Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
father ? and what your allowance ? " " O Emeer al Moumaneen , *" replied he , " my name is Khalid , the son of Majed ; my grandfather ' s name Salem , the son of Ranim . We have enjoyed the honourable office since the time of Abbas . I receive twenty dinars , besides mutton , flour , sugar ,, and pomegranates , in an established proportion . It is now many years that the family has lived comfortably on this
allowance , which has descended from father to son . " " Do you also stand aside , " said the Khalif . " Let another be called . " Whilst the Khalif was employed in examining the bildars , Basem * as his turn drew nearer , became more and more alarmed . " Good . God ! " said he to himself , " one mischance is still , worse than another : till this day such a thing as this review was never heard of . There
is ho remedy or support but from God ! By Ullah , this is ten times a worse affair than that of the cad y I O black hour ! " continued he , in an apostrophe to himself . " Why did you not leave Bagdat yesterday ? see the consequence of your change of resolution . Every thing but good befalls you . The Khalif will presently demand of you your nameyour father ' s nameand the amount of
allow-, , your ance . Should he insist on all this , what will you answer ? If jrou answer , my name-is Basem the blacksmith ; will he not say , you , pimp of a spy , who made you a bildar ? You ! who are you ? that * you should dare to pollute my palace , by mixing with my bildars ! Alas 1 there is no trust nor help but in God . " ¦ The Khalif , who had all along observed Basem ' s embarrassment .
with difficulty avoided discovering himself , and was repeatedly obliged to put his handkerchief to his mouth to prevent laughing , or to turn his head aside to avoid exposing himself . The last of the bildars was now examined , and being arranged on the other side with his companions , Basem remained alone , in trembling apprehension , his eyes cast down , and confusion depicted in his countenance . The Khalifwith the utmost difficulty restrained laughing when he
or-, dered him to approach ; The order was repeated three times , but Basem , as if insensible , remained fixed to the spot . The chief of the bildars at length aroused him by a push on the ribs , saying " You fellow , answer the Emeer al Moumaneen . " Basem starting ,-as if from a dream , asked hastily , " What ' s the matter ? " " What is your name ? " said the Khalif . " Meaning mesir" said Basem" in
, , , great perturbation . " Yes , it is you I mean . " Basem then began to advance , but his legs could hardly perform their office ; he made one step forward and another backward , till he tottered near . enough to make his obeisance . His complexion was changed to yellow , his tongue , at other times so voluble and sharp , now trembled , and he stood totally at a loss what answer he should make . He looked
down on the ground , and scratched where it did not itch . The Khalif , perceiving how it was with Basem , had great difficulty to refrain from laughing aloud , and as he spoke to Basem was obliged " to turn sometimes aside , ancl to hold a handkerchief to his mouth-The Khalif then asked his name , his father ' s name , his present appointments , and by what means they were obtained ,- " Is it to me ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
father ? and what your allowance ? " " O Emeer al Moumaneen , *" replied he , " my name is Khalid , the son of Majed ; my grandfather ' s name Salem , the son of Ranim . We have enjoyed the honourable office since the time of Abbas . I receive twenty dinars , besides mutton , flour , sugar ,, and pomegranates , in an established proportion . It is now many years that the family has lived comfortably on this
allowance , which has descended from father to son . " " Do you also stand aside , " said the Khalif . " Let another be called . " Whilst the Khalif was employed in examining the bildars , Basem * as his turn drew nearer , became more and more alarmed . " Good . God ! " said he to himself , " one mischance is still , worse than another : till this day such a thing as this review was never heard of . There
is ho remedy or support but from God ! By Ullah , this is ten times a worse affair than that of the cad y I O black hour ! " continued he , in an apostrophe to himself . " Why did you not leave Bagdat yesterday ? see the consequence of your change of resolution . Every thing but good befalls you . The Khalif will presently demand of you your nameyour father ' s nameand the amount of
allow-, , your ance . Should he insist on all this , what will you answer ? If jrou answer , my name-is Basem the blacksmith ; will he not say , you , pimp of a spy , who made you a bildar ? You ! who are you ? that * you should dare to pollute my palace , by mixing with my bildars ! Alas 1 there is no trust nor help but in God . " ¦ The Khalif , who had all along observed Basem ' s embarrassment .
with difficulty avoided discovering himself , and was repeatedly obliged to put his handkerchief to his mouth to prevent laughing , or to turn his head aside to avoid exposing himself . The last of the bildars was now examined , and being arranged on the other side with his companions , Basem remained alone , in trembling apprehension , his eyes cast down , and confusion depicted in his countenance . The Khalifwith the utmost difficulty restrained laughing when he
or-, dered him to approach ; The order was repeated three times , but Basem , as if insensible , remained fixed to the spot . The chief of the bildars at length aroused him by a push on the ribs , saying " You fellow , answer the Emeer al Moumaneen . " Basem starting ,-as if from a dream , asked hastily , " What ' s the matter ? " " What is your name ? " said the Khalif . " Meaning mesir" said Basem" in
, , , great perturbation . " Yes , it is you I mean . " Basem then began to advance , but his legs could hardly perform their office ; he made one step forward and another backward , till he tottered near . enough to make his obeisance . His complexion was changed to yellow , his tongue , at other times so voluble and sharp , now trembled , and he stood totally at a loss what answer he should make . He looked
down on the ground , and scratched where it did not itch . The Khalif , perceiving how it was with Basem , had great difficulty to refrain from laughing aloud , and as he spoke to Basem was obliged " to turn sometimes aside , ancl to hold a handkerchief to his mouth-The Khalif then asked his name , his father ' s name , his present appointments , and by what means they were obtained ,- " Is it to me ,