Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 1/Schahriar, Schahzenan, and Scheherazade
Arabian Nights
HE Chronicles of the Sussanians, 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 excluded 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 fix'd the Seat of his Government at Samarcande, the Metropolis of the Country.
After they had been separated ten Years, Schahriar having a passionate Desire to see. his. Brother, resolved to send an Ambassador 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 Demonstrations of Joy, and immediately 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 could propose nothing in the World so 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 desire 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 you to 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, appointed 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 Visier’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 considerable 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 saw 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 be doubted; 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 shall not go unpunish’d. As King, I am to punish Wickedness committed in my Dominions; and as an enrag’d Husband, I must sacrifice 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 himself 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 order'd 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 Diversions 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 so 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 such a Distance from his Dominions, or from the Queen, his Wife; Alas! If 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 himself 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 sufficient 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 occasion to make a Multitude of Reflections. How little reason had I, says he, to think that no body was so unfortunate as my self? 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 himself: 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 accomplish’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 so moderate as you. I should not have satisfy’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 comforted 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. Schahzenan 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 saw 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 stay’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; but 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 said 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 fill’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 speedily, 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 Mischief. 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 accomplished 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 first 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 sorts, 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 deliver’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 speedily took leave of him, and being loaden with magnificent 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 said, 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 all 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 Design, 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 kill’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.
A very rick Merchant had several 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 I 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 idle. 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 Lot.
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, and own’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 Condition; 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 Scheherazade, 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, say 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 insist upon it. I perceive, says the Merchant, that ’tis impossible to 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 told 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 standing 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 Question 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 Visier made to him. How could you resolve 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 reason. 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 answering 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,