Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
When the ladies saw that Abon Hassan had done eating, one of them said to
the eunuch who waited, the commander of the faithful will go into the
next hall to the desert: bring some water. Upon which they all rose from
the table, and taking from the eunuchs, one a gold basin, another an
ewer, and a third a towel, kneeled down before Abon Hassan, and presented
them to him to wash his hands; who, as soon as he had done, got up, and
after an eunuch had opened the door, went, preceded by Mesrour, who never
left him, into another hall, as large as the former, adorned with the
best paintings, gold vessels, silk tapestry, and other rich furniture.
There seven other bands of music began a new concert, as soon as Abon
Hassan appeared. In this hall there were seven gold branches, and a table
full of dried sweetmeats, and the most choice and exquisite fruits,
raised in pyramids, in seven gold basins, and seven ladies, more
beautiful than the others, standing round it, with fans in their hands.
These new objects put Abon Hassan into a greater admiration than ever;
who, after he had made a full stop, and given the most sensible marks of
his surprise and astonishment, went directly to the table; where, sitting
down, he gazed a considerable time at the seven ladies, with an
embarrassment that plainly showed he knew not which to give the
preference to. At last he ordered them all to sit and eat with him,
telling them that it was not so hot but he could spare them that trouble.
When the ladies were all placed about him, the first thing he did was to
ask their names, which were different from the other seven, and expressed
some perfection of either mind or body, which distinguished them from one
another; and upon which he took an opportunity, when he presented them
with fruit, &c. to say somewhat that was handsome. Take this fig, said he
to Chain of Hearts, who sat on his right hand, and render the fetters
with which you loaded me at first sight more supportable; and so went on
to the rest. By these ways, Abon Hassan pleased and diverted the caliph
more and more, who was resolved to carry on this scene which entertained
him so agreeably.
After Abon Hassan had tasted of all the fruits, &c. he got up and
followed Mesrour into a third hall, much more magnificently furnished
than the other two; where he was received by the same number of musicians
and ladies, who stood about a table covered over with all manner of
sweetmeats. After he had looked about him with new admiration, he
advanced to the table, the music playing all the time, which ceased when
he sat down. The seven ladies sat down with him, by his order, and helped
themselves, as he desired them, to what they liked best; and afterwards
he informed himself of their names, which pleased him as much as the
others had done.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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