44 I now felt myself prodigiously relieved from my fears. So, thought I, 'instead of being changed into a cat or a dog, I have gained the summit of my desires; from a poor, starved hut, I shall be transported into some earthly paradise of enjoyment. I shall scatter gold like dust, and cut off heads like thistle-tops, and swim in sparkling rivulets of wine of Shiraz. Shall I possess a hall like this?'-I was wonderfully elated, and in a perfect fever of delicious expectation. With an airy step I paced along the broad pavement, equal to a spacious plain in extent; and for some time could scarcely bring myself to sufficient coolness to perform the prescribed acts which were to realize my brilliant visions. "I prythee, friend, put a little more life into thy story,' whispered the merhcant; the genie sleeps, and I am yet in jeopardy.' "Never fear,' said the old man. "I now bethought me of the mirrors, and directed my steps to the first. As I approached, I read over it in large capitals, THE CITY OF SAMARCANDE.' Ho, ho!' said I, as I surveyed the polished plane, on which a moving picture shewed itself. I looked upon the suburbs of a vast metropolis, out of which the whole world seemed to pour itself, round a smooth-shaven meadow, on the centre of which was a royal pavilion, of spacious dimensions, richly decorated with royal ensigns, streaming on the sunny air,-while music, fuller, deeper, sweeter than I had conceived of the immortal strains of the houris, poured out upon the ears of the listening wealth, rank, and beauty of that grand city.' I was maddened by the delicious combination. I will be the King of Tartary, said I,' aloud; but how to proceed next is the point; where is this little bell? As I looked round I saw, near the spot I had first left, a small table, which I approached, and having reached it in a few minutes' smart walking, I saw upon it a diminutive little bell, not bigger than the cup of a small lily. So all goes right,' thought I.-I paused in the luxury of expectation!" The genie gave a still wider yawn. The merchant was in a copious perspiration at the sight. The old man went on undisturbed. "I hesitated on the first step of anticipated enjoyment, more keenly to feel the change by contrast.From penury I was to be raised to wealth, from humiliation to glory,from subjection to power, from the empty banquet of ambitious fancy to the enjoyment of luxurious reality. With a slow, yet eager and tremulous hand, I seized and rang the little bell, and listened, in mingled suspense and awe to the fairy sound which lowly left my hand, yet echoed loudly back from the far off summit of the concave vault. My suspense did not last long; the echoes had scarcely died, when light steps echoed on the pavement, and a lady of the most stately and queenlike beauty stood before me, with a gracious and captivating smile upon her lips. "Will it please your Majesty to taste this cup from the hands of your lowliest slave?' said she. "If such be the slave, fair one,' said I, what must be the highborn bride?' as I took from a little silver tray of exquisite workmanship, a small diamond cup filled with rich wine, the fragrance of which, expanding itself around, came upon my nostrils with a rich foretaste of its exquisite contents. The genie smiled, the two dogs smacked their lips. "In an instant-in the twinkling of an eye-I was in a dark, low, vaulted cell, breathing an atmosphere thick with a loathsome and clammy dew; a charnel odour fell upon the nostril so lately bathed in the fragrance of the blest. I could not see an inch. tried to move,-I was bound hands and feet. I "In the name of Allah,' said I, 'what is this for? This seems more a dungeon than a palace. But, perchance I am sick, and they have swathed me down to keep me still. I could not imagine what had happened. I worked one of my hands free, and felt over my attire. I was satisfied that my person was changed from a pigmy stature of five feet, to a tall, slight figure of six. My dress was costly, too. I felt the diamond ornaments, and the rich shawls. I am, after all, a king, thought I. I must await the entrance of some officer of state. I will change my bedroom henceforth. There was a stir in a neighbouring apartment. 'Ho, ho!' said I, they are slow in attending the King of Tartary,-heads shall drop for this.' "Presently, a ponderous little door turned on its hinge, with a fearful grating noise, and two gigantic blacks entered, one of whom carried a little brazier, filled with live coals, which cast a vivid red gleam over the blackstained vaults, within a few feet above me as I lay the other had some iron utensil in his hand: the third seemed to be a person having some authority. This person, I thought, is the vizier, who comes attended by the physician: I shall now learn all. It may be some ceremony of state. "Who is there?' said I aloud, willing to discover who I spoke to, before I exprest my desires: Who is there? I have been expecting you this hour.' The blacks stared on me with surprise. The officer answered in a gentle tone : "O King, I am glad to see you so prepared, these fellows are seldom thought too slow. Hasten, slaves, to your duty; see you not his highness grows impatient.' "If my hands were untied, meanwhile, I think I should be more at ease.' "Grieved I am that I cannot comply with your highness-until these have done their work.' "How, slave?' said I authoritatively.' "It is against the rule; and I am responsible to the King." "How,-how,-what King? slave.' "His Highness-your Majesty's royal brother who deposed your Majesty last night, now sits on the throne of Tartary." Then I am really in a dungeon?' "Your highness should know the spot, your royal father prophesied your fate, as you witnessed his last struggles here." "What are you now about to do, good sir,' said I in a softened tone. "The mutes smiled hideous, as they rolled their eyes with fearful significance on each other, my flesh began to creep.' "The officer, too, smiled; but raised his shoulders, so as to express surprise.' Your highness, is not to be taught the customs of this court.' 66 They are about to dress me for the hour of prayer thought I,-it may be no more.' "While this conversation was going on, the two blacks had lit a fire with the coals brought in, and were busily engaged blowing it to the brightness and heat of a furnace. They now left off, and one of them came and stooping his vast figure over me, and presently turning me as if I were no more than a dried log, again drew the loosened ligatures round my arms and legs, so tight that the circulation was impeded. My terrors, for some time rising fast, were now beyond endurance. I was not able to speak, nor could I recall my scattered thoughts. I saw that they were preparing some instrument of fiery torture, and felt that I was in their hands, without reprieve or resistance. Could nothing be done? Nothing. I recollected that I had a second and a third choice ;-but through what fearful trial, beyond fleshly endurance I must pass to the next, I could not divine. "There had been silence for a few minutes, when one of the two mutes, (for such I now perceived them to be,) made a slight sign that the operations, which they had carried on with a quiet, practised celerity, were now completed. "One of them, approaching me, raised me up, and placed my head between his knees. The other approached with a bright plate, a little concave, and red with intolerable lustre, from the furnace. I shut my eyes, but could not again help opening them to gaze on that horrid light. When I did so, it was within six inches of my eyes, and cast a heat beyond endurance. I roared aloud for agony, and again closed my eyes.This poor resource was soon denied me. "Will your Highness open your royal eyes,' said the officer, or the mute must burn his fingers.' "But I spare you the scene of horror and pain beyond describing.Without the power of moving my head a hairsbreadth to the right or left, my eyesight was toasted out of my head, and I was left in darkness. Again, quivering in every tortured nerve, and breathing the burning and putrid air, until, no longer able to endure such complicated and severe suffering, I sunk into a state of insensibility. The genie here broke out into a loud fit of laughter, which very much raised the merchant's hopes of escape. TWENTY-EIGHTH NIGHT. The next morning Dinarzade awoke her sister at an early hour, and having obtained the Sultan's consent, Scheherazade proceeded : "Sir, when the genie had ceased laughing, the old man went on : "How long I remained in this condition I could not tell; but at last I came to my senses. I felt myself in a state of extreme suffering, the effect of which was much increased by a painful sense of extreme thirst, which had been, I believe, the means of awakening me. I was not, however, long in this state, when the voice of the officer who had superintended the sufferings I have related, spoke just close to my ear "O King,' said he, I have good news for your Highness. The people of Samarcande have arisen in your favor, and insist on your being produced.' 66 A ray of consolation beamed across the darkness of my despair. 6 "If I cannot have enjoyment in this state of mutilation, I shall at least have revenge. But I knew it was not yet time to betray my true intent; so I merely answered, Messenger of good news, cannot you lead me forth at once; and when I shall have retaliated upon the real author of my miseries, you shall not long await your reward. While he was about to reply, I had heard a noise of approaching footsteps, and he had just time to whisper, the Sultan' in a tone of alarm, when a crowd of persons surrounded me. "Brother,' said a harsh voice, 'I am forced to bring you forth to the people and the troops.' "Well, your Majesty,' answered I, may depend on my speaking as you desire.' "That we must ensure,' said the Sultan. for the enjoyment of power; I only desire to die in peace.' "You shall have your wish,' said the Sultan ; we come to ease you of a painful life.' "I prythee, brother, do not let me die by violence,' said I; the instinct of nature prevailing over pain. 66 6 My dear brother, the troops must see you dead, and you shall be killed without the smallest pain.'- Canst thou,' said he to some attendant, ‘exccute thine office without inflicting pain ?* "Pleasure, rather, your Majesty.' "Then, prythee, be quick.' "As the last word was uttered, a horrid hand was busy about my neck; it was immediately followed by the pressure of a sharp cord. A momentary sense of suffocation,—drowsiness,-sleep.-I was dead. The genie chuckled with delight. "My lord genie, the change that instantly came upon me surpasses all the marvels of fable. The sensations of life again rushed through my frame with the rapidity of the fierce and fiery torture of a furnace. For a moment I thought that the angels of the tomb had possession of my burning body, under the ruins of Babylon, and were punishing my sins, done no doubt in the body of the Sultan of India. The genie looked learned and contemptuous. "I could not help feeling that it was a hardship to be blinded, bowstrung, and tortured after death, for sins of which I am guiltless as your lordship. The genie hemmed loudly. 66 The pain began to subside, and I felt myself lying on a soft couch, unbound; and opening my eyes, a flood of splendor rushed upon them, by which I was nearly blinded again. Inuring myself gradually to this, the well-known objects of the Hall of Destiny gleamed, one after another, on my sight. I was myself again. "I now fell into a state of the most profound composure: a sense of repose, after the pains and horrors of so many dreadful sufferings, flowed around me. I never before knew so much bliss. Of the lapse of time I had no sense. This happy state, too, had its end. The pains of hunger came upon me, they were worse than all. Unable to endure this new anguish, I arose from the couch, on which I had lain for the length of three days and nights. This I had discovered from an enormous clock, which marked the lapse of hours, while its gigantic pendulums of adamant swung with an everlasting monotony from end to end of the lofty and spacious dome of the hall. "I was resolved to search narrowly around, to discover if there was any thing to be eaten. I now felt that faith in my father's promise, which assured me I was not to die of this horrible want. The search was too easily made; for, notwithstanding the vast size of this great edifice, it was quite unfurnished. The broad circle of its vast floor, stretched to the utmost extent which its dark pillars permitted the eye to reach; all was vast, uniform, and monotonous, unless where some of the huge mirrors, as I changed my position, cast a doubtful reflection of the opposite arch of the cupola above. There was, to be sure, a shelf of ponderous volumes, into which I should have been curious to look; but they were most tantalizingly a few feet above my reach; and could I reach them, they appeared too ponderous to be opened by any person, less in stature than the prince of the geniis. The genie squared his shoulders, and grew twice as big. now in the very last stage of inanition-I had enough to do to stagger to the sofa, on which I fell exhausted. "At this moment my father stood beside me; he bore in his hand a large dish of solid gold, out of which he took four others of precious stones, all different. "Rise, my son,' said he with a voice of much compassion, 'rise and eat.' "I precipitated myself on the nearest dish, with the fierceness of animal voracity; and devoured until my father, whose patience was worn out, stopped me. Huckabac, my dear, I fear for your health; I must not allow you to overcharge your stomach, rendered delicate by the luxuries of royalty.' 6 "This allusion recalled all my sufferings; I was silent with renewed anger; but my father, affecting ignorance of every thing that had occurred, made me recite to him the whole history of my sufferings. To this narrative he listened with an air of one surprised; but I could perceive that all his questions were suggested by the liveliest professional curiosity. He would know every sensation, and the precise part in which it was felt; he advised me to keep my eyes quite open should it ever be my lot to be blinded again; and seemed to lament, that instead of the bowstring I had not been impaled. He was minutely inquisitive on the sensations I felt in recovering; aud seemed deeply interested in the trial of hunger I sustained. You But I was still much imposed on by the vehemence with which he entered into my wrong, in the person of the King of Tartary. Let it be our first care, my son, to avenge ourselves upon his guilty successor. At this moment the King of Georgia has levied a numerous host for the purpose of subduing the kingdom of Tartary. shall wish yourself at its head; and enjoy the pleasures of retaliation. Should he fall into your power fail not to send me word, as I should wish to feel his pulse while his eyes are burning! So saying, he presented me with a sparkling cordial, which I had no sooner swallowed than I felt tenfold appetite for revenge possess me. "There was nothing to eat, and hunger, I can tell your lordship, is worse than fire or cord. For a moment my pains were diverted. As I passed the mirror of the kingdom of Tartary, I saw an immense crowd collected around a mighty platform, on which was laid out a venerable form. This I presently perceived to be the form I had but recently died in. The people lamented with loud outcries; and the king, whom I instantly recognized, appeared sunk "I was again alone; I approached in the most profound affliction: this I the Georgian mirror; a splendid figure knew to be but feigned, and vowed stood near, having on his head a crown vengeance in my heart. But I was of solid gold of exquisite workmanship t -he seemed to be the most beautiful and complete young prince I had ever seen. I was inflamed with ardor to exchange my frightful little form, which your lordship must know was about so high, for that stately person. Ambition, vanity, and revenge rose together in my heart. I forgot my sufferings, and burned again to leave the poor little body which I would now give all my goods to see again. "I looked again—the distance showed a far extended and glittering line of cavalry ranged across an immense plain; and already in fancy I was its possessor. I walked towards the table in the centre, and as I went, resolved to guard against the disappointment of my former choice. I shall, thought I, adopt my father's very words-the king may be in a dungeon -I will wish to command that army -this may serve for himself or his successor.' Thinking myself most sage, I touched the little bell. Again the sweet and solemn chime came with a subduing tone from the high roofed vault of the Hall of Destiny. Again the beautiful fairy stood before me with her discreet and thoughtful eye and sparkling cup. Again the strange transforming cordial chased through my veins, and I sat with a triumphant feeling upon the back of a splendid war-horse, surrounded by a numerous band of officers, some of whom I could perceive to be persons of rank. I did not know their names, and therefore resolved to be reserved and discreet until I could obtain this knowledge. I was treated with much deference by every one; yet it was not exactly the kind of respect I had expected; it seemed to be little more than a slight surface of external form. 'I must,' thought I, depress the aristocracy here; they shall by and by learn who they have to deal with.' I as sumed a stately deportment, and looked as awful as I could. This, to my surprise, rather increased the familiarity of some; they conversed with each other in a manner totally inconsistent with the respect due to a royal presence. I felt resentment swelling in my bosom. There was a tone of innuendo and sarcastic allusion; which, but that it seemed inapplicable to a monarch and a handsome youth, I should suppose designed for myself. What it is to be a general,' says one. "It makes old men young,' says another. 66 6 third. And slaves proud,' observed a “ And Tartars handsome,' added a fourth. "And a-look like a man ;' 'at least it makes one look as if he thought so,' struck in a fifth. Turning round with stately condescension, I said, gaily enough, you are merry gentlemen.' I was startled at my own voice-it was harsh and shrill, and quite unsuited to the youthful beauty of the figure in the glass. 'How, now, Gabor,' said the foremost of my companions merrily; 'you seem more frightened at that sweet voice of yours than at the onset of the Tartar; come, my friend, rally your scattered senses and be yourself. I was confounded at this license; 'they are accustomed to be free,' thought I; I must tolerate them a little. I put on a laughing air, and we chatted as we rode along the ranks; my spirit warmed towards my companions, who were now not only respectful but seemingly cordial; and I began to give way to the contemplations of prosperous ambition, when a loud cheer arose from the ranks with deafening power. I was hesitating how to acknowledge this mark of real respect, when my eye caught a splendid train of horsemen, all glittering with such splendor as I had not hitherto dreamt of, coming in full gallop across the plain-there were about forty persons, all who seemed to be of the highest rank.' This,' thought I, 'is some imperial visitor or guest; we must receive him like a brother king;' and seeing that those around me drew up in a posture of respect, I took the hint and did the same. The stately company was now drawn nigh; in the front rode a gallant youth mounted on a milk-white steed, all streaming with golden housings. On his head the youth wore a jewelled cap; on the front of which one phoenix plume, the only one I had ever seen, luxuriantly rich and glowingly bright, fanned the air with the motion of his steed. The genie chuckled derisively. |