Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Folklore -- Arab countries
When they had all filled him round, Cluster of Pearls went to the
beaufet, poured out a glass of wine, and putting in a pinch of the same
powder the caliph had used the night before, presented it to Abon Hassan.
Commander of the Faithful, said she, I beg of your majesty to take this
glass of wine; and, before you drink it off, do me the favour to hear a
song I have made to-day, and which may not displease you. With all my
heart, said Abon Hassan, taking the glass; and, as commander of the
faithful, I command you to sing it: for I am persuaded that so beautiful
a lady as yourself must abound with wit and humour. The lady took a lute,
and tuning it to her voice, sang with so much justness and grace, and
with such delicate turns of thought and expression, that Abon Hassan was
in perfect ecstasy all the time, and was so much delighted, that he
ordered her to sing it again.
When the lady had done, Abon Hassan drank off his glass, and, turning his
head towards her, to give her those praises which he thought due to her,
fell fast asleep with his mouth open gaping, and his eyes close shut,
just in the same condition as when the caliph brought him from home; who
took a greater satisfaction in this scene, than he could have promised
himself. One of the ladies stood ready to catch the glass, which fell out
of his hand; and then the caliph, who was all along a spectator of what
had passed, came into the hall to them, and ordered Abon Hassan to be
dressed again in his own clothes, and to be carried back again to his own
house by the same slave that brought him, charging him to lay him on a
sofa in the same room, and to leave the door open.
The slave took Abon Hassan upon his shoulders, and carried him home by a
back-door of the palace, and returned with speed to acquaint the caliph
he had executed his commands. Well, said the caliph, Abon Hassan wished
only to be caliph for one day, to punish the iman of the mosque, and the
four scheiks or old men of his division, who had displeased him: I have
procured him the means, and he ought to be content.
In the mean time, Abon Hassan, who was laid upon a sofa by the slave,
slept very late the next morning. When the powder was worked off, Abon
Hassan opened his eyes, and finding himself at home, was in the utmost
surprise. Cluster of Pearls! Morning Star! Coral Lips! Fair Face! cried
he, calling the ladies of the palace by their names, as he remembered
them: Where are you? Come hither.
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