Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
a fortunate fellow , " said he to himself , " but I must to-morrow contrive some means to mortify and expose him . " It now being neap midnio-ht , the Khalif and his two attendants arose to take formal leave , " We ° beg your permission to retire , " said they . " You are your own masters , " replied Basem , without moving from his seat , " the permission is with yourselves . God will afflict with adversity the
man % vho wishes you to visit him . May no good be decreed for you ! " The Mosul merchants could not help laughing at this parting benediction , but walking down stairs , they let themselves out , and shutting the street-door behind them , returned as usual to their apartments in the palace . Next morning soon after sun-riseBasemstarting up from sleep
, , , " A new day , new provision , " said he , " by heaven , I will die a bildar ! " Pie then dressed himself as the day before , combed his beard , twisted his whiskers , and sallied forth , little , expecting what was to happen . On his arrival at the palace , he , without further ceremony , placed himself among the ten bildars who were in daily waitingWhen the Khalif came into the divanhis eyes were
em-, , ployed to discover Basem among the bildars , and , disguised as he was , he soon recognized him . Then calling Giafar , who prostrated himself before him , " Do you observe , " said he , " Giafar , our friend Basem yonder ? You shall soon see how I will perplex him . " Tha chief of the bildars being called into the presence , after bowing before the Khalif , stood silent . " What is the number of your
corps ? " said the Khalif . " In all thirty , " replied the bildar , " tea of whom attend three days at the palace , and at the expiration of that time are relieved by other ten , so that there is always the same number in waiting , by rotation . " " I wish , " said the Khalif , " to review those now present , and to examine each particularly . " The chief , lifting both his hands to his head , and bowing low as the ground , in token of obedienceretired backwards ; thenturning towards the
, , door , exclaimed with a loud voice , " Bildars ! it is the pleasure of the Emeer al Moumaneen , that all you present do now appear before him . " The order was instantly obeyed , and Basem arranged himself with the others in the divan , but not without being alarmed , and saying to himself , " Mercy on me ! what can all this mean ? Yesterday was the inquisition and reckoning with the cady ; to-day it is
with the Khalif in person ; by Ullah , it will be the vinegar to yesterday's oil . " The Khalif now asked the bildar who stood nearest , " What is your name ? " " Achmed , my lord , " replied he . " Whose son are you ? " " The son of Abdallah . " " What allowance do you receive , Achmed ? " " Ten dinars a month , fifteen pounds of mutton daily , and a suit of clothes once a year . " " Is
your appointment of late , or of old standing ? " " I succeeded to my father , who resigned in my favour ; and I am well contented with the honourable office . " " You are deserving of it , " said the Khalif . Let the next in order advance . " The next bildar , after prostrating himself before the Khalif , - stood prepared for interrogation , What is your name ? the name of your
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
a fortunate fellow , " said he to himself , " but I must to-morrow contrive some means to mortify and expose him . " It now being neap midnio-ht , the Khalif and his two attendants arose to take formal leave , " We ° beg your permission to retire , " said they . " You are your own masters , " replied Basem , without moving from his seat , " the permission is with yourselves . God will afflict with adversity the
man % vho wishes you to visit him . May no good be decreed for you ! " The Mosul merchants could not help laughing at this parting benediction , but walking down stairs , they let themselves out , and shutting the street-door behind them , returned as usual to their apartments in the palace . Next morning soon after sun-riseBasemstarting up from sleep
, , , " A new day , new provision , " said he , " by heaven , I will die a bildar ! " Pie then dressed himself as the day before , combed his beard , twisted his whiskers , and sallied forth , little , expecting what was to happen . On his arrival at the palace , he , without further ceremony , placed himself among the ten bildars who were in daily waitingWhen the Khalif came into the divanhis eyes were
em-, , ployed to discover Basem among the bildars , and , disguised as he was , he soon recognized him . Then calling Giafar , who prostrated himself before him , " Do you observe , " said he , " Giafar , our friend Basem yonder ? You shall soon see how I will perplex him . " Tha chief of the bildars being called into the presence , after bowing before the Khalif , stood silent . " What is the number of your
corps ? " said the Khalif . " In all thirty , " replied the bildar , " tea of whom attend three days at the palace , and at the expiration of that time are relieved by other ten , so that there is always the same number in waiting , by rotation . " " I wish , " said the Khalif , " to review those now present , and to examine each particularly . " The chief , lifting both his hands to his head , and bowing low as the ground , in token of obedienceretired backwards ; thenturning towards the
, , door , exclaimed with a loud voice , " Bildars ! it is the pleasure of the Emeer al Moumaneen , that all you present do now appear before him . " The order was instantly obeyed , and Basem arranged himself with the others in the divan , but not without being alarmed , and saying to himself , " Mercy on me ! what can all this mean ? Yesterday was the inquisition and reckoning with the cady ; to-day it is
with the Khalif in person ; by Ullah , it will be the vinegar to yesterday's oil . " The Khalif now asked the bildar who stood nearest , " What is your name ? " " Achmed , my lord , " replied he . " Whose son are you ? " " The son of Abdallah . " " What allowance do you receive , Achmed ? " " Ten dinars a month , fifteen pounds of mutton daily , and a suit of clothes once a year . " " Is
your appointment of late , or of old standing ? " " I succeeded to my father , who resigned in my favour ; and I am well contented with the honourable office . " " You are deserving of it , " said the Khalif . Let the next in order advance . " The next bildar , after prostrating himself before the Khalif , - stood prepared for interrogation , What is your name ? the name of your