Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/23
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Marks of Pleaſure. And Bedreddin Haſſan, divided between two Objects ſo worthy of his Love, thought he could not give ſufficient Marks of his Affection.
While this paſt at Schemſeddin Mohammed’s, the Vizier was gone to the Palace, to give the Sultan an Account of the happy Succeſs of his Voyage; and the Sultan was ſo charmed with the Recital of the Story, that he order’d it to be taken down in Writing, and carefully preſerved among the Archieves of the Kingdom. After Schemſeddin’s Return to his Houſe, having prepared a noble Feaſt, he ſat down to Table with his Family, and all the Houſhold paſſed the Day in Solemnity and Mirth.
The Vizier Giafar having thus made an end of the Story of Bedreddin Haſſan, told the Califf Haroun Alraſchid, That this is what he had to relate to his Majeſty: The Califf found the Story ſo ſurprizing, that without farther Heſitation he granted his Slave Rihan’s Pardon: And to condole the young Man, for the Grief of having unhappily deprived him ſelf of a Woman whom he loved ſo tenderly, married him to one of his Slaves, beſtewed liberal Gifts upon him, and entertained him till he died.___But, Sir, added Scheherazade, obſerving that Day began to appear, tho’ the Story I have now told you be very agreeable, I have one ſtill that is much mote ſo. If your Majeſty pleaſes to hear it the next Night, I’m certain you will be of the ſame Mind. Schahriar role without giving any Anſwer, and was in a Quandary what to do. The good Sultaneſs (ſaid he within himſelf) tells very long Stories, and when once ſhe begins one, there’s no refuſing to hear it out. I can’t tell whether I ſhall put her to Death to Day or not. No ſure I will not; I’ll do nothing raſhly; the Story ſhe promiſes is perhaps more diverting than all ſhe has told yet; I will not deprive my ſelf of the Pleaſure of hearing it; when once ſhe has told it, then ſhe ſhall die.
The hundred and Twenty Third Night.