THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
PT
17/5"
ARABIAN TALES.
The Adventures of S^neitflapia t and tbt Princefs
Ilfetilfcne.
UNDER the reign of Haroun-Alrafchid, a
young man, of the moft regular features,
cf the moft beautiful and agreeable counte-
nance, and of the moft majeftic and elegant
mein, came to fettle in Bagdad, Here he pur-
chafed a coniiderable inn, empty by the death
of an eminent citizen ; he embelliflied the gar-
dens, gave a new appearance to the rooms, and,
in fhort, he converted this fmall palace into
fuch a fplendid cook's fhop as had never been
feen in Bagdad, or perhaps in any other city of
Alia.
Here every thing was ferved xip in filver-
plate and china, by flaves dreffed with uncom-
mon tafte and neatnefs. The paftry, and every
other difh, was feafoned with a delicacy which
even the cooks of the caliph were unable to ri-
val. This moft eminent cook's name was Si-
mouftapha.
VOL. II. A His
'2 ARABIAN TALES,
His fine figure, his engaging and polite manner,
and the fplendid entertainments which he gave,
foon" invited to his houfe the firft rate people
of Bagdad , and, as his ragouts never failed to
iharpen the blunteil appetite, he became the
favourite cook of the place. His houfe and
gardens were continually crowded with thofe
who prefer luxury to the moft rational enjoy-
ments.
The caliph's courtiers were conftsntly prai-
fing in his prefence the cook's exquiiite enter-
tainments ; but, either the prince could fpare
no time for the trifles of the kitchen, or the
defire of fatisfying himfelf of the fkill of Si-
rnouftapha muft come to him in a way corre-
Iponding with his own whim and caprice.
The Haves, particularly the females, of Ha-
foun's palace, took a turn every <i.iy round Si-
mouftapha's fliop, and never returned without
fomething prepared after his beft manner.
The moft forward of thefe flaves was Na-
mouna, the affectionate governefs of the p"rin-
cefs IH'etilfone, a moft amiable young lady, and
the cajiph's fole progeny by Zobeida, who, of
all his other women, was his darling favourite.
Namouna enjoying fuch freedom as was fu it-
able to her ftation and time of life, walked
every day in the ftreets of Bagdad. The chil-
dren
ARABIAN TALES. 3
dren knew her noivvithftanding her veil, and
named her whenerer they faw her.
Simouftapha, whole fhop me frequented, na-
turally obliging to every body, was particularly
ib to her. He made her fit down, ferved her
firft, and, by his agreeable and polite attentions,
prepofTeiTed her much in his favour.
The good old lady, highly gratified vrhh
every piece of flattery, faid within hcrfclf, " Ha,
fine young fejlow, heaven blefs thee, thou re-
vereft eld age :" and, whenever fhe entertained
the young princefs with the news {he had pick-
ed up in her city- walks, flic always coucluded
with an encomium en the charming Simcufhi-
pha.
He had iLown her all his gardens with' ths
utmoft politenefs, and treated her on every oc-
cafion, even without knowing her, with eveiy
poffible degree of refpeft. The whole of his
behaviour w^s natural, and flowed from a be-
nevolent foul, and the higheil efteem for th&
fex.
(t He is fo obliging," exclaimed Namcuna,
f< .his voice is fo fweet tad melodious, that
every word conveys a fecret charm. His de-
portment is noble as his deeds. In a word, ha
is a tranfcript of Jofeph, Jacob's darling fon.
God protect the woman who fh.aH be tempted
A 2 to
4 ARABIAN TALES'.
to take hold of his mantle \ But he is hanrJefs
as a dove."
IlfetiHbne was highly diverted with her old
confidant. And no fooner had fhe returned
from the city, than fhe inquired how, Ihe had
fucceeded with the cook.
I will take care, faid Namouna, that I may
not be impofed upon ; fure I am not fo weak
as to fall in love ; but there can be no harm ire
regaling myfelf with, his ragouts j whatever
<;omes from his hand may ferve a queen.
Surely it would difeover a vrant of tafte, to-
jfhun the company of a young man more beau-
tiful than any prince upon earth. Why fliould
I deny myfelf the pleafure of feeing him? Every
look of his feems to renew my age. Methinks
his pailries reflecl: his image. I have one of
them here for Mefrour, our principal eunuch,
\vhich he will take to the palace.
Namouna was not miftaken ; for Mefrour
had carried the tart which the governefs had
given him to the favourite fuitanefs, who re-
galed the caliph with it, without letting him
know whence it had come.
Haroun having exclaimed how good it tras,
fc>on learned that it . was got at Simouftapha's
ibop, the cook of whom he had heard fo
much.
The
ARABIAN TALES.
The fukanefs propofed to Haroun that next
morning they fliould have a full fervke fronj
tliis excellent cook's {hop, and that Me&eur
ihould be inftantly dilpatched -with, the neceite-
ry commands,
This is but little of what the enthuliafin of
the old gcvernefs about Simouftapha excited in
the palace. Every thing confpired to increafo
it : His eafy manner, his fine figure, the real
excellence of lus ragouts, and the preppiTeffion
of the whole palace in his favour, although he
had fcarcely been a year at Bagdad.
Haroun eat with a Tery uncommon relifh
at the table of his favourite fultanefs, and
fho\ved that he was particularly pieafed with
the repaft. Next morning he ordered his
own table to be fupplied from the fame
ihop j his women partook of the dainties. In
fhort, it came to this, that nobody in the pa-
lace thought himfelf well dined imlefs there
were one or two of Simouftapha's difhes on the
table.
Namouna rejoiced in feeing her idol's repu-
tation increafe. The caliph had already fent
to his daughter's table feveral of the moil exqui-
fite difhes ; but they did not flatter her palate
fo much as the governefs expected. The con-
tinual mention that was made of Simouftapha's
A name
6 ARABIAN TALES.
name diftra&ed her; but the gluttonous w-
man was not here for nothing.
" See,'* fays the good governefs, " how .this
charms the eye; fmell this cake." She now
defcribes the kitchen of Simouftapha : It is
as beautiful as if it were hung round with mir-
rors. The pavement is of polifhed marble;
every thing is incomparably brilliant. In the
middle of feven beautiful young men, drefFed
as for a wedding, and employed about the fur-
naces, Simonftapha watches over the buflnefs.
Being confklerably higher than any of the
workmen, he appears like the moon among
the ftars. He finiihes off every difh himfelf,
and thus conveys to it a ftcret charm." But,
whilft the cvld governefs was thus launching out
into the praifes-of the cook, (he did not per-
ceive what impreffion fhe was making upon the
young princefs ; for thefe encomiums kindled a
flame no lefs lively than dangerous,
Ilfetilfone, who wifhed to conceal both from
Iierfelf and others her fondnefs for a cook, ia
endeavouring to combat the riling paflion, lo-
Tes her fleep, her appetite, her tranquillity, and
falls into fuch a melancholy, as made her affec-
tionate father dread the eonfequence..
The poor governefs bewailed the fituation of
her charming miftrefs. Her fighs made her
fufpeft the caufe of hear uneaiinefs. In ihort,
m
ARABIAN TALES. *}
an order winch Ihe received, though but of
little confequence, confirmed her fufpicions.
For two days the princefs had eaten nothing :
I fee," faid Namouna, that I will be obli-
ged to procure for you, as well as for myft If,
a difli from the hand of my friend Simoufta-
pha."
The beautiful princefs fmiled without fcyirrg
any thing j and the obliging old governefs ran
to her favourite cook's fhop. " Serve me well,"
faid (he to him, " my amiable young man ; I
have a daughter whofe life is dearer to me than
my o\vn , difplay your fkill in preparing a difh
to revive her appetite. For thefe two days Ihe
has eaten nothing, and I fear the confe-
quence. If you make a ragout to pleafc her,
you fhall have a hundred fequins for your
trouble."
Simouftapha looked the old lady broad in
the face, and knew perfectly that fhe had no
daughter ; befldes, that the hundred fequins
which fhe offered were fufficknt to afiure him
of the fact if he had not known it already.
" Is fhe then indifpofed ?" replied he, with
an air of anxiety. " More than indifpofed,"
anfwered Namouna ; " you fee my diftrefs for
her : but whatever comes from you is fb good,
that, if {he once tafte it, I hope fhe will get bet-
ter." ttr wd "b
This
ARABIAN TALBS.
This is the firft time," replied Simoufta-
p'ha, "that I have been afraid of not fucceed-
;ng." He fet inftantly to work, and fuifered
nobody to touch it but hknfelf : Li a moment
the old woman was ready to fet out *for the
palace ; but fhe firft wanted to iatisfy his de-
mands.
The cook would take nothing. " If it pleafe
her," faid lie, I am well paid j if not, I
fliould have nothing.".
Wamouna reached the palace, prefented the
ragout ; Ilfetilfone tafted it, found it delicious,
and eat the whole of it. The eyes of the go?
vernefs fparkled with joy upon feeing the fuo
cefs of her ftratagemj and fhe now extolled
the complaifance, the eagernefs, and the ad-
drefs of Sknouftapha.
He believed, faid fhe, that it was for my
daughter ; hi an inftant he fet to work. I
would have given him a hundred fequins, but
he would take nothing ; he was happy that he
had it in his power to oblige me.
In what fort of a body, faid Ilfetilibne, does
this dignity and nobility of a prince lodge ?
It lodges, replied Namouna, hi a body which
Solomon himfelf would be proud of, were he
to appear again upon earth; and he would find
it difficult to acquit himfelf fo well as Simou-
ftapha.
When
ARABIAN TALCS. J$
Wlien the repaft was over, this beautiful
princefs abandoned herfelf anew to her phren-
zy. " What," faid Namouna to her, " are
you to behave fo, after you have eaten with
fuch pleafure ! Inftead of diiiracYmg you, I
thought that I fhould have put you in a fitua-
tlon to receive the caliph, both with greater
pleafure to yourfelf and more comfort to him."
" I cannot do otherwise, my dear Namou-
na," faid the princefs, " in fpite of me my
heart is wounded." Without doubt, replied
the governefs, there is a fecret within your
breaft which preys upon your vitals, and yet
you would conceal it from me, who love you
more than my own life.
As my fecret, anfwered Ilfclilfone, is nothing
to my honour, it ought to die with myfelf. If
I cannot keep it, am I to expect that another
can ?
My beautiful princefs, replied the governefs,
you are about to haften your deftiny. My foul
is a well into which your fecret may dsfcend
without ever being feen again, and I may fall
upon fome means to afford you comfort.
" Oh, Namouna," interrupted Ilfetilfone,
w pray to God to cure m, he muft interpofe
fome miracle in my behalf."
Well we will pray together, and obtain this
miracle. He has already performed many in
thefe
1O ARABIAN TALES.
thefe places. By miraculous interposition he
delivened the Jews, his chofen people, from th*
hands o Pharaoh : But, in the prefent cafe, he
will not have to dry up the fea, Inftead of that
great man Mofes, there is only need of a fe-
condary instrument, and here am I ready to
ferve you; confide in me; don't diftruft her
who loves you more than her own life, and
who is ready to facrifice it to your intereft. I
have years and experience; I can adminifter
ufeful counfel, and devife methods which your
own inexperience could never fuggeft. In a
word, intruft me with the fubjeft of that me-
lancholy which, you indulge at the rilk of your
life.
Ho ! my good Namouna, replied the prin-
cefs, ihame ought to fliut my mouth ; but my
confidence in you makes me open it.
You know as well as I the true caufe of my
misfortune ; and I would have blamed you
more than any perfon elfe for having contribu-
ted to it, did I not fee that it is the effect of
an inevitable fatality.
I am paffionately in love : every thing has
tended to inflame my paflion, and to derange
rny brain. - You, N.^nouna, the women of the
palace, my father the caliph, every one teems
to me to be him. In {hort, he hath appeared
to me in two dreams. Now name, if you dare,
the
ARABIAN TALES. I !
the object of my affection : tell who is the only-
man with whom the daughter of the com-
mander of the faithful, of the king of the
kings of the earth would live, and without whom
Kfe itfclf would be infupportable. Excufe, if
poiTible, this incredible extravagance, and par-
don yourfelf for having raifed it by your con-
tinual accounts and encomiums.
" Have you feen him in your dreams ?" faid
the ferious old governefs with a grave counte-
nance : " You may aiTure yourfelf that if it was
really he, he was as beautiful as the angel who
poured out the fherbet to the great prophet
when he was tranflated to the feventh heaven.
Do you recollect his features ?
"No, that is impoffibie," faidllfetilfone; "I
was confounded, tranfported, at the fight of fuch
an enchanting object. He threw himfelf at my
feet, and fwore that he would adore no other crea-
ture but me ; but in two dreams I have con-
ftantly feen the fame object;. I would recollect
him if I faw him again ; but it is as impoffible
for me to paint him, as to forget him.
" Thus, Namouna," added the prmcefs, with
an air of confiifion, ** while my father denies
the princes of the eaft, one after another,
the pretended honour of my hand, the object
of the love and ambition of fo many kings,, I
would
V Z ARABIAN TALES.
would think myfclf happy in being bound for
life to ."
"To Simouftapha," replied the old woman :
*' don't biufh to name him; his name is a pa-
negyric. All the crowns upon earth fhould be
put upon his head. There are a hundred kings
in the world., but there fliould be none but Si-
mouftapha."
" Take care," /aid lifetilfone, " you will ruin
me." I ruin you, my dear princefs, I love you
more than my own foul. Let the angel of
death fhut my eyes as foon as they h;>ve \vit-
nelTed your felicity. We muft vifit Sirnonfb-
pha together; and if you find that i,t v.- -.3 he
who appeared to you in your two drearr<s, the
fate which has d&ilined you for him ^s irrevo-
cable, and I hiftantly become the iaftruir.e.nt of
your defliny,
" But hoxv," anfwered Ilfetilfone, " ran I fee
him without expoiing myfelf ?" Trull th-'.t to me,
faid the old governefs ; fleep well tiiij night,
that fleep may revive your complexion, ?r>d ve-
ftore the red to your lips. To-mor: )\v you
lhall fee him whom you love; then you fiiall
know if it be he whom the enchanting dream
has prefented to you ; and, as 1 am always
ready to ferve you, matters fhall be mana-
ged fo, as not to have the fmalleft appear-
ance .of being thought of before-hand. life-
tilibnc,
ARABIAN TALES. 1 3
tllfbne, a little comforted, upon hearing this
went to bed.
Early next morning the old governefs flew to
the (hop of Simouftapha. I am come," faid fhe
to him, <f to give you an account of the ragout
you gave me : You have been paid according to
your wifh, for there was none of it left ; but
my fine young man," added fhe, " what will
you give me, if I fhall inform you of the happi-
eft news poflible for one of your age and condi-
tion?"
"Whatever you pleafe, replied Simouftapha.
I am to tell you, continued the old governefs,
that the lady you have regaled fo well is to dine
to-day on your ragouts j but take care to pre-
pare every thing wkh your own hand.
Your orders, replied Simonftapha, I fliall molt
chearfully execute. If fo, faid Nr.rnouna, yon
owe me a kifs already ; fee if I ihall have it in
my power to increafe the number of your obli-
gations.
" Do you know that you have to give a
dinner to tfec greateft and the moft beautiful
princefs upon earth, even to the incomparable
Ilfetiifone?" My heart, replied tSmouftapha,
blufhing, hath already announced her to me.
What, faid Namouna, your heart ? What:,
your heart? Are you in love v,-ith JT.V pria-
cefs?
VOL. II. B < The
14 ARABIAN TALES.
u - The princes of Afia burn with love for
her, and blum not to own their paffion. Her
beauty, her virtues, fubdue every one who hears
of her j but, for my own part, I would be proud
to be one of her Haves."
If you are prejudiced in her favour, anfwer-
ed Namouna, and if you are impatient to fee
her, I can anure you Hie has the fame curioiity
with refpect to you.
Her flave, faid Simoiiflapha, is ready to fly to
her feet. Since you are in this fituation, replied
the old governefs, you ought to come yourfeif
and afk payment j you will receive it from
her beautiful hand. Prepare the dinner, fend
it into the palace with your own flaves, by the
large gate. As foon as the repaft is over, you
muft be ready at a fecret outlet, which I will
Jhow you. But remember, my dear Simoufta-
pha, that you now owe me a kifs more.
I owe you a thouiand, faid Simouftapha, em-
bracing the old governefs with rapture j after
v hich they went different ways.
Simouftapha exerts his utmoftfkill in preparing
the repaft. Ten blooming young Haves, beau-
tiful as Cupids, and drelTed with the utmoft e-
legance, are ordered to carry it to the palace.
Ilfetilfone is agreeably furprifed with this
piece of gallantry. The old confident officiated
ARABIAN TALES. I
as landlord j and the young princefs, eating ra-
gouts prepared by him whom fhe loved, made a
moft delicious repaft, which far exceeded any
idea ihe had conceived of it.
She praifed every bit to Namouna. Eat, eat,
faid the good old governefs to her, what comes
from him muft be good. Is it poffible that Si-
mouftapha loves me, fays the princefs, when he
has never feen me ?
Seen you ! replied Namouna, you who lofe
your reft for him. Whatever is decreed in hea-
ven, my dear child, nmft be accomplished on
earth by means, no matter how extraordinary.
As foon as I told him that a great lady, very
well pleafed with the firftdiih flic had gotfiom
him, wanted a whole dinner prepared by his own
hands, he guefled it to bi you, bccaufe his
heart had announced it to him. In the trani-
ports of joy into which he was thrown, in
having it in his power to ferve you, and the
hope of feeing you, he quke confounded me
old and forward as I am.
You will pardon me, my dear princefs, for
receiving the fir ft carefles of your lover, when
1 tell you, that he appeared to me to be pai-
fionately fond of you. Bcfides, I am ready. to
give you what I got. In faying that, the old
gov ernefs threw hcrfelf on the neck of her mil-
tref?, und embraced her with her whole foul.
B 2 You
1(5 ARABIAN TALES.
You are too fond, my good Namouna, faid
Ilfetilfone. Not more fo than every female 'of
Bagdad, replied Namouna. If the kilTes <of this
beautiful cook were to be fold, you would fee
what a price , the crier would make a fortune
by them.
While this conference was going on in the
palace, the young fl?.ves of Simouftapha, who
had been ordered to ferve up the difhes on the
table of the princefs, returned tranfported with
joy at the manner fn which they had been re-
ceived, and each with five pieces of gold from
the hand of the beautiful Ilfetilfone.
Simouilapha, encouraged to make his vifit,
from the flattering reception his flaves had met
v.-ith, difpatches his buiinefs, goes to the bath,
perfumes himfelf, and dreiTes in his beft robes.
After this he went ftraight to the palace, and to
the outlet that had been pointed out to him.
Namouna waited at the door to introduce
him. The princefs obferyed from the terrace
of the palace a man conducted towards her,
iufpended between love, hope, and fear. " It
is he," faid {he, " the very man whom I faw
twice in my dreams ; he appeared to me the
firft time in this drefs 5 the fecond time, his
drefs was fo fplendid that I was unable to bear
its luire."
ARABIAN TALES. l"J
Whilft fhe was mr.king thefe fhort rernr.rk.<;,
Simouftapha entered the room deftined for the
interview; and the princefs came in from a-
nother fide. Simouftapha, as foon as he faw
her, faluted her moft refpedtfully, and looked
upon her down-caft eyes, and her arms acrofs
her breaft, till fiie fpoke to him.
Are you," faid Ilfetilfone, the cook
whofe praifes I have heard fo often celebrat-
ed ?" You do me too much honour, anfwer-
ed Simouftapha.
I don't agree to that, replied the princefs j you
appear very far fuperior to your condition, al-
though you acquit yourfelf in it with amazing
addrefs. You perform your bufinefs fo nobly,
that, although it feems made for you, you do
not feem made for it. But what, pray, were
the reafons that induced you to make choice of
Bagdad for your refidence ?
Oh ! moft admirable princefs, faid Simoufta-
pha, if you wifh your flave to fpeak ilncerely,
remove the veil which impairs his confidence,
that the truth which proceeds from his mouth
may reach your ear. I have already fuffered
too much in being prevented from admiring the
charms which that impertinent object keeps
from my view.
44 You have not, faid the princefs, been a
year at Bagdad, and, if my veil diftrefTes you, rt
B 5 ' hath
IS ARABIAN TATLES.
hath been but for a moment j how then can
you fpeak of long torments ?" From this mo-
ment, replied Simouftapha, I have felt the firft
tranfport of love, which will end but with my
life.
A rigorous law, replied Ilfetilfone, hinders me
to take off my veil.-^A refpectful bafhfulnefs,
anfwered Simouftapha, detains my fecret upon
my lips.
This childimnefs, cried the good Namouna,
makes us lofe time j and the principal eunuch,
who is not long in going his rounds, has a great
chance to come upon us. Upon faying that, {he
approached the princefs, and tore off the veil.
It feemed as if timidity and bafhfulnefs had
been attached to this trifling piece of ftuff. For,
as foon as Ilfetilfone got rid of it, fhe flipped to-
ward Simouftapha; and they now embraced each-
other with the greateft appearance of tendernefs.
A collation had been prepared on the fpot ;
and the two lovers, for no word there had efca-
ped from both, availed themfelves of it. They
looked, fighed, and eat with diftraction, while
the blefled quarter of an hovsr flew on.
Namouna turned away from them. They
parted with tears in their eyes. They proteft-
ed that they were in love for life, and that they
muft break the chains of pleafure and of cu-
torn at once.
IlfetiMbne,
ARABIAN TALES. 19
Ilfetilfone, from an excefs of content, fell in-
ftantly into the utmoft defpair. In vain, every
day, did they ferve her table with difhes pre-
pared by her lover j fhe was not to be hnpofed
upon by the niceties of art. From the happy
moment of their interview, every object: bnt
himfelf appeared infipid to her. She became
emaciated. She pined away.
Namouna was diftrefTed for her. " Be then
reasonable," faid ihe to her, " enjoy the plea-
fure of loving and of being loved. You de-
lire to fee your lover, and to be in his company.
But prudence requires of you to do your duty.
You may ruin the whole by your want of pa-
tience, and efface that vivid complexion, that
flower of youth, which is the greateft charm of
your beauty. Leave the matter to me. A mat-
ter of fo great moment cannot be happily con-
ducted with fuch precipitation.
" Look at thefe beautiful flars j if one of them
viflies to haften its courfe, it leaves its proper
orbit, and falls, never to rife again. That which
directs your fortune keeps pace with the reft.
There is a danger in wifhing to change its
courfe."
I hear your advice, my dear Namouna, faid
Ilfetilfone j but I cannot follow it. If you wifh
me to eat, tell me that you will let me fee Si-
mouftaoha.
" Very
2O ARABIAN TALES.
" Very \rell, fince he muft engrofs your whole
attention, fit down to table and eat j I {hall fall
upon fome method for you."
The princefs caufed fome food be broughjt
her, took a little of it, and inftantly afkecl what
fhe had done.
Since you vvifh to know my fcheme, faid Na-
mouna, attend : For thefe fome days you have
been confined to bed, and have not paid your
sfual vifits to the caliph. I expeft to fee the
principal eunuch coming to inquire what con-
fines you to your room. Upon his anfwer, the
caliph and Zobeida, your mother, will come to
fee what is the caufe of your indifpoiition, At-
tend to all the queftions which the affection of
a father and of a mother can fuggeft. Imagine
them faying, Do you feel any fain ? Does ought
here htirt you, or difpleafe you ? What nvUl comfort
you ? Prepare your anfwers before-hand.
Beware of faying that you are indifpofed ; for
they would fend the doctor to you, who fhould
confound you with naufeous drugs, which you
have no need of j but fay that you are over-
whelmed with a langour, which has been occa-
fioned by too much confinement 5 and that a
little exercife would be the cure.
You muft then requeft them to permit you
to go to amufe yourfelf at Bagdad ; and that
they would grant you two days, at two differ-
ent
ARABIAN TALES. Ct
cnt times, fo near one another as to have the
defired effeft j at the fame time, fo diftant as
not to interrupt the bufinefs of the town. Be-
fides, a crier mud announce when you are to fet
out, that there may be nobody either to difquiet
you, or to feel uneafy on your account.
You muft afk to go to the bath the firft day,
and to viilt the fhops the fecond. Our devo-
tion will next induce us to vifit the mofques. . .1
will then conduct every thing fo as to turn out
the leave you have got for amufement to the
beft advantage in every refpecl.
Namouna had fcarcely unfolded her defign,
when Mefrour, the chief of the eunuchs, arrived
from die caliph, to vilit the princefs.
The conference of this fmall event juftified
all the forefight of Namouna.
Haroun and Zobeida came to fee their daugh-
ter, who obtained leave from them to walk in
Bagdad, at the times, and under the condi-
tions premeditated by Namouna.
Haroun, upon returning into his apartment,
orders Giafar to take every necefiary precau-
tion, in order that the princefs might, early
next morning, along with her retinue, enjcy
the pleafure of a walk in all the flree'ts of the
city j and that fhe might fee every curicfity in it
without being expofed to the looks of any bo-
' . .
22 ARABIAN TALES.
The grand vizir ifTued thefe orders to the
chief magiftrate ; and, on that very night, all
the people of Bagdad were warned by the pu-
blic criers to ornament their fliops with all
their moft curious wares : But, at the hour of
prayer, nobody was to appear, either in the
ilreets or in the houfes, that neither the paflage,
nor the curiofity of Ilfetilfone, who was to walk
at that hour, might be interrupted : Every-
thing that might be taken by thofe who com-
-pofed her retinue was to be paid, and every
pillage they made indemnified. Thofe, how-
ever, who, from a fpirit of reftlefihefs or curio-
fity, fhould difobey the orders, were to meet
with the fevereft treatment.
When the bufinefs was fet in order, Namou-
na, anticipating the fuccefs, came to acquaint
Ilfetilfone. " Pla ! well, is every thing fet in or-
der according to your wishes ? Will the ftreets
of Bagdad be fufficiently clear for you to-mor-
row morning ?"
" They will be too much fo, if all the inha-
bitants remove, replied the princefs, if nobody
remain in the houfes."
*Y ou don't view the nature of the order in
the fame light that I do, Madam j all the mops,
all the houfes which are upon the ftreets muft
be entirely empty, but if to-morrow all the
people of Bagdad were forced to go out of the
city
ARABIAN TALES 23
city, for the want of tents they would periih
by the heat of the fun. Every one Is to fhut
himfelf up in a part of his houfe, from which
he can neither hear nor fee any thing, and far
lefs be feen. Thofe who are rich will go to their
country-feats ; fuch again as are poor will feek
where to conceal themfelves. The city muft look
like a defart ; and it is by being fo that it will
anfwer our purpofe. There you may do what
you pleafe : Your female attendants wll run up
and down the fhops with a curiofity, and an
eagernefs of which you have no idea. The eu-
nuchs will follow in order to watch the fe-
males, and to obferve what they pick up. They
muft alfo attend to fome fmall affairs of their
own ; and, during that time, we muft mind ours--.
Be content ; go to the bath ; fup chearfully ;
fleep as well as you can ; and don't become
carelefs about your beauty. To-morrow I hope
to fee the happieft couple upon earth.
Ilfetilfone did every thing that her good go-
vernefs required of her.
The good cook was thrown into defpair,
when he heard the criers announce, that, be-
fore his princefs fhould walk in Bagdad, eve-
ry body fhould difappear ; and that he who
fhould have the impudence to appear in her
/ight fhould be put to death.
$4 ARABIAN TALES.
Narnouna arrived and found linn cver-
whelmed with grief. " Why," laid fhe, after
fhe had explained the motive of it to him,
** do you torment yourfelf about an order
which I exprefsly folicited, in order to bring
about your interview with my princefs ? To-
morrow morning you muft fend all your Haves
out of the city: You muft pretend to follow
them; you muft enter your houfe by the
back-door; and you muft wait for us in the
bottom of the garden. We will go into your
{hop ; the noife that we will make will let you
know where we are ; and, at any rate, without
your fhowing yourfelf, I know where to find
you. As foon as it is night, prepare fomething
to regale us with to-morrow. I know that you
are by no means avaricious ; I could engage
for it, however, that you are going to make
lome trick of it."
You aftonifh me, faid Simouftapha, efpe-
cially when I am ib much difpofed to ferve you.
I will put you to the trial immediately, replied
the old lady ; what I am to tell you ought to
charm you : Do you remember how you paid me
for the firft good news I brought you? Could
you ftill pay me in the fame manner ?
I underftand you, faid Simouftapha, you are
here in the midft of all that I poflefs, choofe
what
ATUBUN TALES. 2 J
svhat you pleafe. What you afk is no more
mine.
Pure avarice ! cried Namouna merrily. J wiH
tell your miftrefs that I have discovered a fail-
ing in you, which is not at all common to people
of your age, I will avenge myfelf upon you for
this.
I will not, however, caufe pain to my dear
child : She has not had a moment's eafe iince
flie faw you. She does nothing but fighs. She
would not have furvived, had I not fallen upon
fome means to get you a quiet interview with.
one another at Bagdad. I want to take her
fome good news from you. What fhall I fay to
her ?
" That I am charmed, that I am in raptures,
that I cannot exprefs myfelf, that I am impa-
tient for the happy moment which /hall reunite
us- If me has enjoyed little reft mice we faw
one another, I have enjoyed none. My heart is
fo full of the charming idea, that her name is
continually on my lips. I am forced to con-
demn myfelf to an abfolute fileuce, that it ^may
not efcape.*
Well, faid the old woman, provided I can
repeat all that, I may fay that I go with my
pockets full of words : With refpect to deeds
, do you give me nothing to carry to her f
VOL. II. C
26 ARABIAN TALES.
However, I fhould have been faithful In giving
it to her. In faying fo, the good old woman
prefented her cheek-, but to no purpofe. She
then parted with him : " Adieu, covetous Si-
mouftapha !"
Namouna hafted to the palace, and repeated
the converfation, word for word, even to the
pleafantry with which it ended. What ! fe-
rioufly, my dear Namouna, faid IlfetiHbne, did
you want a kifs from him ? Could you be fo
amorous ?
I don't fay fo, replied Namouna ; but, even
under my wrinkles, my heart is as if I were
only twenty years of age ; and, if I fhould
live a hundred, I would never be the enemy
of that man who was like the beautiful Simou-
llapha. My preteniions to beauty go but a
fhort way. I, am content with a trifle; but
it gives me great plealure. If I renounced
love altogether, I fhould become too bad.
Go fleep , fleep foundly : The morrow is your
day.
The morrow morning, as foon as prayers are
over, Ilfetilfone and fixty beautiful flaves go
down to Bagdad.
The princefs, conducted by her governefs,
fet out ftraight for the baths which were near-
eft the beautiful cook's houfej fhe enters it,
and fpeaks with her principal eunuch, *' I will
be
ARABIAN TALES. 27
be ferved," faid flie to him, " by the flaves of
this houfe. I wiih all mine to amufe them-
felves, and to enjoy my fally : Conduct them
through the whole of Bagdad." The eunuch
obeyed. She entered the bath ; flopped a little ;
went and came according to the caprice of her
paffion ; being all the while efcorted by Namou-
na alone.
Simouftapha waited with impatience in a re-
mote part of the garden, under a rural grot-
to, where was a fountain in which he ufually
cooled his liquors. He prepared breakfaft, and
every now and then chanted over verfcs, in
which he endeavoured to paint both the ardour
of his pafiion, and the happinefs which he was
about to enjoy. Of all his houfehold he had
kept only an expert young ilave, \\lio was per-
fectly handfcme, but diur.b. All on a iuddeu
a noife in the garden ftrikes his ear ; he rifcs,
and runs up.
This was the object of his defires, of his
dreams, and of his fongs. Ilfctilfone had arri-
ved a few moments before.
She had approached the grotto without be-
ing perceived ; and had listened with the moil
extreme plcafure to the verfes of her lover.
The fubject of them affected her j and the
fweetnefs of his voice conveyed a double charm.
Not wifhing him to know that fhe had been
C 2 iiftening,
2$ ARABIAN TALES,
liftening, flie fhifted a little from the fpot, and
made a noife to let him hear her. At laft {he
joined her lover.
It was no common paffion fprtmg from a
fudden coincidence of fentiments, which forced
them together : It was a ftroke of fympathy ; it
was ftill more, if their fate was interwoven, as
they both had reafon to believe. They flood
fHfl, and gazed at one another with a curiofity,
mixed with the moft lively joy, and mutual ad-
miration. In order to embrace, their arms rofe
in concert ; and, in the firft embrace, they both
fainted away.
Luckily the bcttom of the grotto was covered
with mofs ; and the prudent Na-mouna had al-
ways taken care to prevent accidents. They
found it neceiTary to quit a place inconvenient
for an interview of fuch an interefting nature.
Simouffopha conducted his miftrefs by the arms
under a green arbour, which the rays of the
fun could not penetrate. Here ihe found a
commodious fopha, and a repaft coniifting of
the moft exquilite dainties. Befides, this fpot
united every thing that could add comfort to the
iltuation of the princefs. Here, a deep bafon
received water clearer than cryftal, from the
mouth and noftrils of different animals, whofe
\ariety exhibited an agreeable object. And
this
ARABIAN TALES. 2
this difFufed the inoft delicious-^refhnefs under
the arbour.
Ilfetilfone and Simouftapha fat down to table
clofe together ; Namouna and the mute fer-
ved them. They eat little, and fpoke ftill lefs ;
the language of the eyes was fufficient ; it be-
fpoke great paffions.
At laft the princefs broke the expreflive fi-
lence, and cried out with an angelic voice, " Oh!
Simouftapha, I love you, and I find that it
will be impoflible for me ever to love any other
fo well. I don't know how that frightful di-
ftance which fortune appears to have put be-
tween us fhall be got over. If the overthrow
of my high preteniions could effect it, it fhould
be done immediately. My foul can lofe no-
thing by uniting with your's, whofe noblenefs
equals its rank. You put that fortune to the
blufh which appears willing to difgrace you ;
and I would glory if, by railing you, I could
have it in my powei' to expofe her injuftice."
" I am too much elevated, Madam," replied
Simouftapha, " by the compliment you pay me.
It hath conftituted- my fortune and my glory,
as well as my happinefs. You love me j my
ambition is gratified j and, were I in pofleffion
cf a crown, I could reap no other fatisfaclion
from it, than that of falling a crowned ilave at
your feet."
C 5 Let
$> 4RABIAN TALES.
" Let us fwear," faid the princefs, " to lire
always for each other in fpite of fortune, and
always to guard againft whatever may be the leaft
obftacle to our union."
" Here, at your knees, Iiwearto the above v
by the name of the great prophet,"' cried Sr-
mouftapha^ The beautiful princefs raifed him
up ; the tendereft kifles fealed their oaths, and
eauied their tears flow and difappear every now
and then.
Namouna, too infenfible of the value of thefe
tears, wanted to ftop them.. " What !" fnid fhe,
" are you going to pafs the time in weeping,
inflead of rejoicing ? How I hate languifhing
lovers. Drink, eat, and banifh forrow. 5 * At
the fame time fhe ferved them with different
forts of food, and made them drink the one
after the other from the fame cup. " Have you
no mufical inftruments ?" faid fhe to Simouila-
pha. *" Send for them r nobody fees us ; and,
when you fhall have done with weeping, I will,
teach you how to amufe yourfelves."
The mute, upon a lignal from his mafter,
ran and brought different mufical inftruments.
Namouna took up one of them, and began with
a fprightly tone ; but Ilfetilfone, with a ten-
der and feducing voice, fell a repeating fome
charming verfes, which rendered the harmo-
aious founds of the iaftrumonts, which fhe grace-
fully
ARABIAN TALES. 3 t
fully played upon, ftill more affecting. Simoufla-
pha anfwered her immediately, and discovered as
much genius and judgment in the composition
of the words, as {kill in the mufic. He fhone
chiefly in the tender and affecting expreffions.
For the inftant Namouna was content ; they
too feemed to be amufed \ but fhe put a flop
to their pleafures, by warning them to part,
that they might give no fufpicion to the eunuchs,
and the females who compofed their retinue.
It was not without remorfe, that thefe two hap-
py lovers yielded to the circumflance. They
fealed their adieus with tender embraces and
new tears. " By Mahomet !" faid the impa-
patient Namouna, " have done, and let us part
quickly."
The lovers parted. The princefswas'dextrous
enough to conceal the features of her counte-
nance, that they might not difcover the paf-
iions by which fhe was about to be agi-
tated. Upon this fhe joined her flaves, in
order to return to the palace, fupported by
the hope of foon feeing her dear Siraouftapha
again.
The caliph was waiting with impatience for
his daughter. As foon as the principal eunuch
had announced her, he ran to her with the ut-
moft affection to afk her how fhe was after
the bath,, and her walk,
fltetilfone
34 ARABIAN TALESv
Ilfetllfone exprefied herfelf pleafed \viih the
variety of objects which, fhe had feen in the
{hops. The c^iph, finding her eyes more ani-
mated than ufual, and her complexion more vivid
than that of the governefs, congratulated him-
felf upon having had it in his power to amufe
lier in the ftreets of Bagdad. The princefs Zo-
bieda, on feeing her daughter, was equally hap-
py in finding that melancholy removed, which
might have been attended with dangerous con-
fequences.
At length, it was agreed upon, that Ilfetil-
fone, after refling two days, fhould return to
Bagdad in fearch of new amufements for her
health. And the criers were ordered to an-
nounce the intention of the caliph.
Ah ! what long two days ! faid the princefs.
Can you conceive my fituation, my dear Namou-
na, during this cruel abfence ? and how I {hall
be able to live at fuch a diftance from Simou-
ftapha ?
" If thefe two days were added to mine," faid
Namouna, " they would roll on quicker than
your's." Ah ! how would you fill them up ? I
would fleep the beft half,, and fpend the reft in
eating, drinking, and enjoying myfelf, and in
.dreaming on the pleafure of foon feeing my beau-
.tiful Simouftapha again; befides, I fhould not
give myfelf fo much pain about feeing my lover,
ARABIAN TALES. 33
if we were to weep all the time like infants, or
to pay one another asferious compliments as thofe
that are ufed on the instalment of a mufti. I have
not always been old ; I have been in love, tho'it
was never known; but I managed matters other-
wife. It is generally believed that we who are
chearful never think, becaufe we laugh much,
and often laugh at what others think. But, had I
been engaged in an adventure like your's,! ihould
have acted a capital part. You, Namouna, are
not the daughter of a caliph. The glory of my
father, his rank, and his fenfibility, combat my
feelings ; and my lover, who, in my eyes, is
worthy of the lot of a king, is furely nothing
el fe. No more of that, faid Namotma fmart-
ly, he is nothing but a cook ; it is all he wants
to be ; but, furely, there is nothing more ami-
able on earth. There is happinefs in every con-
dition i I defpife greatnefs, when attended with
uneafinefs ; and I could be happier with the
beautiful cook, than with all the kings of the
eaft- You are too deep in love, Namouna,
replied Ilfetilfone. One of us, faid the old go-
vernefs, muft make the other merry, otherwife
this palace would become a fcene of forrow.
Take' care of yourfelf, and don't walk a living
mummy hi Bagdad.
The chearfulnefs of the govcrnefs diverted
the princefs, and quieted her impatience. Si-
mouftapha,
34 ARABIAN TALES.
mouftapha, on the other hand, amufed himftlf
in preparing fomething new, in order the more
agreeably to furprife his miftrefs. The fervices
on gold and precious vafes were to fucceed
thofe of filver and china ; the houfe was filled
with perfumes; every thing in it announced e-
legance and neatnefs ; all the flaves were in mo-
tion ; and flill more would have been done,
fhould it not have excited too great a curiofity.
At laft the two days were finifhed ; the hour
arrived. Ilfetilfone proceeded from the bath,
in all her charms ; and added to their luftre
that of the moft fplendid and moft exqni-
te drefs. Thus adorned, fhe defcended into
the flreets of Bagdad, attended by all her*
flaves. '
As fhe approached the fhop of her lover, {he
went into all that fhe met with. Her retinue,
difperfed among the different warehoufes, were
eager to view and to examine every thing , and,
when fhe imagined that their attention was fuf-
fkiently engaged, fhe immediately, along with
Namouna, entered Simouftapha's houfe, where
nobody was left but the mute.
Early in the morning, the cook had warned
his people, that it would be prudent for them,
before the caliph's daughter fhould traverle the
ftreets of Bagdad, to go and dine on the other
,de of the Jalla and the Ilphaza, and take with
them
ARABIAN TALES. 3^
them whatever fhould be necefiary. This or-
cler, accompanied with a few pieces of gold,
was very agreeable to them.
Ilfetilfone palled from .the {hop into the gar-
den ; the mute made a fign; and, in a moment,
the two lovers were in each others arms.
Whilft fruits and different forts of provifions
are ferved up, her curiofity determines her to
examine the different beauties of the garden,
and the order of the houfe, to which tafte and
elegance appeared to have contributed more
than riches. But, when the princefs was in the
inner part of it, every thing ihe faw occafioned
a new furprile; every thing there difplayed the
moft uncommon luxury.
" You are about, my princefs," faid Simou-
ftapha to her, " to enter a room which nobody
hath feen before, and where I never fet my
foot. It was defigned but for one perfon, and
I durft never flatter myfelf that {he would ever
embellifh it with her prefence.
Thefe words excited in Ilfetilfone an extra-
ordinary emotion. She was quite furprifed to
find fo much riches in a cook's houfe. She
now went to {ee an apartment ftill more fuperb,
prepared for only one perfon ; and every thing
told her that fhe was the one.
The door of the apartment opened ; the par-
lour which immediately appeared, was more
richly
g ARABIAN TALES.
richly ornamented than any in Bagdad, and was
fit for the reception of the greatefl fovereign.
They now pafs into another magnificent room
embellifhed with fofas and cushions of brocado.
The princefs could not help expreffing the great-
eft aftoniilmient. Namouna opened her eyes.
Every thing {he fees is the object of her furprife,
and the caufe of her filence. She durft touch
nothing ; but ilood fpeechlefs amid fo much
riches.
" For whom," faicl tlie princefs, " is this a-
partment deligned ?" (t For no other," replied
the amorous youth, " but the moft beautiful
and charming of princcfTes.'* " AhJ" exclaim-
ed flie, K Heaven and Mahomet grant that fhe
may enjoy it t" In faying that, fhe fell into a
fwoon ; but, being carried upon cufhions, flie
foon recovered. " Who has placed me here ?"
faid fhe j it is myfelf. " It is he," replied Na-
mouna j u every thing here lias been designed
for you ; command like a fultanefs." " Will
you then ftay here with me, Simouftapha ?" re-
plied the princefs. " He who has devoted his
whole life to you cannot rob you of one mo-
ment of it."
What finely turned compliments ! faid Na-
mouna, ftepping haftily out of the room : The
eunuch and I go to lay ^he cloth.
Our lovers were aJgne j paffion tranfported
them..
ARABIAN TALES.
diem ; but duty, conftrained them ; the moft
delicate fpeeches were mingled with the ten-
dereft carefTes, and promifes of mutual affec-
tion. The defire of binding the knot of their
eternal felicity ; the idea of difficulties which
ieemed to exclude all hope ; tears extorted by
fear, and fweetened by hope fuch was the
picture they exhibited.
" My dear Simoufbpha !" fakl the tender
Hfetilfone, you appear to pofleis many trea-
fures ; and you feem fitted to enjoy them in the
nobleft manner ; who then has obliged you to
defcend to the condition you now hold ?*
" Oh ! my princefs, I have been reduced to it
by an irrefiftible power. I have devoted my
life to him : I have fworn in your prefence the
moft fcrupulous and blind ob-dience , let us not
now think upon the paft; let us coniider the
future. I cannot live but in the hope of poll
feffing you." And I, my dear Siaiouftapha,
in the aflurance of feeing you ; but, fladi we
accomplifh it ?
" That does not belong to you, mr dear
princels," replied Simouftapha. Afiured of
your heart, it is my part to preferve its peace
with the pofieflion of it; and f will triumph
over ever/ oppofit : on ; and death alone {hall
difunite u?."
VOL. II. T) kt
38 ARABIAN TALES.
At the fame inftant the key was heard turn-
ing ; it was Namouna , fhe entered rejoicing.
" Let us go, my dears,'* iaid fhe, " dinner is
on the table ; the hours pafs quickly, we fhould
employ thofe few well that remain."
In faying that (he cafe a glance upon the
two lowers ; Sirnouftapha, feated by his miftrefs,
was kifling her hand, and bathing it in his
tears.
Won't you come, faid fhe, from fpending
your time in crying ? You are incorrigible, I
fee it well. Come, good Celadon ! You have
drowned your reafon in tears, you will find k
gain in the entertainment which is prepared
for you.
The lovers went under the canopy : expref-
iion of fentiment was painted in their eyes, and
their lips were the interpreters of it ; their
looks were mingled with careiles ; anticipating
c.ires j delicate attentions 5 all bore the cha-
racter of the tendered love, and the ftrongeft
paliion.
" Very well !" faid Namouna ; <c extafy and
admiration have fucceeded to tears. Let us go.
Some fighs ftill! Let one but contemplate your
charms, and, when he thinks he has faid all,
there will remain much to fay."
The beautiful Ilfttilfone fmiled at her gover-
nefsj
ARABIAN TALES. 3^
nefs i and the lovers rife to feek a place of fo-
liru Je in the artificial retreats of the garden.
" Dear Simoufhpha," faid fhe, " the hour
of our parting is at hand ; I am your's for life }
aflure me by a frelh oath that you will always
be mine."
" I iwear," faid Simoufhpha, " by Heaven,
and the Divine Prophet ! Accept that ring,
which is the feal of my promife ! That diamond
lhall fooner mslt than my heart change the
cbjeeT: of its affection."
The luftre and beauty of the diamond exci-
ted afrefh the admiration and curioilty of the
princefs : " You will not leave me," faid fhe to
her lover, " till you have fatisfied me with re-
gard to your fortune ? Mine, for the future, is
connected with it. Your riches aftoniih nv
more and more. The noblenefs of your car-
riage, the genius, the graces, the talents, the
effects of a fuperior education, all ftrike me
with furprife, and difcover ?. particular exeiticn
of providence hi your favour. Young full, ar.J
furrounded with flaves in the very midft of dif-
fipation, under wliat ihield pray do you walk ?
and by what fantaftic caprice are you reduced
to psrfonate a character fo unfukable to your
condition ? Difpe! my doubts, if pcflible, and
crown my felicity by the declaration \vliich I
require of you."
D 2 It
40 ARABIAN TALES,
" I am alone, it is true," replied Simoufta-
pha; " no perfon here takes care of me ; but I
once had a mafter who inftructed me in all the
arts and fciences ; I learned under him both to
tmderftand and to think : That refpectable phi-
Jofopher infpired me with the principles of thofe
virtues which now adorn me.
" Let not your tendernefs be alarmed with
regard to my refources or my conduct. I am a
ftranger in Bagdad ; I have, however, rela-
-tions ; but do not aik me the caufe of my lea-
ving them, nor the difcovery of my real con-
dition : My fecrets {hall foon be declared to
you ; I fhall have nothing to conceal from her
whom I regard more than my life, and to
vhom a facred tie fhall foon unite me forever."
" Ah ! when fhall that happy day come ?"
faid the princefs with a tender uneafinefs.
" The means are in my power," replied Si-
mcuftapha j " the ufe of them requires great
prudence ; the confequences may be danger-
ous." " Ah ! my dear Simouftapha, to me let
all the danger belong." As {he pronounced
thefe words, in came Namouna, who was feek-
ing her. " Let us go, Madam," faid {he to her,
<c it is time to join your company again*
Here is a private gate, of which the mute has
given me the key ; let us go out by it, and, on
making a circuit, we fliall appear to be coming
from
ARABIAN TALES* 4*
from fuch a diftance, that it will be impofr.ble
to guefs where we have fpent our time." The
lovers were obliged to comply.
The princefs fbon joined fome of her com-
pany. " What are you doing here ?" faid Na-
mouna angrily. <c Separated from thofe who
ought to take care of you, what if any mifchief
had befallen you!" " You are right," faid Ilfe-
tilfone, " to be afraid left youth fhould expofe
itfclf." The young flaves crowd around their
miflrefs, and the princefs approached the body
of her train, while none of them durft fepa-
rate themfelves from her.
Haroun and Zobeida waited with impatient
the return of their dear daughter. As foon as
the caliph was apprifed of her coming to the
palace, he repaired to the apartment of the
princefs, to wait for her there, and to enjoy in
perfon the amufements he had prepared for
i*r.
She at length appeared, and the caliph could
lot exprefs his fatisfaction on account cf the
:harige which he had occalioned. He embra-
;ed his daughter with tranfport : Every thing
:oncurred to increafe his fatisfaction ; Ilfetjl-
bne fjpported by love and hope, aiTumed new
xiftence 5 and that happy father charged him-
elf with carrying fb agreeable intelligence to
Zobeida.
<|3 ARABIAN TALES.
I did not expert, faid the prineefs to Namouv
tta, fo much attention from the caliph ; his ten-
tlernefs affects me. -Ah ! if he knew the object
of my paifton ! Away with your lamentation,
if you pleafe, faid the old ladyj live for the
gallant Simouftapha, and let me alone: Think
upon him, you fhall hear his news, and he
your's ; but let neither of you weep.
" I (hall do what you would have me do,"
laid Ilfetilfone, " if I have hope only to receive
my lover, and if you fpeak of him to me for-
ever : Thefe fweet tears, whofc value you are
fo little acquainted with, will dry tip when I
ihall be allured of his conftancy. Ah ! if he
were unfaithful I would ceafe to live.
Too ingenious in finding out means of tor-
menting herfelf, the prineefs knew not the heart
of her lover* Simouftapha was no fooiier alone,
than he fought for means of fecuring the ob-
ject of his affections. He flew to his cabinet..
He there perceived the ineftimable gift of the
luge, to whofe inftruftions he owed his educa-
tion ;- books of fciencc, recipes for ufeful com-
pofitions ; and, among other tilings, a myfte-
rious box, cornpofed of a fingle precious ftone.
That box 'was not to be opened, but on the
moft important occafion, and when it fnould
be impoffible for him otherwife to obtain fuc-
cefs in ^ matter that concerned his happinefe.
Simouftapha
ARABIAN TALES . 4^
Simouftapha took the box, which was cover-
ed with paper, and inicribed with the following
iuftrucTJons of his wife preceptor.
" My dear child, never mJftake with re-
gard to the choice of the object which is to
form your happinefs j examine it in all its cir-
cumftances; diftruft appearances by all means..
If you fhall ever happen to enter into fuch en-
gagements as will involve you in misfortune
to get free from them, and if othenvife your con.*-
fcience do not reproach you with refpec't to the
means which you lhall employ in order to ob-
tain the object of your confolation, then apply
to my box ; put it on your tiible, bow before it
refpectfully, and fay to it," " My dear box !
my only hope, grant me your proteclion, in the
name of the friend who gave you to me, and
a/lift me in my diftrefs. I conjure you in the
name of your miftrefs."
" The box will open. Summon up all your
firmnefs, that you may not fhrink at the fight
of the frightful object which will appear before
you ; and, whatever it be, command it. You will
learn from it what it can do in your favour ;
but, my dear child ! that ftep is not without dan-
ger ; the flighteft indifcretion may draw upon
you the greateft misfortunes. Terrible trials
enfue ; and, if you fink under them, the prefent
and my friendship -will prove fatal to you."
44 ARABIAN TALE*.
" O, my dear Benelab !" faid Slmouftaphay
after having read that writing attentively, " your
pupil feels all the' value of the kindnefs you in-
dulged him with, in leaving him this precious
treafure, and the fage inftruftions. When the
nre of love had inflamed my foul, and when,
at the hazard of my life, Iwifhed to furmount eve-
ry obftacle, you came tomy relief, O, my worthy
matter! I owe to you the happinefs of my life : You
have recovered me the objecl: of my flame ; and,
without your generous cares, inacceflible walls
would have feparated me from her; ftill I
would have tranfgrefied the law of the prophet
in leaping over them, and would have loft the
objecl: of my love, without the hope of ever u-
niting our hearts.
Hitherto, my dear Benelab ! your fpirit has
watched over my. conduct, your counfels have
been my law ; affift your friend, and favour
me in a dangerous attempt, which I am now a-
bout to make. I am to be cxpofed to dreadful
trials ; but O, my fage friend ! he who, ena-
moured of the molt beautiful of Nature's works,
was able to command himfelf, and to refpecl:
while he loved, is worthy of fome confidence.
His wifdom and his fuccefs were your work,
and you will glorioufly finifh what you have be-
gun."
After
ARABIAN TALCS.
After this invocation, Simouftapha rofe full of
courage ; he took up the box, tore off the lit-
tle feal, and articulated forcibly all the words of
the charm, of which he had the form.
All on a fudden, the flame of lamps twinkled
forth, and fparkled. A noife like diftant and
majeftic peals of thunder, the harbingers of
ftorms, was now heard. The box opened of
its own accord. Nothing appeared to come
out of it. However, a black vapour rofe in the
cabinet, and filled, by degrees, the fpace between
the floor and the ceiling.
At length, the vapour was difllpated : Afhape-
lefs mafs grew up, and the eye was terrified at
the fight of an object fo hideous and frightful.
As the phantom was unfolding itfelf, the cou-
rageous Simouftapha familiarifcs himfeif with
it. " Who are you ? who fent you hither ? "
were the queftions he propofed to that monftrous
form.
" My miftrefs," anfwered the horrible figure.
I muft obey the commands of Benalab, and
the man whom fhe protects."
" Who is your miftrefs?" replied Simoufta-
ftapha. " I charge you tell me her name."
" I will not obey you without her permiflion,
returned the figure.
" Go back, then, to her," faid Simouftapha ;
" tell her that the friend of the fage Benalab is
ambitious
46 ARABIAN TALES,
ambitious of treading in the fteps of his matter,
and of meriting, by his conduft, the high pro-
tection with which he has honoured him j and
deiires to know the name of the power which
interpofes in his favour, that he may render it
the homage which is due." The genius difap-
peared, and returned like a flaili of lightening.
" Your demand was gracioufly accepted," faid
he; " you. are the only pupil of Benalab, and he
regards you as another felf. My miftrefs is the
queen of the genii ; ihe is named Setelpedour'-
ginatille, which fignifies the Star of the Seven
Seas. She fent me hither, with neceflary pow-
er, in order to execute all your commands. As
my form may appear forbidding to you, I have
orders from her, who has me in her power, to
ilume that fhape which (hall pleafe you moft."
" AlTume/' faid Simouftanha, " the fliape of
Jemal, the firft flave who was engaged in my
fervice, and whom I have had the misfortune
to lofe." I will obey you ehearfully, faid the
genius.
Then he returned to the bottom of the ca-
binet, and diflblved again into vapours, and
formed a cloud, from which a young man, of
an agreeable figure, was feen to ifiue. " What
wifh you now ?" faid the newly transformed fi-
gure. " I wifh you were more devoted to me
tjian ever Jemal was." Whenever you have oc-
cafion.
ARABIAN TALES.
cafion for my fervice, you have only to touch
the box, and call me -, I wait your commands."
" I love the charming Ilfetilfone, the caKFs
daughter. She returns my affection ; but, can
I be united to her without the confent of our
relations, and under the fovereign aufpices of
the queen of the genii ? Go, Jemal, and re-
member my happinefs depends upon the an-
fwcr you bring : Pie faid, and the genius dif-
appcared. ,. u . ^
Simouftapha then recalled to his memory the
fage lefibns he had received from his inftructor.
" In the iituation in which your love is at pre-
fer," faid Benalab to him, " the affiftance of
the genii may perhaps be necefiary, but do not
neglect, however, to contribute yourfeif too to.
your own happinefs ; faperlative aid will be un-
availing, if you neglect to co-operate with it by
all the means which you can employ. I left
you riches, which will more than fupply your
necefilties." Simouftapha poflefTed in re?.lity the
mbft precious productions of Arabia ; but there
were wanting women to ferve the princefs, and
the means of finding in Bagdad fuch as had no
eyes, tongue, nor ears ; who could obey in the
twinkling of an eye, who could be always active
in the night, and inviiible during the Jay ;
without the myfterious aid of the box, the at-.
tention of Jemal, or the protection of the fairy.
In
48 ABAKAN TALES.
IB this embarralTment Jemal arrived, and
gave an account of his million.
Our fovereign, laid he, recognizes in your
conduct the effect of the fulutary principles of
the wile Benalab ; flie has confidered your plan,
and you will have it in your power to marry the
princefs Ilfetilfone to-morrow evening, by call-
ing the ftars to witneis your union. I have or-
tiers to repair to the pakce of the caliph at the
clofe of the day, to lull the watch aileep, to
carry off the princefs, and to convey her hi-
ther.
Firft of all, laid Simoofbpha, prefent your-
felf to my (laves under the name of Jemal,
whofe lofs they have often heard me regret :
You will take along with you four cf the young-
ei>, the only flaves who recollect Jemal : They
\vill carefs you much, and receive you kindly.
You will find too upon the table a ftate of
what you have to do in order to furnilh the
large room. You will find the key of the
cupboard, where I put the contents, which
I give you the charge of- My four little flaves
ihall perform your orders ; but, in order to ful-
fil mine, will you be able to provide me with
females proper for the fervice of the princefs ?
" Do you want a hundred ?" replied the genii,
" cf the moft beautiful v/ho furround the
throne
ARABIAN TALES 4
throne of Setelpedour'ginatille ? Your orders
{hall be their laws."
" I am aOiamed of his goodnefs," faid Si-
mouftapha; " fix are -fufficient." You fhall
have them, faid the genius.
The new Jemal is recognifed by the (laves of
the houfe : The four youngeft load him with
carefTes : They are of opinion that this favou-
rite domefnc fhould be reftored to his former
privileges, and that he mould forthwith be in-
trufted with the orders of his mafter. He in-
formed them, that Simouftapha would foon
occupy the great room ; and that he, and his
four little ilaves, were about to make every
preparation for that purpoie.
Next morning Simouftapha got up before
fun-die ; fet to work : Ail the dimes he was to
furnifh for this feftival were to be prepared
with his own hand. He is the more difficult
to pleafe with refpect to the tafte, in order to
gain die good graces of the perfon whom he
was to flatter.
Notwithftanding this, the hours roll on ; the
day-ftar is about to end its courfe. Simoufta-
pha entered the bath. In a little, he lets off
the graces of his perfon, by the luftre of *
fplendid drefs. Art and nature confpired to
embellifh this mafter-piece of their work ; de-
VOL. II. E fire
50 ARABIAN TALES.
fire and love animate their Looks : Every thing
contributes to the happinefs of his moft affec-
tionate miitrefs.
-Already had the evening lhades fallen upon
Bagdad, when Simouftapha caufed his room
be illuminated, and a magnificent entertainment
be ferved up, which prepofiefled both the ilght
and fmell in its favour. The four flaves re-
tired to execute the orders of Jemal : he him-
felf appeared to follow them ; but the genius,
having other things to do, flew to the palace
of Haroun.
Ilfetilfone flept ill, as fhe had heard no-
thing of Simouftapha. Namouna had loft
her temper, and begun to fcold : The flaves
and eunuchs had propofed to themfelves a joy-
ful night ; but all on a fudden they became
quite languid ; the word dies away upon their
lips ; their feet ftagger, and become unable to
fupport them j the eafy-chairs crafli .with, the
weight of their bodies : The eunuchs upon
watch feel the fame drowfineis ; and the in-
chantment of the fairy diffufes a foporiferous
charm throughout the whole palace.
When all were aileep^ the fervant of Setel-
pedour, according to the orders of Simoufta,-
pha, lifted the princefs, and carried her, with-
out the leaft noife, into the room that had been
prepared for her.
' * The
ARABIAN TALES. $1
The glimmering of the lamps, upon which
an extraordinary wind blew violently, announ-
ced the arrival of the genius ; the princefs is pla-
ced upon the nuptial bed ; and Jemal appear-
ing, faid to Simouftapha, " Mailer, are your
orders executed ? Do you want nothing more
with your Have ?" " Where are the females who
are to ferve the princefs ?" " Every thing is rea-
dy, anfwered the genius ; and, if your highnefs
will condefcend to pafs into the neighbouring
room, they will foon appear." Simouilapha im-
mediately complied. In an inftant, a ball of
fire darts forth its fhining rays ; the eye is
dazzled with it ; in a little the luftre diminifh-
cs, and leaves in its room fix young people, e-
quaily diftingui/hed by their beauty and drefs.
In their hands they carried a muficivl in-
fbrument. Hardly could they diflinguifh
thefe ravifliing objects, till the whole viiion
bowed down before Simouftapha. He ordered
Jemal to employ thefe new flaves in making
the neceflary preparations j entered into the
room where the princefs was fleeping, and ihut
the door upon her.
He approached the object of his whole de-
fire: Oh, how worthy fhe -appeared of the
facrifices he had made to obtain her f
The prince was fo inflamed with love, that
he wifhed to awake the object of it ; but
E 2 the
$2 ARABIAN TALES.
the tranquillity and happinefs which ap-
peared in her face hindered him from inter-
rupting her fweet repofe. Alas ! faid Simou-
ftapha, I fhall never perhaps have it in my
power to make her fo happy as fhe may be
in this dream ; yet he could not refift the
impulfe of the moment ; he rifked a kifs upon
her rofy lips : the magic of love deftroyed the
charm of the genius, and Ilfetilfone opened her
beautiful eyes.
" Ha ! what a tranfporting dream," cried
fhe. " It is not a dream," faid the ajmorous
Simoufcipha, " you are at the houfe of him
who fhall be your hufband in a little."
" My hufband !" replied Ilfetilfone, furpri-
fed at the enchantment, " by what extraordi-
nary favour ?"
" Be not furprifed, Qu^een of my foul ! A
decree of heaven hath defigned us for one
another. A power which you are ignorant of,
and of which I know but little, hath this day
re-united us, and it fhall be for life. But, be-
fore you enter into thefe folemn vows, learn
tbe fate of Simouflapha, and view the heir of
the great Hilmar, fovereign of the Indies."
At thefe words Simouftapha took off his tur-
ban, and fhowed a ribband fet with pearls and
precious ftones, furpafTed by a diamond whofe
luftre dazzled the eyes : And upon the dia-
mond
ARABIAN TALE?. 55
aiond were engraven thefe words, Given ly tl:e
caliph Harntn-Alrafcbid to his dear S;r,ioiiftapba 9
fin of his bratber Hilmar, great king of the Indies,
What a difcovery for the -affectionate lifetil-
fbne ! If her paffion could be increafed^ he
would become proud of her choice. Glory and
ambition confummated a happinefs, which feem-
ed at firft to depend only upon love.
Simouftapha, on the other Jiand, enjoyed
the pleafure of having it in his power to re-
move an' error which his difguife feemed to
confirm. fiyon
But why," faid flic then, x did you fub
mit to your prefcnt profeffion ?"
To tell you plainly, it was love, faid the
prince. Now, added he, k only remains to take
the celeftial beings to witnefs our union, wait*
ing, however, till our parents confirm it by
their confent. May you, Mahomet, may the
Conftellations, and may the Star of the Seven
Seas, (putting his arms acrofs her breaft), be
the guardians of our oaths ! May your divine
influence depart from us, if we ever break the
facred engagements we have this day come un-
der ! On a fudden the heavens anfwered the
invocation by the voice of thunder ; an invi-
fible arm diiFufed obfcurity ; the ftars withdrew^
their luflre, and our lovers were alone.
3 Silence
54 ARABIAN TALJES.
Silence and obfcurity had reigned for a con-
iiderable while, when at length Ilfetilfone, cu-
rious to know flill more of the ftory of her lo-
ver, afked him, \vhat motives had induced him
to conceal his illuftrious birth? For, as their
parents were allied, both by friendship and po-
litical interefl, thefe circumftances taken toge-
ther, might have contributed to fuch an advan-
tageous alliance.
There is not, faid Simouftapha, fo great a
difparity of rank between us as you imagine :
Perhaps the caliph, among all the fovereign
princes to whom he hath refufed your hand,
has not numbered one with whom an alliance
would have been as fuitable, in every refpecl,
as with our family, and as well prepared by
the bonds of an ancient and fteady friendfhip.
Our family was born in the errors of idola-
try; but thanks to the zealous attentions of
Haroun, the viceroy of God, and the right
arm of his great prophet upon earth, we have,
been brought to the knowledge of the truth,
by ftudying and undemanding the divine Al-
coran.
This iage commander of the faithful hath
always watched over us like an indulgent fa-
ther. My father and my mother were al-
ways mentioning his kind attentions to us,
and their attachment- to him. He has . a
ARABIAN TALES. J
xnoft beautiful princefs, {aid they ; ah ! if he
would grant us for our daughter-in-law the
charming Ilfctilfone ; but other monarchs have
fought her in vain. He loves her too .dearly,
and he will never confent to her forming any
connection that will take her from him.
Thefe converfations made an impreffion up-
on my foul ; my whole thoughts centered
upon you : My father had brought to court i a
Perfian philofopher named Benalab, who was
to have the charge of my education, and to
inftil into my heart the principles of virtue. At
the fame time, he was to adorn my mind with
that uncommon knowledge with which he was
endowed.
Now and then Benalab was abfent, in qnefl
of difcoveries relating to thofe important fludies
in which he was engaged. He ufed to go in
fcarch of plants upon the mountains of Arme-
nia. My parents always celebrated your charms
and talents ; and expreiled their regret at the
impofllbility which they forefaw in forming fo
proper an alliance. In the meantime, they
thought of feeking another for me. I retired
to my apartment mightily perplexed ; but fcarce-
ly had I gone to bed, when, in the middle of a
profound fleep, you appeared to me in a dream ;
and you had the very fame appearance then
as the firft time I faw you j I awoke,- but
a
55 ARABIAN TALES*
a ftrange voice pronounced your name dik
tinctjy.
" Judge, my dear Ilfetilfone, from the fitua-
tion in which I was placed, the impreffion that
your image made upon me. Not daring to con-
fefs my puffion, I gave myfelf entirely up to it.
It foon wafted me ; medicine was adminiftered
to me in vain ; and I was about to fall a vic-
tim -to my difeafe.
. " Benalab having returned from Armenia,
examined me, and, after having coniidered
the nature of my complaint, approached me.
" Dear prince," whiipered he in my ear, " I
know your diforder perfectly ; Ilfetilibne is the
caufe of it."
At thefe words, a fudden blufh covered my
checks. " Be of good chear," faid my tutor to
me, " your difeafe is not defperate ; take cou-
rage j you are made for one another. Allow me
to direct you j I mall put you upon a method c
feeing her, and obtaining her hand."
" Hope having re-animated my vigour, I a-
fumed, as i-were, a nevr life. Benalab pro-
pofed a fea voyage, as necellary for ray recove-
ry, and caufed equip a veffel, of which he
himfelf was to be pilot. In order to comfort
my parents on this occafion, Benalab ihowing
them a rofe-bulh, almoft entirely dried up, took
a ihovel j collected fand and earth ; mixed them j
put
ARABIAN TALES. $j
put them to the root of the bufh, and poured
upon the earth fome drops of a certain elixir
which he had in his pocket. " This plant will fpring
up," faid he to them: The more it {hall be loaded
with leaves and flowers, the more ought ye
to believe in the recovery of your fon. The
angel of death would ftrike him here. Elfe-
tvhere he fliall live. Confide in Benalab."
" The rofe-bufh recovered its verdure. Be-
nalab having become my governour, might take
from my father's treafures whatever he judged
neceflary for me j to this he joined his parti-
cular treafure, fome parts of which you have al-
ready admired. We embarked ; landed on the
coafts of the caliph your father, and came to
refide for fome time at Baflbra.
<( Benalab, the moment we landed, fent all
our Indian flaves back with the veflel which
had brought us over. We fettled at Bafibra,
and deliberated how I might live at Bagdad
without being known, and what profeffion I
fliould follow, in order that I might fee you
and become acquainted with you, concealing
my rank and condition. That of a cook ap-
peared the moft proper to Benalab. By pur-
chailng very expert cooks at Ba flora, he was fure,
by means of his elixirs, of giving fuch a relifli
to whatever we prepared, as that w might pro-
mife
$8 ARABIAN TALKS.
mife ourfelves a fale, and a preference corre-
fponding to our willies."
Let us now do juftice to the fchemes of the
wife Benalab. A cook foon made greater noife
in Bagdad and at court than any ofher perfon-
age, how illuftrious foever. I faw our reputa-
tion increafe every day ; and, after having work-
ed for the principal people of the ftate, I flatter-
ed myfelf that I fhoulcl be employed by Haroun
and you, when I had the misfortune to lofe my
wife governour.
Hope would have fled with him, had not
Namouna, who thought that I did not know
her, come herfelf, and been the happy mean of
bringing us together.
During this whole converfation of Simoufta-
pha, Ilfetilfone, fcarcely able to breathe, had not
power to interrupt him. " At laft," faid fhe, our
" union is nothing but the work of love, and the
decree of the holy prophet ! Ah ! how Aveet it is
to be fubject to the laws of the fame deftiny ! But,
explain to me how, fince I fell afleep in my fa-
ther's palace, I find myfelf here in your arms ?
How lively foever the fenfations are which I
fee], I confider them only as the effect of a vi-
flon. This appears to me fo extraordinary. Then
Simouftapha explained to the princefs the ufe he
made of the box of Benalab, and expatiated upon-"
the aid which he expected from it afterwards.
Night
ARABIAN TALES. )
Night had finifhed the half of her career,
when, upon a lignal agreeft to between the In-
dian prince and the genius, the latter lighted all
the lamps in the twinkling of an eye. At the
fame time, the door which led to the parlour
opened, and a concert, formed by the union of
the inoft agreeable voices, was heard.
What new prodigy is this ! faid the princefs j
it is your flaves celebrating my happinefs, faid
Simouflapha. Could my flaves be here? Could
they know any thing ? Thofe who are here
are not known to you, and could not betray you.
Ilfetilfone rofe, and found under her hand a
fplendid drefs. Simouflapha condu&ed her into
the parlour, where a iumptuous collation was pre-
pared.
The fix flaves proftrated themfelves before the
princefs, and were eager to ferve her. She had
loft her appetite iince her laft walk in Bagdad ;
but, as every thing was prepared by the hands
of her lover, {he was not averfe to honour the
feaft Mufic and dancing embellifhed this fef-
tivalj and the ilaves exerted themielves in charm-
ing the liefure moments of this happy pair.
The princefs had need of repofe. Simouftapha
conducted her back into the apartment fhe had
kft. The door {hut, and the lamps were extin-
guifhed anew.
They
60 ARABIAN TALKS,
They were both flill afleep, when the genius^
warned of the return of the morning by the
crowing of the cock, lifted up the princefs, and
transported her to the palace of the caliph.
After he reftored her to her former condi-
tion, he removed the charm which held every
body afleep j each of them fhifted a little, and
ended their flumbers in a more convenient pof-
ture.
Already had the fun fmiflied a part of his
courfe ; and Ilfetilfone was ftill in her flumbers.
Thrice had the old governefs drawn the cur-
tains* I dare not interrupt her repofe, faid fhe,
with a low vo'ce ; fleep, my beautiful angel !
At length, the two ftars which regulated the
life of the Indian princes fhone forth with all
their luftre. Namouna approached them; " How-
beautiful you are, my charming princcfs! have
you flept on a bed of rofes, tliat you awake more
beautiful than Aurora r"
" It is becaufe I have had an agreeable
dream." " Have you feen Simouftapha ?"
" Yes, Namouna, I have feen him, and much
to my joy." <{ Was he as grave as ufual ?"
" Not at all." " So much the better for you,
iny princefs ; Will you dine then with a good
appetke to-day ? I am going to procure a dull
from Simouflapha."
The
ARABIAN TALES. 6l
The old lady ram to the cook. " I am not
fo happy," faid fhe to herfelf, " as to have
fuch a dream ; 'tis a fine thing to be young !
Quick, quick," fuid fhe, when {lie arrived,
" your princefs has flept the whole night , flie
h^s thought on you j Ihe has recovered her ap-
petite ; give me fomething for li^r."
Simouftapha faw that Namouna knew no-
thing of what had happened. " Take thefe
dilhes, good Namouna ; tell your charming
miftrefs that fhe has no need to eat much this
morning, me will fap the better f^r it at
night."
. l.'iie old lady wiftied to enter into conv-^rfa-
tion with him ; but Simoufcapha politely excu-
ied hlmfe.lf, and difmiflad her.
jNl'-itters were in this fituution, when a cloud
tranflated Jemal into the azure plain, where he
was to give an account of what had been done
.the night before.
As foon as Setelpedour'g'.natille iw him,
fpeak, Kauflak ! faid flie to him, haft thou
(executed my orders in favour of the dear pupil
of my beloved Benalab ?
Great queen ! replied Kauflack, I have done
what I could.,
" Do you remember," anfv/ered the fairy,
". why you were fliut up in the box, the fright-
ful figure with which you were inverted, and
VOL. II. F where-
$2 ARABIAN TALES.
wherefore you were fo juftly chaftifed ? A&
faithfully henceforward, and fpeak the truth.
.Are the young princes married ? What think
you of their union ?"
" The marriage is over. Nothing equals
the virtues and the beauty of this happy couple i
and it would be impoffibie to find their match
in the whole empire of Ginniftan : You fee
how I admire them.
" If Ilfetilfone eclipfes all the ftars of heaven
in brightnefs, Simouftapha may be Compared
to the fun ; but what particularly diftinguhhes
hem, are the qualities of their heart and un-
derftanding, which they unite in a moft emi-
nent degree."
u Thou knoweft him well, Kauflack," re-
plied the queen, " admire him, that thou mayeft
at length learn to love him. I recommend that
couple to thee, ferve them faithfully. 1 want
to fee them this night ; thou muft bring them
to me as foon as they {hall be afleep ; and, af-
ter I {hall have proved thy conduct, I will per-
mit thee to appear for the future under tha
form and name of Jemal, which thou haft re-
ceived from the pupil of Benalab."
The genius went away fatisfied. Setelpedour-
Tvas confounded : Ah ! what, faid Ihe, are in-
nocence and love unknown in my dominions ?
atid are they only to be found upon the earth ?
I
ARABIAN TALES. 6$
I could not believe it ! How I defire to fee
this mortal, fo beautiful, fo virtuous, and fo
fenfible ! How happy is Ilfetilfone in having
captivated a foul like his !"
Thus fpoke the queen of the genii : She had
till now kept her liberty -, the very thought of
a mortal endangered it. She was going, how-
ever, to run the rillc, when Jefnal was to have
executed the laft orders he had received.
Ilfetilfone had learned from Namouna. that
flie was to have an interview with her lover
that night. Night approached, more defired
than the beautiful day ; the charming princefs
fought repofe, in order to enjoy a hope which
flie had no fear of being difappointed of. Soon
the foporiferous vapour fpread around her. She
perceived its fymptoms, and defired its effect 4
the palace is thrown into a deep fieep afrelh.
Jemal had appeared, and had already carried
off the princefs to her fpouie, where every thing
was ready for her reception.
The difhes were prepared, the concert was
begun, the apartment was moft magnificently
embellHhed. But what can luxury and their
efforts add to the pleafures that fpring from
mutual love ? If they were to die of love, with-
out hope of ever being united, they might live
at prefent without fo much ado.
F 2 - The
f>4 -ARABIAN TALES,
The hour of repofe came. Simouftapha ten-
derly invited the princefs to give herfelf up to
him ; and the young flaves put every thing in
Order for that purpofe.
A great many believed that all the nights of
the pair, whom love alone united, were to be
alike. What followed, however, proved the
contrary.
Hardly were Simouflapha and the princefs
upon their cufhions, when the genius threw
fhem into a profound fleep, and tranfported
them into the palace of the queen of the ge-
nii.
Setelpedour waited for them with impatience,
and made them both fit down upon the moft
magnificent fophas. Her firft attention WES
paid to Ilfetilfone ; for fhe wifhed to fee if her
beauty came fully up to the encomiums fhe had
heard lavifhed upon it-, fhe found, however, 1 that
every thing exceeded the praifes of Jcmal.
But, when fhe came to examine SimOtT-
ilapha, five was' perfuaded that nothing up-
on earth was either to be compared to hirny
or worthy of him. By believing that fhe had'
only given herfelf up to the fentiment of ad-
miration, and by concealing the emotions by
which fhe was agitated, that the genii of her
court might not dlfcover the violence of her
pafficn, fhe allowed herfelf to be carried too
far.
ARABIAN TALES. 6$
for. '" Oh ! moft beautiful of mortals !" ex-
claimed me, " how happy I efteem myfelf in
having exerted my power for you I" She no\r
took two kifles of Ilfetilfone, that Ihe might
have an apology for imprinting the moft tender
upon the lips of Simouftapha.
The queen of the genii experienced what
happens to her equals, when they approach too
near the dangerous ball of this earth. Setelpe-
dour fell a prey to the ravages of her own ele-
ment ; but the effect had not yet difiipated
every idea of beneficence conceived in favour of
a rival, the confummating of whofe happinefs
fhe was foon about to repent. She put a
very fplendid lace about her neck, and a ring
upon her finger, whofe diamond fparkled like
the carbuncle ; and, what enhanced the value
of this jewel, the names of the happy pair were
engraved in the infide of the ring.
Forthwith (he twines a chain of diamonds in
the trefles of the prince, and puts upon his
finger a ring ftill more beautiful than the one
fhe had given to the princefs. She now caufed
two drefles be brought for each, embroidered
with rubies, fapphires, and emeralds, diftribu-
ted with fuch art, that they "imitated the variety
of flowers.
When {he had thus diftinguifhed herfelf by
her magnificence and kindnefs, fhe is eager to
F 3 obtain
<56 ARABIAN TALBS
obtain her compenfation from the lips of the
beautiful Simouftapha. Having thus gratified
her curiofity, and part of her defires, ihe rc-
caUed the genius.
" Jemal," faiJ ihe to it, exert yourfelf,
and tranfport the fpoufes upon this fopha to the
apartment from which you took them. You
muft take care that the one which they have
occupied be placed fomewhere elfe \ you muft
put thefe two drefles before them, and obferve
them till they awake, that you may afterwards
give an account of what pafTes,"
The genius obeys : The fpoufes are at Bag-
dad, in the apartment of the prince of the In-
dies : The brightnefs of the lamps is redoubled ;
the influence of the magic ileep is broken off.
Simouftapha and Ilfetilfone open their eyes;
both are dazzled with the luftre of their drefs ;
they are ftruck with the magnificence of every
thing around them.
fiimeuftapha takes the box ; the genius waits
his orders : " Jcmal, fpeak, I command you \
Whence is this abundance of riches ? 1 '
From the hand that hath favoured your u-
7iion, replied the genius. To-morrow, added the
prince, you muft carry her the tokens of our
gratitude. If two hearts, entirely devoted to the
will of the queen, can add to her happinefs, you
muft prefent the homage of ours to her.,
Jemal
ARABIAN TALES, (jj
Jemal difappeared. Our lovers got immedi-
ately rid of the trcafures which confined them.
Eafe is necellary to happy love. Simouftapha
faw nothing in this attention of the queen of
the genii, but a difpofition to prevail upon the
caiiph to approve of their union. At length
both, very agreeably engaged, came to forget
their riches ; and the remainder of the night
rolled on in a happinefs which knew no care.
The laft hour was come, when Ilfetilfone fig-
nified to her lover the happinefs that (he would
feel in feeing him drefied in the robes of his bene-
factrefs. " I will obey, trealure of my life ! an-
fwered the prince , my whole care is to pleafo-
you ; but, let nothing here conceal from my eyes
the charms whofc power transports and raviihcs
me." Simouftapha is adorned withhisfuperbdrels.
Ilfetilfone is highly pleafed with it. " Mine,"
faid fhe, is ufelefs to me at prefent ; for, were
I to difplay this pomp in my father's palace, i
fhould excite a curioiity which it would be im-
poffible for me to gratify."
As fhe had fmifhed thefe words, the fore-run-
ners of fleep feized upon her. Simouftapha felt
the fame fenfations ; they have only time to
throw themfelves upon a fopha, without put-
ting off their drefTes. The princefs was already
afkep, and the genius conducted her into the
palace of the caliph.
Jenul
68 ARABIAN TALES.
Jemal immediately flew to Setelpedour, and
gave her an account of the manner in which
her prefents had been received, and of the grate-
ful acknowledgements of Simouftapha. He faid
even more, than the queen wifhed to hear.
Setelpedour was no more herfelf j from the
moment fhe was captivated with Simouftapha, flie
fell a victim to paffions, whofe violence fhe had
never known before. Jealoufybegan to wring her
heart ; fhe is aftonifhed at her fituation. She,
who till now had been engaged in governing
the paffions of others ; fhe who had never felt
the ftroke of them, and who had been always
infenfible to the charms of the genii of the em-
pire of Ginniftan ; a I condefcend," faid fhe,
CT to love a man ! But Simouftapha is the pu-
pil of Benalab ; he is himfelf the model of vir-
tue, and wifdom: What one of my equals could
have thought it below her to win the affections
of the great Solomon ? Our queen went to
vifit him from the moft remote regions of the
north *."
Whilft Setelpedour fpoke thus, the genius
waited her orders. " Return to your mafter,"
faid fhe; " and, vifibleorinviflble, be always at his
command. If you perceive inhimtheleaftdefireof
becoming
* It was a receired opinion, that the queen of Sheba. who
came to court the favour of Solomon, was % female
and quec* of the celeftial rifioas.
ARABIA* TALES 6(>
becoming acquainted with me, and of doing me
homage, encourage it, and bring him to me im-
mediately. My frontiers are guarded by beings
more difgufting than you were formerly. But
I am juft going to order thefe frightful foldiers
to be removed, and the ftations to be filled up,
ib as nothing may appear terrifying.
The genius having bowed to its fovereign,
returned to the apartment of Simouftapha, and
found him upon the fopha, where the effects of
the magic fleep had detained him. It awakes
him, p.nd makes its appearance. It brings him
a mefiage, in order to induce him to make
choice of a more peaceful fituation.
The prince opened his eyes , Ilfetilfone had
disappeared j -he fa\v nothing afOUnd him but
the magnificent prefents with \vhich he was load-
ed j and, without which, he would have believed
the whole to have been but a fine dream. Upon
feeing thefe, however, he is animated with
a gratitude which calls to his remembrance the
grcateft benefits. He burns with impatience to
go and do refpeclful homage ; to the exalted
being, whofe goodnefs and power he admires*
He touches the box, and the genius waits his
orders.
" Jcmal," faid he to it, if my requeft is not
impertinent, I conimand thee to conduct me io
7 ARABIAN TALES.
the feet of my benefactrefs, the queen of the
genii."
" I will obey, anfwered the genius, " the
mafter of the enchanted box, and the favourite
of the brilliant Star of the Seven l^eas which
divide the earth."
Simouftapha, after the bath, adorned himfelf
with the riches he had got from the generous
fairy, and gave himfelf up to be conducted by
the genius.
Ginniftan is a very remote empire ; it fur-
rounds us, however, on every fide. It confifts
of ipaces, which cannot be compared with the
fmall one that we inhabit. In a few minutes,
the Indian prince is over them, and is placed at
the entrance to the dwelling of Setelpedour.
The queen appeared to him ; and, although
he was ftruck with her beauty, he did not
lofe fight of decorum, but wifhed to have
kneeled upon the earth. She, however, raid-
ed him haftily, took him by the hand, and con-
ducted him to 'her palace, having firit made him
walk through the gardens, where wonders of
every fort furprifed and inchanted him.
Simouftapha, affected at the fight of fo many
enjoyments' united, felt a fenfation highly plead-
ing to Setelpedour. " Man !" fays fhe within
herfelf, " ah ! moft admirable of mortals ! may
the
ARABIAN TALES. 7 1
the beauties thou meeteft with here make thee
forget all thole which thou lefteft upon the
earth !
At length, almoft without fpeaking, the queen
and her new gueft came to the baibn, orna-
mented with three hundred and nxty-fix figures
of animals, all differing from one another. Each
of them was the emblem of one of the days of
the year. Jafper and porphyry were the ma-
terials made ufe of in conftructing them j and
they always fpouted out liquors the moft agree-
able to drink.
The table for dinner was furnifhed in this
place, under a canopy of rofes and jeffamines.
Sophas, Covered with green turf, prefented com-
modious feats. The violet and lilly ferved for
carpets. Amid fach a profufion of beauties,
how fumptuous mufl be the repaft !
Invifible beings brought and removed the
courfes. Nothing was fecn but the beautiful
hands of Setelpedour, which were as ready to
anticipate the tafte of her guefts, as her eyes
to perceive.
The Indian prince appeared difconcerted j
but a more animated pi<5bure is prefented to his
view. An amphitheatre, which was oppofite
to him, is peopled in the twinkling of an eye.
Six hundred genii of each fex, feated upon
green turf, began a concert worthy of the
queen
72 ARABIAN TALES.
queen of the fairies, and fitted to charm mor-
tals. Simoufcapha is ilruck with admiration.
You fee, faid Setelpedour to him, the plea-
fures we enjoy here. If you find any charms
in this place, ah ! my dear Simouflapha, the
heart which offers them fhall always ftudy to
vary them.
Saying that, the queen left the table, and
fet out for her palace. Every thing there was
of a variegated 'gold and azure colour. She
made Simouflapha fit down on a fopha, and the
queen of the genii having placed hericlf bcfide
him, fpoke to this purpofe.
" De^r prince, I have no occafion to be*re-
fcrvsd : I love you } I have your happmefs at
heart, and mine is interwoven v.-ith it. You
were the favourite and pupil of the wife Be-
nalab j he drew my eyes on your deftiny. From
your earlieft infancy, I have, without appear-
ing, been the inftrument of your happinefs. To
me you owed Ilfctilfoiie ; I was delighted at
your union with her, and I feel no jealoufy on
account of it ; but, fince I came to know you
more particularly, I have conceived the tender-
ell a Section for you. Your virtues, and the
charms of your perfbn, have made the queen of
the genii the humble flave of love."
Oh ! adorable queen, faid Simouflapha, I
have not the vanity to pretend to fo glorious a
conqueft.
AH ASIAN TALBS. 73
conqueft. Permit me to adore you, and
ilrve you my whole life. To you I owe the
happinefs of being united to the daughter of
the caliph ; but, were the love that I have con-
ceived for her, under your aufpices, to permit
me to offer you my heart, I am a MuiTulman
by the grace of God, and the holy prophet, and
the beneficent care of the virtuous commander
of the faithful. My happinefs muft therefore
confift in obeying the law.
You exaggerate, my dear Simouftapha, re-
plied the queen, both my pretenfions towards
you, and the rigour of the law. I don't wifh
to .banifh Ilfetilfone from your thoughts ; love
her always ; {he fhali be the object of my kind-
nefs, as well as of your love. Mahomet has
permitted more than one wife.
<( I did not examine," faid Simouftapha, " the
<:ondu& of the prophet j but, when Ilfetilfone
was given entirely to me, we came under fa-
cred and inviolable obligations." " They will
be no lefs fo," replied the queen ; " Ilfetilfone
can neither be your enemy nor mine. Befides,
in permitting me to "love you, how can fhe
charge me with ingratitude ? In a word, dear
prince, you have my heart, and can you re-
fufe me part of your's, if it is not already
wounded ? Coniider that, powerful as I am, I
ftall never exert my power but to turn it out
VOL.IL G to
74 ARABIAN TALES.
to your, intereft, and that flic who implores
you is the fovereign miftrefs of your deftiny."
Oh! my queen," faid Simouftapha, " figure
to yourfelf the diitrefs of your Have, who finds
it equally impoffible to confent to qr refufe your
requeft."
Enough of that ! dear prince, replied Setel-
pedour ; your own fafety fhould now occupy
your thoughts. I have furnifhed the proper
means, for which you may afterwards find ufe.
But I muft tell you, that the box of Benalab
expofes you to great dangers. It belonged for-
merly to Mamouk, an Egyptian magician, who
made an ill ufe of it, by giving liimfelf up to
criiries. My juftice hath therefore deprived him
of it.
I abandoned this wretch to the rigour of his
deftiny. I chaftifed Kauffack, at prefent Jemal
your flave, who by his low flattery ruined a
corrupted mafter. I fuppofe, however, that
this flave of my laws will never forget himfelf
in your fervicq. Mamouk is ftill alive, and
has initiated in his art a fon no lefs dangerous
than himfelf. All Ginniftan curfes him ; but
the wicked always find fome favour ; Mamouk
is ftill powerful, and is continually endeavour-
ing to recover the box which was given to Be-
nalab. Take care then, that neither an Egyp-
tian,
ARABIAN TALES. 75
tian, nor any thing from Egypt, enter your
houfe.
Simouftapha could not find words to exprefs
his gratitude. He began, however, to weary;
it was time for him to go home and receive his
fpoufe. He endeavoured to reprefent to the
queen the neceflity of his departure, by regret-
ing the joys he fhould be forced to forego.
My goodnefs, replied Setelpedour, follows
my inclination, and cofts me nothing. The
riches which are here will lofe their value when
you are gone. Would you render them pre-
cious to me ? come together with Ilfetilfone and
enjoy them ; and, from that moment, every
thing here fhall be truly dear in my fight:
Come, and command in thefe places, and I
ihall be obeyed by all the genii who furround
me.
Ah! Madam, replied Simouftapha, don't,
though you love me, make me forget my duty :
I mult remember that I am the fon of the king
of the Indies, dearly beloved by my parents,
and accountable to their fubjects for the pre-
fumptlve heir to the crown.
Adieu ! my dear Simouftapha, faid the queen,
embracing him ; adieu ! prince, model of fove-
reigns ! light of the world ! and genius of every
virtue !
G 2 The
ARABIAN TALES'.
The genius conduced Simouftapha to hh
houfe ; and, though his heart melted with grati-
tude towards Setelpedour, his affections ftill con-
centered upon Ilfetilfone. He is bufy preparing
for her reception. The moft exquifite fruits are
upon the table ; the pots are filled with new
perfumes: The princefs arrived in a magnificent
drefs which fhe had got in a prefent from Setel-
pedour : "Simouftapha had kept his. The mufic
plays; the repaft begins j and, amid thefe enjoy-
ments, they think of nothing but happinefs.
In the mean while Simouftapha relates the
voyage he had made to the palace of the fairy,
defcribes the beauties he had feen there, and
the kindnefs with which he had been loaded.
He omits no circumftance ; but his relation oc-
cafions neither fufpicion nor jealoufy.
While the princefs faw every heart incline
towards her lover, fhe confidered it as a tri-
bute which all celeftial beings owed. When
Simouftapha fpoke of the precautions which he
had engaged to take againft Mamouk the E-
gyptian, the ancient pofTefTor of the box, fhe
wifhed that the prince would fend back to the
queen fo dangerous a prefent : But, without its
affirtance, he muft have renounced the pleafure
of feeing her, and perhaps it might have been
impoffible to have induced the caliph to ratify
their union.
Alt
ARABIAN TALES. 77
All terrors gave way to fuch powerful mo-
tives. " At leaft," faid flic, " take care to
defend yourfelf from the approach of thefe per-
fidious ftnmgers. Shut both ycmr gates and
window?, even againft the winds which may
blow from Egypt."
Whilit fhe was thus endeavouring to confirm
their repofe, a cloud gathered in Girmiftan
which was foon to difturb it.
As foon as the genius, the ilave of the box*
had tranfported the princefs from the palace to
the houfe of Simouftapha, and from thence to
that of the caliph, and when the Indian prince
had no farther orders to give him, he returns
to his miftrefs, and gives her an account of all
he had feen.
The genius gives a faithful account of the
whole matter. " Never was a conjugal union
fo affecting! Never were two hearts fo well
fitted for mutual love ! Never did two beings
unite virtue and beauty in fuch an eminent de-
gree ! Never
Stop, wretch !" faid the queen, " already
are thy paffions inflamed ! Doft thou remem-
ber what thou didft when thou waft Kauflack,
in the fervice of the curfed Egyptian ? My fin-
ger engraved thy crime on thy guilty forehead.
I will treat tlice worfe to-day, if thou prevari-
cated : I will diftort die features of thy face ; I
G 3 will
7 8 ARABIAN TALES.
will lengthen thy ears, and change thy hands
into feet."
" Oh ! my fovereign," faid the genius,
" your anger gives me more pain than your
threatening terrifies me. I found that the
beauty and virtue of Ilfetilfone commanded the
greateft refpeft: Ah! how ihe deferves the
love of Simouftapha !"
" He is too fond of her," replied Setelpe-
dour j and that has made him forget both
his duty and intereft. The only fon of the
king of the Indies lets not his father know his
adventures: And, were it not the rofe-bufh
which was renewed by Benalab, and of which
I conftantly renew the verdure, his parents
would be plunged in iorrow. Jenaal, thy
young matter muft get rid of this dangerous
charm; place thyfelf, without being feen, be-
twixt them, and diffufe an infectious odour
round Ilfetilfone, and
" Great queen, I will obey," faid the genius,
departing." Stop wretch !" faid Setelpedour
to it. Thou art too ready."
Stop !" faid fhe to it, having recollected
herfelf a moment ; be more ready to do good
than ill, if thou doft not wifh to become, ;i
monfter again.' 1 order thce now to take
care that nothing bad happen the new-mar-
lied couple.."
Jemt-.I
ARABIAN TALES, 79
Jemal retired ; he could not underfb.nd what
his fovereign meant, and he believed that fhe
wanted to try him. Setelpedour fell a victim,
to the violence of her paffion. She imagined
that fhe would get the better of it by facrifices,
and that ftie might be authorifed to go on with
this fcheme ; fhe inflantly called Afmoncha, her
firft vizir, and having made him fit down at
her fide, fhe fpoke to him thus :
" yizir, no object having ever made an im-
preffion on my heart, till now I have been in-
dependent. But I am fo no more. A mortal,
fuperior to all others, is become mafter of my
heart ; it is Simouftapha, the fon of the great
king of the Indians.
" I know that the pride of the genii, my
vafTals, difdain man, becaufe they generally
make a joke of him. They have forgot that
they all bowed the knee before the great Maho-
met, who conquered my father, the powerful
and immortal Kokopilefobe *, who was ftrip-
ped of his glory.
" Our fphere is limited : Of all created be-
ings, man alone can extend his. The virtues
of Simouftapha will raife him to the greateft
eminence, and I wifh to be partner of his
hopes. If you have, as I believe, my profpe-
rity
* Kckepikfobe, one of the Arabian names of Lucifer.
8o ARABIAN TALES.
rity and honour in view, I expecl an advice
from you worthy of your prudence and affec-
tion."
Whilft {he was fpeaking, Afmonchar, with
downcaft eyes, appeared to be in a deep dream.
At length, however, he broke filence : " Great
queen ! faid he to her, your meafures are al-
ways directed by your wifdom, and can only
fpring from a noble ambition : Here, at the fame
t'me, I fee two difficulties.
" You have generoufly effected the match of
the Indian prince and the daughter of the ca-
liph j you have rendered it ftrorig and indiffo-
luble againft yourfelf, by the rings that you
have made them put on. Your fatisfadlion
muft depend on their agreement. We have
laws digefted by our fages, of which they them-
felves keep the records , they will decide, much
better than I can, how far they can favour your
views. It will alfo be more agreeable to enter
into the connection which you propofe, with the
approbation of all your fubjects, than with the
advice of your minifter alone, who is entirely
devoted to your pleafure. I am therefore of
opinion, that it majj be proper to fignify your
intention to ycur divan, whom I fhall affemble
by your order."
Setelpedour, full of her fcheme, and of the
means
ARABIAN TALES. $1
means of forwarding it, did not fee into the
dellgns of Afmonchar.
The vizir, full of hypocrify, had no fooner
received orders to call the alterably, than he
went to Bahlifboull *, the oldeft and moft wick-
ed fpirit in Ginniftan. Rage gave force and
fpeed to his wings. He detefted Bahlifboull ;
but he wiihed, above all things, to oppofe to
his fovereign a being who could divert her
from a purpofe which was more odious to him
than to any other ; for he was really the ge-
nius who was the greateft enemy to the human
race. Befides, he could never hear the name of
Mahomet, without flying into a violent paffion;
and their queen wifhed to marry a mufiulman.
He knew that, by a famous treaty which was
made between Kokopilefobe and Mahomet, that
the prophet had referved all the progeny -which
fprung from marriages between the inhabitants
of the earth, and thofe of Ginniftan.
Old Bahlifboull faw his grand-fon approach
him in a fort of aftoniihment. He informs him
of the defign of the queen. And indeed they
had, for a long time, plotted her deftru/tion.
" I fee," faid he to Afmonchar, " that you
are afraid of lofing your own intereft with her ;
the queen is not the only female who hath
made an unequal match. She is the daughter
of
* Bahliiboull, the fame with Beelzebub,
ARABIAN TALES.
of the great Kokopjlefobc ; and, in fpite of us,
fhe may claim great freedom. But, with re-
fpeft to the laws, you know me to be the depofi-
tory of them ; and, fznce I figned the treaty which
was entered into with Mahomet, you need
neither think to elude nor infringe it. Affcm-
ble the divan j that is your duty."
Afmouchar returned. Bahlifboull, full of
wickednefs and ambition, now thinks of de-
throning the queen, of ruining the grand vi-
zir, his own fon, and of raifmg himfelf upon
the ruins of the whole. The divan aflembles :
Setelpedour comes and takes her place ; all the
genii bow before her ; and, when fhe gives the
fignal, each rifes and takes his feat. They are
ignorant of the motive of fo folemn an aflcm-
bly. Afmonchar is ordered to lay the matter
before them.
The vizir looks round him, and perceives a
place empty. It is that which his great father
Bahlifboull fhould have filled. He then hefi-
tates to break filence ; for he is afraid that the
queen's propofal carry by the majority of
voices; for a great part of thofe v/ho were
to vote were of her fex, and, of confequence,
hoftile to every law that might tend to
bridle their liberty, and reftrain their weak-
nefs. The reft confifts of fpirits who Would
be proud that they had it in their power to
ferve
ARABIAN TALES. 8^
ferve the queen. Thus, this minlfter faw him-
felf on the eve of being fuijmitted to the laws
of a man, and a muHulman. He curfed Ma-
homet in the bottom of his foul, and felt all his
ftrength forfake him at once. SetelpeJour ur-
ged him to fpeak. He was beginning to ftam-
mer, when, on a fudden, .old Bahlifbouil arrived,
borne by his minifters, who conducted him to
the foot of the throne.
" Pardon, oh my fovereign !" faidthis dan-
gerous politician, " my delay. Time hath im-
paired my vigour ; age hath deflroyed my
wings : I was grievoufly wounded by Michael
in our firft great combat ; and, in a body like
mine, entirely weakened by age, "the wounds are
always frefh."
Setelpedour received the excufe of the old
genius, and ordered him to take his place. Af-
monchar, encouraged by the prefcncc of his
grandfather, begins, and lays before them the
fubject upon which the queen wifhed to confult
the divan.
The prefence of Bahlifboull was a law to
them ; they knew his inveterate hatred againft
the human race : They dreaded his wiles, his
power, and cruelty. If there was a regulation
in the empire difficult or obfcure, they knew it
to be from. him.
ARABIAN TALE*.
Setelpeclour addrefTed herfelf to the dangerous
fcge : You, Bahlifboull, who have Teen the
three * reigns ; tell me if there has not been
examples of a connexion like that which I wifh
to form to-day r"
" Great queen ! I could quote laws which
would convince you all. I could even give my-
felf as an example ; I have exifted fmce the
time of the fublime genius, your grandfather ;
and, when we were thrown headlong from hea-
ven, I fought his battles. Pie confidered me as
the oldeft of his children.
Need I recal to the remembrance of our
Hluftrious chief the times of our ancient glory,
and the dreadful blow that precipitated us, when
we thought ourfelves fure of enjoying it ?
" Tranquil and fovereign in our inacceffible
nbodes, they wimed us to bow the knee to Ma-
homet. This daring innovator, whom we have
feen fneak and reign by turns, feemed to be
predeftinated to the fceptre of the world j but,
in becoming his difciples, we loft our empire.
This affront appeared to us intolerable, and to
fubrait mean. We gave over refpecting as a
beneficent being oue who degraded us "by an
unjuft
* Tit three nign. This alludes to the rci ,
before he was thrown dawn to the earth; to the reign of
the fame fpirit, until Mahomet is faid to have difcowraecd
idolatry ; and to the aftual reign of Setclpedour.
ARABIAN TALES. 85
imjuftlawj and, animated by juft refentment,
we took arms.
" Great Kokopilefobe and I maintained an
equal combat for ibme time againft Michael and
Gibrcin. But, at length, our enemies, led on
by Mahomet, fell upon us with fury. We were
conquered, robbed, driven from our pofieilions;
and it was with much ado we faved thefe gild-
cd wings, without which we would have been
dafliect to pieces in our fall.
" Invited to reign every where, we preferred
this earth, and formed an alliance with the
children of men, to people it in concert with
them. Mahomet peiiecuted our new race, and
deftroyed it by a deluge.
Inexhauftible in our refources, we faw an
immenfe crowd of people fiourifh anew ; thefe
we fubjected to our laws. The earth was co-
vered with our altars j fixe found it difficult
o rear a fufficient number of victims for the
facrifkes which were offered to us; and even
human blood was not fpared.
" Provoked at our fuccefa, Mahomet became
man. And, in order to put a flop to our ca-
reer, he declared a war againft us, more cruel
than the former. He fanfacked every tiling,
demolimed our temples, overturned our images,
annihilated our gods and our trophies. In fhort,
we were put to the necefiity of engaging him.
VoL.II_ H "We
86 ARABIAN TALES.
" We were ftill unfortunate. At laft, however,
we obtained a truce. Stripped of his honours,
the formidable Kokopilefobe retreated into the
moft remote regions of the fouth. The throne
which you occupy remained fubjeet to his pow-
er ; but, by an article of the treaty that I was
forced to fubfcribe, and of which I depofit a
copy at the feet of your hrghnefs, it was agreed,
that all children of a genius fhoukl embrace
the worfhip of the prophet, and live under
his dominion. -
" It is your part, therefore, great queen! to
determine whether your defcendents, called to
independence and glory, muft be reduced to a
ftate of difgraceful flavery, defpifing the mife-
ries of the martyr of our faith, even the mighty
Kokopilefobe."
Genius ! anfwered the queen, I was ignorant
of the terms of the treaty you fpeak of ; but
you have concealed from me the infringements
that have been made upon it more than once.
With refpecl: to the inconvenience that may re-
fult from what I have been thinking of, my
prudence fhall protect my pofterity; and tell me,
you who are acquainted with the tenor of our
charters, if there be any cafe more facred than
that which you have taken notice of ?
" Sage fovereign !" replied the genius, dif-
" penfe with my producing it to you. It would
be
ARABIAN TALES $J
be an obftacle in your way. Ignorance of
the law may ierve for an excufe to the per-
fon who violates it." " I muft interrupt you,''
, laid Setelpedour ; " ignorance is a difgrace to
one of the genii. I wiln the laws to .tie-known,
for it is my duty to execute them ; and I com-
mand you to produce it."
" A genius can give his hand to none but a
" virgin," faid Bahliiboull ; " and a married
" perfon cannot become your hufband, unlei:";
" you forfeit all your privileges and your pow-
er."
Upon this declaration, the queen curfed
within herielf both the law and its interpreter,
and eafily 'penetrated into the malicious ftrata-
gem of Bahlifboull, and of the vizir Afmon-
char. Artifice fucceeding her fury, ilie began
thus :
" You have, fage genius ! pronounced a fen-
tence which would blaft all my hopes forever,
did I not know how far your profound wii-
dom and experience, which are coeval with the
world itfelf, exalts you above all fpirits ; and,
as you have fo often efcaped the chains with
which you have been threatened, there is none of
our laws which you cannot elude. I hope, there-
fore, that your zeal and attachment towards me
will induce you to employ your fagacity in this
matter. Cannot we, who are legislators, fet afide
H 2 this
88 ARABIAN TALES.
this law ? Or can we find no method of tranfc
grefling it, without appearing to violate it ? Be
allured that the motive which hath made me
affemblc this divan would make me do any
thing to gratify my deiires !"
Bahlifboull triumphed in his own mind at
the queen's diftrefs, and her paffion for Simon-
itapha. He fuppofed her to be as much blind-
ed by love, as he himfelf was by wickednefs and
ambition; and he hoped, that, by his perfidious
meafures, he would make her lofe both the em-
pire of Ginniftan, and the affection of her
people.
" Queen !" replied this dangerous hypocrite,
t( the confidence which you have honoured me
with ought to cnfure your glory and fuccefs.
No engagements can bind thofe who, like you,
have the right of making them. Thefc laws
which you complain of were compofed by Ko-
kopilefobe, during his reign here, and in con
fequence of circumftances which rendered them
neceifary. But, if he were now fovereign of
Ginniftan, he would conduct himfelf in a very
different manner; and, notwithftandirig your
power has been derived from him, the order
which ought to reign here depends <5nly on
your wifdom and pleafure. You have not
yet attained the fummit of that eminence for
which you were deftined."
" You
ARABIAN TALES. 89
You are the Star of the Seven Seas which
furround the earth, and you would have al-
ready, had it not been for the ambition of your
predeceffor, been the Beneficent Morning Star.
The Deftinies had, no doubt, marked out the
defeat of the great Kokopilefobe ; but his
undertaking was hoftile to the empire of
the genii. With refpea to his perfonal cou-
rage, you ought to curfe the fatal excefs to
which he was carried, when he acknowledged
the wifdom of the laws of Mahomet. But you,
who are fovereign miftrefs of your defires,
fhould pafs a law that might confirm you in the
enjoyment of them."
The propofal of Bahlifboull aftoniflied the
fpirits who did not comprehend its motive. And
Setelpedour pretended to put the greateft con-
fidence in the counfels of the old genius.
You prove more and more, faid ihe to him,
how much a mind, inftructed by adverfity, is
fuperior to that which knows nought but profperi-
ty ! Yes, you have convinced me. I have no
fcruple in curling whatever occafioned the mif-
fortune of my predecefibr , and I am too much
attached to the human race, not to acknowledge
Mahomet to be fuperior to any common being;
but I demand of you a copy of the oath I
muft take.
II 3 You
9 ARABIAN TALES.
" You muft repeat, with a firm and diftinft
voice," anfwered the genius, impatient to ao
complifh his purpofe, Curfed be thou, Koko-
< pilefobe! thyfelf! thy ambition! and thy
fchemes!' " You muft, forthwith, renounce
your religion, in order to embrace that of Ma-
homet, by repeating this profeffion of faith :
" Achad, en, la, ilia, cala, bella, Mohamad,
Rafoud, Alia."
When the queen appears ready to pronounce
it, Bahlifboull cafts an expreffive look upon
the vizir Afmonchar. This fignal is immediately
interpreted by the divan, who with impatience
"wait the event. Setelpedour at length takes the
oath. " You have informed me of matters,"
faid fhe to the old genius, and fpoken words
which I never heard before. You muft there-
fore write, with your own hand, a copy of
the oath that I am to take." " My hand trem-
bles too much," faid Bahlifboull." You may
take time," replied the queen ; and, after I
fhall have figned it, I wifh that you and the
vizir would carry it to Mahomet." I can nei-
ther write nor walk," anfwered the genius.
" I muft then repeat, as well as I can, what I
recollect of it ; adding, at the fame time, the
fentiments of my heart." She now rifes and
/peak? thus :
Be
ARABIAN TALUS. 9.1
Be thou curfed for ever, infamous Bahlif-
boull! who, by thy abominable flatteries, didft
poifon the heart of my grandfather, and
didft caufe him rebel againft every fort of
authority. Curfe upon thee ! principal of
cliicorJ, who continually haft the love of
order upon thy lips, but corruption in thy
heart ! Curfe upon thyfelf and all thy race
for ever ! thou infernal fource of thofe evils
which defolate the univerfe ! Curfe upon
thee and thy grandfon Afmonchar ! who, in
pretending to {hew me the good road, have
digged for me a frightful pit ! May ye in-
ftantly be ftript of your wings ! May ye be.
thrown headlong to the earth I Go ! wallow
among mud and dirt ! This is my fentence,"
Upon hearing this, which they did not ex-
pea, the murmuring fpirits recognifed their
queen. Her firmnefs commands the attention
f the moft wicked. Their fovereign {bines
forth in the ancient glory which they had for-
feited. Her orders are inflantly executed , ftie
difmifles the genii, and the divan breaks up.
Although Setelpedour reprefents to herfelf
the dangers to which her love had expofed her,
yet {he ftill feels its darts. If thou had'ft
been witnefs, my dear Simouftapha," faid fhe
to herfelf, of all that I have braved for thee
What wouldft thou not facrifke on my account?
But
pj ARABIAN TALES.
But what do I fay ! I admire $hat rigid virtue
which prompts thee to a refufal at which my
felf-love cannot take offence. Thou would'ft
have loved me had' ft thou feen me firft ; and
if, by complying with the wifhes of my dear Be-
nalab, in promoting a fcheme in which he knew
to intereft me, I had not prefented in a vilion
the amiable llfetilfone, thou would'ft this day
have been my flave, and I would have been cer-
tain of a fidelity which nothing could move. I
neither wifh to diftrefs thy happinefs, nor that
of thy fpoufe; but thou muft love me ; thou muft
be the fame to me as to her; we muft no longer
be tied down to the laws of matrimony ; love
and gratitude fhall prefcribe to us other duties.'
Thus the grand-daughter of the guilty, but
-brave Kokopilefobe, impofed upon herfelf.
She poflefled the elevated genius of her grand-
father, but was ignorant that human blood
flowed in her veins. She had nothing in per-
fection but courage and beauty. Her heart,
however, was pure : She had become fubjeft to
a law which Bahlifboull had vaguely explained
to her ; and time was to make her feel the ef-
fefts of it.
Eager to fee Simouftapha again, flic had not
patience to wait for him in her palace ; for this
would have been denying herfelf a pleafurc
which fhe could immediately procure, by tranf-
porting
ARABIAN TALES. QJ
porting herfeif to Bagdad. She therefore calls
the flave of the box.
" This night," find flie, " you muft carry II-
fetilfone to her hufband's apartment, and yon
mufl let me know as foon as {he is there. I
wifh by my prefence to increafe their happi-
nefs." Jemal executes the orders of the fairy
with his ufual precaution; Setelpedour foon
karns that the princefs is with her lover ; fhe
inftantly fcts out for Bagdad, preceded by Je-
mal, who went to announce to the happy couple
the arrival -of the queen of the fairies.
They would have appeared more embarraf-
fed, had not the queen, when fhe arrived, infpi-
red them with confidence, by reiterated marks
of affection. She embraced them both, and
feated herfclf at table between them.
, " I run no rifk," faid fhe, in coming to
(up with a mortal, the pupil of my much loved
Benalab. I have contributed, my dear princefr,
to procure you the bell of hufbands. Permit
me at leaft. to partake of your felicity. By ma-
king you perceive the value of fo rare a benefit,
I will continue to protect you both by my coun-
fels and power. Be not alarmed, therefore, Si-
mouftapha, at the excefs of my affection for you;
it is innocent, and fhall never occafion you ei-
ther diftrefs or remorfe, if you but return my
love :
94 ARABIAN TALES
love : Will you pardon him for it, my dear Ilfe-
tilfone ?" faid flie, embracing him.
" If my lover," replied the young and inge-
nuous princefs, " did not love you, I fhould
have reafon to doubt his affection for myfelf.
I have given him my heart ; he has therefore two
to offer you for the goodnefs with which you
load us. Your virtues and charms have made
too lively an impreffion upon me to refift
them."
" You tranfcend what I expected," replied
the queen, " charming princefs ! I feel a fatis-
fadtion which nothing can augment but the
fame acknowledgment that I expect from Si-
mouftapha."
" Great queen ! I can only exprefs the fenti-
ments with which I am animated, by devoting
myfelf to your pleafure."
Setelpedour, content with thefe aiTurances of
their affection, teftified her gratitude during
the whole of the repaft. They now gave them-
felves wholly up to the prefent pleafures, mu-
fic, dancing, perfumes, liquors; nothing was
fpared. But, what is feldom the cafe, they
fpoke fenfibly when all was over.
" Dear prince," faid the queen, " upon the
confent of the caliph, which 1 fhall foon ob-
tain, your felicity appears to be complete. Howr-
ever, without the greateft precaution on your
part,
ARABIAN TALES. p
part, and the greateft care on mine, it may be
blafted in a moment. The enchanted box
which Benalab fent you is coveted by Mamouk,
the curfed magician who formerly poflefled it.
It is impoffible for you always to carry this trea-
fure -, but you got a ring from me which you
muft never part with, for it will warn you of
the dangers to which you will be expofed, and
at the fame time it will come to your afliftance.
That of the princefs will not fhew its properties
unlefs you be threatened with death, or where
its aid cannot be difpenfed with. Remember
always to fhut your gate and windows againft
every thing that may come from Egypt." Af-
ter this, fhe leaves the pair at liberty, embraces
them, and difappears.
The night pafles as the preceding -, the days
fucceed without any thing remarkable. Jemal,
attentive to his duty, is ever ready to fulfil the
orders with which he is intruded. The prin-
cefs is every day tranfported to her lover ; and
every morning fhe is with the caliph. Every
third day Simouftapha is carried up to Ginnlf-
tan, to do homage to the Star of the Seven
Seas : But, while his heart appeared to be ela-
ted with fuch an agreeable enjoyment, that of
the Egyptian Mamouk breathed nothing but
vengeance againft the porTefTor of the wonder-
ful box, which he is ambitious to recover.
The
5' ARABIAN TALES.
The hateful magician faw the ftar of Bena-
lab grow dim ; he followed it ; it appeared HO
more , it was a prelage of death. This wretch,
who dreaded the power of the Perfian philofo-
pher, might now with impunity recover a trea-
fure of which the queen of the genii robbed
him. He muft firft, however, find out into
what hands the box has fallen.
He avails himfelf of the firft equinox, the
only time favourable to the works of thofe who
aft in concert with fpirits. With his wand he
makes a fquare, which he afterwards divides by
two triangles j he calculates thefe different fpa-
ces, which, by furnifhing him with the num-
ber nine, afford him as many rooms to ftudy
in, and to follow out the chain of events which
Jie feeks. He penetrates with a bright wax-
candle into each of thefe dark rooms. This
baneful light fhowed him all the adventures of
the fage Perfian and the Indian prince, from
the moment they embarked 4:111 they arrived in
Bagdad. He faw Benalab die, and recognifed
the magic box in the hands of Simouftapha.
Naraes, Mamouk's fon, as great a mifcreant
as his father, affifts. Both examine the mark
of the box ; it appeared to be armed with fteel
points, and a circle of fire was formed around
it. The necromancers were not in the leaft
afraid j the value of the trealure they were in
queft.
1RABIAN TALC'S 97
queft of blinded them. The father digged a
ditch in'his garden at the bottom of an hillock ;
from this a fountain immediately fprings forth,
which he points out to his fon, and fays,
" Behold the faithful image of the events
which await me : As long as this fpring fhall be
clear, thou fhalt be at eafe on my account. If
thou fee it grow muddy, fend me aid. If it be
tinged with blood, I am dead. Thou muft then
endeavour to revenge my death ; thou muft try
to recover our precious treafure, by attempting
to find out the fnares that may have been laid for
me, and take care to guard againfl thofe which
fhall be prepared for thyfelf."
Mamouk at this inftant leaves his fon ; nnd,
in order to conceal his fteps, he transforms
himfelf into a cat. Already he had defcend-
ed from Upper Egypt towards Arabia : The
ftar which {hone on Bagdad directs him
thither.
When Aurora had announced the return of
the fun upon that part of the globe, he flopped
amid delicious gardens, continually fcrtilifed by
the Ilfara and the Aggiala, which from differ-
ent directions wafh the town of Bagdad. Here
he chofe an afylum among the trees, whofe thick
foliage was beft for concealing the fneaking ap-
pearance he had* aiTumed. He knew that he
could not procure admittance into the houfe of
VOL. II. I Simou*
9 8 ARABIAN TALES.
Simouftapha, which was guarded by the genius
of the box, under any form whatever. Wait-
ing, however, till the fun had darted forth his
rays, he meditates by what means he might
{educe a perfon to ferve his purpofe. At that
inftant he chanced to fee a man whom he pro-
pofed to found.
A poor gardener, named Abaire, cultivated
the garden where the magician had (lopped.
Bent under the weight of his work, fatigue
and heat forced from him fome fighs. Ma-
mouk thought that a man, who was thus in
mifery, would grafp at any offer to alleviate his
fufferings and poverty. The gardener fubfifted
upon fome bits of bread and of fruit which
he picked up. With thefe he filled a little
bafket for his wife and children j and, when
night came, he returned to town with his fcan-
ty flock of provifion. Surely," faid Ma-
mouk, " if this poor wretch has any place at
all to lodge in, I will prevail upon him to mare
it with me , and I fliall be very aukward if I
don't make him the inftrument of my fchemes."
At thefe words, , having reaflumed his natural
form, he hailed to make up to him.
Good evening, Abaire ! faid he, accofting
him ; it is not without trouble that you have
procured the fruits you carry to your family.
Ha ! who are you, my good Sir, faid the gar.
dener,
ARABIAN TALftS. f>
flener, furprifed to hear himfelf named, who
fpeak to a poor man b'ke me ?
" I am a man," replied Mamouk, " who
know you as well as you do yourfelf ; I could
name every tree in your garden, and thofe too
which you take moft care of. I love the poor ;
and, when I am on a journey, I always lodge with
them, perfuaded that I fhall want for nothing ;
for I caufe every thing be brought to me ; and I
find nothing too good for myfelf, provided I
can promife myfelf the happinefs of fharing if
with them."
Alas !" faid Abaire, " it would be too much
happinefs to flatter myfelf with receiving fuch
a gueft as you j but we have no bed for you."
" Here are ten pieces of gold," replied the
magician, " with which you may purchafewhat
K necefTary. I can conceive no greater enjoy-
ment than that of doing good to the good
when in need. There is a fecret in being hap-
py, which I am not afraid of loling. Luxury
and opulence harden the heart of the rich ; and,
whilft the poor man eats his bread with the
fweat of his brow, what a number of people in
Bagdad whet their appetite with the choice
and delicious ragouts of Simouftapha ? Do you
know Simouftapha ?"
Know him, Sir ! Is there one poor man in
Bagdad who does not know this generous and
I 2 com-
ICO ARABIAN TALES.
compaffionate man ? We don't live far from
him j I go often, by my matter's orders, and
fell him the moft beautiful fruits of our garden,
and he always gives me fomething to myfelf."
During this converfation they arrived at the
town ; and Abaire conducts his> gueft to his
mean dwelling. " Woman," faid he, as he
went in, " I bring thee this good gentleman,
and you need not alk with what \ve are to en-
tertain him ; here my hand is full of gold, and
I am going to buy a fopha."
Mamouk entered a room, whofe whole fur-
niture confifted of but two wooden chairs and
a table ; the wife and children were almoft na-
ked ; mifery was painted all around him ; and, if
he would have any thing proper, he muft in-
creafe his prefents.
" Abaire," faid he to him, " I love to do
good ; here are ten pieces more of gold, to get
whatever is wanting. Confult your own decen-
cy and my intereft for the future."
The poor gardener thought that he waa
dreaming when he law fo much riches: Having
thanked Providence and the great prophet, he
goes out to make his bargains,
The good woman began to give an appear-
ance of cleannefs to her houfe. " Let me do
It," faid Mamouk ; " this trouble is on my ac-
count, and I wifli to affift you. In the mean
time,
ARABIAN TALES. 1C I
time, go and buy clothes for yourfelf, your
hufband, and children ; there are twenty fe-
quins for that purpofe ; they will not offend
the eye by their luftre ; and you muft take care
to tell nobody that you got them from your
gueft. If it be difcovered, I muft immediately
depart from your houfe : What good I can do
lofes all its value in my eyes whenever I find
that it is known. When your hufband {hall
return, we will think about provifions."
The wife of Abaire went out, and promifed
to herfelf, for die firft time, to keep a fecret in
which fhe was fo deeply interefted. As po-
verty had too often put her to the blufh, fhe
finds it difficult to conceal this blefllng.
Both foon return; the gardener is not a little
furprifed to find his houfe in a better condition,
and his family fo well clothed. The author of
this happy change fits down to table with them,
and appears to enjoy, with every poffible degree
of fatisfaction, the fruits of his beneficence.
But, in fact, he enjoyed only the fuccefs of the
ftratagem, by which he blinded thefe unfufpetc-
ing creatures, whilft they viewed him in the
light of a beneficent being.
The hour of repofe was come. Abaire and
his wife went to tafte its fweets ; whilft the .E-
gyptian was deviling the means of {hatching off
die treafure which the Indian prince poiiciled.
I 3 He
102 ARABIAN TALES.
He knew, for he had.feen it in the ninth room,
drawn according to the rules of his art, that
the prince enjoyed the favours of love every
night in the arms of his beautiful fpoufe. What
a favourable time for furprifing him ! did not
the genius of the box watch over the happy
pair ; did not the vigilance of the queen of the
genii guard them alike from natural and mira-
culous attacks.
The magician, impatient to begin his work,
could reft no longer in the houfe, but tranf-
formed himfelf into a cat, and ran round the
houfe of Simouftapha. The avenues are guard-
ed againft him ; and, under whatever form he
prefents himfelf, inevkable death awaits him.
Seized with terror, he returned to feek for quiet
at the houfe of Abaire.
The fole care of Mamouk is to win the con-
fidence of the gardener to fuch a degree, that
he may render him completely the inftrument
of his iniidious defigns. He therefore reailu-
med his human figure.
Next morning he accompanied Abaire to the
garden, and converfed with him about his art ;
he inftru&ed him in what he did not know ;
he partook of his frugal fare, and quenched his
thirft from tke fame fpring. " You have a
great many beautiful fruits," faid he ; " but, if
this garden were your own, I would make fuch
grow
ARABIAN TALES. 103
grow hi it as were never feen even at the ca-
liph's table."
Alas !" faid the gardener, " I have only
tw.o trees, an apple and a pear-tree, which came
from the Indies. I planted them on a frnall
fpot near my own houfe ; but the foil did not
appear to agree with them, for their fruit ne-
ver ripened."
" Be cautious and prudent," replied Ma-
xriouk, " don't Ipeak a word, and I fhall make
your fortune ; we fhall work together. Provi-
ded your wife and children remain ignorant of
the matter, your two trees {hall produce as
good fruit as if they had remained in their na-
tive foil, and had enjoyed the moft favourable
climate. But, as the leaft whifper may ruin
every thing, we muf*t obferve the flricl:eft fi-
lence with refpect to what we are going to do
together. In a few days you fhall gather from
your pear-tree fruit whofe beauty fhall aftonifli
you."
Abaire and Mamouk returned to the houfe,
where a good repaft waited them. Thanks to
the generous precautions of the magician, who
likewife added to it whatever could tend to gain
the hearts of his hofls !
Next morning the Egyptian anticipated
the dawn, and went to feek for the two
trees which the gardener had mentioned.
He
104 ARABIAN TALES.
He had only to open a door, which ufher-
ed him in to a fpot of ground about twenty
feet fquare. There the two plants languifhed,
being deprived of the heat of the fun : The
pear-tree, however, bore one blofTorn. When
Abaire rofe, he perceived the door open, faw
the magician, and approached him. " You fee
how the mofs hath confumed my poor trees."
u I rofe," faid Mamouk, " in order to take it
off them ; but you fee that the fecond bark is
green and in excellent condition; {hut the door;
let us finifli our work here whilft every body is
afieep ; I will fhow you a fine thing in a little.
As this, however, is to make your fortune,
you muft firft aflure me of your obedience ;
bind yourfelf to me by a folemn oath ; fwear
by the Koran, and upon my fabre, that you
will be faithful in every trial, by repeating thefe
words : " Every thing that Mamouk will do
" fhall be for the good of Abaire, and Abaire
" will obey every command of Mamouk."
The good gardener did not helitate to enter
into an engagement which appeared to be all
in his own favour. Mamouk makes him bring
a peg, three knots of cord, and two fpacss. -
The tools are brought : " Take this cord,"
faid Mamouk to him, " tie One end of it to
the tree, and the other tcr the peg; draw a
circle
ARABIAN TALES. 105
circle, at the diftance of three feet from the
tree, as exactly as you can, then loofe the cord
from the tree, and we will begin to dig within
the circle, until we ihall have reftored and gi-
ven nouriihment to the roots. If we would
fucceed, we mutt work with method ; and I
tell you that this is an operation of geometry."
In a moment, the {mail fpace which fur-
rounds the tree is cultivated. " Was there a
bloilbm on your tree ?" faid Mamouk. " Yes,
you are perfectly right," anfwered the credu-
lous gardener. " Nothing more lucky for us !"
replied the magician ; " approach it, fpeak to
it, flatter it ! Every object in nature enjoys life
and fenfe, although this does not always ap-
pear : Say to it, " My good little bloflbm, thou
" muft produce me a pear larger than any that
<( grow in the Indies ; I wifh it to be fuch that
u a man might conceal himfelf in it."
Abaire fmiled innocently when he pronoun-
ced thefe words. To effect this, faid he to Ma-
mouk, it ought to be like the dome of a mina-
ret. We need not trouble ourfelves about the
likenefs, faid the magician, we need only a pear
to anfwer our purpofe.
When the operation was finished, our work-
men lhut the door, of which Mamouk kept the
key, and they both fet out for the garden,
vhere Abaire was to be employed during the
day;
10(5" ARABIAN TALKS.
day ; the Egyptian takes part of the work^
and accommodates himfelf to him in every re-
fpecl. Had a third perfon heard them, he
would have thought them fimpletons.
The pear-tree appeared to be entirely forget :
Honeft Abaire believed it to be only a childifh
whim, and that by his complaifance he had
gratified the humour of one whofe prefence and
kindnefs relieved his family.
Eight days pafs without Mamouk fhowing
the leaft curiofity to fee the effect of what he
had done. At length, on the ninth day, when
Abaire was about to go to his bufinefs, as ufual,
the Eyptian feeming quite ready to go along
with him, faid to him, " Have you no defire
to fee what is become of our fruit ?"
" I have, if you think proper," faid A-
taire ; " but I am afraid that we fliall have
loft our time in digging at the root of a tree
which has been three times curfed. I treated it
in quite a different manner formerly ; but it ne-
ver throve a whit the better for it. It is true,
I did not know to flatter it ; however, let us
go in and fee."
One may naturally conjecture, that the good
gardener, accuftomed to his ordinary work, and
to regular productions, had no thought of find-
ing fuch a phenomenon upon a branch where
he had left nothing but a parched and Ian-
giufliing
ARABIAN "fALES. 1C;
guiming bloflbm. What then muft have
been his aftonifhment, when he faw, hanging
in the fame place, a pear of fiich a prodigious
fize, that it was four times larger than any one of
the fame kind that had been ever feen. I could
never have believed it, faid he in his furprife j
to whom (hall I fell this pear ? If I carry it to
the palace, the officers of the caliph will give
any thing for it, and will be proud to get it : If
I fhow it to Simouftapha, he will fpare no price.
" You are in the right," faidMamoukj " he
will pay you better than any body elfe ; and be-*
fides, he will conuder himfelf as much indebted
to you. Take courage, my dear Abaire, your
tree (hall forthwith flourifh like the rofe-bufh
in May, and none but Simouftapha can pay you
for thefe fruits. Go, put your pear upon a
plate, and cover it with a linen cloth ; you muft
feize the moment when Simouftapha fhall be
before his fhop, and you muft pafs before him as
ufual. He will be curious to fee your fruits ;
draw his attention to this pear till he clefire
and covet it, and you are certain of an exor-
bitant price ; but I told you that I wifhed to en-
ter into the pear ; I wifh to do it ftill."
*' Ah! certainly I don't oppofe it," faid A-
baire fmiling ; " make yourfelf fo little that
you can find room in it ; you will hare the ap-
pearance of a very fine kernel." " Do you wifh
me
t-U ARABIAN TALES.
me then to become a kernel in It ?" " Yes,
if it is poffible." " Order me to be it."
" Well ! I order you to be it."" Pull out the
ftalk then, in order to open the door to me."
Abaire being in good humour, wiihed to car-
ry on the joke, and made a fmall movement,
as in order to pull away the ftalk of the fruit ;
it ftuck to his hand, and gave him great
pain.
f{ This is a fmall misfortune," faid Mamouk ;
'* for without this, I fhould have flopped at the
door. Put the ftalk into its place again ; go,
feek your plate, endeavour to make up to your
man ; the fruit will appear no lefs curious to
him ; it ' has loft nothing of either its fize or
tafte. Next week we will^get better ones to eat.'*
The gardener having gone to feek the plate,
returned, but did notfind Mamouk. He imagined
that he had gone to fee the pear-tree, and hav-
ing no need of him to help him in felling his
fruit, he fets out without the leaft uneafinefs
for the houfe of Simouftapha.
Mamouk abufed the fimplicity of Abaire com-
pletely. This impoftor, ftript of the half of his
power, reduced to a paffive condition by a fu-
perior power, has been forced to transform the
ignorant gardener into a magician, without his
fufpecting it. He affociated him with himfelf,and
made him artfully command whatever it was his
ovrn
ARABIAN TALES. I9
own intereft to execute. Such are the dangers
of ignorance !
Scarce had Abaire turned his back, in order
to go and feek the plate, when the Egyptian,
faithful to the command which he made be
given to himfeif, diminifhes the iize of his body,
and enters into the pear, that he may there aflume
the form of a kernel. Were they to cut the
pear without cutting the ftone, and efyecially, if
they were to be charmed with the delicious tafte
of the fruit, the wretch Mamouk would recover
his lofs, and complete his vengeance.
Hitherto every thing tended to favour the
views of the cabalift : Simouftapha is at the
gate when Abaire pafles, and makes him fhow
his fruit. The gardener faid that he was going
to prefent it to the caliph himfeif, and that he
would get two hundred fequins for it. Give it
to me, faid Simouftapha, you (hall not have to
go far, here are two hundred fequins, and
fifty more for the honour you do me in giving
me the preference.
Abaire, elated with his good fortune, left
both the plate and cloth, to embrace him to
whom he was indebted for fo much money: He
returns home with eagernefs, but does not find
Mamouk. He fuppofes him to be in the gar-
den without the city ; he runs to it, but does
not find him there ; he feeks him every where,
VOL. II. K and
IIO ARABIAN TALES.
and demands him from the neighbouring rivers
and echoes in vain.
During this fruitlefs fearch Siinouftapha impa-
tiently waited the hour when he Ihould enjoy the
charms of the charming .Ilfetilfone, and offer
her the moft beautiful fruit fhe * had ever feen
upon the earth.
Night was come; the genius had done its du-
ty ; the happy pair are drefTed in the prefents
of their charming protedtrefs j the clothes, the
i ings, the necklace, the diamond chain, inter-
woven with the hair. In fhort, nothing is for-
got.
The mute eunuch prefents the beautiful fruit
which the Indian prized fo much ; Ilfetilfone
admires it, and finds that it has a moft exqui-
fite flavour. They hear a little noife as they
cut the pear ; a kernel efcapes from it, and leaps
upon the ground.
The fatal bit had already touched the lips of
the two lovers ; Simouftapha cries aloud ; the
ring having pricked him, occafions a violent
pain. Ilfetilfone lets fall the bit which fhe
held ; the prince makes an effort to pull off" her
fmger the jewel which hurts her ; and this calls
the genius, the flave of the ring.
It was of an ugly frightful fhape j the prin-
cefs fainted when fhe faw it, What art thou ?
What
ARABIAN TALES.
What do'ft thou want with me? faid Simoufta-
pha to it. I am the flaw of the ring which
my miftrefs gave thee, anfwered the phantom.;
I warn thee that thou art in the greateft dan-
ger 5 thy enemy is in the houfe ; that fruit is
poifoned } I fly to the aid of the box ; when it
fliall be out of danger I will return.
Simouftapha and his flaves affifted the prin-
cefs. Jemal, during this time, fliut up in the
magic box, defended himfelf, as well as h
could, againft the attacks of his former mafter,
whofe power he dreaded. Mamouk applied aa
inchanted ring to the lock of the cheft in which
the box was fhut up ; the lock opened, and, at
the fame inftant, the genius who guarded j
fubftituted another in its place. This conflict
was renewed fix times ; and Jemal was at hut
about to yield, when the genius of the box ar-
rived.
Infamous wretch ! faid he to Mamouk, thou
(halt die by no hand but mine. At the fame
time, he exhales up all the air in the room^and
lifts his arm to ftrike the Egyptian, who falls to
the ground like one fuffocated. Ke is immedi-
ately caft into chains; robbed of his magic
ring, his wand, his book of inchantments, and
thrown upon the floor, ftript of his power, and
half dead.
K 2 After
t!2 ARABIAN TALES,
After this victory, the genius of the ring
came to inform Simoufhapha of the dangers to
which he had been expofed by the flratagem of
Mamouk. " Come," faid he, " view your e-
nemy, and difpofe of him, not according to the
goodnefs of your heart, but according to the
badnefs of his."
Simouftapha followed the genius into the
room, but Mamouk was gone. Curfed magi-
cian ! inexhauftible in refources } faid the ge-
nius, what force hath enabled thee to efcape ?
But thou waft bound and could'ft not get off,
He advifes Simouftapha, therefore, to take the
box, to call Jemal, and to caufe them feek in
concert the wretch who wifhed to efcape.
The two genii found him in the garden, where
he was b^gun to rid himfelf of his irons. But,,
upon feeing his adverfaries, he plunges into the
canal : Immediately two banks are formed, which
fhut him up. Upon this he jerks into the air, like
a drop of water ; but he is conftrained to fall
back into a bafon which they had made for him :
He is now forced to evaporate into flame ; but a
thick vapour, which rifes on every fide, thwarts
this fcheme.
From this mixture of elements, the canal ap-
pears filled with quick burning lime, which they
were afraid to approach : The genius of the ring,
throws into'ii two pieces of the pear ; in an
inftant
ARABIAN TALES. 113
inftant theydiiTolve; then the genius, addrefling
Siraouftapha, fays to him,
Prince! pronounce fentence upon this wretch j
we are ready to execute it : fay to him,
" Infamous magician ! I (hut you up in your
works, and with your works, that you may be
punifhed by your works."
Simouflapha pronounced the fentence. The
magician on a fudden became a fhapelefs mafs
of marble, of the figure of a cat, refembling
thofe frightful flatues which were feen among
the idolatrous before the coming of the prophet*
The genius carried out of the garden this
horrid image.
Simouflapha returned to his fpoufe, who, al-
though recovered from her firft fright, yet was
not without alarm on his account. Upon feeing
him, fhe recovered her fpirits. They enter to-
gether into the clofet where the box was pla-
ced i Simouftapha touches it, and Jemal ap-
pears.
Sir, fays the genius, what do you want with
your flave ? I want you to relate to me all tho
particulars of the event which has juft now hap-
pened.
It places itfelf aft ride upon the box, and
obeys the orders of Simouflapha : It defcribes
the machinations, the journey, and the arrival
of $fomouk the magician at Bagdad ; it alfo
K 3 relates
JJ4 ARABIAN TALES.
relates how he deceived the gardener ; how lie
lodged at his houfe , his transformations ; the
inchantment of the pear-tree ; the manner in
which he introduced himfelf to Simouftapha,
who carried to itfelf the fruit in the kernel of
which the traitor had concealed himfelf , how
he came out of it when the pear was cut. It
defcribes its own conflict in the box, where it
: .nceflantly oppofed a frefh touch to that which
the magic ring of the Egyptian deftroyed.
From this box, in which it was intrenched^
in order to defend it, it had feen the genius
of the ring come to its affiftance. It relates how
the conjurer had been thrown down, bound, ftript
of his magic , and how that the very inftant the
genius of the ring went out of the clofet, fpirits,
fent from tl>e lower Egypt to aid Mamouk, by
Jiis fon Naraes, had come to carry him fud-
denly off, and had put him in a condition to,
jnake the laft conflict, in which he had at
length yielded.
Thefe explanations having confumed part of
the night, the two conforts had fcarce time to
congratulate themfelves on their good luck in
having efcaped fo many ftratagems, fuch dan-
gerous attacks, and fuch well concerted fchemes,
Ilfetilfone is obliged to trail herfelf to the care
of the faithful Jemal, and to return to the ca-
liph's palace in her ufual carriage.
Simouftapha
ARABIAN TALESi II $
Simouftapha endeavoured to nd in the
bath that quiet which fuch perturbation had
caufed him lofe. He afterwards made ready
to fet out for Ginniftan. He had rccourfe to
the box, invoked the genius of it, fet out, and
arrived in the prefence of the queen of the ge-
nii, to whom his dangers had rendered him
dearer.
She comes into his prefence, and teftifies to
him, by the tendereft carefies, the warm part
{he had taken on account of his misfortune.
She fpares the young prince the relation of an
adventure, of which {he knew the minuteft
particular ; but {he avails herfelf of this circum-
llance, in order to induce him to watch with
care the ring and the box. She puts him on
his guurd againft the attacks of the fon of Ma-
mouk, as dangerous as his father. " In vain,"
faid {he to him, " {hall I have my eyes always
upon you, and furround you by the powers
which are fubject to me, if you don't endea-
vour to fecure yourfelf againft the fnares of men.
My affiftance difplays itfelf only by fupernatu-
tural means; take care of yourfelf j put your-
felf in a condition that you may turn your vir-
tues and wifdom to your advantage, after the
example of your mafter Benalab."
Let us here fmilh the falutary counfels of the
queen, and the warm gratitude of Simouftapha.
Il6 ARABIAN TALES.
He took leave of the queen , the genius con-
ducted him back to Bagdad, where political
movements pave the way for more interefting
events.
The caliph, having learned that the city of Da-
mufcus was befieged by two hundred thoufand
infidels, caufed an order be iffued to ,all MufTul-
mans to take arms, and follow him, to give re-
lief to this important place.
Upon this Simouftapha feels a fentiment na-
tural to great fouls : He is inflamed with zeal
and courage for the true faith. The love of glo-
ry, and the defire appearing worthy of his rnif-
trefs, makes him pant after the laurels, and trace
the footfteps of the commander of the faithful.
He therefore calls Jemal.
" You have juft now heard," faid he to the
genius, " the proclamation of the caliph. I
wifh to fccond his views : Make them bring me
a horfe immediately, and armour fuitable to my
rank and birth."
The genius cleaves the air, and informs Se-
telpedour of the intention of the young prince ;
the queen applauds his purpofe, and wifhes to
put the hero in a condition of attaining the
greatnefs for which he is deftined. She alfo
orders for lum one of the moft beautiful horfes
that C*A be found in any of the three Arabias.
The
ARABIAN TALES. II?
The emrfiaries make their choice at Sardie >
an uninhabited diftricl, three days journey from
Damafcus, where the beft horfes are to be met
with : They find one to which no other could
be compared. He was of the breed of Gelpha >
which had mounted the great prophet, when,
after having erected his victorious ftandard
on the towers of Medina, he over-ran Pale-
ftine and the two Syrias, and foon made all
Alia bend under the ftrokes of his glorious
fcymitar, and the wife laws of the divine Ko-
ran.
The nativity of the horfe deftined for Simou-
ftapha, caft, at the very moment of his birth,
by the wifeft aftrologers, prefaged that he was
to ferve under the greateft prince in the world,
and eftablilh the happinefs and duration of two
powerful empires.
The difpofkions of tl\is animal completely
juftilied the decrees of his deftiny : Tractable,
active, fpirited, capable of any fatigue, he was
never the flave of his appetites ; he endured thirft
and hunger without the leaft alteration on his
vigorous conftitutionj he could live without
fleep, and feed on air. He added to thefe ex-
cellent qualities thofe of the readied obedience,
the moft acute underfianding, and a firm at-
tachment to his mafter : How many men were
inferior to him ?
Setel-
Il ARABIAN TALES.
Setelpedour wiflied to fee the horfe deftined
for her favourite ; the fteed neighed for joy that
he was going to make his appearance before the
queen of the genii, and contribute to the glory
of the hero whom {he protected : He was in-
troduced to Ginniftan ; he excited the admira-
tion of Setelpedour : A harnefs worthy of his
beauty, but without any extraordinary {how, is
immediately provided for him j he is loaded
with the complete armour of the prince. The
cuirafs, and the other neceflary pieces, are made
of fteel-plates of Damafcus ; the fcymitar is of
a temper which nothing can refift : All his arms
are qf a fable hue. Simouftopha was waiting
with impatience upon the terrace of his houfe
for the return of Jemal, when he brought into
the court the haughty fteed.
At the fight of fo beautiful a prefent, the
young prince feels himfelf penetrated with gra-
titude, and filled with new ardour ; he burns to
fignalife his courage ; but love ftill throws fome
obftacles in his way.
When the genius, favoured by the {hades ef
night, had carried Ilfetilfone from the palace of
the caliph, and united the two conforts j when
the beautiful princefs was informed of the de-
figns of her lover, {he loft the ufe of her fenfes ;
fhe recovered only to abandon herfelf to more
cruel defpair, and fhe night was {pent in tears.
Although
ARABIAN TALES. Tip
Although the caliph had departed, Simouffo-
pha, facrificing his glory to the tender concerns
of love, left his fleed to champ the bit with im-
patience ; he makes the air re-echo with his
neighing ; Jemal can hardly reftrain him ; he
wifhes for the faddle and bridle ; and his foot
feems to ftrike the hours which ought to have
warned Simouftapha of his departure.
More than a day elapfed before Simouftapha
could tear himfelf from the arms of Ilfetilfonc,
tvhofe alarms he dreaded. Setelpedour faw his
diftrefs, blufhed for his weaknefs ; but, anxious
for his glory, runs up to him.
" You fail in your duty," faid {he to him ;
" you forfeit your glory and the fafety of the
ftate in which you live ; you languifh under a
fhameful weaknefs; depart inftantly; if you he-
fitate a moment, I give you entirely up. My
flave is ready to conduct you to Damafcus ; I
fhall take care of your fpoufe; receive my blefs-
ing."
Upon hearing this, Simouftapha recognifes
his weaknefs, and blufhes on account of it ; he
falls at the knees of the fairy, and implores her
pardon and protection.
He mounts his fteed, which, quick as lighten-
ing, tranfports him to Damafcus ; and he is con-
ducted by the genii the flaves of the fairy. Ha-
virig reached an eminence, he gets a .view of
the
12O ARABIAN TALE'S.
the city. The infidels were aflaulting it ; the
army of the 'caliph had come to clofe quarters
with the enemy, and were labouring under a
manifeft difadvantage : The two wings were
broken, and had given Way.
The ftandard of Mahomet pointed out the
place where Haroun Alrafchid fought. He was
in the middle of his army ; the infidels prefled
Tiisbattaliojis; and, having almoft reached himfelf,
this illuftrious foVereign was ready to fall a vic-
tim to their fury.
Swifter than lightening, Simouftapha is in the
midft of the carnage ; every ftroke of his fey-
miter carries death along with it ; every ftep of
his, horfe tramples die infidels. In a moment
he delivers his fovereign from the dangers that
threatened him: His thundering voice ftrikes
terror into the enemy, but reanimates the
drooping fpirits of the Muffiilmans. They are
all rallied under the ftandard of the facred pro-
phet, which Simouftapha had feized ; he waves
it in the middle of the battalion which he had
juft formed. At thisTignal, the fouls of the
warriors are infpired with frefh confidence; the
combat is renewed with more vigour; but death
Ihifts its ground ; it feizes upon that of the in-
fidels, and fpreads havock around. The ar-
dour of his fteed carries him through all the
ranks in an inftant. He takes the command
into
ARABIAN TALES. 1 Zl
into his own hand ; every one obeyed : The
commanders and the foldiers took him to be
an angel from heaven fent to their relief; he
made part purfue the runaways, whilft he, with
the reft of the army, advanced under the walls
of Damafcus,.
The ladders which had been prepared for the
ailault are deftroyed, the aflailants are tumbled
headlong from the walls, and the gates of the
city are .thrown open to its deliverer.
Simouflapha marches in triumph at the head
of the conquerors; the crowd, as he pafles,
fall down to embrace his knees ; and the pre-
ferver of Damafcus receives the homage of a.
people in whole behalf he had difplayed fo
much valour. They advance towards the prin-
cipal mofque, to thank Heaven and Mahomet
for fuch a fignal deliverance. Haroun does not
lofe fight of the object of his gratitude : Simou-
ftapha, having pulled down his vifier, kept him-
fclf however near the caliph. When they ar-
rived at the gate of the mofque, he alights,
and approaches in a moft fuppliant manner to
do homage to his fovereign, by affifting him to
difmount.
Haroun politely accepts the affiftance of
the young warrior ; but he is diftrefled to fee
a wound on the hand which is prefented to
him, and which is covered with blood.
VOL. II. L Valiant
122 ARABIAN TALES.
Valiant hero, faid he to him, you are wound-
ed ? Great commander of the faithful, an-
fwered the Indian prince, the wound is by no
means dangerous, for I feel no inconvenience
from it. Noble warrior, the heat of the action,
and your intrepid courage, have made you for-
get it ; but we fhall not enter the mofque with-
out dreffing your wound. Your goodnefs af-
fects me much, exclaimed Simouftapha ; the
duties in which you are going to be engaged
ought to precede thofe which concern only the
meaneft, but moil devoted of your fubjects.
The caliph was charmed with this token
of fubmiffion : Brave Muflulman, faid he, ta-
king a handkerchief, upon which his name was
written in letters of gold, from his girdle, con-
defcend at leaft to keep your hand from the air,
by wrapping it up in this handkerchief, till we
may have it in our power to give you other
relief.
Simouftapha obeyed. They entered the
mofque, which immediately re-echoed with
the fongs and thankfgivings of all the people.
After this the caliph goes to the palace that
had been deflgned for him during his ftay at
Damaicus : Several officers, who had had the
courage to keep aloof during the combat, be-
came now jealous of their places, that they
might accompany him in his triumph. Si-
mouftapha,
ARABIAN TALES. 125
mouftapha, regardlefs of fuch frivolous prefer-
ments, leaves them without being noticed,
mounts his hdrfe, and difappears on a fud-
den.
He had facrificed to glory whatever was pro-
per -, it is time now to alleviate the diftrefs of
his miftrefs : His intelligent fteed appeared to
partake of his impatience ; he fcarcely touches
the road as he fcours over it ; and Simouftapha
foon reviiits the much longed for watch-towers
of Bagdad.
During his abfenee, the beneficent queen of
the genii would not fuffer Ilfetilfone to a-
bandon herfelf to diftrefs. The firft night,
therefore, that the prince departed, fhe or-
dered . the genius to convey to her the ca-
liph's daughter. What muft have been her ar
ftoniihment when ihe awoke, to find lierfclf ia
the arms of the queen, inftead of thofe of Si-
mouftapha ?
Don't be difconcerted, faid Setelpedour to
her, embracing her tenderly, your hufband
muft attend to his duty under the colours of
the caliph. Your happinefs depends, moro
than you imagine, upon the fervice which he
has it in his power to do him ; it is not a fruit-
lefs glory which he nfpires at. I fhall \vatch,
oVer his fafety as well as I can 5 and I would
fight by his fide were I allowed ; but I am
L 2 fubjeft
124 ARABIAN TALE?.
fubjecl: to a different law. It is diftreffing for me
that the merit of Simouftapha hath infpired me
with love ; and that my partiality towards him
hath made the malevolent fpirits of my empire
rebel. I have already punifhed them j and I
am determined to put them all tq defiance, as
we have ftill more dangers to encounter.
Be of good chear, amiable princefs, affift me
in procuring happinefs to him whom. we love
more than life itfelf, by not multiplying the
caufes of his difquiet ! Reproach him not for a
feparation, which his glory and your common
mtereft rendered neceflary. You fhall fee him
again in a fhort time ; truft yourfelf to the
vrifdom and the care of the queen of the genii.
Ilfetilfone was comforted, and immediately
carried back to the palace of her father.
Whiltt the commander of the faithful is re-
pairing in proceffion to the palace deftined for
him at Damafcus, he looks around to difcover
the hero to whom he owes his fafety, that of
his army, the relief of Damafcus, and complete
Victory : He does not perceive him : He orders
him to be fought for every where : Inquiries
are fruitltfs. He makes his heralds at arms
proclaim it both within and without the city,
but without fuccefs. The warrior had difcp-
peared with his fteed ; he had not raifed the
ARABIAN TALES. I2
viiler of his helmet, therefore every thing re-
mains unknown with regard to him.
The people perfift in believing that heaven
had fent an angel to their relief j but the blood
which Haroun had feen flowing was that of a
human being ; the handkerchief which he bad
given him was ftained with it.
The commander of the faithful, in diftrefs,
becaufe it was not in his power to teftify his
gratitude to his benefactor, and informed that
the Infidels who had efcaped the llaughter were
embarked, provides for the future fecurity of
Damafcus, and returns to Bagdad at the head
of twelve thoufand knights, after having dit-
banded his army.
Already had Simouftapha enjoyed the plea-
fure of revifiting his affectionate fpoufe, and of
thanking their amiable protedtreis. Spending
the days with the one, and the nights with the
other, he was as happy as a mortal could be.
* He informed his dear Ilfetilfone of every par-
ticular of his military atchievcments ; and they
were ftill more interefting to this amiable prin-
cds, in proportion as they had contributed to
the glory of the caliph. She took the hand-
kerchief in which the hand of her lover was
wrapped, and bedewed every now and then
with her tears the characters which exhibited
to her the name of her father, and the ftains
L 3 of
120 ARABIAN TALKS.
" of the blood that had been flied in his defence.
" I will keep this handkerchief," faid fhe; " ft
will always call to my remembrance that mo-
ment \vhcn the object of my tendernefs was
laved by that of my love."
In the mean while the caliph arrives, amid
fhe acclamations of the inhabitants of Bagdad ;
triumphal arches are raifed to his renown ; he
finds an adequate compenfation for his labours,
/ in the affection of his fubjects, and the tender-
nefs of his family. Zobeida and her daughter
demonftrate their tranfports of joy by the moft
lively careffes ; but the caliph, wearied wkh fo
'many honours, thinks of nothing but the ftran-
ger warrior, who had denied him the pleafure
of rewarding him. " He received from me no-
thing but a handkerchief to cover his wound,"
faid the monarch ; " it is the only favour he
would accept ; but I have promiied ten thou-
iimd fequins to that perfon who fhall infor,
me of his name, his condition, and wher
he lives : I {hall reward him who faved the
'ftandard of the holy prophet ftom the hands
of the Infidels, who delivered my people,
and to whom I owe my life and my crown. It
is in vain that he denies himfelf the honours
that are due to him ; I will celebrate a feftival
in his honour, which fliall bring all Damaf-
cus to Bagdad to witnefs his extraordinary v<>
lour-v
ARABIAN TAILED 127
lour. I cannot reprefent the features of 1m
face accurately, as lie never lifted the viiier of
his helmet ; but I will reprefent his armour, of
which I have a. diftincl: idea, and his freed full
of fire. Sure there will not be a MulTulman in
my empire who will not be eager to witnefs the
celebration of the feftival, in honour of the
hero of the fable arms ; and he fhall not be
long unknown to thofe who fliall be prefent at
the warlike foleuinity." ff f, j
Ilfetilfone was delighted with the encomiums
lavifhed upon her lover, and the enthuiiaiin of
the caliph. How cften had fhe almoft been
tempted to fay, " I know him, the hero of
the fable arms, the conqueror of the Infidels,
and alfo my conqueror."
The orders of Haroun are executed : The fef-
tivals held for the relief of Damafcus continued
thirty days ; the two lad of thefe are fet apart
for a military rcprefentation of the exploits of
the knight of the fable arms. Thefe feftivaLs
accompliflied the views of the caliph by means
quite unconnected \vkh thofe which this mo-
narch had thought of.
The laft day of the feftival, when Zobeida was
upon the balcony with her daughter, a coup dejo-
leil ftruck the young princefs , fhe uttered a
loud fhriek, and fell upon the bofom of her mo-
ther. While fiie was affording" relief to her
daughter,
128 ARABIAN TALES.
daughter, {lie perceived fymptoms which could
not be mfttaken ; her bofom difcovered the ef-
fects of a conjugal union: Alarmed with this fur-
priilng difcovery, fhe runs inftantly to the ca-
liph, to inform him of ib important a fecret : It
was not by conjectures that fhe formed her con-
cluflon; complete certainty convinced her of it:
They go together into the apartment of Ilfetil-
fone, to draw from her a confeffion which con-
cerned their glory and their repofe.
" For feveral months," fays the princefs, " I
have been carried off every night without per-
ceiving itj I am tranfported through the air, and
conveyed into a chamber magnificently furnifh-
ed, and find myfelf in the arms of a man who
is unknown to me ; but who, I confefs, has in-
fpired me with the mofl tender paffion."
From this recital of his daughter, the caliph
eafily judged that fome miraculous inchantment
had feduced her, and thought it unreafonable
to reproach her for a fault, which, from its na-
ture, feemed to be excufeable.
Madam, fays he to Zobeida, it appears that a
genius is enamoured of our daughter ; our op-
pofition would only irritate it ; we muft recom-
mend her, as well as ourfelves, to the protec-
tion of the holy prophet. Saying this, he em-
braces his daughter, as ufual, and leaves her to
that repofe which fhe flood fo much in need of.
Zobeida
ARABIAN TALES. I2
Zobeida imitates the wife conduct of her huf-
band.
Ilfetilfone flatters herfelf that fhe will be able
to inform her lover the following night, that he
mr.y take care to bring the handkerchief, and
make known in the palace the knight of the fa-
ble arms : He muft arrive there with his fpi-
rited fteed, and all his accoutrements of war.
The caliph aflembles his privy council, the
members of which were Giafar and Mefrour.
Giafar receives the information with aftoniih-
ment : Mefrour is lefs furprifed ; he had, for a
long time, perceived that it was Smpoffible to
awake the guard which was Rationed at the a-
partment of the princefs.
What method mall we fall upon, fays the c?.-
liph, to find out and furprlfe the inchanter of my
daughter ? every night me is lifted up in the air.
I have a little device in my head, fays Mefrour,
which we may vnuke ufe of immediately. I have a
phofphoric fubftance which I received from an a-
ftrologer; it is compofed of an oil extracted from
an animal called a Baiilifk : Whenever it is in the
open air and in motion it ilames without burning.
I am going to pour fome drops of it upon the
coverlet of the princefs; it will dry inftantly, and
retain no fmell. As foon as they are in the c-
pen air, they will emit fparkling ftars, which
will
130 ARABIAN TALES
will ferve to conduft the perfons who are to
follow her into the houfe of the feducer.
The caliph approves the fcheme : Mefrour
goes to put it in execution ; and Giafar warns
the judge of the police, who was to follow
the meteor wherever it went, and get the houfe
inftantly furrounded. Five hundred men are
immediately appointed to run after the new
conftellation which was to appear that night ;
but the fecret remains between the caliph and
his counfellors.
Night came ; the genius not having caft
its eyes upon the earth, was ignorant of what
was doing there, and obeyed, as ufual, the or-
ders of Simouftapha, and went to carry off the
princefs.
Scarce had it got above the palace, when the
phofphoric fubftance flione with all its luftre ;
the guards from every quarter purfue it ; the
genius had good eyes, but it did not fee every
thing. It carried its charming load into the a-
partinent of the Indian prince, illuminated with
a hundred wax candles. The light of the phof-
phoric fubftance difappeared entirely j and the
guards, rufhing in an inftant from every part of
the town, furround the houfe of Simouftapha.
The young prince heard the noife, rubbed his
ring, examined the box; the two genii appear-
ed. They were ordered to obferve what paf-
fed }
ARABIAN TALES. fjl
fed ; and, above all, to defend the houfe againft
the danger with which it was threatened. In a
moment they converted both the doors and
windows into a folid wall.
The judge of the police caufed awake the
neighbours, to afk them where the door of Si-
mouftapha's houfe was. The good people rub-
bed their eyes, but could not find it j they light-
ed feveral flambeaux, but all to no purpofe.
The judge became quite impatient. Giafar and
Mefrour arrived ; and, ever fmce the latter had
difcovered the fecret of the Bafilifk oil, he ima-
gined his invention to be adequate to any thing.
As he finds no door, therefore, he caufes
mount the terrace with ladders j the houfe is
furrounded in an inftant ; and there is nothing
wanted but batteriug-rams, hooks, and teftu-
does, to make a complete fiege. Forty ladders
are made, each feveral feet higher than the
houfe ; every one ftrives to get the flart of a-
nother, allured by the hope of plunder ; but,
the more hafte the befiegers make, the worfe
they fucceed ; the ladders fink into the earth,
in proportion as they mount the fteps, till they
difappear altogether.
" Ceafe then to kick about," exclaimed the
judge of the police ; " are you afraid ? Mount
then." Let us exert our whole ftrength upon
it, faid fome of them ; and indeed they were
over-
132 ARABIAN TALES.
overwhelmed with fatigue, without being able
to get an inch from the ground. The judge,
his patience being worn out, alights from his
horfe, and urges the affailants with great keen-
nefs : " Mount, therefore, quicker." " By
Mahomet mount it yourfelf," {aid they to the
judge, " for the ladders are bewitched !"
The judge having loft his patience, mounts
the ladder in his robe. He willies to take two
fteps at once, that he may mount quicker j but,
as the ladder finks in proportion as he attempts
to mount, he lofes his balance, and is entangled
with his robe.
A general laugh followed this unexpe&ed
fill. Notwkhftanding this, the night was
fpent in redoubling the ufelefs efforts of this
ridiculous affault ; in which, although they
carne never a whit nearer their purpofe, they
flattered themfelves that every moment their
labours would be crowned with fuccefs. Every
thing was in an uproar in the ftreets of Bag-
dad j and, as the people were not let into the
fecret of the matter, they imagined that the
feftival of the knight with the fable arms
ftill continued, and that the fiege of Damafcus
was reprefented by the burlefque fcalade which
was going on at the houfe of Simouftapha.
Haroun expefted the victim every moment,
and had refolved to iacrifice him, without giving
him
ARABIAN TALES. 133
him time to fpeak. One may eafily imagine
\vhat was his impatience ; the rumour and the
noife brought to his ears reports always more
ridiculous and exaggerated ; his uneaflnefs e-
qualled the dcftre of vengeance which he had
formed,
On the contrary, the inner part of Simou-
ftopha's houfe was fo quiet that you could
have heard the motion of a fly. As foon as
the genii perceived the ftratagem of Mefrour
to difcover the route of the princefs, they took
the necefTary precautions to flicker the houfe
againft the firft fiirprife, and immediately con-
veyed llfetilfone into the palace of the caliph in
the midft of a fog, which intercepted the effect
of the phofphorus. The cloud of vapour
refted upon the palace ; the aflailants become
ftupicl; and the caliph himfelf is deprived of his
ufual activity.
The, Indian prince confults the genius of the
box, and of the ring, upon the means of protec-
tion for next day; and quietly gives himfelf up to
fweet repofe, under the immediate protection of
the Star of the Seven Seas.
The day at laft appears : Simouftapha repairs
to the terrace of his houfe to enjoy the mor-
ning fun ; he defcries Giafar and Mefrour in the
crowd; he calls them, and addrefles the lat-
ter.
VOL. II. M Sublime
IJ4 ARABIAN TALES.
. " Sublime miniftcr !" fays he, " why do yoxs
furround the houfc of a MufTulman, devoted
to the will of the commander of the faith-
ful ? I charge you to tell him, that if he wiflies
to have pofTeflion of my perfon, he muft raife
this fiege ; I will then deliver myfelf into his
hands."
Mefrour repairs to the palace, and advifes
the caliph to accept a condition which would
put the inchanter in his power^ Orders are
iflued to the judge of the police, who retires
immediately with all his people ; and the fca-
ling ladders, thrown down, are left at the bot-
tom of the wall.
When all the pafiages are free, Simouftapha
goes out by one of the doors, which broke open
immediately, and proceeds, without betraying
the leaft {ymptom of fear, towards the palace of
the caliph.
Haroun is furprifed at the audacity of the
magician ; he does not wifli to fee him, but
orders him to be beheaded in the middle of
the firft court of the palace, in prefence of all
the people who fhould be aflembled there.;
The inner guard feizes the Indian prince, who
prefents his hands to the irons with which he
was to be loaded ; the executioner lays hold of
him, and takes off his turban, in order to bind
the
ARABIAN TALES. 13$
the fatal veil; upon his eyes ; the handkerchief
of the caliph, is under the turban.'
Giafar and Mefrour inf candy recollect it
the people who had feen the model at the
mock feftival exclaimed, " See the handker-
chief of the knight of the fable arms !" A cir-
cumftance ftill more angular folicits the atten-
tion of the grand vizir ; Simouitapha had upon
his head a fillet fet with precious ftones, and a
magnificent diamond which he had got from
the caliph. Giafar pronounced with a loud
voice the words which were engraved upon the
fillet, " Given by the caliph Haroun Alrafchid
" to his nephew Simouftapha, fon of the great
" king of the Indies."
A confufed nolle was heard from every quar-
ter : " It is the fon of the king of the Indies/*
they exclaimed ; " it is the prince Simoufta-
pha !"
In the mean time, Mefrour had carried the
handkerchief to the caliph : " Who has de-
livered to you that handkerchief?" fays the fq-
vereign eagerly. " It was on the head of the
man whom you have condemned." " Are my
orders executed ?" " No, Sire , I come to re-
ceive them." " Fly, run, Mefrour; preferve
the life of the generous warrior who faved mine.
Inftantly conduct him to me."
M 2 Giafar
JJ6 ARABIAN TALES.
Giafar had anticipated his orders ; the fur-
prife and the cries of the people had induced
turn to bring Simo'ufbpha into the prefence of
the caliph : The prince arrived at the foot of
the throne j and the firft object which ftruck
the commander of the faithful was the dia-
mond which had formerly been fent to the
great king of the Indies.
" What !". faid he to Simoufbpha, " are you
the fon of my brother the king of the Indies ?"
" You fee it to be the cafe, mod glorious
caliph !" " And are you the warrior to whom
I owe my honour and my life." K Behbld the
wound I received before Damafcus, and which
was the occaiios of your beftowing upon me
fuch tokens of friendship." " And are you al-
ib the admirer of my daughter Ilfetilfone ?"
" You fee her Have and your's."
" May a thoufand thanks be rendered to the
great prophet !" exclaimed the caliph, " Is it
you then, Simouftapha, whom I have cherifh-
ed from your infancy, and to whom I have de-
ftined the hand of my daughter ? You could
have had no rival but the knight of the fable
arms, and you are that fame knight, whofe
fervices I never thought that I could have fuf-
ftciently rewarded with the hand of Ilfetilfone,
and the richeft crown of the eaift ! I hold in
my arms the object of my gratitude, and that
of
ARABIAN TALES. JJ7
of my love : Ah ! why conceal yourfelf from
me under the appearance of a cook ?
" Moffc illuftrious commander of the faithful,"
replied Simoufbpha, " the divine charms of II-
fetilfone early made a lively impreflion on my
foul : Scarcely was me animated with the fir ft
breath of life, when I felt myfelf inflamed
with love 5 the defire of porTeffing her bore ab-
folute fway in my heart. A fage Perflan, of
whom I was the pupil, pointed out to me the
road to happinefs; and propofed that I mould go
to Bagdad, and there breathe the only air which
would agree with my health, which declined
every day. As my father put the moft com-
plete confidence in him, he eafily obtained his
confent, by concealing from him the true mo-
live of an abfence upon which my repofe and
felicity depended. Thanks to his contrivance,
the fon of a great king of the Indies fixed
himfelf in a fituation to which he owed the
pleafure of feeing and being feen by her whom .
he adored.
" Death foon deprived me of that wife gover-
nour, but it could not rob me of the fecrets with
which he intruded me : Young, the dupe of my
paflion, inexperienced, I fell a victim to love.
If this oiFend you, and wound the too fen-
fible heart of a father, my head is at your feet,
punifh it alone j but I implore your paternal
M 3 affection
3-38 ARABIAN TALES'.
affection for the innocent princefs, whofe whole
fault confifts in her love for Sunouftapha."
The caliph, moved with fuch an affecting
acknowledgment, tenderly lifts up the young
prince, and having embraced him afreih, "Come,
my dear fon! faid he to him, let us diffipate
the grief you have occasioned ; let your pre-
fence difpcl the clouds which have raifed im-
proper fufpicions in the heart of the moft af-
fectionate of mothers."
Zobeida was alone with her daughter, an*
was demanding from her an explanation of
the conduct of the old governefs, at the very
moment when the Indian prince entered to dif-
jfufe joy and delight. Simouftapha, with the
royal fillet on his head, and difplaying the brilliant
taflel with which it is ornamented, was introduced
Jo the wife of the caliph and her daughter .
Receive from the hands of the great pro-
phet and mine," faid then- fovereign, " you, a
fon-in-law, and you, a hufband. This is Simou-
ftapha, the fon of the great king of the Indies,
the moft ancient, the moft powerful, and the
inoft faithful of my allies." Then addreffing
himfelf to his attendants. : " Get the cadi and
the mufti inftantly : Open the mofques : Let
all my people celebrate this joyful feftival :
Let the poor receive my alms : Let all Bag-
dad participate of the joy of the fovereign ; and
let
ARABIAN TALES. I )
let it diffufe itfelf into the moft remote quarters
of my empire. Behold my deliverer ! my foil
m-law, and the protestor of the itandard -of re-
ligion ! The duty of gratitude is above every
law."
Illetilfone and her hufband are lodged in the
anoft beautiful apartment of the palace ; he par-
takes of die labours and the amufcments of the
caliph ; fits at his right hand in the divan j
and nothing is done without his advice. An un--
limited confidence eftablifties between them a
perfect intimacy.
The caliph did not foil to inform himfelf of
all the extraordinary means ufed by his fon-in-
law for the fuccefs of his wi/hes. Simouftapha
owns his fupernatural protection ; he tells him,
of the queen of the genii, of the powers that
were inck>fed ia the box and in the ring ; but
ke conceals the complaifance o^Namouna, and
the part {lie had acted in the irftrigue. It is
eafy to perceive the reafons for this con-
duct.
Haroun, already familiarifed to marvellous
adventures, eafily believed Simouftapha. He
did not blame him for availing himfelf of ma-
gic, the ftudy of which he had encouraged in
his court. He found fault with him, however, for
having neglected to inform the king of the Indies
of the fortune of his only fon. " His inquie-
140 ARAB-IAN TALES.
tucle," anfwered the prince, " muft be very
much alleviated by looking upon the rofe-
bufii -which my tutor Benalab left in the gar-
den of the palace : It gives a daily account of
my adventures, fortunate or not ; and, fince I
have had the good fortune to be loaded with
the favours of the greateft fovereign upon earth,
the bufh muft this clay {how him that I have
attained the fummit of profperity.
Simouftapha thought very juftly in this re-
ipeft. The kiug and queen of the Indies con-
templated the rofe-bufh every day ; it only caft
off the flowers with which it was loaded, to give
way to more beautiful ones ; and thus they con-
foled themfelves during the abfence of their
fon, convinced that nothing bad had befallen
him. Tliis day they were very agreeably fur-
prifed , they faw a blofibm of a rofe, already
blown, expand ^ftill more frefh and brilliant.
This phenomenon appeared to them quite ex-
traordinary, but it wonld have been neceffary
for them to have been at Bagdad, in order to
find out the meaning of it.
Ilfetilfone had juft given birth to a young
prince ; Simouftapha, Haroun, and Zobeid
were full of joy ; all the faithful Muflulmans
celebrate with feftivals this happy event. The
caliph named the child Haroun-Ben-Airafchid.
The-
ARABIAN TALES. 14 f
The queen of the genii preiided at his birth,
and endowed him with her art. In the mean
while, the commander of the faithful and his
fon-in-law implored what was more eilential for
him in the great mofque at Bagdad.
Every thing prefaged to the family of the ca-
liph an uninterrupted courfe of profperity j but
a cloud gathered againft it in Egypt. Naraes,
die fon of Mamouk the magician, attentive to
die fountain which was to regulate h's proceed-
ings, perceived its water troubled : He fent two
fpirits to the affiftanee of his father ; but the
water is foon tinged with blood; he faw that
his power had been ineffectual, that Mamouk
was dead > he, therefore, breathes nothing but
vengeance. The laft chamber, by his magic
wand, had pointed to him all the adventures of
Mamouk at the houfe of Simouftapha : He fur-
nifhes himfelf with every thing that he imagines
can contribute to his fuccefs, and fets out for
Bagdad. It is no longer into the houfe of a
private perfon that he muft introduce him-
ielf ; it i$ -into the palace ef the caliph. Na-
raes, it is true, has a great advantage over
his father : He is powerful and active, he has
no need to have rccourfe to fo many wiles, in
order to aflbciate another with him, for the
firft who comes can anfwer his purpoie.
Narae?,
?42 ARABIAN TALLS.
Naraes, after much fatigue, and many by-
roads, arrives, iike his father, at the Ilfara and;
the Aggiala. Here a poor fifher-man, who has
taken nothing with his net during the whole
day, is bemoaning his bad luck : How {hall he
be able to maintain his family ?
The magician, who had already difcovered
the caufe of his grief, accofts him, and puts a
piece of gold into his hand : " Confole yourfelf,
good man," faid he to him, " I fympathife with
you, in feeing you labour without fuccefs ; but
you don't know the proper bait : Quit your net y
take a line, and, at the diftance of a few paces
from hence, you will find, under a rock, a fiih
of a iingular fpecies : I am going to collect a
little earth, of which I will make a ball, and
bedew it with a ftrange fort of water. With
tliis charm you muft let your line fall from the
top of the rock, and, by having a little patience,
you will catch a beautiful fifh. This uncom-
mon fifh appears now and then in thefe rivers -,
and this is the feafon of it.: It is called Sul-
tan Hibraiitij from the name- of the patriarch
who preferred its fpecies. After you fhali
have taken it, you muft not carry it to the ca-
liph ; this fovereign contents himfelf, upon the
whole, with too frugal fare ; but take my ad-
vice, and fell it to the prince Simouftapha, who
will give you what you alk for it : I have not
time
V
ARABIAN TALES. 14*
time to flop at prefent to witnefs your fuccefs ;
I muft return to my warehoufe. I am the firft
dealer in china, as you enter at the right hand
by the great gate of the Kan j come to me to-
morrow morning, I will give you one or two
bottles full of my water, and we fhall perhaps
fpend the day in fifhing : He now gives him
another piece of gold : " Here, this will com-
penfate for the time that I may have made you
lofe ; or it will ferve for an earneft in what I
fhall employ you to-morrow." He now leaves
the fifherman, who had already ftruck the
rock, and who patiently waits for what Naraes
had promifed.
Simouftapha and Ilfetilfone never dreamed
that a dangerous ftratagem was going on againft
them at the river. They had, with the con-
tent of the caJiph, been paying a vifit to the
amiable fovereign of the genii, who had loaded
them with kindnefs. Ilfetilfone had obferved
in the palace of the queen of the fairies a bird
diftinguiihed for its brilliant and variegated
plumage : It had been created in order to inha-
bit the terreftrial paradife ; but, having refufed
homage to Solomon, that it might pay it to
Kokopilefobe, it was banifhed to Ginniftan :
Familiar, confident, full of charms, this beau-
tiful bird remembered .the paft, guefTed at the
prefent, and forefaw the future. It fpoke little;
but
^44 ARABIAN TAU&S.
but what it faid was very well underftood by
thofe who had been accuftomed to hear it.
The beautiful princefs of the Indies became
very fond of this bird ; Setelpedour eagerly
embraced the opportunity of obliging her dar-
ling princefs anew, by praying her to accept it.
" I give you," faid "the queen to her, <{ a very
Lnterefting little creature ; it appears to me
to be very much inclined to attach itfelf to you,
and it will give you excellent advices ; take care
to liften to them, and overlook none of them ;
Beiides, although it be at your houfe, and
in your amiable hands, it will not believe that
it is in exile ; for it has, I know not how, got
into its little head that it will not be able to
get back to its native country but by travelling
upon the earth. See, there is its cage ; it does not
fliut. It is impoflible to confine it , it goes and
-comes as it pleafes ; but, before you take it a-
vray, it muft leave me foinething here. " Come,
little bird, give me two of thy feathers." Upon
this, the little creature prefents its tail, and
tvro feathers remain, without her pulling them,
in the hands of the queen.
The two conforts having thanked the fairy,
let out -with the bird and its cage for the palace
of the caliph: They enter into their own, where
the eunucK Hachim, the principal cook, had
purchafed an excellent fifh ftill alive; it is
called,
ARABIAN TALES. 1.4 s
called, faid he, Sultan Hibraim, becaufe the
patriarch regaled Mahomet with it at Medina.
The excellent cook gave but a very indiflinct
account of its genealogy, for, probably, he re-
ceived no better from the fifherman j but he
had given fixty fequins for the filh.
Every body was curious to fee this creature ,
it was allowed to bathe in a large filver bs-
fon, in the water of the river from whence
it was taken, The water in which it was feem-
ed to be filled with topaz, rubies, and eme-
ralds : Its head appeared to be covered with a
helmet of gold, the creft of which was fet with
pearls : The {hell of the half of its body, being
a great deal larger than that towards its tail,
tinged with purple, and embroidered with gold,
exhibited a fuperb covering ; its fins, which
were of the colour of coral, were blended with
fpots of an azure hue.
" O what a beautiful fifh ! How exqui-
fite !" exclaimed Simouftapha and Ilfetilfone
by turns.
Fy, fy, fy, fy ! cried the bird in its own lan-
guage, and with a tone impatient to pierce their
ears.
" This beautiful bird has q. difgufting cry,"
faid the princefs ; " it gives mq a head-ach.
But fee here is a beautiful fifh ! look at its eye,
it has fomething tender."
VOL. II. N " Bad,
146 ARABIAN TALES.
" Bad, bad, bad, bad ! cried the bird, in a
tone ftill more piercing."
" My dear Simouffopha," faid the princefs,
" if this bird has luch a piercing note, I fhall
not be able to keep it : I like this fifh a great
deal better."
*' Worfe, worfe, worfe, worfe!" cried the
bird, increafing every time the eagernefs of the
notes which proceeded from its little gullet.
Oh ! the foolifli bird, notwithstanding its
beautiful plumage, faid Ilfetillbne. We have a
refervoir for our baths, I will keep my charm-
ing fifh there : I will feed it with my own
hand. Do they call thee fultan ? thou lhalt be
my fultan.
" No, no, no, no!" cried the bird, quite
provoked; and, flying at the fame time out of
its cage, it darts into the bafon, at the rilk of
drowning itfelf, and deflroys the eyes of the
fifh. It attacks its head, and tears off the pearls
of the creft difplayed upon the helmet : The
fifh refills ; Ilfetilfone wifhes to defend it ; but
the bird efcapcs from her, and pecks the filli
in all the moft tender parts of its body : The
princeis catches it at lafl, and, for fear of let-
ting it efcape agi\in, fhe fqueezes it fo clofe in
her hands as to fuffocatc it.
Simouftapha, who fees this fcene, knftws not
what to think of the bird and the fiih ; the lat-
ter,
ARABIAN TALES. 147
ter, although expiring, ftill refifted, and the ba-
lon was filled with its blood : They no longer
perceived the fim ; the prince, terrified with this
prodigy, calls the genius of the ring, which ap-
pears immediately.
Inform me, fays Simouftapha, from whence
is this quantity of blood that this fifh has loft,
and fUll lofes ?
" This bird," anfwered. the genius, " has
delivered you from a man who came here in
order to aflaflinate you : He is the Egyptian
Naraes, the fon of Mamouk, the la ft of your
enemies. He transformed himfelf into a fifh,
and fuftered himfelf to be taken by the poor
Jfifherman who brought him to you."
" Carry him in this fame bafon," faid the
prince, u to the queen of the genii, that the
may do with him what fhe pleafcs." The Have
inftantly disappears, in order to execute the or-
ders of his mafter.
Simouftapha had not had time to caft his
eyes upon his wife j he perceives her forrowful,
and eager to recover the bird which fhe had
deprived of life j fhe attempts to warm it in her
bofom, and her eyes are bathed with tears.
" What is the matter with you ?" afked the
prince.
" I have been very unfortunate !" faid fhe
to hiip ; I have killed thus charming, this ex-
N 2 ccllent
*4'3 ARABIAN TALES.
eellent bird, which devoted its life to preferve
mine. Befldes, the queen of the genii parted
with it, to give it up to an unreafonable fan-
taftic being, to a murdering hand ! I {hall
never have the confidence to appear be-
fore my bcnefaclrefs again : How I pity you,
my dear Simouftapha ! the queen, your box,
your ring, and your wifdom, might have de-
fended you from your enemies ; but who ihall
be able to fcreen you from the dangers which
may refult from my caprice ?"
. " Your wife reflections," anfwered the prince,
more affccled by the forrow of his wife than
by the dangers to which he h~d been expofed,
" Why lay the whole blame upon yourfelf ? Ought
not I to blame myfelf for not having given you
proper counfel ? In the fituation in which we
ftand, expofed to dangerous furprlfes, fliould I
have given ear to the ridiculous hiftory which the
eunuch gave us of that fifh ? I who, inllrufted
by my experience, have been deceived by the
beauty of a fruit which I had brought into my
houfe, why mould I negleft to have recourfe
to my box, inftead of admiring, like you, the
beautiful Ihell of a difguifed monfter ! Mode-
rate your forrow, my dear Ilfetilfone, that I
may appear excufable in my own eyes : It is my
duty to go and throw myfelf ?.t the feet of the
queen
ARABIAN TALES. 149
queen of the genii, to obtain pardon for my
culpable neglecl."
" You fhall not go far," faid Setelpedour,
prefenting herfelf fuddenly to the two conforts,
" you reproach yourfelves fo fincerely for your
faults that it were cruelty to make you feel
them any more ; embrace me, and let us be
wifer for the future."
But this beautiful bird ! faid the princefs for-
rowfully. I have taken care of it, faid the
queen ; here are two feathers which I have re-
ferved, in cafe its courage fhould expofe it too
much to danger : We have a remedy for fairy-
birds. Setelpedour at the fame time takes the
animal, and returns it its two feathers : The
bird is inftantly upon its legs ; it fpreads its
wings, fhakes them, exults for joy, flutters up
and down the apartment, and refts alternately
on the moulders of the fairy, the finger of Si-
mouftapha, and the bofom of the princefs,
chirping in its own language the pleafures of
its re-animation : It returns into the cage,,
where it begins to eat, and forthwith emits the
moft melodious notes.
Ilfetilfone by degrees refumed her gaiety :
" My good friends," fays the queen, " we will
fup, and fpend part of the night together : I
cannot be long abfent from Ginniftan ; and I
wih to employ, to the beft advantage, all the
N 3 time
*5<> ARABIAN TALES.
time which I can fnare from it : Simouftapha
will caufe us be ferved by Jemal and his little
mute ; let us leave pomp to thofe who know
not the value of liberty. Belides, I muft not
be feen by every body ; my fubjects already
complain that I am too fond of the .earth ; and
we have affairs to converfe about which require
lilence and fecrecy."
' Setelpedour feated herfelf between the con-
forts, whom {he loaded with friendly carefies :
She relates to them the vengeance fhe had inflict-
ed upon the magician Naraes ; for {he had chain-
ed him with Dafouk, that deteftable genius, the
aftbciate and the accomplice of all the crimes of
the Egyptian : They had been tumbled into the
lake of brimftone, where the father of Naraes
had ended his days. " Your dangers are lefien-
ed," added the queen j " but you are not yet
fecure againft them all ; in proportion as I de-
liver you from your enemies, my partiality for
you conftantly raifes up new ones.
" Hitherto I have had nothing but the na-'
tural innate malice of my fubjects to dread :
Now it is neceffary to prevent their ftratagems
they affect to defpife my orders ; I watch them,
and a bright ray muft immediately dart through
their dark defigns. At prefent I explain myfelf
no farther; I muft provide for my own fecu-
rity above all things, and difcover the dangers
which
ARABIAN TALES. !!
which threaten me : It is now of the greateft
importance, my dear Simouftapha, to be affu-
red of your affection."
" My heart is your's," exclaimed the prince
with emotion, fcarcely mafter of l\ls joy. " I
will never baniih the dear Ilfetilfone," re-
plied Setelpedour. " I will remain with you,"
faid Ilfetilfone, " in order to enable you to
complete your conqueft ; efpoufe Simouftapha j
preferve the throne on which you are feated,
and I mall be at the fummit of my wifties."
" "What fay you to it, prince ?" fays the
queen. " I belong to Ilfetilfone, who may dif-
pofe of me as fhe pleafes," added Simouftapha.
" Charming couple !" exclaimed Setelpe-
dour ; " the one had convinced me that man
may be paffionately loved, the other reconciles
me to every female. You make me feel the
power of merit upon virtuous hearts ! Adieu,"
fays ihe, riling from table ; " be feeling, noble,
and generous : To you I am indebted for the
jnoft exquifite joys ; no imprudence of mine
fhall ever diftrefs you!"> Setelpedour leaves
them, carrying with her the plighted faith of
the conforts, who, on that account, are no lefs
dear to each other.
We will omit an account of the fenfations
which the three lovers felt at parting, their dai-
ly
152 ARABIAN TALES.
ly viflts, the moments which Setelpeclour could
fleal from the concerns of her court.
The months roll on without any remarkable
event, and without 'any particular emotion, ei-
ther of pafllon or of intereft. Simouftapha be-
held, with pleafure, his charming family increafe
around him, which was augmented with a
daughter. He was clofely engaged in the af-
fairs of the ftate, the load of which fell, in a great
meafure, upon him ; and, when he did not go
to Ginniftan, he exercifed himfelf in the amufe-
ments of thechace."
Having forgot the dangers which he had fur-
mounted, he overlooked the ftratagems to
which he was expofed. He was perhaps too
vain in not conftantly confiding in the aid
which he might have expected from his ring
or hisbox. Armed with his fcymitar, and mount-
ed upon his beautiful fteed, he rejoiced in truft-
ing his fortune and the ftrength of his arm to
the difplay of his courage. He had read in
the inftru&ions of Benalab a maxim which ten-
ded to infpire him with felf-confidence. " When
man's own powers are fufficient, he ought to have
no recourfe to fupernatural aid." The fage Ihould
have added, " when furpernatural aid fhall
have added frefh vigour to your faculties, never
let fall your arms." But Benalad had not fore-
feen
ARABIAN TALES. I $3
le'en every thing ; Benakb could not -write eve-
ry thing.
One day, at thechace, Simouftapha met with
a flag ; he attacks it, but it flies off with ama-
zing fpecd. The horfe, however, which car-
ried the prince, foon gets within reach of it j a
javelin is launched, and it is wounded upon the
fhoultkr. The javelin, though it pierces it
through, is fixed in fuch a tuat:on as not in the
Icafl to retard the animal, which now doubles its
i]>eed. The courfer too v.-hich purfucd it does
not lofe an inch of ground. One would fay
that one flam of lightening was preceded by a-
nother. The prince lofts breath , but the ar-
dour with which he is animated augments his
vigour, and he is inftar.tly out cf reach of his
people.
At laft, at the dole of the day, the ftag ftops,
and on a fudden di&ppears ; a violent guft of
wind throws the prince from his horfe, and
clofe befide him he finds a frightful beaft. The
ears of this monfter fell upon its breaft; its terri-
ble mouth extended from ear to ear ; its lips were
enormoufly thick ; and its flat noftrils exhaled
an infectious vapour. In the middle of a large
forehead, it had an eye which fupplied the place
of the departing day ; for it diffused a pale light
like that emitted from the fulphureous combui-
tibles of a \nilcano.
Upon
'154 ARABIAN TALES.
Upon feeing this ghaftly fpectre, Simoufta-
pha firft recommended his foul to God, in-
voking him by Mahomet, and then faced it with
intrepidity. The fpectre appeared to be afto-
m'fhed with his fortitude, but was no lefs con-
fident of victory over a man who was alone,
and almoft difarmed.
Defpicable Muffulman ! faid the fpectre to
him, Have of a Have ! thou muft juft now fuf-
fer the puniihment which hath been already de-
nounced againft Benalab thy mafter ; thou muft
receive the chaftifement which is due to thy pride
for ever prefuming to command the genii,
whom thou art unworthy to obey ; thou muft
here anfwer for thy infolence, thy injuftlce, the
tyranny of thy deceitful queen Setelpedour,
againft my mafter, the great Bahlifboull.
Full ! die his victim, and his flavc ! At
thefe words, the hateful monfter raifes its enor-
mous club, the knobs of which are pointed with
diamonds, and prepares to difpatch Simoufta-
pha : The valiant prince avoids the blow, and
with his fcymitar cleaves the fpectre from the
crown of the head to the waift.
In an inftant, the ears of Simouftapha are ftur;-
ned with hideous fhrieks and howlirigs, which the
horrible darknefs with which he was furround-
ed rendered ftill more frightful. But the con-
queror of the fpectre is not to be terrified : His.
fteed
ARABIAN TALES. ! -J
fteed approached it, and demonftratcd by his
neighings, and the kindneis he Ihows to his
mafter, how he exulted in the victory. The
howlings ceafe, the illulion is diffipated ; but,
unfortunately, the Indian prince falls a prey to
real dangers.
Simouftapha, furrounded with the fhades of
night, and unable to obferve any of the places
which he had hurried over on his fwift fteed, is
perfectly ignorant where he is. He finds it im-
poffible for him to judge at what diftance he is
from Bagdad. Worn out with fatigue, he lies
down upon the grafs : He waits for the arifing
of Aurora, that next morning he may direct
his courfe towards Bagdad, and lets his fleed
range in queft of food around him.
The prince now perceives hiy imprudence in
venturing out alone without his box and his
ring. The power, however, which rendered
him conqueror of the monfter, and which had
enabled him to cleave the ipectre in two, re-
animates him. He deeps under the protection
of that power which deftroyed the infernal
monfters, by the intervention of the meaneft
atom.
Simouftapha was very far from believing that
he was at fo great a diftance from the princefs^
that it would take him years to reach her by
the ordinary route. A powerful charm had
tranf-
156 .ARABIAN TALES.
tranfported him to the fummit of Mount Cau-
cafus.
The fpeftre, which had been enjoined by
Bahlifboull to deftroy the Indian prince, having
transformed itfelf into a ftag, Jiurried him a-
long in the purfuit. It allowed itfelf to be ftruck
with the javelin which was launched at it, and
inftantly enchanted the hand which threw it j
thus the confort of the beautiful Ilfetilfone,
bound by the charm, was carried along with
the fame rapidity as the fpectre itfelf.
Whilft Simouftapha was in the arms of fweet
fleep, the fpirits, who had witnefied the com-
bat in which their matter had fallen, having
become weak on account of his defeat, winged
their way to the defarts of Upper Egypt, whi-
ther their chief had retired. Such a diforderly
:ind inftant return, throws Bahlifboull into great
confirmation ; but, upon hearing the particulars
of the combat, when he finds that Raftras was
cleft by the Indian prince, he flies into the moft
violent rage. He meditates on every fcheme
of vengeance that might tend to efface the in-
fult offered to. his power. Since their enchant-
ments have no effect, the hero muft be befet
with ordinary dangers, by rendering his route
?lmoft impracticable. He muft be exhauft-
cd by fatigue and hunger to fuch a degree, that
defpair may fucceed thefe two calamities : He
muft
3TRABIAN TALE3. 75 7
mult fall a prey to ferocious animals, when the
want of ftrength fhall abandon him defencelefs
to their fury ! But Seteloedour muft be ignorant
both of the time and place of fo great cruelty.
This very inftant the old genius aflembles
the fpirits which had been baniihed info the
country which he inhabits, and whom he re-
collected theVery moment they arrived. De-
part, fays he to them, and furround the Indian,
prince, whom you will find, as you defcend
Mount Caucafus, with a thick fog which fhall
hinder him from reaching any part of Ginni-
tan. The genii chearfully obeyed the orders
of the maleficent prince ; and, wiulft tf ley go
to fteal Simoufbpha from the genii who pro-
.iR:-;d/ !> ^h*^ et:e 'p s ^ our fees all the cavalry of
Bagdad dilpci.'ia L. ~cl t*JMds t and fcampering
through the cities, the towns, the hamlets, and
the forefts, in order to demand him of every
objecl: in nature, The caliph is quite impatient
to find his fon-in-law, who is dearer to him
than the child whom he moft tenderly loves.
He fpreads a report in the apartment of the fe-
males, that Simouftapha was obliged to depart
fuddenly"/ to execute a fecret commiffion for
him of the laft importance. Zobeida and her
daughter might be hoodwinked, hut Setelpe-
dour was not to be impofed upon.
VOL. II, O The
158 ARABIAN TALES.
The queen of the genii inftantly difpatches,
into the open country, the mofl active and in-
telligent fpirits {he had, and thofe whom fhe
believed to be mofl devoted to her intereft, In
order to preferve a favourite whofe ruin they
iecretly defired. They fkim o?er the whole
earth, but bring back no notice that can alle-
viate the diflrefs of the queen : They faw the
fog perfectly well which defcended from Mount
Caucafus, but none of them took the trouble
to examine it. Setelpedour is inconfolable.
There was at the court of the genii an old
gnome named Bakbak : She was a great favour-
ite, for fhe had nothing malevolent in her
temper j her fault was, that fhe wifhed to
know every thing, to fpeak co^^-^K
upon every fubjcA. ^ & / ' ftml "been for a
long time expelled the divan, becaufe every
one there was to fpeak in one's turn. She
had a very young little nephew named Jazzelj
whom (he treated as if he had been her own
fon.
This gnome had taken part neither for nor :
againft Setelpedour, in order that fhe might
judge candidly of her conduct on every occa-r
fion. She heard of the deputation, which had
been fent into every quarter of the globe, to
trace out the Indian prince.
Go,"
ran
ARABIAN TALT5S. 1^9
" Go," faid {he to Jazzel, " thou haft need
to pick up information ; thou haft wings quite
new, which will not fail thee foon -, fly from
one fide to another, perch upon eminence?;,
and thus thou {halt have an extenfive profpeft.
Glance upon the earth, and bring me the news ;
liften to the inhabitants as thou pafleft ; they
fpeak a great deal at random, but a genius ought
to be able to comprehend part of every thing.
Thou {halt afterwards come and give me an ac-
count of whatever thou {halt have feen and
heard ; and if I {hall be pleafed with thee, I
will teach thee the fecret of pleafing her whom
thou loveft beft. In the mean time, I will
put a fort of oil upon thy wings, which fhall
jnake thee flie four times fwifter than the reft.
Jazzel fets out after the genii, glad to try
his new plumage. He foars above the reft,
and fees them feparate from one another -in or-
der to execute their commiffion : None of them
approaches the earth for food ; if they alight,
it is for the fake of repofe. If they come near
its inhabitants, it is to play fome trick upon
them j but they endeavour to pick up no infor-
mation.
Jazzel chanced to take the fame route with
thofe who were to infpec~t Mount Caucafus ; he
perceives the fog ; he wifhes to fee through it ;
but it is too thick for his eyes, which are
O i not
ARABIAN TALES,
not as yet very piercing. The emiiTaries of"
Setelpedour Ikim along far above it, without
examining it. At length, having defcrieci
people at the foot of the mountain, he ftops
to hear what they would lay.
Behold, faid they, a very thick and infec-
tious fog ! How is it poffible for it to have
rifea from the fands, where there is not a drop
_of water ? It is a very extraordinary phenome-
non 5 there is furely fomething very malignant
within it , it forebodes fome calamity !
Jazzel picks up this obfervation as he paffes,
and continues his route j to this he adds other
trifling particulars, collected here and there, in
order that he may be able to give an account
of them to his old aunt j for the fecret fhe had
promifed .to difclofe to him flicks in his heart,
As foon as he fees the emifTaries of the queen
return, he flies back to Bakbak, and gives her
a more faithful account of his expedition than
they do of their's to Setelpedour.
The gnome weighs every circumflance. " Do
you fee," fays fhe, " how the affairs of our queen
are conducted fince flic has got in love ? Is
this fq great a fault ? I think that I could par-
don it myfelf. But, no, no, no. A man ! fy,
a man ! Well ! there are both good and bad !
But, Jazzel, do you not tell me that thefe pea-
fents were fpeakrng of the phenomenon during
the
ARABIAN TALES. I6l
V
the thick mift, and that there was Something
malignant in it ? I will talk to our queen a-
bout it i" and immediately the old gnome trots
off to relate to Setelpedour the difcoveries which
the young genius had made in his journey.
The queen heard her with patience j and, as
foon as ihe had difcovered, from the raving of
the old Bakbak, the negligence of her emifla-
ries, fhe naturally prefumes that there is fome-
thing fufpicious in the fog. She therefore in-
ftantly arms herfelf with her whole power, and
has recourfe to every expedient. Although a
great part of her fubjects have betrayed her,
yet, in fpite of both them and the elements,
fhe fhows herfelf to be the grand-daughter f
Kokopilefobe.
The caliph, on the other hand, alarmed hy
the fruitlefs refearches which he had caufed
be made, and ftill unable to fuggeft his fears
to Zobeida and his daughter, availed himfelf of
the grand feftival of the Haraphat *. Here,
with more than ufual folemnity, he offers the
facrifices, by which the faithful Muflulmans
endeavour to procure the favours of heaven,
and the fignal protection of the great prophet.
O 3 Haroun
Har*pbt. A mountain of Arabia, upon which
thofe who make a pilgrimage to Mecca commonly
offer facrifices. Here they {laughter the viftims, and
thro\v tJiem dowa headlong.
16*2 ARABIAN TALES.
Haroun, furrounded with the mufti, and the
principal priefts, facrifices, with, his own hand,
two yellow heifers fifteen months old, and two
fheep of the largeft kind. And he accompanies
thefe teftimonies of devotion with the moft fer-
Vent prayers for the prefervation.. and the re-
turn of Simouftapha. The people re-echo
them by their vows.
WhiLft fadnefs reigns in the palace, Zobeida
conceals her grief from her daughter. The
princefs finds herfelf alone, and deftitute of
confolation ; the queen of the genii comes no
more ; every object around her wears a dole*
ful afpedl: ; tears flow from every eye -, Namou-
na fobs : Ilfetilfone can fupport it no longer ; fhe
throws herfelf upon a fopha, and pours forth
the moft doleful lamentations.
" Peace, peace, peace !" cries the beautiful
bird. f Peace ?" fays Ihe, Alas ! there is no
more peace for me : Simouftapha is dead !"
" No, no, no !" cried the bird. " How f
charming bird, not dead? Lives he ftill? Shall I
fee him again ?"
r " Yes, yes, yes !" " When will that happy
moment arrive!" "Soon, foon, foon !"
*' How much you comfort me ! Weep no more
then, jny good Namouna, we fhall fee Simou-
ilapha again." She then takes her pretty bird
and carefles it : Thou laveft my life, dear bird !
ft*
ARABIAN TALES. 163
fays (he to it, and I did every thing to take a-
way thine, can I ever forgive myfelf !"
it is worthy of remark, that, in all the di-
ftrefs of the princefs, no fufpicion of jealoufy
was ever mixed with it: She had not feen
the queen of the genii fince the departure of
her hufband, and ihe did not imagine her car
pable of carrying him off. Zobeida was not-
fo eafy in this refpecl ; but fhe would not dif-
eover it. As to the .caliph, his own reli-
gion, and that of his fon-m-law, removed his
fears.
The Star of the Seven Seas foon reached the
fummit of Mount Caucafus ; fhe perceives the
fog, 'the work of the malignant BahlifbouH.
The winds, which fhe raifed fuddenly, diffipated
thefe vapours : And Ihe at laft fees the idol of
her foul, pale, exhaufted, dejected, and in a fi-
tuation fitted to melt the moft obdurate heart.
For ten day, Simouftapha, amid friglftful
defarts, could only direct his courfe by the
ftars ; he knew not what part of the globe he
was traverfing : He raked up the roots with his
fabre, or climbed the trees for wild and un-
known fruits, to abate the cravings of hunger.
He travelled the whole day, increafing, by his
own impatience, that of his noble courfer : He
fell in with an immenfe defart ; another of
boundlefs extent prefents itfelf to his view ; he
pafies
10*4 ARABIAN TALES
pafTes the night upon the cold earth, and is
fubjec"ted, during the day, to the fatigues and
the influence of a fcorching inhofpitable cli-
mate.
The Indian prince, worn out with fo many
Jiardfhips, flopped by the fide of a fpring to
quench his burning thirft : When about to
floop towards the ftream, a lion, fpringing
fuddenly from the neighbouring foreft, darts
upon the hero's fteed. Simouftapha immedi-
ately draws his fcymitar, divides, at one blow,
the fcull of the lion, and brings him to the
ground : The horfe bounded for joy ; but fne
prince, exhaufted by this laft effort, falls mo-
tibnlefs on the grafs : It was in this fituation he
was perceived by the queen of the genii.
At the fight of the dangers to which the Indian
prince had been expofed . by the black inchant-
ments of Bahlifboull, Setelpedour, animated
by vengeance and love, wifhed to gratify at
once the paffions with which fhe was overpower-
ed : Love, however, prevails : She hurries to-
wards the earth, and, with the moft lively ca-
refles, reftores to the light him whom the
fliades of death appeared to furround.
She reanimates the object of her affection,
by the demonftrations of her tendernefs alone,
and makes ufe of no other magic except that of
love. 'She foon perceives his eyes fparkle with
ARABIAN
TALES. T6-S
a luftre, which, (he preferred to all the rays of
light that the objects around her continually re-
iiected j and, that ihe may inereafe his happi-
nefs, {he endeavours to animate them more Si-
mouitapha, having recovered his fpeech and in-,
tellectual faculties, finds himfelf in the arms of!
her whom he had invoked to no purpofe fome
moments before, becaufe he had neglected the
means of his own fafety. His panting heart
forbids him to put upon her lips the feal of his.
gratitude.
" I underftand what you mean," faid the
queen ; " but think of nothing of that fort,
till you recover your health and vigour." She
now riles : The firft fhrub fhe meets with fur-
nifhes her with a twig, with which ihe draws
a circle round Simouftapha. She finds befide her.
the plants which were necefJary for the inchant-
ment which {he .was about to prepare j and the
words which fhe pronounces infpires it with the ,
eflential virtues. In an inftant the Indian prince,
experiences a happy change. In a moment he
recovers all his vigour j he rifes, and with rapture
kifies the beneficent hands to which he owed
fuch timely aid. All the fentiments of his
heart flrive for vent at once ; and, though they
burft forth without the leaft order, they fecm to
be no lefs dear to her who is the object of his af-,
fection. At the fame tune, however, hedifcovers
the
l66 ARABIAN TALES.
the moft cxquiflte inquietude upon account of
Ilfetilfone.
Confole yourfelf, my clear Simouftapha ! fays
Setelpedour to him} my thoughts have centered
Wholly upon you, lince you were in danger. By
being at too great a diftance, however, from my
palace, a confpiracy has been formed, which
has turned out too much to the advantage
of your enemies. Befldes, your confort, be-
ing almoft always with her mother, I contented
myfelf in having left with her an intelligent
creature, which will not fail to confole her. It is
my little bird: Its advices are not tirefomej
for it fpeaks but one word, but that can be in-
fallibly depended upon. Now, iince you arc
reftored, we will take our route towards the
palace. You muft have need of food after the
long abftinence you have had, and I will forth-
with conduct you to your amiable confort.
Upon this, the queen ordered her car to ap-
proach the earth : Three clouds, variegated with
all the colours of the rainbow, defcend and pre-
ient two feats, much more commodious than the
beft fophas one can imagine. Setelpedour arid
the prince take their feats ; the latter began to
feel uneafy on account of his courfer , but the
queen had anticipated his defire. For he per-
ceives his fteed cleave the atmofphere with his
gilded
ARABIAN TALES. 1#7
gilded wings, clofe befide the fine feat on which
the loving couple fet out for Ginniftan. /
As they fkim along, Simouftapha wifhes to
relate his adventures. Setelpedour interrupts
him. " Let us here consign to oblivion the
fnares which have been laid for you : I know
all the dark defigns of my enemies; I am not;
ignorant of their malice, and of the torments
which they have occafioned to you : But we
are now, my dear Simouftapha, furrounded
with the beauties of nature. Here I could wifh
t o remain with you, were it not giving a fatal
blow to two hearts, the happinefs of which
interefts me as much as that of my own.
Speak to me about love, and let us forget both
the perfidious meafures which they have enter-
ed into againft us, and the vengeance which we
ought to inflicl: upon them."
" Ah! who would not forget them," fays
the prince, tranfported with love, " in prefencc
of the moft beautiful object under heaven, who
is fatisfied with being loved ; and who, although
fhe deferves to have altars erefted to her, only
ftrives to oblige others, and furnifhes all the
facrifkes herfelf !"
The clouds flopped before the gates of the
palace : Simouftapha is there ferved with con-
denfed perfumes, under the moft alluring forms,
and the moft agreeable colours ; his ftomach is
braced
l6S ARABIAN TALES.
braced without being loaded ; and he reftores his
ufual appetite,
Let us depart," fays Setelpedour $ " Let us
go and fup with our dear.Ilfetilfone 5 let us car-
ry to her fome of thefe ragouts ; I {hall be very
happy to let her perceive the flavour of them ;
1 have nothing that I would not fhare with her;
I would even divide my power with her, did I
value it more."
" Let us go," fays Simouftapha ; " but, wiH
you fir ft inform me why you depreciate the pow-
er which affords us fo much enjoyment."
" Let us mount our chariot," fays the queen-,
<l that is meet only to be told in private.
It is becaufe it prevents me from efpoufing one
\vhom I paffionately love."
The prince and the queen of the fairies did
not arrive without being announced j this was
the office of the pretty bird : Zobeida had jufr
left her daughter's room, when 'the charming
creature began to cry Simouftapha!
" Simouftapha!" anfwered Namouna.
* What doft thou fay, my dear bird?" fays the
princefs. The little prattler, however, anfwer-
ed nothing but Simouftapha! Simouftapha!
" Where? from what quarter ?" faid Na-
mouna, running like one diftra&ed toward the
gate which led to the palace.
In
ARABIAN TAXES. 169
In the mean time, / the company, which
the bird had announced, arrived by the win-
dow. Simouftapha is in the arms of Ilfetilfone,
whom he loads with tears and kifies ; the queen
of the genii likewife embraces him ; and the
little bird, flapping its wings, cried, brave ! brave !
brave !
When this firft tranfport was over, they fit
down; they prattle, they relate ftories; fometimes
they fpeak all three together. One would have ima-
gined that they had not feen one another for an
age. Atlengththerepaftisfervedup. Infuchcir-
cumftancss, even although fcmething had been
wanting in the palace of the caliph, one may
caflly perceive how many things they could have
difpenfed with.
Namouna, who had had a fhort journey for
nothing, immediately returns, attracted by the
noife, to liften at the back-door. " Enter,.
good Namouna, "enter !" fays Setelpedour to her, a.
little furprifed at the curiofity of the old gnome ;
*' Are you curious to fee me ?" " Yes, ma-
dam ; I fee that you are as good as beautiful."
You are very obliging, Namouna ; and I wilh
to do you fome fervice." Ah ! madam, that is
very eafy to you who can do all things ; pray
madam, make me young again." " I have a
preferable piece of fervice to render you ; it is
to wifh you continual good health; andmyfkil-
VOL. II, P fid
1 70 ARABIAN TALES.
ful little bird is going to impart the fecret to
you."
Sleep ! fleep ! fleep !" fays the bird.
* c I know this as well as it does," fays Namou-
na; " yet I am not a forcerefs, madam." " But,
fuppofe I give you a potion, which, by lulling
you afleep, fhall reftore to you the bloom and
vigour of youth ?" " Give me only the hun-
dredth part of your's, madam, and I fhall think
myfelf more beautiful than the full moon."
" Come, Namouna, be not uneafy : You de-
light in chearfulnefs ; I wifli you to pofTefs more
grace than ever : You fhall have dimples in your
cheeks, a charming fhape, and a handfome lit-
tle foot." " I thank you, madam." Ilfetilfone
difmifles her governefs j the repafi is ended ;
and the queen of the genii returned to Gin-
niftan.
Simouflapha re-entered the palace after the
caliph had retired : It was improper to difturb
his repofe, and they put off till the morrow the
good news which they had to impart to him.
In the mean time, joy reigned throughout all
the apartments of the young prince ; the eu-
nuchs awaked all the flaves, Avho rife up, and
tceive from Namouna an account of all that
fhe has feen : They all give themfelves up to
tranfports of joy. She had well nigh wrought
a
ARABIAN TALES. 1)1
a happy change in the organs of the little
mute, by reftoring him his fpeech.
As foon as the caliph had opened his eyes
Simouftapha was at his feet j they load each o-
ther with carefTes : The fovereign inftantly
caufes communicate to Zobeida a piece of news
which fo materially concerned his happinefs and
peace.
The Muczins foon gained the top of the mi-
narets, to fummon the people to the mofques.
Thankfgivings were due to the Almighty and
his great prophet : The empire of the MufTul-
mans had juft recovered the hero to whom it
was indebted for all its luftre.
The diminution of taxes, the diffufion of
alms, the releafe of prifoners, the noife of war-
like inftruments, the military feftivals, . all con-
fpired to teftify the joy of the commander of
the faithful, and to augment the happinefs of
the people, who, at la ft, faw their hero a-
gain.
The Indian prince imparted to his family the
adventures which had fo unfortunately mifled
him from Bagdad. He agreed with them in
blaming himfelf for having neglected fuperna-
tural aid, with which his proteclrefs and the
Perlian philofopher had furnifhed him. He
likewife related in what manner the beneficent
queen of the fairies had delivered him from the
P 2 fnares
r*T2 ARABIAN TALES.
fnares into which his imprudence had caft him
He laid great ftrefs on the moft trifling parti-
culars, and fpoke with an animation which a-
Jarmed Zobeida.
She feized the rft moment fhe could find to
mention him to her daughter. " Don't you feel
uneafy," faid fhe to her, " on acco\mt of the at-
tachment of the queen of the genii for your huf-
band, and on account too of the excefs of
gratitude with which he appears to be pene-
trated ?"
I, Madam ! replied Ilfetilfone, I jealous of
the kindnefs with which the queen loads us !
Ah ! notwithftanding her power and her ami-
able qualities, had flie in my eyes no other me-
rit than that of difcovering of Simouftapha*s,
fhe would become the idol of my heart. If
there is one ftar in heaven captivated with the
charms and virtues of my hufband, it fhould
become my fun.
" Either love has a ftrange effect on my
daughter," fays Zobeida to herfelf, " or fhe has
lefs of my mind in her than of her father's , for
I would not be content were I in her place.
The caliph had liftened with great attention
to the relation of the laft adventures of Simou-
ftapha. He made him alfo relate all thofe
which had preceded them fince the marriage of
the prince with his daughter ; and he ordered
to
ARABIAN TALES. 173
to make out a regifter of them, and depofit it
among his records.
The Indian prince reaflumed his feat in the
private councils of the caliph, and in the divan.
He likewife continued to join, to his ufual em-
ployments, the agreeable pleafure of going and
paying homage to the amiable queen of the ge-
nii, who never received the vifit of the two
conforts without returning it next night, or with-
out loading them with new favours. She de-
fired Ilfetilfone to come and fpend a few days
in her palace ; the princefs, however, had to
obtain leave from the caliph, which he granted
with pleafure.
Haroun did not choofe that his daughter, up-
on whom the queen of the genii had heaped fo
many prefents, fhould appear at her palace with
empty hands. Neither did he wiih that fhe
ihould be withdrawn any more from his fight
by the effect of magic ; a circumftance which
had given his people fo great uneafinefs, and
which had opened their eyes upon objects of
which he could have excufed their ignorance.
The caliph ordered his tre~afures to be thrown
open to Simouftapha ; and alfo every thing ne-
cefTary to be prepared for the departure of his
daughter, who was to fpend the fine feafon at
Cafler-il-Harais, his country feat, which is at the
diftance of three days journey from Bagdad.
P 3 Cafier-
374 ARABIAN TALES.
Cafler-il-Harais is a magnificent caftle, fitu-
ate on the banks of the Aggiala, of which the
great prophet laid the firft ftone. Its front to-
ward the gardens prefents us with three hun-
dred and fixty windows ; the outfide of it is
veneered with alabafter, and marble from the
eaft, coped with garlands of the moft precious
jafper j the doors, which are of aloes and fandal
wood, turn upon hinges of gold ; the inner part
is inlaid and ceiled with rofe-wood. Nothing
can rival the beauty of the furniture, and the
magnificence of the apartment j the ruby, the
emerald, and the topaz, are here diffufed with
a lavifh hand. Mahomet began and finifhed this
foperb edifice for the accommodation of his
daughter Fatima, when fhe married Omar-Ha-
lab. During the latter period of the prophet's
abode upon earth, he frequently repaired to this
palace, to receive, by the miniftry of the angel
Gabriel, inspirations from on high. The pen
with which he wrote the twelve laft chapters of
the Koran is preferred here in a chryftal rock,
enriched with diamonds.
The garden which belonged to this palace
was more beautiful than any upon earth. In
this blifsful retreat the atmofphere was al-
ways ferene, and no cloud drew a veil over the
fun.
The
ARABIAN TALES. 175
The trees, preferring an eternal youth, were
never cankered with corroding mofs ; and the
wafting mildew never deprived their branches
of the benefit of the fap j the leaves, the flow-
ers, and the fruit, partook of the immortality
of the trunk, and were continually renewed,
without falling or withering.
The perfumes exhaled by thefe flowers ex-
haufted not their fubftance j the air was filled
with their odour ; they were always defended
from noxious infects and venemous reptiles :
A refrefhing rain preferved coolnefs and ferti-
lity in this delightful retreat.
Birds, adorned in the moft gaudy plumage,
fung in concert their melodious notes. In fhort,
to complete thefe wonders, they varied every
day, without any confufion in their fltuations,
without any alteration of their fpecies.
The entrance to this garden was fhut againft
every perfon except the lawful fuccefibr of Ma-
homet and his family : Had a profane perfon
entered it, he would have perceived only fright-
ful defarts, from which the howling of wild
beafts would have forced him to retire.
This is the place whither Simouftapha and
his fpoufe were to refort ; they will be at liber-
ty to vifit the queen of the genii, without feem-
ing to withdraw from the palace : It will be fup-
pofedj
l>]6 ARABIAN TALES.
pofed that they are abforbed in the enjoyments
of the magnificent garden ; it will be though^,
that they are fed with ambrofia, and are drink-
ing luxurious draughts of neclar.
Setelpedour is engaged in making prepara-
tions for their reception ; but fhe has reafon to
fear that Bahlifboull may ditturb the happy
moments which fhe wifhes them to enjoy. This
monfter had been tumbled into the remoteft
defarts of Upper Egypt, but fhe was unable to
ftrip him of all his power : He was born a
prince, and enjoyed every where, however un-
worthy of it, the privileges of his illuftrious ori-
gin-
Upper Egypt is peopled with malignant fpi-
rits, the difgrace of Ginniftan, detefted in hea-
ven and on earth , they joyfully united under
the orders of a genius created to command
them. Their firft expedition, in confequence
of thefe orders, towards Mount Caucafus, had
not been fuccefsful ; but they would not have
been difcouraged by an entire defeat j rage fup-
ports them, and makes them blind to every
danger. Created for action, their very nature
forces them to enterprife.
Setelpedour, informed of the new refources
of her enemy, endeavours to lay a mare for
him, into which he may fall of his own accord.
She doubly increafes the barrennefs of the place,
already
ARABIAN TALES 177
already curfed, which Bahlifboull had chofen
for his residence j he is forced to leave it : From
hence he pailes into a defart ftill more barren,
and no where finds repofe.
At laft he difcovers a little green turf, in the
fhade of a pillar of granite, which flickered it
from the fcorching rays of the fun ; he ap-
proaches, and feats himfelf upon it. Six feet
from the ground, upon the bafe of the monu-
ment, he fees a hieroglyphic, and haftily reads,
" Pillar, execute the orders of queen Setelpe-
" dour."
He had fcarcely pronounced theie words,
when a chain of iron furrounds his body, and
faftens it to the pillar. The defart immediately
re-echoes with his bellowing ; the monfters
which inhabit it are alarmed, and conftrained
to abandon their holes. The genii, his attend-
ants, filled with terror, forfake him ; he re-
mains alone in this frightful habitation j to his
impotent rage, fucceeds a calm ftupidity. He
calls his eyes at laft upon his chains, and upon
the fatal infcription, by the effect of which he
was loaded with them : He had not run over
all the hieroglyphic characters, when the infor-
mation he had received completes ' his defpair :
It contains this terrible fentence : " Thou canft
" only be delivered by the power of a genius
" more wicked than thyfelf !" When the
world
178 ARABIAN TALES.
world arofe into form from chaos ; when the
fountains of the great deep were opened, did
another come forth from it ? Can another Ko-
kopilefobe be found, who is neither the grand-
father nor the protector of the Star of the Seven
Seas ?
When Setelpedour had fecured her quiet,
fhe wiflied, in the mean time, to reward the
old gnome for the fervice fhe had done her :
She calls her : Tell me, Bakbak, what I can
do for you ?" " O queen," fays the old wo-
man, " you can do a great deal, and what you
have done may be attended with much danger :
Nobody doubts that it was I who fpoke to you ;
for it is well known that, although I fpeak
freely, I am difcreet at bottom, and fay no-
thing, at leaft very little. There is, however,
a fmall favour you could do me, and which
would have no bad confequences : For want of
teeth I fpeak indiftinctly, fo that 1 have not
the fatisfaction of underftanding myfelf ; pro-
cure for me thirty-two teeth !" " Every body
would know of the prefent," anfwered the
queen, " and you would draw upon yourfelf all
the enemies you dread : I cannot in prudence
do more, than fix four very firmly to your
under jaw."
" Put in then," fays the old woman, " thefe
four teeth, they will 'not be againft you."
Let
ARABIAN TALES. 179
Let us leave the old Bakbak, -to fupply by
her enchantments the ordinary refources of the
toilette, and let us attend to the preparations
for the journey which Simouftapha was to make
with his fpoufe.
The treafures of the caliph are laid open to
the prince ; the collection of all the riches of
the monarchs of the earth could not equal
them j however, he fees nothing comparable
to what he had feen at Ginniftan. He finds a
fcymitar, the hilt of which is ornamented with
diamonds, fo excellent and fo well fet, that they
feem to form one entire piece ; he is lefs ftruck
with its brilliancy than with its fize ; this wea-
pon might ferve a warrior much above the or-
dinary ftature j he is defirous to try if he can
ufe it j he draws it from the fcabbard, brandifh-
es it for a moment, and appears furrounded
with lightening, fb fparkling is the fteel of the
blade : He endeavours to examine the mark,
and difcovers hieroglyphic figns which he does
not underfland j he immediately calls the ge-
nius of the box to give him the explanation of
them : Jemal appears.
Obferve thefe figns, fays the prince to him.
Our queen alone, fays he, can explain them
to us, they are figns of power ; but we
know the fcymitar ; it fell from the formidable
hands of Kokopilefobe, in the great combat
which
l8o ARABIAN TALES.
which he loft againft Mahomet j the latter has
Cnce left it to his fucceflbr.
The prince of the Indies takes the fcymitar,
and prefents it to the caliph, as the only gift
worthy to be offered to the queen of the genii.
In the mean time, the efcort, which was to ac-
company the conforts to the palace of Caffar-il-
Harais, announced, by the noife of warlike inftru-
ments, his arrival at that of the caliph : It was
compofed of two thoufand men on horfeback,
chofen from among the moft diftinguilhed of the
youth in the armies of Haroun ; fix hundred
knights armed at all points, with a lance in their
hand, and their arm loaded with a large fhield,
followed, attending the carriage of the princefs,
which was drawn by fix of the moft beautiful
elephants in the Indies ; twelve camels were
loaded with the baggage, and the eunuchs do-
fed the rear.
Simouftapha, mounted upon his beautiful
Courfer, kept near the carriage ; he was cover-
ed with arms, the plates of which, raifed with
threads of gold, were encrufted with diamonds :
The horfe, held by two grooms, neighed
with joy, toffing its proud mane. Ilfetilfone
admired the gracefulnefs of her fpoufe, gently
ftroaked the courfer, elated with the burden
he carried
This
ARABIAN TALES. l3f
Tlus fplendid retinue took the road to the
palace ; the highways had been levelled; and there
was no obilacle to retard their march : The de-
pendencies of the calile were immenfe, and af-
forded convenient lodgings for all their train :
None but Simouftapha and the princefs were
allowed to enter the garden. The beauty which
they found there filled them with rapture;
but there was a curiofity flill more interefting
to the princefs : It was a tree, the fatal fruit
of which deftroyed the human race. A fer-
pent furrounds the trunk, from which it can
never depart j thick darknefs covers its eyes :
A bird of an azure hue, with its head and
legs of the colour of gold, flutters conftantly
around the tree, perching upon all the branch-
es fucceffively; it iings none, but exprefies its
thoughts in the moft correct Arabic.
When the bird had perceived the two con-
forts, it ftr etched out its bill as a iign of joy,
and gave them the ordinary falutation : " All
hail to the race of man ; there is one God on-
ly, and Mahomet is his prophet !"
Ilfetilfone was charmed with the prettinefs
of its accent, and the purity of its language ;
Ihe is eager to interrogate it.
Charming bird, fays {he to it, are you hap-
py to fee us here ? You are children of the
prophet j you have entered by the good gate ;
VOL. H. (^ you
J2 ARABIAN TALES.
you muft go out by that which leads to hea-
ven. But we are going to Ginniftan. It is a
journey which man makes every day upon
earth. Do you difapprove of mine ? No ; be-
caufe you will bring back my wife, and our uni-
ted endeavours may be able to recover our fon
whom you have left in the palace. What! are
you the father of the charming bird which I
have, and which is fo good ? It muft become
more fo. Why does not he fpeak as well as
yourfelf?- Becaufe he has not had time to
learn, and becaufe he turned his back upon
the light, refuflng homage to the chofen pro-
phet of God. And your wife ? My wife is at
Ginniftan ; fhe was inquiiitive, and is now fuf-
fering for her folly : We go there fboner
than we incline, and cannot return when we
are willing. Then fhe is with Setelpedour ?
You are right. Do you love Setelpedour ? I
love every thing which comes pure from the
hands of the Almighty : I fhall iee Setelpedour
when Ihe ceafes to be a fairy. Is it in her
power to ceaie to be one ? She has only to
wifli it. Do I ac"l wrong in going to her ?
You are obeying the decree of heaven without
knowing it. I am delighted with you, my
pretty bird j allow me to bring your child to
you. He is a foiry, I would kill him; lean
only fee him at a particular time, -and along
with
ARABIAN TALES, I 8j
with his mother. Suffer me to eat of the -fruit
of this tree ?-* That is a womanifh defire ; it
was thus that your firft mother drew down up-
on herfelf and upon you the wrath of heaven ;
betides, there is the appearance of fruit only ,
you would eat nothing -, and the ierpent which
you fee would bite your heel ; fo that you
would fall into real evil, without receiving any
enjoyment. That then is the tree of know-
ledge ? It is a fymbol of it. Where is the
tree of life ? In the garden of the great pro-
phet. My pretty bird, fince you know all
things, tell me why the fea was made, and the
time of its formation ? The Creator alone
knows all things ; the fea was created on the
day when Kokopilefobe revolted and was pu-
nimed ; the rebels were employed in digging
its channel. My lovely bird, may I eat of the
other fruits which are here ? Go into the pa-
vilion at the end of that walk ; an entertain-
ment is there prepared for you : It is the place
where Mahomet retired to fay his prayers, and
perform his ablutions.
From the whole of this converfation, Simou-
ftapha perceived with regret, that the amiable
Setelpedour, as queen of the fairies, could not
be agreeable to the great prophet. ' The love of
religion ftrugglecl in his heart, with that which
he felt or this queen.
2 The
184 1RABIAN TALES.
The two conforts entered into the pavilion
of Mahomet, where they found all kinds of
fruit, which united beauty with the moft ex-
ijuifite flavour : When they had finiihed their
repaft, Simouftapha, leaving Ilfetilfone in con-
verfation with the bird, returns to the palace,
to give notice to the chief of the eunuchs, that
he is to retire for fix days into the pavilion in
the garden with his fpoufe, during which time
they fhould ftand in need of nothing : A mo-
tive proceeding from devotion is always laud-
able ; and the flave was far from fufpecting that
they had any other.
Simouftapha again joined his fpoufe near the
tree ; he wifhed to confult the bird about his
journey.
He demands of it, whether he fliall em-
ploy the genius of the box, or that of the
ring ? " What is itfelf uncertain," anfwers the
wife bird, " can exercife here no kind of pow-
er -, and its greateft advantage would confift in
your being a fiave to it ; but you have no oc*
cafion for fuccours of that nature. Take one
of my feathers, it alone will carry you to Se-
telpedour ; give it to my mate j it will remind
her of me, and procure for her the means of
returning hither. She muft conceal it careful-
ly in her tail : Every thing that comes from
me will afford you a ihde wherever you go.
What
ARABIAN TALS. 1^5
What I give you appears a weak inftrument ;
but there is nothing ufelefs in the hands of the
Creator."
The divine bird fpreads his beautiful tail ; a
feather falls from it, which is transformed in
an inftant into a commodious and fplendid
chariot, in which the two conforts place them-
ielves, and are conveyed to the fteps of Setelpe-
dour's throne. She comes down with all fpeed
to embrace them, and difmilTes her divan, with
which ihe had every reafon to be difcontented;
The genii retire, cafting defpiteful looks at the
conforts ; the queen perceives it, and reftrains in
the mean time the anger which rilled her breaft.
I would feat you on my throne, fays fhe to
Simouftapha and his fpoule, were I not afraid
that you would be as little at your eafe upon it
as myfelf ; my fubjects are meditating a revolt ;
my attachment to you vexes them ; they afcribe
to this all the decifions which proceed from my
fovereign will : If I hinder them from turning
uplide down, by their outrages, the earth, over
which they claim the command ; if my pru-
dence prevents tern pelts' and wars , it is my love
for Simouftapha which hinders them from exe-
cuting their fchemes. I have caufed Bahlhboull
to be chained in the midft of a udart, and ais
fpirit als here in op'ioiltion to my authority.
Thefe difficulties will not prevent you from b-r>-
j$5 ARABIAN TALES.
ing equally dear to me : I am going to rid my-
felf of all the bonds which attach me to my fub-
jects ; I will break them in pieces ; they have
been fullied, and they ought to unite us no more.
I long for the time which fhall join me clofely
to you ; my heart has already learnt to fhake
off every other chain j but you muft affift me
in humbling my proud heart. Come, and re-
vive, by your tender and unaffected careffes, a
foul fatigued by the diforders which furround
it, and the conflicts which it experiences. I
know- that you come from Caffer-il-Harais.
The inchantments of this place are no compen-
fction for the innocent amufements which you
have forfaken : The companion of the bird
which you faw entertains me perpetually with
the aftonifhing wonders of the garden of Caffer-
31-Harais. From thence, fays fhe to. me, iflued
the flame of truth, which enlightens the
world. It burns there ftill, under the moft
diverfified emblems. O that I could depart
with you this moment, and retire, to that undii-
turbed afylum 1 When I talk of happpinefs be-
fore my bird, the word Cafler-il-Harais is al-
ways in its mouth : But it tells me that the gar-
den can be opened to no female Muflulman,
unlels ihe is related to the vicar of God upon
earth : It is not then enough that Simouftapha
give me his hand j if the generous Ilfetilfone
does
ARABIAN TALES. 187
does not alfo efpoufe me, knowledge, happinefs,
and repofe, are removed from me for ever.
Could I refufe to adopt you for my lifter !
fays the princefs : Your doubts rend my heart;
you have won it ; it belongs as much to you as
to Simouftapha. How happy am I, in having
the half of myfelf to beftow upon you, that I
may feel how much the whole is indebted to
your goodnefs !
" My dear friends !" replies Setelpedour^
(< every thing is going forward in our favour ;
but all is not over : I am ftill upon the throne.
I have neither broken the wand which ferves
me for a fceptre, nor the talifman which I hold
of my grandfather : It is here that I muft re-
fign my authority : It is here that I muft tram-
ple my crown under foot : Whatever meafures
I (hall refolve upon, my act, deprived of all the
eclat which I muft give it, would overwhelm
me with confufion ; I mould be expofed to the
danger of fupplying the place of Bahlifboull up-
on the pillar, to which I have chained him, in
the lower Thebais, and I mould abandon my-
felf to the vengeance of all my fubje&s.
" But, when I fhall have accomplifhed this
great deflgn, who will carry me from this dan-
gerous abode, and convey me to Cafier-il-Ha-
rais ?"
%fr li i L.'- ** That
-
1 88 ARABIAN TALES;
" That fhall be my care," faid the princefs,
holding in her hand the beautiful feather :
This is the chariot which conveyed us hither :-
This feather was intrufted to me by the mate
of the bird, which muft be about you, and which
I have not yet feen." ,
" It is indeed with me," fays the queen : " It
is no lefs intelligent than the one you faw at Caf-
fer-il-Harais, whofe companion it fhall always
remain : I know not the reafon of their fepara-
tion. Their ion, which I gave you, repaired to
me after his difobedience j lamufe myfelf with
his pratting, which, though laconic, is c6n-
ftantly true : If he had been ignorant, he would
not have refembled his family; but, although his
knowledge extends to the paft, the prefent, and
the future, he knows nothing more than a word
of every thing. His mother is come here,
no doubt, to jfind him and inftrucl: him ; for
ihe is continually talking to him. I obferved
their converfation, which I did not underltand :
They always ended with this anfwer, which ilg-
nified that he did not comprehend her : Nothing,
nothing^ nothing! Hence it appears, that rebelling
againft wifdom may harden the underftand-
ing. The mother, at laft, loft all patience : I
made you a prefent of her fon, for he was necef-
fary to your defigns : She was noways vexed at
his abfeuce. Since I felt the charm which at-
taches
ARABIAN TALES. l-8<3l
taches me to you, I have wifhed for inftrudtion,
and have requefted leflbns from my divine bird.'*
" When you lhall have a forehead lefs fpark-
" ling," faid it to me j " and when I ihall
" have my beautiful tail, we will fpeak of the
" fciences."
" Hence I concluded that my crown over-
awed her, and forced her to be filent ; and, as
to her tail, I had perceived that whenever Ihe
took wing, it did not end in a point like that of
other birds ; I found it deficient in graceful
nefs. The feather which you bring may be the
one which is wanting ; let us go and prefent it to
her, and endeavour to make her fpeak."
It may well be fuppofed, that, notwithftand-
ing this long converfation, the queen had fur-
nifhed her guefts with all neceflary refrefhments ;
there had been intervals ; and all thefe things
had been difcufled in the hall of the divan, at
table, and in the gardens, which had no more
charms for Setelpedour : At laft, the faint
fhades that precede the night announced its ap-
proach.
This is the moment which my bird prefers,
fays the queen ; elfewhere it avoids the dark-
nefs ; here the day is troublefome to it j but I
begin to comprehend its motives. The cage of
the bird is brought in, and Ilfetilfone advances.
My
IpO ARABIAN TALES.
My pretty charmer, fays fheto it, your hufband
hath given me this moft beautiful feather, that
J might reftore it to you. All hail to the daugh-
ter of the prophet ! fays the bird : All hail to
the defcenclant of the ambaflador of God ! All
hail to the heirefs cf the virtues of his repre-
fentative on earth ! The birds of heaven are
bound to ferve her, and my hufband has done
nothing but his duty. As a crown to a queen,
fo is his beautiful feather to me. Having faid
this, the bird takes hold of it in its bill, and
fixes it in its tail, which immediately appeared
longer and more fparkling.
Why are you not with your hufband ? fays
the princefs. Every one to his own affairs.
Will ours be foon accomplifhed ? Here are
three of you. Will you anfwer the queen
to-day, if fhe defires to be inftructed ? The
half of your work only is done. Whence
comes our aid for the other half ? From a-
bove and below. Will you inform me, my
wife bird, about what I fhall afk of you ? I
ewe you the truth which I know. Your huf-
band informed me when the fea was made,
now at what time were the ftars formed ? At
the fame period, to replace in heaven the num-
ber of the rebels who had been driven from
thence. What is that brilliant ftar which we
fee furrounded by ten fmaller ones ? The
largeft
ARABIAN TALES. Ipl
largeft is Mahomet, the others are ten diftin-
guifhed prophets.
Setelpedour, far from being offended at the
anfwers of the bird, fmiled with great compla-
cency. Simouftapha remarked this, and made
bold to ofter the prefent he had brought, the
fcymitar of Kokopilefobe.
u My dear prince," fays the queen to him,
<( when J was miftrefs of my heart, and my
hopes refted on myfelf, I would have given an
empire to be poffeifed of the formidable wea-
pon which you offer ; but now it is only in
your hands that it can afford me fecurity ; and
it becomes of the higheft value to me, as
it infures your fafety. Part not with it till
times lefs troublefome than thofe with which
we are threatened. O, my charming Ilfetilfone!
when fhall we three know no other enchant-
ments except thofe of love ?"
The lovers fpent three days in the moft a-
greeable overflowings of joy ; but thefe plea-
fant moments were difturbed by fears, the
foundation of which was not imaginary.
Setelpedour, all powerful, becaufe fhe reign-
ed over the legions of Kokopilefobe, reigned,
however, only in his name : Her conduct was
contrary to the conventional laws eftablifhed,
and fan&ioned by cuftom, in Ginniftan: No
perfon could command there, till he was en-
tirely
1^2 ARABIAN TALES.
tirely fubjeled to Kokopilefobe or Balilifboull :
She had, by her own authority, raifed to the
command the MiuTulman Benalab, who never
had bowed under any yoke except that of God
and his prophet : She reigned with fuch glory,
in other refpects ; flie {hone fo confpicuoufly
by her other great qualities j that the genii, in
their enthufiafm, by giving her the title of Star
of the Seven Seas, compared her to the re-
fplendent ftar of Mahomet j they faid in their
pride, " Kokopilefobe is the King of kings,
and Setelpedour is his deputy."
But the wife Benalab had ufed his power
with difcretion : She had not become enamour-
ed of him ; fhe did not admit him to all her
entertainments, to all the fecrets of the court
and ftate ; fhe did not make him her matter ;
but, in the mean time, facrificing all for Simou-
ftapha, fhe had done what was ftill more ex-
traordinary.
She received a woman, whom fhe was not
fatisfied with treating as her equal, but whom
fhe compelled on all occafions to fit on her
right hand. And, that mortal beings might
triumph with impunity, fhe had banifhed Bah-
lifboull and Afmonchar, and had loaded with
chains the moft powerful of the genii, Koko-
pilefobe alone excepted. Thefe news had pe-
netrated the deep caverns into which the proud
fovereign
ARABIAN TALES. 193
fovereign of the genii had been tumbled j every
thing was ripe for a revolution,
Setelpedour was too watchful not to forefee
and prevent it : She embraces the young couple,
who were feized with terror at her project :
Depart," fays fhe to them ; " return to Caf-
fer-il-Harais j I will very foon join you for e-
ver ; but let Simouftapha be ready at the firft
fignal to fly to my affiftance; make ufe of the
feather of the bird for your journey ; and hence-
forth renounce all fuccours which depend on
the power of Kokopilefobe.
Simouftapha and his fpoufe return to the
garden of CafTer-il-Harais, and wait with im-
patience the iflue of thefe great events.
They reftored the feather to the bird : " My
wife has done her duty," fays it to them ;
*< my feather is -always at your fervice ; hold
yourfelf in readinefs, Simouftapha j you fhall
have occasion for it prefently."
The queen of the genii had too much pru-
dence not to luy the florin before it fwelled to
an exceffive height. Already the old Bakbak
and her nephew Jazzel, benumbed with terror
on account of feme indireft threats imprudent-
ly uttered againft them, had fled to her for
prote&ion : Setelpedour fees that fhe has not a
moment to lofe.
VOL. II. R The
-1-94 ARABIAN TILES
The day after the conforts left her, flie con-
voked a general council, and difpatched Jazzel
upon another feather of the bird, with this bil-
let for Simouftapha :
" Dear princej fet out inftantly in the fame
" carriage which I have fent you ; bring the
" Koran and the fabre of your grandfather :
ec You may conjecture my fcheme ; and my
** conduct "will fully explain it to you. Our
" dear Ilfetilfone may wait for us ne&r the tree
which fhe mentioned to me ; the wife bird
" will not allow her to be overcome by ground-
" lefs fears."
Simouftapha had too noble a mind to heli-
tate a moment : He takes the divine book ; he
arms himfelf with the formidable fcymitar ;
and, if the fairy-feather had not conveyed him
Ib rapidly, he would have been able to arrive
at Ginniftan on the wings of love.
The divan is afiembled : Setelpedour af-
cends the throne : The reftlefs genii eagerly
obferve her countenance, and are aftonifhed at
her firmnefs : She fpeaks in thefe terms :
" I know that my conduft is blamed, and
that plots are formed againft me : It has been
in my power openly to inflift very fevere pu-
nifliments ; but I difdain all black fecrecy. If
It appears humiliating to my fubjects to obey
my will, it is no lefs fo to me to be fubje&ed
to
ARABIAN TALES.
to laws, the wifdom of which I cannot per-
ceive j and I had rather live the flave of truth,
than reign by faliehood over corrupted fub-
jecls." Simouftapha then appeared, to the
great aftonilhment of the affembly : She calls
him, and places him by her fide.
" Come and afliil me," fays fhe to him with
a firmer tone, to hold the laft council at which
I wifh ever to prefide ; and you,- rebels ! at-
tend : I mean not to reproach you with riling
againft me ; you have only followed the incli-
nations of your hearts , but, in order that I may
forget your rebellions, abjure with me the
power we hold of Kokopilefobe ; let us re-
nounce the crimes of my grandfather, and
thofe which he made us commit upon the fa-
tality of the lot which hurried us into them ^
and fwear, as I do, upon the divine Koran,
that you will be the flaves of God, and of his
great prophet Mahomet !"
If the cloud which contains the thunder had
burft in the midft of the divan, it would have
produced lefs fenfible effects than the unex-
pected difcourfe of Setelpedour : Terror fuf-
pends their fpeech; flaming fulphur ifTues from
every quarter j and this infected odour filled the
hall. On a fudden a frightful noife is heard ;
It is occafioned by the arrival of Bahlifboull,
R 2 who
1<J<> ARABIAN
tvho had been delivered from his chains by Ko-
kopilefobe himfclf.
This formidable genius, covered with burn-
ing armour, of frightful feature, and hideous
sfpecl:, entered precipitately, and attempted to
ftrike down Setelpedour with his lance of fire j
Simouftapha draws his fcymkar, and parries
the fatal blow. The light which darted from
the brilliant weapon of the Indian prince
blinds in a moment his adverfary, and his ac-
complices ; and they all appear thunderflruck.
Horrid darknefs inftantly overfpreads Ginnif-
tan : The fun had never enlightened that de-
teftable country j the light which had hitherto
fupplied it was the effect of a continual en-
chantment, the charm of which was in the
crown which Setelpedour had juft trampled un-
der her feet.
Simouftapha and Setelpedour, with wary
ileps, traverfe the darknefs : They arrive at the
apartment of the bird of paradife, whofe fpark-
ling head enlightened all around : Every time
he moved it, or fhook his wings, it emitted a
new luftre.
" Let us begone, my dear mifbrefs," iys the
pretty bird, (f all my feathers arc at your fer-
vice ; but take along with you the old Bakbak
and her nephew ; they are both benumbed with
fear : J know not who told them to take re-
fuse
ARABIAN TALES. Ip7
fuge under my cage ; but they have been well
adviied."
Bakbak and Jazzel had fallen into a fwoon :
They are tied on the fore part of the chariot,
formed of the feathers of the bird ; and our
lovers, delivered from every danger, fet out
for CafTer-il-Harais.
The fairy-feather which had tranfported Si-
mouftapha goes ofF to inform Ilfetilfone : It
accofts this young princefs in the fhape of
a white pigeon ; perches on her fhoulder,
and fays to her : " Madam, Simouftapha and
Setelpedour are juft arrived ; but you cannot
receive the queen in the garden ; (he is not yet
permitted to enter it ; come and wait upon her
in the great faloon of the palace."
The princefs flies thither j the bird follows :
The three lovers embrace each other, their
tranfports are boundlefs j. and the profpedt of
an union, which- no obftacle fliall be able to
thwart, appears to raife them to the fummit of
happinefs.
Another fcenc of gratitude pafles upon a
ft and on which Simouftapha had laid the Ko-
ran : The two birds had both left their cage;
and,, having endeavoured to get before each
other, refted on the edges of the facred book.
When they had refpeclfully fainted it with
their bill and their wings, they mutually ca- ;
R reflect
*9# ARABIAN TALES.
retted one another in the moft affe&ionate
manner.
On a fudden, the little bird which Setelpe-
dour had given to the caliph's daughter, and
which remained conftantly in the caftle, be-
caufe it could not be admitted into the garden,
runs up, and, without daring to reft on the
Koran, waits till its parents invite it to ap-
proach. They affift it in mounting ; they ca-
refs it ; and the little animal cries out in its
own language, as yet unfortunately too limi-
ted, True ! True ! Only true /""
For the firft time it was heard to utter two
words fucceffively.. The curfe pronounced up-
on it was taken off: Inftrufted by its parents,
and become faithful like themfelves, it was
going to enjoy all the privileges of the birds of
paradife. This little interefting fcene agreea-
bly arrefted the attention of the lovers ; but it
was now time to converfe about their perfonal
concerns.
Setelpedour relates to Hfetilfone the ftory of
her abdication, and the valour of the hero who
had defended her againft the threats of the hi-
deous Bahlilboull : The recollection of this
fcene gives new animation to her countenance j
and jfhe appears irradiated with glory.
Ilfetilfone wiflies to periuade her new com-
panion to partake with her in the pleafures of
the
ARABIAN TALES* iptj,
the garden of the palace. " My dear princefe,"
replies Setelpedour, " neither you nor Simou-
fhpha can of yourfelves open the gates of that
delightful abode ; even the wife of Simoufta-
pha cannot enter it, till the vicar of God upon,
earth, the great caliph Haroun-Alrafchid, by
adopting her for his daughter, {hall allow her
to be admitted to all its privileges. I owe to
Simouftapha ths happinefs of being a MufTul-
man ; to you it belongs to direct the means by
which {he, who was queen among idols, majr
attain that perfect converfion which {hall ren-
der her for ever the flave of God, and the a-
poftle of the deftroyer of idols. I will medi-
tate on the holy book from which I have hi-
therto turned away my eyes ; the angelic voice
of the birds of paradife fliall be my interpreters.
Go, and revint parents whofe happinefs de-
pends upon you ; children, who- ftretch out
their arms to embrace you ; and who from
you alfo muft derive their happinefs : Speak of
me to the caliph ; tell hin> that Setelpedour
langui/hes, as a vine detached from the elm, till
{lie become the fpoufe of Simouftapha } that
the prince of the Indies can only efpoufe her
who is publicly declared the daughter of the
commander of the faithful ; but in vain will
fhe be adorned with this title, fbe will always
be
203 ARABIAN TALES.
be inferior in virtue and in charms to the ami-
able Ilfetilfone.
" Great queen," anfvvered the princefs, " I
throw myfelf at your feet." " I am no longer
queen," fays Setelpedour, raifing, her; " my
throne from henceforth is in your heart, and in
that of Simouftapha." Thefe declarations were
fealed by the n-oft tender carefles among the
tliree lovers ; and if they appeared to abate,
the youngeft of the birds cried. Encore I En cor el
Encore !
At laft Simouftapha and Ilfetiifone fet out
for Bagdad with the fame retinue as before :
They return to the palace, where they are
anxious to entertain Haroun and Zobeida with
the relation of the wonders they had feen, and
the emotions they had felt.
The generous princefs perfuades her father
to adopt Setelpedour for his daughter, in order
that fhe may become the fpoufe of Simoufta-
pha : To Zobeida her daughter's conduct ap-
pears highly inconfiderate ; fhe appears volun-
tarily to folicit a rival : " Ah ! Madam," fays
Ilfetilfone to her, " the woman who loves Si-
mouftapha as I do, can never be my rival, fhe
can only affift me in promoting his happinefs."
The caliph, better inftrudted than Zobeida,
fully comprehends the reafons of his daughter j
he had, besides, the higheft efteem for the
character
ARABIAN TALES. 201
character of Setelpedour ; and every thing de-
termines him to undertake a journey to Caffer-
il-Harais, whenever the affairs of ftate {hall
permit.
In the mean time, Setelpedour begins a re-
form which was neceffary to enable her to em-
brace the law of the divine prophet : She en-
deavours to get herfelf inftructed in new prin-
ciples, of which {he was ignorant : She curbs
her proud imperious mind, already become ge-
nerous and beneficent : She is in queft of a vir-
tue more fimple and more pure, which rejects
every interested motive, which banilhes felf-
love, the bane of fociety ; that virtue is chari-
rity : It extends to every object, and difplays
itfelf by every fort of means ; it often happens
tKat we have no occaflon to open our hand to
give a great deal.
Setelpedour had withdrawn Bakbak and her
nephew Jazzel from the wrath of the genii ;
but what will become of them, ftrangers upon
the earth, baniihed from Ginniitan, and
thurft out of heaven ? She undertakes to put
them under the fame protection to which {he
had committed herfelf : The old woman obferves
the queen conftantly employed in reading : " Is
it the Koran that you read, madam ? Yes,
Bakbak, and I wifli you were able to read it al-
fo : Have you any defire to know the truth it
contains*
2O2 ARABIAN TALES.
contains, and, together with your nephew, to
obey them ? No perfon loves the truth more
than I do ; I got myfelf a bad character by
fearching for it every where, and telling it
morning and night : I never fuffered my verity
to be called in queftion. It is true, that, in
what they call truth, a great deal maybe faid on
both fides ; but you have only to tell both fides
of the matter ; and, in that cafe, every thing is
faid. Can you read, Bakbak ? Yes, madam,
provided the writing be not too fmall." She
at the fame time cafts her eyes on the firft
page.
You muft know, that at Ginniftan they de-
parted very much from the original language :
They fpoke a fort of broken Arabic, and you
may imagine that the dialect of the old woman
was not very pure. Setelpedour condefcended to
make her fpell all the letters of the firft line :
* There is one God only, and Mahomet is his
" prophet."
When Bakbak had repeated thefe words a
fufficient number of times, " Ah ! that is pretty,"
cried fhe, they fhall hear me fpeak j I will make
a noife, I anfwer for it. Below, in the anti-
chamber, there are two knaves, the genii of the
box and of the ring, lazy drones, who are al-
ways fitting with their arms acrofs, and have
never laid a finger on a book : Ah ! I will dif-
courfe
ARABIAN TALES. 20J'
eourfe to them about it. Let us fee ; we will
laugh together. There is one Oh ! that's finely
faid. There is one God, that's well enough !
I will not leave them the whole day, till I have
made them read with me." Setelpedour fmiled
at the odd zeal of the gnome, who immedi-
ately goes down to the antichamber.
" Come hither ! come hither, mifcreants !
who love the demons only, becaufe you are two
of them ! Here's a book, which has been ra-
ven me by our fo great, fo good, fo fweet, and,
at the fame time, fo formidable queen, that all
the genii were aftonifhed at her, and overwhel-
med with darknefs in broad day : See how it is
written ! The pen was taken from the wing of
an angel ! you could never have furnifhed the
like, ye bats that ye are ! and that ink is made
with a liquor from the eye of the raven which
went firft out of Noah's ark ; but all that is no-
thing; you muft read like me, word for word,
what is written : There is only There is cue God y
ivbo is one God only and Mahomet is only a pro-
phet. What have ye to fay that, ye wretches ?
You never did any good aftion, and you will
continue in your old tricks ; ret you muft con-
fider what is to happen at laft ; for, as the
book fays ; " There is but one God y and cue Ma-
homet, 'who are prophets."
Jemal
204 ARABIAN TALES.
Jemal, overwhelmed with his fad fituation, and
his want of employment, which was the confe-
quence of the abdication of his fovereign, far
from giving a direct anfwer, fays to the old wo-
man, You are much broke, Bakbak, iince you
came here, and you did very ill to forget your
falfe teeth.
" I broke !" anfwered fhc, " what does that
wry-faced fpindle-fhanks mean ? It ill befits
thee to fpeak of falfe teeth ; every thing is
falfe about thee, even thy face. Take care,
for if I give thee one good curfe, thou fhalt
again be changed into Ranfrack, and continue
thy evil ways ; but confider that thou oughteft
one day to leave them off, becaufe, " if God is a
" God, Mahomet is his prophet." Bakbak
carries back the book.
Well ! 'fays Setelpedour, have you wrought
a converfion ? Oh ! Madam, anfwers the old
woman, one cannot make thefe rogues hear
reafon : In vain did I repeat, " that there is
" but one prophet, and one Mahomet, who is
God." Hold, Bakbak, you make the Ko-
ran rave : "There is one God only, and Ma-
" hornet is his prophet."
This converfation was interrupted by an in-
terefting viilt : It was the charming Simoufta-
pha mounted on his couffer. He had left
Bagdad in the morning, and nobody could
follow
AKACIAN TALES. C?
follow him; he finds Setelpedour with her
book and her birds : She learns with a fatii-
fa<5lion, to which the bluih on her cheek bears
witnefs, that the caliph clefigns to acknowledge
her as his daughter, Ilfetilfone as her fifter,
and both as the fpoufe of the bearer of fuch a-
greeable intelligence j in fhort, that Haroun
would immediately come in perfon to confe-
crate an alliance which occafioned fo much joy.
They interrogate the birds, to know if any
thing would crofs this marriage : The bird of
Setelpedour anfwers, that every thing in Gin-
niftan favoured it j the bird of the tree faid,
that this fuccefs would make amends for its be-
ing fo long deprived of its matej and their
child (which now fpoke with great facility) de-
clared, that a marriage which procured happi-
ncfs to it muft be fortunate : The lovers made
them repeat a thoufand times thefe prefages.
It was at length neceflary for Simouftapha
to leave the caftle of CafTer-il-Harais ; duty and
love recal him to Bagdad, where he pafies an-
other month before the completion of the wifh-
es of Setelpedour.
The defired event at laft takes place : The
caliph, his fpoufe, and their daughter, fet out
for the caftle, in the midft of four thoufand
knights, and twenty thoufand troopers, prece-
ded by military inftruments, and all the pomp
VOL. H. S neceffary
2o6 ARABIAN TALES.
neceiTary for the defign which was the object
of their journey. The firft morning they fet
out, Simouftapha feparated himfelf from the
cavalcade, to inform Setelpedour of the vifit
fhe was about to receive. This beautiful queen
meets the carriages in the firft court of the
caftle, and is obliged to receive the homage
which {he. is unable to prevent. Her beauty
uftomlhes the caliph, alarms Zobeida, captivates
Ilfetilfone and Simoufbpha, and is admired by
the whole court of the commander of the faith-
ful.
We fhall not dwell upon the ceremonial of
their magnificent reception -, the expences were
defrayed from the treafures of the caliph; and
the fruits of the garden furnifhed all the deli-
cacies. Neither fhall we infift on the ceremo-
nies of the mufti, and the delays of the law-
yers : Nor even defcribe the pleafures of a
marriage, which for the firft time united three
hearts to one another. We fhall omit all re-
flections on the mutual happinefs of the caliph's
family, of the Indian prince, and at the caftle
of CafTer-il-Harais ; for we have been fo hur-
ried on by the immenfe fpaces which it was ne-"*
ceiTary to traverfe, by the variety and the mul-
titude of events, that we have loft fight of
time, which ought to regulate all our details.
Let us purfue objects on 'which it leaves fo fen-
fible
/ ARABIAN TALES 207
Chle marks, that it is impoffible for us to mil-
take its courfe.
The beard of Haroun-Alrafchid was become
infinitely more venerable j the fame fire ani-
mates his looks -, but deep wrinkles furrow his
auguft brow. He liad for ten years difcontL-
nued his nightly circuits in Bagdad, which was
attended with fo great advantages in detecting
the conduct of his minifters, and watching over
the happinefs of the MufTulmans. But, while
he perceives the angel of death advancing with
too rapid ftrides * towards him, he fees himfelf
live anew in his moil amiable offspring. His
grand fon Haroun-Ben-Alrafchid joins to the
age of ten years all the perfections which have
attracted our admiration in the prince of the
Indies and his fpoufe. Other descendants no
lefs interesting comfort his old age. He fees
himfelf revive by the fortunate birth of the fon
of his adopted daughter, a little Simouftapha
as beautiful as his father.
But happinefs is not the lot of every father ;
that of the Indian prince, far from partaking
in the enjoyments of the caliph, thought him-
felf unfortunate ; and his fpoufe fhared in his
grief.
Twelve years had almoft elapfcd fince they
had feen a beloved fon, who was their only
hope. Happily for them, however, the rofe-bulh,
S 2 which
208 ARABIAN TALES.
which was left them by Benalab, had not de-
cayed. It fiourifhed more and more, and
grew every day more beautiful. They had
comforted themfelves with contemplating this
Jhrub, the pledge of their ion's profperity, and
were every moment in anxious expectation of
feeing him again.
Simouftapha, in order to conceal his firft
projects, the fuccefs of which was extremely
doubtful, endeavoured to keep them ignorant
of his firft adventures, from which he was un-
willing to be diverted. When thefe had fuc-
ceeded to his wifhes, he delayed to inform
them till next day ; but, afhamed of a delay
which appeared to him incapable of excufe, he
continued in this reprehensible filence. How
dangerous is it to delay till to-morrow !
Mean while an era arrived, when the filence
of Simouftapha became extremely afflicting to
his family. The moment that Setelpedour fub-
mitted to the law of the great prophet* and en-
tirely abjured that of Kokopilefobe, all the en-
chantments which {he had performed, and
which had been performed in her name, were
deftroyed : The beautiful rofe-bufh of the In-
dian king withered ; mourning and defolation
reigned in the palace j arid death was, about to
follow,
A
ARABIAN TALES. 2 Op
A bird, a meflknger from the benevolent
fpirits, palled over Cafler-il-Harais in its paf-
fage from India, and reported thefe things to
the birds of paradife. That of the tree of the
garden faid to his mate, " Go, fearch into the
apartment which is occupied by the princefles,
and get for me a very fmall vial, which you
mult fill with river-water from the bafon in the
garden ; and then^tie it to my neck with a fmall
ribband. I am going to India, and our fon
muft accompany me j and if any one fhould afk
where we are, you muft lay, that I have taken
my fon up to the tree for the purpofe of 5n-
ftructing him." The good little female did as
fhe was ordered.
The birds flew away with great . rapidity :
And the parents of Simoufhphs, when they
arofe, found the rofe-bulh revived, and much
more beautiful than ever. A new ftalk fhot
up, which appeared to grow out of the firft ;
and the two branches united again ; fo that it
was impoffible to determine which of them af-
forded nourifhment to the beautiful flowers
with which they were loaded.
The hopes of the king and queen of the Indies
immediately revived at this prodigy; they .lent
for the aftrqlogers, and required of them an
explanation of the phenomenon of the fuddt-n
death and reanimation of the rofe-bufh. The
S 3 learned
2IO ARABIAN TALfrS.
learned confidently affirmed, that the prince's
life had been in the greateft danger, but that
it had been happily protected all the rofes
*.vith which the buih was loaded were the vir-
tues he had acquired, and the fciences by which
he was adorned ; for one virtue begets another ;
and thefe happy acquifitions were all connected.
Such was the interpretation of the double ftalk ;
it was impoflible to know to which of all his
excellent qualities the happy fruits which they
produced were to be afcribed.
All thefe explanations, as clear as they ap-
peared to be juft, agreed perfectly with the
firft obfervation which had been made at the
birth of the great prince Simouftapha, who was,
one day to become the accomplished pattern of
the fovereigns of the earth. Hovr confolatory
was this myfterious emblem of the rofe-bufh !
But, ah !' how much did the reality exceed thia
figurative reprefentation \
The Indian king and his ipoufe, weariedf
ivith fending meflengers into the four quarters
of the world in fearch of their fon, without
fuccefsy determined at length to go in queft of
him themfelves ; and being now convinced
that he exifted in fome part of the inhabited
world, determined to undertake a voyage.
Should any one be difpofed to cenfure the
very extraordinary filence of Simouftapha to-
wards
ARABIAN TALES. 211
wards a family that ought to have been dear to
him, and to complain of the obftinate deftiny
which thwarted every attempt to difcover him ;
it may be remarked, that, if the Indian prince
had difcovered himfelf fooner, he would have
been recalled into his father's kingdom at the
time of his marriage with Ilfetilfone , that Se-
telpedour, worthy of a better fate, would have
continued the queen of the frightful Ginniftan ;
and that we are here led to admire that fove-
reign wifdom, which, by means of the blind
conduct of mortals, accomplices its important
purpofes.
Profperity and happineis continued to reign
at Bagdad and Cafler-il-Harais : And the wife
Zobeida, thinking her daughter much happier
fince {he fhared with Setelpedour the heart of
Simouftapha, at length agreed, that, from a
man's union with two wives, a very great ad-
vantage might refult to all the three, provided
one of the women had the gift of enchant-
ment.
A rumour of war foon feparated this charm-
ing party. They wrote from Baflbra, that a
numerous fleet threatened the coaft with an in-
vafion ; and the caliph, prefuming that the in-
fidels were coming to revenge their defeat be-
fore Damafcus, ordered levies to be made
throughout the whole empire. Two hundred
thoufand
212 ARABIAN TALES.
thoufand men muft march to the relief of Ba
fora, and the cities which may be attacked ; of
which army Simouftapha was to have the conv
mand.
The troops aflembled, began their march,
and foon arrived at Baflbra ; fortifications were
creeled on every place where the enemy could
attempt a defcent ; the courfe of the fleet was
watched ; and the winds feemed to favour its
approach to the land, and it might come to an
anchor in the road of Baflbra. The fize of the
vefTels of which it was compofed gave it a for-
midable appearance ; yet it had not committed
any act of hoftility ; the fifhermen who were
employed at a little diftance from it had not
been difturbed ; and it was very clear, that it
had not been fitted out by the infidels : At
length it fet up the Indian flag.
At this fignal, the heart of Simouftapha was
greatly moved : A boat left the largeft of the
fhips, and rowed towards land. Simoufta-
pha went on board one of his own, with the
young Haroun, his fon, and fet off to meet the
Indian boat. When they were within hearing,
an Indian officer who was on board aiked per-
miffion to land at Baflbra ; he told that the mo-
narch of the Indies was on board one of the veflels,
feeking every where for his fon Simouftapha, and
that, as he purfued his fearch, he wiihed to pay
homage
1RADIAN TALE?. 21 J
homage to his friend and ally the caliph Ha-
roun Alrafchid ; he told alfo that the fpoufe
of the Indian king had embarked along with
him.
Simouftapha endeavoured to reftrain his tears
of joy. " Return to the vcflel," faid he to
the officer ; " I will go on board your boat and
accompany you." At the fame time, he order-
ed his fon inftantly to get ready the caliph's
boat, and caufe it to be joined by all that were
in the harbour j he then went into the Indian
boat, and was carried to the ihip from which it
had come.
At this moment the Indian king was obfer-
ving from the deck what pafled in this inter-
view betwixt the two boats. He had feen ar
mariner, in fplendid armour, enter the boat
which returned, and ordered people to be pla-
ced on the ladders to affift him coming on
board, and he himfelf waited for him on the deck.
Simouftapha immediately threw himfelf at his
father's feet, without being difcovered by him,
and bathed them with his tears. The mo-
narch, aftonifhed at that remarkable ho-
mage, in a ftrange country, raifed the man
who had thus proftrated himfelf. A flood of
tears concealed from him features which were
deeply engraved on his memory and his heart j
but the voice of nature was heard i and his fenfes
being,
ZI4 ARABIAN TALES.
being weakened by the furprife, he reeled againfl
the maft of the vefTel, exclaiming, It is my
fon!"
This declaration, arid the accident which had
happened, quickly brought the queen, who
mingled her tears and embraces in the arms of
her fon and her hufband j and they all three
enjoyed the fweeteft fenfation of nature. Thefe
delightful feejings were kindled anew by the
fight of the tender fhoor, who foon after ar-
rived. The young and charming Haroun, in
complete armour, at the age of eleven, and u-
niting grace with innocence, was led on board
by the moft considerable knights in the Maho-
metan army, and found himfelf in the arms of
parents whom Simouftapha had fo often men-
tioned. The joy of this happy family will ad-
mit of no defcription. The Indian king land-
ed at Baffbra j the caliph was freed from un-
eafinefs refpecting the fleet ; and the hope of"
feeing his ancient friend fhed a gleam of joy
over his declining days. Thefe important news
reached CafTer-il-Harais, and happinefs was corrh-
municated from the heart of the princefles to
that of their children ; even the birds appear-
ed to partake of it ; every thing fhared in the
general joy.
The caliph's army was difbanded, and that which
accompanied the Indian king remained at Baf-
foraj
ARABIAN TALES. 2I
fora. He himfelf marched to Bagdad, conduc-
ted by Simouftapha, who, attended by four
thoufand knights, and the caliph, came out to
meet them with the moft magnificent retinue ;
and thefe affectionate friends were again united.
Bagdad had afTumed a new appearance, and the
Indian monarch entered it under a long fuccef^
fion of triumphal arches. The caliph had di-
played all his power to give a fuitable recep-
tion to his friend and ally. The moft fplendid
ceremonies were confecrated by the moft folemn
acts of religion, and were crowned by public re-
joicings.
There yet remained to the king and queen of
the Indies a very interefting journey. It was that
to CafTer-il-Harais, where the two princefles,
Simouftapha's wives, and their charming fami-
ly refided.
The caliph immediately ordered preparations
for this journey, which were in no refpedt in-
ferior to thofe which Bagdad juft beheld. The
princefles had been informed of their intention j
and the banner of the caliph and of the Indian
king were even feen ftreaming in the air. Mef-
fengers had gone before the advanced guard :
They at length arrived ; and, in the tranfports
of mutual affeftion, thefe two families felt the
moft agreeable emotions of Nature : The queen
of the Indies thtn recognifed all the flow*
$l6 ARABIAN TALES.
ers of the firft rofe-bufh, could never be fatisfied
with looking at them, and affectionately pref-
fing them to her bofom.
After a magnificent repaft, they entered the
enchanted garden, where a feaft, as raviihing as
it was unexpected, awaited them.
By order of the three birds of paradife, all the
reft were afiembled, and formed a melodious con-
cert ; and, if they alighted for a moment on the
grafs, they prefented to the eye a plot of an ani-
mated flower.
At this harmonious -found, the antelopes,
and other little animals, appeared to frifk in
meafured time, and form a rural dance. Tiie
filver fifties' left the fandy bottom of the bafons
in which they lay, and, with their varied fcales,
reflected the bright rays of the fun : The water
appeared a liquid rainbow, whofe different hues
delighted the eye ; and, if our lovers wandered
in thefe delightful groves, it was only to {hare
their tranfports, by talking of them.
But it was now time for the Indian king to
impart to his fubje&s the happinefs of his fuc-
cefsful voyage. Simouftapha and his two fpouies
muft go along with him j and, to compenfate
their lofs, the caliph detained the young Ha-
roun-Ben-Alrafchid, whom he married to an
only daughter of one of the fons whom the
commander of the faithful had loft, and who,
from.
ARABIAN TALES. 21?
from that time, became the prefumptive fuccek
for to his crown.
Simouftapha, Ilfetllfone, and Setelpedour, em-
barked with their family for India, and in tears
took leave of the young Harorai. He attended
his relations to the fhore of the fea, and, after
embracing them, " Raife an army," fald he to
his father ; I will afk one from the caliph,
and, with thefe united, we will vanquifh and
bring back to ourfelves all the infidels ; I will
have the pleafure of feeing you again, and will
bring along with me my little Yalide ; we witt
behold and embrace one another ; I will ca-
refs my mother and my fitters, and we will all
be happy."
The fleet had already left the fea of BaiTora,
and was in full fail for the Indian fhores, where
they arrived, after a profperous voyage, and
completed the happinefs of the people. Setel-
pedour found there a happinefs and peace, td
which all the crowns of Ginniftan were not
worthy to be compared ; and Simouftapha re*
ceived, at length, the reward of thofe virtues
which the Perfian philofopher had planted in
his heart.
SCHEHERAZADE having finifhed the hiftory of
Simouftapha, ftopped for a moment. < Is this
the whole hiftory ?" It has interefted me very
VOL. II. T much.
ii8 ARABIAN TALES.
much, particularly on account of the birds. I
am extremely forry that they did not all three
fet out for India. They would have contribu-v
ted, in a confiderable degree, to preferve the
peace of the family. Could I enjoy my wifli,
I would be vaftly pleafed to have one of thefe
birds. You have (for I forgot nothing) told
me of a fifherman, who wifhed to throw nets of
iilk into the water , but I would willingly hunt
thefe birds with nets of the feed of pearls.
" This fancy would prove extremely dange-
rous, Oh ! my magnanimous fultan," replied
Scheherazade ; " the birds of paradife are not ta-
ken in fnares like thefe ; you might catch tkpfe.
of Ginniftan, which would appear to you e-
qually beautiful, but which within, as well as
without, are perfidious and falfe. As day is not
yet near, I could relate to your highnels a very
tragical, and pretty fhort ftory, that would make
you diflruft any connection with thefe wonder-
ful birds : It is that of Alibengiad, fultan of Hi-
rak." " I will hear it with pleafure," replied
the fultan. And Scheherazade thus began :
ARABIAN TALES.
The Hlftory ofJMengiait, Sultan of H'trak, and of
i r >/ J f Tt JT
the falfn Birds, of Paradife.
j j | _
ALIBENGIAD, fultan of Hirak, and one of the
defendants of All, was at war with the calipii
Moavie. He thought to lay a fnare for the ca-
liph, by drawing him into a narrow pafs, be-
twixt fome heights, of which he had made him-
felf mafter. Moavie made his army march
flowly, and fo as to make the enemy believe-
that he was under no fufpicion of the ftratagem
they had employed againft him. But Aliben-
giad was Toon defeated, his army cut in pieces,
and he himfelf taken prifoner, and fhut up in
a fort upon the Aggiala, a few leagues diftant
from Cafler-il-Harais.
This prifoner, a man of a ferocious difpoil-
tion, had, during his reign, rendered many un-
happy, and was now unable to bear his own
misfortunes. He palfed cbntinually, from an'
unmanly dejeftion, to tranfports which border-
ed on madnefs.
His whole fociety was an eunuch, of fifteen
years of age, who was fhut up with him ; and
3ie pafled his time in prattling with this young
man, no lefs flmple than ignorant. He expref^
fed to him his aftonifhment, that a man like
T 2 Moavie,
220 AEABIAN TALES.
Moavie, who fpent his time in devotion, could
fuddenly adopt fuch meafures, in every conflict,
as difconcerted his enemies, and know before-
hand their defigns, without appearing to have
examined them.
" Our caliph," faid the eunuch, " has no
need of fo many fpies, nor of fo much atten-
tion. Whenever he is told that an enemy ap-
proaches, he mounts his camel, taking with
him a fupply of provifions ; his bird of paradifo
goes before, and points out die weak parts of
the enemy, their fhratagerns, and their re-
fources." What bird is that ?" faid Alibengiad.*
*' Have you never heard," replied the eunuch,
*.' of the birds which are in the gardens of Oaf-
fer-il- Harais, not far from this? Mahomet
brought a breed of them to this caftle; they ne
never go out but in the fervice of a prophet.
They are often talked of at the palace ; for the
women have feen them. Thefe birds are fa-
credj they are perfectly acquainted with the
Koran, and fpeak very distinctly. They are
faid to do every thing. I have heard more
than a hundred ftories told of them, fo that I
Ijave fometimes dreamed of them. But I ne-
ver fay/ any of them, except in a dream. They
are extremely beautiful. As they move through,
the air, one would think it was a parcel of filk
flying, fo fine and light is their plumage.
" Our
ARABIAN TALES 221
" Our grand caliph hath certainly one of
them, which ferves and con verfes with him;
but it is he only who fees and hears it j by
which means he finds out every thing that hap-
pens in the palace. We have a negro among
us, who gave out that he had one of them,
which could find any thing that was loft.
But his bird did not prevent him from drown-
ing himfelf in the Ilfara."
The fultan's head, already fomewhat deran-
ged, became ftill more fo at the relation of
thefe wonders, and many others, with which
the eunuch constantly entertained him. " If I
could," faid he to himfelf, " get a bird like
Moavie's, it would facilitate my efcape from
this place ; I would regain my provinces by its
aid ; I would raife an army, and engage the ca-
liph ; the balance of power would be maintain-
ed by forces natural and miraculous ; and we
Ihould then fee which of us two- fhould be the
conqueror. It is not far from this to Cafler-
il-Harais ; if my voice could reach that place I
might determine one of the inhabitants of the
garden to come to my relief." " Come! come I
come to me!" cried the fultan in his enthufiafiru
u Conic y celeftial and powerful birds! The throne
ef Hirak, and the mojl fplendid empire I may be able
o fubdue r jhall be yotir cage .'"
T 3
222 ARABIAN TALES.
Alibengiad was fo full of this idea, that he
forgot his prayers both evening and morning.
Though an infidel, he had hitherto been very
pun&ual in that duty ; but now he addrefied
his vows only to the wonderful birds ; they a-
lone occupied his thoughts.
" I have feen one o them to-night," faid
the eunuch to him one day ; " I thought it
fpoke to me in my dream." " Ah ! how hap-
py art thou !" replied the fultan , " I would
give half my blood to fee them, though but in
a dream."
During the night, this idea kept the fultan
awake ; which was not furely the way to have
the dream he defired : But fuddenly, at mid-
night, he heard a knocking at his window. It
was an hundred and twenty feet from the
ground on the outfide. He looked j the win-
dow appeared to him enlightened as if it had
been day. He examined with care all around,
and faw a beautiful bird perched on the gra-
ting which was on the outfide.
Alibengiad was tranfported with joy and a-
ftonifhment at this fight, and invited the bird
to come in. I cannot," replied the wonder-
ful creature, but fo diftinclly, that he thought it
was at his ear ; " if, however, you are anxious
" to have me, we may agree upon terms."
Having fpoken thefe few words, the beautiful
bird
ARABIAN TALS. 32J
bird difappeared, and Alibengiad believed him-
felf on the point of becoming the happieft of
men.
The eunuch was afleep, and had feei* no-
thing. The fultan communicated to him his
good fortune ; and the following night they
were both on the watch \ but they had only
the pleafure of pafljng a fleeplefs night.
Several days elapfed in expectation, impa*
tie nee, and want of deep : At laft, the bird
appeared at midnight. " Of my own accord,"
fa id it to the fultan, " and attracted by. the
prayers which I heard from the bottom of a
garden in Cafier-il-Harais, I came to you. Now
I have obtained permiilion to fpeak with you ;
do you wifh that we mould enter into terms ?' :
-~-" With all my heart," replied Alibengiad.-r-
" Arife then,, and let me in."
The fultan arofe : " Place yourfelf in the
middle of the chamber," faid the bird to him,
" and repeat, along with me, vord for word,
what I am going to fay. " Chamber ! open ;
" I command you by Mahomet. Bird ! Come
" to me : I command you by the God of the
earth."
Alibengiad, <}uite beiide himfelf, prorjoim-
ced thefe very words, and the bird alighted on
his Ihoulder. Its fpiendour caft a vivid light
through the rwnv;)nd the .lerriiied cuauch
fell
224 ARABIAN TALE?.
fell proftrate on the ground. " What do you
want of me, and of the mailer to whom I be-
long," faid the bird r " To get out from this
place," replied the fultan, " to return to Hi-
rak, to reafcend my throne, and to avenge myfelf-
on Moavie." " All that fhall be done in time ;
but we muft begin with our efcape from this
place. Order, by Mahomet, the iron grating
which prevents our paifage to fall down." Ali-
bengiad obeyed without hefitation. " Com-
mand me, in the name of the great God of
the earth, to make you a chariot which may
carry you to Hirak before the clofe of day."
Alibengiad, full of joy and hope, as he had al-
ready feen the grating of his cafement difap-
pear, gave this new order with pleafure.
" I leave you the cap of your turban," faid
the bird, " but give me the muflin of it. This
will be the materials of a chariot which will
carry you and the eunuch." The fultan eagerly
complied with this requeft.
" Now," faid the bird, " I am going to fet
to work." And taking hold of one 'end -of the
muflin with its bill, it carries the whole piece
out at the window. A moment after, Aliben-
giad perceived over againft this window a very
handlbme chariot, in which the bird was yoked,
with light ribbands of crimfon and gold-colour-
ed filk. He went boldly to the window, and
ftooped
ARABIAN TALES. 22 J
ftooped down to go out, and get into the
chariot. " One moment,'* faid the bird,
putting a foot upon the chariot, " you will
repeat the confeffion of faith which I fhall dic-
tate to you." " Undoubtedly," replied the ful-
tan, very eager to depart. " If you flail in one
word, you {hall bathe for the laft time in the
river Aggiala : Mount now, and, before be-
ing feated, pronounce diftinclly the following
words : " In the name of the great Kokopile-
" fobe, the alone god of the world, I wifh to
" get out from this place, and to go to Hirak."
" What do you fay next, bird ?" faid Aliben-
giad. " There is but one God, and Mahomet
" is his prophet."
Scarcely had he finifhed thefe words, when
the chariot was dillblved, and returned to its
original muflin. The bird flew away, and the
body of Alibengiad, borne by this light ftuff,
was, by its own weight, dragged towards the
earth. It fell among the rocks, which are ba-
thed by the winding ftreams of the river ; but
was not dafhoi to pieces : Some of the won-
derful virtues full remained in the muflin. A-
libengiad however was fo ftunned by the fall that
he entirely loft the little reafon that remained to
Iiim, and became quite filly. Some fifliennen
took him up, and carried him to Moavie.
I
226 ARABIAN TALL*.
The caliph, informed of the adventure by
the young eunuch, who had not fet his foot
upon the chariot when it vanifhed, thought he
difcerned, in ths punuliment inflicted on the ful-
tan of Hirak, the will of God and the inten-
tion of Mahomet. He granted liberty of body
to him, whom a decree from on high had de-
prived of that of the mind.
The eunuch kd him through Bagdad as a
curiofity, and fcraped together a little money,
by fhowiag-him to ftrangers in the kans, as the
fultan of the bird. Alibengiad, entirely deprived
of his fenfes, made no reply, but laughed at
the different queftions which were put to him.
ARE you done," faid the fultan to Schehe-
razade ; " your ftory is important, and much
more fo, by your having addrefled yourfelf to
me hi more places than one. Do you think
that tny head isfomewhat deranged, becaufe I love
birds ?" Invincible fultan !" replied fhe, I
wifhed only to fortify you." " Come, come !
that is enough ; but be aflured that I expect no
one will ridicule my tafte, and be more difcreet
in the choice of your ftories." u A propos"
added the luhan, tf I believe I recollect ano-
ther of them ; it is about two birds likewife,
that were fern to the king of Egypt." " Your
mnjefty," faid Scheherazade, " means to fpeak
of
1RABIAN TALE?. 22J
of a fact belonging to a very remote era, long
before the Koran enlightened the world. I
will relate it, as foon as your highnefs fhall
have ordered me." " Speak then, I am all at-
tention," faid the fultan j " but remember !"
The amiable fultanefs underftood him at once,
made a flight bow, and thus proceeded.
:lonU3
Kyiory of Sifdaribf and his tiuo Vizirs.
A
AT the time which I have juft now mention-
ed to you, Sire, Sinkarib reigned in Nineveh
and Thor, over the empire of Affyria. This
prince was called to the throne at a very early
age, and had many natural virtues ; but a taftc
for pleafure made him negleft his affairs, which
were fo great a burden to him, that the mini-
fher who relieved him of it might promife him-
felf an abfolute authority over him. Fortu-
nately for this young monarch, he had the
wifdom to retain, in the ftation of his firft mi-
nifter, the fame vizir who, with equal fplendour
and wifdom, had governed Afiyria during the
reign of his father. Hicar was his name. This
man was the bcft informed of his time in all
the known fciences. His wifdom, his firmnels,
the refources of hip mind, and the high repu-
tation
128 ARABIAN TALES.
tation he enjoyed, conftituted the happinefs of
the people, and the fafety of the realm.
Hicar was poflefled of immenfe wealth ; and
his palace refembled an entire city. The defire
of having heirs, more than a mifplaced vanity,
had induced him to marry fixty wives fuccef-
fively. He had built fixty Makfura *, and al-
lotted one to each of his wives as her own pe-
culiar habitation } but no fruit of thefe mar-
riages had yet appeared ; and unfortunately he
was more afflicted with this circumftance than
became a man of fo great wifdom.
Though Zefagnie, his firft wife, had ftill
maintained the empire fhe had acquired over
his heart, yet fhe exhorted him to refignation
in vain. " A child," would fhe lay to him,
" is not always a blefling from heaven. You
know I had a fitter, whom grief for a child
brought in forrow to the grave. Submit, my
dear Hicar, to a decree, which, under the ap-
pearance of loading you with affliction, is per-
haps in reality faving you from many forrows."
Hicar paid great deference to his fpoufe : She
was Sinkarib's aunt, and had never boafted of
her birth. Her conduct had been moft amiable
and prudent, and gave her a claim both upon
his affection and his efteem. Afhamed of the
Itep
A fmall detached palace, inhabited by a fmgle
-voman, unknown to her rivals.
ARABIAN TALES. Sip
ftcp he was about to take, he concealed from
her his having fent for aftrologers, to confult
them refpe&ing the means he ihould employ in
order to have a fon
The aftrologers, flattered with the confi-
dence of a peribn.of his rank, returned an an-
fwer immmediateiy, and advifed liim to offer
a facrifice to Bilelfanam *, from whom he
inuft obtain the Welling he delired.
Hicar was a native of the country of Haram,
and had brought from thence the knowledge of
the true God ; impelled, however, by an irrefift-
iblc decree, he went to the high-prieft of Bilel-
fanam, ordered a lacntice, and confulted the
-oracle : JJ.ut the oracle was iilent, .and the high-
prieft, feized with terror, perfuaded the vizir
to withdraw.
Scarcely was he without the temple, (carce-
ly had he looked around on the wonders of
nature, when remorfe troubled his confcience,
and he < aw,,. the offence he had committed,
againft the autlior of this afteniihing work^ iji
placing his confidence in a weak idol, and of-
.fering before it adoration and facrifice: Im-
.prefled with .thefe .fentiments, he raifcd his eyes
to heaven.
VoL.JL U "Oh!
BHelfaium is the oracle of Bel, the god of the
Affyrians.
23*
ARABIAN TALES
" Oh ! fovereign Creator," exclaimed he,
Bilelfanam is filent, becaufe he was formed
to be fo ; and will grant me nothing, becaufe
he has- nothing to beftow j but thou, who art
poffeiTed of almighty power, who haft hitherto
with-held what I have fo often afked, hear and
anfwer this requeft, the laft I fhall ever dare to
addrefs to you Grant me a fon !
After this invocation, the vizir, with down-
caft eyes, and his hands thrown acrofs his
breaft, was endeavouring to recollect himfelf,
when fuddenly he heard a celeftial voice : " Hi-
car," faid it, " leave off importuning heaven
thou fhalt not have a chilu j but thou mayeft
adopt Nadan thy fifter's fon, and make him
thy heir."
Hicar returned home ; and, without men-
tioning to Zefagnie the facrifices he had of-
fered to the idol, communicated to her the
command which he thought he had received
from heaven. The virtuous fVv>ufe yielded a
chearful obedience to God and her hufband ;
and from that moment they adopted Nadan
as their fon, and united their cares and af-
fection upon him, who feemed deftined to them
from on high.
Nature had lavifhed all her ftores on Nadan ;
he appeared diligent and ftudious ; he feemed
to repay the kindnefs of Hicar and Zefagnie,
and
ARABIAN TALES. 23 1
and promifed even to furpafs their moft fan-
guine hopes : He had a lively and penetrating
genius -, but all his talents and virtues were af-
iumed ; and fuch was his artifice, that whatever
he affected to be appeared perfectly natural.
With this dangerous defect of character, he
joined a deep refer ve ; he was always cautious,
and never off his guard.
I ihould wifh to imd our child guilty of
a fault," would Zefognie fay, " were it only
to fee in what manner he would extricate him-
felfj for I really * think him by far too per-
feft."
Nadan was now in his twenty-fifth year, a-
clorned with much knowledge, and deeply (kill-
ed in the affairs of government and politics,
in- which his uncle took great pleafure to in-
ftruct him. Though fecretly devoured by am-
bition, he never betrayed the fmalleft fpark
of it ; and moderated all his paffions fo well,
that it was never fufpefted any of them coul^
gain an afcendant over him.
Hicar, deceived by thefe promising appear-
ances, 'and wifhing to fpend the remainder of his
days in repofe and peace, determined to aik
the king's permiffion to retire, and the appoint-
ment of his nephew Nadan to fuccesd him.
" Sire," faid he to him, " it will foon be
forty-feven years fince I have had the honour
U 2 Of
232 A 1C A BI AH TALES.
of devoting myfelf to th6 fervice of* your illuf-
trious father and your majefty. Old age is un-
avoidably accompanied with frailty ; and 1 have
no longer that activity which is neceffary for
the proper difcharge of the office I ftill hold.
For feveral years paft, having forefeen that the
time would come when my ftrength would be
unable to fecond the efforts of my zeal, I a-
dopted one of my fitter's fons. I gave him fuch
nn education as would enable him to ferve" you
with propriety. Happy natural talents have fe-
conded all my views ; and I flatter myfelf that I
have formed a more able minifter than myfelf.
Senfible of the favours with which your maje-
fty has honoured me, 1 will be always grateful
for them ; and, while I beg your permiffioii to
retire, you may ftill depend, Sire, upon my at-
tachment for life. Yet I hope, with a grand
vizir fuch as Nad an, you will ftand in no need
of my counfel ; and that the abilities of which
he is poflefled will fully fupply the place of my
experience."
Sinkarib afked to fee the perfori whom Iticar
praifed fo much. No man was ever pbflefled
of a 1 more winning appearance than Nad an : He
replied to fuch queftioris as the king thought
proper to put to him with a feeming modefty,
and, at the fame time, with a foundnefs of
judgment,
ARABIAN TALES. 233
judgment, which difcovered a maturity of know-
ledge that delighted the monarch.
" You this day," faid he to Hicar, " com-
plete the obligations I am already under to you,
by the favour you have done me. I will crown
your work, by calling Nadan to the office you
wifli to refign, and from which, with regret,
I fee you retire.
But I ftill wifh you to be the firft prince in
my dominions, and to retain all the honours of
the high ftation you abandon. You fhall al-
ways have free accefs to my perfon , and my ear
fhall be always open to the wifdom of your ad-
vice.
In the mean time, the ting ordered Hicar to
be drefled in the fineft robes, and a gold neck-
lace to be given him, on which his name was
engraved, and which was ornamented with the
richeft diamonds j and appointed a feftival to
be celebrated for eight days throughout all his
dominions, in honour of his ancient vizir, and
of the inftalment of his fuccefibr.
The inkhorn * and the feal were immediate-
ly delivered to Nadan ; he received orders from
the king for the management of bufinefs, and
returned to the palace of Hicar.
U 3 My
* An ink-horn of a certain kind, is a ttark of dig-
nity, which is wore artte girdle.
234 ARABIAN TALES.
" My dear Nadan," faid his uncle, " you
will no longer have time to hear your mother's
advices or mine ; but forget not, I befeech you,
thofe we have already given : It is by following
them, that you have obtained the favour I have
now procured for you. But I muft inform you,
that, in proportion to your elevation, you are
expofed to danger j and I requeft that you will
ftill liften to a few advices, which till now would
have been premature, but which at prefent are
of the" utmoft importance.
w You are about to be inverted with great
power : Employ it all for him who beftoWed it
on you. Remember that he is jealous of it.
*' Let refpeft prevent you from being fami-
liar with your fovereign, and referved with
your inferiors. You have now no equal, and
you can have no friend.
" Be not the dupe of the court by Which
you will be furrounded. The tree that is load-
fed with fruit attracts the birds. They all flock
to rejoice and wanton on its branches : But,
as foon as it is ftrippen, it is forfaken, becomes
Ihe fport of the winds, and is entered with the
tfuft.
" Flattery will ftrew your way with 8owers :
Incenfe will fmoke around you; the fandal, the
aloes, and the amber will burn : Learn to put
% juft value on fuch homage.
The
ARABIAN TALES. 235
M The man who fhall praife you to your
face is not the moft dangerous : But be afraid
of him who can infpire you with pride without
appearing to admire you.
" Your fituation will draw around you the
followers of fortune : Leave her her votaries ;
one day they will be forced to defert her.
" Stand by yourfelf in the middle of a
crowd i obferve it well, but do not follow it.
" After your bufmefs, retire into folitude ;
there you will find the moft proper companion,
reflection.
" You will be poiTeffed of abundance j but
allow not yourfelf to ufc it to excefs, for this
fpoils the tafte.
" A man is half dead who crainot live with-
out fuperfiuities. Pleafure, of every kind, dif-
iipates and weakens the faculties of the mind.
" Intemperance reduces men to a level with
the brutes-, he firft becomes effeminate, and
then abfolutely filly.
" Be always eafy of accefs, but never be fa-
miliar , for it is neceflary that your prefencc
fliouid command refpecl:.
" Shut the mouths of the talkative ; they
would fpeak till the fun had gone down, with-
out faying any thing worthy of being heard ;
they arc the foes of time.
>aac w Nver
236 ARABIAN TALES.
" Never aflume a haughty air ; this is the
mark of ignorance.
" Liften with patience: Encourage the ti-
mid : Be not afraid of bold anfwers: If any one
oppofe you face to face, recollect yourfelf com-
pletely, that you may be able coolly to di-
itinguim whether he is firm or obftinate.
" Expect no good from fuch as are corrupt-
ed. When the river flows back to its fource,
when the water of the ocean ceafes to be fait,
when the crow becomes white, then have you
fomething to hope from the wicked. .
" Be merciful. Man is often overcome by
circumftances, and his own difpofitions.
" While you treat the guilty with rigour,
foften even the expreffion of your looks j you
are the organ of the law, not an executioner.
" Give the poor a welcome reception : But
banim from you the beggar, efpecially if he is
drefied in fine cloaths ; the wealth of the king-
dom would not fatisfy his covetoufnefs.
" Shun avarice ; it always miftakes its own
intereft. Avoid prodigality ; it fows with a full
hand, and reaps nothing but vexation.
u When the torrent is fpent, the traveller
pafles dry-footed, and defpifes it. Even the
earth which it hath refrefhed thanks it not for
the water which it fpread.
Never
ARABIAN TAT.IS. 23 7*
if Never difcover great eagernefs but for the
public good ; you yourfelf, and all the world,
will profit by it in this cafe.
" When you meditate an enterprife, keep
your lips fhut. When you intend to put it in
execution, cover your flxoes with a double coat
of wool.
" The fecret which is divulged, burns the
tongue. The rumour which goes before, or
accompanies any project, is fure to difconcert
it.
" Spare the lives of men j they are your
brethren.
" Shew yourfelf inodeft at firft, you will af-
terwards fhine with greater fplendour.
11 Of all trees, the almond is the firft which
bloflbms, and the laft which bears fruit. Imi-
tate the tree which produces its fruk before its
foliage *.
" Forefee difficulties. The fkiff which is
launched into the fea may brave the firft bil-
low, but is fwallowed up by thoie that fuc-
ceed."
Hicar, after having given thefe wife counfels to
the young minifter, prefuming that he would
be
* There grows in Arabia a certain kind of tree, on
which fruit is gathered, long before it puts forth its
leaves.
538 ARABIAN TALES
be careful to follow them, and to tread 'in
lus fteps, prefented him to Zefagnie : They
both embraced him, and loaded him with their
prayers, and their Welling. The palace-gates
were thrown open ; and he received the ufual
compliments in the honourable office to which
Sinkarib had raifed him.
The firft fplendour of his new Situation could
not dazzle Nadan. This character, where vice
had efcaped the difcernment of his uncle, was
too deep to difcover itfelf fo fuddenly. By the
manner in which he received them, he fhowed
himfelf worthy of the honours which were paid
him ; and went to the palace of Sinkarib to take
his feat in the divan, furrounded by a court as
fplendid as it was numerous ; appearing, even in
the eyes of Hicar, deferving of the high ftation
to which he had been deftined by this refpec-
able old man.
Sinkarib, funk in effeminacy, flood in need
of an active and enlightened minifter, and found
him in Nadan. The young vizir foon appeared
fuperior to the one who had retired : He a-
greed to fhare his amufements ; and did not ap-
]>ear an enemy to the pleafures which were
within the palace. The monarch and his vizir
foon became infeparable, and public bufinefs was
at a ftond.
This
ARABIAN TALES. 239
This produced complaints and murmurs which
tlifturbed the tranquilky of Hicar, and obli-
ged him to fignify his fears to his nephew. Na-
dan liftened to him with refpect, but with great
coldnefs ; he promifed to make a complete re-
formation, but did not keep his word in one in-
ftance.
New diforders fucceeded : The old vizir re-
newed hrs remonftrances, and became extreme-
ly importunate. He communicated his unea-
linefs to the king himfelf, but found him al-
ready prejudiced. Nadan had palliated the mif-
chief in his view, and had begun to give a dif-
advantageous reprefentation of his uncle.
" Old age," faid he to the king, " renders
Hicar fufpicious and timid : Athough he does not
now infpect affairs clofely, yet he would ftill con-
duct them. Become feeble and languid, he can
no longer retain his authority ; yet he every day
regrets its lofs^ His humour vexes me ; and,
were I to believe him, I fhould never be able to
carry on any bufinefs to your majefty's advan-
tage."
When Hicar appeared before Sinkarib, he
foon perceived the effect of the prejudice againft
him with which the king had been infpired.
The vizir met with a cold reception from the
king; and, when he wifhed to fpeak of bufinefs,
the monarch advifed him to concern himfelf a-
bout
24O ARABIAN- TALS.
bout nothing but his own health. I am per-
fectly acquainted with what you mean to fay, ad-
ded he, and can allure you that the complaints
you have heard from difcontented minds are
abfolutely without foundation. Nadan, your
nephew, hath completely fulfilled my orders,,
and his own duty. Accept, however, -of my
thanks for thefe new proofs of your zeal, and,
above all, endeavour to preferve your health,
which now begins to become very delicate.
Hicar returned home, confounded and mor-
tified. He threw himfelf, in tears, into the
arms of his fpoufe. " My dear Zefagnie," faid
he, " this Nadan, whom we thought given us
by the hand of God, to be our confolation, and
the protector of Ailyria, hath deprived me of the
king's confidence : Every thing will be loft, and
I /hall be the caufe of it !"
" Let us be comforted," replied Zefagnie.
'* Milled, like you, by fpeciou/ appearances, I
myfelf contributed to deceive you refpecting
him; but we cannot pretend, that the divine
goodnefs had any part in this : The voice, which
feemed to come from above, did not defcend
from heaven ; but it was permitted by God
to deceive you, as you were coming out of the
temple of Bilelfanam, whether you had repaired
to force from the decrees of the eternal a po-
terhy which you had been refufed. Long have
I
ARABIAN TALES. 24!
I reflected on this unhappy circumftance ; had
it been the will of the Almighty to grant yoa
an heir, this would have been equally eafy to
him as to ftrike your ears with an empty found.
As you have been puniflhed by a piece of de-
ceit for this act of idolatry, altogether unpar-
donable in a man fo well informed ; toad
you were conftrained to adopt Nadan-
Heaven grt he may flop here 1 The ma(k
of hypocrify, which has fo long deceived us,
may ftill conceal the moft deteftable plots."
Thefe reflections of Zefagnie were wife and
profound ; but Hicar, to whom his nephew
was ftill dear, did not imagine that he would
go fo far as to verify the well founded prefages
of his fpoafe.
Nadan, already feeling remorfe for his ingra-
titude, ftill endeavoured to haften the ruin of
his benefactor, whofe looks and remonftrances
he dreaded, whofe fortune he was wafting, and
whofe reputation was a burden to him.
He founded the delign of drawing up an a*
nonymous libel againft himfelf ; but in fach a
manner that the ftyle of his uncle might be re-
cognifed in its general drain. He filled it with
falfe and bold imputations j every thing in it
had a fpecious appearance, and feemed to havt
been di&ated by zeal. The work was put into
VOL. II, ' X $ikib'
4 2 " ARABIAN TALES.
Sinkarib's hands, and he communicated it to
Nadan.
The artful miniiler deftroy.ed in a moment
the effect which his own impofture was caku^
lated to produce. At the fame time that he ad-
mitted the fufpicion that Hicar alone was the
author of it, he appeared melted into tears,
and befought the king to pardon the weaknefs
and age of his uncle ; advifing him, however,
to take prper meafures to remove him to
a. diftance, as it was plain that he was not
now what he had once been, and was become
the fport and tool of a cabal.
" You allow him," added he, " a numerous
guard : This appendage of greatnefs gives him
an air of weight in the ftate, which encourages
the difcontented to flock around him, and to tor-
ment him by their groundlefs panics and viflo-
nary fchemes : They perfuade him to exert all
his credit to regain his place j and he will never
ceafe to trouble us till he fhall have loft all
hope of your favour."
" I could defy," replied Sinkarib, " the
cenfure of the people, to whom I am not ac-
countable for the reafons of my conduct, and
I would enter into your view.s, were I not pre-
vented by very powerful confederations ; I would
be afraid of mortifying Zefagnie, whom, as my
father's fifter, I am bound to refpect j and, were
it
ARABIAN TALES. 24J
it only on her account, I could not diminiih
the honours I have granted to her hufband.
Nadan was too much a courtier not to ap-
prove the reafons of prudence alleged by the
king j but, being determined to profecute his
deilgn, he found himfelf under the neceffity of
employing the moft dangerous artifices.
The court of Aflyria was- treating with that
of Periia about the exchange of two places in
the frontiers ; and every thing was agreed upon :
But Nadan alone had received this information.
The meflenger, however, muft foon arrive and
communicate it to the king.
Hicar received a letter, fuppofed to have come
from Perfia, from a man whole attachment to
him was well known. He informed him that
the fovereign of that country was not fincere 'n?
the negociation ; and that, as foon as the troops
fhould be introduced, and eftablifhecl in the
place which the AfTyrians were to give up, he
intended to introduce others, by unknown fub-
terraneous paffages, into the fortrefs where thole
of Sinkarib fliould be lodged, and put them to
the fword : The execution of this pretended-
project feemed to be put off until hoftages ihould
be mutually given and received.
Nothing was omitted in this detail, fabricated
by Nadan himfelf, which could render this in*
X 2 formation.
244 ARABIAN TALES.
formation plaufible. Hicar was filled with in-
dignant rage on hearing of fuch atrocity.
Nadnn refilled in the king's palace, from
which he was but very rarely abfent ; he re-
ceived a preffing invitation from his uncle to
come immediately to fpeak to him ; and he
haftened thither with an air of the greateft
eagernefs.
" What has happened, uncle ?" faid he to
him ; <( from the manner in which your orders
were delivered, I was afraid I fliould be too late
to hear your laft groan ! But I now feel myfelf
eafier, fince I have the happinefs to fee you flill
enjoy fuch good health. On what fo preffing
bufinefs have you fent for me ?"
** On your own," replied Hicar, " on that
of Sinkarib and of all Ailyria. Look at that
writing."
Nadan being determined to provoke the old
man ftill more by his behaviour than by his words,
read the letter with a cold and difdainful air,
and when he had fmifhed, fpoke to him thus :
" You ought now, my dear uncle, to afpire at
nothing but repofe ; but it is much difturbed by
your correfpondence. I can anfwer for the
wifdom of the meafures I have taken with his
majefty, and the fidelity of our agents. Deny
all accefs to the difcontented and turbulent who
befiege you : The king, who 5s alarmed on your
account,
ARABIAN TALES. 245
account, ' will take your filence well } and die
affairs of the ftate would go on much better
if you would once completely reiign them to our
management. After this infulting fpeech, N.i-
dan bowed, and rcturned to the king's palace*
The virtuous Hicar, afilicted with what he
had juft heard, went to pour his forrow and his
tears into the bofom of Zefagnie. The prin-
cefs, endeavouring to calm his grief, difco-
vered that his diftreis was owing to the
ingratitude and to the alienation of Nadan,
This rafh man, difdaining the wiiclom of a fa r
lutary advice, was about to expofe Aflyria to
war, to the lofs of numbers of its fubjefts, and
an humih'ating flavery."
" Go to my nephew Sincharib", did Zefag-
nie, " carry the letter to him which you have
received from Perfia : Blinded as he is refpecl-
ing the merit of Nadan, his own interefts will
open his eyes j you muil not fuffer every thing
to go to wreck, for want of fo ealy a ftep."
" I will do it," laid Hicar, " notwithftajid-
ing the inward repugnance I feel." At the
lame time, he went to the King's palace, and de-
manded a private audience. o ..^oir.
" I will grant you it," replied Sinkarib, in
prefence of Nadan, who hath already acquaint-
ed me with the fubject of your uneaimefs. You
allow yourfelf to be tormented by falfe advices 5.
X 3 " for-
246 ARABIAN TALES.
fortunately they do not alarm me in the fame
manner. A meffage from my ambaflador iit
Ferfia is this moment arrived, and brings me the
moft agreeable intelligence. The fubterraneous
paflage fpoken of to you is a mere dream ; and
the fuppofed treachery of the king my brother
a criminal invention, for which your eorrefpond-
ent would infallibly have been punifhed, did
not his death, which' -has been juft announced
by a rnefleriger, render it-trnpoffible. I wifh
this may be the lot of all thofe who endeavour
;t> render you uneafy refpecting the prefent go-
vernment, which all Afiyria, except yourfelf,
approve of. Return to your palace ; live there
in tranquility : It is all I ought to expect or re-
quire of you.
Thus, without regard to his age and paft ier-
Tices, was Hicar difinifled with neglect. Here-
turned to his virtuous fpoufe, and gave her an
account of the cold reception with which he had
met.
The ftar of Nadar is fatal indeed to you, faid
{he j it corrupts your benefactors and your
friends, and even poifons my advices. Unfor-
tunately it rules over Affyria, which appears to
me expofed to the greateft danger. But if, by
the defire of heaven, this country is doomed to
fall under its prefent adminiftration, why fhould
we alarm ourfelves with it? deftiny, fine e the
grandees
ARABIAN TALES 247
grandees of the ftate take no meafures to prevent
it ? Let us be reiigned, and leave others, ei-
ther to fhut their eyes againft the dangers which
threaten the ftate, or to adopt fuch meafures as
may prevent them. Sinkarib orders you tofeek
repofe; and, in my opinion, this command is
the eafieft of all to be obeyed, efpecially at your
advanced age. You love the fciences -, attend
to them, and forget at length that there are
fuch beings as vizirs and kings. Hicar prepared
himfelf to follow the advice of Zefagnie ; and,
that he might occasion no more uneafinefs to
Sinkarib, nor jealoufy to Nadan, he fliut his
door againft all fuch as might be fufpe&ed of
fpeaking to him upon public bufinefs, and re-
ftricted his intercourfe to the learned of diffe-
rent countries, with whom he had always main-
tained a correfpondence. The cheerfulnefs and
equality of his temper rendered his family hap-
py. He lived in comfort and tranquility ; and
was beginning even to forget his nephew ; when
Nadan, to whom the exiftence of this illuftri-
ous man was an infupportable burden, concei-
ved the danger of freeing himfelf from it by the
jnoft criminal intrigue.
After Hicar had retired from the palace,
Sinkarib felt himfelf uneafy at the manner in
which he had treated him, efpecially when he
recollected the importantferviceshe had rendered
the
248 ARABIAN TALES.
the ftate. The fight of this refpeaable old man
ftruggled in his heart againft the infinuations of
Nadan : But a look from the minifter eafily tri-
umphed over the natural difpofitions of his-
mafter, whom it was as eafy to govern as it was
to gain his confidence : Neverthelefs, the king
of Nineveh was diffatisfied with himfelf.
Remorfe prefled upon him for feveral days j
till at length, his fituation becoming painful, he
thus .ipoke to Nadan : " We fent away your
uncle very ill pleafed. How has he taken the
reception I gave him ? What is he doing now ?"
" With fufficient haughtinefs," replied Na-
dan, " and a great deal of ill humour, he hath
fhut himfelf up, and allows no perfon to come
near him. But, although he is inacceffible to the
inhabitants of Nineveh, he hath not given up
all intercourfe with ftrangers. Couriers arrive e-
day from Periia and Egypt." And what can be
their intentions ? replied Sinkarib, with uneafinefs.
As he is again feized with a ftrong defire of
conducting public affairs, I cannot conjecture
what methods it may lead him to employ in or-
der to gain its end: It is a rage in the old man,
which to me appears altogether inconceivable ; but
it would be very eafy for your majefty to clear
up this fubject. I will giveyou notice of the depar-
ture of one of his principal mefTengers j you will
caufe him be flopped, and the nature of the dif-
patches
ARABIAN TALES. 249
patches will explain the import of the meflage.
I approve of your project in part ; but it
would be better that the courier fhould appear
to have been robbed, that we may not feem
unreafonably fufpicious. It is wifely thought of
in your majefty -, it is pofllble that the letters of
a man of his age may contain nothing but idle
dreams ; and, in that cafe, by having flopped
them, you would ihow yourfelf fufpicious without
any caufe.
Na<lan well knew the nature of his uncle's
correfpondence. He wrote to Periia to one of
the magi his friend, to Egypt to a certain prieft
of Oliris, upon points of fcience, refpecting
which he was anxious to get information 5 but a
correfpondence of a very different nature was to
be imputed to him. What meafures did the per-
fidious minifter take ? By means of his uncle's
feal, which he had got into his pofleffion, and
pf the eafe with which he counterfeited his hand-
writing, he wrote a letter in his name to Akis
king of Perila, Sinkarib's greateft enemy. He
invited this monarch to come and take poflefc
fion of a kingdom, which" was harrafled by an
effeminate'tyrant, now become the object of the
hatred and contempt of the people. He advi-
fed him to appear at the head of a chofen body,
r.nd repair to the plain of Nerrim, where he
hirnfelf would meet him with his guard about
the
250 ARABIAN
the firft of the month Niram. He informed
Akis (all in Hicar's name), that one of the prin-
cipal gates of the city would be delivered up to
him, and that he would find the grandees and
the whole nation ready to throw off the tyrant's
yoke, and transfer the crown to him.
This letter fuppofed that the king of Perfia
muft have received others, in which Hicar ex-
plained to him the fprings he had fet in motion
to bring about the rebellion.
When Nadan had fhaded his impofture with
all the colouring of truth, he got a bag made,
refembling that in which the mefiengers of Hi-
car {hut up their mafter's letters, and which was
fixed to their girdle. He was previoufly inform-
ed of the departure of one of them, and made a
trufty man lie in wait for him without the gates
of Nineveh, who, entering into converfation, pre-
vailed upon him to refrefh himfelf in the firft
tavern at which they fliould arrive ; from which
the meflenger did not come till after the other
had taken away the bag that he carried, and
put Nadan's in its place.
The minifter then went to the king. " Sire,"
faid he, " my uncle's courier fet out this morn-
ing for Perfia : Caufe the robbers be fuborned,
and appointed tb their ftation. As for myfelf,
whatever be my uncle's difpoiitions towards me,
yet the ancient obligations whieh I am under to
him,
ARABIAN TALES. 75!
"him, and the ties of blood, render it impoflible
for me to take any fteps in this bufinefs. You
yourfelf muft purfue for juftice, i you find it
your duty ; but, on this occaiion, it is impoflible
for me to be of any fervice to you. Sinkarib
approved of Nadan's delicacy ; and fent five of
his guards, in dilguife, in purfuit of the cou-
rier, whom they loon got up with and recog-
nifed. by the bag which hung from his girdle.
They attacked, plundered, and left him on the
road, as robbers would have done, whofe part
they acted extremely well.
No fooner had Sinkarib read the contents
of the letter than he became quite furious. He
ordered an immediate fearch to be made for the
courier, who had retired into a cottage near the
place where he had been attacked. The
king's meflengers immediately laid hold of him,
and conducted him to the king.
" To whom do you belong, flave", fa id the
monarch. " To Hicar." -Did he deliver this
letter to you ? Yes Sire. To whom was you
to deliver the packets which you carried ? To
Ms friends in Perfia.
" Oh ! Treafon exclaimed the king ! The
man whom my father and I have loaded with
favours would betray me to my enemy, and
totally ruin my kingdom. Let Hicar be fought
for and brought hither ! The guard haftened
25 2 ARABIAN TALES.
to Hicar's palace ; but at that time he was at a
Jim all iblitude, to which he frequently retired,
among the mountains at a little diitance from
the city.
Zefagnie, alarmed at fo quick a purfuit, and
having learned that her hufband was accufed of
high treafon, raifed her hands to heaven im-
ploring its afliftance ; and, while a party of the
guard was difpatched to feize Hicar in his foli-
tude, {he ran to the palace of the king, his ne-
phew, to throw herfelf at his fet. Sinkarib
raifed her up. He can obtain no favour, ma-
dam, faicl the furious king to her ; I am in pof-
feffion of all die evidence of this {hocking con-
fpiracy of your hulband againfl me and all
Affirm. The blood which flows in your veins
muft render this criminal as odious, in your
eyes, as he is ungrateful.
Zefagnie then entered into the detail of the
charges laid againft Hicar; {he {aw the pretend-
ed proofs of them ; but, at the fame time, {he
was confcious of his innocence, and Nadan'*
guilt, who only could have counterfeited the
handwriting and the feal which were before
her. But the eyes of the king were too much
fafcimted to allow her to entertain the hope of
being able to tear off the veil which covered
them.
Sire, faid {he, if you think it your duty
to
ARABIAN TALES.
25$
to facrifice my huiband to your revenge and
fafety, I have only one favour to aik. Whe-
ther he is guilty or innocent, his blood to me is
precious, and I wifh to collea even its laft drop.
He had built a tomb, in which we were one
day to be united : Grant me your permiffion
there to depofit his aflies ; and, while I deplore
the lofs of a man to whom your father united
me, I will applaud your juftice, provided his
death is neceflary to your fafety and that of the
ftate. Only give orders that the facrifice be
made in his own palace,
Sinkarib could not refufe the requeft of Ze-
fagnie, and ordered the proper officers to repair
immediatly to Hicar's palace, and bring him the
head of this refpeftablo old man.
Zefagnie, on her return home, dreading the
immediate arrival df Hicar and his executioners,
endeavoured to overcome her grief, and to pre-
ferve, amidft a crowd of people, that recollection
of mind of which Ihe intended to deprive them,
She prepared tables, covered with every dull
which could awaken the fenfual appetite ; the
moft exquulte liquors were fet upon the fide-
boards ; pots were filled with perfumes ; flowers
of every fort embalmed the air; the palace
vras decorated with every ornament ; and fixty
of the moft beautiful flaves were prepared for
*his fervice. It wa$ amidft thefe magnificent
Vt. II. y preparations
2$ 4 - ARABIAN TALE*.
preparations that Zefagnie propofed to receivie
the officers of Sinkarib. And, as foon as the
fnare into which ihe wifhed them to fall was
properly laid, ihe repaired to the gates of the
palace, in order to wait for them.
They at length arrived. " I know for what
purpofe you are come, faid fhe j you are the
tninifters of the king my nephew's pleafure.
But, before you execute a decree, fo fevere to
me, I wifh to exprefs to him, as well as to you,
the grateful fenfe I have of the fmall favour he
has granted me, in not expofing my hufband
to a cruel and ignominious death. Enter my
houfe. Thofe who are to bring the unhappy
Hicar here are not yet arrived. My flaves
have orders to wait upon you. My prefent fitua-
tion does not permit me to do this myfelf.
The officers, after thanking Zefagnie, and ac-
cepting her invitation, entered the apartment.
They feated themfelves. on fophas ; an hundred
beautiful hands difplayed an eagernels to ferve
them -, and in the pleafures of the table they
foon forgot the rigorous orders with which they
were entrufted. .
Meanwhile Zefagnie loft not a moment ; fhe
took afide the executioner. " Yapoufmek,"
faid (he, " do you remember that when king
Serkadoum, my brother, Sinkarib's father, in-
to put you to death, I contrived to fcreen
you
ARABIAN TALBS.
you from his anger ? Do you recollect that at
that time you were indebted for your pardon to
the very man whofe life you are about to take V
Yes, madam, and I lhall never forget it.
Very well, continued Zefagnie, this is the mo-
ment to difcover your gratitude : Hicar is inno-
cent ; and you would not wifh to embrue your
hands in the blood of a virtuous and beneficent
man. I have taken, from the fubterraneoos
prifon of my palace, an old flave, a magician,
framed with the greatefl crimes, who has the
rery air and figure of Hicar. Your fuperiors
at this moment are incapable of obferving you ;
the magician is already drefied as my hufband
muft be. As foon as Hicar {hall appear, you
will receive him from the hands of thofe that
bring him j you will load him with the chains
you have brought ; and there is a red handker-
chief which you will put upon his eyes ; you
will then lead him into the hall, where I ihall
be to receive his laft farewel : But you muft re*
move indifcreet people, under the pretence of
refpecting the laft interview of a hufband and
wife. A moment after this I will deliver to you
my flave, drefled, in chains, and his eyes co*
vered with a handkerchief of the very fame
pattern with that you fhall have upon Hicar's:
You will then give the fignal for execution, and
Y 2
1^6 ARABIAN TALES,
.ftrike off the head of the magician, which you
trill carry to the palace of the king.
May God profper your defigns ! replied
Yapoufmek. Willingly would I hazard my
life, in order to fave his who is fo dear to
you."
. Heaven will reward you, faid Zefagnie, and,
en our part, all the riches we poiTefs fhall be at
your difpofal ; you fhall want nothing.
Scarcely was this plot concerted betwixt them,
when the arrival of Hicar enabled them to put
it in execution, without experiencing the fmalleil
difficulty. The magician flave was on his knees,
and recognized as the vizir himfelf by the
guards who had brought him : The officer of
Sinkarib, who had the charge of giving him an
Account of the execution of his orders, was in-
formed j he approached ; and that very inftant
the head of the flave was ftruck oft' : Yapouf-
roek took it up, and carried it to the king.
Sinkarib's officers tore themfelves with great
relucTance from the pleafures which the artful
Zefagnie had given them to enjoy ; but they
muft of neceffity return to their duty ; and Hi-
car's fpoufe, having made the doors of her pa-
lace be fhut, was left at liberty to devote herfelf
to the cares to which it was now neceflary for
her to attend.
She ofdered the body of the magician to be
carried
ARABIAN TALES. 2J7
carried away with the ufual ceremonies, and
carried, in its robes, to the tomb prepared
for Hicar, attended by all her houfehold in
mourning.
As foon as it was night, with the afliftance
of the jailor of the prifon of her own palace,
flue conduced Hicar into the cell from which
the old magician had been taken ; Ihe made it
be put into the moft commodious order ; and
this difmal habitation became, in the eyes of Ze-
fagnie, a moft delightful palace, fince it had
refcued innocence from the rage of envy.
i During this bloody fcene, the hypocritical
Nadan, affecting a grief which he did not feelj
had fhut himfelf up in his apartment. Sinka-
rib found it necefTary to bring^him out of it,
" Be comforted, Nadan," faid he to him j we
were disturbed by your uncle, and his humour
rendered him very dangerous. His whole for-
tune will belong to you at his widow's death j
and you will foon enjoy it ; for {he cannot long
furvive the lofs {he has fuftained." Nadan left
his apartment with the king; and they both
hafte to drown, in the ftream of pleafure, the re-
morfe, uneafinefs, and torment,, with which they
were fecretly diftrefied ; and became ftill more
negligent of their duty, and the welfare of Af-
fyria.
Meanwhile, the death of Hicar had occafionV
f 3 .cd
258 ARABIAN TALES.
ed the utmoft grief in Nineveh j and foon fpread
a general mourning throughout every pro-
vince of the empire. The neighbouring powers
having received this intelligence, could not con-
ceive what fhould have determined Sinkarib to
extinguifh the luminary of Afia, whofe light
was the firmeft fupport of his power. His ene-
mies triumphed, and fought only for a pretext
to invade Aflyria.
't^Fharoah, king of Egypt, thought this con-
juncture too favourable not to take advantage of
it j and fent an envoy, with almoft no retinue,
to Nineveh, with the following letter to Sinka-
rib.
.
t
" Pharaoh, Sovereign of the Sovereign of the Rlvert
of the Earthy iuho Jills the bafons of the fea
with the immenfe volume cf waters which he
discharges by feven mouths, to SiNKARiB King
ofA/yria."
Let the man who knows not how to govern,
relign the command.
" We wifh to dignify the yoke of humani-
" ty, and to reign by our wifdom throughout
" all the earth. Defcend from your throne !
" and come, with your grandees and people,
" to meet the chains, which my armies, that
-will
ARABIAN TALES; 259
" will cover your fands, fhall bring with them.
" Wait not in your palace till you meet de-
ftniftion and death. You may, however,
" have it in yeur power to treat with me as
" with a brother; and thefe are the condi-
" tions:
" I have profound queftions to propofej
" and you muft fend me a man who fhall be
" capable of refolving them. You muft build
" me a palace between heaven and earth,
" whofe foundation fhall reft on nothing, and
** whofe roof fhall be fixed to nothing : They
" are only fuperior men whom I feek to ho-
" nour. If you can fulfil thefe conditions,
" you fhall receive, for four years, a tenth part
" of the revenues of Egypt. But, if the man
M whom you fend fhould be baffled, if he fails
" in the fmalleft article I exact, then you may
** expect a treatment as much more rigorous
" as I fhall have caufe to complain either of
*' your difobedience or of your prefumption."
Sinkarib, aftonifhed at this letter, fhewed it
to Nadan : " By what means,** faid he, fhall
I be able to avert the ftorm which threatens my
kingdom? Summon all the aftrologers, the
learned men, and the fages of my empire \ a-
femble with them all the archite&s \ and let us
learn from them, if by any enchantment it is
poffible
200 ARABIAN TALES.
poffible to conftruft this imaginary palace which.
Pharaoh requires of me ; and fee if there be
&ny one who flatters himfelf that he will be
able to anfwer the fubtle queftions of the Egyp-
tian king."
The calling together fo extraordinary an a-
fembly produced univerfal aftonifhment. Pha-
raoh's letter was circulated throughout Nine-
veh ; and a copy of it even reached Zefagnie.
As foon as it was night, ihe repaired, as ufuar,
to her beloved Hicar, and communicated to
him the contents of the letter, by which all the
people were agitated. Hicar, after reading it
\vith attention, inquired at his fpoufe what ef-
fect it had produced upon her.
It appears to me, replied fhe, like a cloud
filled with wind, which is eafily fcattered.
Were my Hicar alive to the reft of the world,
I ihould look upon thefe myfteries of the E-
.gyptian king as idle fancies ; and I have alrea-
dy conceived a plan of the caftle which ihould
be built for him : I would rather wifh, howe-
ver, that he ihould make war upon us with
fuch letters, than hear of his armies being up-
on the frontiers of the country.
While this happy pair were happy in the
enjoyment which they procured to one ano-
ther, and converting in tranquility concern-
ing the threatenings of the Egyptian king, all
ARABIAN TALES. 26 1
Nineveh was in motion to make up a council,
which fhould form an anfwer to them. If a
man pafled in the ftreets with a downcaft head,
a fixed eye, and a thoughtful air, the officers
of Sinkarib pulled the mufer by the fleeve :
" Make hafte," faid they, " you are certainly
a learned man, and are waited for in the coun-
cil." This was addrefled to the people of eve-
ry rank, and frequently to thofe who were not
expecting it.
At length the council was aflembled. Thfc
well-informed had abfented themfelves, that
they might not be reduced to the mortification
of confefling their ignorance.
The king caufed the difpatches of the Egyp-
tian monarch be read, after which all with one
voice exclaimed,
" Hicar alone could have fulfilled the con-
ditions of Pharaoh ! They would be attempt-
<{ ed by any one elfe in vain."
" Alas!" faid Sinkarib to himfelf, fighing
deeply, *. Where art thou, Hicar? Gnawing
remorfe perpetually fets your innocence before
me, in fpite of the apparent guilt which con-
demned thee. Where could I find another
fage to extricate me from this dreadful laby-
rinth in which I am bewildered ?"
The unhappy fovereign difmified the coun-
cil, which, without fuggefting any meafures
for
362 ARABIAN TALES.
for his relief, added greatly to his regret. He
did not now feek for Nadan to give him confi-
dence by his advice, or to diffipate his cares in
pleafure. To the palace of his aunt Zefagnie
he bore his inquietude and forrow, and bewail-
ed with her the man to whom they had been
dear.
The wife fpoufe of Hicar loved the king ;
who, enervated as he was by the purfuits of
pleafure, was endowed with an excellent natu-
ral difpofition, and whofe foul, the influence
of his court, corrupted as it was, had not yet
rendered cruel : He threw himfelf at her feet
with eyes bathed hi tears j and {he took him in
her arms : " Come, my dear nephew," faid {he
to him, " I fhare in your affliction ; the king of
Egypt threatens you ; but you muft not fuffer
yourfelf to be difcouraged. He who is able to
inflict a blow does not begin by threats : In
challenging your wifdom and knowledge, he
leads me to fufpecl his own. You are the fo-
vereign of a powerful empire; examine your
forces, draw them out, and advance towards
the frontiers before they are attacked.
Alas! madam," faid Sinkarib, the threats
of the Egyptian king are not the only caufes of
my affliction : I am deprived of Hicar, "whole
fenfe, counfels, and knowledge, conftituted all
my ftrength. What king on earth would have
dared
AHABIAN TALE& i(5j
tfared to infult me, had he been ftill alive ? Con-
Vmced, from the bottom of my heart, that this
Uluftrious man fell a victim to a deteftable in-
trigue, I am afraid to examine its fprings too
nearly, and to difcover its authors. The cry
of the nation awakens the remorfe of my con*
fcience. I afiembled a council to devife the
means of anfwering the proportions of Pharoah,
and I was openly told, that, by putting Hicar to
death, I had deprived myfelf of every refourcc,
Alas! who can reftore me the man whom I
have treated fa barbaroufly ! Lead me to his
tomb, that I may embrace and water with my
tears the precious relics of this wife minifter.
I will afk advice at his cold remains. Around
them the foul of the man who directed my
youth doubtlefs wanders ; and I may yet hope
to receive that counfcl, which all the pretended
fages of my court are unable to give.
Zefagnie, that he might learn the nature of
his forrow, did not interrupt the king. And,
vrhen flie was convinced that it was not the fear
alone of an inevitable war, that occafioned his
diftrefs, but that a real fenfibility was the prin-
cipal caufe of it, fhe thus fpoke :
" My unfortunate hufband, incapable of trea-
fon hi any hape, certainly funk under the odi-
ous plot of a mean jealoufy. But the enemie*
who attacked tus reputation without fuccefs,
have
204 ARABIAN TALES.
have not been more fortunate in their attempt
to take away his life. Divine Providence
hath refcued it from their fury, and faved hi$.
head from the mortal blow with which it was
threatened."
Hicar lives ! exclaimed Sinkarib, in a tranf-
port of joy. Ah ! my heart is relieved ! Hea-
ven hath faved me from the remorfe of guilt,
and hath referved for me an infallible refource
againft the vain efforts and ftratagems of Pha-
roah ! But how has this miracle been perform-
ed ? Where fliall I find this venerable fage ?
And, alas ! how fliall I bear his looks, after my
black ingratitude towards him ? Will the fliame
with which I am covered be a fufficient atone-
ment for my crime ?
Keep yourfelf calm for a moment, replied
Zefagnie ; I will fee if it is poffible to bring
him hither: Dread not his prefence: Heaven, in
protecting his life, has alfo preferved his vir-
tues-, nay, it has even crowned them, by granting
him patience in adverixty, which he had never
known before. ,v^t
She then went to inform Hicar of the hap-
py revolution which had taken place in the
heart of Sinkarib; it affected the old man very
deeply ; and fhe then told him, that fhe had con*
cealed the fervice done them by Yapoufmek.
*' Right or wrorjg," laid flie, " fovereigns will
be
ARABIAN TALES. 265
be obeyed ; and Sinkarib, although indebted
for his repofe to the difobedience of his flave,
would not, perhaps, pardon the tranfgreilion of
his orders. Let us fuffer the idea of the mi-
racle to remain, without corroborating it any
farther : The king may, perhaps, look upon
your iafety as a peculiar bleffing from Bilefa*
mm."
Hicar prepared to go to Sinkarib. The con-
folations he had drawn from the heart of Ze-
fagnie, thofe he derived from his own reflec-
tions, the eaie he enjoyed in the dungeon
where he lived, and the ufe of elixirs, which
had fupported both his body and his mmcl ; all
thefe together feemed to have renewed the age
of this old man. He at length came out frdm
his retreat, and appeared in the prelence of his
fovereign.
Sinkarib immediately threw himfelf into his
arms, and with difficulty reftrained his joy.
" Be calm, prince," faid Hicar ; it is eifen-
tially neceflary to your intcreft that my being
alive fhould not be known. I know on what terms
you are with the king of Egypt ; he would at-
tribute to me all the fprings which we are a-
bout to fct in motion ; and, prefuming too
much on your refources, he would employ a-
gainft you ftill more dangerous means. If your
court, if Nadan himfelf were informed of my
VOL. II. Z being
266 ARABIAN TALES.
being alive, the Egyptian envoy would be made
acquainted with it. You muft not, then, Sire,
give any perfon the fmalleft hint of the fecret
you have now learned : Befldes you have no
need to be uneafy about the proportions of
Pharoah ; I have already noted down, in the
filence of my retreat, the anfwer, which you
muft return j and,* under a feigned name, I
will fulfil the engagements you are about to
come under : Here they are :
SlNKARIB, king of Aflyrict) to PHAROAH, king of
Egypt.
The man whom a wonder aftoniihes will ne-
ver perform one.
" Your letter, brother, hath filled me with
" admiration at the extent and depth of the
" knowledge which it announces, and the re-
" fpecl: which it fhows you have for the human
" race. I have the honour to be of your
" opinion, that the power which fubdues men
" alfo degrades them ; and that they were born
" to be governed by wifdom and knowledge.
" Many learned men of my court are contend-
" ing for the honour of being admitted to a
<{ nearer. view of your furprifing knowledge,
ff and of trying their weak abilities in the ex-
" planation
ARABIAN TALES. 2(>7
" planation of the difficulties, which you are to
" propofe. The architects, who muft build
" your palace, are here ; but it is ncceflary that
" they collect workmen, who may be able to
u execute their orders ; and this requires a de-
" lay of three months. I am fenfible of the
" importance this delay will occafion you.
" All that you have to do is to find people
" to fupply them with materials : In all other re-
" fpects I accept your terms, and am ready both
" to give and to receive hoftages, unlefs my
" word fhall be fufficient, as J rely with entire
" confidence in your's."
Sinkarib was greatly aftonifhed at the con-
tents of this letter. " I know well," faid he to
Hicar, " that you can anfwer all Pharoah's que-
ftions. But, fuppofmg you to be the architect
of this palace in the air, Where could you find,
in three months, workmen to labour under your
orders, unlefs the genii of the air fliould build
it ?"
" My wife," replied Hicar, " has underta-
ken the conftruction of this whimfical edifice :
She intends to render it impoffible Tor Pharoah
to fulfil the conditions to which he is bound by
the letter yon are about to fend him. Zefag-
nie looks upon this aerial palace as an infant's
play-thing, which muft be deftroyed by the ar-
tiilce of a woman : It belongs to her to contrive
Z 2 it:
268 ARABIAN TALES.
it : She will give me fome directions for its
execution. Return to your palace, Sire ; di-
patch the Egyptian ambafladors. I will {hut
myfelf up in my folitude, where, under the
name of Abicam, a Chaldean aftrologer, and
protected by Zefagnie, I intend to live unknown
to all the world, and occupied with your affair?.
If any embaraflrnent fliould occur in them, you
can eafily make me acquainted with it. But I
have one advice to give you.
He who plotted my death is as much your
enemy as mine. Be upon your guard : You need
not be afraid of any blame on this account,
nnce the pretenfions of the Egyptian king fur-
nifh you the moft plaufible pretext. Double
your guard, and take mine, which you left from
refpecl to the princefs your aunt. The chief who
commands them is beyond the reach of corrup-
tion j and all his officers are of his own choice.
Honour him with your confidence ; and this
will be one barrier more between you and every
enemy.
Hicar feemed to have forefeen the defigns of
Nadan. This ungrateful minifter, perceiving
that the king's going fo frequently to Zefagnie
muft neceflarily complete his ruin, had formed
the defign of bribing Sinkarib's guards, of fend-
ing his head to the Egyptian king, and of be-
coming
ARABIAN TALES. 269
toming his fucceflbr on the AfTyrian throne, as
a tributary of Pharoah.
Sinkarib fhowed him the letter he meant to
addrefs to the king of Egypt. Nadan, although
its contents aftonilhed him, looked upon it on-
ly as a contrivance to gain time. " Your ma-
jefty," faid he to the king, " knows very well
that you cannot fulfil the conditions it impofes,
and probably you avail yourfelf of this delay to
make preparations for war ? Yes, replied Sin-
karib ; and I will employ every poflible method
to enable me to profecute my deflgn, at the
head of fifty thoufand chariots ; but we muft
wait the departure of the Egyptian mefiengers,
that we may not create hi them any fufpicion.
In the mean time, notwithstanding their pre-
ience, and without being in the leaft fuipected,
I can withdraw the guard from Zefagnie, in or-
der to inure them to exercile, and to prepare
them for accompanying me to the war.
Nadan thought he had now found out the
motive which led the king fo frequently to the
widow of Hicar, ami became lefs fufpicious of
this circumttance : Without th s, the increafe. of
his guard, and the inclination which appeared
in Sinkarib to take the management of his bu-
flnefs into his own hands, would have added
greatly to his fears. He applauded the wife
meaiures of life fovereign, and prouiifed to ne-
Z 3 gleft
270 ARABIAN TALES.
gleet nothing which might be neceflary to put
the forces of the empire on a refpeclable foot-
ing.
The meflengers of Pharoah departed from
Nineveh with difpatches from Sinkarib, and
convinced, by public report, that none among
the learned of his court had been b,old enough
to undertake the explanation of the myfteries
which the Egyptian monarch meant to propofe.
Zefagnie difmifled from the folitude of Hicar
all the flaves to whom he was known, except
the gardener, in whom he had entire confidence :
Their places were fupplied, as well as'thofe of
the other domeftics, by people to whom their
mafter was totally unknown. Hicar, already in-
formed of it, appeared to the gardener under
the name of Abicam, a Chaldean aftrologer,
who was to be allowed the ufe of the philoib-
phical apparatus which had belonged to Hicar ;
and was wholly engaged with Zefagnie's pro-
ject for connftructing the aerial palace.
Hicar's huntfmen were, by orders of his
fpoufe, to over-run the defarts, in which the
monftrous birds, called rocs *, were accuftomed
to breed- They were to bring away two of
them
* The Ret. A bird of an enormous fize, which is
found iu the defarts of Africa ; it can carry a weight
of two hundred pounds. Many are of opinion that it
Is fabulous..
ARABIAN TALES. 27 1
them very young, with their firft down upon
them, and conduct them to the gardener of
the folitary maniion.
Hicar, under the name of Abicam, was to
have two young flaves, eleven years old, who
muft be rendered fo familiar with the birds,
that the inftinct of the two fpecies might feem
to be blended together.
The birds were found, and delivered to the
care of the young children, who left them nei-
ther night nor day. They fed and flept toge-
ther. There was foon a very clofe familiarity
eftablimed betwixt the four companions : and as
the rocs as yet found great difficulty in railing
themfelves into the air, they followed the chil-
dren every where, in the fame manner as they
would have followed their dam. The chil-
dren got up upon the back of thefe birds,
which took great pleafure in carrying them.
They fixed upon them fmall convenient faddles,
on which the heroes, as they were tied to them,
fat very gracefully, and without running any
hazard of falling. The birds took the firft
flight in the gardens ; they were kept by a long
ribband fixed to their feet, which Hicar held in
his hand. By degrees the children became
able for them, and held the ribband which
ferved them for reins. Obedient ^:o the voice
of their little companions, the birds waved aloft,
272 ARABIAN TALES
or alighted at their pleafure. This docility in-
creafed with their ftrength j and there now re-
mained nothing but to inrtrudt the young chil-
dren in what they were to fay and do, on their
arrival in Egypt : and, as they were both en-
dowed with an excellent understanding, this
part of the plan was the eaiieft -to be exe-
cuted.
Zefagnie came from time to time to enjoy
the fuccefs of her undertaking, and accuftomed
both the children and the rocs to obey her or-
ders. Every time Sinkarib came to vifit her,
Ihe comforted him refpe&ing his uneafinefs and
his fears ; concealing from him, however, the
means flie was employing to relieve them.
The prince, roufed from the flumber in
which his vigilance and activity had been buried,
ever fince he afcended the throne, thought at
length of giving new vigour to the languifhing
fprings of his empire. He found very great
refources in Nadan, who, being now awakened,
difplayed the treafures of knowledge with which
Hicar had ftored his mind. This minuter be-
held the rigorous term of three months faft ap-
proaching, without any preparation for war be-
ing undertaken, or any perfon nominated as the
chief of the embafTy j and therefore he iiattered
himfelf that he would reach the moment when
his ambitious projects might burft into full view.
The
ARABIAN TALES.
273
The defencelefs frontiers were cxpofed to the
inroads of an enemy, and the number of his
fabjecfb were diminifhing every day ; for the Af-
fyrians was pa-fling over into Egypt, in order to
withdraw themielves from the ilavery with
which they were threatened.
When the eighth month had elapfed fince
Sinkarib's letter had been difpatched to Pharoah,
Hicar, under the name of Abicam, demanded
permiilion to begin his journey. He was to
be efcorted by the Arabs of the moft remote
defart. It was 4 not till then that Nadan learned
that a Chaldean philofopher, protected by Ze-
fagnie, had undertaken to fatisry the Egyptian
king in every point. His furprife was greatly in-
creafed when he heard that Zefognie herfelf
wifhed to accompany this fage, whofe ability
{he had warranted. He understood nothing of
this extraordinary undertaking j but, if it was
unfuccefsful, Nadan fliowed her all the dangers
to which ihe would be expofed.
Every thing was now in readinefs for the em-
bafty, and all the retinue were aflembled at Hi-
car's folitude. Sinkarib ftole from the troublt-
fome crowd, to enjoy the fweets of a private in-
terview with his embafTador.
Maintain your tranquility, Sire, faid the pru-
dent ,minifter ; together with'the fafety of your
realm, I promife you the return of the fubjecls
who
274 ARABIAN TALES.
who have emigrated from your frontiers, the
four years tribute, and the reimburfement of
all your extraordinary expences. I leave you
with Nadan, whom you muft frill employ. He
poflefTes abilit'es, and will be necelTary to you ;
but do not lofe fight of him even for a moment.
At my return I will inform you why I think him
dangerous. You are lefs connected with one
another by your pleafures fince you have filled
up your time with public bufinefs, and ..you
may eafily conceal from him your fufpicions.
The envoy of Sinkarib began his march. His
whole equipage confided of four elephants. He
himfelf and his fpoufe, with two eunuchs, were
on one tower : The two 'rocs, and their young
guides, had each of them one, with a flave to
ferve them. Four women and two eunuchs
loaded the back of the fourth elephant ; and an
hundred Haves on horfeback armed with a fabre
and a fpear, efcorted this little party.
A illken net covered the tower in which the
birds were {hut up, that they might be conceal-
ed from the infpection of the curious. The
object of this deftination was to be kept a pro-
found fecret from all ; and the eunuchs walked
night and day around thefe myfterious cages,
and kept the indifcreet at a diftance, and to
prevent all converfation with their conductors,
who themfelves were convinced that the ele-
phants
ARABIAN TALES. 27$
phants carried extraordinary prefents to Pha-
roah.
The whole caravan arrived at MaiTer * with-
out having met with any difficulty. Hicar
pitched his camp in a commodious place in the
environs of the city, and, in quality of envoy
from king Sinkarib, demanded an audience. of
Pharoah.
The Egyptian monarch, encouraged by the
advice of the priefts of Ofiris, whofe temple
{lands in the middle of the great lake Merov f,
was well aflured that he had propofed quc-
flions, to refolve which was above the capacity
of mortals : He was on his guard againft the il-
lufions of magic ; and was certain that, by his
embarraffing propositions, he would diiconcert
the abilities, however great they might be, of
the pretended fage who had been fent to him.
He fent notice to the ambafiador that he was
ready to receive him; and, that he might com-
mand the greater refpecl, was furrounded with
all the magnificence of his court.
Hicar, in a very extraordinary drefs, un-
known even a at the court of Sinkarib, appear-
ed before the monarch. The firmnefs of
his
Mafler, or Mefraim. Grand Cairo, built by Mef-
raim the fon of Cham.
t Merov. The lake Merov, mentioned in Strabo's
Hiftory of Ancient Egypt, and that of Diodorus Siculus.
2)6 ARABIAN TALF.S
his ftep, and his majeftic air, already command-
ed the refpeft of the whole aflembly : H ; ad-
vanced to the foot of the throne, and proftra-
ted himfelf ; and, when this firft homage was
paid, he thus fpake :
" Sire ! You have fent a challenge to my
matter, which he joyfully accepts, as the com-
bat does not expofe either the repofe or the
life of your two nations. You wifh only to
difpute concerning fciencc and wifdom ; and I
corne from him, admiring your greatnefs, to
make known to you his, and fecure him your
efteem for ever. If, by the favour of heaven,
I am fuccefsful in this undertaking, (permit me,
fublime monarch ! to recal your conditions to
your memory), we have your facred word, that
you will for four years pay a tribute on all the
productions of Egypt. If I am found incapable
of anfwering the queftions agreed upon," my
life (hall atone for my audacity ; and the king
of AfTyria, whofe refpect for fcience knows no
bounds, ftiall fubjeft his crown to you, and en-
gage to pay annually into your treafures what-
ever ranfom you fhall be pleafed to demand."
The dignified and modeft air of the Aflyrian
ambafiador, the arrangement, the preciiion,
and the force of his fpeech, aftonifhed Pha-
raoh ; and he reproached himfelf for his rafh-
nefs. Could a fovereign, funk in effeminacy,
entirely
ARABIAN TALE?,
entirely under the dominion of his paflions,
who fuffered his fubjecls to groan under the
yoke of tyranny, could he be iurrouncL
fuch men as this, who had explained himfelf
with fo much courage and wifdom ? Would
they devote themfelves for the fafety of a
prince, every moment of whofe life was mark-
ed by weaknefles and errors ? In the fituation
in which the AiTyrian ambailadcr then was,
what could the old Hicar have faid better, al-
though he had been ftill alive ?
Thefe reflections prevented Pharaoh from
returning an immediate anfwer to the fpeech
ambalfador ; but at length he broke fi-
lence.
" Envoy of Sinkarib, what is your name ?'.'
" My name is Abicam, the liumbleft of my
Sovereign's flaves. I am one of thofe worm*
who hare hitherto creeped undiltinguifhed a-
bout the throne. At the court of my mafter,
trufl and honours are conferred on people more
expert than I am." " Surely," replied Pha-
raoh, whofe furprife was ftill increafed, " if I
have before me the meaneft of the fervants of
the AiTyrian king, his dominions muft be
peopled with divinities ! But, iince you are fo
inferior, why was you wade choice of, in pre-
ference to fo many illuftrious men, fince Sin-
Jcarib pretends fo much efteem for me ?
Voj,. II. A a Sire !
27<$ ARABIAN TALES.
Sire f replied the ambaflador, the bee, pla-
ced in the fcale of exiftence betwixt birds and
infers, is the leaft of all the winged animals.
Yet, fee the wonderful work it compofes ! It
is admitted with diftiwdtion to the tables of the
moft illuftrious fovereigns ; and, in the eye of
Sinkarib, the fmall and the great are of equal
eftimation. He judges them from the pinna-
cle of greatnefs to which the Deftinies have
railed him. This Hhfwer delighted the Egyp-
tian king, who, although dazzled with his own
magnificence, yet beheld with enthuliafm the
merit and knowledge which feemed to rife a-
bove all ordinary bounds. He difmifled Hicar,
offering him for a habitation the moft beauti-
ful palace in Mafler ; but the hufband of Ze-
fagnie chofe rather to return to his compa-
nion, where every thing neceffary for him was
fent by the orders of Pharoah.
Scarcely had Hicar retired under his tent,
when a minifter from the king came to acquaint
him, that in three days he muft return to the pa-
lace prepared to anfwer the queflions that Ihould
be put to him.
The vizir, completely ikilled in the art of
courts, received the Egyptian minifter in a
manner of which this laft had formed no
idea, and fent him back, convinced that
the
ARABIAN TALES. 279
the man with whom he had juft converfed wa^
above the condition of mortals.
The three days were elapfed j..and Hicar re-
paired to the palace of the king. He was wait-
ed for at the gates, to be conducted with great
ceremony into Pharoah's prefence, who was
feateJ on his throne, clothed in a purple robe,
embroidered with gold, and richly adorned with
jewels ; with a moft fplendid and magnificent
court around him, confifting of all the gran*
dees of the kingdom.
The Afiyrian minifler having faluted him
refpectfully, waited with downcaft eyes, and his
hamls folded upon his brcaft, till lome one
(houid fpeak to him.
" Abicam," faid the king to him, " every
thing in the univerfe is enigmatical, and every
obje<5t of contemplation conceals an important
truth. Caft your eyes on me, and around my
throne, and tell me what I referable in the mid ft
of my court ?"
Sire," replied Hicar, here I am no lefs
ftruck, than I would be if the Nile, which cd^
vers the divinities of my country, were to fall,
and difclofe to my view Bilelfanam, furrpundetl
with all his power.
The king of Egypt, pleafed with this anfwer,.
ordered the ambaflador to be clothed in one of
the moft beautiful robes in the palace, and de-
A a 2 ferred
280 ARABIAN TALES.
ferred the remainder of the queftions till next,
day, at the fame hour.
The king received him then drefied in white,
and his courtiers wore fuits of different colours,
which were by no means fo fplendid.
u What do you fee here ?" afked Pharoah.
t( I fee, Sire, the fertile plains of Egypt un-
cultivated, dried up, without the fmallefl vege-
tation, Avaiting for thofe treafures, which are
ibon to defcend from the fummits of the moun-
tains of Ethiopia : This is the refemblance of
the court with which you are furrounded.
" Your vaft turban rcprefents the reviving
fnows, on which the heavens appear to reft.
" Your eyes, and your mouth, are the bene-
ficent fdurces, which are to fcatter far and wide
the nourilhing falts.
" Your hands, Jike the mouths of the Del-
ta, will diftribute your fuperfluous wealth ; and
every thing that breathes will be tranfported in-
to a new being."
Scarcely had he finiihed this reply, when an
emotion of univerfal admiration appeared in the
countenance of all. Pharoah, after ordering a
dfefs ftill more fumptuous than the former to
be given to the ambaffador of Sinkarib, appoint-
ed the following day for a third audience.
Hicar, on his return, found the fovereign fo
dazzling with the number and brilliancy cf his
jewels,
ARABIAN TALES. 28 i
jewels, that he could not look ftedfaftly at him ;
his vizirs alfo were covered with them. The
effeft of fo much light forced the ambaflador to
caft down his eyes j and Pharoah, availing him-
felfof this confullon, faid to him, "Sage of Af-
fyria, what fenfation do you feel ?"
" I awoke late," replied the ambaflador ;
" and my eyes having fcarcely got out of the
darknefs, in which they were wrapped up du-
ring my repofe, are not yet familiar with the
rays of the fun, whofe perfect image 1 now be-
hold in your majefly. But, by putting my hand
before my eyes, I am able to contemplate and
diftinguifli, together with the ornaments of the
Zodiac, the feven planets which borrow their
light from the ftar which illuminates the uni-
verfe."
Pharoah was betrayed into an exclamation of
applaufe. But it was yet too foon to confeft
himfclf overcome. Even when the ambaflador
fhould have given a full explanation of every
queftion which might be propofed, the aerial pa-
lace would ftill remain to be built ; and he would
have it in bis power to impofe laws, inftead of
receiving them.
In the mean time, in order to put the wlC-
tlom of Hkar to a new trial; he fpoke to him
thus : " You have made me three anfwers luc-
with which I muft confefs myielf
A a 3 pleafed ;
282 ARABIAN TALE-S.
pleafed ; now, after having pointed out fo well
the allufion of the fplendour which furrounds
me, to what would you compare your own
king Sinkarib ?"
" Sire," replied Hicar, " I never raifed my
thoughts fo high. This attempt, totally new,
furpaffes all my efforts. It is almoft knpoflible for
me to fix at once on all his refemblances , for,
under each of them, I could exhibit him in the
moft fplendid point of view. The friend of
peace, he is like the wind of the fouth, which,
moving without interruption, fcarcely ruffles
the furface of the ocean. If the wind of the
north fhould difpute his claim to glory, then,
confcious of his ftrength, he hurls forth the
ftorm. Lightening flaihes in the bofom of
lightening j the thunder burfts in awful peals j
the waves of the fea fhake the folid rocks, and
difclofe the foundations of the earth."
Thefe words of Hicar were terrible as the
tempeft they defer ibed : The king of Egypt
and all his court were difmayed; and Sin-
karib was elevated, in his mind, high as the
vaults of the palace of Mafler. - A profound
illence teftified at once the abilities of the ora-
tor, and the confternation of the audience.
Though borne away by his enthufiaiin, and
notwithstanding the formidable greatnefs in.
which he had reprefented his fovereign, Hi-
car
ARABIAN TALE?. 283
car had given offence to none. The mefien-
ger of peace, it was his duty to make war be
dreaded ; and he was furmfhed with an un-
forefeen opportunity of infpiring the Egyptian
court with refpect for the forces of his maf-
ter.
The pride of Pharaoh wns fhocked when any
one even hinted at his having a rival upon earth ;
but the prefence alone of the Affyrian ambaiTa-
dor fhewed him this was poffible.
" Men are not to be reckoned as we reckon
animals," fakl he to hhnfelf j " one camel is
worth no more than another ; but the man
who is before me is worth a whole army !
The clifcourfe he has pow held, would in any
other man have been the higheft pitch of auda-
city, but in him it is the fublnniry of cou-
rage.
After thefe reflections, he ordered the mag-
nificence of the robes, with which he intended
to honour Abicam, to be ftill increafedj and
then thus addrefled him :
" You will return to-morrow, Abicam; I
have ftill one queftion to propofe, to which-
you muft give me a fatisfying anfwer. ike
demands I have made upon Sinkarib fhall not
be in vain ; nor ihall the fervour of your zeal
deceive me, refpecting the forces which he can
bring againft me. If you come off victorious
in
284 ARABIAN TALES.
in every point, I fhall look upon your triumph
as a favour from heaven, which I ought to re-
fpect. But, if I have the advantage in any ar-
ticle whatever, nothing fhall prevent me from
profecuting my rights."
" I alfo will demand mine," replied Hicar,
* when they fliatl have been clearly eftablifh-
ed ;" and he was about to take his leave of the
king for the fourth time, when the arrival of
a meflenger from AfTyria, with difpatches for
the king of Egypt, was announced to the pre-
tended Abicam. Hicar demanded permiffion
to bring forward the courier ; he received the
letter, and, after putting it upon his heart and
his head, delivered it to the fovereign to whom
it was addrefled. Pharaoh opened it ; and thefe
were its contents.
" SINKARIB, King of Ajfyria) to PHARAOH, King
of Egypt"
When reafbn and good faith prefide, every
difference may be fettled.
" As my fervant Abicam is with you, he
" will, no doubt, fatisfy you in whatever you
" may deiire of him ; and I fuppofe you will
" be no lefs pleafed with him than with me,
" who defire nothing, but peace and your
friend-
ARABIAN TALES 2?5
w friendfliip on which I depend as fully, as
" if you had already promiied them. I am
" very defirous, brother, to be on the fame
" terms \vith all my neighbours ; but I have
" fome who are more ambitious than wife. AH
" are not endowed with an enlightened under-
" {landing. I have laboured to render the for-
" ces of my empire fo refpectable, that I may
" be able to make them repent the leaft in-
" fringement of the treaties into which we
" have entered. But I ftand in need of nine
" hundred katars *, to complete the payment
" of fixty thoufand chariots of war which I
" have equipped ; and I befeech you to ad-
" vance them : Your delivering this fum into
" the hands of my ambalTador fhall be confi-
" dered as a mark of your confidence, which
" will entitle you ftill more to my efteem."
Pharaoh was led from furprife to admiration
by the wifdom and firmnefs of Hicar's replies ;
and the letter of Sinkarib ftill increafed his a-
ftoniJhment ; as it was a proof, that this mo-
narch was perfectly at eafe fefpe&ing every
thing that might be required of his ambafla-
tlor ; and that he confidered himfelf before-
hand as victorious in the propofed challenge.
Befides,
* A gold coin which anfwers to three hundred livres
French monev.
286 ARABIAN TALES.
Befides, .it fuggefted to liis mind a very formi-
dable power, in fpeaking of Sinkarib's having-
augmented his military force, by the addition-
of fixty thoufand chariots of war. This was
not the ftyle in which Nad an had fpoken of
them to the deputies of Pharaoh j the AlTyrian-
king feemed to have intended to conftruct only,
forty thoufand chariots, and even this he did
not believe that prince could .have accomplish.-,
ed. But, inftead of this, Sinkarib's letter made
mention of fixty thoufand ; and he requefted
nine hundred katars to fupply this enormous'
expence, which he talked of as a trifle. In
any other fituation, Pharaoh would have con-
fidered this lofty ftyle as a political trick ; but
the conlideration alone of the minifter by
whom it was prefented determined him to
give credit to' the letter.
" Abicam," faid he to him, " before com-
plying with Sinkarib's requeft, I muft infift
upon the conftruction of the palace I have de-,
manded, and which you have engaged to build..
Fulfil your obligation, and I fhall be directed
in my anfwer by its execution.
Your majefty will be pleafed to point out
the place you have made choice of for its fitua-
tion, replied Hicar. Although this little won-,
der muft not reft upon the earth, yet it muft
have certain points of correfpondence, which it
ARABIAN TALES. 287
is neceflary to determine. You muft give in a
plan to the architect who is in my train, and
who has orders to conform himfelf to your i-
deas. You muft likewife order materials to be
collected on a fpot of ground within the reach
of labourers, who muft put them into the
hands of my workmen.
I only want, faid the king, a pavilion of one
hundred fquare feet, with a, dome of a propor-
tioned elevation, furrounded with a terrace of
twenty feet in circumference, defended by a
railing three feet and a half higher. I wilh a
ladder to hang from it, which fliall almoft
reach the ground, fo as that one may conveni-
ently put their foot upon it as they alight from
a camel. This pavilion, of which the outilde muft
be adorned according to the tafte of your en-
gineer, muft be an hundred and fifty feet from
the ground, and fronting the quarter where
you have pitched your camp. In four days you
fliall have as many materials as would build
four fuch edifices, and workmen ready to de-
liver them into the hands of yours ; 'but con-
fider well my ftipulations.
" I fhould have the honour of recalling them
to you", Sire," replied Hicar, " if what is com-
mitted to writing could poflibly he forgot.
In four days your majefty fliall be a witnefs of
the complete execution of your wifhes.
The
88 ARABIAN TALES.
The precision and coolneis of Hicar's anfwers
completely confounded Pharoah : He was now
convinced that he had to do with a powerful
magician : As foon as the Aflyrian ambuflador
was withdrawn, he fent for the college of the
priefls of Oliris and Anubis, in order to confult
them j and they came at his command.
He laid before them the embarafiment into
which he thought to have thrown Sinkarib, and
that into which he hhnfelf had been thrown fince
his propoiltions had been accepted. " This
king," faid he to him, " has fent me a learned
aftrologer, who guefies all my thoughts. Far
from being obfcure, as thefe people commonly
are, he enlightens my own ideas, and prefents
them to me much more accurately than they
had occurred to myfelf. You who are an adept
in all the fciences, can you tell me who this man
is ? Of what kind is his knowledge ? And on
what refources he depends for building, before
my own eyes, a pavilion in the air, the dimen-
fions of which he has jufl now required, with
the fame confidence that one would require
thofe of the moil flmple palace which was to be
conftrucl'ed on the ground ?
" Sire !" replied the oldeft of the priefls,"
" ever fince this Abicam has been at your
court, we have endeavoured, by every mean we
jcould think of, to difcover the nature of his
N TALES.
tonftellation. We have applied tlie rule to all
thofe \rliich compote the zodiac, without having
met with fhe ftar which dire^s him ; and we
begin to fufpecr. that it muft be fituated in a
heaven above that to which we have directed
our labours and obfervations. He is come from
among the powerful magicians of Chaldea ; and;
it is poflible that he is one of them. But, fkill-
ed as he is in his art, it will be impofiible
for liim to form any real thing by natural
means, or give probability to an illulion, if three
only of our number oppofe the u(e and gradual
unfolding of the means he employs.
On the day he intends to build, we will be-
take ourfelves to the place marked out ; and we
have little doubt, but that his workmen, if he
really has any, will be unable to fupport the fire
of our piercing looks, and the effect of our magi-
cal charms.
The king, taking courage at this difcourfe,
ordered every thing requiiite for the conftruc-
tion of the pavilion to be ready on the appoint-
ed fpot : Four thoufand Ethiopians, fix hun-
dred chariots, an hundred elephants, and the
moll expert workmen in Egypt, were employed
in collecting the necefTary materials,
Hicar and Zefagnie obferved thefe great pre-
parations without the leail uneafinefs ; the
2p ARABIAN TALUS.
means they were to employ were To iimplc, that
they could not doubt of their fuccefs.
In the mean Ume, the term prefcribed had
efcaped ; and a herald had already intimated to
Hicar, that the king of Egypt waited for him at
the palace, whither he immediately repaired.
" Well, now !" fage Abicam," faid Pharoah,
w your wifhes are fulfilled. Every article ne-
ceflary for building a whole palace is at the ap-
pointed place. Are Sinkarib's workmen ready
to begin ?
They have only waited for the fignal of your
majefty's pleafure, replied Hicar ; and if, in an
hour hence, your majefty is difpofed to go to
the place marked out, your deiires fhall all be
fatisfied. Meanwhile I return to my camp to
haften the work.
What new fubjeft of admiration for the E-
gyptian monarch ! Abicam was a man wh
never feemed to diftruft his refources. The
king gave orders for an hundred chariots to be
inftantly yoked, that he might afford his court an
opportunity of enjoying this very angular fpec-
tacle. The college of the priefts were added to
this train ; which was ftill farther increased by
an immenfe crowd of people from Mailer.
Hicar and Zefagnie waited to receive Pha-
roah under arms ; and the whole party were
armed by order of -the- ambaflador. . He had
put
ARABIAN TALES* $91
p\it himfelf at their head, and appeared as for-
midable under the banners of Mars as under
the fhield of Minerva.
The four elephants, covered with towers a
domed with waving flags, were placed in the
van. The two rocs and their guides were each
in their tower, and only waited the fignals they
wore to obey. As loon as Hicar could diftin-
guim the chariot of Pharaoh, he made Zefag-
nieafcend his tower, ordered the mufic to bo-
gin, and fet oft himfelf at full gallop to meet
the lovereign.
Seeing a horfeman advancing fo gracefully,
and with fuch a martial appearance, the
Egyptian king never once thought that it
was the AiTyrian ambafl'ador. Hicar alighted
from his horfe, and was foon recognifcd by the.
king, to whom he paid his refpecls. t -
" What ! is it you, Abicam !" faid he to
him \ " ho\r-can ycu thus remove from yourielf
the burden of years, and difplay before me as
much gracefulnels and vigour, as you have al-
ready il.tr,vn me wifdom." * Sire !"- replied.
Hicar, " your majeity extols too highly the
weak abilities which you are kind enough to
remark in Abicam ; they are tne effect of that
noble emulation with which the -king my ma-
fter infpires his miniiters. But, let us not de-
lay to fulfil the engagements agreed rpoa
B b 2 with
Sp2 ARABIAN T AL'iLS.
with your majefty ; my workmen are all ready,
and eager to gratify your impatience ; and they
only wait your majefty's order to give you new
proofs both of their zeal and dexterity.
" Let them begin," laid Pharaoh. " Hicaf
then turned towards the elephants, and made a
fignal with his hand, upon which the net which
covered the two towers difappeared. A woman
then appeared, and afcended into the air. She
was drefled after the Aflyrian manner, in
a purple-coloured robe, all befpangled with
gold j a veil of gauze fluttered in the wind
from the top of a tiara enriched with dia-
rnonds, which, ftruggling with the rays of the
fun, fcemed to rival their fplendour. Every ob-
jeft around her, in which fhe caft her lively
vnd piercing eyes, immediately felt iticlf com-
pletely fubjefted to her will ; and the expreffion
of her features difcovered at once the dignity
and grace of her fex. Thrice fke {truck the
v.ir with her rod, and, in a diftinct and firm
voice, pronounced the following words.
Humble flaves of the powerful king Sin-
*' karib ! obey the orders of the great king
" Pharaoh !" '
At that inftant a great noife was heard ; and
the rocs leaving their towers, carried above the
clouds their young conductors, two of the molt
Beautiful objects it was poffible to behold. More
fplendid
JrRABIAN TALES, 23
Iplendid and lefs perfidious than the fon of Ve-
nus, they appeared, notwithstanding the rapi-
dity with which they were carried, to enjoy
themfelves very much on the back of their
aerial fteeds, directing their motion towards
heaven, fr.om whence they feemed to have been
originally defended.
Garlands of flowers, whofe vivid colours were
totally eclipfed by that of their complexion,
were the only reftraint they had impofed upon,
iheir beautiful hair ; and their trefles floated in
the wind, which at one time fcattered them>
and at another raifed them up, and appeared to
give them the power of wings.
Their garments of coloured gauze, yielding
to the laws of motion, reprefented around them
a variegated and luminous circle,, like the fcarf
of Iris.
They had in their hand a golden trowel, which
they handled with an eafy careleiThefs ; an in-
genious fmile which animated their countenance
was an evidence that they were not afraid to
truft themfelves to the element through which
they were to pafs.
Pharaoh, and all the multitude; ftood mute
through furprife ; but they, .as well as ihc train cf
Ilicar, who were ft rangers to thefe jayfteries,foon
lent up a fhout o r adia.ration. The officers of
the Egyptian guard approached thole of Hicar^
B b 3 and.
204 ARABIAN BALES'.
and thus inquired of them, " What prodigy
is this which we have beheld ?" We are per-
fectly ignorant of it, replied the AiTyrians.
Pharaoh was in extacy ; but the aftonifhment
of the priefts was beyond all bounds. The
monarch having at length, recovered the ufe of
his fenfes, afked them what they thought of this
miracle ?
" Sire !" faid they, this is a difplay of ma-
gic fuperior to every human effort, and far be-
yond our knowledge." The king then addreiled
Hicar : " Abicam," faid he to him, by what
name do you call the forcerefs, or the goddeis,
xvhom we have juft feen ? Whither are the
genii gone whom fhe commands." " \jyiofl
powerful monarch !" replied Hicar, tf there is
neither goddefs, nor forcerefs, nor genius here 5
you have feen only a woman and two children j
but they are fubjecls of the illuftrious Sinkarib."
u Shall we fee them return ?"- They have
your pavilion to build, and the woman you faw
is the architect ; look up to the heavens ; yotfr
workmen are defcencling. As foon as Hicar
perceived that the birds were within reach of his
voice, he called out to them, u Slaves of Sin-,
kajib, do your duty]"
At that initant the woman again appeared j.
and, with a ftroke of her roc', brought the chil-
dren over her head. " Workmen," faid fhe
to
ARABIAN TALES. 295
to them, " your foundations are dug, go and de-
mand the materials necefTary to begin your
work ; there are my dimenilons." And at the
fame time ihe threw them a bunch of ribbands,
which the children laid hold of, and then di-
rected their flight to the place where the work-
men were waiting for them with all the arti-
cles they had prepared. Pharaoh went to the
fame place; and the priefts, followed by the
aftrologers, were eager to mingle among the
workmen. n
The rocs hovered for fome time over the la-
bourers, and then defcended fo far as to enable
their young guides to be heard with their clear
and melodious voices. " Subjects of Pharaoh,"
faid they, " give us ftones, lime, and fand, that
we may build the pavilion for your matter."
The flaves of the Egyptian king, and the la-
bourers, ftood gaping in aftonifhment.
Great king ! exclaimed the lady from the top
of the tower, thefe are effeminate Egyptians,
whom your majefty employs in your fervice.
Exert here your power, and that Ipring which
gives energy to fuch hearts as have been debafed
Ijy flavery : Order the baftinado to be applied to
the foles of their feet. Pharaoh alfo was loft in
aftonifhment. Zcfagnie then addrcfled her own
workmen. Subjects of Sinkarib I Your majefty
you to ,pleafe Pharaoh, in every things
It
296 ARABIAN TAlF.3
It is indeed impoffible for you to touch the
earth, but you may come extremely near it ;
put yourfelf within the reach of thofe who can-
not ailift you j" and, at the fame time, making
a lignal with her rod, which they were accuf-
tomed to obey, they began to defcend by a cir-
cular flight. The Ethiopians fell flat with their
faces on the ground ; and fuch, as from mere
ftupklity remained ftanding, were violently over-
turned by the feet of the rocs..
The priefts of Ofiris, forming themfelves in*-
to a circle, with their high prieft in the center,
ftood firm in their places. They had aflembled
in a circular order, in order to execute the de-
fign they had formed, of difpelling'by their looks
the inchantment they expected to fee. But, in
order to have kept up even the appearance of
oppofing rod to rod, it would have been necef-
fary for their chief to have preferved his fa-
culties. But, the moment he faw the children
begin to defcend, he was loft in aflonifhment,
and the enfign of his power, dropped from his
hand. All his train were in horror, when a
ftroke of the truly powerful rod directed the
florm towards them : At the prompt obedienca*
and noife of the birds, you might have feen
them fall upon one another, wrap tkemfelves up
in the folds of their garments in order to efcape
fo many dangers, and. in a fhort time this col-
lege
ARABIAN YALES. 297
legc of learned men were nothing but a lifelefs
heap. The plain, which before was covered
with an innumerable crowd of people, appeared
a deftrt full of defolation. Pharaoh, whofe
foul was haughty, but full of vigour, was the
only one whom aftonifhment did not complete*
ly overcome ; and thus he addreffed Hicar, who
had remained always at his fide.
" Abicam !" faid he, I am dazzled with
chimeras, and confounded with appearance*.
Surrounded by my magi, I liave depended too
much on their power. Since the death of Hi-
car the Chaldean, I had prefmned that there
was not a man in AfTyria who could enter the
lifts with me. You have corrected my mlftake,
land forced from me that cftee'm of which I have
hitherto given you but trifling marks. Sovereign
of an induftrious people, I thought myfelf more
powerful than Sinkarib ; but he has oppofed to
me a woman only, and all my people, are by her
reduced to mere machines. I fincerely wifli to
become the friend and ally of your king ; and
I 'befeech you to be our mediator. Come tb^'
morrow, to my palace, and all our conditions
frail be fulfilled.
Notwithstanding this fpeech, it may eafily be
prefumed that the king of Egypt was inwardly
mortified thus to confefs his defeat ; but he
was a politician, and refolved to hide thereat
motive
98' ARABIAN TALESi,
motive of his refolution : By the moft noble be-
haviour, he endeavoured to conceal the dangers
with which he was threatened by the refentment
of Sinkarib.
The rocs and their guides had disappeared j
and, as foon as the lady who directed thefe won-
ders had feen their effect, ihe immediately re-
entered her tower, which was again covered
with the myfterious veil. The plain, which had
formerly looked like a defart, was peopled anew,
und Pharaoh, followed by his court, had return-
eel to his palace. liicar had alighted from his
horfe, and ordered his guard to lay down their
arms, and retire to their tents. The rocs, and
their guides, who had been concealed in a neigh-
bouring foreft, had returned to their towers,
and covered themfelves with the net. And
Hicar and Zefagnie, now disarmed, were congra-
tulating one another on the fortunate fuccefs of
their ingenious ftratagem, and fettling the plan
of their future conduct.
" I will vigoroufly demand," {aid Hicar, " e-
very article of the figned conditions, and to-
morrow every thing will be agreed upon. The
imagination of the Egyptian king is very much
affected ; his people are equally aftoniihed ; and
I will avail myfelf of this difpoiition in both to
advance the intereft of Sinkarib. The treafiuy
be filkd which Na,dan has exhaufted ; the
forces
ARABIAN TALES. aJJfJi
forces of the kingdom mud be re-eftabllfhed ;
and the frontiers muft be put in a ft ate of de-
fence. Should Pharaoh ever leani that he has
been impofed upon by a ftratagc-m, it would be
impoffible for us to retaft his rage. As foon,
therefore, as we {ball have returned to iny
folitude, I will make a trufty huntfmvm conduit
tlie rocs into the middle of the defarts ; he will
feparate the children from them during the
night ; and, having fet them upon a camel, bring
them back to me. Sinkarib would be unable to
refill the curiofity of feeing the fame manoeuvres
difplayed before him, which have juft now afto-*
niihed Egypt j and it is necefTary to keep up the
belief of a miracle in the mind of the king, and
even of the Aflyrians. It will infpire our peo-
ple with confidence, and prevent them from
throwing themfelves into the chains of their ene-
mies abroad, in feeking to fhun them at home.
Not, added the fage Hkar, that I would wiih
to deceive the king of Egypt on every point ;
but he fhall learn from me :?o circumftance
which it is of importance to conceal from him.
In duty to my own character, and to that of an
ambailador, I muft inform him in time who
Abicam was ; and for this purpofe I will em-
ploy no other artifice than that I have already
made ufe of, iu causing a falfe carrier to deliver
me a letter from Sinkarib, which in reality I,
brought
.$0* ARABIAN TALES,
brought fealed from Nineveh, to be ufed .is do
cailon fhould require. After thefe wife arrange-
ments, this happy pair grew calm, and waited
without unealiuefs the events of to-morrow.
Every tiling was i\ow ready in the city of
MafTer, and in the palace of the king, for giv-
ing the ambaflador the moil ^magnificent recep-
tion. He was no longer treated as the envoy
of a prince, who was before hand conftdered as
a vafial of Pharaoh , a deputation of the gran-
dees of the court went out to meet him at the
gates of the city ; and, when he approached the
throne, the fovereign, after receiving his hom-
age, defcended to embrace him.
" Dear Abicam !" fakl he to him, " diftinguim-
cd and valuable man ! From your prefence, your
words, and your actions, I have learned what
King Sinkarib is. I command thoufands of
Haves, but he governs them. Affyria would have
had much to boaft of had it only produced Hi-
car and you ! Certainly you were a difciple of
this fage ? You have been well acquainted
with him ? Sire ! replied Abicam, I will in
"time difcover to you the connection I may have
had with with a man for whom you have prc-
ferved fo much efteem. (If I have failed in my-
refpect for Sinkarib, replied Pharoah, it has
been owing to the murder of that iiluftrious
man. . Ever fince that event, I have looked up-
on
X TALES; gat
$n the king of Aflyria as a tyrant, of whom the
world ought to be freed.) " And, if Hicar
were frill alive," faid Abicam, " he would en-
deavour to vindicate his fovereign from the de-
teftaWe calumnies which have been thrown out
pon this monarch on his account. Pardon
me, Sire ! if for a moment I differ from you in
opinion : The reputation and interests of that
vizir were as dear to me as to any other per-
fon, and my attachment to him can end only
with my Kfe ; yet I know (and you fhall one
day know it likewife), that he was not, in every
infrance, irreproachable.
Sixteen years before his death, Sire, he him-
fslf, in the moft obliging manner, whetted the
fword with which he was to be ftruclc, and gave
it to Sinkarib, whofe hands were to ufe it. I
am not permitted to fay more : The interpreter
to you of my matter's will, I muft not at prefent
aft the part of his confident. But, to return to
Hicar, I cannot heip blaming him : He afpired
too foon after repofe and retirement. Man is-
born for labour ; and the trr.nquility he purftfeV
is a fhadow. When public affairs are in the
hands of a wife man, he ought not to abandow
them to an imprudent minifter.
I begin," faid Pharoah, to be convmctd
that Hicar may have had his failings, fince your
wifdom has pointed them out. And befides,
Cc J
302 ARABIAN TALES.
I conflder you as fo much above him, that yom
would not feek for faults in his character, if in
reality there were none.
You will even be convinced, Sire, that I am
in no refpedt fuperior to Hicar. I have unhap-
pily as many faults to reproach myfelf with as
I ever difcovered in him. " But," faid Pha-
roah, " before we fpeak of the conditions, (which
I already look upon as fixed), Will you not in-
form me as to the nature of that object whom
we beheld under the appearance of a woman,
and whom you have announced as tke architect
of Sinkarib ?- I will tell you, Sire , but it muft
be kept a fecret from the chief of your mini-
flers. She was fifter to the deceafed king ; and
confequently fhe is aunt to the prefent king of
Affyria. She made a voluntary offer of co-
ming to fulfil your defigns, on condition that
fne fhould remain unknown. I cannot, faid the
kjng, give her a greater proof of my admiration,
than by yielding to her wifhes : But I have a
painful effort to overcome, in with-holding from
her that homage which is due to her birth, her
merit, and, above all, to the uncommon power
with which fhe is invefted. She is entitled,
Sire, to the moft diftinguifhed attention ; but
her power does not deferve to be fo much ex-
tolled by your majefty, fince every woman of
Affyria poffeffes merit,
Let
ARABIAN TALES. 303
Let us fign our treaty, Abicam : It muft be
done by you and me.
I afpire to the friendmip of Sinkarib, and
vrilh to fee him in Nineveh, and admire his
glory. Orders are already given to pay to yon
the tenth of the revenues of Egypt for four
years. To this I have added the nine hundred
katars which your ibvcreign afked from me to
complete the conftrudtion of his chariots of war.
Tell him that I will afcend them together with
him to attack liis enemies : I (hall order the re-
turn of all his fubjec"ts who have taken refuge in
Egypt : And here is a letter which you will de-
liver him from me.
%0 jmtjl tasteiq ^Ht nt WHS & sdt yrfmr.sfolhoi
~ w PHARAOH, king &f Egypt, to SINCARIB, king of
4/yria"
."Wii lsM.i f t<>nnr> v-~- f^^Oi;^ JJ Vi. ; .'rt - f : -.( ..,; v ;|
Glory to the powers from whom proceed the
favours which are ftied upon the earth ! Glory
to him who is crowned with them *.
13d e iflfCJ rrf 01 sub *i rbidw K^nrnctrl >wtJ ir.^
" I wifhed," brother, " to contend with you
>*>*<' in wifdom, and ipyfelf impofed the terms j
" but I have failc:i in the ftruggle ; and pay
" moft willingly, i M conlideration of the e^cel-
' lent things I have heard and feen. You
* demand of me nine hundred katars to de-
C c 2 fray
,304 ARABIAN TALES.
" fray your extraordinary expences ; and I ana
" extremely happy in having it in my power to
< oblige you. The only requital I afk for this is,
" that you will exchange with me an offenfive
and defenfive treaty of alliance, which, fealed
with my great feal, will be delivered to you by
" your enlightened ambaffador." -
Abicam, loaded with prefents and with ho-
nour, and Zefagnie, enriched with a diamond
itar, relumed the road to Nineveh, carrying
with them the terms of the Egyptian king. Two
grandees of his court, at the head of a detach-
ment of cavalry, efcorted the embafTy to the
frontiers of Aflyria.
Hicar was fomewhat uneafy at this honour -,
he did not wilh to feefo many eyes fixed upon the
cages -which contained the birds. In ftrict po-
licy he fliould have put them to death, and bu-
ried them in his tent ; but he was incapable of
doing, harm to animals which had rendered
him fuch elTential fervice. He contented him-
felf with placing around them a conftant and
watchful guard ; and, whether he was obliged
to flop during the day, or to pitch his camp in
order to reft during the night, he did this in fuch
a manner, as that it was impoffible to difcover
his innocent flratagem. In the mean time, he
had difpatched a warrior to Sinkarib, with a
ktter, in the name of Abicam, which informed
him-
ARABIAN TALfeS. 305
\lihn of his fuccefs at large, and acquainted
him with the return of his fubjefts under his
government, and the arrival of the nine hun-
-dred katars, in addition to the ranfoms which
he brought.
Nadan read this letter, and was confounded
at it. " Who is this Abicam," faj4 he, " who
is patronifed by Zefagnie, and who, in fo
fhort a time, has performed fo great wonders?
Sinkarib, even when his glory was at the high-
eft pitch, would have thought himfelf very
happy in coming off upon 'equal terms with the
king of Egypt , and yet this laft has become his
tributary, at the very time when he had only to
fhow himfelf in order to invade him ! Nadan
was aftonifhed at all this ; and, as he beheld, in
this ftranger, a man too dangerous for him, he
was already contriving in what manner he might
get rid of him : While, on the other hand,
Sinkarib was returning thanks to heaven for
having preferved his old vizir, to extricate him
from the difficulties into which he had fallen by
his own negligence.
Public report loudly proclaimed the miracks
which had been performed at Mafler. Is the
man whom you have employed a magician, faid
Nadan to Sinkarib ? " No," replied the king ;
" but he is a moft wonderful man." While
this event engaged the attention of the court
C c 3 and
JC.6 ARABIAN
and the city, Zefagnie had returned to her pa-
lace ; and the pretended Abicam had intimated
to the king that he would repofe himfelf for
two days in his folitude, before he came to give
an account of his embafiy.
Sinkarib flew to the palace of his aunt, and
learned the happy fuccefe of an invention, of
which they had not communicated to him even
the idea. He congratulated himfelf on his good
fortune; but, exactly as the fage Hicar had
forefeen, he wifhed to fee thefe birds and chil-
dren, by whofe means the pride of Pharoah had
been humbled. That is impoffible, faid Zefag-
nie ; Hicar, in engaging them for your fervice,
promiied them their liberty, and they are already
in the enjoyment of it. Deftroy not the illu-
tion by which Pharoah is deceived ; and, that
you may fucceed better hi this, allow it to re-
main in the minds of your people. I am ex-
tremely happy hi having feen you before my
hufband had made his appearance again at the
palace : As foon as he muft refume his offices,
he cannot be announced there under any other
aame than his own ; and you muft not permit
the ungrateful Nadan to remain either as his
colleague or inferior. This wretch was the au-
thor of all thofe dark intrigues which difho-
noured my hufband in your efteem : So long as
2 was neceffary, you hare iupported him near
van j
TALES, 307
YOU ; but, as God has at length reflored your
ancient vizir, you ought not to fave this dan-
gerous rnmilter, who conlpired his ruin, and
would foon complete your own. His head
ought to fall upon the fcaffold ; but I requeft
the favour of your leaving it to the difpofal of
Hicar. The unworthy Nadan is his nephew,
and muft be punifhed by that hand, the bene-
ficence of which he has forgotten. li .L^
Sinkarib yielded to the wifhes of Zefagnie, and
immediately returned to his palace, Avhere Na-
dan expected him with uneafinefs. The king
liimftlf was not altogether free from it j and, as
ibon as he perceived Nadan, he addrdled the
cliief of Hicar's guard, who had been a fervant
in the innermoft apartments. " Caufe the cri-
minal to be bound r" faid he, pointing to the vi-
zir, " and let him be immediately conducted to
the palace of the grand vizir Hicar, his uncle.
'Deliver him up to the orders of Zefagnie, and
refume yourfelf, at the head of your band, the
fiune offices in her palace with which you was
formerly entrufted."
Nadan was inftantly arrefted, and fhut up in
the- very prifon where his uncle had been con-
cealed, in order to fcreen himfcJf from his fury.
After this, Sinkarib aflembled his council,
and communicated to them his good fortune in
kaving found his former vizir Jiicar ; he re-
counted
308 ARABIAN TALES.
counted the fervices he had rendered him in
Egypt, and predicted the tranquility of Afly-
ria under the adminiftration of fo enlightened
a minifter as he had this day recalled to his
office.
Hicar entered the city, amidft the acclama-
tions of the people, who conducted him hi tri-
umph to the foot of the throne, where the art-
ful courtiers gave him a moft diftinguifhed re-
ception. The minifter then delivered the letter
which he carried to Sinkarib ; and prevailed up-
on the monarch to ilgn the treaty of alliance, and
to return it with a favourable anfwer to Pharaoh.
Hicar had no difficulty in perfuading him to
this j and a meflenger was inftantly fent into
Egypt with thefe diipatches, which the king
accompanied with the following letter.
" To the Powerful King PHARAOH, Sovereign Lord
of the fertile Egypt."
" Sire ! Hicar hath been recalled to life,
" that, under the name of Abicam, he might
" admire the knowledge and virtues which are
e ' the ornament of your auguft perfon. If he
" did rot make himfelf known to your maje-
** fty, you muft afcribe this referve only to the
w meafures which obliged him to fupport the
chajacler
ARABIAN TALES. 309
< chara&er under which he appeared at your
" court. Your majefty will now be able to
M comprehend what Abicam laid to the diipa-
rngement of Hicar."
When this vizir had openly, and, to the f*.
tisfacYion of all, relumed the reins of govern-
ment, he returned to his palace, where he had
heard that Nadan was confined in chains. He
refolved, though with regret, to fpeak to this
criminal : He could not, and indeed ought not,
on any account, to grant him his pardon ; yet
he did not wifh'for his death.
He made the cave, which was lighted by a
lamp, be opened ; and there he beheld his
perfidious nephew ftretched upon the ftravr.
" Well! Nadan," faid he to him, do you
recollect what you have been, what you have
done, and what you now are ? Can you think
upon yoarfelf ?" " Not without blufhing," re-
plied Nadan. " The tiger," continued Hicar,
" ftained with blood and flaughter, pafllng
near a fountain, faw its own image, which lili-
ed it with horror. While you lived in your
guilt, you did not IHlen to remorfe ; to-day fed
its bitternefs !" " Alas ! I do feel and know
it." No, you do not feel it. Did it equal
your crime?, it would devour yotiA-" Pardon
310 ARABIAN TALES.
me, my uncle ; confider that the iame blood
flows in the veins of us both."
" Once, when the Ganges overflowed its
banks, it depofited Tome of its waters in a hol-
low betwixt two mountyns. They became cor-
rupted, and fpread infection all around, till
they were curfed by the inhabitants -of the
neighbouring places. How ! faid they, dares
any one curie the waters of the falutary river,
without which man would foon perifh for
thirft ! Peftilential waters ! replied a genius,
.the Ganges do not acknowledge thofe waters
from which nothing but deadly exhalations a-
rife ! You, Nadan, call me no more your
.uncle, nor yourfelf my nephew."
" Well, Hicar! you are generous and noble,
treat me* like a man." " It would not be to
recognife humanity in you, but to avenge it of
your enormities. Once an wolf was taken a-
mong the lambs, which a prieft of Ofiris was
tending : Spare me, faicl it to the keeper of
the flock ; behold my mouth and my paws, it
is clear that I am innocent. The crime is in
thy heart, replied the keeper. But, although
you fhould fuppofe fo, replied the wolf, you
are a minifter of peace j you never ufe the
knife but in facrifke, and I am too vile to be
offered up j my blood would ftain your robe
and your hands. It is only the blood of the
juft
ARABIAN TALES. 3! I
juft that ftains, faid the prieft, as he plunged
the knife in its throat ; die wretch ! I facrifice.
thee to the tranquility of the flocks which are
in the world."
" You intend then to behave to me as a.
judge,'* faid Nadan. Wretch ! when thou
fpeakeft of juftice, thou makeft me tremble.
Is it poffible for me to do juftice to thee ? Re-
call to mind my kindnefs and thy treachery ;
my affection, and thy cruelty ! The law, con-
fcious of its weaknefs, has denounced no pu-
nifhment againft ingratitude. Heaven has re-
ferved this for itfelf."
" Well," faid Nadan, " banifh me into the
moft dreadful defart." " Even there you
would be purfued by the furies ; nor will they
abandon you even after death. This is the
punilhment which you deferve ; and I am not
fo cruel as to deliver you up to it. All that I
wiih, is, that remorfe may iharpen againft you.
its keeneit arrows ; that thy guilty heart may
be pierced with them ; and that you may be-
come at leaft fenfible to grief! Delivered at
length to repentance, you would repair ^at leaft
in part) the atrocity of your conduct by your
tears." " Alas ! you behold me flied them."
" Yes, traitor, thou doft weep ! but it is to
fee my life refcued from thy ftroke ; and to
behold thyfelf in chains, and uoable to avenge.
thyfelf.
3 12 ARABIAN TALES.
tbyfelf. "We muft inflict fuch punifliments as
(hall chaftife, not thy crimes, but thy pride."
When he had faid this, Hicar departed,
bewailing a nephew whom he had no hopes of
bringing to repentance. Some days after he
went again to fee him ; but he found him dcnd
in his prifon : In this manner was the world
delivered from the fatal exiftence of this un-
grateful man. He had hanged himfelf by his
hair, on a nail which was fixed in the walk of
the dungeon.
Hicar and Zefagnie confoled one another :
And, in the attachment of Sinkarib, they found
a full recompenfe for all the grief into which
Nadan had plunged them. The monarch, in-
ftructed by the dangers to which he had been
cxpofed under a perfidious and wicked minifler,
now devoted himfelf wholly to bufinefs, and
gained the affection of his people, and the ad-
miration of the neighbouring powers.
SCHAHRIAR appeared to be delighted with the
hiftory of Sinkarib and his two vizirs, which
was thus concluded i He was pleafed with the
punifhment of the ungrateful Nadan, and the
manner in which Hkar had fupported the cha-
ra&er of Abicam at the court of Pharaoh. The
flight
ARABIAN TALES. ^TJ
flight of the rocs, and the addrefs of the young
children, had contributed greatly to his amufe-
ment.
Dinarzade had taken a peculiar intereft in
Zefagnie. You have defcribed, iifter, faid fhe
to Scheherazade, a woman for whom I have
conceived fuch an efteem, that I have never
thought of Diking her age ; and, even had you
told me that fhe was advanced in years, I cer-
tainly would have forgot it, amid the fplendour
of fo many charms, and the dignity of her man-
ners.
But, as this hiftory has been long, and as we
ought to beware of fatiguing the attention of
the fultan our fovereign, I ihould wifh, fitter,
that you would relate the ftory of a certain
Schebandad of Surat, which I remember for-
merly to have heard with very great pleafure.
I would gladly undertake it, faid the beau-
tiful fultanefs, did not the day which begins to
appear advife us to follow fome better employ-
ment.
At leaft, fifter, replied Dinarzade, you will
engage to relate it to-morrow. 1 fhall, at the
command of our invincible fultan.
The next day the fultanefs, being reminded
of her promife, with the approbation of the
fultan, thus began.
Voi, II. D d Tfc,
314 ARABIAN TALES.
The Hiftory of the Family of the Schebandad of
Surat.
A. SCHEBANDAD of Surat *, by his marriage,
had had four fons, for whom he procured
wives, and whom he fettled advantageoufly in the
world. But it fo happened, that, at the end of
twenty years, only one child remained to each.
The three elder brothers had each a fon, and the
younger a daughter.
Vafume was the name of this young daugh-
ter. Both nature and education had confpirecl
to render her accomplifhed. Nothing was talk-
ed of at Surat, but the charms of her figure,
her talents, and her wit. Her three coufms
loved her to diftraclion. Their whole ambi-
tion was to gain her hand. This rivalfhip
might be attended with dangerous confequen-
ces j and the Schebandad, who forefaw this,
fuTembled his family, and (poke thus to his
children :
My children, fays he to them, Vafume can
only be the wife of one hufband. Her father
and I believe you all equally worthy of her
hand. But, as the happinefs of your amiable
<-oufm is at ftake, I have thought proper to
leave
* A 5chiJ>andad t a chief of commerce.
AJL1B1AN TALES. 3*5
leave her at liberty to make choice of one of
you -, and the one of the three whom flic {hall
prefer may depend upon our approbation and
confcnt.
Thcfe three brothers could not oppofe this
reafonable propofal ; and the Schebandad was
commiffioned to communicate it to his grarid-
daughter. Vafume was much embarrafied ;
" Father," laid {he, I love my three coufins
with an equal affeftion, and would be extreme-
ly forry to difobllge any of them. However,
fince you require me to make a choice, and as
it is alrnoft a matter of Indifference to me which
of them I obtain, I have thought of a method
of determining the point. My coufins arc en-
dowed with excellent abilities ; and I will take
that one of the three for my hufband who
{hall relate the moft agreeable ftory : For, if h[s
merit be equal in other refpec'ts, I believe the
man of the beft underftanding is the beft cal-
culated to promote., the happinels of his wife.*'
I fhall go and inform them of your propofal,
replied the Schebandad ; and, as they will not
have had time to prepare themfelves, you will
be the better able to judge of -the' resources of
their imagination. I know their talents ; be-
fides, the reward they have in view will give
them courage to attempt every thing; and, be-
D d 2 fore
%l6 ARABIAN TALE-3.
fore the tranfports of expectation, every diffi-
culty will vaniih.
The Schebandad having acquainted the
young men, foon returned to Vafume, fol-
lowed by her father and the three lovers. The
whole company took their feats, and the con-
teR was ready to begin. The oldeft had alrea-
dy begun his flory, when he was interrupted
by the beautiful Indian. " My amiable cou*
lins," laid fhe, " firfl of all, you muft permit
me to bring hither one extremely capable of
directing my judgment. Dara I faid fhe, ad-
dreffing herfelf to a flave, go and acquaint my
good Nane, that I expedl her here. It is my
nurfe, continued fhe. It is to the pretty fto-
ries fhe formerly told me, that I owe a great
part of my inftruftion ; and none of you will
be able to prejudice or corrupt this judge, for
fhe is blind. Thus her decifion muft be in fa-
vour of real merit."
Come forward, good nurfe, faid fhe to Nane
as fhe entered } caufe them to condu& you to me,
and prepare yourfelf to liften with attention.
My father is here with a goodly company, who
are going to tell you ftories ; be feated on my
fopha. Upon this Nane, groping her way, fat
down at Vafume's fide, whom fhe recognifed
by her voice ; and he who propofed to fpeak
r* n i i i n
nru thus began his ftpry,
ARABIA'S TALES. 3 ! 7
The Lovtt of the Stars; or the Story of Cabil-
D ALHUC, a potter in Bagdad, had been pret-
ty fuccefsful in his bufinefs : Seventeen years
after his marriage, his wife, whom forrow had
rendered infirm, died, leaving him a fon o
fixteen years of age.
From that time, the potter frequented
houfe of Narilha, a widow, much younger than
' himfelf. This woman was by profeffion a fel-
ler of cofmetics, which preferred the frefhnefs
of the complexion and (kin, and appeared to
perpetuate youth. Her artificial compositions
had procured her admittance into the inner-
mofl apartments of the caliph's palace, and o
the principal harams in the capital. But her
fan* was not of long duration -, after the fplen-
dour of a fleeting charm, fome of her cuftoin-
ers obferved their attractions vanifh too foon :
Time imprinted his wrinkles on their artificial
countenances 5 and our widow, finding her ere,
dit diminifh, determined to appropriate the 1
tie fortune of her friend the potter, by becom-
ing his wife.
Dalhuc was already too much captivated to
refufe this propofal ? and, thus in virtue off
Dd i raer
pS 1RABUN TALE?.
mcr claim?, and of the contrail which was fign-,
ed in prefence of the Cadi, the feller of cofme-
lics was eftablifhed as the abfolute miftrefs of
his houfe.
Nariiha had a .fon of the fame age with that
of Dalhuc; he was one of themoft dull and ftupid
children in Bagdad ; but he was not the lefs,
on that account, the beloved idol' of his mo-
ther. This foolifh and rude creature, whofe
name was Badur, emboldened by the partiality
of Dalhuc for his mother, fixed a quarrel on
his ftep-father's fon, who, forgetting his natu-
ral gentlenefs, revenged his injurious treatment
by beating him foundly : The enraged mother
banifhed her hufband's child from the houfe ;'
and this unfortunate wretch, almoft naked, was
obliged to take refuge in the houfe of one of
his mother's brothers. Nariiha, delivered from
this troublefomc fpy, and flattering herfelf that
fhe could bring the little knowledge of bufmefs
which was left her to fome good account, ex-
erted it in purchasing a garden without the city,
and fet up a fruit-fhop, of which the caliph af-
terwards became a cuftomer, by the intereft of
the purveyor of the palace.
The poor Dalhuc, driven from his father's
houfe, had arrived, in the moft difconfolate con-
dition, at the houfe of his uncle Caflanak,who was
ei>e of the moft honeft and induftrious men in
Bagdad ;.
ARABIAN TALES 3*9
Bagdad; hut his family was too large for his be-
ing himielf of all the fervice to his nephew that
he could have wilhed. Enraged at the outrage
Dalhuc had fuffered, he determined to requeii
one of his friends, a geomancer, to affift him, and
perfuaded him to efpoufe his quarrel very warm-
ly. What vengeance would you wifh to take on
your nephew's ftep-mother ?" alked the learned
man.
I wifli to humble this arrogant woman, re-
plied Caflanak, to tear from her the money of
which ihe has deprived Dalhuc, and to lay it
out in eilablnliing my nephew. This young
man had been promifed to the only daughter of
a wealthy barber. He was really attached to
her, and believed the flame was mutual. But
Narilha has produced a change in his father's in-
tentions, and tliis young lady is at prefent de-
figned for Badur. I fhould wiih, faid Caffa-
nak, to (how her to her hufband in her true
character.
I {hail anfwer for the complete fuccefs of your
wifties, replied the geomancer, provided you
will take upon you the execution of the plan I
am to lay down. Go immediately, and, in the
neighbourhood of the palace, hire a fhop, the
moft commodious you can find for the dilplay
of fruit , and, when the bargain fliall be made,
return
i,-
320 ARABIAN TALESV
return hither, and you fhall find your bu finds
prepared.
CaiTanak, delighted with the opportunity of
avenging himfelf on Narilha, yielded the mod
ready obedience ; he hired a fhop, gave an ear-
neft, and returned. " You have been very expe-
ditious," faid the geomancer ; " nor have I been
quite idle; and I now put it in your power to fuc-
ceed in ail your defigns. Here, in the firft place, is
an Armenian robe, and a fharp pointed cap ;
take alfo this paper ; it contains a full detail of in-
ftructions refpecting the operations you muft car-
ry forwards to-morrow morning. Study well the
words which you muft pronounce aloud ; and,
whatever miracle you may need, command it
confidently. I have armed you well, and will
aid your intentions to the very utmoft of my
power. To-morrow, as foon as you fhall have
kft your houfe, let your nephew repair to the
fhop which you have hired ; but let him take
care not to appear furprifed at what he fhall fee
there, left he fhould attract the attention of
the curious, whom he muft carefully fhun.
Caflanak returned home, fhut himfelf up in
his clofet, and, in the filence of retirement, ftu-
died the part he was to aft. He impatiently
waited the return of morning; and, as foon as it
appeared, he equipped himfelf in the magical
-robe, and {harp pointed cap ; and, after having
fent
ARABIAN TALES. 32!
lent Dalhuk to his ftation, went himfelf to Na-
rilha's houfe. He entered her fhop, and found
die fruits difphyed in it with great Ikill. Upon
his remarking, with fbme degree of furprife,
that they were extremely beautiful, " Tafte
them," faid the fruit-woman j. " they are in-
rctty to the eye, but they are much better
to the talk." Caflanak was eafily perfuaded,
and in reality found that fhe was right. I
was' laying my account, madam, with being o~
bliged to travel to Damas in fearch of fruit ;
if we can manage it fo, as that I can be accom-
modated here, I fhall certainly fpare myfelf the
fatigue of the journey. Not that I mean to re-
commend my fruit, Sir, replied Narilha, but
in reality the caliph's gardens produce nothing
half fo favoury ; indeed all that you fee is part-
ly deftined for his table, and thofe of his houfe;
but, to oblige fuch a man as you, I will take a-
way fome part of them. Madam, I am flattered
with your politenefs, and am certain you will
have no caufe to repent of the kindnefs you"
have fhown me. But, in reality thefe fruits are
fit for angels : Give me two of thefe pomegra-
nates, and tell me the price of them. Narilha
was very much furpifed, that, after being fb la-
vifh in her praifes, he wanted only pomegra-
nates, and determined to revenge herfelf upon
him, by afking an exorbitant price for thettu
$2* ARABIAN TALK*.
The Armenian paid it immediately, and added,
" If your fruit is relifhed, I hope to conclude a
more important bargain with you." Saying this,
he placed hirnfelf in the middle of the fliop, and
throwing the pomegranates with all his force int&
the air, they immediately difappeared ; which
drew an exclamation of furprife from Narilha
and her fon. The pretended Armenian then
drew from his pocket a fmall filver tube, in
which he feemed to articulate a few words in a
rery low tone. A moment after, he applied te
his car a horn of the fame metal, pretending to
liften to fomething that was faid to him ; then
fhutting up his inftruments, and affuming
an air of fatisfaftfon, " Madam," faid he, " a
trial of your fruit has been made, and it has been
found delicious , I have received orders to car-
ry off immediately all that remains. The la-
bour will not be tedious, for people have been
fent to affift me : There is my purfe 5 take as
much money as you think proper for the pay-
ment of your fruit." The fight of the gold a-
wakened the covetoufnels and avarice of >Naril-
ha ; {he could have taken the whole pnrfe very .
willingly, but limited herfelf to thirty fequins, for
the payment of what was really worth five OF
fix.
The Armenian was fo far from being difiatiA
ed with this, that he did not even pay any
attention
ARABIAN TALES. 3*3
attention to it ; but immediately took poiTeffion
of his fruit, and threw a melon with the right,
and an apple with the left, till, in a fhort time$
all the fruit in the {hop was in motion, and,
flying off as if it had had wings, entirely difap-
peared. Badur and Narilha looked very ear-
neftly at this ftrange removal of their fruit.
" How, jwhither, and by whom have you dii-
patched all this fruit !" faid flie to the Arme-
nian. " Madam," replied he, " I am the chief
caterer for the ftars, in which it is conftandy
either loo hot, or too cold, too moift, or too
dry, fo that nothing comes to perfect maturity.
I defcended upon the earth, with a view to get
proviflons for them, and will frankly confels,
that, in confequenceofthe great fame of the fruits
atDamas,! was on my way to that city, when I ac-
cidentally pafled before your fliop: The appear-
ance of your fruits attracted my attention ; their
flavour increafed my furprife ; and their tafte
completed my delight. I fent two of them for
a trial, and immediately received an order to
bring away the whole. If to-morrow, and the
day following, you are as well provided, you
will be able to fell every thing in your fhop,
and you will become the fruit-woman of the
ikies."
Narilha rubbed her eyes, uncertain whether
file was awake or in a dream, upon hearing fuch
agreeable
324 ARABIAN TALES.
-agreeable information. The foolifh Badur, with
his mouth half open, ftared by turns at his mo-
ther, at the Armenian, and at the ceiling.
" There's a very pretty young man, madam," faid
the mifchievous provider ; he muft be your
brother : He bears a great refemblance to you."
" No, Sir, he is my fon," replied the fruit-
woman. "What ! at your age, have you fo
big a fon as that ? that is incredible. You nmft
think of getting him married."" I am think-
ing of it, Sir : He is already engaged to the
daughter of a rich barber, one of our friends."
" ^ barber ! a barber ! and a rich barber !
There are many wonders in heaven, but this
exceeds them all ; were he not fo filent, the mi-
racle would be complete. Do you know, ma-
dam, that the mere fale of your fruit for one
year might entitle you to aflc the daughter of
a vizir for your fon ? yet this fhould be only
your laft refource. We have daughters above
to marry, who would look upon a connection
with you as a real bleffing." " How, Sir ! Do
they marry above ?" Do they marry ! Do
you think then that heaven was peopled
without marriage ? Every thing which you fee
fparkle there has a father and mother. How
could new ftars be difcovered every day, unlefs
there were fome born? Whence hath the
milky way its name, but becaufe it is the ha-
bitation
ATU31AN 'TALES.
bitation of nurfes. Let me alone, madam," I
Lave profpefts for your fon. I wifh to marry
him to the youngeft, moft frefh, and moft bril-
liant of our beauties." Ah ! who is fhe ? w
" She is the Star of the Morning. She is af-
furedly brilliant : She is alfo frefh, for fhe ne-
ver travels but in the night ; but, as to her be-
ing young, Sir, that is impoffible, for I have
known her ever fince I have been in the world,
and the very firft time I obferved her fhe was
fully round."" She whom you knew, madam,
went off fome years ago j but you women of
the earth fuffer the ftars to fly off without ever
aikmg whether they go ; it is alfo true that there
are fo many of them that one does not give
themfelves any trouble about fuch as are wanting.
But, feriouflyfpeaking, would you wifhyourfon
to become the hulband of themoft beautiful of the
ftars."" Ah! Sir, if that could poffiblybebrought
about, I fhould be delighted with it. Would he
likewife fhine in the firmament ?" I {hall an-
fxver for his not being a dark body there ; but
regularly every day his miftrefs comes near
the earth, and, if the affair pleafes you, we will
fee if it is poffible to fettle it. Shut the door
of your ihop, and caufe a pail full of water to
be brought into the middle of the ftore-houfe."
The directions of the Armenian were follow-
^ 2 (5 ARABIAN TALESi
ed, and the pail brought to the place appoint-
ed. " Come near, young man," faid he to
Badur, " look at yourfelf in this water, you
will find yourfelf very pretty in it. Endeavour
to aflume a pleafed air, that your countenance
siay be rendered more agreeable. Good ! This
is perfedly charming. You may now with-
draw." As foon as Badur had quitted his po-
Tition, the Armenian took up the pail, and
threw its contents into the air, without one drop
falling back into the room. " What are you
doing, Sir?" faid Narilha, uneafy at firft at an e-
vent which threatened to deluge her ftore-houfe,
and then extremely furprifed at feeing the whole
water in the pail entirely difappear. " I am
fending," faid he, your fon's piaure to the
moft beautiful of the ftars. Let us fit down,
we fhall learn in a moment what effect it has
upon her."
During this interval, the Armenian introdu-
ced fome indifferent converfation ; then all at
once he arofej placed himfelf in the middle of
the room, applied his tube to his mouth, and
his horn to his ear, and, afluming a contented
air, " Your fon, madam, is infinitely agreeable !
He is deftined to a very high fortune ; but he
muft yield to my fancy, as I know the tafte of our
ladies. Badur has a ruddy and animated com-
plexion,
ARABIAN TALES. 327
plexion, the beauty of which he muft not dif-
guife under that tufted beard, which reaches
almoft to his eye-brows ; and the lively andpierc-
inglooks of his eyes would be much more charming
Avere they not concealed by his long eye-brows.
Thefe muft be cut away, and the lize of his beard
diminifhed. I^et him be fhaven to the bottom of
the under lip; and, with this precaution, I pro
mile him infallible fuccefs in his amours. To-
morrow morning, however, I fhall be more cer-
tain than I am at prefent ; in the mean time, I
wifh your fon to difplay a little gallantry with
his miftrefs : He muft, therefore, be provided
with a nofe-gay, compofed of the moft beauti-
ful flowers ; and you, madam, take care to have
your fhop as well ftored to-morrow as it was to-
day; here are pledges for the fale which I promife
you. The only thing 1 exacl of you is fecrecy con-
cerning the trade we are in future to carry on to-
gether; forthcfmalleft'indifcretion might mar your
fortune. The ftars have already too much inter-
courfe withmen, who call upon their interference
in all their petty concerns. This is extremely dil-
agreeable to the heavenly bodies. You fee,
Madam, that I fpeak frankly to ypu. Farewell ;
fome bufmefs calls me hence ; to-morrow I fhall
be here very early." Upon this Cafianakmade
a bow, and withdrew.
Ee 2 I
-3.28 ARAB-IAN TALES.
I fhould think myfelf in a dream, faid Na-
rilha to her fon, did I not hold in my hand
thele thirty fbquins, which appear to me to be
of fufficient weight, and to be good gold.-
" Mother," faid 13adur> " why muft I go im-
mediately to have myfelf fhaved ? Why fo
fuddenly ! The ftars, I believe, do not fee any
thing during the day j and it will be much bet-
ter that you be fre(h fhaved to-morrow morn-
ing.- But, in truth, added Narrilha, I am
not recovered from our adventure ; and it muft
be acknowledged this Armenian muft be a very
honeft man ; for, with the fame addrefs with
which he carried off our fruits, he might have
difpenfed with paying for them fo cheerfully,
and at fo high a price. As for you, friend,
inftead of going to have yourfelf {haven, you
ought to go in fearch of fome bafkets of good
fruit, in order to deck our fhop, that the ca-
Uph's provider may not go away from us emp-
ty-handed ; for great profits never ought to
snake us defpife fmall ones." Juft as fhe was
faying this, the caterer entered.
" How now !" faid he, " I wanted all your
fruit to-day, and I fee none!" " Have pa-
tience a moment, Sir, our aiTes are not yet ar-
rived j Badur is gone to meet them ; and, if
you, Sir, have not time to ftay, you may re-
turn to the palace, whither all that you need
ihall
ARABIAN TALKS. 3;2
(hail be fent. The provider replied, that he
did not wifh the goods to be fent to him ; that
he wifhed to choofe diem himfelf ; and could
by no means depend upon the flow return of
her afies. When he had faid this, he turned
his back and departed. Narilha, piqued with
the fharpnefs of this fpeech, thought her vani-
ty too much humbled j and it appeared to her
very extraordinary, and very improper, that
the fruit-woman of the ftars fhould be treated
with fo little ceremony. " You fee," faid Ihe,
how the flaves of great people forget them-
felves : Ah ! when we fhall have made our
fortune, I will convince thefe creatures of their
infignificance."
Other providers made their appearance:
* What !" faid they, one after another, " one
finds nothing now in your flvop? When people
give up trade, they generally give intimation of
it." " No, replied ihe, I have nothing here ;
and fuch rude fellows as you never will find
any thing in my ihop. You feem as if you
fpoke to perfons whom you fupported by your
charity." " AfTuredly," faid they as they went
out, " you are not in the way of making a for-
tune."
As the fruit which had been carried off from
Narilha's (hop had arranged itfelf in that of
Dalhuc's fon, the providers found in it wherewith
E e i to
33 ARABIAN TALES.
to recompence their unfuccefsful application at
the fruit-woman's houfe. Cafianak, after ha-
ving laid afide his Armenian habit, had come
to preiide over his nephew's firft attempt in
trade ; in fhort, every thing in his {hop was
carried off at any price ; the multitude of pur-
chafers had decided the value of the goods.
Every body was furprifed how Dalhuc could
fo iuddenly furnifti a Ihop with fuch an excel-
lent affbrtment of fruit. " I am indebted for
this favour," faid he, " to my uncle's kind-
nefs." " And this, doubtlefs," replied one of
the providers, " is what hath made your ftep-
tnother mad j nothing is to be found with her
but infolence and pride : Keep your trade al-
ways oti as good a footing, and we will deal
with none but you."
While Dalhuc carried on his bufinefs with
considerable fuccefs, his ftepmother fhut up her
I'equins very carefully in a corner unknown to
all the world ; fixe hoped in time to accumulate
a treafure which would render her indepen-
dent of her neighbours. " Take great care,"
faid Ihe to Badur, " that you don't mention tct
my hufband the handfome bargain we have
concluded, and thole which we have in pro-.
jpecV. He is a man who cannot keep a fecret ;
he is too much addicted to floth and drunken-
$efs , he would indulge himfelf anew in his
vices i
ARABIAN TALES. 33!
vices ; and, by gaining much, we fhould be-
come poorer than ever. Befides, he has a cu-
rious prying turn ; and, if we were to fpeak to
him of the man who is to return to-morrow,
he would remain at home in order to wait for
him, and all would be difcovered : We need
him to gather fruits, if we wifh to fell them ;
fo that he muft be advifed to fet out fomewhat
earlier than ufual. As for you, you would do
well to go to the fuburbs, and lay out this fe-
quin which I give you in purchafing two loads
more of fruit -, for I feel a happy prefage that
announces a coniiderable fale for to-morrow ;
befides, you need a nofegay.
Badur departed, in obedience to his mother.
Caflanak had been to wait upon his friend the
geomancer, to give him an account of the ope-
ration of the day ; and they concerted together
the plan of next day's proceedings.
As foon as day appeared, Badur, furniftied
with an enormous nofegay, ran to the houfe of
die barber, who was to have been his father-
in-law, in order to have his beard and his eye-
brows cut after the fafliion of the ftars. He
fell into the hands of the apprentices, who,, af-
ter hearing the very extraordinary manner in
which the fimple Badur wifhed to be ihaved,
afked him the reafon of it : " What does it fig-*
nify to you!" faid he to them, do as I bid you j
I
332 ARABIAN TALES,
I muft obey my mother, who willies me to be-
come the mirror of the ftars !" The young
people could not fupprefs their laughter j and
their noife attracted the paflengers, who were
all eager to become acquainted with the mirror
of the ftars. When the fon of Narilhu was fa-
tisfied with the manner in which they had cut
liis beard and eye-brows, he took up his large
nofegay, and was preparing to depart. " Ah !
whither are you carrying that bunch of flow-
ers ?" {aid the young people ; " Did not yoir
bring it for our matter's daughter ? Should not
you leave it here ?" " No ; I am carrying it to
my mother." " Has your mother changed her
trade ? Is fhe become a feller of flowers ? " It
is a prefent we intend to make." " And to
whom, pray ? This is not the feaft of the Ha-
raphat, or you have as much there as would
cover the heifers, which, on that occasion, are
offered up in facrifice." " Fine flowers for
cows truly !'* faid the impatient Badur ; my
mother knows better how to beftow her pre-
fents." Saying .this, he made his efcape from
the fhop.
A few moments after, the barber returned
home, and they related to him the fingular
appearance which Badur had made : " There
is," fays he, < a bad report fpread refpefting
his mother. For my own part, I think thefe
people
ARABIAN TALES. 333
people are bewitched ; my daughter is not fuit-
ed to him ; I will go and give him up his prc-
miie, and withdraw mine."
Badur, believing himfelf as fine as the ftar
he wifhed to conquer, returned to his mother's
fhop, where he found her, freed from her huf-
band, proud of the beauty of her fruit, and ad-
miring the beautiful order in which fhe had ar-
ranged them. Nothing was wanting but a pur-
chafer ; and the Armenian appeared. " Let
us make hafte, madam," faid he to her, " I
have fome bufinefs ; for how much will you
fell all that I fee ?" Good fruit is fcarce,"
replied Narilha, " and thefe are moft admi-
rably chofen ; there is not a tingle bad one a-
mong them. There are a fourth more than
there was yeftcrd-ay, and, confequently, you
muft give me forty fequins for them." " That
is aj large fum," replied CafTanak ; " but I
muft fulfil the engagements I came under ; and
to-morrow you will certainly be more reafon-
able : In the mean time there are your forty fe-
quins."
As foon as the money was told, the pur chafer,
as he had done the day before, took one of each
fort of fruit, threw it into the air, and it di-
appeared. Invifible hands were waiting the fig-
nal to feize all that was in the fhop, and in a
moment it was left empty ; even the leaves, with
which
ARABIAN TALES.
334
which fhe decked the fruit, were conveyed t
Dalhuc's fhop. This miracle being performed 5
the Armenian directed his attention to the fool-
ifh Badur, who, decked out in a new drefs,
freed from three fourths of his eye-brows, and
with nothing but a fmall tuft of beard upon the
point of his chin, was watching the looks of his
new patron. " This is very well, friend !" faid
CafTanak to him ; " you are dreiTed to a mira-
cle ; you are furnimed with a nofegay I hope ?
I have not failed to fupply myfelf with that,
replied Badur, fhowing it to him There arc
a great deal too many flowers there ! You muft
pick out the moft beautiful, the frefheft, and
the moft odoriferous. What you have juft no\T
taken away is quite fufficient for us ; tie them
together, and give them to me." The Arme-
nian took the nofegay, threw it into the air, and
it appeared to follow the fame road as the fruit
had done. Ah ! continued he, did you knovr
the language of the ftars, I could, by means of
my tube and horn, procure you a charming
converfation : But the pronunciation of this lan-
guage is extremely difficult, on account of its
having no vowels, and you will one day have
an excellent mafter, who will teach you it much,
more eafily than I can do. Till this mall happen,
however, and that you may carry on your court-
fhip, you muft, if you pleafe, fend to your mif-i
trefs'
ARABIAN
335
trefs 3i more exaft and agreeable picture of
yourfelf than was taken yefterday. It was
overfhadowed by a thick beard, and two bufhy
eye-brows. To-day the beauty of your features
' is unclouded ; caufe another pail full of water
to be brought."
Badur obeyed this order without a moment's
hefitation ; and, as foon as the pail was in the
middle of the ftore-houfe, he ftooped down as
near the water as he pofiibly could, in order
that the features of his countenance might make
a more lively imprefiion; but two invifible hands,
laying hold of his beard, drew down his head
to the bottom of the water. His whole body
would have been dragged in, had not his hands,
which were firmly fupported on the brim of the
pail, refitted the effort. The mother fet up a ter-
rible fliriek, and Badur ftarted up ; the Armenian
laughed with all his might. " Delightful toy-
ing !" exclaimed he, " you know not the art of
our ladies ! Your fon was drawn to the bottom
of the pail that they might match a kifs
from him : Does not his countenance, madam,
appear covered with pearls ? Do not his lips
feem perfumed with amber ? Come, child,
faid he to Badur, ftoop down again towards
the place where you can meet with nothing but
Carefles ; prefent a fmiling countenance, and a-
morous looks. As one would wifli at prefent
to
336 ARABIAN TALES.
to preferve your likenefs, one muft take care t<?>
do nothing which might difturb its expreffion."
Yes, my fon, added Narilha, pafiing her
hand before his countenance, this gentleman is
in the right; they have beftowed carefles on you
which you have not perceived ; and have left
upon your lips the perfume of the rofe, and of
the violet : Come, friend, you muft yield to this
pleafantry of thefe ce'eftial ladies, and appear
defirous to pleafe them ; go, and admire your-
felf in the water, and laugh moft heartily, that
you may Ihow you are pleafed. The weak fool,
in obedience to his mother, placed himfelf on
his knees before the pail, prefented his face to
the mirror in which it was to be reprefentcd,
and, laughing, in exact imitation of the cry of a
goat Very well ! excellently ! exclaimed CafTa-
nak; go on j you fee they want no longer to
draw you to the water. Laugh ftill much louder.
Independent of all the particular graces you
difplay, you give a moft favourable idea of the
cheerfulnefs of your temper. Badur, by new
burfts of laughter, quite undid all he had fet up
before ; the nbife was heard in the ftreet,
and attracted the Caliph's provider, who knock-
ed very fmartly at the door. Narilha opened it,
and the provider entered, while her ion raifed
himfelf very brilkly. " What, madam," faid
he, " do you not fell fruit now ? Have you
ARABIAN TALt*. J-j?
e a ftable of your houfe ? There is the Ava-
ttring pail already in the middle. I have heard,
however, that you have got home a great deal of
fruit j Could I have fome of it ? You do not rife
early enough in the morning, replied Narilha,with
forne tartnefs ; one who gives a better price hath
got before you ; and my houfe can only have the
appearance of a {table when you are in it. Thefe
are very infolent fpeeches ! replied the provider ;
Are you ignorant that I belong to the Caliph ?
Are you ignorant that my fhop is an open market,
that I am bound to ferre the public, and that he
who comes too late has himfelf to blame ?-- -
Farewel, madam fruit-feller ! They were in the
right in calling you a fool j never fhall I enter
your fhop again. Farewel mailer provider ! If
you keep your word, they will have been in the
right to call you wife. I am going, madam
fruit-feller j they fhall hear of you in the pa-
lace. Go, mafler provider, I will take care
they fhall here of you alfo.
The provider went out in a rage. Narilha
was in a paffion likewife j and the Armenian
endeavoured to calm her. " Forget this info-
lent fellow, madam ; I promife you you ihall
no more need to tranfaft bufinefs with him ; let
us finifh what we have begun j perfuade your
fon to prefent his figure once more to the pail,
VOL. II. Fj/jcn m - . and
338 ARABIAN TALES.
and he will do well to make lefs notfe, that he
may not attract other troublefome people. Ba-
<dur put himfelf in the pofture required ; and*
as foon as the Armenian thought the portrait
complete, he fent it to the ftar of the morning,
by the fame conveyance which he had made
ufe of for the former one. Having afterwards
applied his tube and his horn, he thus fpoke to
Narilha : " Your fon is very happy madam j
his fortune is to be envied ; but, if he afcends on
high, he muft be very wife, and muft not a-
bufe his advantages. To-morrow, perhaps, I
fhall tell you more agreeable things 5 and re-
member always to provide me as good fruit as
I have got to-day, and in abundance." Saying
fhis, he departed. " Do you underftand Ba-
dur ? faid Narilha to her fon ; you muft go and
purchafe fruit, for our garden, large as it is,
would not fupply us ; bring at the fame time a
nofegay for your miftrefs, to whom I wifh to
fend it to-morrow, as a prefent from myfelf."
CafTanak had gone to his nephew's houfe to
put off his robe and his cap, and found him
delivering fruit to the caliph's provider, to thole
of the vizir, and of the principal emirs : But, as
he did not find himfelf any longer neceflary
there, he haftened to his friend the geomancer^
This is air that remains for you to perform,
&ul the learned man to him -, your nephew's
fhop
ARABIAN TALS. 33^
fhop is at prefent well frequented j but we can-
not afford to purchafe any more fruit from Na-
rilha, who fells them greatly above their value
There is one of the fineft gardens in ail the
the environs of Bagdad at prefent expoicd to
fale ; you mufl go immediately, with the money
in your hand, and conclude a bargain for it.
It will only coftyou five hundred fequins, with
an old black flave, and four beafts of burden,
wliich will perform great exploits for you. YOU
xvill find there an excellent gardener, whom it
will be proper to keep ; and, as your nephew
will no longer be affiiled by the invifible hands
who both brought and arranged the fruit, you
muft provide yourfelf with a flave : And all this
muft be done immediately. But where fhali I
get thefe fequins ? replied Cafianak, fince I am
unable to return you thole which you have al-
ready lent me. You owe me nothing, replieJ.
the geomancer j the treafure which is to furnifli
you with fix hundred fequins hath already re-
imburfed me, I mean that of the ftep-mother,
She is poiTefled of more than twelve hundred
^pieces of gold, the half of which fhe has fto-
len from Dalhuc fince he had the misfortune
to marry her j all that belongs to your nephew;
and we muft teach his father the method of
getting the remainder into his poiieifion. The
fequins, which you have given this woman by
F f 2 raj
.34 ARABIAN TALES.
my hands were firft ftokn by her, but luvc
lince made their efcape ; for, no fooner had flic
iliut them up in her repofitory, than they left it,
in company with many others, and placed them-
i.elves in my coffer. If I chofe, not one of
them would remain in her concealment j but I.
only wiih to take from it what Dalhuc ought
to have given his fon to fettle him in life. There
is the gold, my dear Caffanak j go and conclude
your bargain. To morrow, for the laft time,
you muft return to the fruit-woman : It is ne-
eeflary to keep up the illuiion tvith her and her
fon till you have concluded your nephew's
marriage with the barber's daughter j and all
that may be done to Hiorrcw, in the manner I
ihall point out.
"While thefe two friends were taking their
meafures together, the barber was taking a ftep
extremely favourable to their views. He had
come to an explanation with Narilha. " What
fort of behaviour is this of Badur ?" faid he to
her ; " he has got himfelf fhaved and combed
in the moft ridiculous manner : Have you made
him macl, or have you caufed ^him to be cir-
cumcifed ? He always difplays a large nofegay
of flowers, but never leaves a llngle one of
them to my daughter : I fee him at your feet :
Are you become his idol ? For he is fo
that you may turn him whatever way
ARABIAN TALES, 34!
pleafe. I will not have a madman for my {on-*
in-law ; and fhould mine, for the want of good
fenfe, ftand in need of direction, I expectjno wo-
man will interfere with him except his own
wife." The barber, uttering thefe words with
that volubility which is peculiar to people of his
profeffion, perceived that Narilha reddened, and
was become furious with anger j he therefore
thought it a good opportunity for bringing the
matter to a concluiion. Do you underftand
me, Madam ? faid he, advancing two fteps :
Do I underftand you ? Devil's barber ! in-
fblent Jew ! if you wifh for fools to govern,
choofe them on your own model. Keep your
baftard of a daughter to yourfelf j my fon is
not for her : You are people with whom we,
would blufh to have any connection whatever.
You will return me my word of promife, re-
plied the barber, endeavouring to reftrain him-
ielf j I will be much obliged to you, and fhall
engage it no more. But it will foon be two
years fince your hufband and fon frequented my
ihop without ever having left a fingle penny.
I muft at leaft have handfome prefents for my ap-
prentices. Ah ! Who has refilled you your wa-
ges and your handfome prefents ? repliedthe fruit
feller ; not a fingle workman in Bagdad cant
complain of us. Hold, added fhe, throwing fix
fequins with great difdain upon the table, there is
for the mafter barber and his boys j for one could-
F f 3 ftarceljr
J4* ARABIAN TALES
fcarcely pay too clear to get rid of them j get
out immediately. At the light of the gold," the
barber opened his eyes very wide. " This \vo~
man is evidently mad," faid he to himfelf; " ilie
throws her gold at my head ; and, fhould I
think of contradicting her again, fhe might
throw fomething more deadly at me : Let us be
going with it." Saying this, he turned himfelf
very brifkly, and haftened out of the fhop.
As the barber was returning home, he met
Cafianak, who had juft taken pofieflion of the
garden, and arranged every thing for lecuring
the fuccefs of his nephew's bufinefs , and, hia
head being ftill filled with his adventure, he
flops Cafianak ; " Have you," fays he, " any
connection with Dalhuc, your ancient brother-
in-law ?" None, fmce, at the inftigation of his
wicked wife, he baniihed from his houfe my
tlear nephew, who really deferves the tender af-
feclion I feel for him. " Do you know," ad-
tled the barber, " that the woman you are
i peaking of is completely mad." I have known
that fora considerable time; indeed (he never
was wife ; but it is true that fhe has had a violent
iit, which has banifhed from her fhop all the
cuitomers whom fhe had had the addrefs to
draw* to it : I have availed myfelf of this for the
eftabliihment of my nephew, who will foon, I
Jhope, be in a more flourHliing condition than
ARABIAN TALES. 343
his father. At prefent, he poffefles that (hop
which is in the corner of the fquare, to which
ail the cuftomcrs of Narilha now repair. They
appear delighted with my nephew, who is by far
the fineft young man in Bagdad. But,- if your
nephew is obliged to purchafe fruits in order to
fell them again, he will not make much of the
bufinefs. My nephew fells only fruit of his-
own growth. He is the proprietor of one of
the beft gardens in our neighbonrhood ; here
is the contract of the bargain, and his difcharge.
This poor young man is very engaging, and has
found friends ; every perfon is eager to contri T
bute to his little profits j he wants nothing now
but a wife to aflift him ; for, alone as he is at
prefent, and his bufinefs increafing every day,
he needs fome perfon to attend to his affairs.
I once obferved, faid the barber, that he
had a liking for my daughter j to whom he was
by no means difagreeable, and, for my own part,
I loved him fincerely Dalhuc would have beei*
very well pleafed with this match, but his wife
would not part with a fequin .You are a fa-
ther, and you know, as well as I, that oor firft
care is to provide for our children : I am un-
der no engagement j your nephew is eftablifhed
in life ; and, if he willies my daughter's hand r
he fhall have it. I accept it for him, replied!
CaiTanak, holding out his hand to the barber.
To
.J44 ARABIAN TALKS.
To morrow, before noon, I will go to Dalhuc,
and communicate our intentions to him ; and I
have fuch information to give him as^ will
bring him to agree to all our wifhes : I will
then bring him with me to the cltj- T we will
call on the cadi, as we pafs, the ceremony lhall
be inflantly performed, and the nuptials cele-
brated in the evening. Narilha {hall not hear
of it till all is over, and her oppoiition ufelefs.
The barber returned home fo full of joy
tjiat he could with difficulty reftrain himfelf.
The powerful principle of gold had alone deter-
mined him to marry his daughter to the ftupid
Badur ; but the hufband now propofed ap-
peared to poffefs fuperior advantages. He in-
formed his daughter of it, aud fhe felt no dif-
ficulty in deciding in favour of her former lover-
"While they were fettling this marriage, the
ftrangeft chimeras were floating in the heads of
Narilha and of her fon. Both of them were
delighted at having entirely broke off the
treaty with the barber. Common people f
Mere mob ! faid the mother Oh ! I am no
more of this fort, faid Badur j and I really ex-
pect they will not now laugh in my face as
they formerly did. Then each of them afide
indulged their own dreams, according to their
capacity.
Ah ! faid Narilha to herfelf, though I did
nothing
& TALES. 34$"
fiothing but fell every day my own fruit, and
that of others, at fuch a price, I fhould fooa
11 my little coffer ! I fhould be obliged to
get a ftrong-box. But where would I conceal
it ? We will not flay always in this houfej and,
befides, we fhall have more room. "When it
fhall be perceived in Bagdad that my fruit dif-
appears, without any perlbn in the town having
bought it, people muft neceflarily expect fome
myftery. I would do well to be Clent refpec-
ting my good fortune ; but, in fpite of me, it
will be known that I am fruit-feller general to
the fkies. It is a moft honourable office ! I
ihall lodge in a fine palace ; and, in place of
difplaying my fruit under a tent, and before my
door, I will range them in pyramids betwixt the
pillars of the periftyle of my palace. Already I
fee all thefe fine fruits raifed to the roofs.
Oh ! The beautiful view ! The proud pyra-
mids ! Never were more magnificent ones form-
ed, of fapphires, of emeralds, of topazes, or of
rubies ! Certainly the caliph will wifh to enjoy
this fpeclacle ; he will bring his favourites hi-
ther ; and they will coniider themfelves as ex-
tremely happy in receiving from my hand the
fruits which were intended for the itars. No
body will be mentioned any where but the fruit-
feller of heaven : All thofe of Damas will be-
come jealous of her ; and then it will be known
that
34< ARABIAN TALES
that my fon has married the morning-ftar :
And, as the ftars have an influence on the lot of
every individual, all the grandees of the king-
dom will pay their court to me ; perhaps, there
may even be kings in the crowd ; for, powerful
as they are, they are feldom content with their
condition. I will make my own terms with
them ; and, as it would be humiliating for me
to remain the wife of a potter, I will procure
for him an honourable office, He has hardly
any knowledge ; but, with a little pride, he
will make as good a figure as another. Ah i
in a fliort time, I muft become the wife of aa
emir. In my way to the palace, I iha-11 meet
this provider who forgot the refpect due to
me : I will draw up the curtains of my litter,
and, with a difdainful look, will punifh him
for his infolence. He fhall know the diftance
there is betwixt the provider of a caliph and 1
the fruit-feller general of the firmament -, for,
even when I {hall be the wife of an emir, I will
ftill preferve the cuftom of heaven , it is fo plea-
fant to take the money which fafls from it. As
to my fon, his wife will ailuredly make him a
prince; perhaps {he may make him king of foms
place ! He has not much understanding j but his.
miniiters will have it for him Such was the
ftrain of Narilha's fancy. " To morrow," faid
Badur, on his part, I J^all have myfelf fliavcd.
ARABIAN TALES. 347
again, for I am greatly the better. Here am I,
the lover of a ftar ! But love is certainly fome-
thing very extraordinary * for I am in love, yet
I don't feel it ; that muft necefTarily come, how-
ever. But how fhall I get near the objea of
my affeaion ? Will Ihe defcend, or muft I
afcend to her ? I have feen melons go up into the
air ; and, had they been large gourds, it would
have been all one ! I will difappear like a
gourd. But, my mother told me that I ought
to fay fweet things to the barber's daughter if*
I married her: Now, What fhall I fay to my
ftar! You are very round, very white, and
very brilliant ! -I believe this will do pretty
well. In every cafe, I can confult the Arme-
nian gentleman, who hath fpoken to me of
a language without vowels , I will beg of
him Ito teach me what I ought to fay, and
to direa my condua, for he is better acquaint-
ed than I with the cuftoms of the ftars."
Night defcended, while Badur was indulging
thefe extravagant ideas ; and the heaven was
befpangled with ftars, every one more brilliant
than another. Where, then, is mine ? faid the
ridiculous lover. The more I fearch, I am the
lefs able to diftinguifti. But, fince they are faid
to be fond of good humour, I am going to
laugh to them all ; and mine will know that,
when I laugh, I do it to pleafe her. With
this, he fet up forced laughs, and was anfwered
by
348 ARABIAN TALE?.
by a full chorus of the beafts of burden which
Dalhuc had put into the {table. Vaftly well,
Badur ! faid his ftep-father to him ; you are
cheering my poor beafts, who are extremely fa-
tigued ; it will do them good.
But next day was to unravel all thefe adven-
tures. The fruit-feller, better provided than
ufual, expefted with great impatience the provi-
der of the fkies. At length ha arrived ; and
fne fold him the fruit at a higher price, and
was more genteelly paid for k than on the for-
mer days. She feemed to triumph before-
hand in the riches fhe promifed herfelf, arid
endeavoured to imitate the airs and graces of
high life : The Armenian perceived this, and
appeared to be highly amufed with it ; but, at
the fame time, was bufy in difpatching the
fruit. The foolifh Badur attempted to throw
fome pomegranates into the air, and, obferving
that they did not fall back again, began to
think he had iatercourfe with heaven, and
continued the work till he was all over in a
fweat : " Courage ! Courage my friend !" faid
the Armenian to him ; " fo fur as I fee, your
fervices are becoming more and more agree-
able."" Do you think fo ?" Do I think
fo! You are, without fufpecttng it, the hap-
pieft of mortals ; and in a fhort time you will
have a proof of it."." I fhould be glad to
know,
ARABIAN TALES,
know, ;; faid Badur, " how that happinefs can
be procured ; for it appears to me that I could
hold my miftrefs in the hollow of my hand !" _ .
" You are deceived by the diftance," replied
the Armenian, fhe is as large as you." __
But, taking that for granted, fhe muft be
all face like the moon."" No, no-: She has
arms, hands, legs, and feet, as well as you:
It is juft as if you faw a young beautiful per-
fon during the night with a large glow-worm
on the top of her nofegay." Ah ! I under-'
Hand ; my wife has only to take off her cap to
-be exactly like another woman; and I have
only to put a glow-worm on mine, to become,
in my turn, a ftar*" Your conjectures re-
fpecting the heavens are as juft as if yon had
been there."" A thought ftrikes me, how-
ever," added Badur; when I ihall he in the
air, how ihall I walk there ?" With much
greater eafe than on the *arth," replied the
Armenian; the roads there are far more'
beaten :" Then, turning towards Nar
"Well, Madam! You Tee the pr^refs of
your fon : He has learned --ore in one mo-
ment than the molt renowned aftrologers
who have loft their f.gbt in obfcrvi/ia the
ftars."
Although Narilha was ,ior defiitute of un-
derftanding, fhe wi s ncverthelefs very
- Gg
35<3 ARABIAN TALES.
rant, and endeavoured to render herfelf ftill
more fo reflecting her fon. Deceived by the
converfation of the Armenian, fhe allowed
herfelf to be perfuaded that Badur had talked
very rationally ; and flattered herfelf with the
hopes of feeing his underflanding unfold very
rapidly : In her turn, fhe wifhed to exprefs
fome curiofity reflecting the inhabitants of hea-
ven : " Are they well dre^ed, Sir ?" faid fhe
to CafTanak. " Their garments," replied he,
^ refemble the moir. agreeable vapours : One
would think they were fprinkled with the pow-
der of Thamarena, which, added to the de-
licious and natural odour of their bodies, gives
a fenfation, when you approach them, which
I cannot better compare than to that of a
nofegay compofed of rofes, jonquils, and blof-
foms of the orange." " Oh ! how fine for
me," faid Badur ; " I am fond of flowers to
diffraction, and would always have my nofe at
a nofegay. Ah ! when fhall I enjoy thefe de-
licious perfumes ?" " This very night if you
pleafe," replied the Armenian ; " go without
the city of Bagdad, and lie down in your fa-
ther's garden j and towards eleven o'clock your
miftrefs is to bathe in the beautiful canal which
is formed by the river along your terrace ; un-
drefs yourfelf, fwim after your charming /tar,
Ajad carefs (but very gently^ and with great dif-
cretion)
ARABIAN TALKS. "351
cretion) the water in which you fee her j for,
if you go rudely to work, you may make the
g!ow-worm drop, and the lady will make her
efcape. Purlue her to the very end of the ca-
nal ; and, as foon as you fhall have reached
this, put your foot upon the ground, and you
will find her fpring upon the fand as nimbly as
yourfelf. As to the reft, my dear Badur, I
have no farther inflruclions to give you. It is
fufficient for you to know, that, in order to
marry her immediately, you have no need ei-
ther of a cadi or of witnefies, for the ladies of
heaven are void of ceremony." " So much
money faved !" faid Badur ; " this will be as
much as I fhall fpend in getting my beard fha-
ved to-morrow. But who will fhew me my
fhr amidft all the reft r" " Your gardener :
Tell him to ihew you the morning-ftar in the
Euphrates, and he will ihow you it immediate-
ly j for it is not in heaven that he muft feek
for it." After this, Caflanak took his leave of
the mother and fon, promifing to return next
day.
When he had gone out, Narilha, reflecting
on what fhe had juft heard, appeared greatly
aftonifhed at it ; but me was comforted by the
gold which fhe held in her hand, ant! ihe went
to lock it up in her coffer : In proportion as
this was filled, her head grew empty, and her
G g 2 reafbn
352 ARABIAN TALES.
reafon vanifhed ; and {he agreed that her foil
fliould profecute his intrigue in the Euphrates.
While, in this manner, they were occupied
with the ridiculous means of advancing their
fortune, CaiTanak had gone to his brother-in-
law, whom he found in the garden employed
in gathering fruit. He found hyn prejudiced
againft his fon Il-Dalhuc. But, when he was
informed of the excellent eftablifhment which
his good behaviour had procured him, when
he law the contract for the garden he had pur-
chafed, and his diicharge, he was obliged to
confefs that he had been deceived refpecling
his fon by Narilha. At the fame time, he
learned that the barber, his old friend, had
broken his engagements with his wife, that he
was inclined to give his daughter to Il-Dalhuc,
and that they only waited for him to draAv up
the contract : He was delighted with this infor-
mation ; and, entrufting to his gardener the
care of gathering the fruit, he departed imme-
diately with Caffanak to the cadi's houfe.
As they walked along, he learned many o-
ther circumftances. He was informed that his
wife had a treafure which fhe concealed from
him , that it was the product of what fhe had
fiolen from him, and that fhe ftill defrauded
him every day , that fhe had, in the fpace of
ihree days, foic! fruit to an Armenian for more
than
ARABIAN TALE3
353
than one hundred and fifty fequins ; and that
ihe had fallen out with all the providers in
Bagdad, who had fortunately found every thing
which they wanted in the ihop of Il-Dalhuc,
who had drawn all her cuftomers to him, and
that therefore there was nothing loft to the fa-
mily. Confider, my dear Dalhuc, added his
brother-in-law, how this woman abufes you?
confidence ! She conceals every thing from
you, and opprefies you with labour, in order
to accumulate a treafure which fhe wifhes to
enjoy alone : I know the place where it is con-
cealed) and we might eafily make ourfelves ma-
fters of it. After that, you muft feparate from
this guilty woman, and divorce her before the
cadi : You will find in her concealment four times
as much money as will fufHce to pay her back
the dowry you have received ; and, as fhe pre-
tended to come to you when it was dark, you
muft alfo fend her away in darknefs.
Dalhuc wa$ at -firft rendered furious againfr
Narilha by thefe explanations ; but it required
them all to undeceive him. They arrived at
the cadi's houfe j and from thence they went
to the barber's, where the marriage was cele-
brated with emotions of the pureft joy and un-
alterable happinefs.
Meanwhile, however, Narilha was the vic-
tim of uneafinefs. Night had come on ; Ba*
G g 3 dun
354 i ARABIAN TALES.
dur had gone to the place of meeting ; and
Dalhuc was not arrived with his fruit. What
could have happened to him ? If fruits were
wanting to-morrow, how could fhe provide for
the neceffities of the ftars ? At length, at the
very moment when the gates of .the city were
to be fhut, Dalhuc's gardener arrived with half
a load of fruit, and reported that his mafter
had departed at ten in the morning with a man
who came for him. What muft Narilha do,
who had not even her fon with her, whom fhe
might fend through Bagdad, to collect at leafl
what fruit remained fince the day before ? In
her own opinion, fhe was expofed to the total
ruin of her fortune. Alas ! What a ftorm is
.about to burft on poor Dalhuc ! " Yes," faid
ihe, " at whatever hour he fhall return, he
muft go inftantly and procure fruit ; if there
are none in Bagdad, the gates of which are
now fhut, I will make him leap over the walls,,
rather than want a fingle day's provifion for the
ftars." Night had already completed half her
courfe, when, in the middle of this extrava-
gant woman's agitation, Dalhuc knocked at his
door, not like a man who dreaded reproaches
for his delay, but, for the firft time in his life,
as mafter of his own houfe. " He is drunk,
without any doubt ! faid Narilha ; but dear
{hall he pay for his debauch !" At the fame
time
ARABIAN TALES. 355
time fhe opened the door, pouring out a tor-
rent of abufe. " Drunken wretch!" iaid fhe to
him, " you would reduce us to mifery ? What
have you been about ? Whence come you ? Do
you thus abandon your wife and your child
to indulge in your vices ? I will complain to
the cadi ; he {hall do me juftice on you, you
infamous debauchee ! Think you then that I
will allow you leifure to fleep yourfelf fober
till once the fhop be furnifhed with fruits for
to-morrow ? I know not what keeps me from
breaking your arms and legs." Dalhuc was
fomewhat fharpened by wine ; but he had been
taught his leflbn fo perfectly by Cafianak and
the barber, that, armed with a large ftick, and
determined to repel violence by force, he had
neverthelefs the prefence of mind not to com-
mit any. Mad woman ! faid he, fit down, and
recover your fenfes. We owe to one another
an exacl: account of our conduct. And here is
mine.
" Yefterday I was in my garden, when my
good-brother Cafianak came there in fearch of
me, and to inform me that my friend the bar-
ber was giving his daughter in marriage to E-
Dalhuc my fon ; and that I behoved to come
immediately for the contract and the nuptials.
All this is now done, and I have juft left
them."" And haft thou the effrontery to tdl
me,"
356 ARABIAN TALES.
me," replied Narilha, that thou haft left 1117
bufinefs to marry thy ideot of a fen to the
daughter of an impertinent fellow, who yefter-
day came here, and infulted both my ion and
myfelf ?" " Softly ; the barber is a friend of
mine, and not more impertinent than another j
and, if there be an ideot here, your fon is the
only perfon I fhould fufpect of being fuch."
The coolnefs and fteadinefs of Dalhuc fo much
aftonifhed Narilha, that, tempted to revenge
herfelf for the infult fhe thought fhe had re-
ceived, he felt a defire to ufe the moil violent
means ; but fhe had neither weapons nor refo-
lution^; her feeble rage was foon converted in-
to defpair ; fhe rolled along the ground, wring-
ing her hands, fet up dreadful fhrieks, and, at
laft, melted into tears, and fwooned away.
Dalhuc had been prepared for this,; every
thing was indifferent to him, provided the fe-
quins did not efcape from his hands, and that
they enabled him to rid himfelf of a woman
whom he had found to be falfe. He did not
go to bed, but waited quietly the end of the
crifis. The hours paffed away, and day appear-
ed : Narilha, fomewhat recovered from her
fwoon, watched the moment of her hufband's
companion and weaknefs, in order to take ad-
vantage of it ; but fhe waited for it in vain-
Dalhuc, feated oppofke to her, and his. chin,
leaning
ARABIAN TALES, 357
leaning upon his flick, maintained his tranqui-
lity. That man," faid fhe within lierfeif,
" is very fuddenly changed. Cafianak, and
the curfed barber, have rendered him inflex-
ible ! How {hall I avenge myfelf ? How {hall I
bring back my hufband? But, rather, how
fhall I receive the provider of the ftars here,
with whom I muft fpeak privately. He only
could oblige me ; he has fuch powerful friends,
that he could eafily rid me- of feme people who
wifh to get rid of me! Let me put on the appear-
ance of fweetnefs, and endeavour to remove
my hufband from this place. " You muft be
fatigued, my good friend," faid {he, with the
moft honeyed accents, " and I am afraid of
your falling ill -, go to bed, if you pleafe. As
for me, I muft put the little fruit we have in
as good order as I can." " And for whom ?"
faid Dalhuc : " I know that you have not a
tingle purchafer in Bagdad ; for you have dif-
gufted all your cuftomers." " There is no
great lofs," replied fhe; " I have fallen into
the way of flHing them to ftrangers, who pay
handfomely ;" fhewing him, at the fame time,
five or fix fequins, and fame fmall coins.
" There is money for you," added fhe ; " the
houfe hath wanted nothing, and my fruits
have been fold,"
Dalhuc
358 ARABIAN TALES.
Dalhuc was not a little furprifed to fee his
wife fhow this money, as it was the firft time fhe
had ever thought of doing fo, all which {he
had received being conftantly fuppofed to have
been fpent before hand. But he was warned
of this, and perceived at once the fnare and the
fraud. He did not take the fequins, but calm-
ly remained in his feat, looking at Narilha, who,
forcing herfelf to weep, arranged as well as fhe
could the fruits which the gardener had
brought. " Are not you going to bed, my
dear, you will do yourfelf ill." " No," re-
plied he " I have no need of reft." " But, in that
cafe," faid fhe, " inftead of remaining here, yoti
would do better to go and fearch for an aflbrt-
ment of fruit for us in fome garden. I expect
a cuftomer whom it is our intereft to furriifh
with the beft that can be got ; I am not at li-
berty to tell who this is, but, if you do as I
bid you, I will let you know at your return,"
*' I would rather learn it from the cuftomer's
own mouth, and leave you your fecret."
" Shocking fellow !" muttered rfcirilha ; " he
will fpoil the whole affair : Why had I no more
than fix fequins left in my pocket ? He would
have been lefs obftinate if he had feen thirty
or forty. Since you wont','* continued fhe,
" I muft take the bafket myfelf, and go in queft
of fruit." " No ; I don't wifh you to go out,
you
ARABIAN TALES. 359
you will be neceflary in aflifting me to receive
the company who will be here immediately."
" It is the Armenian whom he expects," con-
tinued (he, fpeaking to herfelf ; " and I will
not have time to inform him privately of all
that has happened. But I have a notion
that thofe invifible hands, which ferve him fo
well, are able, if he choofes, to free us from this
troublefome fellow who wifhes to ruin our for-
tune. I am all impatience Little prevents me
from fcratching out his eyes ! Let me" The
fury of Narilha, for a long time fupprefled, was
about to become dangerous ; but the fun being
already confiderably above the horizon, the
hour of bulinefs was near, when all on a fud-
den a violent knocking was heard at the door.
" Heavens !" faid {he, " there is the Armeni-
an !" and ran haftily to meet him ; but Dalhuc
had got the ftart of her, and opened the door
himfelf.
The man who knocked was drefled in a fa-
ragi, and was the cad iwho had drawn up the
contrail of marriage betwixt Caflanak's nephew
and the barber's daughter. He was not alone ;
the uncle CaiTanak accompanied him, together
with fome officers of juftice. " You wifli Dal-
huc," fuid the cadi, as he entered, " to divorce
your wife ? I am come to learn the reafons of
r r r ;ob I- oVf H ''diurk W
3<5q ARABIAN TALES,
it, and, fhould I judge them {affluently ftrong,
to give a formal divorce to this purpofe."
Sir !" replied Dalhuc, " I married this wo-
man that fhe might take care of my family, and
affiit me in my trade. But, by coming to my
houfe, fhe has fpread confuiion and difturbance
in it, by raiting a noife againil my fon, whom
ilie has forced, in a ftate of abfolute nakednefs,
to feek fhelter under another roof. I began to
fell fruit, which promifed to be a lucrative
trade : Not contented, however, with keeping
back the profits of it, fhe has, by the moft diilin-
guifhed acts of madnefs, banifhed from my
fliop all thofe for whom I furnifhed it, prefer-
ing to them a man dropt from the clouds."
" Yes, indeed, fallen from the clouds ! He is
well able to mount up to them again, and to
treat you as a wicked and infolent fellow ; and,
fince I am forced to tell every thing, I will be-
ieech him to avenge my caufe ; he will not re-
fufe it, and will difcover to all the world who
he is, and who I am :" " Do you hear her, Sir ?"
iaid Dalhuc." Yes>" replied the Cadi ; her
head is abfolutely deranged : In this point of
view, I (hall confider what fhe has juft faid to
fcreea her from the rigour of the laws j" and he
was beginning to dictate the fentence " Ah !
at the inflance of a filly fellow, do you tjius
treat the fruit-feller general of the ftars P ex-
claimed
ARABIAN TALE.'. jfa
claimed Narilha, her eyes inflamed with anger:
" Ah! would the celeftial provider were here, or
even my fon ? With the protection of the
powerful ftar of the morning, which he married
this laft night, I Ihould convince of their infig-
ni fie a nee all thofe who have dared this day to
treat me with difrefpecT:.'' You hear, her, Srr,
repeated Dalhuc. Alas ! I do hear her, replied
the Cadi , do whatever you have refolved upon-;
you are but too well atsthorifed , and he dila-
ted the fentence. " Nifrilha ! prvtefted i>y the
" provider of thejlnrs /" faid Dalhuc, " mother*
11 in-Iaw to the morning far, Be gone, I di-
" *oorce tbee, once, twice, tkrice" During
this time, the bill of divorcement was preparing:
Dalhuc figned it, and gave it to the divorced
lady, after caufing a duplicate -of it to be written
out. This was a very prudent precaution, for
(lie tore the paper into a thoufand pieces.
Now," faid ihe, Where is my dowry ? I
muft have it. You have two hundred fequinr.
to find for me, otherwife I iniitt upon having t1>-
garden, watered with the fweat of my brow, ad-
judged to me."" Now," faid Dalhuc, give
me an account of my fruit, which, for thefe
three days, you have fold to a flranger". There
it is, faid flae, throwing fix fequins and fome
fmall coins in his face, Cafiunak then fpoke. You
have not given an eighth part of the money
VOL. H. H h vovi
362 ARABIAN TALES.
you received. I myfelf furnifhed the money,
and it amounts to an hundred and forty fe-
quins : The Armenian of Bagdad, to whom I
lent them, hath given me his robe and cap in
fecurity; and here they are. At this declaration
Narilha became fpeechlefs ; but the arrival of
Bftdur completed her confuflon. He came, dif-
figured by torrents of blood running down, and
concealing more than half his face, his throat
fwelled, and fuch a fuppreffion of the voice,
that it was with difficulty he could be heard ;
while he curfed the ftars with all his heart.
c Ah !" faid he, "If ever I am in love with
them again, may I receive three times as many
ftrokes of the rod, as they have applied to me
this night." What has happened you, friend ?
ulked the Cadi. If any perfon has beat you, I
am ready to do you juftice. Sir, !" faid Badur,
" punifh the ftars with the baftinado. There
is one of them who fhould have been my wife ;
I fent her a nofegay, and my picture in a pail of
water, and fhe made me go to the Euphrates,
where it was extremely cold. I loft my footing
more than twenty times, marching after her,
and was obliged to fvvim half a league ; and,
when I thought fhe was going to land together
with me, I had fcarcely fet my foot upon the
fand, when I received fome blows with a rod
from behind. I turned round, but faw nobody:
The
ARABIAN TM.E9. 3^3
The ftrokes were repeated : I tunied round
again, but to no purpofe. The perfons who in*
flicled the ftrokes were always directly at my
back; I therefore fled, and was purfued by
them, ftriking me alt the way to the door of
the garden. Ah ! I love the gold which comes
down from them very well ; but, he may court
their favours who will ; I have been in a fever
the whole night."
The pride of Narilha was completely morti-
fied by this relation : She perceived that {lie had
been played upon, and now faw herfelf com-
pletely detected. The Cadi had ordered feven-
ty fequins to be told down upon the table, and
fhe found that was all fhe was to be allowed to-
take back for her dowry. " At leaft," faid fhe,
* I fhall be permitted to carry off my effecls ?"
Yes, replied the Cadi ; one of my officers
will accompany you, together with Dalhuc and
CafTanak. When Narilha perceived that it
was impoffible for her to carry away her kittle
concealment, fhe thought of depriving Dalhnc
of it j and collected all her efFefts, without once
looking towards the place where her gold was
concealed. " Sir," faid fhe, after this, to the
cadi, <{ when I was Dalhuc's wife, it was my
duty to obey him ; but, now that I am divor-
ced, I am reinftated in my rights. He had for-
bid me to mention his having found a treafure
H h 2 in
364 ARABIAN TALES.
in an old iron-pot, which is frill to be found in
the place where it had been buried. This depo-
fit belongs to the commander of the faithful,
and my religious principles do not allow me to
difiemble the theft which was intended : Be fa
good as follow me, Sir, and you may caufe it be
carried oft?' " The caliph already knows of this
treafure^ replied the cadi, and thinks it right
that Dalhuc mould take pofieffion of it, as what
was in reality ftolen from him." Narilha was
rendered entirely frantic by this reply : In this
fituation, fhc might become extremely danger-
ous j and, as. fhe was preparing to go out,
" Where are you going ?" faid the cadi ; " you
have need of medicines, and {hall be conducted
with your fon to a place where every thing that
.is neceiTary will be adminiftered to you." Upon
ibis, the retinue of the cadi dragged her out of
i ; he houfe, together with her fon j and Dalhue
was left alone with Caflanak, on whom he be-
ftowfd new expreffions of his gratitude.
ft This," faid Cabil-Hafen, as he here ended his
ftory, is all that I have learned of the hiftory
of this family."
THE beautiful Vaflime had never ceafed to
linile during the whole, of this recital ; the good
Nand
ARABIAN TALES. 365
Nane had, at different times, burft out into vio-
lent fits of laughter ; the Schebandad and Ve-
fume's father had appeared pleafed j and the ri-
vals of him who related the tale had given figns
of uneafinefs ; all waited, in fllence, the approba-
tion of Vafum6, when the Schebandad thus ad-
dreiTed her: " My dear daughter!" faid he,
" this ftory appeared to amufe you. " Yes,
father," every body feemed to be pleafed with
it, and especially my nurfe laughed heartily.*-
Much lefs would have made me laugh, replied
Nanc. I have liftened attentively, I have re-
tfained a great many circumftances, and am in
good hopes that this ftory will increafe my
little collection : But I doubt I fhall not be
able to deliver it from my memory in as agree-
able a manner as it has entered it." -Nay, my
dear Nane, on the contrary, I am perfuaded
fhat you will do it great juftice in the telling ;
but another is preparing for us, which wjll
perhaps make you forget it. It muft poflefs a
great many excellencies then, faid Nanc : Let
us liften, for I am impatient to hear it begun.
The nurfe was filent ; and the fecond of the
three coufins, availing himfelf of the attention
which was paid to him, began his ftory.
^3vaa bed ^rru/JeV bilhaw, 3HT
I H ^ *
.
ARABIAN TALE?.
The Protvefs and Death of Captain Tranchemont,
and of his brave Companions. Dobil Hafen's Story.
CAPTAIN TRANCHEMONT, after having ramb-
led over a great many countries, and a great
part of the world, found himfelf in Egypt, ii*
the confines of the mountainous part of that
kingdom : his exceffive voracity could fcarcely
be gratified; and the horror with which he infpir-
ed every body, removed from him every tiling
neceflary for the fupply of his wants.
As he was one day traverfing a defart, he
was accidentally led into the cave of a derviie :
" Holy man !" faid he to him, " you fee before
you a warrior, who is dying for want of food,,
have not you fome hundreds of nuts to break i"
" The rats have excellent teeth, replied the
dervife, without riling from his feat, and con-
tinuing to meditate on his book ; they have eat
all the nuts which I received from the charity of
the faithful, and have left me nothing but the
ihells. The only proviiion I have remaining is
that bifcuit of the Nile which you fee before
my door :" And, at the fame time, pointed to
a ftone fix feet long, and about three feet
high.
" Do you eat that ? replied Tranchemont :
Zooks ! you are not delicate in your taft ! el know
this paftry, the pyramids of Egypt are built of
ARABIAN TALES. 36?
it, and I can eat at your expence. This morfel
would be of hard digeftion to any other fto-
machs than ours j fuffer me to cut a flice of it."
At the fame time he drew his fabre, and with
one ftroke cut off a flice as thick as three leaves
of the palm-tree joined together. He then
broke it into fmall morfels, chewed it -betwixt
his teeth, and fwallowed it. " What a fabre !
What arms ! What teeth ! faid the reclufe ta
himfelf ; my furniture is pretty folid j yet dais
man could unfurnifh my cave at four meals ; I
inuft make a friend of him ! Sir ! faid he, I ad-
mire at once the ftrength and dexterity of your
arm ; and find you poflefs a very extraordinary
talent. I am delirous to become acquainted
with you, and hope you will not judge me un-
worthy of that honour : Adventurers are, in
general, fufpe&ed ; but, with refpeft to a man
like you, I ought to have neither fecrets nor
artifice ; enter with me into the innermoft ap-
partment of my cave, there I have in referve fome
cheefes of goats milk, and fome cakes, which
I will find a real pleafure in fharing with you ;
come, wt will eat at our leifure, smd converfe
with freedom."
" Mod willingly," replied Tranchemont, I'
love people of your way of life. I have known
more than one of them, who had not fpent all
their lives in muttering upon books , and, witH
cup
368 ARABIAN TALES
cup iti hand, I will willingly do penance with
you for my paft faults." I have neither cups
nor goblets," faid the dervife ; " I ufe nothing
but a pitcher" " And I would rather excufe the
pitcher than want the wine." (f Wine! exclaimed
the reclufe ; wine from a dervife ! You make
the hair of my beard fland on end ! Confider
that I have retired to this place to lead the life
of a penitent : I drink nothing but pure water
mixed with a little honey, and of this I compofe
a very agreeable drink."
The captain fhook his head; but he muft
accommodate himfelf to his lituation. He af-
fifted his landlord in placing the cheefes and
cakes, piled upon one another, on a table made
of a large ftone. There were provifions fuffi-
cient for eight perfons ; yet the two guefts
found no fuperfluity. They were feated on fo-
phas of the fame materials Avith the table, having
each at his fide an enormous pitcher full of wa-
ter -and honey -, and the repaft began.
After the dervife had eaten the firft cheefe,
without even taking off the cruft, " Brother,"
faid he, " let us drink :" he then lifted up his
pitcher, and drank it off at ^ene draught : " Here
is your health," faid he to Tranchemont, who
looked at him with aftonifhment. " Doubt-
lefs," replied the captain before he drank, " you
muft have been empty down to the toes to
have
ARABIAN TALES. 369
have been able to drain that pitcher without
taking time to breathe ; if you had, like me, a
itoinach paved with ftones, there would run
through your body a river in proper ftyle,"
" Alas, brother !" faid thederviie, "you fee me
juftly punifhed. It is for having drank too much
that I am reduced to this penitential life j at
preient I quench my thirft, but never commit
any excefs. You have aftonifhed me with cut-
ting and fcranching my bifcuit , I will furprife
you, in my turn, with the relation of my hi-
tory.
" My name 4 is Pretaboire (f). Had water not
appeared to me very infipid when I lived in the
world, I would have drained the rivers j and it
would have been wrong to have given me the
fea, for the favourinefs of the liquor would have
affifted me in drinking it dry. One day, (I
was then in Georgia,, at a man's houfe who had
generoufly offered me an afyium), the vintage
wasfinifhedjandhe hadfhutup the product of his.
Unfortunately my bed was placed too near the
depoilt. I was fuddenly awakened by a flavour
fo agreeable, that I could not refift the tempta-
tion of approaching the veflels from which it
was exhaled ; I ventured to tafte this beverage,
oL 4phf'rf" > and
f Pretaboire, % name Cgnific^D* cf an inclination U>
dr hiking.
37$ ARABIAN TALES.
and its charm operated fo powerfully upon me,
that, during the night, I emptied ten arobes (f ),
which were the whole product of the vintage.
But they feemed to me'to be no more than ten
My landlord arrived in the mean time, and a-
bufed me for a drunkard, and I, hurt by this
reproach, put him to death Grieved after-
wards at this fally of paffion, I affumed the ha-
bit of a dervife, and refolved to drink nothing
but honey and water. In confequence of this
refolution, wandering from one retreat to ana-
Other, feeking always the moft folitary, I have
at laft fettled in this abode, where I fpend my
leifure hours in gathering medicinal herbs, and
ftudying the ftars."
" My good faint!" replied TVanchemont, "fince
from a drunkard you are become an aftrolo-
ger, I muft inform you of my quarrel with the
ftars. I wifh for fome little difptite with mine ;
and would be very glad that you would put me
within reafth of giving it, and one of its com-
panions, fome blows with the flat fide of my .
fabre, to correct them for their caprices refpect-
ing me.
" My name is Tranchemont ; and I was born
in the capital of Circaffia. According to the
report of an aftrttoger, who was one of my fa-
ther's
f Antes, a meafure which contains twenty-five pints.
ARABIAN TALES. 37!
ther's good friends, on the day of my birth, two
ftars, loaded with good and bad influences, un-
dertook a journey ; the leaft of the two being
well provided, travelled foremoft. Three wo-
men had been delivered that very day, each of
a male-child ; they inhabited three of the prin-
cipal buildings which form the corner of the
ftreet that leads to the king's palace : " Let us
haften thither," faid they, " and drop, in favour
of thefe new-born infants, fome of the booty
with which we are loaded." As they travelled
along, the foremoft ftar grazed upon my mo-
ther's houfe, at the very moment of my birth ;
and this event flopped it for an inftant. " I
can go no farther," faid it ; " my burden has
become oppreffive to me, I muft drop it here;"
and it was directly over me. I cannot tell you
all that dropped from its hands at that mo-
ment : It has proved a burden which I fome-
times carry with great impatience, and by which
others are often difturbed ; it has rendered me
the ftrongeft, but the leaft hardy of all men ;
I am doomed to have nothing, and to live con-
tinually on plunder ; nothing can refift my
fabre but the feeblenefs of man alone, fo that
I never attack him but with my fifts ; and you
may well judge that I do not want one. Thefe,
my good dervife, were the favours which were
(howered down on my cradle \ the ftar which
followed
*7i ARABIAN TALES.
followed mine was obliged to drop the influ-
ences which were deftined for me upon a neigh-
bouring hotel." " And what did it let fall
there, pray ?" A crown : Thus you fee, and
without vanity I can fay, I was only a door
from obtaining a throne ; the aftrologer faid to
my father, that this happened through fatali-
ty ; for my part, I fuppofe there was a good
deal of caprice in it ; for my brilliant protect-
rcis might eafily have carried her favours one
door lower. By Mahomet ! Do you know
that I am enraged at it, my good faint, and
that I have already employed many methods in
order to belie my nativity.
" I have aftembled armies ; I have com-
manded them well, and fought ftill better;
but my foldiers proved mere cowards : There
were always too many to eat, and nobody to
fight. One day I entered a city, without per-
cpiving that I was not followed by my men : I
cut in pieces every one that oppo-fed my pafTage,
and purfued and murdered all that attempted
to fly. Where it was difficult to carry the
fword, there I carried the flames, and I pilla-
ged the whole city : My army thought me loft :,
and, depending no more upon me, was feized
with a dreadful panic, and took to flight.
What happened then ? As I had laid wafte the
country, had given quarter to none, and as my
army
S&ABI1N TALES. 37^
army was difperfed, tkofigh I was become a
king by the vigour of my arm, and the cutting
of ray fabre, yet in rtality I reigned over no-
thing." How !" faid Pretaboire ; Had yoii
exterminated even the women ?" " By Maho-
met ! I love the women to diflraftion ; but
when they faw me, they cried as if one had
flead them ; they fled from me, and threw
{tones at me from the top of the terraces ; they
excited their hufbands, and let out their dogs
upon me. I have had my fhield and buckler
bent in ten places, and the calf of my leg car-
ried oft* by a maftiff: I love women, but not
\v_hen they are angry ; for then, old or young
ugly or beautiful, I crufli as many of them to
pieces as I can find ; I fpare nothing that re-
iifts me." " Your blood is a little too hot,
my general," refumed the dcrvile, " you ought,
like me, to drink nothing but honey and wa-
ter." By Mahomet !" exclaimed Tranche-
mont, " your honey and water increafes, in-
ftead of quenching my thirft. My malignant
ftar would triumph if it bekeld me reduced to
that : Let us talk of correcting it, if k is pof-
fible. If I could afcend on high, I would
teach it to be reafonable ; but cannot you, who
are an aftrologer, by the help of your ma"
chines, place me within reach of doing myfelf
juftice?" .. -v
. li There
374 ARABIAN TALES.
There is another way of avenging yourfeli*,
faid Pretaboire ; you may play your ftar nearly
the fame trick that I played mine. Had it not
determined that I Ihould be a vagabond and a
rogue ? Had it not condemned me to drink
like a hole in the fand ? You fee what I have
done j I have retired from the world, I drink
honey and water, but fparingly j and, in fpite
of my ftar, I poflefs fome worth. But, as you
are a foldier, you muft follow a different plan.
In order to avoid the inconveniencies which
ieem neceilarily connected with your actions,
you muft endeavour to be a general without an
army ; and to take pofleffion of a ftrong city,
which hath neither gates, nor ditches, nor
walls ; fo as, that the difficulty you will meet
with, in furmounting thefe obftacles, may not
infpire you with fo much rage as to, make you
deftroy every thing.
Stop a moment, my dear faint ! faid Tran-
chemodt : Do you know that, - in complying
with your propofal, I would be expofed to the
tlanger of lofmg my life ? Are you a fool ? Or
^are you fo profound that it is impoffible to un-
derftand you ? What is a general without an
army? And where are ftrong places to be
found, having neither ditches nor walls ?
A general without an army ! replied Preta-
i to-morrow at the lateft, Captain Tran-
chemont
ARABIAN TALES. 375
chemont will be fo, who, having neither fol-
diers nor baggage, will be able to take the field!,
in order to go and attack the city of Kallacahaba-
laba, ten leagues diftant from hence, a place of
great ftrength, though deftitute of every arti-
ficial defence. And what will the army con-
fift of, which is to rank under my ftandar Js ?
Of eight generals, each of whom, in his
own way, is able to {hake a kingdom ; and to
give you an idea of them, I am the feebleft of
them all. Yet it woiild have been in my pow-
er, if I had undertaken the enterprife, to have
become mafter of Damas. It is a well watered
city: Well! in eight days there would not
have been as much water left as would have
quenched the thirft of a hen. My good der-
vife, you are properly named Pretaboire ; and,
now that I know your powers, I find you \ T ery
moderate : You have a moft prodigious facul-
ty ; you couli eafily ruin Egypt. Oh ! replied
Pretaboire, in order to that, it would be ne-
ceflary to go and drink the Nile at its fbtirce,
and that is too long a journey. And tell me,
replied Tranchemont, are your companions
whom you fpoke of as extraordinary as you. I
am extremely defirous to become acquainted
with them. You fhall fee them to-morrow,
faid the dervife ; they will lay their proofs be-
fore you : They have need of counfel to direft
I i 2 theic-
37^ ARABIAN TALES.
iheir enterprifes, for they have all more ability
than underftanding -, they want a chief to com-
mand them with authority, and to give them
an example j and they will find him in you.
By Mahomet ! exclaimed the Captain, catt-
ing his, eyes up to heaven, I am tempted to
pardon my bitch of a ftar for bringing me hi-
ther, fince it has led me to the command of
my equals ! But, let us fpeak a little concern-
ing your place of war ; Who has the command
of it ? What could one do with him ? It is
under the yoke of * ftrange tyrant, whofe
name is Bigftaff: You muft baniih him. One
tyrant fucceeds another, and thus your ftar will
be proved falfe j for, except the name, you
Vill reign as well as another, and perhaps bet-
ter ; becaufe you know no law but your own
will. Are you of any religion ? No indeed ; I
was circumcifed however That is fufficient.
My dear Pretaboire ! you are an accommoda-.
ting'faint ; it is juft fuch as thefe that I love ;
Jftut I fhould wifli to accuftom myfelf to your
hone}' and water, that I might get drunk witl\
you. In the mean time, before I go to reft,
I am anxious to have a more accurate idea of
the city of Kallacahabalaba, for I form all my
plans of attack in bed. "
Kallacahabalaba, replied the dervife, is fitu
itted on a high detached mountain, cut all round
with
TALES.- ^
tmli a pick-ax, to the height of fixty feet, in
fuch a manner as that nothing but a fnail can
afcend it. And how do the inhabitants come
down ? They do not come down at all j they
defcend in bafkets fixed to chains of iron. Thefe
machines are fo fitted, as to let down to the
ground an hundred bafkets at once, containing
ten men-each, with- their arms and baggage ;
this is done very quickly, and without the loaft
euibarrafiment : .The people of the country, for
twenty leagues round, are fo much afraid at this
fhower of armed men, that they haften with
great eagernefs, carrying their tribute to the foot
of the mountain, and fill all the bafkets that
are there. By my beard! faid the captaih^|
fhall lofe a little of my renown if I don't di -
turb this bufinefs But, what kind of a fellow
is that Bigftaff you mentioned ? Is he a cham-
pion of a certain ftrength ? Would he gallant-
ly accept the propofal of meafuring fwords with
roe ? His ffoture is fbmewhat gigantic } cov^er- -
ed with iron from head to foot, he walks as -
nimbly as if it were with feathers ; befides, Ke
never plays but with his club, which is of gild-
ed brafs, and weighs feventy-five pounds 5 'he -
ufes it like a rod of aloes, and I believe he would
not engage in (Ingle combat with any but fuch as
could oppofe to him an arm of equal flxength. -
Ah! repliedTranchemontjwhatt pleafureOiouicli
378 ARABIAN TALES.
feel to be oppofed to him at an arm's diftance !
I would make my blade enter exactly at the bot-
tom of his nofe, that, before he expired undef
my ftrokes, I might have the pleafure of feeing
him gnafh his teeth. But I am born to con-
quer or die under the protection of my fabre,
and I leave the ufe of the club to thofe whofe
profeffion it is to fell cattle. Befldes, does
this felloAv never come out alone ? Could one
not .attack him witheut giving him time to
take his advantage ? He never comes out, re-
plied the dervife, except when he knows of a-
ny one travelling in his dominions. Alas !
this coft two of our companions their life, BraC-
defer * and Dentd'acier f, who had gone on an
adventure of hunting upon his territority. They
were invincible by any other; but, having made
them be furrounded by his people, while Bra-
defer, with the flroke of his, fift had knocked
down a good many of them, and Dentd'acier
had made others feel the aftonifhing ftrfcngth
of his jaw* Bigftaffhimfelf came up, and" knock-
ed them both down with his club. 'Sdeath !
I will revenge them, exclaimed captain Tranche-
mont ; your recital makes my blood boil as if I
had juft affafiinated my brother. Let us go to
fleep, in order to moderate the impatience with
which
Iron-arm.
t Steel-tooth
1
ARABIAN TALES, 37$
which I burn to be acquainted with all your
people j for I know no other remedy.
Pretaboire yielded to this invitation, and they
both fa-etched themfelves on feme leaves, and
flcins of beafts, which were at the bottom of the
cell. They awaked with the firft rays of the
morning, and had ifTued from their cave td
take a walk, when the dervife perceived at a
diftance three people coming towards them :
Thefe are our people, faid he. What are their
names ? Their names are defcriptive of their
talents ; the name of the firft is Qujckfight *j
he could perceive a needle on the ground at the
diftance of forty leagues ; he is our fpy. The
name of the fecond is Aimwellf; he could
fix an arrow in the heart of an apple at the
fame diftance. And Cut-the-air J, the laft,
could go and pick it up in five minutes. But
they lhall perform in your prefence, and you
ihall judge of the advantage which may be de-
rived from them. Mean while the three per-
formers arrived.
Rejoice, comrades. !" faid Pretaboire to
themv " fortune hath reftored.us, jn this gallant
knight,
* Quickjiglit, in French, Percevue ; and in the Arabic,
Guillarich.
j- Aimwell, in French, Droitaubnt ; and in the Arabic,
Nadhertavil.
\ Cut-the-air, in French PendTair ; and in the Arabic/
Karaamek.
8<3 ARABIAN TAIiES
knight, much more than fhe took from us in
Brafdefer- and Dentd'acier. This is the formi-
dable Captain Tranchemont, by whofe arm,
fabre, and head, we iliall be enabled to revenge
ourfelves on our cruel enemy, and to Kve in joy
and peace on the eartlu But you know that
we muft dine to-day ; are you come without,
proviiions ? " No," replied Aimwell, " we
will do tolerably well if you have cakes.
Strong-back* was coming with us, carrying
on his fhoulders a calf fix months old, and two
tuns of wine under his arms, when the fancy
ftruck him of entering a garden to gather a fallad;
he walks at a good pace, and will foon be here
if he meets with no accident." "When he had foid
this, Strong-back arrived with a fallad hanging
at his neck. They were three enormous cab-
bages, which, being tied together by a cord,
adorned his body on all fides. Notwithstanding
his burden, his gait feemed as nimble as if he had
been carrying only a bag of nuts. He laid his
burden on the ground, and was prefented by
Pretaboire to Tranchemont. There, my ge-
neral," faid he, tapping Strong-back on the
{houlder, " is our chariot of war. Sack towns,
conquer armies, plunder-, the back which you
fee will leave nothing behind ; it would not
bend
Strong-back, i French, BondoB; and in tiie Arabic-,
SHarmicii.
ARABIAN TALfS. 3&>
bend under the weight of the treafures of So-
lomon." " Hitherto," faid Tranchemont,
*' thofe who fhould have carried away my plun-
der would not have bent long under their
weight. Whenever I have any booty, I fit down
in a corner, and eat till nothing remains* To
fee me devour whatever I have gotten, one would
think I was perpetually purfued by robbers or
incendiaries ; it is my bitch of a ftar that forces
me to eat almoft continually, in order to render
me in capable of fhowing favour to anything; but,
thanks to you, my dear aftrologer, I muft hope
that we are in the right. Hold, I fee there
a little calf, which weighs good an hundred and
eighty pounds ; and a little of my old ha-
bit leads me to wifli that we fhould eat it juft
now." " It was made for this purpofe," re-
plied Pretaboire : " Hola ! ho !" faid he, cal-
ling his people. " Strong-back, ikin that calf,
and make a fpit : Quickfight ! Cut-the-air !
where is the cook ?"
Quickfight looked round the country, and
perceiving with the naked eye, what no mortal
could have diftinguiihed with the beft telefcope,
" Ah !" foid he, " I perceive him ; he is not
far from this, but he is amufing himfelf with
roafting quails ; as they fly over his head, he
picks their feathers in the air, and eats them.
(f Do you fee," faid Pretaboirej how this
382 ARABIAN TALES.
rafcal is engaged on a review-clay ? lie roafts
quails in the air, that, completely drefled, they
may drop in (howers into his mouth ! And,
where is that lazy knave Toujourfdort*,
to "beat the drum, and oblige every one
to come at the fignal ?" --- " I perceive him
alfo," faid Quickflght j " he is afleep under
the fhade of a broom; the earth feexns to fliake
with his fnoring, and I cannot conceive how
you do not hear him from this place." " You
fee, friends," faid Pretaboire , " that we have
great need of difcipline : And how extremely
fortunate we are in having accordingly found a
chief? Come, Cut-the-air, hew us the place
where the quail-eater and the fnorer are j and
let them come with all hafte."
"You fhallfee," addedPretaboire," whatkind
of men thefe two are. The cook Soufflefeuf {hall
give you a fpecimen of what he can do. He could
melt a mine of metals in the bowels of the
earth. As for Toujourfdort, his talents are
pretty moderate j but he has one which is ex-
tremely ufeful to us. When we let him ouf to
the combat, he fpreads terror all around. By
ftriking his belly, he makes it emit a found like
that of forty drums. He fets up fuch dreadful
howlings as could make waUs tumble down.
* Toujwrfdort, Sleep-ever,
t &0fef<*, Blow-fire*
ARABIAN TALES. 383
While he was explaining all this to Tranche-
mont, Toujourfdort and Soufflefeu arrived.
" Drummer," faid the dervife to the firft, " go
and beat the fignal. Soufflefeu, go you and
roaft the calf which Strong-back is putting on
the fpit." Then turning towards Tranchemont :
" My general," faid he to him, " it is your
part now to ihow thefe people what you can
do : There is the calf on the fpit, and the cab-
bages cut into fhreds ; but we have neither any
thing to collect the juice of the roaft, nor a
plate in which to drefs the fallad 5 but, cut off
dexteroufly a whole flice of the bifcuit which
is before my door, and thereby procure the ne-
ceflary vefiels for holding our fauce and our
herbs."
The captain eargerly feized this opportunity
of difplaying his dexterity. He drew his fabre,
k and, with the firft ftroke, cut off a flice half
an inch thick, the whole length of the ftone.
He then formed in it a place to receive the
juice of the roaft ; and the flice which he had
cut off ferved as a plate for the cabbages. The
fpectators, who were no lels apt to be ftruck
with admiration, than capable of exciting it,
paid the juft tribute to the eafe and accuracy of
the work.
In the mean time, Tranchemont, in his turn,
felt a great curiofity to fee a calf roafted in a
place
384 ARABIAN TALES,
place where he fcw no fire, nor coal, nor
wood to make one. Strong-back a<5led as turn*
fpif, and the fph itfelf refted on two large
itones, placed in the middle of a very green
plot of grafs. Come, Soufflefeu," (aid Pre-
taboire, " do your duty : You are fenfible that
there is no occafion to burn the roaft, we need
only a gentle and penetrating fire ; manage the
matter properly. Soufflefeu was a man of
deeds, and not of words; and proportioned
his hot breath fo nicely, that he feemed not fo
much to roaft, as to gild the immenfe roaft
which was turned round before him ; fo that
the juice run clown upon the cabbages, which
he fet a boiling by fome puffs of fire that he
fent to them. The Captain appeared highly
delighted with the talents of this cook, and
{hewed himfelf eager to give farther proofs of
his own. He obferved, that it was impoffible
to have a table in the cell of the dervife, on
account of a rock of granite, fix feet high, and
of equal thicknefs, which occupied the whole
xentre. " Stand back a little," faid he to the
people who were around him, " I am going to
ftrike off, from this little ftone, fomc chips
which might ftart into your eyes ; we muft
have a place to prepare our table." At the
fame time, he ftruck the rock with his fabre,
with fo much exactnefs, that every piece which
he
ARABIAN TALES. 3f
he detached from it appeared a table of
marble that needed only to be poliflied. " What
a terrible arm ! what a valiant fword I" ex-
claimed the witnefles of this exploit. " Bro-
thers," faid Pretaboire to them, " it is this
which muft ihew us the way to glory and to
gain."
They eagerly cleared the rubbith from the
place, which was now freed from this huge
ftone, as ugly as it was incommodious. The
moft beautiful of the pieces being artfully join-
ed together, formed benches around a table,
which, vith five or fix frrokes of his fabre,
>ad rendered perfectly fquare, and
had hoi io we, I out below to make ..room for
their legs. " Never did any companion of our
labours," f*id Pretaboire, " perform fo neatly
that work in which he excelled ! Toujourfdort
clapped his belly in token of admiration ; and
his gentle rubbings rnsde the cave re-echo with
a dreadful found. Meanwhile the cover Tvas
laid v Soufflefeu brought the roaft. Wine !
wine !" cried Pretaboire, bringing with him 3
bag of fifty pounds weight of cakes. Strong-
back went to bring the tuns; but Tranche-
mont, who dreaded the dervife's thirft, thought
it his duty to. remind him of his vows : " i.>
your penitence ended? ^voly man !"*-" No,* 1
replied Pretaboire, " I muft drink fome cups
VOL. If. K k of
386 ARABIAN TALES.
of honey and water ; but I referve a pitcher of
wine to wafh my mouth."
They fat down to table, and every one of
them did great juftice to the feaft. , There was
but little converfation j however, from time to
time, one of the guefts related an exploit of
kis own peculiar kind. It was always of the
marvellous fort. Towards the middle of the
repaft, Pretaboire, having fomewhat blunted
the edge of his appetite, calt a look around
him. ' Brethren," faid he, " our number is
not complete; Grippenuage* and Groffitout are
wanting; however, they had the fignal, for
Toujourfdort beat the drum fo as to make it
be heard at a diftance. As the dervife was
making this reflection, the two characters made
their appearance at the entrance of the cave.
You deferve," faid he, " not to have fo
much as a cruft to eat. I refpecl people of a-
bilities only when they are regular in their
duty, and to-morrow, if you fail in the fervice,
you fhall anfwer for it to a more able general
than I am : In the mean time, fit down and
drink. After dinner, you fhall be informed
of moft wonderful things. You are in the
prefence of a very great mafter, the illuftrious
Captain Tranchemont. We have made choice
of him for our general, and we are to pafs in
review before him as for me, I am exhibiting
proofs
* Grippenuagt,
ARABIAN TALES- 3 8 ,7
proois of my abilities, as you {hall fee:" Say-
ing this, he fwallovred his pitcher full of wine
at one draught. The perfons who were juft
come in, having nothing to reply, modeftly
bowed down, and dinner was ended.
Come, brothers," faid Pretaboire, when
the repaft was finiihed, we mult pals in re-
view, and begin, by making fure of fome
dUhes for our fupper. Qnickught ! Aimwell !
Cut-the-air! attend! >.. ^ rt >
Qnkkfight, I want an hundred pounds of
venifon, in four pieces. Obferve the banks of
<iiitant rivers ; feek us fome young deer, goats,
and an antelope -, they muft all be tender, and
cafJy digefted." The performer put himfelf in
the proper petition; at Jwil. W? **te fecmed
to move along the ground near. at hand, and
then, imperceptibly, his view was extended to
a great diftance, and ikimmed over the world.
Ah!" exclaimed he, I have found what
you want behind that little hill, at the diftance
of ten leagues." AimwcB," fakl the dervi.e,
prepare yo-or bow." Aimwell fixed a ftake
before Qnickfiglit, bent his bow, and let huniel
in a proper petition for Ihooring his arrow.
' At the diftance of ten leagues ?" raid he to
Quickfight, and thirty paces." The arrow
flew;Qnickfight folioved it with his eyes. "The
Kka Come,
-W><t*3 ,
3 8 1RAB1 AN TALES.
" Gome, Cut-the-air, put your fhoes in a pro
per ftate, and pick up the game." The order
was inftantly executed. Prejtaboire repeated
the command three times ; and in half an hour
the four pieces of venifon were procured, and
brought to Strong-back, who fcinned them,
and put them on the fpit.
Pretaboire having examined the fack of
bread: How!" faid he, " have we only
thirty pounds weight ? Qujckfight, look out for
fome frefli bread."" There is an oven full of
it at Matter, which is ftill quite hot," replied
lie, " and the baker has juil turned his back
to clean his oven. 1 '" There is a fine opportuni-
ty to purchafe his bread for nothing : Go, Cut-
the-air, take the bag, and make the bargain."
The order was inftantly obeyed ; and the bread
was in the cell before the baker perceived it.
You fee, General," faid the dervife, that
the butlery is pretty well furnifhed. Ah ! if
Strong-back had wings, we might have wine ;
but we muft not always be dying with thirft.
Come, Grippenuage! lay hold of that cloud
which is paffing, and force it to ftied its con-
tents on this place -, if there are any halftones,
io much the better ; for I love exceedingly to
drink ice. The cloud was pretty high : Grip-
penuage took a che of filk from Fs pocket,
and made it fly up to the 'clout!. The clew
was
ARABIAN TALES. . 389
was wound down ; and the end of it being fo
low as to be within reach of the hand, the
man then fixed himfelf to it, and the vapour
Teemed to attract him with an aftonifhing rapi-
dity. " Comrades," faid Pretaboire, " let us
expofe our pitchers to the water which is about
to fall ; and, as we have no change of mantles,
Jet us place ourfelves in the cave. The whole
troop obeyed ; the cloud defcended j Grippe-
nuage fqueezed its fides ; and, by the help of
his thread, came down with the (hower.
Tranchemont beheld with aftonifhment the
performance of thefe miracles. " You muft
agree, General," faid Pretaboire, " that, under
your command, one might promife .the moft
fplendid fuccefs with thefe brave fellews.%r$jl
never faw," faid Tranchemont, " an ailera-
tlage of talents fo rare, and fo well fuited to
one another ; we are fit to undertake every
tiling. I have already revolved a great many
plans in my mind. Stop ; do not fpeak to me
at prefent,. you would dLftract my thoughts. I
have forgot fomething very eflential j {ince we
have only water to quench our thirft, we
fhould at leaft have fome flagons of liquor.
We have ftill three hours of day ; let us wartt
nothing : Then the dervife called his people.
" Quickfight," faid he, " and you Cut^th^
air, get us fome flagons of liquor. You know
Kk T that
JOS ARABIAN TALES.
that they are generally placed in the terrailes^
th.it the fun may dart his meridian beams upon
them. Go and make an attack upon them :
What cannot be done in one voyage, may be fi-
nilhed in two." The order was executed ; and,
in a quarter of an hour, the iide-board was
furniihed with four large flagons of liquor.
" This Cut-the-air is extremely expert, cun-
ning, and expeditious," faid Pretaboire ; " it
is a great pity he has not a ftronger back, one
might derive inconceivable advantage from him."
By Mahomet, f;;id Tranchemont, without
this little medicine, I fhould have had a fine
noife in my belly all night. But, my good der-
vife ! Could not we have fome figs ? I give
you the whole earth to choofe them from. I
take you at your word, replied the Captain. I
want the fineft figs that grow in Africa.
Come Cut-the-air ! You hear what the general
wifhes for. Put a baflcet on your arm : Pick
them with great care, and return in half an hour
at the fartheft, for you may be wanted ! Cut-
the-air difappeared.
The venifon was on the fpot, Strong-back
was turning it, Soufflefeu was employed in
roafting it, and Tou.ourfdort had gone to more
-*.t fome hundred fteps difbnce in order not to
Incommode any peribn i ftill, however, he was
heard. " You have a fnorer there," faid Tran-
chemoct, who is fomewhat difagreeable."
He
ARABIAN TALESr 39*
He muft be allowed reft, replied Pretaboire ; it
is in his excellent habit of body that his merit
confifts ; it keeps his belly ftretched ; betides he
makes us merry ; he imitates the timbrel, by
beating on his cheeks, and that ainufes us : it
is neceflary to put all their talents to fome pur-
pofe. You are in the right '. but tell me who
is that man whom I fee fitting with his arms
acrofs ? I know not yet what he can do
That is he who has the charge of our lodgings:
When we take the field, with very fmall means,
he makes a great affair of every thing. His
name is Grofiitout. His buiinefs is very fati-
guing j but you will be a better judge of it
when you fee him at work
The day was fpent in fuch converfation as
this ; but Cut-the-air had not returned, . Preta-
-baire was uneafy. " Hola, Quickfight !" faid
he, " feek in the orchards of Africa, and en-
deavour to difcover Cut-the-air, who has either
loft or forgotten himfelf." Quickfight exami-
ned attentively. Ah ! the wretch," faid he,
" he has eaten more figs than he has gather-
ed ; he is very near Damas, and is afleep at the
fide of his bafket. The Arabians, who ramble
in the neighbourhood, will fleal it ; they wil}
take his (hoes from him, and we fhall fee him
no more. There is a v large bird perched onto
branch of the tree under which he repofes } if
Aimwell
392 ARABIAN TALES*
Aimwell would kill the bird, its fall might awa-
ken Cut-the-air. At what diftance is the bird
you mean ? (aid Aimwell. Exactly feventy-five
leagues. Aimwell then ftuck up his flake, and
fitted his arrow, which immediately flew ofE,
Quickfight examined the ftroke. The bird is ?
fallen," faid he j " the fleeper is awakened, and
is now on his way." The figs were in the cave
in a moment after. " Let us not chide our
purveyor/' faid Tranchemont to Pretaboire,
" this accident has fhown us the ufefulnefs of
Quickfight and Aimwell. But I fuppofe the
fupper is ready j let us put the table in order.'*
" That muft not be, if you pleafe 4 " replied
Pretaboire, " till after our camp fhall have been
prepared, and I fhall have caufed beat the re-
treat according to the cuftom of warriors." At
the fame time he called Groflitout, who obeyed
the order.
Have you taken your meafures, and chofen
your ground ? We fleep to-night in the tent ;
you muft lay us at our eafe in it. The ground
is before you, replied Groffitout 5 your lodging
is in my breaft, and my lungs muft extend it.
By Mahomet ! exclaimed the general, that is a
ftrange riddle. " It is not a riddle ;" faid the
dervife, " at leaft what you are going to fee
will explain it to you. Let us approach the
place where the operator is about to perform.
Groffi-
ARABIAN TALES. 393
Groffitout had a fmall purfe, of the fize of an
egg, hung to a girdle with which his breaft was
girt. It appeared to be {hiit by four fmal'i
firings, at the end of which fome fmall pins of
ftecl feemed to be fixed. He opened it, and
blowed into it ; and fuddenly it was of the fize
of a melon : He continued to blow till he could
put his head into it ; he introduced his head ;
and was feen blowing with greater force in the
cap he had formed for himfetf. livery inftant
its fize increafed j and, as it defcended to the
very ground, the body of the blower was entire-
ly {hat up in it. His companions then took up
the little firings of the purfe, which were now
become cords, and drew the four fides ; the top
of the ball had taken the fhape of a tent, which ;
was fupported by four pikes, which he always
carrried with him in their march. Groffitout
continued his labour, and the tent increafed fo
as commodioufly to lodge twenty people ; and
the pins of fleel, now become pikes of iron, dri-
ven in the ground, made the lodging moft com-
pletely firm.
Holy prophet ! exclaimed Tranchemont,.
in raptures, I have juft now feen the king, the
very god of mufhrooms; it is a perfect mira-
cle !" Without flattery, general/* faid Prc-
taboire, " to thofe who have feen your actions"
every thing is credible, and boafting is exchid-
3p4 ARABIAN? TAL$;
td : but Groffitout had exerted his power very
jparingly ; he is capable of blowing up a tent
fufficient to lodge all the pilgrims to Mecca, with
their efcort." At that infant the loud found of
a drum was heard at a diftance ; and, without
the perfect unity in the ftrokes, one would have
fuppofed there was fifty. " What fouud is that
I hear ?" faid Tranchemont." It is nothing,"
faid the dervife 5 " it is only Toujourfdort ftrok-
ing his belly to beat a retreat j he is a brave fel-
low for founding a charge." My good dervife,
the companions of your penitence are very extra-
ordinary people. They are forced like me to live
in retirement, on account of the bad character
they have with the public; but, with your affif-
tance, we fliall be able to get out of it j and we
can di^v'e from his neft this 'vulture BigftafFj
who lets loofe upon us balkets full of his fowls
covered over with fteel, which keep our troog
IH continual alarm.
Ah ! though this fellow had a citadel fur*
rounded with a triple ditch full of water, 6y
mixing a little honey in it, you would foon
drink it up. I would attack the wall with my
fabre, and, by Mahomet ! you know whether I
can cut any flices I would intrench myfelf un-
der the fortrefs, before they could think of
throwing ftones at me. I would caufe Strong-
back throw the rubbifh into the ditch, and I
would appear unexpectedly in the place. You
fhould
ARABIAN TALEJ 30>
ould then fee how I would fall upon the coat
of mail by which all thefe rafcals are 'protected.
This is a plan truly worthy of yourfelf, ge-
neral, replied Pretaboire, but the tyrant is fe-
cure from fuch an attempt I fvrear by your
book, venerable dervife, that I fhali devifc
fome plan from which he cannot fecure himfelf
but let us go to fupper It is the beft refolu-
tion we can at prefent take, faid the derviie,
for the roaft would have been cold if Soufflefetf
had not kept it warm.
The little army were all feated round a well
rurnifhed table, lighted by a lamp with three
branches,'and converiing about their future plans.
" Comrades !" faid Tranchemont, you may
depend upon my utmoft exertions to merit your
approbation ; but, as you have made me your
commander, I warn you that our march fhall
be regular and very expeditious I have only
drunk one draught of water, and it has made
me fkk To-morrow, by funrif?, I will go
through the review, I will give my orders j and,
the camp being ftruck during the review, I will
immediately begin the march. Let us drink
one draught of liquor and go to bed, thinking
on the victory which awaits us rWere my ftor
mach hollow like a well, I will fleep upon thefc
flints, as if I were ftretched on a bed of rofes.
Let us finiiU what remains, as we are to fct
; ru \iii&'-;aau ' 1521 &,. * >ut
^ 96 ARABIAN TALES.
out to-morrow with a great project in our heads 1
We muft beg : n with ftarving the rats in this
place, by leaving them not even a cruft to gnaw
Let us conclude the banquet , let all the
troop follow me, and go to tae camp. It is
proper that we fhould fleep in the tent Come,
" Quick-light, do you fee any thing by night ?"
<c As well as by day, general." " That's good j
you will be on the watch around the camp, and to-
morrow, during the march, you fliall enjoy fleep
upon Strongback's fhoulders Grippenuage,
draw near ; lay hold on that cloud which you
fee over our heads, by means of your clew, and
force it to refrefh the air by fhedding a flight
dew Tojourfdort will go to fnore around the
c^mp within reach of Quick-fight, that he
may be able to give the alarm if any thing ex-
traordinary fhould happen. Come, friends, let
each of us take one of thefe fkins to ferve him
as a pillow ; warriors never renounce the con-
veniencies of life when they can be obtained."
" O great, valiant, and wife captain I" faid
Pretaboire, obeying the order, and marching
before the troop. When they had filed off,
Tranchemont entered laft into the tent, and lay
down in the middle. The next, each at a re-
fpectful diftance from the general, took the
place which appeared moft convenient for him :
The
ARABIAN TAHS'.
the dervife faicl his prayers, and they all quietly
icll ufleep.
As Toon as the morning ftar appeared above
e horizon, Quickfight awaked Toujourfdort,
who, yawning, ilruck his belly, and the found
; the blow re-echoed through the neighbour-
jng caverns. Tranchemont was inftantly oh
foot, and awaked his people. Come, my com-
rades," faid he, let the day find us in arms -
Graffito*, lift the camp." At this command
every body left the tent ; Groffitout alone re-
mained in it to labour, while the flakes were
raking away; and, before fun-rife, the tent
was folded up, and Hxed to the girdle of the
perfon whofe bufmefs it was to carry it.
They were all aflembled for the grand review.
and Pretaboirc was in the rear of the battalion,
Brother? faid Tranchemont, you are not in
your proper place; as you are our counfellor,
you foould have been in the centre ; but the
art of war has undergone fome little change,
you are placed in the rear ; and frequently,
when the van has begun the engagement, your
direftions come too late. In this cafe, however,
as the ranks are dot very thick, there is notliing
to prevent your coming to me in the time of
need. Is your book in good condition? Is there
no leaf wanting ?By Mahomet! I have not
the whole of them ; but it is all one ; I can ea-
ARABIAN TALES.
Comrade Qmckfight, your eyes are fomewhat
red ; bathe them in frefh water. You Humid '
guard againft defluxions. Are the bow znd ar-
rows of Aimwell in proper cafe ? There is
nothing wanting, general. I am eager to be able
to prove your dexterity, that I may fend you a
mefiage, diretty in the view of the enemy.
Show us your clue, Grippenuage. It is pretty
round, and the filk well fpun ! It is much finer
than a cobweb. But, my dear companion ! if
you \03uld liflen to the advice of an old foldlcr
like me, you fhould foon know, that a talent,
fo precious as your's, ought not to be confined
to refrefhing the air, and wafhing difhes.
Soufflefe* ! I cannot fee the fire you have in
your ftomach, but I fuppofe it is the depofitory
of fulphur and pitch, fufficient for the cam-
paign. As we are about to fall upon the kit-
chen of another, we {hall have no need of
your's for our food -, but ,1 fliall give it you in
charge to roaft every head which might give us
any trouble. Cut-the-air ! Your {hoes feem to
be in good cafe ; but diftruft your tafte for figs ,
you ran a great rifk of lofing your {lockings and
fhoes ; and, in returning from fuch a di (lance,
you might have caught a very bad cold. Grof-
fitout ! you have put up the tent ; but, let AIS
examine i the pegs are at it, if the cords are
good
ARABIAN TALI.?. ^93,
good, and if the ftuff has not given way No,
every thingis right. Tellme,Were youtoblow in-
to a melon, could you make it as large as a gourd ?
No, general. It has been faid with truth, that no
talent isjuniverfal ! Come forward, Strong-back ?
you muft get ftraps of leather to manage your
burden. There is a back on which-, were it level,
one might build a pyramid ! Do you pair your
nails ? That is an error. You know well, that,
to lay liold of any thing, die hand can never be
fufficieutly extended. Here Toujourfdort ! yotir
tlrum is well ftretched ; but you mutt not moi-
ften it too much within with hot liquor, that
might dry its 'Ikin By the way, let me hear
jfome moderate founds of your trumpet. Tou-
jourfdort obeyed, by emitting fome half-notes in
a grave tone ; but they were fufficient to caft
difmay and terror over the whole troop. CuU
the-air would have fled to the diftance of an
hundred leagues, if his legs had not failed him j
Strong-back felt his knees bend under him ;
Quickiight became perfectly blind ; AimweU
dropped his bow and arrows J* Grippenuage
looked for a cloud to take refuge in ; Groffitout
loft his breathing ; and Soufijefeu felt himfelf
chilled. " By Mahomet !" faid Tranchemont,
" taking Pretaboire by the hand, who had the
Jbjckup, there's a fine pipe ! J am not a faint-
L \ 2 hearted
^|CO ARABIAN TALES.
hearted chicken, and yet I am trembling like a
leaf. Comrade Toujourfdort ! you are poflef-
fed of a very fuperior talent, but, if you pleafe,
we will only employ it on defperate occaflons.
Take your place again ; and you, my friends,
-who have acknowledged me as your general,
iiften, while I explain the plan of the battle in
Vhich we are about to engage.
Our great object: is to get pofieflion of Kalla-
cahabalaba, and to deftroy Bigftaff. He has
too much prudence to expofe himfelf ; he will
oppofe us with his mob, which we will over-
cpme ; but this will by no means be deciflve.
He muft be forced by famine to capitulate ; let
us lay wafte the country which furnifhes him
with food ; and let us reduce him to the ne-
ceffity of eating the rock for fubfiftence ! You
have all the elements under your power; you
can burn, deluge, carry off, maffacre, and de-
ftroy; and therefore you can convert this coun-
try into a defart in a very fhort time. A mo-
derate war might have the moft ruinous con-
fequences ; whereas, if we infpire terror, three
fourths of the people will endeavour to make
their efcape by liight. All that we have to do,
is to find out in what place we are to begin
to plunder."
" Qmckfight !" faid the general to this ad-
mirable Ipy, " look towards the four cardinal
points.
points. We want Tome eaiy buiinefs, which is
almoft at our hand. What do you obferve in
the weft?" " At the diftance of twenty
leagues, general, I perceive a caravan travel-
ling towards us."" Although," faid Tranche-
mont, " we could reach them by funfet, yet
we would arrive both fatigued and hungry ;
and, by plundering it, we fhould do no injury
to Bigftaff} that's not what we want: Loofe
toward the eaft. I obferve there, general, a
fertile meadow, on which there are a great
many cattle, and fome fhepherds." That
object may deferve our attention afterwards;
but there is no food ready there ; and, as we
fet out fafting, we have need to find fomething
perfectly prepared for our dinner."*" Ah !"
faid Quickfight, " there's fomething toward
the fouth, ready drefled ! I fee .preparation*
making for a confiderable marriage." , That
will do our bufinefs indeed: At how many
leagues diftance?" "At ten." Is it in a
town ?" Yes, and a pretty populous one.*'
" So much the better ; we ihall have an op-
portunity of doing the more mifchief and noi&.
Thefe people fhall not prevent us from perr
forming our work. Let us here fix our plan,"
Soufflefeu will enter the city with me, .and
iet fire to that part of it which is over againft
the place, where the nuptials ihall be .celg-
L 1 3 bratcdl
402 ARABIAN TALES*
brated. I will enter the houfe where the feaffc
is to be held, and feize the bride ; and, fhould
the bridegroom, the father, or the relations, be
troublefome, I will diftribute among them a few-
blows ; and, fhould that not quiet them, Tou-
jourfdort lhall fpeak a foft word in their ear from
me ; and I am of opinion they will not make
him repeat it. Soufflefcu ihall burn every
thing except the houfe, where we will dine in
perfect tranquility. As the inhabitants might
attack Us in a body, and throw ftones at us, I
order Grippenuage to feat himfelf on the firft
cloud he fhall meet, to run after a good many
more, and, having joined them together, to. fol-
low us with the collected mafs , he fhall then
pour down a thoufand cart-loads of hail on the
heads of the malecontents, and we fliall take
care to referve for him his full fliare of the
dinner. " By Mahomet !" faid Pretaboire,
. there never was an enterprife formed with fo
many wife precautions."" Arc youpleafed then,
'dervife ?" faid Tranchemont , " indeed I think
every body muft be fo. Come along ; let us
march forward. Toujourfdort, beat agreeably, as
we are going to a marriage." The drummer
obeyed, and the troop advanced in good order.
When they were within two leagues of the
city, Tranchemont ordered Cut-the-air to exa-
jnine what was going on at the feaft, and to ob-
ferve
ARABIAN TALES. 403
ferve if dinner was not ferved up too foon. Id
three minutes the mefienger returned. " They
are idolaters," faid he, " and are Sacrificing, be-
fore an idol of wood, a beautiful heifer, with gil-
ded horns, which will be roaited in an hour at
the far-theft." By Mahomet ! faid Tranche-
mont to Pretaboire, " ought not you to be
greatly delighted ? We are going to labour a-
gainft idolatry, and you mall have the charge of
overturning the idol. Conjure it with your
book ; I recommend it to yon. A marriage
performed before an idol, and without a cadi !
It is null and void. I will marry this young
perfon after the Mahometan manner, in order to
bring her back to the right way."
During this converfation, the march was not
interrupted. They ilill proceeded on their
road; and at length arrived in the town, directly
before the houfe where the two families were at-
fembled. Tranchemont entered it as if it had
been his own. " What," laid he, " does any one
marry here without my knowledge ? and do
they fit down to table without me ?" Let any
one figure to himfelf the aftonifhment of the
honeft townfmen ; they looked at one another
without fpeaking a word, and trembled as they
examined the armed man, who fpoke to them in
this manner. " We are undone ! they ex-
clajmed, it is Bigftaff, it is the tyrant him-
$*
404 ARABIAN TALES.
felf."" You lie, rafcals! There is no tyrant here.
For whom do you take me ? Know that I am
the hufband of this fair young woman, and that
fhe fliall have no other." Saying this, he took
hold of her by the arm ; the hufband and the
relations advanced to free her from his hands ;
but, with a fingle blow, and two back ftrokes,
he ft retched them on the ground. Every one
laid hold of a ftick, of a knife, of fome piece of
furniture, or of whatever offered itfelf to his
hand, in order to fall upon the ravifher ; but,
all at once, Toujourfdort began to fneeze. This
was a talent of which Tranchemont was ftill ig-
norant , he was fo ftunned with it, that had he
been lefs eager for his prey, he would have let
go his hold. In the mean time, men and wo-
men, and every thing in the houfe, was over-
turned j and the houfe itfelf, which was not
very ftrong, was fhaken with the found.
When Tranchemont had recovered from his
ftonifhment, he faid to his noify fquire, " Come
along ! Rid me of all that rabble ; and whoever
is too far from the door, throw them out at the
window. Toujourfdort obeyed, and the houfe
was cleared of all its guefts. There only re-
mained the young wife, who, having ^fainted
through terror, would have fallen like the reft,
had (he not been fupported by the vigorous
captain. Meanwhile a ay of fire was heard
through
1RABIAH TALK. 4
through the whole town, and fhrieks and how-
lings were every where fet up. " Come,'* *faid
Tranchemont to Toujourfdort, " this is not a
time to fnore j our companion? may lofe them-
felves amid this confuiion j you muft beat the
fignal." The drummer did fo, the whole troop
returned; and the entertainment, prepared for
the nuptials, was eaten up.
The new married wife, obliged to remain
with this company, and endure the brutal ca-
rdies of Tranchemont, ceafed not to fhed
tears. " What pleafure fhould I have in com-
forting you, my beautiful girl !" faid the Cap-
tain to her ; " flied one of thefe pretty tears in
my cup } it will make the drink delicious."
But flie turned away her head with an air^
which was expreflive at once of her grief and
difguft.
While thefe robbers were eating, and glut-
ting themfelves moft immoderately, a fmall de-
tachment of fifteen men belonging to the gar-
rifon of Kallacahabalaba, who ufually went their
round in the neighbourhood, had been inform-
ed of their arrival ; their chief had been de-
fcribed to them } but they did not confider
Tranchemont as very formidable ; they there-
fore furrounded the houfe where he and his
followers were, and prepared to attack him.
The chief of this detachment entered fuddenly,
406 ARABIAN TALES-
with his fabre raifed over Toujourfdort, wh$,
by freezing, warded off the ftroke. Tranche-
mont, alarmed at the noife, arofe and put him-'
felf in a pofture of defence. A blow of his fa-
bre had cleft from head to foot the boldeft of
them ; with a back ftroke he cut in two the
perfon who followed ; the third had a fhoulder
broken ; the fourth loft the half of his arm ,
the fifth loil his head ; and the fixth loft both
his legs. When the other foldiers of BigftafF
beheld this defeat, terror adminiftered wings to.
them ; and, that they might fly with the greater
fpeed, they threw away their arms and their buck-
lers. The companions of Tranchemont, feeing
them in diforder, purfued them without a mo-
ment's refpite. Grippenuage (howered hail up-
on them ; Souffiefeu roafted as many of them
as he met with ; and Toujourfdort fneezed in
the ears of thofe whom he could come up with;
even Pretaboire himfelf knocked them down
with his book ; they all fell perfectly ftunned,
and were delivered to the fabre of Tranche-
mont, who completed their defiruc'lion j fo that
not not one of them was left to carry the report;
f their common difafter.
After this defeat, the victorious general re-
turned to enjoy the reward of his victory, in tha
arms of his conqaeft. During the battle, how-
ever, fhe had made her efcape. He entered
ARABIAN TALES.
in great fury, and called Quickilght. Holaf*"
{aid he, wilt thou fufter thy chief to be de-
prived of all the happinefs he had a right to
promife himfelf ? Seek for the faithlefs girl to
me. By Mahomet ! Curfe on the fellow who
conceals her !" Cockfight exerted his utmoft
addrefs and attention. General ! I cannot
perceive her. I obferve very plainly a compa-
ny of women three leagues diftant from this,
flying with their children and baggage, but
the new married woman is not of the number.
The walls of the town, however, cannot con-
ceal her from me, for they were of wood, and
are all burnt down ; fhe muft of neceflity be
ander the ground, and there you know I can
fee nothing. Ah ! by the holy prophet !"
exclaimed Tranchemont, k is very hard to
conquer without enjoying the triumph. This
is another trick of my bitch of a ftar ! Oh,
for a thoufand bombs ! It difputes every kind
of victory with me ; I am in perfeA defpair
Go, order Toujourfdort to found a retreat,
and let every one take his feat at the table !
There is fomething here to drink, and my
grief is of that kind that it muft be abfolutely
drowned.
The little troop foon rejoined their general;
and, as they fliared in his affection, fo they
^O$ ARABIAN TALES,
likewife partook of the confoiation he had cho*
fen.
" Ah ! my dear Strong-back !" faid Tran-
chemont, " the pretty limbs you would have
carried on your {houklers ! Never would you
have been loaded with fo fweet a burden! But,
like the dervife, we are, at prefent, forced to
lead a life of penitence ; let us continue it, at
leaft till the middle of the night, that it may-
be more meritorious. You, Toujourfdort ! as
I have great confidence in your talent, I give
it to you in charge to fecure our repofe till
funfet. Go, and take a turn at half a league's
rliftance from this place j and, whenever you
{hall perceive any curious prying people, beat
as it were eighty drums, and found your trum-
pet fomewhat loudly." Toujourfdort obeyed,
while his companions continued the immode-
rate enjoyment of the bottle, till they were all
flretched under the table.
There was not a wedding every day, other-
wife they would have found their entertain-
ment quite ready, without giving themfelves
any trouble. Next day, the troop, under the
command of Tranchemont, made prodigious
havock on every fide ; and with fo much the
more boklnefs, that, under fuch a leader, they
flattered themfelves with impunity. But they
themfelves were obliged to drefs whatever they
wanted
ARABIAN TALES, 4C$
wanted to eat. Every night they encamped un-
der their tent, the Situation of which was
unknown, for they never pitched it till it was
dark. During the day they were frequently
obliged to fight, becaufe they met with fmall
detachments, like that which had propofed to fur-
round them ; thefe they invariably put to death.
Whoever efcaped the fword and the fire, fell
before the voice of Toujourfdort, who corr-
pletely broke the drum of their ears by whi-
pering to them. At length, the hail was fhower-
ed down upon them, and completed the difafter
and defblation.
A man, however, had devifed a method of
delivering the country from this terrible
icourge, which was fpreading fuch defolation.
This was, by arming the inhabitants with
flings, and overwhelming the authors of all
this deftruction with ftones. Quickfight ob-
ierved this man, as he was trying this new
weapon, the ufe of which he was to propofe.
He faw him about to communicate his difcove-
ry to the people around him. But, at the very
moment in which he opened his mouth, an ar-
row flew from Aim well's bow, entered his
throat, and arrefted the falutary advice in its
pafTage. The country was in abfolute defpair ;
and advices to that purpofe were carried from
all quarters to Kallacahabalaba, by an hundred
arrows which alighted in it : (This was the way
VOL. II. Mm in
410 ARABIAN TALES
in which requefts were prefented to Bigftaff,
and in which all complaints or advices reached
him). Upon this . the tyrant fummoned his
council, which confided of a fingle aftrologer
deeply Ikilled in geomancy.
" You fee to what a condition we are about
to be reduced," faid he : " Nobody indeed can
difturb us here ; but nothing can iave us from
the famine by which we are threatened. Hi-
therto my arms have fuccefsfully oppofed thefe
extraordinary robbers who infeft my country ;
but their audacity has, without doubt, increa-
fed with their ftrength. They have at their
head a chief, who alone hath deftroyed feveral
detachments of my foldiers, who watch over
the fafety of thefe countries, and collect the
taxes : There is fomething very fupernatural in
the reports and complaints which have been
made to me ; devife therefore fome method by
which we may provide for our fafety." " I
have been thinking on that for fome time," re-
plied the learned perfon. " I have caft the nati-
vity of all thefe people, and have found, that
ordinary arms could give you no advantage
over them. The pretended talents, which they
' employ to fuch bad purpofes, are more or lefs
magical ; but this art is fo very defective, that
the moft powerful mean it employs may be
rendered ineffectual, by the moft trifling of all
thofe
ARABIAN TALES. 411
thofe which may be direftly oppofed to it:
Thus, I will approach Toujourfdort with cot-
ton hi my ears, and his drum will have no ef-
fect upon me. I will fpit in Soufflefeu's mouth,
and the fire will be extinguished. Quickright
becomes uielefs, in proportion as danger ap-
proaches. The arrow .of Aimwell is blunted
againft fteel. Cut-the-air is but a mefienger,
who may be eafily flopped. The fcience of
Grippenuage depends upon a thread, which if.
may be poflible to cut. Pretaboire is but a
coward of a dcrvife, and can do nothing where
there is not water to drink j but we muft fe-
cure ourfclves againft his book. Groffitout
and Strong-back make part of the baggage,
and are by no means formidable. But the
moft dangerous enemy whom we hnve tp
encounter is Captain Tranchemont, the chief
of that curled race. He is conftantly out of
favour with the ftars ; and is actually endowed
by them with the gift of doing all poflible mif-
chief, without ever performing one good office.
He hath a ready and active genius, an intrepid
foul, and a body of uncommon ftrength ; but
he is the perpetual victim of his rafhnefs. He
wears a fabre all befpangled, which the dia-
mond itfelf cannot refift : Should you oppofe
to him your club of brafs, he would cut it in a
thoufand pieces, and you would be inftantly
M m 2 difarmed.
412 ARABIAN TALES-.
difarmed. His ufual cuftom is to fend a chal*
lenge ; but he has been already informed that
you never accept any but on conditions to
which he will not agree. However, Sir! if
you will arm yourfelf and your foldiers as
I fhall advife, I will venture to promife
you infallible fuccefs over him and all his
troop."" Go to my arfenal," laid Bigftaff",
t( and caufe all the arms you {hall judge pro-
per for my foldiers and myfelf to be prepared :
i hold your advice in too great eftimation not
to follow it implicitly." " I warn you, how-
ever," faid the aftrologer, " that thefe arms
will be very uncommon." " It does not figni-
fy ; they will be fo much the fitter for enga-
ging the enemy : One uncommon thing mud
be oppofed by another equally wonderful."
Captain Tranchemont continued to ravage
the plain : And Bigftaff, in concert with his
learned counfellor, prepared the little army
jvhich was to take the field. It was affembled;
and, with great fecrecy, the arms and inftru-
ments of war with which it was to be furniih-
ed, were completed m the arfenals. When all
was ready, a body of three hundred men, fhi-
ning in fleel, was let down from the fortrefs by
the help of pullies and bafkets, and covered the
plain.
The,
ARABIAN TALES. 413
The enemy ! The enemy !" exclaimed
Quickfight. " Are they let down from the
minarets ?" faid Tranchemont. '* Yes, Gene-
ral 5 fee, the bafkets are emptying ! Three hun-
dred men, and a chief who commands them,
have come out. It is the tyrant himfelf; I
know him by his ftature : He appears muclv
taller than common. Ah! what a fingular hel-
met he wears upon his head ! It is a large feeth-
ing-pot ; Soufflefeu muft make it boil. His
buckler is five inches thick ; and his eyes
fparkle as if they were burning. Shall I go,
'General ! and put the flake before Aimwell,
that he may fend him a prefent from you to
his left eye ?" " You are very, zealous, fol-
dier !" faid Tranchemont ; " look, but pre-
fume not to advife. My enemy is then in the
plain, and guarded in a very ridiculous man-
ner againft my ftrokes ! Come, Toujourfdort !
Summon all our people by the fignal, and let
us march to meet the enemy.
The two armies were foon in view, and
within the reach ef an arrow. Tranchemont
was ftationed in the centre, betwixt Toujourf-
dort and Soufflefeu; Pretaboire and Quick-
fight were in the right wing -, and Cut-the-air
and Aimwell in the left ; Strong-back and
Groffitout were placed in the rear ; and Grip-
penuage dragged along with him a tempftl,
M m 3 which
'41-4
ARABIAN TALES.
which he balanced in the'air, waiting the pro-
per opportunity to difcharge it.
On his fide, Bigftaff made the neceffary dif-
pofitions ; and drew up his army in a line
three men deep. In the foremoft rank, were
placed thofe who handled the naked armour ;
every foldier in the fecond was armed with a
fyringe ; and thofe in the third with a pair of
fciffars ; and all were armed with defenlive
weapons of the very beft temper.
Tranchemont beheld this triple row of war-
riors difplayed againft him ; and, full of con-
fidence in his forces, he marched forward in
full affurance of an eafy victory. He advanced
ten paces before his troop, as if to challenge
his enemy to fingle combat. BigffofF advanced
.'m order to accept ; and the armies remained
in fufpenfe, when Tranchemont ordered Tou-
jourfdort to found the charge. This was the
only order that was well executed ; for, in every
other refpect, events, unforefeen by Tranche-
mont, clifconcerted all his projects, and ren-
dered his efforts ineffectual.
As foon as Tranchemont and his adverfary
had oppofed buckler to buckler, the former
wifhed to difcharge on the head of Bigftaff one
of thofe decifive ftrokes, by which the ftrength
of his arm, and the temper of his blade, had
been fo often fignalized , but, before he ftruck,.
he
ARABIAN TALES.
415
lie thought of addreffing, in the following
manner, the enemy, over whom he was cer-
tain of victory.
" Bigftafl*!" faid he to him, "tyrant of
fcullions! art thou not afhamed to prefer.t
thyielf to battle with a pot upon thy head ?
Doft thou think then that thy kitchen-tack-
ling can fave thee from the ftrokes with which
thou art threatened ? Or, hath my evil ftar
fuggefted to you this ridiculous defence, that I
might reap nothing from my victory but the
difgrace of having triumphed over the prince
of cooks ? Muft the brave foldiers of Tranche-
mont then engage with apothecaries and bar-
bers ? Dareft thou lift againft me the club,
which does not become thy fharneful hand fo
well as the fpit on which thy roaft is turned
every day ? It would have matched thy helmet
and buckler extremely well.''
Tranchemont," replied Bigftaff, thy
words and thy conduct are alike. I am not
-come out againft thee to encounter a warrior,
but a butcher, by profeffion. And, if it be-
longs to me to ad nobly in every thing, to you
it belongs to perifli by an ignominious death.
Thou challengeft me to inflicl: the firft blow ;
dare thyfelf to give it." " By Mahomet thou
fhalt not be deceived," faid Tranchemont.
With thefe words he let fall a ftroke, quicker
than
41 6 ARABIAN TALES.
than lightening, on the pot which covered tlie
head of his enemy ; but the moment the fabre
touched it, inftead of penetrating the pot, it re-
bounded in fuch a manner as to ihake the
vigorous arm which wielded it. Tranchemont,
aftonifhed at this refinance, wanted to cleave,
with one blow, the arm and the buckler of his
adverfary ; but the blade of- his fcymitar flew
into pieces. Inftead of having ftruck, as he
thought, upon iron, it was againft a hollow
gourd and a moulded cheefe, that the magical
power of his fabre was exhaufted.
" Great God !" exclaimed Tranchemont,
as he retreated four fteps ; " Holla ! Souffle-
feu ! Let this head be put to the fire, and
make it as hot as that of hell."
Soufflefeu was about to obey j but inftantly
a deluge of water entered his mouth, directed
from an hundred fyringes 5 and there iflued
out of it nothing but a thick fmoke. Depri-
ved of this aid, the difconcerted general called
Grippenuage to his afliftance, who hovered o-
ver the army with a provilion of hail and thun-
der ; but all the fciffars of the third line of
BigftafF's foldiers were in the air, and, by cut-
ting the invillble threads, turned the ftorm a-
gainft the oppofing army.
Tranchemont then, declining an honourable
retreat, thought it his duty to make ufe of his
ARABIAN TALES. 417.
laft refource, and made Toujourfdort beat the
march. But, in confequence of the cotton
with which the ears of his foldiers were flop-
ped, the army of BigftaiF was not difmayed
with the noife. They at length furroimded
Tranchemont. The drummer redoubled his
ftrokes upon his enormous belly, and the
whole troop was ftunned with the terrible din,
and iled with all their fpeed ; but Tranche-
mont remained the victim. The tyrant of Kal-
lacahabalaba put him to death with his club ;
Toujourfdort burft j Soufflefeu was fuffccated
by the fmoke ; the reft efcaped as well as they
could, and fought their fafety in the caverns
which had ferved them for a retreat.
IN this manner did Dobil-Hafen fmifh his
ftory. The attention which had been paid to
him, and the pleafed air which he thought he
remarked in his hearers, infpired him with good
hopes of fuccefs. " I have," faid he, " related
very extraordinary things, but the terms which
we have accepted obliged me to tell a ftory,
the incidents of which {hould be abfolutely new.
I have made them happen to unknown cha-
racters ; I have had the greateft delire to pleafe
my amiable coufm, but know not if I have been
fo
41 8 ARABIAN TALES,
fo happy.*'" O moft certainly," fakl Vafume,
44 your ftory hath given us all very great plea-
fure ; and my good Nane will not deny that fhe
laughed very heartily." " I confds," faid the
nurfe, " I was all attention ; and every mo-
ment I expected fome new jeft. I was igno-
rant of this manner of telling ftories r and felt it
entirely new to me. But is this all we are
to hear ?" No-, jny go"t4 nurfe," replied
Vafume. " there is ftill another', and we wait
with impatience till he who is to relate it fhall
choofc to begin." Saying this, fhe caft her
eyes on the \oungeft of her coufins, -whom ti-
midity kept lilent.
Valid-Hafen was more paffionately in love
with his coufin than his brothers : His inclination
was under the influence of a more delicate, and
lefs intereftcd talk 1 -, and he would have prefer-
red her to the moft advantageous match in Su-
rat. But, at that momer.' , the fear of lofing
her banifhed from his mind all the refources of
his imagination ; and, although he was endow*-
ed with an uncommon memory and under-
ftanding, nothing prefented itfelf to his mind
which did not appear to have been thought of
by others ; perhaps, alfo, felf-love might be at
ftuke. However that be, his embarraffment
was very vifible, his lips trembled, and an in-
voluntary blufh overfpread his forehead. This
hefttation
ARABIAN TALES. 41^
Kefitation alarmed the beautiful Vafume, who,
being more particularly interefted in her young
couiin, fecretly wilhed that he might be vidto-
rious ; and the good Nane expected a ftory.
At length Valid-Hafen took courage, and
got over the dangerous ftep which he dreaded,
by beginning as follows :
'ft*
CONTEN? S.
Page
Adventure: of Simoitftapha, and the Princcfs
Ilfetilfone, I
Hi/lory of Alibengiady Sultan of Hirak, and of
t he f alfe Birds of Paradife, 219
Htftory of Sinkariby and his t<wo Vizirs, 22J
Ht/lory of the Family of the Schebatidad of Su-
rat, 314
The Lover of the Stars ; or the Story of Cnbil-
Hafen, 317
*Thc Pronvefs and Death of Captain Tranche-
inont, and of his brave Companions. Do-
bil-Hafen's Story, ' ^66
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