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"When the caliph spoke every one was silent, and the loud music ceased. Abou Hassan paused with the rest, and turned his head towards the place whence the voice came. He knew the caliph, and discovered that it was he who had personated the merchant of Moussoul. He was not discontented at this; he knew in a moment that he was quite awake, and that everything which had befallen him was perfectly real and no dream. He fell in with the humour and design of the caliph: 'Ah, ha!' cried he, looking at him with an air of confidence, ' you are there, you merchant of Moussoul! How can you complain that I make you die with laughing; you who are the cause of my bad behaviour towards my mother, and of all I myself suffered during my long confinement in the hospital for lunatics? I ask you, are not you the aggressor, and am I not the sufferer?' 'You are in the right, Abou Hassan,' replied the caliph, who was still laughing, 'but for your comfort and to make amends for all your sufferings, I am ready to recompense you in any way you wish.'
"As soon as he had said this, the caliph came down from his closet and entered the saloon. He caused one of his best habits to be brought, and bade the damsels and the officers of the chamber employ themselves in dressing Abou Hassan in it. When they had done so the caliph embraced him, and said, 'You are my brother; ask of me whatever will best please you and I will grant it.' 'Commander of the Faithful,' replied Abou Hassan, 'I beseech your majesty to inform me what you did to turn my brain, and what was your design; at present this is of more importance to me than anything else, to bring my mind back again to its former state.'
"The caliph was ready to give Abou Hassan this satisfaction. 'You must in the first place understand then,' said he, 'that I very often disguise myself, that I may find out whether proper order is preserved in all respects in the city of Bagdad; and I set apart a certain day, the first of every month, to make a circuit beyond the walls, and I always return by the bridge. I was returning from my round on the evening when you invited me to sup with you. In the course of our conversation, you observed that your greatest wish was to be caliph and Commander of the Faithful, only for twenty-four hours, that you might punish the Iman of the mosque in your neighbourhood, and the four old men, his counsellors. From this wish of yours I thought I might derive great amusement; and with that view I at once devised means to procure you the satisfaction you desired. I had about me a powder which brings on a deep sleep the moment it is taken. Without your perceiving it, I put a dose of that powder into the last glass which I presented to you, and you swallowed it. You were immediately overcome by sleep, and I ordered you to be taken away and carried to my palace by the slave who waited upon me: and when I went away I left your chamber door open. I need not tell you what happened to you at my palace after your waking, and during the whole of that day you spent here; at night, one of my female slaves who waited upon you put another dose of the same powder into the last glass which she presented to you, and which you drank. A sound sleep immediately seized you, and I caused you to be carried back to your own house by the same slave who had brought you. I did not imagine you would have to undergo so much as you suffered on this occasion; but I have given you my word I will do everything to console you, and will, if possible, make you forget all your sufferings. Consider, therefore, what I can do, and freely ask me to give you whatever you wish.'
"'O Commander of the Faithful,' returned Abou Hassan, 'great as have been the ills I have suffered, they are effaced from my memory now that I know they were occasioned by my sovereign lord and master. With regard to the generosity with which your majesty offers to shower benefits upon me, I can have no doubt, after your irrevocable word has passed, that it will be fulfilled; but as self-interest had never much power over me, the favour I shall ask is that you allow me free access to your person, that I may have the happiness of admiring your greatness all my life long.'
"This last proof of Abou Hassan's disinterestedness completely gained the caliph's esteem. 'I most readily comply with your request,' said he; 'I grant you free access to me in my palace at all hours, and in whatever part of it I may be:'-and he immediately assigned to Abou Hassan an apartment in the palace. He chose rather that his new retainer should be about his person, than that Abou Hassan have any particular office in his treasury, and upon the spot ordered a thousand pieces of gold to be paid him. Abou Hassan made the humblest acknowledgments to the caliph, who then left him in order to hold his usual council.
"Abou Hassan took this opportunity of going immediately to his mother to inform her of all that had occurred, and to acquaint her with his good fortune. He made her understand that all which had befallen him was by no means a dream; that he had really been caliph; that he had actually discharged all the royal functions, and received all the honours paid to the caliph during the space of twenty-four hours; and assured her that she need not doubt the truth of what he was telling her since he had it confirmed to him by the caliph's own mouth.
"The news of Abou Hassan's adventures soon spread throughout the city of Bagdad.
"This newly-acquired distinction of Abou Hassan brought him constantly about the caliph's person. As he diffused much cheerfulness wherever he came by his wit and pleasantry, the caliph scarcely knew how to do without him, and never engaged in any scheme of amusement but he made Abou Hassan one of the party. He sometimes brought him even to his wife Zobeide, to whom he had related his history, which entertained her much. Princess Zobeide was very well pleased with Abou Hassan; but she observed that whenever he attended the caliph in his visits to her, he had always his eye upon Nouzhatoul Aouadat, one of her slaves. This circumstance she determined to communicate to the caliph; and said to him one day, 'Commander of the Faithful, you do not observe perhaps, as I do, that every time Abou Hassan comes hither with you he constantly fixes his eyes upon Nouzhatoul Aouadat, and that she never fails to blush and cast down her eyes. You will hardly doubt that this is a sure sign she does not dislike him. If, therefore, you will take my advice, we will arrange a marriage between them.' ' Lady,' returned the caliph, ‘you bring to my recollection a thing I ought not to have forgotten. Abou Hassan has told me his opinion on the subject of marriage, and I have promised to give him a wife, with whom he shall have every reason to be satisfied. But it is better that Abou Hassan should follow his own inclination in the choice he is to make for himself. Besides, since Nouzhatoul Aouadat does not seem averse to the match, we should not hesitate about this marriage. Here they are both; they have nothing to do but to declare their consent.'
"Abou Hassan threw himself at the feet of the caliph and of Princess Zobeide, to testify his gratitude at their kindness towards him. 'I cannot,' said he, as he rose, 'receive a bride from better hands; but I dare not hope that Nouzhatoul Aouadat will give me her hand as cordially as I am ready to give her mine.' As he said this he looked at the slave of the Princess, who plainly showed that she was entirely disposed to follow the advice of the caliph and of the Princess Zobeide.
"The marriage presently took place. The nuptials were celebrated in the palace with great demonstrations of joy. Princess Zobeide considered it a point of honour to make her slave rich presents to please the caliph; and the caliph, out of regard for the Princess Zobeide, was equally generous towards Abou Hassan.
"The bride was conducted to the apartments which the caliph had assigned to Abou Hassan her husband.
"Many days passed in the festivities and rejoicings usual upon such occasions. At length the newly-married pair were left to each other's society. Abou Hassan and his new wife were charmed with each other. Nouzhatoul Aouadat had all the qualities that would inspire love and attachment in a man like Abou Hassan. Their table was constantly covered at every meal with the most delicious and the rarest dishes that cooks, with the utmost care, could prepare and furnish. Their sideboard was always provided with the most exquisite wine. They enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content in private, and entertained each other with a thousand pleasantries.
"Abou Hassan and Nouzhatoul Aouadat passed a long time in the enjoyment of mirth and jollity. They took no thought about the expense of their way of living. The cook whom they had chosen had hitherto furnished everything without demanding payment. It was but right that he should receive some money. He therefore presented his account to them. The amount was found to be very considerable. There was, moreover, a demand made for marriage garments of the richest stuff for the use of both, and for jewels of high value for the bride; and so very large was the sum that they perceived, but too late, that of all the money they had received from the liberality of the caliph and the Princess Zobeide when they were married, there remained no more than was sufficient to discharge the debt. This made them reflect seriously on their past conduct. Abou Hassan was inclined to pay the cook, and his wife had no objection. They sent for the cook accordingly, and paid him his demand, without showing the least sign of the embarrassment they knew must immediately follow upon the payment of this money.
"The cook went away quite rejoiced at being paid. Abou Hassan and Nouzhatoul Aouadat had thought their purse would never be empty. They sat with downcast eyes, and much confounded at finding themselves reduced to a penniless condition the very first year after their marriage.
"Abou Hassan remembered that the caliph on receiving him at his palace promised that he should never want for anything. But when he reflected that he had squandered in a little time the bounty he had so liberally received from the hand of Haroun Alraschid, he felt no disposition to expose himself to the shame of avowing to the caliph the necessity he was under of receiving a fresh supply of money. He had given up all his own property to his mother, as the caliph had retained him near his person; and he was very unwilling to have recourse to her for assistance.
"In the same way Nouzhatoul Aouadat did not think she had any claim to request more favours.
"At last Abou Hassan looking at Nouzhatoul Aouadat said: 'I plainly see that you are in the same embarrassment I myself feel, and that you are considering what we are to do in our deplorable situation. I know not what you may think of the matter; for my part, whatever may be the consequence, I am determined not to retrench in the smallest degree from my usual expenses, and I believe you are not disposed to give up yours. The point is, to find means to provide for our wants without our having the meanness to apply either to the caliph or to the Princess Zobeide; and I think I have discovered a way to get over this difficulty.'
"This speech of Abou Hassan's gave Nouzhatoul Aouadat much satisfaction. 'I was thinking upon this very matter,' said she; ‘and if I did not speak out it was because I could see no remedy. But since you say you have discovered the means of relief for us both, you have only to tell me what I am to do, and you shall see that I will exert myself to the utmost.' 'I entirely expected,' replied Abou Hassan, 'that you would not fail me in a matter which concerns you equally with myself. I have devised a scheme to procure money in our necessity, at least for some time to come. It consists in a little piece of deceit which we must practise towards the caliph and the Princess Zobeide, and which I am assured will cause them amusement, and not be unprofitable to us. The deceit which I propose is that we should both of us die.'
"'That we should both of us die!' repeated Nouzhatoul Aouadat in astonishment. 'You may die, if you please; but, for my part, I am not yet tired of life.' 'You give me no time to explain myself,' replied Abou Hassan. 'Hear me for a moment patiently. You must understand that I do not mean to talk of a real, but a feigned death.'
"'Ah! good!' said Nouzhatoul Aouadat briskly: 'since you speak of nothing more than a feigned death, you may depend upon my assistance.' 'Very well,' said Abou Hassan, 'you may be satisfied. This is what I mean: in order to carry out my scheme I am going to play the dead man. You shall immediately take a sheet, and you must put me in a coffin as if I were actually dead. You shall lay me out in the middle of the chamber in the usual way, with a turban on my face, and my feet turned towards Mecca. When all this has been done, you are to begin weeping and lamenting, as is usual upon such occasions, rending your garments and tearing your hair; and in this state of grief and with dishevelled locks, you shall go to present yourself to the Princess Zobeide. Your mistress will wish to know the reason of your tears; and when you have informed her of my death, she will not fail to pity you, and to make you a present of a sum of money to assist you in defraying the expenses of my funeral, and to purchase a piece of brocade to serve for a pall and to give a splendour to my obsequies, as well as to purchase a new dress for yourself, as a substitute for that which she will see you have torn. As soon as you have returned with this money and this piece of brocade, you shall take my place. You shall pretend to be dead; and, after you have been put into a coffin, I will go in my turn to the caliph, and tell him the same tale you tell to the Princess Zobeide; and I dare promise myself that the caliph will not be less liberal to me than the princess will have been to you.'
"When Abou Hassan had sufficiently explained himself concerning his intended project, Nouzhatoul Aouadat replied: 'I believe the trick will be very amusing, and am mistaken if the caliph and the Princess Zobeide will not think themselves much obliged to us for it. Let us lose no time. Whilst I am getting a sheet, do you take off your upper garments.'
"Abou Hassan was not long in carrying out the recommendations of Nouzhatoul Aouadat. He lay down on his back on the sheet which had been spread in the middle of the chamber, crossed his arms, and suffered himself to be wrapped up in a manner which made him look as if he were only waiting to be carried out for burial. His wife turned his feet towards Mecca, covered his face with the finest muslin, and then placed his turban over it in such a manner as not to interfere with his breathing. She then pulled off her headdress, and with tears in her eyes, and her hair hanging loose and dishevelled, beat her breast violently, and showed every other sign of the most passionate grief. In this manner she went out and crossed a spacious court, intending to go to the apartments of the Princess Zobeide.
"Nouzhatoul Aouadat shrieked and lamented so loudly that the Princess Zobeide heard her from her apartment. Princess Zobeide ordered her female slaves to inquire whence the cries and lamentations proceeded. They instantly ran to the lattice, and came back to tell the princess that Nouzhatoul Aouadat was coming that way apparently in very great distress. Thereupon the princess, impatient to know what had befallen her favourite, rose and went to meet her as far as the door of her antechamber.
"Nouzhatoul Aouadat played her part to perfection. The moment she perceived the princess waiting for her, she redoubled her lamentations, and as she advanced tore off her hair by handfuls, struck her breast more violently, and threw herself at her mistress' feet, bathing them with her tears. Princess Zobeide, asked her what was the matter, and what misfortune had befallen her.
"Instead of answering her, Nouzhatoul Aouadat continued sobbing for some time. ‘Alas! my ever-honoured lady and mistress,' she cried at last, her voice much broken with sobs, 'what greater evil could befall me than the dreadful calamity which obliges me to come and throw myself at the feet of your majesty in the extreme distress to which I am reduced! Abou Hassan, whom you have honoured with your bounty, is dead!'
"So saying, Nouzhatoul Aouadat threw herself again at the feet of her mistress. Princess Zobeide was extremely surprised at this news. 'Is Abou Hassan dead?' cried she: 'a man who appeared in such good health, who was so agreeable and amusing.' She could not help expressing her concern by her tears. The female slaves who were in waiting and who had often enjoyed the pleasantries of Abou Hassan, testified by their weeping the regret they felt.
"Princess Zobeide, her female slaves, and Nouzhatoul Aouadat remained a long time with their handkerchiefs at their eyes, weeping at this fancied calamity. At length the princess broke silence: 'Wretch!' cried she, speaking to the supposed widow, 'perhaps thou hast caused his death. Thou hast plagued him so much by thy sad temper, that thou hast at last brought him to the grave.'
"Nouzhatoul Aouadat appeared greatly mortified at this reproach of the princess. 'Ah, honoured lady,' cried she, 'I did not believe I had ever, during the whole time I had the honour of being your slave, given your majesty the smallest reason for entertaining so disadvantageous an opinion of my behaviour towards a husband so dear to me. I have paid every fond attention to Abou Hassan which a wife can pay to a husband whom she dotes upon; and I can say without vanity that I have felt for him all the tenderness which he deserved for his ready compliance with my wishes. I am convinced he would fully justify me on that subject in your majesty's opinion if he were still living. But, madam,' added she, her tears flowing afresh, 'his hour was come: that alone was the cause of his death.'
"In truth, Princess Zobeide had always observed in her slave a kind and even temper, much unaffected sweetness, and a zeal in everything she undertook in her service, which arose more from inclination than duty. She therefore did not hesitate to believe her, and ordered the superintendent of her treasury to bring a purse of a hundred pieces of gold, and a piece of brocade. The superintendent returned immediately with the purse and the piece of brocade, which, at the princess order, she delivered to Nouzhatoul Aouadat.
"Upon receiving this handsome present the pretended widow threw herself at the Princess Zobeide's feet, and made her the most humble acknowledgments. 'Go,' said the princess, 'let the piece of brocade be used to spread over your husband on his bier, and spend the money in defraying the expense of a funeral that shall do him the honour he is worthy of. And, as soon as you can moderate the excess of your affliction, I will take care of you.'
"As soon as Nouzhatoul Aouadat was safely out of the presence of the princess she joyfully dried her tears, and returned to give Abou Hassan an account of the success she had met with in playing her part. As she entered Nouzhatoul Aouadat burst into a violent fit of laughing at finding Abou Hassan lying in the same position in which she had left him in the middle of the room, and ready prepared for his funeral. 'Get up,' said she, still laughing, 'and behold the fruits of my visit to the Princess Zobeide. We shall not die of hunger to-day.' Abou Hassan quickly got up, and rejoiced with his wife when he saw the purse and the piece of brocade.
"Nouzhatoul Aouadat was so pleased at the happy success of the artifice she had just practised upon her mistress, that she could not contain her joy. 'This is not enough,' said she to her husband, laughing; 'I must pretend to die in my turn; and you shall see whether you will be clever enough to get as much from the caliph as I have from the princess.' 'It is hardly likely,' said Abou Hassan, 'that I should not succeed with the caliph as well as you have done. Do you now pretend to be dead, and you shall soon see whether I do not manage as well as you have done.'
"Abou Hassan laid out his wife in the same place and in the same manner as he himself had been laid, turned her feet towards Mecca, and went out of his chamber in great disorder, with his turban awry, like a man in great affliction. Thus he went to the caliph, who was then holding a council with the grand vizier Giafar and the other viziers. Abou Hassan presented himself at the door and the usher, who knew that he always had free access, opened it to him. He entered, with one hand holding a handkerchief before his eyes to conceal the tears which he feigned to be shedding in abundance, and with the other violently beating his breast, while he uttered exclamations expressive of the greatest grief.
"The caliph, who was accustomed to see Abou Hassan with a cheerful countenance, was surprised at seeing him appear in so melancholy a condition. He broke off the business they were then transacting, in order to ask him the occasion of his grief.'
"'O Commander of the Faithful,' answered Abou Hassan, with repeated sighs and sobs, 'a greater misfortune could not possibly happen to me than that for which you now see me immersed in grief. Nouzhatoul Aouadat, whom in your goodness you were pleased to bestow upon me, that I might pass the remainder of my life with her, is, alas-- !' After this exclamation Abou Hassan pretended that his heart was so oppressed that he could not utter another word, but he shed tears abundantly.
"The caliph, who now understood that Abou Hassan came to inform him of the death of his wife, appeared extremely affected at it. 'Heaven have mercy upon her!' said he. 'She was a good slave, and the princess and I gave her to you with the design of making you happy.' The tears trickled from his eyes, and he was forced to take his handkerchief to wipe them away.
"The grief of Abou Hassan and the tears of the caliph drew tears from the grand vizier Giafar and the other viziers.
"Abou Hassan found means to counterfeit grief so perfectly that the caliph gave credit to all he said, and never doubted his sincerity. The treasurer of the palace was present, and the caliph ordered him to give Abou Hassan a purse of a hundred pieces of gold, together with a fine piece of brocade. Abou Hassan immediately threw himself at the feet of the caliph, in token of his gratitude.
"He went with the treasurer, and when the purse and the piece of brocade had been delivered to him, he returned to his house perfectly satisfied, and thoroughly happy at having so readily found means to supply his present necessities.
"Nouzhatoul Aouadat, tired at the length of tune she was kept in imprisonment, did not wait till Abou Hassan should bid her quit her uncomfortable position. As soon as she heard the door open she ran towards him. 'Tell me,' said she, 'has the caliph been as easily imposed upon as the Princess Zobeide was?' 'You see,' replied Abou Hassan, laughing, and showing her the purse and the piece of brocade, 'that I know how to counterfeit affliction for the death of a wife who is alive and hearty, as well as you do to mourn for a husband who is not yet dead.'
"Abou Hassan was very sure that this twofold artifice must have its consequences, therefore he cautioned his wife as well as he could upon all that was likely to happen, in order that they might act in concert; and he added, 'The better we succeed in placing the caliph and Princess Zobeide in some sort of embarrassment, the more pleased they will at last be, and perhaps they will testify their satisfaction by some fresh marks of their kindness.'
"Although there were affairs of importance to settle in the council which was then sitting, the caliph, impatient to go to the Princess Zobeide to condole with her on the death of her slave, rose very soon after Abou Hassan's departure, and adjourned the council to another day.
"The caliph said to Mesrour, chief of the eunuchs of the palace, 'Come with me, and sympathize in the grief of the princess for the death of her slave Nouzhatoul Aouadat.'
"They went together to Princess Zobeide's apartment. When the caliph was at the door he put back the tapestry a little way, and perceived his wife sitting upon her sofa in great affliction, with her eyes still bathed in tears.
"The caliph entered, and walked up towards Princess Zobeide. 'Lady,' said he, 'it is unnecessary to tell you how completely I share your affliction, but we are all mortal, and we must give back to Allah that life which He hath given us whenever He requires it. Nouzhatoul Aouadat your slave had in truth qualities which deservedly gained your esteem. Consider, however, that your sorrow will never bring her back again to life. Therefore, if you will follow my advice, you will take
comfort upon this loss, and be more careful of your own life, which you know to be very precious to me, and which constitutes the whole happiness of mine.'
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