Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/40

replies the Barmecide, do as I do. I’ll drink then out of Complaiſance, ſays Schacabac; for I ſee you will have nothing wanting to make your Treat noble; but ſince I am not accuſtom’d to drink Wine, I am afraid that I ſhall commit ſome Error in Point of Breeding, and contrary to the Reſpect that is due to you, and therefore, I pray you, once more, to excuſe me from drinking any Wine, I will be content with Water. No, no, ſays the Barmecide, you ſhall drink Wine, and at the ſame time he commanded ſome to be brought, in the ſame manner as the Meat and Fruit had been brought before. He made as if he poured out Wine, and drank firſt himſelf, and then pouring out for my Brother, preſented him the Glaſs; Drink my Health, ſays he, and let’s know if you think this Wine . My Brother made as it he took the Glaſs, and to look if the Colour was good and put it to his Noſe to try if it had a good Flavour: Then he made a low Bow to the Barmecide, to ſignify that he took the Liberty to drink his Health, and making all the Signs of a Man that drinks with Pleaſure My Lord, ſays he, this is very excellent Wine, but I think it is not ſtrong enough. If you would have ſtronger, ſaid the Barmecide, you need only ſpeak; for I have ſeveral Sorts in my Cellar. Try how you like this. Upon which, he made as if he pour’d out another Glaſs to himſelf, and then to my Brother; and did this ſo often, that Schacabac feign’d to be drunk with the Wine, took up his Hand and gave the Barmecide ſuch a Box on the Ear, as made him fall down; he lift up his Hand to give him another Blow, but the Barmecide holding up his Hand to ward it off, cries to him, What, are you mad? Then my Brother making as if he had come to himſelf again, ſays, My Lord, you have been ſo good as to admit your Slave into your Houſe, and give him a great Treat, you ſhould have been ſatisfy’d with making me eat, and not have obliged me to drink Wine; for I told you before-hand, that it might occaſion me to come ſhort in my Reſpects: I am very much troubled at it, and beg you a thouſand Pardons.

Scarce had he finiſh’d theſe Words, when the Barmecide, inſtead of being in a Rage, fella laughing with all his Might. It is a long Time, ſays he, that I wanted a Man of your Character.

Here Scheherazade broke off, and continu’d her Story next Night as follows.