Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
No, no, replied Fetnah, interrupting him in her turn, I shall be cautious
how I treat a man to whom I owe my life, after that manner. I should be
ungrateful could I say or do any thing that did not become you. Leave me
therefore to follow the dictates of my gratitude, and do not require it
of me that I misbehave myself towards you, in return for the benefits I
have received. I shall never be guilty of it; I am too sensible of your
respectful behaviour, to abuse it; and I will not stick to own, that I do
not look upon all your care with indifferency. You know the reason that
condemns me to silence.
Ganem was ravished at that declaration: he wept for joy; and not being
able to find expressions significant enough, in his own conceit, to
return Fetnah thanks, was satisfied with telling her, that, as she knew
what she owed to the caliph, he, on his part, was not ignorant, ‘that
what belongs to the master is forbidden to the servant.’
Night drawing on, he went out to fetch some light, which he brought in
himself, as also some collation, as is the custom in the city of Bagdad;
where, having made a good meal at noon, they, at night, are satisfied
with eating some fruit, and drinking a glass of wine; so diverting the
time till they go to bed.
They both sat down at table, and at first complimented each other,
presenting the fruit reciprocally. The excellency of the wine insensibly
drew them both on to drink; and having drunk two or three glasses, they
agreed that neither should take another glass without singing some air
first. Ganem sang verses he composed _extempore_, and which expressed the
vehemency of his passion; and Fetnah, encouraged by his example, composed
and sang verses relating to her adventure, and always containing
something which Ganem might take in a sense that was favourable to him;
bating, that she nicely observed the fidelity due to the caliph. The
collation held till very late, and the night was far advanced, before
they thought of parting. Ganem then withdrew to another apartment,
leaving Fetnah where she was, and the women-slaves he had bought coming
in to wait upon her.
They lived together after this manner for several days. The young
merchant went not abroad, unless upon business of the utmost consequence;
and, even for that, took the time when his lady was at her rest; for he
could not prevail upon himself to let slip a moment that might be spent
in her company. All his thoughts were taken up with his dear Fetnah, who,
on her side, giving way to her inclination, confessed she had no less
affection for him than he had for her. However, as fond as they were of
each other, their respect for the caliph kept them within those bounds
that were due to him, which still heightened their passion.
While Fetnah, thus snatched from the jaws of death, passed her time so
agreeably with Ganem, Zobeide was not without some apprehensions in
Haroun Alraschid’s palace.
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