Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 1/The Merchant and the Genie
The Firſt Night.
The Merchant and the Genie.
- SIR,
THere was formerly a Merchant, who had a great Eftate in Lands, Goods, and Money, He had abundance of Deputies, Factors, and Slaves: He was oblig’d from time to time, to take Journies; and talk with his Correfpondents; and one Day being under a neceſſity of going a long Journey, about an Affair of importance, he took Horſe, and put a Portmanteau behind him with fome Biskets and Dates, becauſe he had a great Defart to paſsover, where he could have no manner of Proviſions. He arriv’d without any Accident at the end of his Journey; and having diſpatch’d his Affairs, took Horſe again, in order to return home.
The fourth Day of his Journey, he was ſo much incommoded by the heat of the Sun, and the Reflexion of that heat from the Earth, that he turn’d out of the Road, to refreſh himſelf under ſome Trees that he ſaw in the Country, There he found at the Root of a great Walnut Tree, a Fountain of very clear running Water, and alighting, tied his Horfe to a Branch of a Tree, and ſitting down by the Fountain, took ſome Dates out of his Portmanteau, and as he eat his Dates, threw the Shells about en both ſides of him. When he had done eating, being a good Muſſulman, he waſh’d his Hands, his Face, and his Feet, and ſaid his Prayers. He had not made an end, but was ſtill on his Knees, when he ſaw a Genie appear, all white with Age, and of a monſtrous Bulk; who advancing towards him with a Scimiter in his Hand, ſpoke to him in a terrible Voice, thus: Riſe up, that I may kill thee with this Scimiter, as you have kill’d my Son; and accompanied thoſe Words with a frightful Cry. The Merchant being as much frightned at the hideous Shape of the Monſter, as at thoſe threatning Words, anſwer’d him trembling. Alas! my Lord, of what Crime can I be guilty towards you, that you ſhould vanes my Life? I will, replies the Genie, kill thee, as thou haſt kill’d my Son? O Heaven! fays the Merchant, how ſhould I kill your Son, I did not know Him, nor ever faw him. Did not you fit down when you came hither, replies the Genie? Did not you take Dates out of your Portmanteau, and as you eat ’em, did not you throw the Shells about on both fides? I did all that you fay, anſwers the Merchant, I cannot deny it. If it be fo, replied the Genie, I tell thee, that thou kill’d my Son; and the Way was thus: When you threw your Nut-ſhells about, my Son was paſſing by, and you threw one of ’em into his Eye, which kill’d him; therefore I muſt kill thee. Ah! my Lord, pardon me! cry’d the Merchant. No Pardon, anſwers the Genie, no Mercy. Is it not juſt to kill him that has kill’d another? I agree to it, ſays the Merchant, but certainly I never kill’d your Son; and if I have, it was unknown to me, and I did it innocently; therefore I beg you to pardon me, and to ſuffer me to live. No, no, ſays the Genie, perſiſting in his Reſolution, I muſt kill thee, ſince thou haſt kill’d my Son; and then taking the Merchant by the Arm, threw him with his Face upon the Ground, and lifted up his Scimiter, to cut off his Head.
The Merchant all in Tears, proteſted he was innocent, bewail’d his Wife and Children, and ſpoke to the Genie in the moſt moving Expreſſions that could be uttered. The Genie, with his Scimiter ſtill lifted up, had ſo much Patience, as to hear the Wretch make an end of his Lamentations, but would not relent. All this whining, ſays the Monſter, is to no purpoſe, tho’ you ſhould ſhed Tears of Blood, that ſhall not hinder me to kill thee, as thou kill’dſt my Son. Why! repiied the Merchant, can nothing prevail with you; will you abſolutely take away the Life of a poor Innocent. Yes, replied the Genie, I am reſolv’d upon it. As ſhe had ſpoke thoſe Words, perceiving it was Day, and knowing that the Sultan roſe betimes in the Morning to ſay his Prayers, and hold his Council, Scheherazade, held her Peace. Lord! Siſter, ſays Dinarzade, what a wonderful Story is this. The Remainder of it, ſays Scheherazade, is more ſurpriſing, and you will be of my mind, if the Sultan will let me live this Day, and permit me to tell it you next Night. Schahriar, who had liſtned to Scheherazade with Pleaſure, ſays to himſelf, I will ſtay till tomorrow, for I can at any time put her to death when ſhe has made an end of the Story: So having reſolved not to take away Scheherazade’s Life that Day, he roſe and went to his Prayers, and then call’d his Council.
All this while the Grand Viſier was terrible uneaſy. Inſtead of ſleeping, he ſpent the Night in Sighs and Groans, bewailing the Lot of his Daughter, of whom he believ’d that he himſelf ſhould be the Executioner. And as in this melancholy Proſpect, he was afraid of ſeeing the Sultan; he was agreeably ſurpriz’d, when he ſaw the Prince enter the Council-Chamber without giving him the fatal Orders he expected.
The Sultan according to his Cuſtom, ſpent the Day in regulating his Affairs; and when Night came, he went to Bed with Scheherazade. Next Morning before Day, Dinarzade fail’d not to addreſs her ſelf to her Siſter, thus: My dear Siſter, if you be not aſleep, I pray you till Day break which muſt be in a very little time, to go on with the Story began laſt Night. The Sultan, without ſtaying till Scheherazade ask’d him leave, bid her make an end of the Story of the Genie and the Merchant, for I long to hear the Iſſue of it; upon which Scheherazade ſpoke, and continued the Story as follows.
The Second Night.
WHen the Merchant faw that the Genie was going to cut off his Head, he cry’d out aloud, and ſaid to him, for Heav'ns ſake hold your Hand! Allow me one Word, be ſo good as to grant me ſome reſpite, allow me but time to bid my Wife and Children adieu, and to divide my Eſtate among them by Will, that they may not go to Law with one another after my Death; and when I have done ſo, I will comeback to this ſame Place, and ſubmit to whatever you ſhall pleaſe to order concerning me. But, ſays the Genie, if I grant you the time you demand, I doubt you’ll never return: If you will believe my Oath, anſwers the Merchant, I ſwear by all that’s Sacred, that I will come and meet you here without fail. What time do you demand then, replies the Genie? I ask a Year, ſays the Merchant; I cannot have leſs to order my Affairs, and to prepare my ſelf to die without Regret. But I promiſe you, that this Day twelve Months I will return under theſe Trees, to put my ſelf into your Hands. Do you take Heav’n to be Witneſs to this Promiſe, ſays the Genie? I do, anſwers the Merchant, and repeat it, and you may rely upon my Oath. Upon this the Genie left him near the Fountain, and diſappear’d.
The Merchant being recover’d from his Fright, mounted his Horſe, and ſet forward on his Journey; and as he was glad on the one hand that he had eſcap’d ſo great a Danger, ſo he was mortallly ſorry on the other, when he thought on his fatal Oath. When he came home, his Wife and Children receiv’d him with all the Demonſtrations of a perfect Joy. But he, inſtead of making them anſwer-able Returns, fell a weeping bitterly; from whence they really conjectur’d, that ſomething extraordinary had befallen him. His Wife ask’d the Reaſon of his exceſſive Grief and Tears: We are all overjoy’d ſays ſhe, at your Return, but you frighten us to ſee you in this Condition; pray tell us the Cauſe of your Sorrow. Alas! replies the Husband, the Cauſe of it is, That have but a Year to live; and then told what had paſſed betwixt him and the Genie, and that he had given him his Oath to return at the end of the Year, to receive Death from his Hands.
When they heard this ſad News, they all began to lament heartily: His Wife made a pitiful Out-cry, beat her Face, and tore her Hair. The Children being all in Tears, made the Houſe reſound with their Groans; and the Father, not being able to overcome Nature, mix’d his Tears with theirs: So that, in a word, it was the moſt affecting Spectacle that any Man could behold.
Next Morning, the Merchant applied himſelf to put his Affairs in order; and firſt of all, to pay his Debts. He made Preſents to his Friends, gave great Alms to the Poor, ſet his Slaves of both Sexes at Liberty, divided his Eſtate among his Children, appointed Guardians for ſuch of them as were not come of Age; and reſtoring to his Wife all that was due to her by Contract of Marriage, he gave her over and above all that he could do by Law.
At laſt the Year expir’d, and go he muſt. He put his Burial Cloaths in his Portmantle; but never was there ſuch Grief ſeen, as when he came to bid his Wife and Children adieu. They could not think of parting, but reſolv’d to go along and to die with him; but finding that he muſt be forc’d to part with thoſe dear Objects, he ſpoke to ’em thus: My dear Wife and Children, ſays he, I obey the Order of Heaven, in quitting you, follow my Example, ſubmit couragiouſly to this Neceſſity, and conſider that it’s the Deſtiny of Man to die. Having ſaid theſe Words, he went out of the hearing of the Cries of his Family, and taking his Journey, arriv’d at the Place where he promis’d to meet the Genie, on the Day appointed. He alighted, and ſetting himſelf down by the Fountain, waited the coming of the Genie, with all the Sorrow imaginable. Whilſt he languiſh’d in this cruel Expectation, a good old Man leading a Bitch, appeared and drew near him; they ſaluted one another, after which the old Man ſays to him, Brother, may I ask you why you are come into this deſart Place, where there’s nothing but evil Spirits, and by Conſequence you cannot be ſafe. To look upon theſe fine Trees, indeed one would think the Place inhabited, but it is a true Wilderneſs, where it is not ſafe to ſtay long.
The Merchant ſatisfy’d his Curioſity, and told him the Adventure which obliged him to be there. The 0ld Man liſten’d to him with Aſtoniſhment, and when he had done, cry’d out, This is the moſt ſurpriſing thing in the World, and you are bound by the moſt inviolable Oath; however, I will be Witneſs of your Interview with the Genie; and ſitting down by the Merchant, they talk’d together. But I ſee Day, ſays Scheherazade, and muſt leave off; yet the beſt of the Story is yet to come. The Sultan reſolving to hear the end of it, ſufferd her to live that Day alſo.
The Third Night.
NExt Morning Dinarzade made the ſame Requeſt to her Siſter as formerly, thus: My dear Siſter, ſays ſhe, if you be not aſleep, tell me one of thoſe pleaſant Stories, that you have read. But the Sultan, willing to underſtand what follow’d betwixt the Merchant and the Genie, bid her go on with that, which ſhe did as follows.
Sir, while the Merchant, and the old Man that led the Bitch, were talking; they ſaw another old Man, coming to them, follow’d by two black Dogs: After they had ſaluted one another, he ask’d them what they did in that Place. The old Man with the Bitch told him the Adventure of the Merchant and Genie, with all that had paſt betwixt them, particularly the Merchant’s Oath. He added that this was the Day agreed on, and that he was reſolved to ſtay and ſee the Iſſue.
The ſecond old Man, thinking it alſo worth his Curioſity, reſolv’d to do the like: He likewiſe ſat down by them, and-they had ſcarce begun to talk together; but there came a third old Man, who addreſſing himſelf to the two former, ask’d why the Merchant that ſat with them look’d ſo melanchely. They told him the Reaſon of it which appear’d ſo extraordinary to him, that he alſo reſolv’d to be Witneſs to the Reſult, and for that end ſat down with ’em.
In a little time, they perceiv’d in the Field a thick Vapour, like a Cloud of Duſt rais’d bya Whirlwind; advancing towards them, which vaniſh’d all of a ſudden, and then the Genie appear’d, who without ſaluting them, came up to the Merchant with his drawn Scimiter, and taking him by the Arm, ſays, Get thee up, that I may kill thee as thou didſt kill my Son. The Merchant and the three old Men being frighten’d, began to lament; and to fill the Air with their Cries. Here Scheherazade perceiving Day,left off her Story, which did ſo much whet the Sultan’s Curioſity, that he was abſolutely reſolv’d to hear the end of it, and put off the Sultaneſs’s Execution till next Day.
No body can expreſs the Grand Vilier’s Joy; when he perceiv’d that the Sultan did not order him to kill Scheherazade; his Family, the Court, and all People in general, were aſtoniſh’d at it.
The Fourth Night.
TOwards the end of the following Night, Dinarzade fail’d not to awake the Sultaneſs. My dear Siſter, fays ſhe, if you be not aſleep, pray tell me one of your fine Stories. Then Scheherazade, with the Sultan’s Permiſſion, ſpoke as follows.
Sir, when the old Man that led the Bitch; ſaw the Genie lay hold of the Merchant, and about to kill him without Pity, he threw himſelf at the Feet of the Monſter, and kiſſing them, ſays to him: Prince of Genies I moſt humbly requeſt you to ſuſpend your Anger, and do me the Favour to hear me. I will tell you the Hitory of my Life, and of the Bitch you ſee; and if you think it more wonsderful and ſurprizing than the Adventure of the Merchant are going ta kill, I you will pardon the unfortunate Man the third of his Crime. The Genie took ſome time to conſult upon it, but anſwer’d at laſt, Well then, I agree to it.
The Hiftory of the Firſt old Man and the Bitch.
I Shall begin then, ſays the old Man, liſten to me, I pray you, With Attention. This Bitch you ſee, is my Couſin, nay, what is more, my Wife; ſhe was only twelve Years of Age when I married her, ſo that I may juſtly fay, ſhe ought as much to regard: me as her Father, as her Kinſman and Husband.
We liv’d together twenty Years, without any Children, yet her Barrenneſs did not hinder my having a great deal of Complaiſance and Friendship for her. The Deſire of having Children only, made me buy a Slave, by whom I had a Son, who was extream promiſing. My Wife being jealous, conceiv’d a Hatred for both Mother and Child, but conceal’d it ſo well, that I did not know it ’till ’twas too late.
Mean time, my Son grew up, and was ten Years old, when I was oblig’d to undertake a Journey: Before I went, I recommended to my Wife, of whom I had no Miſtruſt, the Slave and her Son, and pray’d her to take care of ’em during my Abſence, which was for a whole Year. She made uſc of that time to ſatisfy her Hatred; ſhe applied her ſelf to Magick, and when ſhe knew enough of that diabolical Art, to execute her horrible Contrivance, the Wretch carried my Son toa deſolate Place, where, by her Inchantments, ſhe chang’d my Son into a Calf, and gave him to my Farmer to fatten pretending ſhe had bought him. Her Fury did nor ſtop at this abominable Action, but ſhe likewiſe chang’d the Slave into a Cow, and gave her alſo to my Farmer.
At my Return, I ask’d for the Mother and Child: Your Slave, ſays ſhe, is dead, and for your Son, I know not what is become of him, I have not ſeen him theſe two Months. I was-troubled at the Death of the Slave, but my Son having only diſappear’d, as ſhe told me, I was in hopes he would return in a little time. However, eight Months paſs’d, and I heard nothing of him. When the Feſtival of the great Bairam happened, to celebrate the ſame, I ſent to my Farmer for one of the fatteſt Cows to ſacrifice, and he ſent me on accodingly. The Cow which he brought me, was my Slave, the unfortunate Mother of my Son. I tied her, but as I was going to ſacrifice her, ſhe bellow’d pitifully, and I could perceive Streams of Tears run from her Eyes. This ſeem’d to me very extraordinary and finding my ſelf, in ſpite of all I could do ſeiz’d with Pity, I could not find in my Heart to give her the Blow, but order’d my Farmer to get me another.
My Wife, who was preſent; was enrag’d at my Compaſſion, and oppoſing her ſelf to. n Order which diſapointed her Malice, ſhe-cries out: What do you do, Husband? Sacrifice that Cow, your Farmer has not a finer, nor one fitter for that Uſe. Out of Compliance to my Wife, I came again to the Cow, and combating my Pity, which fuſpended the Sacrifice, was going to give her the fatal Blow; when the Victim redoubling her Tears, and bellowing, diſarm’d me a ſecond time. Then I put the Mell into the Farmer’s Hand, and bid him take and ſacrifice her himſelf, for her Tears and Bellowing pierc’d my Heart.
The Farmer, leſs compaſſionate than I, ſacrific’d her; but when he ſlea’d her, found her to be nothing but Bones, tho’ to us ſhe ſeem’d very fat. Take her to your ſelf, fays I to the Farmer, I quit her to you; give her in Alms, or which way you will and if you have a very fat Calf, bring it me in her ſtead. I did not inform my ſelf what he did with the Cow, but ſoon after he took her away, he came with a very fat Calf. Tho’ I knew not that the Calf was my Son, yet I could not forbear being mov’d at the Sight of him. On his part, as ſoon as he aw me, he made ſo great an Effort to come to me, that he broke his Cord, threw himſelf at my Feet, with his Head againſt the Ground, as if he would excite my Compaſſion, conjure me not to be ſo cruel as to take his Life; and did as much as was poſſible: for him: to do, to ſignify that he was my Son.
I was more ſurprized and affected with this Action, than with the Tears of the Cow; I found a tender Pity, which made me concern my ſelf for him, or rather, Nature did its Duty. Go, ſays I, to the Farmer, carry home that Calf, take great care of him, and bring me another in his Place, immediately.
Aſſoon as my Wife heard me ſay ſo, ſhe immediately cried out, What do you do, Husband? take my Advice, ſacrifice no other Calf but that. Wife, ſays I, I will not ſacrifice him, I will ſpare him, and pray don’t you oppoſe it. The wicked Woman had no Regard to my Deſire, ſhe hated my Son too much, to conſent that I ſhould ſave him, I tied the poor Creature, and taking up the fatal Knife—here Scheherazade ſtop’d becauſe ſhe perceiv’d Day-light.
Then Dinarzade faid, Siſter, I am enchanted with this Story, which beſpeaks my Attention ſo agreeably. If the Sultan will ſuffer the to live to Day, anſwers Scheherazade, what I have to tell you to Morrow, will divert you abundantly more. Schahriar curious to know what would become of the old Man’s Son that led the Bitch, told the Sultaneſs, he would be very glad to hear the end of that Story next Night.
The Fifth Night.
WHen Day began to draw near, Dinarzade put her Sifter’s Orders in Execution very exactly; who being, awak’d, pray’d the Sultan to allow her to give Dinarzade that Satisfaction, which the Prince, who Took ſo much pleaſure in the Story himſelf, willingly agreed to.
Sir, then, ſays Scheherazade, the firſt old Man who led the Bitch continuing his Story to the Genie, the two other old Men, and the Merchant, proceeded thus: I took the Knife, ſays, he, and was going to ſtrike it into my Son’s throat; when turning his Eyes, bath’d with Tears, in a languiſhing manner, towards me, he affected me ſo, that I had not Strength to ſacrifice him, but let the knife fall, and told my Wife poſitively, that I would have another Calf to ſacrifice, and not that. She us’d all Endeavours to make me change my Reſolution but continued firm, and pacify’d her a little, by promiſing, that I would ſacrifice him againſt the Bairam, next Year.
Next Morning, my Farmer deſir’d to ſpeak with me alone; and told me, I come, ſays he, to tell you a piece of News, for which I hope you will return me Thanks, I have a Daughter that has ſome Skill in Magick: Yeſterday, as I carried back the Calf, which you would not ſacrifice; I perceiv’d ſhe laugh’d when ſhe ſaw him, and in a Moment after, fell a weeping: I ask’d her why ſhe acted two ſuch contrary Parts at one and the ſame time. Father, replies ſhe, the Calf you bring back; is our Landlord’s Son: I laugh’d for Joy to ſee him ſtill alive, and I wept at the Remembrance of the Sacrifice that was made th’ other Day of his Mother, who was chang’d into a Cow. Theſe two Metamorphoſes were made by the Enchantments of our Maſter’s Wife, who hated the Mother and Son. This is what my Daughter told me, ſaid the Farmer, and I come to acquaint you with it.
At theſe Words, the old Man adds, I leave you to think, my Lord Genie, how much I was ſurpriz’d; I went immediately to my Farmer, to ſpeak with his Daughter my ſelf. As ſoon as I came, I went forthwith to the Stall where my Son was, he could not anſwer my Embraces, but receiv’d them in ſuch a manner, as fully ſatisfied me he was my Son.
The Farmer’s Daughter came: My,good Maid, fays I, can you reſtore my Son to his former Shape? Yes, ſays ſhe, I can. Ah! fays I, if you can, I will-make yow Miſtreſs of all my Fortune. She replied to me ſmiling, You are our Maſter, and I know very well what I owe to you, but I cannot reſtore your Son ta his former Shape, but on two Conditions: The firſt is, that you give him me for my Husband; and the ſecond is, that you allow me to puniſh the Perſon who chang’d him into a Calf, For the firſt, ſays I, I agree to it with all my Heart: Nay, I promiſe you more, a conſiderable Eſtate for your ſelf, independent on what I deſign for my Son; In a word, you ſhall ſee how I will reward the great Service I expect from you. As to what relates to my Wife, I alſo agree to it; a Perſon that has been capable of committing ſuch a criminal Action, deſerves very well ta be puniſhed; I leave her to you, only I muſt pray you not to take her Life. I am juſt a going then, anſwers ſhe, to treat her as ſhe has treated your Son: I to it, ſays I, provided you reſtore my Son to me before-hand.
Then the Maid tooka Veſſel full of Water, pronounc’d Words over it that I did not underſtand; and addrefſing her ſelf to the Calf, O Calf, fays ſhe; if thou waſt created by the Almighty and Sovereign Maſter of the World, fuch as you appear at this time, continue in,that Form; but if thou beeſt a Man, and art chang’d into Calf by Enchantment; return to thy natural Shape, by the Permiſſion of the Sovereign-Creator. As ſhe ſpoke theſe Words, ſhe threw Water upon him, and in an inſtant he recover’d his firſt Shape.
My Son, my dear Son, cry’d I, immediately embracing him with ſuch a Tranſport of Joy, that I knew not what I was doing, it is Heaven that hath ſent us this young Maid, to take off the horrible Charm by which you were enchanted, and to avenge the Injury done to you and your Mother. I doubt not, but in Acknowledgment, you will take your Deliverer to Wife, as I have promis’d. He conſented to it with Joy; but before they married, ſhe chang’d my Wife into a Bitch; and this is ſhe you ſee here I deſir’d ſhe ſhould have this Shape, rather than another leſs agreeable, that we might ſee her in the Family without Horror.
Since that time, my Son is become a Widower, and gone to travel; and it-being ſeveral Years fince I heard of him; I am come abroad to enquire after him; and not being willing to truſt any body with my Wife, while I ſhould come home, I thought fit to carry her every where with me. This is the Hiſtory of my ſelf and this Bitch; is it not one of the moſt wonderful and ſurprizing that can be? I agree it is, fays the Genie, and upon that Account, I forgive the Merchant the third of his Crime.
When the firſt old Man, Sir, continu’d the Sultaneſs, had finiſh’d his Story, the ſecond, who led the two black Dogs, addreſſed himſelf to the Genie, and ſays to him: I am going to tell you what happen’d to me, and theſe two black Dogs you ſee by me, and I am certain you will ſay, that my Story is yet more ſurprizing than that which you have juſt now heard; but when I have told it you, I hope you will be pleas’d to pardon the Merchant the ſecond Third of his Crime. Yes, replies the Genie, provided your Story ſurpaſs that of the Bitch. Then the ſecond old Man began in this manner. But as Scheherazade pronounc’d theſe Words, ſhe faw it was Day, and left off ſpeaking.
O Heaven! Siſter, ſays Dinarzade, thoſe Adventures are very ſingular Siſter, replies the Sultaneſs, they are not comparable to thoſe which I have to tell you next Night, if the Sultan, my Lord and Maſter, be ſo good as to let me live. Schahriar anſwer’d nothing to that; but aroſe up, ſaid his Prayers, and went to Council, without giving any Order againſt the Life of the charming Scheherazade.
The Sixth Night.
THE Sixth Night being come, the Sultan and his Lady went to Bed, Dinarzade awak’d at the uſual Hour, and calling to the Sultaneſs, ſays: Dear Siſter, if you be not aſleep, I pray you, until it be Day, to ſatisfie my Curioſity; I am impatient to hear the Story of the old Man and the two black Dogs. The Sultan conſented to it with Pleaſure, being no leſs deſirous to know the Story than Dinarzade; and Scheherazade continued it as follows.
The Story of the Second old Man, and the rare black, Dogs.
GReat Prince of Genies, ſays the old Man, you muſt know that we are three Brothers, and the two black Dogs you ſee: Our Father left each of us, when he died one thouſand Sequins: With that Sum, we all enter’d into the ſame way of living, and became Merchants. A little time after we had open’d Shop, my eldeſt Brother, one of thoſe two Dogs, reſolv’d to travel and trade in foreign Countries. Upon this Deſign, he fold his Eſtate, and bought Goods proper for the, Trade he intended.
He went away, and was abſent a whole Year; at the end of which, a poor Man, who I thought had come to ask Alms, preſented himſelf before me in my Shop. I ſaid to him, God help you; God help you alſo; anſwer’d he, is it poſſible you don’t know me? Upon this I look’d to him narrowly, and knew him: Ah, Brother, cry’d I, embracing him, how could I know you in this Condition? I made him come into my Houſe, and ask’d him concerning His Health and the Succeſs of his Travels, Don’t ask me that Question ſays he; when you ſee me, you ſee all: It would only renew my Grief, to tell you all the particulars of the Misfortunes that have befal’n me, and reduc’d me to this Condition, ſince I left you.
I immediately ſhut up my Shop, and carrying him to a Bath, gave him the beft Cloaths I had by me; and examining my Books, and finding that I had doubled my Stock, that’s to fay, that I was worth two thouſand Sequins, I gave him one half. With that, ſays, Brother, you may make up your Loſs. He joyfully accepted the Proffer, recover’d himſelf, and we lived together as before.
Some time after, my ſecond Brother, who is the other of theſe two Dogs, would alſo ſell his, Eſtate; I, and his other Brother, did all we could to divert him from it, but could not; He ſold it, and with the Money bought ſuch Goods, as were ſuitable to the Trade he deſign’d. He join’d a Caravan, and took a Journey. He return’d at the end of the Year, in the ſame Condition as my other Brother; and I having gain’d another thouſand Sequins, gave him them, with which he furniſt’d his Shop, and continued to follow his Trade.
Sometime after, one of my Brothers comes to me to propoſe a trading Voyage with: them; I immediately rejected their Propoſal, You have travell’d, ſays I, and what have you gain’d by it; who can afſure me, that I ſhall be more ſucceſsful than you have been? They repreſented to me; in vain, all that they thought fit to prevail upon me to engage in that Deſign with them, for I conſtantly refus’d; but they importur’d me ſo much; that after having reliſted their Sollicitation five whole Years, they overcame me at laſt, But when we were to make Preparations for our Voyage, and to buy Goods neceſſary to the Undertaking, I found they had ſpent all, and that they had not one Farthing left of the thouſand Sequins had giv’n each of ’em. I did not, however upbraid them in the leaſt with it. On the contrary, my Stock being Six thouſand Sequins, I ſhar’d the half of it with ’em, telling ’em, my Brothers, we muſt venture theſe three thouſand Sequins, and hide the reſt in ſome ſure Place; that in caſe our Voyage be no more ſucceſsful than yours was formerly, we may have wherewith to aſſiſt us, and to follow our ancient way of living. I gave each of ’em a thouſand Sequins, and keeping as much for my ſelf, I buried the other three Thouſand in a Corner of my Houſe. We bought our Goods, and after having embark’d ’em on board of a: Veſſel, which we freighted betwixt us three, we put to Sea with a favourable Wind. After a Month’s Sail-but I ſee Day; ſays Scheherazade, I muſt ſtop here.
Siſter, ſays Dinarzade, this Story promiſes a great deal; I fancy the reſt of it muſt be very extraordinary. You are not miſtaken, ſays the Sultaneſs, and if the Sultan will allow me to tell it you, I am perſuaded it will very much divertyou. Schahriar got up as he did the Day before, without explaining his Mind; but gave no Order to the Grand Viſier to kill his Daughter.
The Seventh Night.
WHen the Seventh Night drew near a cloſe, Dinarzade awak’d the Sultaneſs, and pray’d her to continue the Story of the ſecond old Man. I will, anſwer’d Scheberazade, provided the Sultan, my Lord and Maſster, don’t oppoſe it. Not at all, ſays Schahriar, I am ſo far from oppoſing it, that I defire you earneſtly to go on with it.
To reſume the thread of the Story,. ſays Scheherazad, you moſt know, that the old Man who led-the two Dogs, continued his Story to the Genie, the other two old Men and the Merchant, thus: In ſhort, fays he, after two Month’s Sail, we arriv’d happily at a Port, where we landed, and had a very great Vent for our Goods. I, eſpecially, ſold mine ſo well, I gain’d Ten to One; and we bought Commodities of that Country, to tranſport and ſell in our own.
When we were ready to embark, in order to return, I met upon the Bank of the Sea, a Lady handſome enough, but poorly clad: She came up to, me preſently, kiſs’d my Hand, pray’d me with the greateſt earneſtneſs imaginable to marry her, and take her along with me. I made ſome Difficulty to agree to it; but ſhe ſaid ſo many Things to perſwade me, that I ought to make no Objection of her Poverty, and that I ſhould have all the Reaſon of the World to be ſatisfied with her Conduct that I yielded. I ordered fit Apparel to be made for her; and after having married her, according to Form, I took her on Board, and we ſet ſail. During the Navigation, I found the Wife I had taken, had ſo many good Qualities, that I lov’d her every Day more and more. In the mean time, my two Brothers who had not manag’d their Affairs ſo well as I did mine, envied my Proſperity; and their Fury carried them ſo far, as to conſpire againſt my Life; ſo that one Night, when my Wife and I were aſleep, they throw us into the Sea.
My Wife was a Fairy, and by conſequence; Genie, you know well, ſhe could not be drown’d; but for me; it’s certain, I had been loſt, without her help. I had ſcarce fall’n into the Water, till ſhe took me up, and carried me to an Iſland. When it was Day, the Fairy faid to me, You ſee Husband, that by ſaving your Life, I have not rewarded you ill for your kindneſs to me. You muſt know, that I am a Fairy, and that being upon the Bank of the Sea, when you were going to embark, I found I had a ſtrong Inclination for you; I had a mind to try your Goodneſs, and reſented my ſelf before you in that Diſguiſe wherein you ſaw me. You have dealt very generously with me, and I am mighty glad to have found an Opportunity of teſtifying my Acknowledgment to you: But I am incens’d againſt your Brothers, and nothing will ſatify me but their Lives.
I liſten’d to this Diſcourſe of the Fairy, with Admiration; I thank’d her as well as I could, for the great Kindneſs ſhe had done me: But Madam, fays I, for my Brothers, I beg you to pardon them; whatever cauſe they have given me, I am not cruel enough to deſire their Death, I told her the Particulars of what I had done for them, which increas’d her Indignation ſo, that ſhe cry’d out, I muſt immediately fly after thoſe ungrateful Traitors, and take ſpeedy Vengeance on them; I will drown their Veſſel, and throw them in to the Bottom of the Sea. No, my good Lady, replied I, for the ſake of Heav’n don’t do ſo; moderate your Anger, conſider that they are my Brothers, and that we muſt do Good tor Evil.
I pacify’d the Fairy by thoſe Words; and as ſoon as I had ſpoke them, ſhe tranſſported m ein an inſtant from the Ilfland where we were, to the Roof of my own Houſe, which was terraſs’d, and diſappear’d in a Moment. I went down, open’d the Doors, and dug up the three thouſand Sequins I had hid. I went afterwards to the Place where my Shop was, which I alſo opened; and was complimented by the Merchants my Neighbours, upon my Return, When I went to my Houſe, I perceiv’d two black Dogs, which came to me in a very ſubmiſſive Manner: I knew not what it meant, but was much aſtoniſh’d at it. But the Fairy, who appear’d immediately, ſays to me, Husband, don’t be ſurpriz’d to ſee theſe two black Dogs by you, they are your two Brothers. I was troubled at thoſe Words, and ask’d her, by what Power they were ſo transform’d. It was I that did it, ſays ſhe, at leaſt I gave Commiſſion to one of my Siſters to do it, who at the fame time ſunk their Ship. You have loſt the Goods you had on board, but I will make it up to you another way. As to your two Brothers, I have condemn’d ’em to remain five Years in that Shape, Their Perfidiouſneſs too well deſerves ſuch a Penance; and in ſhort, after having told me where I might hear of her, ſhe diſappear’d,
Now the five Years being out, I am a travelling in queſt of her; and as I paſs’d this way, I met this Merchant, and the good old Man that led the Bitch, and ſat down by them, This is my Hiſtory, O Prince of Genies! don’t you think it very extraordinary? I own it, ſays the Genie, and upon, that Account remit the Merchant the ſecond Third of the Crime which he had committed againſt me.
Af ſoon as the ſecond old Man had finiſh’d his Story, the third began, and made the like Demand of the Genie, with the two firſ ; that is to ſay, to pardon the Merchant the other Third of his Crime, provided the Story he had to tell him, exceeded the two he had aiready heard, for ſingular Events. The Genie made him the ſame Promiſe as he had done the other two. Hearken then, ſays the old Man to him—but Day appears, ſays Scheherazade, I muſt ſtop here.
I can’t enough admire, Siſter, ſays Dinarzade, the Adventures you have told me. I know abundance more, anſwers the Sultaneſs, that are ſtill more wonderful. Schahriar, willing to know if the Story of the third old Man would be as agreeable as that of the Second, put off the Execution of Scheherazade till next Day.
The Eighth Night.
AS ſoon as Dinarzade perceiv’d it was time to call the Sultaneſs, ſhe ſays, Siſter, I have been awake along time, and have had a great mind to awake you, I am ſo impatient to hear the Story of the third old. Man. The Sultan anſwered, I can hardly think that the third Story will ſurpaſs the two former ones.
Sir, replies the Sultaneſs, the third old Man told his Story to the Genie I cannot tell it you, becauſe it is not come to my Knowledge, but I know that it did ſo much exceed the two former Stories, in the variety of wonderful Adventures, that the Genie was aſtoniſh’d at it; and no ſooner heard the end of it, but he ſaid to the third old. Man, I remit the other third part of the Merchant’s Crime upon the Account of your Story. He is very much oblig’d to all three of you, for having deliver’d him out of his Danger by your Stories; without which, he had not now been in the World. And having ſpoke thus, he diſappear’d, to the great contentment of the Company.
The Merchant fail’d not to give his three Deliverers the Thanks he ow’d them. They rejoyc’d to ſee him out of Danger; after which he bid them adieu, and each of ’em went on his way. The Merchant return’d to his Wife and Children, and paſs’d the reſt of his Days with them in Peace. But, Sir, added Scheherazade, how pleaſant ſoever theſe Stories may be, that I have told your Majeſty hitherto, they don’t come near that of the Fiſherman, Dinarzade perceiving that the Sultaneſs demurr’d, ſays to her, Siſter, ſince there is ſtill ſome time remaining, pray tell us the Story of the Fiſherman, if the Sultan is willing. Schahriar agreed to it, and Scheherazade reſuming her Diſcourſe, purſued it in this manner,