Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-24
From the Neso Ara5ian Nights Entertainments.
STORyOF NUREDDIN AND MARIA

From the Netc .HrG5idn Ntght's ENTERTAINMENTS
STORyoF NUREDDIN AND MARIA
The story of 'Nurcddin and Maria the CIR
dlemaker,' is one Of the best in the collection
The scene is laid chiefly in Egypt, where
there lived an immensely rich merchant named
Taied,lin. The number of his horses, mules
and slaves, was past counting, he was, IN short,
'the merchant Of merchants
This Tajeddin had son named Nureddln,
who was in his fourteenth year, and beautiful
as the moon when she has attained her four
tenth day. One day as he was conversing
with some youths ofhis own age in the bazaar,
they proposed trip to- garden belonging to
one Of them. Nureddin, like a dutiiul son, said
he would go and ask his fathers permission.
Taieddn made no objection, and gave him mo-
ney into the bargain. The garden was OF course
moe, magnificent, Astounding in fruits, in the
description of which the author comp!aisantly
appropriates a stanza to each till he is exhaust
ed The company seated themselves in tent,
took off their turbans, and chatted together A
plentiful picnic dinner was served up, fowls *
chickens, geese, and goslings, parridges and
quails, without number After coffee, the
Keeper of the garden brought in a basket OF ro-
SEES; and each OF the youths, who were ten in
number, favours US with stanza in praise Of
the rose.--The owner the garden now called
for wine. The bowl passed round till it came
10 Nureddin, who declined it, alleging that il
was prohibited.
'Ah,' said the owner ofthe garden, IF moth
ing else deters you from drinking than the idea
Of the sin you commit, let me tell you that God
is great, gracious and merciful, and willingly
pardons these petty faults. Recollect only
what one Of our poets says
"Do what is agreeable to you, and make no
scruples. But beware of two things: give God
no equal, and do no injury to men"
sNureddin still refused for some time, but all
the youths rose and besought him to drink. He
was then ashamed to hold out, and drained the
bowl to the.iast drop.
ut would have been very wrong Tor you,
Nureddin,' said the proprietor OF the garden,
'had you refused this elixier, 10 the virtues and
admirable qualities Of which you are an utter
stranger. 1t is specific under every affilction,
a panacea for the pains of body and soul; 1t
gives wealth to the poor, courage to the cow
ard, and the weak to the power of enjoyment.
should never have done were | to attempt 10
speak all its praise He thereupon opened one
Of the cupboards IN the tent, took large lump
of sugar candy, gave it to Nureddin, and said,
take this and put il into your glass, TO give
harsh Nureddin accordingly continued drink
ing, encouraged by the universal applause of
his comrades, who kept constantly repeating,
'Nureddin, we are thy servants, tiny slaves, thy
brethren. Nureddin, dispose Of US as thou
wilt."-Yol H. PIP. 10Y, lSS.
Our hero, though scarce able to stand, con-
rived to stammer out, that there was no pleas
ure in drinking without singing and music, APP
pendiny, as is usual the advice Of poet. His
seducer mounted his mule, cantered oil. spec:
Oily came back with an Egyptian girl, white as
silver i'm the mine, OF as an almond, with eye
brows like bows, her teeth pearly, 'anu her lips
as if wrought in marble She was dressed In
blue, aud resembled, as the poet expressed 1t.
sthe summer moon amidst a wintery night.
Nureddiu, who shone among his companions
like the moon among the inferior luminaries,
was the object on whom the fair musician law
ished all ner Establishments. She sung to him,
cast on him the most ravishing glances, till
like Alexander, with love and wine al once op-
pressed. he bestowed on her the tenderest Ca
resses.
sWhile they thus engaged, the stars began to
slisten in the armament, and the breath Of God
arose in the breeze Of the night. Nureddin in
spite Of the remonstrances OF his friends and
the lady, would go home. There he met with
po,hing but reproaches from his father and
his mother, for violating the prohibition a.
gainst wine. He raised his hand against his
father, who swore bitter oath, that he would
the very next day either par, from the mother
Of so undutifula child, or have his right hand
cut off.
The good woman, who had some idea the old
man would be more willing TO part with her,
than with his hand, got mp early in the morn
ing, and went to her son, who knew nothing Of
what had happened, and who was filled with
remorse when be heard what he he'd DONE
She told him he must be off till the storm had
blown over, giving him at the same time purse
of 100 dollars, and desiring him when that was
spent to send for more. Nureddin rose, wep,,
took leave of his mother but having observed
that in the chest whence his mother took the
small purse, there vas large one OF 1000 di.
mars, he secured that also under his glrdle, and
set on, for Alexandria. Here, like all other
Young men in eastern tales, he spent his time In
walking aboat, admiring the city, till an old
man who was shutting up his shop in the oa-
zar desired him 10 make his house his home
syelut interigne Luna minores,
.,t.A ~ \ 10 hkelv neysr al Horace