Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/89
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Bagdad, an experienced Phyſician, a very profound Chymiſt, an infallible Aſtrologue, a finiſhed Grammarian, a compleat Orator, a ſubtile Logician, a Mathematician perfectly well vers’d in Geometry, Arithmetick, Aſtronomy, and all the Diviſions of Algebra; an Hiſtorian fully Maſter of the Hiſtories of all the Kingdoms of the Univerſe. Beſides, I know all Parts of Philoſophy. I have all the Traditions upon my Fingers ends. I’m Poet, I’m Architect; nay, what is it I am not? There’s nothing in Nature hidden from me. Your deceaſed Father, to whoſe Memory I pay a Tribute of Tears every time I think of him, was fully convinced of my Merit: he was fond of me, and ſpoke of me in all Companies, as the greateſt Man in the World. Out of Gratitude and Friendſhip for him, I am willing to take up with you, to take you into my Protection; and guard you from all the Evils that your Stars may threaten.
When I heard all this Stuff, I could not forbear laughing notwithſtanding my Anger. You impertinent Prattler, ſaid I, will you have done, and begin to ſhave me?
Here Scheherazade ſtopp’d perceiving Day; but next Night purſued her Story of the lame young Man, in the following manner.
The Hundred and Sixty Second Night.
THE lame young Gentleman continuing his Story, Sir, replied the Barber to me, you affront me in calling me a Prattler; on the contrary, all the World gives me the honourable Title of Silent. I had Six Brothers that you might juſtly have called Prattlers; and that you may know them the better, the Name of the firſt was Bacbouc, of the ſecond Barbarah, of the third Bacbac, of the fourth Barborak, of the fifth Alnaſchar of the ſixth Schakabac. These indeed were impertinent noiſy Fellows; but for me who am a younger Brother, I am grave and conciſe in my Diſcourſes.
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