Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/88

behaved himſelf to every one’s Content, yet he was dreaded by all thoſe that knew him; wherefore, as ſoon as he came out to the Rabble that follow’d Bedreddin, they diſpers’d.

The Paſtry-Cook ſeeing them all gone, ask’d him what he was, and who brought him thither? Bedreddin Haſſan told him all, not concealing his Birth, nor the Death of his Father the Grand Vizier: He afterwards gave him an Account why he left Balſora; how, after he fell aſleep the Night following upon his Father’s Tomb, he found himſelf when he awaked at Cairo, where he had married a Lady; and at laſt, in what Amazement he was in when he found himſelf at Damaſcus, without being able to penetrate into all thoſe wonderful Adventures.

“Your Hiftory is one of the moſt ſurprizing (ſaid the Paſtry-Cook) but if you will follow my Advice, you ſhall let no Man know thoſe Matters you have revealed to me, but patiently expect till Heaven think fit to put an end to your Misfortunes; you ſhall be free to ſtay with me till then; and ſince I have no Children, I will own you for my Son, if you conſent to it; and after you are ſo adopted, you may freely walk up and down the City, without being expoſed any more to the Inſults of the Rabble.”

Tho’ this Adoption was below the Son of a Grand Vizier, Bedreddin was glad to accept of the Paſtry-Cook’s Propoſals, judging it the beſt thing he could do, confidering his then Circumſtances. The Cook cloathed him, call’d for Witneſſes, and went before a Notary, where he acknowledg’d him for his Son. After this, Bedreddin ſtaid with him, by the Name of Haſſan, and learned the Paſtry Trade.

Whilſt this paſt at Damaſcus, Schemſeddin Mohammed’s Daughter awak’d, and finding Bedreddin gone out of Bed, ſuppos’d he had riſen ſoftly for fear of diſturbing her, but he would ſoon return. As ſhe was in Expectation of him, her Father the Vizier (who was mightily vex’d at the Affront put upon him by the Sultan) came and knock’d at her Chamber-Door, with a Reſolution to bewail her ſad Deſtiny. He called her by her Name, and ſhe knowing him by his Voice, immediately got up, and open’d the Door. She kiſſed his Hand, and receiv’d him with ſo much Satisfaction in her Countenance, as ſurpriz’d the Vizier, (who expected to find her drown’d in Tears, and as much griev’d