The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 03

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• Publié par: urki
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 26
• Langue: English

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arabian
Nights Entertainments vol. 3, by Anon. (#3 in our
series by Anon.)
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Title: The Arabian Nights Entertainments vol. 3Author: Anon.
Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5666] [Yes, we
are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This
file was first posted on August 5, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG
EBOOK, THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
ENTERTAINMENTS VOL. 3 ***
This eBook was produced by JC Byers.
Text scanned by JC Byers and proofread by JC
Byers, Sally
Gellert, Renate Preuss, and Christine Sturrock.
The "Aldine" Edition of
The Arabian Nights Entertainments
Illustrated by S. L. Wood
FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTTIn Four Volumes
Volume 3
London
Pickering and Chatto
1890
Contents of Volume III.
The Story of Beder, Prince of Persia, and
Jehaunara, Prince of
Samandal, or Summunder
The History of Prince Zeyn Alasnam and the Sultan
of the Genii
The History of Codadad, and His Brothers
The History of the Princess of Deryabar
The Story of Abu Hassan, or the Sleeper
Awakened
The Story of Alla Ad Deen; Or, the Wonderful
Lamp
Adventure of the Caliph Haroon Al Rusheed
The Story of Baba Abdoollah
The Story of Syed Naomaun
The Story of Khaujeh Hassan Al Hubbaul
The Story of Ali Aba and the Forty Robbers
Destroyed by a Slave
The Story of Ali Khujeh, a Merchand of BagdadTHE STORY OF
BEDER, PRINCE OF
PERSIA, AND JEHAUN-
ARA, PRINCESS OF
SAMANDAL, OR
SUMMUNDER.
Persia was an empire of such vast extent, that its
ancient monarchs, not without reason, assumed
the haughty title of King of kings. For not to
mention those subdued by their arms, there were
kingdoms and provinces whose kings were not only
tributary, but also in as great subjection as
governors in other nations are to the monarchs.
One of these kings, who in the beginning of his
reign had signalized himself by many glorious and
successful conquests, enjoyed so profound apeace and tranquillity, as rendered him the
happiest of princes. The only point in which he
thought himself unfortunate was, that amongst all
his wives, not one had brought him a son; and
being now far advanced in years, he was desirous
of an heir. He had above a hundred ladies, all
lodged in separate apartments, with women-slaves
to wait upon and eunuchs to guard them; yet,
notwithstanding all his endeavours to please their
taste, and anticipate their wishes, there was not
one that answered his expectation. He had women
frequently brought him from the most remote
countries; and if they pleased him, he not only
gave the merchants their full price, but loaded
them with honours and benedictions, in hopes that
at last he might be so happy as to meet with one
by whom he might have a son. There was scarcely
an act of charity but he performed, to prevail with
heaven. He gave immense sums to the poor,
besides large donations to the religious; building for
their use many noble colleges richly endowed, in
hopes of obtaining by their prayers what he so
earnestly desired.
One day, according to the custom of his royal
predecessors, during their residence in their
capital, he held an assembly of his courtiers, at
which all the ambassadors and strangers of quality
about the court were present; and where they not
only entertained one another with news and
politics, but also by conversing on the sciences,
history, poetry, literature, and whatever else was
capable of diverting the mind. On that day a
eunuch came to acquaint him with the arrival of acertain merchant from a distant country, who,
having brought a slave with him, desired leave to
shew her to his majesty. "Give him admittance
instantly," said the king, "and after the assembly is
over I will talk with him." The merchant was
introduced, and seated in a convenient place, from
whence he might easily have a full view of the king,
and hear him talk familiarly to those that stood
near his person. The king observed this rule to all
strangers, in order that by degrees they might
grow acquainted with him; so that, when they saw
with what freedom and civility he addressed himself
to all, they might be encouraged to talk to him in
the same manner, without being abashed at the
pomp and splendour of his appearance, which was
enough to deprive those of their power of speech
who were not used to it. He treated the
ambassadors also after the same manner. He ate
with them, and during the repast asked them
several questions concerning their health, their
journey, and the peculiarities of their country. After
they had been thus encouraged, he gave them
audience.
When the assembly was over, and all the company
had retired, the merchant, who was the only
person left, fell prostrate before the king's throne,
with his face to the earth, wishing his majesty an
accomplishment of all his desires As soon as he
arose, the king asked him if the report of his having
brought a slave for him was true, and whether she
were handsome.
"Sire," replied the merchant, "I doubt not but yourmajesty has many very beautiful women, since you
search every corner of the earth for them; but I
may boldly affirm, without overvaluing my
merchandise, that you never yet saw a woman that
could stand in competition with her for shape and
beauty, agreeable qualifications, and all the
perfections that she is mistress of." "Where is
she?" demanded the king; "bring her to me
instantly." "Sire," replied the merchant, "I have
delivered her into the hands of one of your chief
eunuchs; and your majesty may send for her at
your pleasure."
The fair slave was immediately brought in; and no
sooner had the king cast his eyes on her, but he
was charmed with her beautiful and easy shape.
He went directly into a closet, and was followed by
the merchant and a few eunuchs. The fair slave
wore, over her face, a red satin veil striped with
gold; and when the merchant had taken it off, the
king of Persia beheld a female that surpassed in
beauty, not only his present ladies, but all that he
had ever had before. He immediately fell
passionately in love with her, and desired the
merchant to name his price.
"Sire," said he, "I gave a thousand pieces of gold to
the person of whom I bought her; and in my three
years' journey to your court, I reckon I have spent
as much more: but I shall forbear setting any price
to so great a monarch; and therefore, if your
majesty likes her, I humbly beg you would accept
of her as a present." "I am highly obliged to you,"
replied the king; "but it is never my custom to treatmerchants, who come hither for my pleasure, in so
ungenerous a manner; I am going to order thee
ten thousand pieces of gold; will that be sufficient?"
"Sire," answered the merchant, "I should have
esteemed myself happy in your majesty's
acceptance of her; yet I dare not refuse so
generous an offer. I will not fail to publish your
liberality in my own country, and in every place
through which I may pass." The money was paid;
and before he departed, the king made him put on
a rich suit of cloth of gold.
The king caused the fair slave to be lodged in the
apartment next his own, and gave particular orders
to the matrons, and the female slaves appointed to
attend her, that after bathing they should dress her
in the richest habit they could find, and carry her
the finest pearl necklaces, the brightest diamonds,
and other richest precious stones, that she might
choose those she liked best.
The officious matrons, whose only care was to
please the king, were astonished at her beauty;
and being good judges, they told his majesty, that
if he would allow them but three days, they would
engage to make her so much handsomer than she
was at present, that he would scarcely know her
again. The king could hardly prevail with himself to
delay so long the pleasure of seeing her, but at last
he consented.
The king of Persia's capital was situated in an
island; and his palace, which w