Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 1/Schahriar, Schahzenan, and Scheherazade
Arabian Nights
HE Chronicles of the Suffanians, the ancient Kings of Perſia, who extended their Empire into the Indies, over all the Iſlands thereunto belonging, a great way beyond the Ganges, and as far as China; acquaint us, that there was formerly a King of that potent Family, the moſt excellent Prince of his Time: He was as much belov’d by his Subjects for his Wiſdom and Prudence, as he was dreaded by his Neighbours, becauſe of his Valour, and his warlike and well-diſciplin’d Troops. He had two Sons; the eldeſt Schahriar, the worthy Heir of his Father, and endow’d with all his Virtues, The youngeſt Schahzenan, was likewiſe a Prince of incomparable Merit.
After a long and glorious Reign, this King died, and Schahriar mounted his Throne. Schahzenan being ex-cluded from all Share of the Government; by the laws of the Empire, and oblig’d to live a private Life; was ſo far from envying the Happineſs of his Brother, that he made it his whole Buſineſs to pleaſe him, and effected it without much Difficulty. Schahriar, who had naturally a great Affection for that Prince, was ſo charm’d with his Complaiſance, that out of an Exceſs of Friendſhip, he would needs divide his Dominions with him, and gave him the Kingdom of Great Tartary; Schahzenan went immediately and took Poſſeſſion of it, and fixſd the Seat of his Government at Samarcande, the Metropolis of the Country.
After they had been ſeparated ten Years, Schahriar having a paſſionate Defire to ſee. his. Brother, reſolved to ſend an Ambaſſidor to invite him to Court. He made choice of his Prime Viſier for the Embaſſy, ſent him to Tartary with a Retinue anſwerable to his Dignity, and he made all poſſible haſte to Samarcande. When he came near the City, Schahzenan had Notice of it, and went to meet him with the principal Lords of his Court, who, to put the more Honour on the Sultan’s Miniſter, appeared in magnificent Apparel. The King of Tartary receiv’d the Ambaſſador with the greateſt Demonftrations of Joy, and immediate!y asking him concerning the Welfare of the Sultan his Brother. The Viſier having acquainted him that he was in Health, gave him an Account of his Embaſſay, Schahzenan was ſo much affected with it, that he anſwered thus: Sage Viſier, the Sultan my Brother does me too much Honour; he conld propoſe nothing in the World fo acceptable; I long as paſſionately to ſee him, as he does to ſee me. Time has been no more able to diminiſh my Friendſhip than his. My Kingdom is in Peace, and I defire no more but ten Days to get myſelf ready to go with you. So that there’s no Neceſſity of your entering the City, for ſo ſhort a Time: I pray youto pitch your Tents here, and I will order Proviſions in Abundance for your ſelf and your Company. The Viſier did accordingly, and as ſoon as the King returned, he ſent him a prodigious Quantity of Proviſions of all ſorts, with Preſents of great value.
In the mean while, Schahzenan made ready for his Journey, took Order about his moſt important Affairs, ap-pointed a Council to govern in his Abſence, and named a Miniſter, of whoſe Wiſdom he had ſufficient Experience, and in whom he had an entire Confidence to be their Preſident. At the End of ten Days, his Equipage being ready, he took his Leave of the Queen his Wife, and went out of Town in the Evening with his Retinue, pitch’d his Royal Pavilion near the Viſer’s Tent, and diſcours’d with that Ambaſſador till Midnight. But willing once more to embrace the Queen, whom he lov’d entire y, he return’d alone to his Palace, and went ſtraight to her Majeſty’s Apartment, who not expecting his Return, had taken one of the meaneſt Officers of the Houſhold to her Bed, where the: lay both faſt aſleep; having been in Bed a couſiderable while.
The King enter’d without any Noiſe, and pleas’d himſelf to think how he ſhould ſurprize his Wife, who, he thought, lov’d him as entirely as he did her: But how ſtrange was his Surprize, when by the Light of the Flambeaus which burn all Night in the Apartments of thoſe Eaſtern Princes, he faw a Man in her Arms! He ſtood unmoveable for a time, not knowing how to believe his own Eyes; but finding it was not to bedoubted; How! ſays he to himſelf, I am ſcarce out of my Palace, and but juſt under the Walls of Samarcande, and dare they put ſuch an Outrage upon me! Ah, perfidious Wretches, your Crime ſhallnot go unpuniſh’d. As King, I am to puniſh Wickedneſs committed in my Dominions; and as an enrag’d Husband, I muſt ſacriſice you to my juſt Reſentment. In a Word, this unfortunate Prince, giving way to his Rage, drew his Cymiter, and approaching the Bed, kill’d them both with one Blow, turn’d their Sleep into Death: And afterwards taking them up, threw ’em out at a Window into the Ditch that ſurrounded the Palace.
Having aveng’d hinſelf thus, he went out of Town privately, as he came into it, and returning to his Pavilion without ſaying one Word of what had happen’d; he orderd the Tents to be ſtruck, and to make ready for his Journey. This was ſpeedily done, and before Day he began his March, with Kettle-Drums, and other Inſtruments of Muſick, that fill’d every one with Joy, except the King, who was ſo much troubled at the Diſloyalty of his Wife, that he was ſeized with extream Melancholy, which prey’d upon him during his whole Journey.
When he drew near the Capitol of the Indies, the Sultan Schahriar, and all his Court came out to meet him: The Princes were overjoy’d to ſee one another, and alighting, after mutual Embraces, and other Marks of Affection and Reſpect, they mounted again, and enter’d the City, with the Acclamations of vaſt Multitudes of People. The Sultan conducted his Brother to the Palace he had provided for him, which had a Communication with his own, by means of a Garden, and was ſo much the more magnificent, that it was ſet apart as a Banqueting-Houſe for publick Entertainment and other Diverfions of the Court, and the Splendor of it had been lately augmented by new Furniture.
Schahriar immediately left the King of Tartary, that he might give him time to bath himſelf, and to change his Apparel. And as ſoon as he had done, he came to him again, and they ſat down together upon a Sofa or Alcove. The Courtiers kept at a diſtance, out of Reſpect, and thoſe two Princes entertain’d one another ſuitably to their Friendſhip, their Nearneſs of Blood, and the long Separation that had been betwixt ’em. The Time of Supper being come they eat together, after which they renew’d their Converſation, which continu’d till Schahriar perceiving that it was very late, left his Brother to his Reſt.
The unfortunate Schahzenan went to Bed; and tho’ the Converſation of his Brother had ſuſpended his Grief for ſome time, it return’d upon him with more Violence; ſo that inſtead of taking his neceſſary Reſt, he tormented himſelf with cruel Reflections: All the Circumſtances of his Wife’s Diſloyalty repreſented themſelves afreſh to his Imagination, in fo lively a Manner, that he was like one beſides himſelf. In a Word, not being able to ſleep, he got up, and giving himſelf over to afflicting Thoughts, they made ſuch an Impreſſion upon his Countenance, that the Sultan could not but take notice of it; and ſaid thus to himſelf, What can be the matter with the King of Tartary, that he is ſo melancholy? Has he any Cauſe to complain of his Reception? No, ſurely, I have receiv’d him as a Brother whom I love, ſo that I can charge my ſelf with no Omiſſion in that reſpect. Perhaps it grieves him to be at fuch a Diſtance from his Dominions, or from the Queen, his Wife; Alas! 1t that be the Matter, I muſt forthwith give him the Preſents I deſign’d for him, that he may return to Samarcande when he pleaſes. Actually next Day Schahriar ſent him Part of thoſe Preſents, being the greateſt Rarities, and the richeſt Things that the Indies could afford. At the ſame time he endeavour’d to divert his Brother every Day by new Objects of Pleaſure, and the fineſt Treats; which inſtead of giving the King of Tartary any Eaſe, did only increaſe his Sorrow.
One Day Schahriar having appointed a great Hunting-match, about two Days Journey from his Capitol, in a Place that abounded with Deer; Schahzenan pray’d him to excuſe him, for his Health would not allow him to bear him Company. The Sultan, unwilling to put any Conſtraint upon him, left him at his Liberty, and went a hunting with his Nobles. The King of Tartary being thus left alone, ſhut himlelf up in his Apartment, and sat down at a Window, that look’d into the Garden. That delicious Place, and the ſweet Harmony of an infinite Number of Birds, which choſe it for a Place of Retreat, muſt certainly have diverted him, had he been capable of taking pleaſure in any thing but being perpetually tormented with the fatal Remembrance of his Queen’s infamous Conduct, his Eyes were not ſo often fix’d upon the Garden, as lifted up to Heav’n to bewail his Misfortune.
Whilſt he was thus ſwallow’d up with Grief, an Object preſented it ſelf to his View, which quickly turn’d all his Thoughts another way. A ſecret Gate of the Sultan’s Palace opened all of a ſudden, and there came out at it 20 Women, in the midſt of whom march’d the Sultaneſs, who was eaſ y diſtinguiſh’d from the reſt, by her Majeſtick Air. This Princeſs thinking that the King of Tartary was gone a hunting with his Brother the Sultan, came up with her Retinue near the Windows of his Apartment, for the Prince had plac’d himſelf ſo, that he could ſee all that paſs’d in the Garden, without being perceiv’d himſelf. He obſerv’d that the Perſons who accompanied the Sultaneſs, threw off their Veils, and long Robes, that they might be at more Freedom, but was wonderfully ſurpriz’d when he ſaw ten of them to be Blacks, and that each of ’em took his Miſtreſs. The Sultaneſs, on her part, was not long without her Gallant. She clapp’d her Hands, and call’d Maſoud, Maſoud, and immediately a Black came down from a Tree, and run to her in all haſte.
Modeſty will not allow, nor is it neceſſary to relate what paſs’d betwixt the Blacks and the Ladies. It’s fufficient to ſay, that Schahzenan ſaw enough to convince him, that his Brother had as much Cauſe to complain as himſelf. This amorous Company continued together til Midnight, and having bath’d all together in a great Pond, which was one of the chief Ornaments of the Garden, they dreſs’d themſelves, and re-entred the Palace by the ſecret Door, all except Maſoud, who climb’d up his Tree, and got over the Garden-Wall the fame Way as he came in.
All this having paſſed in the King of Tartary’s Sight, it gave him occafion to make a Multitude of Reflections. How little reaſon had I, ſays he, to think that no body was ſo unfortunate as my ſetf? It is certainly the unavoidable Fate of all Husbands, ſince the Sultan my Brother, who is Sovereign of ſo many Dominions, and the greateſt Prince of the Earth, could-not eſcape it. The Caſe being ſo, what a Fool am I to kill my ſelf with Grief! I’ll throw it off, and the Remembrance of a Misfortune ſo common, ſhall never after this diſturb my Quiet. So that from that Moment he forbore afflicting himſelt: Being unwilling to ſup, till he ſaw the whole Scene that was acted under his Windows. He called then for his Supper, eat with a better Appetite than he had done at any time after his coming from Samarcande, and liſtened with Pleaſure to the agreeable comfort of vocal and inſtrumental Muſick, that was appointed to entertain him while at Table.
He continued after this to be of a very good Humour; and when he knew that the Sultan was returning, he went to meet him, and paid him his Complements, with a great deal of Gaiety. Schahriar at firſt took no Notice of this great Alteration; but expoſtulated with him modeſtly, why he wou’d not bear him company at hunting the Stagg; and without giving him time to reply, entertain’d him with the great Number of Deer, and other Game, that he had kill’d, and what Pleaſure he had in the Sport. Schahzenan heard him with Attention, gave Anſwers to every thing, and being rid of that Melancholy, which formerly over-clouded his Wit, he ſaid a thouſand agreeable and pleaſant things to the Sultan.
Schahriar, who expected to have found him in the ſame Condition as he left him,was overjoy’d to ſee him ſo chearful; and ſpoke to him thus, Dear Brother, I return Thanks to Heaven for the happy Change it has made in you during my Abſence; I am extreamly rejoyc’d at it; but I have a Requeſt to make to you and conjure you not to deny me. I can refuſe you nothing, replies the King of Tartary, you may command Schahzenan as you pleaſe; pray ſpeak, I am impatient till know what it is you deſire of me. Ever ſince you came to my Court, replies Schahriar, I found you ſwallow’d up by a deep Melancholy, and I did in vain attempt to remove it by Diverſions of all Sorts. I imagin’d it might be occaſion’d by reaſon of your Diſtance from your Dominions, or that Love might have a great Share in it; and that the Queen of Samarcande, who, no doubt, is an accompiſh’d Beauty, might be the Cauſe of it, I don’t know if I be miſtaken, but I muſt own, that this was the particular Reaſon why I would not importune you upon the Subject, for fear of making you uneaſy. But without my being able to contribute any thing towards it, I find now upon my Return, that you are in the beſt Humour that can be, and that your Mind is entirely deliver’d from that black Vapour which diſturb’d it. Pray do me the favour to tell me, why you were ſo melancholy, and how you came to be rid of it.
Upon this the King of Tartary continued for ſome time as if he had been in a Dream, and contriving what he ſhould anſwer; but at laſt reply’d as follows; You are my Sultan and Maſter, but excuſe me, I beſeech you, from anſwering your Queſtion. No, dear Brother, ſaid the Sultan, you muſt anſwer, I will take no Denial. Schahzenan not being able to withſtand thoſe preſſing Inſtances, anſwer’d; Well then, Brother, I will ſatisfy you, ſince you command me; and having told him the Story of the Queen of Samarcande’s Treachery; This, ſays he, was the Cauſe of Grief; pray judge, whether I had not Reaſon enough to give myſelf up to it.
O! My Brother, ſays the Sultan, in a Tone which ſhew’d that he had the fame Sentiments of the Matter with the King of Tartary: What a horrible Story do you tell me: How impatient was I, till I heard it out! I commend you for puniſhing the Traitors, who put ſuch an Outrage upon you. No body can blame you for that Action; it was juſt, and for my part, had the Caſe been mine, I ſhould ſcarce have been fo moderate as you. I ſhould not have fatisfy’d my ſelf with the Life of one Woman, I verily think I ſhould have ſacrificed a 1000 to my Fury. I ceaſe now to wonder at your Melancholy. The Cauſe of it was too ſenſible, and too mortifying. not to make you yield to it. O Heaven! What a ſtrange Adventure! Not I believe the like on’t ever befel any Man, but yourſelf. But in ſhort, I muſt bleſs God, who has comtorted you; and ſince I doubt not but your Conſolation is well-grounded; be ſo good as to let me know what it is, and conceil nothing from me. Schahzeran was not ſo eaſily prevail’d upon in this Point, as he had been in the other, becauſe of his Brother’s Concern in it. But being obliged to yield to his preſſing Inſtances, anſwer’d, I muſt obey you then, ſince your Command is abſolute; yet am afraid that my Obedience will occaſion your Trouble to be greater than ever mine was. But you muſt blame your ſelf for it, ſince you force me to reveal a thing, which I ſhould otherwiſe have buried in eternal Oblivion. What you ſay, anſwers Schahriar, ſerves only to encreaſe my Curioſity. Make haſte to diſcover the Secret, whatever it be. The King of Tartary being no longer able to refuſe, gave him the Particulars of all that he had ſeen of the Blacks in Diſguiſe, of the lewd Paſſion of the Sultaneſs and her Ladies; and to be ſure he did not forget Maſoud. After having been Witneſs to thoſe infamous Actions, ſays he, I believed all Women to be naturally that way inclin’d; and that they could not reſiſt thoſe violent Deſires. Being of this Opinion, it ſeemed to me to be an unaccountable Weakneſs in Men, to make themſelves uneaſy at their Infidelity. This Reflection brought many others along with it, and, in ſhort, I thought it the beſt thing I could do, to make my ſelf eaſy. It coſt me ſome Pains indeed, but at laſt I effected it, and if you’ll take my Advice, you ſhall follow my Example.
Tho’ the Advice was good, the Sultan could not take it, but fell in to a Rage. What! ſays he, is the Sultaneſs of the Indies capable of proſtituting her ſelf in ſo baſe a manner! No, Brother, I can’t believe what you fay, except I faw it with my Eyes; yours muſt needs have deceiv’d you; the Matter is ſo important, that I muſt be ſatisfied of it my ſelf. Dear Brother, anſwers Schahzenan, that you may without much Difficulty. Appoint another Hunting-Match, and when we are out of Town with your Court and mine, we will ſtop under our Pavilions, and at Night let you and I return alone to my Apartment; I am certain that next Day you will ſee what I ſaw. The Sultan approv’d the Stratagem, immediately appointed anew Hunting-March, And that ſame Day the Pavilions were ſet up ac the Place appointed.
Next Day, the two Princes ſet out with all their Retinue; they arriv’d at the Place of Encampment, and ftay’d there till Night. Then Schahriar call’d his Grand Viſier, and without acquainting him with his Deſign, commanded him to ſtay in his Place during his Abſence, and to ſuffer no Perſon to go out of the Camp, up on any Account whatever. As ſoon as he had-given this Order, the King of Grand Tartar, and he took Horſe, paſs’d through the Camp incognito, return’d to the City, and went to Schahzenan’s Apartment. They had ſcarce plac’d themſelves in the ſame Window where the King of Tartary had ſeen the diſguiſed Blacks act their Scene, but the ſecret Gate open’d, the Sultaneſs and her Ladies enter’d the Garden with the Blacks, and ſhe having call’d upon Maſoud, the Sultan ſaw more than enough to convince him plainly of his Diſhonour and Misfortune, O Heavens, cry’d he, What Indignity! What Horror? can the Wife of a Sovereign, ſuch as I am, be capable of ſuch an infamous Action? After this, let no Prince boaſt of his being perfectly happy. Alas! My Brother, continues he, (embracing the King of Tartary) let’s both renounce the World; Honeſty is baniſh’d out of it; if it flatter us the one Day, it betrays us the next; let us abandon our Dominions and Grandeur; let us go into foreign Countries, where we may lead an obſcure Life, and conceal our Misfortune. Schahzenan did not at all approve of this Reſolution, but did not think fit to contradict Schahriar in the Heat of his Paſſion. Dear Brother, ſays he, your Will ſhall be mine; I am ready to follow you whither you pleaſe; bu promiſe me that you will return, if we can meet with any one that is more unhappy than ourſelves. I agree to it, ſays the Sultan, but doubt much whether we ſhall. I am not of your Mind in this, replies the King of Tartary, I fancy our Journey will be but ſhort. Having faid thus, they went ſecretly out of the Palace by another Way than they came. They travell’d as long as ’twas Day, and lay the firſt Night under the Trees, and getting up about Break of Day, they went on till they came to a fine Meadow upon the Bank of the Sea, in which Meadow there were Tufts of great Trees at ſome diſtance from one another. They fat down under thoſe Trees to reſt and refreſh themſelves, and the chief Subject of their Converſation, was the Lewdneſs of their Wives.
They had not ſat long, till they heard a frightful Noiſe, and a terrible Cry from the Sea, which fil’d them with Fear; then the Sea opening, there roſe up a Thing like a great black Column, which reach’d almoſt to the Clouds. This redoubled their Fear, made them riſe ſpecdily, and climb up in to a Tree to hide themſelves. They had ſcarce got up, till looking to the Place from whence the Noiſe came, and where the Sea open’d, they obſerved that the Black Column advanced, winding about towards the Shoar, cleaving the Water before it. They could not at firſt think what it ſhould be, but in a little time they found,
That it was one of thoſe malignant Genies, that are mortal Enemies to Mankind, and always doing them Miſ-chief. He was black, frightful, had the Shape of a Giant, of a prodigious Stature, and carried on his Head a great Glaſs-Box, ſhut with four Locks of fine Steel. He entered the Meadow with his Burden, which he laid down juſt at the Foot of the Tree where the two Princes were, who looked upon themſelves to be dead Men. Mean while, the Genie ſat down by his Box, and opening it with four Keys that he had at his Girdle, there came out a Lady magnificently apparelled, of a Majeſtick Stature, and a compleat Beauty. The Monſter made her ſit down by him, and eying her with an amorous Look: Lady (ſays he) nay, moſt accompliſted of all Ladies, who are admired for their Beauty, my charming Miſtreſs, whom I carried off on your Wedding-Day, and have loved ſo conſtantly ever ſince, let me ſleep a few Moments by you; for I found my ſelf ſo very ſleepy, that I came to this Place to take a little Reſt. Having ſpoke thus, he laid down his huge Head upon the Lady’s Knees, and ſtretching out his Legs, which reached as far as the Sea, he fell aſleep preſently, and ſnor’d ſo, that he made the Banks to eccho again.
The Lady happening at the ſame time to look up to the Tree ſaw the two Princes, and made a Sign to them with her Hand to come down without making any Noiſe. Their Fear was extraordinary, when they found themſelves diſcovered, and they prayed the Lady, by other Signs, to excuſe them; but ſhe, after having laid the Monſter’s Head ſoftly down, roſe up, and ſpoke to them with a low, but quick Voice, to come down to her; ſhe would take no Denial. They made Signs to her that they were afraid of the Genie, and would fain have been excuſed. Upon which ſhe order’d them to come down, and if they did not make haſte, threatned to awake the Giant, and bid him kill! them.
Thoſe Words did ſo much intimidate the Princes, that they began to come down with all poſſible Precautions, leſt they ſhould awake the Genie. When they came down, the Lady took them by the Hand, and going a little further with them under the Trees, made a very urgent Propoſal to them. At firft they rejected it, but ſhe obliged them to accept it by her Treats. Having obtained what ſhe deſired, ſhe perceiv’d that each of ’em had a Ring on his Finger, which ſhe demanded of ’em. As ſoon as ſhe receiv’d them, ſhe went and took a Box out of the Bundle where her Toilet was, pull’d out a String of other Rings of all forts, which ſhe ſhew’d them, and ask’d them if they knew what thoſe Jewels meant: No, ſay they, we hope you will be pleas’d to tell us. Theſe are, replies ſhe, the Rings of all the Men to whom I have granted my Favour. Theſe are full fourſcore and eighteen of ’em, which I keep as Tokens to remember them; and I ask’d yours for the ſame Reaſon, to make up my hundred. So that, continues ſhe, I have had an hundred Gallants already, notwithſtanding the Vigilance of this wicked Genie, that never leaves me. He is much the nearer for locking me up in this Glaſs-Box, and hiding me in the Bottom of the Sea: I find a Way to cheat him for all his Care. You may ſee by this, that when a Woman has form’d a Project, there’s no Husband or Gallant that can hinder her putting it in Execution. Men had better not put their Wives under ſuch Reſtraint, if they have a mind they ſhould be chaſte. Having ſpoke thus to them, ſhe put their Rings upon the ſame String with the reſt, and ſitting her down by the Monſter, as before, laid his Head again upon her Lap, and made a Sign for the Princes to be gone.
They return’d immediately by the ſame way they came, and when they were out of Sight of the Lady and the Genie, Schahriar ſays to Schahzenan; Well, Brother, what do you think of this Adventure? Has not the Genie a very faithful Miſtreſs? And don’t you agree that there’s no Wickedneſs equal to that of Women? Yes, Brother, anſwers the King of Great Tartary; and you muſt alſo agree,that the Monſter is more unfortunate, and has more Reaſon to complain than we. Therefore, ſince we have found what we ſought for, let’s return to our Dominions, and let not this hinder us to marry again. For my part, I know a Method by which I think I ſhall keep inviolable the Faith that any Wife ſhall plight to me. I will ſay no more of it at preſent, but you will hear of it in a little Time, and I am ſure you will follow my Example, The Sultan agreed with his Brother, and continuing their Journey, they arrived in the Camp the third Night after they left it.
The News of the Sultan’s Return being ſpread, the Courtiers came betimes in the Morning before his Pavilion to wait on him. He order’d them to enter, receiv’d them with a more pleaſant Air than formerly, and gave each of them a Gratification. After which, he told ’em he would go no further, order’d them to take Horſe, and return’d ſpeedily to his Palace.
As ſoon as ever he arriv’d, he run to the Sultaneſs’s Apartment, commanded her to be bound before him, and deliyer’d her to his Grand Viſier, with an Order to ſtrangle her, which was accordingly executed by that Miniſter, without enquiring into her Crime. The enraged Prince did not ſtop here, he cut off the Heads of all the Sultaneſs’s Ladies with his own Hand. After this rigorous Puniſhment, being perſwaded that no Woman was chaſte, he reſolv’d, in order to prevent the Diſloyalty of ſuch as he ſhould afterwards marry, to wed one every Night, and have her ſtrangled next Morning. Having impos’d this cruel Law upon himſelf, he ſwore that he would obſerve it immediately after the Departure of the King of Tartary, who ſpeedly took leave of him, and being loaden with magnicent Preſents, ſet forward on his Journey.
Schahzenan being gone, Schahriar ordered his Grand Viſer to bring him the Daughter of one of his Generals. The Viſier obey’d; the Sultan lay with her, and putting her next Morning into his Hands again in order to be ſtrangled, commanded him to get him another next Night, Whatever Reluctancy the Viſier had to put ſuch Orders in Execution, as he ow’d blind Obedience to the Sultan his Maſter, he was forc’d to ſubmit. He brought him then the Daughter of a Subaltern, whom he alſo cut off next Day. After her he brought a Citizen’s Daughter; and, in a word, there was every Day a Maid married, and a Wife murdered.
The Rumour of this unparallell’d Barbarity, occaſion’d a general Conſternation in the City, where there was nothing but Crying and Lamentation. Here a Father in Tears, and unconſolable for the Loſs of his Daughter; and there tender Mothers dreading leſt theirs ſhould have the ſame Fate, making the Air to reſound beforehand with their Groans. So that inſtead of the Commendations and Bleſſings which the Sultan had hitherto receiv’d from his Subjects, their Mouths were now fill’d with Imprecations againſt him.
The Grand Viſier, who, as has been already faid, was the Executioner of this horrid Injuſtice againſt his Will, had two Daughters, the eldeſt call’d Scheherazade, and the youngeſt Dinarzade; the latter was a Lady of very great Merit; but the elder had Courage, Wit, and Penetration infinitely above her Sex; ſhe had read abundance, and had ſuch a prodigious Memory, that ſhe never forgot any thing, She had ſucceſsfully applied her ſelf to Philoſophy, Phyſick, Hiſtory, and the Liberal Arts; and for Verſe exceeded the beſt Poets of her Time: Beſides this, ſhe was a perfect Beauty,and a!l her fine Qualifications were crown’d by ſolid Virtue.
The Viſier paſſionately loved a Daughter ſo worthy of his tender Affection; and one Day as they were diſcourſing together, ſhe ſays to him, Father, I have one Favour to beg of you, and moſt humbly pray you to grant it me, I will not refuſe it, anſwers he, provided it be juſt and reaſonable. For the Juſtneſs of it, ſays ſhe, there can be no Queſtion, and you may judge of it by the Motive which obliges me to demand it of you. I have a Deſign to ſtop the Courſe of that Barbarity which the Sultan exerciſes upon the Families of this City. I would diſpel thoſe unjuſt Fears which ſo many Mothers have of loſing their Daughters in ſuch a total manner. Your Defign, Daughter, replies the Viſier, is very commendable; but the Diſeaſe you would remedy, to me ſeems incurable; how do you pretend to affect it? Father, fays Scheherazade, ſince by your means the Sultan makes every Day a new Marriage, I conjure you by the tender Affection you bear to me, to procure me the Honour of his Bed. The Viſier could not hear this without Horror, O Heaven! replies he in a Paſſion, Have you loſt your Senſes Daughter, that you make ſuch a dangerous Requeſt to me? You know the Sultan has ſworn by his Soul, that he will never lie above one Night with the ſame Woman, and to order her to be kil’d next Morning, and would you that I ſhould propoſe you to him? Pray confider well to what your indiſcreet Zeal will expoſe you. Yes, dear Father, replies the virtuous Daughter, I know the Risk I run, but that does not frighten me, If I periſh, my Death will be glorious; and if I ſucceed, I ſhall do my Country an important Piece of Service. No, no, ſays the Viſier, whatever you can repreſent to engage me to let you throw your ſelf into that horrible Danger, don’t you think ever I will agree to it. When the Sultan ſhall order me to ſtrike my Poniard into your Heart, alas! I muſt obey him, and what a diſmal imployment is that for a Father? Ah if you don’t fear Death, yet at leaſt be afraid of occaſioning me the mortal Grief of ſeeing my Hand ſtain’d with your Blood. Once more, Father, ſays Scheherazade, grant me the Favour I beg. Your Stubbornneſs, replies Viſier, will make me angry, why will you run headlong to your Ruin? They that don’t fore ſee the End of a dangerous Enterprize, can never bring it to an happy Iſſue, I am afraid the ſame thing will happen to you, that happen’d to the Aſs, which was well, and could not keep himſelf ſo. What Misfortune befel the Aſs, replies Scheherazade? I’ll tell it you, ſays the Viſier, if you’ll hear me.
Fable.
The Aſs, the Ox, and the Labourer.
Avery rick Merchant had ſeyeral Country Houſes, where he had abundance of Cattle of all Sort. He went with his Wife and Family to one of thoſe Eſtates, in order to improve it himſelf. He had the Gift of underſtanding the Language of Beaſts, but with this Condition, that he ſhould interpret it to no body on Pain of Death, and this hinder’d him to communicate to others what he learn’d by means of this Gift.
He had in the ſame Stall, an Ox and an Aſs; and one Day as he ſat near them, and diverted himſelf to ſee his Children play about him, he heard the Ox ſay to the Aſs, Sprightly: O how happy do I think you, when l conſider Eaſe you enjoy, and the little Labour that’s requir’d of you. You are carefully rubb’d down and waſh’d, you have well-dreſt Corn, and freſh clean Water. Your greateſt Buſineſs is to carry the Merchant our Maſter, when he has any little Journey to make, and were it not for that you would be perfectly idie. I am treated in a quite different Manner, and my Condition is as unfortunate, as yours is pleaſant. It’s ſcarce Day-light when i am faſten’d to a Plow, and there they make me work till Night, to till up the Ground; which fatigues me ſo, that ſometimes my Strength fails me. Beſides, the Labourer, who is always behind me, beats me continually, By drawing the Plow, my Tail is all flea’d; and in ſhort, after having laboured from Morning till Night, when I am brought in, they give me nothing to eat but ſorry dry Beans, not ſo much as cleans’d from Sand, or other things as pernicious; and to heighten my Miſery, when have fill’d my Belly with ſuch ordinary Stuff, I am forc’d to lie all Night in my own Dung; that you ſee I have reaſon to envy your Lor.
The Aſ6 did not interrupt the Ox, till he had ſaid all that he had a mind to ſay; but when he had made an end, he anſwer’d, they that call you a fooliſh Beaſt don’t lye; you are too ſimple, you let them carry you whither they pleaſe, and ſhew no manner of Reſolution. In the mean time, what Advantage do you reap by all the Indignities you ſuffer? You kill yourſelf tor the Eaſe, Pleaſure and Profit of thoſe that give you no thanks for ſo doing. But they would not treat you ſo, if you had as much Courage as Strength.
When they come to faſten you to the Stall, why don’t you make Reſiſtance? why don’t you ſtrike them with your Horns, and ſhew that you are angry, by ſtriking your Foot againſt the Ground? And in ſhort, why don’t you frighten them by bellowing aloud? Nature has furniſh’d you with means to procure you Reſpect, but you don’t make uſe of them. They bring you ſorry Beans, and bad Straw; eat none of ’em, only ſmell to ’em and leave ’em. If you follow the Advice I give you, you will quickly find a Change, for which you will thank, me. The Ox took the Aſs’s Advice in very good part, anown’d he was very much oblig’d to him for it. Dear Sprightly, adds he, I will not tail to do all that you have ſaid, and you ſhall ſee how I ſhall acquit my ſelf. They held their Peace after this Diſcourſe, of, which the Merchant heard every Word.
Next Morning betimes, the Labourer comes to take the Ox: He faſtned him to the Plow, and carried him to his ordinary Work. The Ox, who had not forgot the Aſs’s Counſe], was very troubleſome and untowardly all that Day, and in the Evening, when the Labourer brought him back to the Stall, and began to faſten him to it, the malicious Beaſt, inſtead of preſenting his Horns willingly as he us’d to do, was reſtive, and went backward bellowing; and then made at the Labourer as if he would have puſh’d him with his Horns: In a word, he did all that the Aſs advis’d him to. Next Day the Labourer came as uſual, to take the Ox to his Labour; but finding the Stall full of Beans, the Straw that he put in it the Night before not touch’d, and the Ox lying on the Ground with his Legs ſtretch’d out, and panting in a ſtrange manner, he believ’d him to be ſick, pity’d him, and thinking that it was not proper to carry him to work, went immediately and acquainted the Merchant with it.
Who perceiving that the Ox had follow’d all the miſchivous Advices of the Aſs whom he thought fit to puniſh for it, he ordered the Labourer to go and put the Aſs in the Ox’s Place, and to be ſure to work him hard. The Labourer did ſo, the Aſs was forc’d to draw the Plow all that Day, which fatigued him ſo much the more, that he was not accuſtom’d to that Sort of Labour; beſides, he had been ſo ſoundly beat, that he could ſcarce ſtand when he came back.
Mean while the Ox was mightily pleas’d, he eat up all that was in his Stall, and reſted himſelf the whole Day. He was glad at the Heart that he had follow’d the Aſs’s Advice, bleſſed him a thouſand times for it, and did not fail to complement him upon it, when he ſaw him come back. The Aſs anſwer’d not one Word ſo vex’d was he to be ſo ill treated; but ſays within himſelf, it’s by my own Imprudence I have brought this Misfortune upon my ſelf; I liv’d happily, every thing ſmil’d upon me, I had all that I could wiſh, it’s my own Fault that I am brought to this miſerable Condi-tion; and if I can’t contrive ſome way to get out of it, I am certainly undone; and as he ſpoke thus, his Strength was ſo much exhauſted, that he fell down at his Stall, as if he had been half dead.
Here the Grand Viſier addreſſed himſelf to Scheherazade, and ſaid: Daughter, you do juſt like the Aſs, you will expoſe your ſelf to Deſtruction by your falſe Prudence. Take my Advice, be eaſy, and don’t take ſuch Meaſures as will haſten your Death. Father, replies Scheberazade, the Example you bring me, is not capable of making me change my Reſolution; I will never ceaſe importuning you until you preſent me to the Sultan to be his Bride. The Viſier perceiving that ſhe inſiſted in her Demand, reply’d, Alas then! Since you will continue obſtinate, I ſhall be obliged to treat you in the ſame manner as the Merchant I nam’d juſt now treated his Wife a little time after.
The Merchant underſtanding that the Aſs was in a lamentable Condition, was curious to know what paſs’d betwixt him and the Ox; therefore, after Supper, he went out by Moon-light, and ſat down by them, his Wife bearing him Company. When he arriv’d, he heard the Aſs ſay to the Ox, Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what you intend to do to-morrow, when the Labourer brings you Meat? What will I do, ſays the Ox, I will continue to do as you taught me. I will go off from him, and threaten him with my Horns, as I did Yeſterday; I will feign my ſelf to be ſick and juſt ready to die. Beware of that, replies the Aſs, it will ruin you; for as I came home this Evening, I heard the Merchant, our Maſter, fay ſomething that makes me tremble for you. Alas! What did you bear ſays the Ox? As you love me, hide nothing from me, my dear Sprightly. Our Maſter, replied the Aſs, had theſe fad Expreſſions to the Labourer: Since the Ox does not eat, and is not able to work, I would have him kill’d to-morrow, and we will give his Fleſh as an Alms to the Poor for God’s ſake; as for his Skin, that will be of Uſe to us, and I would have you give it the Currier to dreſs, therefore don’t fail, but ſend for the Butcher. This is what I had to tell you, ſays the Aſs. The Concern I have for your Preſervation, and my Friendſhip far you, oblig’d me to let you know it, and to give you new Advice. As ſoon as they bring you your Bran and Straw riſe up and eat heartily. Our Maſter will by this think that you are cur’d, and no doubt will recal his Orders for killing you; whereas if you do otherwiſe, you are certainly gone,
This Diſcourſe had the effect which the Aſs deſign’d. The Ox was ſtrangely troubled at it, and bellow’d out for Fear. The Merchant, who heard the Diſcourſe very attentively, fell into ſuch a Fit of Laughter, that his Wife was ſurpriz’d at it, and ſaid, Pray Husband tell me what you laugh at ſo heartily; that I may laugh with you. Wiſe, ſays he, you muſt content your ſelf with hearing me laugh. No, replies ſhe, I will know the. Reaſon. I cannot give you that Satisfaction, anſwers he, but only that laugh at what our Aſs juſt now ſaid to our Ox. The reſt is a Secret, which I am not allow’d to reveal. And what hinders you from revealing the Secret, ſays ſhe? If I tell it you, anſwers he, it will coſt me my Life. You only jeer me, cry’d his Wife, what you tell me now cannot be true. If you don’t ſatisfy me preſently what you laugh at, and tell me what the Ox and Aſs ſaid to one another, I ſwear by Hegven that you and I ſhall never bed again.
Having ſpoke thus, ſhe went into the Houſe in a great Fret, and ſetting her ſelf in a Corner, cried there all Night. Her Husband lay alone, and finding next Morning that ſhe continued in the ſame Humour, told her, ſhe was a very fooliſh Woman to afflict her ſelf in that manner, the thing was not worth ſo much, and that it did concern her as little to know the matter, as it concern’d him much to keep it ſecret. Therefore I conjure you to think no more of it. I ſhall ſtill think ſo much of it, ſays ſhe, as never to forbear weeping till you have ſatisfy’d my Curioſity. But I tell you very ſeriouſly, replied he, that it will coſt me my Life, if I yield to your Indiſcretion. Let what will happen, ſays ſhe, I do infiſt upon it. I perceive, ſays the Merchant, that ’tis impoſſible ts bring you to Reaſon, and ſince I foreſee that you will occaſion your own Death by your Obſtinacy, I will call in your Children, that they may ſee you before you die. Accordingly he call’d for ’em, and ſent for her Father and Mother, and other Relations. When they were come;and heard the Reaſon of their being call’d for, they did all they could to convince her that ſhe was in the wrong; but to no purpoſe; She told ’em ſhe would rather die than yield that Point to her Husband. Her Father and Mother ſpoke to her by her ſelf, and to!d her that what ſhe deſired to know was of no Importance to her, but they could gain nothing upon her either by their Authority or Intreaties. When her Children ſaw that nothing would prevail to bring her out of that ſullen Temper, they wept bitterly. The Merchant himſelf was like a Man out of his Senſes and was almoſt ready to risk his own Life, to ſave that of his Wiſe, whom he lov’d dearly.
Now, my Daughter, ſays the Viſier to Scheherazade, this Merchant had fifty Hens, and a Cock, with a Dog that gave good heed to all that paſs’d, and while the Merchant was ſet down, as I ſaid, and conſidering what he had beſt to do, he ſees his Dog run toward the Cock, as he was treading a Hen, and heard him; ſpeak to him thus; Cock, ſays he, I am ſure Heaven will not let you live long, are you not aſham’d to do that thing to-day? The Cock ftanding upon tiptoe, anſwers the Dog fiercely, And why, ſays he, ſhould I not do it to-day as well as other Days? If you don’t know; replies the Dog, then I tell you, that this Day our Maſter is in great Perplexity. His Wife would have him reveal a Secret which is of ſuch a Nature, that it will coſt him his Life if he doth it. | Things are come to that paſs; that it is to be fear’d he will ſcarcely have Reſolution enough to reſiſt his Wife’s Obſtinacy; for he loves her, and is affected with the Tears that ſhe continually ſheds, and perhaps it may coſt him his Life. We are all alarm’d at it, and you only inſult our Melancholy, and have the Impudence to divert your ſelf with your Hens.
The anſwer’d the Dogs Reproof thus: What, has our Maſter ſo little Senſe? He has but one Wife, and can’t govern her, and tho’ I have Fifty, I make them all do what I pleaſe. Let him make uſe of his Reaſon, he will ſpeedily find a Way to rid himſelf of his Trouble. Ho, ſays the Dog, what would you have him do? Let him go into the Room where his Wife is, ſays the Cock, lock the Door, and take a good Stick and treſh her well, and I’ll anſwer for it, that wilt bring her to her right Wits, and make her forbear to ask him any more what he ought not to tell her. The Merchant had no ſooner heard what the Cock ſaid, but he took up a good Stick, went to his Wife, whom he found ſtill a crying, and ſhutting the Door, belabour’d her ſo ſoundly, that ſhe cried out, It is enough, Husband, it is enough, let me alone, and I will never ask the Qeſtion more. Upon this, perceiving that ſhe repented of her impertinent Curioſity, he forbore drubbing her, and opening the Door, her Friends came in, were glad to find her cur’d of her Obſtinacy, and complimented her Husband upon this happy Expedient to bring his Wiſe to Reaſon. Daughter, adds the Grand Viſier, you deſerve to be treated as the Merchant treated his Wife.
Father, replies Scheherazade, I beg you would not take it ill that I perſiſt in my Opinion. I am nothing moved by the Story of that Woman, I can tell you abundance of others, to perſuade you that you ought not to oppoſe my Deſign. Beſides, pardon me for declaring to you, that your oppoſing me would be in vain; for if your Paternal Affection ſhould hinder you to grant my Requeſt, I would go and offer my ſelf to the Sultan. In ſhort, the Father being overcome by the Reſolution of his Daughter, yielded to her Importunity, and tho’ he was very much griev’d that he could not divert her from ſuch a fatal Reſolution, he went that Minute to acquaint the Sultan, that next Night he would bring him Scheherazade.
The Sultan was much ſurpriz’d at the Sacrifice which the Grand Vifier made to him. How could you refolve upon it, ſays he, to bring me your own Daughter? Sir, anſwers the Viſier, it’s her own Offer. The ſad Deſtiny that attends it could not ſcare her, ſhe prefers the Honour of being your Majeſty’s Wiſe one Night, to her Life. But don’t miſtake yourſelf, Viſier, ſays the Sultan, to-morrow when I put Scheherazade into your Hands, I expect you ſhould take away her Life, and if you fail, I ſwear that you your ſelf ſhall die. Sir, rejoins the Viſier, my Heart without doubt will be full of Grief to execute your Commands, but it is to no purpoſe for Nature to murmur, tho’ I be her Father, I will anſwer for the Fidelity of my Hand to obey Order. Schahriar accepted his Miniſter’s Offer, and told him he might bring his Daughter when he pleas’d.
The Grand Viſier went with the News to Scheherazade, who receiv’d it with as much Joy, as if it had been the moſt agreeable thing in the World; ſhe thank’d her Father for having obliged her in ſo ſenſible a manner, and perceiving that he was ovewhelmed with Grief, ſhe told him, in order to his Conſolation, that ſhe hop’d he would never repent his having married her to the Sultan; but that on the contrary, he ſhould have cauſe to rejoice in it all his Days.
All her Buſineſs was to put her ſelf in a Condition to appear before the Sultan; but before ſhe went, the took her Siſter Dinarzade apart, and ſays to her, My dear Siſter, I have need of your Help in a Matter of very great Importance, and muſt pray you not to deny it me. My Father is going to carry me to the Sultan to be his Wife, don’t let this frighten you, but hear me with Patience. As ſoon as I am come to the Sultan, I will pray him to allow you to lie in the Bride-Chamber, that I may enjoy your Company this one Night more. If I obtain that Favour as I hope to do, remember to awake me to-morrow, an Hour before Day, and to addreſs me in theſe or ſome ſuch Words. My Sifter, if you be not aſleep, I pray you that till Day break, which will be very ſpeedily, you would tell me one of the fine Stories of which you have read ſo many. Immediately I will tell you one; and I hope by this means to deliver the City from the Conſternation they are under at preſent. Dinarzade anſwer’d, That ſhe would obey with Pleaſure, what ſhe requir’d of her.
The time of going to Bed being come, the grand Viſier conducted Scheherazade to the Palace, and retir’d after having introduc’d her to the Sultan’s Apartment. As ſoon as the Sultan was left alone with her, he order’d her to uncover her Face, and found it ſo beautiful, that he was perfectly charm’d with her; and perceiving her to be in Tears, ask’d her the reafon. Sir, anſwer’d Scheherazade, I have a Siſter, who loves me tenderly, as do her; and I could wiſh that ſhe might be allow’d to be all Night in this Chamber, that I might ſee her, and bid her once more adieu. Will you be pleas’d to allow me the Comfort of giving her this laſt Teſtimony of my Friendſhip. Schahriar having conſented to it, Dinarzade was ſent for, who came with all poſſible Diligence. The Sultan went to Bed with Scheherazade, upon an Alcove rais’d very high, according to the Cuſtom of the Monarchs of the Eaſt, and Dinarzade lay in a Bed that was prepared for her, near the Foot of the Alcove.
An Hour before Day being awake, fail’d not to do as her Siſter order’d her. My dear Siſter, cries ſhe, if you be not aſleep, I pray, until Day break, which will be in a very little time, that you will tell me one of thoſe pleaſant Stories you have read; Alas! this may perhaps be the laſt time that ever I ſhall have that Satisfaction.
Scheherazade, inſtead of anfwering her Sifter, addreſs’d her ſelf to the Sultan, thus: Sir, will your Majeſty be pleas’d to allow me to give my Siſter this Satisfaction? With all my Heart, anſwers the Sultan. Then Scheherazade bid her Siſter liſten, and afterwards addreſſing her ſelf to Schahriar, begun thus,