Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/60

rour, and two other Officers, with ſeveral Eunuchs that attend them, are at the Gate, and want to ſpeak with you from the Califf. When the Prince of Perſia and En Thaher heard theſe Words, they changed Colour, and began to tremble, as if they had been undone: But Schemſelnihar, who perceived it, recovered their Courage by a Smile.

Here Schemſelnihar broke off till next Day, when ſhe reſumed the Story thus.

AFter Schemſelnihar had quieted the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher’s Fears, ſhe ordered the Slave, her Confidant to go and entertain Meſrour, and the two other Officers, till ſhe was in a Condition to receive them, and ſent her to bring them in. Immediately ſhe ordered all the Windows of the Saloon to be ſhut, and the painted Cloath on the Side of the Garden to be let down. And after having aſſured the Prince, and Ebn Thaher, that they might continue there without any Fear, She went out at the Gate, leading to the Garden, and ſhut it upon them: But whatever aſſurance ſhe had given them of their being ſafe, they were deſperately afraid all the while they were alone.

As ſoon as Schemſelnihar was in the Garden with the Women that had followed her, ſhe ordered all the Seats which ſerved the Women who played on the Inſtruments, to be ſet near the Window, where the Prince of Perſia and Ebn Thaher heard them; and having got things in order, ſhe ſat down upon a ſilver Throne: Then fhe ſent Notice by the Slave her Confidant, to bring in the chief of the Eunuchs, and his ſubaltern Officers with him.

They appeared, followed by twenty black Eunuchs all handſomely cloathed, with Scimeters by their Sides, and Gold Belts of four Inches broad. As ſoon as ever they perceived the Favourite Schemſelnihar at a Diſtance, they made her a profound Reverence, which ſhe returned them from her Throne; when they came near, ſhe got up, and went to meet Meſrour who came firſt; ſhe asked what News he brought? He anſwered, Madam, The Commander of the Faithful has ſent me to ſignify, That he cannot live longer without ſeeing you; he deſigns to come and