Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/75

intire upon the Lock; and when I went in I found every thing in the ſame order in which I had left it.

In ſweeping and cleaning out my Hall where I had uſed to eat, one of my Servants found a gold Chain Necklace with Ten very large and very perfect Pearls placed upon it at certain Diſtances. He brought it to me, and I knew it to be the ſame I had ſeen upon the Lady’s Neck that was poiſoned; and concluded it had broke off and fallen when I did not perceive it, I could not look upon it without ſhedding Tears, when I call’d to mind the lovely Creature I had ſeen die in ſo fatal a manner. I wrapp’d it up, and put it in my Boſom.

I paſs’d ſome Days to work off the Fatigue of my Voyage; after which I began to viſit my former Acquaintance. I abandoned my ſelf to all manner of Pleaſure, and inſenfibly ſquandered away all my Money. Being in this Condition, inſtead of ſelling my Moveables, I reſolved to part with the Necklace: But I had fo little Skill in Pearls, that I took my Meaſures very ill, as you ſhall hear.

I went to the Bezeſtein, where I called a Crier aſide, and ſhewing him the Necklace, told him I had a mind to ſell it, and deſired him to ſhew it to the principal Jewellers. The Crier was ſurprized to ſee ſuch an Ornament. What a pretty thing it is, cried he, ſtaring upon it with Admiration; never did our Merchants ſee any thing ſo rich; I’m ſure I’ll oblige them in ſhewing it to them; and you need not doubt they’ll ſet a high Price upon it in Emulation with one another. He carried me to a Shop, which proved to be my Landlord’s: Tarry here, ſays the Crier, I’ll return preſently and bring you an Anſwer.

While he was running about to ſhew the Necklace, I ſat with the Jeweler who was glad to ſee me; and we diſcourſed of common Subjects. The Crier returned, and calling me aſide, inſtead of telling me the Necklace was valued at two Thouſand Sheriffs,he aſſured me no Body would give more than Fifty. The Reaſon is, added he, the Pearls are falſe; ſo ſee it you can part with it at that Price. I took the Fellow to be an honeſt Fellow, and wanting Money, Go, faid I, I truſt what you ſay, and they who know better than I; deliver it to them, and bring me the Money immediately.