Les Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet ToysDiderot, Denis
General
Les Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet Toys
Diderot, Denis
Erotic fiction; Louis XV, King of France, 1710-1774 -- Fiction
The African author closes this chapter with an advertisement to
the ladies, who might be tempted to order a translation of those
parts of the the narrative, where Cypria's Toy expressed itself in
foreign languages. "I should be wanting," says he, "to the duty of
an historian, by suppressing them; and to the respect which I bear
the sex, by preserving them in my work; without acquainting virtuous
ladies, that Cypria's Toy had excessively spoil'd its speech in
travelling, and that its narratives are infinitely more free than any
of the clandestine lectures which it ever made."
CHAP. XLV.
_Cydalisa._
Mangogul returned to the favorite, where Selim was come before him.
"Well, prince," said Mirzoza, "has the account of Cypria's travels
done you any good?" "Neither good nor harm," answered the Sultan: "I
understood it not." "Why so?" replied the favorite. "Because," says the
Sultan, "her Toy speaks like a Polyglot, all languages but mine. It is
an impertinent Story-teller, but would make a excellent interpreter."
"What!" replied Mirzoza, "did you gather nothing at all from her
narrative?" "But one thing, madam," answered Mangogul, "and that is,
that travelling is more pernicious, if possible, to the modesty of
the women, than to the religion of the men; and that there is very
little merit in knowing many languages. For one may be master of Greek,
Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, and the language of Congo, and yet
have no more sense than a Toy. Is this your opinion, madam? and what is
Selim's? Now let him begin his story: but above all, no more travels.
They fatigue me to death." Selim promised the Sultan, that the scene
should be confined to one place, and spoke thus.
"I was about thirty years of age when I lost my father: I married to
keep up my family, and I lived with my wife as becomes a husband;
regards, attentions, politeness, decent behavior without much
familiarity. The prince Erguebzed came to the throne: I had been in
his good graces long before his reign: he continued me in them to his
death, and I endeavour'd to do justice to this mark of distinction by
my zeal and fidelity. The place of inspector general of his armies
became vacant: I obtained it, and this post obliged me to take frequent
journies to the frontiers."
"Frequent journies?" cried the Sultan. "A single one is sufficient to
make me sleep till to morrow. Think of that."
"Prince," continued Selim, "it was in one of these tours that I became
acquainted with the wife of a colonel of the Spahi's, whose name was
Ostaluk, a man of bravery, and a good officer, but by no means an
agreeable husband, jealous as a tyger, and his person was a sufficient
warrant to justify that madness: for he was horribly ugly.
"He had lately espoused Cydalisa, young, lively, handsome; one of those
uncommon women, for whom, at the first interview, one feels somewhat
more than politeness, from whom one parts with regret, and who return a
hundred times to your thoughts, till you see them again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account