The Arabian Nights Entertainments, - [best autobiographies to read .txt] 📗

themselves, went to provide what was necessary; for he was alone.

Said he to himself with great joy, “these are generous people; I should have done very wrong, if, through imprudence, I had ill-treated and driven them away. A tenth part of the money will suffice to treat them; and the rest I will keep for my pains.”

While Scheich Ibrahim was gone to fetch something for his own supper, as well as for his guests Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian walked up and down the garden, till at last they came to the pavilion of pictures. They stood awhile to admire its wonderful structure, size, and loftiness; and after taking a full view of it on every side, went up many steps of fine white marble to the hall-door, which they found locked.

They were but just returned to the bottom of the steps, when Scheich Ibrahim arrived, loaded with provisions. “Scheich Ibrahim,” said Noor ad Deen, in great surprise, “did you not tell us that this was your garden?” “I did,” replied Scheich Ibrahim, “and do so still.” “And does this magnificent pavilion also belong to you?” Scheich Ibrahim was staggered at this unexpected question. “If,” said he to himself, “I should say it is none of mine, they will ask me how I can be master of the garden and not of the pavilion.’ As he had made them believe the garden was his, he said the same of the pavilion. “My son,” said he, “the pavilion is not distinct from the garden; but they both belong to me.” “If so,” said Noor ad Deen, “since you invite us to be your guests tonight, do us the favour to shew us the inside of it; for if we may judge by the outward appearance, it must certainly be extraordinarily magnificent.”

It would have been a great piece of incivility in Scheich Ibrahim to refuse this favour, after what he had already done: moreover, he considered that the caliph not having given him notice, according to his usual custom, it was likely he would not be there that night, and therefore resolved to treat his guests, and sup with them in the pavilion. He laid the provisions on the first step, while he went to his apartment for the key: he soon returned with a light, and opened the door.

Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian entered the hall, and were never tired with admiring the beauty and richness of the place.

Indeed, without saying anything of the pictures. which were admirably well drawn, the sofas were very noble and costly; and besides lustres suspended from every arch, there was between each a silver branch supporting a wax candle. Noor ad Deen could not behold these glorious objects without recollecting his former splendour, and sighing.

In the mean time Scheich Ibrahim was getting supper ready; and the cloth being laid upon a sofa, and every thing in order, Noor ad Deen, the fair Persian, and he sat down and ate together. When supper was finished, and they had washed their hands, Noor ad Deen opened a lattice, and calling the fair Persian to him, “Come hither,” said he, “and with me admire the charming prospect and beauty of the garden by moonlight; nothing can be more agreeable.” She came to him; and they both enjoyed the view, while Scheich Ibrahim was busy in taking away the cloth.

When Scheich Ibrahim came to his guests again, Noor ad Deen asked him whether he had any liquor to treat them with. “What liquor would you have?” replied Scheich Ibrahim—“Sherbet? I have the best in the world; but sherbet, you know, my son, is never drunk after supper.”

“I know that very well,” said Noor ad Deen; “it is not sherbet, but another sort of liquor that we ask you for, and I am surprised at your not understanding me.” “It is wine then you mean?” said Scheich Ibrahim. “You guess right,” replied Noor ad Deen, “and if you have any, oblige us with a bottle: you know a bottle after supper is a very proper companion to spend the hours with till bed-time.”

“Heaven defend me from keeping wine in my house,” cried Scheich Ibrahim, “and from ever coming to a place where any is found! A man who, like me, has been a pilgrimage four times to Mecca, has renounced wine for ever.”

“You would do us a singular kindness,” said Noor ad Deen, “in getting a little for our own drinking; and if it be not too much trouble, I will put you in a way how you may do it, without going into a vintner’s shop, or so much as laying your hand upon the vessel that contains it.” “Upon that condition I will do it,”

replied Scheich Ibrahim, “only let me know what I am to do.”

“Why then,” said Noor ad Deen, “we just now saw an ass tied at the entrance of your garden, which certainly must be yours, and which you may make use of in this extremity: here are two pieces of gold more; take them, and lead your ass with the panniers to the next vintner’s; you may stand at as great a distance as you please, do but give something to the first person that comes by, and desire him to go with your ass, and procure two pitchers of wine; put one in one pannier, in another, another, which he must pay for out of the money you give him, and so let him bring the ass back to you: you will have nothing to do, but to drive the beast hither before you; we will take the wine out of the panniers: by this means you will do nothing that will give you any scruple.”

The two last pieces of gold that Scheich Ibrahim was going to receive wrought wonderfully upon his mind. “Ah! my son,” cried he, “you have an excellent contrivance; and had it not been for your invention, I should never have thought of this way of getting you some wine without any scruple of conscience.” Away he went to execute the orders, which he did in a little time; and, upon his return, Noor ad Deen taking the pitchers out of the panniers, carried them into the hall.

Scheich Ibrahim having led the ass to the place from whence he took him, came back again, “Scheich Ibrahim,” said Noor ad Deen, “we cannot enough thank you for the trouble we have already given you; but we want something yet.” “What is that? “replied Scheich: “what more service can I do you?” “We have no cups to drink out of,” said Noor ad Deen, “and a little fruit, if you had any, would be very acceptable.” “Do but say what you have a mind to,”

replied Scheich Ibrahim, “and you shall have every thing to your heart’s content.”

Down went Scheich Ibrahim, and in a short time spread a carpet for them with beautiful porcelain dishes, full of all sorts of delicious fruits, besides gold and silver cups to drink out of; and having asked them if they wanted any thing else, he withdrew, though they pressed him earnestly to stay.

Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian sat down again, and drank each a cup. They were pleased with the wine, which was excellent.

“Well, my dear,” said Noor ad Deen to the fair Persian, “are we not the most fortunate persons in the world, after so many dangers, to meet with so charming and agreeable a place? Let us be merry, and think no more on the hardships of our voyage. Can my happiness be greater in this world, than to have you on one side of me, and my glass on the other?” They drank freely, and diverted themselves with agreeable conversation, each singing a song.

Both having very fine voices, but especially the fair Persian, their singing attracted Scheich Ibrahim, who had stood hearkening a great while on the steps, without discovering himself. He could contain himself no longer; but thrusting his head in at the door, “Courage, sir,” said he to Noor ad Deen, whom he took to be quite drunk, “I am glad to see you so pleased.”

“Ah! Scheich Ibrahim,” cried Noor ad Deen, turning to him, “you are a glorious man, and we are extremely obliged to you. We dare not ask you to drink a cup; but walk in; come, sit down, and let us have the honour at least of your company.” “Go on, go on,”

said Scheich Ibrahim; “the pleasure of hearing your songs is sufficient for me.” Upon this he immediately retired.

The fair Persian perceiving Scheich Ibrahim, through one of the windows, standing upon the steps, told Noor ad Deen of it. “Sir,”

said she, “you see what an aversion he has for wine; yet I question not in the least to make him drink, if you will do as I would have you.” Noor ad Deen asked her what it was. “Do but say the word,” replied he, “and I am ready to do what you please.”

“Prevail with him then only to come in, and bear us company; some time after fill up a bumper, and give it him; if he refuses, drink it yourself, pretend to be asleep, and leave the rest to me.”

Noor ad Deen understood the fair Persian’s design, and called to Scheich Ibrahim, who came again to the door. “Scheich Ibrahim,”

said he, “we are your guests; you have entertained us in the most obliging manner, and will you now refuse our solicitations to honour us with your company? We do not ask you to drink, but only the favour of seeing you.”

Scheich Ibrahim being at last prevailed upon, came into the hall, and sat down on the edge of a sofa nearest to the door. “You do not sit well there,” said Noor ad Deen, “and we cannot have the honour of seeing you; pray come nearer, and sit you down by the lady; she will like it much.” “I will obey you,” replied Scheich Ibrahim, so coming forward, simpering, to think he should be seated near so beautiful a creature, he placed himself at some distance from the fair Persian. Noor ad Deen desired a song of her, in return for the honour Scheich Ibrahim had done them; and she sung one that charmed him.

When the fair Persian had ended her song, Noor ad Deen poured out a cup of wine, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. “Scheich Ibrahim,” said he, “I entreat you, drink this to our healths.”

“Sir,” replied he, starting back, as if he abhorred the very sight of the wine, “I beseech you to excuse me; I have already told you that I have forsworn the use of wine these many years.”

“Then since you will not drink our healths,” said Noor ad Deen, “give me leave to drink yours.”

While Noor ad Deen was drinking, the fair Persian cut half an apple, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. “Though you refused drinking,” said she, “yet I believe you will not refuse tasting this apple; it is very excellent.” Scheich Ibrahim had no power to refuse it from so fair a hand; but taking it with a very low bow, put it in his mouth. She said a great many pleasant things on the occasion; and Noor ad Deen, falling back upon a sofa, pretended to fall fast asleep. The fair Persian presently advanced towards Scheich Ibrahim, and speaking in a low voice, “Look at him,” said she, “thus in all our merry parties he constantly serves me; and no sooner has he drunk a cup or two, but he falls asleep, and leaves me alone; but I hope you will have the goodness to keep me company till he awakes.”

At this the fair Persian took a cup, and filling it with wine,