Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
and had in my purse neither a new filse * , nor an old one . In this miserable state 1 remained an hour , and then starting up to prepare for my journey , I shaped a piece of palm tree , on which I used to hang my clothes , into the form of a sword , and supplied it with an old scabbard , which I luckily had lying by me : round the hilt of my sword I wrapped a iece of wax cloth . I then added another shash to
p my ordinary one , and also a piece of old labetf , in order to increase the size . of my turban , which I carefully flattened , and puffed round the edges . _ I cut the sleeves from my vest , before putting it on , girt my waist " with the belt of my sword , and put the large stuffed turban on my head . In this garb I left my house , and as I strutted along the street , with an almond twi g in my hand , the people took me for one of the
Khalif s bildars . When I got to the armorer ' s bazar , I found two fellows fighting , and covered with blood ; the spectators were afraid to interfere , but I soon separated them with my almond twig , and the sheih of the bazar gave me five drachms to carry the culprits to the palace of the Khalif to be punished . I accepted the money ,- as a iielp to my intended journeyand marched off with prisoners
, my , hut let them escape by the way . However , being near the palace , I entered the gates , and saw Giafar sitting in his chamber of audience , who , by Ullah , bears some resemblance in the face to you , you barrei-belly'd fellow ; his belly is exactly like your's . But what a difference between him and you ? He is respected by the Emeer al Moumaneen ; you are a paltry meddler in other le ' s business
peop ; a guest who without invitation obtrudes himself where he is not welcome . " Basem concluded with a particular account of his reception at the shop of Mallem Otman the confectioner , and of the present he received from him .
; Basem ' s- story had been listened to with great attention , and really appeared singular to his hearers : " I profess , Hadgi , '' said Giafar . ' 1 agree with you in what you said , that the like of what has befallen you to-day , was never experienced by man before . " " Yes , " replied Basem , " and all this good which has happened , is in spite of Haroon al Rasheed . When 1 left Mallem Otman , " continued he , went to" the bazar
" I , and provided a double quantity of each article , and lighted my lamps , as you see , nor can that pimp the Khalif shut np my house , or by an ordinance abolish my enjoyment . " Having said this with an air of exultation , he filled a ' bumper , and gave them a song ; after which he drank his wine , aud eat some of his cabab , with kernels of pistachio nuts . He then filled his lass againand
g , passing it three times round the candle , he sung a stanza of a drinking song . On drinking- his second glass , " This , " said he , "in spite of the Khalif ! I have this day taken money and sweetmeats , I have eaten fowls , and by Ullah I will die a bildaf . " _ The Khalif was highly entertained by Basem ' s manner of telling his story , and laughed heartily at several passages . " This must be
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
and had in my purse neither a new filse * , nor an old one . In this miserable state 1 remained an hour , and then starting up to prepare for my journey , I shaped a piece of palm tree , on which I used to hang my clothes , into the form of a sword , and supplied it with an old scabbard , which I luckily had lying by me : round the hilt of my sword I wrapped a iece of wax cloth . I then added another shash to
p my ordinary one , and also a piece of old labetf , in order to increase the size . of my turban , which I carefully flattened , and puffed round the edges . _ I cut the sleeves from my vest , before putting it on , girt my waist " with the belt of my sword , and put the large stuffed turban on my head . In this garb I left my house , and as I strutted along the street , with an almond twi g in my hand , the people took me for one of the
Khalif s bildars . When I got to the armorer ' s bazar , I found two fellows fighting , and covered with blood ; the spectators were afraid to interfere , but I soon separated them with my almond twig , and the sheih of the bazar gave me five drachms to carry the culprits to the palace of the Khalif to be punished . I accepted the money ,- as a iielp to my intended journeyand marched off with prisoners
, my , hut let them escape by the way . However , being near the palace , I entered the gates , and saw Giafar sitting in his chamber of audience , who , by Ullah , bears some resemblance in the face to you , you barrei-belly'd fellow ; his belly is exactly like your's . But what a difference between him and you ? He is respected by the Emeer al Moumaneen ; you are a paltry meddler in other le ' s business
peop ; a guest who without invitation obtrudes himself where he is not welcome . " Basem concluded with a particular account of his reception at the shop of Mallem Otman the confectioner , and of the present he received from him .
; Basem ' s- story had been listened to with great attention , and really appeared singular to his hearers : " I profess , Hadgi , '' said Giafar . ' 1 agree with you in what you said , that the like of what has befallen you to-day , was never experienced by man before . " " Yes , " replied Basem , " and all this good which has happened , is in spite of Haroon al Rasheed . When 1 left Mallem Otman , " continued he , went to" the bazar
" I , and provided a double quantity of each article , and lighted my lamps , as you see , nor can that pimp the Khalif shut np my house , or by an ordinance abolish my enjoyment . " Having said this with an air of exultation , he filled a ' bumper , and gave them a song ; after which he drank his wine , aud eat some of his cabab , with kernels of pistachio nuts . He then filled his lass againand
g , passing it three times round the candle , he sung a stanza of a drinking song . On drinking- his second glass , " This , " said he , "in spite of the Khalif ! I have this day taken money and sweetmeats , I have eaten fowls , and by Ullah I will die a bildaf . " _ The Khalif was highly entertained by Basem ' s manner of telling his story , and laughed heartily at several passages . " This must be