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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 muchas
