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"COMMANDER of the Faithful, there was once a sultan in Egypt who was a great observer of justice. He was merciful, beneficent, and liberal, and his valour made him the terror of the neighbouring states. The vizier of this sultan was a prudent, wise, and discerning man, skilled in literature and all the sciences. This minister had two sons, handsome in person, and resembling their father in talents. The eldest was named Schemseddin Mohammed, and the youngest Noureddin Ali. On the death of the vizier, their father, the sultan sent for them, and having put on each the dress of an ordinary vizier, spoke thus: 'I regret your father's death, and feel sincerely for your loss; and as I wish to prove my sympathy to you, I invest each of you with equal dignity; for I know you live together, and are perfectly united. Go and imitate your father.'
"The two new viziers thanked the sultan for the favour he had conferred on them, and returned home to order their father's funeral. When a month had expired they made their appearance in public, and went for the first time to the council of the sultan, after which they continued to attend regularly every day that it assembled. Whenever the sultan went out to hunt one of the brothers accompanied him, and this honour was accorded to them alternately. One evening, when the eldest brother was to accompany the sultan to the chase on the morrow, the brothers were talking after supper on different subjects, Schemseddin Mohammed said to Noureddin All: ‘Brother, as we are not yet married, and live in such harmony, a thought has occurred to me. Let us both marry on the same day, and wed two sisters, whom we will choose out of some family whose rank is equal to our own. What think you of this proposal?' 'I think, brother,' replied Noureddin Ali, 'it is worthy of the friendship that unites us. You could not have proposed a better plan, and I am ready to do whatever you wish in this matter.' 'Oh,' resumed the eldest, ‘this is not all; my design goes much farther. In the event that our marriage is blessed with offspring, and that your wife brings you a son, while mine presents me with a daughter, we will unite the two when they are of a proper age.' 'Ah!' exclaimed his brother, ‘this is indeed an admirable project. This marriage will complete our union, and I readily give my consent. But, brother,' added he, 'if this marriage is indeed to take place, should you expect my son to settle a fortune on your daughter?' 'In that there is no difficulty,' replied the other, 'and I am persuaded that besides the usual agreements in a marriage contract, you would not object to give in your son's name at least three thousand sequins, three good estates, and three slaves.' ‘That I cannot agree to,' returned Noureddin Ali. 'Are not we brothers and colleagues, each invested with the same dignity and title? and do not we both know what is just? Inasmuch as the man is more noble than the woman, ought not you to bestow a handsome marriage portion on your daughter? I perceive you are a man who wishes to enrich himself at the expense of others.'
"Although Noureddin Ali spoke these words in jest, his brother, who was of a fiery temper, was highly offended. 'Woe to thy son!' said he, angrily, 'since you dare to prefer him to my daughter. Know that after such insolence I would not marry my daughter to your son, even if you were to give her more riches than you possess.' This strange quarrel between the brothers about the marriage of their children, who were not yet born, did not cease here. Schemseddin Mohammed went so far as to threaten his brother. ‘If I were not obliged,' said he, 'to accompany the sultan to-morrow, I would treat you as you deserve; but on my return you shall learn that it does not become the younger brother to treat the elder with the insolence you have shown towards me.' With these words he retired to his apartment, and his brother followed his example.
"Schemseddin Mohammed rose very early the next morning, and repaired to the palace; from whence he went out with the sultan. As for Noureddin Ali, he passed the night in great distress; and having well considered that it was not possible for him to remain any longer with a brother who treated him with such contempt, he formed the resolution of quitting his home. He caused a good mule to be caparisoned, provided himself with money, precious stones, and some eatables; and having told his people that he was going on a journey of three or four days, he departed.
"On leaving Cairo, he went over the desert towards Arabia; but his mule became lame on the road, and he was obliged to continue his journey on foot. He had the good fortune to be overtaken by a messenger who was going to Balsora, and who took him up behind him on his camel. When they were arrived at Balsora, Noureddin Ali alighted, thanking the messenger for his assistance. As he walked along the streets, seeking for a lodging, he saw a person of high rank coming towards him, accompanied by a numerous train. All the inhabitants paid great respect to this personage, waiting to let him pass; and Noureddin Ali stopped like the rest. It was the grand vizier of the Sultan of Balsora, parading the city to enforce peace and good order by his presence.
"This minister chanced to cast his eyes on the young man, and was struck with his engaging countenance; he looked on Noureddin Ali with favour, and as he passed near him, perceiving that the stranger wore a traveller's garb, he stopped to ask him who he was, and from whence he came. ' My lord,' replied Noureddin Ali, 'I come from Egypt, and am a native of Cairo. I have quitted my country on account of a quarrel with one of my relations, and I have resolved to travel over the whole world, and to die rather than return home.' When the grand vizier, who was a venerable old man, heard these words, he replied, 'My son, do not persevere in the project you have formed. In this world there is nothing but misery, and you little think what hardships you will have to endure. Come rather with me, and perhaps I can make you forget the cause which has induced you to quit your country.'
"Noureddin Ali followed the grand vizier of Balsora, who soon became acquainted with his good qualities and conceived a great affection for him; so that one day when they were alone together, the old man thus addressed him: 'My son, I am, as you see, so far advanced in years that there is no prospect of my living much longer. Heaven has given me an only daughter as handsome as yourself, and she is now of a marriageable age. Many of the most powerful lords of this court have already demanded her of me for their sons, but I never could bring myself to part with her. Now, I love you, and think you so worthy of being allied to my family that I am willing to accept you as my son-in-law. If this proposal pleases you, I will inform the sultan that I have adopted you by this marriage, and I will entreat him to permit me to bestow upon you my appointment as grand vizier of Balsora; and as I require rest in my old age, I will resign to you all my possessions, with the administration of the affairs of state.'
"On hearing this speech, Noureddin Ali threw himself at the grand vizier's feet, and in terms which evinced the joy and gratitude that flowed from his heart, declared himself ready to do anything his patron should dictate. The grand vizier then called together the principal officers of his household, and ordered them to prepare the great hall in his house for a grand entertainment. He sent invitations to all the nobles of the court, and to the great men of the city, to summon them to the feast. Noureddin Ali had made him acquainted with his rank, and when they were all assembled he thus addressed them: 'My friends, I am happy to inform you of a circumstance which I have hitherto kept secret. I have a brother who is grand vizier of the Sultan of Egypt, as I have the happiness to be grand vizier to the sultan of these dominions. This brother of mine has an only son, whom he would not marry at the court of Egypt, and he has sent him here to be united to my daughter, that the two branches of our family might be thus joined together. This young nobleman whom you see here, and whom I recognized as my nephew on his arrival, I am going to make my son-in-law. I trust you will do him the honour of being present at the nuptials which I intend shall be solemnized this day.' The grand vizier spoke thus because he thought that no one could be offended at his preferring his nephew to all those noblemen who had offered their alliance; and indeed, they replied that he did right to conclude this marriage, that they would willingly be present at the ceremony, and that they hoped Allah would bless both uncle and nephew many years with the fruits of this happy union. When they had thus expressed their approbation of marriage of the vizier's daughter with Noureddin Ali, they sat down to table, and feasted for a considerable time. Towards the end of the repast the cadis entered with the marriage contract in their hands. The chief among the noblemen signed it, and the whole company retired.
"When all the guests were gone, the grand vizier desired the attendants who had the care of the bath to conduct Noureddin Ali thither. He found provided for him new linen of a beautiful fineness and whiteness, as well as every other necessary. When the bridegroom had enjoyed his bath he was going to resume his own dress, but another of the greatest magnificence was presented to him in its place. Thus adorned, and perfumed with the most exquisite odours, he returned to the grand vizier, his father-in-law, who was charmed with his appearance, and placed him by his side, saying, 'My son, you have disclosed to me who you are and the rank you held at the Egyptian court; you have also told me that you had a quarrel with your brother, and that this caused you to leave your country; I entreat you to relate to me the nature of this quarrel, for you must conceal nothing from me.'
"Noureddin Ali related all the circumstances connected with his dispute with his brother. The grand vizier could not refrain from laughing very heartily. 'This is indeed,' said he, 'the strangest thing I ever heard of! Is it possible that your quarrel was carried to such lengths merely for an imaginary wedding? I am sorry that you quarrelled with your elder brother for such a trifle; however, I perceive that he was in the wrong to be offended with what you said merely in jest, and I ought to be thankful that this strife has been the means of procuring me a son-in-law such as you. But,' continued the old man, 'the night is advancing, and it is time for you to retire. Go, my daughter is expecting your arrival. To-morrow I will present you to the sultan, and I flatter myself he will receive you in a way that shall satisfy us both.'
"Noureddin Ali left his father-in-law to repair to the chamber of his bride. And it is a very remarkable thing that on the same day that these nuptials were celebrated at Balsora, Schemseddin Mohammed was married at Cairo in the following manner:-
"After Noureddin Ali had left Cairo with the intention never to return, Schemseddin Mohammed, who was absent with the sultan on the hunting party, returned at the end of a month. Schemseddin Mohammed at once ran into the apartment of Noureddin Ali; but great was his surprise on being informed that his brother had left Cairo, under pretence of making a journey of four or five days; that he set off on a mule on the very day of the sultan's departure; and that since that time he had never been seen or heard of. Schemseddin Mohammed was the more chagrined at this intelligence as he accused himself of having caused his brother's flight by the harsh words he had used towards him. He dispatched a courier who passed through Damascus and went on to Aleppo; but Noureddin Ali was at that time at Balsora. When the messenger returned without bringing any tidings of him, Schemseddin Mohammed determined to send in other directions to seek for Noureddin Ali, but in the meantime he formed the design of marrying. He made choice of the daughter of one of the most powerful nobles of Cairo, and was united to her on the same day that his brother married the daughter of the grand vizier of Balsora.
"But this is not all," continued Giafar; " I will now tell you, Commander of the Faithful, what happened afterwards. At the expiration of nine months the wife of Schemseddin Mohammed brought her husband a daughter, at Cairo, and on the same day the wife of Noureddin Ali, at Balsora, brought into the world a boy, who was named Bedreddin Hassan. The grand vizier of Balsora testified his joy by vast gifts to the poor and by instituting public rejoicings on the birth of his grandson. To prove his affection for Noureddin Ali, he afterwards went to the palace to entreat the sultan to grant him leave to transfer his office, that he might have the satisfaction, before he died, of seeing his son-in-law in his place.
"The sultan readily granted to his vizier the wished-for favour, and he ordered Noureddin Ali to be clothed in his presence in the dress of a grand vizier.
"The happiness of the father-in-law was complete when he saw Noureddin Ali presiding at the council in his place. Noureddin Ali acquitted himself of his new duties so well that he appeared to have exercised the office all his life. He presided at the council whenever the infirmities of age would not allow his father-in-law to be present. The good old man died four years after this marriage, with the satisfaction of seeing a descendant firmly established, who promised to sustain the honour and credit of his family.
" Noureddin Ali performed the last duties to his dead father-in-law with the greatest tenderness and gratitude; and as soon as Bedreddin Hassan, his son, had reached the age of seven years, he placed him under the care of an excellent master, who began the boy's education in a way suitable to his birth.
"By the time Bedreddin Hassan had been two years with his tutor, he had learned to read, and could write the Koran by heart. Noureddin Ali, his father, then procured him other masters, and he made such a rapid progress in his studies that at the age of twelve years he was no longer in need of their assistance. By that time the features of his countenance had become so beautiful that he was the admiration of all who saw him.
"As his father wished to make him capable of one day filling the situation he himself held, he spared nothing to qualify him for it. In short, he neglected nothing that could tend to the advancement of his dearly beloved son; and he had begun to enjoy the fruits of his care, when he was suddenly attacked by a disease so violent that he felt his end was approaching. He prepared to die like a good Mussulman. In these precious moments he did not forget his beloved son Bedreddin Hassan; he caused him to be called to his bedside, and thus addressed him: 'My son, you see that this world is perishable; that world only to which I am shortly going is eternal. You must from this moment begin to prepare to take this journey without regret; your conscience acquitting you of having neglected any of the duties of a Mussulman, or of an honest man. With regard to your religion, you have been sufficiently instructed in that by the masters you have had, as well as by what you have read. As to your duty as an honest man, I will now give you some advice. As it is right you should know who you are, and you cannot possibly have that knowledge without knowing who I am, I will now inform you.
"'I was born in Egypt; my father was prime minister to the sultan of that country. I, too, had the honour of being one of the viziers of the same sultan, jointly with my brother, your uncle, who I believe is still alive, and is called Schemseddin Mohammed. I was compelled to separate from him, and I came into this country. But you will learn all these things more fully from a packet which I shall give you.'
"Noureddin Ali then took out a scroll, which he had written with his own hand, and gave it to Bedreddin Hassan. ' Take it,' he said; 'read it at your leisure; you will find in it, among other things, the date of my marriage, and that of your birth.' Bedreddin Hassan, truly grieved at seeing his father in such a state, and, touched by his discourse, received the packet with tears in his eyes, promising never to let it go out of his possession.
"Noureddin Ali continued to give counsel to his son till the last moments of his life; and after his death he was interred with all the honours due to his rank and dignity. Bedreddin Hassan was inconsolable at the death of his father. Instead of mourning for one month, as is the custom, he passed two in retreat, overwhelmed by his sorrow; during which time he would not see any one, nor did he even go out to pay his respects to the sultan, who, displeased with this neglect, which he considered as a mark of contempt towards him, suffered his anger to rise to a great height. He summoned the new grand vizier whom he had elected in the place of Noureddin Ali, and ordered him to go to the house of the deceased minister, and to confiscate it, together with all Noureddin Ali's other houses, grounds, and effects; nor was anything to be left for Bedreddin Hassan, whose person also he ordered the officer to seize.
"The grand vizier immediately set out to execute his commission. One of the slaves of Bedreddin Hassan, who had by chance joined the crowd at the council, no sooner learnt the intention of the grand vizier than he hastened to warn his master of the danger. He found him seated in the vestibule of his house, as full of affliction as if his father were but just dead. The slave threw himself at his master's feet quite out of breath, and exclaimed, 'Fly, my lord, fly quickly!' ‘What is the matter?' inquired Bedreddin Hassan, raising his head, 'what news hast thou?' ‘My lord,' replied the slave, 'you have not a moment to lose. The sultan is enraged against you, and they are now coming by his order to confiscate all your possessions, and even to seize your person.'
"This news brought by the faithful and affectionate slave occasioned Bedreddin Hassan some perplexity. ' But,' said he, 'cannot I return and take even some money and jewels?' ‘My dear lord,' replied the slave, 'the grand vizier will be here in a moment. Depart instantly and make your escape.' Bedreddin Hassan immediately got up from the sofa on which he was sitting, and put on his slippers; then covering his head with one corner of his robe to conceal his face, he fled, without knowing whither to turn his steps to avoid the danger which threatened him. The first thought that occurred to him was to make for the nearest gate of the city. He ran without stopping till he came to the public cemetery, and as evening was approaching, determined to pass the night near his father's tomb. This tomb was a large edifice of magnificent appearance, built in the shape of a dome, which Noureddin Ali had erected during his lifetime; but Bedreddin Hassan on his way met with a very rich Jew, a banker and merchant by profession.
"This Jew, who was called Isaac, knew Bedreddin Hassan, and he stopped and saluted him very respectfully: after kissing his hand, he said, 'My lord, may I take the liberty of asking you where you are going to at this hour alone, and seemingly so agitated? Is there anything that disturbs you?' ‘Yes,' replied Bedreddin Hassan, ' I fell asleep just now, and my father appeared to me in a dream. His countenance was threatening, as if he had been very angry with me. I awoke much terrified, and I set off immediately to come and pray at his tomb.' ‘My lord,' replied the Jew, who did not know the real cause of Bedreddin Hassan's quitting the city, ‘as the late grand vizier your father, of happy memory, had several vessels laden with merchandise, which are still at sea and now belong to you, I entreat you to grant me the preference over any other merchant. I am in a position to purchase for ready money the cargoes of all your vessels; and as a proof of what I say, if it please you, I will give you a thousand sequins for the first which arrives in port; I have the money here in a purse, and am ready to pay it.' Saying this, he drew out a large purse, which he showed to Bedreddin Hassan.
"Forced from his home, and robbed of everything he possessed, Bedreddin Hassan looked upon this proposition of the Jew as a favour from Heaven, and accepted the offer with great joy. 'O my master,' said the Jew, 'you grant me then the cargo of the first of your vessels that arrives for one thousand sequins?' 'I do,' replied Bedreddin Hassan, 'the bargain is made.' The Jew then put the purse of sequins into his hands, at the same time offering to count them, but Bedreddin Hassan saved him the trouble by saying he trusted in his honour. 'Then, my lord,' resumed the Jew, 'will you have the goodness to write an acknowledgment of the bargain we have made?' He then pulled from his girdle an ink-horn, and taking a cane prepared for writing, he presented it to the young man, with a leaf of paper which he found in his pocket-book, and while he held the ink, Bedreddin Hassan wrote these words:-
" ' This writing is to witness that Bedreddin Hassan, of Balsora, has sold the cargo of the first of his ships which shall arrive at this port to the Jew Isaac, for the sum of one thousand sequins, received.
' BEDREDDIN HASSAN, OF BALSORA.'
"This writing he gave to the Jew, who put it in his girdle, and they separated; Isaac pursuing his way to the city, while Bedreddin Hassan proceeded to the tomb of his father, Noureddin Ali. When he had reached it, he prostrated himself, and with many tears began to lament his miserable fate. 'Alas!' said he, 'unfortunate Bedreddin, what will become of thee? Where wilt thou find refuge from the unjust prince who persecutes thee?' He remained a considerable time in this state; but at length he arose, and, leaning his head on his father's sepulchre, he renewed his lamentations, and continued to weep and sigh until, overtaken by sleep, he fell into a gentle slumber.
"He had scarcely begun to taste the sweets of repose, when a genie, who had chosen this cemetery as his retreat during the day, and who was about to set forth on his nightly excursions, perceived this young man in the tomb of Noureddin Ali. He entered, and, as Bedreddin Hassan lay with his face upwards, the genie was struck with admiration at his beauty; and, after gazing at him for some time, he said to himself, 'To judge of this creature by his countenance, it can only be an angel sent by Allah from the terrestrial paradise to enchant the world with its beauty.' After he had contemplated the sleeper again, he rose into the air, where by chance he met a fairy. They saluted each other, and the genie said, 'I entreat you to descend with me to the cemetery where I live, and I will show you a prodigy of beauty, who will awaken your admiration as he has excited mine.' The fairy consented, and they both instantly descended. When they came to the tomb, the genie, showing Bedreddin Hassan to her, exclaimed, 'Tell me, did you ever see so handsome a youth as this?'
"The fairy examined Bedreddin Hassan attentively, and then replied, turning towards the genie, 'I confess that he is very handsome, but I have just seen at Cairo an object still more wonderful; and will tell you something concerning it if you will attend to me.' ‘That I will, with pleasure,' replied the genie. 'You must know, then,' resumed the fairy, 'that the Sultan of Egypt has a vizier named Schemseddin Mohammed, and this Schemseddin Mohammed has a daughter about twenty years of age. She is the most beautiful and perfect creature ever seen. A few days since, the sultan, hearing from every one of the extraordinary beauty of this young lady, sent for the vizier her father, and said to him, "I understand you have a daughter who is marriageable, and I wish to make her my wife; will not you give her to me?" The vizier was rather disconcerted, and, instead of accepting the offer with joy, he replied, "O sultan, I am not worthy of the honour your majesty would confer on me; and I humbly entreat you not to be displeased that I should decline your offer. You know that I had a brother called Noureddin Ali, who, like myself, had the honour of being one of your viziers. We had a quarrel, in consequence of which he suddenly disappeared, and I have never heard of him since that time till within these four days, when I learnt that he had lately died at Balsora, where he enjoyed the dignity of grand vizier to the sultan. He has left one son; and as we formerly agreed that our children, if ever we had any, should marry each other, I am certain that when he died he had not abandoned his design. For this reason I wish, on my part, to perform my promise; and I supplicate your majesty to permit me to do so."
"'The Sultan was extremely irritated by this answer of Schemseddin Mohammed, and said to him, "Is it thus you return the condescension with which I proposed my alliance to your family? You dare to show preference to another over me? I swear to you that your daughter shall have for her husband the meanest and ugliest of my slaves." With these words he dismissed the vizier, who returned home much mortified.
"'To-day the sultan ordered to be brought to him one of his grooms, who is very much deformed, and so ugly it is impossible to look at him without terror; and, after commanding Schemseddin Mohammed to give his consent to the marriage of his daughter with this horrible slave, he had the contract drawn up, and signed by witnesses in his presence. The preparations for these strange nuptials are now completed, and at this moment all the slaves of the nobles of the Egyptian court are at the door of a bath, each with a torch in his hand; they are waiting for the humpbacked groom, who is in the bath, to come out, that they may lead him to his bride, who is already dressed to receive him. At the time I left Cairo the ladies were assembled to conduct her, in her nuptial ornaments, to the hall, where she is to receive her deformed bridegroom, and where she is now expecting him.'
"When the fairy had ceased speaking, the genie replied that he could not believe it possible for the beauty of this damsel to surpass that of the youth who lay sleeping before them. 'I win not dispute with you,' said the fairy; 'I will only say that he deserves to marry the charming lady who is destined for the groom; and I think we should perform a good action were we to frustrate the injustice of the sultan, and to substitute this young man for the slave.' 'You speak wisely,' resumed the genie. 'Let us disappoint the vengeance of the sultan, console an afflicted father, and make his daughter as happy as she now believes herself to be miserable. I take upon me to carry this youth to Cairo without waking him; and I leave to you the task of disposing of him after we have executed our enterprise.'
"After the genie and the fairy had decided together what they should do, the genie gently raised Bedreddin Hassan, transported him through the air with inconceivable swiftness, and placed him at the door of a public apartment adjoining the bath from whence the groom was to come.
"Awaking at this instant, Bedreddin Hassan was much astonished to find himself in a city quite unknown to him, and was going to inquire where he was, when the genie gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder, and warned him not to speak a word; then putting a torch in his hand, he said to him, 'Go and join the people whom you see at the door of yonder bath, and walk with them till you come to a hall where a wedding is going to be celebrated. You will easily distinguish the bridegroom by his being deformed. Place yourself on his right hand when you enter; and from time to time open the purse of sequins which you have in your bosom, and distribute the money among the musicians and dancers as you go along. When you have reached the hall, do not fail to give some also to the female slaves whom you will see about the bride. Be bold, and be not surprised at anything; fear no one, and trust for the consequence in the power of who will dispose of everything as he thinks best for you.'
"The young Bedreddin Hassan, thus instructed in what he was to do, advanced towards the door of the bath. The first thing he did was to light his torch by that of a slave; then mixing with the rest as if he had been sent by a nobleman of Cairo, he walked with them, and accompanied the groom, who came out of the bath and mounted one of the horses from the sultan's stable.
"Finding himself near the musicians and dancers who preceded the humpbacked groom, Bedreddin Hassan frequently drew from his purse handfuls of sequins, which he distributed amongst them. As he conferred these bounties with admirable grace and with a very liberal air, all those who received them cast their eyes on him and no sooner had they seen him than they were fascinated by him, so great was his beauty.
"At length the procession arrived at the palace of Schemseddin Mohammed, who little thought his nephew was so near him. To prevent confusion, some of the officers stopped all the slaves who carried torches, and would not suffer them to enter. They also wanted to exclude Bedreddin Hassan; but the musicians and dancers declared they would not proceed if he were not allowed to accompany them. 'He is not one of the slaves,' said they. 'He must be some young stranger who wishes from curiosity to see the ceremonies observed at weddings in this city.' Saying this, they placed him in their midst, and made him go in, in spite of the officers. They took from him his torch, and when they had brought him into the hall they placed him on the right hand of the groom, who was seated on a magnificent throne, next to the daughter of the vizier.
"The bride was dressed in her richest ornaments, but her countenance displayed a melancholy, the cause of which was easily divined by any one who saw by her side the humpbacked bridegroom. The throne of this ill-matched pair was erected in the middle of a large divan; the wives of the emirs, viziers, and officers of the sultan's chamber, together with many other ladies of the court, were seated a little below on each side according to their rank.
"When they saw Bedreddin Hassan enter, they all fixed their eyes on him, and could not cease looking at him, so much were they struck with the beauty of his figure and countenance. 'This handsome youth,' exclaimed the ladies, 'ought to be married to our bride, and not this deformed wretch.' They went further than this, and even ventured to utter imprecations against the sultan, who was abusing his power by uniting deformity to beauty. At length the musicians began their concert, and the women who had dressed the bride approached her.
"Each time the bride changed her dress, which according to custom she was obliged to do seven different times, she arose, and, followed by her women, passed before the groom, without deigning to look at him, and went to present herself to Bedreddin Hassan, to show herself to him in her new ornaments. Remembering the instructions he had received from the genie, Bedreddin Hassan on each of these occasions put his hand into the purse and drew it out full of sequins, which he distributed to the women who attended the bride. They testified their gratitude, and told him by signs that they wished him to marry the bride instead of the humpbacked groom.
"When the ceremony of changing the dresses was completed, the musicians ceased playing and retired, making signs to Bedreddin Hassan to remain. The ladies also motioned him to stay, and took their leave, together with all those who did not belong to the house. The bride went into a closet, where her women followed to undress her, and there remained no one in the hall except the humpbacked groom, Bedreddin Hassan, and some servants. The humpback, who was furiously enraged with Bedreddin Hassan, gave him a scowling look out of the corners of his eyes, and cried out, 'What art thou waiting for Get thee gone? Why dost thou not depart with the rest?' As Bedreddin Hassan had no pretext for remaining, he retired somewhat out of countenance; but he had scarcely left the vestibule when the genie and the fairy appeared before him, and stopped him. 'Whither art thou going?' said the genie. 'Return, for the hunchback has left the hall; and proceed at once to the chamber of the bride. When you are alone with her tell her confidently that you are her husband, that the sultan only intended to put off a jest upon the hunchback, and that to appease this pretended husband you have ordered him a large dish of cream in his stable. Use all the arguments you can think of to persuade her of the truth of this. We will take proper precautions so that the hunchback shall not return to prevent you from visiting your bride, for she is yours, not his.'
"While the genie was thus encouraging Bedreddin Hassan, and instructing him in the part he was to play, the hunchback really quitted the hall. The genie went and sought him out, and assuming the figure of a large black cat, began to mew in a terrific manner. The hunchback clapped his hands and made a noise to frighten the creature away; but the cat, instead of retreating, set up its back and fixed its fiery eyes fiercely on him, mewing louder than before. It then began to swell, increasing in size until it was larger than an ass. The hunchback was going to call for assistance, but he was so terrified that he could not utter a sound. To increase his terror, the genie suddenly changed himself into a large buffalo, and under this shape cried with a loud voice, 'O miserable hunchback!' At these words the frightened groom fell on the floor; and replied, trembling, 'Sovereign prince of the buffaloes, what dost thou require of me?' 'I'll befall thee!' replied the genie; 'thou hast the temerity to dare to marry my mistress?' 'O my lord!' cried the hunchback, 'I entreat you to pardon me; if I have erred it is through ignorance alone. Command me in whatever you please, I swear I am ready to obey.' ' I swear to thee,' resumed the genie, 'that if thou quittest this spot or breakest silence before the sun rises, nay, if thou utterest but a syllable, I will crush thy head to atoms. At sunrise I permit thee to leave this house; but I command thee to fly quickly, and if thou hast ever the audacity to return, it shall cost thee thy life.' Thus saying the genie transformed himself into a man, and took the hunchback by the heels; then, holding him against the wall with his head downwards, he added, 'If thou darest to stir before the sun rises I repeat to thee that I will take thee by the feet and dash thy head against this wall.'
"Meanwhile Bedreddin Hassan, encouraged by the genie and the fairy, had re-entered the hall, and proceeded privately into the nuptial chamber, where he seated himself, waiting with anxious expectation the issue of his adventure. After some time the bride arrived.
"The young bride was extremely surprised when, instead of the hunchback, she beheld Bedreddin Hassan. 'O my friend!' exclaimed she, 'how came you here at this hour? I suppose you are one of my husband's comrades?' 'No, madam,' replied Bedreddin Hassan, 'I have nothing to do with that disgusting hunchback. Be undeceived: such beauty as yours will not be sacrificed to the most despicable of men. I am the happy mortal to whom you are married. The sultan chose to amuse himself by playing off this little jest on the vizier your father, and has selected me for your real husband. We have dismissed the hunchback to his stable, where he is now regaling himself with a dish of cream; and you may be assured that he will never more appear before your beautiful eyes.'
"At this discourse the daughter of the vizier regained an air of cheerfulness, which added so much to her beauty that Bedreddin Hassan was quite charmed with her. 'I did not expect so agreeable a surprise,' said she, 'I considered myself condemned to pass the rest of my days in misery, but my happiness is so much the greater in being united to a man so worthy of my affection,' Bedreddin Hassan was delighted to find himself in possession of so beautiful a spouse. He undressed, putting his clothes on a chair, together with the purse which the Jew had given him, and which was still full, notwithstanding all the gold he had taken from it.
"When the two lovers were asleep, the genie, who had sought out the fairy, told her it was now time to complete the task they had so well begun and so happily conducted thus far. 'Let us not,' said he, 'be surprised by daylight, which will now soon appear; go and take away the young man without waking him.'
"The fairy repaired to the chamber of the lovers, who were both sleeping profoundly, and stole away Bedreddin Hassan, dressed as he was in his shirt and drawers. Accompanied by the genie, she flew with wonderful swiftness to the gates of Damascus, in Syria. The fairy gently placed Bedreddin Hassan on the ground near the gate, and then flew away, the genie vanishing with her.
"Presently the gates were opened; and the people, who had assembled in great numbers to go out, were extremely surprised at seeing Bedreddin Hassan lying on the ground in only his shirt and drawers. A slight breeze which was beginning to rise blew aside the cap which shaded his face. They were all surprised at the whiteness of the skin, and they exclaimed so loudly in their admiration that they awakened the young man. His astonishment was not less than theirs on finding himself at the gate of a city where he had never been, and on seeing a crowd of people, who were examining him attentively. He cried out, ‘Friends, I entreat you to inform me where I am, and what you want of me.' One of the spectators replied, 'Young man, the gates of this city are but just opened, and when we came out we found you lying here, just as you now are; and we stopped to look at you. Have you passed the night here, and do you know that you are at one of the gates of Damascus!' 'At one of the gates of Damascus!' exclaimed Bedreddin Hassan, 'you do but jest with me; when I went to bed last night I was at Cairo.' At these words some of the people, moved with compassion, said it was a pity that so handsome a youth should have lost his senses; and so they passed on.
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