Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
The sheik of the market now appeared , and addressing Basem as a bildar , presented him with five drachms , and requested him to carry the offenders before the Khalif , that they mig ht be punished as disturbers of the public peace . Basem , as he secured the money in his girdle , muttered to himself , " I am Basem , my provision is from God ! " then seizing the two culprits , he lifted them from the ground , under each great croud
and walked off with ease , carrying one arm . A followed ; entreating that the combatants might be reconciled and dismissed ; to which Basem at last , with seeming reluctance , consented , though glad to get so rid of them . When Basem found himself alone , " all this , " said he , "is well beyond expectation ; the five drachms were certainly a God-send ; aud it is a matter fixed , that i . of life Heaven I will now
shall remain a bildar all the days my . By go to the palace and visit my colleagues ! " . In the service of the khalif there were thirty bildars , ten of which attended constantly for three days , and were then succeeded by other ten in rotation . In pursuance of his resolution , Basem repaired to tne and took station the bildarsBut he found them in
palace , a among . all respects very different from himself ; they were of a more delicate make , and then- rich garments of various colours , as they stood in a row , gave them the appearance of a bed of flowers in a garden . " What , " said he , to himself , " are these effeminate fellows the khalif ' s bildars ! they are not like me ; my cloaths would ill suit them , nor would I be well in theirswhich seem ill-adapted to their
employ-, ment . " He felt a degree of contempt in making the comparison , but could not refrain from repeatedly gazing upon them . In the mean while he was observed by their chief , who took him for a bildar belonging to one of the emeers , and who finding nothing to do at home , had come as a visitor to the palace . Having remarked this circumstance to those who stood near him ; " This stranger , ' said he , and if do not find
employ-« we must consider as our guest , we some " ment for him , it may be reported rather to our discredit , that a brother came to visit us at the palace of the khalif , and that the chief ot the bildars had not power to be of any use to him . " " O chief , replied his companions , "if you mean to do a liberal action , never asfc advice or consult about it . " this to secretary of the treasury
The chief of the bildars on , going a , procured an order or notice to a certain rich confectioner , to come without delay , and pay the sum of 5000 drachms , due by him , on several accounts , specified in the order : but it being necessary that the vizir ' s signature should be put to the paper , he got that done also , and returned to the place where Basem remained standing Ho , aloud to Bildar ! ' Ms it
Brother ! " said he , calling Basem , "Ho , to me , you call ! " said Basem , rather surprised . " Yes , said the chief "lam ready , " replied Basem , " to obey your orders ; and advanced towards the chief of the bildars with great humility . 1 wish , " said the chief , " to request the favour of you , to carry this paper from the treasury , with the . vizir's mark , to Malhm ( master ) Otman , requiring the payment of 5000 drachms , / ou know your bu-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
The sheik of the market now appeared , and addressing Basem as a bildar , presented him with five drachms , and requested him to carry the offenders before the Khalif , that they mig ht be punished as disturbers of the public peace . Basem , as he secured the money in his girdle , muttered to himself , " I am Basem , my provision is from God ! " then seizing the two culprits , he lifted them from the ground , under each great croud
and walked off with ease , carrying one arm . A followed ; entreating that the combatants might be reconciled and dismissed ; to which Basem at last , with seeming reluctance , consented , though glad to get so rid of them . When Basem found himself alone , " all this , " said he , "is well beyond expectation ; the five drachms were certainly a God-send ; aud it is a matter fixed , that i . of life Heaven I will now
shall remain a bildar all the days my . By go to the palace and visit my colleagues ! " . In the service of the khalif there were thirty bildars , ten of which attended constantly for three days , and were then succeeded by other ten in rotation . In pursuance of his resolution , Basem repaired to tne and took station the bildarsBut he found them in
palace , a among . all respects very different from himself ; they were of a more delicate make , and then- rich garments of various colours , as they stood in a row , gave them the appearance of a bed of flowers in a garden . " What , " said he , to himself , " are these effeminate fellows the khalif ' s bildars ! they are not like me ; my cloaths would ill suit them , nor would I be well in theirswhich seem ill-adapted to their
employ-, ment . " He felt a degree of contempt in making the comparison , but could not refrain from repeatedly gazing upon them . In the mean while he was observed by their chief , who took him for a bildar belonging to one of the emeers , and who finding nothing to do at home , had come as a visitor to the palace . Having remarked this circumstance to those who stood near him ; " This stranger , ' said he , and if do not find
employ-« we must consider as our guest , we some " ment for him , it may be reported rather to our discredit , that a brother came to visit us at the palace of the khalif , and that the chief ot the bildars had not power to be of any use to him . " " O chief , replied his companions , "if you mean to do a liberal action , never asfc advice or consult about it . " this to secretary of the treasury
The chief of the bildars on , going a , procured an order or notice to a certain rich confectioner , to come without delay , and pay the sum of 5000 drachms , due by him , on several accounts , specified in the order : but it being necessary that the vizir ' s signature should be put to the paper , he got that done also , and returned to the place where Basem remained standing Ho , aloud to Bildar ! ' Ms it
Brother ! " said he , calling Basem , "Ho , to me , you call ! " said Basem , rather surprised . " Yes , said the chief "lam ready , " replied Basem , " to obey your orders ; and advanced towards the chief of the bildars with great humility . 1 wish , " said the chief , " to request the favour of you , to carry this paper from the treasury , with the . vizir's mark , to Malhm ( master ) Otman , requiring the payment of 5000 drachms , / ou know your bu-