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 THE 
 
 STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 THE AUTHOR OF " DARNLEY," &c. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON. 
 RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 
 
 (LATB COLBURN' and BEKTLEy.) 
 
 1832.
 
 
 LONDON : 
 BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, 
 BOUVERIE STREET.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 CNi 
 
 The pages whicli follow were written many 
 years ago, before seventeen summers had 
 passed over their writer's head ; and, doubtless, 
 like all the rest of his works, may have a thou- 
 sand faults and imperfections. 
 
 He feels sure, however, that the Tales them- 
 selves can do no harm ; and he hopes that, while 
 the scenes of wild adventure therein displayed 
 may amuse a tedious hour, or while away a day 
 b
 
 IV ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 of pain, tlie moral lessons that are mingled 
 with them may not be altogether lost. 
 
 For the faults of style he can but apologise. 
 On reading the work over after a long lapse of 
 time, he fancied, perhaps vainly, that there was 
 something in the very simplicity of the style 
 which accorded with the subject; and conse- 
 quently he left the book as it was, with all its 
 sins upon its head. Whether he judged rightly 
 or wrongly remains, of course, to be deter- 
 mined; but he is always ready to bow, without 
 a murmur, to the decision of the public, which 
 in his case has so often proved itself a lenient 
 judge, that he cannot doubt that its award will 
 be more merciful thanj^the work deserves.
 
 THE STRING OF PEARLS.
 
 Cftc ^tnns of ISearl^. 
 
 THE STORY OF 
 
 HADGEE* IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 
 
 In a certain town of Arabia Felix, not very 
 far removed from the gulf of Persia, resided an 
 old man named Hadgee Ibraham, who was in 
 very great repute for his sanctity, having made 
 two pilgrimagesf to Mecca, and performed 
 
 * A name applied to those who have made a pilgrim- 
 age ; that is to say, Pilgrim Ibraham. 
 
 t Every good Mussulmaun is obliged, by his religion, to 
 mal:e one pilgrimage to Mecca. This, however, may be 
 done by means of a substitute, and he who has made two is 
 looked upon with great reverence. 
 
 B 2
 
 4 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 several other signal acts of devotion, wliich caused 
 all the people of the city greatly to respect him, 
 and to look upon him as a perfect saint. He was 
 also very scrupulous in his conduct upon all 
 occasions, drinking no wine, and observing all 
 the rites of the Mussulman religion with singular 
 exactness; being also very charitable and hu- 
 mane, and doing all the good that he could to 
 those who needed his assistance. 
 
 Hadgee Ibraham, when a very young man, 
 had lost his wife, for whom he had entertained 
 a strong affection ; and, being much afflicted, he 
 resolved never to take another; at the same time 
 that, instead of seeking consolation in extra- 
 vagance and debauchery, he dedicated all his 
 thoughts to religion and the bringing up of his 
 son, whom he took care to educate with great 
 care and strictness. But, nevertheless, the 
 young, man, instead of taking after his father's
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 5 
 
 thoughtful and religious turn, got very wild as 
 he grew up, and would submit to no restraint ; 
 but rather chose to follow his own bad incli- 
 nations, departing from all Hadgee Ibraham's 
 habits and rules, except indeed that of giving 
 alms, which he willingly did, being naturally of 
 a very charitable and humane disposition ; but he 
 would also put in practice all manner of extrava- 
 gance and dissipation, frequenting taverns* and 
 coffee-houses, and getting himself into constant 
 quarrels and intrigues, from which his father had 
 often much ado to extricate him honourably. 
 
 * No conduct is esteemed more infamous. Being seen 
 drunk is the greatest disgrace that can befall any man in 
 a Mahommedan town, and he who frequents debauched 
 and dissolute society is univei-sally shunned. It is a pity 
 that Europeans, while reprobating some oriental vices and 
 follies, have not imitated in these particulars the morality of 
 the Mussulmauns.
 
 6 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 At first, after having fallen into any such 
 misfortune, he would be very penitent and sor- 
 rowful, and at the same time grateful for what 
 kindness the Hadgee might shew him ; but after 
 a while, he got so used to his dissolute way of 
 living, and the bad consequences that are wont 
 to attend upon such conduct, that he began 
 to look upon it all as a matter of course, and 
 immediately go seeking some new adventure, 
 which behaviour gave his father a great deal of 
 uneasiness, as he was now of a mind to think 
 that it arose from a bad disposition, and not 
 from the natural gaiety and unthinkingness of 
 youth, which he had wished at first to believe. 
 Under this persuasion he resolved to make a 
 last effort to reclaim him; and, accordingly, 
 after one of his wild sallies, which was worse 
 than any of those he had formerly fallen into,
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HI SSON. 7 
 
 and also more dangerous, Had^ee Ibraliam took 
 him into his oratory, and addressed him thus : — 
 " My son," says he, " you know very well 
 what grief and anxiety your bad conduct has 
 given me ; and as, notwithstanding all my re- 
 monstrances, which have not been a few, you 
 continue as bad as ever, or rather grow more 
 vicious every day, I am at length resolved, 
 that if I cannot prevent your destruction, at 
 least I will not be a witness to it. Now, there 
 are some fathers* who would give you a sum of 
 money and bid you begone, at the same time 
 cautioning the police to convey you to some 
 
 * One of the principal points of the Mahommedan reli- 
 gion and law, is the perfect submission of children to their 
 parents ; and in the consideration of filial obligation, the 
 eastern law-givers seem greatly to have forgotten the cor- 
 responding duties on the part of the fathers.
 
 8 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Other town, as a bad and disorderly person ; but, 
 on the contrary, I will sooner expose myself to 
 the discomforts of a wandering life than you; 
 and therefore I will share every thing I have 
 with you, and, leaving you my house, I will 
 again depart for Mecca. But once more, be- 
 fore I do so, let me beg of you as a friend, — 
 let me command you as a father, — to abstain 
 from your present wicked way. 
 
 Tliis conversation, which the Hadgee held in 
 a very serious tone, greatly discomposed his son, 
 who went to bed very sorrowful, and could not 
 sleep all night for thinking of what his father 
 had said ; and no sooner did the day break, than, 
 seeking the old man, who always rose at that 
 hour to say his prayers,* he fell on his knees 
 
 * It is required by the Koran, that every Mussulmaun
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. V 
 
 before him, beseeching that he would delay his 
 journey, and witness his reformation. But Had- 
 gee Ibraham, doubting the sincerity of his re- 
 pentance, kept very steadily to his purpose, and 
 accordingly, parting all his substance with his 
 son, he joined himself to a caravan of pilgrims, 
 and departed for Mecca, notwithstanding all the 
 young man's tears and entreaties, both of which 
 he did not fail to use, in order to prevent his 
 father's departure. 
 
 As soon as Hadgee Ibraham was gone, his 
 son sat down seriously to think over what his 
 father had advanced, and perceiving the truth of 
 all he had said, as well as his great generosity 
 towards him; and also being of good natural 
 
 should pray five times in the course of the day; namely, 
 at day-break, at noon, at three in the alteraoon, at sun-set, 
 and midnight.
 
 10 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 disposition, he resolved to do his best towards a 
 reformation ; but how to set about it he did not 
 know: for when people are very much accus- 
 tomed to do wron^, they find it a very difficult 
 thing to get back to a proper course of life; 
 and so, sitting* himself down at the door of his 
 house, he bethought him of what he ought to do. 
 While he remained in this perplexity, with his 
 sorrow very plainly shown by his countenance, 
 he perceived a lady coming towards him, whom — 
 from her air, which was very noble, more than 
 from her dress, though that was as splendid as 
 
 * At the door of most oriental houses is a bench or sofa, 
 where in the evening the owner generally places himself to 
 smoke, or drink his coffee. In many places these are 
 fitted with cushions, and other things, to make them con- 
 venient, and are frequently shaded by chinars, (the oriental 
 palms,) which afford a cool and agreeable shadow after the 
 heat of the day.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 11 
 
 any one could wear in the streets — he concluded 
 to be a person of some consequence. 
 
 The lady was veiled * very closely, so that he 
 could not see the least of her features, which, 
 however, he judged, from her figure and air, 
 could not be disagreeable, and she was also 
 attended by an eunuch, who carried a baton in 
 his hand. As the young lady came up she 
 turned her head to where he sat, and seemed to 
 regard him attentively. At length addressing 
 him in a soft and compassionate tone, " Young 
 gentleman," says she, " what is it that makes 
 you look so sad?" 
 
 * The veils used by women in eastern countries, ordi- 
 narily consist of two pieces, one of which, descending from 
 the eyes, covers all the lower part of the face, and the 
 other, falling down over the forehead, conceals almost all 
 the rest of the countenance.
 
 12 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 " Agreeable lady," replied tlie son of Hadgee 
 Ibraham, "your condescension in asking the 
 question, shows equally the goodness of your 
 heart, and the soundness of your judgment, for 
 which I cannot think to oifer you so bad a recom- 
 pense as to make you stand in the street ; but if 
 you will walk in and repose yourself, I will give 
 you an exact account of all my unhappiness, and 
 whence it proceeds." 
 
 " I cannot do that now," replied the lady, " for 
 I am going to say my prayers ; but I shall be 
 back again in an hour, and then I will accept 
 of your civility, with a great deal of pleasure." 
 Having said this, she did not wait for an answer, 
 but walked away followed by the euntlch, while 
 the young gentleman went in, to order a col- 
 lation to be prepared against her return ; and 
 putting on another robe, that he might look as
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 13 
 
 well as possible in the eyes of the lady, (though 
 he was naturally very handsome, ) he again sta- 
 tioned himself at the gate, and waited impa- 
 tiently for her arrival. 
 
 It was not long, however, before he saw her 
 coming, attended by the eunuch as before ; and 
 getting up, he went to meet her, and conducted 
 her into his house, which was very richly fur- 
 nished, and one of the best in that quarter. 
 When they had got into the court,* the lady, 
 turning to the slave, desired him to wait there 
 till her return; but the slaves of the young 
 gentleman, who had their instructions, would 
 not suffer any such thing, but brought him into 
 
 * Almost all houses of any consideration amongst the 
 Mahommedans, are built round a court-yard, into which 
 the doors of the different apartments open, generally with- 
 out any intermediate passage or entrance hall.
 
 14 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 an anti-chamber, where they treated him very 
 handsomely. 
 
 In the mean time, Hamet, for so was called 
 the son of Hadgee Ibraham, led the lady into a 
 fine hall, where he seated her upon a sofa, and 
 placed himself at some distance, to shew his 
 respect. But this the lady would by no means 
 allow, desiring him to come nearer ; and, as en- 
 couragement, laid aside her veil, which shewed 
 him a countenance more beautiful than can be 
 described. She seemed to be about sixteen years 
 of age, had large dark eyes, like those of an 
 antelope, a clear forehead, and a nose justly 
 formed, to which she added a small coral mouth, 
 and teeth of a dazzling whiteness. 
 
 Although the lady was very condescending 
 and familiar, Hamet could easily perceive that 
 she was any thing rather than one of those
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 15 
 
 abandoned women which are to be found in all 
 great cities, and with whom alone he had hitherto 
 conversed ; and though he was not naturally of a 
 timid disposition, he felt some confusion in her 
 presence, which was greatly increased by the 
 passion of love, that he began to feel towards 
 the fair stranger. 
 
 To relieve himself from these sensations, he 
 ordered a collation to be served, of which he and 
 the young lady partook. The first course, which 
 consisted entirely of mutton,* was dressed after 
 a great many ways, such as roasted, stewed, and 
 fricasseed, and his cook took care that there 
 should be plenty of spices in all the dishes, 
 to give them an agreeable flavour. The next 
 
 * INIulton is held in mucli greater estimation than beef 
 which, indeed, is very little used in the east.
 
 16 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 course was altogether of different kinds of fowls, 
 sucli as peacocks, capons, pigeons, and geese, 
 and a disli of rice boiled with saffron. This was 
 followed by the finest kinds of fruits and pre- 
 serves ; after which wine * was brought in, and 
 the lady, as soon as she had washed her hands, 
 reminded Hamet of his promise, to tell her what 
 had made him look so melancholy, which he 
 accordingly did in these words. 
 
 " You must know. Madam," said he, "that fate, 
 
 * The use of such liquors, though prohibited by 
 Mahoramed, is almost as common in those countries 
 tliat acknowledge his mission, as in other parts where 
 no such restriction is enforced by religion. Indeed as 
 the Mussulmaun faith is almost entirely calculated to pro- 
 mote sensual enjoyment, it was not to be expected, 
 that its disciples should controul, in one instance, those 
 passions which they are permitted to gratify unboundedly 
 in another.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 17 
 
 by which every thing is governed upon earth, 
 has thrown me amongst very bad companions, 
 who have led me from one evil to another, and 
 from smaller vices to greater ones, until such 
 time as my father (whom God preserve !) quite 
 disgusted with my conduct, has divided his 
 fortune with me — being infinitely more than I 
 deserve — and is gone upon a journey to Mecca, 
 which, by reason of his age and infirmities, and 
 the great hardships of such a pilgrimage, may 
 prove fatal to him. Now, though I have been 
 going wrong all my life, yet I do not think that 
 my inclinations are naturally bad , and when my 
 father left me, as I have told you, for this 
 journey, I sat down at my door, resolving to 
 give up all my bad ways and acquaintances; 
 but not content with that, I wished to give my 
 father some proof of my afiection and tenderness
 
 18 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 for him, as well as the sincerity of my reforma- 
 tion ; but could devise no way of doing so, and 
 this threw me into the melancholy in which 
 you found me. 
 
 " It is true. Sir," replied the young lady, with 
 an obliging smile, " that all the town has heard of 
 your adventures; but, at the same time, I am 
 willing to conceive that your repentance is quite 
 sincere, and no way feigned, for people are al- 
 ways very glad to believe what they should wish 
 to be true ; and as a greater proof that I do not at 
 all suspect you of being insincere, I think I can 
 offer you the means of gratifying your desire, as 
 I have a friend who is very deeply skilled in the 
 art of magic, and who will, I know, do any thing 
 she can to show her kindness towards me» Do 
 but wait a moment, and I will go and consult 
 her, as she lives hard by."
 
 HADGEE IBRAHA:VI AND HIS SON. 19 
 
 Having said these words, she got up off the 
 sofa, and went out, leaving Ebunet very de- 
 sirous of hearing the event of her inquiry. 
 He had sat there a long time, and began to 
 get very impatient, when the fair stranger re- 
 turned, having in her hand a little vial, which 
 she laid down, and resuming her seat, " Sir," 
 says she, " my friend is very weU inclined to 
 lend you her aid towards showing your kind- 
 ness and repentance to your father, Hadgee 
 Ibraham; but, at the same time, she says it 
 must not be by words alone, but, on the con- 
 trary, by severe mortification and inconveniences 
 that you can best testify your sincerity. In the 
 first place, therefore, she would have yon follow 
 your father to Mecca, that you may be always 
 at hand to assist him in danger or sickness, which 
 things are very likely to happen to him, as he is 
 c2
 
 20 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 an old man, and has riches about him to tempt 
 robbers and plunderers. 
 
 At these words, the countenance of Hamet 
 became very much troubled. " Oh, beautiful 
 lady !" replied he, " a few hours ago I should 
 not have found any hardship in complying 
 directly with what you request, for the changes 
 and curiosities of foreign countries are always 
 very pleasant and agreeable to a young man, 
 but then I had not seen the eyes which chain 
 me to this spot. Since I have beheld your 
 charms, all my ideas have changed, and my heart 
 is inflamed with love ; so that where you are 
 will appear to me a more beautiful spot than the 
 Garden of Aden,* and when distant from the 
 
 * The Garden of Eden, the abode of Adam and Eve 
 before the fall, according to the Mahommedan superstition
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 21 
 
 light of your eyes, I shall feel more desolate 
 than a Peri* exiled from heaven." 
 
 As he said this, the young lady blushed very 
 much, and looked down; but presently, when 
 she perceived that he had made an end of speak- 
 ing, she answered, in a soft tone, — " I should 
 seem to wish your stay by confessing that I love 
 you, if I did not, at the same time, tell you, that 
 I shall consider your obeying the instructions of 
 my friend as a proof of your affection for me, 
 and the only condition under which I will pro- 
 mise to be yours, which I certainly will be, if 
 you are sincere and punctual." 
 
 not entirely lost to man, but sometimes seen for a moment 
 by travellers, Sec. 
 
 * Peri, a fairy, a female genii, a sort of angel, exiled 
 from heaven on account of their too great love for the 
 human race.
 
 22 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 " Most charming of women," replied Hamet, 
 " speak but the word, and I will obey ; for it 
 was only my love for you caused me any hesita- 
 tion : but inform me, at the same time, how I 
 shall find you when I return." 
 
 " Oh, never fear that," replied the young 
 lady; " my friend is an astrologer as well as a 
 magician, and I shall often consult her skill to 
 know your fate ; so as soon as I find that you 
 have returned, by the tidings I shall receive 
 from her, I will come and pay you a visit, and 
 let you know who I am : and now, as I see you 
 are determined to go, I will inform you, that, in 
 order to have all the power you could desire of 
 assisting Hadgee Ibraham, you will be able during 
 your absence to change yourself into whatever 
 animal you like ; to effect which, you have nothing 
 to do but before you say your prayers to-night,
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 23 
 
 to wash your hands with the water contained in 
 this bottle, and form a -wish to become a certain 
 animal, which you must keep in mind till you 
 fall asleep. To-morrow morning you will find 
 yourelf in that very shape, along \nth the cara- 
 van which accompanies your father; and ever 
 after, as you will retain your senses, you have 
 but to wish, to become whatever creature you 
 will, when the change will directly take place. 
 And now," continued she, " as we have but a 
 little while to stay together, let us give way 
 to mirth and gladness, and spend the moments 
 pleasantly;" and accordingly she began a song 
 in praise of pleasure, saying, that it was but 
 madness to think over what we could not avoid,* 
 
 * Every Mussulmaun is a predestinarian, from the x\i*ab 
 who wandei-s in the desert to the Sultan on his throne ; and 
 when either misfortune, sorrow, or disgrace, fall upon him,
 
 24 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 or make ourselves unhappy about that which 
 must come whether we would or not. To this 
 Hamet replied after the same fashion, and both 
 singing finely, and having a great deal of wit, 
 they passed the time with much joy, till at last, 
 having sat together till it was near dark, the 
 lady got up, and calling the eunuch, went away, 
 notwithstanding the entreaties of the young 
 gentleman, who would fain have had her stay 
 longer. As soon as she was gone, Hamet 
 began to think over what she had said, and 
 accordingly set about settling his affairs, that 
 he might not be a beggar at his return; and 
 locking up the best part of his gold, he called 
 a faithful slave of his father's, and telling him 
 
 he very quietly lays it all upon fate, but at the same time 
 takes care that all his crimes or follies shall go to the 
 same account.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 25 
 
 that he was going a pilgrimage a long way, 
 he gave him command of the house till his re- 
 turn, leaving the other part of his money to 
 give alms,* and be pat out to interest. 
 
 By the time all this was done, it was full 
 time to go to bed ; so Hamet, very eager to try 
 the new power he had got, took up the bottle of 
 liquid, and retired to his own apartment. Having 
 sent away the slave who came to undress him, 
 he washed his hands, as the young lady had 
 directed him, said his prayers, and laid down 
 to rest, wishing, at the same time, to become 
 the camel which was carrying his father to 
 Mecca. 
 
 * Charity is one of the strictest injunctions of Ma- 
 hommed, and there are few of his disciples who do not 
 practise it so far as giving part of their substance to the 
 poor : some of them in a much more extended sense.
 
 26 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 It was not long before he fell asleep, and 
 what was his astonishment when he opened his 
 eyes next morning, to find that he was changed 
 to a camel, with a clog upon his foot, amongst 
 a great number like himself. At first he had 
 forgotten all about the night before, and began 
 to look around him very strangely; but pre- 
 sently after it came into his head, how the 
 young lady had come and given him the bottle 
 of liquid, and he was very well contented to 
 find the exactness of what she had told him. 
 
 While he was thinking thus, the drivers came 
 to load the camels, and presently after Hadgee 
 Ibraham, who was very kind and compassionate 
 to all sorts of beasts, came up to where he stood, 
 and began patting his head after a kindly man- 
 ner, which Hamet received with all signs of 
 pleasure and gratitude, so that the old man was
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 27 
 
 very much delighted at his sensibility, and 
 called him the prince of all camels. 
 
 When all the drivers had come together, and 
 began loading their beasts, they were very 
 much surprised to find one more than the count, 
 and every one declaring that the others had 
 made a mistake, they reckoned them over five 
 or six times, but of course found it always the 
 same, and so began quarrelling about it, and 
 had well nigh come to blows. 
 
 " However that may be," said Hadgee Ibra- 
 ham, hearing this dispute, " this one," touching 
 Hamet, "is my camel, so put on the mohafiah,* 
 
 * " This is formed of two boxes, about four feet in 
 length, and eighteen or twenty inches in breadth. One 
 of these is slung on each side of the camel, and by means 
 of uprights or posts, fixed at the outside comers, a canvass 
 covering is thrown over them, which shades the travel- 
 ler from the heat of the sun." This is extracted from
 
 28 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 and let us proceed diligently, or daylight will 
 overtake us before we are on our journey." 
 
 For several days tliey continued quietly on 
 their way, and Hamet found the life of a camel, 
 though somewhat new, very comfortable, for the 
 drivers always take great care of their beasts 
 for their own sakes: but when they came to 
 cross the desert, he found it more tiresome, nor, 
 indeed, could he have borne up, had it not been 
 that he consoled himself, knowing that he car- 
 ried his father. However, though crossing the 
 sand was very painful, this was not the greatest 
 hardship they had to go through, for one of the 
 wells they found dry ; and not having reckoned 
 on such a disaster, it was not long before they 
 began to want water, which bore very hard on 
 
 Griffiths's Travels, being the only account of this machine 
 which the Editor could meet with.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 29 
 
 Hadgee Ibraliam, who was an old man ; and one 
 day, being very faint, he quite gave himself up 
 to despair.* But at that minute Hamet, by the 
 particular sense which camels have, being sure 
 that they were not far from a well, set off at a full 
 gallop, and reaching it before any of the others, he 
 kneeled down, and let his father get off to drink, 
 lest the rest should come up and muddy the 
 
 * The dreadful and overpowering effects of tliirst are 
 beyond all conception, and produce such complete despair, 
 that life seemsunworthy of preservation, and death appears 
 only a welcome relief. During the war in Egj'pt, our 
 Indian army, which marched from the coast of the Red Sea 
 to the Nile, suffered the greatest hardships in their route, 
 although every thing within the reach of possibility was 
 procured for their comfort ; the officers, in many instances, 
 being obliged to linger behind in order to drive out the 
 stragglers, who had crept into any hole for the express 
 purpose of dying there, rather than attempt to prolong 
 so miserable an existence.
 
 30 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 water with their feet and noses;* and then 
 when Hadgee Ibraham had drank and filled his 
 bottle, he went in and drank himself, being very 
 thirsty. 
 
 When the caravan had all refreshed them- 
 selves, and filled their water skins, they pro- 
 ceeded with more ease on their journey, and 
 soon came into a country that was not so barren ; 
 but as they were one day travelling on very 
 pleasantly, a party of Bedouinf robbers attacked 
 
 * This is most frequently the case, and renders the water 
 of these wells, which is in general excessively bad, doubly 
 detestable. But whatever it may seem to a pampered 
 European, no words are adequate to describe the delight 
 experienced by one of the caravans of the desert, of 
 finding a supply of water after their long and painful 
 journey. 
 
 t These tribes of hereditary robbers, who acknowledge 
 no law but their own, pretty well know the track of the 
 rich caravans ; and no sooner do a party of merchants or
 
 HA OGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 31 
 
 the caravan, and began putting ail to the sword. 
 Upon this, Hamet instantly formed the wish in 
 his own mind, to be changed into the swiftest of 
 horses, and no sooner had he done so, than the 
 transformation took place; and exerting all his 
 speed, he soon carried Hadgee Ibraham out of 
 reach of the robbers, nor ever stopped till he 
 came to the city of Mecca, which was distant 
 a long way. When they had arrived at the birth- 
 place of the Prophet*, the old man could nor 
 enough admire at the extraordinary change 
 which had happened, and began to look upon 
 the beast with great reverence and respect, as- 
 
 pilgrims emerge from the desert, than they are in general 
 reconnoitred by a body of Arabs, who attack them or not, 
 according to their strength. 
 
 * Mecca, where Mahommed was bom in the year 569 
 of the Christian era, during the time of the Emperor Jus- 
 tinian II.
 
 32 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 signing him a stable for his particular use, and 
 feeding him very daintily. But what very much 
 vexed Hadgee Ibraham was, to consider how he 
 might carry a horse with him across the desert, 
 when he should propose to leave Mecca; but 
 after the manner of most men, who love to pro- 
 crastinate and put off the consideration of an 
 evil thing, he deferred thinking of it till the 
 time should come, and, in the mean while, he 
 went to perform his religious* duties, as a good 
 Mussulmaun, that he might not lose the benefit 
 of his pilgrimage. After having gone through 
 
 * One of the principal ceremonies performed by the 
 pilgrims, is visiting the Kaaba, or holy house at Mecca, 
 which is, in fact, the shrine, or most holy part, of the Tem- 
 ple. It is a square stone building, twenty-four cubits in 
 length, from east to west, by twenty-three in breadth. — 
 The door is on the east side, and stands about four cubits 
 from the ground, the floor being level with the threshold.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 33 
 
 all the ceremonies prescribed, he visited every 
 thing- worth notice that he had not seen before, 
 and entered into friendship with a great many 
 holy Santons and grave doctors, whose conver- 
 sation was so agreeable to him, that he spent 
 above four moons at Mecca, without taking any 
 coimt of how the time went. 
 
 While he was thus occupied, Hamet grew 
 very impatient, and though, being well fed and 
 lodged, he found the life of a horse very tolerable, 
 yet he would fain have taken a view of the city, 
 
 The Kaaba has a double roof, supported entirely by three 
 octangular pillars of aloe wood, between which, on a bar 
 of iron, hangs a row of silver lamps. The outside is covered 
 with rich black damask, adorned with an embroidered band 
 of gold. — Sale on the Koran. 
 
 Ali Eey gives a verj- long and amusing description of the 
 ceremonies performed, but these are far too extensive for 
 insertion here. 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 34 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 and all the fine and wonderful things contained 
 in it ; but, as his stable door was always shut, he 
 never had an opportunity of doing so, except 
 when Hadgee Ibraham rode out, as he some- 
 times did; but as the fourth month began to 
 wear away, and he could plainly perceive that 
 his father had no intention of returning, his 
 patience got quite to an end, and he began to 
 think of resuming his natural figure. However, 
 he put it off from day to day, till such time as 
 Hadgee Ibraham, who had heard talk of Medina*, 
 
 * Medina, Tamachi, or the city of the Prophet, is famous 
 for many things, but principally on account of its being the 
 refuge to which Mahommed fled on his expulsion from 
 Mecca; from the day of which flight all Mussulmauns 
 compute their time. Here he also resided, and Medina 
 became the capital of his empire, and the place of his 
 burial, from whence it has derived a sanctity little inferior 
 to Mecca.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 35 
 
 where the Prophet is buried, resolved to finish 
 his pilgrimage by a journey to that place, which 
 is not very far distant from Mecca. In this 
 disposition he was confirmed, by finding a ca- 
 ravan ready to set out; and, joining company 
 with them, he left Mecca, taking care that 
 his favourite horse should be saddled for his 
 use. In their way to Medina they passed by 
 many curious things, all of which Hadgee Ibra- 
 ham remarked with a deal of surprise. Amongst 
 other things was a house, called the Devil's* 
 House, from its being accounted to be a resort 
 of Eblis, the prince of bad spirits ; and each of 
 the pilgrims having cast a stone at it, as a mark 
 of their detestation, they went on their way, and 
 arrived prosperously at the famous city, which 
 was the end of their journey. And here, were 
 
 * See All Bey. 
 D 3
 
 36 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 SO many rareties to be seen in the town, as well 
 as in the neighbourhood, that Hadgee Ibraham 
 took a long time to view them all, and his son, 
 by this time being heartily tired of his situation 
 as a horse, determined to take his own shape, 
 and show himself to his father ; and accordingly 
 he formed the wish to resume his natural form, 
 after the same way by which he had effected his 
 other transformation, and expected it to succeed 
 as well; but what was his astonishment to find he 
 still remained a horse ! and his fear and surprise 
 were so great, that he had well nigh lost his 
 senses, and become a brute entirely. When he 
 had somewhat recovered himself, he could not 
 forbear from internally cursing his hard fate, and 
 accusing himself, the lady, and all the world, 
 for what had happened. At length, bethinking 
 himself whether his power of transformation was
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 37 
 
 left at all, lie began to try, and found that though 
 he could not recover the form of a man, he could 
 take that of any other animal, and which, for 
 some time, he took a pleasure in practising; 
 first changing himself into a cat, then into a 
 deer, and a variety of other shapes ; but all this 
 could not at all console him for the loss of a 
 human shape, so that he grieved very much, and 
 by his sorrow grew so thin and ill, that Hadgee 
 Ibraham, who, as I said before, was very com- 
 passionate, could not forbear being very much 
 concerned to observe that his horse looked so 
 badly. But about this time a thing occurred 
 which altered all their affairs, and determined 
 the old gentleman to return to his own country 
 without further delay. 
 
 One night, having said his prayers and gone 
 to bed, he fell a dreaming, and after a great many 
 rambling fancies which he did not remember, he
 
 38 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 thought that his wife, whom he had tenderly loved 
 during her lifetime, came and stood by his bed- 
 side, and looked wistfully at him for a minute, 
 while he was so frightened to see one who had 
 been long dead, that he did not speak. At 
 length she said to him, "Ibraham, get thee back 
 to thine own country, for know our son is dead," 
 and no sooner had she spoken these words than 
 she vanished, and the Hadgee awoke with a great 
 start. At first he could not help thinking that 
 \vhat he had seen was true, and was in great 
 affliction ; because, for all Hamet's bad conduct, 
 the old man had still a great regard for him ; 
 however, after a little, he said a prayer, and 
 repeated a verse of the Koran*, and finding him- 
 self easier, he laid down again to sleep ; but no 
 
 * Considered as efficacious in driving away Maliommedan 
 bad spirits, as making the sign of the cross is against witches, 
 fairies, or any other of our own aerial beings.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 39 
 
 sooner had he closed his eyes, than the same 
 vision appeared to him again, and repeated the 
 same words, which very much surprised the old 
 man, who got up, and reaching his lamp, he 
 lighted it, and then, searching about for his 
 Koran, he read the chapter concerning spirits, 
 after which he went to bed again; but this time, 
 as well as before, he had the same dream, only 
 his wife looked very serious and sorrowful, and 
 he did not wake, but after it had passed slept 
 very soundly till the first call to prayers, when 
 he got up, with his mind full of the vision, and 
 went to the principal mosque. 
 
 Now it so happened, that, on that very same 
 night, Hamet, who had been left in the stable 
 by the Hadgee, had changed himself into a cat 
 for the convenience of lying on the straw, and, 
 being sound asleep, he dreamt* that the same 
 
 * Mahommedans are great dreamers, and there are
 
 40 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 young lady he had seen before he set out for 
 Mecca, came and stood beside him, saying, 
 " Hamet, as you changed yourself into a beast 
 for the service of your father, you can change 
 yourself back again to a man for the same pur- 
 pose." Having said this she left him, very 
 much pleased at the news. 
 
 As soon as the prayers were over at the 
 mosque, Hadgeelbrahamwentup to the Imaun, 
 and after paying him a compliment, told him 
 his dream, and asked his opinion ; upon which 
 
 very few European superstitions that may not be found, 
 modified to their own faith, amongst the lower classes of 
 the Mussulmaun countries. It is a very gross prejudice, 
 however, to imagine, that all are alike barbarians and 
 ignorant in eastern countries ; and, though certainly a 
 good deal behind us in cultivation, there are many in their 
 higher ranks who, in point of talent and information, are 
 at least equal to the same class in Europe. 
 See a dream of Nadir Shah, in the history of his life.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 41 
 
 he advised him by all means to return to his 
 own country. 
 
 "But you must understand," said Hadgee 
 Ibraham, as soon as the Imaun had done speak- 
 ing, " that there is one thing which very much 
 puzzles me, and that is, how to carry my horse 
 across the desert, for you shall hear what reasons 
 I have to forbear leaving him behind ;" and he 
 thereupon told him, how the camel had suddenly 
 become changed into a horse, and had saved 
 him from the fury of the Bedouins. Now there 
 was a certain doctor * there, who stood by the 
 Imaun, and he very much commended Hadgee 
 
 * After the conclusion of the prayers, which are led by 
 the Imaun, the generality of the people leave the mosque ; 
 but it very often happens, that two or three, who fancy 
 themselves privileged persons, either from their learning or 
 their sanctity, remain behind with the priest, and as 
 arrant a gossip commences as was ever kept up between 
 wo or three old bachelors in a country village.
 
 42 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Ibraliam's consideration ; and, " indeed," added 
 lie, '' if the liorse were mine, I would carry him 
 home with me at all risks, for you know what 
 happened to the charitable man and his dog?" 
 
 " No indeed, doctor," replied Hadgee Ibraham, 
 " but if it is curious and interesting, as I doubt 
 not it is, and bears upon the question, you 
 will oblige me vastly by letting me hear it, 
 that I may not have to confess my ignorance 
 in future." 
 
 " With all my heart," answered the doctor, 
 and so sitting down on the carpet with Hadgee 
 Ibraham and the Imaun, he began his discourse 
 thus : —
 
 43 
 
 THE STORY OF THE 
 
 CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 
 
 There are few cities in the world that can 
 equal Grand Cairo, either in respect to situa- 
 tion, commerce, or magnificence ; but that which 
 appears most extraordinary to the travellers who 
 resort thither from all parts of the world, is, that 
 it has a great many customs which are entirely 
 singular, and peculiar to itself. Every one 
 knows, that, in our religion, dogs are generally 
 held to be unclean, and in Grand Cairo, this 
 persuasion is so very strong, that few or none 
 will suffer one of these animals to touch them.
 
 44 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 or come near, even so much as to brush against 
 their clothes. At the same time it is remarkable, 
 that no city has more dogs, which live about any- 
 way they can, upon scraps and ofFal ; and they 
 are so sensible of the aversion with which they 
 are regarded by the inhabitants, that they take 
 care to get out of their way, and live in quarters 
 by themselves, every dog having his own quar- 
 ter and ward, which they never venture out of, 
 for if any one did, he would be infallibly beat 
 back again by the other dogs, upon whose ter- 
 ritories he infringed.* 
 
 * This I believe to he the case, even to this day,in Cairo; 
 and in general dogs are not only neglected by Mussul- 
 raauns, but shunned and persecuted. However, in parts 
 of Persia, and other southern countries, they are better 
 used, and employed sometimes in the chace. 
 
 " These animals (dogs) have divided the city into districts. 
 They jealously guard from encroachment the imaginary
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 45 
 
 Now it SO happened, that in one of the best 
 parts of the city, lived a man, so very charitable 
 and humane, that there was scarce any creature 
 on earth that did not experience the effects of 
 his benevolent disposition ; and although he was 
 a young man, very handsome, very rich, and no 
 way averse to pleasure, yet he always seemed 
 most satisfied and content, when he was dis- 
 tributing what God had given him, to those 
 whose condition made them objects of charity. 
 So famous indeed was he for this inclination, 
 that all the city gave him the name of the Chari- 
 table Man ; and all people, when they happened 
 
 line which bounds their native territory, and they never 
 transgress it, either in pursuit of an intruding dog, or in 
 their attack on the passenger, whom they deliver over at 
 this frontier, to be worried by the neighbouring pack." — 
 Thornton.
 
 46 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 to be in distress, either through want or misfor- 
 tune would go to him for relief and consolation. 
 
 There was also at Grand Cairo a certain 
 Fairy, who made that city her residence, and 
 took a great concern in everything that went 
 on in it; and hearing much talk of the charitable 
 man, and all the good he did, she conceived a 
 violent desire to see him ; and, accordingly, she 
 one day took the appearance of a handsome 
 young woman, seemingly in great affliction, 
 and went to his house, where he received her 
 kindly, and asked what ailed her. 
 
 Thereupon she told him a story, which was 
 surprisingly piteous, — her father and her mother, 
 as she said, being just dead, and her brother 
 being absent on a very long journey, all of 
 which, together with her tears, so moved the 
 charitable man, that he wept also, and they
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 47 
 
 mingled their tears together. After that, he 
 did all that he could to console the supposed 
 young woman; so that what with being very 
 handsome and agreeable, and speaking tenderly 
 towards her, he quite won the Fairy's heart; 
 who resolved to make him her own, and went 
 away to concert her plans. However, that 
 very day, something happened which was very 
 unlucky for her project. 
 
 It so fell out, that as the charitable man was 
 walking along a certain street, where stood the 
 house of a friend of his, he perceived a great 
 deal of smoke coming out of the court, more 
 than could be caused by people smoking or 
 cooking either, so he soon found that the house 
 was on fire,* which put him in great affliction; 
 
 * The generality of Mahommedan cities are built so 
 slightly, and so closely filled with houses, that the fires are
 
 48 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 nevertheless, running into the court, he found the 
 master of the house standing in the midst of his 
 friends, together with the slaves, beating his 
 breast, and tearing his beard like a man dis- 
 tracted ; but, notwithstanding all he said to com- 
 fort him, his friend continued the same kind of 
 action, and at last told him that his daughter 
 was in the flames, which came from the women's 
 apartments. Whereupon the charitable man, 
 instead of standing about with the rest, who 
 condoled with the master of the house, got into 
 the first hall, from whence he could easily come 
 to the women's apartment, and there he found 
 
 not only excessively numerous, but, when they do occur, 
 seldom are extinguished until they have destroyed a great 
 many houses, and sometimes whole streets and quarters. 
 Perhaps no city in the world experiences more of this sort 
 of calamity than Constantinople.
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 49 
 
 the gentleman's daughter quite safe ; and, pray- 
 ing her to excuse him, he took her up in his 
 arms, and throwing a fine bit of tapestry over 
 her to keep her from the fire, he carried her safe 
 out, though his beard and clothes were very much 
 singed in the doing it. When he had got into 
 the court he never stopped for any thing else, 
 but telling her father to follow them, he bore 
 her straight to his own house, which was no 
 great way off; and when they got there he set 
 her down on a sofa, and began asking how 
 she did. No sooner did the young lady find 
 herself there than, casting herself at his feet, 
 she called him her deliverer, and a thousand 
 other tender names, sufiiciently expressive of 
 her gratitude; at the same time discovering to 
 his sight so dazzling a beauty, that at first he was 
 quite struck dumb with pleasure and surprise. 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 50 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 At length, however, he recovered himself, and 
 the young lady's father coming in, she embraced 
 him with tears in her eyes, which very much 
 added to her beauty. 
 
 The charitable man then ordered a collation 
 to be set before them, judging that after having 
 been so frightened they must be hungry. This 
 was accordingly done, and in the meanwhile 
 he consoled them for their loss, and particularly 
 addressed his conversation upon that point to 
 the young lady, who replied, " Generous 
 friend ! I would not have you think, by any 
 means, that I shall grieve for the accident with 
 which it has pleased God to visit us; indeed, 
 on the contrary, I think that we have great 
 cause to be very well satisfied, in finding that 
 we are still in the land of the living, and are 
 not dwelling in the gardens of the dead, as we
 
 THE CHARITABLE 3IAX AND HIS DOG. 51 
 
 might bare been; and we should shew onr 
 gradtude to Allah, who has preserved os firom 
 so terrible a sort of death. 
 
 This reply very much delighted the charitable 
 man, who soon perceived that his friend's daugh- 
 ter bad no less wit than beanty, and indeed 
 both were pre-eminem ; he therefore resolTed 
 to ask her in marriage, as well because he 
 thooght it would be a prudent and right thing, 
 as to gratify a violent passion he had ooneeiyed 
 for her: he accordingly did so immediately; to 
 which her father replied, that he would receive 
 him for his son-in-law with all the pleasure ima- 
 ginable ; and the young lady, by her smiles and 
 blushes, easily shewed that she was no way 
 averse to him. Upon which the £tther left them 
 together, and went to see what damage had been 
 done at his own house. 
 
 £2
 
 52 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 "My son," said he, when he came back, "your 
 pleasure will be as great as mine when you 
 understand that it is only the women's apart- 
 ment that is injured; and the police, having seen 
 that the fire is out, have given me up my house 
 again. J will therefore take my daughter home, 
 that on this day week she may come* to you 
 according to her quality, and that we may have 
 an opportunity of inviting all our friends to the 
 wedding. The charitable man (who was despe- 
 
 * In Grand Cairo, amongst some classes, there are a 
 ^reat many ceremonies gone through on marriages, some 
 very ridiculous: whether this extends to all ranks, I do not 
 know, but it is very general all over those countries where 
 the Mussulmaun religion prevails, for the bridegToom to 
 send presents of fine silk, shawls, jewels, and other toys, to 
 the bride, before she quits her own home, to proceed to 
 her future abode, which she does with a great deal of 
 splendour and rejoicing.
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 53 
 
 irately in love witK the young lady) would fain 
 have had the nuptials solemnized that night ; and 
 she herself, who had as strong an inclination for 
 him as he had for her, took care to throw no 
 difficulties in the way. But the old gentleman, 
 who at his time of day had forgot the passions 
 of youth, and was also somewhat particular, 
 remained obstinate ; so the charitable man had 
 only an opportunity of embracing his bride, and 
 conducting them back to their own home. 
 
 The next day, however, he took occasion to 
 compliment her father with a rich present,* car- 
 
 ♦ This is also another mamage ceremony. In many 
 countries, after a young man and his friends have fixed 
 upon a fit wife for him, and it is understood she will not 
 be refused, they set out in form to demand her of her 
 relations, taking with them some handsome present, when, 
 after commencing with indifferent conversation, the subject 
 is brought forward, and if the proposal is agreeable to the
 
 54 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 ried by two slaves; but what was his surprise 
 when he went in, to find the old man in tears, 
 with all his slaves and attendants round him. At 
 first he could get no answer, for their sighs and 
 lamentations ; but at last they told him that the 
 young lady had disappeared, and that no one 
 knew what had become of her, though they had 
 searched all over the city, with the assistance of 
 the police. Her father was very much afflicted, 
 as may be supposed, but he that grieved most 
 of all was the charitable man, who returned to- 
 wards his own house with a very heavy heart, 
 so great an affection had he conceived for the 
 young lady. 
 
 The next day, having been out upon some 
 charitable errand, as he was wedking along at a 
 
 friends of the young lady, sweetmeats are instantly set 
 before the guests, and the matter is concluded.
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 55 
 
 good pace to return home, he perceived all the 
 dogs of that quarter falling upon another, who 
 seemed to be a stranger ; and no sooner did the 
 single dog see him, than it made straight up to 
 him, while all the rest followed it. Now there 
 was'no creature on all the earth, however mean, 
 that did not share in his benevolence ; so seeing 
 the dog ready to be torn in pieces by the others, 
 he ordered a slave who was with him to drive 
 them away, while he stooped down, and took 
 hold of the other dog, saying to himself, " I 
 can but wash my hands afterwards." When 
 the dog found that he noticed it, there is no 
 telling how it returned his caresses; and when 
 he left it, it followed him all the way home at 
 a distance, and no sooner had he opened the door 
 of his house, than it ran in too, and all the slaves 
 could not turn it out again.
 
 56 THE STRING OF PEARLlS. 
 
 When supper time was come, and the chari- 
 table man sat down to table, the dog made its 
 appearance, and looked up in his face so piteously, 
 that he could not find it in his heart to bid the 
 slaves beat it out ; on the contrary, having eaten 
 himself, he gave it plenty to eat, saying, at the 
 same time, " Well, thou may'st stay for to night, 
 and to-morrow thou must depart." But, never- 
 theless, when the next day came, the dog still 
 continued, and was fed as before; so that at 
 length the charitable man got so fond of it, that 
 he used to have it always with him, much to the 
 scandal of those who pretended to be very strict 
 and religious. He would also converse with it 
 as if it had been rational, and could give him 
 answers; and, in short, after the loss of his bride, 
 it was the only creature he seemed to take plea- 
 sure in; taking it often with him into the streets
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 57 
 
 of Grand Cairo, where such a thing had never 
 been seen before, as a man and dog walking 
 together: so that at length it became a proverb 
 in the city, when any one would say that 
 such two people were always together, he would 
 say they were like the charitable man and his 
 dog. 
 
 Well, it so happened one day, that he was 
 obliged to go on an affair to a small town not far 
 from Cairo, where he stayed so late, that it was 
 dark before he could get near the city, and pre- 
 sently he was attacked by two robbers,* who set 
 npon him furiously. However, being young 
 and active, he was not long in despatching one, 
 but the other was well nigh killing him, if his 
 
 * These gentry are not at all uncommon; see the story of 
 the Barber, that of Shems el Nihar, and several others in 
 the Arabian Nights
 
 58 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 dog had not got the robber's heel fast hold in its 
 teeth, which put him to such pain, that he let 
 his scymitar fall out of his hand, and the charita- 
 ble man might have taken his life, but only he 
 was too humane for that, and contented himself 
 with bidding him begone, and to mend his way 
 of living: but, as soon as the thief was gone, the 
 gratitude of the charitable man to his dog, who 
 had saved his life, was beyond all bounds. " I 
 swear," says he to the dog, "by that star, which 
 bears the name of your race," pointing to one 
 which seems brighter in Egypt than any other, 
 "that I will never part with you, but will rather 
 love and cherish you always." As he said this 
 the dog seemed to understand him, for it fawned 
 upon him with a great deal of fondness. It was 
 only the next day that the word of the charitable 
 man was put to the test, for as he was sitting
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 59 
 
 drinking his coffee, there was suddenly a great 
 noise in the street, and going out to his door, he 
 heard a proclamation from the king that all the 
 dogs* in the city should be killed forthwith, and 
 that whosoever harboured a dog, after that pro- 
 clamation, should lose his head; so great was the 
 king's hatred of dogs. 
 
 Now as it was well known to all the city, that 
 the charitable man had a dog, it was not long 
 before the oflBcers paid him a visit, and desired 
 him to give it up, that they might kill it. "No," 
 
 * Although it is prohibited by the Koran to kill any ani- 
 mal, but such as are fit for food, this law is not very strictly 
 adhered to, and we have many instances of such sudden 
 movements of superstition as recorded in the text. On one 
 occasion, the Grand Vizier of Ahmed I. caused all the dogs 
 in Constantinople to be removed from the European side, 
 which gave a great deal of employment to the boatmen, as 
 that city at all times swarms with these animals.
 
 60 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 replied he to them with a firm look, "the dog 
 that you ask of me has saved my life, and while 
 I live I will not part with it. I will sooner sell 
 all that I have and go into another country." 
 " My lord," replied the officers, "we do but 
 what we are ordered, and we must tell you, that 
 you cannot go into another country, taking the 
 dog with you, for the king has proclaimed that 
 whoever harbours a dog shall lose his head. 
 You must therefore either give up the beast, 
 or lose your life, 
 
 " Well," replied he very hotly, " I swear by 
 the name of heaven, and our holy religion, that 
 I will sooner yield my life than give up what I 
 have sworn to protect ! " No sooner had he 
 spoken these words, than, to the surprise and 
 admiration of every one, the dog was changed 
 in a moment into a young lady of incomparable
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 61 
 
 beauty, whom he clasped in his arms with the 
 greatest passion, instantly remembering his 
 long-lost bride. 
 
 It may well be supposed, that, after the first 
 transports of their meeting were over, the cha- 
 ritable man was anxious to hear how such a 
 transformation had taken place ; and in order to 
 gratify him she spake as follows ; — 
 
 " You must know, my dearest protector, that 
 on the very evening that I left your house, as I 
 was sitting alone in my apartment, thinking 
 over matters in which you were somewhat con- 
 cerned, all of a sudden a lady appeared to me, 
 who, with a frowning counteucince, commanded 
 that I should give up your affection on the 
 moment, and never see you again. '' For," says 
 she, " though your vain fancy makes you think 
 he loves you, it is no such thing, let me tell
 
 62 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 you; and if you do not comply with what I 
 desire, you shall repent it." To all this I flatly 
 refused to agree, alleging at the same time, 
 that you loved me, and would sacrifice your 
 life for me, I was sure. No sooner had I done 
 speaking, than she flew into a terrible passion, 
 and taking a little water, which stood in a cup 
 close by, she threw it in my face, exclaiming, 
 " Leave that fair shape, and take that of a dog, 
 and when he offers to sacrifice his life for you 
 thus, you shall regain your natural form, but not 
 before." On having said this in a scoffing tone, 
 she vanished, leaving me as you saw me just 
 now. Presently after, the slaves came in, and 
 finding a dog in the chamber, they drove me 
 out, little thinking it was their mistress they so 
 treated ; and notwithstanding all I could do to 
 make th6m understand me, they beat me out of
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 63 
 
 doors into the street, where the other dogs flew 
 upon me, as a stranger, who came wrongly into 
 their quarter; and, had not you saved me, I 
 should have been torn to pieces, though I told 
 the dogs in their language, which I had per- 
 fectly, that I was not a dog naturally, but a 
 woman ; which theyj would not believe, but all 
 swore I was a liar, and bit me more furiously 
 than ever. This is all my stor^^, except that 
 I have no doubt that it was the lady I saw, 
 and who was also a fairy, that caused the king 
 to order all the dogs to be killed." 
 
 When she had done speaking, the charitable 
 man embraced her, but could not refrain from 
 tears, on hearing all she had suffered ; but pre- 
 sently they were both astonished to see a beau- 
 tiful lady standing by them. " I am the fairy," 
 said she, ^' that has caused all which has hap-
 
 64 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 pened to you; but your mutual love has at 
 length conquered me, and I give my consent to 
 your marriage. Nor indeed should you take 
 what I have done amiss, for I plainly perceive 
 that you will love each other a great deal better 
 for what has happened, than if you had been 
 united at first ; but, however, to make up for all 
 your griefs, ask of me any request, and I swear 
 by king Solomon, that if I can grant it I will 
 do so." 
 
 The charitable man looked to the young lady 
 to speak, who did so without hesitation, pretty 
 well sure that they should be both of one mind. 
 " The gift I desire," said she, "is that we may 
 both love one another all our days as we do at 
 this moment." 
 
 " Be it so !" replied the fairy ; " your request 
 is granted, and your love shall never cease or
 
 THE CHARITABLE MAN AND HIS DOG. 65 
 
 alter ! " Having said this, she stamped with her 
 foot, and the ground opening, received her into 
 it. No sooner were they alone, than the cha- 
 ritable man sent for his bride's father, who 
 was very glad to find his daughter, and did not 
 scruple to solemnize the marriage that night; 
 after which the charitable man and his wife 
 lived very happily for many years. 
 
 VOL. 1.
 
 66 
 
 THE SEQUEL OF TJIE STORY OF 
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 
 
 '* Now," continued the doctor, (having 
 finished the story of the charitable man and 
 his dog) " what I would draw from this is, 
 that we should never neglect any creature, but 
 rather put ourselves to some inconvenience, 
 than not take care of them ; as our great 
 Prophet, * cut off the sleeve of his gown 
 
 * This is an historical fact, and to this day, Mahom- 
 medans are remarkably fond of this animal ; so much so, 
 that very few houses are without one or more, who are 
 often better treated than many parts of the family, — cer- 
 tainly much more so than the slaves.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 67 
 
 sooner than disturb his cat, who was sleeping 
 upon it." 
 
 These arguments of the good doctor seemed 
 so convincing to Hadgee Ibraham, that he had 
 ahnost determined on taking the horse with 
 him across the desert, but just then the Imaun, 
 who was of a different opinion, must needs 
 have his say also. " All that the doctor says," 
 observed he, " is very true, but would it not be 
 a piece of notable inhumanity to take a beast 
 that has served you, upon a journey for which 
 he is unfit, and which would certainly kill 
 him ? " 
 
 This discourse very much puzzled the Had- 
 gee ; but the Doctor had still something to 
 reply on the other side, and then the Imaun 
 answered again, till they both got angry, so 
 that Ibraham, finding they were never likely 
 F 2
 
 68 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 to make an end of it, got up, and giving each 
 of them a present, returned to his own khan 
 as much puzzled as ever, and again put off 
 the consideration of w^hat he should do with 
 his horse, till he got to Mecca. So he ordered 
 his slaves to prepare for their journey to that 
 city; but it being Friday,* and all the shops 
 shut, he was obliged to wait till the day after, 
 when, having provided himself with necessaries, 
 he returned to Mecca, and there joined himself 
 to a caravan, that was to set out in a few days. 
 Accordingly, he parted with all his slaves, and 
 waited till the rest of the pilgrims and mer- 
 chants were ready : but what still grieved him 
 
 * Kept in the East as the Sabbath, all shops being shut 
 and all people of respectability going to the mosque on that 
 day, in order to commemorate the creation of the human 
 race.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 69 
 
 was his horse, which he did not know how to 
 leave behind, and was resolved not to give it to 
 any one who would not use it with tenderness. 
 With these thoughts, he one day went into the 
 stable, and little fancying that the beast would 
 understand him, began to speak to it kindly, 
 as was his custom to all sorts of animals. 
 " And must I part with thee ? " says he, patting 
 his neck, *' thou that I love, that carriedst me 
 away from death, and savedst me at my need ? 
 but how can I take thee across sands which 
 camels can scarcely travel? yet, if I can trust 
 my senses, thou also wert once a camel." 
 
 No sooner had he spoken these words, than 
 he was very much surprised to see the horse 
 assume the shape of a great strong camel, and 
 bend his head to receive his caresses. " Now 
 surely," said Hadgee Ibraham, as soon as won-
 
 70 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 der would let him speak, " thou art some good 
 genius who art willing to protect me; if so, 
 I should be glad to see thee in thy natural 
 shape. 
 
 These words caused the camel to fetch a 
 deep sigh, and it began to wave its neck to 
 and fro in a melancholy fashion, as much as 
 if it would have given him to understand that 
 it could not appear as it really should do; 
 which so much moved the old man that he 
 embraced it with tears in his eyes, and then 
 went to seek for a driver who was famous for 
 his care and humanity. He was not long 
 finding one such as he wanted, who had two 
 camels of his own, which Hadgee Ibraham 
 hired to carry his furniture and every thing 
 he had bought, both at Mecca and Medina. 
 After that he returned to the stable where
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 71 
 
 Hamet was, intending to use him himself: but 
 when the time that the caravan was to set out 
 had arrived, the door of the stable, which was 
 made for a horse, was so small that they were 
 obliged to knock down the wall before they 
 could get the camel out ; and as soon as Hadgee 
 Ibraham had joined the rest, all the pilgrims 
 and merchants came about him to admire his 
 camel, which was the finest and largest ever 
 seen. 
 
 The journey over that part of the desert being 
 very dangerous and difficult, the caravan with 
 which they travelled suffered incredible hard- 
 ships and fatigues before they got safely across 
 it; and Hadgee Ibraham, being about to direct 
 his course towards the Persian Gulf, separated 
 from the rest at the end of the sand, and set 
 out gladly for his own country with three
 
 72 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Others, whose way lay in the same direction. 
 When they had travelled four days, they came 
 to a very pleasant place, all covered with green 
 fields and watered by abundance of streams, 
 which, together with high trees that gave a 
 fine shade, made it all very cool and agree- 
 able; in consequence of which, one of the 
 merchants that bore Hadgee Ibraham com- 
 pany, proposed that they should rest there and 
 refresh themselves, after the fatigues of the 
 journey. This idea was received with a great 
 deal of pleasure by all the others, and accord- 
 ingly they remained there two days, which 
 they spent so pleasantly, that the merchant who 
 had at first proposed to rest there began to 
 desire that they should prolong their stay for 
 two days more, to which Hadgee Ibraham 
 replied, " This is indeed a very pleasant place.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 73 
 
 but you seem to forget that our provisions 
 begin to run short, and that we have got a long 
 way to travel. Remember what the proverb 
 says, that we should be always cautious and 
 go to market before hunger drives us out. 
 
 Now though this was all very true that 
 Hadgee Ibraham advanced; yet, as the other 
 two merchants entertained the same opinion 
 as the one that had spoken first, and the old 
 man did not choose to leave them and travel all 
 alone, he was constrained to give way; and, 
 accordingly, they remained two days more, 
 revelling and wasting their provision, all except 
 Hadgee Ibraham, who was very frugal, and 
 took care to use no more of his than he could 
 help, though his companions laughed at him 
 for his care. 
 
 At the end of that time they again set forth
 
 74 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 on tlieir journey, but by some misconduct they 
 lost the track, and for several days continued 
 wandering about, till all the provisions of the 
 three merchants were completely at an end ; 
 and therefore, Hadgee Ibraham, who was very 
 charitable, shared his own stock with them, 
 though they had neglected his advice. When 
 this supply was also gone, the merchant who 
 had proposed to linger so long, was necessitated 
 to kill his camel,* which he did with a good 
 grace, saying, " that as they had past the desert 
 
 * This sometimes occurs, and the flesh of the camel is 
 very good. In some cases it is cut into strips, and dried 
 in the sun, when it will keep for a long time. But it does 
 not always happen that the travellers are so charitably 
 inclined as the Hadgee and his companions ; for many a 
 one, after his camel has been killed, either from necessity 
 or accident, has been left by the rest to a lingering and 
 horrid death.
 
 . HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 75 
 
 he could well walk on foot." But as after this 
 was done he could not go fast, and as the rest 
 were not hard-hearted enough to leave him be- 
 hind, they got on very slowly, and the flesh of 
 the camel was eaten long before they arrived 
 near any town ; and, accordingly, another of the 
 three was obliged to kill his beast also, and so 
 on, till all were killed but that which Hadgee 
 Ibraham rode : and after having travelled a 
 whole day without any thing to eat, the three 
 merchants held a consultation together, and 
 agreed that they should make Hadgee Ibraham 
 kill his camel as they had done ; but as he was 
 mounted, and they were on foot, they did not 
 speak till night, forfear he should gallop away 
 and leave them. Accordingly, going up to him 
 as soon as he had dismounted, one whom they 
 had chosen to be spokesman, said, " Hadgee
 
 76 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Ibraham, the life of a camel is not to be 
 counted with the life of a man, and as we have 
 nothing to eat, and are starving of hunger, we 
 have agreed that your camel shall be killed, 
 that none of us may die." 
 
 At this discourse of the merchant, Hadgee 
 Ibraham was very much moved with anger. 
 '* You are three vile voluptuaries," says he ; 
 " you would stay in idleness till hunger and 
 want came upon you ; and now you would have 
 me kill my camel for your gluttony ! More- 
 over, I will tell you, that this beast has saved 
 my life, and if I were to see you all die like 
 dogs, and I also were to die myself, not one of 
 you should touch a hair of his skin." 
 
 These words very much enraged the three 
 merchants, who, being stung with hunger, were 
 resolved to have the camel whether he would or
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. // 
 
 not, therefore they tried to lay hold of him by 
 force ; but Hadgee Ibraliam, putting himself in 
 their way, drew his sabre, in order to prevent 
 them ; but, inasmuch as he was old and feeble, 
 and they were young and active, besides, being 
 three to one, they soon overcame him, and 
 would have killed him too, had not Hamet, 
 who recollected his dream, and who saw all that 
 they did, wished instantly to become a man. No 
 sooner had the thought passed through his brain, 
 than he resumed his natural shape, and snatch- 
 ing up a great piece of wood that lay by, he 
 knocked out the brains of the first \vicked mer- 
 chant at a single blow ; and being very strong 
 and quick, he put the other two to flight in a 
 minute. 
 
 In the mean time, Hadgee Ibraham, who had 
 fallen down in the aff'ray, got upon his legs
 
 78 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 again, and instantly perceiving his son, he 
 rushed into his arms, and embraced him with 
 infinite pleasure, while the joy of Hamet was 
 far too great to be any way described. Indeed 
 so very much was he affected by that sudden 
 restoration, that for a long time he could not 
 explain to his father all the extraordinary cir- 
 cumstances that brought him there. But when 
 he had done so, Hadgee Ibraham was still more 
 rejoiced, and embraced him again and again, 
 with great satisfaction, thanking him for all the 
 different services he had rendered him. But all 
 in a minute, in the midst of his greatest expres- 
 sions of pleasure, the old man burst into tears, 
 on the sudden thought that they must both cer- 
 tainly die of starvation in that remote place. 
 But Hamet consoled him, saying, " Let us hope 
 for the best, for God is good ! and at all events.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SON. 79 
 
 if we die, we shall do so together, in friendship 
 and affection, as father and son should. Besides," 
 added he, " by certain marks which I perceive, 
 I begin to fancy that we are not so far from our 
 own city as you may imagine." 
 
 No sooner had he spoken these words, than 
 they saw some people on horseback, who came 
 very quickly towards them, and were not long 
 before they arrived at the spot where they 
 stood. Upon which they saluted Hadgee Ibra- 
 ham and his son very courteously by name, and 
 invited them to mount two horses that they had 
 along with them, which they very willingly did. 
 As they went along, Hamet quickly recognized 
 the dress of his own town, and their conductors 
 informed them that they were not above two 
 hours' distance from that place, whereat Hadgee 
 Ibraham was mightily rejoiced, being quite
 
 80 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 spent and worn out with travelling and disasters. 
 As soon as they had arrived at the city, the old 
 gentleman and his son were conducted to the 
 house of the governor, who was a very grave*= 
 reverend person, and much beloved by the 
 people. " Hadgee Ibraham," said he, " as soon 
 he saw him, " I sent out to seek you, lest you 
 should not find your way; but come with 
 me, for there is something prepared for your 
 supper. 
 
 These words very much surprised Hadgee 
 Ibraham, who could not conceive how the 
 governor could know he was coming ; but the 
 
 * Gravity is so great a quality in a Mussulmaun, that 
 no greater praise can be given to him. Those who have 
 any thought, take care to indulge it; and even those who 
 have none, sit dozing at their doors, and by looking as 
 sedate as half-sleeping dogs, fancy that they prove them- 
 selves as wise as king Solomon.
 
 HADGEE IBRAHAM AND HIS SOX. 81 
 
 matter was speedily cleared up, for tliey were 
 led into a private apartment, where two ladies 
 were sitting on a sofa ; one a woman well 
 stricken in years, and the other a young lady 
 of dazzling beauty, in whom Hamet instantly 
 remembered the lady who was the cause of all 
 he had done and suffered. No sooner did he 
 see her than, forgetting everything else, he went 
 straight forward, and threw himself at her feet. 
 
 "Hamet," says the governor's daughter, (for 
 so she was), "I now see, by your having well kept 
 your word, to shew your repentance, that you 
 will never again be guilty of the errors that once 
 you were, and therefore, if you are in the same 
 mind, and my father and mother give their con- 
 sent, I am very willing to fulfil all I promised 
 you when last we met. I must also inform 
 you," she added, "that it was my mother, whom 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 82 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 you now see, that gave you the bottle of liquor, 
 which had the virtue of producing all the trans- 
 formations you have undergone since you set 
 out; and being at last quite satisfied of your 
 good disposition and penitence, she it was, also, 
 that restored you again to your natural shape. 
 
 Now it so happened that Hadgee Ibraham, as 
 said before, was a man of very considerable 
 estate, and being also in great repute for his 
 sanctity and holiness, the governor was very 
 well pleased to ally his family to that of the 
 Hadgee, by marrying his daughter to Hamet, 
 which was soon after concluded, with great 
 rejoicings; and Hamet, though he continued 
 always of a very gay and lively disposition, 
 never ran into any of those follies, that, in the 
 unthinking days of youth, had nearly proved 
 his destruction.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT.
 
 85 
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT,* 
 
 The Caliph Almansur was one of the most 
 magnificent princes of his house ; and to courage 
 and talents he joined a thousand other shining 
 qualities. He was just, generous, and humane ; 
 and there never was any one who could exceed 
 him in candour or liberality: but at the same 
 
 * Mr. Kinneir, in his Memoir of the Persian Empire, (a 
 wori distinguished at once for its elegance and accuracy), 
 gives the following account of this city. " Bagdad was 
 founded by Al Mansaur, second Caliph of the house of 
 Abbas, in the hundred and forty-fifth year of the Hegira, 
 on the western bank of the Tigris, and is reported to have
 
 86 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 time he had one great fault, which was indeed 
 occasioned by his being sovereign of the world. 
 He was amazingly proud, — not in his deportment, 
 truly, for there was no man more condescending, 
 — but in his ideas. He fancied that all the hu- 
 man race were made but for his gratification ; and 
 took it into his head that not only their persons 
 but even their minds were at his disposal, and 
 
 been built out of the ruins of Ctesiplion. It was adorned 
 with many noble and stately edifices by the grandeur of 
 its founder. The renowned Haroun al Rashid, who also 
 built on the eastern side of the river, connected the two 
 quarters of the town by a bridge of boats. Indeed the city 
 may be said to have attained its meridian splendour under 
 the auspices of Zobeide, and JafFer Barmeked, the wife and 
 favourite of that vengeful hero, who himself preferred his 
 palace of Racca, on the Euphrates, to that of Bagdad, 
 which stood on the western bank of the Tigris, and from 
 its magnificence was esteemed one of the wonders of the 
 world." — Kinneir, p. 240.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 87 
 
 tliat he might rule them as he liked. Now, as it 
 happened that he had the most agreeable coun- 
 tenance in the world, and also a very engaging 
 manner, it seldom occurred that people were of 
 a different way of thinking; but sometimes it 
 fell out otherwise, and some were found hardy 
 enough to contradict him, which he could not 
 bear at all. This fault would no doubt have 
 caused his ruin, if his amazing pride had not 
 been cured by what we are about to hear. 
 
 There are very few persons who have not seen 
 Bagdat, the queen of cities, surpassing all others 
 as well in beauty and richness, as in its extent ; 
 but before this was built there was none in the 
 world equal to the magnificent thoughts of the 
 Caliph Almansur, and he therefore resolved to 
 have the glory of founding one himself. He 
 accordingly chose out a spot, not far from the old
 
 88 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 city of Babylon, and gave orders for all the learned 
 men, great architects, and builders ; carpenters, 
 stone-masons, and painters ; together with thos^: 
 who were celebrated for gilding and ornamental 
 work, to be immediately summoned, in order to 
 build him a city which should be the wonder of 
 the world; but not contented with those just 
 near about him, he sought for artists from every 
 part of the earth, and commanded all the kings 
 and princes who were tributary to him to send 
 him instantly their most able workmen, which 
 was accordingly done with all speed; and the 
 Caliph encamped near the spot in person, that 
 he might observe the proceedings, and see that 
 the city was according to his mind. 
 
 Nothing could be more beautiful, astonishing, 
 or sublime, than the sight of so many workmen 
 engaged in raising a city of such vast splendour,
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 89 
 
 on the banks of one of the most magnificent rivers 
 in the world, while the camp of the Caliph, hard 
 by, seemed like another grand city, all glitter- 
 ing with gold and a variety of colours ; and the 
 number of people was more than enough to have 
 filled five of the largest towns in the universe. At 
 the same time the dwellings of the difi'erent artists 
 and mechanics covered all the plain, which 
 looked like a rich carpet of a great many hues 
 and immense dimensions. 
 
 After such magnificent preparations nothing 
 can be less surprising than that the buildings 
 should soon begin to make a handsome appear- 
 ance. But that which of all other things was 
 the most beautiful and extraordinary, was the 
 palace which the Caliph caused to be built for 
 himself. It was formed after the fashion of a 
 square of immense size, containing within itself
 
 90 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 gardens, canals, and groves, the most delightful 
 that can be conceived; together with fountains 
 which never ceased playing, and gave out a very- 
 agreeable murmur, as well as cooled the air, 
 which was scented by all kinds of plants and 
 flowers that bear a fragrant perfume. He also 
 caused ten halls to be built, each joining the 
 other, and every one so costly and beautiful that 
 if it were not a part of history no one would 
 believe it. The first hall was supported by 
 twenty pillars of brass, of admirable workman- 
 ship; and the floor, which was of diff'erent pieces 
 of marble, was worked in such figures that it 
 looked like a fine garden, representing all kinds of 
 flowers, and the baskets that held them ; another 
 hall was of green marble with silver ornaments, 
 which looked very well. But the most wonderful 
 and magnificent were the four last, the first of
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 91 
 
 which was called the hall of night, being* en- 
 tirely of black marble, with columns of the same, 
 having only just as much white as to set off the 
 polish and fine hue of the other ; and the dome of 
 this was covered with small gold stars. The next 
 was called the hall of morning, and was made of 
 that fine pink marble which is found near Mount 
 Caucasus. The next was altogether of white 
 marble, and was named the hall of day; but 
 the last, which the Caliph appointed for receiv- 
 ing his tributaries and other princes, was called 
 the hall of the Presence of the Sun. It was fifty 
 cubits long and twenty cubits broad ; the walls 
 were all of fine porphyry, so highly polished 
 that they looked like glass, and joined so arti- 
 
 * The Caliphs were partial to black, and greatly affected 
 it in the decorations of their palaces and their dress ; the 
 standards also of the house of Abbas were of this hue.
 
 92 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 ficially that each wall seemed of one single 
 piece. The dome, which was after the choicest 
 models, was twenty-five cubits high, and was 
 supported by a hundred square columns of white 
 marble, whose chapters and bases were of pure 
 gold, richly worked and ornamented. At the 
 farthest end of this vast apartment was the Ca- 
 liph's throne, raised upon steps of alabaster, and 
 flaming with gold and all kinds of jewels, and 
 on each side of this it was proposed to place a 
 screen which should equal in splendour and mag- 
 nificence the throne. But all the jewellers and 
 workmen could divine nothing fine enough to 
 suit the fancy of the Caliph. In short, their wit 
 was entirely exhausted in the amazing works 
 they had undertaken and completed, and they 
 could think of nothing so beautiful as what they 
 had contrived already : and though they con-
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 93 
 
 suited together and planned every thing that 
 was possible, they failed to find any thing 
 worthy, which they were at length obliged to 
 tell the Caliph, who fell into a tremendous pas- 
 sion, and ordered all their heads to be cut off 
 indiscriminately.* 
 
 Now the Grand Vizier, who was a man of 
 great judgment and learning, was shocked to 
 see so many people all going to be put to 
 death, because they had exhausted their invention 
 in his master's service, and, having done their 
 utmost, could do no more. So, prostrating him- 
 self before the Caliph, he said, " Most mighty 
 
 * An action not very dissimilar is recorded of the cele- 
 brated Hassan Capitan Pasha, who carried, perhaps even 
 farther than the Caliph, his orders for decapitating the 
 unfortunate wretches who fell into his hands, making 
 it his pastime, and jesting at their suflferings.
 
 94 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Caliph, governor of the world and substitute of 
 the prophet, may God prolong your life in this 
 world and enlarge your kingdom in the next." 
 By the time that the Grand Vizier had said this, 
 the rage of the Caliph, Almansur, was somewhat 
 molified; so he said to him, " Well, Vizier, 
 what is it thou wishest ; speak fearlessly." To 
 which the Vizier replied, " Mighty Caliph, thou 
 knowest that in my youth I travelled over all 
 parts of the earth; now, in the capital of Gur- 
 gistan* there are artists of so great wit and 
 ingenuity, that they will do things and invent 
 rarities which no other men would think possible. 
 
 * Gurgistan, called by Europeans Georgia, we might 
 suppose to have been unknown to the Grand Vizier of Al- 
 mansur, as it was not till many years afterwards that the 
 Mahommedans pushed their conquests so far north ; but the 
 chronology of the Eastern authors is not always more cor- 
 rect than their geography.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 95 
 
 Thou hast nothing to do, therefore, but to send 
 to that country, and they will surely devise 
 something to thy satisfaction ; but, in the mean 
 while, let me entreat of thee to grant their lives 
 unto these men, until it is seen what these other 
 artists can accomplish." This tlie Vizier said, 
 not that there were better artists in Gurgislan" 
 than any where else ; but because he thought that, 
 while they were being brought, the Caliph's pas- 
 sion would cool, and he would forget the affair 
 altogether. 
 
 However, the Caliph, Almansur, was very 
 well pleased with the proposal, and ordered mes-, 
 sengers to be instantly dispatched to Gurgistan, 
 with orders to bring all those that were skilful 
 in jewelry, architecture, painting, sculpture, or 
 designing. The messengers were accordingly 
 sent : but the artists not coming quite so soon as
 
 96 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 he wished, the Caliph commanded to send other 
 messengers, saying that if the artisans were not 
 immediately sent, he would come and ravage all 
 the country with fire and sword. These last met 
 the former ones, returning with the jewellers 
 and others, who were all very glad to come, for 
 the Caliph was the most generous prince in 
 the world, and always magnificently rewarded 
 those who pleased him. They were accord- 
 ingly brought to the new city, where the Vizier, 
 who found his master still bent upon a screen 
 more sumptuous and fine than had ever yet been 
 Seen, began to tremble on account of the advice 
 he had given, and waited with a great deal of 
 alarm to hear if the Caliph was contented or not. 
 No sooner had the artists arrived and re- 
 freshed themselves after so fatiguing a journey, 
 than they were brought before the Caliph, where
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 97 
 
 they all prostrated themselves with their faces 
 to the ground according to custom. Upon which 
 the Caliph told them to rise, and explained to 
 them with his own mouth what it was he de- 
 sired ; after which he gave them plenty of time 
 to think, and then bade them speak according to 
 their age, and each to tell their plan and what 
 they proposed, that he might judge which was 
 the best. This they immediately did, begin- 
 ning with the eldest, who mentioned something 
 so much below the Caliph's thoughts, that his 
 brow began to get clouded, and he turned round 
 to the Grand Vizier with such a frown as made 
 that minister's head tremble on his shoulders. 
 The ideas of the next who spoke were still 
 worse, and so on till they came near the end; 
 every one of them having less fancy than the 
 other ; so that the Caliph was well nigh start- 
 
 VOL. J. H
 
 yb THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 ing from liis throne with anger and contempt. 
 However, the last of all came forward, and the 
 very sight of him seemed to smooth down the 
 Caliph's rage. He was a young man, so very 
 handsome that no one at the court had ever 
 seen any like him. , Every limb was in just 
 proportion; his face was perfectly formed; his 
 beard, which on account of his youth was short, 
 was very black, and curled all round his chin ; 
 and his eyes, which were large and dark, were 
 full of fire and expression. 
 
 He advanced before the Caliph with a grace- 
 ful air, and bending down he kissed the steps 
 of his throne; then rising up, he spoke thus, 
 accompanying every sentence with a graceful 
 action, which shewed that he had studied oratory 
 and the art of persuasion. " Commander of the 
 Faithful," said he, " what has been proposed to
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 99 
 
 you by my countrymen is no doubt very fine in 
 their ideas ; but I must confess that I have a far 
 greater thought of your grandeur and magnifi- 
 cence, and yet have no doubt that even my con- 
 ception will not near equal in beauty that which 
 your majesty expects; and certainly it must be 
 infinitely unworthy of what you deserve. Never- 
 theless, I should propose that the screen which 
 is to go on each side of your majesty's throne, 
 should be so fashioned as to represent, in splen- 
 did jewels, a vine and a rose, twining together. 
 That the stalks and stems of the tree should 
 be pure gold: that the leaves should be made 
 of emeralds ; and that the fruit of the vine, which 
 is supposed to be quite ripe, should be made of 
 amethysts, to represent the blue, and those not 
 quite come to perfection should be of carbuncles 
 and rubies; that the roses be also of jewels 
 h2
 
 100 THE STRING OF PEARLS, 
 
 and gold, after which manner can be formed 
 a thousand other flowers : all of which I offer 
 to undertake, if it please your highness so to 
 command. 
 
 No sooner had he spoken these words than 
 the Caliph, starting up, exclaimed, " Now, 
 by Mahommed ! thou art the greatest artist at 
 this time living, and, from this instant, I grant 
 thee a pension yearly of ten thousand dinars of 
 gold. Go instantly, collect the jewels in my 
 name, and set about the work ; and I command 
 all the jewellers in my empire, to give thee 
 all manner of assistance and act according to 
 thy commands; and, also, for thy sake, I give 
 their life to all those artists and workmen that 
 I ordered to be executed for their ignorance 
 and incapacity." 
 
 Having said these words, the Caliph re-
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 101 
 
 tired, and the Grand Vizier, and all the Court, 
 ran and embraced the young stranger, who 
 had saved such a deal of mischief from being 
 committed. Ahnaf, for so he was called, re- 
 ceived all their courtesy with a great deal 
 of modesty, and immediately after set to work 
 upon the screen, giving directions to the jewel- 
 lers how to proceed; and, in a short time, it 
 began to look very well. 
 
 For some days the Caliph would not gratify 
 his curiosity by going to see what was done, 
 but at length he could contain himself no 
 longer, but resolved to go and view the screen, 
 which he never doubted would be very fine. 
 Now it was his custom, every night, to go 
 in disguise, and inspect some part of the new 
 city, taking a delight to remark how every 
 thing was proceeding, and to see such stu-
 
 ]02 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 pendous works, as it were rising under his 
 hand. One time he would go to the mosques, 
 another to the public baths, and then again 
 to the bazaars ; but this night he resolved 
 to visit his own palace. Accordingly he put 
 on a dress in which no one could know him; 
 and walking through the city he came to one 
 of the palace-gates, which had been left open 
 on account of the building not being quite 
 finished, for the better convenience of the 
 workmen going in and out. Seeing this, the 
 Caliph walked into the first court, and coming 
 to a certain part of the offices, which was 
 destined for the principal attendants, but was 
 at present used by the artists and others em- 
 ployed, he went in, and perceiving a great 
 many sitting round a table at supper, he went 
 up to one that seemed to be their chief, and
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 103 
 
 who was no other than Ahnaf, the young 
 stranger who had proposed the screen that 
 so delighted him. " Sir," said he, addressing 
 Ahnaf, with a grave and respectful air, " I 
 have come here upon the report of a certain 
 screen, which is said to be the most magnifi- 
 cent thing in the world, and as I have seen a 
 great many things that are very fine, I should 
 like to see that also." To this conversation, 
 the young stranger of Gurgistan repKed, (first 
 having desired him to sit down,) " I should 
 be very happy, brother, to let you see this 
 thing about which you have a curiosity, but 
 as the Caliph has not yet seen it himself, it 
 would be contrary to his honour to shew it to 
 any other person whatsoever ; therefore, I pray 
 you to excuse me." 
 
 The Caliph Almansur was very well pleased
 
 104 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 with this answer, as it shewed the young 
 stranger to be a man of discretion and judg- 
 ment; but, nevertheless, as he was determined 
 to see the screen, he took out his ring, saying, 
 " What you say, Sir, is very true ; but, at the 
 same time, let me tell you that I have the 
 Caliph's permission to see it, in proof of which 
 here is his own ring." No sooner did the 
 young stranger see it, than he prostrated him- 
 self to shew his submission. 
 
 " Sir," said he, in answer, " it becomes the 
 Caliph to command, and us to obey; would 
 you, therefore, rather wait till after we have 
 done our supper, of which I invite you to par- 
 take, or shall I go and shew you the screen 
 now?" 
 
 The Caliph, who very plainly saw that he 
 was not at all suspected, was willing to enjoy
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 105 
 
 their conversation and judge of their merit; 
 and therefore he thanked Ahnaf for his in- 
 vitation, and sat down to supper with them, 
 where the young stranger helped him himself 
 to the choicest morsels;* and, after having 
 eaten their fill, wine was brought in, and they 
 began to talk and be merry, in all which the 
 Caliph, who loved a joke, joined very heartily, 
 and drank with the rest; and when they had 
 emptied several cups, and the wine began to 
 work, the young stranger sang a song, with 
 so sweet a voice, and such a fine wit, that 
 the Caliph was quite enchanted. After that. 
 
 * The highest compliment he could pay him, though it 
 might not be a very agreeable one to an European, as the 
 inhabitants of Eastern countries help themselves with their 
 fingers, but these are always well washed, which renders 
 the custom not so dirty as it seems at first sight.
 
 106 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 as there were great artists there from all parts 
 of the world, they began talking of their dif- 
 ferent countries, and each of course extolled 
 his own. One praised the fine fields of his 
 native place, all shaded with groves, and en- 
 riched with flowers, and which was so beautiful 
 that those who had seen it could never be 
 persuaded to dwell anywhere else. Another, 
 who came from India, said, that no country 
 could equal that through which the Ganges* 
 flows, the king of all rivers and the idol of a 
 thousand nations. A third contended for the 
 delights of Kashmere,f its luxuriant vallies, 
 
 * This river is considered as sacred, and, like the Nile, 
 has a kind of religious adoration paid to it. 
 
 t A beautiful valley to the east of Caubul, bounded on 
 the north by Hindoo Coosh, and on the east by the Himalleh 
 mountains. To the west and south-west is a mountainous 
 country, which forms the northern boundary of the Punjaut.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 107 
 
 and spontaneous abundance, its carpet of 
 flowers, and its ever cloudless sky. A fourth 
 praised Persia, which comprehends all climates 
 within its own boundaries, and produces all 
 sorts of metals and precious stones. But when, 
 at last, the young stranger spoke, he said, " I 
 prefer my own country above aU countries in 
 the world, not only because it is fertilized by 
 an eternal spring, and the vine twists round 
 the wild trees of the forest, and the olive grows 
 up uncalled for in the field; not only because 
 it is an agreeable compound of hill and valley; 
 neither for its streams being innumerable, and 
 more beautiful than any others, although all 
 this be true, and in saying it I say less than 
 
 The Hydaspes runs thiough the valley, which, froui 
 its beauty, fertility, and licentious pleasures, has been 
 called the Paradise of India. — See Elphinstone.
 
 108 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 it deserves : but I prefer it, because all that I 
 love on earth are in that place; and because 
 my mistress is there, to whom I shall be mar- 
 ried as soon as I have finished the Caliph's 
 work, she being more beautiful than the moon 
 at full, and more lovely than an antelope on 
 the plains; her voice is softer than the song 
 of the nightingale, and the kiss of her lips 
 is sweeter than the breath of the morning 
 rose." 
 
 These words very much astonished the Caliph, 
 who, wishing to hear more of that incomparable 
 beauty, began asking a thousand questions of 
 the young stranger, who was very willing to 
 satisfy him, being, like all lovers, very full of 
 the idea of his mistress, and glad to talk about 
 her, little knowing that, at every word, he was 
 planting the seeds of envy in the Caliph's heart,
 
 THE BUILDING OF EAGDAT. 109 
 
 who, though he had amongst his favourites the 
 most beautiful and accomplished women in the 
 world, conceived so great a desire for the mis- 
 tress of the young stranger, that, right or wrong, 
 he resolved to possess her, and therefore sought 
 to learn from him her name, and in what part of 
 Gurgistan she resided ; to all which the unsus- 
 pecting Ahnaf readily answered, and finished 
 off by singing a song in her praise, which but 
 the more inflamed the heart of the Caliph. At 
 length, however, remembering what the visitor 
 had come there for, the young stranger told 
 him, that if it so pleased him he would shew 
 him the screen, and the monarch accordingly 
 went, zdthough his mind was so fuU of what he 
 had heard, that he cared not for any thing else. 
 However, when he came there, he found it 
 the most magnificent thing that could be con-
 
 110 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 ceived; but, though he admired it very much, 
 it did not at all drive the mistress of Ahuaf 
 out of his head. So going back from the 
 palace to his tent, he ordered the young gen- 
 tleman to be brought before him, which was 
 accordingly done with all expedition; and as 
 soon as he appeared, he bowed his head down 
 to the ground, and then rising up again, 
 stood waiting till he heard the Caliph's pleasure. 
 " Young man," said the Caliph to him, in a 
 haughty tone, " I would have you know, that 
 the person who just now paid you a visit to see 
 the screen, was none other than myself in dis- 
 guise. I am very well satisfied with the work 
 you have done, and will, of course, reward you 
 as your merit and my character require; but 
 there is one thing which I must tell you, and 
 that is, that the account you gave of your
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. Ill 
 
 mistress just now, has caused me to conceive a 
 passion for her ; therefore, choose what province 
 you like best of all my vast empire, and I will, 
 without more ado, make you* king thereof, on 
 condition that you yield her up to me." 
 
 There are no words to tell the astonishment 
 of the young stranger at this proposal of the 
 Caliph ; and as for a minute or two he con- 
 Oriental monarchs can very well afford to make such 
 presents, as nothing is more easy than sending an ambas • 
 sador with a how-string to the new monarch, after which 
 a vacancy speedily occurs in the government, and the 
 province becomes the reward of some other favourite, who 
 is disposed of in the same manner. 
 
 I know not with what truth, but it is reported, that the 
 favourites of a celebrated Empress of the last century, used 
 frequently to be rewarded by governments in distant parts 
 of the empire, at which, however, they never arrived, 
 generally being unfortunate in some encounter with rob- 
 bers on the road.
 
 112 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 tinued mute and immoveable, owing to his 
 wonder and surprise, that monarch was very- 
 well satisfied, thinking that he considered and 
 reasoned with himself as to what province he 
 should fix upon. But presently Ahnaf looked 
 up very proudly, having recovered from his 
 first confusion, and making an angry motion 
 with his hand, " Caliph," said he, " If you were 
 to offer me the throne of our holy Prophet along 
 with all your dominions, and could add to it 
 another empire every day as large, as rich, as 
 powerful, and magnificent, I would reject the 
 dishonourable thing you propose to me with 
 scorn and contempt." 
 
 At these last words the rage of the Caliph 
 Almansur boiled over. " Vile Giaour !" cried 
 lie, " accursed dog ! If thou wilt not accept of 
 my bounty, thou shalt at least taste of my indig-
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 113 
 
 nation, and I will end thy objections by cutting 
 off thy head:"* and he gave a sign for him to 
 be seized. But Ahnaf replied, " Know, tyrant, 
 that your might does not reach to me:" and just 
 as the guards were about to lay hold of him, 
 he stamped with his foot on the ground, and 
 directly was lost to their sight, having the 
 power of transporting himself wheresoever he 
 pleased. To make tliis the plainer it must be 
 mentioned, that a certain fairy, who was a friend 
 of his mother's, perceiving, by that sort of know- 
 ledge which fairies have, that great misfortunes 
 were likely to happen, both to him and his 
 mistress, for whose parents she had an equal 
 
 * The whole subjects of an Eastern monarch are entirely 
 at his disposal; their property, their life, their all is his; 
 and whatever injustice may be shewn them, they have no 
 appeal.— See Kinneir's Persian Empire. 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 affection, bestowed upon Ahnaf at his birtli the 
 power of transporting himself whithersoever he 
 wished ; and, at the same time, gave the young 
 lady, whose name was Isrillah, a talisman of 
 very extraordinary virtue, as will be seen in the 
 sequel. 
 
 Nothing can express the rage of the Caliph, 
 the astonishment of the Grand Vizier, and the 
 terror of the guards, on seeing that the young 
 stranger had escaped out of their hands; and, 
 in his first fury, Almansur ordered all the guards 
 to cut off one another's heads; but presently 
 bethinking himself, he pardoned them again, 
 and set all his thoughts to be revenged on the 
 stranger Ahnaf, and to possess his mistress, let 
 whatever would, stand in the way. Therefore, 
 sending every one away except the Grand 
 Vizier, he commanded him, on pain of death,
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 115 
 
 to find him out some magician who would show 
 him how he might obtain his desires. 
 
 Now it may be easily supposed that, among 
 so many people as were assembled from all parts 
 of the world at the building of Bagdat, there 
 were a good many who were deeply skilled in 
 the art of magic * and astrology; and accord- 
 ingly one of the most experienced of these was 
 brought before the Caliph Almansur, and bow- 
 ing his head down to the tapestry which covered 
 the steps of his throne, he waited to hear what 
 that monarch had to say. 
 
 The Caliph, who was very impatient, did not 
 keep him long in suspense. "Magician," said 
 he to him, "the insolent slave whom I re- 
 
 * The belief in magic and astrology in the East, was not 
 confined alone to the vulgar, but as firmly credited by kings 
 and ministers there, as it ever was in this country. 
 
 I 2
 
 116 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 warded above his desert, for proposing a screen 
 which pleased me, has inflamed my heart with 
 an account of his mistress, who is a beauty such 
 as was never before beheld, and has then boldly 
 denied her to me; whereupon I gave orders to 
 cut off his head as he deserved; but immediately, 
 by the help of some Afrit,* he transported him- 
 self I know not whither. Tell me, therefore, 
 where he and his mistress are, that I may possess 
 the one, and punish the other; and upon your 
 doing so, I will order you ten thousand dinars 
 of gold ; but, if you fail, I will inflict on you 
 the punishment I meant for him, without any 
 mercy." 
 
 "Commander of the Faithful," replied the 
 magician, very boldly, "what you demand is an 
 
 * A bad spirit.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 117 
 
 easy matter, as I will show you presently." So, 
 opening a little bag he carried about with him, 
 he took out a great many instruments, where- 
 with he drew certain figures, and after having 
 observed the position of the moon and stars, he 
 came back and prostrated himself before the 
 Caliph, who having commanded him to rise, 
 he spoke thus, — " Commander of the Faithful, 
 you must know, that the young stranger whose 
 name is Ahnaf, is at this moment in a certain 
 city of Gurgistan, the same in which your mes- 
 sengers found him, and with him is also his mis- 
 tress Isrillah, to whom he will soon be married. 
 The house in which they are is in a street which 
 goes by the river, and it is also the fourth from 
 the bridge, having a long court and a fountain; 
 and at the same time I must tell you, that when 
 your guards can lay hold of him, he will not
 
 118 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 be able to get out of their hands, for it is only 
 when he is free that he can transport himself 
 away." 
 
 This news greatly delighted the Caliph, who 
 ordered the magician the ten thousand pieces of 
 gold, and had him clothed with a magnificent 
 robe in his presence; and so eager was he in his 
 pursuit, that he set out himself the next day, 
 accompanied by a large body of horse, and pro- 
 ceeded towards Gurgistan, where he was not 
 long in arriving. When the Caliph found him- 
 self on the frontiers of that country, he grew 
 the more ardent; and accordingly, without stop- 
 ping at all, he came to the city where the young 
 stranger and his mistress were, during the night, 
 which gave him a good opportunity of surround- 
 ing the house in which they lodged, and taking 
 them both prisoners. Having done this, with-
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 119 
 
 out more ado he ordered Ahnaf to be chained 
 hand and foot to one of his slaves, and set out 
 again for Track,* where he arrived in a short 
 time, and proceded to a magnificent palace 
 which he had on the banks of the Euphrates. 
 
 Now, as the CaHph judged from what he had 
 heard the young stranger say, that his mistress 
 loved him as much as he loved her, he so far 
 put a constraint upon himself as to leave her to 
 herself for a few days, in order that she might 
 forget her lover, in the beautiful sights and luxu- 
 ries that were presented to her. But he did not 
 reckon well upon the heart of Isrillah, which 
 never ceased to beat for him she looked upon as 
 her husband, and loved with all imaginable con- 
 stancy. The apartments which had been allotted 
 
 * Anciently Chaldea.
 
 120 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 to her were the most magnificent in the world, 
 all furnished splendidly, and ornamented with 
 gold and silver. She had a great many women 
 to wait upon her; and she seemed scarcely to 
 wish for any thing before it was offered to her ; 
 but, nevertheless, Isrillah never ceased weeping, 
 and took no pleasure in all the grandeur and 
 magnificence that surrounded her. 
 
 At length, one day, the Caliph, fancying that 
 she must be pretty well reconciled to what had 
 happened, went to pay her a visit, and was sur- 
 prised to find her sitting on a sofa, in great 
 affliction. 
 
 "My Princess," said the Caliph, seating 
 himself beside her, "why do you thus take a 
 pleasure in making yourself miserable ? Surely 
 all the magnificence which surrounds you, and 
 the love of a monarch such as I am, is suf-
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 121 
 
 ficient to efface from your mind a wretch who 
 was unworthy such charms as yours. Consider 
 the difference ; he could but make you the wife 
 of a poor mechanic, and I offer to seat you on 
 the throne of the world. 
 
 But Isrillahj who had heard from her lover 
 the proposal the Caliph had made to him, an- 
 swered very boldly, — " No ! all the splendour in 
 the universe could not make up for the loss of 
 him I love; and I would have you know, O 
 Caliph, that I detest your affection the more as 
 it is the cause of all my misfortunes." - 
 
 Had any one spoken these words other than 
 the lovely Isrillah, the Caliph would have set 
 no bounds to his rage ; but her beauty had 
 so captivated his heart, that he tried to soothe 
 her, and used all sorts of persuasions to induce 
 her to comply with his wishes ; but all in vain :
 
 122 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 for the more he mentioned his affection, or 
 advanced the splendour to which he would raise 
 her, the more firm and decided she became, — 
 saying, that she would rather die a thousand 
 times than break her faith to her lover, whose 
 misfortunes only served to make him the dearer 
 to her. 
 
 At length the Caliph, who had quietly borne 
 more contradiction than he had ever supposed 
 he could meet with in the world, quite gave 
 way to his anger, and, starting up, he clapped 
 his hands, and the guards appearing, he ordered 
 that the unfortunate Ahnaf should be brought 
 before him. "Now, proud beauty," exclaimed 
 he, " you shall see your lover become the victim 
 of your obstinacy, unless this moment you con- 
 sent to become mine." But Isrillah remained 
 still in the same temper, trusting to the power
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 123 
 
 of the talisman she possessed, whose virtues she 
 knew to be very great. 
 
 According to the command of the Caliph, 
 Ahnaf was brought in, in a few minutes, still 
 chained to a slave, that he might not escape, in 
 which deplorable condition he had remained 
 confined in a dungeon ever since they had been 
 surprised by the Caliph; but all that he had 
 suflfered was nothing to what he felt when he 
 beheld his beautiful Isrillah in the power of his 
 rival. But presently he very well perceived, 
 both by her words and gestures, that she was 
 faithful and constant to him, which was a sen- 
 sible comfort in his affliction, and he loudly 
 upbraided the Caliph for his injustice and inhu- 
 manity; but that monarch, full of anger, ordered 
 the executioner to cut off his head directly, 
 without letting him say any more. It was
 
 124 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 necessary, however, before they could execute 
 this, that he should be unchained from the slave, 
 which was no sooner done, than, bursting out 
 of the hands of the guards, he flew to his mis- 
 tress and embraced her, thanking her for her 
 constancy and truth; and although (being 
 free) he could have transported himself whither- 
 soever he would, yet he loved her too much to 
 leave her alone in the hands of the Caliph, who, 
 in a tremendous passion, ordered the guards 
 to seize him, and put him to death that 
 moment. 
 
 "Tyrant!" exclaimed Isrillah, holding up her 
 talisman, '' the moment I cast this upon the 
 ground, the most horrible destruction will fall 
 upon us all; therefore spare us, and you will 
 save yourself." 
 
 But the guards gave no heed to what she said,
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 125 
 
 and only made towards tliem in order to seize 
 her lover. Whereupon, without giving them time 
 to approach, she dashed down the talisman with 
 such force, that it was broken into a thousand 
 pieces. No sooner had she done this, than the 
 sky became darkened, — the thunder rolled with 
 a tremendous noise, — the palace shook to its 
 foundation, — and the walls falling in with a 
 dreadful sound, in a moment every thing was 
 one heap of ruins. 
 
 The earthquake, which the breaking of the 
 talisman had produced, had not only destroyed 
 the palace; the whole scene around was over- 
 turned; and where there had been the most 
 beautiful gardens and fine prospects, all was £is 
 barren as the sands of the desert; and nothing 
 was to be seen but vast monuments of deso- 
 lation.
 
 126 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 When tlie Caliph had somewhat recovered 
 from such a shock, he found himself standing 
 alone, in the midst of a place so lonely and 
 retired, that he could not fancy that it had once 
 been one of his most beautiful palaces ; and 
 looking round, he said to himself — " Alas, 
 Almansur, what have thy pride and violent 
 passions done ? Thou couldest not hear of 
 happiness but thou must envy the possessors 
 of it, and disturb their delight; and now 
 shalt thou be called the Causer of destruction.'* 
 With these words he sighed deeply, and began 
 to look about him for some one to show him 
 the way to some of the neighbouring towns, 
 where he might be known, — but he looked 
 round in vain. The earthquake had completely 
 altered the face of the country, and no mortal 
 was to be seen ; nor was there any sound but
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 127 
 
 the melancholy voice of the wind as it swept 
 along, or the rush of the broken walls as they 
 fell to the heaps below. 
 
 Finding that there was none to assist him, 
 he was obliged to seek some place himself; and 
 accordingly he began walking on. He then 
 fell thinking what an extraordinary thing it 
 was, that, in such a general wreck, he should 
 be left alive. "Surely," thought he, "I could 
 not be doing what was wrong, or I should not be 
 the only one to escape when all the others were 
 destroyed.*' Pondering in this way, he forgot 
 where he intended to go, and beginning to look 
 about, found that he had got in amongst rocks 
 and high mountains, totally destitute of verdure 
 and cultivation. Nothing presented itself to 
 his eye, but shining stone and rough uneasy 
 hills, and the sun glittering upon them made it
 
 128 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 
 
 very hot. So that the Caliph, not being accus- 
 tomed* to walk so far, got very tired and thirsty, 
 and tried to find his way out, into the more fer- 
 tile part of the country, but all in vain ; for the 
 more he strove to come into the right way, the 
 more he entangled himself amongst the moun- 
 tains, which, though very high and steep, 
 afforded no shelter from the sun. At length the 
 
 * Eastern nations cannot enter into our ideas of walking 
 for exercise or amusement. Few of tliem would ever stir 
 from their sofa could they help it, except to amuse them- 
 selves in the haram, or to mount on horseback, where they 
 shew energy they before seemed unacquainted with. Ladies 
 indeed seldom or ever stir from home but to the baths. 
 Voltaire alludes to this in his dedication to the Sultaness 
 Shiran. " Charme des prunelles, tourraente des coeurs, 
 lumiere de I'esprit, je ne baise point la poussiere de vos 
 pieds, parceque vous ne marchez gueres, ou que vous 
 marchez sur des tapis d'Iran ou sur des roses." — See also 
 Kinneir^s Persian Empire.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 129 
 
 dryness of his mouth became so intolerable, that 
 he would have given half of his dominions for 
 one drop of water, and began to yield himself 
 up to despair; but just at that minute he saw a 
 man going over the hills a pretty good way off, 
 and taking courage, he ran after him, which tired 
 him a good deal more, so that he could scarcely 
 come up with him. However, when he had 
 reached him, he told him to give him some- 
 what to drink, and to help him to some town 
 near at hand, for that he was the Caliph. WTiere- 
 upon the traveller, giving him more attention, 
 perceived that his robe was torn and soiled, and 
 that his turban was thick over with sand; so, 
 thinking he made a fool of him, he burst out 
 laughing very heartily. " Thou the Caliph ! " 
 says he; "what should the Caliph do in this 
 place without either guards or attendants?
 
 130 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Get thee gone ; thou art a liar." And so saying, 
 he spat* upon his beard, and turned away. 
 
 The heart of the Caliph Almansur burned 
 like fire, and he resolved that if ever he got 
 out of the desert, he would find out that man 
 amongst all the people, and have his head cut 
 off without pity. But in the mean time he was 
 dying of thirst ; so calling after the man he said, 
 " If thou wilt give me a drop of water I will 
 pay thee for it in gold." 
 
 " Aye, now," replied the other, " thou talkest 
 reason. Own to me thou art not the Caliph, 
 and I will give thee to drink ; but if thou wilt 
 not confess, thou shalt go without. 
 
 * This was the most aggravated mark of contempt, not 
 only with regai'd to spitting on him at all, but on account 
 of the beard of a Mussulmaun being considered as sacred 
 as his religion ; to touch it would be an insult, but to pull 
 it or spit on it could only be wiped out by blood.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 131 
 
 Tlie Caliph, who was hard put to it, did not 
 know what to do ; and he stopped so long before 
 he could bring himself to say what the other re- 
 quired that the traveller turned round to go ; but 
 before he had got far, the Caliph's pride was 
 overcome by his thirst, and calling after him 
 he said, " Alas ! what thou say est is true, and I 
 am no Caliph now !" whereupon the man gave 
 him his bottle of water and let him drink ; after 
 having done which, the Caliph gave him a hun- 
 dred pieces of gold, so much gratification did 
 he find from the liquid. 
 
 When the man saw the sum he had re- 
 ceived, and looking at his turban, perceived 
 by the fashion of it that the stranger was no 
 ordinary man, he began to say to himself, 
 '' Perchance, after all, this may be the Caliph, 
 and if I show him his way out, he wiU cer- 
 K 2
 
 132 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 tainly sacrifice me for the indignity I have done 
 him; whereas, if he dies here in the desert, 
 there will be another Caliph in his stead, who will 
 know nothing about the matter." So, putting 
 on an easy air, " Friend," says he, " I would 
 take thee along with me, but I am in haste; 
 nevertheless, thou hast nothing to do but to 
 follow the course of this valley, which will soon 
 lead thee right." So saying, he bade him good 
 bye, and went away. 
 
 The Caliph followed him as fast as he could ; 
 but the other walked so much quicker, that 
 he soon was out of sight, being quickly hid by 
 different turnings in the rock: so that there 
 remained nothing for the monarch to do but to 
 follow straight on the path the stranger had 
 directed. This he accordingly did, notwith- 
 standing that it appeared very strange to him,
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 133 
 
 for every step he took it grew worse and worse, 
 so that the Caliph was scarce able to walk at 
 all; and at last, after toiling for a good way, 
 he was obliged to sit down to rest himself on 
 a bit of rock that lay by the path ; and as he 
 sat there he began to think of his fate. 
 
 " This morning," says he to himself, " when 
 day broke I was lord of a thousand empires. 
 Flowers strewed my path, and my life was like 
 a string of perfect pearls, the last always being 
 finer and more beautiful than the former; and 
 now I am alone and desolate, a wanderer in the 
 desert ; and the sun which is now setting over 
 the hill shall rise to-morrow and find my name 
 no more among the living. Oh! Almansur, 
 where are the wonderful things thou hast done ? 
 and what has become of thy power? AVliere 
 are the nations thou hast conquered ? and where
 
 134 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 are thy armies that conquered them? That 
 thou shouldst die solitary and deserted, without 
 a hut to shelter thee from the winds of night, 
 without a friend to comfort thee in thy sorrow, 
 without a tear to drop upon thy tomb. But 
 Allah is just. Didst thou not think that all 
 men were made for thee, and forget that thou 
 wert subject to the same calamities as they 
 are? Didst thou not seek alone thine own 
 pleasure, and forget the pain that thou gavest 
 to others? 
 
 With such melancholy thoughts as these the 
 Caliph passed his time ; nor had he spirit to rise, 
 although the night fell very dark. But after he 
 had sat there a good while, all of a sudden he 
 heard a great laughing and noise as of people 
 making merry, which rejoiced him very much, 
 as he never thought but that he was quite alone.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 135 
 
 Accordingly, getting on liis legs, he went for- 
 ward after the noise, and going along a foot- 
 way that was none of the best, he presently 
 came up to the place it seemed to come from, 
 where he found a large house, or rather castle, 
 built of rough stone, which the Caliph thought 
 must be a college of those holy Dervishes who 
 give themselves up to religion and leading an 
 austere life. " For," says he to himself, " surely 
 no creatures but either Dervishes or devils 
 would come to live in such a place as tliis;" and 
 so without more ado he went in and walked up a 
 vast flight of steps, which was nearly dark, being 
 only lighted by a little lamp that was at the top. 
 Having gone up, he went through a straight pas- 
 sage, which was built also of stone, and from the 
 end of which the noise came that he had heard 
 so far, which still continued, much to the sur-
 
 136 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 prise of the Caliph Almansur, who thought it 
 odd that Dervishes should laugh so heartily. 
 However, going on to the end, he found a door, 
 so giving it a kick with his foot it flew open, 
 and he went into an immense hall, so vast, that 
 though there were an hundred tapers in it you 
 could scarce see to the other side. Round about 
 a table in the middle sat forty people of all 
 shapes; some having the legs of cows, others 
 the faces of birds ; some had a great many eyes, 
 and others again had several horns : but no sooner 
 did the Caliph make his appearance amongst 
 them, than they were all changed into old men 
 with long grey beards and Dervishes' caps on. 
 But though this was done in a moment, they 
 were not so quick but what Almansur saw them 
 very well as they were at first, and immediately 
 conceived that he was amongst a troop of those
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 137 
 
 infernal spirits, the Afrits,* which gave him not 
 a little uneasiness. But taking no notice, as he 
 was in want both of meat and drink, he went 
 in, and was going to speak, but they sdl began 
 dancing after the fashion of Dervishes, and 
 howling horribly, f making as if they bit them- 
 
 * A demon of the worst description, taking pleasure in 
 aU sorts of mischief. The great Solomon compelled them 
 to submit, as well as other orders of spirits, and employed 
 them in various little services, in which they showed a 
 great deal of adroitness and activity. — See D'Herhelot. 
 
 t Of these recluses there are many sects ; some of them 
 practice on themselves the most monstrous inflictions. These, 
 however, are entirely voluntary, as I believe they are bound 
 by no vows, and can quit the society whenever they have 
 had enough of it. There are sects who have a peculiar 
 dance, which Volney has supposed to be in imitation of the 
 motions of the planets ; others again sing, nor is their music 
 disagreeable. One fraternity, called the Kadiy, continue 
 howling the name of God till they are exhausted; and 
 others cut themselves with sabres, or pass the time in
 
 138 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 selves, and other ceremonies. But the Caliph 
 was not to be so put off, and therefore he waited 
 very quietly till they had made an end of dancing, 
 which they did at length, finding that he would 
 not go away. No sooner had they done, than 
 going up to one who seemed to be the chief of 
 tlie Dervishes, " Holy father," says he, " I am 
 a traveller who wants something to refresh him, 
 as also a lodging for the night, which no one of 
 your reverend appearance will refuse, I am sure." 
 " Be it far from me, my son," replied the 
 pretended chief of the Dervishes with a diabo- 
 lical grin, " to deny thee any thing thou canst 
 ask ; sit down, therefore, and be welcome ; and, 
 in order to show our complaisance for you, we 
 
 chewing hot iron ; and an order, now extinct, commenced 
 their noviciate by drawing their teeth. — See D'Herhelot ; 
 Tableau General; Griffith's Travels, ^c.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 139 
 
 will go out of our usual way of life, and eat with 
 you, and be merry." 
 
 At these words the Caliph thought to himself 
 that they had been merry enough before he 
 came in ; but he kept his mind to himself, and 
 sat down with the rest, where he found plenty 
 of all kinds of meat, and wine in abundance, 
 which he did not scruple to use, taking care to 
 say always before he helped himself, Bismal- 
 lah,* (In the name of God), which prevented 
 their meat from doing him any harm. By this 
 means of eating and drinking heartily, he got 
 back his strength again, and only wanted rest ; 
 but the Afrits, who by this time had found out 
 
 * This pious exclamation dissolves evil spells, and is 
 always used by butchers in Mahommedan countries before 
 they kill any animal ; nor would any Musslemaun eat of 
 any meat that had not been subjected to this ceremony.
 
 140 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 that lie suspected them on account of his always 
 saying, " In the name of God," resolved to tor- 
 ment him. So one of them who sat on his 
 right hand caught him by the beard, and with a 
 long crooked nail which he had, in shape lik^ 
 a vulture's claw, he made a hole in the Caliph's 
 under lip, and immediately took his natural form 
 of a wrinkled old devil, with eyes that shone like 
 red coals, and ears that, beside covering each side 
 of his head, hung down a great way upon his 
 shoulders; and in these frightful appendages, 
 which were very black, he wore a great many 
 gold rings; he was also humpbacked, and had 
 three horns of unequal length. 
 
 When the Caliph saw this, although he was 
 wonderfully courageous, he could not help 
 stopping a bit to look at the monster who 
 attacked him; and, in the meantime, all the
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 141 
 
 other Afrits, each more ugly than another, fell 
 upon him, and began all to pummel and pinch 
 him in such a manner, and w^th so great velo- 
 city, that they soon made him mind what he 
 was about. But the Caliph Almansur was now 
 refreshed by the nourishment he had taken, and 
 was also a very strong man ; so drawing his sci- 
 mitar, he laid about amongst the Afrits, after 
 such a rate, as made them soon repent it, for his 
 being a true believer gave him a great deal of 
 superiority over them; and before every blow he 
 took care to say, "In the name of God," so that 
 he did them a great deal of damage, sometimes 
 cutting off a horn from their heads, sometimes one 
 of their great ears, which made them scream with 
 the pain, so that the whole place rang with it. 
 At last having got two of them down under his 
 feet, and caught hold of another who was their
 
 142 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 chief, and who, besides having an eye in each of 
 his cheeks, had also a tail similar to that of a cow ; 
 the Caliph threatened to cut them up into slices, 
 if they did not immediately obey his commands. 
 Now though we all know that an Afrit, in com- 
 mon with other demons, is immortal, yet they 
 are not the less subject to pain and fear, and see- 
 ing that the Caliph was well enough able to 
 keep his word with them, they were dread- 
 fully alarmed. " Commander of the Faithful," 
 replied he that had the tail of a cow, "we 
 all swear by the great prophet Solomon, and 
 by the name upon his seal,* to perform any 
 thing thou desirest, that we Afrits can do. 
 Speak, therefore, and we will obey." 
 
 "Well, then," replied the Caliph, "you must 
 know that I have begun a city on the banks of 
 
 * One of the ninety-nine mysterious names of God, I 
 believe.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 143 
 
 the river Ti^is, which is not yet finished ; go 
 every one of you thither directly, and build it up 
 completely, and take care that it be the most 
 magnificent in the world." The Caliph, who 
 had drunk a good deal of wine, had not remem- 
 bered to bid the Afrits show him his way out, 
 and as soon as he had spoken his desire, they 
 regained their liberty, and being bound by 
 their vow, flew away with great screams to exe- 
 cute what they had promised : but no sooner had 
 they gone, than the hall, the lights, and every 
 thing disappeared, and the Caliph was again left 
 in utter darkness. 
 
 Whichever way he turned he could perceive 
 nothing; but at the same time all around him, 
 there was a great murmur, as of many people 
 speaking at a distance ; and he felt figures glide 
 by him, but on account of the darkness he could
 
 144 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 not tell what they were; so that he said to him- 
 self, " Am I suddenly become blind ? or am I 
 in that dark region inhabited by evil spirits, 
 which is at the bounds of the habitable world ?" 
 Presently after, he found his arms held on 
 both sides, though he saw no one who held 
 them, and in a minute he was carried up into 
 the air, and went along very fast, so that it took 
 away his breath. As soon as he was somewhat re- 
 covered, he asked where they were carrying him, 
 to which a voice like thunder answered, " To 
 judgment ! " and in a minute after they alighted, 
 and he felt himself free; but looking on before 
 him, he saw the darkness open, as it were, into 
 the shape of a long hall, which was all filled with 
 light, and all the rest round him seemed of 
 deeper gloom than ever, as if the air were con- 
 gealed into black marble; and the bright light
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. l45 
 
 which was in the hall did not at all extend into 
 the shadow where he was, but continued all within 
 itself, like a picture. At the end of this hall of 
 rays, so far off that they looked very smaU, sat 
 two beautiful figures upon a throne, from which 
 all the light seemed to come, and in them the 
 Caliph easily distinguished the young stanger of 
 Gurgistan, and the fair Isrillah. 
 
 Immediately he heard a tremendous voice 
 say, " What shall be the fate of the Caliph 
 ALmansur?" to which the figure that seemed to 
 be Ahnaf replied, "Pride, which made him des- 
 pise God's creatures, will make him despise 
 God himself, and therefore he shall fall from 
 the height of Zorat* into the depth of fire." But 
 
 * The bridge into Paradise, ^vhicll extends across the 
 infernal gulph, and is finer than the thread of a spider, no 
 doubt typical of the difficulty of attaining the kingdom of 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 just then, Isrillali took up the word, — "If," said 
 she, "he does not subdue his pride, and govern 
 his inclinations." 
 
 And then there was a loud cry of many voices, 
 so that the Caliph fell back in a swoon 
 
 When the Caliph Almansur came to himself 
 again, he was very much surprised to find all the 
 place exceedingly light; and looking about, he 
 found himself in a fine palace, more magnificent 
 than can be conceived. He was also seated on 
 a throne, with long lines of guards and attendants, 
 eunuchs and black slaves, in shining apparel 
 
 heaven. Mahommed, who in many things imitated the 
 Parables of the Divine Author of Christianity, seems to 
 have taken the idea of this bridge from the beautiful figure 
 used by our Saviour when teaching his desciples. " Strait 
 is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, 
 and few there are that find it." This bridge is also called 
 by the Arabs, Al Siral, which signifies the way.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAG DAT. 147 
 
 covered with jewels, and their scimitars bare, 
 exactly as if he were in his o^ti palace, which 
 caused him to think that he had been asleep ani 
 dreaming; but, nevertheless, his mind was so 
 full of the terrible vision he had seen, and his 
 thoughts so impressed with it, that he continued 
 to look mournfully down on the ground, and took 
 but little heed of all that was round about him, 
 thinking to himself of the dreadful warning he 
 had received. 
 
 He had not been long in this way, like a 
 person that was half bewildered, when hearing 
 a noise, he raised his eyes from the ground, 
 though still very mournfully, and fuU of thought, 
 uponwhich he perceived two people kneeling 
 before the throne, chained heavily, and he was 
 not long in discovering that these two were no 
 other than the young stranger, Ahnaf, and his 
 l2
 
 148 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 fair Isrillah, which sight confirmed him in think- 
 ing that he had been dreaming. "Well," said 
 he to the captain of the guard, who stood beside 
 him, "what dost thou want? Speak, without 
 delay." 
 
 " Commander of the Faithful," replied the 
 captain of the guard, after having prostrated 
 himself at the feet of the Caliph, " these are 
 the two persons who, by the force of magic, 
 overthrew your palace ; be pleased to give 
 judgment upon them." 
 
 The Caliph looked at them for a minute or 
 two, without so much as ever answering a word, 
 for he had a hard struggle in his own mind what 
 to do. At first, he thought of all the dangers 
 and mishaps he had met with ; and laying it all 
 to their account, he felt his anger very much 
 increased against them; but then he said to
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 149 
 
 himself, " Oh, Almansur, lay thy sorrows to the 
 charge of thine own injustice, which made thee 
 covet what belonged to another, and seize upon 
 that'to which thou hadst no right. Think also if 
 thou hast suffered much, how much more must 
 they have undergone." With this thought, the 
 struggle in his breast was at an end, and rising 
 from his throne, he embraced the young man 
 and his bride. " Strike off their chains,'^ cried 
 the monarch, " I owe them a secret which will 
 make my subjects love me ; and that is, that I am 
 a king to make all my people rightly happy, 
 and not alone to gratify my own inclinations." 
 
 No sooner had he said these words, than once 
 more everything vanished away, and he re- 
 mained with Ahnaf of Gurgistan and the lovely 
 Isrillah, together with a beautiful lady, who had 
 suddenly appeared beside them.
 
 150 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 " Commander of the Faithful," said the fairy, 
 for so she was, '* you must understand, that all 
 the wonderful things that have happened to you 
 have been caused by me, who have promised 
 my protection to this young man and woman ; 
 but you must know, that it was not alone for 
 their good that I have done all these things, but 
 also for the service of your Majesty, who, had not 
 this happened, would have been ruined by your 
 pride. 
 
 " For this reason I sent Ahnaf to Bagdat, 
 and invented the screen for which you were so 
 anxious, and so on through all the rest ; making 
 Isrillah break the talisman, which contained a 
 piece of the wonderful Sakhratan,* or emerald, 
 on which the earth is fixed, and of course, no 
 
 * See note, page 196.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 151 
 
 sooner was it broken, than the earthquake took 
 place, which overturned your palace ; but I took 
 care that it should hurt nobody, by conveying 
 every soul away, except yourself, whom I spe- 
 cially protected. I then brought you among the 
 Afrits, and showed you the vision which took 
 away the rust from your heart, and cast you 
 into a swoon, in which I had you conveyed to 
 my palace in Peristan, where I caused Ahnaf 
 and Isrillah to be brought before you, in order 
 to try you. Had you not resisted that tempta- 
 tion, you would have fallen into great sorrow, 
 though you would have regained your crown ; 
 but now, having done what is right, you have 
 nothing further to fear. But go on, and happi- 
 ness attend you." And having said this, the 
 fairy vanished. 
 
 As soon as she was gone, the Caliph, with
 
 152 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 his two companions, began looking about, for 
 neither of them knew where they were ; but, 
 nevertheless, Almansur found his heart at ease, 
 for he had done right; and presently after, 
 in looking along the sand, Isrillah saw the track 
 of a camel ; following which, they soon came to 
 some tents, in which they found all those who 
 had been in the palace that was destroyed by 
 the earthquake. As soon as the slaves and 
 others saw the Caliph, they prostrated them- 
 selves on the ground, and praised the Prophet 
 for his escape, never having doubted but that he 
 had been destroyed ; but presently, perceiving 
 that he was hungry, they got ready a collation, 
 and the Caliph made Isrillah and her lover sit 
 down and eat with him; which being done, 
 they all set oif for the camp, which was not far 
 distant.
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 153 
 
 No sooner had the Caliph come to his tent, 
 than he ordered the Grand Vizier to send for a 
 notary, who drew up the contract of marriage 
 between Ahnaf and Isrillah ; and at the same 
 time, as a mark of the change in his disposition, 
 the Caliph ordered a proclamation to be made, 
 giving pardon to all men for every kind of 
 oflPence, up to that day; which being done a re- 
 past was prepared, to which all the great lords 
 of the court were invited, and the Caliph set 
 Ahnaf on his right hand, and treated him with 
 great distinction. 
 
 The next morning, the Caliph Almansur 
 caused Ahnaf again to be brought before him, 
 and had him clothed in a rich robe : after which 
 he made him mount one of liis own horses, and 
 ride with him through the city ; in all of which, 
 the young stranger acquitted himself so well
 
 154 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 and gracefully, that he attracted the admiration 
 of the people. But that which greatly surprised 
 every body, except the Caliph, was to behold 
 the city, which two nights before had been 
 scarce more than half finished, complete, and 
 perfect in every particular, so hard had the 
 Afrits worked, according to their promise. The 
 Caliph having viewed the city, made the young 
 stranger choose a fine palace to dwell in, and 
 gave him a large pension, that he and his bride 
 might live handsomely. 
 
 After this, and having showed Ahnaf all man- 
 ner of favour, he returned to the business of the 
 state; but ever after that, the Caliph was a very 
 different man from what he had been before ; he 
 was now just, generous, and compassionate, and 
 no way too proud ; and the people used always 
 to rejoice on the day of his return, saying that
 
 THE BUILDING OF BAGDAT. 155 
 
 it had given them at once, the finest city and 
 the best monarch in existence ; nor during the 
 reign of the Caliph Almansur did they ever 
 cease to celebrate the building of Bagdat.
 
 THE HISTORY OP 
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN.
 
 159 
 
 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 
 
 Every one who has been at all well edu- 
 cated, has heard of the Gulf of Oman *, and 
 very well knows that it is thereabouts that the 
 finest pearls are fished for ; which trade suffici- 
 ently repays the merchants, who come thither 
 from different parts of the world, and hire 
 divers to go down to the bottom of the sea, to 
 bring them up the largest pearls that they can 
 find. Now these divers are not anybody that 
 can acquire the art of remaining under water ; 
 but, on the contrary, are men to whom that 
 
 * The Gulf of Persia is sometimes so called.
 
 160 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 way of making their bread has come down 
 from father to son, through a thousand families, 
 which, as a matter of course, renders them very 
 expert. But what is singular, the sons are 
 never known to forsake the calling of their 
 father, but continue it on all their lives, and 
 breed up their own children in the same way ; 
 and though their pay is not much, considering 
 the value of what they fetch up at so great 
 pains and labour, and though their life is very 
 hard and hazardous, yet they ^e very content 
 and honest, and live as happily as a great 
 many others who have no such discomforts to 
 endure. 
 
 On an island * of the Persian Gulf, not far 
 
 * This island was in all probability Bahreim, of which 
 this is a pretty correct description; Kinneir says — "Near
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 161 
 
 from the coast of Arabia, was a little village 
 almost entirely filled with these divers, who being 
 famous for their courage and ability, had a great 
 deal of custom from such merchants as came up 
 that sea, trading for pearls. Amongst the most 
 in repute in those parts, was a diver named 
 Abdallah, who, having very great success, and 
 the luck of bringing up the largest pearls, was 
 constantly employed ; and thus, as he was very 
 prudent, got together a pretty sum of money, 
 which he managed very frugally. But instead 
 of growing proud and luxurious, by becoming 
 so much .richer than his fellows, he not only 
 lived as ordinary, and saved what he had got, 
 but continued his old trade of diving ; and very 
 
 this island is a bank producing the finest pearls in the 
 world." See also the history of Sevd Said. 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 162 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 wisely deferred marrying, until such time 
 as he was pretty well advanced in life, and 
 began to want the comfort and pleasure of a 
 friend and companion at the times he was 
 unemployed. 
 
 Now when Abdallah had come to the deter- 
 mination of taking a wife, he did not look for 
 one whose beauty was noised abroad, and who 
 would have ill-fitted a man of his age, but he 
 looked for one who was noted for her good tem- 
 per and frugality, and did not forget to inquire 
 whether she had received such an education as 
 made her proper for a situation of life like his. 
 In that station, we all know that women are 
 not so backward and reserved as they are in the 
 higher classes, therefore a poor man has very 
 often an opportunity of judging of his wife's 
 person and character before he marries her;
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 163 
 
 while a man who is rich must take both upon 
 the credit of her relations. This was the case 
 with AbdaUah; and having found a person to 
 his mind, he married her without noise, and 
 continued his trade as before ; always getting 
 together money, which he and his wife took 
 care that no one should know of but themselves. 
 About a year after their marriage, Abdallah's 
 wife brought him a son, who seemed at first 
 but a plain child; but as he grew up he became 
 very handsome and active, following his father 
 to the water, and delighting to bathe and dive, 
 merely for the exercise of the thing, and that 
 he might acquire a good habit of staying under 
 the water, for he seemed to have no thought of 
 any other trade than his father's. He was accus- 
 tomed to say, however, that when he came to 
 dive for any one, he would bring up such large 
 M 2
 
 164 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 pearls as had never been seen before, which 
 shewed that he was not without some ambition. 
 Abdallah, who now began to grow old, for 
 his part thought little Saidy (for so was the boy 
 called) a perfect prodigy; and not content with 
 shewing him his own way of life, must needs 
 send him to a neighbouring Moonshee, who 
 instructed him in several languages, and philo- 
 sophy, in all which things Saidy shewed himself 
 so clever and industrious, that his master taught 
 him more than any of the other scholars, and in 
 the end as much as he knew himself, which was 
 no small matter. Had the youth not been of 
 a very fine disposition, he would have been 
 spoilt by the fondness of his father and mother, 
 who gave him such fine clothes, and so much 
 money, that it set him above all his companions ; 
 but Saidy was very liberal, and used to share
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 165 
 
 what he had with those about him, and was no 
 way proud of being better dressed than they ; 
 which made them so much love and admire him, 
 that in all their little quarrels or disputes, they 
 would come to him and abide by his decision, 
 which was always'so correct, that amongst them- 
 selves they gave him the name of " Saidy al 
 dawas," * or the clear-sighted. But for all these 
 things, he seemed to have a natural inclination 
 
 *" Sagacious, clever, subtile." This is a Persian word; 
 several others in this tale will be found borrowed from 
 that language. I am not aware whether Arabic is the 
 language of Bahreim or not, but from several jiassages 
 in this history, it would seem that Saidy considered him- 
 self as a Persian, and used the language of that country 
 as his native dialect. It very often occurs that Arabic 
 sentences, or words, are introduced in Persian books, 
 even by poetical authors, which renders it almost neces- 
 sary, for the full enjoyment of the many beautiful works 
 in that language, to have some insight into the Arabian 
 tongue ; but it seldom happens that, on the contrary, Per-
 
 166 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 for tlie water, and would always get to it if he 
 could, which did not at all displease Abdallah, 
 who was very well contented that his son should 
 shew such a turn for his business, and therefore 
 gave him all kinds of encouragement and in- 
 struction. 
 
 It so happened one day, when Saidy was 
 about eighteen years of age, that he had wan- 
 dered a long way from his own village by him- 
 self, seeking for some place where he had never 
 dived, and where the water was deep and 
 clear, that he might amuse himself and cool his 
 limbs, for the day was very hot. Accordingly, 
 having found a spot that looked inviting, he 
 prepared to go in, but all in a minute, before 
 he had pulled off so much as his turban, he 
 
 sian words are used by Arabian authors, unless on some 
 particular occasion.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 167 
 
 was startled by a fearful cry, and looking round 
 he perceived a young lady of exquisite beauty, 
 come out of the water, followed by a mon- 
 strous animal, whose head truly resembled that 
 of a man,* but whose body was fashioned much 
 after that of a horse, only his tail was like that 
 of a fish, and covered with scales ; and no sooner 
 had they come to land, than he pursued t]ie 
 
 * D'Herbelot mentions a great many animals which 
 inhabited the earth, previous to the creation of Adam, 
 none of w hich bore any great resemblance to man ; and 
 many of the creations of Eastern fancy are much more 
 monstrous, and unnatural, than the one in the text. 
 
 We might almost suppose that Horace had been ad- 
 mitted into the Castle of Argenk, and had seen the 
 creatures there depicted, when he wrote — 
 
 Humano capiti cervicem pictor equinam 
 JuDgere si velit etvarias inducere plumas, 
 Undique collatis membris, ut turpiter atrum 
 Desinat in piscem mulier formosa superne.
 
 168 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 young lady along tlie beach, towards the place 
 where the diver stood. Now Saidy was of a 
 very courageous disposition, and seeing that 
 the fair stranger was in great terror and tri- 
 bulation, he snatched up the largest piece of 
 rock he could lift, and threw it at the monster 
 with such justness and force, that it hit him 
 directly on the head and knocked out his 
 brains. 
 
 No sooner did the young lady see Saidy, 
 than she flew into his arms for protection, 
 and turned round with fear to see if the stone 
 had taken effect. When she perceived that the 
 monster lay dead, no words could express her 
 gratitude sufficiently to him who had so res- 
 cued her, but gazing on him with a great 
 deal of tenderness, she thanked him over and 
 over again.
 
 THE Dn-ER OF OMAN. 169 
 
 " Handsome stranger ! " said she, as soon 
 as she could speak collectedly, " your courage 
 and dexterity have saved me from a misfortune 
 which would be worse than death, and that is 
 the horror of marrying that abominable monster 
 you have just slain. You must know that I 
 am one of the children of the sea, and a princess 
 in my own country; but happening to stray 
 from home, that wretch, who is king of a very 
 powerful nation, would needs force me to marry 
 him, having found me in his dominions. To 
 escape from him I betook myself to the land, 
 but he followed me, and owing to his having 
 four legs, would have overtaken me soon, as 
 my strength was beginning to fail, had not 
 you given me such timely assistance, for which I 
 must shew you my gratitude; and as we people 
 of the sea have all the powers of genii, except
 
 170 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 their immortality, I promise to grant you what- 
 ever favour you ask of me." And as she said 
 these words, the young lady looked so softly on 
 her deliverer, as might have shewn any one, 
 at all acquainted with the world, that she could 
 deny him nothing, even though he had asked 
 for so high a gift as herself, but that she, 
 on the contrary, would have granted it with 
 pleasure. 
 
 But Saidy, who had never heard talk of love, 
 did not understand the meaning of the new and 
 tender sensations which he began to feel, and 
 thought it nothing more than the natural kind- 
 ness we have for any thing to which we have 
 rendered a service; and, therefore, he replied 
 very simply. " Lady, your kindness is far 
 greater than I deserve ; and as, notwithstanding 
 all these fine clothes, I am only the son of a
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 171 
 
 pearl-diver, what I ask is tlie power of re- 
 maining under water as long as I think fit." 
 
 At this request the young lady seemed very 
 much surprised, and, blushing deeply, she fetched 
 a heavy sigh. *' Whatever be your rank," re- 
 plied she, " you have rendered me the greatest 
 service in the world, and therefore you might 
 have asked anything, at least a great deal more 
 than you have asked; but as your choice is 
 made, I wiU give you the power you desire, and 
 1 endue you with it from this moment." 
 
 This way of speaking, but more the blushes 
 by which it was accompanied, cleared up Saidy's 
 mind, and he began to think how very beautiful 
 she was, and how happy he should be if he had 
 a wife like her ; which thoughts threw him into 
 some confusion, so that for a while he did not 
 know what to say ; but at last he replied with
 
 172 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 some hesitation, and casting down his eyes, 
 *' Dear lady ! I know not where my wishes 
 might have flown to, had they not been re- 
 strained by thinking of your rank, which is so 
 far superior to my own ; but this I know, that 
 the service which I have rendered to you, and 
 which I hope makes you happy, as you say, 
 will assuredly make me miserable all my life, 
 by remembering charms which I can never 
 possess." 
 
 The princess was very much gratified to hear 
 these words, by which she plainly saw that her 
 handsome deliverer was not indifferent to her 
 beauty; but as she was very discreet and mo- 
 dest, she replied, " Anything that I can bestow 
 might have been yours a minute ago, but before 
 I can grant you any other favour, which I have 
 no scruple to confess I am very willing to do,
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 173 
 
 you must render me some other piece of ser- 
 vice, which will be an excuse to my friends, w^ho 
 are not without their share of pride. But in 
 the mean time, come with me, that you may 
 see the power I have given you, and give me 
 your hand, that we may not lose each other in 
 the sea." 
 
 At this request Saidy was very much puzzled, 
 for he was afraid of wetting his clothes, and 
 did not like to take them off before the princess ; 
 but she perceiving his confusion, told him not to 
 be afraid, for with the power she had bestowed 
 upon liim, the sea would not touch him in the 
 least. Accordingly, he gave his hand to the 
 young lady, who led him forward to the edge 
 of the rocks, which were pretty high thereabout, 
 and in a minute both plunged into the waves, 
 which did not at all discompose Saidy, who was
 
 174 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 SO well accustomed to diving ; but after a while, 
 he was very much surprised to find that he could 
 breath and speak as well under the water as on 
 land ; and that they passed from one place to an- 
 other with a rapidity truly astonishing. At first, 
 when near the shore, and in the mid- water, he 
 perceived a great number of fishes, some very cu- 
 rious, that he had never seen before, such as one 
 which had the skin of a cow, another which had 
 two heads, and a third which was a sort of flat 
 fish, and had its mouth in the middle of its body, 
 and four eyes on each side, that it might see its 
 prey the better. All these, however, got out 
 of the way as fast as they could, when they saw 
 Saidy and the princess coming; and when the 
 two had got to the bottom, which was a good way 
 out, Saidy found quite a different region, where 
 there were no fish of any kind, and it seemed a
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 175 
 
 fine country, just like those on the face of the 
 earth; in some parts being covered with small 
 sand, and in others with large stones and 
 pebbles, which Saidy discovered to be all kinds 
 of jewels, in the rough; and in other places were 
 rocks and mountains, some quite bare and naked, 
 and others all growing over with various sorts 
 of sea-weed and beautiful water-flowers, which, 
 from their novelty, appeared more elegant and 
 fine than any of the earth. At first, Saidy, who 
 was very much delighted with every thing he 
 saw, must needs stop and pluck the flowers, or 
 pick up the precious stones and large pearls that 
 were rolled about out of their shells, so that he 
 could scarcely get on for stooping down every 
 minute. 
 
 For a while the princess let him have his own 
 way, and looked upon him with a smile to see
 
 176 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 how gracefully he moved, and seemed to take a 
 pleasure in his wonder and surprise; but at 
 length she took him by the arm, saying to him, 
 " You will presently see finer things than all 
 these, for I intend taking you to the kingdom 
 of my brother, where his gratitude for your ser- 
 ving me will shew itself in many ways." 
 
 Upon that, Saidy immediately followed the 
 princess, after kissing her hand in token of his 
 gratitude ; but he did so after so warm a fashion, 
 as let her very well understand that he had 
 other sentiments for her at the same time. 
 
 Gliding along through the water, much 
 quicker than any horse could go, were he ever 
 so rapid, they soon came to a place where Saidy 
 perceived the rocks and sands separated into 
 gardens, where all sorts of sea-flowers were 
 cultivated with a great deal of art, and inter-
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 177 
 
 spersed with grottos and caverns, round which 
 were placed different kinds of beautiful shells, all 
 arranged wdth great symmetry and perfection. 
 
 " We are now," said the princess, " ap- 
 proaching the capital of my brother's kingdom, 
 which is called the city of Coral, on account 
 of its being principally built of that material, 
 as you will presently see." She then led her 
 young companion into the principal street, where 
 he was struck dumb and astonished by the mag- 
 nificent sight that he beheld. 
 
 The street that he now entered was of vast 
 length, very broad, and paved all throughout 
 with white marble ; and on either side the 
 houses, or rather palaces, were supported by 
 grand colonnades of coral pillars, while the 
 frieze and entablature were of mother of pearl ; 
 and some, who were curious in these sort of 
 
 VOL. J. N
 
 178 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 tilings, had trained certain kinds of bright 
 green sea-weed, to climb up tlie pillars, in 
 fanciful forms, which made a fine contrast with 
 the red colour of the coral. Though Saidy 
 admired all this very much, yet his sight was 
 soon attracted by a palace which stood in a 
 large square, at the end of the street in which 
 they were, and which, from the great extent 
 of its buildings and more costly decorations, 
 he concluded to be that of the princess's bro- 
 ther, which in eifect it really was. 
 
 " Now, " said the princess to Saidy, with 
 a smile and a look of encouragement, " do 
 not be surprised if my brother, to whose pre- 
 sence we are now approaching, does not re- 
 ceive you after the most courteous manner in 
 the world; for you must know, that though he 
 is very good-tempered and kind, yet at times
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 179 
 
 he is subject to fits of the most monstrous pas- 
 sion and violence, when, by any misconception 
 or otherwise, he takes offence; but he is also 
 very easily pacified, and nothing will serve him 
 to make amends when once he is convinced 
 that he has done any one an injury; the only 
 way is, to let his anger have way while it 
 lasts, and it soon tires him out ; therefore, 
 above all things, do not show any fear or 
 irritation, whatever you may see or hear." 
 
 Saidy very readily promised to obey, think- 
 ing to himself, I shall but laugh at a man 
 who puts himself in a rage for nothing. The 
 princess accordingly led him into the palace, 
 where all the guards which were in the outer 
 court, prostrated themselves as soon as they 
 saw her, and did not rise up again till she had 
 gone by. In this court, which was very mag- 
 N 2
 
 180 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 nificent, Saidy remarked five doors, disposed 
 in exact order on the opposite side, which 
 led to the interior of the building. Four of 
 these (two being on each side) were of sil- 
 ver, written over with a character* which he 
 did not understand, and the fifth, which stood 
 in the middle between the other two, was of 
 massy gold, enriched with pearls of a mon- 
 strous size, disposed in the forms of birds and 
 flowers. Just before this door, was a great 
 drum, made of the shell of a nautilus fish, 
 and covered over with the skin of a sea horse, 
 prepared very finely, and all written over with 
 signs and characters of an extraordinary kind, 
 and on the top of this drum lay a stick of 
 
 * In the history of Bedir, Prince of Persia, and Gehaura 
 Princess of Samandal, we read that the vulgar language of 
 the people of the sea was the same as that written on Solo- 
 mon's seal, which, of course, Saidy was unacquainted with.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 181 
 
 ruby, quite pure, and finished off at each end 
 with a large pearl. 
 
 The princess without more ado walked straight 
 up to the drum, and taking up the ruby, hit 
 three hard blows, which made an echo through 
 all the place. No sooner had she done this, 
 than the golden door, instead of opening as 
 Saidy expected, vanished away entirely, and 
 the princess, taking his hand, led him into a 
 hall, whose magnificence was beyond all paral- 
 lel. As soon as they were in, the golden door 
 appeared again, and shut out the waters of the 
 sea, which never enters beyond; for the kings 
 of the sea are very much given to imitate 
 the people of the land, and therefore keep out 
 the water, and furnish their palaces with lamps 
 and other things, which are of no use to them 
 at all, but only to make a show.
 
 182 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 This first hall into which the princess brought 
 Saidy was very high, and though it was full 
 twenty cubits long, the roof, which was arched, 
 was made of the single shell of a fish, which 
 shines like mother-of-pearl, but has also an 
 uniform rose colour. This ceiling, which was 
 the most perfect that can be conceived, was sup- 
 ported by forty large square columns, each of a 
 single emerald, and the floor, which was very 
 rich, was all made of red sanders wood, inlaid 
 with flowers of gold, so finely done, that they 
 seemed to rise above the rest, though in truth 
 they were quite flat and level. 
 
 Having passed through this hall, they en- 
 tered another still more magnificent, and at 
 the end of it Saidy perceived a young man 
 sitting on a superb throne with a book in his 
 hand, reading very steadily, while round about
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 183 
 
 him were his guards, and several old men with 
 long green beards. " That is my brother," 
 said the princess to Saidy, as soon as she saw 
 the king, and at the same time advanced to- 
 wards the throne. But the young monarch 
 did not look up, but continued reading till 
 one of the old men said to him, " My lord, 
 behold the princess, your sister, who ap- 
 proaches the place of magnificence.* " As 
 soon as he heard these words, the king raised 
 his eyes, and regarded Saidy, who having come 
 within a convenient distance, prostrated him- 
 self before him; and seeing that the Sultan 
 regarded him with so favourable a countenance. 
 
 * Meaning simple the presence of the king Thus in 
 the Tuty Nameh, the king replied, " Go, and when you 
 have learnt the meaning of the noise, carry the intelligence 
 to the seat of holiness."
 
 184 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 fancied himself sure of a good reception. The 
 king then turned to the princess, saying; 
 " where have you been so long, Elheurah ? *' 
 which was her name ; " I began to be of the 
 mind that you had followed the fancy of your 
 cousin, who gave up every thing to follow an 
 inhabitant of the earth, and had left me to my- 
 self, which you know I could not endure ; tell 
 me also, who is this you bring along with you." 
 " My dear brother," replied the Princess 
 Elheurah, " since I saw you I have been in 
 great danger, for you must know that it took 
 my fancy to follow some sea birds that were 
 skimming over the water, to try if I could 
 catch some amber,^ warm from their eyes; 
 
 * The idea that the tears of sea birds falling into the 
 sea become amber, is not uncommon. I cannot imme-
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 185 
 
 and as by all the taunts I could use, I could 
 not make them weep, I still went on in the 
 endeavour, till I suddenly perceived that I 
 was in the kingdom of Harfen, King of the 
 Sea Horses, which put me in so great an alarm, 
 that I had nearly fainted. As soon as I had 
 somewhat recovered myself, I tried to get back, 
 but the odious monster was beforehand with 
 me, and having once got sight of me, he 
 followed me so quick that I was obliged to 
 take to the land. That was of no avail either, 
 for he came on shore too, and did not cease to 
 chace me, which he did faster than I could 
 fly ; and just when I was ready to sink with 
 
 diately call to mind any particular authority, to support the 
 supposition of the princess in the tale ; but no doubt the 
 learned reader -will be able to trace the idea, which I ima- 
 gine to be very ancient.
 
 186 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 fear and weariness, this brave young man came 
 to my assistance, and knocked out the brains 
 of Harfen with a great stone." 
 
 As the princess had said, the king, her 
 brother, was a very passionate and outrageous 
 man, and hearing of the insult she had met 
 with from Harfen, King of the Sea Horses, 
 he was ready to burst with fury, which not 
 knowing how to vent, and finding the necessity 
 of spending it upon something, he flew into 
 a violent rage, turning it all upon poor Saidy, 
 who, in his madness, he scarcely distinguished 
 from Harfen, and called him dog and slave, 
 besides a thousand other bad names. " So thou 
 thinkest," cried he, " that I would ally myself 
 to a dog, and the son of a dog; get out of 
 my sight, thou Afrit, or I will cause thy head 
 to be cut off in my presence without mercy.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 187 
 
 Now Saidy, who was also somewhat of a 
 warm disposition, although he had been warned 
 by the princess, could not refrain from anger 
 when he heard these injurious terms; and not 
 at all afraid of the power of the king, he 
 retorted them pretty sharply. " Is this the 
 return," said he, " that you think fit to make 
 me for having rendered an important service 
 to your sister, as she herself is good enough 
 to own? Truly, no man who is wise would 
 trust to the gratitude of kings ; but few would 
 expect such rank abuse in return for having 
 done them a good turn." 
 
 These words, as he might naturally have 
 conceived, but served to increase the rage of 
 the king, who, notwithstanding the prayers of 
 the Princess Elheurah, ordered his guards to 
 seize Saidy, and cut him in pieces instantly;
 
 188 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 but the guards, wlio very well knew the king's 
 temper, and that he would be sorry for his 
 orders after they were executed, were in no 
 great hurry to perform them ; and Saidy, being 
 young and active, soon made his escape out 
 of the hall, and getting into the court of the 
 palace, from thence proceeded to the town, 
 and darting violently through the waters, by 
 the power the princess had given him, he was 
 soon a hundred leagues from the city of Coral. 
 His next care was, where he should go, as he 
 did not at all know his way home, after having 
 travelled so far, and after such a fashion, and 
 it now began to fall night, for the sun and 
 stars are as well seen to rise and set by the 
 inhabitants of the sea, as they are on land. 
 
 At the same time, Saidy began to feel hun- 
 gry, on account of his having eaten nothing
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 189 
 
 all day. He therefore wished very much to be 
 on shore again, and rising to the top of the 
 water, he went on in a straight line, till he 
 began to discern some high land at a little 
 distance, which he took to be an island; and 
 swimming to it, he climbed up the rocks as 
 well as he could, and found himself on a very 
 fine and luxuriant meadow, interspersed by 
 tall trees, which grew two or three together, 
 but of what kind they were he could not tell, 
 as it was too dark to examine them narrowly. 
 Nevertheless, as he feared there might be wild 
 beasts, serpents, or some kind of venomous rep- 
 tile, he got into one of them to pass the night, 
 though in but a sorrowful sort of way, having 
 no kind of provision to satisfy his hunger ; how- 
 ever, just as he had got near the top, he found 
 something soft under his hand, and giving it
 
 190 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 a pull it readily came from the branch, and 
 he instantly conceived that it must be the fruit 
 of the tree. Accordingly, putting it to his 
 mouth, he found that it was very good, and 
 after having eaten that one, he searched about 
 for another, which he easily met with, there 
 being plenty on the tree. Having thus made 
 a very good supper, he said to himself, *' Every 
 thing comes of its own accord to him* who 
 is fortunate ; " and getting his arm round the 
 bowl of the tree, he seated himself on one of 
 the branches and fell into a profound sleep, 
 from which he did not wake till sunrise the 
 next morning. 
 
 As soon as he had opened his eyes, and 
 began to look about him, he found it very 
 
 * A common Persian proverb. See the Tuty Nameh. 
 The tale of the Merchant's Daughter and the King.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 191 
 
 extraordinary that he was sitting in a tree, 
 in a strange place, having forgot all about 
 the day before, but presently after he remem- 
 bered what had happened, and looking at what 
 he had taken for the fruit of the tree, he per- 
 ceived that it was neither more nor less than 
 the produce of a certain plant, that, creep- 
 ing up after the fashion of a gourd, fastens 
 itself on any tall tree that can give it sup- 
 port. He was also very much pleased to see 
 the country where he was, very beautiful; and 
 getting down he began walking forward, in 
 hopes of coming to some town, or village, "for," 
 says he to himself, "this fine country can 
 never be deserted, and without inhabitants, as 
 here we may see every thing that is necessary 
 for life, and proper for convenience." How- 
 ever he went on a long way, over high hills,
 
 192 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 all covered with verdure, and valleys full of 
 flowers, and sweet-smelling herbs, and every 
 now and then he met with a stream, or a water- 
 fall, which rendered it very cool and delightful ; 
 but, nevertheless, he could not perceive any 
 signs of cultivation. On the contrary, he was 
 very much disappointed to observe, that all the 
 place seemed just as nature had formed it— 
 without the least trace of its having been inha- 
 bited, and as if the foot of man had never 
 intruded upon its solitude. 
 
 As he went on, the sun rose high, and the 
 day began to be very hot, which soon tired him , 
 and perceiving a wood on one side, he turned 
 into it, and began plucking different kinds of 
 fruit, of which there was great abundance, 
 while at the same time a number of lively birds, 
 that came there for the shade, sang very melo-
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN'. 193 
 
 diously, and seemed quite tame and fearless. 
 Having finished his repast, and refreshed him- 
 self with the water of a stream, which ran 
 hard by, he got up and walked on again, till 
 after having passed several more hills and valleys, 
 all of which were rich and beautiful, he again 
 came to the sea side, which made him think, 
 more strongly than ever, that it was an island 
 he was on. However, to make sure, he went 
 along some way by the shore, till the sun 
 getting down very fast, he thought fit to seek 
 some place where he could go for the night. 
 Accordingly, casting his eyes about, he saw 
 a fine grove, whither he directed his steps, and 
 began examining the trees, which were of a 
 great many kinds, and all of immense size, the 
 finest in the world. Amongst others that he 
 did not heed so much, he remarked the pepper 
 
 VOL. I. o
 
 194 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 tree, and the tree that bears nutmegs, the 
 cocoa tree, and the camphire tree, together 
 with a great many palms and oranges; and, in 
 short, all kinds that grow, either in Persia or 
 India, all of which he knew at first sight, from 
 the good education he had had, and the books 
 he had read. But what took his fancy more 
 than all, was a certain sort of tree, a native 
 of India, which grows up at first from a single 
 stem, and then its branches shooting out, 
 when they come to a certain length, drop other 
 stems, which again form fresh trees, and so 
 on, till a single one makes a whole forest. * 
 In this tree were a vast quantity of apes, which 
 were the only animals Saidy had seen on the 
 island, except a few gazelles, and such like 
 
 * See Forbes's Oriental Memoirs, for the fullest des- 
 cription of this tree.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 195 
 
 beasts, that are common to every country. 
 After having eaten a good supper of fruit, as 
 soon as it was pretty near dark^ Saidy got up 
 into that curious tree, which is called in India 
 the Banyan tree, and saying his prayers, he 
 tried to go to sleep, but could not for a long 
 time, on account of thinking of the Princess 
 Elheurah, whose charms and condescension had 
 quite conquered his heart; and as soon as he 
 closed his eyes, the visions of sleep bore her 
 form back upon his thoughts. Very early the 
 next morning he awoke, and his grief was 
 very great, to think that the princess and he 
 were perhaps separated for ever, but at the same 
 time he comforted himself by fancying, that, 
 if it w^ere so, fate would surely never have 
 brought them together. Soon after the true 
 dawn, he set out to make himself sure whether
 
 196 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 he was the only person in the island or not ; 
 but after again travelling a long way, he 
 could see no habitation, and thereupon set 
 himself to think what he should do. Now 
 though he had the power of remaining as long 
 in the water as he liked, yet as he did not know 
 which way to turn, he felt some fear at trusting 
 himself to the wide sea, as he might only get 
 farther and farther from land, and at length 
 perhaps arrive at the end of the world, * which 
 
 * Saidy does not seem to have had the most correct 
 idea of geography; but this will not be wondered at, 
 when the strange theories of Mahommed himself upon 
 that subject are considered, as well as those of many of 
 his disciples. Amongst the rest — the world is said to be 
 founded on an immense emerald, whose vast fibres extend 
 in every direction, by the motion of which (at the com- 
 mand of Heaven), .earthquakes, and other tremendous 
 convulsions, are produced.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 197 
 
 he felt no inclination to explore. At the same 
 time there were innumerable dangers to be 
 encomitered in the sea, from hostile nations, 
 monsters, and a great many other things, which 
 he was no way prepared to meet, only being 
 armed with a small dagger, such as divers 
 wear. These considerations deterred him from 
 trying the sea, and, at all events, he resolved 
 to wait until such time as he had examined 
 every part of the island that he was then 
 upon. 
 
 While all this occurred to Saidy, the Princess 
 Elheurah was in great trouble at the anger of 
 her brother, and the sudden departure of her 
 lover, for whom she felt the most sincere passion 
 in the world, although he was no more than a 
 diver for pearls ; and this proceeded, as may be 
 imagined, not only from the very agreeable and
 
 198 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 handsome appearance which Saidy had, but also 
 from the vast service he had rendered her, and 
 from his great modesty and amiable disposition, 
 which she had easily perceived from his con- 
 versation and deportment. As soon as the young 
 king saw that Saidy was gone, his anger in- 
 sensibly began to moderate, and the beautiful 
 princess, who knew well how to manage her 
 brother, perceiving that his passion was abated, 
 found that she might now take the upper 
 hand, and so she set to work, and rated him 
 soundly. 
 
 " A pretty instance this is," says she, " of 
 your kindness and affection for me ! which you 
 are always saying is so great, to shew so little 
 gratitude to a man, who has saved me from the 
 greatest monster in the world, next to yourself. 
 A man too, whom I love, and am determined
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 199 
 
 to marry — to order your guards to cut him in 
 pieces before my face ! Truly, brother, if you 
 give way to these fits of passion, some day your 
 subjects will be unable to bear any longer with 
 your violence, and, rising against you, will 
 dethrone you, and give your crown to some 
 one who better knows how to govern himself. 
 Besides, what princess of the sea, when you 
 wish to marry, will ever give her hand to such 
 an outrageous man? It is bad enough to be 
 your sister, — what then must it be to be your 
 wife?" 
 
 These words very much confounded the 
 young king, whose anger had by this time 
 pretty well subsided. " Sister," replied he, in 
 a sorrowful tone, " knowing my quick disposi- 
 tion, the young man should not have answered 
 me so hotly; but I swear by the head of my
 
 200 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 father, that if he can be found, I will do any 
 thing within my power to make him reparation.'' 
 
 " How was he to know," rejoined Elheurah, 
 " that when once you get in a passion, you 
 vent your rage upon whatever happens to be 
 next at hand ? Was I going to give so bad an 
 account of my own brother, think you? But, 
 nevertheless, send after him immediately, and 
 promise me, that at his return you will give 
 him my hand, which I know he desires; and 
 I am sure he will, for my love, forget your 
 injurious behaviour." 
 
 The young king, who, though so quick and 
 violent, was very easily appeased and compliant, 
 readily agreed to all that the princess, his sister, 
 proposed, and immediately dispatched messen- 
 gers all through his own dominions, and neigh- 
 bouring states ; and even sent to make inquiries
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAX. 201 
 
 on the land ; but notwithstanding all their eiForts, 
 Saidy could not be found, which had so terrible 
 an eflfectupon the princess (who, the more she was 
 thwarted, only loved him the better) that she fell 
 into a state of illness, which had well nigh carried 
 her oflf. This, as may be supposed, greatly 
 afflicted her brother, who set himself down as 
 the cause of all that had happened, and when 
 she recovered, could deny her nothing, though 
 her first request (which was to be allowed to 
 seek her lover herself) put him to a severe trial, 
 as he loved Elheurah and did not like to part 
 with her for so long a time. However, he at 
 last consented, and she set out attended by four 
 women slaves, and four of her brother's guards 
 to protect her, in case of danger ; and, accord- 
 ingly, she journeyed on from kingdom to king- 
 dom, and from state to state, in search of the
 
 202 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 fugitive, resolving never to give it up, until 
 she had found him; upon which errand we 
 will leave her, and return to Saidy, who still 
 remained on the desert island. 
 
 When he had been there for nearly three 
 moons, he began to be very much tired of living 
 all alone, without any company, and would 
 every now and then turn his eyes towards one 
 part of the distant sea, over which there always 
 seemed to hang an indistinct kind of dark- 
 ness, which he took to be a cloud; and he 
 had had many a thought of going to see what 
 it was, but something as constantly prevented 
 him, and he continued lingering about on the 
 island, sometimes thinking of the Princess El- 
 heurah, sometimes of the Island of Bahreim, 
 and old Abdallah, his father, together with the 
 companions of his infancy, and all that had
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 203 
 
 made his early days pass pleasantly; till one 
 morning, when he was standing on the sea 
 shore, he saw a boat rowing towards the island. 
 At first it looked like nothing but a small 
 black speck, but presently as it came near 
 it grew bigger, and he could count twelve 
 people in it, six of whom rowed and six sat still. 
 Now, as Saidy did not know whether these 
 would prove friends or enemies, he resolved to 
 wait and observe their actions, before he began 
 to speak to them. Accordingly, he got upon a 
 tree, from whence he could see a good way 
 round, and watched the coming of the boat 
 with a great deal of impatience. It was not 
 long, however, before it touched the land, and 
 the six who had been rowing it remained in, 
 while the six others got out, of whom he could 
 plainly perceive, that two were chained like
 
 204 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 malefactors, and made a great many piteous 
 gestures, as if they desired tliose who conducted 
 them to spare them. Nevertheless, as it seemed, 
 their prayers were of no avail, for presently 
 after, one who seemed to be the executioner, 
 made them both kneel down, and unsheathing 
 his scimitar, he bared his arm, and cut off their 
 heads one after another. 
 
 As soon as this bloody affair was over, the 
 the other four fell all to work, and digging a 
 hole in the sand, they put the two bodies in, 
 and taking the heads along with them, got into 
 the boat, and pushing off from the island, soon 
 were out of sight, leaving not the least mark 
 behind of the catastrophe which had happened. 
 
 All this seemed very strange to Saidy, who 
 had been a witness to every thing they did; 
 so, getting down from his tree, he set himself
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 205 
 
 to consider what could be the meaning of such 
 a proceeding; and after turning it in his thoughts 
 for some time, he could only think, that the 
 island where he then was, must be the place of 
 execution for state criminals, as he had read 
 was sometimes the case; and he next began 
 to fancy that it belonged to some kingdom, 
 which he concluded must be what he had so 
 long taken for a cloud, and with this idea he 
 resolved to set out immediately and get to 
 land, not at all minding the day being far 
 spent, as he well knew with what quickness he 
 could go in the water, according to the gift of 
 the princess. Therefore, without more ado, 
 he tucked up his garments, and seeking a high 
 rock, he jumped at once into the sea, and 
 darting on like lightning, he arrived at the 
 opposite shore an hour before twilight. As
 
 206 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 soon as he got on land, he began to look about, 
 and presently perceived, by the houses and 
 towers he saw rising at a distance, that he was 
 not very far from some large city. So with 
 walking quick, he got within the gates just 
 before they were going to shut, and presently 
 found himself in the main street of that quarter, 
 where he saw the shop of a jeweller open, and 
 having in his pocket some of the pearls and 
 precious stones, which he had found when he 
 was with the princess at the bottom of the sea, he 
 went in to ask if the merchant would buy them. 
 The jeweller, who was just going to shut up 
 his shop, took them carelessly in his hand, and 
 carried them to the light at the door, but as 
 soon as he saw their great size and fine water, 
 he began to think differently of them from 
 what he had done at first; and turning to
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 207 
 
 Saidy, lie regarded him for a minute or two 
 attentively, and judging" from his dress — which 
 was very rich indeed for a person of his con- 
 dition, owing to the fondness of his good father 
 Abdallah — that he was some young merchant 
 making his first venture, he asked how much he 
 desired for them. 
 
 " Why, as to the pearls," replied the son of 
 Abdallah, " being accustomed to deal in those 
 kind of things, I know that they are very 
 large, round, and fine, and therefore I shall 
 expect a good price for them; but as for the 
 stones I cannot well judge, as they are what 
 I am unacquainted with, but as without doubt 
 you are an honest man, and a good Mussulman, 
 you must make me such an offer as you think 
 just and right," 
 
 These words (from some cause which Saidy
 
 208 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 did not understand) seemed at first very much 
 to confound the jeweller; but looking about, 
 and seeing that there was nobody to overhear, 
 he recovered himself, and addressing the young 
 stranger with a courteous air, " Young Sir," 
 said he, " you are undoubtedly a foreigner, 
 which I perceive the more readily from some- 
 what you have just let fall, but as I dare say you 
 are at present unprovided with a khan, if you 
 will deign to lodge with me, I shall be happy ; 
 and at supper we will talk over the purchase 
 of the jewels, which, not to dissemble, are very 
 precious; but let me advise you, before you 
 know more of the country you are in, be per- 
 fectly silent before all slaves, and also every 
 body but those I shall introduce you to. When 
 1 have told you where you are, and otUer par- 
 ticulars, you can use your own discretion."
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 209 
 
 These words, which the jeweller pronounced 
 in a very grave tone, somewhat surprised Saidy; 
 but nevertheless he was glad of so complaisant 
 an offer, and therefore readily acceded to what 
 the other proposed, who, giving him back his 
 jewels, and making him look that they were 
 right, shut up his shop, and showed the young 
 stranger the way to his house, which was a very 
 good one, and had a fine court, and every thing 
 to make it pleasant and commodious. As soon as 
 they came in, the jeweller led his guest into a 
 room, which, though it was none of the largest 
 in the world, was neatly furnished, and had a 
 degree of elegance and taste which some cham- 
 bers much richer, and more spacious, have not. 
 The jeweller, having complimented Saidy to 
 the best seat on the sofa, clapped his hands, and 
 ordered supper to be served, which was in- 
 
 VOL. 1. p
 
 210 THK STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 stantly done ; but while the slaves were absent 
 bringing in the dishes, he asked his companion 
 if he could speak Arabic after the pure pronun- 
 ciation, to which Saidy, who, as before said, had 
 been educated by a famous Moonshee, readily 
 replied that he could. " For," says the jeweller, 
 " you must know, that almost every body here 
 can speak Persian, in which tongue we have 
 as yet conversed, but there are only a few who 
 understand Arabic purely, therefore we may 
 use that language in future with safety. 
 
 To this Saidy made no difficulty, but at the 
 same time asked the jeweller his reason for so 
 much secresy; but that prudent person was 
 too cautious to enter upon such a subject while 
 the slaves were present, even in a strange 
 language, and therefore putting the question on 
 one side, he talked of nothing but the jewels,
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. '21 1 
 
 for which he offered so large a sum, that Saidy 
 was very much astonished. 
 
 " Take them," says the jeweller in conclu- 
 sion, " to some other merchants, and if they 
 offer you more, let them have them in God's 
 name, for I have said as much as I can afford 
 to give; though indeed, if you wait for six 
 months, until the time that the yearly caravans 
 arrive from India, you might sell them to 
 more advantage.'' 
 
 But, however, as Saidy needed the money, 
 and judged, from all he saw, that the jeweller 
 was an honest man, he concluded the bargain 
 for what he had offered, which was ten thou- 
 sand pieces of gold, and was infinitely more 
 than the youth had expected. 
 
 " I will now tell you," said the jeweller, as 
 soon as the slaves were fairly gone, " the rea- 
 p2
 
 212 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 son why I am so cautious and suspicious, and 
 why I recommend the same sort of conduct to 
 you (may God defend you, and give you a long 
 life.) You must know, that this kingdom and 
 city, which is the capital, was, not much more 
 than ten years ago, entirely inhabited by true 
 believers, and governed by a king who was a 
 just man, and a father to his people; but being 
 very rich and at profound peace, which having 
 lasted a long time, had imfitted the people for 
 war, a neighbouring idolatrous prince, called 
 El Khunkar,* or the king, but who should 
 rather be named El Khunkhar, the blood- 
 
 * The jeweller and Saidy were speaking Arabic, but it 
 must be remembered, that he had before said that the 
 people generally spoke Persian, which accounts for this 
 play on two Persian words; the only difference between 
 them being that the letter Kef in Kunkar, a king, is changed 
 for Kha in Kunkhar, blood-thirsty. It must be remarked, 
 that, in Arabic, the article is always applied to the adjective
 
 THE DIVER OF ORMAN. 213 
 
 thirsty, conceived tlie project of invading our 
 country, and taking possession of it himself. 
 This he did not fail to put in execution 
 with such vigour, and so large an army, that 
 we could make no resistance ; nor indeed were 
 the common people, who are always fond of 
 novelty, whatever they get by it, so much 
 averse to this new ruler as might be expected. 
 However, he soon showed them that they had 
 nothing to rejoice at, for the first thing he 
 did when he conquered the country, was to 
 cut off the head of our good old king, and 
 those of a good number of his ministers ; and 
 
 as well as to the noun, which it agi-ees with, as also to the 
 adjective which accompanies proper names, though they 
 themselves never require an article; in the same manner as 
 we say Philip the Bold, Alfred the Great, 6cc. We must 
 not forget, in reading these tales, that the Oriental story 
 tellers are neither the most correct linguists, nor the most 
 correct geographers in the world.
 
 214 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 then, with a kind of barbarous policy, instead 
 of trying to gain the goodwill of his new sub- 
 jects, he set himself to work, by constant exe- 
 cutions, to root them out, giving all their 
 Wealth and possessions to his own countrymen, 
 who are Pagans like himself. By forbidding the 
 public exercise of our holy religion also upon 
 pain of death, he prevents the people from meet- 
 ing together, lest they should concert anything 
 against his government; and so cruel is he, 
 that even his own guards and ministers are sick 
 of the bloodshed they see. It was only this 
 morning, that two of the likeliest of our young 
 nobles were sent to an uninhabited island, hard 
 by, and, without doubt, sacrificed to his jealousy. 
 These, Saidy never doubted, were the two 
 he had seen executed that morning himself, 
 but however he kept his thoughts to his own
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 215 
 
 breast, and only thanked the jeweller for his 
 caution. Then, having joined with him in the 
 exercise of our holy religion, he went to bed, 
 and rose early the next morning, when he 
 found the jeweller ready to go to his shop, 
 whom he accompanied, both because he found 
 him very witty and sensible, and also in order 
 that he might see something of the town. As 
 they went along, they perceived an old man 
 who was surrounded by a great mob, and wish- 
 ing to know what was the matter, they joined the 
 crowd, when they found that he was predicting 
 his own death, saying, that on that very day 
 before noon his head should be cut off; but, 
 says he, "before the day is over on which 
 I die, the tyrant also shall be slain by a stran- 
 ger, who shall reign in his place." 
 
 No sooner had Saidy and the jeweller heard
 
 216 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 these words, than some of the chaoux and 
 guards came up, and dispersing the people, 
 took hold of the old man and carried him before 
 the Sultan and divan who were then sitting; 
 and all these ministers being afraid of the king, 
 (whom they hated as much as any one), readily 
 condemned the old man to death, and he was 
 accordingly conducted into the square before 
 the palace, and his head was struck oif by the 
 executioner; when all the people, even the 
 very countrymen of the Sultan, testified their 
 horror at the bloody disposition of the tyrant 
 in sacrificing so old a man: but what was 
 their surprise, when the head, after rolling some 
 way, recovered its position, and opening its eyes, 
 exclaimed with a loud voice : " The first part 
 of what I predicted is come to pass, and my head 
 has been struck off before noon. So shall you
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 217 
 
 also find, that before night the t}Tant shall be 
 slain by a strang-er, who shall reign in his place." 
 
 These words, pronounced in such a porten- 
 tous manner, very much alarmed the Sultan, 
 who was of the most suspicious mind in the 
 world, and so he immediately gave orders that 
 the whole town should be searched, and every 
 stranger that was found should be brought, and 
 interrogated before him in divan. 
 
 While all this was going on, Saidy was seated 
 quietly with the jeweller, who had just told him 
 out the money. Now it so happened that the 
 shop was not far from the palace, and in con- 
 sequence it was one of the first to be searched, 
 and no sooner did the party of guards find that 
 he was a stranger, than, seizing hold of him, 
 they dragged him away to the divan ; taking 
 care as they went to let him know what he
 
 218 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 was suspected of, for tliey, as well as all the rest, 
 hated the Sultan ; for he was not one of those 
 men, who, though cruel to strangers, are kind and 
 merciful to their own subjects ; but, on the con- 
 trary, was alike severe and injurious to all men. 
 As soon as Saidy was brought before the 
 Divan, they began to interrogate him as to 
 whence he came from ; and he answering at 
 once, " from the Kingdom of the Sea ; " they 
 immediately determined that this must needs 
 be the person of whom the old man spoke, 
 and accordingly the Sultan ordered his head 
 to be struck off without delay, in the same 
 place ; although Saidy pleaded very hard, say- 
 ing, that it was hard he should lose his life, 
 because an old dotard who had never set eyes 
 on him, chose to prophecy some nonsense which 
 did not concern him at all.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 219 
 
 But this did not in the least move the Sultan, 
 and Saidy, perceiving that his fate was sealed, 
 determined not to die without a struggle, and 
 turned to the divan, saying, " If none of you 
 have courage to punish a tyrant who destroys 
 you, I will do it." So pushing through the 
 divan, he plunged the dagger, which he carried 
 in common with all divers, into the Sultan's 
 heart, before any one could stop him, and kicking 
 his body down the steps of the throne, he boldly 
 seated himself in his place. Then turning to 
 the guards, who were immoveable with aston- 
 ishment, he said, in a haughty tone, " I am 
 your Sultan ! and if you do not acknowledge 
 me, my attendants, who are collecting without, 
 will cut you to pieces in the twinkling of an 
 eye ; but if you do, I will promote you all, 
 and give you rewards." At the same time
 
 220 THE STRING OF PEATILS. 
 
 he tlirew a handful of the gold he had from the 
 jeweller amongst them; upon which immedi- 
 ately all the divan, with the guards aud choaux, 
 prostrated themselves before him; and Saidy 
 went out boldly into the midst of the people, 
 who had collected in the square, hearing that 
 there was to be another execution. As soon 
 as he had come upon the steps of the palace 
 with the bloody dagger in his hand, he ordered 
 the choaux to proclaim the death of the late 
 Sultan, and his accession; which he did, and 
 then added of his own accord, " Behold ! the 
 avenger of the people ! '' which all the multitude 
 received with shouts of joy and gratitude ; cry- 
 ing " Long live Sultan Saidy, the avenger of 
 the people," which joy was greatly increased by 
 Saidy taking another handful of the ten thousand 
 pieces of gold, and throwing it amongst them,
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 221 
 
 who, delighted as well with his noble figure as his 
 generosity, rent the air with their acclamations. 
 In the mean while Saidy was anything but 
 idle, but without loss of time he sent a slave for 
 his friend, the jeweller, who, being a man of a 
 sound wit and discretion, was fit to be consulted 
 on difficult points. The merchant, as may be 
 supposed, was very much astonished to hear 
 what had past, and as soon as he arrived at the 
 palace, the young Sultan made him give him the 
 names of all the old mussulmauns, emirs, and 
 viziers who were still living ; and having called 
 them into council, he got together the guards 
 of the old king who had been dethroned by the 
 invader, proclaimed the Mahommedan religion, 
 and having in an astonishingly short space of 
 time entered into all the forms of government, 
 he arrested all such persons as he thought
 
 222 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 dangerous, and before night was in safe pos- 
 session of a kingdom,* that the day before he 
 did not know was in existence. 
 
 At night all the shops were illuminated, and 
 the people gave themselves up to all manner of 
 rejoicings, execrating the tyrant, and magnifying 
 the good qualities of the new Sultan; the 
 graces of whose person, and the courtesy of 
 whose demeanour quite enchanted all his sub- 
 
 * In the small despotic monarchies of the East these 
 sudden revolutions continually occur, nor do they more fre- 
 quently happen from an organised conspiracy, than from 
 the sudden resentment of an individual. In fact, in the 
 East the slaying of a Sultan is so common an occurrence, 
 and he so much oftener arrives at his death thus, than 
 by disease, that assassination may he called the natural 
 death of an oriental despot: for confirmation, it is only 
 necessary to examine Sir J. Malcolm's interesting History 
 of Persia, and remark how the monarchs of that country 
 have generally finished their career.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 223 
 
 jects ; nor was there any one who could dispute 
 his right to the throne, as the tyrant had taken 
 great care to exterminate the whole race of 
 their natural kings. 
 
 Notwithstanding the sudden acquisition of such 
 vast power, and the flattery to which all princes 
 are exposed, Saidy did not suffer himself to be 
 dazzled by the contemplation of his good for- 
 tune, but applied himself with a great deal of 
 assiduity to the necessary affairs of the state, 
 informed himself of the extent and situation of 
 his new dominions, the state of the treasury and 
 the manufactures, together with the manners 
 and disposition of the people; in all which he 
 was assisted by the jeweller, who shewed in 
 every thing a great deal of understanding. 
 
 In the first moments of his reign, Saidy, as 
 before recited, had caused a good niany persons
 
 224 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 to be arrested, being the countrymen and special 
 advisers of tlie tyrant. This he did that they 
 might be taken by surprise, and not have time 
 to make any opposition or form plots against 
 him while the state of affairs was yet unsteady ; 
 but as soon as his government was well settled, 
 instead of striking off their heads after the 
 fashion of his predecessor, he contented himself 
 with conveying them to their own country, and 
 forbidding them, on pain of death, to re-enter 
 his kingdom. 
 
 This was very pleasing to the people, who 
 were tired of the horrid sight of continual 
 bloodshed, and were glad to see even their ene- 
 mies pardoned. As to all the others, who had 
 been brought there in great numbers by the 
 last Sultan after he invaded the country, Saidy 
 gave them leave either to go back again with all
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 225 
 
 their own goods and furniturej or else to stay 
 where they then were, and embrace the true 
 religion; which a great number chose to do, 
 rather than return to a place where all their 
 kings were tyrants. 
 
 Things being in this order, Saidy governed 
 his realm very steadily, and behaved with so 
 noble a carriage, that no one could have told 
 that he had not always been a great Sultan; 
 while the only thing that grieved him was, that 
 he had not his lovely princess to share his throne 
 with him ; and notwithstanding all the delights 
 of empire he could nqt help thinking of her who 
 entirely possessed his heart; nor did he either 
 forget his father and relations, and always 
 thought to send to them, but was still prevented 
 by the many things he was obliged to attend to. 
 However this peaceful state of things did not 
 
 VOL. I. 2
 
 226 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 long continue, for as the kingdom of Birmah,* 
 which was now governed by Saidy, lies in such 
 a situation to the kingdom of Pegu (which was 
 
 * There seems some little confusion about this descrip- 
 tion of Birmah (Miama as it is called by the people of the 
 country) as Pegu lies nearer to the sea, and therefore it is 
 more probable that Saidy should have first landed in that 
 country ; but Eastern geographers are not very correct, and 
 it is scarcely possible to ascertain how far the boundaries 
 of this kingdom extended at the time of the story. At 
 present the empire of Birmah embraces the whole of Pegu 
 and Reccan. In other respects the tale is pretty correct, 
 such revolutions as is here described having taken place in 
 a thousand instances. The climate is excellent, the seasons 
 regular, and no excessive alteration felt in the degrees of 
 heat or cold. The country is fertile and rich, producing 
 luxuriant crops of rice, sugar, and cotton, together with 
 most precious stones and minerals. The people are bold, 
 warlike, and active, and have manifested many signs of 
 liberality, unknown to other Eastern nations. — Further see 
 Syme's Ava. Since writing the above note, an immensity 
 of new information has been obtained, in consequence of 
 the late wars of Birmah.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 227 
 
 the country of the last Sultan) that the inhabit- 
 ants of one can easily invade the other, the 
 relations of the Sultan of Pegu, not content 
 that the new monarch of Birmah did not try to 
 take their kingdom from them, must needs raise 
 a great army to invade -his dominions, and re- 
 venge the death of the tyrant, their countryman. 
 No sooner did Saidy hear this, than being of 
 a very warlike disposition, and having a natural 
 skill in such arts, he summoned an army, put 
 himself at its head, and marching so fast that he 
 came in sight of the enemy just as they had got 
 one day's journey in his dominions, he attacked 
 them immediately with such vigour, that they, 
 who had not a thought of being opposed so 
 soon, were, on the first charge, obliged to fly, and 
 a great many were cut to pieces in running 
 away. But not content with this victory, Saidy 
 Q2
 
 228 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 pursued them into their own country, and 
 burnt a great many towns and villages, laying 
 everything waste as he went along, in order to 
 deter them from the like conduct towards him 
 in future. Having done which he returned in 
 triumph to the capital, where he was received 
 with greater acclamations and pleasure than was 
 even shewn to Motassim* when he returned 
 from the conquest of Ammoria. 
 
 Saidy had now governed a year and a half, 
 
 * He was one of the sons of Haroun Al Rascliid, I be- 
 lieve, and came to the throne after his two elder brothers, 
 Osmin and Mamoun, about the year 2 18 of the Hegira. He 
 was a very gallant and warlike prince, and built the city 
 of Samara. The taking of Ammoria, which happened about 
 four years after his accession to the Caliphat, was accom- 
 plished, according to Eastern tradition, in consequence of a 
 vow made by him to release a certain lady who was captive 
 there, having sworn to drink no wine until she was free. 
 One of the most forcible oaths a good Mussulmaun could 
 take!
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 229 
 
 and during all that time there had not one exe- 
 cution in the whole kingdom for any manner of 
 crime, although he was very discerning and 
 just, so that the people, as his companions had 
 done before, gave him the name of Sultan 
 Saidy Al Dawas or the clear-sighted. 
 
 Now it was the custom in that country, if a 
 man could not pay his debts, that his creditors 
 should take him and sell him in the slave mar- 
 ket for as much as he would fetch; but the cre- 
 ditor was first obliged to get a decree of the 
 law against the debtor, or else he had no power 
 over him. But during all the time that Saidy 
 had governed, this law, which he looked upon as 
 <;ruel and unjust, had never been in use, as it 
 was well known he set his face against it. Ne- 
 vertheless, one day, as he was sitting in the 
 divan to administer justice, a young man was
 
 230 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 brought before him by his creditor, who prayed 
 the Sultan to give judgment against him. 
 Now these two were followed by a young wo- 
 man who, notwithstanding that she was covered 
 with tears, bore so very strong a likeness to the 
 Princess Elheurah, that at first Saidy could not 
 answer for looking at her, and though he pre- 
 sently perceived that it was not the princess, 
 yet as she was very like and very handsome, he 
 began to feel tender sensations towards her; 
 therefore as soon as he could speak he demanded 
 who she was, and what brought her there. 
 
 " That, my lord," replied the young man 
 in debt, prostrating himself before the Sultan, 
 " is a young woman who has plighted her 
 faith to me, and as we have neither of us 
 any fortune, we have delayed marrying until 
 such time as by hard labour I had got together
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 231 
 
 enough to let us live comfortably ; but, as this 
 man presses for his debt, which I cannot pay, 
 all my industry must go for nothing." 
 
 Now Saidy, who was the most generous 
 person in the world, would willingly have 
 paid his debt for his debtor, had it not been 
 for the great beauty of the young woman; but 
 as he could not make up his mind to part 
 with her, he listened to what the hard creditor 
 had to say, and gave judgment against the 
 young man, whom he ordered to be sold in 
 the market according to the law; to which he 
 submitted with a great deal of resolution, say- 
 ing, " that he knew his fate, and that the 
 Sultan was perfectly just." 
 
 As soon as the creditor and debtor was gone 
 from the divan, Saidy retired from the hall 
 of audience, and giving a sign to one of the
 
 232 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 mutes, he made him understand that he was 
 to follow the young woman, and bring her 
 to the palace that night; which he accordingly 
 did with a great deal of dexterity. 
 
 When the Sultan heard that she was arrived, 
 he ordered her to be treated with a great deal 
 of respect and magnificence ; and, when he 
 fancied that she was sufficiently prepared for 
 his reception, he went to pay her a visit. 
 She was not long in finding out what were 
 his wishes; bat, notwithstanding all the bril- 
 liant prospects he held out to her view, she 
 refused him with a great deal of perseverance 
 and resolution; and with many tears entreated 
 him to allow her at least till the next day to con- 
 sider and make up her mind to her fate. 
 
 With this the young Sultan had some diffi- 
 culty in complying ; but at length he consented.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 233 
 
 yet would by no means let her go a step from 
 the palace, as he feared she might escape, by 
 leaving the city unknown to any one. 
 
 As soon as he had left her, Saidy retired to 
 his own apartment, and ha-.dng said his prayers, 
 his ofi&cers presently appeared to undress him ; 
 but he was in one of those gloomy tempers in 
 which people often find themselves, after having 
 done a wrong thing, or when they are obliged 
 to examine a bad action they wish, to commit 
 without consideration ; and, notwithstanding all 
 he could do to persuade himself that he was 
 in the right, he could not help thinking sorrow- 
 fully over the fate of the young man he had 
 ordered to be sold. In this mind he told his 
 attendants that he did not want them, and 
 kept sitting on the sofa in great melancholy 
 thinking over it all ; and when he remembered
 
 234 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 liis own beautiful princess, that made it still 
 worse and his reflections more bitter. 
 
 Now Saidy was naturally of a bold and 
 noble disposition, with a great deal of deter- 
 mination and resolution ; so he said to himself, 
 ^* I have done wrong and committed a great 
 jpiece of injustice : what I must do, therefore, 
 is not to sit here and regret having done it, 
 and yet go on in the same way; but I must 
 set myself to redress what has gone amiss ; and 
 not only that, but moreover I will punish 
 myself for behaving so cruelly, as I certainly 
 have done. Having taken this resolution, and 
 determined what to do, Saidy undressed him- 
 self and went to bed, where he slept very 
 soundly, and thought no more of the matter 
 that night, except that, in his sleep, he dreamt 
 of the Princess Elheurah.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 235 
 
 As soon as it was morning the next day, his 
 officers, who wondered at his sending them 
 away the night before, presented themselves 
 to dress him, which Saidy caused them to 
 do witli more magnificence than usual, and 
 taking the scimitar which he wore when he 
 defeated the army of Pegu, he went down to 
 the treasury and took out ten thousand pieces 
 of gold, being exactly what he had received 
 from the jeweller; and then going out he or- 
 dered his throne to be brought into the great 
 square before the palace, together with a fine 
 white horse which had carried him to battle. 
 As soon as he had seen these preparations 
 made, and stationed his guards to keep the 
 space clear before him, he caused the chaoux 
 to call all the people together; which being 
 very soon done, the square and all the places
 
 236 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 adjacent were instantly crowded by folks of 
 all sorts, eager to hear what was the cause of 
 so unusual a thing; nor had there been ever 
 such a multitude in the city together since 
 Saidy had killed the tyrant. In the mean- 
 time, while these were collecting, he took care 
 to send to the market where slaves were sold, 
 and caused inquiry of the inspectors of the 
 market, as to where the young man liad been 
 sent who was exposed for debt, and the chaoux 
 soon found him and brought him to the palace, 
 having redeemed him by order of the Sultan. 
 At the same time, the young woman was 
 brought from the chamber in which she had 
 been placed, and from which she had often 
 tried to escape, but had always been prevented 
 by some of the slaves. 
 
 As soon as all was ready Saidy went out into
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 237 
 
 the great square and took his seat on the throne ; 
 the grand vizier being placed on his right 
 hand, and the young man and woman on his 
 left, while all the people very much wondered 
 what this could mean ; but nevertheless, though 
 the crowd was so great, they all maintained a 
 profound silence out of respect, as they were 
 very much attached to the young Sultan, and 
 at the same time reverenced him for his justice 
 and other shining qualities. 
 
 After a whUe Saidy turned to the people, and 
 related to them, boldly, all that had happened; 
 and between every sentence he made a pause, 
 that those who were near might repeat what he 
 said to those who were at a distance and could 
 not so well hear. As soon as the murmur of 
 their voices had subsided, he began a new sen- 
 tence, and so went on that all might perfectly
 
 238 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 understand him. When he had told the whole 
 story of the young man and woman, and of his 
 own injustice, which he did not in the least 
 lessen, he proceeded. 
 
 " The first thing to be done," says he, 
 " after we find that we have acted wrong, is 
 to redress those we have injured, and, there- 
 fore, I have redeemed him that was sold, and 
 give him again his liberty from this minute, 
 together with a thousand pieces of gold as 
 a portion for his wife. After having done 
 justice to the innocent," continued he, " it is 
 necessary and right to punish him that did 
 wrong; and therefore, as I myself have been 
 guilty of such a notable piece of injustice, I 
 judge that I am no longer fit to reign over you, 
 and, accordingly, I resign the throne from this 
 moment, and am no longer Sultan." And
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 
 
 having said tliese words, he descended ti 
 throne with a determined air. 
 
 All the people, who had very much applauded 
 his generosity and justice to the young couple, 
 and had only waited to testify their pleasure 
 and approbation in acclamations to his honour, 
 were very much surprised and struck by so 
 unexpected an end to his speech; and indeed 
 so greatly were they grieved and astonished, 
 that they, every one, looked at the other, seem- 
 ingly speechless, and suffered the young Sultan 
 to mount the horse he had prepared, and ride 
 through them all out of the town without so 
 much as saying one word to stop him, though they 
 all prostrated themselves as he rode by them. 
 
 Saidy, as soon as he was clear of the city, rode 
 on pretty fast, not much caring which way he 
 went, and fully impressed with the great sacri-
 
 240 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 fice he had just made, but nevertheless he found 
 great consolation in thinking that he had done 
 right, and he determined, as he went, to devote 
 his life to seeking for his lovely princess. 
 
 '* So," said he to himself, " I am no longer 
 Sultan Saidy Al Dawas, monarch of Birmah, ' 
 but Saidy, the simple Diver of Oman ; and yet, 
 I doubt not, my princess will have me as well 
 as if I were monarch of the world." 
 
 Filled with these thoughts he travelled on 
 for several days without ever inquiring where 
 he was, and lodging at night in any place 
 that he could find. At first the country was 
 well enough, being full of people, all of whom, 
 though they did not know him, were very 
 courteous and hospitable; but on the third 
 day he found himself getting into a wild place 
 where there seemed scarce any inhabitants, and
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 241 
 
 inhabitants, and at last came to the borders of 
 avast lake, surrounded by a great xnany rocks 
 and mountains, together with dark forests and 
 moors, and, in short, all that is wild and uncul- 
 tivated. When Saidy saw this, without being 
 able to perceive anything like a human habita- 
 tion, he began to think that, as the night was 
 approaching, he should have to take up his lodg- 
 ing in a tree, as he had always done in the un- 
 inhabited island ; but presently after, in looking 
 about for such a one as would do, he spied a 
 large door, in one of the rocks, made of a 
 certain sort of dark wood, which is harder than 
 iron. This very much rejoiced Saidy to see, 
 although he did not know to whom it belonged ; 
 but being of a good heart, he went up to it 
 and gave a knock with the hilt of his scimitar, 
 hard enough for any one inside to hear, yet not 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 242 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 too loud. Having waited for some time to see 
 if any body would come, and no one making 
 their appearance, he knocked again, and then 
 listened, but the door only returned a hollow 
 kind of noise, without any other answer. At 
 last, getting out of patience, he gave three sharp 
 raps, very quick: no sooner had he done this, 
 than the door flew open of itself, and shewed 
 him the entrance of a fine palace, which he 
 could not conceive to be without inhabitants, 
 and therefore he walked in without ceremony, 
 and began looking about to see if he could find 
 any one of whom to ask a night's lodging. But 
 though all was furnished with great magnificence, 
 and every thing quite new, for a long time he 
 could not perceive a single soul, which made 
 him conceive, that, for some cause, the inhabi- 
 tants must have deserted it. At length, however,
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 243 
 
 he came into a grand hall, on the walls of 
 which were painted a great many animals, such 
 as Saidy had never before beheld, * and 
 whose curious shapes made him laugh very 
 much; but after having looked about for a while, 
 he saw, at the farther end of the hall, a small 
 man, f the least that can be conceived. He 
 
 * By the account of this apartment, it seems that Saidy 
 had got into the residence of Argenk, where were represen- 
 tations of all those animals which inhabited the earth under 
 the seven Solomons, who reigned previous to the creation 
 of Adam. Whether the King of the Giants, hereafter 
 mentioned, means Gian ben Gian, or some other person 
 of as indubitable reality, the curious must determine. — 
 For a detailed account of these gentlemen, together with 
 sketches of their lives and adventures, see D'Herbelot. 
 
 t Dwarfs are very much prized in the East; the more 
 imperfect they happen to be, the more valuable are they 
 esteemed. If mute they are in great request, but if 
 mutilated in other respects, no^ price can be too high 
 for them. 
 
 R 2
 
 244 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 was no more than two foot and a half high, but 
 very well made and slim, and was also richly 
 drest, and with a great deal of taste and elegance. 
 No sooner did the dwarf perceive him, than 
 he came forward with a courteous air, and 
 began talking very fast in a language which 
 Saidy did not understand. After he had made 
 a speech in this tongue, which lasted half an 
 hour, he suddenly perceived that the stranger 
 did not comprehend him, and changing his 
 language for Arabic, very politely bade him 
 welcome. To this Saidy, who wished to know 
 more, replied by a long compliment in the 
 same language, which he extended so far, that 
 at the end the dwarf had quite forgot the 
 beginning. Notwithstanding he found it very 
 much to his taste, and rejoined, after having 
 indulged in a long flourish, that he supposed
 
 THE DIVER OF OMA>i, 245 
 
 Saldy was come to do honour to the marriage 
 of his master, the King of the Giants ; to 
 which Saidy made answer, that he came for 
 that express purpose, and begged immediately 
 to be shown to the presence of the king. 
 
 *' You must know. Sir," replied the small 
 man, " that my master is gone upon an expe- 
 dition against the people of Pegu, who are 
 his great enemies, and against whom he main- 
 tains a continued hostility ; but we expect him 
 to return every day upon the white horse of 
 victory, and he will no doubt be highly pleased 
 to find a guest of such high rank at his arrival." 
 
 *' I perceive, dwarf," said Saidy, '* that you 
 are a person of a good wit and discernment, 
 having found out already by the fashion of my 
 turban that I am a Sultan; though I would 
 have you to understand, that I came here in
 
 246 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 private, on the news of your master's marriage, 
 to compliment him upon that occasion, and 
 to make an alliance with him against the King 
 of Pegu, who is a barbarian, and my great 
 enemy; and as I did not choose my coming 
 to be noised abroad, I did not bring my atten- 
 dants, but chose to trust myself all alone to 
 the hospitality of the King of the Giants." 
 
 This discourse very much gratified the little 
 dwarf, who being of a babbling disposition, 
 was very communicative to Saidy, and pre- 
 sently began to tell him all about his master's 
 concerns, which was just what he wanted to be 
 informed of, in order that he might know how 
 to behave if the King of the Giants came back 
 while he was there. 
 
 " You must know," says the dwarf, " that 
 my master is just going to be married to a
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 247 
 
 young lady, who, to speak the truth, is more 
 beautiful than the leaf of a fresh rose, but who, 
 to judge by her looks, is not very well pleased 
 at her bargain, and would much rather receive 
 the compliments of your slave than those of the 
 King of the Giants ; but the truth is, I am by 
 nature cold, and therefore do not encourage her 
 affection." 
 
 This speech of the small man, though it more 
 showed the vanity natural to dwarfs than any 
 tiling else, greatly excited Saidy's curiosity, 
 and he began to cast about in his own mind, 
 how he might have an opportunity of gratifying 
 it; and in the meanwhile, that he might have 
 time to think of his project, which was no other 
 than to see the lady who was to be married 
 to the King of the Giants, he desired the 
 dwarf to show him the palace, which he never
 
 248 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 doubted was very magnificent. Accordingly, 
 he was led through a great many fine halls and 
 apartments, all excelling each other in beauty, 
 yet all seeming quite perfect till you saw 
 the next, which was then found to be more 
 rare and wonderful. Having shown Saidy all 
 these, with anti-chambers and sleeping rooms 
 to correspond, the dwarf stopped at a great 
 door of brass. " That," said he, " is where the 
 princess is lodged till the return of the king." 
 These words a good deal surprised Saidy, 
 who did not know that the young lady resided 
 in the palace, and he was at the same time glad 
 of it, as it gave him the more hopes of being 
 able to see her; and accordingly, after talking 
 awhile of indiiFerent matters, the young gentle- 
 man asked the dwarf if he could not contrive 
 to get him a sight of her.
 
 THE DIVER OF 03IAN. 249 
 
 " Why, my lord," replied the dwarf, " you 
 must understand, that the King of the Giants, 
 perceiving the princess's disinclination towards 
 him, is very jealous and suspicious, and shuts 
 her up in these apartments where nobody can 
 come near her but her maids and the eunuchs ; 
 but if you would be very discreet, I would 
 admit you into a garden, where she does not 
 fail to walk every day at sunset, that she may 
 enjoy the cool of the evening. But if such be 
 your wish, you must make haste, for the hour 
 is near at hand." 
 
 To this Saidy, whose curiosity was more 
 and more increased by all he heard, readily 
 answered, by promising all manner of discre- 
 tion ; and the dwarf accordingly led liim into 
 a very spacious garden, filled with all manner 
 of flowers, and which communicated with the
 
 250 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 palace by two different doors. Here, after 
 they had looked at several things that were 
 worth remark, Saidy and the dwarf hid them- 
 selves behind two large trees in that part of the 
 garden where the princess generally walked. 
 
 They had not waited long, before they saw 
 a lady coming towards them, with her veil up, 
 and no sooner did Saidy behold her, than he 
 felt a strange kind of sensation at his heart ; 
 but what was his astonishment to perceive, on 
 her coming nearer, that it was his own beau- 
 tiful Princess Elheurah, who kept walking on 
 very disconsolately, with her eyes cast upon the 
 ground and full of tears. But although he was 
 very much surprised and agitated, between joy 
 and sorrow, hope and fear, yet he took care to 
 dissemble the matter with the dwarf, and only told 
 him he must go and compliment the lady, to
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 251 
 
 which the little man dared not object, although 
 he trembled at the very thought of the King 
 of the Giants getting information that he had 
 permitted such a thing. 
 
 Accordingly, Saidy walked forward to meet 
 the princess, who, though she was somewhat 
 astonished to see a fine handsome man there, 
 did not at all recognise Saidy in the turban and 
 robes of a Sultan ; but, however, she soon began 
 to think tliat she had seen him somewhere, and 
 as he came near her, the power of love made 
 her tremble very much; and so on remember- 
 ing him by degrees, till she had recollected 
 him quite, so that she had an opportunity of 
 restraining her joy, lest any one should observe 
 them. As soon as Saidy came up he kissed her 
 hand, — " My princess," says he, " do not mar- 
 vel to see me in this dress, for I am, or at least
 
 252 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 was a few days ago, really a Sultan, as I seem; 
 but of that I will tell you more hereafter, when 
 we have time to spare. At present, we have 
 only to think how we may accomplish setting you 
 at liberty, for I am informed of your being 
 in captivity, and to the effect that I may be 
 the better able to serve you, you must tell me 
 how you came here, and every thing that has 
 happened. 
 
 As soon as the princess heard this, she drew 
 a deep sigh, and then set about telling her 
 lover all that had passed between her and her 
 brother, after he had gone away so quickly, 
 concealing nothing from him. "Well," my 
 dear preserver," continued she, "after I had 
 travelled all through the sea, and its kingdoms, 
 I thought that you might have gone through a 
 certain passage which leads, underground, from
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 253 
 
 the bottom of the ocean to a vast salt water 
 lake, near this place, and therefore followed 
 the road to it, which I knew well enough, and 
 having been all over it, in vain, seeking for you, 
 I felt sure that you must have taken to the 
 land, and so rising up with my attendants, I 
 came on shore not far hence, as I thought 
 that no one would be barbarous enough to 
 injure me. When I found myself in this king- 
 dom, I applied to the King of the Giants, tell- 
 ing him that I was a princess, who was search- 
 ing for her lover, who had been lost just as 
 she was going to be married to him; but I must 
 tell you that I took care not to let him know 
 that I was a princess of the sea. At first he 
 treated me very civilly, and caused his domi- 
 nions to be searched for you, but after a while, 
 not finding you, he took a fancy to me himself,
 
 254 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 and proposed that I should marry him instead. 
 You may suppose that I refused his offers, and 
 tried to make my escape ; upon which he con- 
 fined me here, and would have married me 
 before now, whether I would or not, had he 
 not been carried away by a war with some 
 nation, who are his enemies." 
 
 All the time that the princess was speaking, 
 Saidy considered every thing she said, and 
 turned in his mind the way of delivering her ; 
 and when she had done he replied thus. — 
 <' My adored princess, you must know that the 
 part of this lake which you mention is close 
 by this palace, by which I think that your 
 escape may be effected : therefore, when your 
 tyrant comes back, feign to receive him with a 
 great deal more complaisance, as if you had 
 forgotten your former lover altogether, and
 
 THE DIVER or OMAN. 255 
 
 take no notice of me, though you may see me 
 in his company ; but all of a sudden pretend 
 ta be seized with a sudden faintness, and then 
 desire to have the air which blows from some 
 piece of water, and which is always cool and 
 refreshing. No doubt the giant wall bring you 
 to the lake, but as soon as you come near 
 betake yourself to it, with your maids, who, I 
 am told, are here with you, and I mil soon find 
 means to follow you, by the gift which you 
 have bestowed upon me." 
 
 Just as Saidy had done speaking, the dwarf 
 came up, and being afraid that they should be 
 seen, he told the young gentleman that his 
 compliment was a very long one ; upon which, 
 without more ado, Saidy gave him a sharp box 
 of the ear, telling him he forgot to whom he 
 was speaking, and that he must learn to treat
 
 256 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 people of his rank after a different manner. 
 This behaviour very much cooled the dwarf, 
 who had before fancied himself a great person, 
 but was now, on the contrary, all submission and 
 obedience; and Saidy thinking that it would 
 be best to retire, took leave of the princess, 
 (though he had a hard matter to tear himself 
 away,) and returned to the palace by the same 
 way he came. 
 
 As soon as they were come to the common 
 apartments, the dwarf, who was a principal 
 ofl&cer of the King of the Giants, ordered a fine 
 treat to be set before Saidy : who, to make up 
 for the blow he had given him, took a purse of 
 gold and put it into his hand, saying — " Sul- 
 tans, you know, are apt to be passionate, but 
 they should afterwards make up their faults by 
 their liberality ;" upon which the dwarf pros-
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 257 
 
 trated himself before him, and called liim a 
 prince of great generosity. 
 
 As soon as Saidy had done eating, which was 
 very soon, being more engaged in thinking of 
 the princess than in satisfying his hunger, he 
 was entertained by a concert of choice music, 
 which was performed by giants, none under ten 
 feet high, but all of whom played on their instru- 
 ments very well, and with a great deal of skill, 
 only one who began to sing, to the mind of the 
 young Sultan roared like an ox ; however he 
 expressed himself satisfied, and gave them 
 money ; * after which he was conducted to a 
 magnificent apartment, where he was undressed 
 and put to bed, as well as if he had been in his 
 own palace at Birmah, but, nevertheless, he 
 
 * It is a common practice to give money to the dancers 
 ©r musicians. — See the Story of Ali Baba. 
 
 VOL. I. S
 
 258 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 could not sleep, so much were his thoughts 
 occupied by the fate of the princess; and at 
 last, when he did sleep, he could not help 
 having the same subject for his dreams. 
 
 The next morning, as soon as he was dressed, 
 the little dwarf ran into his apartment to tell 
 him that the King of the Giants was approach- 
 ing the castle of the Rock, with a great army. 
 As soon as Saidy heard this piece of news, he 
 mounted his horse, which had been well tended, 
 and went out to meet the king, who had been 
 informed of his being there by messengers, 
 w^hich had been sent from the palace to tell 
 him. Accordingly, as soon as he saw Saidy, 
 he came out before his army and dismounted * 
 from his horse, which was of size sujfficient to 
 
 * This was no more than a piece of common civility 
 from one king to another.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 259 
 
 bear a person so big, for he was more than ten 
 feet high, and a very handsome-looking man, if 
 he had not been so large, and had not worn a 
 ring in his nose after the Indian fashion. As 
 soon as he came within hearing of Saidy, he 
 exclaimed in a voice as loud as thunder, " I am 
 Belzar, King of the Giants. Who art thou ? " 
 
 WTiereupon Saidy answered boldly, " I am 
 Saidy, Sultan of Birmah, come to compliment 
 you upon your marriage.'* As soon as he had 
 said this, the King of the Giants ran forward 
 and embraced him, and began to talk to him of 
 the victories he (Saidy) had gained over the 
 people of Pegu, which he had heard of. 
 
 As soon as they had arrived at the palace, the 
 
 King of the Giants asked Saidy's excuse, and 
 
 went to visit the princess, who received him so 
 
 much better than he had expected, that he was 
 
 s2
 
 260 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 very mucli pleased, and led her into the great 
 hall of the palace, where Saidy sat upon a 
 throne which had been prepared for him; and 
 there the King of the Giants introduced the 
 princess as his bride, who was to be married to 
 him that very night. To all this the princess 
 seemed to consent, and seemed very gay and 
 lively, while the little dwarf trembled lest it 
 should come out that Saidy had seen her before. 
 At length, after having kept up appearances for 
 some time, the Princess Elheurah pretended to 
 be very faint, and the King of the Giants, who, 
 for all his great size, was very awkward, did 
 not know what to do with her; whereupon she 
 desired that they would take her into the air, 
 which was cool, and blew off some piece of 
 water; and the king accordingly took her in 
 his arms, and with vast strides carried her to
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 261 
 
 the side of the lake, where he set her down till 
 her maids could come up, as they were not able 
 to walk so fast as he did. 
 
 As soon as they were near, they all got 
 round about her, and desired the King of the 
 Giants to get back a pace, that they might un- 
 cover the princess's face and hands, which was 
 not proper before so many men ; and, accord- 
 ingly, as soon as he was gone a step or two, the 
 princess jumped up and plunged into the water, 
 being followed by all her maids, as had been 
 agreed between her and Saidy. 
 
 When the King of the Giants saw this, for a 
 moment he was quite stupified, and then began 
 to rage as if he had gone out of his senses ; but 
 Saidy said to him, "Do not be alarmed, or make 
 yourself uneasy; you must know that I also 
 have the power of staying under water for as
 
 262 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 long as I like, and I will go tliis moment and 
 find the princess, if she remains in the lake." 
 So saying, he got to the water's edge and 
 plunged in, to the astonishment of all that 
 were near. 
 
 The King of the Giants remained there all 
 day, with his eyes fixed upon the lake and his 
 mouth open, expecting every minute to see 
 Saidy come up with the princess; hut when 
 night came on, and neither of them returned, 
 he fell into another fit of passion, and going 
 home, married one of his slaves out of pure 
 spite. 
 
 It becomes us now to return to Saidy, who 
 had followed the Princess Elheurah into the 
 lake. When he got to the bottom, he began 
 searching all over it, but in vain ; for though he 
 continued looking for her, and went into every
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 263 
 
 part of it, lie was unable to discover either tlie 
 princess or any of her attendants : and at 
 length being weary with the search, and also 
 very hungry, he thought of returning to the 
 land, but was afraid of falling into the hands of 
 the King of the Giants. 
 
 As he was thinking about this, he felt a great 
 rush of water, which he had not at first noticed, 
 and which seemed as if it was all going one 
 way ; so setting himself to consider, he thought 
 that by following this, he might come to that 
 subterranean passage which the princess had 
 spoken of, and which conducted to the sea, so 
 tliat very likely he might find her there. Ac- 
 cordingly, going along with the course of the 
 water, he soon found the place where it entered 
 the earth. At first he scarcely liked to venture 
 himself into the frightful hollow which it pre-
 
 264 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 sented, but then remembering, that how deep 
 soever it might be the water could not harm him, 
 he went in, and gliding on with the course of 
 the stream, he passed through the cavern with a 
 great deal of ease, but what the walls consisted 
 of he could not perceive, as it was quite dark, 
 and impervious to any light whatever. At 
 length, after going on for a long time, he 
 began to spy a green sort of shining before 
 him; and coming out, he found that he had 
 entered the main sea, and that morning had 
 just dawned, which made him very glad, as he 
 was tired and hungry; and therefore rising 
 quickly to the top of the water, he perceived 
 that there was land straight before him, not far 
 oflf, and a great number of people upon the 
 shore, who, from their dress, he concluded to 
 be Mussulmauns.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 265 
 
 At first he hesitated as to whether he should 
 land or not; but having nothing to eat, and not 
 knowing where to get anything, or how to dress 
 it if he did, he found that it was a matter of 
 necessity, and so began swimming to the shore 
 as fast as he could. As soon as he landed, 
 which he did at a little distance, that they might 
 not see him come out of the water, he per- 
 ceived that the number of people which he had 
 seen belonged to a large caravan; which was 
 plain, from the number of tents and camels, 
 together with all kinds of goods, and large 
 bales of merchandise, which lay scattered about. 
 However, they took no notice of him, as they 
 were busily employed in bartering their goods 
 with the people of the country, who were there 
 in great numbers. Saidy perceiving that they 
 did not heed him, began to mingle amongst the
 
 ^^6 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 rest ; and after passing by several crowds that 
 were engaged buying and selling, each trying to 
 make the best bargain he could, he went into 
 a group larger than any of the rest, and pre- 
 sently began speaking to one of the buyers, 
 that he might inform himself where he was, and 
 find some lodging and provisions; but no sooner 
 had he addressed himself, than several others 
 gathered round him, and began looking at him 
 very hard. At first Saidy imagined that they 
 thought he was come to spy upon their trans- 
 actions, but in a minute after they all began 
 crying — " The Sultan ! the Sultan ! " and pros- 
 trated themselves before him, which immedi- 
 ately shewed him that he was in the kingdom of 
 Birmah. Nevertheless, he would willingly have 
 declined what they put upon him, and began 
 telling them that he resigned the throne of his
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 267 
 
 own good-will, and did not desire to take it 
 again. But without listening to wliat lie had 
 to say, they conducted him, with great shouts, 
 to the city, and then to the divan, which was at 
 that time sitting ; but as soon as Saidy entered, 
 he perceived that the throne was empty; and 
 the grand vizier taking him under one arm, 
 and the justice of police under the other, they 
 placed him on it, whether he would or not, and 
 all falling down, prostrated themselves before 
 the Sultan. 
 
 Then the grand vizier rising, laid his hand 
 upon his head, and signified by his countenance 
 that he would wish to speak, which Saidy per- 
 ceiving, desired him to say his mind; where- 
 upon he addressed him thus : — 
 
 "Mighty Sultan," said he, "the avenger 
 and father of your people, —you came amongst
 
 268 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 US as a stranger, and delivered us from a most 
 odious slavery : you led your people to battle, 
 and by your courage conducted them to victory : 
 you shewed us that bloodshed was not necessary 
 to secure our obedience to the laws; for, guiding 
 us by our love, rather than driving us by our 
 fear, your goodness won our inclinations, while 
 your justice satisfied our reason. Thus we 
 continued, happy under your government, till 
 a moment of passion led you to violate the 
 principles of your own heart, though you 
 adhered to the laws of the country; but, 
 severer upon yourself than you were upon your 
 subjects, you condemned yourself upon motives 
 of which your people acquitted you ; but at the 
 same time, in resigning a throne as an atone- 
 ment for what you had done, you forgot that 
 the punishment was far greater on your subjects
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 269 
 
 than yourself. Mighty Sultan, it is for kings 
 to judge the actions of their people, but the 
 privilege that subjects claim is to judge the 
 actions of their kings : they therefore considered 
 your conduct, and found that your fault was 
 more that compensated by its acknowledgment ; 
 on which they determined to admit none other to 
 the government, till such time as you returned 
 to receive it yourself; therefore having once more 
 shewn us the light of your kingly countenance, 
 we beseech you to forget all that is past, and 
 rule us in future as seems fitting to your dis- 
 cretion." 
 
 The grand vizier, having made this long 
 speech, again bowed himself down to the ground, 
 and then took his seat in the divan, according 
 to custom. For his part, Saidy listened to all 
 that had been said, attentively ; and perceiving
 
 270 THE STRING OF PRARLS. 
 
 that it was the earnest desire of the people that 
 he should take the government upon himself, 
 he turned towards those who were at the farther 
 end of the hall, and assured them that in future 
 he would do his best to render them all justice. 
 But as he looked upon his good fortune in 
 again receiving his kingdom, he could not help 
 thinking of the princess, and in the passion of 
 the minute, called out aloud, — " Oh, Elheurah, 
 where art thou, to share what fate heaps upon 
 me?" 
 
 The people, who though they did not under- 
 stand this last speech, perceiving that he had 
 again taken possession of the throne, were all 
 very much rejoiced, and went away one by one, 
 and told it to those without. Amongst the rest 
 Saidy observed the young man whom he had 
 caused to be sold, and who seemed as contented
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 271 
 
 as the rest. The young Sultan intended in his 
 own mind to have him called, and ordered one 
 of the chaoux to bid him approach ; but before 
 it could be done, the young man was gone, and 
 Saidy saw no more of him that day. 
 
 For some time Saidy continued to go through 
 the business of the state very regularly, but, at 
 the same time, he was troubled with a deep 
 melancholy, which was owing to the loss of the 
 princess, so that he was careless about every 
 thing ; and though the people truly adored him, 
 and followed him with shouts wherever he went, 
 yet he could take no pleasure in any thing, and 
 quite despised the splendour of a throne, now 
 that the beautiful Elheurah was not there to 
 share it with him. 
 
 One time, as he sat in the divan, wliich he did 
 every day after morping prayers, he observed
 
 272 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 the young man who had been sold come in, and 
 put himself in a conspicuous place before him ; 
 and accordingly he desired one of the officers 
 to go and ask if he wanted any thing, and to 
 bid him wait for the close of the divan, which 
 he therefore did. As soon as the other affairs 
 were over, Saidy rose from his throne, and re- 
 tired to his cabinet, where the young man was 
 presently brought to him. 
 
 " Young man," said the Sultan, " I once in- 
 jured you, and to ease my mind, I am willing 
 to do you any service in my power; speak, 
 therefore, and tell me what I can do for you." 
 
 At these words the young man prostrated 
 himself before the Sultan, who desired him to 
 rise, and he then replied, " My lord, your 
 goodness always shows itself ; but far from 
 wishing any thing of you for myself, I am
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. t273 
 
 happy to tell you that I am already made rich 
 by your bounty, for the thousand pieces of gold 
 you ordered me has been fortunate money, 
 and already increased a hundred fold. But as 
 I know that you are fond of curious things, I 
 came to ask if you would please to see a certain 
 creature which I have found upon the shore of 
 the sea, and which I was afraid to bring hither, 
 lest it should be injured, and your Majesty 
 should not see it in its perfection." 
 
 To this Saidy answered very readily, that he 
 would go and inspect it, and desired the young 
 man to lead the way, which he accordingly did, 
 and the Sultan followed on foot, attended only 
 by one of his officers. As they went along, 
 the young man, who out of respect kept a step 
 behind, told the Sultan that he had married the 
 young woman whom Saidy had found so like 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 *274 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 the princess, which news he received with a 
 great deal of pleasure, as it was what he wished 
 himself; but at the same time he could not 
 help thinking how happy was the young stran- 
 ger, to possess the person he loved, when he, 
 though so fortunate in all other things, was 
 deprived of his dear Elheurah. 
 
 Under the influence of these thoughts, he 
 went on until they arrived at a certain street, 
 where the young man pointed to a house which 
 was very good and handsome, and told Saidy 
 that he lived there. Now the Sultan, who ex- 
 pected to see him poorly lodged, was very much 
 surprised to behold so fine a place ; but, how- 
 ever, without taking any notice, he went on 
 after his guide, who led him to a handsome hall, 
 and desired him to repose on a sofa. But the 
 Sultan, who only came to see the curiosity out
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 275 
 
 of complaisance, replied that he was not at all 
 tired, whereupon the young man conducted him 
 into another hall just beyond the former, and 
 drawing back a fine curtain which was before 
 an alcove, told him that there was what he had 
 to show him. "t"i^> -^ 
 
 No sooner did the Sultan advance, than he 
 beheld a young lady lying there asleep, whom 
 he instantly discovered to be the Princess El- 
 heurah, and in the transports of joy into which 
 this unexpected sight threw him, he caught her 
 in his arms and pressed her to his breast with 
 such raptures, that she instantly awoke, and 
 finding herself in the embraces of her lover, 
 had nearly fainted with joy and pleasure. 
 
 The transports of both were so great, that 
 for some time neither could speak, and the only 
 way that they had to express their happiness 
 t2
 
 276 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 was by kisses and kind glances, which sort of 
 delightful language lasted some time. 
 
 " My queen, my princess," said Saidy, as 
 soon as he had recovered the use of his tongue, 
 " do I again see you ? or is it some deception 
 that will vanish away, and leave me more un- 
 happy than ever ? But let us lose no time, my 
 beloved, lest fate should again snatch you from 
 me ; be mine directly, and make me at length 
 completely happy, by the possession of one to 
 whom I have given my whole heart." 
 
 " I need not tell you now-a-day," said the 
 princess, "that I will be yours without any 
 reluctance ; but first let us understand how we 
 happen to have met after such an extraordinary 
 manner, especially when I only came hither to 
 see my cousin, who also gave up her rank and 
 power to marry an inhabitant of the earth."
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 277 
 
 These words threw Saidy into new astonish- 
 ment, and the young man (whose presence they 
 had quite forgotten) perceiving that without 
 some one to explain, this mystery would never 
 be cleared up, came forward, and_ addressed 
 himself to them thus: — :^bt ff^'/ 
 
 " You, mighty Sultan, and you, most beau- 
 tiful Princess, seem both in some degree of 
 surprise, which I alone can do away with. 
 You must therefore know, my lord, that on 
 the very day which made your people happy 
 by restoring you to them, I stood with the 
 rest in the hall of audience, and hearing 
 you call upon the name of Elheurah with 
 great appearance of regret, it came into my 
 mind, that the person whose presence you de- 
 sired must be the cousin of my wife, who is 
 also a princess of the sea, and who, out of love
 
 278 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 for me, left lier father's kingdom,* and brought 
 upon herself his displeasure, that she might 
 come and share my situation, whatsoever it 
 might be, which she did, as your Majesty has 
 seen, without ever regretting the great power 
 and riches she left behind her. I had often 
 heard her talk of the Princess Elheurah, which 
 name being altogether singular and uncommon, 
 I was of opinion that she was the same you 
 spoke of; and, accordingly, I went straight home 
 to my wife, and told her what I had heard. 
 No sooner did she understand this, than she 
 proposed to find her cousin, and tell her; and, 
 accordingly, made use of some slight effects of 
 magic to know where she was, Avhen she found 
 that she was in a certain cave of rock salt, near 
 
 * See the speech of Elheurah's brother to her, when 
 she first returned to his capital with Saidy.
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 279 
 
 the entrance of a lake wliicli communicates 
 with the sea. Having discovered this, she 
 dived into the water, and soon found the prin- 
 cess, whom she invited to this city, without 
 telling her that you were sultan here. Out of 
 kindness for her the princess came, but took 
 care to leave her attendants to watch the mouth 
 of the lake, as she expected to see you by that 
 means. When she had arrived, I left her to 
 repose herself here with my wife, while I w^ent 
 to the divan, and brought your Majesty to this 
 place, in order to surprise you agreeably, for 
 which boldness I hope you will be pleased to 
 pardon me. 
 
 No sooner had he done speaking, than the 
 Sultan embraced him, and also his wife, who had 
 come in by this time, and the princess, all by 
 turns; and then suddenly going out, without
 
 280 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 telling them why, he flew to his palace, where 
 he ordered all manner of rejoicing to be made, 
 and commanded the chaoux to proclaim that all 
 people should leave off work, and make illumi- 
 nations ; and having done this, he caused a fine 
 litter to be brought for the princess, richly orna- 
 mented with gold and precious stones, the veils 
 being of rose-coloured silk, with festoons of 
 pearls. The princess being placed in it, he 
 accompanied her himself on horseback, together 
 with a great many guards and attendants, and 
 brought her in procession to the palace ; while 
 all the people, understanding that it was the 
 bride of their young Sultan, came out of their 
 shops, and strewed all the streets she passed 
 through with carpets and fine silks, prostrating 
 themselves on each side as she went by, in order 
 to shew their fondness for their monarch ; which
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 281 
 
 very much pleased the princess, who was de- 
 lighted to find the man, to whom she had given 
 her heart, so much beloved and respected. 
 
 When she had arrived at the palace, the 
 princess wished very much to send for her bro- 
 ther, that he might be present at their mar- 
 riage, but Saidy was so very urgent for her to 
 make him happy directly, that she had not the 
 heart to refuse him; and accordingly they were 
 married that night, with great pomp and re- 
 joicings. 
 
 After the marriage contract had been drawn 
 up and signed, in presence of all the lords 
 of the court, the young Sultan and Sultaness 
 supped together, before all the people, ana then 
 retired to rest. The rejoicings, however, were 
 kept up in the city for seven days ; and while 
 aU his subjects rejoiced in his good fortune, 
 
 VOL. I. u
 
 282 THE STRING OF PEARLS. 
 
 Saidy now found himself hap.py .t^, hjf he2i,vVs 
 content. . . . . ,v ; 
 
 The next day they contrived to give notice 
 to the princess's brother, who was very well 
 contented to hear that his sister had found her 
 lover, and that he was of such a rank. As for 
 the young man and his wife, Saidy raised him 
 very high; and the kingdom of Pegu being 
 shortly after without a king, put itself under 
 the protection of Saidy, who appointed the 
 young man to govern it, as his viceroy, which 
 he did much to the satisfaction of the people, 
 who were tired of the tyranny of their old 
 race of kings. 
 
 One thing which Saidy took care to do, 
 was to send for his father, Abdallah, and 
 have him conveyed to Birmah, under a grand 
 escort. Their meeting was very tender, and full
 
 THE DIVER OF OMAN. 283 
 
 of joy to all; and though raised to such a height 
 of fortune, the moderation of the young Sultan 
 was equal to his happiness : nor when he after- 
 wards became emperor of three kingdoms,* did 
 he ever forget that he had once been " The 
 Diver of Oman." 
 
 * Birmah, Pegu, and Reccan, I suppose to be the 
 three kingdoms here mentioned. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 BKADBCRY AND EVAN'S, PRINTERS, BOUVERIE-STRKBT.
 
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