Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/61

other Diſhes. But ſuch was my Unhappineſs, that when I roſe from the Table, I only wiped my Hands inſtead of waſhing them well; a Piece of Negligence I had never been guilty of before.

Tho’ it was then Night, the whole Apartment of the Ladies was as light as Day, by means of many Illuminations Nothing was to be heard all over the Palace, but Muſical Inſtruments, and Acclamations of Joy. My Bride and I were introduced into a great Hall, where we were placed upon two Thrones. The Women that attended her, made her ſhift her ſelf ſeveral times, and painted her Face with different ſorts of Colours, according to the uſual Cuſtom on Wedding-Days; and every time ſhe changed her Habit, they expoſed her to my View.

In fine, all theſe Ceremonies being over, we were conducted to the Wedding-Room, where, as ſoon as the Company retired, I approached to embrace my Miſtreſs; but inſtead of anſwering me with Tranſports, ſhe ſhoved me off, and cried out moſt fearfully; upon which all the Ladies of the Apartment came running into the Chamber, to know what ſhe cried for. And for my own part, I was ſo Thunder-ſtruck, that I ſtood like a Poſt, without the Power ſo much as asking what ſhe meant by it. Dear Siſter, ſaid they to her, what is the matter? Let us know it that we may try to relieve you. Take, ſaid ſhe, take out of my fight that vile Fellow. Why, Madam, ſaid I, wherein have I deſerved your Diſpleaſure? You’re a Villain, ſaid ſhe with furious Paſſion, what to eat Garlick, and not waſh your Hands! D’ye think I’d ſuffer ſuch a filthy Fellow to touch me? Down with him, down with him upon the Ground continued ſhe, addreſſing her ſelf to the Ladies and pray let me have a good Bull’s Pizzle. In ſhort, I was thrown upon the Ground, and while ſome held my Hands, and others my Feet, my Wife, who was preſently furniſh’d with a weapon, laid me on moſt unmercifully till I could ſcarce breathe. Then ſhe ſaid to the Ladies, take him, ſend him to the juſtitiary Judge, and let the Hand be cut off with which he fed upon the Garlick Ragoo.