# Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 5/Favorite of Califf

The Hundred and Eighty Fifth Night.
DInarzade being always careful to awake her Siſter, called this Night at the ordinary Hour: My dear Siſter, ſays ſhe, Day will ſoon appear, I earneſtly beg of you to tell us ſome of your fine Stories, We need no other, ſaid Schahriar, but that of the Amours of Aboulhaſſen Ali Ebn Becar, and Schemſelnihar, the Favourite of Califf Haroun Alraſchid. Sir, ſays Scheherazade, I will ſatisfy your Curioſity: And began thus, ​
IN the Reign of the Califf Haroun Alraſchid, here was at Bagdad, a Druggiſt, called Albouſſan Ebn Thaher, a very rich and handſome Man, He had more of Wit and Politeneſs than thoſe of his Profeſſion ordinarily have: His Integrity, Sincerity, and jovial Humour, made him to be loved and ſought after by all People. The Calif, who knew his Merit, had an intire Confidence in him. He had ſo great an Eſteem for him, that he entruſted him with the Care to provide the Ladies, his Favourites, with all Things they ſtood in Need of. He choſe for them their Cloaths, Furniture and Jewels, with admirable Judgment,
His good Qualities, and the Fayour of the Calif, made the Sons of Emirs, and other Officers of the firſt Rank, to be always about him: His Houſe was the Rendezyous of that went daily to viſit him, there was one whom he took more Notice of than the reſt, and with whom he contracted a particular Friendſhip, called Aboulhafſan Ali Ebn Becar, originally of an ancient Royal Family of Perſia. This Family continu’d at Bagdad; ever ſince the Muſſelmen made a Conqueſt of that Kingdom. Nature ſeem’d to have taken Pleaſure to endue this young Prince with many of the rareſt Qualities of Body and Mind: His Face was ſo very beautiful, his Shape ſo fine, and his Phyſiognomy ſo engaging, that none could ſee him without loving him immediately. When he ſpoke, he expreſſed himſelf always in Terms proper and well choſen, with a new and agreeable Turn, and his Voice charm’d all that heard him; with this he had ſo much Wit and Judgment, that he thought and ſpoke of all Subjects with admirable Exactneſs. He was ſo reſerved and modeſt, that he advanced nothing ’till after he had taken all poſſible Precautions, to avoid giving any ground of Suſpicion, that he preferr’d his own Opinion to that of others.
​Being ſuch a Perſon as I have repreſented him, we need not wonder that Ebn Thaher diſtinguiſhed him from all the other young Noblemen of the Court, moſt of whom had Vices contrary to his Virtues. One Day, when the Prince was with Ebn Thaher, there came a Lady mounted on a py-balled Mule, in the midſt of Six Women Slaves who acompanied her on Foot, all very handſome, as far as could be judg’d by their Air, and through the Veil which covered their Faces. The Lady had a Girdle of a Roſe Colour four Inches Broad, embroidered with Pearls and Diamonds of an extraordinary Bigneſs; and as for Beauty it was eaſy to perceive that ſhe ſurpaſſed all her Women, as far as the Full Moon does that of two Days old. She came to buy ſomething, and when ſhe had ſpoken to Ebn Thaher, ſhe entred his Shop, which was very neat and large, and he receiv’d her with all the Marks of the moſt profound Reſpect, entreating her to ſit down and ſhewing with his Hand the moſt Honourable Place.
In the mean time, the Prince of Perſia not being willing to let ſuch an Occaſion paſs, to ſhew his good Breeding and courtly Temper, beat up the Cuſhion of Cloth of Gold, for the Lady to lean on; after which he retired ſpeedily that ſhe might ſit down, and having ſaluted her, by kiſſing the Tapiſtry under her Feet, he roſe and ſtood at the lower End of the Sopha. It being her Cuſtom to be free with Ebn Thaher, ſhe lifted up Yer Veil, and then diſcover’d to the Prince of Perſia ſuch an extraordinary Beauty, that he was ſtruck with it to the Heart. On the other hand the Lady could not contain herſelf from looking upon the Prince, the Sight of whom had made the ſame Impreſſions upon her. My Lord, ſays ſhe to him, with an obliging Air, pray ſit down, The Prince of Perſia obey’d, and ſat down upon the Edge of the Sopha. He had his Eyes conſtantly fix’d upon her, and ſwallow’d down large Draughts of the ſweet Poiſon of Love. She quickly perceiv’d what paſs’d in his Heart, and this Diſcovery ſerv’d to inflame her the more toward him. She roſe up, went to Ebn Maher, and after ſhe had wiſper’d to him the Cauſe of her coming, ſhe ask’d the Name and Country of the Prince. Madam, anſwer’d Ebn Thaher, this young Noble-man’s Name is, Aboulhaſſen Ali Ebn Becar, and he is a Prince of the Blood Royal.
​The Lady was raviſh’d to hear the Perſon ſhe already lov’d ſo paſſionately was of ſo high a Quality. You mean certainly, ſays ſhe, that he is deſcended of the Kings of Perſia? Yes, Madam, replied Ebn Thaher, The laſt Kings of Perſia were his Anceſtors, and ſince the Conqueſt of that Kingdom, the Princes of his Family have always made themſelves very acceptable at the Court of our Califfs. You will oblige me much, adds ſhe, to make me acquainted with this young Noble-man: When I ſend this Woman, ſays ſhe, pointing to one of her Slaves, to give you Notice to come and ſee me, pray bring him with you, I ſhall be very glad that he ſee the Magnificence of my Houſe, that he may ſee that Avarice does not reign at Bagdad among Perſons of Quality: You know very well what I mean, don’t fail, otherwiſe I will be very angry with you, and never come hitheragain while I live.
Ebn Thaher was a Man of too much Penetration, not to perceive the Lady’s Mind by thoſe Words: My Princeſs, my Queen, reply’d he, God preſerve me from ever giving you any Occaſion of Anger againſt me: I ſhall always make it a Law to obey your Commands. At this Anſwer, the Lady bow’d to Ebn Thaher and bid him farewel; and after ſhe had given a favourable look to the Prince of Perſia, ſhe re-mounted her Mule and went her Way.
Scheherazade ſtopt here, to the great Regret of the Sultan of the Indies, who was obliged to riſe becauſe Day appeared; She continued her Story next Night, and ſaid to Schahriar:
The Hundred and Eighty Sixth Night.
SIR, the Prince of Perſia was ſo deeply in Love with the Lady, that he look’d after her as far as he could ſee her, and a long time after ſhe was out of Sight, he ſtill look’d that Way. Ebn Thaher told him, that ſeveral Perſons obſerv’d him, and began to laugh to ſee him in this Poſture, Alas! ſaid the Prince to him, the World and you would have Compaſſion on me, if you knew that the fine Lady who is juſt now gone from you, has carry’d with her the beft Part ’of me, and that the remaining Part ſeeks for an Opportunity to go after. Tell me, I conjure you, adds he, what cruel Lady is this, who forces People ​to love her without giving them Time to adviſe. My Lord, anſwers Ebn Thaher, this is the famous Schemſelnihar, the principal Favourite of the Califf our Maſter. She is juſtly ſo called, adds the Prince, ſince ſne is more beautiful than the Sun at Noon Day. That is true, reply’d Ebn Thaher, therefore the Commander of the Faithful loves, or rather, adores her; he gave me expreſs Orders to furniſh her all that ſhe ask’d of me, and to prevent as much as poſſible every Thing that ſhe can deſire of me.
He ſpoke after this Manner, to hinder him from engaging in an Amour, which could not but prove unhappy to him; but this ſerv’d only to inflame him the more. I was very doubtful, charming Schemſelnihar, cries he, I ſhould not be allow’d ſo much as to think of you; I perceive well however, that without Hopes o! being loved by you, I cannot forbear loving you; I will love you then, and bleſs my Lot that I am Slave to an Object fairer than the Meridian Sun.
While the Prince of Perſia, was thus conſecrating his Heart to Fair Schemſelnihar, this Lady when ſhe came Home, thought upon a Way how ſhe might ſee, and have free Converſe with him. She no ſooner entred her Palace, but ſhe ſent to Ebn Thaher, the Woman ſhe had ſhew’d him, and in whom ſhe had put all her Confidence, to tell him to come and ſee her without delay, and to bring the Prince of Perſa. with him. The Slave came to Ebn Thaher’s Shop while he was ſpeaking with the Prince, and endeavouring to diſſwade him, by very ſtrong Arguments from loving the Califf’s Favourite. When ſhe ſaw them together, Gentlemen, ſays ſhe to them, My honourab’s Miſtreſs, Schemſelnihar, the Chief Favourite of the Commander of the Faithful, entreats you to come to her Palace where fhe waits for you. Ebn Thaher, to teſtify his Obedience, roſe up immediately, without anſwering the Slave, and followed her, not without ſome Reluctancy. As for the Prince, he followed without reflecting upon the Danger there might be in ſuch a Viſit. The Company of Ebn Thaher, who had Liberty, when he pleas’d, to go to the Favourite, made the Prince very eaſy in the Matter: ​They followed the Slave, who went a little before them, and entered after her into the Califf’s Palace, and joyn’d her at the Gate of Schemſelnihar’s little Palace, which was ready open. She introduc’d them into a great Hall, where ſhe pray’d them to ſit down.
The Prince of Perſia thought himſelf in one of thoſe delicious Palaces that are promiſed us in the other World: He had never ſeen any thing that came near the Magnificence of the Palace he was in. The Carpets, Cuſhions, and other Furniture: of the Sopha, the Moveables, Ornaments and Architecture, were ſurprizingly rich and beautiful. A little time after Ebn Thaher and he had ſat down, a very handſome black Slave brought them a Table cover’d with ſeveral very fine Diſhes, the admirable Smells of which made them judge of the Delicacy of the Sauce. While they were eating, the Slave which brought them in, waited upon them; She took Care to invite them to eat of what ſhe knew to be the greateſt Dainties. The other Slaves brought ’em excellent Wine after they had eaten. When they had done, there was preſented to each of them a fine Gold Baſon full of Water to waſh their Hands; after which, they brought ’em a golden Pot full of the Perfume of Aloes, with which they perfumed their Beards and Cloaths. Odoriferous Water was not forgot, but ſerved in a golden Veſſel enrich’d with Diamonds and Rubies, made particularly for this Uſe, and it was thrown upon their Beards and Face according to Cuſtom, then they went to their Places; but they had ſcarce ſat down when the She entreated them to ariſe and follow her: She open’d a Gate of the Hall where they were, and they enter’d into a large Saloon of a marvellous Structure. It was a Dome of the moſt agreeable Faſhion, ſupported by a hundred Pillars of Marble, white as Alabaſter: The Baſes and Chapiters of the Pillars were adorn’d with four footed Beaſts, and Birds of ſeveral Sorts, gilded. The Foot Carpet of this noble Parlour conſifted of one Piece of Cloth of Gold, embroidred with Garlands of Roſes in red and whlte Silk, and the Dome being painted in the fame Manner, after the Arabian Form, was one of the moſt charming Objects that Eye could behold: Betwixt each Column there was a little Sopha adorn’d in the ſame Manner, and great Veſſels of China, Chryſtal, Jaſper, ​Jett, Porphiry, Agate, and other precious Materials garniſh’d with Gold and Jewels; the Spaces betwixt the Columns were ſo many large Windows, with Jetts high enough for one to lean on, covered with the ſame ſort of Stuff as the Sopha’s, and looking out into the moſt delicious Garden of the World, the Walks were of little Pebles of different Colours, which reſembled the foot Carpet of the Salloon; ſo that looking upon the Carpet within and without, it look’d as if the Dome and the Garden with all its Ornaments, had ſtood upon the ſame Carpet. The Proſpect round was thus: At the End of the Walks there were two Canals of clear Water, of the ſame circular Figure as the Dome, the one of which being higher than the other, emptied its Water into the lowermoſt, in Form of a Table-cloth; and curious Pots of gilt Braſs, with Flowers and Greens, were ſent upon the Banks of the Canals at equal Diſtances. Thoſe Walks lay betwixt great Plots of Ground, planted with ſtraight and buſhy Trees, where there were a thouſand Birds, which formed a melodious Concert, and diverted the View by their flying about, and ſometimes by playing together, and at other times by fighting in good earneſt in the Air.
The Prince of Perſia, and Ebn Thaher, were a long time taken up in viewing the Magnificence of the Place, and teſtified their Surprize at every Thing they ſaw, eſpecially the Prince, who had never ſeen any Thing like it. Ebn Thaher, tho’ he had been ſeveral Times in that delicate Place, yet could not but obſerve many new Beauties. In a Word, they never grew weary in admiring ſo many ſingular Things, and were thus agreeably employ’d, when they perceiv’d a Company of Ladies richly apparell’d ſitting without, at ſome Diſtance from the Dome, each of them upon a Seat of Indian Wood, in aid with ſilver Wire in Figures, with !nſtruments of Muſick in their Hands, expecting Orders to play. They went both to the Jett, which fronted the Ladies, and on the Right, they ſaw a great Court with a Stair up from the Garden, encompaſs’d with beautiful Apartments. The Slave had left them, and being alone, they diſcourſed together: For you, who are a wiſe Man, ſays the Prince of Perſia, I doubt not but you look with a great deal of Satisfaction upon all theſe Marks of Grandeur and Power: For my Part, I dont think there ​is any thing in the World more ſurprizing. But when I conſider that this is the glorious Habitation of the lovely Schemſelnihar, and that he is the greateſt Monarch of the Earth-who keeps her here, I confeſs to you that look upon my ſelf to be the moſt unfortunate of all Mankind, and that no Deſtiny can be more cruel than mine, to love an Object poſſeſs’d by my Rival, and that too, in a Place, where he is ſo Potent, that I cannot think my ſelf ſure of my Life one Moment.
Scheherazade ſaid no more that Night, becauſe Day began to appear; but next Night continued the Story thus.
The Hundred and Eighty Seventh Night.
SIR, Ebn Thaher hearing the Prince of Perſia ſpeak; as I told your Majeſty Yeſternight, ſays to him, Sir, I wiſh you could give me as good Afſurance of the happy Succeſs of your Amours, as I can you of the Safety of your Life: Though this ſtately Palace belongs to the Califf, who built it on Purpoſe for Schemſelnihar, called it, The Palace of Eternal Pleaſures, and that it makes part of his own Palace; yet you muſt know, that this Lady lives here at entire Liberty: She is not beſieged by Eunuchs to be Spies upon her: This is the particular Houſe that’s abſolutely at her Diſpoſal. She goes into the City when ſhe pleaſes, and returns again, without asking leave of any Body, and the Califf never comes to ſee her, but he ſends Meſrour, the chief of his Eunuchs, to give her Notice, that ſhe may be prepared to receive him: Therefore you may be eaſy, and give full Attention to the Conſort of Muſick, which I perceive Schemſelnihar is preparing for you.
Juſt as Ebn Thaher had ſpoke theſe Words, the Prince of Perſia, and he, ſaw the Fayourite’s truſty Slave come and give Orders to the Ladies to begin to ſing, and play with the Inſtruments: They all began immediately to play together as a Preludium, and after they had play’d ſome Tine, one of them began to ſing alone, and play’d at the ſame Time admirably well upon her Lute, being advertiſed before hand upon what Subject ſhe was to ſing. The Words were ſo agreeable to the Prince of Perſia’s Senti-​ments, that he could not forbear to applaud her at the End of the Stave: Is it poſſible, cries he, that you have the Gift of knowing People’s Hearts, and that your Knowledge of what is in my Mind, has occaſioned you to give us a Taſte of your charming Voice by thoſe Words? I ſhould not expreſs my ſelf otherwiſe were I to chuſe. The Lady reply’d nothing, but went on and ſung ſeveral other Staves, with which the Prince was ſo much affected, that he repeated ſome of them with Tears in his Eyes; which diſcovered plain enough that he apply’d them to himſelf. When ſhe had made an End, ſhe and her Companions roſe up and ſung all together, ſignifying by their Words, That the Full Moon was going to riſe in all her Splendour, and that they ſhould ſpeedily ſee her approach the Sun; by which it was meant, that Schemſelniher was juſt a coming, and that the Prince of Perſia ſhould have the Pleaſure to ſee her.
And in Effect, as they look’d towards the Court, they ſaw Schemſelnihar’s Confidant coming towards them; followed by ten black Women, who, with much ado, carried a Throne of maſſy Silver curiouſly wrought, which they ſet down before them at a certain Diſtance; after which the black Slaves retir’d behind the Trees to the Entrance of a Walk. After this came Twenty handſome Ladies richly apparell’d, all in one Dreſs: They advanc’d in two Rows ſinging and playing upon Inſtruments which each of them held in her Hand, and coming near the Throne, ten of them ſat down on each ſide of it.
All theſe Things kept the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher in ſo much the greater Expectation, that they were curious to know how they would end at laſt: They ſaw come out at the ſame Gate from whence the ten black Women came, ten other handſome Ladies very well dreſs’d, who halted there a few Moments expecting the Favourite, who came out at laſt and plac’d her ſelf in the midſt of them.
Day-light beginning to appear, Scheherazade was obliged to ſtop; but next Night purſued the Story thus.
The Hundred and Eighty Eighth Night.
SChemſelaihar was eaſily diſtinguiſh’d from the reſt, by her fine Shape, and majeſtick Air, as well as by a ſort of Mantle, of a very fine Stuff of Gold, and Sky-blue faſten’d to her Shoulders, over her other Apparel, which was the moſt handſome, beſt contriv’d, and moſt magnificent, that could be thought on.
The Pearls, the Rubies, and the Diamonds which adorn’d her, were in very good order, not many. in Number, but well choſen, and of ineſtimable Value: She came forward, with a Majeſty reſembling the Sun in its Courſe, amidſt the Clouds, which receives his Splendor without hiding his Luſtre; and ſat down upon the Silver Throne that was brought for her.
As ſoon as the Prince of Perſia ſaw Schemſelnihar, he could look upon nothing elſe. We ceaſe enquiring, ſays he to Ebn Thaher, after what we ſeek, when once we ſee it; and there is no doubt left remaining, when once the Truth makes it ſelf manifeſt. Do you ſee this charming Beauty? She is the Cauſe of all my Sufferings, which I hug, and will never forbear bleſſing them, how laſting forever they may be. At the Sight of this Object, I am not my own Maſter: my Soul’s difturb’d, and rebels, and I fancy ſhe has a Mind to leave me: Go then my Soul, I allow thee; but let it be for the Welfare and Preſervation of this weak Body. It is you, cruel Ebn Thaher, who are the Cauſe of this Diſorder; you thought to do me a great Pleaſure in bringing me hither, and I perceive that I am only come to compleat my Ruin. Pardon me, ſays he, interrupting himſelf, I am miſtaken, I was willing to come, and can blame no body but my ſelf; and at theſe Words broke out into Tears. I am very well pleas’d, ſays Ebn Thaher, that you do me Juſtice: When I told you at firſt, that Schemſelnihar was the Califf’s chief Favourite; I did it on purpoſe to prevent that fatal Paſſion which you pleaſe your ſef with entertaining in your Breaſt. All that you ſee here ought to diſengage you, and you are to think on nothing but of Acknowledgments, for the Honour which Schemſelnihar was willing to do you, by ordering me to bring you with me, Call in then your wandering ​Reaſon, and put your ſelf in a Condition to appear before her, as good Breeding requires. Lo! There ſhe comes; were the Matter to begin again, I would take other Meaſures; but ſince the Thing is done, I wiſh we may not repent it. What I have ſarther to ſay to you, is this, That Love is a Traytor, who may throw you into a Pit you will never get out of.
Ebn Thaher had no Time to ſay any more, becauſe Schemſelnihar came, and ſitting down upon her Throne, ſaluted them both, with bowing her Head; but ſhe fix’d her Eyes on the Prince of Perſia, and they ſpoke to one another in a ſilent Language intermix’d with Sighs; by which, in a few Moments, they ſpoke more than they could have done by Words in a great deal of Time. The more Schemſelnihar look’d upon the Prince, the more ſhe found by his Looks that he was in Love with. her, and being thus perſwaded of his Paſſion, thought herſelf the happieſt Woman in the World; at laſt ſhe turn’d her Eyes from him to command the Women who began to ſing firſt, to come near; they got up, and whilſt they advanc’d, the black Women who came out of the Walk into which they retir’d, brought their Seats, and ſet them near the Window, in the jet of the Dome, where Ebn Thaher, and the Prince of Perſia ſtood, and their Seats were ſo diſpoſed on each Side the Favourite’s Throne, that they form’d a Semicircle.
The Women, who were ſitting before ſhe came, took each of them their Places again, with the Permiſſion of Schemſelnihar, who ordered them by a Sign. That charming Favourite choſe one of thoſe Women to ſing, who after ſhe had ſpent ſome Moments in tuning her Lute, play’d a Song, the Meaning whereof was, That two Lovers who entirely loved one another, whoſe Affection was boundleſs, their Hearts, though in two Bodies, were one and the ſame; and when any thing oppos’d their Deſires, could ſay with Tears in their Eyes, If we love becauſe we find one another amiable, ought we to be blam’d for that? Let Deſtiny bear the Blame.
Schemſelnihar diſcover’d ſo well by her Eyes and Gefture, that thoſe Sayings ought to be apply’d to her, and the Prince of Perſia, that he could not content himſelf: He aroſe and came to a Baliſter, which he lean’d upon, and ​obliged one of the Women who came to ſing, to obſerve him. When ſhe was near him, Follow me, ſays he to her, and do me the Favour to accompany me with your Lute, a Song which you ſhall hear forthwith. Then he ſung with an Air ſo tender, and paſſionate, as, perfectly expreſſed the Violence of his Love. As ſoon as he had done, Schemſelnihar following his Example, ſaid to one of the Women, follow me likewiſe, and accompany my Voice. At the ſame time ſhe ſang after ſuch a Manner, as did further pierce the Heart of the Prince of Perſia, who anſwered her by a new Air, as paſſionate as the former.
Thoſe two Lovers declared their mutual Affections by their Songs, Schemſelnihar yielded to the Force of hers; ſhe aroſe from her Throne, and adyanc’d towards the Door of the Hall. The Prince, who knew her Deſign, aroſe immediately, and went towards her in all haſte. They met at the Door, where they took one another by the Hand, and embrac’d with ſo much Paſſion, that they fainted: And wou’d have fallen, if the Women, who follow’d them, had not help’d them. They ſupported them, and carried them to a Sopha, where they brought them to themſelves again, by throwing odoriferous Water upon their Faces, and by giving them things to ſmell to.
When they came to themſelves, the firſt Thing that Schemſelnihar did, was to look about, and not ſeeing Ebn Thaher, ſhe ask’d with a great deal of Concern, where he was? He had withdrawn out of reſpect, whilſt her Women were applying Things to recover her, and dreaded; not without Reaſon, that ſome troubleſome Conſequence might attend what had happen’d; but as ſoon as he heard Schemſelnihar ask for him, he came forward, and preſented himſelf before her.
Here the Sultaneſs gave over till the next Morning, becauſe Day appear’d, and then reſumed the Story next Night as follows.
The Hundred and Eighty Ninth Night.
SChemſelnihar was very well pleaſed to ſee Ebn Thaher, and expreſs’d her Joy in theſe Terms, Kind Ebn Thaher, I don’t know how to make amends tor the for the great ​Obligations you have put upon me; without you, I ſhould never have ſeen the Prince of Perſia, nor have loved that which is the moſt amiable Thing in the World: But you may aſſure your ſelf however, that I ſhail not die ungrateful, and that my Acknowledgment, if poſſible, ſhall be equal to the Obligation. Ebn Thaher anſwered this Compliment by a low Bow, and wiſh’d the Favourite the Accompliſhment of all her Deſires.
Schemſelnihar, turning towards the Prince of Perſia; who ſat by her, and looking upon him with ſome ſort of Confuſion, after what had paſs’d between them, ſays to him, Sir, I am very well aſſured you love me, and how great ſoever your Love may be to me, you need not doubt, but mine is as great towards you: But let’s not flatter our ſelves; for though we be both agreed, yet I ſee nothing for you and me but Trouble, Impatience, and tormenting Grief, There is no other Remedy for our Evils, but to love one another conſtantly, to refer our ſelves to the Diſpoſal of Heaven, and to expect till it ſhall determine our Deſtiny. Madam, replies the Prince of Perſia, You will do me the greateſt Injuſtice in the World, if you doubt but one Moment of the Continuance of my Love. It is ſo united to my Soul, that I can juſtly ſay, it makes the beſt part of it, and that I ſhall perſevere in it after Death. Pains, Torments, Obſtacles, nothing ſhall be capable of hindering me to love you. Speaking thoſe Words, he ſhed Tears in Abundance, and Schemſelnihar was not able to reſtrain her’s.
Ebn Thaher took this Opportunity to ſpeak to the Favourite, Madam, ſays he, a!low me to repreſent to you, that inſtead of breaking forth into Tears, you ought to rejoice that you are together. I underſtand not this Grief. What will it be when you are oblig’d to part? But what do I talk of that, we have been a long while here, and you know, Madam, that it’s Time for us to be going. Ah! How Cruel are you, replies Schemſelnihar! You, who knew the Cauſe of my Tears, have you no Pity for my unfortunate Condition? O! Sad Fatality, what have I done to be ſubject to the ſevere Law of not being able to enjoy the only Thing I love?
She being perſwaded that Ebn Thaher ſpoke to her only out of Friendſhip, did not take amiſs what he had ſaid to ​her, but made a right Uſe of it: Then ſhe made a Sign to the Slave, her Confident, who immediately went out, and in a little Time brought a Collation of Fruits, upon a ſmall ſilver Table; which ſhe ſat down betwixt her Miſtreſs and the Prince of Perſia; Schemſelnihar took ſome of the beſt, and preſented to the Prince, and pray’d him to eat it for her Sake: He took it, and put that Part to his Mouth which ſhe touched; and then he preſented ſome to her, which ſhe took, and eat in the ſame Manner; ſhe did not forget to invite Ebn Thaher to eat with them: But he thinking himſelf not ſafe in that Place, eat only out of Complaiſance. After the Collation was taken away, they brought a ſilver Baſon, with Water in a Veſſel of Gold, and waſh’d together: They afterwards return’d to their Places, and, then three of the ten black Women, brought each of them a Cup of Rock Chryſtal full of curious Wine, upon a golden Salver; which they ſet down before Schemſelnihar, the Prince of Perſia, and Ebn Thaher. That they might be more private, Schemſelnihar kept with her only ten black Women, with ten others who underſtood to ſing and play upon Inſtruments; and after ſhe had ſent away all the reſt, ſhe took up one of the Cups, and ho!ding it in her Hand, ſung ſome tender Expreſſions, which one of her Women accompanied with her Lute. When ſhe had done, ſhe drank, and afterwards took up one of the other Cups, and preſented to the Prince, praying him to drink tor the Love of her, as ſhe had drank for the Love of him. He receiv’d the Cup with a Tranſport of Love and Joy; but before he drank, he ſang alſo a Song, which another Woman accompanied with an Inſtrument; and as he ſang, the Tears fell from his Eyes in ſuch abundance, that he could not forbear expreſſing in his Song, that he knew not whether he was going to drink the Wine ſhe had preſented him, or his own Tears, Schemſelnihar, at laſt, preſented the third Cup to Ebn Thaher, who thanked her for her Kindneſs, and for the Honour ſhe did him.
After this, ſhe took a Lute from one of her Women, and ſung to it in ſuch a paſſionate Manner, as the ſeem’d to be out of her ſelſ; the Prince of Perſia ſtood with his Eyes fix’d upon her, as if he had been enchanted. As theſe things paſs’d, her truſty Slave arriv’d all in a Fright, and addreſſing her ſelf to her Miſtreſs, ſays, Madam, Meſ-​rour, and two other Officers, with ſeveral Eunuchs that attend them, are at the Gate, and want to ſpeak with you from the Califf. When the Prince of Perſia and En Thaher heard theſe Words, they changed Colour, and began to tremble, as if they had been undone: But Schemſelnihar, who perceived it, recovered their Courage by a Smile.
Here Schemſelnihar broke off till next Day, when ſhe reſumed the Story thus.
The Hundred and Ninetieth Night.
AFter Schemſelnihar had quieted the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher’s Fears, ſhe ordered the Slave, her Confidant to go and entertain Meſrour, and the two other Officers, till ſhe was in a Condition to receive them, and ſent her to bring them in. Immediately ſhe ordered all the Windows of the Saloon to be ſhut, and the painted Cloath on the Side of the Garden to be let down. And after having aſſured the Prince, and Ebn Thaher, that they might continue there without any Fear, She went out at the Gate, leading to the Garden, and ſhut it upon them: But whatever aſſurance ſhe had given them of their being ſafe, they were deſperately afraid all the while they were alone.
As ſoon as Schemſelnihar was in the Garden with the Women that had followed her, ſhe ordered all the Seats which ſerved the Women who played on the Inſtruments, to be ſet near the Window, where the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher heard them; and having got things in order, ſhe ſat down upon a ſilver Throne: Then fhe ſent Notice by the Slave her Confidant, to bring in the chief of the Eunuchs, and his ſubaltern Officers with him.
They appeared, followed by twenty black Eunuchs all handſomely cloathed, with Scimeters by their Sides, and Gold Belts of four Inches broad. As ſoon as ever they perceived the Favourite Schemſelnihar at a Diſtance, they made her a profound Reverence, which ſhe returned them from her Throne; when they came near, ſhe got up, and went to meet Meſrour who came firſt; ſhe asked what News he brought? He anſwered, Madam, The Commander of the Faithful has ſent me to ſignify, That he cannot live longer without ſeeing you; he deſigns to come and ​ſee you to Night, and I come before-hand to give you Notice, that you may be ready to receive him; He hopes, Madam, that you long as much to ſee him, as he is impatient to ſee you.
Upon this Diſcourſe of Meſrour, the Favourite Schemſelnihar proſtrated herſelf to the Ground, as a Mark of that Submiſſion with which ſhe received the Califf’s Order; when ſhe roſe up again, ſhe ſays, Pray tell the Commander of the Faithful, That I ſhall always reckon it my Glory to execute his Majeſty’s Command, and that his Slave will doher utmoſt to receive him with all the ReſpeCt that is due to him. At the ſame time ſhe ordered the Slave, her Confident, to tell the black Women appointed tor that Service, to get the Palace ready to receive the Califf, and diſmiſſingthe chief of the Eunuchs, ſays to him, You ſee it requires ſome Time to get all things ready, therefore I pray you to take care, that his Majeſty may have a little Patience, that when he arrives he may not find Things out of Order.
The chief of the Eunuchs and his Retinue being gone, Schemſelnihar returned to the Saloon, extreamly concerned at the Neceſſity ſhe was under of ſending back the Prince of Perſia ſooner than ſhe thought to have done. She came up to him again with Tears in her Eyes, which heighten’d Ebn Thaher’s Fear, who thought it no good Omen. Madam, ſays the Prince to her, I perceive you are come to tell me that we muſt part; provided there be nothing more to dread, I hope Heaven will give me the Patience which is neceſſary to ſupport your Abſence. Alas! My dear Heart, my dear Soul, replies tender-hearted Schemſelnihar, How happy do I think you, and how unhappy do-I think my ſelf, when I compare your Lot with my ſad Deſtiny! No doubt you will ſuffer by my Abſence; but that’s all, and you may comfort your ſelf with Hopes of ſeeing me again but as for me, juſt Heaven, what a terrible Trial am I brought to! I muſt not only be deprived of the ſight of the only Perſon whom I love, but I muſt be tormented with the ſight of one whom you have made hateful to me; Will not the Arrival of the Califf put me in mind of your Departure? And how can, when I am taken up with thinking your ſweet Face, entertain the Prince with that Joy which he always obſerv’d in my Eyes, whenever he came ​to ſee me? I ſhall have my Mind wavering when I ſpeak to him, and the leaſt Complaiſance which I ſhew to his Love, will ſtab me to the Heart like a Dagger: Can I reliſh his kind Words and Careſſes? Think Prince, to what Torments I ſhall be expoſed when I can-ſee you no-more. Her Tears and Sighs hindred her to go on, and the Prince of Perſia would have replied to her, but his own Grief, and that of his Miſtreſs, made him uncapable of doing it.
Ebn Thaher, whoſe chief Buſineſs was to get out of the Palace, was obliged to comfort them, and to exhort them to have Patience: But the truſty Slave interrupted them; Madam, ſays ſhe, to Schemſelnihar, you have no Time to loſe, the Eunuchs begin to arrive, and you know the Califf will be here immediately. O Heaven! how cruel is this Separation, cries the Favourite? Make haſte, ſays ſhe to the Confident, carry them both to the Gallery which looks into the Garden on the one Side, and to the Tygris on the other; and when the Night grows dark, let them out by the Back-gate, that they may retire with Safety. Having ſroke thus, ſhe tenderly embraced the Prince of Perſia, without being able to ſay one Word more, and went to meet the Calif in ſuch a Diſorder as cannot well be imagined.
In the mean time the truſty Slave carried the Prince and Ebn Thaher to the Gallery as Schemſelnihar had appointed, and having brought them in, left them there, and ſhut the Door upon them, after having aſſured them that they had nothing to fear, and that ſhe would come for them when it was time.
Here Scheherazade broke off, and next Night purſued the Story thus.
The Hundred and Ninety Firſt Night.
SIR, continued ſhe, Schemſelnihar’s truſty Slave leaving the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher, they forgot ſhe had aſſured them that they needed not to be afraid; They ſearch’d all the Gallery, and were ſeized with extream Fear, becauſe they knew no Place where they might eſcape, in Caſe the Califf or any of his Officers ſhould happen to come there.
​A great Light, which came all of a ſudden from the Side of the Garden thro’ the Windows, cauſed them to approach to ſee from whence it came; it was occaſioned by a hundred Flambeaux of white Wax carried by as many young Eunuchs; theſe were followed by more than an hundred others who guarded the Ladies of the Califf’s Palace cloathed and armed with Scimeters, in the ſame manner as thoſe I ſpoke of before, and the Califf came after them, betwixt Meſrour their Captain on his Right, and Vaſſif their ſecond Officer on his left Hand.
Schemſelnihar waited for the Califf at the Entry of an Ally, accompanied with twenty Women all of ſurprizing Beauty, adorn’d with Neck-laces and Ear- rings of large Diamonds, and ſome of them had their whole Heads covered with them: They played upon their Inſtruments, and made a charming Concert. The Favourite no ſooner ſaw the Prince appear, but ſhe advanced and proſtrated her ſelf at his Feet; and while ſhe was doing this, the Prince of Perſia, ſays ſhe, within herſelf, if your ſad Eyes bear Witneſs to what I do, judge of my hard Lot; if I were humbling my ſelf ſo before you, my Heart ſhould feel no Reluctance.
The Califf was raviſhed to ſee Schemſelnihar: Riſe, Madam, ſays he to her, come near, I am angry that I ſhould have deprived: my ſelf ſo long of the Pleaſure of ſeeing you; as he ſpoke thus, he took her by the Hand, and after abundance of tender Expreſſions, he went and ſat down upon a Silver Throne, which Schemſelnihar cauſed to be brought for him, and ſhe ſat down upon a Seat before him, and the twenty Women made a Circle round them upon other Seats, while the young Eunuchs who carried Flambeaux, diſperſed themſelves at a certain Diſtance from one another, that the Califf might enjoy the Cool of the Evening the better.
When the Califf ſat down, he look’d round him, and beheld with great Satisfaction a great many other Lights than thoſe Flambeaux the young Eunuchs he’d; but taking Notice that the Saloon was ſhut, was aſtoniſhed thereat, and demanded the Reaſon: It was done on Purpoſe to ſurprize him; for he had no ſooner ſpoken, but the Windows were all open at once, and he ſaw it illuminated within, and without, in a much better Manner than ever he ​Had ſeen it before. Charming Schemſelnihar, cries he, at this Sight, I underſtand you, you would have me to know there areas fine Nights as Days. After what I have ſeen, I cannot diſown it.
Let us return to the Prince of Perſia, and Ebn Thaher, whom we left in the Gallery: Ebn Thaher could not enough admire all that he ſaw, I am not very young, ſays he, and I have ſeen great Entertainments in my Time; but don’t think any Thing can be ſeen ſo ſurprizing or magnificent! All that’s ſaid of Enchanted Palaces, does no Ways come near this prodigious Spectacle we now ſee. O! What Riches and Magnificence together!
The Prince of Perſia was nothing at all moved with thoſe Objects which were ſo pleaſant to Ebn Thaher, he could look on nothing but Schemſelnihar, and the Preſence of the Calif threw him into an unconceivable Grief. Dear Ebn Thaher, ſays he, would to God that I had my Mind as free to admire thoſe Things as you. But alas! I am in a quite different condition, all thoſe Objects ſerve only to increaſe my torment. Can I ſee the Califf Cheek by Joll with her that I love, and not die of Grief? Muſt ſuch a Paſſionate Love as mine be diſturb’d with ſo potent a Rival. O Heavens! How cruel and ſtrange is my Deſtiny! It’s but a Moment ſince I eſteem’d my ſelf the moſt fortunate Lover in the World, and at this Inſtant I feel my Heart ſo ſtruck, that it’s like to kill me. I cannot reſiſt it, my dear Ebn Thaher, my Patience is at an End, my Diſtemper overwhelms me, and my Courage fails. While he was ſpeaking thoſe Words, he ſaw ſomething paſs in the Garden, which obliged him to keep ſilence, and to turn all his Attention that Way.
The Califf had order’d one of the Women who was near him, to play upon her Lute, and ſhe began to ſing; the Words that ſhe ſung were very paſſionate, and the Calif was perſuaded that ſhe ſung thus by Order of Schemſelnihar, who had frequently entertain’d him with the like Teſtimonies of her Affection, therefore he interpreted all in his own Favour: But this was not now Schemſelnihar’s Meaning; ſhe applied it to her dear Ali En Becar, and was ſo ſenlibly touch’d with Grief, to have before her an Object whoſe Preſence ſhe could no longer enjoy, that ſhe fainted and fell backwards upon her Seat, which having no Arms ​to ſupport her, ſhe muſt have fell down, had not ſome of the Women helped her in Time; after which they took her up, and carried her into the Saloon.
Ebn Thaher, who was in the Gallery, being ſurpriz’d at this Accident, turned towards the Prince of Perſia, but inſtead of ſeeing him ſtand and look thro’ the Window as before, he was extreamly amazed to ſee him fallen down at his Feet, and without Motion. He judged it to proceed from the Violence of that Prince’s Love to Schemſelnihar, and admired the ſtrange Effect of Sympathy, which put him into a mortal Fear, becauſe of the Place they were in, in the mean time he did all he cou’d to recover the Prince, but in vain. Ebn Thaher was in this Perplexity, when Schemſelnihar’s Confident open’d the Gallery Door, and came in out of Breath, as one who knew not where ſhe was. Come ſpeedily, cries ſhe, that I may let you out, all is in Confuſion here, and I fear this will be the laſt of our Days. Ah! how would you have us to go, replies Ebn Thaher with a mournful Voice, come near I pray you, and ſeewhat a Condition the Prince of Perſia is in. When the Slave ſaw him in a Swoon, ſhe ran for Water in all haſte, and return’d in an inſtant,
At laſt the Prince of Perſia, after they had thrown Water on his Face, recovered his Spirits. Prince, ſays Ebn Thaher to him, we run the Riſque of being deſtroyed it we ſtay here any longer, let us therefore endeavour to ſave our Lives. He was ſo feeble that he could not riſe alone; Ebn Thaher and the Confident lent him their Hands, and ſupported him on each Side. They came to a little Iron Gate which opens towards the Tygris, went out at it, and came to the Side of a little Canal which has a Communication with the River. The Confident clapp’d her Hands, and immediately a little Boat appear’d and came towards them with one Rower. Ali Ebn Becar and his Comrade went aboard, and the truſty Slave ſtayed at the Side of the Canal. As ſoon as the Prince ſat down in the Boat, he ſtretched one Hand towards the Palace, and laid his other upon his Heart: Dear Object of my Soul, cries he with a feeble Voice, receive my Faith with this Hand, while I aſſure you with the other that my Heart ſhall for eyer preſerve the Fire with which it burns for you.
​Here Scheherazade perceiving Day, held her Peace, and next Night reſum’d her Story thus,
The Hundred and Ninety Second Night.
IN the mean time the Boat-man rowed with all his Might, and Scherſelnibar’s truſty Slave accompanied the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher, walking along the Side of the Canal, until they came to the Tygris, and when ſhe could go no farther, ſhe took her Farewel of them and returned.
The Prince of Perſia continued very feeble, Ebn Thaher exhorted him, and comforted him to take Courage. Conſider, ſays he to him, that when we are landed, we have a great way to go before we come to my Houſe, and I would not adviſe you to go to your Lodgings, which are a great deal farther than mine, at this Hour, and in this Condition. At laſt they went out of the Boat, but the Prince had ſo little Strength that he could not walk, which put Ebn Thaher into great Perplexity. He remember’d he had a Friend in the Neighbourhood and carried the Prince thither with great Difficulty. His Friend received them very chearfully, and when he made them ſit down, he asked them where they had been ſo late, Ebn Thaher anſwered him, I was this Evening with a Man who owed me a conſiderable Sum of Money, anddelign’d to go along Voyage, I was unwilling to loſe Time to find him, and by the Way I met with this young Nobleman whom you ſee, and to whom I am under a thouſand Obligations, for knowing my Debtor, he would needs do me the Favour to go along with me. We had a great deal of Trouble to bring that Man to Reaſon. Beſides, we went out of the Way, and that’s the Reaſon we are ſo late. In our Return home, this good Lord, for whom I have a!l poſſible Reſpect, was attacked by a ſudden Diſtemper, which made me take the Liberty to call at your Houſe flattering my ſelf that you would be pleaſed to give us Quarters for this Night.
Ebn Thaher’s Friend took all this tor Truth, told them they were welcome, and offered the Prince of Perſia, whom he knew not, all the Aſſiſtance he could deſire; but Ebn Thaher ſpoke for the Prince, and ſaid, That his Diſtemper was of that Nature as required nothing but Reſt. His ​Friend underſtood by this that they deſired to go to Bed. Upon which he conducted them to an Apartment where he left them.
Tho’ the Prince of Perſia flept, he had troubleſome Dreams, which repreſented Schemſelnihar in a Swoon, at the Califf’s Feet, and encreaſed his Affliction. Ebn Thaher was very impatient to be at Home, and doubted not but his Family was in great Trouble, becauſe he never uſed to lie abroad. He roſe and departed early in the Morning, after he had taken Leave of his Friend, who roſe at Break of Day to ſay his Prayers, At laſt he came home, and the firſt Thing the Prince of Perſia did, who had walked ſo far with much Trouble, was to lie down upon a Sopha, as weary as if he had gone along Journey. Being not in a Condition to go home, Ebn Thaher ordered a Chamber to be made ready for him, and ſent to acquaint his Friends with his Condition, and where he was. In the mean time he begged him to compoſe himſelf, to command in his Houſe, and to order ail things as he pleas’d. I thank you heartily for thoſe obliging Offers, ſays the Prince of Perſia; but that I may not be any ways troubleſome to you, I conjure you to deal with me as if I were not at your Houſe, I would not ſtay one Moment, it I thought my Preſence would incommode you in the leaſt,
As ſoon as Ebn Thaher had Time to recollect himſelf, he told his Family all that paſs’d at Schemſelnihar’s Palace, and concluded, by thanking God, who had delivered him from the Danger he was in, The Prince of Perſia’s principal Domeſticks came to receive his Orders at Ebn Thaher’s Houſe, and in a little time there arrived ſeveral of his Friends who had Notice of his Indiſpoſition. Thoſe Friends paſſed the great part of the Day with him, and tho’ their Converſation could not extinguiſh thoſe ſad Ideas which were the Cauſe of his Trouble, yet it gave him ſome Relief. He would have taken his Leave of Ebn Thaher towards the Evening; but this faithful Friend found him ſtill ſo weak, that he obliged him to ſtay till next Day, and in the mean time to divert him, he gave him a Conſort of Vocal and Inſtrumental Muſick in the Evening; but this Conſort ſerved only to put him in mind of the preceding Night, and renewed his Trouble inſtead of aſſwaging it; ſo that next Day his Diſtemper ſeemed to increaſe; Upon ​this Ebn Thaher did not oppoſe his going home, but took care to accompany him thither, and when he was with him alone in his Chamber, he repreſented to him all thoſe Arguments which might influence him to a generous Endeavour to overcome that Paſſion, which in the End would neither prove lucky to himſelf nor to the Favourite, Ah! Dear Ebn Thaher cries the Prince, how eaſy is it for you to give this Advice, but how hard is it for me to follow it? I am ſenſible of its Importance, but am not able to profit by it. I have ſaid it already, that I ſhall carry to the Grave with me the Love that I bear to Schemſelnihar. When Ebn Thaher ſaw that he could gain nothing upon the Prince, he took his Leave of him and would have retired,
Scheherazade ſeeing Day begin to appear held her Peace, and next Morning reſumed her Diſcourſe thus.
The Hundred and Ninety Third Night.
THE Prince of Perſia retain’d him, and ſaid, kind Ebn Thaher, ſince I have declared yo you that it is not in my Power to follow your wiſe Counſels, I beg you would not charge it on me as a Crime, nor forbear to give me the uſual Teſtimonies of your Friendſhip, you cannot do me a greater Favour than to inform me of the Deſtiny of my dear Schemſelnihar, when you hear any News of it: The Uncertainty I am in concerning her Fate, and the mortal Apprehenſions her fainting has occaſioned in me, keeps me in this languiſhing Condition you reproach me with. My Lord anſwered Ebn Thaher, you have Reaſon to hope that her fainting was not attended with any bad Conſequence, her Confident will quickly come and inform me of the iſſue, and as ſoon as I know the Particulars, I will not fail to impart them.
Ebn Thaher left the Prince in this Hope, and returned Home, where he expected Schemſelnihar’s Confident all the reſt of the Day, but in vain, nor did ſhe come next Day: His Uneaſneisto know the State of the Prince of Perſia’s Health, would not ſuffer him to ſtay any longer without ſeeing him; he went to his Lodgings to exhort him to Patience, and found him lying on his Bed as ſick as ever, ſurrounded by a great many of his Friends, and ſeveral Phyſicians who made uſe of all their Art to diſcover the Cauſe ​of his Diſtemper. As ſoon as he ſaw Ebn Thaher, he look’d upon him ſmiling, to ſignify that he had two Things to tell him, the one, that he was glad to ſee him; the other, how much the Phyſicians, who could not diſcover the Cauſe of his Diſtemper, were out in their Reaſonings.
His Friends and Phyſicians retired one after another, ſo that Ebn Thaher being alone with him, came near his Bed to ask him how he did, ſince he ſaw him. I muſt tell you, anſwers the Prince, that my Paſſion which continually gathers new Strength, and the Uncertainty of the lovely Schemſelnihar’s Deſtiny, augments my Diſtemper every Moment, and caſts me into ſuch a Condition, as afflicts my Kindred and Friends, and breaks the Meaſures of my Phyſicians, who don’t underſtand it. You cannot think, adds he, how much I ſuffer to ſee ſo many People about me, who importune me, and whom I cannot in Civility put away. It’s your Company alone that is comfortable to me; but in a Word, I conjure you not to diſſemble with me, what News do you bring me of Schemſelnihar, have you ſeen her Confident? What ſays ſhe to you? Ebn Thaher anfwer’d that he had not ſeen her yet; and no ſooner had he told the Prince of Perſia this ſad News, but the Tears came from his Eyes, he could not anſwer one Word his Heart was ſo oppreſs’d. Prince, adds Ebn Thaher, ſuffer me to tell you, that you are very ingenious in tormenting yourſelf, In the Name of God, wipe away your Tears if any of your People ſhould come in juſt now, they would diſcover you by this, notwithſtanding the Care you ought to take to conceal your Thoughts. Whatever this judicious Confident cou’d ſay, it was not poſſible for the Prince to reſtrain from weeping: Wiſe Ebn Thaher, ſays he, when he had recoyered his Speech, I may well hinder my Tongue from revealing the Secrets of my Heart, but I have no Power over my Tears, upon ſuch a direful Subject as Schemſelnihar’s Danger. It that adorable and only Object of my Deſires be no longer in the World, I ſhall not be one Moment after her. Reject ſo afflicting a Thought, replied Ebn Thaher, Schemſelnihar is yet alive, you need not doubt of it; if you have heard no News of her, it’s becauſe ſhe could find no Occaſion to ſend to you, and I hope you will hear from her to Day. To this he added ſeveral other comfortable Things, and then retired.
​Ebn Thaher was ſcarce at his own Houſe, when Schemſelnihar’s Confident arrived with a melancholy Countenance, which he reckon’d a bad Omen. He asked News of her Miſtreſs: Tell me yours firſt, ſays the Confident, for he was in great Trouble to ſee the Prince of Perſia go away in that Condition. Ebn Thaher told her all that ſhe deſired to know, and when he had done, the Slave began her Diſcourſe: If the Prince of Perſia, ſays ſhe, has ſuffer’d, and does ſtill ſuffer for my Miſtreſs, ſhe ſuffers no leſs for him. After I departed from you, continues ſhe, I return’d to the Saloon, where I found Schemſelnihar not yet recovered from her Swoon, notwithſtanding all the Help they endeavoured to give her. The Califf was ſitting near her with all the Signs of real Grief: He ask’d all the Women, and me in particular, if he knew the Cauſe of her Diftemper; but we kept all ſecret, and told him we were all together ignorant of it. In the mean time we all wept to ſee her ſuffer ſo long, and forgot nothing that might any ways help her. Ina Word, it was almoſt Midnight before ſhe came to herſelf. The Califf, who had the Patience to wait all the while, was very glad at her Recovery, and ask’d Schemſelnihar the Cauſe of her Diſtemper. As ſoon as ſhe Heard him ſpeak, ſhe endeavoured to recover her Seat and after ſhe had kiſs’d his Feet, before he could hinder her, Sir, ſays ſhe, I have Reaſon to complain of Heaven, that it did not allow me to expire at your Majeſty’s Feet, to teſtify thereby how ſenſible I am of your Favours.
I am perſuaded you love me, ſays the Califf to her, and I command you to preſerve your ſelf for my Sake. You have probably exceeded in ſomething to Day, which has occaſioned this Indiſpoſition; take heed I pray you, abſtain from it for the future; I am very glad to ſee you better, and I adviſe you to ſtay here to Night, and not to return to your Chamber, for fear the Motion diſturb you. Upon this he commanded a little Wine to be brought her, in order to ftrengthen her, and then taking his Leave of her, return’d to his Apartment.
As ſoon as the Califf was gone, my Miſtreſs gave me a Sign to come near her. She ask’d me earneſtly concerning you: I affur’d her that you had been gone a long Time, which made her caſy to that Matter: I took Care not to ſpeak of the Prince of Perſia’s fainting, leaſt it ſhould make ​her fall into the ſame Condition, from which we had ſo much Trouble to recover her; but my Precautions were all in vain as you ſhall hear: Prince, ſays ſhe, I henceforth renounce all Pleaſures as I am deprived of a Sight of you. If I have underſtood your Heart right, I only follow your Example. Thou wilt not ceaſe to weep until thou ſeeſt me again; it’s but juſt that I weep and mourn ’till I ſee you. At theſe Words, which ſhe uttered in ſuch a Manner as expreſſed the Violence of her Paſſion, ſhe fainted a ſecond Time betwixt my Arms.
Here Scheherazade ſeeing Day begin to appear, broke off, and next Night purſued her Diſcourſe thus.
The Hundred and Ninty Fourth Night.
SChemſelnihar’s Confident continued to tell Ebn Thaher all that happen’d to her Miſtreſs after her firſt fainting. My Comrades and I, ſays ſhe, were a long Time in recovering her; at laſt ſhe came to herſelf, and then I ſaid to her, Madam, are you reſolved to kill yourſelt and to make us alſo die with you, I beg of you be perſuaded in the Name of the Prince of Perſia for whom it is your Intereſt to live, to ſave your ſelf as you love your ſelf, as you love the Prince, and for our ſakes who are ſo faithful to you. I am very much oblig’d to you, reply’d ſhe, for your Care; Zeal, and Advice; but alas! they are uſeleſs to me: You are not to flatter us with any Hopes, for we can expect no End of our Torment, but in the Grave. One of my Companions would have diverted thoſe ſad Thoughts by playing on her Lute, but ſhe commanded her to be ſilent, and order’d all of them to retire except me, whom ſhe kept all Night with her. O Heavens! What a Night was it! She paſſed it in Tears and Groans, and always naming the Prince of Perſia. She lamented her Lot, that had deſtined her to the Califf, whom ſhe could not love, and not for him whom ſhe lov’d ſo dearly.
Next Morning, becauſe ſhe was not commodiouſly lodgeed in the Saloon, I helped her to her Chamber, where ſhe no ſooner arriv’d, than all the Phyſicians of the Palace came to ſee her, by order of the Califf, who was not long a coming himſelf, The Medicines which the Phyſicians preſcribed for Schemſelnihar were to no purpoſe, becauſe ​they were ignorant of the Cauſe of her Diſtemper, and the Preſence of the Califf augmented it. She got a little Reſt however this Night, and as ſoon as ſhe awoke ſhe Charged me to come to you, to hear News of the Prince of Perſia. I have already inform’d you of his Caſe, ſaid Ebn Thaher; ſo return to your Miſtreſs, and aſſure her, that the Prince of Perſia waits for News from her with the like Impatience that ſhe does from him: beſides exhort her to Moderation, and to overcome her ſelf, for fear ſhe drop ſome Word before the Califf, which may prove fatal to us all. As for me, reply’d the Confident, I confeſs I dread her Tranſports; I have taken the Liberty to tell her my Mind, and am perſuaded that ſhe won’t take it ill that I tell her this from you.
Ebn Thaher, who had but juſt come from the Prince of Perſia’s Lodgings, thought it not convenient to return ſo ſoon, and neglect his own important Affairs, and therefore went not till the Evening: The Prince was a one, and no better than in the Morning. Ebn Thaher, ſays he to him, as ſoon as he ſaw him, you have doubtleſs many Friends, but they don’t know your Worth, which you diſcover to me by the Zeal, Care, and Trouble you give your ſelf, to oblige me in my Condition. I am confounded withall that you do for me with ſo great Affection, and I know not how I ſhall be able to expreſs my Gratitude, Prince, anſwer’d Ebn Thaher, don’t ſpeak ſo I entreat you; I am ready, not to only to give one of my own Eyes to ſave one of yours, but to ſacrifice my Lite for you. But this is not the preſent Buſineſs, I come to tell you that Schemſelnihar ſent her Confident to ask me about you, and at the ſame time to inform me of her Condition, You may aſſure yourſelf that I ſaid nothing but what might confirm the Exceſs of your Paſſion for her Miſtreſs, and the Conſtancy with which you love her. Then Ebn Thaher gave him a particular Account of all that had paſs’d betwixt the truſty Slave and him. The Prince liſten’d with all the different Motions of Fear, Jealouſy, Affection, and Compaſſion which his Diſcourſe could inſpire him with, making upon every thing which he heard all the afflicting or comforting Reflections that ſo paſſionate a Lover was capable of.
​Their Converſation continued ſo long that the Night was far advanced, ſo that the Prince of Perſia obliged Ebn Taber to ſtay with him. To Morrow Morning, as this truſty Friend return’d Home, there came to him a Woman whom he knew to be Schemſelniha’s Confident, and immediately ſhe ſpoke to him thus: My Miſtreis ſalutes you, and I am come to intreat you in her Name, to deliver this Letter to the Prince of Perſia. The zealous Ebn Thaher took the Letter, and returned to the Prince, accompanied with the Confident Slave.
Scheherazade ſtopp’d here for this Time, becauſe Day began to appear; and reſumed her Diſcourſe to the Sultan of the Indies the Night following, and ſaid,
The Hundred and Ninety Fifth Night.
SIR, When Ebn Thaher entred the Prince of Perſia’s Houſe, with Schemſelnihar’s Confidant, he pray’d her to ſtay one Moment in the Drawing Room. As ſoon as the Prince of Perſia ſaw him, he ask’d earneſtly what News he had? The beſt you can expect, anſwer’d Ebn Thaher: You are as dearly beloved as you love; Schemſelnihar’s Confident is in your Drawing Room; ſhe has brought you a Letter from her Miſtreſs, and waits for your Orders to come in. Let her come in, cries the Prince, with a Tranſport of Joy, and ſpeaking thus, he ſat down to receive her.
The Prince’s Attendants went from him as ſoon as they ſaw Ebn Thaher, and left him alone with their Maſter; Ebn Thaher went and open’d the Door, and brought in the Confident. The Prince knew her and received her very civilly. My Lord, ſays ſhe to him, I am ſenſible of the Afflictions you have endured, ſince I had the Honour to conduct you to the Boat which waited to bring you back; but I hope this Letter I have brought will contribute to your Cure: Upon this ſhe preſented him the Letter: He took it, and after he had kiſs’d it ſeveral Times, he opened and read it as follows.
A Letter from Schemſelnihar to Ali Ebn Becar, Prince of Perſia.
THE Perſon who brings you this Letter will give you a better a Account concerning me than I can do; for I have not been my ſelf ſince I ſaw you: Being deprived of your Preſence, I ſought to divert my ſe!f by entertaining you with theſe ill writ Lines, with the ſame Pleaſure as if I had the good Fortune to ſpeak to you.
It’s ſaid that Patience is a Cure for all Diſtempers, but it ſours mine inſtead of ſweetning it. Altho’ your Picture be deeply engraven in my Heart, my Eyes deſire conſtantly to ſee the Original; and they will loſe their Light it they be any conſiderable Time deprived of it. May I flatter my ſelf that yours has the ſame Impatience to ſee me? Yes, I can; their tender Glances diſcover’d it to me. How happy, Prince, ſhould you and Schemſelnihar both be, if our agreeable Deſires were not croſs’d by invincible Obſtacles which afflict me as as ſenſibly as they do you.
Thoſe Thoughts which my Fingers write, and which I expreſs with incredible Pleaſure, and repeat again and again, ſpeak from the Bottom of my Heart, and from the incurable Wound which you have made in it; a Wound which I bleſs a thouſand times, notwithſtanding the cruel Torment I endure for your Abſence. I would reckon al that oppoſes our love nothing, were I only allow’d to ſee you ſometimes with Freedom; I would enjoy you then, and what could I deſire more?
Don’t imagine that I ſay more than I think. Alas! whatever Expreſſions I am able to uſe, yet I am ſenſible that I think more than I can tell you. My Eyes which are continually watching and weeping for your Ruturn: My afflicted Heart, which deſires nothing but you alone; The Sighs that eſcape me as often as I think on you, that is, every Moment: My Imagination, which repreſents no other Object to me than my dear Princes the Complaints that I make to Heaven for the Rigour of my Deſtiny: In a Word, my Grief, my Trouble, my Torments, which give me no Eaſe ever ſince I loſt the Sight of you, are Witneſſes of what I write.
​Am not I unhappy to be born to love, without Hope of enjoying him whom I love? This doleful Thought oppreſſes me ſo, that I ſhould die were I not perſuaded that you love me: But this ſweet Comfort ballances my Deſpair and preſerves my Life: Tell me that you love me always; I will keep your Letter carefully, and read it a thouſand times a Day: I will endure my Afflictions with leſs Impatience: I pray Heaven may ceaſe to be angry at us, and grant us an Opportunity to ſay that we have one another without Fear; and that we may never ceaſe to love. Adieu, I ſalute Ebn Thaher who has ſo much oblig’d us,
The Prince of Perſia was not ſatisfy’d to read the Letter once, he thought he had read it with too little Attention, and therefore read it again with more Leiſure; as he read, ſometimes he utter’d Sighs, ſometimes he wept, and times he diſcover’d Tranſports of Joy and Aﬀection, as one who was touch’d with what he read. In a Word, he could not keep his Eyes off thoſe Characters drawn by ſo lovely a Hand, and therefore began to read it a third time. Then Ebn Thaher told him that the Confident could not ſay, and that he ought to think of giving an Anſwer. Alas! cries the Prince, how would you have me anſwer ſo kind a Letter? In what Terms ſhall I expreſs the Trouble that I am in? My Spirit is toſs’d with a thouſand tormenting Things, and my Theughts deſtroy one another the ſame Moment they are conceiv’d, to make way for more; and ſo long as my Body ſuffers by the Impreſſions of my Mind, how ſhall I be able to hold Paper or a Reed to write?
Having ſpoke thus, he took out of a little Desk, Paper, Cane, and Ink.
Scheherazade perceiving Day, broke off her Story, and began again next Day as follows.
The Hundred and Ninety Sixth Night.
SIR, the Prince of Perſia, before he began to write, gave Schemſelnihar’s Letter to Ebn Thaher, and pray’d him to hold it open while he wrote, that by caſting his Eyes upon it he might ſee the better what to anſwer. He began to write; but the Tears that fell from his Eyes upon the Paper obliged him ſeveral Times to ſtop, that they might trickle down the more freely. At laſt he finiſh’d his Letter, and giving it to Ebn Thaher, read it, I pray, ſays he to him, and do me the Favour to ſee if the Diſorder of my Mind has allowed me to give a reaſonable Anſwer, Ebn Thaher took it, and read it as follows.
The Prince of Perſia’s Anſwer to Schemſelnihar’s Letter.
I WAS ſwallow’d up with mortal Grief when I receiv’d your Letter; at the Sight of which I was tranſported with unſpeakable Joy; and at the View of the Characters writ by your lovely Hand, my Eyes were enlightened more ſenlibly than they were darkened when yours were cloſed on aſudden at the Feet of my Rival. Theſe Words which your courteous Letter contains, are ſo many Rays of Light which have diſpelled the Darkneſs my Soul was obſcur’d with; they ſhew me how much you ſuffer by your Love to me, and that you are not ignorant of what I endure for you, and thereby comfort me in my Afflictions. On the one Hand they make me ſhed Tears in Abundance, and on the other, they inflame my Heart with a Fire which ſupports it, and hinders me to die of Grief. I have not had one Moment’s Reſt ſince our cruel Separation. Your Letter only gave me ſome Eaſe. I kept a ſorrowful Silence, till the Moment I receiv’d it, and then it reſtor’d me to Speech. I was buried in a profound Melancholy, but it inſpir’d me with Joy, which immediately appear’d in my Eyes and Countenance. But my Surprize at receiving a Favour which I had not deſerved, was ſo great; that I knew not which Way to begin to teſtify my Thankfulneſs for it. In a Word, after having Kiſ’d it ſeveral Times, as a valuable Pledge of your ​Goodneſs, I read it over and over, and was confounded at the Exceſs of my good Fortune. You would have me to ſignify to you, that I always love you: Ah! though I did not love you ſo perfectly as I do, I could not forbear adoring you, after all the Marks you have given me, of a Love ſo uncommon: Yes, I love you, my dear Soul, and ſhall account it my Glory to burn all my Days, with that ſweet Fire you have kindled in my Heart. I will never complain of that brisk Ardour, with which I find it conſumes me: And how rigorous ſoever the Grief be, which I ſuffer, I will bear it couragiouſly, in Hopes to ſee you ſome time or other. Would to Heaven it were to Day, and that inſtead of ſending you my Letter, I might be allow’d to come and aſſure you, that I die for Love of you! My Tears hinder me from ſaying any more. Adieu.
Ebn Thaher could not read thoſe laſt Lines without weeping. He return’d the Letter to the Prince of Perſia and aſſur’d him it wanted no Correction. The Prince, ſhut it, and when he had ſeal’d it, he deſir’d the truſty Slave to come near, and told her, this is my Anſwer to your dear Miſtreſs, I conjure you to carry it her, and to ſalute her in my Name. The Slave took the Letter, and retir’d with Ebn Thaher.
Here the Sultaneſs ſtopp’d, and continued her Story next Night in the following manner.
The Hundred and Ninety Seventh Night.
AFTER Ebn Thaher has walk’d ſome way with the slave, he left her, and went to his Houſe, and began to think in earneſt upon the amorous Intrigue into which he found himſelf unhappily engaged. He conſider’d, that the Prince of Perſia and Schemſelnihar, notwithſtanding their Intereſt to conceal their Correſpondence, did manage themſelves with ſo little Diſcretion, that it could not be long a Secret. He drew all the Conſequences from it, which a Man of good Senſe ought to do. Were Schemſelnihar, ſaid he to himſelf, an ordinary Lady, I would contribute all my Power, to make her and her Sweetheart happy; but ſhe is the Califf’s Favourite, and no Man can without Danger undertake to diſpleaſe him. His Anger would fall at firſt upon Schemſelnihar, it will coſt the ​Prince of Perſia his Life, and I ſhall be embark’d in his Misfortune. In the mean time, I have my Honour, my Quiet, my Family, and my Eſtate to preſerve, I muſt then deliver my ſelf out of ſo great a Danger, while I can.
He was taken up with theſe thoughts all the Day; next Morning he went to the Prince of Perſia, with a Deſign to uſe his utmoſt Endeavours to oblige him to conquer his Paſſion. He actually repreſented to him what he had formerly done in vain, That it would be much better for him to make uſe of all his Courage, to overcome his Inclination for Schemſelnihar, than to ſuffer himſelf to be to conquer’d by it; and that his Paſſion was ſo much the more dangerous, as his Rival was the more Potent. In a Word, Sir, adds he, if you will hearken to me, you ought to think of nothing but to triumph over your Amour; otherwiſe you run a Riſque of deſtroying your ſelf with Schemſelnihar, whoſe Life ought to be dearer to you than your own. I give you this Counſel as a Friend, for which you will thank me ſome Time or other.
The Prince heard Ebn Thaher with a 2 deal of Impatience, but ſuffered him however to ſpeak out his Mind, and then reply’d to him thus, Ebn Thaher, ſays he, do you think I can forbear to love Schemſelnihar, who loves me ſo tenderly; ſhe is not afraid to expoſe her Life for me, and would you have me to regard mine? No, whatever Misfortune befal me, I will love Schemſelnihar to my laſt Breath.
Ebn Thaher being offended with the Obſtinacy of the Prince of Perſia, left him haſtily, and going to his own Houſe, recalled to Mind what he had thought on the other Day, and began to think in earneſt what he ſhould do. At the ſame Time a Jeweller, one of his intimate Friends, came to ſee him. This Jeweller had perceived that Schemſelnihar’s Confidant came oftner to Ebn Thaher than uſual, and that he was conſtantly with the Prince of Perſia, whoſe Sickneſs was known to every one, though not the Cauſe of it. The Jeweller began to grow Suſpicious, and he finding Ebn Thaher very penſive, he judg’d preſently that he was perplex’d with ſome important Affair, and fancying that he knew the Cauſe, he ask’d what Schemſelnihar’s Confidant wanted with him? Ebn Thaher being ſtruck with this Queſtion, would have diſſembled and told him ​that it was for a Trifle ſhe came ſo frequently to him; You don’t tell me the Truth, ſays the Jeweller, and give me ground to think by your Diſſimulation, that this Trifle is a more important Affair than at firſt I thought it to be. Ebn Thaher perceiving that his Friend preſſed him ſo much, ſays to him, its true, that it’s an Affair of the greateſt Conlequence; I had reſolved to keep it ſecret, but ſince I know how much you are my Friend, I chuſe rather to make you my Confidant, than to ſuffer you to be in a Miſtake about it, I don’t recommend it to you to keep the Secret, for you’ll eaſily judge by what I am going to tell you, how important it is to keep it. After this Preamble, he told him the Amour between Schemſelnihar and the Prince of Perſia. You-know, continues he, in what Eſteem I am at Court, in the City, and with Lords and Ladies of the greateſt Quality, what a Diſgrace would it be for me, ſhould this raſh Intrigue come to be diſcovered. But what do I ſay? Should not I and my Family be quite deſtroyed? That’s the Thing perplexes my Mind; but I have juſt now come to ſuch a Reſolve as I ought to make, I will go immediately and ſatisfy my Creditors, and recover my Debts, and when I have ſecured my Eſtate, will retire to Balzora, and ſtay till the Tempeſt, that I foreſee, blows over. The Friendſhip I have for Schemſelnihar and the Prince of Perſia, makes me very ſenſible to what Danger they are expos’d. I pray Heaven to diſcover it to themſelves, and to preſerve them; but if their ill Deſtiny will have their Amours come to the Knowledge of the Califf, I ſhall, at leaſt, be out of the Reach of his Reſentment; for I don’t think them ſo wicked, as to deſign to draw me into their own Misfortunes. It. would be extream Ingratitude in them to do ſo, and a ſorry Reward for the good Service I have done them, and the good Advice I have given them, particularly to the Prince of Perſia, who may ſave himſelf and his Miſtreſs, both from this Precipice, if he pleaſes; he may as eaſily leave Bagdad as I, and Abſence will inſenſibly diſengage him from a Paſſion, which will only increaſe whilſt he continues in this Place.
The Jeweller was extreamly ſurprized at what Ebn Thaher told him, What you ſay to me, ſays he, is of ſo great Importance, hat I can’t underſtand how Schemſelni-​har and the Prince have been capable to abandon themſelves to ſuch a violent Amour; what Inclination ſoever they may have for one another, inſtead of yielding to it, they ought to reſiſt it, and make a better uſe of their Reaſon. Is it poſſible they can be inſenſible of the dangerous Conſequences of their Correſpondence? How deplorable is their Blindneſs? I perceive all the Conſequences of it as well as you, but you are wiſe and prudent, and I approve your Reſolution, that’s the only way to deliver your ſelf from the fatal Events which you have Reaſon to fear. After this, the Jeweller roſe up, and took his Leave of Ebn Thaher.
The Sultaneſs ſtopp’d here, and continu’d the Story next Night as follows.
The Hundred and Ninety Eighth Night.
BEfore the Jeweller retir’d, Ebn Thaher conjur’d him, by the Friendſhip betwixt them, to ſpeak nothing of this to any Body. Be not afraid, ſays the Jeweller, I will keep this Secret on Peril of my Lite.
Two Days after, the Jeweller went to Ebn Thaher’s Shop, and ſeeing it ſhut, he doubted not but he had executed the Deſign he ſpoke of; but to be ſure, he ask’d a Neighbour, if he knew why it was ſhut? The Neighbour, anſwer’d, that he knew not, unleſs Ebn Thaher was gone a Journey. There was no need of his enquiring further, and immediately he thought upon the Prince of Perſia, unhappy Prince, ſays he to himſelf, what Grief will this be to you when you hear this News? By what Means will you now entertain your Correſpondence with Schemſelnihar? I fear you will die of Deſpair, I have Compaſſion on you, I muſt make up the Lots that you have of a too fearful Confidant.
The Buſineſs that obliged him to come Abroad; was of no Conſequence; ſo that he neglected it: And though he had no Knowledge of the Prince of Perſia, but only by having ſold him ſome Jewels, he went ſtraight to his Houſe; he addreſs’d himſelf to one of his Servants, and pray’d him to tell his Maſter, that he deſired to ſpeak with him about a Buſineſs of very great Importance, The Servant return’d immediately to the Jeweller, and introduc’d ​him to the Prince’s Chamber, who was leaning upon a Sopha, with his Head upon a Cuſhion. As ſoon as the Prince ſaw him, he roſe up to receive him, ſaid he was welcome, and entreated him to ſit down; ask’d him if he could ſerve him in any thing, or if he came to tell him anything concerning himſelt. Prince, anſwers the Jeweler, though I have not the Honour to be particularly acquainted with you, yet the Deſire of teſtitying my Zeal, has made me take the Liberty to come to your Houſe, to impart to you ſome News that concerns you. I hope you will pardon my Boldneſs, becauſe of my good Intention.
After this Introduction, the Jeweller enter’d upon the Matter, and purſu’d it thus: Prince, I ſhall have the Honour to tell you, that it’s a long time, ſince the Conſormity of Humour, and ſeveral Afſairs we had together, united Ebn Thaher, and me in ſtrict Friendſhip, I know you are acquainted with him, and that he has been employed in obliging you in all that he could, I am inform’d of this from himſelf, for he keeps nothing ſecret from me, nor I from him. I went juſt now to his Shop, and was ſurprized to find it ſhut, I addreſs’d my ſelf to one of his Neighbours to ask the Reaſon; he anſwer’d me, that two Days ago Ebn Thaher took his Leave of him, and other Neighbours, offering them bis Service at Balſora, whither he is gone, ſaid he, about an Affair of great Importance. Not being ſatisfied with this Anſwer, the Concern that I have for whatever belongs to him, determined me to come and ask, if you knew any thing particularly concerning this his ſudden Departure.
At this Diſcourſe, which the Jeweler accommodated, to the Subject, that he might come the better to his Deſign, the Prince of Perſia changed Colour, and look’d ſo, as made the Jeweller ſenſible that he was afflicted with the News. I am ſurpriz’d at what you inform me, ſays he, there could not a greater Misfortune befal me: Ah! ſays he, with Tears in his Eyes, I am undone, if what you tell me be true! Has Ebn Thaher, who was all my Comfort, in whom I put all my Confidence, left me! I cannot think of living after ſo cruel a Blow.
​The Jeweller needed no more to convince him fully of the Prince of Perſia’s violent Paſſion, which Ebn Thaher told him of; meer Friendſhip would not let him ſpeak ſo, nothing but Love could produce ſuch feeling Expreſſions.
The Prince continued ſome Moments ſwallowed up with thoſe melancholy Thoughts; at laſt he lifted up his Head, and calling one of his Servants, go, ſays he, to Ebn Thaher’s Houſe, and ask any of his Domeſticks if he be gone to Balſora: Run and come back quickly, and tell me what you hear. While the Servant was gone, the Jeweller endeavour’d to entertain the Prince of Perſia with indifferent Subjects; but the Prince gave little heed to him, He was a Prey to fatal Grief: Sometimes he could not perſwade himſelf that Ebn Thaher was gone, and other times he did not doubt of it, when he reflected upon the Diſcourſe he had with him the laſt time he ſaw him, and the angry Countenance with which he left him.
At laſt the Prince’s Servants return’d, and reported that he had ſpoke with one of Ebn Thaher’s Servants, who aſſured him that he was gone two Days before to Balſora. As I came from Ebn Thaher’s Houſe, adds the Servant, a Slave well arrayed came to me, and after ſhe asked me if I had the Honour to belong to you, ſhe told me ſhe wanted to ſpeak with you, and begg’d at the ſame time that ſhe might come along with me: She is in the outer Chamber, and I believe ſhe has a Letter to give you from ſome Perſon of Note. The Prince commanded immediately to bring her in, he doubted not but it was Schemſelnihar’s Confidant Slave, as indeed it was. The Jeweller, knew who ſhe was, having ſeen her ſeveral times at Enn Thaher’s Houſe: She could not have come in a better time to hinder the Prince from Deſpair. She ſaluted him._____
But Sir, ſaid Scheherazade, by this time I perceive it’s Day. She held her Peace, and next Night went on after this Manner.
The Hundred and Ninety Ninth Night.
THE Prince of Perſia did likewile ſalute Schemſelnihar’s Confidant. The Jeweller aroſe as ſoon as he ſaw her appear, and ſtepp’d aide, to leave them at Liberty to ſpeak together. The Confidant after ſhe had convers’d ſome time with the Prince, took her Leave and departed, She left him quite another thing than before: His Eyes appeared brighter, and his Countenance more gay, which made the Jeweller know that the good Slave came to tell him ſome News that favoured his Amour.
The Jeweller having taken his Place again, near the Prince, ſays to him ſmiling, I ſee, Prince, you have important Affairs at the Califf Palace. The Prince of Perſia was aftoniſh’d, and alarm’d at this Diſcourſe, and anſwer’d the Jeweller, Why do you judge that I have Affairs at the Califf’s Palace? I judge reply’d the Jeweler, by the Slave who is gone forth. And to whom think you belong this Slave, reply’d the Prince? To Schemſelnihar the Califf’s Favoourite, anſwer’d the Jeweller: I know, continues he, both the S’ave and her Miftreſs, who has ſeveral times done me the Honour to come to my Houſe and buy Jewels. Beſides, I know that Schemſelnihar keeps nothing ſecret from this Slave; and have ſeen her go and come for ſeveral Days along the Streets very much troubled as I thought; I imagined that it was for ſome Afſair of Conſequence concerning her Miſtreſs.
The Jeweller’s Words did much trouble the Prince of Perſia. He would not ſay ſo, ſays he to himſelf, if he did not ſuſpect, or rather know my Secret. He remained ſilent for ſome time, not knowing what to anſwer. At laſt he began, and ſaid to the Jeweller, You have told me thoſe Things which make me believe, that you know yet more than you have acquainted me with, it will tend much to my Quiet, if I be perfecly inform’d, I conjure you therefore not to diſſemble with me.
Then the Jeweller, who deſired no better gave him a particular Account of what had paſſed betwixt Ebn Thaher and himſelf; ſo that he let him know that he was inform’d of his Correſpondence with Schemſelnihar, and forgot not to tell him that Ebn Thaher was afraid of the ​Danger of being his Confidant in the Matter, which was partly the Occaſion of his retiring to Balſora, to ſtay there until the Storm, which he feared, ſhould be over. This he has done, adds the Jeweller, and I am ſurpriz’d how he could determine himſelf to abandon you, in the Condition he inform’d me you was in. As for me, Prince, I confeſs, I am moved with Compaſſion towards you, and am come to offer you my Service, and if you do me the Favour to accept of it, I engage my ſelf to be as ſaithful to you as Ebn Thaher; beſides, I promiſe to be more conſtant, I am ready to ſacrifice my Honour and Life for you: And in fine, that you may not doubt of my Sincerity, I ſwear by all that’s Sacred in our Religion, to keep your Secret inviolable. Be perſwaded then, Prince, that you will find in me the Friend which you have loſt. This Diſcourſe encourag’d the Prince, and comforted him under Ebn Thaher’s Abſence. I am very glad, ſays he to the Jeweller, to find in you a Reparation of my Loſs: I want Words to expreſs the Obligations I am under to you. I pray God to recompence your Generoſity, and accept your obliging Offer with all my Heart. Believe it, continues he, that Schemſelnihar’s Confidant came to ſpeak to me concerning you, ſhe told me that it was you who adviſed Ebn Thaher to go from Bagdad, theſe were the laſt Words ſhe ſpoke to me, when ſhe went away, and had almoſt perſwaded me of it. But don’t you reſent it, for I doubt not ſhe is deceiv’d after what you have told me. Prince, replied the Jeweller, I have had the Honour to give you a ſaithful Account of my Converſation with Ebn Thaher. It’s true, when he told me he would retire to Balſora, I did not oppoſe his Deſign, but ſaid he was a wiſe and prudent Man; and that this may not hinder you to put your Confidence in me, I am ready to ſerve you with all imaginable Zeal, which though you do otherwiſe, this ſhall not hinder me from keeping your ſecret religiouſly, according to my Oath. I have already told you, replies the Prince, that I wou’d not believe what the Confidant ſaid, it’s her Zeal which inſpir’d her with this groundleſs Suſpicion, and you ought to, excuſe it ​They continu’d their Converſation for ſome time, and conſulted together of convenient Means to entertain the Prince’s Correſpondence with Schemſelnihar. They agreed to begin by diſabuſing the Confidant, who was ſo unjuſtly prepoſſeſſed againſt the Jeweller. The Prince engaged to undeceive her the firſt time ſhe returned, and to entreat her to engage her ſelf to the Jeweller, that ſhe might bring the Letters, or any other Information from her Miſtreſs to him. In Effect they agreed, that ſhe ought not to come ſo frequently to the Prince’s Houſe, becauſe thereby ſhe might give an Occaſionto diſcover that which was of ſo great Importance to conceal. At laſt the Jeweller aroſe, and after having again prayed the Prince of of Perſia to have an entire Confidence in him, he retired.
The Sultaneſs Scheherazade ſeeing Day begin to appear, broke off her Diſcourle, and next Night reſumed it thus,
The Two Hundredth Night.
SIR, The Jeweller returning to his Houſe, perceived before him a Letter, which ſome Body had dropp’d in the Street, he took it up, and ſince it was not ſeal’d, he open’d it, and found it conceiv’d in theſe Terms.
A Letter from Schemſelnihar to the Prince of Perſia.
I Am inform’d by my Confidant, of a piece of News which troubles me, no leſs than it does you, by loſing Ebn Thaher, we have indeed loſt much; but let not this hinder you, dear Prince, from thinking to preſerve your ſelf, If our Confidant has abandon’d us through a panick Fear, let’s conſider that it’s a Misfortune which we could not avoid. I confeſs, Ebn Thaher has left us at a Time, when we need him moſt; but let us fortify our ſelves by Patience, againſt this unlook’d tor Accident, and let us not forbear to love one another conſtantly, Fortify your Heart againſt this Misfortune, no body can obtain what they deſire without Trouble. Let us not diſcourage our ſelves, but hope that Heaven will fayour us, and that after ​ſo many Aflictions, we ſhall come to a happy Accompliſhment of our Deſires. Adieu.
While the Jeweller was converſing with the Prince of Perſia, the Confidant had time to return to the Palace, and tell her Miſtreſs the ill News of Ebn Thaher’s Departure, Schemſelnihar immediately wrote this Letter, and ſent back her Confidant with it to the Prince of Perſia, but ſhe negligently dropp’d it.
The Jeweller was glad to find it, for it was a good Way to ſethim right with the Confidant, and bring him to the Point he deſired. When he had read it, he perceived the Slave, who ſought it with a great deal of Uneaſineſs, looking about every where. He cloſed it again quickly, and put it into his Boſom, but the Slave took Notice of it; and ran to him; Sir, ſays ſhe, I have dropp’d a Letter, which you had juſt now in your Hand, I beſeech you be pleaſed to reſtore it, The Jeweller taking no Notice that he heard her, continued his Way till he came to his Houle, He did not ſhut the Door behind him, that the Confidant, who followed him, might come in. She accordingly did ſo, and when ſhe came to his Chamber, Sir, ſays ſhe to him, you can make no Uſe of that Letter you have found and you would make no Difficulty of returning it to me, if you knew from whom it came, and to whom it is directed, Beſides, let me tell you, you cannot honeſtly keep it.
Before the Jeweller anſwer’d the Confinement, he made her fit down, and then he ſaid to her, Is not this Letter from Schemſelnihar, and is it ngt directed to the Prince of Perſia? The Slave, who expected no ſuch Queſtion bluſh’d: The Queſtion puzzles you, replies he, but I aſſure you I don’t propoſe it raſhly: I could have given you the Letter in the Street, but I ſuffer’d you to follow me, on purpoſe that I might diſcourſe with you: Is it juſt, tell me, to impute an unhappy Accident to People who no Ways contributed towards it? Yet this you have done, in telling the Prince of Perſia, that it was I who counſell’d Ebn Thaher to leave Bagdad for his own Safety. I don’t pretend to loſe time in juſtifying my ſelf to you, it’s enough that the Prince of Perſia is fully perſwaded of my Innocence in this Matter, I will only tell you, that inſtead ​of contributing to Ebn Thaher’s Departure, I have been extreamly afflicted at it, not ſo-much for my Friendſhip to him, as out of Compaſſion for the Condition he left the Prince of Perſia in, whoſe Correſpondence with Schemſelnihar he has diſcovered to me. As ſoon as I knew certainly that Ebn Thaher was gone from Bagdad, I went to preſent my ſelf to the Prince, in whoſe Houſe you found me, to inform him of this News, and to offer him the ſame Service which he did him, and provided you put the ſame Confidence in me, that you did in Ebn Thaher, you may ſerve yourſelf very well by my Aſſiſtance. Inform your Miſtreſs of what I have told you, and affure her, that if I ſhould die for engaging in ſo dangerous an Intrigue, I will not repent to have ſacrificed my ſelf for two Lovers ſo worthy of one another.
The Confident, after having heard the Jeweller with great Satisfaction, begg’d him to pardon the ill Opinion ſhe conceiv’d of him out of the Zeal ſhe had for her Miſtreſs, I am extreme glad, adds ſhe, that Schemſelnihar, and the Prince, have found you who are a Man fit to ſupply Ebn Thaher’s Place. I will not fail to ſignify to my Miſteſs the good Will you bear her.
Scheherazade obſerving Day, left off here, and next Night purſued her Diſcourſe thus.
The Two Hundred and Firſt Night.
AFter the Confident had teſtified to the Jeweller her Joy to ſee him ſo well diſpos’d to ſerve Schemſelnihar, and the Prince of Perſia, the Jeweller took the Letter out of his boſom, and reſtor’d it to her, ſaying, Go carry it quickly to the Prince of Perſia, and come back this Way, that I may ſee the Anſwer. Forget not to give him an Account of our Converſation.
The Confident took the Letter and carry’d it to the Prince, who anſwer’d it immediately. She return’d to Jeweller’s Houſe, to ſhew him the Anſwer, which was thus,
The Prince of Perſia’s Anſwer to Schemſelimbar.
YOUR precious Letter had a great Effect upon me; but not ſo great as I could wiſh. You endeavour to comfort me for the Loſs of Ebn Thaher; Alas I for as ſenſible as I am of this, it is but the leaft of my Troubles. You know my Malady, and that it’s only your preſence can cure me. When will the Time come that I ſhall enjoy it without Fear of being ever deprived of it? O how long does it ſeem to me! but ſhall we rather flatter our ſelves that we may ſee one another, You command me to preſerve myſelf, I will obey, ſince I have renounced my own Will to follow yours. Adieu.
After the Jeweller had read this Letter, he gave it again to the Confident, who ſaid when ſhe was going away, I will tell my Miſtreſs to put the ſame Confidence in you ſhe did in Ebn Thaher. You ſhall hear of me to Morrow. Accordingly next Day ſhe return’d with a pleaſant Countenance: Your very Looks, ſays ſhe to her, inform me that you have brought Schemſelnihar to what you wiſh’d for: That’s true, ſays the Confident, and you ſhall hear how I effected it: I found yeſterday, continues ſhe, Schemſelnihar expecting me with Impatience: I gave her the Prince of Perſia’s Letter, and ſheread it with Tears in her Eyes; an when ſhe had done, and I ſaw that ſhe abandon’d her ſelf to her ordinary Sorrows, Madam, ſaid Ito her, this is doubtleſs Ebn Thaher’s Removal that troubles you; but ſuffer me to conjure you in the Name of God to trouble your ſelf no farther concerning that matter. We have found another who offers to oblige you with as much Zeal, and what is yet more important, with greater Courage, Then I ſpoke to her of you, continues the Slave, and acquainted her with the Motive which made you go to the Prince of Perſia’s Houſe: In ſhort, I aſſured her that you would inviolably keep the Secret betwixt her and the Prince of Perſia, and that you was reſolved to favour their Amours with all your Might. She ſeemed to be much reliev’d by my Diſcourſe. Ah! what Obligations, ſays ſhe, are the Prince of Perſia and I under to that honeſt Man you ſpeak of; I must ſee ​him,that I may hear from his own Mouth what you tell me, and thank him for ſuch an unheard of Piece of Generoſity towards Perſons that he is no ways obliged to concern himſelf with. A Sight of him will pleaſe me, and I will not omit any thing to confirm him in thoſe good Sentiments. Don’t fail to bring him to me to Morrow, Therefore, pray, Sir, go with me to the Palace.
The Contfident’s Diſcourſe perplex’d the Jeweller. Your Miſtrefs, replies he, muſt allow me to ſay that ſhe has not thought well of what ſhe requires of me. Ebn Thaher’s Aceſſ to the Califf gave him Admiſſion every where; and the Officers who knew him ſuffer’d him to go and come freely to Schemſelnihar’s Palace ; but as for me, how dare I enter? You ſee well enough that it is not poſſible: I entreat you to repreſent thoſe Reaſons to Schemſelnihar which hinder me from giving that Satisfation; and acquaint her with all the ill Conſequences that would attend it. If ſhe conſider it never ſo little, ſhe would find that it would expoſe me needleſly to very great Danger.
The Confident endeavour’d to encourage the Jeweler: Believe me, ſays ſhe, that Schemſelnihar is not ſo unreaſonable as to expoſe you to the leaſt Danger, from whom ſhe expects ſo conſiderable Services. Conſider with yourſelf that there is not the leaſt Appearance of Hazard, My Miſtreſs and I are too much intereſted in this Affair, to involve you in any Danger. You may depend upon me, and leave yourſelf to my Conduct. After the Thing is over, you will confeſs to me that your Fear was groundleſs.
The Jeweller hearkened to the Confident’s Diſcourſe, and got up to follow her; but notwithſtanding his natural Courage, he was ſeiz’d with ſuch Terror that his whole Body trembled: In the Condition you are in, ſays ſhe, I perceive it will be better for you to ſtay at home, and that Schemſelnihar take other Meaſures to ſee you. It is not to be doubted, but that to ſatisfie her Deſire, ſhe will come hither her ſelf: The Caſe being ſo, Sir, I would not have you to go: I am perſwaded it will not be long e’er you ſee her your ſelf. The Confident foreſaw this very well; for ſhe no ſooner inform’d Schemſelnihar of the Jeweller’s Fear, but ſhe made ready to go to his Houſe.
​He received her with all the Marks of a profound Reſpect. When ſhe ſate down, being a little fatigued with coming, ſhe unveiled herſelf, and let the Jeweller ſee ſuch Beauty, as made him acknowledge that the Prince of Perſia was excuſable in giving his Heart to her. Then ſhe ſaluted the Jeweller with a graceful Countenance, and ſaid to him: I am informed with what Zeal you have en aged in the Prince of Perſia’s Concerns and mine; but without immediately forming a Deſign to expreſs my Gratitude, I thank Heaven which has ſo ſoon made up Eben Thaher’s Loſs.
Scheherazade being obliged to ſtop here, becauſe Day began to appear, continued her Story next Morning in the following Manner.
The Two Hundred and Second Night.
SChemſelnihar, ſaid ſeveral other obliging Things to the Jeweller, after which ſhe return’d to her Palace. The Jeweller went immediately co give an Account of this Visit to the Prince of Perſia, who ſaid to him as ſoon as he ſaw him, I have expected you impatiently. The truſty Slave has brought me a Letter from her Miſtreſs, but this does not eaſe me, whatever the lovely Schemſelnihar ſays, yet I dare not hope for any Thing: My Patience is at an end; I know not now what Meaſures to take; Ebn Thaher’s Departure makes me deſpair: He was my only Support: I loſt all by loſing him: I flatter’d my ſelf with ſome Hopes by Reaſon of his Acceſs to Schemſelnihar.
After theſe Words, which the Prince pronounced with ſo much Eagernefs, that he gave the Jeweller no Time to interrupt him, he ſaid to the Prince, no Man can bear a greater Share in your Afflitions than I do and if you will have Patience to hear me, you will perceive that I am capable of giving you Eaſe. Upon this the Prince held his Peace, and hearken’d to him. I ſee very well, ſaid the Jeweller, that the on!y Thing to give you Satisfaction, is to fail upon a Way that you may converſe freely with Schemſelnihar. This I will procure you, and to Morrow will ſet about it. You muſt by no Means expoſe your ſelt to enter Schemſelnihar’s Palace; you know by Experience the Danger of that: I know a very fit Place for this Interview, where you ſhall be ſafe, When the Jeweller had ſpoken ​thus, the Prince embraced him with a Tranſport of Joy. You revive, ſays he, by this charming Promiſe, an unhappy Lover, who was reſolved to die: I ſee that you have fully repair’d the Loſs of Ebn Thaher; whatever you do ſhall be well done, I will leave my ſelt entirely to you.
After the Prince had thank’d him for his Zeal, the Jeweller return’d home, and next Morning Schemſelnihar’s Confident came to him: He to!d her that he had put the Prince of Perſia in Hopes that he ſhould ſee Schemſelnihar ſpeedily: I am come on purpoſe, anſwer’d ſhe, to take Meaſures with you for that End. I think, continued ſhe, this Houſe will be convenient enough for their Interview: I could receive them very well here, reply’d he, but I think they will have more Liberty in another Houſe of mine where no-body lives at preſent: I will quickly furniſh it for receiving them. Since the Matter is ſo, reply’d the Confident, there remains nothing for me to do but to make Schemſelnihar conſent to it. I will go and tell her, and return ſpeedily with an Anſwer.
She was as diligent as her Promiſe, and returning to the Jeweller, told him that her Miſtreſs would not fail to keep the Appointment in the Evening. In the mean time ſhe gave him a Purſe of Money, and told him it was to prepare a Collation. He ſent her immediately to the Houſe, where the Lovers were to meet, that ſhe might know whither to bring her Miſtreſs, and when ſhe was gone, he went to borrow from his Friends Veſſels of Gold and Silver, Tapeſtry, rich Cuſhions and other Furniture with which he furniſh’d the Houſe very magnificently; and when he had put all Things in Order he went to the Prince of Perſia.
You may eaſily conceive the Prince of Perſia’s Joy, when the Jeweller told him that he came to conduct him to the Houſe he had prepared to receive him and Schemſelnihar. This News made him forget all his former Trouble. He put on a magnificent Robe, and went without his Retinue along with the Jewellers, who led him through ſeveral By-Streets that no-body might obſerve him, and at laſt brought him to the Houſe, where they diſcourſed together until Schemſelnihar came.
They did not ſtay long for this paſſionate Lover. She came after Evening Prayer, with her Confident, and two other Slaves. One cannot expreſs the Exceſs of Joy that ​ſeiz’d thoſe two Lovers when they ſaw one another; it’s altogether impoſſible: They ſat down together upon a Sofa, looking upon one another for ſometime, without being able to ſpeak, they were ſo much overjoy’d: But when their Speech return’d to them, they ſoon made up their Silence. They expreſs’d themſelves with ſo much Tenderneſs, as made the Jeweller, the Confident, and the two other Slaves weep. The Jeweller however reſtrain’d his Tears to think upon the Collation, which he brought. The Lovers eat and drank a little, after which they ſat down, again upon the Sofa: Schemſelnihar ask’d the Jeweller if he had a Lute, or any other Inſtrument: The Jeweller, who took care to provide all that might pleaſe them, brought her a Lute; She took ſome Time to tune it, and then play’d,
Scheherazade ſtopt becauſe ſhe ſaw Day begin to appear, and next Night went on thus.
The Two Hundred and Third Night.
WHILE Schemſelnihar was charming the Prince of Perſia, and expreſſing her Paſſion by Words compoſed ex tempore,a great Noiſe was heard; and immediately the Slave, which the Jeweller brought with him, appear’d all in a Fright, and came to tell him that ſome People were breaking up the Gate; that he ask’d who it was, but inſtead of any Anſier the Blows were redoubled, The Jeweller being alarm’d, left Schemſelnihar and the Prince to go to inform himſelf of the Truth of this bad News: There was already got into the Court a Company of Men arm’d with Bayonets and Scimiters, who had enter’d privily; and having broke up the Gate came ſtraight toward him. He ſtood cloſe to a Wall for fear of his Life, and ſaw ten of them paſs without being perceiv’d by them; and finding he could give no great Help to the Prince of Perſia and Schemſelnihar, he ſatisfy’d himſelf with the bewailing them, and ſo fled for Refuge to a Neighbour’s Houſe who was not yet gone to Bed; he did not doubt but this unexpected Violence was by the Califf’s Order, who he thought had been inform’d of his Fayourite’s Meeting with the Prince of Perſia. He heard a great Noiſe in his own Houſe, which continu’d ’till Midnight: And when all was quiet, as he ​thought, he pray’d his Neighbour to lend him a Scimiter; and being thus armed went on till he came to the Gate of his own Houſe: He enter’d the Court full of Fear, and perceived a Man Who asked him who he was, he knew by his Voice that it was his own Slave: How didſt thou do, ſays he, to avoid being taken by the Watch? Sir, anſwer’d the Slave, I hid my ſelf in a Corner of the Court, and I went out ſo ſoon as I heard the Noiſe: But it was not the Watch who broke your Houſe; they were Highway-men, who within theſe few Days robb’d another in this Neighbour-hood: They have doubtleſs had Notice of the rich Furniture you brought hither, and had that in their View.
The Jeweler thought his Slave’s Conjecture probable enough: He viſited the Houſe, and ſaw that the Highway-men had taken all the Furniture out of the Chamber where he received Schemſelnihar and her Lover; that they had alſo carried off the Veſſels of Gold and Silver, and, in a Word, had left nothing. Being in this Condition, O Heaven! cries he, I am irrecoverably undone! What will my Friends ſay, and what excuſe can I make, when I ſhall tell them that the Highway-men have broke my Houſe, and robb’d me of all that they generouſly lent me? I ſhall never be able to makeup their Loſs: Beſides, what’s become of Schemſelnihar and the Prince of Perſia? This Buſineſs will be ſo Publick, that it’s impoſſible but it muſt reach the Califf’s Ears. He will get Notice of this Meeting, and I ſhail fall a Sacrifice to his Fury. The Slave, who lov’d him, endeavour’d to comfort him thus: As to Schemſelnihar, ſays he, the Highway-men probably would content themſelves to ſtrip her, and you have reaſon to think that ſhe is retired to her Palace with her Slaves: The Prince of Perſia is probably in the ſame Condition, ſo that you have reaſon to hope that the Califf will never know this Adventure. As for the Loſs your Friends have ſuſtain’d, that’s a Misfortune that you could not avoid. They know very well the Highway-men to be ſo numerous that they have not only pillaged the Houſe I have already ſpoken of, but many other Houſes of the principal Noblemen of the Court: And they are not ignorant that notwithſtanding the Orders given to apprehend them, no-body has yet been able to ſeize any of them, You will be acquitted by reſtoring your Friends ​the Value of the Things that are ſtolen, and bleſſed be God; you have enough left.
Waiting ’till Day, the Jeweller order&rwquo;d the Slave to mend the Gate of the Houſe which was broke up, as well as he could: After which he returned to his ordinary Houſe with the Slave, making ſad Refleftions upon what had befallen him. Ebn Thaher, ſays he to himlelf;, has been wiſer than I, he foreſaw the Misfortune into which I have blindly thrown my ſelf; would to God I had never meddled in this Intrigue, which I fear will coſt me my Life.
It was ſcarce Day when the Report of the Robbery ſpread through the City, and there came to his Houſe a great many of his Friends and Neighbours, to teſtify their Grief for his Misfortune, but were curious to know the particulars. He thanked them for their Affection, and was ſo much the better ſatisfy’d, that he heard no-body ſpeak of Schemfelnihar or the Prince of Perſia, which made him believe they were at their Houſes, or in ſome ſecure Place.
When the Jeweller was alone, his Servants brought him ſomething to eat, but he could not eat a Bit. About Noon one of his Slaves came to. tell him, there was a Man at the Gate, whom he knew not, that deſired to ſpeak with him. The Jeweller not willing to receive a Stranger into his Houſe, roſe up, and went to ſpeak with him, Tho’ you don’t know me, ſays the Man, yet I know you, and I am come to diſcourſe you about an important Affair. The Jeweller pray’d him to come in. No, anſwer’d the Stranger, if you pleaſe, rather take the Trouble to go with me to your other Houſe. How know you, reply’d the Jeweller, that I have another Houſe. I know well enough, anſwer’d the Stranger, follow me and don’t fear any thing, I have ſomething to communicate to you, which will pleaſe you. The Jeweller went immediately with him, and after he had conſidered by the Way, how the Houſe they were going to was robb’d, he ſaid to him that was not fit to receive him.
When they were before the Houſe, and the Stranger ſaw the Gate half broke down, ſays he to the Jeweller, I ſee you have told me the Truth, I will carry you to a Place which ​will be more convenient. When he had ſaid this, he went on, and walk’d all the reſt of the Day, without ſtopping. The Jeweller being weary with walking, vexed to ſee Night approach, and that the Stranger had walk’d all Day without acquainting him where he was going, began to loſe his Patience. Then they came to a Path which led them to the Tygris, and as ſoon as they came to to the River, they embark’d in a little Boat, and went over. Then the Stranger led the Jeweller through a long Street, where he had never been before, and after he had brought him through I know not how many By-Streets, he ſtopt at a Gate, which he opened. He cauſed the Jeweller to go in, and then he ſhut and bolted the Gate, with a huge Iron Bolt, and conducted him to a Chamber, where there were ten other Men, all of them as great Strangers to the Jeweller, as he that brought him thither.
Theſe ten Men received the Jeweller without any Complements. They bad him ſit down, of which he had great Need, for he was not only out of Breath, with walking ſo far, but the Fear he was in, to find himſelf with People whom he thought he had Reaſon to dread, would have diſabled him to ſtand. They Waited for their Leader to go to Supper, and as ſoon as he came, it was ſerved up. They waſhed their Hinds, obliged the Jeweller to do the like, and ſit at Table with them. After Supper the Man ask’d him, if he knew whom he ſpoke to? He anſwered no, and that he knew not the Place he was in. Tell us your laſt Nights Adventure, ſaid they to him, and conceal nothing, from us. The Jeweller being aſtoniſh’d at this Diſcourſe, anſwered, Gentlemen, it’s probable you know it already: That’s true, replied they, the young Man and the young Lady who were at your Houſe Yeſternight, told it us, but we would know it from your own Mouth. The Jeweller needed no more to inform him that he ſpoke to the Highway-men, who had broke up and plunder’d his Houſe. Gentlemen, ſays he, I am much troubled for that young Man and the Lady; can you tell me any thing of them?
​Scheherazade broke off here, to give Notice to the Sultan of the Indies that the Day appear’d, and next Night reſum’d her Diſcourſe thus.
The End of the fifth Tome.
* ↑ This Word ſignifies the Sun of the Day.
* ↑ The Arabians, Perſians, and Turks, when they write, hold the Paper ordinarily upon their Knee with their left Hand, and write with their Right, with a little Reed or Cane, cut as we do our Pens; this Cane is hollow, and reſembles our Reeds, but is harder.