Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 1/The Merchant and the Genie
The First Night.
- SIR,
THere was formerly a Merchant, who had a great Estate 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 Correspondents; 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 some Biskets and Dates, because he had a great Desart to pass over, 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 Horse 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 on 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 saw 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 so, 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! replied 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.
WHen the Merchant saw 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 mortally 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 answerable 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 old 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, suffer'd her to live that Day also.
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 melancholy. 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 by a 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 Visier’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.
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 History of my Life, and of the Bitch you see; and if you think it more wonderful and surprizing than the Adventure of the Merchant are going to 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.
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 use 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 accordingly. 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 disappointed 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 suspended 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 flea’d her, found her to be nothing but Bones, tho’ to us she seem’d very fat. Take her to your self, says 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 said, 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.
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, says I, can you restore my Son to his former Shape? Yes, says she, I can. Ah! says 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 agree to it, says I, provided you restore my Son to me before-hand.
Then the Maid took a Vessel full of Water, pronounc’d Words over it that I did not understand; and addressing her self to the Calf, O Calf, says she; if thou wast created by the Almighty and Sovereign Master of the World, such 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 since 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 saw 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 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.
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 best 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 furnish’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 assure 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 divert you. 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.
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 Scheherazade, provided the Sultan, my Lord and Master, don’t oppose it. Not at all, says Schahriar, I am so far from opposing it, that I desire you earnestly to go on with it.
To resume the thread of the Story, says Scheherazade, 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 said 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 transported me in an instant from the Island 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.
Assoon 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 already 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.
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,