Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
in a loud voice , " Where , where is my debtor ? my husband ? " " ' I know nothing , " replied Basem gravely ^ " either of a husband or debtor ; be gone about your business , and leave me to my myself . " At this the woman passionately exclaimed , " What are " you not a messenger ! " "You lie" replied Basem , raising his voice , " you
lie , you troublesome old Woman . I have all my life been a blacksmith . " The woman now laying hold of Basem ' s vest , exclaimed in a shrill voice , " O true believer ' s ! My debtor , my debtor ! " A croud of people immediately surrounded them and inquired what was the matter . " You must know , " said the woman , " that this messenger of the lawreceived of me two drachms on condition to bring
, my debtor to justice . We came all three together nearly to this place , when corrupted ( as I suppose ) by a bribe , he set his prisoner at liberty . And now , " added she , weeping bitterly , " my hope of aid , O Moslems ! is placed in God , and you . " Some of the spectators now regarding the man with more attention said ,- " Why woman , this is Basem the blacksmith , no messenger of the law ; we have known
him long : so you must be mistaken in the person . " " Good people , " said Basem , " this-troublesome old woman has laid violent hands on me , and would make a messenger of me by main force . " The poor woman was now in a worse state than ever , for while some of the bystanders drew near and reproached her , others rejoiced at her misfortuneor cursed her . Others told her she had confounded the poor
, man , arid , after scolding her , forced her away from him . Some laughed heartily ; one said she was in liquor , anothfer that she was mad , and a third that she had been all along in jest . The poor woman abashed , aiid not knowing , well what to do , at last took the way to her own house .-
When Basem had thus got rid of the woman , he looked at his five drachms and exclaimed , " by Allah I will die a messenger of the law , What ! for pronouncing' two words I get two drachms ; for seizing a debtor five drachms ; for swearing a false oath twenty drachms ; and for cheating a creditor fifty drachms . I will die a messenger . " Without delay he proceeded as usual to procure his provision in the bazarcababwinefruit & c . lihts up his lodingdrinkssings
, , , , g g , , , & c . and thanks God for enabling him to continue his old custom . While Basem was thus employed , the Khalif expressed a wish- to know the success ofhis orders for shutting up the bagnios . " I wonder , " says he , " what is become , of our friend Basem ; he must be in a miserable plight , in a dark chamber , supperless , and his pitcher empty ; I am determined to visit him . " " For heaven ' s sake , my
lord , " replied the vizir , " let us remain well where we are . Twice already has God delivered lis from the hands of that glutton , who threatened us all three when in his best humour ; what violence may we not expect from him now in his present mortification ! " " I have resolved , however , " said the Khalif ) " to see him this night . " " O , Ameer al Monmaneen ! " said the vizir , " the pitcher does not always return unbroken . " " Peace , " exclaimed the Khali !/ " 1 will be gbeyed . " The Khalif ) Giafar ; and Mesrottr in disguise , went out at
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
in a loud voice , " Where , where is my debtor ? my husband ? " " ' I know nothing , " replied Basem gravely ^ " either of a husband or debtor ; be gone about your business , and leave me to my myself . " At this the woman passionately exclaimed , " What are " you not a messenger ! " "You lie" replied Basem , raising his voice , " you
lie , you troublesome old Woman . I have all my life been a blacksmith . " The woman now laying hold of Basem ' s vest , exclaimed in a shrill voice , " O true believer ' s ! My debtor , my debtor ! " A croud of people immediately surrounded them and inquired what was the matter . " You must know , " said the woman , " that this messenger of the lawreceived of me two drachms on condition to bring
, my debtor to justice . We came all three together nearly to this place , when corrupted ( as I suppose ) by a bribe , he set his prisoner at liberty . And now , " added she , weeping bitterly , " my hope of aid , O Moslems ! is placed in God , and you . " Some of the spectators now regarding the man with more attention said ,- " Why woman , this is Basem the blacksmith , no messenger of the law ; we have known
him long : so you must be mistaken in the person . " " Good people , " said Basem , " this-troublesome old woman has laid violent hands on me , and would make a messenger of me by main force . " The poor woman was now in a worse state than ever , for while some of the bystanders drew near and reproached her , others rejoiced at her misfortuneor cursed her . Others told her she had confounded the poor
, man , arid , after scolding her , forced her away from him . Some laughed heartily ; one said she was in liquor , anothfer that she was mad , and a third that she had been all along in jest . The poor woman abashed , aiid not knowing , well what to do , at last took the way to her own house .-
When Basem had thus got rid of the woman , he looked at his five drachms and exclaimed , " by Allah I will die a messenger of the law , What ! for pronouncing' two words I get two drachms ; for seizing a debtor five drachms ; for swearing a false oath twenty drachms ; and for cheating a creditor fifty drachms . I will die a messenger . " Without delay he proceeded as usual to procure his provision in the bazarcababwinefruit & c . lihts up his lodingdrinkssings
, , , , g g , , , & c . and thanks God for enabling him to continue his old custom . While Basem was thus employed , the Khalif expressed a wish- to know the success ofhis orders for shutting up the bagnios . " I wonder , " says he , " what is become , of our friend Basem ; he must be in a miserable plight , in a dark chamber , supperless , and his pitcher empty ; I am determined to visit him . " " For heaven ' s sake , my
lord , " replied the vizir , " let us remain well where we are . Twice already has God delivered lis from the hands of that glutton , who threatened us all three when in his best humour ; what violence may we not expect from him now in his present mortification ! " " I have resolved , however , " said the Khalif ) " to see him this night . " " O , Ameer al Monmaneen ! " said the vizir , " the pitcher does not always return unbroken . " " Peace , " exclaimed the Khali !/ " 1 will be gbeyed . " The Khalif ) Giafar ; and Mesrottr in disguise , went out at