Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
name ? what allowance have you , and by what recommendation did you get into office ? " The messenger advancing two ' steps , replied , " My name is Magid , my father ' s name Salem , and my grandfather ' s Napha ; my allowance is three dollars , and a vest ofclothoncea year . I inherited the office from my ancestors of old , and was recommended by such and such persons . " The cady ordered a present for the man , and that he should stand on one side to make room tor the next .
" This examination of messengers , " said Basem , within himself , " was never heard of in the world till this day ; there is no trust norpower butin the mi ghty God ; what will become of me ! " Basem was roused from his reverie , by the cady calling to him ; but he did not move till called a second-time . " What is your name ?'' demanded the cady . " Basem , the blacksmith . " " As your trade , " observed the cad is that of blacksmith
y , " a , since when did you become an officer of justice ? " " I entered into the law yesterday , " said Basem ; " but , O cady 1 " continued he , "lama man of wonderful abilities ; when I please , I can be a cady , or a wakeei , or a wise devout man , with a capacious belly . " Neither the cady , nor the spectators , could forbear laughing ; but Basem ' s legs were soon secured in tlie filk , and he suffered the bastinado in obedience to the khalif ' s orders .
After this disaster , he returned to his house mortified and melancholy , and sat down to ponder on his situation , He soon however recovered his spirits , and starting up , he girt his loins , and seizing a piece of an old palm-tree , which had the form of a sword , he supplied it with a belt , and adjusted his turban . " I have now , " said he , " neither master nor friend in this city , and must therefore o-0 elsewhereand seek victuals and
, a livelihood . How , alas ! shall 1 sleep to-mght , unprovided as I am with the usual necessaries ; yet the world is before me . " He then sallied forth from his abode , and wandered from one street to another ofBagdat ; still thinking howhe should make his evening provision . As he went-swao-gering along , swinging his riht and left arm alternateland grasping the
g y , twig of an almond-tree in one hand , every one considered him to he a bildar , belongmg to some great man . Bewildered in thought , and not knowing whither he was going , he found himself in a marketplace , where a great multitude was assembled round two men who were fi ghting . Having learned what was the matter , he beo-an to exercise his almond twig , and soon made his way through the crowd who taking him for officer of the
an khalif , or dreading the strength of his arm fled on all sides . When he got sight of the combatants , he ' found them covered with dust and blood , and desperately engaged , while none of the spectators dared to separate them . Basem observing the impression that his strong gigantic fi gure had made on the populace and that he was mistaken for bildar
a , clapped one hand on the hilt of his wooden sword , and flourishing the almond twig in the other , he approached the combatants , and , after dealing a few D ' ows tq each , put an end to the fray . & VOL , IV . 3 i ) "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
name ? what allowance have you , and by what recommendation did you get into office ? " The messenger advancing two ' steps , replied , " My name is Magid , my father ' s name Salem , and my grandfather ' s Napha ; my allowance is three dollars , and a vest ofclothoncea year . I inherited the office from my ancestors of old , and was recommended by such and such persons . " The cady ordered a present for the man , and that he should stand on one side to make room tor the next .
" This examination of messengers , " said Basem , within himself , " was never heard of in the world till this day ; there is no trust norpower butin the mi ghty God ; what will become of me ! " Basem was roused from his reverie , by the cady calling to him ; but he did not move till called a second-time . " What is your name ?'' demanded the cady . " Basem , the blacksmith . " " As your trade , " observed the cad is that of blacksmith
y , " a , since when did you become an officer of justice ? " " I entered into the law yesterday , " said Basem ; " but , O cady 1 " continued he , "lama man of wonderful abilities ; when I please , I can be a cady , or a wakeei , or a wise devout man , with a capacious belly . " Neither the cady , nor the spectators , could forbear laughing ; but Basem ' s legs were soon secured in tlie filk , and he suffered the bastinado in obedience to the khalif ' s orders .
After this disaster , he returned to his house mortified and melancholy , and sat down to ponder on his situation , He soon however recovered his spirits , and starting up , he girt his loins , and seizing a piece of an old palm-tree , which had the form of a sword , he supplied it with a belt , and adjusted his turban . " I have now , " said he , " neither master nor friend in this city , and must therefore o-0 elsewhereand seek victuals and
, a livelihood . How , alas ! shall 1 sleep to-mght , unprovided as I am with the usual necessaries ; yet the world is before me . " He then sallied forth from his abode , and wandered from one street to another ofBagdat ; still thinking howhe should make his evening provision . As he went-swao-gering along , swinging his riht and left arm alternateland grasping the
g y , twig of an almond-tree in one hand , every one considered him to he a bildar , belongmg to some great man . Bewildered in thought , and not knowing whither he was going , he found himself in a marketplace , where a great multitude was assembled round two men who were fi ghting . Having learned what was the matter , he beo-an to exercise his almond twig , and soon made his way through the crowd who taking him for officer of the
an khalif , or dreading the strength of his arm fled on all sides . When he got sight of the combatants , he ' found them covered with dust and blood , and desperately engaged , while none of the spectators dared to separate them . Basem observing the impression that his strong gigantic fi gure had made on the populace and that he was mistaken for bildar
a , clapped one hand on the hilt of his wooden sword , and flourishing the almond twig in the other , he approached the combatants , and , after dealing a few D ' ows tq each , put an end to the fray . & VOL , IV . 3 i ) "