Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
yard and a half long , and putting it under Ids arm , sat hastily down again . " Fray , " said the Khalif , in a whisper to his visir , " contrive by some means or other to learn this man ' s name and occupation . " " In the name of God , Sir , " said the visir , in a fright , " let us have nothing to do with this rascal , he is evidently drunk , and should he knock us on the head with that cudgelwe shall be dispatched
with-, out a soul ' s knowing any thing of the matter . " " Be not afraid , man , " said the Khalif , " I insist upon your enquiring his name and profession . " " I entreat you , Sir , to excuse me , " replied the visir , " let us ask him no questions . " " I will be obeyed , " said the Khalif ; 1 insist upon your asking his name , and for what reason it is that he thus passes the niht . " Whilst they were conversingBasem kept
g , drinking , and growing somewhat more good-humoured over his cups , " What , " said he , in a milder tone , " are you fellows prating about ?" When Giafar saw that he spoke with more civility , he thought that he might now venture to address him . " We were talking , " said he , " my good brother , of your great kindness , in admitting us into your apartment 1 entreat thereforein the name of Hospitality , to
; you , , tell us to whom we are so greatly obliged . What is your name , what your occupation , and . how do you support yourself ? " " Pray , Mr . Impudence , " , returned ' Basem , " did not I tell you hot to notice any thing , to ask no questions ? Get up , go about your business , and may the devil , say I , go with you . —You beseech me in the
name of Hospitality ! Pray when did this hospitality commence betwixt you and me ? Friendship like ours , to be sure , must be of very long standing , indeed . " "I pray , " replied the _ visir , " that Alia may increase our friendship ; we have now been sitting a considerable time in your apartment , and you have treated us with kindness ; we came to your house , and you gave us refuge ; the onlthing which is now to render our obligation to you
y necessary perfect , will be , to tell us your name , your occupation , and what motive you have for thus spending your time : this will , indeed , render your kindness complete . " " Well , " replied Basem , " if I shall then condescend to acquaint you with my secret , and inform you of the history of my life , let no man , if he would escape instant death , presume to interrupt or contradict me .. " " O we agree to that , "
repKe ^ LSiIiey " without hesitation * ! - " Know then , " returned the other , with an assumed dignity of coun'ienance , " my name isBasem , my tradei a blacksmith . I delight in sports and pastimes . I am a stout wrestler , my body is large and robust , and my trust in God secures to me a necessary provision of wine and victuals the man who provokes me to ive him a box on the earwill
; g , retain the sound of it for a twelvemonth . " " May Alia , " said they ( apart ) " preserve us from your rage . " " What , " said Basem , " does any one of you think of contradicting me ? By Alia , if any one does so , " I will drive him to the devil . " " Heaven defend us from such a fellow '„' said the Khalif ( to himself ) , " My guests , " continued Basem ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
yard and a half long , and putting it under Ids arm , sat hastily down again . " Fray , " said the Khalif , in a whisper to his visir , " contrive by some means or other to learn this man ' s name and occupation . " " In the name of God , Sir , " said the visir , in a fright , " let us have nothing to do with this rascal , he is evidently drunk , and should he knock us on the head with that cudgelwe shall be dispatched
with-, out a soul ' s knowing any thing of the matter . " " Be not afraid , man , " said the Khalif , " I insist upon your enquiring his name and profession . " " I entreat you , Sir , to excuse me , " replied the visir , " let us ask him no questions . " " I will be obeyed , " said the Khalif ; 1 insist upon your asking his name , and for what reason it is that he thus passes the niht . " Whilst they were conversingBasem kept
g , drinking , and growing somewhat more good-humoured over his cups , " What , " said he , in a milder tone , " are you fellows prating about ?" When Giafar saw that he spoke with more civility , he thought that he might now venture to address him . " We were talking , " said he , " my good brother , of your great kindness , in admitting us into your apartment 1 entreat thereforein the name of Hospitality , to
; you , , tell us to whom we are so greatly obliged . What is your name , what your occupation , and . how do you support yourself ? " " Pray , Mr . Impudence , " , returned ' Basem , " did not I tell you hot to notice any thing , to ask no questions ? Get up , go about your business , and may the devil , say I , go with you . —You beseech me in the
name of Hospitality ! Pray when did this hospitality commence betwixt you and me ? Friendship like ours , to be sure , must be of very long standing , indeed . " "I pray , " replied the _ visir , " that Alia may increase our friendship ; we have now been sitting a considerable time in your apartment , and you have treated us with kindness ; we came to your house , and you gave us refuge ; the onlthing which is now to render our obligation to you
y necessary perfect , will be , to tell us your name , your occupation , and what motive you have for thus spending your time : this will , indeed , render your kindness complete . " " Well , " replied Basem , " if I shall then condescend to acquaint you with my secret , and inform you of the history of my life , let no man , if he would escape instant death , presume to interrupt or contradict me .. " " O we agree to that , "
repKe ^ LSiIiey " without hesitation * ! - " Know then , " returned the other , with an assumed dignity of coun'ienance , " my name isBasem , my tradei a blacksmith . I delight in sports and pastimes . I am a stout wrestler , my body is large and robust , and my trust in God secures to me a necessary provision of wine and victuals the man who provokes me to ive him a box on the earwill
; g , retain the sound of it for a twelvemonth . " " May Alia , " said they ( apart ) " preserve us from your rage . " " What , " said Basem , " does any one of you think of contradicting me ? By Alia , if any one does so , " I will drive him to the devil . " " Heaven defend us from such a fellow '„' said the Khalif ( to himself ) , " My guests , " continued Basem ,