Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
first tossing off a bumper , " every day I work as a blacksmith , and do not fail before afternoon prayer to gain five drachms , then I proceed to the bazar , there with one drachm I purchase flesh , another drachm goes in wine , another is spent in candles , another in nuts , cakes , and fruit , and with the last 1 purchase oil for my lamps , with tAvo loaves of breadand I always take carethat for the next day
, , not a single aspre remains : thus , day after day , my hours are spent invariably the same ; in tlie evening I come home to my apartments , and , as you see , put every thing in order ; I li ght up my candles , I trim my lamps , eat a little roast meat , then I set down my leathern p itcher and my glass , and never have any companion whatever . ¦ Gentlemenmy service to you—thuswith eating a littleand
drink-, , , ing a little , I manage to get through the night ; thus passes my life ; in the morning I go to work , and day succeeds day in the manner I have described to you ; now you Mr . Merchants , or S pies , or whatever you may be , you have the whole of my history . " The Rasheed and Giafar could not hel p admiring Basem ' s account of himself : in truth , said they , it must be allowed that you are a man of
a resolute mind , and strange in your course of life , but in this separating yourselffrom society , you are exemptfrom many inconveniences . " Ay , " said Basem , " I have lived thus for the space of twentyone years ; every night my apartment has been li ghted up , and furnished as ' you see , and never once have I been molested or interrupted . " " But , my friend , " said the visir , " suppose-the Khalif to the trade of
should to-morrow put a stop a blacksmith , and pass a decree , that any one who should open his shop , and work in this occupation before the expiration of three days , should certainly be hanged ; in that case , what would you do ? Could you then Iiet-ht up your apartment , and enjoy your dried fruit , and 3-our delicate wine ?" " May God , " said Basem , " never rejoice your hearts with triad Alia of but
tidings . By , nothing comes you what is bad . It is only a moment ago that 1 warned you not to disturb me with vour supposes , and ill omens . Twenty years have I lived secure from superfluity and want , till this night , that you come to vex me and confuse my mind with unpleasant suggestions . But 1 conjure ' you in the name of God , to get up and leave me . How could I be such a fool as to give you admission into my house , and expose the . is ecret of mv life ? " - - \ "" " ? , " * % !"•
" My good friend Basem , " said the visir , " we are ' butjestin <* with you ; you tell us , that for . these twenty years you have gone on thus without interruption ; no such order from the Khalif ever did pass ; believe me , we would not for the world give you a moment ' s uneasiness . " ( During this time Basem kept drinking , and became more and more intoxicated ) . " But yet it should happen
, suppose , what could you possibly do , as you never leave a drachm tor the next day ?" On this , Basem became quite exasperated , " What , you scoundrel , " said he , " do you dare to repeat your words and ' bad omens ? by Alia , you are . bln . cfc unlucky rascals , and should the Khalif to ' , 1 i 2 '
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
first tossing off a bumper , " every day I work as a blacksmith , and do not fail before afternoon prayer to gain five drachms , then I proceed to the bazar , there with one drachm I purchase flesh , another drachm goes in wine , another is spent in candles , another in nuts , cakes , and fruit , and with the last 1 purchase oil for my lamps , with tAvo loaves of breadand I always take carethat for the next day
, , not a single aspre remains : thus , day after day , my hours are spent invariably the same ; in tlie evening I come home to my apartments , and , as you see , put every thing in order ; I li ght up my candles , I trim my lamps , eat a little roast meat , then I set down my leathern p itcher and my glass , and never have any companion whatever . ¦ Gentlemenmy service to you—thuswith eating a littleand
drink-, , , ing a little , I manage to get through the night ; thus passes my life ; in the morning I go to work , and day succeeds day in the manner I have described to you ; now you Mr . Merchants , or S pies , or whatever you may be , you have the whole of my history . " The Rasheed and Giafar could not hel p admiring Basem ' s account of himself : in truth , said they , it must be allowed that you are a man of
a resolute mind , and strange in your course of life , but in this separating yourselffrom society , you are exemptfrom many inconveniences . " Ay , " said Basem , " I have lived thus for the space of twentyone years ; every night my apartment has been li ghted up , and furnished as ' you see , and never once have I been molested or interrupted . " " But , my friend , " said the visir , " suppose-the Khalif to the trade of
should to-morrow put a stop a blacksmith , and pass a decree , that any one who should open his shop , and work in this occupation before the expiration of three days , should certainly be hanged ; in that case , what would you do ? Could you then Iiet-ht up your apartment , and enjoy your dried fruit , and 3-our delicate wine ?" " May God , " said Basem , " never rejoice your hearts with triad Alia of but
tidings . By , nothing comes you what is bad . It is only a moment ago that 1 warned you not to disturb me with vour supposes , and ill omens . Twenty years have I lived secure from superfluity and want , till this night , that you come to vex me and confuse my mind with unpleasant suggestions . But 1 conjure ' you in the name of God , to get up and leave me . How could I be such a fool as to give you admission into my house , and expose the . is ecret of mv life ? " - - \ "" " ? , " * % !"•
" My good friend Basem , " said the visir , " we are ' butjestin <* with you ; you tell us , that for . these twenty years you have gone on thus without interruption ; no such order from the Khalif ever did pass ; believe me , we would not for the world give you a moment ' s uneasiness . " ( During this time Basem kept drinking , and became more and more intoxicated ) . " But yet it should happen
, suppose , what could you possibly do , as you never leave a drachm tor the next day ?" On this , Basem became quite exasperated , " What , you scoundrel , " said he , " do you dare to repeat your words and ' bad omens ? by Alia , you are . bln . cfc unlucky rascals , and should the Khalif to ' , 1 i 2 '