Syria, came at length to Bagdad,[1] where Watik- billah the grandson of Haroun Arieschid, held the supreme power.
This little crooked wretch understanding that there was in that city a cutler tolerable good repute, went to him for employment; he told him he was of Damascus, and that he had a particular art in tempering of steel: the cutler was willing to try if Babeken was as great a master of his trade as he boasted himself to be, he took him into his shop, and finding indeed that not only the steel he tempered was as hard and sharp again, as what was commonly used at Bagdad, but also that his work was much more neat and perfect, he retained him in his service, and entertained him with great kindness, that he might keep him to himself.
From that time his shop was always crowded with customers. The little crump could not work fast enough; the cutler sold his Bows and Sabres at his own price; and if he had not been a drunken extravagant sot, he might have made a very, considerable fortune.
Babekan had scarce been two years at Bagdad when his master fell very ill of a great debauch he had made: his body was so worn and wasted by ine, brandy and women, that all the care of his wife and Babakar could not save his life: he died in their arms.
Thou, Nohoud, which was the name of the cutler's wife, was very far from being handsome, Babukan had nevertheless been in love with her for some time; and his master's death being a fair opportunity to declare his passion, he without any
- ↑ Bagdad is a city of Afin, seated noon the Tygris in the Province of Hierae. It has long been the place of abode of the Caliphs of Ægypt.
