The happy discovery put him into such a transport of joy, that he
took up the book, with the ticket of the bag, and showed it to the
sultan, who pardoned what was past, and was so much pleased with the
relation of this adventure, that he caused it, with all its
circumstances, to be put in writing for the use of posterity.
Meanwhile, the vizier Schemseddin Mohammed could not comprehend the
reason why his nephew did not appear; he expected him every moment,
and was impatient to have him in his arms. After he had expected him
seven days in vain, he searched for him through all Cairo, but could
hear no news of him, which perplexed him very much. This is the
strangest adventure, said he, that ever man met with, and not
knowing what alteration might happen, he thought fit to draw up in
writing with his own hand, after what manner the wedding had been
solemnized; how the hall and his daughter’s bed-chamber were
furnished, and other circumstances. He likewise made the turban, the
bag, and the rest of Bedreddin’s things, into a bundle, and locked
them up.
After some days were past, the vizier’s daughter perceived herself
with child, and was brought to bed of a son after nine months. A
nurse was provided for the child, besides other women and slaves to
wait upon him; and his grandfather called him Agib. [62]
When young Agib had attained the age of seven, the vizier, instead
of teaching him to read at home, put him to school with a master,
who was in great esteem; and two slaves were ordered to wait upon
him. Agib used to play with his schoolfellows, and as they were all
inferior to him in quality, they showed him great respect, according
to the example of their master, who many times would pass by faults
in him, that he would not pass by in the rest. This complaisance
spoiled Agib, so that he became proud and insolent, would have his
playfellows bear all from him, and would bear nothing from them, but
be master every where; and if any one took the liberty to thwart
him, he would call them a thousand names, and many times beat them.
In short, all the scholars were weary of his company, and complained
of him to their master. He answered, that they must have patience.
But when he saw that Agib still grew more and more insolent, and
occasioned him a great deal of trouble, Children, said he to his
scholars, I find Agib is a little insolent gentleman; I will show
you a way how to mortify him, so as he shall never torment you any
more: nay, I believe it will make him leave the school. When he
comes again to-morrow, and that you have a mind to play together,
set yourselves round him, and do one of you call out, Come, let us
play, but upon condition, that they who desire to play shall tell
his own name, and the names of his father and mother, and they who
refuse it shall be esteemed bastards, and not suffered to play in
our company.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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