|
"IN a certain town of Persia there lived two brothers, one of whom was named Cassim and the other Ali Baba. Their father at his death left them a very moderate fortune, which they divided equally.
"Cassim married a woman who very soon after her nuptials inherited a well-furnished shop, a warehouse filled with good merchandise, and some considerable property in land. Her husband thus found himself suddenly quite a prosperous man, and became one of the richest merchants in the whole town.
"Ali Baba, on the other hand, who had taken to wife a woman no better off for worldly goods than himself, lived in a very poor house, and had no other means of gaining his livelihood and supporting his wife and children than by going to cut wood in a neighbouring forest, and carrying it about the town to sell, on three asses, which were his only possession.
"Ali Baba went one day to the forest, and had very nearly finished cutting as much wood as his asses could carry, when he perceived a thick cloud of dust, which rose very high into the air, and appeared to come from a point to the right of the spot where he stood. It was advancing towards him. He was soon able to distinguish a numerous company of men on horseback, who were approaching at a quick pace.
"Although that part of the country had never been spoken of as being infested with robbers, Ali Baba nevertheless conjectured that these horsemen were thieves. Therefore without considering what might become of his asses, his first and only care was to save himself. He instantly climbed up into a large tree, the branches of which spread out so close and thick that only one small opening was left. He hid himself among the thick branches, with great hope of safety, as he could see everything that occurred without being observed. The tree itself also grew at the foot of a sort of isolated rock, considerably higher than the tree, and so steep that it could not be easily ascended.
"The men, who appeared stout, powerful, and well mounted, came up to this very rock and alighted at its foot. Ali Baba counted forty of them, and was very sure, from their appearance and mode of equipment, that they were robbers. They were, in fact, a band of robbers, who abstained from committing any depredations in the neighbourhood, but carried on their system of plunder at a considerable distance, and only had their place of rendezvous at that spot. Presently each horseman took the bridle off his horse, and hung over its head a bag filled with barley, which he had brought with him; and when all had fastened their horses to bushes and trees, they took off their travelling bags, which appeared so heavy that Ali Baba thought they must be filled with gold and silver.
"The robber who was nearest to him, and whom Ali Baba took for the captain of the band, came with his bag on his shoulder close to the rock, beside the very tree in which Ali Baba had concealed himself. After making his way among some bushes and shrubs that grew there, the robber very deliberately pronounced these words, 'OPEN, SESAME!' which Ali Baba distinctly heard. The captain of the band had no sooner spoken, than a door opened; and after making all his men pass before him, and go in through the door, the chief entered also, and the door closed.
"The robbers continued within the rock for a considerable time; and Ali Baba was compelled to remain in the tree, and wait with patience for their departure, as he was afraid to leave his place of refuge and endeavour to save himself by flight, lest some of the horsemen should come out and discover him.
"At length the door opened, and the forty robbers came out. The captain, contrary to his former proceeding, made his appearance first. After he had seen all his troops pass out before him, Ali Baba heard him pronounce these words: ‘SHUT, SESAME!' Each man then returned to his horse, put on its bridle, fastened his bag, and mounted. When the captain saw that they were all ready to proceed, he put himself at their head, and they departed on the road by which they had come.
"Ali Baba followed them with his eyes till he could see them no longer, and, in order to be more secure, delayed his descent till a considerable time after he had lost sight of them. As he recollected the words the captain of the robbers had used to open and shut the door, he had the curiosity to try if the same effect would be produced by his pronouncing them. He therefore made his way through the bushes till he came to the door, which they concealed. He went up to it, and called out: 'Open, sesame!' and the door instantly flew wide open.
"Ali Baba expected to find only a dark and gloomy cave, and was much astonished at seeing a large, spacious, well-lighted and vaulted room, dug out of the rock, and so high that he could not touch the roof with his hand. It received its light from an opening at the top of the rock. He observed in it a large quantity of provisions, numerous bales of rich merchandise, a store of silk, stuffs and brocades, and besides all this, great quantities of money, both silver and gold, partly piled up in heaps and partly stored in large leather bags, placed one on another. At the sight of all these things, it seemed to him that this cave must have been used for centuries, as a retreat for successive generations of robbers.
"Ali Baba did not hesitate long as to the plan he should pursue. He went into the cave, and as soon as he was there the door shut; but as he knew the secret by which to open it, this circumstance gave him no sort of uneasiness. He paid no attention to the silver, but made directly for the gold coin, and particularly that portion which was in the bags. He took up in several journeys as much as he could carry, and when he had got together what he thought sufficient for loading his three asses, he went and collected them together, as they had strayed to some distance. He then brought them as close as he could to the rock, and loaded them; and in order to conceal the sacks, he so covered the whole over with wood, that no one could perceive that his beasts had any other load. When he had finished his task he went up to the door, and pronounced the words: ‘Shut, sesame !' The portal instantly closed; for although it shut of itself every time he went in, it remained open on his coming out till he commanded it to close.
"Ali Baba now took the road to the town; and when he got to his own house he drove his asses into a small courtyard, and shut the gate with great care. He threw down the faggots of brushwood that covered the bags, and carried the latter into his house, where he laid them down in a row before his wife.
"His wife felt the sacks to find out what might be their contents; and when she found them to be full of money, she suspected her husband of having stolen them; and when he laid them all before her, she could not help saying: 'Ali Baba, is it possible that you should--?' He immediately interrupted her. 'Peace, my dear wife,' exclaimed he, 'do not alarm yourself: I am not a thief, unless it be robbery to deprive thieves of their plunder. You will change your opinion of me when I have told you my good fortune.' Hereupon he emptied the sacks, the contents of which formed a great heap of gold, that quite dazzled his wife's eyes; and when he had done, he related his whole adventure, and in conclusion he entreated her to keep it secret.
"Recovering from her alarm, his wife began to rejoice with Ali Baba on the good fortune which had befallen them, and was about to count over the money that lay before her piece by piece, 'What are you going to do? ' said he. 'You are very foolish, O wife; you would never have done counting this mass. I will immediately dig a pit to bury it in-we have no time to lose.' 'But it is only right,' replied the wife, ‘that we should know nearly what quantity there may be. I will go and borrow a small measure from some one of our neighbours, and whilst you are digging the pit I will ascertain how much we have.' 'What you want to do, wife,' replied Ali Baba, 'is of no use. However, you shall have your own way; only remember not to betray the secret.'
"Persisting in her design, the wife of All Baba set off, and went to her brother-in-law, Cassim, who lived at a short distance from her house. Cassim was from home; so she addressed herself to his wife, whom she begged to lend her a measure for a few minutes. Cassim's wife inquired if she wanted a large or a small one, to which Ali Baba's wife replied that a small one would suit her. 'That I will lend you with pleasure,' said the sister-in-law; 'wait a moment, and I will bring it you.' She went to bring a measure ; but, knowing the poverty of Ali Baba, she was curious to know what sort of grain his wife wanted to measure; she bethought herself, therefore, of putting some tallow under the measure, in such a way that it could not be observed.
"The wife of Ali Baba returned home, and placing the measure on the heap of gold, filled and emptied it at a little distance on the sofa, till she had measured the whole mass. Her husband having by this time dug the pit for its reception, she informed him how many measures there were, and both rejoiced at the magnitude of the treasure. While Ali Baba was burying the gold, his wife carried back the measure to her sister-in-law, without observing that a piece of gold had stuck to the bottom of it. 'Here, sister, said she, on returning it, ‘you see I have not kept your measure long; I am much obliged to you for lending it me.'
"So soon as the wife of Ali Baba had taken her departure, Cassim's wife looked at the bottom of the measure, and was inexpressibly astonished to see a piece of gold sticking to it. Envy instantly took possession of her breast. 'What!' said she to herself, 'has Ali Baba such an abundance of gold that he measures, instead of counting it? Where can that miserable wretch have got it?' Her husband Cassim was from home: he had gone as usual to his shop, from whence he would not return till evening. The time of his absence appeared an age to her, for she was burning with impatience to acquaint him with a circumstance which, she concluded, would surprise him as much as it had astonished her.
"On Cassim's return home, his wife said to him: 'Cassim, you think you are rich, but you are deceived; Ali Baba has infinitely more wealth than you can boast: he does not count his money as you do, he measures it.' Cassim demanded an explanation of this enigma, and his wife unraveled it by acquainting him with the expedient she had used to make this discovery, and showing him the piece of money she had found adhering to the bottom of the measure.
"Far from feeling any pleasure at the good fortune which had rescued his brother from poverty, Cassim conceived an implacable jealousy. The next morning, before sunrise, he went to Ali Baba. 'O Ali Baba,' said he, ' you are very reserved in your affairs: you pretend to be poor and wretched and a beggar, and yet you have so much money that you must measure it.' ‘O my brother,' replied Ali Baba, 'I do not understand; pray explain yourself.' 'Do not pretend ignorance,' resumed Cassim; and showing Ali Baba the piece of gold his wife had given him, he continued: 'how many pieces have you like this that my wife found sticking to the bottom of the measure which your wife borrowed of her yesterday?'
"From this speech Ali Baba at once understood that, in consequence of his own wife's obstinacy, Cassim and his wife were already acquainted with the fact he was so anxious to conceal from them; but the discovery was made, and nothing could now be done to remedy the evil. Without showing the slightest sign of surprise or vexation, he frankly owned to his brother by what chance he had found out the retreat of the thieves, and where it was situated; and he offered, if Cassim would agree to keep the secret, to share the treasure with him.
"'This I certainly expect you will do,' replied Cassim in a haughty tone; and he added: 'but I demand to know also the precise spot where this treasure lies concealed, and the signs which may enable me to visit the place myself. If you refuse this information I will go and inform the police, and you will not only be deprived of all hope of obtaining any more money, but you will even lose that you have already taken; whereas I shall receive my portion for having informed against you.'
"Actuated more by his natural goodness of heart, than intimidated by the insolent menaces of this cruel brother, Ali Baba gave him all the information he demanded, and even told him the words he must pronounce both on entering the cave and on quitting it. Cassim made no further inquiries of Ali Baba: he left him with the determination of being beforehand with him in any further views he might have on the treasure. Full of the hope of possessing himself of the whole mass, he set off the next morning, before break of day, with ten mules furnished with large hampers which he proposed to fill. He took the road which Ali Baba had pointed out, and arrived at the rock and the tree, which, from description, he knew to be the one that had concealed his brother. He looked for the door, and soon discovered it; and to cause it to open he pronounced the words: 'Open, sesame!' The door obeyed, he entered, and it immediately closed behind him. On examining the cave, he felt the utmost astonishment on seeing so much more wealth than the description of Ali Baba had led him to expect; and his admiration increased as he examined each department separately. Avaricious and fond of money as he was, he could have passed the whole day in feasting his eyes with the sight of so much gold, but he reflected that he had come to load his ten mules with as much treasure as he could collect. He took up a number of sacks, and coming to the door, his mind distracted by a multitude of ideas, found that he had forgotten the important words, and instead of pronouncing 'sesame,' he said, ‘Open, barley.' He was thunderstruck on perceiving that the door, instead of flying open, remained closed. He named the various others kinds of grain, all but the right description, but the door did not move.
"Cassim was not prepared for an adventure of this kind. Fear took entire possession of his mind. The more he endeavoured to recollect the word sesame, the more was his memory confused, and he remained as far from any recollection of it as if he had never heard of the word mentioned. He threw to the ground the sacks he had collected, and paced with hasty steps backward and forward in the cave. The riches which surrounded him had no longer any charms for his imagination.
"Towards noon the robbers returned to their cave, and when they saw the mules belonging to Cassim standing about the rock laden with hampers, they were greatly surprised. They immediately drove away the ten mules, which Cassim had neglected to fasten, and which, therefore, dispersed in the forest. The robbers did not give themselves the trouble to run after the mules, for their chief object was to discover the owner of the beasts. While some were employed in searching the exterior recesses of the rock, the captain, with the rest, alighted, and drawing their sabres, the party went towards the door, pronounced the magic words, and it opened.
"Cassim, who from the inside of the cave had heard the noise of horses trampling on the ground, felt certain that the robbers had arrived, and that his death was inevitable. Resolved, however, to make one effort to escape, and reach some place of safety, he posted himself near the door, ready to run out as soon as it should open. The word, 'sesame,' which he had in vain endeavoured to recall to his remembrance, was scarcely pronounced when the portal opened, and he rushed out with such violence that he threw the captain to the ground. He could not, however, avoid the other thieves, who cut him to pieces on the spot.
"The next proceeding of the robbers after this execution was to enter the cave. They found, near the door, the bags which Cassim, after filling with gold, had removed there for the convenience of loading his mules; and they put them in their places again without observing the absence of those which Ali Baba had previously carried away. Conjecturing and consulting upon this event, they could easily account for Cassim's inability to effect his escape, but they could not in any way imagine how he had been able to enter the cave. They supposed that he might have descended from the top of the cave, but the opening which admitted the light was so high, and the summit of the rock so inaccessible on the outside, that they all agreed such a feat was impossible. They could not suppose he had entered by the door, unless he had discovered the password which caused it to open, but they felt quite secure that they alone were possessed of this secret, for they were ignorant of having been overheard by Ali Baba.
"But as the manner in which this entry had been effected remained a mystery, and their united riches were no longer in safety, they agreed to cut the corpse of Cassim into four quarters and place them in the cave near the door, two quarters on one side, and two on the other, to frighten away any one who might have the boldness to hazard a similar enterprise; resolving, themselves, not to return to the cave for some time. This determination they put into immediate execution, and when they had nothing further to detain them, they left their place of retreat well secured, mounted their horses, and set off to scour the country, and, as before, to infest the roads most frequented by caravans, which afforded them favourable opportunities of plundering.
"The wife of Cassim in the meantime began to feel very uneasy when she observed night approach, and yet her husband did not return. She went in the utmost alarm to Ali Baba, and said to him: 'O brother, I believe you are well aware that Cassim is gone to the forest, and for what purpose. He has not yet come back, and I fear that some accident may have befallen him.'
"Ali Baba suspected his brother's intention after the conversation he had held with him, and for this reason he had abstained from visiting the forest on that day, that he might not offend Cassim. However, he replied that she need not yet feel any uneasiness, for that Cassim most probably thought it prudent not to return to the city until the daylight had entirely vanished. The wife of Cassim felt satisfied with this reason, and was the more easily persuaded of its truth when she considered how important it was that her husband should use the greatest secrecy for the accomplishment of his purpose. She returned to her house, and waited patiently till midnight, but after that hour her fears returned with twofold strength, and her grief was the greater, as she could not proclaim it, nor even relieve it by cries, which might have caused suspicion and inquiry in the neighbourhood. She then began to repent of the silly curiosity which, heightened by envy, had induced her to endeavour to pry into the private affairs of her brother and sister-in-law. She spent the night in weeping, and at break of day she ran to Ali Baba, and announced the cause of her early visit less by her words than by her tears.
"Ali Baba did not wait till his sister entreated him to go and seek for Cassim. After advising the disconsolate wife to restrain her grief, he immediately set off with his three asses, and went to the forest. As he drew near the rock, he was much astonished on observing that blood had been shed near the door, and not having met in his way either his brother or the ten mules, he looked on this as an unfavourable omen. He reached the door, and on his pronouncing the words it opened. He was struck with horror when he discovered the body of his brother cut into four quarters, yet notwithstanding the small share of fraternal affection he had received from Cassim during his life, he did not hesitate on the course he was to pursue in rendering the last act of duty to his brother's remains. He found materials in the cave wherein to wrap up the body, and making two packets of the four quarters, he placed them on one of his asses, covering them with sticks to conceal them. The other two asses he expeditiously loaded with sacks of gold, putting wood over them as on the preceding occasion; and having finished all he had to do, and commanded the door to close, he took the road to the city, taking care to wait at the entrance of the forest until night had closed, that he might return without being observed. When he got home he left the two asses that were laden with gold, desiring his wife to take care to unload them; and after telling her in a few words what had happened to Cassim, he led the third ass away to his sister-in-law.
"'Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened to him by a female slave named Morgiana. This Morgiana was crafty, cunning, and Ali Baba knew her abilities well. When he had entered the courtyard, he unloaded the wood and the two packages from the ass, and taking the slave aside, he said: ‘Morgiana, the first thing I have to request of you is inviolable secrecy. These two packets contain the body of your master, and we must endeavour to bury him as if he had died a natural death. Let me speak to your mistress, and take good heed of what I shall say to her.'
"Morgiana went to acquaint her mistress that Ali Baba had returned, and Ali Baba followed her. 'Well, brother,' inquired his sister-in-law, in an impatient tone, 'what news do you bring of my husband?' 'O my sister,' replied Ali Baba, 'I cannot answer you, unless you first promise to listen to me from the beginning to the end of my story without interruption. It is of no less importance to you than to me, under the present circumstances, to preserve the greatest secrecy. Discretion is absolutely necessary for your repose and security.' 'Ah,' cried the sister in a mournful voice, 'this preamble convinces me that my husband is no more; but at the same time I feel the necessity of the secrecy you require.'
"Ali Baba then related to her all that had happened during his journey, until he had brought away the body of Cassim. 'Sister,' added he, 'here is a great and sudden affliction for you. The evil is without remedy, but nevertheless, if my good offices can afford you consolation, I offer to join the small property Heaven has granted me to yours, by marrying you. I can assure you my wife will not be jealous, and you will live comfortably together. If this proposal meets your approbation, we must contrive to bury my brother as if he had died a natural death; and this is an office which I think you may safely entrust to Morgiana, and I will, on my part, contribute all in my power to assist her.'
"The widow of Cassim reflected that she could not do better than consent to this offer, for Ali Baba now possessed greater riches than she could boast, and besides, by the discovery of the treasure, might increase them considerably. She did not, therefore, refuse his proposal, but, on the contrary, regarded it as a reasonable source of consolation. She wiped away her tears, and testified to Ali Baba that she accepted his offer.
"Ali Baba having strongly recommended to Morgiana to use the utmost discretion in the difficult part she was to perform, returned home with his ass.
"Morgiana did not believe her character for cunning. She went out with Ali Baba, and betook herself to an apothecary who lived in the neighbourhood. She knocked at the shop door, and when it was opened asked for a particular kind of lozenge, supposed to possess great efficacy in dangerous disorders. The apothecary gave her as much as the money she offered would pay for, asking who was ill in her master's family. ‘Alas!' exclaimed she, with a deep sigh, 'it is my worthy master, Cassim himself. No one can understand his complaint: he can neither speak not eat.' So saying, she carried off the lozenges, which Cassim would never need more.
"On the following day Morgiana again went to the same apothecary, and with tears in her eyes inquired for an essence which it was customary only to administer when the patient was reduced to the last extremity, and when no other remedy had been left untried. 'Alas!' cried she, as she received it from the hands of the apothecary, 'I fear this remedy will not be of more use than the lozenges. I shall lose my beloved master!'
"Moreover, as Ali Baba and his wife were seen going to and from the house of Cassim in the course of the day, no one was surprised when, towards evening, the piercing cries of the widow and Morgiana announced the death of Cassim. At a very early hour the next morning, Morgiana, knowing that a good old cobbler lived some distance off who was one of the first to open his shop, went out to visit him. Coming up to him, she wished him a good day, and put a piece of gold into his hand.
"Baba Mustapha, a man well known throughout all the city, was naturally of a gay turn, and had always something laughable to say. He examined the piece of money, and seeing that it was gold, he said: 'This is good wage; what is to be done? I am ready to do your bidding.' 'Baba Mustapha,' said Morgiana to him, 'take all your materials for sewing, and come directly with me; but I insist on this condition, that you let me put a bandage over your eyes when we have got to a certain place.' At these words Baba Mustapha began to make objections. 'Oh, ho!' said he, 'you want me to do something against my conscience or my honour.' But Morgiana interrupted him by putting another piece of gold into his hand. 'Allah forbid,' she said, 'that I should require you to do anything that would stain your honour; only come with me and fear nothing.'
"Baba Mustapha suffered himself to be led by the slave, who bound a handkerchief over his eyes, and brought him to her deceased master's; nor did she remove the bandage until he was in the chamber where the body was deposited, the severed quarters having been put together. Taking off the covering, she said: 'Baba Mustapha, I have brought you hither that you might sew these pieces together. Lose no time; and when you have done I will give you another piece of gold.'
"When Baba Mustapha had finished his work, Morgiana bound his eyes again before he left the chamber, and after giving him the third piece of money, according to her promise, and earnestly recommending him to keep her secret, she conducted him to the place where she had first put on the handkerchief. Here she took the bandage from his eyes, and left him to return to his house, watching him, however, until he was out of sight, lest he should have the curiosity to return and notice her movements.
"Morgiana had heated some water to wash the body of Cassim; and Ali Baba, who entered just as she returned, washed it, perfumed it with incense, and wrapped it in the burying-clothes with the customary ceremonies. The joiner also brought the coffin which Ali Baba had taken care to order. In order that he might not observe anything particular, Morgiana received the coffin at the door, and having paid the man and sent him away, she assisted Ali Baba to put the body into it. When he had nailed down the lid of the coffin, she went to the mosque, to give notice that everything was ready for the funeral.
"Morgiana had scarcely returned before the Iman and the other ministers of the mosque arrived. Four of the neighbours took the coffin on their shoulders, and carried it to the cemetery, following the Iman, who repeated prayers as he went along. Morgiana, as slave to the deceased, walked next, with her head uncovered. She was bathed in tears, and uttered the most piteous cries from time to time. Ali Baba dosed the procession, accompanied by some of the neighbours.
"As for the widow of Cassim, she remained at home to lament and weep with the women of the neighbourhood, who, according to the usual custom, had repaired to her house during the ceremony of the burial. In this manner the fatal end of Cassim was so well dissembled and concealed by Ali Baba and the rest, that no one in the city had the least suspicion of the manner in which he had come by his death.
"Three or four days after the interment of Cassim, Ali Baba removed the few goods he possessed, together with the money he had taken from the robbers' store, which he conveyed by night into the house of the widow of Cassim, in order to establish himself there, and thus announce his marriage with his sister-in-law: and as such matches are by no means extraordinary in our religion, no one showed any marks of surprise on the occasion.
"Ali Baba had a son who had passed a certain time with a merchant of considerable repute, who had always bestowed the highest commendations on his conduct. To this son he gave the shop of Cassim, with a further promise that if the young man continued to behave with prudence, he would, ere long, marry him advantageously.
|
