Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 2/The Story of Amine
DInarzade was in a longing Condition to hear the Story of Amine, and therefore awak’d the Sultaness a long while before Day, saying, Dear Sister, pray let us know why fair Amine had her Breast so cover’d with Scars: I consent to it, says the Sultaness, and that no time may be lost, you must know that Amine address’d her self to the Caliph, and began her Story after this manner.
COmmander of the Faithful, says she, to avoid repeating what your Majesty has already heard by my Sifter’s Story, I shall only add, that after my Mother had taken a House for her self to live in during her Widow-hood, she gave me in Marriage with the Portion my Father left me, to a Gentleman that had one of the best Estates in this City.
I had scarce been a Year married when I became a Widow, and was left in Possession of all my Husband’s Estate, which amounted to 90 thousand Sequins. The Interest of this Money was sufficient to maintain me very honourably. In the mean time, when my first fix Months Mourning was over, I caus’d to be made me 10 Suits of Cloths very rich, so that each Suit came to a thousand Sequins; and when the Year was past, I began to wear them.
One Day, as I was busy all alone about my private Affairs, there came one and told me, that a Lady desir’d to speak to me, I order’d them to bring her in: She was a Person well stricken in Years, she saluted me by kissing the Ground, and told me kneeling, Dear Lady, pray excuse the Freedom I take to trouble you, the Confidence I have in your Charity makes me thus bold; I must acquaint your Ladyship that I have a Daughter an Orphan, who is to be married this Day; she and I are both Strangers, and have no Acquaintance at all in this Town; this puts me in a mighty Perplexity, for we would have the numerous Family with whom we are going to ally our selves, to think we are not altogether Strangers, and without Credit: Therefore, most beautiful Lady, if you would vouchsafe to honour the Wedding with your Presence, we shall be infinitely oblig’d to you; because the Ladies of your Country will then know that we are not look’d upon here as despicable Wretches, when they shall come to understand, that a Lady of your Quality did us that Honour. But alas, Madam, if you refuse the Request, we shall be altogether disgrac’d and dare not address our selves to any other.
This poor Woman’s Discourse, mix’d with Tears, mov’d my Compassion: Good Woman; said I, do not afflict your self, I am willing to grant you the Favour you desire, tell me what Place I must come to, and I will meet you as soon as I am dress’d; the old Woman was transported with Joy at my Answer, that she kiss’d my Feet, without my being able to hinder it. Good charitable Lady, said she, rising up, God will reward the Kindness you have shew’d to your Servants, and make your Heart as joyful as you have made theirs. It’s too soon yet to give your self that Trouble, it will be time enough when I come to call you in the Evening: So farewel, Madam, said she, till I have the Honour to see you again.
As soon as she was gone, I took the Suit I liked best, with a Necklace of large Pearl, Bracelets, Pendants in my Ears, and Rings set with the finest and most sparkling Diamonds; for my Mind presaged what would befal me.
When Nightdrew on, the old Woman came to call me with a Countenance full of Joy, she kiss’d my Hands, and said, My dear Lady, the Relations of my son-in-law who are the principal Ladies of the Town, are now met together, you may come when you please, I am ready to wait upon you. We went immediately, she going before, and I followed her with a good number of my Maids and Slaves very well drest: We stopt in a large Street, newly swept and water’d at a large Gate with a Lanthorn before it, by the Light of which I could read this Inscription over the Gate in golden Letters, Here is the Abode of everlasting Pleasures and Content. The old Woman knock’d, and the Gate was open’d immediately.
They brought me to the lower end of the Court, in a large Hall, where I was received by a young Lady of admirable Beauty, she came up to me, and after having embraced me, and made me sit down by her upon a Sofa, where there was a Throne of precious Wood, beset with Diamonds, Madam, said she, you are brought hither to assist at a Wedding; but I hope this Marriage will prove otherwise than what you expected. I have a Brother, one of the handsomest Men in the World; he is fall’n so much in Love with the Fame of your Beauty, that his Fate depends wholly upon you, and will be the unhappiest of Men, if you do not take pity on him. He knows your Quality, and I can assure you that he is in no wise unworthy of your Alliance. If my Prayers, Madam, can prevail, I shall join them with his, and humbly beg you will not refuse the Offer, of being his Wife.
After the Death of my Husband I had no Thoughts of marrying again: But I had no Power to refuse the Offer made by so charming a Lady. As soon as I had given Consent, by silence, accompanied with a Blush, the young Lady clapt her Hands, and immediately a Closet-Door open’d, out of which came a young Man of a majestick Air, and so graceful a Behaviour, that I thought my self happy to have made so great a Conquest. He sat down by me, and by the Discourse we had together, I found that his Merits far exceeded the Account his Sister had gave me of him.
When she saw that we were satisfied one with another, she clapt her Hands a second time, and out came a Cadis, or Scrivener, who wrote our Contract of Marriage, signed it himself, and caus'd it to be attested by four Witnesses he brought along with him, The only thing that my new Spouse made me promise was, That I should not be seen, nor speak with any other Man but himself; and he vowed to me upon that Condition, that I should have no reason to complain of him. Our Marriage was concluded and finish’d after this manner, so I became the principal Actress of a Wedding, whereunto I was only invited as a Guest.
After we had been married a Month, I had occasion for some Stuffs, I asked my Husband’s leave to go out and buy them, which he granted; and I took that old Woman along with me, of whom I spoke before, she being one of the Family, and two of my own female Slaves.
When we came to the Street where the Merchants dwell, the old Woman told me, Dear Mistress, since you want Silk-Stuffs, I must carry you to a young Merchant of my Acquaintance, he has of all sorts, and it will prevent your wearying your self, by going from one Shop to another, I can assure you that he is able to furnish you with that which no body else can. I was easily persuaded, and we enter’d into a Shop belonging to a young Merchant, a Man likely enough; I sat down, and bid the old Woman desire him to show me the finest Silk-Stuffs he had: The Woman bid me speak my self, but I told her it was one of the Articles of my Marriage-Contract, not to speak to any Man but my Husband which I ought to keep.
The Merchant shew’d me several Stuffs, of which one pleased me better than the rest; I bid her ask the Price. He answer’d the old Woman, I will not sell it for Gold or Money, but I will make her a Present of it it she will give me leave to kiss her Cheek. I bid the old Woman tell him, that he was very rude to propose such a thing. But instead of obeying me, she said, what the Merchant desires of you is no such great matter, you need not speak, but only present him your Check, and the Business will soon be done; the Stuff pleased me so much, that I was foolish enough to take her Advice. The old Woman and my Slaves stood up that no body should see it, and I put up my Veil; but instead of a Kiss, the Merchant bit me till the Blood came.
The Pain and Surprize was so great, that I fell down in a Swoon, and continu’d in it so long, that the Merchant had time to shut his Shop, and fly for it. When I came to my self found my Cheek all Bloody: The old Woman and my Slaves took care to cover it with my Veil, that the People that came about us could not perceive it, but supposed it to be only a fainting Fit.
Scheherazade, as she spoke these Words, perceiv’d Day, and held her Peace. The Sultan finding the Relation very extraordinary and pleasant, rose up with a Design to hear the rest of it.
WHEN next Night was near an end, Dizarzade awak’d, and called the Sultaness, if you please, Sister, pray continue the Story of Amine. Scheherazade answered, the Lady resum’d it thus.
The old Woman that was with me being extreamly troubled at the Accident, endeavour’d to comfort me; My dear Mistress, said she, I beg your Pardon, for I am the Cause of this Misfortune, having brought you to this Merchant, because he is my Countryman but I never thought he could be capable of such a villanous Action. But do not grieve, let us make haste to go home, I will give you a Medicine that stall perfectly cure you in three Days time, so that the least Mark shall not be seen. The Fit had made me so weak that I was scarce able to walk: But at last I got home, where I had a second Fit, as I went into my Chamber. Mean while the old Woman applied her Remedy, so that I came to my self, and went to bed.
My Husband came to me at Night, and seeing my Head bound up, ask’d me the Reason? I told him, I had the Head-ach, and hop’d he would enquire no farther; but he took a Candle and saw my Cheek was hurt: How comes this Wound, said he? And tho’ I was not very guilty, yet I could not think of owning, the thing: Besides, to make such a Confession to a Husband, I thought was somewhat undecent; therefore I told him, That as I was going to seek for that Stuff you gave me leave to buy, a Porter, carrying a Load of Wood, came so close by me, as I went through a narrow Street that one of the Sticks gave me a Rub on my Cheek, but it is not much hurt. This put my Husband into such a Passion, that he vow’d it should not go unpunish’d; for I will to morrow give Order to the Lieutenant of the Police to seize upon all those Brutes of Porters, and cause them to be hang’d. Being afraid to occasion the Death of so many innocent Persons, I told him, Sir, I should be sorry that so great a Piece of Injustice should be committed. Pray don’t do it; for I shomld judge my self unpardonable if I were the Cause of so much Mischief. Then tell me sincerely, said He, how came you this Wound? I answer’d, That it came through the Inadvertency of a Broomseller upon an ass, who coming behind me, and looking another way, his Ass gave me such a Push, that I fell down and hurt my Cheek upon some Glass: Is it so, said my Husband? Then to morrow Morning before Sun-rising the Grand Vister Giafar shall have an Account of this Insolence, and he shall cause all the Broomsellers to be put to Death. For the Love of God, Sir, said I, let me beg of you to pardon them for they are not guilty. How, Madam, said he, what is it I must believe? Speak, for I am absolutely resolv’d to know the Truth from your own Mouth. Sir, said I, I was taken with the Giddiness, and fell down, and that’s the whole Matter.
At these last Words my Husband lost all Patience. Oh! cry’d he, I have given ear to your lies too long; with that, clapping his Hands, in came three Slaves: Pull her out of Bed, said he, and lay her on the middle of the Floor. The Slaves obeyed his Orders; one holding me by the Head, another by the Feet; he commanded the third to fetch him a Scimiter, and then he had brought it, Strike, said he, cut her in two in the middle, and then throw her into the Tigris to feed the Fishes, This is the Punishment I give to those to whom I have given my Heart, if they falsify their Promise. When he saw that the Slave made no haste to obey his Orders, Why do you not strike, said he? Who is it that holds you? What art thou waiting for?
Madam, then, said the Slave, you are near the last Moment of your Life, consider if you have any thing to dispose of before you die. I begg’d leave to speak one Word, which was granted me. I lifted up my Head, and looking wishfully to my Husband, Alas! said I, to what Condition am I reduced, must I then die in the Prime of my Yonth? I could say no more, for my Tears and Sighs prevented me. My Husband was not at all moved, but on the contrary went on to reproach me; so that to have made an Answer would have been in vain, I had recourse to Intreaties and Prayers, but he had no regard to them, and commanded the Slaves to proceed to Execution. The old Woman that had been his Nurse, came in just at that Moment, fell down upon her Knees, and endeavour’d to appease his Wrath: My Son, said she, since I have been your Nurse and brought you up, let me beg the Favour of you to grant me her Life; consider, that he who kills shall be kill’d, and that you will stain your Reputation, and lose the Esteem of Mankind. What will not the World say of such a bloody Rage: She spoke these Words in such a taking Way, accompanied with Tears, that she gained upon him at last.
Well then, says he to his Nurse, for your Sake I will spare his Life, but she shall carry some Marks along with her, to make her remember her Crime; with that one of his Slaves, by his Order, gave me so many Blows, as hard as he could strike, with a little Cane upon my Sides and Breast, that he fetch’d both Skin and Flesh away, so that I lay senseless; after that he caus’d the same Slaves, the Executioners of his Fury, to carry me into a House where the old Woman took care of me. I kept my Bed four Months; at last I recover’d; but the Scars you saw yesterday, against my Will have remained ever since.
As soon as I was able to walk and go abroad, I resolv’d to go to the House which was my own by my first Husband, but I could net find the Place. My second Husband, in the Heat of his Wrath, was not content to have razed it to the Ground, but caus’d all the Street where it stood to be pull’d down. I believe such a violent Proceeding was never heard of before; but against whom should I make my Complaint? The Author had taken such Care, that he was not to be found, neither could I know him again if I saw him: And suppose I had known him, is it not easily seen that the Treatment I met with proceeded from absolute Power; then how dared I make any Complaints?
Being desolate and unprovided of every thing, I had recourse to my dear Sister Zobeide, who gave your Majesty just now an Account of her Adventures; to her I made known my Misfortunes; she received me with her accustom’d Goodness, and advis’d me to hear it with Patience. This is the Way of the World, said she, which either robs us of our Means, our Friends or our Lovers, and oftentimes of all at once: And at the same time, to confirm what she had said, she gave me an Account of the Loss of the young Prince, occasioned by the Jealousy of her two Sisters; she told me also by what Accident they were transformed into Bitches: And in the last place, after a thousand Testimonies of her Love towards me, she shew’d me my youngest Sister, who had likewise taken sanctuary with her, after the Death of her Mother.
Thus we gave God Thanks, that had brought us together again, resolving to live a single Life, and never to separate any more, for we have enjoy’d this peaceable Way of living a good many Years: And as it was my Business to mind the Affairs of the House, I always took pleasure to go my self and buy in what we wanted. I happened to go abroad yesterday, and the Things I bought I caused to be brought home by a Porter, who proved to be a sensible and a jocose Fellow, and we kept him by us for a little Diversion. Three Callenders happen’d to come to our Door, as it began to grow dark, and pray’d us to give them shelter till next Morning: We gave them entrance, but upon certain Conditions, which they agreed unto; and after we had made them fit down at the Table by us, they gave us a Consort of Mulick after their Fashion, and at the same time we heard knocking at our Gate. These were the three Merchants of Moussol, Men of a very good Mein, who begg’d the same Favour which the Callenders had obtain’d before: We consented to it upon the same Conditions, but neither of them kept their Promise; and though we had Power on our fide to punish them, yet we contented our selves with demanding from them the History of their Lives, and consequently bounded our Revenge with dismissing them, after they had done, and deprived them of the Lodging they demanded.
The Califf Haroun Alrashid was very well satisfied with these strange Stories, and declared publickly his Astonishment at what he had heard.
But, Sir, said Scheherazade, Day begins to break, so that I have no time to acquaint your Majesty what the Caliph did to put an end to the Inchantments of the two black Bitches, Schahriar supposing that the Sultaness would quite finish the Story of the five Ladies, and the three Callenders, the next Night rose up and suffer’d her to live till next Morning.
FOR the Love of Heaven, Sister, cried Dinarzade before it was Day, it you be not asleep, tell us how the two black Bitches were brought to their former Shape, and what became of the three Callenders. I will satisfy your Curiosity, said Scheherazade: Then addressing her Discourse to Schahriar, she pursued it thus:
Sir, the Caliph having satisfied his Curiosity, thought himself oblig’d to give some Marks of Grandeur and Generosity to the Callender-Princes, and also to give the three Ladies some Proofs of his Bounty. He himself, without making use of his Minister, the Grand Visier, spoke to Zobeide, Madam, this Fairy, that shewed her self to you in the Shape of a Serpent, and impos’d such a rigorous Command upon you, Did she not tell you where her Place of Abode was? or rather, did she not promise to come again to see you, and restore those Bitches to their natural Shape?
Commander of the Faithful, answer’d Zobeide, I forgot to tell your Majesty, that the Fairy left with me a Bundle of Hair, saying withal, that her Presence would one Day stand me in stead, and then, if I only burnt two Tufts of this Hair, she would be with me in a Moment, though she were beyond Mount Caucasus. Madam, says the Calif, where is the Bundle of Hair? She answer’d, ever since that Time, I have had such a particular Care of it, that I always carry it about me: Upon which she pull’d it out, open’d the Cafe a little where it was, and shew’d it him. Well then, said the Califf, let us make the Fairy come hither, you could not call her in a better time, for I long to see her.
Zobeide having consented to it, Fire was brought in, and she threw the whole Bundle of Hair into it: The Palace begun to shake at that very instant, and the Fairy appear’d before the Califf in the Shape of a Lady very richly dress’d.
Commander of the Faithful, said she, to the Prince, you fee I am ready to come and receive your Commands. The Lady who gave me this Call, by your Order did me a particular piece of Service; to wake my Gratitude appear, I reveng’d her of her Sisters Inhumanity, by changing them into Bitches: But if your Majesty commands it, I will restore them to their natural Shape.
Handsome Fairy said the Calif, you cannot do me a greater Pleasure, vouchsafe them that Favour, and after that I will find out some means to comfort them for their hard Penance: But besides, I have another Boon to ask in savour of that Lady, who has had such cruel Usage from an unknown Husband: And as you undoubtedly know a great many things, we have Reason to believe that you cannot be ignorant of this, oblige me with the name of this barbarous Fellow, that could not be contented to exercise this barbarous Cruelty upon her Person, but has also most unjustly taken from her all the Substance she had; I only admire how such an unjust and inhuman Action could be perform’d in spight of my Authority, and not come to my Ears.
To serve your Majesty, answer’d the Fairy, I will restore the two Bitches to their former State, and I will cure the Lady of her Scars that it shall never appear she was so beat; and at last I will tell you who it was that did it.
The Califf sent tor the two Bitches from Zobeide’s House, and when they came a Glass of Water was brought to the Fairy, upon her Desire; she pronounc’d some Words over it, which no body understood; Then throwing some part of it upon Amine, and the rest upon the Bitches, the latter became two Ladies of surprizivg Beauty, and the Scars that were upon Amin vanish’d away, After which the Fairy said to the Califf; Commander of the Faithful, I must now discover to you the unknown Husband you inquire after; he is very near related to your self for it is Prince Amine your eldest Son, who falling passionately in love with this Lady, by the Fame, he had heard of her Beauty, he, by an Intrigue, got her brought to his House, when he he married her. As to the Strokes he caus’d to be given her, he is in some manner excusable; for the Lady his Spouse had been a little too easy, and the Excuses she had made were capable to make him believe she was more faulty than really she was. This is all I can say to satisfy your Curiosity; and at these Words she saluted the Califf and vanish’d.
The Prince being filled with Admiration, and having much satisfaction in the changes that had happened through his Means, did such things as will perpetuate his Memory to all Ages, First, he sent for his Son Amin, and told him, that he was inform’d of his secret Marriage, and how he had wounded Amine upon a very slight Cause. Upon this the Prince did not wait for his Father’s Commands, but receiv’d her again immediately.
After which the Califf declared, that he would give his own Heart and Hand to Zobeide, and offer’d the other three Sisters to the Callenders, that were Kings Sons, who accepted them for their Brides with a great deal of Joy. The Califf assigned each of them a magnificent Palace in the City of Bagdad, promoted them to the highest Dignities of his Empire, and admitted them to his Councils.
The Town Clerk of Bagdad being call’d, with Witnesses, wrote the Contracts of Marriage; and the famous Califf Haroun Alrasbid, by making the Fortunes of so many Persons that had undergone such incredible Calamities, drew a thousand Blessings upon himself.
Finis.
