The Arabian Nights Entertainments by - (carter reed TXT) ๐
The king of Tartary continued for some time as if he had been meditating and contriving what he should answer; but at last replied, "You are my sultan and master; but excuse me, I beseech you, from answering your question." "No, dear brother," said the sultan, "you must answer me, I will take no denial." Shaw- zummaun, not being able to withstand these pressing entreaties, replied, "Well then, brother, I will satisfy you, since you command me ;" and having told him the story of the queen of Samarcand's treachery "This," said he, "was the cause of my grief; judge whether I had not sufficient reason for my depression."
"O! my brother," said the sultan, (in a tone which shewed what interest he took in the king of Tartary's affliction), "what a horrible event do you tell me! I commend you for punishing the traitors who offered you such an outrage.
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The cock answered the dogโs reproof thus: โWhat, has our master so little sense? he has but one wife, and cannot govern her, and though I have fifty, I make them all do what I please. Let him use his reason, he will soon find a way to rid himself of his trouble.โ โHow?โ demanded the dog; โwhat would you have him do?โ
โLet him go into the room where his wife is,โ resumed the cock, โlock the door, and take a stick and thrash her well; and I will answer for it, that will bring her to her senses, and make her forbear to importune him to discover what he ought not to reveal.โ The merchant had no sooner heard what the cock said, than he took up a stick, went to his wife, whom he found still crying, and shutting the door, belaboured her so soundly, that she cried out, โEnough, husband, enough, forbear, and I will never ask the question more.โ Upon this, perceiving that she repented of her impertinent curiosity, he desisted; and opening the door, her friends came in, were glad to find her cured of her obstinacy, and complimented her husband upon this happy expedient to bring his wife to reason.
โDaughter,โ added the grand vizier, โyou deserve to be treated as the merchant treated his wife.โ
โFather,โ replied Scheherazade, โI beg you would not take it ill that I persist in my opinion. I am nothing moved by the story of this woman. I could relate many, to persuade you that you ought not to oppose my design. Besides, pardon me for declaring, that your opposition is vain; for if your paternal affection should hinder you from granting my request, I will go and offer myself to the sultan.โ In short, the father, being overcome by the resolution of his daughter, yielded to her importunity, and though he was much grieved that he could not divert her from so fatal a resolution, he went instantly to acquaint the sultan, that next night he would bring him Scheherazade.
The sultan was much surprized at the sacrifice which the grand vizier proposed to make. โHow could youโ, said he, โresolve to bring me your own daughter?โ โSir,โ answered the vizier, โit is her own offer. The sad destiny that awaits her could not intimidate her; she prefers the honour of being your majestyโs wile for one night, to her life.โ โBut do not act under a mistake, vizier,โ said the sultan; โtomorrow. when I place Scheherazade in your hands, I expect you will put her to death; and if you fail, I swear that your own life shall answer.โ โSir,โ
rejoined the vizier โmy heart without doubt will be full of grief to execute your commands; but it is to no purpose for nature to murmur. Though I am her father, I will answer for the fidelity of my hand to obey your order.โ Shierear accepted his ministerโs offer, and told him he might bring his daughter when he pleased.
Tโhe grand vizicr went with the intelligence to Schcherazade, who received it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable information she could have received. She thanked her father for having so greatly obliged her; and perceiving that he was overwhelmed with grief, told him for his consolation, that she hoped he would never repent of having married her to the sultan; and that, on the contrary, he should have reason to rejoice at his compliance all his days.
Her business now was to adorn herself to appear before the sultan; but before she went, she took her sister Dinarzade apart, and said to her, โMy dear sister, I have need of your assistance in a matter of great importance, and must pray you not to deny it me. My father is going to conduct me to the sultan; do not let this alarm you, but hear me with patience. As soon as I am in his presence, I will pray him to allow you to lie in the bride-chamber, that I may enjoy your company this one night more. If I obtain that favour, as I hope to do, remember to awake me tomorrow an hour before day, and to address me in these or some such words: ๏ฟฝMy sister, if you be not asleep, I pray you that till daybreak, which will be very shortly, you will relate to me one of the entertaining stories of which you have read so many.โ
I will immediately tell you one; and I hope by this means to deliver the city from the consternation it is under at present.โ
Dinarzade answered that she would with pleasure act as she required her.
The grand vizier conducted Schcherazade to the palace, and retired, after having introduced her into the sultanโs apartment.
As soon as the sultan was left alone with her, he ordered her to uncover her face: he found her so beautiful that he was perfectly charmed; but perceiving her to be in tears, demanded the reason.
โSir,โ answered Scheherazade, โI have a sister who loves me tenderly, and I could wish that she might be allowed to pass the night in this chamber, that I might see her, and once more bid her adieu. Will you be pleased to allow me the consolation of giving her this last testimony of my affection?โ Shierear having consented, Dinarzade was sent for, who came with all possible expedition.
An hour before day, Dinarzade failed not to do as her sister had ordered. โMy dear sister,โ cried she, โif you be not asleep, I pray that until daybreak, which will be very shortly, you will tell me one of those pleasant stories you have read. Alas! this may perhaps be the last time that I shall enjoy that pleasure.โ
Scheherazade, instead of answering her sister, addressed herself to the sultan: โSir, will your majesty be pleased to allow me to afford my sister this satisfaction?โ โWith all my heart,โ replied the sultan. Scheherazade then bade her sister attend, and afterwards, addressing herself to Shierear, proceeded as follows.
THE MERCHANT AND THE GENIE.
There was formerly a merchant who possessed much property in lands, goods, and money, and had a great number of clerks, factors, and slaves. He was obliged from time to time to visit his correspondents on business; and one day being under the necessity of going a long journey on an affair of importance, he took horse, and carried with him a wallet containing biscuits and dates, because he had a great desert to pass over, where he could procure no sort of provisions. He arrived without any accident at the end of his journey; and having dispatched his affairs, took horse again, in order to return home.
The fourth day of his journey, he was so much incommoded by the heat of the sun, and the reflection of that heat from the earth, that he turned out of the road, to refresh himself under some trees. He found at the root of a large tree a fountain of very clear running water. Having alighted, he tied his horse to a branch, and sitting down by the fountain, took some biscuits and dates out of his wallet. As he ate his dates, he threw the shells carelessly in different directions. When he had finished his repast, being a good Moosulmaun, he washed his hands, face, and feet, and said his prayers. Before he had finished, and while he was yet on his knees, he saw a genie, white with age, and of a monstrous bulk, advancing towards him with a cimeter in his hand.
The genie spoke to him in a terrible voice: โRise, that I may kill thee with this cimeter, as thou hast killed my son;โ and accompanied these words with a frightful cry. The merchant being as much alarmed at the hideous shape of the monster as at his threatening language, answered him, trembling, โAlas! my good lord, of what crime can I be guilty towards you, that you should take away my life?โ โI will,โ replied the genie, โkill thee, as thou hast killed my son.โ โHeavens,โ exclaimed the merchant, โhow could I kill your son? I never knew, never saw him.โ โDid not you sit down when you came hither?โ demanded the genie: โdid you not take dates out of your wallet, and as you ate them, did not you throw the shells about in different directions?โ โI did all that you say,โ answered the merchant, โI cannot deny it.โ โIf it be so,โ resumed the genie, โI tell thee that thou hast killed my son; and in this manner: When thou wert throwing the shells about, my son was passing by, and thou didst throw one into his eye, which killed him; therefore I must kill thee.โ โAh! my lord!
pardon me!โ cried the merchant. โNo pardon,โ exclaimed the genie, โno mercy. Is it not just to kill him that has killed another?โ
โI agree it is,โ replied the merchant, โbut certainly I never killed your son; and if I have, it was unknown to me, and I did it innocently; I beg you therefore to pardon me, and suffer me to live.โ โNo, no,โ returned the genie, persisting in his resolution, โI must kill thee, since thou hast killed my son.โ
Then taking the merchant by the arm, he threw him with his face on the ground, and lifted up his cimeter to cut off his head.
The merchant, with tears, protested he was innocent, bewailed his wife and children, and supplicated the genie, in the most moving expressions. The genie, with his cimeter still lifted up, had the patience to hear his unfortunate victims to the end of his lamentations, but would not relent. โAll this whining,โ said the monster, โis to no purpose; though you should shed tears of blood, they should not hinder me from killing thee, as thou hast killed my son.โ โWhat!โ exclaimed the merchant, โcan nothing prevail with you? Will you absolutely take away the life of a poor innocent?โ โYes,โ replied the genie, โI am resolved.โ
As soon as she had spoken these words, perceiving it was day, and knowing that the sultan rose early in the morning to say his prayers, and hold his council, Scheherazade discontinued her story. โDear sister,โ said Dinarzade, โwhat a wonderful story is this!โ โThe remainder of it,โ replied Scheherazade โis more surprising, and you will be of this opinion, if the sultan will but permit me to live over this day, and allow me to proceed with the relation the ensuing night.โ Shierear, who had listened to Scheherazade with much interest, said to himself, โI will wait till tomorrow, for I can at any time put her to death when she has concluded her story.โ Having thus resolved not to put Scheherazade to death that day, he rose and went to his prayers, and to attend his council.
During this time the grand vizier was in the utmost distress.
Instead of sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and groans, bewailing the lot of his daughter, of whom he believed he should himself shortly be the executioner. As, with this melancholy prospect before him, he dreaded to meet the sultan, he was agreeably surprised when he found the prince entered the council chamber without giving him the fatal orders he expected.
The sultan, according to his custom, spent the day in
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