Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/74

call’d, becauſe born in that Town, was ſo oyerwhelm’d with Grief for the Death of his Father, that inſtead of a Months Time to mourn, according to Cuſtom, he kept Himſelf cloſe ſhut up in Tears and Solitude about two Months, without ſeeing any Body, or ſo much as going abroad to pay his Duty to the Sultan of Balſora; who, being diſpleaſed at this Neglect, look’d upon it as a Slight put on his Court and Perſon, ſuffer’d his Paſſion to prevail, and in his Fury call’d for the new Grand Vizier, (for he had created anew one as ſoon as Nouredden Ali died) commanded him to go to the Houſe of the Deceaſed, and ſeize upon it, with all his other Houſes, Lands and Effects, without leaving any thing for Bedreddin Haſſan, and to bring him Priſoner along with him.

The new Grand Vizier, accompany’d with a great many Meſſengers belonging to the Palace, Juſtices, and other Officers, went immediately to execute his Commiſſion. But one of Bedreddin Haſſan’s Slaves happening accidentally to come into the Crowd, no ſooner underſtood the Vizier’s Errand, but he run before in all haſte to give his Maſter warning. He found him ſitting in the Porch of his Houſe, as melancholy as if his Father had but newly been dead. He fell down at his Feet out of Breath, and after he had kiſſed the Hem of his Garment, cry’d out, My Lord, ſave your ſelf immediately. Bedreddin Haſſan lifting up his Head, What’s the Matter, what News doſt thou bring? My Lord, ſaid he, there is no time to be loſt; the Sultan is horribly incenſed againſt you, and he has ſent People to take all that you have, and alſo to ſeize your Perſon.

The Words of. this faithful and affectionate Slave, put Bedreddin Haſſan into great Confuſion; May not I have ſo much time, ſaid he, as to take ſome Money and Jewels along with me? No, Sir, replied the Slave, the Grand Vizier will be here this Moment, Be gone immediately, ſave your ſelf. Bedreddin Haſſan roſe up from his Sofa in all haſte, and put his Feet in his Sandals, and after he had cover’d his Head: with the Tail of his Gown that his Face might not be known, he fled, without knowing what wav to go to avoid the impending Danger.

The firſt Thought that came in his Head, was, to get out of the next Gate with all ſpeed. He run without ſtopping, till he came to the publick Church-yard, and ſince it was