The Arabian Nights Entertainments by - (carter reed TXT) 📕

he again went to labour, and was treated with the same kindness as before. About noon, as he was stocking up the foundation of the wall he found a copper vessel, which upon examination proved to be full of golden coin. He carried the vessel to his lodging, where he counted the money, upwards of a hundred deenars, and returned to his work. As he was coming home in the evening, he saw a crowd following a man who carried upon his head a large chest, which he offered for sale at a hundred deenars, but refused to mention the contents.

The fisherman was seized with an irresistible impulse to purchase the chest, and having a small silver coin of not more value than a silver penny, said to himself, “I will try my fate, possibly it may contain something valuable; but if not, I will disregard the disappointment;” ordered it to be conveyed to his lodging, and paid the price demanded. He then locked his door and opened the chest, when, to his astonishment, he beheld in it a beautiful girl very richly dressed, but apparently lifeless. However, on putting his hand to her mouth, he perceived that she breathed, and was only in a deep sleep, from which he endeavoured to awake her, but in vain. He then took her out of the chest, laid her gently on his carpet, and continued to gaze at her charms; till at length about midnight she awoke, and in an exclamation of alarm and surprise exclaimed, “Gracious Allah, where am I?”

When the lady’s first alarm had subsided, she asked the fisherman how he had brought her to his lodging, and on being informed of the circumstances her mind became easy; for he behaved towards her with respectful attention. Concealing for the present her condition and adventures, she said, “This lodging is too mean, on the morrow you must hire a better. Serve me with fidelity, do as I desire, and you shall be amply rewarded.” The fisherman, who, cautioned by his last love adventure, was fearful of taking liberties, and awed by her dignified demeanour, made a profound obeisance, and professed himself her slave. He set before her the best refreshments he could procure, and when she had supped left her, and retired to sleep in a separate chamber.

Early the next morning he went and hired a decent house, to which he conveyed her in a covered litter, and did not cease to attend upon her in all her commands for twenty days, she supplying him with money to purchase necessaries.

It is proper now to mention, that the lady bought by the fisherman in the chest was the favourite mistress of the sultan: having deserted for her all his other women, they had become envious; but the sultana, who, before the arrival of Koout al Koolloob (for such was her name) had presided over the haram, was more mortified than the rest, and had resolved to effect her removal. For this a favourable opportunity soon occurred, owing to the sultan’s departure for twenty days upon a hunting excursion. In a day or two after his absence, the sultana invited Koout al Koolloob to an entertainment, and having mixed a strong soporific in some sherbet, presented it her to drink. The effect of the potion was instantaneous, and she sunk into a trance; when the sultana putting her into the chest, commanded it to be given to a broker, and sold without examination of the contents, for a hundred deenars; hoping, that whoever might be the purchaser, he would be so fascinated with the charms of the beautiful Koout al Koolloob, as to enjoy his good fortune in secrecy; and that she should thus get rid of a rival without the crime of assassination.

When the sultan returned from his excursion, immediately on entering the palace he inquired for his favourite; when the sultana entering with affected sadness, said, “Alas! my lord, the beautiful and affectionate Koout al Koolloob, unable to bear the pangs of absence, three days after your departure fell sick, and having lingered for seven days, was gathered to the mercy of the Almighty.” The sultan, on hearing this, burst into an agony of grief, and exclaimed, “There is no asylum or refuge but with God; from God we came, and to God we must return.” He was overcome with affliction, and remained the whole night involved in melancholy. In the morning he sent for his vizier, and commanded him to look out for a spot on the bank of the river for the erection of a building in which he might sit retired, and meditate on his beloved Koout al Koolloob.

The vizier replied, “To hear is to obey;” and taking with him an architect, fixed upon a pleasant spot, on which he ordered him to mark out a space of ninety yards in length and seventy in breadth for the intended building. The necessary materials, of stone and marbles, were soon collected, and the work was begun upon; which the minister for two days superintended in person. On the third the sultan came to view the progress. He approved of the plan, and said, “It is truly beautiful; but, alas! only worthy of the residence of Koout al Koolloob;” after which he wept bitterly.

Seeing the distress of the sultan, his vizier said, “My lord, be resigned under distress; for the wise have written, �Be moderate when prosperity occurs, and when calamity afflicts thee exercise patience.’”

The sultan replied, “It is true, O vizier, that resignation is praiseworthy, and impatience blamable; for a poet has justly said, �Be calm under adversity; for calmness can alone extricate from danger.’ To affliction joy often succeeds, and after trouble we generally enjoy repose; but, alas! human nature cannot divest itself of feeling; and Koout al Koolloob was so dear to me, and so delighted my soul, that I dread I shall never find another mistress her equal in beauty and accomplishments.” The vizier consoled his master, and at length prevailed upon him to submit to his misfortune with some degree of resignation.

The sultan and vizier daily repaired to view the progress of the new edifice, the report of which had spread through the city, and at length reached Koout al Koolloob, who said to the fisherman, “We are every day expending our money, and getting nothing: suppose, therefore, you seek employment in the building which the sultan is erecting. Report says that he is liberal, so that possibly advantage may accrue. “The fisherman replied, “My dear mistress, how shall I bear the least absence from you?” for he loved her, and she perceiving it, often dreaded that he would have made advances; but the remembrance of what he had endured from the conduct of the merchant’s daughter had made him cautious. She replied, “Dost thou really love me?” “Canst thou doubt it?” answered he; “thou art my life, and the light of my eyes!” “If so,” exclaimed she, “take this necklace, and when you think of me as you are working, look at it, and it will console you till your return home.”

The fisherman obeyed the commands of Koout al Koolloob, repaired to the spot where the edifice was erecting, and beheld the sultan and vizier observing the workmen. The former inquired if he wanted employment, to which he replied in the affirmative, and was hired. He began his labour; but so much was his mind engaged with his mistress, that every now and then, dropping his implements, he drew out the necklace, and looking upon it heaved a deep sigh, which the sultan observing, said to his vizier, “This man, perchance, is more unhappy than myself; let us call him to us, and inquire into his circumstances.” The vizier brought him to the presence, and desired him to tell honestly why he had sighed so deeply. “Alas!” replied he, “I am absent from my beloved, who gave me this necklace to look at whenever I might think upon her; and my mind is so taken up with her, that I cannot help laying down my tools, and admiring it constantly.”

When the sultan saw the necklace, he recollected that it was one which he had purchased for Koout al Koolloob for a thousand deenars. He concealed his agitation, and said, “To whom does this necklace belong?” “To my slave,” replied the labourer, “whom I purchased for a hundred deenars.” “Canst thou admit us to thy lodging,” rejoined the sultan, “that we may see her?” “I dread,”

answered the labourer, “that her modesty may be offended; but I will consult her, and if she assents, I will invite you to my lodging.” “That is but just,” said the sultan, “and no more than what is proper.”

The labourer at sunset returned home, and informed Koout al Koolloob of his adventure, when she desired him on the morrow to purchase what was requisite for a decent entertainment, at the same time giving him five deenars. In the morning he bought what she had desired, and going to his work, informed the sultan and vizier that they were welcome to his homely fare, and to see his slave; or rather, said he, “My divinity, for as such I have at humble distance adored her.”

The sultan and vizier accompanied the labourer to his house where they were astonished to find prepared an elegant collation, of which they partook; after which they drank sherbet and coffee.

The sultan then desired to see his slave, who just made her appearance, but retired immediately. However, the sultan knew her; and said to the labourer, “Wilt thou dispose of this damsel?” “I cannot, my lord,” replied the labourer, “for my soul is wholly occupied with her love, though as yet unreturned.” “May thy love be rewarded!” exclaimed the sultan; “but bring her with thee at sunset to the palace.” “To hear is to obey,” replied the labourer.

At sunset the labourer conducted his slave to the palace, when the eunuchs attended, and would have led her into the haram; but he clung round her, and exclaimed, “She is my beloved, and I cannot part with her.” Upon this the sultan related the circumstances of his having lost her; and requested him to give her up. Knowing that he durst not oppose the sovereign, he submitted to his commands with resignation, when the sultan presented him with fifteen hundred deenars, and a beautiful slave, also a rich dress, at the same time receiving him among the most distinguished of his officers. So well did he conduct himself in his new station, that in a short time he was promoted to the rank of prime minister, and fulfilled the duties of it with such ability and integrity, that he became celebrated by the title of the Just Vizier.

Such was the celebrity of the vizier’s decisions, that in a short time appeals were made from the most distant provinces to his judgment. One of the most remarkable cases was the following. Two women belonging to one man conceived on the same day, and were delivered, one of a boy, the other of a girl, at the same time, and in one apartment. The female infant died, when each laid claim to the male child. The magistrates, unable to decide between the mothers, referred the decision to the just vizier; who, on hearing the circumstances, commanded two eggs to be brought, and the contents to be drawn out without breaking the shells; after which he ordered them to be filled with milk from the breast of each woman. This being done, he placed the shells in separate scales, and finding one outweigh the other, declared that she whose milk was heaviest must be the mother of the male child; but the other woman was not satisfied with this decision, and still affirmed she was the mother of the boy.

The vizier, vexed at her