Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/83
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My Relations began to deſpair of my Life, when a certain old Lady of our Acquaintance, hearing I was ill, came to ſee me. She conſidered and examined every thing with great Attention, and dived, I do not know how, into the real Cauſe of my Illneſs. Then ſhe took my Relations aſide, and deſired they would all retire out of the Room but her ſelf.
When the Room was clear, ſhe ſat down on the ſide of my Bed. My Child, ſaid ſhe, you are very obſtinate in concealing hitherto the Cauſe of your Illneſs; but you have no occaſion to reveal it to me, I have Experience enough to penetrate into a Secret; you will not diſown jt your ſelf, when I tell you ’tis Love that makes you ſick. I can find a way to cure you, if you’ll but let me know who that happy Lady is, that could move a Heart ſo inſenfible as yours; for you have the name of a Woman-Hater, and I was not the laſt that perceived that ſuch was your Temper; but in ſhort, what I forſaw has juſt come to paſs, and I am now glad of the Opportunity to employ my Talent in bringing you out of your Pain.
Sir, ſaid Scheherazade, I perceive ’tis Day. Schahriar roſe preſently, full of Impatience to know the Sequel of a Story, which he had heard begun.
The Hundred and Fifty Ninth Night.
SIR, ſaid Scheherazade, the lame young Man purſued his Story thus. The old Lady, ſaid he, having talked to me in this Faſhion; pauſed, expecting my Anſwer; but tho’ what ſhe had ſaid had made a ſtrong Impreſſion upon me, I durſt not lay open to her the Bottom of my Heart, I only turn’d to her, and fetch’d a deep Sigh, without ſaying any thing. Is it Baſhfulneſs, ſaid ſhe, that keeps you from ſpeaking? Or is it want of Confidence in me? Do you you doubt of the Effect of my Promiſe? I could mention to you an infinite Number of young Men of your Acquaintance, that have been in the ſame Condition with you, and have received Relief from me.
ture!