Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/47

me to eat, but conſidering I could only feed my ſelf with my Left Hand, I begg’d to be excus’d upon the Plea of having no Stomach. Your Stomach will come to you, ſaid ſhe, if you would but diſcover what you ſo obſtinately hide from me. Your Inappetency without doubt, is only owing to the Ayerſion you have to a Diſcovery. Alas! Madam, ſaid I, I find I muſt diſcover at laſt. I had no ſooner ſpoke theſe Words, than ſhe filled me a Cup full of Wine; Drink ſaid ſhe, ’twill give you Aſſurance. So I reach’d out my Left Hand and took the Cup.

Here the Appearance of Day diſcontinued Scheherazade’s Story,bur the next Night ſhe purſued the ſequel thus.

WHen I had got the Cup in my Hand, ſaid the young Man, I redoubled my Tears and Sighs. Why do you figh and cry fo bitterly? ſaid the Lady, And why do you take the Cup with your Left Hand, rather than your Right? Ah! Madam, ſaid I, excuſe me, I beſeech you; I have got a Swelling in my Right Hand. Let me ſee that Swelling, ſaid ſhe, I’ll open it. I defired to be excuſed upon that Head, aledging the Tumor was not ripe enough for opening; and drank the Cupful, which was very large. In fine, the Streams of the Wine; joined to my weakneſs and wearine’s, ſet me aſleep, and I ’lept very Sound till next Morning.

In the meantime, the Lady, curious to know what Ailment I had in my Right Hand, lifted my Coat that covered it; and ’aw to her great Aſtoniſhment that it was cut off, and that I had brought it along with me wrapp’d up in a Cloath, She preſently apprehended what was my Reaſon for declining a Diſcovery, notwithſtanding all the preſſing Inſtances ſhe made; and paſſed the whole Night in the greateſt Uneafineſs upon my Diſgrace, which ſhe concluded had been occafion’d by the Love I bore to her.

When I walked,I diſcerned by her Countenance,that ſhe was extremely grieved. However, that ſhe might not increaſe my Uneaſineſs, ſhe ſaid ne’er a Word. She call’d for Jelly Broth of Fowl, which ſhe order’d to be got ready, and made me eat and drink to recruit my Strength. After that I offer’d to take leave of her, but ſhe declar’d I ſhould not go out of her Doors: Though you tell me nothing of