Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/17

carefolly kept at a Diſtance from his Mother and his Wife; and during the whole Expedition, which laſted twenty Days, was he ſerved in the ſame Manner.

When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped in the Neighbourhood of that Place; and 5chemſeddin called for Bedreddin, gave Orders in his Prefence, to a Carpenter to ſee for ſome Wood with all Expedition, and make a Stake. Heyday, fays Bedreddin, what do you mean to do with a Stake? Why, to nail you to it, replied Schemſeddin, and then to have you carried through all the Quarters of the Town, that the People may have the Spectacle of a worthleſs Paſtry-Cook, who makes Cream Tarts without Pepper. This faid, Bedreddin cried out ſo comically, that Schemſeddin had enough to do to keep his Countenance: Good God, cried he, muſt I ſuffer a Death, as cruel as ’tis ignominious, for not putticg Pepper in a Cream Tart?

At this Period, Scheherazade ſtopt at the approach of Day: And Schahriar roſe, laughing at Bedreddin’s Fright, and curious to know the Sequel of the Story, which the Sultaneſs purſued next Night before Day as follows.

SIR, the Califf Haroun Alraſchid, notwithſtanding his Gravity, could not forbear laughing when the Vizier Giafar told him, that Schemſeddin Mohammed threatned to put to Death Bedreddin, for not putting Pepper into the Cream Tart he had ſold to Schaban. How, faid Bedreddin, muſt I be rifled and have all my Goods in my Houſe broken to pieces, muſt I be impriſoned in a Cheſt, and at laſt nailed to a Stake, and all for the not putting Pepper in a Cream Tart! Good God, who ever heard of ſuch a Thing? Are theſe the Actions of Muſſelmen, of Perſons that make a Profeſſion ot Probity and Juſtice, and practiſe all manner of good Works? With theſe Words he ſhed Tears, and then renewing his Complaint, No, continued he, never was Man uſed ſo unjuſtly, nor ſo ſeverely. Is it poſſible they ſhould be capable of taking a Man’s Life for not putting Pepper in a Cream Tart. Curſed be all Cream Tarts, as well as the