,[7] Emperor of the Moguls, reflecting upon his great

age, felt convinced that he could not long enjoy the light of the sun;

he therefore sent for his well-beloved and only son Nourgehan, and

spoke to him thus:

[Footnote 7: Great father.]

"Nourgehan, I leave my throne to thee. You will soon fill my place:

forget not to do justice equally to the poor as to the rich. Be

satisfied with possessing a flourishing kingdom. Envy not the

dominions of any other Prince: leave every one in possession of that

which they have inherited from their fathers. In one word, always

remember that clemency and justice are the noblest titles of a

Sovereign."

After having said these words, the Emperor descended from his throne,

made his son ascend it, and retired into a delightful apartment (where

he had passed his happiest days), where he remained till he died,

which was shortly afterwards.

Nourgehan, after having paid all the honours that nature and gratitude

required for so good a father, was wholly occupied in fulfilling the

last counsels that he had received from him. His heart was naturally

good, and his judgment just; but if every man stands in need of

experience to form his mind, much more is it necessary for those who

are destined to fill a throne. Nourgehan, persuaded of this important

truth, was far from the presumption too common to Princes. One day, as

he conversed with his courtiers upon the subject of government, he

applauded those Kings who had shown the greatest love of justice.

Solomon was quoted as having been the most just.

"This example is not a just one," replied Nourgehan. "Solomon was a

prophet, and could easily prevent the evils which he foresaw; but a

common mortal can only use his best endeavours to repair the faults of

his weakness: therefore I command you all, not only to inform me of

all my duties without flattery, but also to prevent or repair my

faults by your counsels. When a King testifies a love for virtue, all

his subjects become virtuous."

As soon as Nourgehan had ceased speaking, Abourazier rose up and said,

"Great Prince, if you wish to have justice truly exercised in your

dominions, you must make choice of a disinterested Vizier, who has

only your glory and the good of the State in view. The satisfaction of

having done right must be the only recompense he desires."

"You say well, Abourazier," returned Nourgehan; "but the difficulty is

to find such a man."

"You have, my lord," replied the courtier, "one of your subjects whose

moderation and wisdom made him renounce all public employments under

the reign of your illustrious father: your Majesty, perhaps, is

ignorant of what happened to him in the city of Shiras."

The King having commanded him to inform him of it, Abourazier pursued

his discourse thus:

"Imadil Deule,[8] in the last war which we sustained against Persia,

led our victorious army as far as Shiras, which he took, and, by a

sentiment of humanity, preserved from being plundered. His soldiers,

however, demanded a recompense that might make them amends for the

booty they expected to have obtained, and spoke to him so strongly,

that he was obliged to promise one to them, though he knew not where

he could procure it."

[Footnote 8: The support and assistance of felicity.]

"One day as he was in his palace, thinking of this demand, he

perceived a serpent creep out of a hole in the wall and return into it

again. He called the officers of his harem, and said to them, 'Break

open that hole, and take out the serpent that I saw enter it this

moment.'

"The courtiers obeyed him, and found a vault full of presses ranged

along the walls, with chests piled upon each other. They were opened,

and found to be filled with sequins, while the presses were heaped up

with the most magnificent stuffs. Imadil Deule returned thanks to God

for this discovery, and distributed the treasure to his soldiers. He

afterwards commanded a tailor to be sent for to make habits of these

stuffs, with which he designed to recompense the merits of those

officers who had served under his command. The most experienced tailor

of the city was presented to him, who had always wrought for the late

Governor. Imadil Deule said to him, 'Not only thou shalt be well paid

if these habits are carefully made, but I will procure thee a further

recompense, and some bowls of cassonnade.'"[9]

[Footnote 9: A kind of sherbet mixed with honey.]

"The tailor, who was deaf of one ear, understood that he was to have

the bastinado, and fell a-weeping. Imagining that it was intended to

exact an account of the late Governor's clothes which he had in his

possession, he declared he had only twelve chests full, and those who

accused him of having more had not said the truth.

"Imadil Deule could not forbear smiling at the effect which fear had

produced in the poor tailor: he caused the habits to be brought, which

were found to be magnificent and entirely new. The only use he made of

them, as well as of the rich stuffs he found in the presses, was to

clothe and adorn the officers of his army. I believe, therefore, that

so disinterested a man deserves the confidence of your Majesty."

Abourazier having ceased speaking, Nourgehan said to him, "Imadil

Deule shall not be my Vizier. I believe him an honest man, but he

wants prudence, and I do not think him capable of supporting my

authority. He had the seals of the empire, and yet knew not how to

order everything necessary for his expedition; in a word, his treasure

failed him, and his soldiers presumed to give him laws. Without the

accident of the serpent, of which any other man would have made the

same use, what would have become of him? The story of the tailor is of

no consequence."

Nourgehan was continually occupied with the love of justice and the

desire of reigning well. He left his palace at all hours to inform

himself of the truth by his own knowledge. There was an old potter of

earthen vessels who dwelt near his palace. Nourgehan, moved by seeing

him every day pray to God with the most ardent and zealous fervour,

stopped one day before the little hut in which he dwelt, and said to

him, "Ask of me whatever thou desirest, and I promise to grant it

thee."

"Command all your officers," said the potter, "to take each of them

one of my pots, and pay for it that which I ask. I will not abuse this

permission."

Nourgehan granted him his request, and gave orders to his guard to

watch over the sale of the pots, and, above all, to do whatever the

potter ordered him. He made a very modest use of the favour that he

had obtained, and, satisfied with the sale of his work, he exacted no

more than the value of it, thinking himself happy in being able to

live by his industry, and wishing that he might give a proof of his

gratitude to his Sovereign. The Vizier of Nourgehan was avaricious;

but for fear of displeasing his master, he concealed that vice with

the utmost care. He went one morning to the Emperor's audience, when

the potter demanded a sequin for a pot which he presented to him. The

Vizier refused it, and said it was a jest to ask such a sum for a

thing that the least coin would sufficiently pay for.

The potter, seeing that he added menaces to his refusal, answered him,

"that since he took it in that strain, he demanded a thousand sequins

for his pot," and added, "that he should not enter into the Emperor's

presence until he had hung the pot round his neck, and carried him

upon his back to have an audience of the Emperor, that he might make

his complaints of the refusal and menaces he had given him."

The Vizier made many difficulties and great entreaties to avoid these

vexatious and mortifying conditions; but the hour approaching which

the Emperor had appointed for an audience, and the guards refusing to

let him enter till he had satisfied the desires of the potter, he was

obliged to submit to them; to promise the thousand sequins, to hang

the pot about his neck, and to carry the potter on his back, a

condition from which he would not recede. The Emperor, surprised at

seeing his Vizier arrive in a manner so ridiculous and so unsuitable

to his dignity, commanded him to explain what it all meant. When he

was told, he obliged the Vizier to pay the thousand sequins

immediately; and comprehending of how great an injury it might be to a

Prince to have an avaricious minister, he deposed him, and was pleased

with the potter for having made known to him a fact that he never

would have suspected otherwise.

Nourgehan formed a counsel of the most worthy men of the empire,

ordained wise and prudent laws, and departed to visit his provinces,

with a resolution of releasing his people from any possible abuse of

an authority which is always dangerous, when those who exercise it are

at too great a distance from the Sovereign. This Prince, endowed with

every virtue, had no other wish than that of deserving after his death

the noble epitaph of that Persian monarch who has graved upon his

tomb, "Weep! for Shah Chuja is dead!"

Nourgehan, visiting all the provinces of his kingdom, had already gone

through the greatest part of them, and remedied numberless disorders,

when his curiosity engaged him in a journey into Tartary, his

neighbouring kingdom. Finding himself so near their country, he had a

desire also to see and know the manners of these Tartars, who were

more civilized than others, for they had cities and fixed habitations:

their women also are not shut up like those of the other Asiatics. The

Tartars came to meet the Emperor of the Moguls. Some of them

performed courses on their swiftest horses to do him honour, others,

accompanied with their women, formed a kind of dance which, though a

little savage, was not destitute of grace. In the number of the Tartar

women who presented themselves before him, Nourgehan was struck with

the beauty of a young person of eighteen, named Damake.[10] She

possessed great beauty; an inexpressible sense and modesty was visible

in her countenance. Nourgehan did homage to so many charms, and caused

a place in his harem to be proposed to her, but she refused it. Love

but too often causes the greatest change in the worthiest characters.

The Prince, so wise, and till then so moderate, led away by his

passion, joined menaces to his entreaties; he even went so far as to

threaten that he would bring a formidable army thither to obtain a

beauty whose refusals did not permit him to hope to win her otherwise.

He made this rash speech to Damake alone; for if the Tartars, who are

a people most jealous of their liberty, had had the least knowledge of

it, war would have been that moment declared. But Damake answered him

with the utmost sweetness, without showing the least fear, and without

losing that respect which she owed to a Sovereign; and it was with the

gentle and yet resolved tone that courage and truth always inspire,

that she related this little history to him:

[Footnote 10: Joy of the heart.]

"One of the great Lamas," said she, "of whose supreme authority in

this country you are not ignorant, fell in love, in this very place,

with a maiden of my tribe. She not only refused all that he offered to

her, but she would not accept the proposal he made to marry her. The

love she felt for a musician was the sole cause of her refusal, which

she confessed to the Lama, with a hope of appearing unworthy of his

attachment. But that Prince--for they are looked upon as

such--distracted with anger and sorrow, caused his unworthy rival to

be put to death, and under the pretext of her being agreeable to the

Grand Lama, it was not difficult to have her carried off. For you are

sensible, my lord, that in this country every one trembles at the very

name of him, whom we look upon as a god. But the Lama enjoyed not

much satisfaction from his cruelty and injustice; for after she had

promised to marry him, in order to obtain a greater liberty, she

precipitated herself from the top of a rock, which can be perceived

from hence, and which is always shown in the country as a proof of the

constancy and resolution of which the Tartar virgins are capable. It

is not," continued Damake, "love for another that makes me refuse the

offers of your Majesty. My heart to this hour is free; but, my lord,

learn to know it thoroughly. It is noble, and perhaps worthy of the

favour you condescend to honour me with. My weak charms have seduced

you; but a woman who has no other merit than beauty, in my opinion, is

of little value."

"Perhaps," returned Nourgehan, "the difference of our religions is an

obstacle to my happiness?"

"No, my lord, I am a Mussulman," resumed Damake. "Can you imagine I

could submit to the ideas that are given us of the Grand Lama? Can we

believe that a man is immortal? The artifice that is made use of to

persuade us of it is too gross. In one word, my eyes are too much

enlightened for me to hesitate between the ideas inculcated by these

priests, and those by which the divinity of God is preached by his

most sacred Prophet. No, my lord," continued she, "I am sensible of

the risk I shall run by your goodness to me. Time causes the

nightingale to perish and the rose to fade. The moon shines during the

night; but its lustre fades when the day approaches. Can I expect,

therefore, that time should spare me? Yet, notwithstanding these

reflections, I confess, my lord, I should be flattered with the

thought of pleasing a man whose virtues I esteem above his greatness.

But I should wish to please him by other qualities: I should wish to

have rendered myself worthy of him by services so considerable, that

even a marriage thus unsuitable, far from exposing him to reproaches,

should only serve to make his choice more applauded."

Nourgehan, charmed at finding such uncommon sense and such delicate

sentiments in an object whose figure alone would have rendered her

amiable, admired her virtue, gave her his royal promise never to

constrain her inclinations, and resolved never to depart from her. He

sent a numerous train of slaves and camels to the beauteous Damake,

who followed him with all her family. She would never have consented

to this step if she had been obliged to abandon her family, to whom

she was fondly attached. The King saw her every day, and could not

exist a moment without wishing to see her, or without admiring her

when he did see her. In the meantime the discourses of the Court and

of the populace reached the ears of Damake. She knew the evil opinion

they had of her. To repair this wrong she conjured Nourgehan to

assemble all the learned men of his kingdom, that she might answer

their questions, and afterwards propose some to them. Nourgehan, who

dreaded lest a person so young as Damake should expose herself too

hastily, and return with confusion from such a dispute, used his

utmost efforts to dissuade her from her request; for the fear and

concern that is felt for those whom we love is most certainly far

stronger than that which interests us for ourselves. His remonstrances

were in vain.

Learned men were assembled to the number of twelve; and in the

audience that was given them, the King was placed upon an elevated

throne, in his habits of ceremony. Damake was seated lower, opposite

to him, leaning upon a sofa, dressed with the greatest plainness, but

shining with every charm of youth and every gift of nature, surrounded

by the twelve sages, venerable by their extreme age and their flowing

beards, leaning upon a large table, round which they and she were

seated. The sages, who knew not with what design Nourgehan had

assembled them, were extremely astonished when he made known to them

the project of Damake. They looked upon the adversary who was

presented to them, and kept silence, not doubting that the King did it

with the design of showing them contempt. Nourgehan said to them,

"I perceive your thoughts, but I have given my royal promise, and it

is your duty to acquit me of it. Propose boldly the hardest questions

to this lady, who has engaged to resolve all the difficulties that

your great learning gives you the opportunity of proposing to her."

The first sage demanded, "What is that which takes the colour of

those who look upon it, which men cannot do without, and which of

itself has neither form nor colour?"

"It is the water," replied Damake.

The second said to her, "Can you, O miracle of sense and beauty, tell

me what is the thing which has neither door nor foundation, and which

is within filled with yellow and white?"

"It is an egg," said the beauteous maiden.

The third sage, after having considered a little, in hopes of

surpassing his brethren (for the learned men in the Mogul have a share

of self-love), said to her, "There is in a certain garden a tree; this

tree bears twelve branches, upon each branch there are thirty leaves,

and upon each leaf there are five fruits, of which three are in the

shade and two in the sun. What is this tree? and where is it to be

found?"

"This tree," returned Damake, "represents the year: the twelve

branches are the months, the thirty leaves the days, the five fruits

the five prayers, of which two are made by day and three by night."

The sage was amazed, and the courtiers, whose minds vary like the air,

and whose sentiments are changed by that which is less than nothing,

began to be inwardly persuaded of the value of that which they had at

first only pretended to admire.

The other sages, who had not yet spoken, would have excused

themselves, and had their silence passed over in favour of the

applauses they gave to the uncommon sense of her who had confounded

those who preceded them. But Nourgehan, at the entreaty of Damake,

having commanded them to continue the conference, one of them

demanded, "What is heavier than a mountain?" the other, "What is more

cutting than a sabre?" and the third, "What is swifter than an arrow?"

Damake answered that the first "was the tongue of a man that complains

of oppression;" the second, "Calumny," and the third, "A glance."

There were four sages remaining who had not yet proposed their

difficulties. Nourgehan trembled, lest at length the mind of Damake

should be exhausted, and she should lose the honour of so great a

number of judicious answers. Yet this beautiful maiden appeared

neither fatigued nor exalted with that which would have raised the

vanity of the greatest part of mankind. But the very property of love

being to submit to the will of that which it loves, Nourgehan, whom

the preceding examples had not yet reassured, full of alarms and

inquietudes, commanded them to speak by a sign of his head, which they

durst not refuse. The first demanded of her, "What that animal was

which avoided everybody, was composed of seven different animals, and

inhabited desolate places." The second desired to know who that was

whose habit was armed with darts, who wore a black vest, a yellow

shirt, whose mother lived above a hundred years, and who was liked by

the whole world. The third desired her to name that which had but one

foot, which had a hole in its head, a leathern girdle, and which

raised up its head when its hairs were torn off and its face was spit

upon.

Damake answered to the first that it was a grasshopper, which is

composed of seven animals; for it has the head of a horse, the neck of

an ox, the wings of an eagle, the feet of a camel, the tail of a

serpent, the horns of a stag, and the body of a scorpion.

The lady found it more difficult to answer the question of the second:

for a moment the whole assembly thought her vanquished. This idea,

which she perceived in the eyes of all who looked upon her, made her

blush. She appeared only still more beautiful from her modesty; and

Nourgehan was charmed when he saw the sage who had proposed the

question agree that she had answered with her usual justness, when she

said that it was a Chestnut. She answered the third without

hesitation, that it was a Distaff.

So much knowledge, so much presence of mind, joined to such uncommon

personal charms, threw all minds into so pleasing a confusion that,

notwithstanding the awe that the presence of Nourgehan inspired, they

all loudly expressed the joy, admiration, and pleasure they felt at

being witnesses of so uncommon a scene. Damake then made a sign that

she wished now to speak. Silence was commanded, and she desired the

sages to inform her what was sweeter than honey.

Some of them answered that it was the satisfaction of having our

wishes fulfilled, some that of gratitude, and others it was the

pleasure of conferring obligations.

When Damake had let them speak, she applauded all their reasonable and

just thoughts, but finished her discourse by asking them with

gentleness if she was mistaken when she imagined the sweetest thing

upon earth to be the love of a mother for her child.

An answer so suitable to her sex, who ought always to be attached to

their maternal duty, and proposed with so much modesty, entirely

finished the conquest of their hearts. But Damake, who had no other

design upon this occasion than to conciliate their esteem and

authorize the favours with which Nourgehan honoured her, was resolved

to finish a scene which she did not design to repeat, resolving for

the future to be occupied with schemes and ideas of a higher kind.

Damake then caused instruments to be brought, and sang and played in

all the different modes of music, finishing by singing the famous

strain of Zeaghioule.

Nourgehan, in those transports of joy which are given by the repeated

successes of those one loves, dismissed the assembly, but not without

making some large presents to the sages; and when they had all

retired, he threw himself at the knees of Damake, saying, "Thou art

the life of my soul: haste thee to make me happy!"

The beauty answered that she was not yet worthy of him.

"What can you require further?" cried the passionate Prince. "You have

charmed my whole Court; you have confounded the learning of the men

most celebrated for their wisdom; the justness of your answers, the

moderation of your questions, and the modesty with which you bore the

advantage of so great a triumph, have dazzled them. Not satisfied with

having proved your sense, what talents did not you show when you

touched the musical instruments! What taste did you not express in

your song! Whoever, like Damake, joined such merit to so much beauty?

But I perceive you love me not," added this passionate Prince, with

the utmost tenderness, "since you refuse to attach your destiny to

mine. Doubtless you have an aversion for my person."

"I am very far from deserving this reproach, my lord," said Damake;

"you yourself shall be the judge. The greatest pleasure and the

highest satisfaction I have felt on this day, which your prejudice in

my favour has made you think so glorious, was the being able to

express before the whole Court, in a proper manner, the sentiments

with which you have filled my heart."

"What can you wait for further to render me the happiest man upon

earth?" cried Nourgehan with eagerness. "You love me, and I adore you.

What wants there more? My wishes for you are become an ocean unbounded

by any shore."

"I resolve to deserve you, my lord," replied she, "by talents of more

value than those of music; by a justness of sense more valuable than

that which your sages set such a price upon, and which is only a mere

subtlety of mind. I wish to establish myself in your heart upon

foundations more solid than beauty, or those superficial talents that

you have had the goodness to applaud. In short, I wish that love may

in you only be a passage to that esteem and friendship which I aspire

to deserve. Submit your impatience to grant me this favour--it perhaps

gives me more pain to ask it than your Majesty to grant: let me live

some time under the shadow of your felicity."

"I am capable of nothing now," replied Nourgehan, "but of loving and

adoring you; but at least permit me to give a full proof of the

justice I do your merit. Assist in the divan, preside in all affairs,

and give me your counsels: I can follow none that are more prudent or

better judged."

"The diamond boasted," replied Damake, smiling, "that there was no

stone which equalled it in strength and hardness. Allah, who loves not

pride, changed its nature in favour of lead, the vilest of metals, to

which He gave the power to cut it. Independently of the pride I must

render myself guilty of if I accepted your offers,--Allah forbid that

I should do that wrong to my Sovereign Lord!--to authorize by my

behaviour the reproaches that would be thrown upon him. There would be

a foundation to say that he was governed by a woman. I allow," added

she, "that your Majesty ought to have a Vizier: you cannot see to

everything with your own eyes, and I believe I am able to show you one

worthy of Nourgehan."

"Name him to me," replied he, "and I will give him the charge this

moment."

"Your Majesty," replied the beauteous Damake, "must know him before

you accept him. I hope you will find in him whom I propose those

virtues and talents necessary in a man dignified with so great an

employment. He lives in the city of Balk, and is named Diafer. The

post of Vizier to one of the most powerful Kings of the Indies has

been in his family above a thousand years. Judge then, my lord, what a

collection of admirable precepts he must have upon all parts of

government, and yet a Prince, blinded by the pernicious counsels of

his favourites, has deposed him, and he passes his days at Balk--days

which might be happy if he had not lived in the habit of labour and a

hurry of great affairs, which seldom leave the mind at liberty to be

satisfied with anything less tumultuous."

Nourgehan immediately replied, "Diafer is my Vizier: Damake can never

be mistaken."

Upon the spot he wrote to the Governor of Balk, and sent him a note

for a hundred thousand sequins, to be delivered to Diafer, to defray

the expenses of his journey; and he charged the same courier with a

letter for Diafer, in which he conjured him to accept the post that he

had destined him for.

Diafer began his journey. He was received with magnificence in every

city, and the Emperor sent all the noblemen of his Court to meet him,

and conduct him to the palace which he had destined for him in the

kingdom of Visiapour, where he then resided. He was treated there with

incredible magnificence during three days, after which he was

conducted to an audience of the Prince. He appeared at the height of

joy for possessing a man whom Damake esteemed so highly; but that joy

was of no long duration, for the Prince, who was so gracious and so

prejudiced in his favour, flew into the most dreadful anger the moment

Diafer appeared in his presence.

"Go," said he to him, "depart this moment, and never see me again!"

Diafer obeyed, and retired in all the confusion, the sorrow, and the

surprise that such a reception must needs give him. He returned to his

apartment without being able to imagine the cause of the King's sudden

anger, who, in the meantime, held a council, and examined the affairs

of his kingdom, without taking any notice of what had passed with him

whom he had destined to be his Vizier.

He afterwards repaired to the apartment of Damake, who, already

informed of an event which employed the thoughts of the whole Court,

doubted not that there was an alteration in the mind of him to whom

she was so perfectly attached. The sorrow which this reflection had

given her had plunged her into a state so languishing as scarce left

her the use of speech. Yet making an effort to conquer herself, she

said to him, after some moments' silence,

"How is it possible, my lord, that after all the expenses you have

been at, and all the cares you took for the arrival of Diafer at your

Court--after all the honours you have ordered to be paid him, and

those that you have loaded him with, you should receive him so ill?"

"Ah! Damake," cried Nourgehan, "I should have had no regard to all

that I have done for him, to his illustrious family, nor to the

fatigues that he has suffered in coming so far, if any one but you had

recommended him to me. I would have had his head struck off the moment

he presented himself before me, and it was wholly in regard to you

that I satisfied myself with banishing him from my presence for ever."

"But how did he incur your indignation?" pursued Damake.

"Know, then," resumed Nourgehan, "that when he came up to me he had

the most subtle of poisons about him."

"May I ask you, my lord," returned Damake, "what certainty you have of

such a fact, and if you may not doubt of the fidelity of him who made

you the report?"

Nourgehan replied, "I knew it myself. I permit you to inquire into it,

and you will find whether I was mistaken or not."

When Nourgehan had left Damake more reassured as to the heart of the

Emperor, though alarmed at the impressions he was capable of taking so

lightly, she sent for Diafer, who appeared sunk in the most violent

chagrin. She conversed with him for some time, and perceiving how

deeply the ill-treatment he had received from the King had plunged the

poniard of sorrow into his heart, she said to him that he ought not to

afflict himself so much, that the wrath of Nourgehan would be of no

long duration, and that he would soon repair the affront that he had

publicly given him. She added that Princes had their hasty moments,

that ought to be passed by and excused. When she had a little calmed

his chagrin, she finished her discourse by saying to him,

"If I have deserved your confidence, if you believe that I shall

endeavour to repair the affront you have suffered--since I, by doing

justice to your talents, was the innocent cause of that which has

happened to you--if I deserve any return from you, vouchsafe to inform

me why you had poison about you when you were presented to Nourgehan?"

Diafer, surprised at this question, after having reflected some

moments, replied, "True, I had poison with me; but my heart, though I

bore it about me, was as pure as the dew of the morning. I even have

it now that I speak to you." Saying this, he drew a ring from his

finger and presented it to her. "The setting of this ring," said he,

"encloses a most subtle poison. It is a treasure that has been

preserved in our family from father to son these thousand years. My

ancestors have always worn it, to preserve themselves from the anger

of those Princes they served, in case they should have had the

misfortune to displease them in the exercise of their post of Vizier.

You may believe," continued he, "that when the King sent for me, who

was wholly unknown to him, to exercise that charge, and conscious of

the many enemies a stranger generally meets with, I would not forget

to bring this treasure. The sorrow that the cruel behaviour of

Nourgehan has given me, and the shame that he has covered me with,

render it still more precious to me: it will not be long before I make

use of it."

Damake obtained from him that he should delay, at least for some days,

this fatal design, and conjured him to wait in his palace till he

heard from her.

She immediately repaired to give an account to Nourgehan of what she

had learned. That Prince, perceiving by her relation that Diafer had

no ill design, and that the cruelty of Princes in general authorized

but too justly such a precaution, repented that he had received him so

unworthily, and promised Damake the next day to make amends for the

pain he had given him. She approved this design; but before she

quitted him she conjured him to satisfy her curiosity by informing her

how he could perceive the poison which Diafer had with him. Nourgehan

replied,

"Never will I have anything concealed from the sovereign of my heart.

I always wear a bracelet, which my father left me, and which has long

been in our family, though I am ignorant of the name of the sage who

composed it, or how it fell into the hands of my ancestors. It is of a

substance that nearly resembles coral, and it has the property of

discovering poison, even at a very great distance. It is moved and

agitated whenever poison approaches; and when Diafer came near me, the

bracelet was very nigh breaking, the poison which he bore had so much

strength and violence. Had he not been recommended by you, his head

should have been struck off that moment. I was the more certain that

Diafer bore that dangerous poison, as my bracelet remained immovable

immediately after his leaving the hall where I gave audience."

Nourgehan loosed it from his arm, and gave it to Damake. She examined

it with great attention, and said to him, "This talisman, my lord, is

doubtless very wonderful; yet this adventure ought to prove to you how

much those who have the sovereign power are obliged to be upon their

guard against appearances, and of what consequence it is for them not

to give judgment rashly."

Damake retired, and Nourgehan commanded the greatest pomp and the most

splendid train to conduct Diafer the next day to an audience. This

order was executed. Nourgehan received him with the utmost affability,

and testified the greatest regret for what had passed. Then there was

presented to him, by the Sultan's command, a standish of gold, a pen

and paper. Immediately he wrote in the most beautiful characters

sublime sentences upon the manner in which a Vizier ought to fulfil

the duties of his important post. Nourgehan admired his talents, made

him clothe himself in the robe of a Vizier, and, to crown his

goodness, confided to him the secret of his bracelet. Diafer

strenuously advised that Prince never to part with it; and in his

admiration, and the pleasure he felt at possessing so great a

treasure, he asked his new Vizier if he believed that through the

whole world there could be found anything so curious.

"Great Prince," replied Diafer to him, "I have seen in the city of

Dioul another miracle of nature, less useful, indeed, but which for

the strength of art and learning with which a sage has composed it,

may be compared to this."

"What is it?" returned Nourgehan. "I should be glad to be informed of

it."

Then Diafer spoke thus:

"When I had received your Majesty's command to repair to your

presence, I departed at once, but was obliged to make some stay at

Dioul, through which I passed in my way to Visiapour, where I knew I

might join your Majesty. Notwithstanding my impatience, I was obliged

to collect several things which were necessary for my journey, and

made use of that time to view the beauties of the city. The Governor,

whose riches and opulence astonished me, came to meet me on the day of

my arrival, and conducted me to his palace. He loaded me with honours,

and, during my residence there, showed me the utmost respect and

favour; yet it was accompanied with a constraint that rendered his

fidelity suspected by me. Among the amusements that he procured for

me, was a party upon the river: I consented to join it, and we

embarked the next day in a small frigate which he had provided. The

weather was fair, and the conversation most agreeable. The Governor of

Dioul was seated on the upper deck, and I was placed close to him. A

young boy, beautiful as the sun, lay at his feet; the most exquisite

wines were served upon a table which stood before us: their coldness,

and that of the ice with which all the fruits were surrounded,

contributed to the most seducing voluptuousness. The slaves sang and

played upon different instruments. Our pleasure was thus accompanied

with everything that could render it delicious; and as I was thinking

upon something to say that might be agreeable to the Governor, I

perceived upon his finger so magnificent a ruby, that I could not

forbear giving it the praises it deserved. The Governor immediately

drew it off, and presented it to me. I examined it with attention, and

returned it to him again, but had great trouble to make him take it.

Seeing that I absolutely refused to keep it, he was so concerned that

he threw it into the river. I repented then that I had not accepted so

perfect a work of nature, and testified my sorrow to the Governor, who

answered, that it was my own fault.

"'Yet,' continued he, 'if you will promise me to accept it, it will

not be difficult for me to find the ring again, which is really

deserving of your acceptance.'

"I imagined that, having another not unlike it, he designed to offer

me that; but, without saying any more to me, he immediately commanded

they should steer the vessel to the land. When he was arrived there,

he sent his slave to his treasurer to demand a small casket which he

described to him, and cast anchor to wait the return of the slave, who

was expeditious in executing the orders he had received. The Governor,

having then taken out of his pocket a small gold key, opened the

casket, out of which he took a small fish of the same metal and of

admirable workmanship, and threw it into the river. Immediately it

plunged to the bottom, and soon after appeared upon the surface of the

water holding the ring in its mouth. The rowers who were in the boat

took it in their hands and brought it to the Governor, to whom it

delivered the ring with a motion of its head: no other person could

have forced it from its teeth. The Governor again presenting the ring

to me, I could not refuse it, especially as he redoubled his

entreaties. The fish was replaced in the little casket and sent back

to the treasury."

Diafer, after having related this history, drew the ring from his

finger and presented it to Nourgehan, who, finding it to be extremely

magnificent, said to him,

"Never part from this ring, which is still more precious from the

virtue of the talisman which rendered you the possessor of it. But,"

continued he, "you ought to have informed yourself at what time, how,

and by whom that wonderful masterpiece of art was composed."

"I used my utmost efforts to be informed," replied Diafer, "but they

were in vain. Struck with so singular an event, I thought no more of

the pleasures of the day. The Governor, perceiving that I fell into a

deep reverie, said to me, 'Life is short: make use of every moment and

enjoy every pleasure. The soul is a bird imprisoned in the cage of the

body, which it must soon quit: rejoice while it is in your power, you

know not who shall exist to-morrow.' I confessed to him that curiosity

had penetrated my heart. He replied, 'I am in despair that I cannot

satisfy you,' and pronounced these words with a tone that expressed

his design of not giving a more particular answer. 'Let us think only

of amusing ourselves agreeably,' continued he. I followed his counsels

as much as it was in my power, and departed from Dioul without being

able to obtain any information upon the subject, but fully persuaded

that this talisman was the source of all the treasures which he

possesses."

Nourgehan terminated the audience of Diafer by assuring him of his

favour if he used his utmost care in the administration of justice. He

afterwards gave an account to Damake of the conversation he had held

with his Vizier, and told her the history of the fish.

"I have a love for these talismans," said that Prince, "and this

little fish rouses my curiosity. I wish at least I knew the maker of

it."

Damake promised him to use her utmost efforts to inform him. In

effect, the next day, she told him, that of all the talismans which

the great Seidel-Beckir had made, there existed only four--his

bracelet, the little fish of which Diafer had spoken to him, and which

she presented to him from the Governor of Dioul, adding, that he had

just sent it as a present to his Majesty in order to obtain a life

which he had deserved to lose, his faithful subjects having taken him

in arms against the Sultan. The third, a poniard, very meanly adorned,

which she begged him to accept.

"The others," continued she, "are either worn out (for you know, my

lord they only last for a certain time), or have been destroyed by

different accidents."

"Why did the Governor of Dioul," resumed Nourgehan, "conceal from

Diafer that Seidel-Beckir was the maker of that which he possessed?"

"He was ignorant of it, my lord," interrupted Damake; "and perhaps,

ashamed of not knowing it, he feigned it to be a secret. It is the

habit of men to cover their ignorance by an affectation of mystery."

"But what is the virtue of this talisman that you offer me?" said

Nourgehan, as he accepted the poniard.

"I will inform you of it, my lord," said Damake, "at the same time

that I give you an account of what I have been able to learn

concerning the fish. It may be about three thousand years since there

appeared, in the part of Asia which we inhabit, a man named Houna, who

was so great that he was surnamed Seidel-Beckir. He was a sage who

possessed in perfection all those talents which acquire a general

veneration. The science of talismans he possessed in so eminent a

degree, that by their means he commanded the stars and the

constellations. Unhappily, his writings are lost, and therefore no

talismans like his can now be made. Antinmour, King of Hindostan,

having found means to form a friendship with him, Seidel-Beckir, in

return for his kindness and some small services that he had done him,

made him a present of that little fish of which your Vizier gave you

an account. It always remained in the treasury of Antinmour as long as

his family existed. One of the ancestors of the Governor of Dioul

finding himself the Vizier of the last of that race, when the family

was extinct by those revolutions which the history of the Indies

relates at length, and which are universally known, seized upon this

curiosity, and his successors have kept it with the utmost care till

this time. Not only does this talisman bring back whatever is fallen

into a river, or the sea, to the person to whom it belongs, but if you

indicate to it anything to be brought out of that element, it goes in

search of it with the greatest readiness, and brings it wherever it is

commanded."

"I am fully satisfied," replied Nourgehan, "as to the two talismans,

and never Prince was possessor of such treasures. I may now truly

style myself the sovereign of the sea. What do I owe to thee, the

ruler of my soul! But of what use is this one which the beauteous

Damake has presented to me?"

"My lord," replied she, "when I tell you for what reason it was

composed, you will know its virtue."

"We read in the revolutions of Hindostan, that Antinmour would have

unjustly exacted a tribute from Keiramour, who was too weak to resist

the forces of his enemy; and not knowing to whom to have recourse, he

resolved to address himself to the sage Seidel-Beckir, and sent his

Vizier to him with magnificent presents. The sage refused them; but he

was so touched by the situation to which the King, his friend, had

been reduced, that he declared Antinmour should not succeed in his

designs. Immediately he composed this very poniard, which I have now

presented to my Sovereign, and gave it to the Vizier. 'Tell your

master from me,' said he, 'to choose out twenty of the bravest

soldiers of his kingdom, and deliver the poniard into the hands of him

who commands them; for this poniard has the virtue (when it is drawn)

to render invisible not only the person who bears it, but all those

whom he designs should participate in the virtue of the talisman. His

will alone decides the effect of it. Keiramour shall send these twenty

persons to Antinmour with a letter, in which he shall refuse to pay

the tribute that is demanded of him. Antinmour, in the excess of his

anger, will order the ambassadors to be seized. Then the law of

nations being violated, he who bears the poniard shall render himself

invisible by drawing it with one hand, and his sabre with the other;

and his troop following his example, and doing the same, he shall

obey, without hesitation, the dictates of his courage.'

"The Vizier returned to Keiramour, and all that Seidel-Beckir had

commanded was executed. The son of the King was charged with the

command and execution of this great enterprise. Antinmour was enraged

on reading the letter that was presented to him.

"'Let this insolent ambassador be seized,' cried he, 'this moment.'

"Then the Prince, hastily drawing out his poniard and sabre, struck

off the head of Antinmour. His train did the same to all those who

composed the divan; and running directly into the city, an infinity of

heads were flying off without knowing who caused this disorder. After

this great execution, the ambassador and his train made themselves

visible, and declared to the people in the public square that there

was no other method of avoiding certain death but to submit to the

government of Keiramour, which they did without reluctance. This

poniard," continued Damake, "has been long kept in the treasury of the

Princes of that country. By little and little, however, its value was

forgotten, and the remembrance of its uncommon property totally lost;

and when your Majesty desired an explanation of the talismans, I found

that this was at Balsora in the possession of a poor Jew, a broker,

who sells upon the bridge of that city all the old iron and useless

weapons that are cast away. It was not difficult to procure the

possession of it, therefore it was no merit in me to give my Sovereign

Lord a talisman which would be absolutely useless to me, whilst the

destiny of monarchs may unfortunately render such precautions

necessary to them."

Nourgehan made a thousand exclamations upon the boundless ocean of her

liberality, and said to her,

"Sovereign of my heart, reflect upon what you have said to me:

consider that if these talismans, valuable in themselves, but mean in

comparison with you, have excited my wish to possess them, how much

greater must my desire be to wed the giver! All the sages,

Seidel-Beckir himself, never composed a talisman so wonderful as you

are. Yesterday you knew not a single word of the history of the

talisman, to-day you are perfectly instructed in it. This poniard was

not four and twenty hours since at Balsora, yet notwithstanding the

great distance we are from that city, you have presented it to me this

moment. Are you the daughter of Seidel-Beckir, or are you an

enchantress yourself?"

Damake blushed at this discourse, and Nourgehan again pressing her to

speak, she replied,

"Nothing is impossible when one desires to please him whom one loves.

But I will explain at once all that puzzles my Sultan. Not long after

my birth, my mother was seated at the foot of a palm-tree, enjoying

with me the coolness of the morning, without any other thought than

that of returning by her tender kisses my innocent caresses, when in a

moment she perceived herself surrounded by a numerous Court who

attended a Queen, beautiful, majestic, magnificently dressed, and who

had herself also an infant in her arms. Notwithstanding the pomp of

her train, and all the grandeur of royalty, she caressed me, young as

I was, and after some moments' stay said to my mother,

"'This child whom you see in my arms, and who is mine, is by fate

obliged to taste the milk of a mortal, it being a command laid upon us

by Allah; and I cannot find one more modest, more wise, nor whose milk

is purer than thine. Do me the pleasure, therefore, of nursing my

infant for a few moments.'

"My mother consented with pleasure; and the Queen, in return for her

complaisance, said to her,