Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
have not been able one night to disappoint his debauch . But above all I am impatient to learn by . what means he has been Able to make a show this night more splendid than ever ; let us listen if we can make out any thing from what he may drop in his cups . " At that instant Basem began a long jovial song , which he executed admirably to the great entertainment of the khalifAs soon as the finished
. song was , Giafar , by order of his master , knocked at the door . "Who is there ?" exclaimed Basem in a loud voice , " another interruption ! Is it not enough what I have already suffered by those rascals of Mosul ! may-God never give them health !" " Nay , O Hadgi Basem , " replied Giafar in £ conciliating tone , " pearl menand the of liberality ! " Basem rising from
among , son his seat , and looking from the window soon recognized them for his former visitors , and thus addressed them : " You are neither wished for nor welcome , I have no pleasure in your presence . Be gone with your cursed prying into other men ' s affairs , be gone I say I If you do not go off with your ill-omen ' . d faces , by Ullah I will come down
stairs and break your legs and arms . What is it you want of me , that you cannotleave me one night at rest ! " "O Hadgi , " said Giafar , " we swear to you by the mighty Ullah , that we have here brought with us a small repast , and request you would be pleased to open your door and accept of it . " " You are more in want of it than I am , " replied Basem , " I am here in the midst of plenty , I have got flesh and fowland sweetmeatsand
, , every thing else in greater abundance than ever , and I have gained to-day as much as I was wont to gain in five days . But be gone , get to a distance from me , nor look in my eyes ; for were you to speak of the Nile , its current would stop , you who are envious of man's prosperity . By the way , you talked of having brought something with but by Ullah it is contrary to
you , your custom , and what your narrow souls are incapable of ; you only say so to tempt me to open the door , that you may come up to divert yourselves and laugh at my way of life . I have " no more to say to you , so depart in peace . " "If you will not believe us TIadgi , " said they , " . and will not open your door , let down a basket from the window , into which we may put what we have brought with us . "
Phis he consented to , and having drawn up the victuals he carried them in to examine them at the light . On discovering the five fowls and other dishes , he burst into a fit of laughter , and looking again into the basket , " This is very wonderful indeed ! " said he aloud to himself ; then returning to the window , " Hola , ye Mosulies ; have you not bought these fowls from the thieves of Bagdat , or picked them from the ? for know
up scavengers I you too well to believe you would prevail on your avarice to give two drachms and a half for each fowl . " "Indeed , indeed , Hadgi Basem , " replied they , "the fowls , as well as the rest of the provisions , are from the kitchen of Haroon al Rasheed . " " What ! " said Basem in a rage , "is it not sufficient to tell me a cursed lye , but you must bring in the name of the khalif also , and compare . your victuals to his . ' However , now that you have delivered your present , go about your business ; and so farewell ! " "Is
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
have not been able one night to disappoint his debauch . But above all I am impatient to learn by . what means he has been Able to make a show this night more splendid than ever ; let us listen if we can make out any thing from what he may drop in his cups . " At that instant Basem began a long jovial song , which he executed admirably to the great entertainment of the khalifAs soon as the finished
. song was , Giafar , by order of his master , knocked at the door . "Who is there ?" exclaimed Basem in a loud voice , " another interruption ! Is it not enough what I have already suffered by those rascals of Mosul ! may-God never give them health !" " Nay , O Hadgi Basem , " replied Giafar in £ conciliating tone , " pearl menand the of liberality ! " Basem rising from
among , son his seat , and looking from the window soon recognized them for his former visitors , and thus addressed them : " You are neither wished for nor welcome , I have no pleasure in your presence . Be gone with your cursed prying into other men ' s affairs , be gone I say I If you do not go off with your ill-omen ' . d faces , by Ullah I will come down
stairs and break your legs and arms . What is it you want of me , that you cannotleave me one night at rest ! " "O Hadgi , " said Giafar , " we swear to you by the mighty Ullah , that we have here brought with us a small repast , and request you would be pleased to open your door and accept of it . " " You are more in want of it than I am , " replied Basem , " I am here in the midst of plenty , I have got flesh and fowland sweetmeatsand
, , every thing else in greater abundance than ever , and I have gained to-day as much as I was wont to gain in five days . But be gone , get to a distance from me , nor look in my eyes ; for were you to speak of the Nile , its current would stop , you who are envious of man's prosperity . By the way , you talked of having brought something with but by Ullah it is contrary to
you , your custom , and what your narrow souls are incapable of ; you only say so to tempt me to open the door , that you may come up to divert yourselves and laugh at my way of life . I have " no more to say to you , so depart in peace . " "If you will not believe us TIadgi , " said they , " . and will not open your door , let down a basket from the window , into which we may put what we have brought with us . "
Phis he consented to , and having drawn up the victuals he carried them in to examine them at the light . On discovering the five fowls and other dishes , he burst into a fit of laughter , and looking again into the basket , " This is very wonderful indeed ! " said he aloud to himself ; then returning to the window , " Hola , ye Mosulies ; have you not bought these fowls from the thieves of Bagdat , or picked them from the ? for know
up scavengers I you too well to believe you would prevail on your avarice to give two drachms and a half for each fowl . " "Indeed , indeed , Hadgi Basem , " replied they , "the fowls , as well as the rest of the provisions , are from the kitchen of Haroon al Rasheed . " " What ! " said Basem in a rage , "is it not sufficient to tell me a cursed lye , but you must bring in the name of the khalif also , and compare . your victuals to his . ' However , now that you have delivered your present , go about your business ; and so farewell ! " "Is