Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
provision is from the high God . " ( Ullah t'Ala . ) Filling a fourth bumper , he set it down on the table , and forgetting the blows he had received at the mahkamy , he sung a stanza of one of his best songs before drinking his wine . Leaving Basem with his wine , it is time to return to the khalif and his two companion ' s , Giafar and Mesrour . The khalif was engaged in business till late in the afternoonbus as soon as Giafar and
, Mesrour appeared before him at night , " what , " said he to the minister , " do you imagine poor Basem's situation to be at present ?" " His situation , my lord , " replied Giafar , "is that ofan unfortunate man who has suffered the bastinado , and been publicly disgraced at the mahkamy ; his habitation is no longer lighted up . He sits in the deepest afflictionwhile the flame of a dull lamp serves only to shew
, him his empty jar , his useless dishes , and the gloom of his former cheerful apartment . At this very moment he probably is uttering curses against us , nor can he form any hope 6 f relief . " " I have a " strong desire , " said the khalif , " to pay him our usual visit this night , to see how he bears his misfortunes , and hear him lament the
deprivation of his customary debauch , which he told us he had continued for twenty years without the exception of one night , but which undoubtedly must be interrupted this night . " " O Emeer al Moumaneen ! " said Giafar , " may the blessing of the Almighty ever ' attend you ! Be prevailed on to let us remain this night where we are , and where you command ; for if that man when in the height of what
his enjoyment could hardly treat us with civility , can we expect from his churlish temper when assailed by grief , disappointment , and hunger ? " " All that is true , " said the khalif , " but I cannot resist the desire to see him . " " If it then must be , " said the minister , " let us at least carry victuals with us to appease his hunger ; for , as the proverb If feed the mouth the eyes brighten up ; and one
says , you ^ cause of his displeasure with us was , that we never presented him with the value even of a filse ( the smallest copper coin ) . " " Peed him !" said Mesrour , interrupting Giafar , " may God feed him with a dagger ! How has tlie niggardly glutton behaved to us ! Every night he drank his wine , devoured his victuals , and talked with us at intervals , but never offered lis a morsel . " The khalif made no remark on what
Mesrour had said , but turning to Giafar , " I approve much of your advice , " said he , " tlie poor fellow must be hungry without any thing to eat ; do you therefore provide whatever you think fit . " Giafar ordered injmediately five fowls nicely cooked , and a large platter containing various victuals , and when all was ready the three ' Mosul merchants sailed forth by the secret gate . When they came within siht of Basem ' s housethey were astonished at the blaze of
g , light which issued from , his windows . On a nearer-approach they found the master ' employethts-usual , and the first words that reached their ears were , " I am Basem , and my provision is from God ! " The khalif taking his station under theiittle window over the outer door , said to Giafar , " this drunkard fairly baffles me ; he gets the better of all our stratagems ; I am weary of the trouble I have taken , since we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basem; Or, The Blacksmith. An Oriental Apologue.
provision is from the high God . " ( Ullah t'Ala . ) Filling a fourth bumper , he set it down on the table , and forgetting the blows he had received at the mahkamy , he sung a stanza of one of his best songs before drinking his wine . Leaving Basem with his wine , it is time to return to the khalif and his two companion ' s , Giafar and Mesrour . The khalif was engaged in business till late in the afternoonbus as soon as Giafar and
, Mesrour appeared before him at night , " what , " said he to the minister , " do you imagine poor Basem's situation to be at present ?" " His situation , my lord , " replied Giafar , "is that ofan unfortunate man who has suffered the bastinado , and been publicly disgraced at the mahkamy ; his habitation is no longer lighted up . He sits in the deepest afflictionwhile the flame of a dull lamp serves only to shew
, him his empty jar , his useless dishes , and the gloom of his former cheerful apartment . At this very moment he probably is uttering curses against us , nor can he form any hope 6 f relief . " " I have a " strong desire , " said the khalif , " to pay him our usual visit this night , to see how he bears his misfortunes , and hear him lament the
deprivation of his customary debauch , which he told us he had continued for twenty years without the exception of one night , but which undoubtedly must be interrupted this night . " " O Emeer al Moumaneen ! " said Giafar , " may the blessing of the Almighty ever ' attend you ! Be prevailed on to let us remain this night where we are , and where you command ; for if that man when in the height of what
his enjoyment could hardly treat us with civility , can we expect from his churlish temper when assailed by grief , disappointment , and hunger ? " " All that is true , " said the khalif , " but I cannot resist the desire to see him . " " If it then must be , " said the minister , " let us at least carry victuals with us to appease his hunger ; for , as the proverb If feed the mouth the eyes brighten up ; and one
says , you ^ cause of his displeasure with us was , that we never presented him with the value even of a filse ( the smallest copper coin ) . " " Peed him !" said Mesrour , interrupting Giafar , " may God feed him with a dagger ! How has tlie niggardly glutton behaved to us ! Every night he drank his wine , devoured his victuals , and talked with us at intervals , but never offered lis a morsel . " The khalif made no remark on what
Mesrour had said , but turning to Giafar , " I approve much of your advice , " said he , " tlie poor fellow must be hungry without any thing to eat ; do you therefore provide whatever you think fit . " Giafar ordered injmediately five fowls nicely cooked , and a large platter containing various victuals , and when all was ready the three ' Mosul merchants sailed forth by the secret gate . When they came within siht of Basem ' s housethey were astonished at the blaze of
g , light which issued from , his windows . On a nearer-approach they found the master ' employethts-usual , and the first words that reached their ears were , " I am Basem , and my provision is from God ! " The khalif taking his station under theiittle window over the outer door , said to Giafar , " this drunkard fairly baffles me ; he gets the better of all our stratagems ; I am weary of the trouble I have taken , since we