Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 2/The Story of the Three Callenders
Arabian Nights
The Thirty Firſt Night.
HE next Morning Dinarzade did not fail to awaken the Sultanefs at the ordinary Time, and ſaid, dear Siſter, if you are not aſleep, I would pray you (until Break of Day, which is near at Hand) to go on with that agreeable Story you began. Upon which Scheherazade addreſs’d the Sultan thus: Sir, with your leave, I am willing to ſatisfy my Siſter’s Curioſity, and at the ſame time went on with the Story of the three Callenders, a ſort of Mahometan Monks.
Zobeide would not take back the Money from the Porter, but ſaid, my Friend, in conſenting that you ſtay with us, I muſt fore warn you, that it’s not only on Condition that you keep ſecret what we have required you, but alſo that you obſerve exactly the Rules of good Manners and Civility. In the mean time the charming Amine put off the Apparel ſhe went abroad with, put on her Night-Gown that ſhe might be more eaſy, and cover’d the Table, which fhe furniſh’d with ſeveral ſorts of Meat, and upon a Side-board ſhe ſet Bottles of Wine and Cups of Gold: Soon after, the Ladies took their Places, and made the Porter ſit down by them, who was overjoy’d to ſee himſelf at Table with three ſuch admirable Beauties. After they had eat a little, Amine, who ſat next the Side-board, took up a Bottle and Cup, fill’d out Wine, and drank firſt her ſelf according to the Cuſtom of the Arabians, then ſhe fill’d the Cup to her Siſters, who drank in Courſe as they ſat; and at laſt the fill’d it the fourth time to the Porter, who as he receiv’d it, kiſs’d Amine’s Hand; and before he drank ſung a Song to this purpoſe, That as the Wind brings along with it the ſweet Scents of the perfum’d Places through which it paſſes, ſo the Wine he was going to drink coming from her fair Hands, receiv’d a more exquiſite Taſte than what it had of its own Nature. This Song pleaſed the Ladies ſo much, that each of them ſung another in their Turn. In ſhort, they were extraordinary merry all the time of Dinner, which laſted a long while, and nothing was wanting that could make it agreeable. The Day being almoſt ſpent, Safie ſpoke in the Name of the three Ladies, and ſays to the Porter, ariſe and be gone, it’s time for you to depart. But the Porter, not willing to leave ſo good Company, cry’d, alas Ladies, whither do you command me to go in the Condition I am in, I am quite beſides my felf by what I have ſeen ſince I come hither, and having a ſo drank above my Ordinary, I ſhall never find the way Home; allow me this Night to recover my ſelf in any place where you pleaſe; for no leſs time is neceſſary for me to come to my ſelf; but go when I will, I ſhall leave the beſt part of my ſelf behind me.
Amine pleaded a ſecond time for the Porter, ſaying, Siſters, he is in the right, I am pleas’d with the Requeſt, he having already diverted us ſo well, and if you’ll take my Advice, or it you love me as much as I think you do, let us keep him to paſs away the remaining part of the Night. Siſter, anſwer’d Zobeide, we can refuſe you nothing; and then turning to the Porter, ſaid, we are willing once more to grant your Requeſt, but upon this new Condition, that whatever we do in your Preſence, relating to ourſelves or any thing elſe, take heed you do not once open your Mouth to ask the Reaſon of it, for if you ask Queſtions about that which does not belong to you, you may come to know that which will be no way pleaſing to you; beware therefore, and do, not be too curious to dive into the Motives of our Actions,
Madam, replied the Porter, I promiſe to obſerve this Condition with ſuch exactneſs, that you ſhall have no cauſe to reproach me with breaking it, and ſar leſs to puniſh my Indiſcretion; my Tongue ſhall be immoveable on this Occaſion, and my Eyes like a Looking-glaſs, which retain nothing of the Object that is ſet betore it; and to ſhew you, ſays Zobeide with a ſerious Countenance, that what we demand of you is not a new Thing among us, Riſe up and read what is wrote over our Gate on the Inſide.
The Porter went thither and read theſe Words, writ it large Characters of Gold: He who ſpeaks of things that don’t concern him, ſhall hear of things that won’t pleaſe him. Returning again to the three Siſters, Ladies, ſays he, I give you my Oath, that you ſhall never hear me ſpeak any thing that does not concern me, or wherein you may have any Concern.
This Agreement being made, Amine brought in Supper, and after the Room was ſet round with Tapers, that were mix’d with Aloes and Ambergreeſe, which gave a moſt agreeabie Scent as well as a delicate Light; ſhe ſat down at Table with her Siſters and the Porter. They began again to eat and drink, ſing, and repeat Verſes. The Ladies took pleaſure to fuddle the Porter, under pretext of caufing him to drink their Healths, and abundance of witty Sentences paſſed on both Sides. In ſhort, as they were all in the beſt Humour of the World, they heard one knocking at the Gate. Scheherazade was oblig’d to ſtop here, becauſe ſhe obſerv’d Day-light appearing.
The Sultan not doubting the Sequel of this Hiſtory deſerv’d to be heard, put it off till the Day following, and ſo aroſe.
The Thirty Second Night.
THE next Night being almoſt at an end, Dinarzade call’d to the Sultaneſs, for Heaven’s ſake, Siſter, if you are awake, let me pray you to continue the Story of
the three ſair Ladies, I am very impatient till I know who it was that knock’d at their Gate: You ſhall hear it immediately, ſaid ſhe, and I am ſure that what I am now going to relate, is worthy of my Lord the Sultan’s Attention.
When the Ladies (ſays ſhe) heard the knocking, they all three got up to open the Gate; but Safie, to whom this Office did particularly belong, was the nimbleſt; which her other two Siſters perceiving, ſat down till ſhe came back, to acquaint them who it could be that had any Buſineſs with them ſo late. Safie returning, ſaid, Siſters, we have here a very fine Opportunity to paſs a good part of the Night with much Satisfaction, and if you be of the ſame Mind with me, we ſhall not let it ſlip. There are three Callenders at our Gate, at leaſt they appear to be ſuch by their Habit, but that which you will moſt admire at is, they are all three blind of the right Eye, and have their Heads, Beards, and Eye-brows ſhaved, and, as they ſay, are but juſt come to Bagdad, where they never were before; and it being Night, and not knowing where to find any Lodging, they happen’d by chance to knock at this Gate, and pray us, for the Love of Heaven, to have Compaſſion on them, and receive them into the Houſe; they care not what Place we put them in, provided they may be under Shelter, they would be ſatisfied with a Stable: They are young and handſome enough, and ſeem alſo to be Men of good Senſe; but I cannot without laughing, think of their pleaſant and uniform Figure. Here Safie fell a laughing fo heartily, that it put the two Siſters and the Porter into the ſame Mood. My dear Siſters, ſaid ſhe, are you content that they come in, it is impoſſible but with ſuch Perſons as I have already deſcribed them to be, we ſhould finiſh the Day better than we began it; they will afford us Diverſion enough, and put us to no Charge, becauſe they deſire Shelter only for this Night, and reſolve to leave us as ſoon as Day appears.
Zobeide and Amine made ſome Difficulty to grant Safie’s Requeſt, for Reaſons they knew well enough. But ſhe having ſo great a Deſire to obtain this Favour, could notrefuſe her: Go then, ſays Zobeide, and bring them in, but don’t forget to acquait them that they muſt not ſpeak of any thing which does not concern them, and cauſe them to read what is wrote over the Gate. Safie ran out with a great deal of Joy, and in a little while after return’d with the three Callenders in her Company.
At their Entrance they made a profound Bow to the Ladies, who roſe up to receive them, told them moſt obligingly that they were very welcome, that they were glad to have met with an Opportunity to oblige them, and to contribute towards relieving them from the Fatigue of their Journey, and at laſt invited them to fit down with them.
The Magnificence of the Place and the Civility of the Ladies, made the Callenders to conceive a mighty Idea of their fine Landladies: But before they ſatdown, having by chance caſt their Eye upon the Porter whom they ſaw clad almoſt like one of thoſe other Callenders, with whom they are in Controverſy about ſeveral Points of Diſcipline, becauſe they neither ſhave their Beards nor Eye-brows; one of them ſaid, Look here, I believe we have got one of our revolted Arabian Brethren.
The Porter being half aſleep, and having his Head pretty warm with Wine, was affronted at theſe Words, and with a fierce Look, without ſtirring from his Place, anſwer’d, Sit you down, and don’t meddle with what does not concern you: Have you not read the Inſcription over the Gate? Do not pretend to make People live after your Faſhion, but follow ours.
Honelt Man, ſays the Callender, do not put your ſelf in a Paſſion, we ſhould be very ſorry to give you the leaſt Occaſion, but on the contrary, we are ready to receive your Commands. Upon which, to avoid all Quarrels, the Ladies interpos’d, and pacified them. When the Callenders were ſat at Table, the Ladies ſerv’d them with Meat; and Safie being moſt pleas’d with them, did not let them want for Drink.
Scheherazade ftopt her Diſcourſe, becauſe ſhe ſaw Day appear, and the Sultan got up to follow his Affairs, and promiſed to hear the reſt of the Story next Day, for he had great Deſire to know why thoſe three Callenders were blind, and all three of the ſame Eye.
The Thirty Third Night.
AN Hour before Day, Dinarzade being awake, ſaid to the Sultaneſs, dear Siſter, Pray let me know what paſt between the Ladies and the Callenders; with all my Heart, replied Scheherazade, and continued her Story in the Manner following.
After the Callenders had eat and drank liberally, they ſignified to the Ladies, that they had a great Deſire to entertain them with a Conſort of Muſick, if they had any Inſruments in the Houſe, and would cauſe them to be brought ’em: They willingly accepted the Proffer, and ſair Safie going to fetch them, return’d again in a Moment, and preſented them with a Flute of her own Country Faſhion, another of the Perſian Sort, and a Tabor, Each Man took the Inſtrument he lik’d, and all three together began to play a Tune. The Ladies who knew the Words of a merry Song that ſuited the Air, join’d the Conſort with their Voices; but the Words of the Song made them now and then ſtop, and ſall into exceſſive Laughter.
At the Height of this Diverſion, and when the Company were in the midft of their Jollity, ſore body knocks at the Gate; Safie left off ſinging, and went to ſee who it was: But, Sir, ſays Scheherazade to the Sultan, it is fit your Majeſty ſhould know why this Knocking happen’d ſo late at the Ladies Houſe, and the Reaſon was thus. The Calif Haroun Alraſchid was accuſtom’d to walk abroad in Difguiſe very often by Night, that he might ſee with his own Eyes, if every thing was quiet in the City, and that no Diſorders were committed in it.
This Night the Calif went out pretty early on his Rambles, accompanied with Giaſar his Grand Viſier, and, Meſrour the Chief of the Eunuchs of his Palace, all diſguiſed in Merchants Habit; and paſſing through the Street where the three Ladies dwell, he heard the Sound of the Muſick, and great Fits of Laughter: Upon which he commanded the Viſier to knock, becauſe he would go in to know the Reaſon of that Jollity. The Viſier told him in vain that it was ſome Women a Merry-making, that without Queſtion their Heads were warm with Wine, and that it would not be proper he ſhould expoſe himſelf to be affronted, by them: Beſides, it was not yet an unlawful Hour, and therefore he ought not to diſturb them in their Mirth. No matter, ſaid the Calif, I command you to knock. So it was the Grand Viſier Giaſar that knock’d at the Ladies Gate, by the Califf’s Order, becauſe he himſelf would not be known. Safie open’d the Gate, and the Viſier perceiving by the Light that ſhe held in her Hand, that ſhe was an incomparable Beauty, he acted his Part very well, and with a very low Bow and reſpecful Behaviour, told her, Madam, we are three Merchants of Mouſſol, that arrived about ten Days ago with rich Merchandize, which we have in a Warehouſe at a Khan [or Inn] where we have alſo our Lodging, We happen’d this Day to be with a Merchant of this City, who invited us to a Treat at his Houſe, where we had a ſplendid Entertainment; and the Wine having put us in Humour, he ſent for a Company of Dancers: Night being come on, and the Muſick and Dancers making a great Noiſe, the Watch came by in the mean time, cauſed the Gate to be opened, and ſome of the Company to be taken up; but we had the good Fortune to eſcape, by getting, aver a Wall. Now, ſaith the Viſier, being Strangers and ſomewhat overcome with Wine, we are afraid of meeting another, or perhaps the ſame Watch, before we get home to our Khan, which lies a good Way from hence. Beſides, when we come there, the Gates will be ſhut, and not open’d till Morning: Wherefore, Madam, hearing as we paſt this Way, the Sound of Muſick, we ſuppoſed you were not yet going to Reſt, and made bold to knock at your Gate, to beg the Favour of lodging ourſelves in this Houſe till Mor-ning, and if you think us worthy of your good Company, we will endeavour to contribute to your Diverſion what lies in our Power, to make ſome Amends for the Interruption we have given you; if not, we only beg the Favour of ſtaying this Night under your Porch.
Whilſt Giaſar held this Diſcourſe, ſair Saſie had time to obſerve the Viſier and his two Companions, whom he ſaid to be Merchants like himſelf, and told them that ſhe was not Miſtreſs of the Houſe; but if they would have a Minute’s Patience, ſhe would return with an Anſwer.
Safie acquainted her Siſters with the Matter, who conſider’d for ſome time what to conclude upon: But being naturally of a good Diſpoſition, and having granted the ſame Favour to the three Callenders, at laſt they conſented to let them in; Scheherazade intending to continue her Story, ſaw Day-light appear, which made her break off; but the Quality of theſe new Actors which the Sultaneſs had brought upon the Stage, whetted the Curioſity of Schahriar, who looking for ſome fingular Events, expected the next Night with much Impatience.
The Thirty Fourth Night.
DInarzade being as curious as the Sultan, to know what the Arrival of the Califf at the Houſe of thoſe three Ladies might produce, did not forget to awaken the Sultaneſs very early next Morning, and pray’d her earneſtly to reſume the Story of the Callenders, which Scheherazade, with leave of the Sultan, purſued in the following manner.
The Califf, his grand Viſier, and the Chief of the Eunuchs, being introduc’d by the ſair Safie, very courteouſly ſaluted the Ladies and the Callenders: The Ladies return’d them the like Civility, ſuppoſing them to be Merchants. Zobeide, as the Chief, ſays to them with a grave and ſerious Countenance, which was natural to her, You, are welcome. But before I proceed further, I hope you will not take it ill if we deſire one Favour of you. Alas! ſaid the Viſier, what Fauour? We can refuſe nothing to ſuch ſair Ladies. Zobeide replied, It is, that you would only have Eyes, but no Tongues, that you put no Queſtion to us, about the Reaſon of any thing you may happen to ſee, and not to ſpeak of any thing that does not concern you, leſt you come to hear of things that will by no means pleaſe you; Madam, replied the Viſier, you ſhall be obey’d.
We are not cenſorious nor impertinently curious; ’tis enough for us to take notice of that which concerns us, without meddling with that which does not belong to us: Upon this they all ſat down, and the Company being united, they drank to the Health of the New-Comers.
While the Viſier entertain’d the Ladies in Diſcourſe, the Califf cou’d not forbear to admire their extraordinary Beauty; graceful Behaviour, pleaſant Humours and ready Wit; on the other hand, nothing was more ſurprizing to him than the Callenders, being all three blind of the right Eye. He would gladly have been inform’d of this Singularity; but the Conditions ſo lately impos’d upon himſelf and his Companions, would not allow him to ſpeak. This, with the Richneſs of the Furniture, the exact Order of every thing, and Neatneſs of the Houſe, made him to think it was ſome enchanted Place.
Their Entertainment happening to be upon Divertiſements, and different ways of making merry, the Ca!lenders aroſe, and danced after their Faſhion, which augmented the good Opinion the Ladies had conceived of them, and procur’d them the Eſteem of the Calif and his Companions.
When the three Callenders made an end of their Dance, Zobeide aroſe, and taking Amine by the Hand, ſaid, Pray, Siſter, riſe up, for the Company will not take it ill if we uſe our Freedom, and their Prefence need not to hinder our Performance of what we are wont to do. Amine, by, underſtanding her Siſters Meaning, roſe up from her Seat, carried away the Diſhes, the Table, the Flasks and Cups, together with the Inſtruments which the Callenders had played-upon.
Safie was not idle, but ſwept the Room, put everything again in its Place, ſnuff’d the Candles, and put freſh Aloes and Ambergreeſe to them, and then pray’d the three Callen-ders to ſit down on the Soſa on one ſide, and the Califf with his Companions on the other: As to the Porter, ſhe ſays to him, Get up and prepare your ſelf to ſerve in what we are going about; a Man like you, that is as one of the Family, ought not to be idle. The Porter being ſomewhat recovered from his Wine, gets up immediately, and having tied the Sleeve of his Gown to his Belt, anſwers, Here am I, ready to obey your Commands in any thing. That’s very well, replied Safie, ſtay till you are ſpoke to, you ſhall not be idle very long. A little time after, Amine came in with a Chair, which ſhe placed in the middle of the Room; and ſo went to a Cloſet, which having opened, ſhe beckon’d to the Porter, and ſays to him, Come hither and help me, which he obeying, enter’d the Cloſet, and return’d immediately, leading two black Bitches, with each of them a Collar and Chain; they look’d as if they had been ſeverely whipt with Rods, and he brought them into the middle of the Room.
Then Zobeide arifing from her Seat between the Callenders and the Calif, march’d very gravely towards the Porter, Come on, ſays ſhe, with a great Sigh, let us perform our Duty; then tucking up her Sleeves above her Elbows, and receiving a Rod from Safie, Porter, ſaid ſhe, deliver one of the Bitches to my Siſter Amine, and come to me with the other.
The Porter did as he was commanded, the Bitch that he held in his Hand begun to cry, and turning towards Zobeide, held her Head up in a begging Poſture; but Zobeide having no Regard to the ſad Countenance of the Bitch, (which would have mov’d Pity) nor her Cries that ſounded through all the Houſe) whipt her with the Rod till ſhe was out of Breath; and having ſpent her Strength that ſhe could ſtrike no more, ſhe threw down the Rod and taking the Chain from the Porter, lift up the Bitch by her Paws and looking upon her with a ſad and pitiful Countenance, they both wept: After which, Zobeide with her Handkerchief wiped the Tears from the Bitch’s Eyes, kiſs’d her, return’d the Chain to the Porter, bid him carry her to the Place whence he took her, and bring her the other. The Porter led back the whipt Bitch to the Cloſet, and receiv-ing the other from Amine, preſented her to Zobeide, who bid the Porter hold her as he did the firſt, took up the Rod, and treated her after the ſame manner; and when ſhe had wept over her, dried her Eyes and kiſſed her, returned her to the Porter; but lovely Amine ſpar’d him the Trouble of leading her back into the Cloſet, and did it her ſelf, The three Callenders and the Calif with his Companions, were extreamly ſurpriz’d at this Execution, and could not comprehend why Zobeide, after having ſo furiouſly whipt thoſe two Bitches, that by the Muſſulman-Religion are reckon’d unclean Animals, ſhould cry with them, wipe off their Tears, and kiſs them; they mutter’d among themſelves, and the Calif who being more impatient than the reſt long’d exceedingly to be inform’d of the Cauſe of fo ſtrange an Action, could not forbear making Signs to the Viſier to ask the Queſtion; the Viſier turn’d his Head another way; but being preſſed by repeated Signs, he anſwer’d by others, That it was not yet time for the Califf to ſatisfy his Curioſity.
Zobeide ſat ſtill ſometime in the middle of the Room, where ſhe had whipt the two Bitches, to recover her ſelf of the Fatigue; and ſair Safie call’d to her, Dear Siſter, will you not be pleas’d to return to your Place, that I moy alſo act my Part. Yes, Siſter, replied Zobeide, and then went and ſat down upon the Soſa, having the Califf Giaſar, and Meſrour on her right Hand, and the three Callenders with the Porter on her left,
Here, ſays Scheherazade to the Sultan, Sir, what has been hitherto told your Majeſty, muſt, without doubt, appear very ſtrange; but what yet remains is more wonderful, and I am perſyaded your Majeſty will think ſo, if you will be pleas’d to give me leave to finiſh the Story next Night; the Sultan agreed to it, and got up becauſe it was Day.
The Thirty Fifth Night.
DInarzarde was no ſooner awake next Morning, but ſhe called, Siſter, if you are not aſleep, pray continue the fine Story of the three Siſters: The Sultaneſs re-membring where ſhe left off, addreſſed her Speech to the Sultan; and went on as follows: Sir, after Zobeide ſet down, the whole Company was filent for a while; at laſt Safie, ſiting on a Chair in the middle of the Room, ſpoke to her Siſter Amine, Dear Siſter, I conjure you to riſe up, you know well enough what I would ſay; Amine aroſe and went into another Cloſet near to that where the Bitches were,and brought out a Caſe cover’d with yellow Sattin, richly embroider’d with Gold, and green Silk; ſhe came near Safie and opened the Caſe, from whence ſhe took a Lute and preſented her; and after ſome time ſpent in tuning it, Safie began to play, and accompanying it with her Voice, the ſung a Song abaut the Torments that Abſence creates to Lovers, with ſo much Sweetneſs, that it charm’d the Califſ and all the Company. Having ſumg with a great deal of Paſſion and Action, ſhe ſaid to lovely Amine, Pray take it, Siſter, for I can do no more, my Voice ſails me; oblige the Company with a Tune and a Song in my Room. Very willingly, replied Amine, who taking the Lute from her Siſter Safie, ſat down in her Place.
Amine, after ſome ſmall Trial to ſee whether the Inſtrument was in Tune, played and ſung almoſt as long upon the ſame Subject, but with ſo much Vehemency, and was fo much affected, or rather tranſported by the Words of the Song, that her Strength ſail’d her as ſhe made an end of it.
Zobeide willing to teſtify her Satisſaction, ſaid, Siſter, you have done Wonders, and we may eaſily ſee that you have a Feeling of the Grief you bave expreſs’d ſo much to the Life. Amine was prevented from anſwering this Civility, her Heart being ſo ſenſibly touch’d at the ſame Moment, that ſhe was oblig’d; for Air, to uncover her Neck and Breaſt, which did not appear ſo ſair as might have been expected from ſuch a Lady as ſhe: But on the contrary, black and full of Scars, which frighted all the Spectators, However, this gave her no Eaſe, but ſhe fell into a Fit. Here Scheherazade ſopp’d, ſaying, Sir, I had almoſt forgot that it is Day: With this ſhe ended her Diſcourſe, and the Sultan aroſe from Bed. And tho’ this Prince had not reſolv’d to defer the Death of the Sultaneſs, he could not at this time, have reſolv’d to takeaway her Life; his Curiofity was ſo great to hear out the Story, which had fo many unheard of Events.
The Thirty Sixth Night.
DInarzade awak’d her Siſter as formerly, ſaying, Dear Siſter, I pray you to continue the Story of the Ladies and the Callenders; upon which fhe reſum’d her Diſcourſe in the manner following:
While Zobeide and Safie ran to help their Siſter, one of the Callenders could not forbear to ſay, We had better have flept in the Streets, than have come hither, had we thought to have ſeen ſuch Spectacles, The Califf, who heard this, came up to him and the other Callenders, and ask’d them what might be the Meaning of all this: They anſwered, Sir, we know no more than you do. What, ſays the Califf, are not you of the Family? Nor can you reſolve us corcerning the two black Bitches and the Lady that ſainted away, and has been fo baſely abus’d? Sir, ſays the Callenders, this is the firſt time that ever we were in: this Houſe, and came in but a few Minutes before you.
This inercaſed the Califf’s Aftoniſhment: It may be, ſays he, this other Man that is with you may know ſomething of it. One of the Callenders made a Sign for the Porter to come near; and ask’d him, whether he knew why thoſe two black Bitches had been whipt, and why Amine’s Boſom was ſo ſcarr’d. Sir, ſaid the Porter, I can ſwear by Heaven, that if you know nothing of all this, I know as little as you do. ’Tis true, I live in this City, but I never was in the Houſe till now, and if you are ſurpriz’d to ſee me here, I am as much to find myſelf in your Company; and that which increaſes my Wonder is, That I have not ſeen one Man with theſe Ladies.
The Calif and his Company, as well as the Callenders, ſuppoſed the Porter had been one of the Family, and hop’d he could inform them of what they deſired to know; but finding he could not, and reſfolving to ſatisfy his Curiofity, coſt what it would; he ſays to the reft, Look ye, we are here ſeven Men, and have but three Women to deal with, let us try if we can oblige them to ſatisfy us, and if they refuſe it by ſair Means we are in a Capacity to force them to it.
The Grand Viſier Giaſar was againſt this Method, and ſhew’d the Califf what might be the Conſequence of it; but without diſcovering the Prince to the Callenders, addreſſed him as if he had been a Merchant, thus: Sir, conſider, I pray you, that our Reputation lies at ſtake, you know very well upon what Conditions theſe Ladies were willing to receive us, and that we alſo agreed to them; what will they ſay of us if we break them? We ſhall be ſtill more to blame it any Miſchief beſal us, for it is not likely that they would demand ſuch a Promiſe of us, jf they did not know themſelves in a Condition to make us repent the breaking of it.
Here the Viſier took the Califf aſide, and whiſper’d to him, thus: Sir, the Night will ſoon be at an end, and if your Majeſty will only be pleaſed to have ſo much Patience, I will take theſe Ladies to-morrow Morning, and bring ’em before your Throne, where you may be inform’d of all that you deſire to know. Tho’ this Advice was very judicious, the Califf rejected it, bid the Viſier hold his Tongue, and ſaid, He would not ſtay till then, but would have Satisſaction in the Matter preſently.
The next Buſineſs was to know who ſhould carry the Meſſage. The Califf endeavour’d to prevail with the Calenders to ſpeak firſt; but they excus’d themſelves, and at laſt they agreed that the Porter ſhould be the Man: And as they were conſulting how to word this ſatal Queſtion, Zobeide returning from her Siſter Amine, who was recover’d of her Fit, drew near them; having over-heard them, ſpeaking pretty loud, with ſome Paſſion, ſays, Gentlemen, what is the Subject of your Diſcourſe, what are you diſputing about?
The Porter anſwer’d immediately, Madam, theſe Gentlemen pray you to let them underſtand wherefore you wept over your two Bitches, after you whipt them ſo ſeverely, and how that Lady’s Boſom who lately ſainted a-way; comes to be ſo full of Scars. This is what I am order’d to ask in their Name.
At theſe Words Zobeide look’d with a ſtern Countenance, and turning towards the Califf and the reſt of the Company Is this true, Gentlemen, ſays ſhe, that you have given him order to ask me this Queſtion? All of then, except the Viſier Giaſar, who ſpoke not one Word, anſwer’d, Yes. On which ſhe told them, in a Tone that ſufficiently expreſs’d her Reſentment, Before we granted you the Favour of being receiv’d into our Houſe, and to prevent all Occaſion of Trouble from you, becauſe we are alone, we did it upon condition that you ſhould not ſpeak of any thing that did not concern you, leſt you might come to hear that which would not pleaſe you; and yer after having receiv’d and entertain’d you as well as poſſibly we could, you make no ſcruple to break your Promiſe, ’Tis true, that our eaſy Temper has occaſion’d this, but that ſhall not excuſe you, for your Proceedings are very unhandſome. As ſhe ſpoke theſe Words, the gave three hard Knocks with her Foot, and clapping her Hands as often together, cry’d, Come quick: Upon this a Door flew open, and ſeven ſtrong ſturdy black Slaves, with Scimiters in their Hands, ruſh’d in, every one ſeized a Man, threw him on the Ground, and dragged him into the middle of the Room in order to cut oft their Heads.
We may eaſily conceive what a Fright the Califf was in, he then repented, but too late, that he had not taken his Viſier’s Advice. In the mean time this unhappy Prince, Giaſar, Meſrour, the Porter, and the Callenders, were upon the Point of loſing their Lives by their indiſcreet Curiofity. But before they would ſtrike the ſatal Blow, one of the Slaves ſays to Zobeide and her Siſters: High, mighty, and adorable Miſtreſſes, do you command us to cut their Throats? Stay, ſays Zobeide, I muſt examine them firſt. The frightned Porter interrupted her thus: In the Name of Heaven don’t make me die for another Man’s Crime, I am innocent, they are to blame. Alas! ſays he, crying, How pleaſantly did we paſs our time! thoſe blind Callenders are the Cauſe of this Misfortune; there’s no Town in the World but goes to Ruin where ever theſe inauſpicious Fellows come. Madam, I beg you not to deſtroy the Innocent with the Guilty, and conſider, that it is more glorious to pardon ſuch a Wretch as I, who have no way to help my ſelf, than to ſacrifice me to your Reſentment.
Zobeide, notwithſtanding her Anger, could not but Laugh within her ſelf at the Porter’s Lamentation: But without anſwering him, ſhe ſpoke a ſecond time to the reſt; anſwer me, ſays ſhe, and tell me who you are, otherwiſe you ſhall not live one Moment longer. I cannot believe you to be honeſt Men, nor Perſons of Authority or Diſtinction in your own Countries; for if you were, you I would have been more modeſt and more reſpectful to us.
The Calif who was naturally impatient, was infinitely more impatient than the reſt, to find his Life to depend upon the Command of a Lady juſtly incens’d; but he began to conceive ſome Hopes, when he ſaw ſhe would know who they all were: For he imagin’d ſhe would not take away his Life, when once ſhe came to be inform’d who he was; therefore he ſpoke with a low Voice to the Viſier, who was near him, to declare ſpeedily who he was: But the Viſier being more prudent, reſolv’d to ſave his Maſter’s Honour, and not let the World know the Affront he had brought upon himſelf by his own Weakneſs; and therefore anſwer’d We have what we deſerve. But if he would have ſpoke in Obedience to the Califf, Zobeide did not give him time: For having turn’d to the Callenders, and ſeeing them all three blind of one Eye, ſhe ask’d if they were Brothers. One of them anſwer’d, No, Madam, no otherwiſe than as we are Callenders, that is to ſay, as we obſerve the ſame Rules. Were you born blind of the Right Eye, replied ſhe? No, Madam, anſwers he, I loſt my Eye in ſuch a ſurprizing Adventure, that it would be inſtructive to every Body were it in Writing: After that Misfortune I ſhav’d my Beard and Eye-brows, and took the Habit of a Callender, which I now wear.
Zobeide ask’d the other two Callenders the ſame Queſtion, and had the ſame Anſwer; bur he who ſpoke laſt added, Madam, to ſhew you that we are no common Fellows, and that you may have ſome Conſideration for us, be pleas’d to know that we are all three Sons of Kings; and tho’ we never met together till this Evening, yet we have had time enough to make that known to one another; and I aſſure you that the Kings from whom we derive our Being, made ſome Noiſe in the World.
At this Diſcourſe Zobeide aſſwag’d her Anger, and ſaid to the Slaves, give them their Liberty a while, but ſtay here. Thoſe who tell us their Hiſtory, and the occaſion of their coming, do them no Hurt, let them go where they pleaſe, but don’t ſpare thoſe who refuſe to give us that Satisſaction. Here Scheherazade ſtopp’d, and her Silence as well as Day-light giving the Sultan to know, that it was time for him to riſe, he got up, and reſolv’d to hear the reſt of the Story next Night; for he was impatient to know who theſe three one-eyed Callenders were.