Part 19

As the door was scarcely shut, I entered, and, placing myself before the niche, I made the following prayer aloud:--

“God be praised, for having granted us so prosperous a voyage: may he continue to favour us with his protection, till we arrive in our own country. Listen to me, O Lord, and grant my prayer.” The young man then cast his eyes upon me, and said, “I entreat you, my good lady, to tell me who you are, and what has brought you to this desolate town? I will inform you, in return, who I am, what has happened to me, and for what reason the inhabitants of this town are reduced to the condition you have seen; and how it happens also, that I alone am safe, and have escaped so dreadful a disaster.”

I related to him, in a few words, whence I came, what had induced me to make this voyage, and how I had fortunately arrived at this port, after twenty days sail. Having said this, I entreated him, in his turn, to fulfil the promise he had made me; and I remarked to him how much I had been struck by the frightful desolation which I had observed in all the places through which I had passed.

“My dear lady,” then replied the young man, “have a moment’s patience.” At these words he shut the koran, put it into a rich case, and laid it in the niche. I took this opportunity to observe him very accurately, and I perceived so much grace and beauty in his countenance, that I felt an emotion I had been, till now, a stranger to. He made me sit down near him, and before he began his relation, I could not refrain from saying to him, with an air by which he might discover the sentiments he had inspired; “It is impossible for any one to wait with more impatience than I do, for the explanation of so many surprising things, which have struck my sight, from the first step I set in this town; nor can my curiosity be too soon gratified: speak, I conjure you, dear object of my soul; tell me by what miracle you alone are alive amidst so many persons, who seem to have died in such an uncommon manner.”

“You have made it very apparent, madam, by the prayer you have addressed to Him,” replied the young man, “that you are not ignorant of the true God. I am now about to inform you of a remarkable instance of his greatness and power. You must know, that this city was the capital of a very powerful kingdom, of the same name and title as that of the king, my father. This prince, as well as all his court, the inhabitants of this city, and also all his other subjects, were of the religion of Magi, idolaters of fire, and of Nardoun, the ancient king of the giants, who rebelled against God.

“Although both my father and mother were idolaters, I had in my infancy the good fortune to have a governess, or nurse, who was of the true religion: she was thoroughly acquainted with the koran, could repeat it by art, and explain it perfectly well. “My prince,” she would often say to me, “there is only one true God; take care how you acknowledge and adore any other.” She taught me also to read the Arabic language, and the book which she gave me for this purpose was the koran. I was no sooner capable of understanding it, than she explained to me all the particular points of that admirable book: she made me enter thoroughly into the spirit of it, entirely unknown to my father, and every one besides. She at length died; but it was not before she had given me all the instruction that was necessary to convince me most completely of the truths of the Mussulman religion. After her death, I remained constant and firm in the sentiments and opinions she had instilled into me; and I felt a perfect abhorrence for the god Nardown, and the worship of fire.

“About three years and a few months ago, a voice, like thunder, was heard on a sudden all over the town, so very distinctly, that no individual lost a single word. The words were these: “Inhabitants, abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire; and adore the only God, who shows mercy.”

“The same voice was heard three successive years, yet not one person was converted. On the last day of the third year, between three and four o’clock in the morning, every one of the inhabitants were in an instant transformed into stones; each remaining in the very posture and spot he then happened to be in. The king, my father, experienced the same fate; he was changed to a black stone, as you might see in a part of the palace; and the queen, my mother, experienced a similar transformation.

“I am the only person on whom God has not inflicted this terrible punishment. From this moment I have continued to serve him with greater zeal than ever, and I am well persuaded, my dear lady, that he has sent you for my consolation and comfort. How much do I thank him for his great mercies; for I own to you, that this solitude was become quite distressing.”

This narrative, and more particularly the latter part, still farther increased my attachment to the prince. “I can no longer doubt,” I said to him, “that Providence has conducted me to your country for the express purpose of enabling you to leave so melancholy a spot. The vessel in which I arrived, may lead you to conclude, that I am of some consequence in Bagdad, where I have left things of equal value with those I have brought. I can venture to offer you a safe retreat there, till the powerful Commander of the Faithful, the vicar of our great Prophet, whom you are not ignorant of, shall have bestowed upon you all the honours you so well deserve. This illustrious prince resides at Bagdad; and be assured he will no sooner be informed of your arrival in his capital, than you will acknowledge you have not sought his assistance in vain. It is not possible for you to live any longer in a city where every object is become insupportable to you. My vessel is at your service, and you may dispose of it at your pleasure.” He joyfully accepted the offer, and we passed the rest of the night in talking of our voyage.

As soon as the morning appeared, we departed from the palace, and went towards the harbour; where we found my sisters, the captain, and my slaves, all in great pain about my safety. After introducing my sisters to the prince, I informed them of the reason that had prevented my return on the preceding day; I related to them also my adventures, how I met the young prince, his history, and the cause of the entire desolation which reigned over the whole of so beautiful a city.

The sailors were many days engaged in landing the merchandize which I had brought with me, and in shipping, in the place of it, the most valuable and precious things we could find in the palace, in silver, in gold, and in jewels. We left behind us all the furniture, and a multitude of articles worked in gold, because we had no room to stow them in. Many vessels would have been necessary to have transported to Bagdad all the riches we saw in this city.

After we had filled the ship with whatever we wished to carry away, we set sail with the wind as favourable as we could wish; having first taken in such a supply of provisions and water as we judged sufficient for our voyage. Of the former indeed there yet remained a considerable quantity, which we had brought from Bagdad.

From the commencement of our voyage, the young prince, my sisters, and myself, entertained ourselves very agreeably every day: but alas! this harmony and good humour did not last long. My sisters became jealous of the good understanding which they observed to subsist between the prince and myself: and in a malicious manner asked me what I intended to do with him, when we arrived at Bagdad. I was very well aware, that they put this question to me only for the purpose of discovering my sentiments. I therefore pretended to give the matter a pleasant turn, and jocosely told them I intended to make him my husband; then turning directly to the prince, I said to him, “I entreat you, my prince, to accede to my plan. As soon as we arrive at Bagdad, it is my intention to offer you my person as the humblest of your slaves, to render you every service in my power, and to acknowledge you as absolute master over my actions.”

“Madam,” replied the prince, “I know not whether you say this in joke or not; but with respect to myself, I declare most seriously, before these ladies, your sisters, that I accept from this instant the offer you have now made me, most willingly; not indeed to consider you in the light of my slave, but as my mistress and wife, and I here claim no power whatever over your actions.” --At this speech my sisters instantly changed colour; and from this moment I observed, that they no longer continued to have the same regard for me as before.

We had already reached the Persian gulf, and were very near Balsora; where, if the wind proved strong and favourable, I hoped to arrive on the following day. But in the night, while I was fast asleep, my sisters seized that opportunity to throw me into the sea: they treated the prince also in the same manner; and he was unfortunately drowned. For some moments I supported myself on the surface of the water; and by good fortune, or rather by a miracle, I afterwards touched the bottom. I advanced forward towards something that appeared very black, and which, as well as the obscurity would suffer me to distinguish, I conjectured to be land. I happily gained the shore, and when the day appeared, I found that I was in a small desert island, about twenty miles from the town of Balsora. I immediately dried my clothes in the sun, and in walking about I discovered many sorts of fruit, and also a spring of fresh water. From these circumstances I had great hopes of being able to preserve my life.

I then went and reposed myself in the shade, and while there, I observed a very large and long serpent with wings. It advanced towards me, first moving on one side and then on the other, with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. From this I conjectured it had received some injury. I immediately got up, and perceived that it was pursued by another serpent still larger, who held it fast by the end of its tail, and was endeavouring to devour it. This excited my compassion; and instead of running away, I had the boldness and courage to take up a stone, which I accidentally found near me, and let it fall with all my strength on the larger serpent: I struck it on its head, and crushed it to pieces. The other, finding itself at liberty, immediately opened its wings and flew away. I continued to look for some time at this very extraordinary animal; but having lost sight of it, I again seated myself in the shade in another spot, and fell asleep.

Conceive what was my astonishment, when I awoke, to find close by my side a black woman, of a lively and agreeable expression of countenance, holding by a chain two dogs of the same colour. I immediately sat up, and asked her who she was.--“I am,” she replied, “that serpent which you delivered not long since from its most cruel enemy. I imagined I could not better repay the important services you had rendered me, than by what I have just now performed. I was well acquainted with the treachery of your sisters, and to gratify your revenge, as soon as I was delivered by your generous assistance, I collected together a great many of my companions, who are fairies like myself: we immediately transported all the lading of your vessel to your warehouses at Bagdad; and we then sunk the ship. These two black dogs, which you see here, are your sisters; I have given them that form; but this punishment will not be sufficient, and I wish you to treat them in the manner I am going to point out.”

At this instant the fairy took both the two black dogs and myself in her arms, and transported us to Bagdad, where I perceived, laid up in my warehouse, all the riches with which my vessel had been laden. Before the fairy left me she delivered to me the two black dogs, and spoke as follows: “I command you, by order of Him who can subvert the seas, and under the penalty of being changed to a similar animal, to inflict upon each of your sisters, every night, one hundred lashes with a whip; as a punishment for the crime they have been guilty of towards you and the young prince, whom they have drowned.” I felt myself obliged to promise to execute what she required.

Every evening from that instant I have, though unwillingly, treated them in the manner your majesty was a witness to last night. I endeavour to express to them, by my tears, with what repugnance and grief I fulfil my cruel duty; and in all this you may plainly perceive, that I am rather to be pitied than blamed. If there be any thing else that regards me, and of which you may wish to be informed, my sister Aminè, by the recital of her history, will afford you every explanation.

The caliph, after having listened with admiration and astonishment to the adventures of Zobeidè, desired his grand vizier Giafar, to request the agreeable Aminè to explain by what means she became so covered with scars. The latter, addressing herself to the caliph, began her history in the following manner.

THE HISTORY OF AMINÈ.

Commander of the Faithful, that I may not repeat those things which your majesty has already been informed of by my sister, I will only mention, that my mother, having taken a house to pass her widowhood in private, first bestowed me in marriage on the heir of one of the richest men in this city.

I had not been married quite a year before my husband died. I thus became a widow, and was in possession of all his property, which amounted to above ninety thousand sequins. The interest only of this sum would have been quite sufficient for me to have passed the remainder of my life with ease and reputation. In the mean time, as soon as the first six months of my mourning were over, I ordered ten different dresses to be made up, which were so very magnificent that each cost me a thousand sequins; and when my year of mourning was finished, I began to wear them.

I was one day quite alone, and employed about my domestic affairs, when they came and told me that a lady wanted to speak with me. I desired them to let her come in. She appeared to be very far advanced in years. On her entrance she saluted me, by kissing the ground, and then rising on her knees, she said, “I entreat you, my good lady, to excuse the liberty which I have taken, in coming to importune you; but the assurance I have received of your charitable disposition is the cause of my boldness. I must inform you, most honourable lady, that I have an orphan daughter, who is to be married to-day: we are both strangers, and have not the least knowledge of any one in this city. This causes us great anxiety and confusion; because we wish that the numerous family, with which we are going to be connected, should be acquainted, that we are not altogether unknown and of no respectability and credit. It is for this reason, most charitable lady, that you would lay us under an infinite obligation, if you would honour the nuptials with your presence. If, therefore, you grant us this favour, our own countrywomen will know, that we are not looked upon here as poor wretches, when they shall be informed, that a person of your rank has had the condescension to do us so great an honour. But if, alas! you reject our petition, how great will our mortification be; because we know not to whom else to address ourselves!”

The poor lady was in tears during the whole of this speech, which very much excited my compassion. “My good mother,” replied I, “do not afflict yourself any more; I shall be very happy to oblige you in the way you wish. Tell me where I must come to; I only wish for time sufficient to dress myself properly for such an occasion.” The old lady was so overjoyed at this answer, that she would have fallen at my feet and kissed them, if I had not prevented her. “My dear good lady,” she cried in getting up, “God will recompense you for the goodness you have shown to those who will always consider themselves as your servants; he will make your bosom overflow with joy from the reflection of your having been the cause of so much to us. It is not necessary for you to have the trouble of remembering the address, but only that you will have the goodness to go with me in the evening, at the time I shall come and call for you. Adieu, madam,” added she, “till I have the honour of seeing you again.”

She had no sooner left me, than I went and took that dress I liked best; also a necklace of large pearls, a pair of bracelets, some rings both for the fingers and ears, of the finest and most brilliant diamonds; for I, somehow or other, seemed to have a presentiment of what would happen to me.

The evening began to close, when the old lady, with a countenance that expressed great joy, arrived at my house. She kissed my hand, and said, “The parents and relations of my son-in-law are all arrived; and they are ladies of the first consequence in this city. You may now come, whenever it is agreeable to you; and I am ready to serve you as a guide.” We immediately set out, and she walked before to show me the way. I followed, together with a great number of my female slaves, all properly dressed for the occasion. Having come into a wide street, that had been fresh swept and watered, we stopped at a large door, lighted by a lamp, by the help of which I could distinguish this inscription, written over the door, in letters of gold; “this is the continual abode of pleasures and of joy.” The old lady knocked, and the door instantly opened.

They conducted me through a court into a large hall, where I was received by a young lady of incomparable beauty. She came immediately towards me; and after embracing me, she made me sit next to her on a sofa, over which there was a sort of throne, or canopy, formed of precious wood enriched with diamonds. “You have come here madam,” she said to me, “to assist at some nuptials; but I trust they will belong to different persons from those which you expect. I have a brother, who is one of the best made and accomplished of men. He is so charmed with the description which he has heard of your beauty, that his fate absolutely depends upon you; and he will be most unfortunate and wretched, if you do not have pity upon him. He is well acquainted with the situation you hold in the world, and I can assure you that he is not unworthy of your alliance. If my prayers, madam, can have any weight with you, I readily join them to his, and entreat you not to reject the offer which he makes you, of receiving him for your husband.”

Since the death of my husband, the idea of marrying again never came into my head; but I did not possess sufficient resolution to refuse so beautiful a person. I had no sooner given my assent to this by my silence, accompanied by a blush, which suffused my cheek, than the young lady clapped her hands; a young man immediately entered, with so majestic an air and so much apparent grace, that I thought myself fortunate in having made so excellent a conquest. He seated himself near me; and I discovered, by the conversation that passed between us, that his merit was still greater than his sister had informed me of.

When she found, that we were very well satisfied with each other, she clapped her hands a second time, and the cadi immediately entered, who made a contract for our marriage, signed it, and had it also witnessed by four persons whom he brought with him for that purpose. There was one condition, and it was the only one my new husband required of me; and this was, that I should neither see nor speak to any other man than himself. He then took an oath that if I preserved these terms, I should have every reason to be satisfied with him. Our marriage was then concluded, and thus I became a principal person concerned, when I only thought of being a spectator, and a guest.

About a month after our marriage, having occasion to purchase some silk stuff, I asked leave of my husband to go out and execute this commission. This he immediately granted; and I took with me by way of companion, the old woman of whom I have already spoken, and who lived in the house, and two of my female slaves.

When we had come to that street in which the merchants reside, the old woman said to me, “Since you are come, my good mistress, to look for silk stuff, I will take you to a young merchant whom I am very well acquainted with here; he has some of every sort; and without, therefore, fatiguing yourself by running from shop to shop, I assure you that at his you will find whatever you may want.” I suffered her to conduct me; and we entered a shop, where there was a young merchant, who was very well made. I sat down, and desired him, by means of the old woman, to show me some of the most beautiful silk stuffs that he had. The old woman wished me to make the request myself, but I told her that one of the conditions of our marriage was, not to speak to any man besides my husband; and I did not intend to infringe it.

The merchant showed me a variety of sorts; one of which pleased me more than the rest, and I desired her to ask the price of it. In answer to her, he said, “I will sell it to her for neither silver nor gold; but I will make her a present of it if she will have the condescension to permit me to kiss her cheek.” I desired the old woman to tell him, that his proposal was a very rude and impertinent one. But instead of doing what I ordered, she told me she thought that what the merchant required was a matter of no importance; that he did not ask me to speak, but I had only to present my cheek to him, which was merely the business of a moment. My desire to possess the silk was so great, I was foolish enough to follow the old woman’s advice. She and my slaves immediately stood up before me, that no person might observe me; I then drew aside my veil, when, instead of kissing me, the merchant gave me such a bite, that the blood flowed from the wound.

The surprise and pain were so great, that I fainted and fell down. I remained for so great a length of time in that state that it afforded the merchant sufficient opportunity to shut up his shop, and make his escape. When I returned to my senses, I perceived my cheek entirely covered with blood. The old lady and my women had the precaution, at the first instant, to cover my face with my veil, so that when the people collected to see what was the matter, they could perceive nothing; but believed it to be only a sudden weakness that had seized me.

The old woman who accompanied me, and who was extremely chagrined at the accident which had happened, endeavoured nevertheless to give me courage. “Indeed, my good mistress,” she said to me, “I sincerely ask your pardon. I am the only cause of this misfortune. I carried you to this merchant because he was my countryman, and I could never have thought he would have been guilty of so great a wickedness; but do not afflict yourself; let us lose no time in returning to your house; I will give you a remedy which shall make so perfect a cure in three days, that not the least possible mark, or scar, shall remain.” My fainting had rendered me so weak that I could scarcely walk; I, however, contrived to get home, but on entering my chamber I again fainted. In the mean time the old woman applied her remedy, I recovered from the fit, and went immediately to bed.