TheEpisodesofVathek 10251065

C o n t en t s
I N ROD UC I O N by W M V
T T LE IS EL I L LE
P A G E:
TH E E P I S O DE S OF VATH E K
s by
Tra n la te d M Sm F R AN K T . AR ZI ALS, C B . .
of P rince sand the Prince ss

S tory Ala i Fi rou zk a h
S tory of cPrin e Ba rk i aro k h
S tory of the css Pi i n e Z a lka i
‘
sand the Pri n cK lil h

e a a
LES EP I S O DE S DE VA I H E K
' ‘
I n the o i inal cof W M

r g Fr e n h I L L IA BEC KFO R D
H i s toire Prince s de l a P rince ss e

da Ala i et Firo uzka h
H istoire Prince
du Ba rk i a r ok h
H i s toire de l a P rincess e s Pr nce
Z ulka i et da i Kalila h
I ntroducti o n
HE NI was collecting d c um ent s for o
Th L ife and L tt sof W i ll iam
“
e e er
Beckford of Fonthi ll 1 wa s s ”
o
fortu nate a s to obtain perm i ss ion fro m

, ,
the D uke of Ham ilton a collateral

des cendant of the au thor of V th k
,
”
a e
to e x am ine the Beckford paper s pre
,
s erved at Ham i lton P alace In th e

two l arge che s t s containing t he s e papers (never before
.
e x am ined by any literary m an ) I fo und bes ide s mu ch

i mportant m aterial for the biography so m e l arge
,
b u ndl e s of m anus cript s Thes e manus cripts written in

,
French were the u np u b li s hed E pi s ode s of Beckford s

.
,
’
fa mo us Oriental tal e V th k which were su pp s ed

,
“
a e o
have been l st W hatever valu e m ay be s et u pon
, ,
to o
the E pi s ode s there can be do ubt that the di s covery
.
no
or rather recovery of t he m wa s pec uliarl y intere sting ;

, ,
and I regarded my s elf a s fortunate when the D u ke

,
of Hami lton genero usl y acceded to m y requ e s t to be

allowed to introd u ce the m to the p u bl ic The two
s horter s torie s have been printed in the original French
.
in Th E g lis
e n h R i w (Dece m ber 1 9 0 9 ; A u g us t
ev e
Septe m ber d now for the fir s t ti m e the three
,
an
E pi s ode s appear in an E ngl i s h tran sl ation by Sir Frank

T M arzials C D
To the D u ke of Ha m i ton I a m deeply indebted
. .
, .
II l
for perm i ssion to p u bl i s h the tal e s and I am not l ess ;
the debtor of Sir Frank T M arz ials who very kind ly
pres ented m e with hi s ad m irabl e tran sl ation
.
,
! IW ithin the co m pa ss of a brief Intr d u ction it i s not o

I ntroduction
poss ibl e to trace the earl y l ife and develop m ent of
\ Villi m Beckford and the few page s at m y di s po s a l
a
mus t be confined strictly to the co m pos ition and

,
p u blication of the hi s tory of V th k and the a e
E pi s ode s Thi s for the m o s t part can be s t be s et o u t

by e x tracts fro m the corre spondence between Beckford
.
, ,
and Henl ey M any of tho s e l etters are in the m agnificent

co llection of autograph s brought together by the l ate
.
A lf ed M orri s on and now in the poss e ss ion of hi s

r
widow the re s t are pre s erved am ong the Beckford

,
;
papers at Hami lton P alace To both s ou rces by the
co urte s y of the owners I have had acce ss Fu rth er
.
,
M sGert ru de Town s hend M ayer ha s all owed m e to

, . ,
reprint s o m e Beckford l etters which appeared in her

intere s ting paper on The S ultan of L an s down “
Tower
flB c kf d beca m e ac qu ainted in 1 7 8 1 with t h e R
.
e or ev
Samu e l H nl ey who at thi s ti m e wa s an ass i stant
.
m aster at Harrow and had in hi s charge two of the

,
yo ung Hamilton s co us in s of th e fu tu re au thor Henley

,
wsan enth us ia s tic s tu dent of Arabian and P ers ian

.
,
l iterature Beckford sa boy had s oaked h i ms el f in

; a
Oriental l ore and had th us perhap s fi ed an alway s

, ,
vivid i magination it was a convers ation between the m

,
that gave the l ad of one and twenty the idea of writing

a story of the E a s t .
IVll m B c kf d t th R S m lH ly
' ‘
z za e or o e ev . a ue en e
M ON D A J Y, a n ua r
y 2 1 ,
1 7 8 2 .
The s pirit has m oved m e thi s E ve and s h u t u p

in my apart ment a s yo u advi s ed I have given way
, ,
to fancies and inspiration s W hat will be the co us e

,
c ofthi s m ood I not bo l d eno u gh to deter m ine

.
1
qu en e m a .
A s a ll the wor l d know s

flbe remarked was written in French wa( s the outco m e
V t h k which it m ay , a e ,
, )
Morri s on M 1
SS .
v ii i
I ntroducti o n
of thi s convers ation and it i s intere sting to s ee upon
what sl ender bas i s the au thor b u ilt u p thi s Splendid
,
s tory I was of full age when I firs t co mm itted

“
V th k to paper Beckford wrote to Cl arke the

.
a e
books ell er half centu ry after and the s ce e s which

, ,
“
-
a -
n
preceded and followed the m agnificent cel ebration of

, ,
m y and twentieth bi thday— the E gyptian halls and

on e - -
r
va ulted chambers of Fonthill peopl ed with the proto

type s of G lc and N s ol el y vi s ibl e
,
h ih u en r ou z o u ron ar ,
for three con s ec u tive day s and night s by the gl ow of

l am p s and fires sugge s ted m y firs t idea s of the P al ace
of E bli s Of thi s conception Beckford wa s very prou d
,
” 1
and he in s i sted rightl y eno u gh upon itsoriginal ity

. ,
Yo u co ul d s carcely find anything l ike the Hall of

.
, ,
E bli s in the E astern writings for that wa s my own ”
he tol d Cyrus R edding O ld Fonthi ll had a very

, ,
ampl e l oft y l o u d echoing hall one of the larges t in

.
the kingdom Num ero us doors l ed fro m it into the

, , ,
vario us part s of the hous e thro ugh dim winding

.
pass age s It was fro m that I introd u ced the hall the —
, ,
idea of the Hall of E bli s being generated from my own

.
M y i m agination m agnified it and col ou red it with the

.
E astern character The author went on to sy that ”

2
a
the wom en in the s tory were drawn fro m thos e in the

.
do m es tic e s tab li s h m ent of Fonthill their fancied

good or i ll qu alitie s e x aggerated to su it my p u rpo s e
,
— h m ight have added that N

e ih wa s suggested o u r on ar
to hi m by hi s cousin L o u i s a M rs P eter Beckford with

who m for a whi l e he wa s ndou btedly in l ove I had
, ,
to el evate e x aggerate and orientali s e everything he

.
e xpl ained I wa s s oaring on the Arabian bird roc

, , ,
am ong gen u and enchant ments not m oving am ong

.
,
m en The m ention of C yrus R edding recalls the story

,
”
.
Ms G T own s hend M ayer T Sul tan of Lan sdown wer “

he To
Ju ne
r . . :
( T em le B a r ,
2Cyr s R edding R ecoll ection s of the A u thor of V
p
at h ek
Ju ne
u :
(
Ne w M l M on th
y a
g a zin e,
ix
I ntroduction
tol d by hi m that Beckford decl ared th at he wrote the
tal e in three day s and two nights of hard l abo u r and
,
never took ff hi s cl othe s the whol e ti m e Vario us

,
sugge stion s have been p u t forward in the endeavo ur to

.
e x p l ain thi s for a s wi ll be s een V th k took the “

a e
”
a u thor twel ve m onth s to compo s e the m o s t probabl e

, , ,
s olu tion s ince Beckford wsnot given to lying i s that a
there wsa mi su nders tanding

, ,
a .
W lh m B c
'
kf d t th R S m lH ly
' '
z a e or o e ev . a ue en e
TU E SDA Y, Ja n ua ry 2 6, 1 7 8 2 .
Yo u are an s werab l e for h aving st m e to work u pon e
a s tory shorrid that I tre mb l e whils t rel ating it and

o
have not a nerve in my fram e b ut vibrate s l ike an

,
A spen There wi ll be no proceeding in o u r work with

o u t m any l ong con sultation s therefore s hall I trou b l e
.
yo u with m ys el f as s oon sI can e s cape the pl agu e s

,
of L ondon with any decorum Probabl y s o m e ti m e

ne x t week
.
1
.
Ap r il 2 5, 1 7 39 .
M y Arabian tal e s go on prodigio usly and I think

C o u nt Ham il ton wi ll smil e upon m e when we are
,
2
introd u ced to each other in Paradi s e .

3
[Un da ted
]
M y C al iph advance s on hi s j o urney to Pers epol i s
al ias I s b u t want of ti m e I bel ieve wi ll force m e
,
t k e ar ;
to stop hi s i mm ediate proceedings .
4
May 1 ,
1 78 2 .
The Tal e of C aliph V th cgoe s on su rpri s ingly a e .

5
M orri sn M SS
C u nt H am il ton referred wa s the a u thor of sQuatre s
o .
c
2
Th e to Le
s and other tal e s swe ll a s s M e m ir s
o
” “
Fa a rd in
’
of G ra m m o n t
H am i l ton wa s an ance s tor of ec ford and ec ford do u btl ess referred
,
a o .
B k B k
to hi m in thi s in stance beca us e he too had written in French ,
M orri s on M SS , , .
3
.
4
I b id .
5 I b id .
I ntr o duction
G EN EVA , c
O t 1 2, 1 7 8
.
I s ho ul d s cribbl e to yo u f ever if ol d H u ber or

not tell ing s torie s the be st i m aginabl e and yo
m aking sketc h es of Vathe s adventu re s
, ,
Hi b
‘ ’
i er o
bol de s t yo u ever s aw
,
1
.
Ja n ua ry 1 3, 1 78 :
I go on bravely with the epi s ode s of V th c a e
hope in a few weeks to wind u p hi s adventu re s

,
2
.
C O LO N VA G Y n ea r G EN E , N ov 1 8 , 1 7 8
.
I s it po ss ibl e that o u r good friend s h ave sc c u ee
in mb il us and that yo u wi ll receive thi s l et

e ro
’
zn g
which assu re s yo u how mu ch I valu e yo u r friend s

,
with indifference ? I cannot bear the idea nor h

I patience to re m ain any l onger in u ncertainty I
,
parted in peace and yo u pro m i s ed to write to m e Y

.
propos ed likewi s e to tran slate V th cwhich I l

.
,
a e
in yo u r hand s C o ul d I s hew yo u a g eater m ark
,
confidence You have the only copy which e x i sts

.
the only prod u ction of m ine which I a m not a s han

of and with which I am not di sg usted I 3
bring yo u s o m e C aliph s not u nworthy to su cceed y

, .
beloved V th c a e
3
EN VA D c 9
.
G E ,
e . 2 ,
1 78
I grieve to think yo u deny yo u rs elf the pl s ea u
su ch a j ou rney [to Pari s] wo ul d afford and that

refus e m e the s ati s faction of co mmu nicating to
,
V athe s kindred ss oon a s born I rej oice very m

o
’
a
at the progre ss yo u have m ade in the tran sl ation

.
4
.
1] I n the ne x t l etter to Henl ey it wi ll be ob s erved t

V th k i s for the firs t ti m e s pe l t in the n
a e
fam iliar way .
POR T A M 6 M N SQ .
,
a
y ,
1 78
Have yo u fini s hed V th k I am far gone on anot a e ?
epi s ode .
5
1
M orris on M SS .
2 I b id .
3 I b id .
4 I b id .
xi
I ntroducti o n
May 1 9, 1 7 8 4 .
Pray introd u ce hi m [a p u pil of Henl ey s] to V th k ’

a e
who m at pre s ent he hard ly knows by nam e I suppo s e

,
by thi s ti m e yo u are deep in the Halls of Dam nation

.
hearing the m el ancholy voice of E bli s in the c lo u d of

,
night and catching gli m p s e s of N ih I l ong o u ron ar .
eagerly to read yo u r tran slation I feel m ore grateful

,
for the pain s yo u mus t have taken abou t it th an I can

.
e xpress .
1
F ON H LL c T I , O tob er 1 4, 1 78 4 .
I s pend m any an ho u r dream ing abo u t my un
fortu nate prince s and contriving reas onabl e way s and

m ean s of s ending the m to the devi l W h at are yo u
,
abo u t now Have y got a fair copy f you r

.
? ou o
transl ati n o ? 2
F eb r ua ry 2 6, 1 7 8 5 .
Yo u r tran sl ation has ll the spirit of the C al iphe s

a
and their D mon s I l ong for the continu ation and

ae
hope yo u will s oon gratify my c u rios ity

.
,
3
.
Ma rc
h 1 78 5 .
Yo u m ake m e pro u d of V th k The bl az e jus t at a e
pre s ent i s soverpowering that I can s ee no faults b u t

.
yo u can depend u pon my h u nting diligentl y after them

,
Pray s end the contin u ation I know not how it

.
happen s b u t the original when firs t born s carce gave

.
m e smu ch rapt ure a s yo u r tran sl ation

,
W ere I we l l and in good s pirit s I s ho ul d r u n wil d

.
among my rock s and fore s t te ll ing s tones tree s and

flowers how gl orio usl y yo u have su cceeded
,
M y i m agination i s again on fire I have been giv

.
,
ing the l s t tri mmings to one E pi s ode and s own the

.
a ,
M orri s on M SS .
2 I b id . I b id .
Y II
I ntr o ducti o n
s eed s of another which I trus t wi ll bring forth fru it in
good s eas on I eagerly h pe yo u wi ll one day or other 0
introd u ce the s e pl ants to o u r E ngli s h s oi l

.
W have had a di sm al winter gro u nd cracked s hru b s

.
pinched etc the work m en n um bed ; b u t I have gone

, ,
on s inking m y prince s to hell with active pers everance

.
, ,
‘
.
Ap ril 9th, 1 785 .
I s h all s
it down to revi s e V t h k a d mu ch approve a e n
of yo u r idea to preface the tal e with s om e e xplanation

,
of it sc stum e
o .
2
The R ev S a mu el H . en ley to lVzlh a m R

/
' '
o c
hf or d
R DL SHA A EN E M, p r il 1 2 th, 1 7 8 5 .
It iss long s ince I read the Arabian N ight s that

o
I do not recoll ect the m e x actly eno ugh to refer thither

for au thoritie s of which there no do u bt are m anifo ld
witho u t reading the m again b u t thi s I will do as s oon
, ,
a s I can get the m Other authoritie s I have collected

which wi ll throw con siderabl e light on the costum e of
.
V t h k I a m gl ad yo u approve the p l an of [an ]

a e
e x pl anatory preface When yo u write ne x t tell m e

.
what yo u think of the addition s m entioned in m y l ast

.
S u rely the superiority in wickedne ss entitl ed C th is

.
ar a
to a different and m ore con spicu ous p u ni s h m ent than

the re st—pe hap s V th k sand N
r ih ss ho ul d
a e
’
o u ron ar
’
have been als o divers ified I s ay onl y p h p sfor u pon er a
further reflection I am s o m ewhat in do u bt I confe ss

.
,
m y s el f a friend to di s cri mination s in every thing The

.
forte m G y m f t m q C h l t h m are not mu ch

.
a or e ue o an u
to m y taste
If yo u retu rn the copy of V th k corrected by piece
.
a e
m ea l I can app l y the spare ti m e I have to p u t it in

a better train .
1
M orris on M SS .
2 I b id .
xi i i
I ntroduction
Several happy terms have occ u rred wh ic h I co ul d
wi s h to su b s titute in the pl ace of others a lready
in s erted S urel y for in stance V th k m i staking the a e
tattered awning s and chintz e s for l arge fl w s— wo ul d
.
be better e x pre ss ed by p l mp sin stead of c

o er
hi t s a a or e n ze
etc etc
,
1
.
, .
Willi m B c kf d t th R
a S m lH ely or o e ev . a ue en e
Ap ri l 2 3, 1 78 5 .
I have given m y attention for s everal day s pas t to

V t h k and have m ade s everal l ittl e a l teration s yo u
a e
wi ll not perhap s di s approve The A rabian N ights

,
wi ll furni s h s o m e i llus tration s (partic ul arly as to Gho uls

.
etc ) b t mu ch m ore m ay be l earnt fro m H b l t s

,
’
u er e o
Bib[l ioth equ e] Orient[al e] and R ichard son s Di ss[erta
.
’
:
tion s] I know not h wto m ake the di s cri m ination s o
yo u advi s e I have alway s thou ght N too

.
ih o u r on ar
s everel y p u ni s hed and if I knew how convenientl y

.
wo ul d add a cri m e or two to her s hare what sy yo u

,
a ?
L et m e know .
2
Th R eS m lH ev .l y t Willi m B c
a ue kf d
en e o a e or
R DL SHA 6 A EN E M, 2 pr i l
I a m i mpatient to receive the part of V th k yo u a e

have i m proved for what yo u call l ittl e alteration s I
am confident I shall find de s erving a better nam e
,
The Arabian N ight s I e xpect great ass i stance from

.
b u t principally in illustrat ng m anners and c usto ms

,
H b l t and R ichard s on I have al ready s ifted Several

.
er e o
other volum e s (all within m y reach ) I have als o

.
ran s acked and with no sm all su cce ss in so mu ch that ;

yo u wi ll be yo u rs e lf su rpri s ed to find how accu rate yo u
have in m o st in stance s been B u t tell m e what mus t .
,
1 ec ford MS at H am il ton Pal ace

B k S . Morri s on M SS .
2 .
xiv
I ntroduction
be s aid of th s p s f
o
e C ck s
oon — th b tt fl i sf o no
C c
e u er e o
a h mi
e re I cannot t u rn to the pa ss age where the
-
m ention of the Bi sm ill ah occu rs — bu t if (a s I think )

it i s m entioned a s introd u ctory to prayers we mus t
dis card it— for it wa s not us ed in thi s way ti ll the year
,
of the h g i e e ra whereas V th k died a centu ry a e
before W t i g p tsare als o m entioned o u t of p l ace

a er n o
at l eas t I conceive s B u t of thi s yo u can give m ore

o
certain inform ati n fro m N ieb u hr in an swer to Michael i s

.
,
o
Qu estion ! L I Y recoll ect an i ll egibl e rhap sody yo u
ou
once gave m e I enclos e to yo u a fragm ent which

.
—
with s om e al teration s and addition s I have worked u p
o u t of it and which I propo s e introd u cing in a note
I s ay a t ; becaus e I think to e x hibit V th k
.
,
no e a e
in E ngl i s h — there s ho ul d be s o m e acco u nt
, ,
ro
p p erly
given of the original and tran sl ation in a preface— then
s ho ul d foll ow a preli m inary diss ertation on the Fabl e
and M achinery—and to the Story it s elf sho ul d be
su bj oined note s to illustrate the c stum e otherwi s e
,
o :
a very con s iderabl e part of its m erit must be l os t to

9 99 reader s of a tho us and The information I m o s t
want rel ate s to the internal sy ste m of the Khal ife s
.
pal ace—eu n u ch s—c c hand s —and a

,
y m b li g l pp gi a n m
a n
few other su ch articl e s m o st of which (if not all ) I :
apprehend m ay be fo u nd in R ic b u t perhap s m ay
lt — au
be better picked u p incidentally fro m the Arabian

, ,
Tal e s The s e with two other book s one entitl ed A ;

M is cll y f E s i g and another The
.
,
e an o t L a er n ea r n n
Hi story of E u n u chi sm ; I daily e xpect to receive
,
S u ppo s e the catastrophe of C t h isto ru n th us

.
ara
and e x ecrating the hou r in which s h wa s e
begotten and the wom b that had borne her started

at once into a whirl s o rapid a s rendered her form alto
, ,
gether indi s tinct Th us with every energy of her s oul

inten s ely occ u pied on her i mm ediate perception s was
.
,
sh doo m ed to wander in eccentric revo lu tion s witho u t

,
paus e or re mi ssion
,
”
.
! V
I ntroduction
A s to N ih I fear that it may be obj ected that
o u ron ar ,
she beco m es too su ddenl y wicked N e m o repente fu it

t pis s m s She ha s h wever Fate to p l ead ( vide
.
ur i u— ”
o
the V i s ion ) and an e x cellent in strum ent in V th k to
.
, ,
a e
acco mpli sh (according to the E a s tern Doctrine ) the [word

i ll egibl e] decree s of fate So m e sm all di s cri m ination of
p u ni s h m ent however between her and V th k m ay be
.
a e
eas il y introd u ced N o do u bt s h de s erved to be dam ned e
b u t V t h k de s erved the heavier dam nation if therefore

.
,
a e
the Pu ni sh m ent of V th k be s om ewhat aggravated a e
the end wi ll be perhap s be s t an s wered in that way

,
If G lc be con s iderab l e eno ugh to be m en

.
h
u e n ro u z
tion e d at the end it s ho ul d I think be fi s t— b u t perhap s r
he had better be o m itted N ih S ho ul d not be o u r on ar
overl ooked in winding u p the whol e The s e are the on ly

.
vag e hints that occ u r a s I write

.
1
u .
Willi m B c akf d t th R e S m lH or ly o e ev . a ue en e
1 7 85
.
U pon m y word yo u pay V th k mu ch m ore attention a e

than he de s erve s and do yo u not think we s hall usher
,
hi m too po mpo usly into the world with a di ss ection of

,
hi s s o ul and m achinery N ote s are ce tain ly necess ary ? r
and the di ss[ertation ] I my s elf s ho ul d very mu ch

,
approve b u t fear the worl d might i magine I fancied

mys el f the A uthor not of an Arabian Tal e b u t an E pic
Poem S uppo s ing yo u fini sh you r preface and prel i min
, ,
ary dis co u rs e I m ake no do u bt you r good taste wi ll

.
sugge s t to yo u a l ight and eas y s tyl e that Al i sssm ay

,
a e o
not be s cared for after all a poor Arabian s toryteller

,
can only pretend to sy Vi gi ib sP is canto

, ,
q a r n u u er ue
A s for the R hap s ody it de s erves to be p ushed not

, .
on l y into the m argin of the book b u t qu ite o ut of it

, ,
Tho yo u have given it yo u r privi l eged tou che s it still

, .
l i m p s to e x cite co mpa ss ion and a s for in stru ction don t

,
’
fancy it convey s any The R iver K tis m i never flowed

,
. a r
ec ford M 1
B k SS .
xv i
I ntroducti o n
b ut in my brain the nine pillars are entirely of m y
creation etc etc After thi s confe ssion you will not
,
s eriously wi s h I s ho ul d think to in s ert the poetical

.
, , .
whirl to I h lmi
, ,
e nar.
I believe in m o s t respect s I have been e x act in my

costum e
The Do me s of Sh dd ki m and A m b b d yo u wi ll
.
a u a era a
find e xpl ained in R ichard s on

The C c k s i s a bird who s e bill i s mu ch e stee med in
.
o no
P ers ia for its beautiful pol i s h and s o m eti m e s us ed a s a

spoon ; s ee P ersian Tal e s Hi st of the Sorrowful V i zir
,
and Z elica Begum

, ,
The b utterflie s of C ache mire are cel ebrated in a poe m

.
of M em phi s I slaved at with Z e mir the old M h m m a o e
dan who ass isted m e in tran sl ating W M ontagu e s

,
’
M SS B ut they are hardl y worth a note

.
,
I su ppo s e you will prepare a tol erably long note on

. .
the S im g That respectabl e bird de s erve s all yo u

or ue
can say of her Sol im an R aad Soli man Daki (not Daw
.
mins for God s s ake ) and Sol i m an su rnam ed Gian ben

.
,
’
-
Gian wi ll fu rni s h ampl e s cope for a di spl ay of oriental

,
co dition s The Mis

n cll of E l ig and the Hi story of e : en
B b b l t is m m ay po ss ib l y he l p to en l ighten yo u r
.
a a ou
re s earches
The catastrophe of C thishad better re m ain syo u
.
ar a a
first intended I a m perfectly at a l o ss how to deepen

V th k s dam nation and as for the end where m ention
.
’
a e
i s m ade of G ul be assu red we cannot im prove it The

,
period ru n s ad mirably and for my part I think the con

.
,
trast between the boi stero us C aliph and the peaceabl e

,
G ul not ill i magined .

1
Willia m c
B e kfor d to the R ev . S a mu el H en ley
[Un d a ted .
]
I have been very wretched and u nabl e to write b u t ,
M orri s on M SS 1
vi i
.
x
I ntroduction
tho s till mu ch o u t of order I cannot del ay thanki ng
’
yo u for the firs t n umber of yo u r tran sl ation which I

,
think e x ce ll ent I s hall be very gl ad to receive the con

,
a s s oon a s po ss ibl e
.
ti
n uati on .
l
W lli m B c
i kf d t th R
a e S m lH
or o ly e ev . a ue en e
S a tur day , 1 1 th Jun e, 1 7 8 5 .
The C al iph V th k i s s afe in my po ss e ss ion and had

a e
I not been engaged in the very m anner yo u conj ectu re

notice wo ul d have been l ong s ince s ent to R endl e s ham
,
of hi s arrival
As I have s everal things of i mporta ce to s ay to you
.
I mus t beg the favo u r of s eeing yo u here imm di t ly

,
e a e
a s the preparation s for ou r j o urney are in great for

,
wd s
ar s
ne
I su rm i s e yo u can eas ily com e in a co upl e of day s

.
and I will detain yo u no l onger than i s ab s olutely

,
necess ary for the revi s al of V th k the s el ection of a e
note s and the e xp l anation of do u btful pa ss ages

,
2
.
,
Th R e S m lH ev . l y t Wi lli m B c
a ue kf d
en e o a e or
R DL H EN ES A M, 1 5th Jun e, 1 7 8 5 .
I am gl ad to hear that no new di s aster ha s befall en

the C aliph In defiance of M aho m et I wo uld u ndertake
the cond u ct of hi m fro m hi s pre s ent res ti g pl ace
.
n -
hither if it were b ut in m y power M orally speaking it

,
i s (and I am e x tre m ely s orry to sy it) i mpo ss ibl e for

.
m e to co m e to Fonthill S u ch i s the s tate of my fam i ly

at pre s ent that I cannot po ss ibly l eave it One of m y
.
ch il dren i s s till l angu i shing u nder one of the tho us and

.
evi ls that children have to contend with and God

know s how the co flict wi ll end at the s am e ti m e my
,
poor wi fe in cons equ ence of a viol ent rhe um atic fever

occas ioned by her attention to the littl e one s has entirel y
M orris on M SS
1 2
Ib id .
viii
.
x
I ntroduction
C o ul d yo u favo u r m e with a s ight of the E pi s ode s
to V th k or any other f the tal e s
a e o .
1
Th R e S m lH ev. l y t Willi m B c
a ue
kf d en e o a e or
S und ay , l gth Jun e, 1 7 8 5 .
I have thi s in s tant received you r l etter and su ppo s e

that by thi s ti m e mine in an swer to you r l as t has
reached yo u Had it not been for M sHen ley s i llne ss r
’
I s ho ul d have s et o u t for Fonthill before the arrival of

.
yo u r s and of co u rs e [I a m] mu ch m ortified at t no
m eeting yo u I am s orry to sy that her com pl aint

,
i s rather wors e than better

.
The note s I have s el ected are c u rio us and to the

.
p u rpo s e taken fro m E astern writers or writers and

trave ll ers who have de s cribed E astern m anners co u ntrie s
, ,
etc Thou gh they be not sn um ero us a s to overwhelm

,
the te x t they have neverthel ess co s t m e a good deal

.
of reading to pick u p In their way I think yo u will

,
a llow the m to be m m sl E x cepting the I sl e of

.
er u a
Ki m it h (i s it not the i sl and of Ki m h Tal apoi

.
r r ua n
and M k and N ki I do not recoll ect any illus tra

,
on er e r,
tion s that I need Having m ended the tran sl ation its elf
in a variety of pl ace s I want mu ch to receive yo u r
.
correction s that I m ay p u t the whol e together in a way

,
to enab l e yo u to ju dge of it as a whol e If yo u s ho ul d

not retu rn to Fonthill and have not the copy with yo u
.
in town will yo u be s good as to s end it before yo u o
e mbark and with it the epi s odes of V th k or any

,
a e
other tal e s yo u can s pare

,
If it su ited yo u to e mbark fro m Harwich swe ll a s

.
M argate the di stance of the pl ace i s not s o great a s to

prevent o u r meeting
The M S if comm itted to the care of M r W i ld m an
.
m ight be forwarded to m e (by Ham ilton s Woodbridge

.
coach which s ets o u t every T u e s day Th u s day and r ,
ecford M
,
1
B k SS .
I ntroducti o n
Satu rday m orning from the Spread E agl e in Grace
ch u rch Street ) directed to be l eft for m e at M r P age s ’
S urgeon in Woodbridge
,
I forgot to m ention that I have been u nab l e to

.
,
proc u re the P ers ian Tal e s Whether they be o ut of

print or not I cannot tell b ut I have appl ied repeated ly
.
for the m witho u t su ccess

,
If yo u have a copy in town cannot yo u s end the m

.
with V th k
,
? 1
a e
Willi m B c kf d t th R
a S m l H
e or ly o e ev . a ue en e
F r iday eve : Ju ly 2 2n d
To morrow I S hall be in G u i l dford the ne xt

-
day at C anterb u ry M onday I hope to e m bark

,
and I wo ul d s end the E pi s ode s b ut have not a s econd

, ,
copy V th k I have del ivered to the care of M r

,
a e
Thornton who l ived with R ob s on and has now s et u p

.
for hi ms elf in So u thampton Street

, ,
L eave the de s cription of the E s cene sit was

.
ve : a
originally— w have al ready m ore de s cription than we

e
know what to do with .

2
W lli m B c
i kf d t th R
a S m lH
e or ly o e ev . a ue en e
C H AT AU LA O U T
s V VA SU I SS E
E DE R,
p re de E Y EN
- -
9i h F eb .
, 1 78 6 .
The p u blication of V th k must be suspended at a e
l eas t another year I woul d not have hi m on any

acco u nt precede the French edition The E pi s ode s
.
to V th k are nearly fini shed and the whol e thing will

.
a e
be comp leted in el even to twel ve m onth s Yo u must

,
be s en s ibl e that notwith s tanding m y eagerness to s

.
ee
V th k in print I cannot s acrifice the French edition

,
a e
to m y i mpatience The anticipation of s principal

,
. o
1 ec ford M SS
B k .
2
I bid .
xxi
I ntroduction
a tal e a s that of the C aliph woul d be tearing the
pro u de s t feather fro m m y tu rban I mus t repeat there
fore m y de s ire that yo u will not give yo u r tran sl ation
.
,
to the worl d till the original ha s made its appearance

,
and we have to u ched m ore on the su bj ect Yo u m ay

,
i magine h wI l ong for the m om ent of enj oying you r

.
note s and the preli minary di ss ertation which I dou bt

not will be received with the hono u rs d u e to svalu abl e
,
a m ors e l of Oriental ism .

1
W lli m B c
i kf d t th R
a S m lH
e ly
or o e ev . a ue en e
Augus
t ls
t, 1 7 8 6 .
I thank yo u for yo u r l etter of the 1 2th Ju ne and

the s enti m ents sfeelingly e xpre ss ed in it
,
2
o
M y spirits and re s t are broken and it i s with diffi c ul ty

.
I hold my pen The slow fever which has been preying

,
u pon m e alm o s t witho u t interruption since the l atter

.
end of M ay ha s m o s t di sagreeab ly diverted m y atten

tion fro m V th k b ut u pon reading over yo u r l etter
,
a e
it appears yo u had s ent the M SS for my in spection

, ,
If yo u have Heaven know s its fate ; certainly it ha s

. .
not reached my hand s any m ore than a l etter to whic h

,
yo u allu de a s i mm ediately precedi g you r l as t I beg n
yo u wi ll cl ear u p the s e dou bts being an xio us to

.
receive yo u r note s and i llustration s I fear the dej ection

,
of mind into which I a m plu nged will prevent my

.
fini s hing the other s tories and of cou r s e V th k s a e

’
m aking hi s appearance in any l angu age thi s winter

,
I wo ul d t have hi m u pon any acco u nt co m e forth

.
no
witho ut hi s com panion s

Indors e yo u r an swer to M r Fo x hall N o 1 9 C aven
.
dish S t C av S q and he w i ll forward it to m e

.
,
: :
witho u t del ay
.
,
3
.
1
M orri son M SS
H enl ey had written to cond l e with ec ford on the death of hi s
.
2
B k
wife w pa ss ed away on M ay
o
ho 1 6
M orri s on M SS
, .
XX
.
II
I ntr o ducti o n
1] A few day s before thi s l a s t l etter wa s written Hen l ey
had p u bl i s hed hi s translation of V th k 1
,
”
a e
In
flpage “
The L ife and L etter s of Wi l lia m Beckford
( I have sugge sted that Henl ey m ay well
have tho ught that Beckford who had been engaged
u pon V th k and the E pi s ode s for fou r and a
,
“
a e
half years might never fini s h the work and that to

wait for the E pis ode s to be given hi m for tran sl ation
, ,
woul d be to po stpone indefinitely the p u b lication of

the E ngl i sh vers ion upon which he had e xpended s o
mu ch ti m e It can onl y be suppo s ed I s aid in the

“
biography that he was l ed to co mmit thi s breach of

. ,
faith by the des ire that hi s l abou rs s houl d not be

,
wasted After fu rther consideration I wo uld s far o
a s thi s a s pect of the cas e i s concerned withdraw the

.
, ,
e xpre ssion breach of faith The m an us cript of

,
”
V t h k wa s p l aced in Hen l ey s hand s for tran sl ation

.
’
a e
with the tacit u nderstanding that the E gli s h vers ion

,
s houl d be p u bli s hed Beckford then decided to write

the E pi s ode s and e xpre ss ed a wi sh that Henl ey
.
s ho ul d tran sl ate the s e als o b u t he never s ent the m

,
to Henl ey V th k as originally conceived was a

,
“ ”
a e
co mpl ete s tory and when Henl ey had tran sl ated it
.
, ,
he c l earl y had a right to p u bli sh B u t Hen l ey s own

, , ,
’
defence in the s hape of a l etter to Beckford s s olicitor

.
has happily been pre s erved

, ,
The R ev . S a mu el H en ley to Th o sWildm .

'
an
R NDL S HA
E E M, n ea r M LT O
E N IS P W I C H
c
,
23 O tr .
, 1 7 86 .
I s ho ul d have retu rned an i mm ediate an swer to

yo ur l etter b u t it cam e in m y ab s ence fro m ho m e
whilst I wa s attending a s ick friend who i s no m ore
,
Yo u begin yo u r l etter with a charge in the nam e of

.
M r Beckford which i s a l ittl e e x traordinary both as to

the m anner in which it i s e xpre ss ed and als o sto its
,
XX III
I ntroduction
sub s tance—it i s that the copy of V th k wa s entrusted a e
to m e for the p urpo s e of tran slating it ly If anything on
(a s I cannot b u t sus pect ) wa s m eant to be i m p l ied by

.
the word t sen r u t d m ore than s i m p l y p t i t m y h

e ds u n o an
I mus t decl are m ys elf s orry that a pers on of you r

, ,
l iberal ity s ho ul d de s cend u pon su ch an occas ion to the

application of it and mus t at the s am e ti m e take the
l iberty to add that I am a s l ittl e us ed to the abus e
,
of any trus t a s either M r Beck ford or yo u rs elf

,
Upon s econd tho ughts however I mus t ac qu it yo u

.
of intending the apparent in sinu ation becaus e what

, ,
yo u have i mm ediate ly added leave s the offen sive e x

,
press ion to be con s idered only a s an inadvertent one

for yo u sy that M r Beckford s not knowing how to
a
’
acco u nt for the p u blication of my tran sl ation ari s e s

fro m hi s having written to m e t d l y it Now why
,
o e a
s ho ul d he write to del ay a p u bl ication which was never
.
,
des igned —I f M r B will give hi ms elf the trou b l e to

reflect he mus t rem e m ber that I wa s in poss e ssion of
.
the tran s cript of V th k a con siderabl e ti m e before

,
a e
I ever tho ught of tran sl ating it and therefore that the

original c ul d not have been t s t d to m e for the
,
o en r u e
p u rpos e of tran sl ating it ly He wi ll als o rem em ber
on
that I u ndertook the tran sl ation at hi s desire d for

.
an
the s ol e p urpo s e of p u blication ; and fu rther that he

,
s ol icited m e to go on with the s am e V iew thro the

,
’
other tal e s to which V th k belongs He cannot forget

, ,
a e
that after I had co mmu nicated the firs t s peci m en to

.
hi m he gave m e no respite ti ll the whol e was fi ni s hed

—that he e xpress ed the highe st comm endation of what
,
I had done and not only su pervi s ed and corrected m y

m anus cript b u t retained the variation s and addition s
,
I had m ade That the tran s cript might be benefited by

,
his review I have hi s own assurance that he del ayed

.
hi s depart u re fro m E ngl and on acco u nt of it and

,
;
s ince hi s re s idence at L aus anne I can s how hi s co m
mun aicti
on sof reference for the s ake of m y note s In .
XX IV
I ntroduction
con s ideration of a l ate u nhappy occu rrence it wsm y a
own wi s h to have entirely su ppre ss ed the work b u t a s

I had been e mpl oyed upon it prior to that event and
,
was known to be s by s o m e of my friend s I coul d

,
not decline it witho u t favo u ring a charge that I wa s

,
u nwilling to cou ntenance and therefore s acrificed m y

own inc lination to what I con s idered a s a pos itive
,
engage m ent to M r Beckford — not however witho ut

a precau tion in the preface which if the review s of
p u blic prints m ay be trusted fail ed not to an s wer it s
,
ai m Before my paper s went to pre ss I wrote to appri s e

,
M r B of it and as s oon a s the volum e wsprinted

.
I forwarded to hi m a l arge paper copy In sdoing I

.
,
con s idered mys elf a s gratifying hi m in the highe st degree

.
It appeared however s o m e ti m e after that M r Beck

.
ford had changed hi s mind with respect to the sp t

, ,
e ara e
appearance of V th k and that he wi s hed m y work
a e
to be del ayed till the whol e s erie s of tal e s coul d co m e

,
forth together b ut hi s l etter intim ating thi s did not

pass the L ondon office till the 1 8th of A ugust which
,
was three week s after my book was p u b li shed In thi s

,
l etter which wa s an an s wer to one of m ine of the

.
1 2 th of Ju ne M r B te lls m e that a for m er l etter to

,
which I had then referred hi m had not fou nd its way

, .
W hether any m i s take or confus ion h sari s en u pon

.
,
that acco u nt I cannot sy b ut thi s mu ch I wi ll ventu re

a
to affirm that m y p ubl ication will in no respect detract

,
fro m M Bec kford s rep u tation and fu rther that it will

r
’
rather have a contrary effect M r B sl a st l etter I s ho ul d

,
’
have an swered before b u t it wsm i sl aid s oon after the

. .
receipt of it and not fo u nd till a thorou gh rumm age

,
had been m ade for it to day

,
I am Sir
.
Yo u r h umb l e S t
, ,
er v
S H LY
.
,
. EN E .
M r Beckford cannot have forgotten that hi s des iring

! ! V
I ntroduction
m e to u ndertake the tran sl ation of V th k wa s a e
occa sioned by its not having been tran sl ated to hi s

wishe s by the gentl em an in who s e hand s it was p u t
for the p u rpo s e .
1
Hen ey had the right to p u b l i s h neverthe

flco mmitted two very s erio us and ine x c us abl e faults
I f l l e ss he ,
The firs t was that he did t inform Beckford that he

.
no
intended to i ssu e the E ngli s h version or fi x a date for

p u bl ication sufficiently re m ote to enabl e Beckford
,
s i multaneously to p u bl i s h the French original B u t

thi s beco m e s a trivial m atter indeed when the other
.
i s con s idered He suppress ed the fact of Beckford s

,
’
au thors hip It can be u nders tood that he wa s u nwill ing

.
p u bl ic ly to a ss ociate hi ms el f with Beckford in co s e

.
c of the charge referred to in hi s l etter tho u gh

,
qu en e
a s fro m the general tenor of hi s corre spondence it

, ,
s eems that he di s bel ieved it He m ight have su ppre ss ed

,
hi s tran sl ation and perhap s u nder the circ umstances

.
no one wo uld have blam ed hi m very s everely b u t it

, , ,
;
was ine x c us abl e to p u bl i s h it and o mit the a u thor s ’
nam e N ay he did wors e for in hi s preface he stated

that it was adapted fro m the Arabic
.
, ,
The original of the following Story together with

s o m e others of a s i m il ar kind coll ected in the E as t
,
by a M an of L etters wa s co mmu nicated to the E ditor

,
above three year s ago The pl easu re he received fro m

,
the perus al of it ind u ced hi m at that ti m e to tran s cribe

.
and s ince to tran sl ate it How far the copy m ay be

,
a jus t repres entation it beco m e s not hi m to determine

.
He presum e s however to hope that if the diffic ulty

.
,
of acco mm odating o u r E ngli s h idioms to the A b ic

, , ,
k ra
pre s erving the corre spondent tone s of a diversified

,
narrative and di s cri m inating the nicer to u ches of

character thro ugh the s hade s of foreign m anners be
,
d ul y con s idered a failu re in s om e points wi ll not

,
; ,
ec f rd M 1
B k o SS .
xx v i
I ntr o duction
L a C al ife t N ihe con s entirent a cette pr pos i
o u ron ar 0
tion t V th k prenant l a parol e s mit a l e u r faire

e a e e
non s an s pl e u rs t g m is sm s s inc ere ré cit de to u t

, , ,
e e e en nu
c qu i lu i ét it arriv é L s e u t s p é nib l e
,
narration l j e u ne homm e qu i it parl é cm m c

il
’
e o q fi i . or u n a
e av o o en a
l a s ienne de l a m ani e re suivante

,
Hi stoire de s de ux prince s am i s Al s
.
i t Zi a e r on z ,
enferm é s dan s l pal ai s s o u terrain

,
Hi s toire d prince K lil h t de l a prince ss e Z lk is

.
u a a e u a
ss u r enferm é s dan s l pal ai s s o u terrain

,
a oe e
Hi stoire d pri ce B ki kh enferm é dan s l palai s

.
,
u n er are e
s ou terrain
Hi stoire d prince enfermé d n s l pal ai s s o uter
.
u a e
ram
L e q t iem prince en ét it m i l ie u de s r écit
.
ua r e o au on
qu and il fut interro mp u etc

,
.
,
In the P ari s edition p the E pi

fla s three in n um ber the(order i s changed and the nam e s
1 6 0 ) s ode s are given
.
altered
, ,
Hi s toire de s deux Prince s am i s Al s t F i a r e ro u x,
enferm és dan s l pal ai s s ou terrain

,
Hi s toire d Prince B ki kh enferm é dan s l palai s

u or a ro e
s o u terrain
,
Hi s toire d P rince K lil h t de l a P rince ss e Z lk is

u a a e u a
enferm é s dan s l pal ai s s o u terrain

,
L e troi si e m e P rince etc

.
1
.
,
11 The on l y rea s on that can be su gge s ted for the

E pi s ode s not being in s erted in the edition s of 1 7 8 7 in
the pl ace m arked for the m i s that they were not ready
for press According to the L aus anne edition there
were to be three hi storie s and a fragm ent of a fo u rth
.
,
According to the P ari s edition there were to be two

.
historie s and a fragm ent of a third Two hi storie s and .
1
hi s paragraph i s in s erted in the third Fren ch edition
T but
there pal aissu terrain sgiven as pal ai s fe u s o u terrain
le o i le du .
vi ii xx
I ntroducti o n
a fragm ent of a third were written and thi s acco u nts
for the alteration of the order in the l ater vers ion for
,
K lil h wa s not and never ha s been fini s hed The

,
”
a a
alteration of the order su gge s ts that Beckford tho ught

.
one day to i ssu e an edition of V th k in which the

,
'
a e
E pi sodes s ho uld be interpolated after the fashion of the

,
Arabian N ights where one s tory forms the fram e

,
”
work into which s everal are interwo en Indeed of thi s

,
there i s proof for am ong the Beckford papers at

.
,
Ham ilton Pal ace i s pre s erved drawn u p by the author

,
the fo ll owing Averti ss em ent po u r l é dit i de V th k

, ,
’
on a e
avec l sE pi s ode s
c
e
Depu i s qu e lqu e te n s no us s a pa s pr é cipit é

r s av a n on
vers l a t le cu nivers ell e L e fam eux dram e d H c

o r an e
’
o ra e
W al po l e fond é su r l i cs t l p lus r é vo l tant sp u b l ie

.
’
n e e e e
fi s an s s cr u p ul e On d é vore Don Ju an on s e j ette

, ,
en n
a corp s perd u sur les ro m an s de M adame d Devant

.
,
1
u
e t de V ictor H u go on to mbe pa s m ort de surpris e ne
en li s ant l e s rap s odie s b l asph ém atoire s

,
t d i dig ti
’
e n na on
d E dg
’
Quinet J
ar prétend pas avoi siner m e m e e ne
sct luxu re de csénergi qu e s o u vrage s m ai s

.
l ff
’
e erv e en e e
co mm e dan s l s ié cl d or de l a co m pagnie de J é sus

,
’
e e
tou t p dis sit l icite a ce s docte s pers onnage s po u r

ar o
atteindre u ne he u re us e fin j o s e m e flatter qu au m oin s ’ ’
l de m e s conte s s t a ss e z é vidente po u r pro

,
l m
a or a e e
d i u re de s éfl i ss alutaire s Qu on l sparco u re
r e x on
’
donc avec c fi cen s p é n étrant d u ne Vérité qu e

.
’
on an e e
l a rel igion m em e no us d é m ontre t s e di s ant fond e au
de scon s cience C e ux qu i a li s d C al ife V t h k

,
’
a t : n ar u a e
t de s e s m al he u re ux co m pagnon s s l ivrent a ux
,
e e
pass ion s cri minell es t aux action s atroces term ineront

,
l e u r carri e re par u ne e ib ti terribl e m ai s jus te

, ,
r tr u on
dan s l s éj ou r de l t ll vengeance
, , ,
’
2
e e er n e e
e rge S and
.
1
G
F or s om e tim e we have been advancing with rapid s tr des
o .
2 “
i
toward s u niversal tol eration H orace Wal pol e s fam us dram a fou nded ’
, ,
the m os t revol ti g inces t i s at l ast pu b l is hed witho u t any

. o ,
s cru pl e Don Juan i s dev u red by inn um erabl e readers P eopl e

on n , , ,
“ o
. .
xxi x
I ntroducti o n
“ The fir s t p u b l ic anno u nce m ent that the E pi s ode s
were written wa s m ade in the Preface to the third
editi n of the French te x t (L ondon
o J ai “ ’
pré paré qu elqu e s E pi s ode s he wrote therein ils s ont

,
”
indi qu é s a l a page s 200 co mm e fai s ant su ite a V th k

, ,
a e
peu t etre paroi tront i ls j o u r Still the storie s did
,
”
- - -
un
not appear tho ugh a s the years pass ed he wa s wi lling

.
nay an xio us that they s ho ul d be p u bli s hed

, ,
.
, ,
W lli m B c kf d t Gi a
g C l k e or o eor e ar e
F ON T H I LL ,
1 832 .
A s to the E pis ode s of V th k or the M e m oirs of “

a e
P ort u gal Mu rray or C ol b u rn or L ongm an or any

,
body m ight have had the m at a m om ent too when

, , , ,
;
any s en s e or non s en s e connected with Fonthill Abbey
, ,
wo ul d have r u n thro ugh edition after edition like

wi ldfire B ut not s eeing their way s c l earl y smight o a
have been i m agined they negl ected the opening and

.
s hrank back fro m one of the bes t s pec ul ation s of the

, ,
ki nd that ever pre s ented it s elf .

2
throw thems el ve s headl ong int the nove ls of M adam e Devant and du
Victor H ugo i s s tric en dead with su rpri s e and indignation
o
No k
on reading the bl asphe m o us rhap s odie s of Edgar Qu inet I m a e no
. on e
k
pretence of rivall ing even appro xi m ate—l y the e erve s cent lu bricity
.
ff
f l iterary prod u cti n s su ch sthe se bu t sin the ol den Age
, ,
G
the S ciety of J e sus its l earned m em bers regarded m ean s a s
o o a , a
of a ll
jus tifiabl e in a View of the end be attained even s do I dare

o ,
to
flatter my s el f that the of m y tal e s i s s c apparent to , o
m ora l u fli i en t ly
pr d u ce u pon the reader a s alu tary e fect Let hi m therefore perus e f
thes e s torie s in f ll confidence bearing in m ind the whi l e a tru th
o .
, ,
which re l igion its e l f incul cates and which he cannot do better than
u , , ,
ponder in hi s innerm os t con s cience that thos e who l i e the ,
vi z. k
Cal if V and hi s u nhappy com pani n s abandon thems e l ves
-
, ,
a th ek ,
to cri m inal pass ion s and deed s of infamy will by a ter ibl e bu t jus t
o ,
retribu ti n —have their abode for ever in the regi n s eternal

, , ,
r
f
vengea ce ran sl ation by Sir Fran T M arzials
o o o
T k
M e m irs of P ortu gal ec f rd m ean s thos e m an us cript s
n . . .
“
1 By Th e B k
which were p ubl i shed by entl ey in u nder the titl e I tal y with
o o
B
s etche s S pain and P rtu gal
1 8 34 ;
”
k of
own shend M ayer S ul tan of L an s down ower

o
Ms
.
“
2
G T Th e T
Ju ne
r . :
( T e m le Ba r ,
p
! ! !
I ntr o ducti o n
fl W h Bent enl ey thro u gh a third per s on Cl arke wa s
negotiating with Beckford for the inclus ion of V th k
, , ,
a e
in hi s s erie s of Standard N ovels a chance for the “
p u blication of the E pi s ode s occ u rred b u t the author s

,
’
;
de mand s were too e xtravagant .
Willi m B c kf d t G Cl k a e or o . ar e
LA D O NS WN
U n l e ss Bentl ey can persu ade hi ms el f and feels

in spired to give a sm as ro u nd sthe great gl obe
,
u a
it s elf nay ro u nder— for the gl obe we know isflatter

,
at the pol e s than my E pi s odes I h pe will be fou nd

, ,
in any part of them w are not likely to deal A s yo u

, ,
-
e
are m ore and m ore convinced nay write m e po s itive

.
word in ye s terday s l etter that he will never think of

, ,
’
tho us and s he had better give u p the point and ceas e

,
fi dg t i g hi ms e l f u pon the su bj ect A s for m e I am

,
e n
fi dg t proof He m ay be on or f twenty ti m e s
.
,
e o
running jus t as hi s fancy dictate s W ith hi m I can

.
,
never be offended su ch i s m y partiality

.
,
s
.
,
fl o, tho u gh in 1 8 3 4 V t h k with The C a s t l

“
e of a e
“
Otranto and The Bravo of V enice appeared as

,
” “
N o ! VI of the Bentl ey s Standard N ovels the

,
’
m anus cript of the E pi sode s went back to the au thor

. .
,
After hi s death it cam e into the po ss ess ion of hi s

.
daughter the D u che ss of Hami lton who depo s ited it

in the C harter R oom of Ham ilton Pal ace where it
, ,
re m ained u ndi stu rbed its very e x i stence s oon forgotten

,
for fi and s i xty years

, ,
v e- -
.
Sir Frank M ar z ia ls pa ss ed for pre ss

fltran slation during hi s l ast illness the proofs of the the proof s of hi s
;
“
E pi s ode s in the original French have been read by
M i ss E K P ill s an
L E WIS M E L V I LL E
. . .
1 M rs
G To wn shend M ayer T Sul tan of Lan sdown ower “
he T
Ju ne
. :
(Temp le B a r ,
T H E S T O RY O F P RINC E AL AS I AN D
THE P NC
RI ESS F I R OU Z KAH
T h e E pi s od e s of Vat h ek
to all and in a word to l ive am ong m y su bj ects B u t
in tho s e day s genero s ity and virtu e were not to m e
, , , .
m ere vagu e and e m pty word s I ful fill ed all m y d u tie s

e x actly and only fro m ti m e to ti m e ind ulged in the
.
delight s of s ol itu de A tent di spo s ed after the P ers ian

,
m anner and s itu ated in a dens e fore s t was the pl ace

.
,
where I s pent thes e m o ments of retire m ent m o m ents

, ,
that al way s s ee m ed to pass too quickly I had caus ed

,
a con siderabl e n umber of tree s to be c u t down s a s

.
to l eave an open c l earing of fair s iz e and had fi ll ed thi s

c l earing with gay flo wers whil e ro u nd it coil ed a m oat
,
who s e waters were a s c l ear stho s e of R u enabad N ear

,
thi s bright s pot which I us ed to l iken to the m oon

.
s hining f ll orbed in the dark b lu e of the fi m m t

,
u -
r a en
I often ad mired the gloo my depth s f the enf l ding

,
o o
wood s and s trayed in their rece ss e s to dream !
One day when s tretched at l en th u pon the m o ss
, ,
flI was caressing a yo u ng deer thatg wo ul d co m e tam e

, , ,
to my hand I heard the s o u nd of a hors e galloping

not far di s tant ; and s o n after a rider cam e in view
,
o
who wa s u nknown to m e Hi s dress wa s o u tl andi s h
,
hi s co u ntenance fierce hi s eye haggard B u t he did not

.
,
l ong keep m y attention An angel ic form in a boy s

.
,
’
dre ss s oon riveted my gaz e The s tranger hel d thi s lad

.
,
“
who s ee m ed m o s t graceful m o s t del icatel y fas hioned

.
, ,
straitl y c l as ped to hi s breast and s eem ed an x io us a s

, ,
I tho ught to prevent hi m fro m call ing for help O u t

, ,
raged by what I took to be an act of l awl e ss viol ence

.
,
I ro s e I barred the s tranger s way I flashed m y s w rd

,
’
o
in hi s eye s and cried Stop w tc h l Do yo u dare
, ,
“
: re
co mmit thi s wrong in t h e sight of the King of Kha

, ,
r ez m e ?
Scarce l y had I u ttered the s e word s when

flS prang to the grou nd withou t rel easing hi s precio us
t h s tranger , e
charge and s aid s alu ting m e with every m ark ofre s pect
,
Prince Al s i yo u are the very obj ect of m y s earch

, ,
“
a
I wi s h to entrus t t yo u a treasu re beyond all price

.
,
o .
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Alas i
F il san h w King of Shirvan the inti m ate friend of the
a
ki g yo u r late father i s red u ced to dire e xtre mity Hi s

, ,
rebell io us su bj ects hold hi m bes ieged in the citadel of

, .
S m k h ié The troop s of C al if V t h k are u pho l ding

a a a e
the m in their revolt They have sworn the u tter ru in

.
of their s overeign F il s h waccept s u nda u nted the

.
an a
decree s of Fate s o far a s he hi ms elf i s concerned b u t

.
an x io us if that be yet poss ibl e to s ave al ive hi s only

,
s the l vel y chi l d who m yo u s here he h sco m

, ,
on , o ee a
d d m e to p l ace hi m in yo u r hand s Hide thi s pearl

,
m an e
of incomparabl e price in you r bo s om ; suffer itsorigin

.
the s hell in which it wa s formed to re m ain u nknown

,
u ntil su ch ti m e a s the years bring s ec u rity And s

, ,
farewell I fear p u rsu it P rince F i will hims el f tell

.
rouz
yo u all els e that yo u m ay wi s h to know

. .
I had whi l e he wa s s peaking opened m y ar ms to

.
1]
and F i had sprung into the m W hel d one
, ,
Fi ro u z, ro u z e
another e mbraced with a tenderness that s ee med to fill

.
the stranger with s ati s faction He m o u nted h ishors e

and wa s gone in a m o m ent
.
,
Oh take m e hence then s aid now indeed

.
”
1] F i ; r ou z
do I fear to fall into the hand s of m y pers ec u tors Ah

, ,
woul d they tear m e fro m the s ide of the friend Heaven

.
ha s given m e— the friend toward s who m my whol e

heart give s one bou nd
1]
“
N dear
o, chi l d cried I ; nothing s ha”
ll tear y
“
ou
fro m m y s ide M y treasu re s m y army all I have s hall
,
be us ed for yo u r protection B u t why hide you r birth

.
, , ,
here in my do minion s where no harm can com e to

.
yo u
,
1] N ay it mus t be s m y m o s t genero us defender

“
o,
rej oined F i m y father s foe s have sworn to

, ,
“ ’
ro u z ;
e xtirpate hi s race They wo ul d brave death its elf in
obedience to their oath they wo uld stab m e in yo u r
.
;
very pres ence if I were recogni s ed The m an who
brou ght m e here and ha s gu arded m e thro ugh m y
.
infancy will do ll h e can to persu ade the m I a m

,
, a no
5
T h e E pi s od es of Vat h ek
l onger al ive Find s o m e to father m e—it m atters
on e
not who m—I s hall have no other pride save that of
.
l oving you and de s erving that yo u s ho ul d l ove m e in

retu rn
,
Th us s peaking we ca m e to the tape s tried enc l o su re

.
1]
that su rrou nded my P ersian pavi lion and I ordered
,
refre s h m ent s to be brou ght— b u t neither of us did

,
m ore than taste of the m The s ou nd of F i svoice ro u z

’
hi s word s hi s l ook s s eem ed to confus e m y reas on and

.
,
m de m y s peech co m e l ow and hal tingl y H perceived

, , ,
a e
the t umul t raging in my bre s t and to appeas e it

.
bandoned a certain l angu or and tenderne ss of de

, , ,
m ean o u r that he had sfar affected and assum ed the

o
c hi l di s h gaiety and vivacity natural to hi s yea s for he

,
did not appear to be mu ch m ore than thirteen

,
w s aid he have yo u n thing here e x cept

.
1] H o
“
o
b ok s N in s trum ent s of music
, ,
o o ?
1] I sm il ed and ordered a lu te to be bro u g h t F i s ro u z

’
p l aying was that of a m as ter He s ang and accompanied

.
,
hi ms elf with s o mu ch feeling with su ch grace that he

.
rai s ed in my breas t another s torm of e m otion which he

, ,
again was careful to di s pel by innocent mirth

,
1] N ight ca m e on and we s eparated Tho u gh happy

.
beyond what I had conceived po ss ibl e I yet de s ired to

.
,
be alone I felt the need of intro spection Thi s was

,
not at firs t easy all m y tho ughts were in confus ion !

. .
:
I co ld not accou nt to m y own s el f for the agitation
u
of feel ing I had e xperienced At l ast s aid I “ ”
Heaven has hearkened to m y deare s t wi sh It has

.
, ,
s ent m e the tru e heart s friend I s ho ul d never have

.
’
-
fo u nd in my co u rt it has s e t hi m to m e adorn d with

; n e
all the charms of innocence—char ms that wi ll be
foll owed at a m atu rer age by thos e good qu al itie s
that m ake of friend ship m an s highe st bl ess ing — and
, ,
’
above all the highe s t bl essing of a prince s ince dis

,
intere sted f iend s hip i s a b l e ss ing that a prince can

, ,
s carcely hope to enj oy .
6
T h e S tory of P rinc e Alas i
1] I had al ready e x tended beyond it s c us to m ary term
the ti m e I devoted to s ec lus ion and s olitu de M y
b s ence s s hort to mys elf s eem ed l ong to m y peop l e
.
a o
d a ret u rn to Z b d beca m e i m perative So m e

, , ,
an er en
d ay s before we l eft o u r retreat I ca us ed a s hepherd
.
living in the neighbo urhood to be bro ught before m e

,
and co mm anded hi m on pain of death if he div ulged

,
s ecret to acknowl edge F i as h isson Thi s

,
o ur ro u z
precau tion s eem ed to reass u re the yo u ng prince He

, .
mul tipl ied hism ark s f affection for m e and took m ore
.
o
pain s than ever to give m e p l easu re
,
1 ] Friend s hip a s one m ay sy e x erci s ed u pon m e a

.
h um ani s ing influ ence I no l onger s hu nned divers ion s

, ,
d entertain m ent s F i s h one in the m and was

.
an r ou z
u nivers all y ad mired H isam enity and grace won gol den
.
,
pinion s in which I fully shared s that I wa s not

.
o o
littl e su rpri s ed to s hi m co ming to m e one day

, ,
a ee
wild and furio us King of Kh m s aid he

, ,
”
a r ez e,
why have yo u deceived m e If yo u were not prepared

.
,
to love m e and m e alone yo u ought not to have

ccepted m e a s yo u r friend Send m e back to the
, ,
M age s ince the P rincess R d b h who i s in stantly

.
on a a
e x pected here mus t in the natu re of thingstake full

, ,
p ss ess ion of yo ur heart

, , ,
1] Thi s e x traordinary o u tb u r s t s ee m ed s o u t of p l ace o
an d u nrea s onab l e t h at I a ssum ed a very s tern tone

and replied W hat e x cess of folly i s thi s P rince of
, ,
“
:
Shirvan How can m y u nion with P rincess R d b h

,
on a a
in any wi s e concer yo u W hat i s there in co mm on

n ?
between the affection I s hall owe to my wife and the

affection I s h ll ever entertain for you rs elf
,
”
a ?
1 ] Oh ! it concern s m e greatl y rej oined he It

concern s m e mu ch that a wo m an l ovely and l ovabl e
.
,
s houl d als o beco m e yo u r s tau nch friend ! I sit t s aid

, ,
no
that the P rincess of Ghil an u nite s to the fortitu de

the co u rage of a m an all the charms of her s W hat
,
ex ?
m ore wi ll yo u want wh en yo u po ss ess her W here s hall

,
?
I s t nd then P erhap s y i m agine yo u will have done
a ? ou
a ll I a m entitl ed to e x pect at yo u r hand s when yo u
have rein stated m e in m y do m inion s b u t I tell yo u ;
beforehand that if yo u p l aced the worl d s e mpire at ’
m y feet in e x change for yo ur tendere s t friend s hip

,
I co ul d nl y regard yo u as m y dead l ie s t enem y

,
1] F i ro u zknew m e better than I knew m y s e l f He

p l ayed u pon m e a s b l i sted Be side s he had hi ms el f
.
well in hand knew how to act s as to e x cite m y

.
,
s y mpathy and to s ee m yiel ding and am enabl e a s it

,
s erved hi s p u rpo s e He qu ieted down after thi s o utb u rst

, ,
and re sum ed hi s ordinary p l ayfulne ss

.
,
Tho u gh he pa ss ed for the s of a s hepherd

.
1] F i on r ou z ,
a s being h s of the King of Sh irvan had a cl ai m

,
t e on
to my full e st con s ideration ; and I woul d rather have

,
been acc us ed of a ridic ul o us partiality than that he

s ho ul d be treated witho u t the deference d u e to hi s real
rank He occ upied the pl eas ante st qu arters in my
pal ace He had cho s en hi s own attendants in addition
.
to tw e u n u ch s s ent to hi m by the M age on the very

.
,
o
day of h i s arrival at my P ers ian pavi lion I had provided
,
hi m with ins tru ctor s in every kind of k owledge

.
who m he e x asperated with superb hors e s —which he ;

rode to death and with sl ave s — who m he i ll treated
;
-
witho u t m ercy B u t all thi s wa s hidden fro m m e

M y bo u ndl e ss partial ity gave ri s e to s o m e mu r mu rs
. .
no do u bt b u t it prevented any direct acc us ation fro m

,
re ching m y ears
,
1] A venerabl e Mull ah high l y e s tee m ed for l earning

.
and piety wa s co mm i ss ioned to e xpo u nd for hi s benefit

,
the s alu ta y m oral teachings of the Koran and caus ed

, , ,
hi m to read and l earn by heart a variety of its s acred

,
te x ts and of all m y you ng friend s task s thi s wa s the

;
’
m o s t irks om e B ut I attrib u ted hi s di sta s te to any caus e

b u t the real one Far indeed wa s I fro m suspecting that
.
his m ind had already been s atu rated with doctrine s

.
altogether oppos ed to tho s e of I sl am .
8
T h e S tory o f P rinc e Alas i
1] One day that I had pa ss ed s evera l ho u r s witho u t
s eeing my am iab l e p upil I went to l ook for hi m and
fou nd hi m in one of the l arge halls capering and
, ,
dancing abou t with a s trange figu re grotesqu ely h uddled

,
u p in an ass s s kin Ah m y dear prince cried be

’
“
r unning u p to m e open arm ed yo u have before yo u

.
, , ,
“
;
-
the very strangest s pectacl e in the world My Mull ah

i s tran sformed into an s s
— the king of all a ss e s s ince
.
he talk s even a s he talked before !

,
”
1]
“
W hat do yo u m ean cried I what ga m e are ?
;
“
yo u pl aying now ?
1] It s not a ga m e rep l ied the Mull ah waving two

’
fals e ears of an i mm easu rabl e l ength I am trying

, ,
;
in all good nat u re to fully real is e the character I am
,
now pers onating and I entreat you r M aj e s ty not to be

,
s candal i s ed and take my sdoing in evil art

,
”
o
1] At the s e word s I s tood confo u nded I m i s do u bted

.
whether I wa s l i stening to the voice of the Mull ah

.
or whether I really had before m e a donkey which by

,
s o m e m iracl e had been endowed with the gift of speech

, ,
V ai ly did I s for an e xp l anatio He only

, .
n k Fi a rou z n
l au ghed i mm oderatel y and repl ied A s k the donkey

.
Fina ll y m y patience qu ite e x ha us ted I wa s abo u t

, .
1]
to order thi s di sgusting b u ffoonery to be brought
, ,
forcibly to an end when F i assum ed hi s m os t r ou z
s erious air and s aid Sire yo u will I hope forgive

,
the innocent artifice by which I have endeavo ured to

, , , ,
de mon strate how mu ch yo u and other princes are

deceived as to the character of the peopl e bo u t the m
, ,
Thi s Mullah has do ubtle ss been pres ented to yo u a s

.
a m of very su perior m erit and a s su ch yo u have

, ,
an ;
appointed hi m to act a s teacher to you r friend and
, ,
p upil Well ! be it known to yo u that in order to

obtain one of m y m o s t hideo us negress es with who m
.
,
he i s m adly in l ove he ha s con s ented to re m ain three

,
day s th us ridic ul o usly acco utred and s to be a

,
u nivers al l aughing stock And indeed yo u must agree

,
-
.
, ,
9
t h at he pre s ents th e fo m and fig ure of an s sin a r a
high ly s ati sfactory m anner and that hi s speech doe s
no di s credit to hi s o u tward s eeming
,
”
1] I as ked the Mull ah if what F i s aid wa s tru e

.
r ou z
1] N ot qu ite h e repli ed s ta mm ering and s t u tt ering

.
in a pitifully ab su rd way the girl he i s to give m e

, ,
“
;
thou gh bl ack snight isbeau tiful a s day the oi l with
,
a ;
which s h m ake s her char ms lus tro us i s s cented l ike the
,
orange fl w her voice h sthe bitter—

-
o er ; s weet of the a
pom egranate when s he toy s with my beard her fi ngers

which are prickly sthe thi s tl e titillate m y very heart !
, ,
Ah ! sthat s h m ay be m ine su ffer m e su ffer m e to

,
o e
re m ain for three days in the form and fig re of an s s

, ,
u a
1] Wretch in that form and fig u re tho u s hal t die ! I

”
cried with an indignation I co ul d not contain

,
“
d ; an
l et m e never hear speak of thee again
,
1] I retired a s I s poke the s e w rd s ca s ting at F i o r ou z
l ook s of a kind to which he wa s in no way accusto m ed

,
1] The re s t of the day I s pent in reflecting on F i s

.
’
r ou z
i ll natu re and the infam o us cond u ct of the Mull ah

-
b ut when evening cam e I th ught only of again

,
o
s eeing m y friend I caus ed hi m to b summ oned H
, ,
e e
cam e at once ti m id ly and affectionatel y Dear prince

. .
s aid he yo u d n t know what grief I have fel t all day

, . ,
’
o
at the tho ught that yo u s ee m ed angry with m e In order
,
to obtain forgivene ss I have l o s t not a m o m ent in e x e

.
ct i g yo u r co mm and s The a ss i s dead and i s b u ied

,
u n r
Yo u wi ll never hear speak of hi m again

.
.
,
”
1] Thi s i s another of yo u r ill ti m ed j e s t s I e x c l ai m ed

.
Do yo u ask m e to believe that the Mullah who spoke

.
,
with su ch vigou r thi s morning i s dead to night

,
1] He i s and by yo u r co mm and rep li ed F i One

,
”
ro u z.
of my negro sl ave s who s e m i stre ss he wi shed to

, ,
appropriate de spatched hi m and he wa s b u ri d i ct i

,
e n on
ently and witho u t cerem ony li ke the donkey he

, ,
wa s
,
”
1] Thi s i s reall y t mu ch ! cried I W hat ! do yo u

.
oo .
10
e xpedition the P rince of Shirvan who al ways gl ad ly
acco mpanied m e on su ch occasion s feigned s ickness I
, ,
wi s hed to re m ain by hi m ; bu t he u rged m e not to stay

.
,
assu ring m e that with a l ittl e re s t I s ho ul d find him

,
on my retu rn in a fit condition to s hare with m e in su ch

, , ,
amus em ent s a s wo uld be a p leas ant rel ax ation after the

,
—
fatigu e s of the day a mus em ent s that he wo ul d hi ms el f
devi s e
According l y I did find on m y ret u rn a su perb co ll a
.
1]
tion prepared and s erved in a l ittl e grove of tree s
, ,
forming part of m y garden s and decked and i llumi ed

, ,
after a fas hion all the prince s own— i other word s

,
’
n
with the u tm o s t taste and refine m ent We st u nder a

,
kind of dai s formed of the intertwini g branche s of

.
n
po m egranate s and ol eanders A thous and flowers s hed
at o u r feet form ed a rich carpet and fill ed the s en s e
.
,
with their into xicating fragrance U nn um bered cry s tal

, ,
vas e s contai ing fru its perfum ed with am bergri s and

.
floating on s now reflected the l ight of sm all taper s

, ,
daintily st on the m argin of a su cce ss ion of fo u ntain s

,
C hoirs of yo ung mus ician s were s di spo s ed a s to

.
charm the ear witho ut interru pting o u r di s cou rs e N ever

wa s eve m ore del icio us never had F i s how hi m
.
; rou z n
s el f m ore gay m ore amiab l e m re enchanting Hi s o

p l eas ant m irth hi s wit enl ivened m e even m ore than
, , .
the wine which he po u red o u t freely When the wi ly

, ,
s of F il s h wperceived that m y head ws in a whirl

.
,
on an a a
of pl ea s ant e x citem ent he knelt before m e on one knee

and taking both m y hand s in hi s s aid Dear Al s
, ,
i : a
I had forgotten to ask yo u to forgive a wretch who has

, , ,
de s erved death
1] Speak I rep l ied Yo u know th at fro m m e yo u
.
“ ” “
have bu t to ask in order to obtain and bes ide s I

, .
;
s ho uld be pl eas ed indeed to find yo u r heart s en s ibl e to
, ,
pity
1 ] The m atter s tand s th us rej oined F i I wa s
.
“ “
ro u z
to day in m y apart m ent su rro u nded by yo u r fl tt s

.
,
,
a er e r ,
12
T h e S tory of P rinc e Alas i
who at once hate m e and s eek to win my favou r when
the s hepherd m y suppo s ed father cam e in to ki ss m e
,
open armed At that m o ment the b lood of F il s h w

, , ,
-
an a
su rged rebell ious in m y heart Hence ch url s aid I to

.
the s hepherd go and s tifle thy m i s begotten brats with

.
, ,
thy c lumsy caress e s ! Wo uld s t tho u have the u nbl sh

,
ing effrontery to m aintain that I am thy s That I on
m bo u nd to do s yo u very we ll know he rep lied

’
a o,
firmly I wi ll m aintain it with m y l ife Thi s reply of

,
’
hi s was no do u bt in s trict accordance with hi s d uty

. .
;
b ut c urio us to s how far we can really depend on
, ,
ee
thos e to who m we entrus t o u r s ecrets I ordered the

,
m an who s ee m ed s o re s olute to receive the bas tinado

,
He end u red it b u t a very s hort ti m e— h reveal ed all

, , .
After yo u r e xpress orders and the p u ni s h m ent with

.
which yo u threatened hi m he i s no do u bt worthy of

,
death b ut I pray yo u to forgive hi m

,
The ordea l wa s s evere s aid I i l yo u ever be

.
1] W l
”
cr u el What irres i stible power com pels m e t l y

.
,
o ov e ou
A ssu redly not the sympathy of fellow feeling
.
It i s m o s t tr u e he rej oined that I do not end u re

.
”
1]
m ankind a s patientl y a s yo u do To m e m en s ee m a s
, ,
ravenous a s wol ve s sp fidi sas the fo x e s in L o q

.
a er ou
m an s Fabl e s and sfli ghty of feel ing s fals e to their

,
’
o o
pro mi se s that it i s i mpo ss ibl e not to ho ld the m in

, ,
abhorrence ! Wh y are we two not alone in the worl d

,
Then the earth now s warming with the vil e and wicked
m ight boast its elf inhabited by two faithful and happy
, ,
friend s
1] By su ch e x al ted and ro m antic o u tb u rs t s of s enti m ent
.
bro ught m e to tolerate thi s new proof of the

,
Fi rou z
e ss ential badne ss of hi s heart He had indeed not tol d

m e the whol e s tory as I l earned on the m orrow It wa s
.
, ,
by hi s own orders and at h isown sugges tion indirectly

, .
c onveyed that the shepherd had com e into h ispres ence

, ,
d acco s ted hi m a s he had done and m oreover the

, ,
an ;
poor wretch had had th e fortitu de to end u re hi s p u ni s h
, ,
13
m ent alm o s t u nto death bef re infringing m y com o
m a d s I s ent the u nhappy creat re a sm of m oney
n u u
and held my s e lf mo s t to bl am e for hiscondition

. ,
A s thi s tran s action had fi ed a ll erbend with indigna

.
1] ll Z
tion and s eem ed to reflect more blam e on F i than r ou z
he actu ally de s erved I p u blicly and with s o m e po mp

,
decl ared hi s real birth and the reas on s why it h ad been

, , ,
hidden I als o thenceforward su rrou nded hi m with regal

,
s tate and was not a l ittl e surpri s ed t s that tho s e

.
; o ee
who had hitherto been m os t bitter again s t hi m were

now all eagerness to do hi m s ervice Thi s m ade m e
s o m ewhat m i strus t their real intention s B u t the Prince
.
of Shirvan reassured m e Don t be afraid s aid he

.
“ ’
l aughing yo u can trus t the care of m y pers on to thes e

.
, ,
;
peopl e jus t as s afel y a s to their fell ow s there i s nothi ng
that really s avo u rs of treachery in their h i g their ear n ;
affection h sonl y ch nged with the change in m y
a a
fortu ne s I am now no l onger the s ly and cr u e l li tt l e

s hepherd l ad who for hi s evi l prank s wa s su re s ooner or
.
l ater to be s ent back to hi s hovel I a m a great prince

, , ,
good and h um ane of di spo s ition f o m who m a thous and

.
,
benefits m ay be e xpected I am ready to wager th at I

,
coul d have the head s of five or s i x of the m c u t ff daily

.
by l ot and that the re st trusting t be m ore fort u ate

,
o n
than their co mpanion s woul d contin u e to s ing m y
, ,
prai s e s
S u ch s peeche s —and I knew o y too we ll how tr u e
.
1] l n
they were —s erved ins en s ibly to harden m y hea t It r

i s a great evil to l ook u pon m ankind with a t c l e r
.
oo a
vi sion Yo u s ee m to be living among wi l d beas ts and
you beco m e a wil d beas t yo u rs el f
.
,
1] I had tho u ght at firs t that in hi s new po s ition the

.
P rince of Shirvan woul d yiel d even m ore freely than

, ,
he h d done before to h i s evi l bent b u t in thi s I ws

,
a ; a
m i s taken He s howed hi ms e l f nob l e i m anner and
,
s en s ibl e in cond u ct and hi s beari g toward s great and

.
sm all was affab l e and obl igi g In s hort he compl etel y

,
n .
,
14
obliterated the bad i mpre ss ion prod u ced by hi s form er
practice s
The s e day s of qu iet l s ted ti ll the arriva l of
.
1] Ra d b h on a a
I happened to be in F i sapartm ents when news

.
’
ro u z
wsbro ght that that prince ss attended by a retin u e

a u
suitabl e to her rank wsonl y at a few paras angs
,
’
a
distance fro m Z b d Startl ed I s carce knew why I

,
er en
t urned my eye s on my friend H iscondition m akes m e

.
, ,
trem bl e even yet a s I thi k of it A death ly pallor

.
overspr ad hi s co u ntenance hi s m ove m ent s becam e

, .
e
conv uls ive and at l ast he fell to the gro und s en s el e ss
,
I wsabo u t to bear hi m to hi s c u ch when the M age s

, , .
’
a o
two e u n u ch s took hi m fro m my arms s aying L eave
,
:
—
hi m to o u r care l ord and deign to retire If on
,
re
covering hi s s en s e s he were to s yo u at h isside he

.
, ,
ee
wo ul d in stantly e x pire
, ,
The s e word s and the tone in w ich they were u ttered

.
1] h
i mpre ss ed m e smu ch that I co uld s carcely drag m y
, ,
s el f thro ugh the portal f the apart m ent Once o utside o
I awaited the i ssu e with angu i s h u n speakab l e At la st

.
,
one of the eu n u ch s cam e o u t and begged m e to

.
re
enter F i l eaning on the ar m of the other eu n u ch

ro u z ,
advanced to m eet m e with halt and tre m bl ing s tep s I

.
,
m ad e him s it down on the divan and s eating m y s e lf

.
by hi s s ide I s aid Friend f m y s o ul Fate alo e

, ,
“
: o n
can be ans werab l e for the s trange and u naccou ntabl e

, ,
fe ling s of o ur heart s Yo u are again s t ll cm p h

e a o re en
s ion j eal o us of R d b h ; and I notwith standing the
.
,
on a a
engage m ents into which m y ambass adors have entered

, ,
a m ready to ri s k all rather th an plu nge you into a s ea

,
of s orrows ! ”
1]
“
N ay l et us go and s thi s redo u btab l e heroi e ee n
replied F i su ffer m e only to accompany yo u in

, ,
r ou z ;
thi s you r firs t interview ; at m y age m y pres ence
cann t be pen to obj ection If y leave m e here
o O ou
al one I s hall die before y return

.
”
ou
1 ] T t h i s I h ad n thing to rep l y T h e fas cination he

.
,
o o .
15
T h e E pi s o d es of Vat h ek
e x erci s ed u pon m e was e xtraordinary to mys el f qu ite
ine x pl icabl e And I co ul d b u t agree to hi s every
,
wi s h He resum ed hi s ordinary s pirits and contin u ed

.
to repeat a s we went al ong Ah ! if onl y thi s c

.
,
“
: a
c u rs ed prince ss sho ul d prove not to be beau tiful !

,
”
1] She wa s bea u tiful however ; b u t of a bea u ty that

in spired awe rather than e x cited de sire very tall of
,
;
m aj e stic port her whol e aspect pro u d and aus tere
,
hair bl ack a s ebony enhanced the whitene ss of

.
,
H er
her co mp l e x ion and her eye s of the s am e dark h u e

, ,
l ooked co mm and b u t did t s oftl y allu re Her m o u th

, , ,
no
thou gh graceful in it s l ine s had no inviting smil e and

. ,
when her coral l ip s opened the word s were word s of

, ,
s ens e indeed b u t very rarel y m oving and persu as ive

,
St u ng a s it s by m y want of a l over s ardo u r

.
,
d
’
1] m ee e e
and offended becaus e contrary to all sand c usto m

, , ,
u e
I had co m e acco mpanied by my friend R d b h

, ,
on a a
no s ooner perceived us advancing than s h t u rned to

,
m y m other and s aid Which of the s e two princes i s :
the one to who m I am de s tined 2
1]
“
To both if yo u p l ea s e rep l ied F i
”
rou z un
he s itatingly and m ockingly sthat I alm os t bu rs t o u t

, ,
l aughing I re s trained m y s el f however with an effort

,
and was preparing to find s o m e e x c us e for my friend s

.
, , ,
’
i ll m anners when the Prince ss of Ghilan after l ooking

m e over attentivel y fro m head to foot and casting a
, ,
d i s dainf l gl ance at F i rem arked— al way s addre ss

,
u r o u z,
ing hers elf to the qu een Tho s e who all ow an insul t :

“
to pass u nnoticed des erve to be insulted ; farewe ll

m adam And yo u Kal i contin u ed s h t u rning to the
,
”
e,
chief of her e n u ch s m ake all the necess ary prepara
.
, ,
“
u
tion s for my return to Ghi lan thi s very nig ht Saying

,
thes e word s s h retired and the qu een wa s not sl ow to

.
foll ow her only s topping to threaten us with ll the

,
cal am itie s that mus t en su e fro m the offence given to

,
R on d b h B u t we were at that m o m ent in no h um o u r

a a
to l i sten A s s oon as we fo u nd o u rs el ve s alone we b u rs t

.
.
,
16
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Alas i
o ut laughing at the s cene which had just taken place
I s that a wo m an a sked F i N o it isthe
.
“ ? “
r o u z.
ghos t of R s t m or of L l — m ay we not rather

,
oo u a ze r or
sy that the s pirit of s o m e fa m o us warrior R d b h s

,
’
a on a a
ances tor has taken poss e ss ion of that tall and stately
,
form which we are asked to l ook u pon a s hers Ah !

,
my dear Al s i s harpen yo u r s w ord prepare to defend

,
you r life if yo u do t in all things e x actly conform to

, ,
no
the cerem onial enj oined by the all powerful Kali with -
hi s voice of s ilver
,
re m ained in thi s m ood ti ll the qu een interr u p ed

.
1] W e t
us She had nearl y appea s ed R d b h and wi s hed m e on a a
to com pl ete her task Her repre s entation s dictated by

.
,
ll a m other s l ove were s trong and u rgent and I yie l ded

.
,
’
a
to them
, ,
the day preceding that fi x ed for the m arriage

.
1] O u
cere monie s I ros e earlier than usu al An xio us agitated
I went down al one into the l arge garden s containing
.
, , ,
the fu nereal m on um ent s of my ance stors I wandered

thro ugh the m o st s o m bre all ey s and entered at l as t into
.
a grotto thro ugh which ran a stream of water The

,
d arkne ss wa s su ch in the grotto s deeper rece ss e s that

.
,
’
s carce a feeb l e ray of light could be di s cerned I pene

t t d into the b l acke s t s hade sa s to be ab l e to drea m
.
ra e o
u n s een and u ndi s tu rbed Soon to m y su rpri s e I swa

,
figure approaching that bore in form and attire a c l o s e

.
, ,
res embl ance to A m ru the s of m y vizier He went

, ,
on
d s eated hi ms el f in a part of the grotto where a l itt l e

.
,
an
li ght wa s s hining s that I co ul d s hi m whi l e he o ee
c oul d not s m e I spoke not a word b u t swwith

,
ee a
su rpri s e another my sterio us pers onage approaching o u t

.
,
f the very heart of the darkne ss and thi s figu re bore

,
o ;
the l ikeness of R d b h schief e u nu ch The s econd on a a
’
pers onage acco sted the firs t and I s eemed to hear

.
h im s ay Son of I lb stoo charming A mru l et

,
“
: ar
y o u r heart rej oice it s hall po ss ess the obj ect of it s

, ,
;
d e s ire l R d b h m y m i s tre ss wi ll co m e h ere thi s ve y
on a a , , r
B 17
T h e E pi s o d es of Vat h e k
night The firs t of her l ove vow s will be you rs Only -
the aft erm ath will be given to the King of Kh m

. .
ar e z e
to m orro w A mr u ki ss ed the gro u nd in token of sb u
m i ss ion and mu rmu red a few l wword s who s e m ean

-
.
ing was l o st in the s o und of the ru nning water They

,
then l eft the grotto

.
I wa s abo u t to fo ll o w and wa s h o u t the a ront in

.
1] ff
bl ood b u t a m om ent s reflection arre s ted thi s firs t
,
’
;
i mp uls e I had no l ove for R d b h I was only on a a
m arrying her for rea s on s of s tate and o u t of pity That

. .
there s ho ul d be anything in what had pass ed to m ake

.
,
m e really u nhappy wa s o u t of the qu es tion I had onl y

to bring her cri minal p fi dy into full light and I
.
er
s ho ul d be qu it of her and recover m y own freedo m

,
with all hono ur Thes e tho ughts pass ed s wiftly throu gh

,
m y brain I thanked whatever lu cky s tar had l ed m e in

.
ti m e to thi s i mportant di s covery and ran to i m part it

.
to F i W hat wa s m y di sm ay when on entering hi s

,
rou z
apartm ent I fo und hi m in the arms of hi s two e u n u ch s

.
,
who were holding hi s hand s and weeping and crying

, ,
“
O mas ter l oved m aster ! What harm had yo u r beau tiful
l ocks done W hy have yo u ru thl essl y c u t the m ff
,
? o ?
And now yo u wo ul d gas h yo u r l ovely white forehead

N o not if we die to s tay yo u r hand s
Thi s s ight s m oved m e that I co ul d not u tter a
,
1 ] o
s ingl e word M y s peech l e ss angu i s h s eem ed to qu iet

He tore hi ms elf fro m the arms of hi s e u n u ch s
.
Fi rou z
and ru nning to m e and e m bracing m e e x cl ai m ed

.
,
C alm yo u rs el f genero us A l s i ! I s it m y condition

, ,
“
a
that trou bl e s yo u S u rely it s ho ul d caus e you no

,
su rpri se b t forget that yo u have s een m e th us not

; u ;
with s t nding thes e tears thi s hair that I have given
a
to the flame s notwith s tanding the de spair to which yo u

,
sw m e red u ced I wi s h yo u every happiness with

,
d b h — ye s tho u gh it s ho ul d co s t m e m y l ife !
,
”
R on a a
1] Ah cried I peri s h a tho us and R d b h sif

,
“ “
on a a
you r nerve s s delicatel y s tr ung co ul d th us be s pared

, ,
, o ,
18
T h e E pi s o d es o f Vat h e k
P rince ss of Ghi l an ha s forced the g u ard at the entrance
to the grotto ! And s h appeared before us e King “
of Kh m s h s aid in c l ear tone s m ode s t b u t

.
”
a r ez e, e un
abas hed I am advi s ed that a p lot i s being hatched

,
in thi s pl ace again s t m y honou r and I a m com e to

,
‘
;
confo u nd m y enemie s W hat i s going on here ?
F l y wretched creat u re s aid the qu een or m y

.
“ “
1]
s wi ll repeat the bl ow yo u have jus t evaded by yo u r
, , ,
on
m agic art s
I do not fear death rep l ied qu iet l y
.
1] R d b h on a a
Al s i ha s m ade no atte m pt u pon m y l ife If yo u have

.
,
been m i sl ed by s o m e s ee m ing prodigy I ask yo u to

.
tell m e what was its natu re I rely on the hel p that

,
Heave alway s e x tend s to innocence and have no

.
do u bt sto my ability to u ndeceive yo u

,
spro u d and nob l e bearing her l ook s that

.
1] d b h
’
R on a a
co mmanded re spect all s erved to confou nd m e I

, ,
alm o s t do u bted the evidence of my eye s and ears

.
,
when F i e x c lai med Oh ! we mus t indeed con

,
“
ro u z :
fess that the Prince ss f G h il sm e m ory i s of the o an

’
s horte s t ! W find her in the arms of her bel oved

e
Amr s u h di s appear s with her favo u rite and when

; e
within a m o m ent it pl eas e s her to reappear on the

, ,
s cene s he has entirely forgotten all that ha s taken

,
l c
,
’
a e f
1]died on her cheeks and l eft them deadly pal e She
At the s e word s R d b h changed onco l o u
a r The afl us h .
tu rned u pon m e eye s that were full of tears Oh m o s t

.
,
u nhappy prince ! s h s aid I now s the full depth

.
,
”
e ee
of the abyss ya wing at thy feet The m on ster dragging

,
thee thitherward wi ll not fai l of hi s prey ! The Spirits

.
of darkne ss are at hi s beck and call I cannot s ave thee

and yet I sh udder at abandoning thee to thy fate Tho u
.
,
h s t covered m e with infamy b u t it i s thy ru in onl y

.
that wrings my heart ! Having th us s poken R d b h

,
”
on a a
retired with m aj e stic s tep s one daring to stay her

,
1 ] W s tood sif t u rned to s tone and l ooked fi x edly

.
,
e a ,
20
at one another u nabl e to speak S u rely we mus t all “
have lo s t o u r wits cried the qu een at las t What !

, .
the cool effrontery of an u nworthy m agician wo ul d

, .
m ake us di s bel ieve the evidence of o u r eye s and ears !

L et her go and del iver us for ever fro m her hateful
pre s ence ! N othing co uld happen better ! I agreed
,
and F i who s eem ed confus ed and frightened m os t

,
ro u z ,
assu red ly wa s of no other opinion W each went

,
toward s ou r own apartm ents

.
I l eft the p l ace s tro u b l ed that I did s

.
1] o t F i no ee r ou z
was foll owing cl o s e at m y heels nor coul d I altogether

repres s a feel ing of horror when I fou nd we were al one
,
together B u t ah ! when t h h t i s evi l all pre s enti e ea r
m ent s are s ent to sin vain

. .
,
1] F i rou z threw hims e lf impetu o usl y at my feet and

s aid s obbing W h y why 0 King of Kh m did
,
“
: a r ez e,
yo u give m e S he lter W h y did yo u not leave m e to

, , ,
die with m y father I was then b u t a chil d no one

?
;
co ul d have acc us ed m e of being a m agician I s it at
thi s co u rt of you rs and here by yo u r side that I have
.
l earned the art of conju ring u p the Dive s And yet

, ,
R on d b h the wicked R
a a d b h ha s alm o s t per su aded
on a a
yo u W i ll S he not als o sy I have gained you r friend

, ,
s hip by s o m e evi l charm Ala s ! yo u know well eno u gh

.
that the nl y char m I have us ed isto cheri s h yo u a

o
h u ndred ti m e s m ore than m y own life !
1] B u t why dwell u pon thi s s cene A ll of yo u mus t ?
fore s ee its inevitabl e end F i su cceeded in di ss i rou z
pating m y suspicion s L ike the C al if V th k I had

.
a e
heard the voice of a b fi ct s pirit and like hi m

. ,
en e en
I had hardened m y heart against itss aving influ ence

, , ,
d b h sword s were forgotten I di s regarded the

.
’
R on a a ;
confus ed do u bts they had arous ed in my m ind The
Prince of Shirvan becam e m ore dear to m e than ever
.
That m o ment wsthe turning point in my l ife It

.
a -
s eal ed m y ruin
.
heard on the fo ll owing m orning that

.
1] W e R d b h on a a
21
T h e E pi s od es of Vat h e k
h d departed d u ring the night with all her retin u e
a
I ordered p u blic rej oicings

, .
A few day s a erward s F s aid to m e before the

.
1] ft i r ou z
qu een m y m other Yo u must s King of Kh m

,
: ee , ar ez e,
that war with the King of Ghilan i s now inevitabl e

,
Hi s daughter with her wi l es will eas ily persu de hi m

.
that s h i s innocent and he wi ll want to avenge her

, ,
e
w ongs Fores ta ll hi m rai s e an army invade Ghil an
,
r ; ;
and ravage the co u ntry yo u are the aggrieved party
.
,
1] The qu een agreed with F i and I ass ent d Never r o u z, e
th l s sI watched the war preparation s with regret

.
e e
I tho ught the war a jus t war and yet wstro u bl ed
.
,
a
in con s cience a s tho ugh it had been u njust M oreover
,
the qu alms I fel t with regard to m y e x tre m e attach

.
,
m ent to F i grew s tronger day by day The s

ro u z on
of F il s h whad l earned to read in m y hea t ve y
.
an a r r
cl early and wa s in no wi s e deceived by the prete x t s

I p u t forward for m y m i sgivings and involu ntary fits
,
of perpl e x ity b u t he m de stho ugh he accepted m y

,
; a a
e x planation s and took occa s ion of m y pertu rbed state

to devi s e new pl easu re s and forms of di straction
,
1] One m or ing a s we were s tarting on a great h u nti g

.
n n
e xpedition we fo u nd in the pal ace yard a m an who

,
bore a heavy ches t and was di sp u ting with the g u ard s

, , ,
I in qu ired what wa s the m atter It i s a j ewell er fro m

.
,
M ossul rep l ied the chief of the e u nu ch s He s ay s he

.
h s certain ge ms of the u tm o s t rarity b ut he i s im

, .
a ;
p t
or u n a e,t and ref us e s to await yo u r M a j e s ty s l ei su re ’
He i s qu ite right s aid F i nothing that

.
” “
rou z ;
pl eas es and amus e s can ever com e ami ss l et us go
,
;
back and e x amine the s e wonders The beas ts of the
fore s t are dou btl e ss prepared to await o u r pl easu re
.
1 ] We retraced o u r s tep s accordingl y and the j ewell er

.
u ncl asped hi s che st N othing in it s ee m ed worthy of

,
o u r c u rio s ity till m y eye s fell on a gol den cas ket rou nd
.
wh ch were engraved thes e word s P T R I T

, ,
i : OR A OF THE
F I R ST
A E M ST U H
AN D OY PRI SS N W RLD
APP N CE I N TH E O .
a nt -J
L et us l ook at her e x cl ai m ed F i The portrait ro u z
of thi s beau ty do u btl e ss in tears wi ll appeal to o u r

, .
hearts It i s good now and again to be m oved to pity

, ,
1 ] I opened the ca s ket and wa s s tr u ck mu te with

.
, , .
a s toni s h m e t W hat are yo u l ooking at in that way

n ?
sked m y friend He l ooked in tu rn was m oved to

.
indignation and tu rning to the e u n u ch s e x cl ai m ed

.
,
L ay h nd s upon thi s in s ol ent m erchant and throw

, , ,
hi m hi s che s t and all hi s ware s into the river ! W hat

,
Shall a wretch like thi s dis cl o s e to the who l e worl d

, ,
t h e face of F il s h w sdau ghter—the ro s eb u d that ’

an a
I pictu red to m y s el f s he ltered fro m every evi l wind

beneath the h um bl e roof of advers ity ?
1 ] Heaven s ! I e x cl ai m ed in tu rn what do I
“ ” “
;
behol d W hat do I h ? L et no one to u ch thi s m an ear ?
And thou friend of m y s o ul speak ! I sthi s indeed thy

_
—
s i ster thy s i s ter featu red l ike thys elf
, ,
1 ] Ye s King of Kh repl ied the Prince of

,
“ ”
m a r ez e,
Shirvan yo u have here indeed the portr it of m y
,
“
; a
twin s i ster F i k h The qu een m y m other s aved ro u z a
her with my s el f fro m the fu ry of the rebe ls W hen

, .
, ,
they s ep rated us and handed m e over to the charge

.
, ,
f the M age I wa s to l d that s h wo ul d be hidden in

,
o e
s o m e p l ace of s afety B u t I now s onl y too c l earl y

,
ee
that I wa s deceived
.
M y l ord then s aid the m erchant the qu een yo u r

.
1]
m other ha s taken refu ge with her daughter in a hous e
, , ,
f m ine near M o ssul It i s by her order s that I carry

,
thi s portrait thro ugh t h divers cou ntrie s of A s ia in

, .
e
the h p that F i k h sbeau ty will ro us e the b
,
’
O e rou z a e
hol ders to avenge the wrong s done to the king yo u r

father I have already travell ed through various l and s
,
d not witho u t su cce ss b u t the qu een never to l d m e

.
,
an ;
I sho ul d find yo u here ”
1 ] Do u btl e ss s knew it not s aid F i and

.
“ “
h e r o u z,
t hou ght I wa s s ti ll with the M age B u t he contin u ed

,
t u ning toward s m e yo u are pal e dear friend l et

.
, ,
“
r , , ;
23
T h e E pi s od es o f Vat h ek
‘
us regain yo u r apart m ents and p u t ff o u r h u nting o
to another day
,
I l et hi m l ead m e in and having fir s t ca s t m y s e l f

.
1]
down on a divan did not ceas e to l ook at the portrait
, ,
Oh my dear F i I cried the s e eye s thi s m o uth

.
,
”
ro u z ,
all the s e featu re s are thine The hair indeed i s not

, , , ,
qu ite l ike thine and I wo ul d it were bu t thi s ha s

.
, ,
;
taken the col ou r of camphire whil e thine h sthe col o u r
,
of musk
,
1] What ! s aid F i l au ghing a pal e col d pictu re

.
ro u z ,
can th us inflam e with l ove a heart that re s i sted all the

,
fire of R d b h scharms B u t calm yo u rs el f m y dear

on a a
’
Al s continu ed he m ore s erio usly the wife of

,
” “
a i ;
F il s h wwi ll yet call yo u her s I p u rpo s e s ending
, ,
an a on
the j ewel m erchant back to her He wi ll tell her fro m

.
m e to accept no hel p of any prince s ave yo u rs elf

.
,
that it i s yo u m y benefactor m y friend who are the

,
destined avenger of her wrongs B u t l et us firs t m ake

, , ,
haste to pu nis h the Prince ss of Ghi lan for the indigni

.
tie s s h ha s heaped u pon yo u L et us anticipate the

e
fury of her attack How can you recon qu er m y ki g

.
do m whil e yo u r own i s in j eopardy ?

.
1] Fro m the m o m ent that m y pa ss ion s ee m ed to m y s e l f

intelligibl e and norm al m y heart regained it s calm
P eace reigned in m y brea st I gave s trict orders that
.
,
the preparation s for o u r enterpri s e s ho ul d be hastened

.
and very s oon with a n um erous ho s t we were m arching

,
again st the enem y

, ,
1] The frontiers of Ghi l an were u ndefended We

.
ravaged the m arch cou ntry witho u t m ercy B u t

.
sstrength did not e qu al hi s co u rage I s pared

.
Fi
’
ro u z
hi m smu ch a s po ss i b l e even at the ri s k of giving the

.
ene my ti m e to co mpl ete the full e qu ip m ent of hi s

,
force s
1] One day that I had call ed a ha l t in a vall ey c l othed
.
with fre s h m oss and watered by a c lear s tream we sw

,
tripping by not far from sa doe whiter than m ilk

, ,
, u , .
24
I mmediately F i caught u p h isbow and s ent an
rou z
a row flying after the innocent creatu re The s haft

,
went hom e the doe fell ; we ran to the s pot A

.
;
peas ant perceiving scried W hat have yo u done
.
“ ?
u :
Yo u have kill ed the holy wo m an s doe Thi s e x clam a

, ,
’
tion s eem ed to amus e Fi B u t hi s mirth wa s of rou z
s h rt d u ration An enorm o us dog the doe s com panion

.
’
o
l eapt upon hi m dragged h im to the gro u nd hel d hi m
.
, ,
pinned down with heavy paw s and s eem ed to be on ly

, ,
waiting s om e m a ster s orders before p u tting its fa gs

,
’
n
through hi s throat I dared neither to s peak nor attack

the d g for fear of enraging it the m ore nor co ul d
.
o ;
I attempt to s hear ff its head the head s were too
,
o :
c lo s e to one another At l ast when I own I was alm o s t
terrified to death I swapproaching a wo m an veil ed
.
,
who forced the dog to relinqu i s h its hol d and then

, , ,
t u rning to m e s aid I did not think King of

, ,
to find yo u here in a pl ace where I had

, ,
Kh a r ezm e,
co m e to b u ry mys elf alive I have jus t according to the

,
divine precept retu rned good for evil in s aving the life
.
,
of F i Do not you on you r part retu rn evi l for

, ,
ro u z
good by de stroying thi s peopl e who far fro m s eeking

.
, ,
to avenge m y wrongs are qu ite ignorant of the

, ,
indignitie s heaped u pon m e

,
”
s s fini s hed s peaking the s e word s s l ifted her

.
1] A h e h e
veil and di s cl os ed the m aj estic co u ntenance of R onda

bah Then s he t rned on her heel and retired with
,
qu ick step s l eaving us in a s tate of ine x pre ssibl e su rpris e

.
,
wa s the fir s t to recover We ll s aid he do

.
,
” “
1] F i rou z
yo u still entertain any do u bt a s to R d b h sdeal i g

.
, ,
’
on a a n
in m agic What s hall we do to protect o u rs el ve s

?
again s t her art s I know b u t one re m edy l et ssu rpri s e

? u
her thi s very night l et us take a band of o u r trusty ;

followers and b u rn her al ive in her retreat which we -
can eas ily di s cover by s kilful in qu iry or els e we m ay

,
;
res ign o u rs elve s to being torn to piece s by the Af it s r e
who s erve her in the s hape of s avage beasts

,
25
1]
“
Sha m e ! cried I Wo ul d yo u th us repay the
s ervice s h ha s jus t done us Whatever s h m ay be s he
.
e ? e
has thi s m o ment Saved yo u fro m a cru el death

,
”
Too cred ul o us prince rej oined do yo u

.
1]
“
F i ro u z,
“
not s that the infamo us s orcere ss defers her vengeance

,
ee
that s he i s onl y fearful of l o s ing its full fruition by

,
u nd u e has te B u t what a m I s aying I onl y a m the

? ?
obj ect of her m al ignity nor wo ul d I wi s h it otherwi s e ;

I onl y hope that after m y death s h wi ll s pare yo u r
.
l ife and be s ati s fied with m aking yo u her S l ave

, ,
1] Thi s s peech prod u ced it s de s ired e ff ect I w snot a
m aster of m y own ju dgm ent when F i opened o u t

.
rou z
a gl imp s e of danger to hi ms el f I becam e a s eager as

even he co ul d wi s h in the e x ec u tion of hi s bl ack and
.
horribl e design The flam e s that con sum ed R d b h s

,
’
on a a
rus tic d welling were kindl ed by m y hand s a s well s

.
hi s and notwith s tanding the re si stance of the

;
—
peas ant y who m we sl a ughtered witho u t m ercy a s
,
a re ward for their genero us effort s on her behal f—w e
did not l eave the s pot ti ll we had l eft R d b h b uried on a a
a s we believed beneath a heap of sm oking a s he s

,
1] A few day s afterward s I wi s hed to advance with m y

, .
army into the interior of the cou ntry b u t s oon fo u nd

,
;
m y way bl ocked by the ene m y s force s u nder the
,
’
co mm and of the King of Ghi l an and hi s s on It becam e

,
nece ss ary to o ffer battl e F i notwith standing all

.
ro u z ,
I co ul d u rge in s i sted on fighting by m y s ide Thi s did

.
not add to the e ffectivene ss of m y arms I thought l e ss

, .
of attacking the foe than of parrying the bl ow s ai m ed

.
at my friend He on hi s s ide threw hi ms el f in the way

f tho s e directed again s t m y s e l f N either su ffered hi s
.
, ,
sight to be diverted fro m the other N one coul d do u bt

.
s eeing us that each in defending the other s life wa s

.
,
’
de fending a life dearer than hi s own

, , ,
1 ] The prince of Ghi l an had s o u ght m e o u t everywhere

.
We m et at l as t and S wooping on m e with u pl ifted

.
s word he cried King of Kh m thy l ife shall pay

, ,
, : a r ez e,
26
1] N ow A ll ah be prai s ed ! cried I in a de l iri um of
su rpri s e and j oy b ut what of her wo u nd
,
1] That i s of no great con s e qu ence rep l ied the good

“
m an e x am ining it and when I have bo u nd u p the

,
“
gas h s h wi ll s oon co m e to her s en s e s C o m po s e yo u r

, ,
el f therefore you ng m an continu ed he and be

.
,
s “
s pecially careful not to di st urb the re s t of one to who m

, , , ,
a s I well perceive yo u are pass ionatel y attached Any

,
e m otion at the pres ent m o m ent wo uld caus e her to

.
,
die before you r eye s

, ,
1] The tran s port of l ove and j oy that fi ll ed m y s o ul here

.
gave pl ace to the apprehen s ion caus ed by the ol d m an s ’
word s I hel ped hi m in s il ence to perfor m hi s kindl y

o ffi ces and then having envel oped the inani m ate form
.
;
of F i k h — for s he it was—i a coverl et of l eopard
,
rou z a n
s kin I waited in m ortal an x iety ti ll s h s ho ul d open e

her eye s
, , ,
The he l d o u t to m e by the o l d m an wa s s oon

.
1] h p O e
real i s ed M y well bel oved gave a s igh tu rned her -
l angu i shing eye s u pon m e and s aid Where are we

.
,
friend I sthe battl e l o s t and are we

, ,
N o no I interr u pted p l acing m y hand on her

,
“ ”
1] !
m o uth all i s gained s ince you r precious l ife i s s afe !
, ,
“
;
B u t keep s ti ll ; yo u don t know how mu ch depend s ’
u pon yo u r s il ence ”
k h did not fai l to u nder s tand the full m eaning

.
1] F i ro u z a
of m y word s She S poke no m ore and s oon fro m very

weakness fell into a deep sl eep
.
, ,
1 ] The o l d m an watched her well p l ea s ed whi l e m y

, .
;
own breathing s ee m ed to repeat every ri s e and fall of
,
her breast on which I had s oftly pl aced m y hand She

sl ept for two ho u rs and never woke ti ll the wood m an
.
,
entered abr ptly into the h u t He did not bring with

,
hi m the herb s for which hi s father had s ent him at

.
which I e x pre ss ed su rpri s e B ut F i k h now re stored

,
rou z a
by h slum bers interru pted m e and s aid Tho u has t

.
,
er
new s to tell shas t tho u not

, ,
”
u ?
,
28
1]
“
Ye s ye s s aid he and the very be s t of new s “
The army of the Kh m i sh sbeen c u t to piece s

, , , ,
a r ez an a
and their camp pill aged The victory wo ul d be compl te

,
e
if they co uld only catch tho s e wicked prince s A l s
.
i a
and F i who have e s caped after ki lling the king

,
ro u z,
and hi s s B u t the prince ss R d b h ha s as cend d

,
on on a a e
the throne and i s causing s earch to be m ade for the m
.
everywhere She offers su ch great reward s that they

,
must s oon be captu red

.
I a m de l ighted at what yo u te ll m e cried

.
1]
k h witho u t su ffering any cha ge to appear in
,
Fi ro u z a n
her cou ntenance we had been assu red that R nd b h

,
; o a a
wa s b u rned to death in her woodland dwell ing and ;

I had been m o st grieved to hear it a s I knew s he was
a m o s t e x cell ent prince ss
,
She i s even better than yo u think rep lied the

.
wood m an with a c u nning l ook ; and that i s why

,
“
Heaven has kept her fro m harm The prince her

,
brother chanced pon her retreat and took her away

.
,
s o m e ho urs before the perpetration of that wicked cri m e

, ,
— cri m e which p l ea s e God wi ll not l ong re m ain

a
u np u ni s hed
, ,
”
The c l od s tone su cient l y s howed that he took us

.
1] ffi
for what we really were and he m ade sign s to hi s ;
father to follow hi m o u t of the room They went o u t
together Afar we heard the tram pl ing of m any hors es
.
k h i mm ediate l y ro s e to a s itting po s t u re and

. .
Fi rou z a
pre s enting m e with a razor which s h took fro m u nder

, ,
her dre ss s aid in a whi sper Yo u s dear Al s i the

,
: ee, a
danger we are in ct ff m y hair which as yo u s

, ,
; u o ee ,
i s growing again and throw it into tho s e flam es Don t
, ,
’
an s wer a word If yo u lo s e a m o m ent it i s all up with

.
,
us !
.
1] I co ul d b u t co m p l y with su ch a pre ss ing co mm and ;

and I did s A few s econd s l ater a Dive s haped l ike
o
an E thiopian appeared before ou r eye s and asked

.
, ,
k h w h at s h wanted with hi m I des ire thee

, ,
Fi r ou z a e .
,
29
T h e E pi s od e s o f Vat h e k
s h rep l ied
e to carry m e thi s very in stant with m y
“
friend to the cavern of the M age thy m aster and a s

, ,
;
tho u pass est to crus h the two worthl ess wretche s who
, , ,
are bargaining over o u r l ive s

,
1 ] The Dive needed no s econd order s He took us both

in hi s arms sprang fro m the h u t—caus ing it with one
.
kick to fall on o u r l ate ho s ts and then s hot thro ugh

, ,
the air srapidly that I l o s t con s cious ness

, ,
1] \ Vhen I ca m e to m y s el f I wa s in the ar ms of
.
Fi ro u zk h and s a wonl y her charm ing face l ovingl y

a
near m y own I s oftly cl o s ed m y eyelid s again sone

, ,
doe s when wi shing to pro long a p l eas ant dream b u t

.
,
;
s oon I fel t m y happiness wa s real O wicked F i r ou z,
O cr u e l F i I cried What needle ss torm ent s

.
“
! ro u z
have yo u caus ed m e to endu re ! Uttering the s e word s

.
I press ed again and yet again with b u rning ki ss e s

,
tho s e s weet and beau tiful lip s that had thems el ve s

, ,
pre ss ed mine whil e I l ay entranced and that now

,
s ee m ed to elu de m y own when su ddenl y reco ll ecting

,
;
my well bel oved s wo u n d I gave her ti m e— t once to
,
’
-
a
breathe and to an s wer my an x io us qu e stion s

,
There i s no need for an x iety dear Al s s

, .
“
i h a e
an s wered I a m perfectly heal ed and all wi ll s hortl y

, ,
be e xpl ained to yo u B u t lift up you r head and look

, ,
aro u nd
.
,
”
I obeyed and tho u ght m y s e l f tran s ported beneath

.
1]
a new fi m m t encrus ted with stars a tho us and ti m e s
,
r a en
m ore bri lliant and nearer to us than the s tar s in the

,
natu ral world I l ooked ro u nd on every s ide and it

s ee m ed to m e I was in a va s t p l ain and that rou nd
.
,
it were tran sparent cl o u d s which hel d enfolded not

,
onl y o u rs el ve s b u t all the m o s t beau tiful and del icio us

, ,
prod u cts of the earth Ah ! cried I after a m om ent

,
of su rpris e and e mbracing F i k h what i s it to

.
,
“
rou z a
us if we have been carried into C h h is its el f The

, ,
t e er an ?
tru e realms of bli ss are in thine arms ! ”
Thi s i s not C h h is t rep lied the daughter of

e er an ,
”
30
F il s h w It i s on l y the M age s cave which an
’
an a
infinite n umber of Beings su perior to ou r race take

.
,
p leasu re in decorating with a varied beauty B u t su ch

, ,
as it i s and whatever m ay be its inhabitant s everything

.
will be done here to anticipate you r wi she s I sit not

, ,
s m y Father contin u ed s rai s ing her voice

.
o,
? h e,
U ndo u bted l y rep l ied the age appearing su dden l y

.
1] M
before o u r eye s and advancing toward s m e with a sm il e
, ,
Prince Al s i wi ll be treated here a s he h streated

, .
a a
my dear F i k h ; and m oreover the pricel e ss j ewel

ro u z a
—
I confided to hi s care F i k h hers elf— s hall be h is
, ,
r ou z a
to po ss e ss for ever if su ch be hi s desire C o m e l et the

m arriage feas t be at once prepared and all things m ade
.
, ,
ready for sgreat an event !

,
”
o
1] He had no s ooner s poken the s e word s than the

cavern again ch anged it saspect It assum ed an oval
,
s hape and di m ini s hed proportion s and appeared all

.
encrusted with pal e s apphire s R ou nd son divan s

, ,
were ranged boy and girl mus ician s who charm ed o u r

.
, ,
ears with m elodio us s train s whi l e fro m their head s

,
l ight encirc l ed s hone ray s m ore p u re and s oft than

, ,
woul d be s hed by a tho us and tapers

,
We were p l aced at a tab l e covered with e x ce ll ent

.
1]
dainties and the m os t e xqu i s ite wine s and were s erved
delightf ll y by P ers ian boy s and by Georgian girls—all
,
a swhite and graceful as the j asm ine spray s engarl anding

their fair head s W ith their every m otion the gauz e
robe s that half clothed half reveal ed the m e x hal ed the
.
sweete st perfum e s of Araby the B l e st F i k h who

, ,
rou z a
coul d not at once forget her part as F i sported

.
,
r o u z,
with the s e chi ldren a s they fi ll ed ou r c up s and ind ulged

in a tho us and p leas ant pranks
,
1] W hen the repa s t wa s ended the M age fir s t ordering

.
the m o s t profou nd s ilence and addre ss ing hi ms elf to

, ,
m e s poke a s foll ow s
,
Yo u are do u bt l e ss su rpri s ed King of

,
1] Kh m a r ez e,
that with the power I poss e ss I s ho ul d have taken the

,
, ,
31
T h e E pi s o d es o f Vat h ek
tro u b l e to s eek yo u o u t and obtain yo u r protection for
the girl treasu re co mm itted to m y charge Yo u mus t
-
u nders tand jus t as l ittl e why F i k h s houl d have

.
ro u z a
gone to yo u di sg ui s ed and have l eft yo u to the m ercy

of l ove feelings inco mprehen s ibl e to yo u rs el f which
,
s he m ight s o ea s i ly have e xp l ained

, ,
it known to yo u then that the peop l e of

.
1]
“
B e
Shirvan al way s a rebell io us race and incl ined to
, ,
mu rmu r agai st their rul ers had beg n to gr mbl e

, ,
n u u
becaus e F il s h whad no chi l dren B t when at l a s t

,
an a u
the q een hi s wife bid fair to beco m e a m other their

.
in s ol ence pass ed all bou nd s She must have a s !

, , ,
‘ ’
on
they cried ro u nd the royal dwelling we wi ll have no

.
princess to pl ace us u nder the yoke of s om e s tranger

prince She mus t have a s on
The poor qu een su ered qu ite eno u gh di s co m fort

. .
1]
“
f
f
fro m her condition witho u t the di squ iet of su ch al arm
ing cries She pined vi s ibly F il s h wca m e to con sult an a
m e Yo u m s t deceive the s e bl ockhead s s aid I

. .
‘ ’
u
E ven that i s mu ch m ore than they de s erve If the

.
.
,
‘
qu een has a daughter pretend the dau ghter i s a boy

.
and in order that yo u m ay not be co m pell ed to entr s t

, ,
the s ecret to her n u rs e s s end the chi l d here M y wife

,
d b é wi ll bring her u p with a m other s care and

.
, ,
’
S ou a
affection and when the t m e co m e s I mys el f wi ll

,
.
spare no pain s in her ed u cation M y propo s al s aved

, , ,
’
the qu een s l ife F i k h cam e into the worl d and

.
’ “
ro u z a
we call ed her F i U nder that nam e her birth wa s

.
,
ro u z
hail ed with p u bl ic rej oicings ; and S d b é who re ou a
ci d her fro m the king s hand s bro ught her to m y

,
’
e ve
cavern—fro m whence s he wa s taken fro m ti m e to ti m e

,
to Show hers elf at co u rt

, ,
1] W gave her the do u b l e ed u cation which in view

.
of all eventu al itie s it s ee med de sirabl e that s he s houl d

,
have
,
She accepted sin s tr u ction s and m ine w it

.
1] S d b h
’
é ou a
an e qu al z e s t and wo ul d s eek rel ax ation after her

,
, ,
32
studie s in the co mpany of the Dives of every form
who hau nt my cavern
, , ,
The s e active s pirit s were s attached to

.
1] Fi k h o ro u z a
that there was no whi m of hers they were not ready

to gratify So m e taught her su ch e x erci s e s a s are
comm on to either s e x Other s kept her amus ed with
.
pl eas ant gam es or tol d her m arvello us s torie s A great

.
n umber went the worl d over to find her rare and

.
,
c urio us things or intere sting news She never fo u nd

ti m e hang at all heavy on her hand s and alway s cam e
.
,
back to my cavern with tran sport s of delight whenever

,
s h had been ob l iged to pa ss a few day s at S m k h ié

e a a
The P rince ss of Shirvan had jus t reached the age

.
“
1]
of fo u rteen when the Dive G h lf q being m al i u a u a lr ,
c i s ly inc l ined bro u ght her yo u r portrait Fro m that

,
ou
m om ent s h s ee m ed to l o s e her natu ral gaiety of s pirit s

.
,
did nothing b u t dream and sigh and a s m ay be

,
suppos ed gave us great an x iety The caus e of her pain

, ,
s h carefull y conceal ed and the Dive took care to keep

.
,
us in l ike ignorance He was m oreover pretty b usy

,
in foll owing you r m ove ments s o a s to be abl e to give

.
, ,
her a report of all you r doings W hat he told her of

,
yo u r s hyne ss yo ur ins ens ibility to l ove onl y s erved to

.
fu rther e x cite her pass ion She b urned with the de s ire
, ,
of tam ing yo u r m ood and bringing yo u u nder the s way

.
of her charms and s oon the cou rs e of events wa s su ch

,
;
as to add to that de s ire hope The pen rebellion of O
the peopl e of Shirvan F il s h w sentreatie s that I

.
, ,
’
an a
s ho ul d sdi spo s e of hi s daughter a s to protect her fro m

,
their fury all con spired to em bolden F i k h and r ou z a
s he s poke to m e with entire freedo m

, ,
Yo u who have been a father to m e s s aid

.
1]
“
h
’
‘
e ;
you who have taught m e not to be asham ed of the
, ,
‘
passion s N atu re has i mpl anted in us yo u wi ll u nder

,
stand when I sy that I l ove the Prince Al s i King

,
a a
of Kh m and that I inte d however hard the

,
a r ez —e, n
task—to win hi s l ove in retu n It i s now no l onger r .
0 33
a qu e s tion of hiding my s sthat I m ay reign over ex o
a peopl e who have de s troyed all my fam ily and who m

I must ever hol d in abhorrence I s hall now smy
,
u e
di sgui s e in order to in s inu ate my s elf into a heart

.
which s oon I hope will b a ltogether m ine Al s i is

e a
in s en s ibl e to wom an s charm It i s in the gui s e of

.
, ,
’
friend s hip that I must m ake hi m fee l wo m an s power

.
Take m e to hi m s k hi m to protect m e a s the s of

.
; a on
the King of Shirvan He i s too genero us to refus e and

I s hall owe to yo u a happiness witho u t which life woul d
.
be hateful !
1] I fe l t no su rpri s e on hearing F i k h s peak in thi s r ou z a
way She was a wo m an s h wanted a h us band what ; e ;

co ul d be m ore natu ral I contented mys elf therefore
.
with qu e stioning her a s to how s h had beco m e

, ,
e ao
qua n i t d ewith yo u She to l d m e a ll and s poke of yo u

in su ch terms that I s oon perceived any ppo s ition
.
,
wo ul d only m ake her u nhappy So I s aid I wi ll take

yo u to the King of Kh m u nder the nam e of F i
.
,
a re z e, r ou z,
becaus e I feel I can rely on yo u r pru dence and the

s trength of m ind I know yo u to poss e ss Yo u wi ll need
,
both for by my m agic arts I have di s covered that yo u

.
have a powerful rival who s e tri umph would be yo u r

eternal de spair W hen however yo u are spre ss ed as
,
to s tand in need of supernatu ral hel p b u rn yo u r hair

.
, ,
and my Dive s will in stantly attend to receive yo u r co m

, ,
m and s The re st King of Kh m i s known to yo u

’
a rez e,
contin u ed the M age F i has l abou red hard in the

.
, ,
r ou z
caus e of F i k h h has won you r heart by hi s gaiety

.
rou z a e
hi s l ight sportiveness ; s h mus t keep it by her l ove
,
e d an
the prudence fro m which s h ha s never deviated even

,
a mids t dangers that wo ul d have dau nted the co u rage of

,
m o s t wo m en ”
1] Oh cried the P rince ss of Shirvan I ran great

.
risk of lo s ing the heart it had co s t m e s o mu ch to gain

,
— and I s ho ul d have l o s t at l ea s t a part of it if I had

not at the s acrifice of my beau tiful l ock s call ed u p the
, ,
34
T h e E pi s od es o f Vat h e k
the feathers fro m the wings of the Angel Gabriel and
th us p u ni s hing hi m for having fu rni s hed a pen to the
,
m an who wrote therewith smu ch non s en s e —if indeed o
I had been s i mpl eton enough to believe that ab su rd

,
s tory ”
There wa s a ti m e when su ch word s wo ul d have

.
1]
s ee m ed to m e u n speakabl e for very wickedne ss and in ;
good s ooth I did not like the m mu ch then B u t any
remaining s crupl e s form ed b u t a weak defence again s t
.
the allu ring care ss e s with which F i k h acco m panied ro u z a
her every word

A vo lu pt u o us sl eep enve l oped us at l a s t and we did
.
1]
not wake till the lively s ong of bird s proclai m ed broad
day
S u rpri s ed by s o u nd s which I had no rea s on to e x pect
.
1]
in su ch a pl ace I ran to the grotto s entrance and ’
fo u nd it l ed to a garden containing all that i s m o s t

, ,
del ightful in natu re whil e the encircling s enhanced ea
the beau tie s which the earth e xhibited to o u r gaz e

,
s thi s another i l us ion I asked for thi s at

.
”
1]
“
I l ? “
l east cannot be part of the M age s cavern

, ,
’
?
It i s one of it s i ssu e s rep l ied b u t it

,
”
1] F i k h r ou z a ;
wo ul d take yo u m ore than one day to e xpl ore all the
,
beau tie s of the pl ace The M age s ay s that everything

has been m ade for m an s us e and that m an mus t po ss e ss
.
hi ms elfof everything he wants whenever the pportu ity

,
O n
offers He has spent part of hi s l ife in ac quiring hi s

power and i s spending the re m ainder in enj oying its
.
f uits
,
”
r
1] I did not fai l to e x pre ss to the Mage a very s trong

.
de sire to s hi s Hall of Fire It wi ll pl ea s e you s aid

ee
he with a s ati s fied air bu t I cannot cond u ct yo u

.
,
“
;
thither u ntil yo u have vi s ited my bath s and been i
,
ves ted with robe s su itab l e to the m aj e sty of the pl ace

,
”
1 ] To p l ea s e F i k h I con s ented to everything that

.
ro u z a
wa s demanded of m e and for fear of offend ing her I ;

even refrained fro m laughter at the grotesqu e robe s in
, ,
36
which we were both ridic ulo usly acco utred B u t what
were my feelings on entering the Hall of Fire N ever
.
has spectacl e s fi ll ed m e with su rpris e and terror

,
never u ntil overwhelm ed by the s ight that m et my

eye s on entering the fatal pl ace in which we now are
,
1] The fire that the M age wor s hipped s ee m ed to i ssu e

fro m the bowels of the earth and to s oar above the
c lou d s The flam es s o m etim e s s hone with an u nendu rab le
brightne ss s o m etim es they s hed a b lu e and lurid light
.
m aking all su rrou nding obj ect s appear even m ore

,
hideo us than they actu ally were The rails of gl owing

brass that s eparated us fro m thi s dread deity did no
.
m ore than partiall y reassu re m e Fro m ti m e to ti m e we

were envel oped in a whirlwind of s park s which the
.
M age regarded as graciousl y e m itted in o u r honou r—

,
an
hono u r with which I woul d very gl adly have di spen s ed

In the portion of the te mpl e where we stood the walls
.
were h u ng with h um an hair of every colo u r and fro m

,
s pace to space h um an hair h ung als o in fe stoon s fro m

,
pyramid s of skulls chas ed in gol d and ebony Be side s all

,
thi s the pl ace wa s fill ed with the fum e s of sulph u r and

.
bitum en oppressing the brain and taking away the

,
breath I trembl ed m y l egs s eem ed to give way Fir

,
; ;
k h su pport ed m e Take m e hence I whi s pered
.
”
ou z a
take m e fro m the s ight of thy g d N othing s ave thine

.
,
o
own pre sence ha s enabl ed m e to end ure hispre s ence
.
for a m om ent !
1] It wa s s o m e ti m e before I full y recovered In order to
effect m y re storation the Dive s introd u ced a fre s her air
.
throu gh orifice s in the vault of the cavern where we had

,
su pped the night before They als o redecorated the

cavern its elf in a novel m anner and prepared for us an
.
e xqu i site repast I was th us enabl ed to li sten to the

,
M g w it h renewed patience What m y terrib l e ho s t

.
a e
told m e abo ut hi s rel igion did not indeed po ss ess the

,
.
,
/
charms of novelty I knew m o st of it before and I paid

:
small heed to thi s part of h isdi s co urs e B u t hi s m oral

,
37
teachings pl eas ed m e h u gel y s ince they flattered passion
and aboli s hed rem ors e He greatly vau nted hi s Hall of
,
Fire—tol d us that the Dive s had b u il t it bu t that he

.
hi ms elf had supplied the decoration s at the ri s k of

,
hi s l ife I a sked hi m for no e xpl anation s on thi s

point I wa s even afraid l es t he s ho ul d give them
.
;
u nasked I co ul d not think of thos e s k ulls of that
h uman hair of what he called decoration s witho u t
.
,
“ ”
tre m bling I s ho ul d have feared the wors t in that

,
dreadful place if I had not been ssu re of the heart of

.
Fi ro u zk h a
Fort u nate l y I wa s not ca ll ed u pon to l i s ten to the

.
1]
M age s di s co u rs e s m ore than once a day The re s t of o u r
’
ti m e was spent in amus em ents and p l easu re s of every

.
kind Thes e the Dive s never fai l ed to su pply and Fir ;

k h caus ed the m to gratify m y every ta s te by an
.
ouz a
infinite variety Her a ss id u o us care her ingenu ity of

tenderne ss m ade m y every m o m ent h u rry by in su ch
.
,
v olu ptu o us enj oy m ent that I was in no cas e to m ea su re

,
the flight of ti m e ; and the pres ent had s o far obliterated

th pa s t that I never once tho u ght of m y kingdo m
e
B u t the M age p u t an end all too s oon alas ! to thi s

.
period of deliri um and enchantm ent O day one fatal

, ,
ne
day he s aid to us W are abo u t to s eparate my dear

.
,
: e
chi ldren the ho ur of b l i ss for which I have s ighed for

, ,
su ch l ong years i s approaching I am e xpected in the

,
;
P al ace of S u bterranean Fire where I s hall bathe in
,
j oy s u ntold and po ss ess treasu re s passing m an s i m agin

,
’
ation Ah ! why has thi s m o ment of su prem e fel icity

,
been s o l ong del ayed The ine x orabl e hand of deat h

.
wo uld not then have torn fro m m y s ide my dear S d b é ou a
whos e charms had never suffered fro m the ravage s of

,
Ti m e ! We s ho uld then have partaken together of that

perfect happine ss which neither accident nor the ic is
si v
tu des of life can ever m ar in the pl ace to which I am

,
bo u nd
,
1] Ah I cried where i s that divine s oj o u rn in which

.
38
a happy eternity of mutu al l ove and tender e ss m ay be n
enj oyed L et us follow yo u thither
? ”
Yo u m ay do s o if yo u wor s hip m y god rep l ied the

.
1]
M age if yo u will do ho m age to the power s that s erve
, ,
“
;
him if yo u will win hi s favo u r by su ch s acrifice s a s he
ordain s
,
1] I wi ll wor s hip any god yo u l ike s aid I if he wi ll

.
suffer m e to l ive for ever with F i k h and free fro m

, ,
rou z a
the horribl e fear of s eeing pal e di s eas e or bloody steel

,
threaten her beau teo us l ife W hat mus t I do be s ide s ? ”
1] Yo u mus t rep l ied the M age caus e the religion

.
“ ”
of Z oroaster to be received in yo u r do minion s raz e the

, ,
m o squ e s to the gro und erect Halls of Fire in their

,
s tead and finally s acrifice withou t pity all who m yo u

,
cannot convert to the tru e faith Thi s i s what I have

, , ,
mys elf done tho ugh not s openl y a s yo u can do it

.
o ;
and sa Sign of what I have been abl e to accompl i s h
,
s ee all thes e l ock s of hair that ornam ent m y Hall of

, ,
Fire— dear evidence s that I am abo u t to enter the

gate s of the onl y place where l as ting j oy s are to be
fo u nd ”
Qu ick qu ick l et us go and ca us e head s to be c u t

.
1] !
s aid F i k h and s am ass a treasu re of
,
“
o ff r ou z a o
h um an hair ! Yo u wi ll agree my dear Al s i that the

, ,
s acrifice of a whol e tribe of crazy wretche s who wi ll

, ,
not accept o u r belief i s as nothing if we can obtain

thereby the suprem e felicity of l oving each other to
,
all ti me
1] By the s e flattering word s F i k h obtained m y r ou z a
co mpl ete ass ent and the M age having reached the
height of hi s wi s he s re sum ed I e s tee m my s elf happy
, ,
King of Kh m in s eeing yo u at l ast convinced

, ,
a re z e,
of the truth of my faith Several ti me s have I de s paired

, ,
and I s houl d certainly not have taken smu ch trou bl e

.
,
abo ut yo u if yo u had not been the h us band of th e

daughter of F il s h w — m y friend and m y di s cip l e Ah
an a
wh at hono ur will be mine when yo u r convers ion i s known

.
39
in the P al ace of S u bterranean Fire ! Hence therefore !
Depart at once A s hip ready e qu ipped awaits yo u
,
u pon the s hore Yo u r su bj ect s wi ll receive yo u with

.
, ,
accl am ation Do all the good y can R e m ember that

.
ou
to de stroy tho s e who are ob stinate in error i s accou nted
. .
a great m erit by the s tern god yo u have pro mi s ed to

s W h yo u dee m that yo u r reward i s fully earned
erv e g en
go to I s and there on the Terrace of the Beacon

,
t kh a ar ,
L ights m ake a hol ocaus t of the hair of thos e who m

,
yo u have i mm ol ated in s o good a caus e The no strils

,
of the Dive s wi ll be gratified by that s weet sm elling

.
s acrifice They wi ll di s cover to yo u the s teep and s ecret

s tairway and open the ebony portals I s hall receive
.
yo u in my arms and s that yo u are received with

,
ee
fitting hono u rs
,
”
1] Th us did I yie l d to the l a s t s ed u ction s of the M age

.
I s ho ul d have l aughed hi s e x hortation to s corn if m y

.
heart had not been s o intere sted in the tru th of hi s

pro mi s e s For a m o m ent indeed I did m i s dou bt the m
and thou ght th ey might be fals e b u t nothi ng ventu re
.
,
nothing have and s oon I decided that in View of the

, ,
p edicted reward every h azard mus t be ri sked )

, ,
N o do u bt the M age u rged on by t iO and an

.
,
'
1] m b i a n
evi l coveto us ne ss had m ade a s i milar cal c ul ation — to

,
find hi ms elf ulti m atel y deceived and coz ened sare

, ,
all the m i s erabl e wretche s who find their way to thi s

,
place ! )
1] T h e M age wished to s ee us e mbark He e m braced
us affectionately at parting and advi s ed that we shoul d
.
keep in o u r s ervice as followers on who m we co ul d

,
always rely the twenty negroe s appointed to navigate

,
o ur s hip Scarcel y had we st s ai l wh en we heard a

,
e
terribl e s ou nd— s o u nd li ke that of th u nder as the
.
lightning goe s cras hing am ong the m ou ntains and

heaping up the vall ey with ruin T u rning we s aw the
rock we had jus t l eft cr umbl e into the s ea W heard
.
,
:
e
the crie s of j oy with which the e xultant Dive s then

.
40
fill ed the air ; and we ju dged that the M age wsalready a
on hi s way to I s t kh a ar
1 ] O u r twenty negroe s were su ch good s ai l or s sadroit

.
and al ert that we s houl d have taken them to form part

,
of the M age s su pernatu ral following if they had not

,
’
assu red us that they were s imp l e Fire wors hippers and -
no m ore A s their chief Z l l by nam e s eem ed

,
ou o u o u
very well ac qu ai ted with all the mysterie s of the

.
, ,
cavern we asked hi m what had becom e of the page s

and the l ittl e Georgian girls for who m we had con
,
ci d a l iking He repl ied that the Intelligence s who

,
e ve
firs t gave the m to the M age had dis po s ed of the m

.
,
dou btl e ss for the be st and that we co ul d not do better

, ,
than leave the m in their hands

,
1] M y su bj ect s cel ebrated m y ret u rn and m y m arriage

.
with su ch tran sports of j oy that I qu ite blus hed at the

, ,
de sign s I entertained agains t them They had fo u nd

F i am iab l e as a boy they fou nd F i k h divine
.
rou z ; r ou z a
in the habili m ent s of her s M y m other in particular ex
overwhelm ed her with caress e s B ut s he ch anged her

.
, ,
tone when we di s covered that M otal eb who m s h had

.
just es tabli shed as her first m ini ster had thrown all the
,
affairs with which he wscharged into great di s order

,
She nou ri s hed a fancy for that ignorant viz ier and took
.
it in very ill part that we s ho uld be angry with hi m

,
k h who cared very l ittl e what s thou ght

.
Fi r ou z a h e
wo ul d whi sper in m y ear M otal eb has a very good

, ,
“
:
head of hair l et us c u t ff hi s head B u t I was s ati sfied

; o
with depo s i g hi m fro m h isoffice and appointed in

.
n
hi s stead a feebl e ol d m an who did everything as he
, ,
was tol d and never he s itated to caus e the Great

,
M o squ e at Z b d to be raz ed to the grou nd ss oon

,
er en o
a sI ordered it s de m ol ition
1] Thi s revo lu tionary m ea su re e x cited u niver s al su rpri s e
.
The qu een m y mother cam e in haste to s k what

.
I m eant by an act si mpious and s acrilegious W

, ,
o e
m ean an s wered F i k h qu ietl y never again to

.
”
, r ou z a ,
41
hear m ention of M aho m et and all hi s crazy dreams
and to e s tabli sh in Kh m the rel igion of Z oroas ter
, ,
a rez e,
a s being the only religion worthy of credence At thi s

, ,
”
reply the good princess co ul d not contain hers elf

.
She over whelm ed m e with angry word s She heaped

.
upon us i mprecation s —which have been onl y too

.
terribly effectu al I l i s tened to her witho u t re s entm ent ;

b u t F i k h ind u ced m e to commit her to her apart
.
ro u z a
m ents —where not l ong afterward s s h ended her l ife e
in bitterness of s pirit and c rs ing the ho u r when s

, , .
u h e
had brou ght m e into the worl d
,
!1] Ini qu ity had now no terror s for m e I wa s re s o l ved

.
to s top at nothing if s o I m ight all ay the fear of an

.
,
ulti m ate s eparation fro m F i k h which fear an — ro u z a
inordinate affection had i mpl anted in m y breas t ”
At fir s t I m et with s o l itt l e re s i s tance that

.
1] F i k h
‘
r ou z a
who s aw h weas i ly the cou rtiers and the arm y yiel ded
,
to my wi s he s wo ul d sy g W here can we get hair ?)

,
/
‘
a z
How m any l ksI s ee wo ul d be of ad mirab l e us e to

,
oo
us if only the head s that h the m were a l ittl e m ore ear
obd urate ! It i s to be hoped there m ay be a change or

w s tand in danger of never getting to I s
,
e t kh a ar
At l a s t there ca m e a change indeed M o s t of tho s e

.
,
1] !
who fre qu ented the Halls of Fire I had erected were
only waiting for a favo u rabl e m o m ent to ri s e in rebell ion
Several plots were di s covered and then e x ec tion s
.
becam e frequ ent F i k h who wi s hed to proceed

,
r ou z a
with order and m ethod was fully acqu ainted with the
.
,
z eal and qu al ification s of Z l l and e s tabl i shed

,
o u ou o u ,
hi m as her head m is si JS h ca us ed hi m to get u p

on erJ e
every day on to a tall s tage erected in the m id st of
,
the city squ are to which the peopl e m o s t res orted

, ,
and there the brazen negro ve sted in a robe of vermilion

,
hi s co u ntenance assu red hi s voice piercing wo ul d po u r

, ,
fo u rth hi s oration s whil e hi s nineteen com peers s tood

, ,
ready with drawn s word s at the botto m of the s tep s

,
l eading to the stage and c u t ff the head s of all who

, ,
, o
42
each l ed a cam el Ten of the cam els were l aden with
h um an hair
.
Tho u gh an x io us to reach o u r j o u rney s end yet in

.
1]
’
s ooth we did not h u rry over much It was no do u bt

, ,
by s o m e tru e pre s entim ent that we co ul d not bring

, .
, ,
o u rs el ves to finally abandon o u r pre s ent p l easu re s for

tho s e we had been l ed to anticipate W us ed to e
encamp at night and often s tayed for day s together

.
at the p l ace s of delight that l ay in o u r way For hal f

, , ,
m oon we had been enj oying the beau ty of the val e

.
a-
of M ara v an a h when one night I awoke su ddenly

ar
u nder the oppre ss ion of a confus ed and fearful dream

, , ,
What was m y horror at not finding F i k h by m y

.
ro u z a
s ide ! I ro s e hal f be side m y s el f and qu ickl y l eft o u r

tent to s eek her She was co m ing toward s m e—dis
, ,
tracted L et us fly dear Al s sh s aid L et us

.
“ ” “
i a e
to hors e in s tantl y and gain the de s ert which i s b u t

.
, , .
at a few paras angs di stance Z l l know s all

, ,
’
; o u o u ou
its hiding p l aces and wi ll l ead us to s om e spot where

-
we m ay find s helter fro m the danger that th reaten s us

,
I fear nothing be l oved I rep l ied now that tho u

.
” “
1 ]
art fou nd again and will follow thee whithers oever
, , ,
;
tho u li stes t ”
At the point of day we entered a wood s thick that

.
1] o
the su n s rays s carce penetrated into its dark rece ss e s

’
L et us s top here s aid F i k h and I will tell

.
“ ” “
ro u z a
yo u of the s trange adventu re that befell m e l ast night

, ,
I was sl eeping by yo ur s ide when Z l l woke m e

.
c
ou o u o u
au tio usly and whis pered in m y ear that R d b h on a a
wa s only abo u t a h u ndred pace s away that s h had

,
wandered so m e littl e di stance fro m the a my s h wa s

,
r e
l eading into Kh m and that S he was at that

ar e z e,
m o m ent re sting in her pavil ion with no other fo ll owing
than a few of her gu ard s and s o m e of her wo m en and
,
m oreover that thes e were ll s ou nd asl eep At the s e

,
word s I wa s s eiz ed s imultaneo usl y with fear and fu ry

, .
I re m e mbered the prediction of the M age and dre ss ing

.
, ,
44
my s elf in haste I fel t the edge of m y s word What do
yo u m ean to d asked the e u nu ch M oderate you r
, .
’
o ?
s elf Be warned Yo u can acco mpl i s h nothing again s t

.
the l ife of R d b h The M age ordered m e to te ll yo u

. .
on a a
s o if occas ion requ ired and to tell yo u fu rther that yo u

.
wo ul d yo u rs elf peri s h in the P ower again s t

, ,
who m nothing can prevail protects the Princess of

Ghil an B u t if yo u wi ll be calm and l isten to my
,
advice we can do mu ch wors e to her than c u t ff her

.
,
head W hil e he was th us speaking we had l eft yo u r

,
’
tent and reached o u r destination Z l l who sw

.
o u o u ou , a
that I kept perfect silence s aid Yo u are qu ite right to

.
rely on m e I will caus e ll R d b h speopl e to inhal e

, ,
’
a on a a
certain fum es and sleep for a l ong ti m e witho u t

.
waking We S hall ea sily m ake o u r way u ndetected as

,
far as her pavilion and can then a s o u r fancy dictate s

.
, ,
bedau b the face of yo u r ene my with thi s ungu ent

, , ,
which po ss e ss e s the power of m aking the mo s t beautiful

,
co u ntenance u gl y and rep uls ive ’

s aid s done B u t who s e slum ber s
,
1]
“
S o R o d b h on a a
were natu ral and u ndrugged nearly prevented m e fro m

.
, ,
acco m p lis hing m ore than half m y p u rpos e I ru bbed her

,
face s o hard that s he awoke with a cry of pain and

terror Has ti ly did I fini s h my work and then having
detached a m irror that h u ng fro m the gird l e of one of her
. , ,
wo men I pre s ented it to her and s aid Acknowl edge :
m aj estic prince ss that that littl e m onster of a F i

, , ,
ro u z
i s a mode l of co u rte sy he flatter s hi ms elf that thi s

,
;
beautifying u ngu ent which he has jus t applied to yo u r
co untenance wi ll caus e you to re m ember hi m
,
alway s W hether th m as c ul ine cou rage of R d b h

, ‘
e on a a
was dau nted by my pre s ence or whether s h wa s fi ll e d e
with despair at finding hers elf the m o s t l oath s om e

,
obj ect in the world I know not ; b ut s h fainted away e
W l eft her to co m e to hers e lf again at her l ei su re

, .
e
I wa s nat u ra ll y p l ea s ed at having prevented m y
.
1]
rival fro m reaping the tri umph predicted by the M age
45
b u t that feel ing s oon gave way to fear l e s t we s houl d
be p u rsu ed N ow however we are in a pl ace of s afety
L et us re s t here Thi s breas t which i s s till all fl tt
.
.
, ,
a -
u er
with it s l ate alarms will s erve you a s a pillow A l as !
.
,
k h and F i m ay have been gu i lty of acts of

, .
Fi rou z a ro u z
cru elty b u t only when others have attempted to

di sp u te with her the em pire of yo u r heart !
,
1] The s ed u ctive t u rn which F i k h th us gave to her r ou z a
s tory did not altogether bl ind m e to the atrocity of the

cri m e she had jus t committed and I wa s su rpri s ed ;
that with a heart stender and full of feel ing where I o
was concerned s co ul d yet be capabl e of frenz ied

,
h e
hate and the m o st horribl e cru el ty W hat stru ck m e

,
)
m o st however I n her s tory was the argum ent us ed by
.
to prevent her fro m carry ng her crim inal

, ,
Z l l
o u ou o u i
de sign s on R d b h to even greater l ength s The

on a a f “
P ower that protects R d b h s aid I to my s elf

.
on a a
must l ove the good for s h i s good That P ower

, ,
“
e
which i s p u re and su pre m e cannot then be the s am e

.
, ,
P ower which i s abo u t to receive into its pal ace beings

,
su ch as F i k h and m y s elf for we are wicked B ut

rou z a
if it reign s su pre m e over ll other P owers what isto

, .
beco m e of us O M aho m et ! 0 P rophet beloved of the

,
worl d s C reator tho u has t fors aken m e u tterly and

’
witho ut ho‘pe ! W hat refuge have I s ave with thine

,
enemie s
,
’
?
1] W ith thi s de s pairi g tho u ght ca m e the l a

n s t fee l ing s of
re mors e I wa s de s tined to e xperience S u ch feelings I
alway s owed to the Prince ss of Ghil an b ut al as they
.
;
al ways cam e in vain !
,
1] I wi lling l y a ll owed F i k h to lu re m e fro m su

ro u zch a
m el anchol y fl ct i s fl c
—
re ti esthat s eem ed to
on re e on
m ake her an x io us I co ul d not recall the pas t

probabl y I shoul d not have recall ed it if I co ul d
.
N o cou rs e was open to m e s ave to l eap with eye s

.
s el f bo u nd into the yaw ing abyss of the futu re

,
-
n
The c l o u d pa ss ed away in a s of rain of tender k ss e s

, .
1] t i .
46
B ut F i o k h by i to x icating m e with l ove Dd b l d
r uz a n e ou e
m y fear of l o sing her by s o m e su ch u ne xpected danger
, ,
a swe had jus t avoided She on h s ide wa s ass ailed er
with d u bts as to R d b h s perm anent di sfigu rem ent

.
, ,
’
o on a a
She regretted the ti m e we had l o st on the j ou rney—

.
j ou rney which a s s he bel ieved and as I strove to

believe was to end in the abode of an even greater
, ,
fel icity Th us with a co mm on con s ent and to the

,
great j oy of o u r twenty bl ack e u nu ch s we now us ed

.
, ,
the utmo st diligence to reach I s

,
t kh a ar
1] It wa s al ready night when we ca m e to the Terrace

.
of the Beacon L ights ; and notwith standing all that

we co ul d s ay to one another of endear ment and
,
en
c g m t we were fill ed with a kind of horror a s

ou ra e en
we walked it fro m end to end There was no m oon in

,
the fi m m t to Shed upon us it s s oft ray s The stars

.
r a en
al one were s hining there b ut their tre m bling light

.
;
only s eem ed to inten s ify the s o mbre grandeu r of all
that m et o u r gaz e e regretted indeed none of the
beau ties none of the riche s of the world we were abou t
.
, ,
to l eave W tho ught on ly of l iving in a world where

,
we s ho ul d be for ever ins eparabl e and yet invi sibl e

.
;
tie s s eem ed still to draw us back and hol d us to the earth
We co ul d not repre ss a s h u dder when we sw that
.
1] a
the negroe s had done pili g u p o u r enorm ous heap of n
h uman l ock s W ith tre m bling hand s we approached

o u r torche s to s et it on fire and we thou ght to die
.
for very fear when the earth pened before o u r feet O
the rock shattering into a tho us and piece s At the

,
S ight of the s tairway that s eem ed s o ea sy of des cent

.
and the taper s i lluminating it we were s om ewhat

,
re
assu red W e mbraced I n a tran sport and each taking

,
the other s hand began cautiously to de s cend— when

.
, ,
’
the twenty negroes who m we had forgotten h u rl ed

,
the ms el ve s u pon us s i mpetu ously that we fell

, ,
headlong again s t the ebony portal at the bottom

,
1] I wi ll not de s cribe the dread i m pre ss ion prod u ced

, .
47
u pon us by the aspect of the pl ace in which we now
are—all who are here h ave had that fearful e xperience
b t one obj ect of terror pec ul iar to o u r s e l ve s wa s the
u
s ight of the M age He wa s pacing to and fro amid the

re s tl e ss m i s erabl e crowd with hi s right hand on hi s
.
breast He s aw us The flam e s devo u ring hi s heart l eapt

, ,
o u t thro ugh hi s eyel id s He darted u pon us a fearful

. .
gl ance and h u rried away A m o m ent after a m al ev

.
ol ent Dive acco s ted F i k h R d b h s aid he

.
, ,
“
rou z a on a a
has recovered her beau ty She ha s j s t as cended the

.
, ,
“
u
throne of Kh m the ho u r of her tri umph i s that of

.
a rez e ;
you r u ndying desp ir a
” 3
1] A t l a s t E b l i s dec l ared a ll the horror of o u r fate

What a god have we s erved W hat a fearful doo m ha s
.
he prono u nced u pon us W hat ! we who had l oved one

another swell mus t o u r l ove be turned to hate We
o ?
who had co m e hither to enj oy an eternity of l ove mus t

, ,
we hate each other to all ti m e ! O dire O acc u rs ed

,
thou ght ! 0 for in s tant annihil ation !

,
1] Sobbing s obbing a s they u ttered the s e word s A l s i a
and F i k h threw the ms el ve s into each other s arms ;

, , ,
’
ro u z a
and for a l ong space a m o urnful s il ence reigned in that

u nhappy co mpany
B u t at l a s t thi s s i l ence wa s broken by who
.
1] V t h k a e
asked the third prince to rel ate hi s story F V th k s

,
' ’
or a e
c u rio s ity was s till intact He had yet to suffer the l as t

.
p u ni sh m ent tho s e cri minal s o uls were de s tined to

.
end u re the final e x tinction of every feel ing s ave hatred

and de spair .
TH E S TO RY OF P RI N C E BAR KI AR OKH
hi m to gather su ch flower s a s are health giving or -
agreeabl e for di s ti ll ation and were tran sported with

p leasure a s we watched the m u ndergoing tran s form ation
, ,
in o u r al e mbic s I wa s active and eager to l earn s o
that Alsl m i treated m e with a flattering di stinction

.
,
a a
Hi s favou r m ade m e vain b ut I affected great m ode s ty

.
whil e in hi s pre s ence o ly to inde mnify mys elf by a

,
greater arrogance when he was away and in the

,
;
qu arrels which ensu ed between m y brothers and mys el f
,
I a l way s had the art of p u tting the m in the wrong By

,
the profit s derived fro m o u r di still ed waters o u r wicker

.
baskets and o u r fi s hing we lived in relative afflu ence

,
T w b l ack sl ave s kept o u r s y l van dwe lling in a s tate

.
,
of c l eanl ine ss that added mu ch to its charm the food ;

they prepared for us was if s i mpl e al way s whol e s o m e
and pl eas ant to the taste and finally bath s con
, ,
;
i t ly di s po s ed he l ped t a fford a degree of co m fort
, ,
v e n en o
which few pers on s in ou r condition of l ife were ab l e to
,
, ,
r
en o
i
j
1] Su ro u n
'
d d by s mu
e ch that wa
o s agreeab l e and ca l e u
l ated to m ake l ife pl eas ant m y evi l natu re yet ass e ted r
its elf m ore s trongl y day by day There wa s in the wall

,
of one of the u pper cham bers of the hous e a c u pboard

.
,
which my father never opened before us often d c

, ,
l e ar
ing that he wo uld be stow the key upon the one of hi s

,
three s on s who s howed hi ms e lf m o s t worthy of that

di s tinction Thi s promi s e was s o fre qu ently repeated
and the d isl et fall s m any vagu e hints i mp l ying
.
,
er v e o
that we were by birth su perior to o u r pre s ent ob s c u re

po s ition that we i m agined the c u pboard contained
s o m e great treasure M y brothers coveted itspo ss e ss ion
,
no do u bt b ut did not on that acco u nt refrain fro m

.
,
ind ulging among o u r friend s and neighbo u rs in the

,
a mus ements natu ral to their age A s for m e I l angu i s hed

, ,
I withered at ho m e and co ul d think of nothing b u t

.
, ,
the gol d and precio us s tone s which as I suppo s ed were

, ,
hidden in th at fatal receptac l e and my one des ire ws

, ,
, a
52
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
to get the m into m y own hand s M y s eeming s teadine ss
my assid uity in all hom e d utie s were greatly approved
.
,
m y father and hi s friend never tired of prai si g m y

,
ind ustry and wi sdom b u t ah how far were they fro m :

reading my heart !
,
1] One m orning m y father s aid to a ll three of us in

pre s ence of the d is Yo u have now my chil dren
,
er v e :
reached the age at which a m an s hould s el ect a co m

, ,
panion to help hi m in bearing the ills and s orrow s of

l ife B u t I in no wi s e wi s h to infl u ence you r choice I
wa s allowed to m ake m ine in full freedom and I was
. .
very happy with you r m other I think I m ay fairly

,
h p tha t each of yo u wi ll find a good wife Go and

.
O e
l ook for her I give yo u a m onth in which to pro s ec ute

.
yo u r s earch and here i s money suffi cient for you r need s

.
d u ring that tim e If however you s houl d retu rn thi s

,
very day yo u wo ul d give m e a very agreeabl e su rpris e

.
, ,
for I am old and des ire very passionately to s ee my

, ,
fa mi ly increas ed before my deceas e

,
”
1] M y brothers bent their h ad s in token of su b m i ss ion

.
e
They went o u t with an al acrity fro m which I augured
.
that they woul d have not the sl ighte st tro u ble in

s ati s fying m y father s wi she s ’
1] I wa s o u traged at thinking of the advantage they

.
wo uld th us obtain I had nothing better to do however

than to go ou t a s they did They went ff to their
.
, ,
friend s in the neighbou rhood and I who had m ade no

.
friend s addre ss ed m y step s to the adj acent city AsI

, ,
went through the streets I asked mys elf W here am

.
,
I going ? How can I find a wife I know of none Shall ?
I acco st the first wo m an I m eet She wi ll l au gh at m e

.
and l ook u pon m e as a fool No do u bt that in strict

,
terms I have a m onth before m but m y brothers

.
,
e ;
s ee m qu ite ready to s ati sfy o u r father s wi s he s thi s very
,
’
day He will bestow hi s key upon the one or the other

of the m and that dear that s weet that l ovely trea su re
.
the treasu re that has co s t m e s m any sigh s wi ll be

, , , ,
o ,
53
T h e E pi s od e s of Vat h e k
l o st to m e for ever W retch that I am ! Better never to
s the pl ace again than not retu rn ho m e before night
.
ee
f ll ! Sh ll I go and s the d is — thi s i s the hou r
a a ee erv e
when he i s usu ally in hi s oratory He h sal way s pre a
ferred m e to m y brothers and will take pity on m y

.
tro u b l e P ity ! I repeated oh ye s the pity of

,
”
;
contempt ! Thi s boy he will sy I th ught hi m a
.
,
‘ ’
a o
l ad of s pirit and here at twenty year s of age he i s
,
incapabl e of finding a wife ! He i s nothing b u t a goo s e

, , ,
and doe s not de s erve the key of the c upboard

,
’
A prey to the s e bitter reflection s I traced and

.
1]
retraced my s tep s over the s am e gro u nd I wandered
,
;
hither and thither res tl e ssly ai ml essly the m ere sight ;
of a wo man m ade m y heart beat I went two s tep s
, ,
toward s her and fo u r step s backward s E very one

.
l aughed at m e the pass ers b y tho ught m e craz y I

.
“
;
-
S
that the s of O m s s f the fi s herm an s aid s o m e
.
”
on r o ou ?
How wil d he l ook s ! has anyone m ol e sted hi m

, .
W hat a pity s aid other s that he ha s gone o u t of

” “
hi s mind fortu nately he s ee ms qu ite harml e ss

, ,
”
O u traged by the s e in sul t s worn o u t with fatig u e

.
1] d an
s eeing that night wa s co m ing on I took m y way at

, ,
l as t toward s a c s y determi ed to l eave

,
a ra v a n era n
Daghestan on the m orrow and s o never su ffer the

,
t ifi c of s eeing m y brothers in the enj oym ent of

,
m or ti
a on
the trea su re I had mys el f s o greatly coveted

It wa s a l ready rather dark and I wa s wa l king sl ow l y
.
1]
with my arms cro ss ed over my brea s t and despair
, ,
written l arge u pon my cou ntenance when at the corner

of the s treet I swcom ing fro m s o m e di stance toward s
, ,
m e a l ittl e wo m an vei l ed who appeared to be in great

, ,
has te She s topped su ddenly however as we pa ss ed d

, , ,
an
fter be s towing on m e a gracio us s alu tation in qu ired

.
, , , ,
What ails yo u you ng m an At you r age and with a

,
face s o pl easing grief o ught to be a thing u nknown

, ,
and yet yo u s ee m altogether borne down with trou bl e

, ,
”
I took heart on hearing the s e word s I s ei z ed the

.
1] .
54
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Bar kiaro kh
wom an by her hand— which s he l eft in m ine—and
repl ied A uspicio us star that hide s t thys el f behind
:
“
thi s thin cl o u d of l awn i s it not po ssibl e that Heaven

,
intend s thee to be my gu iding star indeed I am look

,
ing for a wo man ready to e spo us e m e thi s very i ght n

d to acc m pany m e in s tantl y to the ho us e of m y
,
an o
father and su ch a wom an I have been u nabl e to find
;
”
She snow fo u nd if s be that yo u are yo u r s e l f

.
“
1] i o
willing s he replied in gentl e and ti mid accents

,
”
Take m e I am neither yo u ng nor old neither beau ti

, , .
ful nor ugly b u t I am chaste ind ustrious and pru dent

.
,
;
d m y na m e i s H m i which i s a nam e of happy
, , ,
’
an o a ou n a ,
augury ”
Oh I take yo u right w ll ing l y cried I for

.
”
1]
“
i ! ;
“
ven if yo u are not all yo u sy yet there can be o

, ,
e a n
qu e stion of yo u r goodne ss s ince yo u are th us ready to

,
follow one who i s qu ite u nknown to you and goodne ss

, ,
wa s the one indi spen s abl e qu al ity re qu ired by my f ther a

Qu ick qu ick l et us hasten to anticipate or at l eas t
.
;
not to be behind m y two brother s
, ,
I mm ediate l y we began to wa l k — rather to r u n — as

, .
1] or
fa s t a s we co ul d toward s ou r hous e Poor H m i o

’
a ou n a
wa s very s oon o u t of breath and I perceived that s he

.
l i mped slightl y I wa s m ys el f very s trong and took her

,
on my s ho ul ders not p u tting her to the grou nd till we

.
,
reached the door M y brothers and their two intended

,
bride s had arrived l ong before m e b u t the d is

.
,
; er v e,
who was ever m y friend had in si sted on waiting till

,
nightfall s o that the three m arriage s m ight if po ss ibl e

,
take pl ace s i multaneousl y M y futu re s i sters i l aw

, , ,
-
n-
were sti ll veil ed b u t when I contrasted their entrancing

.
figure s with that of H m i m y face grew red with

,
’
o a ou n a
s ham e And I felt even m ore perturbed when after o u r

vows had been reciprocally e x changed the ti m e cam e
.
,
for rai s ing my wife s veil my hand tre mbl ed I was

,
’
: ;
te mpted to tu rn my eye s away I fully e xpected to ;
d i s c l o s e the feat u re s of a m on s ter B u t what a p l ea s ant .
55
su rpri s e awaited m e ! H m was not indeed f o ai ou n a o
e x traordinary beau ty l ike the wive s of m y two brothers

b ut her featu re s were regul ar her face e x press ive and
, ,
intelligent and S he attracted by an air of inde s cribabl e

,
candou r Alsl m i who perceived the ironical smi l e s

,
a a
of m y brothers whi spered in m y ear that he wsqu ite

.
,
su re I had m ade the be st choice of the three and wo ul d

,
s re s on to congratul ate my s el f over the wife who

,
ee a
had fall en to my lot

The fata l c u pboard wa s in o u r sl eeping apart m ent
.
1] ;
and though I was not in s en s ibl e to m y wife s charms ’
I co ul d not help s ighing a s I alway s did when l ooking

, ,
at that my sterio us artic l e of furnitu re Have I the

, ,
m i s fort u ne of not p l eas ing yo u s aid H m i

.
?
'
o a ou n a
tenderly
By no m ean s s aid I ki ss ing her B u t in order
.
“ “
1]
quite to reassu re yo u l et m e e x pl ain that thi s c u pboard
, , .
,
contain s a trea sure of which my father has pro mi s ed

,
the key to the one of hi s three s on s who proves m o s t

worthy He i s not in as great a h u rry to m ake hi s
choice as we are to obtain po ss e ss ion of the treasu re !
.
1]
“
Yo u r father i s wi s e re j oined m y wife ;
”
he i safraid “
of choos ing ras hl y It rem ain s for you by yo u r cond u ct

,
to s o l ve hi s do u bts N eve thel ess bear in m ind that

.
, ,
I am called H m i and S ho ul d bring yo u lu ck

.
,
’
o a ou n a ,
The gracio us and a ectionate air with which s he

.
1] f
f
prono u nced thes e word s m ade m e entirel y forget for
that night at l eas t th e riche s that filled m y i m agination
,
;
and if I had not been the mo s t fool i s h of m en I s ho ul d
,
have forgotten the m altogether s ince I a lready po s

, ,
s e ss ed the greate st the m o s t ine sti m ab l e of treasu re s

,
— rea l friend And indeed I s oon perceived that

,
chance had done m ore for m e than foresight had done

.
for m y brothers Their wive s were idl e full of vanity

and con stantly qu arrelling with each other and thou gh
.
, ,
;
they did not l ove H m who s e m ode sty and
o alo u n a ,
hous ewifely virtu e s con s tantly brou ght the m to the

56
T h e S tory of P rinc e Bar kiaro kh
b lush yet they always referred to her in their di ffer
csbecaus e they co ul d not hel p regarding her with
,
en e
respect M y father swall thi s well enou gh thou gh a
he s aid not a word b u t I read hi s thoughts in the

.
,
;
look s he cas t at the d is who witho ut m aking any er v e,
bone s abou t it prai s ed m y wife high ly

,
One day having drawn m e apart he s aid Bark

, .
“
1] :
kh I have a qu e s tion to a s k and yo u m us t an s wer

, ,
i
aro
it tru thfully for I s k it in yo u r own intere s t How

, ,
a :
did yo u co m e to know H m
,
o aI Ou n a
1] I he s itated a m o m ent b u t finall y the wi s h to know ;

the reas on of h isc u rio s ity prevai led and I rep lied fully
, ,
and withou t di sgu i s e

,
That i s a very s trange advent u re cried he and

.
“
1]
yo u r s to y confirms m e in an opinion I had al ready
, ,
form ed Have you ever ob s erved my s that when on
yo u r wife i s coming and going in the garden the

.
, ,
flowers a s s h pa ss e s a ssum e l ive l ier co l o u r s and a

,
m ore del icio us fragrance that the pl ant s and the shrub s
, ,
as s h to u che s the m grow vi s ib l y and that the water

,
e ;
s hed fro m the watering pot by her hand s rivals in it s
,
effect s the bright and ferti li s ing dew s of the l ater

spring I have s een yo u r wicker ba sket s take on an
?
unwonted lustre and finene ss a s s h arranged the m for e
m arket upon the cam el s back Twice ha s s h got ready

’
e
yo u r nets and on both occas ion s the draught of fi she s

.
wa s m irac ulous in it s ab u ndance Oh s h is assu redly

,
protected by s om e powerful j inn C heri s h her therefore

.
,
honou r her as the de stined s o u rce of all yo u r happine ss

, ,
”
I a ssu red s that I s ho ul d have no di fic ulty in

.
1] A l l m i a a f
following hi s advice s eeing how well I knew my wife s ’
ine sti m abl e qu al itie s And i mm ediately I retired being

,
an x io us to think over what I had jus t heard If it be

.
,
tru e and all appearance s point that way —s aid I to

.
—
m y s el f that H m “
enj oys the favo u r of s o m e
o a i ou n a
su pernatu ral power why doe s s he not open the c up

,
board at l east determ ine m y father to give her the

,
, or , ,
57
key P robably s he has never tu rned her tho u ghts that
?
way Shall I su gge s t it to her Ah ! b u t dare I Her ? ?
wi s e convers ation her heavenl y l ook s hold m e in awe

.
L et m e rather s tu diousl y hide m y e x ce ss ive covetous

, , .
ne ss in m y own bo s o m If s he knew m e a s I really am

s h wo ul d de s pi s e m e and certain l y not aid or abet m y
.
evil de sign s To vei l their vice s fro m the sight of the

,
good i s the onl y res o urce of tho s e who are not blind
.
and k ow the ms el ve s to be vicio us Th us was I con

n
firm ed in habits of hypocri s y and the s e for a ti m e

.
;
worked onl y too e ffectu all y to m y advantage
, ,
1] So ll went we ll and peaceab l y eno u gh in o u r l ittl e

.
family ti ll one night when we cam e ho m e my

, ,
‘
;
brothers and I fro m s elling o u r fi sh we fou nd o u r
, ,
father suffering fro m a mo s t ac u te attack of go ut

, ,
— a
m al ady to which he had for s o m e ti m e been su bj ect

thou gh he had never before e xperienced an attack of
,
su ch viol ence I mm ediate ly we a ssum ed an air of great

con s ternation and squ atting down on o u r knee s at a
.
littl e di stance fro m hi m re m ained there in m o u rnful

, ,
s i l ence The d isand the two b l ack sl ave s hel d hi m

,
er v e
u p whi l e m y wife b us ied hers el f abou t su ch alleviation s

.
to hi s sufferings swere po ssibl e A s to m y s i s ters i

,
a -
n
l aw they had retired to their own roo ms u nder prete x t

.
that they were not strong enou gh to witne ss sharrow

, ,
ing a s pectacl e
1] The ac u te paro x y sms of O m s s f sm al ady at l a s t
.
’
r o ou
l eft hi m Then tu rning hi s eye s upon us he s aid M y :
dear s ons I know and very well perceive how mu ch

.
, ,
yo u l ove m e and I m ake no do u bt that however

, , ,
;
weary yo u wi ll hasten to s ati sfy a whi m that has jus t
,
entered into m y head I have eaten nothing all day

,
and I s houl d greatl y l ike to have for su pper fi s he s of

. ,
a rare kind and p l ea s ant to the taste Take you r net s

therefore and s what yo u can do for m e B u t l et
, . ,
ee
each keep apart whatever he chance s to catch s that

, .
hi s wife m ay cook and prepare it s eparately N th

,
. e v er e
58
1]
“
lt i s my h us band s an swered H m and ’ ”
o a i ou n a ;
“
a m o s t e xqu i s ite del icacy thou gh it wi ll m ake b u t two

,
m o u thfuls Deign therefore to eat it entirely you rs elf

,
and pray eat it at once M ay it do yo u a s mu ch good

.
, , ,
a s I des ire M ay every be s t wi s h w could form for

.
yo u r health and welfare be acco mp li s hed as yo u partake

.
o f it !
Any artic l e of food co ming fro m thy hand mus t
need s be del icio us s eeing how gracio usly it i s offered
repl ied the good ol d m an therefore I wi ll s ati s fy
, ,
“
;
thee m y dear d aughter Saying thes e word s he p u t ”
a piece of the fi s h into hi s m o u th

, .
,
Then m y e l der brother j ea l o us of thi s sm a ll act of

.
1]
favo u r cried Ah ! if good wi she s o ly are wanted to
,
win favou r here then who can go fu rther th an I who

,
woul d wi ll ingly e x cha ge m y age for that of m y father

, ,
and give hi m m y s trength to take u pon my s e lf hi s

,
weak ess ! n
1] I sy the s a m e interr u pted m y s ec nd brot h er

“
a o
and with all m y heart !
, ,
1] Oh I do not yiel d to either of yo u in fi l ial tender

ne ss ! cried I in tu rn I wo uld wi ll ingl y take to
,
“
m y s el f the go ut that torm ent s m y m o s t cheri s hed

, .
father and s del iver hi m fro m it for ever and that

o
i s mu ch wors e than m erely assuming to one s elf the

, ,
wrinkl e s of hi s age
1] Tho u gh I prono u nced the s e word s with every s how
.
of enth us iasm yet I hel d my eye s down and fi x ed

on the tab l e for fear l e s t H m i s ho ul d s how
, ,
’
o a ou n a ee
far they were fro m e xpre ss ing my real thou ghts B u t

,
suddenl y at the s o u nd of the piercing crie s u ttered by

.
my s i sters i l aw I l ifted u p m y head Oh m arvel

,
-
n -
u n s peakabl e ! oh m iracl e —which s ti ll caus e s m y heart

,
.
,
to ceas e beating when I think of it ! I swm y brothers

,
bent hal f do ub l e wrinkl ed and s howing all the s ign s

of age and m y father irradiated with yo u th !
, ,
Terror took ho l d u pon m e I had a s they

,
1] h d .
, a ,
60
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
u ttered a ras h wi s h ! Heaven s ! I cried mus t “
I I was abl e to s ay no m ore Sharp pain s s hot

,
through m e taking away all powers of speech M y

.
l i m b s s ti ffened M y heart fai l ed m e I fell to the gro und

, .
in a s ort of trance— fro m which however I was s oon

. .
recall ed by the noi s e and tumul t in the room M y

, ,
si sters i — l wwere heaping a tho us and reproache s on

.
-
n a
their u nhappy h us band s and u pbraiding them for the

wi s he s they had u ttered They on the other hand
,
were crying o u t that they had not m eant what they

.
, ,
s aid and that what they had really s aid co ul d not

prope ly be de s cribed a s wi she s On thi s H m i
,
’
r o a oun a,
having tol d the m that Heaven to u n m as k knave s

.
often take s them at their word they all fell u pon her
, ,
call ing her a witch and a wicked Dive and began to

, ,
beat her O m s s f and the d is who u ndertook

,
r o ou er v e,
to defend m y wife were not spared bu t they retu rned

.
the b lows they received a h u ndredfo ld the one having

,
regained all hi s ol d vigo u r and strength and t h other

,
having never l o s t the m th us they necess aril y b d the

,
: a
advantage of m en broken and tre mbling with age and

of two wo m en rendered incapabl e by a blind fu ry At
,
l as t m y father wea y of su ch a di sgraceful s cene and

.
o utraged by hi s wicked children s want of fi lial piety

, ,
’
took a s co rge arm ed with a h u ndred knots and drove

,
the m o ut of the ho us e with the c u rs e s they de s erved

,
D u ring thi s s cene in which I wo ul d otherwi s e

.
1]
willingly have taken part with my brothers I did
,
notwith standing m y sufferings rem em ber the key of

, ,
the c upboard and pru dently ju dged that in order

,
to get po ss ess ion of it I mus t p u t a c u rb on the rage

, ,
by which I wa s po ss e ss ed To thi s end I stifled m y

,
involu ntary crie s by p utting the end of my robe into

.
m y m ou th and re m ained sif s en s el ess stretched o u t a
u pon the floor

, ,
s oon a s m y brother s and their wive s were o u t

.
1] S
o
of the ho us e the d is H m i , and m y father

er v e, o
’
a oun a ,
61
ran to m e and tried to l i ft m e up Their care and the
pity I read in their look s to u ched m e b u t l ittl e I wa s
, .
,
e specially fu rio us again s t m y wife who m I regarded

.
,
a s the caus e of all that had taken pl ace In order to

,
contain mys elf I had need of the s elf control ac qu ired

.
d uring a long co u rs e of habitu al hypocri sy Deign “
s aid I in a voice interru pted by m any groans deign

.
,
“
to have m e carried to my bed where I m ay perhap s

, ,
obtain s o m e rel ief to m y m o s t e x cru ciating pain s b u t

, , ,
;
whatever happen s I s hall never repent having deli vered
,
m y dear father fro m su ch an in support abl e m al ady

,
Oh it i s tho u and tho u a l one who by thy fi ia l piety

.
1] l
ha s t de s erved to po ss e ss the key of the fatal c upboard
, ,
cried O m s s f Here it i s contin u ed he pre

,
r o ou
s enting it to m e In thee wi ll be acco mp l i shed the

.
, ,
“
pro mi s e s m ade to m y race Ah ! what j oy wi ll be m ine

.
when I s ee thee glorio us and happy !

.
1] To contrib u te to thy happine ss wi ll ever be m y on l y

j oy s aid I with a grateful l ook b u t I a m in great ;
“
su ffering and at the pres ent m o m ent nothing b u t

, ,
sl eep can afford m e any p l easu re

,
”
I mm ediate l y I wa s carried into m y roo m the roo m

.
1] —
that contained the c u pboard— and where I wa s b u rning
to find mys elf and left al one with m y wife ;
Here s he s aid i s a healing balm which I wi ll
.
app ly to the s ol e s of yo u r feet It wi ll ea s e yo u r pain

, ,
”
Oh I have not the sl ighte s t do u bt that yo u know

. .
1 ]
what yo u are abo u t s aid I l ooking at her gl oom ily
,
enou gh th ere does not s ee m mu ch that yo u do not

, ,
“
;
know
m ade a s tho u gh s he did not notice m y
.
1] H m o ai ou n a
i ll h um ou r She applied the balm and m y su ffering s

-
ce s ed Thi s good office reconci led m e to her s o m ewhat

.
,
I ki ss ed her a s I pass ed and ran to the c upboard Then

. .
I tu rned the key trem bl ing with c u rio s ity I e xpected

.
,
to be dazzl ed by the brightne ss of the gol d and precious

.
,
s tone s I S ho ul d find there b u t in l ie u of any su ch ; ,
62
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba rkia ro kh
treasu re I fo u nd only a very sm all iron bo x containing
a l eaden ring and a piece of parch m ent well folded and
, ,
s eal ed At the s ight of thi s I was u tterl y confou nded

,
The idea of all it had co s t m e to obtain po ss ess ion of

. .
what I regarded as p u re r u bbi s h s topped the beating

of my heart and took away my breath
Do not be too s oon di s co u raged s aid m y wife
.
“
1]
and e s pecially do not begin to regret yo u r act of fil ial
, ,
piety read :
I did a s advi s ed b u t not witho u t b lus hing

.
1] H m
’
i o a ou n a
becaus e s h had divined m y tho u ght s and I read the s e

,
word s written i fine characters upon the parch m ent

,
Take thi s ring W hen p l aced on the l ittl e finger of

,
“
thy l eft hand it will m ake thee invi s ible By thi s

.
m ean s tho u s halt be enab l ed to regain the kingdo m

, .
of thy ance s tors and to reign a s either the be s t or the

vil e s t of kings
, ,
”
At the s e l a s t word s cried o u t in a voice

.
,
1] H m o a i ou n a
s l o u d and piercing that the very cham ber s hook

,
withal O A ll ah A ll ah ! l eave not the choice of thi s

:
al ternative to the h us band tho u ha s t given m e ! C o m pe l

,
hi m to be good and l et m e re m ain for ever a s i mpl e

m ortal I con s ent never to revi s it m y own happy ho m e
and to pass all m y days in thi s my pres ent e x il e pro
.
,
id d on l y that m y dear B ki kh beco m e s the good

,
v e ar a ro
ki g m entioned in thi s parch m ent !

n
1] At the s e word s and on s eeing the ray s of l ight that

s ee m ed to i ssu e fro m H m i seye s and her for m
,
’
’
o a ou n a
a s if t s d I fe ll at her feet with m y face to the

,
fig
ran ure
gro u nd and after a few minu te s s i l ence cried in tu rn

,
’
O yo u who m I s carcely dare to l ook u pon deign to

, , ,
l ead m y s tep s in the way that i s st before the m and

, ,
m ay you r genero us wi s h on m y behalf be accompl i shed

,
1] The decree s of Heaven are su pre m e and they on l y

are su re of acco mpl i sh m ent s aid s he rai s ing m e u p
,
s oftl y and tenderl y neverthel e ss l is ten with ll yo u r

, ,
; a
ears and m ay my word s be engraved upon the tab l et s

,
,
T h e E pi s od e s o f Vat h ek
of yo u r heart I wi ll hide nothing that rel ate s to m y
s elf and nothing that rel ate s to you r own fu tu re d u tie s
.
and re spon s ibil itie s and then I s hall su b m it to my fate

,
whatever it m ay be She spoke s ighed deep ly and

,
then began her story in the foll owing word s

.
, ,
TH E S T O R Y OF TH E PE RI H OMA I O U N A
1] I know O s of O m ss f that
on yo u and A lsl mri o ou a a
the d is have co m e to the conclus ion that I a m

, , ,
er v e,
protected by s o m e cel es tial Intelligence bu t how far ;

even s were yo u fro m gu e ss ing to what a gl orio us
,
o,
race I bel ong ! I am own daughter to the great

As f d m d the m o s t renowned the m o s t p u i ss ant
en ar o
and al a s ! the m o s t s evere of all the Peri s ! It wa s in

, , ,
the su perb city of G i h the capital of the delightful

,
an ar ,
co untry of S h d k that I cam e into the worl d

a u a,
together with a s i s ter who wa s call ed G ig l W

,
an u e
were bro ught u p together and l oved one nother

.
,
tenderly notwith s tanding the difference in ou r di s

,
po sition s M y s i ster wa s m ild l angu id qu iet—she only

,
c ul tivated a poetic res tful ne ss—whi l e I wa s al ert active

.
, ,
alway s b usy abo u t s o m ething and e specially de s iro us

, ,
of doing good whenever I coul d find an pportu nity

,
M y father into who s e pre s ence we never ca m e

.
“
1]
witho u t tre m bling and who had never s ee m ed to
,
tro ub l e hi s head mu ch abou t us caus ed us one day to

,
be summ oned to the foot of his re sp l endent throne

,
and you G ig l s aid he I have had

.
H m i
’
’
‘
o a oun a , an u
yo u both u nder my ob s ervation I have s een that the

, , ,
beauty which i s the co mm on inheritance of all the

.
P eri s shows e qu ally in the face and form of both of

,
yo u — bu t I have als o s een that yo u r di spo s ition s are

,
different S u ch divers itie s of character e x i st and mus t

e x i s t they contrib ute to the general good Yo u have
.
,
com e to an age when it i s fitting that each s ho ul d

.
con s ul t her own heart and choos e in what m anner s , h e
64
prefers to pass her life Speak ! what can I do for yo u ?
I am the s overeign of one of the m o s t m arve llo us

.
co untrie s in G i is t — co u ntry in which a s it s nam e

nn an a
i mplie s de s ire and its fulfi lm ent s often s eparated

,
go nearl y alway s hand in hand and yo u have b u t

,
—
, ,
to as k in order to obtain Speak first H m i o

’
a ou n a .
M y father I rep l ied I a m fond of action I l ike

.
,
’
1]
to su cco u r the affl icted and m ake peop l e happy C o m
, , .
m and that there be b u i lt for m e a tower fro m who s e

.
,
top I can s ee the whol e earth and th us di s cover the

,
pl ace s where my help wo uld be of m o st avail

,
’
do good witho u t ceasing to m ankind a race

.
at once fl igh ty and u ngrateful isa m ore painful tas k

, , ,
than yo u i m agine s aid A s And you

,
f d m d
’ ‘
en ar o
ig l contin u ed he addre ss ing m y s i s ter what

.
, ,
G
’ ‘
an u
do yo u des ire
, , ,
’
?
1] N
‘
othing b u t s weet repo s e rep l ied s
h If I a m ’
e.
‘
placed in poss ess ion of a retreat where N atu re u nveils

,
her m o st s ed u ctive charms— re treat from which envy a
and all tu rb ul ent pass ion s are bani s hed and where s oft
p l easu re and a delightful indol ence for ever dwell
,
then I s hall b content and happy and s hall with

,
every retu rning day bl e ss a father s ind ulgence

, ,
’ ’
Yo u r wi s he s are granted s aid s Yo u

.
,
A f d
’
1] d m en ar o
can at thi s m o m ent betake you rs el ve s to yo u r

.
,
re
s c habitation s At a g l ance fro m m e the

, ,
pe t i ve I t lli n e
c s who do m y bidding have a l ready m ade every

.
g en e
preparation for yo u r reception Go ! we s hall m eet

, ,
again Yo u can s o m eti m e s com e hither if su ch i s you r

.
wi sh or vi sit one another N evert hele ss bear in mind

.
,
that a deci sion once taken in S h d k istaken for

.
, ,
a u an
ever The cel e stial race to which we bel ong must never
know the u n stab l e de s ire s still l e ss the feeling s of envy
.
, ,
that afflict the feebl e race of m an

, ,
’
Af er s aying the s e word s m y father m otioned to

.
“
1] t
us to retire ; and i mm ediatel y I fou nd m ys el f in a
,
tower b u i lt the summ it of M o u nt C f— tower

, on a a
E 65
T h e E pi s o d es of Vat h ek
w h o s e o uter walls were l ined with n umberl e ss mir ors r
that reflected tho ugh hazily and a s in a kind of dream

a tho us and varied s cene s then being enacted on the
, ,
earth A s f d m d spower had indeed annih il ated

en ar o
’
s pace and bro ught m e not only within s ight of all the
.
beings th us reflected in the m irrors b u t als o within

,
s ou nd of their voice s and of the very word s they u ttered

,
The fir s t s cene that chanced to attract m y attention

.
1]
wa s su ch a s to fill m e with righteo us anger An i mpio us
m other i l aw wa s endeavo u ring by feigned care ss e s
.
-
n -
and artful word s to ind u ce her weak h us band to give

,
hi s daughter in m arriage to a neg o hideousl y de

,
form ed who a s s h dec l ared had s ed u ced the girl s

,
’
e
innocence The yo u ng virgin l ike l ily al ready hal f

, , ,
s evered fro m it ss tem bent her l ovel y head and

.
,
”
awaited pal e and trem bl ing a fate s des erved s

, ,
h e o
l ittl e whi l e the m on ster to who m s h wa s de s tined

, ,
; e
asked pardon with the eye s of a ba si li sk and the s igh s

of a crocodil e for an offence he had not co mm itted
, ,
and was careful to hide in hi s heart which wa s a s bl ack

, ,
as hi s cou ntenance the cri m e s he h d co mm itted with

,
the mother i l aw In the twinkl ing of an eye I s aw

,
-
n-
all thi s in their face s and flew qu ick a s lightning to

.
,
the spot W ith my invi s ibl e wand— i which l ies con

, , ,
ct t d a cel es tial power di s tinctive of the higher

.
en ra e
order of P eri s— I to u ched the wicked wom an and her

vi l e param o u r In stantly they altered their tone l ooked
u pon one another with fu ry recri m inated the one u pon
.
,
the other and s aid s mu ch that the h us band tran s

,
ported with rage c u t ff both their head s He then

, ,
caus ed hi s tre mbl ing dau ghter to approach wept over

, .
her tenderl y and afterward s having s ent for a yo u th

,
a s beau tiful as hers elf had the m m arried on the s pot

, ,
retired to my tower well s ati s fied with having

, .
“
1] I
performed an act of justice and e qu ity and m ade two
,
a miabl e creatu re s happy And there upon I pass ed a

,
delightful night
.
66
N ou r ej h cried
an the l’
ady ; neverthe l e ss s ince I a m ‘
avenged I will sm other my jus t anger

, ,
’
I m i sl iked thi s p l ot and it s in s tr um ent s the l ady

, .
“
1]
m ore e speciall y and re s ol ved to protect the u nfortu nate
, ,
obj ect of her j eal o usy So I fl wto the bl ack grotto

,
u ncl o s ed the s ecret door and having plu nged N o u r

.
,
j ehan into a deep slum ber envel oped her with a c l o u d

, ,
that re dered her invi s ibl e and in thi s s tate bore her
,
to the s ide of the sultan who was s till a sl eep Then

,
I took m y flight toward s the i mm en s e city adj oining

, .
the i mperial pal ace

I pass ed the re s t of the day in floating over s treet s
.
and ho us e s and obs erved s everal m atters that s ee m ed

s o m ewhat o u t of order which I propo s ed to redre ss
,
N everthel ess I felt a certain c u rio s ity to s what wa s

, .
ee
happening in the harem and retu rned thither at night

,
fall W hat wa s m y su rpri s e when i an i mm en s e hall

,
illumined by a tho us and l amp s I s aw the de d body

. , ,
of the hau ghty l ady who m I had l eft alive in the

,
m orning it l ay in a coffi n of al oe s wood and wa s all

:
covered with livid spots The sultan at one ti m e
,
plunged in s peech l e ss s orrow s hed torrents of tears

.
,
at another ti m e foam ed with rage and s wore he wo ul d

, ,
di s cover the atrocio us hand that had c u t s hort the day s

,
of hi s favo u rite sultana A ll the wom en ranged in

circl e s ro u nd the bier s obbed i a heartrending m anner
.
,
and amid groan s and s igh s u ttered the m o s t to u ching

, ,
e ul ogie s u pon the departed N one m anifested m ore

, ,
s orrow than N j h nor wa s m ore prodigal of her

.
our e an ,
prai s es I l ooked at her fi x edly I read in her heart

I i mm e s hed her in my occ ult infl u ence I mm ediately
. . .
rolling on the floor l ike one poss e ss ed s acc us ed

.
,
h e
hers elf of having slipped poi s on into a bowl of s herbet

,
that was being prepared for her rival— and added that
s he had been l ed to co mm it an act of su ch atrocity
by a dream she had dreamt that the favou rite had
:
caus ed her to be confined in the bl ack grotto and ,
68
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
m eant to have her handed over to a sl ave m erchant
The sultan in a fit of fu ry ordered the c ulprit to be
.
taken fro m hi s pre s ence and i mm ediately s trangled

, ,
I l et things take their co u rs e and retu rned pen s ive

, .
and in confus ion to m y tower

, ,
Ah s aid I to m y s e l f s s poke on l y
.
,
! A f d d
’
1] m
‘ ‘
en ar o
too truly when he warned m e that the task of benefiti g

,
m ankind i s hard and u ngrateful ; b u t ou ght he not

rather to have s aid that we cannot tell when we think
to do good whether we m ay not be really doi g harm
,
I prevented certain de sign s inspired by j ealousy and

,
revenge b ut not invol ving the death of the victi m and

have on the other hand been the caus e of a horribl e
, ,
cri m e co mm itted by a furio us wo m an acting u nder the

, ,
i fl u ence of what She took to be a dream How pervers e

,
are the s e creatu re s of c l ay to who m I have devoted my

.
care ! Would it not be better to l et them prey u pon

one another and to l ive a s m y s ister doe s in the en
of the happine ss inherent to nat u re s a s perfect

, ,
j y
o m t en
a so u r s B u t what a m I s aying A m I s ti ll in a
? ?
po s ition to choo s e Did not m y father tell m e that m y

choice once m ade wa s irrevocabl e What s hall I do ? ?
I s hall not alway s be abl e to read peop l e s heart s fro m ’
the e x pre ss ion of their co u ntenance s Their s tronger

e m otion s I m ay be ab l e to follow fro m o u tward
.
involu ntary s ign s b u t pre m editated m alice will ever

,
;
hide behind a m ask It i s tru e that my my s terious
influ ence e x cite s re m ors e and l ead s to the cri minal s
.
confession of hi s cri m e ; b u t by that ti m e the harm i s

,
done the cri m e i s co mmitted I cannot anticipate the

intention of the wicked and my intervention however
, .
well m eant m ay be the caus e of a tho us and evils

,
’
The s e tho u ght s tor m ented m e night and day I re

.
,
1]
m ained inactive in my tower In vain did the obj ect s
.
that pres ented the ms el ve s to m y gaz e e x cite m y co m

.
pass ion and s eem to call for intervention I refrained

fr m yielding to all su ch i mp uls es If I swa grand
, .
o . a
69
vi zier trying to ru in a rival by vil e intrig u e and all the
art s of flattery and calum ny I wo uld be on tiptoe to
,
—
contravene hi s design s and then I wo ul d s top su ddenly
,
at the tho ught that that rival m ight perchance be even

,
m ore wicked than hi ms el f and a wors e oppress or of the

peopl e and that I s ho ul d th us po ss ibly hear at the
,
great day of ju dgm ent tho us and s of voice s crying o u t

, ,
again s t m e A ll ah avenge us E vents sthey pa ss ed

,
before m e in their daily pageant almo s t al way s justified

, , ,
thes e previ s ion s

,
One day having ca s t m y eye s on the flo u ri s hing

.
1]
city of C hiraz I s aw in a very decent dwelling a
,
wo m an who s e m ode s t beau ty and grace charm ed m e

, , ,
She had b u t jus t entered a very pretty cham ber in

.
which there was a l ittl e oratory when s he firs t attracted

m y attention Kneel ing there s h began to pray with
,
edifying fervo u r bu t a s s was s occ u pied her

.
,
h ; e o
h us band b u rs t in the door which s he had c l os ed fro m

, ,
the in side s ei z ed her by the hair took a whip of knotted

,
cord s fro m u nderneath hi s t u nic and beat her m c

, ,
i un er
fully At the s ight of thi s piece of s avagery I coul d not

,
contain my s el f and ha stened to the poor creatu re s

.
,
’
hel p arriving however jus t in ti m e to hear the s ou nd

,
of a m o s t s onorous s neez e that cam e fro m a cabinet

, , ,
hidden behind s o m e Indian m atting The h us band ran

to the p l ace fro m which the s o u nd proceeded and
.
dragged o u t of an ob s c u re rece ss a fakir hideous to

,
behol d Hi s hair was m atted fri zzl ed and fi lthy hi s

, ,
beard red and disgusting hi s com pl e x ion ol ive and oil y

.
, ,
hi s body alm o s t naked and covered with ol d s cars The

, ,
e x asperated P ers ian wa s no l e ss confo u nded than I at

.
the s ight of su ch an obj ect He l ooked at it for s om e

m o m ent s s peechle ss and then at l as t broke o u t Thi s
.
then yo u infamo us creatu re i s the fine l over yo u prefer

, ,
to mys elf ! I knew we ll eno ugh that a m an was s h u t u p

, ,
with yo u here b ut I never e xpected to find a m on ster

su ch a s thi s ! And yo u continu ed he addre ssing the
,
’
, ,
70
of my li fe ! A h u ndred ti m e s have I ki ss ed hi s bl eared
eyes and hi s livid di s col ou red m o u th in a word I have
m ade hi m m aster not onl y of thy m ean s bu t of m y
, , ,
pers on On hi s s ide he ha s tau ght m e to l au gh at A ll ah

,
and hi s Prophet to u tter the m o s t infam ous bl as phem ie s

.
and to deride the m o st s acred things I knew that tho u

, ,
wert s pying u pon m e and had knel t down in prayer s

.
a s to deceive thee—not anticipating the trivial accident

, ,
that revealed m y param o u r s pres ence S u ch are my ’
cri me s I hol d the m in abhorrence So m ething I know

.
not what compe ls m e to dis cl o s e them L et my aeco m

.
.
,
c refus e to revea l s if he dare s

, .
h
’
p li e i
The fakir tho u gh u tter l y confo u nded opened hi s
.
“
1]
l ip s to repl y I don t k ow what he m ight have s aid for
, ,
’
n
hi ms el f—I had not taken the tro ub l e to su bj ect hi m

.
to m y i fl c—b u t the enraged P ers ian did not give

n u en e
hi m ti m e to u tter one s yll abl e He took hi m by the

m idd l e and h u rl ed hi m fro m the top of the bal cony
.
and then s ent the wife the s am e way They fell fro m
, ,
a very great height into a co u rtyard paved with s harp

.
s tones and were das hed to piece s

,
I wa s ret u rning very pen s ive l y to m y tower when

.
,
1]
l am entabl e s hriek s co m ing fro m a thick wood ass ai l ed
, , ,
m y ears I ran forward and swa yo u ng m an m ore

, ,
beautiful than the angels in the s eventh heaven

.
, ,
defending hi ms elf again s t three negroe s who s e s hining

,
s ci m itars had al ready wou nded hi m in s everal p l ace s

,
and who cried to hi m witho u t ceas ing W here i s yo u r

,
brother W hat have yo u done with you r brother

? . ?
’
1]
‘
Barbaro us wretche s he replied he i s al a s ! ’
where yo u wi s h to s end m e Yo u have mu rdered hi m

, , ,
and it i s now m y t urn

.
,
’
The s e word s to u ched m e The air of the yo u th

.
s cared a s he wss eem ed sintere sting that I thought

. ,
a o
I might vent u re to intervene I wa s abo u t to s natch

, ,
hi m o u t of the hand s of hi s ene mie s by who m he had

.
at l as t been di s arm ed when another you th covered

,
, ,
72
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Bar kia ro kh
with bl ood appeared u pon the s cene painfully dragging
hi s wou nded body fro m behind s om e b us he s M y
, ,
friend s s aid he in a feebl e voice to the negroe s who

.
ran forward to m eet him carry m e in stantly to the

, , , ,
‘
palace of my beloved Adna L et m y la s t look s be fi x ed

,
on her and m ay Heaven grant m e enou gh of life to give

.
her m y troth Yo u co ul d find no better m ean s of avenging

,
m e of my brother who has onl y mu rdered m e in order

.
to prevent o u r u nion and p ss ess my good s I s ee that

,
o
yo u becam e aware b u t too l ate of hi s atrocious de s igns
.
,
and have begu n to p u ni s h hi m Go no fu rther L et us

, , ,
him to b l eed in thi s re m ote s pot That wi ll be p u n

. .
lea v e
is t eno u gh W are not bo u nd to hel p hi m fu rther

.
hm
’
en e
1] The negroe s obeyed They bore away their m a s ter

. .
The cri m inal rem ained s tretched pon the gro u nd

. .
pal e and haggard a s a spectre co m e fro m hell nor was

, ,
I in any wi s e tempted to give him any hel p of mine

1] The s e two advent u re s con inced m e finall y that
.
“
v
acts of benevol ence on my part might often be mu ch
, ,
m i s pl aced I re s ol ved to m ake appeal to the justice of

, ,
As f d m d with regard to the change which su ch

.
en ar o
events had natu rally perated in my s enti m ents O
1] N everthe l e ss sI we ll knew how s tern and s trict

.
he was I thou ght it wo ul d be to m y advantage to

,
obtain my si ster s co u ntenance and help So I l eft m y

,
’
tower and took flight for her habitation

.
1] The habitation G ig l had obtained fro m m y

, .
an u
father was in every re s pect conform abl e to her taste s

and wi s he s It wa s s itu ated on a littl e i sland which a
river tran slu cent and bordered with flowering thorn s
.
,
encirc l ed s even ti me s In the inters pace s between thes e

, ,
circl e s the grass was sm oi s t and fres h that the fi s he s

.
wo ul d often l eave the s il ve y waters of the river and r
di sport the ms el ve s there Vario us kind s of grass eating -
ani m als brows ed in thes e m oi st m ead s which were

.
starred with flowers ; and all enj oyed su ch happine ss in

,
the region s ass igned to the m that they never thou ght
73
to s tray The i sl and its el f was at once a flower garden
and an orchard It s ee m ed a s if the s weet sm elling
.
s hru b s had j oined in friend s hip with the fr u it tree s s

.
-
o
c l o s ely were their branche s interlaced The daintier

,
flowers grew on the m ore i mm ediate borders of the

.
s tream and the s hore s of the s tream its e lf were of the

fine s t g lden s and A bower of orange tree s and m yrtl e
,
o -
surro u nded by a pal i s ade of gigantic ro s es form ed m y

.
,
s i ster s pal ace and wa s the s pot to which s h retired at

,
’
e
night together with s i x P eri s who had attached the m

,
s el ve s to her co m pany Thi s delightful retreat was

,
s itu ated in the centre of the i sl and a brook ran thro ugh
.
it form ed by a thous and rivul et s of water that j oined

on entering its confine s and s eparated again at their
, ,
e x it A s the s e ru nning s treaml ets ran over a s tony

,
u neven bed they m ade a con stant m el odious mu rmu r

.
,
that harm onis ed pe fectl y with the voice of the igh ti

,
r n n
gale s On both s ide s of the brook were ranged bed s

m ade of the s hed petals of flowers and of feathers of
.
,
divers col ou rs which the night bird s had s haken fro m

,
their tiny wings —and on thes e bed s one sl ept l pt vo u u
ou s ly Thither G ig l often retired in the dayti m e to

an u
read in qu iet the m arvell o us annals of the J inn s the

.
chronicl e s of ancient worl d s and the prophecie s rel ating

,
to the worl d s that are yet to be born

,
1] After the day s of agitation I had s pent in m y tower

.
I s ee med to pass into a new l ife on entering into thi s

,
abode of peace M y s i s ter received m e w i th a tho us and

care ss e s and her friend s were no l ess eager to provide
.
for my entertain m ent So m eti m e s they chall enged the

,
creatu re s of lighte s t foot to ru n race s with the m ; s o m e

.
ti me s they j oined their heavenly voice s to the voice s of

the bird s or they s ported with the goats which l ike
;
the ewe s and cows wo ul d gl adly pre s ent to the m u dder s
, , ,
full of milk or els e they m atched thems el ve s in feat s

,
;
of agility again s t the s prightly gaz ell e s A mid all the
creatu re s th us daily m ini stering to their p leasu e the
.
r ,
74
mu ch spo ss ib l e R ej oice here in m y friend ship and in
a
all the delights by which I a m su rro u nded Art i s e x

.
,
clu ded fro m my do m ain b u t N atu re i s here prodigal of

.
her gifts I po ss e ss everything I had de s ired and even

m ore for I had no conception of su ch a gift a s a happy
.
,
chance has bestowed u pon m e ’
Yo u m ean do ubtl e ss you r bel oved bird s aid I

.
‘ ’
mu ch m oved How did yo u obtain po ss e ss ion of it

, , , ,
’
?
Oh I a m qu ite ready to tell yo u the s tory

.
1]
’
an s wered s I al way s think of it with renewed

, ,
h e
pl easu re I wa s s eated in the s hade of that great l il ac

.
tree who s e flowers diffus e su ch a pl eas ant odo u r when

.
su ddenl y the sky p u t on the l ivel ie st col o u rs ro sier than

, , ,
the m o s t brilliant su nri s e A l ight inten s e beyond de

, ,
s cription spread over ll diffusing everywhere a feel ing

.
,
of u ns peakab l e j oy and content It wa s a light that

, ,
s ee m ed to po u r down direct fro m s o m e s anctu ary

.
or if I m ay dare to sy s o fro m the very throne of

,
the S u pre m e P ower At the s am e ti m e s train s of a

, ,
divine har m ony floated in the air— s train s ravi shing i

.
definite that appeared to l o s e the ms el ve s in the vagu e

,
infinity of space A cl o u d of alm o s t indi stingu i s habl e

,
bird s went s ailing acro ss the fi m m t The mu rmu r

.
r a en
of their inn um erabl e wings m ingl ing with the far fl ut

.
ings of their s ong threw m e into an ec stasy W hi l e I

,
wa s l os t in the enj oy m ent of the s e m arvels one bird

.
,
detached its el f fro m the res t and fell a s if e x hausted at

,
my feet I l ifted it u p tenderl y I warm ed it in m y

, , ,
breas t I encou raged it to re sum e it s flight b u t it

. .
;
refus ed to l eave m e It cam e back and back and s ee m ed
.
de s irous of beco ming altogether m ine Its s hape a s yo u

.
,
s i s that of a L eiki b u t it s gift s of m ind and s oul

.
,
ee ,
e qu al tho s e of the m o s t favo u red creatu re s A heavenly

,
in spiration s ee ms to breathe throu gh its s ong s it s

.
;
l angu age i s that of the e mpyrean and the su bl i m e poems
it recite s are l ike tho s e which the ever happy I t lli n e
c
-
g en s dec
e l ai m in the abode s of g l ory and i mm orta l ity .
76
S u prem ely m arve ll ous even in a cou ntry where every
thingi s m arvel it follow s m e it s erve s m e like the m o s t
,
wi lling of sl ave s I am the obj ect of it s tendere s t grati

, ,
tu de—it i s the obj ect of my ad miration and of my

.
care Ah ! how rightly i s it called the Bird of L ove

,
The s e l as t word s tro u b l ed m e sthat I had s o m e

.
diffic ulty in hiding my pert u rbation E nvy took po ss e s

s ion of my s oul no do u bt I had con tracted that de
.
grading passion i m y interco u rs e with m ankind for

n
sfar it had not been known am ong us E verything

, ,
ab u t m e t u rned to gall and wormwood I longed to

.
,
o
be alone and when al one coul d not bear m y own
.
company I i ssu ed at night fro m m y s i ster s bower of

, , ,
’
perennial b lo ss o ms to stray a s chance dictated throu gh

. .
the surro u nding wi lderness of l eave s and when there

, , ,
the brill iant light S hed by tho us and s of gl ow worms

, , ,
only s erved to e x asperate m e I would fain have

trampl ed on the s e l ittl e creatu re s who s e am azing
.
n um ber s and m arvello us brilliance had before e x cited

,
m y ad m iration Darkne ss wa s what I s ought a s a fit

c loak for m y s h m eful tho ught s Oh G ig l I s aid
.
a an u
how happy are you and how wretched a m I ! W hat

.
, ,
compari s on i s there between yo u r i sle of peace and m y

,
tower of dis cordant s ights between yo u r delightf l u
l ei sure and m y continu al agitation between the sm i ling

,
natural beau tie s the innocent and faithful creatu res that
,
surrou nd yo u and the r u de world the wicked and

,
un
grateful race f m an that I have ever before my eyes

, ,
o ?
Ah ! yo r s weet bird i s m ore nece ss ary to m e than to

,
you Yo u have friend s ever ass idu o us to pleas e you an

infinite n um ber of creatures at beck and call for you r
,
amus em ent—why why s houl d I not have at l eas t thi s

one thing which wo ul d s tand to m e in l ie u of all the
,
re s t Ye s I will have it I will take it fro m yo u for

.
yo u wo ul d do u btle ss refus e to give it m e I will take it

.
, ,
away with m e and you will certainl y not re m ain

.
un
comforted for itsl o ss in thi s delightful s oj u rn
,
’
o .
77
1] Tho u gh at fir s t I p u t away with horror the tho u ght
of su ch a cri m e yet in s en s ibly I grew acc us to med to
it and all too s oon there occ u rred a sd pport u nity for
, , ,
a O
the perpetration of the theft One day I was al one in

,
a littl e grove of j asmine and pom egranates when the

.
L eiki cam e thither s eeking for flowers I call ed hi m He

,
flew to m e I mm ediately binding hi s feet and wings

. .
with a sl ight piece of fibre I hid hi m in my bos om A s

.
,
I wa s abo ut to fly with the s tol en bird I heard my

.
,
s i s ter s voice call ing m e I tre m bled in all m y l i m b s

,
’
I wa s u nabl e to m ove a step W hat do yo u want with

. .
m e cried I in a peevi s h tone

.
why asked G ig l tenderly a s s h ha s t

, .
’
an u e
ened u p why do yo u th us s eek to be al one In the

, ,
‘ ?
nam e of all o u r l ove for one another l et m e at l eas t

,
have a s hare in you r tro ub l e s

,
’
cried I in great agitation and pre ssing to

.
m y heart the bird which wa s tre m bl ing pitifull y and

, ,
which I wi shed to keep fro m u ttering any s o u nd N o

, ,
I wi ll no l onger b u rden yo u with my pres ence Adie u

.
,
I am going hence
.
,
’
Scarce l y had I prono u nced the s e word s when a

.
“
1]
thick bl ack cl ou d cas t its veil over the fi m m t and
,
r a en
di mmed the brilliancy abo u t us and the hi ss of rain

, ,
;
and growling of a s torm fi lled the air At l as t m y father
appeared borne on a m eteor who s e terribl e e ffulgence
.
flashed fire u pon the world Stay wretched creatu re

,
’
s aid he and behol d the innocent victi m that hath

.
, ,
‘
fall en a s acrifice to thy barbarous envy

,
1]
“
I l ooked and oh horror ! I had sm othered the
m arvell o us the greatly l oved bird
, , ,
At thi s m o m ent all grew dark before m y eyes I

.
,
tottered I fell to the grou nd l ifel e ss

.
1] When the great voice of A s f d m d bro u ght

, .
en ar o
m e back to my s en s e s I swneither my s i s ter nor her a
friend s nor her fatal L eiki I wsal one with m y

, ,
ine x orabl e ju dge

, .
78
good natu red and tried to attract hi s notice At l as t
he tu rned hi s eye s u pon m e
, .
What are yo u doing here gir l s aid he in tone s

.
1] ?
half of reproof and half friend ly Here and witho u t

, ,
‘
yo u r veil l ike a wanton 1 Yet yo u s ee m to be a m ode s t

, .
,
girl too u nl e ss yo u r l ook s bel ie yo u Follow m e into

,
the pal ace Yo u wo ul d certainly be in sulted in thi s

, .
crowd ; and be s ides I li ke to hear tell of adventu re s

.
and yo u can tell m e yo u rs

, , ,
’
bent m y head in su b m i ss ion and taking ho l d of

.
“
1] I
the e u n u ch by hi s robe m ade it my b us iness to fo llow
,
hi m He forced a way thro ugh the press with hi s cane

,
By hi s orders the g u ard at the pal ace gate all owed

. .
m e to pass and he l ed m e into hi s apart m ent which

was cl eanline ss its elf Sit down s aid he yo u mus t
, ,
‘ ’ ‘
be tired I have no ti m e at the pre s ent m o ment to

.
, ,
l i sten to a l ong s tory Tell m e onl y and in few word s

.
, ,
who yo u are and how yo u ca m e to be o u ts ide in the

.
, ,
m id s t of the pop ul ace half dress ed and a s it s ee m ed

, ,
to m e qu ite alone
, , ,
’
a m I repl ied the u nfort u nate daughter of

.
,
’ ‘
a mighty prince who dwells very far fro m hence I

, ,
have been carried away fro m hi s pal ace — b y who m

, .
I know not M y captors co mpelled m e for s everal

day s to travel s rapidly that I was qu ite u nabl e to
.
di sting ui s h the road by which I was being taken

At l as t I was l eft by the m in the pl ace where yo u
.
fo u nd m e and in the s am e apparel the appare l I

wore when they tore m e fro m m y ho m e ; and I
, ,
’
added I s hall be l e ss u nhappy than I tho ught m y

,
‘
s e lf if I su cceed in obtaining yo u r di s tingu i s hed pro

,
t c
’
e ti on
s aid G h g for that wsthe eu n u ch s

.
’
e an u z, a
nam e su ch apparel syo u have on yo u i s fine and

‘
a ;
m oreover there i s an i of di s tinction abo ut yo u con
, ,
a r
forming fairly well with what yo u tell m e concerning

,
yo u r birth B ut be qu ite frank with m e and tell m e

.
,
80
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Barkiaro kh
truly whether yo u r captor s co mm itted any o utrage
again s t yo u r pers on d u ring the j o u rney ’
Oh by no m ean s I rep l ied evenge wa s their

.
“ ’
1] R
‘ ‘
m otive and revenge c lo s e s the heart again s t the ingre ss

, , .
of all other passion s

,
’
no u gh for the pre s ent s aid yo u do

.
“
h
’
1] E‘
G g e an u z,
‘
not s ee m wanting in intelligence and m ay be a s us eful

,
to m e a s I to yo u R e st here a whil e and take s o m e

,
refre s h m ent dress you rs elf sbefits I will s yo u

.
,
; a ee
again in a few hou rs

.
Having s poken the s e word s he c l apped hi s hand s

.
1]
gave various orders to s everal yo u ng girls who in stantly
, ,
appeared and departed

1] The yo u ng girls drew near to m e with great re s pect
, .
p u t m e in a bath r u bbed m e all over with precious

,
e ss ences cl othed m e in a very beau tiful dress and

,
s erved m e with an e x cell ent coll ation N everthel e ss

, ,
being p lu nged in the deepe s t s adne ss I m aintained

.
,
the whil e an ab s olu te s il ence What shall I do s aid

,
’
‘ ?
I to my s el f Shall I s tay here u nder the charge of

.
He s eems to be kind ly and h um ane b u t

.
G h g
e an uz ?
I have l earnt to di strus t appearance s I feel that it i s

,
within my power to take flight to any habitabl e corner

.
o f the earth ; b u t wherever I go I s ha ll find m en and

wherever there are m en I s hall have to face the s am e
, ,
trou bl e s and an x ieties W ill it not be better s eeing I

de s erve my p u ni s h m ent to u ndergo that p u ni s h m ent
.
,
in its entirety and su b mit altogether to my fate on l y

,
using m y supernat u ral powers in circ umstance s of

, ,
a b solute nece ss ity Be side s the dread e x ec u tors of ?
As f d m d sdecree bro u ght m e hither That i s a

,
’
en ar o
fu rther reas on for rem aining where I am and s triving

.
by an u nbo u nded su b mi ss ion to enter tho s e happy

, ,
re -
region s fro m which I am not to be for ever e x c lu ded

,
’
1 ] S l eep at l a s t c l o s ed m y eyel id s A happy drea m took

.
m e back to S h d k I s tood beside G ig l in the

.
a u an : an u
bower of orange tree s and myrtl e She looked at m e -

.
81
with sd eye s full of pity Her L eiki flew abou t her
a
u ttering pl aintive crie s A s sh s trove to qu iet it I threw

.
m y s el f at her feet Then s he took m e in her ar ms and

.
,
hel d m e tenderly pre ss ed to her bo s om

.
B u t at thi s point whil e s till in thi s ec s tas y of

.
happine ss I was awakened by the voice of the e u nu ch

,
C o m e s aid he in hi s hars h voice hars h yet not

.
,
’
altogether u n sympathetic co me l et sfor a whil e

, ,
di s c uss yo u r affairs and begin by tell ing m e yo u r

, ,
;
na m e ’
I a m ca ll ed s aid I u ttering a deep

.
H
’
1] m o a lo u n a ,
s igh It wa s witho u t do u bt a m i stake to be stow that

,
nam e u pon m e
.
, ,
’
at all ! cried G h g there i s no l ife

.
’ ‘
e an uz ;
however fortu nate in which at l eas t one revers e doe s
,
not occ u r That revers e yo u have jus t e xperienced

,
Henceforward we s hall have nothing b u t u ninterru pted

. .
pro sperity N ow l i s ten and I wi ll e x p lain m atters Yo u

are now in the fa m o us city of C h c the capital
.
, , .
ou an
of the greates t and riches t co u ntry in the Indian

,
penin sul a The king who reigned here a few day s ago
had twenty other kings as va ss als el ephants witho u t
.
,
n umber treasu re s that co ul d not be co u nted and an

,
u ntol d ho s t of su bj ects both ind ustrio us and obedient

, ,
;
b u t with all thi s he has had to fall a sl eep like any
ordinary m an He was pl aced thi s m orning on the bed
, , ,
of everlas ting re st and that i s why yo u s aw all the

.
;
peopl e in m o urning ’
That m ean s I interru pted that thi s great king

.
1]
’ ‘
i s dead and that he has just been b u ried

, ,
’
fie ! cried the e u n u ch with a s ou r l ook

.
,
’
How dare yo u u tter word s s offen s ive to s el f

.
,
re specting ears S u ch e x pre ss ion s are bani s hed fro m

c Keep a s trict watch over yo u r tongu e or yo u
.
Chou an
wo ul d at once give the l ie to all I m ean to sy con

.
,
cerning your birth and the superior ed u cation it s ho ul d

i mp l y
,
’
.
82
in order to ponder o u t a s olution Thi s i s the pre s ent
s tate of things contin u ed G h g and here i s m y
.
’ ‘
e an u z,
proj ect I will a ss ign yo u a s co mpanion to the two

,
prince ss es who l ive together to all appearance s in

perfect harm ony They wi ll receive yo u gl ad ly for
, , ,
they like novelty and are tired of all their girl sl ave s
.
,
wi ll in s in u ate yo u rs el f into their good grace s and

.
,
Y ou
s divide yo r attention a s to retain the confidence

,
o u
of the one who ulti m ately beco m e s qu een Yo u will

s peak to the m often abo ut m e and di ss ipate a s far
.
a s m ay be the e ffect of anything that the littl e crazy

, ,
pated sl ave girls m ay have s aid to m y di s advantage

,
If yo u s that one of the two i s better di spo s ed in

.
ee
m y favo u r than the other yo u wi ll hel p her with yo u r
advice and with mine in cas e s h confide s to yo u the
,
e
qu e stion of qu es tions In any cas e yo u wi ll do you r
, ,
bes t to keep m e in favo u r with both The few word s

.
I have heard yo u Speak s ho wthat yo u po ss e ss i t lli

.
n e
gence ; yo u r eye s give pro mi s e of even m ore Yo u will

,
have no diffi c ul ty therefore in obtaining over the

.
princess e s that as cendancy which peopl e of intelligence

, ,
natu rally ac qu ire over tho s e who are not s gifted o
M oreover in acting a s I propo s e yo u wi ll caus e m e

.
to retain m y office and be yo u rs elf the favo u rite of

, ,
—
a great qu een po s ition not to be despi s ed And I m ay
,
s ay that it i s not a mbition and s till l e ss s elf intere st

.
that pro mpts m e in all this It i s the de s ire to s ee the

, ,
hare m m aintained in the ad m irabl e order I have

.
e stab li s hed there I s ho ul d be in ab s olu te de s pair if

any wrong headed pers on were to co m e and de stroy
.
the work I have accompli s hed with su ch u ni m aginabl e

pain s Yo u will s for you rs elf the results of m y e ffort s
ee
and I m ake no do u bt will fro m a feeling of justice

.
,
con s ent to s erve m e B u t that will in no way di spens e

, ,
m e fro m acknowl edging m y indebtedne ss

.
had l istened attentivel y to what G h g wa s

.
“
1] I e an uz
s aying I had carefully watched hi s eye s to s if

. ee
84
I could detect in them the l ittl e c lou d of e mbarrassment
almos t certain to appear when a speaker i s ani m ated
by s o m e s ini ster de sign b u t I had been abl e to di s cover
nothing s ave z eal kindline ss and s incerity N everthel e ss
1 deter m ined to be circ ums pect and careful in the
.
, ,
ob s ervation s which by hi s m ean s I s ho ul d be in a

position to p u rsu e and onl y to s erve hi s intere st s in
, ,
s o far as he m ight be worthy of ass i s tance

,
On the s a m e day he pre s ented m e to the P rince ss e s

.
1]
G ulz ara and R i ind ulging in su ch e ul ogie s and
ez e ,
enco mi ums on my m erit s as wo ul d not have been

e x ce ss ive even if he had known m y real condition At
everything he invented concerning m y ability and
.
acco mpl i s h m ent s I co ul d t help smiling and l ooking no
at hi m in a way that di s concerted hi m s o m ewhat B u t

, ,
I took pity on hi m and reassured hi s m ind by another

.
l ook intended to s ignify that I s houl d perform every

,
thing he prom i s ed
,
There wa s I then l ate a s overeign in now

.
1] S h d k a u an
a sl ave in C h c— m y heavenly beau ty a t hing of the

, , ,
ou an
past my face and form qu ite ordinary m y yo uth gone

too and an indeterminate and u nattractive age assigned
, ,
to m e in s tead and conde mned to rem ain u nder thi s

,
;
altered s hape an e x il e for a li m itle ss period and to be
su bj ect to evils both u nknown and u nfores eeabl e M y
, ,
fall was indeed terribl e b u t I had brou ght it on my s el f

.
;
and I did not repine
,
Both m y new m i s tre ss e s conceived for m e fro m the

.
1]
firs t a very l ively affection I tol d them intere sting and
,
a mus ing storie s They were tran sported with pl easu re

, .
when I s ang accompanying m y voice which wa s

.
m el odio us u pon the lute If I devi s ed for the m s om e

, ,
new adorn ment it s ee m ed to add to their beau ty the

.
,
;
refres h m ent s prepared by m y hand s were al way s agree
,
abl e to the taste and divers ified in flavo u r At all m y

su cce ss e s poor G h g opened great eye s and went
.
,
e an uz
into ec s tas ie s of su rpri s e and p l ea su re

,
85
1] G ulz ara I l iked mu ch better than her s i s ter B u t
I had the be s t of reas ons for m i strusting firs t i mpre s
.
s ion s—tho s e in s tinctive attraction s that are for the

m o s t part deceptive I was not s orry therefore when
,
the two prince ss e s took to qu arrell ing a s to which

, .
, ,
s houl d have m o s t of m y co m pany in private Thi s

wo ul d give m e an pportu nity of better s tu dying their
.
ch racters I took advantage of it and s oon beca m e

a
convinced that in thi s partic ul ar in stance m y firs t

.
,
incl ination had not pl ayed m e fals e R i u nder the

, ,
ez e ,
o ut ward s ee ming of a s ed u ctive affability hid an evi l

.
heart s h m ight have i m po s ed if her vio l ent pa ss ion s

,
; e
had not s o meti m e s caus ed her to reveal her real s el f

,
When her vanity had m ade her bel ieve that I preferred
.
her to G ulz ara s h opened her m ind to m e freel y and

e
ac qu ainted m e not only with the qu e stion propo u nded

, ,
by the king her father b ut als o with her propo s ed

,
repl y I swwith p l easu re that s h had no chance of

,
a e
beco ming qu een s h de s erved to be a qu een s o l ittl e !

.
; e
all her intention s were u njust a s concerned the peopl e

and m al icio us as concerned her s i ster G ulzara m ore
,
res erved did not give m e her confidence s easi ly I

.
,
had to m erit it by devotion and kind ly care which

, .
indeed co s t m e nothing becaus e I really l oved her and

, , ,
wi s hed to do her s ervice At l as t s he confe ss ed in tone s

, , ,
that were persu as ive beca us e s i m p l e and u naffected

.
,
that s he had no a mbition and on ly wi s hed to be

, ,
qu een for the s ake of the good s he m ight do bu t

,
;
that in thi s re spect s h wa s full y prepared to tr us t e
her s i s ter and had not even tro u bl ed her head to

think abo u t her father s qu estion A ll s h s aid m ade
,
’
e
m e dee m her s worthy to rul e that I tho ught it onl y

.
right to tell her it wsher d u ty in conformity with a
the king s l a st wi s he s to a spire to the throne She

,
’
he s itated however b u t was at l a s t persu aded s c

.
,
; p i -
e e
ally a fter I had thrown light on the perpl e x ing prob

,
l em propou nded by the l ate king and had furni s hed ,
86
breast s Then one of the iz iers having s hown to the v
ass em bl y the s eal of the king in s cribed in l arge
.
,
characters on the parch m ent read the s e word s in a

,
l o u d voice
, ,
1] R i and
ez e yo u G ulz ara I have not tho u ght it we ll
to decide which of yo u two s hall pass beyond the s harp
, ,
s pike s of s teel that gu ard the royal s eat I m ake yo u

the arbiters of yo u r own fate R eply which i s the
.
:
—
m ore worthy of reigning virgin prince ss who m arrie s
.
l ove s her h us band and provide s heirs to the throne or

,
a virgin princess who not m arrying ha s y t a whol e

, ,
mul titu de of s on s and dau ghters who m s he cheri s he s

, ,
like the app l e of her eye ?

’
1]
“
W ‘
i s e and reverend s ire s s aid R i it mus t be ’
ez e ,
‘
c l ear to yo u that the king when he propou nded thi s

,
s trange qu e stion wi s hed to pass a j e s t u pon us and

,
;
that it i s only a wo m an chaste and s ol ely attached to
,
her h us band who can be worthy to fill hi s throne

,
M y s i ster do u btl e ss think s a s I do and we will reign

.
,
together if su ch be yo u r good p l ea su re
,
’
The vi z ier s an s wered not a word They t u rned

, .
“
1]
t ward s G ulz ara who with a m odes t m ien s poke th us
.
o :
I think the king o u r father wi shed to inti m ate that

, , ,
a princess who s e s ol e de s ire i s to be the m other of her

, ,
su bj ects who think s rather of m aking the m happy

d u ring her l ifeti m e than of providing the m with
,
m asters after her death and who ha s no other care

s ave the p u b l ic good that su ch a prince ss i s m o s t
,
worthy f being qu een I prom i s e never to m arry and

,
o
to have no children s ave m y peop l e
.
,
’
1] Scarce l y had h u ttered the s e word s than the fo u r

.
S e
viziers having i mpetu o usly opened the door of the

s teel grating threw the ms el ve s at her feet crying with
,
ll the s trength of their lu ng s Hono u r and glory to

, , ,
a :
G ulz ara Qu een of C h c ! Happy for ever be G ulz ara

ou an
o u r Qu een !
,
’
1] The a m ba ss adors and grandee s repeated the s e c cl a a
88
T h e S tory of P rinc e Ba rkia ro kh
m ation s in even l o u der tone s s that their s ho u ts o
reached the peopl e a ss e mbl ed before the palace The s e

,
l atter m ade the air re s ou nd with their crie s at the s am e

.
tim e beating one another witho u t m ercy B lows c u ffs

,
even dagger thrusts pass ed freel y on all sides The

.
, ,
h u bb ub wa s s horribl e that I s ho ul d have been

, .
frightened if I had been sus ceptibl e to fear W hat doe s

thi s m ean s aid I in a l ow voice to G h g Have
.
’
? e an uz
all thes e peopl e gone m ad

, , .
1] N o no he rep l ied they are on l y doing what they

’
o ught to do Here it i s c us to m ary when any great and

, ,
happy event take s place to grave it on the pop ular

.
,
m e m ory after thi s m anner R ecoll ection i s thereby

,
greatly quickened Fortu nate are thos e who on su ch

.
occas ion s have l os t an eye or a l i m b ! Their fam i ly is

.
,
then regarded as really z eal o us for the p u bl ic good

, ,
;
and children s eeing u pon their fathers su ch honou rab l e
s cars gl ory in the m fro m generation to generation
,
Indeed the c usto m i s s o u nd and s alutary for the peopl e

, .
are ever fickl e and forgetful and wo uld keep nothing

, ,
in m ind u nl e ss s o m e special m ean s were taken to j og

,
their m e m ory ’
1] M eanwhi l e the fo u r vi z ier s had di s p l ayed to the

.
whol e divan the writing of the king s howing that

G ulz ara had an s wered according to hi s intention s and
,
o u ght to be m ade qu een She wa s accordingly in s tall ed

,
form ally u pon the throne at the foot of which R i

.
ez e
cam e to do ho m age with a smil e that s ee m ed to the

,
ass em bl y generally a smil e of congratul ation b u t that

,
to m y eye s s howed only as a ma sk for s pite and

,
di s appointm ent The new qu een assu red her s i ster of

—
her love then rai s ing her own right hand three ti m e s
.
above her head to co mmand attention s h s aid e
V enerab l e co u nci ll or s of m y father I s hall never

,
u ndertake anything of i mportance witho u t yo u r advice

,
b u t who wi ll s erve a s an interm ediary in o u r commu ni

cati n s and inform yo u of my deci sion s W h wi ll
o ,
? o
89
enter with m e into su ch details as are nece ss ary for the
good of the State I am a V irgin and I have pro mi s ed
?
to re main s al way s Dai ly interco u rs e with a m an

,
o,
woul d in no way be convenient I decl are therefore

.
that H m i who s e ability and co mpetence are

.
, ,
’
o a ou n a ,
well known to m e s hall be m y grand vizier and I ;

ordain that s h s hall be inve s ted with all the power s
,
appertaining to that ffi c o e
’
1] The fo u r o l d co u nci ll or s the twenty a m ba ss ador s

.
and the grandee s of the kingdo m all ac qu ie s ced

, ,
u nani m o usly G h g cam e tre mbl ing with j oy and

,
e an uz
l ed m e to the firs t s tep of the royal dai s All s poke m y

.
, ,
prais e s in a l o u d voice— not one of the m having the

.
l eas t knowl edge of m e Then R i no l onger abl e ez e ,
to contain hers el f as ked per mi ss ion to retire and

.
whi spered in m y ear as s he pa ss ed Thi s isanother

, ,
‘
:
new trick of yo u rs vil e sl ave ; yo u s hall pay dearl y for

you r pre sum ption and ins ol ence ! I pretended not to
,
’
hear the threat or the in sult deciding to hide the m

fro m G ulz ara who m they wo ul d onl y have grieved and
,
al arm ed Indeed I was fill ed with ad miration for that

,
a m iabl e prince ss having received no previo us inti m ation

.
,
of the genero us engagem ent into which s h had entered

,
for the good of her peopl e

m y qu een s aid I when we were al one
.
wh y have yo u pro m i s ed not to m arry It wo ul d su re l y

, , ,
have su ffi ced if yo u had m erely rep lied according to

the views of the king yo u r father ’
The s acrifice wa s not s o great a s yo u i m agine m y

.
,
1]
dear H m B u t m ore I cannot tell yo u To go
,
o ai ou n a .
into details wo ul d b u t enveno m the wo u nd s till b l eed

.
ing in my heart and we mus t devote o u r attention

;
to other m atters I feel that in yo u there i s s o m ething
above nat u re and it i s on yo u that all the weight of
.
;
kings hip mus t devol ve R ul e in m y e mpire and if ;
I a m at all dear to yo u s rul e that m y reign S hall be
. ,
fam o us to all ti m e for justice and good govern m ent

,
90
again m agnificent as ever and he a sk s to s ee m e !
What u nfore s een happiness ! Ah no ! what an over
, ,
whelming m i sfortu ne continu ed s h throwing hers elf

’
e,
on a s ofa and s hedding a torrent of tears I have re

,
cd hi m for ever ! A l as I did not do sfor want of

.
n ou n e o
l ove b u t becaus e I l oved hi m too we ll ! W hat i s to

,
beco m e of m e Advi s e m e H m ! M ayhap I

,
? o ai o u n a
s hall foll ow yo u r advice— m ayhap yo u will l o s e m y

,
favo u r by giving it m e ! ’
yo u rs e lf m y qu een s aid I and e xpl ain ’

‘
I don t u nderstand what yo u m ean nor do I k now of

, , , .
who m yo u are s peaking

,
’
Tru e s he rej oined I have never tol d yo u abou t

.
1]
’
Prince T g i m y m other s nephew— P rince T g i

, ,
’
o ra o ra
who m I have cheri s hed fro m m y earl ie s t infancy ; who

,
res ponded to m y l ove with all hi s heart who was s aid ;

to have peri s hed in a great fire ; and who now retu rn s
now when faithful to hi s m em ory I have pro m i s ed
,
never to m arry W hat will he s ay

, ,
’
?
He wi ll I rep lied be overwhelm ed do u btl e ss

.
’
‘ ‘
with grateful feelings when he know s that the s acrifice

, ,
vau nted everywhere a s an act of u n speakabl e gener

-
o sit y— wa s reall y m ade for hi s s ake and if worthy of ;

yo u he wi ll app l au d yo u greatly
,
’
Yo u s peak col dl y and calml y wi s e H m

.
,
’
‘
o ai ou n a ,
rej oined the qu een Yo u are as u nend u rab l e s now to

,
the fire b u rning in my heart ! R etire and do yo u

.
at once introd u ce the Prince T g i

, ,
’
G h g
e an u z, o ra
I obeyed conde m ning my s el f even m ore than

.
G ul ara did for having tried to m ake head again s t the

, ,
a ss aul t of a passion s V iol ent and overwhelming i

,
o n
s tead f all owing s o m ewhat for it s first fu ry

,
D u ring three ho u r s the s addes t ho u rs pass ed s i ce

.
1] — n
m y e x il e fro m Sh d k — I did nothing b u t s orro w a u an
over m y am iabl e prince ss and deplore the instabi lity of

the happine ss I had tho ught to b u il d on s ec ure f d
,
oun a
tion s It wa s s
. h her s e l f who broke in u pon m y s
e d a
92
forebodings She cam e to m e open arm ed and began by -
flooding m e with tears At last growing s om ewhat

.
,
calm er s h s aid I have co m e back to m y s ens e s dear

.
,
e :
b ut my deep grief will not pass away a s

, ,
H m
o a lo u n a ,
eas i ly as m y fit of u nrea s on L i sten tre m bl e and pity

m e ! The P rince T g i appeared before m y eye s
.
, ,
o ra
l ooking as tho ugh he had jus t bathed in the Prophet

K dd sSpring of I mm ortal ity He wa s radiant with
e er
’
beauty you th and a s it s ee m ed to m e with love He

.
threw hi ms elf on hi s knees to ki ss the he m of my

, , , .
garm ent I hel d o u t m y hand and woul d I think have

ki ss ed hi m if the pre s ence of G h g who m I had
.
, , ,
e an u z,
ordered to stand near by had not re strained m H

,
e e
read in my eye s the feelings of my heart ; b u t in s tead
, .
of s howing the l oving gratitu de of which yo u spoke a

whil e ago he began to upbraid m e angri ly I forgave
hi s firs t o u tbu rs t I tried to pacify him I went s o far
, .
a s to offer to resign the crown of C h c sthat we

. .
ou an o
m ight be u nited I to l d hi m I mus t certainl y renou nce

the throne if I infringed the s ol e m n engage m ent into
.
which I entered when I accepted it b u t I prote sted

trul y that with hi m I s ho ul d never regret m y abdica
,
tion And indeed I added how could I cheri s h my

, ,
“ ”
peopl e l ike a tender and loving m other when my

.
, , ,
h us band was the s ol e obj ect of my affection and

,
occ u pied all my tho ught s The fam e I had earned I

,
tol d hi m was b t a sm all all eviation to the grief caus ed

,
by yo u r l o ss Now that I po ss ess yo u once m ore I can

,
well do witho ut it I feel contin u ed the qu een

.
,
” ’
address ing m e all the sham e attaching to su ch a

.
, ,
‘
confe ssion B u t wi ll yo u believe it H m i the

,
’
o a oun a,
u ngrateful T g i dared to take advantage of m y

.
,
o ra
weakness He was not afraid to u nvei l to m y eye s a

heart as bl ack a s the face of an E thiopian W hat tal k
.
i s thi s abo u t abdicating the throne of the E mpire of

.
Ch ou c cried the arrogant prince I sit G ulz ara

an ?
” “
the qu een who hol d s su ch l angu age— nay who u tter s

.
,
, ,
93
a rhap s ody worthy of the hermits of the de s ert of
Hej az L et us p u t all thi s r u bbi s h as ide and tal k
?
s erio usl y If yo u have really sighed over m y e x i l e if

,
yo u l ove m e as yo u sy yo u do p l ace m e at once on

.
,
— a
the b lu e throne with the pho sphore s cent s tars All yo u r

father s non s en s e can in no way affect you r right to the
.
throne—the m ore s o that yo u are in a ssu red po ss ess ion

That right I will m aintain and that po ss e ssion I will
.
confirm by my valo u r R ivers of b l ood s hall be m ade to

,
flow before a word of reproach reache s yo u r ears A ll

.
tho s e who co m e near yo u will re spect yo u sthey

.
re spect m e Who s oever occ u pie s a throne i s bo u nd

,
by no pro m i s es M eanwhil e begin by getti g rid of

.
a wretched creature who m yo u have ridic ulo usl y

.
,
appointed to be you r Grand Vi zier She i s suspected

of being a witch and i s perhap s on ly artful and m al i
.
c i s — b u t that i s qu ite rea s on eno gh for p u tting her

, , ,
ou u
into a s ack and throwi g her into the river Go m y n
well bel oved and s ettl e thi s at once don t l ook s

.
, ,
’
-
; o
s tartl ed Have yo u not waited all too l ong for the

,
happine ss yo u are to enj oy in m y arms T g i wa s

.
”
? o ra
qu ite right in s aying I was startl ed and tro u bl ed I fel t

a s if I s houl d die B u t m y horror at su ch i mpiety and
.
insol ence reani m ated m e In stead of rep lying I c l apped

.
my hand s ; G h g whi s tl ed ; and i mm ediatel y fifty

.
,
e an uz
e un u ch s appeared with their s word s drawn Yet su ch

i s the m arve ll o us power of a pass ion which s ham e its el f
.
,
cannot u tterly des troy that I took pity upon hi m and

s aid rather firml y than angri ly M y m other s ephew
, ,
’
: n
I give thee thy life in con sideration of the tie s of blood

, ,
by which we are u nited Go fro m my pre s ence and l et

m e never s ee thee m ore u nl e ss tho u art prepared to
.
,
u ndergo the p u ni s h m ent tho u has t justl y de s erved

,
and be c u t into a thous and piece s by the s e gl ittering

,
s word s Having u ttered the s e word s I m ade sign s to

”
the e u nu ch s to re move the u nhappy prince B u t they

.
,
had to carry hi m o u t ; sterrified wshe that he co ul d

.
o a
94
prince ss had m ade her appearance at C h c when ou an ,
one day her chief e u nu ch cam e on her part to as k

,
for an au dience I wi s hed to retire b u t the qu een kept

, , ,
m e back The m ess enger wa s introd u ced and s poke

.
,
th us The Princess R i who s e s eal of credence I

.
,
‘
: ez e ,
here pre s ent pro strate s hers el f at yo u r august feet

and recogni s e s that yo u r Highne ss has by her superior
, ,
l ights justl y earned the throne to which S he had her

,
s el f as pired N everthel e ss s he ventu re s to s k as s om e

,
co mpen s ation that yo u wi ll su ffer her to e spo us e the

.
, ,
Prince T g i who now basks only in her pre s ence

,
o ra
and who m oreover s tand s in need of s o m e con s ol ation

, ,
for the m i sfortu ne into which he has fall en — the m i s

, ,
fort u ne nam el y f l o s ing the good grace s of hi s glorio us o
s overeign The u ncertainty in which m y prince ss s tand s

with regard to the natu re of yo u r rep ly keep s her in
.
a s tate of cru e l an x iety and the prince hi ms elf doe s

not dare to appear in yo u r pres ence Witho u t thes e
,
ob s tac l e s they wo ul d both have co m e to ask yo u on

.
their knees to gracio usl y accomp l i s h the co mm on

, ,
de s i e of their hearts
,
’
r
1 ] On s eeing the pall or that had overs pread the

.
co u ntenance of G ulz ara and the heaving of her breast

I sws h wa s abo u t to faint I to l d the fata l e u n u ch
, ,
a e
to l eave us and wait in the neighbo u ring gall ery for

.
a rep l y to hi s m e ss age G h g who like m y s elf had

,
e an u z,
taken i mm ediate al arm at once p u t hi m o u t and was
.
, ,
jus t in ti m e to hel p m e in ho lding u p the qu een as s

, ,
h e
fell into m y arms W had no wi s h to caus e her ene mie s

,
to triumph and s did what wa s nece ss ary witho u t

.
call ing for help She re m ained s en s el e ss for s o m e ti m e

,
At l as t s h opened her eye s t u rned the m s ad l y on

. .
m e and s aid after s o m e m o m ents of s i l ence and wi h

,
t
a fairly tran qu il air What S hall I do H m
, , ,
’
: o alo u n a ?
the genero sity of yo u r heart di ctates I

,
’
replie d
,
B u t m y s i s ter s he rej oined co ul d not be happy

.
’
‘
, ,
96
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Ba rkiaro kh
with a m an s depraved and m y peopl e would m o s t
o
certainl y at a d y which ca not be far di stant be m o s t

,
a n
m i s erabl e Sho ul d I not s ave the m all wh il e I am yet

, ,
abl e by causing T g i shead to be i mm ediately c u t

.
,
’
o ra
ff I tre m b l e at being red u ced to su ch an e x tre m ity ;

,
o ?
b u t here a s it s ee ms to m e cru elty i s a nece ss ary evil

W hat do yo u s ay H m
, , .
o a lo u n a
bel ongs to A ll ah alone I an s wered to r l e

,
’ ‘
u
the pre s ent in view of the fu tu re for he only s ee s the

, ,
fu tu re u ncl o u ded
,
’
Yo u wo ul d have m e then give m y con s ent to thi s

.
1]
odious u nion s aid h in a voice choked by e motion
’
S e,
V ery well l et m e do thi s further viol ence to m y heart

.
,
B u t the b low wi ll be m ortal Go G h g go and

.
,
e an u z,
carry a favo u rabl e rep ly to m y s i ster s re qu e st and to

.
, ,
’
her She did not conclu de b ut u ttered a sd and

,
piercing cry and fell back s en s el e ss on her divan

,
were now no l onger ab l e to hide her condition

.
,
1] W e
The twel ve l eeche s in attendance were summ oned

.
They all felt the p uls e of the u ncons cious G ulz ara at
.
the p l ace s where the p uls e i s m o s t m arked I ws a
p lunged in the m o s t agoni s ed u ncertainty ti ll the s e

.
b ird s of evi l o m en croaked the cr u e l word s She sl eep s

,
s he sl eep s for ever ! They s poke b u t too truly G ulz ara

,
’
had jus t e xpired

,
It s i m po ss ib l e to depict the s orrow I fe l t at thi s

.
1] i
terribl e cata strophe and my grief wsall the greater ; a
in that I tho ught I had my s elf to bl am e for the prem a

tu re demi s e of the am iab l e G ulzara Fool that I was ’
s aid I to mys el f I sp urred thi s too generous prince ss

.
,
to an effort beyond her powers and thereby hastened

,
to its end her us eful l ife I do not yet u nderstand the

,
viol ence of h uman pass ion or the infirm ity of h um an

.
reas on and yet I wi s h to govern m en ! O bitter e x

,
;
p i
er enc which
e, ha s co s t m e a friend a lm o s t s dear s a a
G an ig l her s e l f and her fatal bird ! B u t s ho ul d I have

u
allowed her to s oi l her con s cience with the b lood of

G 97
a prince who s e only fault wa s am bition and who s e
de sign s A llah co ul d have m ade to be a s d us t bl own
,
before the wind Sho ul d I have suffered her sto act ? o
that her s i ster co ul d acc us e her of m ean j ealo us y and

that s he hers elf wo ul d be h umiliated in the eye s of her
,
su bj ects 0 fair and radiant s o ul now receiving the

?
reward of V irt u e in the co mpany of heaven ly I t lli

,
n e
g en c s eforgive the e x ce ss of m y z ea l ! Tho u s ha l t l ive

a s tho u did s t de s ire to l ive in the m e m orie s of m en
, ,
and never to the end of ti m e s hall thy s weet and l ovely

, ,
i m age fade fro m my heart ’
Ab s orbed in the s e tho u ght s I wa s k ee l ing be s ide

.
“
1] n
the royal bed which I wa s watering with m y tears

,
when R i seu n u ch having ru dely s tru ck m e on the

, ,
’
ez e
s ho ul der s aid What are yo u doing here too braz en

,
‘
:
Why have yo u not l ike yo ur co mpanions

, ,
H m i a ou n a ?
’
retired to yo u r own apart m ent It i s the r ul e here that

, ,
the sl ave s of the sl eeping qu een s ho ul d be confined to

their roo ms till s h is borne to the pl ace of her long
e
re s t C o m e foll ow m e ; yo u have ceas ed to be Grand

V i z ier Yo u are no m ore than a vi l e and dangero us sl ave
.
,
’
ro s e at once and fo ll owed the e u n u ch witho u t

. .
“
1] I
an swering a word He caus ed food for three day s to
,
be bro ught to m e s aid a few m ore ru de things and

.
took great care to s that m y door was s ec u red I

, ,
ee
co ul d ea s ily have braved hi m and e s caped o u t of hi s

.
hand s b u t I was c u rio us to s what R i woul d do

,
ee ez e
with m e I wi s hed als o to take p u b lic part in the fu neral

,
of G ulz ara M oreover the s o u nd s of lam entation which

.
I heard on ll s ide s were a s a balm to m y own grief

.
, ,
She i s sl eeping o u r good qu een s S l eeping cried

.
,
’
1] i
u nnum bered voice s and s h wi ll never wake again
, ,
‘
e
She who wa s o u r m other i s asl eep and perhap s

.
,
who did us s mu ch good will slumber

,
H m i
’
o a ou n a , o
l ikewi s e ! The s e sd word s ceas el essl y repeated ro u nd

,
’
a
and abo u t the pal ace echoed in my ears d uring three

,
days On the m orning of the fo u rth day the s am e

,
.
,
98
n umber of perfum ed wa x taper s m ade thi s gl oom y pl ace
a s light a s day I looked on all s ide s for the doors of
the to mb s who s e dom e s I had ad mired o ut s ide B u t
,
I co ul d s ee none I perceived at l as t that each to m b

.
wa s wall ed in and m arked with a great slab of gold

.
on which the s e word s were graven Here lie s su ch

, ,
‘
:
and su ch a king He reigned s m any years L et no o
one dare to to u ch thi s wall or tro u bl e hi s repo s e

. .
Hi s m e m ory al one i s at the m ercy of the peopl e

, .
had to go a very l ong way before reaching the

.
1] W e
to mb a ss igned to G ulzara and we entered it witho u t ;

di s tu rbing the order of o u r proce ss ion throu gh a very
,
l a ge door which had jus t been rem oved The internal

,
walls were covered with the s am e b l ack m arbl e that

.
,
we had s een o u tside b u t a qu antity of l ittl e gol den

;
l am p s suspended fro m the dom e s hed a p u re bright
l ight and diffus ed a delightful perfum e
, ,
The l itter wa s p l aced in the m id s t of thi s va s t

.
,
“
1]
s ep ul chre The vi ziers the twenty a m bass adors and the
grandee s of the State cam e one after the other and
.
, ,
pro s trated the ms el ve s before the sl eeping qu een wi sh

, ,
ing her a p l eas ant repo s e T g i hi ms elf the ini qu ito us

,
o ra
T g i dared to ful fi l thi s pio us d u ty b u t he pre s ented

.
,
o ra
hi ms elf l ast and s tamm ered hi s co mpli mentary word s

, ,
with a haggard and tro u bl ed l ook I s h u ddered as I

,
l ooked u pon hi m and fel t greatl y te mpted to p u ni s h

.
hi s te m erity when an ol d m an pal e fl s hl Ssand

,
e e
s ini s ter of aspect cried o u t with a s hri ll hars h voice

, , , ,
and yo u G h g be it known to yo u
, ,
H m o a u n a, e an u z,
that the wi s e vi ziers who govern C h c d u ring thi s

,
ou an
s hort interregn um have decreed that a s yo u were the

two favou rite sl ave s of G ulz ara yo u must keep her
,
company Be d ul y grateful f the hono u r s hown to

,
or
you and fai l not in re spect for yo u r qu een

.
Having s aid the s e word s and prod u ced s o m e m o s t

, .
“
1]
l am entab l e s ou nd s o u t of a braz en trumpet he resum ed
,
in tone s even m ore di sm al and lugubrio us The qu een

, ,
1 00
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
G ulz ara i s in the bo s o m of eternal re st S uffer her to
sl eep and l et all d u e hono u r be paid to her
.
s carcel y heard the s e l ast word s s u tterl y con

, .
“
1] I o
fo u nded was I by the dread s entence that had preceded

,
the m ! A ll the assi stant s had retired and the door had
alm o s t been bricked u p and still I had not cast one
,
gl ance at poor G h g whereas hi s faithful and

,
e an u z,
l oving heart was onl y afflicted on m y behalf He wa s

the firs t to break the s i l ence crying Oh G ulzara !
.
oh my bel oved m i stre ss here i s you r dearly l oved

, ,
the divine dams el who has m ade yo u r

, ,
H m i
’
o a ou n a ,
su bj ects shappy here i s s

— o h i mmu red for ever ! Yo u e
wi s hed to s ave her I was to have taken her o u t of :
yo u r kingdo m Al as ! yo u never anticipated falling s o

su ddenl y asl eep
.
1] I s it then s aid I very qu iet l y’

to G h g an e an u z,
‘
e s tabli shed c usto m in C h c to b u y peopl e al ive

,
’
ou an r ?
1 ] Y sye s he repl ied It i s one of tho s e ab su rd and

’
e
cru el c us to ms which the peopl e of C h c have taken

, , .
ou an
it into their head s for ages to call s acred and venerabl e

it i s a co mpl i m ent they pay to the m o s t faithful
s ervant s of their kings and qu een s a di stinction be it
s aid with which tho s e u pon whom the scall ed honou r
, ,
o -
happen s to fall wo ul d very wi ll ingly di spen s e I have

,
always tho ught the c usto m barbarous and u nworthy

.
of an intelligent peopl e b u t the lamp s of l ove and

,
;
gratitu de to which we owe the l ovel y light now
s hining here— that at l eas t i s a fine conception !
,
’
1] E xpl ain you rs el f cried I ’
Yo u have s een s aid he a ll the go l den pipe s that

.
,
1]
’
bri s tl e on the do m e of each tom b Well they an swer

, ,
to the l amp s suspended within and by a c u rio us

.
,
contrivance are us ed to feed tho s e l amp s with oil and

, ,
su pply the m with wick s The cos t of the s e i s not

, ,
defrayed by the State It i s defrayed by the peopl e in

.
their gratitu de W hen they have lo s t a good king or

.
a good qu een m en and wo men ol d and yo ung are

.
, , ,
1 01
eager to m aintain in hi s or her to m b su ch an illum ina
tion as yo u s ee here Their z eal in thi s re spect i s more
or l e ss l ivel y according to the benefits received and
.
, ,
i s m aintained fro m father to s There i s yo u must

,
on
know an apertu re at the top of each do m e and in

.
,
that apertu re a m irror of poli s hed m etal L ooking into

, ,
thi s one m ay s in s o m e of the to mb s the l amp s s till

.
ee ,
bu rning thou gh the king ha s been asl eep for s everal

,
centu rie s whi l e in the greater n umber of to m b s the

,
l amp s have l ong gone o u t There are even s o m e u njust

,
s overeign s who have fo u nd the ms el ve s in total darkness

.
at the end of two or three days for their favo u rite s

wicked a s the ms el ve s were nece ss ari ly u ngrateful and
, ,
never thou ght of supp lying the wick s and oil they
, ,
m ight owe to their benefactors It i s with reas on there

fore that the s e l amp s are call ed the L amp s of L ove
.
,
and Gratitu de and the brilliant mirror of poli s hed

,
m etal the E ye of Justice Oh ! we are never l ikel y

,
to find o urs el ve s in darkness here The to m b of G ulz ara

, .
thanks to all yo u r care s wi ll s hine res p l endent till the

.
,
day of ju dgm ent

,
1] I wa s s o to u ched with the s enti m ent s of G h g e an u z,
and with the holy calm that reigned over hi s co u ntenance

in a m o m ent s terribl e and when all h um an hel p
o
s ee m ed al together hopel e ss that wrapping mys elf u p

,
in pio us tho u ghts I address ed thi s prayer to As

, ,
f en
d m d fro m the very botto m of m y heart Sovereign

,
ar o :
of Sh d k the bl e ss ed yo u who a s a reward for yo ur

a u an
z eal in the caus e of the hol y Prophet are abl e to hear

, ,
the voice of yo u r su bj ects in whats oever part of the

,
world they m ay happen to be vo u ch s afe to grant to

yo u r u nhappy daughter the power of s aving this hone s t
,
and genero us creatu re I know by e xperience that I

have l o s t the fac ul ty of affording any active help to
.
others s ave the hel p of co u n s el and care b u t oh grant

m e yo u r aid at thi s ti m e sthat G h g m ay not die
,
o e an uz
in th i s place a lingering and cru el death

, ,
’
.
1 02
wa s hidden in th at V i l e s hape a J inn who for hi s cri m e s
had been th us tran s form ed by As f d m d Hi s re s tor
, , ,
en ar o
ation to hi s w form offered great diffic ultie s It wa s

.
o n
fi r s t nece ss ary that the fi s h s ho ul d be ca u ght and thi s

.
was not easy owing to the sm allne ss of it s s i ze and it s

,
great weight s that it al way s either sl ipped through

, ,
the m e she s of the nets or els e broke them It wa s then

,
nece ss ary that the indwelling s pirit s houl d be squ eez d

.
,
o u t of the fi s h whi l e sti ll alive and witho ut inju ry

Being aware of ll thi s I effectu ally l iberated the J inn
.
, ,
and as he had s worn to fulfil any wi s h u ttered in favo u r

of who ms oever s ho ul d eat the l ittle fi s h fro m who s e body
,
he had been happily del ivered I u rged O m s s f to eat r o ou
the fi s h and after w ard s ind u ced yo u ll three to m ake

,
vows in O m s s f sfavo u r—vow s which yo u al one

,
’
r o ou
did not afterward s s eek to revoke Th us yo u have de

s erved to a s cend the throne which one of yo u r ance stor s
.
l os t thro ugh not foll owing the advice of a P eri who

protected hi m and who a s s o m e con sol ation gave hi m
the wonderful ring contained in the l eaden bo x— t the
, , ,
s am e ti m e telling hi m that one of hi s des cendant s wo ul d

open the bo x and regain po ss e ss ion of the throne of
Daghe s tan The tradition of thi s pro m i s e pa ss ed fro m
,
father to s for s everal generation s b u t every effort to

.
on
open the bo x had proved ineffectu al At l as t yo u r

,
father who had vain ly m ade the attempt hi ms elf

.
re
s ol ved the advice of Alsl m i to give it to the one

, ,
ou a a
of hi s s on s who s ho ul d di spl ay the m os t filial piety

, ,
Tho s e are the fact s with which it i s right yo u s ho ul d

.
1]
be m ade ac qu ainted ; and now thi s i s what yo u o u ght
,
to do So s oon a s O m s s f and the d isare u p r o ou er v e
yo u will appris e the m of yo u r intention s and a sk the m

.
,
to give yo u their bl e ssings and then m ake you r way

,
to B d k with the ring on yo u r l eft finger Yo u

,
er ou a,
wi ll th us enter witho u t being s een of any into the

.
king s garden At the botto m of the garden yo u will

, ,
’
find the tru nk of a l arge tree which no one has ever

.
1 04
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba rkiaro kh
been abl e to de stroy To u ch the tree with you r ring
It will at once fly open and yo u wi ll find therein a
. .
bag m ade of a s erpent s skin— f which yo u will take

,
’
o
po ss e ssion The b g contain s an ass ortm ent of gems

a
m ore bri ll iant than any in S h d k bri g the s e ge ms

.
a u an n
to m e and I wi ll go and s ell the m where s oever I a m

m o s t l ikely to find the be s t m arket
,
W ith the m oney s obtained we s hall have no

.
diffic ulty in enli sting the s ervice s of the hillm en in

,
Daghe stan who indeed are attached to yo u r fam i ly

and hate the usu rper Th us will yo u be abl e a s beco m e s
, ,
a princ e to take po ss ess ion of yo u r kingdo m at the

.
,
head of an army
,
D EN ST R Y
OF TH E RI M O OF TH E PE HO A I OU N A
1] Here H m ceaos ed S peaking

ai o u n aand I u tter l y ;
confo u nded and indeed terrified by the m arvels s
,
h e
had rel ated knel t down again at her feet a ssu ring her
, ,
of m y u nbo unded res pect and li mitle ss obedience

, ,
Thi s s eem ed not to p l eas e her at all She a sked with

, .
tears in her eye s whether what I now k ew abo u t her

.
,
had in any way altered m y affection Then I ki ss ed

,
'
her W retired to bed and I m ade bel ieve to Sl eep

.
e ;
s that I m ight witho u t interru ption con sider m y
.
,
po s ition a po s ition no do ubt infinitel y superior to

, ,
;
any for which I co ul d have dared to hope and yet
, ,
;
I was in de spair What s aid I to m ys el f s hall I “ ” “
gain by being king It isthi s m o s t redou btabl e P eri

.
, ,
and not I who wi ll really bear r ul e in m y kingdom

,
She will want to treat m e a s S he treated the Qu een of

.
,
Ch ouc and in s i s t on m y doing all her behe s ts even

an
though I s houl d die for it ! W hat do I care abo u t the

, ,
p u bl ic good regarding which s h prate s s o mu ch M y e ?
own private good i s the one thing I have at heart and

,
th t I s ha ll never s ec u re with her W e ll eno u gh even if

,
sh confined her s el f to advice and reproache s—m ere

.
1 05
word s I co ul d treat with contempt— b ut though s h e
s peak s m ode stly eno u gh of what re m ain s of her form er

,
supernatu ral powers s h m ay be deceiving m e even e
a s I a m deceiving her She m ay s till have in re s erve

, ,
her terribl e wand She m ade no m ention of it in

.
her s tory abo u t G ulz ara b u t then that s tory i s not

.
yet fini s hed I mus t hear her tal e to the end s a s

,
to l ay thi s m o s t cru e l do u bt Ah ! better a h u ndred

.
,
ti m e s to re m ain a poor fi s herm an than to be a sl ave

.
u pon a throne ! ”
1] The s tor m had not cea s ed raging in m y evi l heart

when day appeared I was abo u t to c u rs e it s light and
m ight indeed have done s o with very good reas on for
.
,
it wa s by that day s l ight that I took the first s tep s

,
’
l eading to the aby ss in which we now are

I us ed a ll m y power s of hypocri s y s a s to hide m y
.
1] o
pertu rbation of spirit fro m my wife m y fath er and the

i s and l eft the m o ffering u p on m y behal f prayer s
, ,
der v e,
which I have al ways taken good care to render vain

, , ,
On m y way to I m et s evera l per s on s who m

.
1] B d ker ou a,
I knew very well and a s not one of the m s eem ed to

s m e I began to feel in m y ring a confidence which
,
ee
had s o far been wanting I entered with s o m e assu rance

,
into the king s garden and ran to the tree H m

.
’
o a i ou n a
had de s cribed I to u ched it It opened and I took o u t

,
the bag of s erpent s kin I was s i mpatient to behol d

. .
,
-
o
the inco mparabl e Sh d k ge ms that I coul d not

.
a u an
wait till I was o u t of the garden I took the m fro m the

bag one after the other and tho ugh half b linded by
.
their bri lliancy e x a mined the m again and again They

, ,
were s i xteen in n umber fo u r diamond s fo u r carb u ncl e s

.
,
fo ur e m eral d s d fo u r ru bie s each of the S iz e of a

, ,
an
Khoten orange
,
1] To conte m p l ate the m at greater l ei su re I p l aced

.
the m on the gra ss in an u nfre qu ented alley to which

,
I had retired and was in an ec s tas y of j oy and ad m ira

tion when a dwarf who was perched on a tree and
,
, ,
1 06
1] W hil e ind ulging in thes e reflection s I perceived that
I had l o st my way a m ong the garden walk s which
,
form ed a kind of l abyrinth W hat wa s m y su rpri s e at

,
finding mys el f once m ore c lo s e to the p l ace where I had

.
di s covered the precio us ge ms and I now heard the ;

acc u rs ed dwarf s cream ing to a whol e crowd of e u n u ch s
who were foll owing hi m Ye s— thi s i s the spot where
:
I s aw tho s e m arvels I swthe m with m y two eye s a
I s wear it by m y own tiny s o ul and by the great heart

, ,
of the P rincess G hidé m y dear m i stress

,
”
a za
On thi s I wa s going to fly when a yo u ng bea u ty

, .
1]
m ore dazzl ing than m y diam ond s m y ru bie s m y
, ,
e m eral d s and m y carbu ncl e s pre ss ed forward through

, ,
the throng and with an air of wi l ful ne ss that becam e

,
her we ll and wa s not witho u t dignity cried Sil ence

,
all ! and l i sten to the co mm and s of the dau ghter of

, , ,
you r king the P rince ss G h idé ! Be it known to yo u a za
that I firmly bel ieve all that the l ittl e C a lil i has jus t
,
tol d us ceas e therefore to treat hi m a s a m ere vi s ionary

:
I in si st on s eeing the precio us s tone s which the J inn

, .
,
had s pread o u t u pon the grass and I s hall co mpel the

J inn to S how the m m e by all su ch pers i stent m ean s
,
.
a s my c u rio s ity m ay dictate C o m e erect a pavil ion

for m e on thi s very s pot—I s hall not l eave it till I
.
,
have obtained s ight of the ge ms If any of yo u s ay s

a s ingl e word of obj ection I will give hi m caus e for
.
repentance If the obj ection co m e s fro m m y father

,
I will take vengeance upon hi m by refus ing to wear

.
,
in my hair the aigrette of blu e flowers he l ike s s o

well !”
1] Whi l e G h id é s poke m y eye s were fi x ed on her s m y

a za
s o ul s ee m ed ready to take to its el f wing s to fly to her

, ,
N or did I regain m y pres ence of m ind— swsI i t i

.
n ox
ct d with l ove —till I swthat her attendants were

o a
a e a
preparing to s ati s fy her caprice Then did all the

tre m ors of an anticipated delight go co u rs ing thro ugh
.
m y fram e I l eant again s t a tree at a l ittl e di s tance

.
,
1 08
fully determ ined at all haz ard s to pers onate the
i m aginary J inn
, ,
Standing th us I grew i m patient at the di l atorine ss

.
1]
with which the e u n u ch s prepared the pavil ion and
,
wo ul d m o s t wi llingly have torn in piece s all the orna

,
m ents with which they sl owl y decorated it She had

, ,
s aid s he wi s hed to be left al one and by the orders of

.
the king who had done nothing b u t laugh at her whims

,
every wi s h of hers wsto be s ati s fied It was abou t the

, ,
m idd l e of a fine summ er day b ut the heat was

.
;
tempered by the thick umbrage of the tree s and by
gauz e c u rtain s that interru pted su ch of the su n s ray s as
,
’
wo ul d have done m ore than diffus e a s oft and l pt vo u u

o us light
I had again to keep m y s o ul in patience whi l e j ar s of
.
1]
e x cell en t s herbet and bas in s of cm fitsand ginger were o
pre s ented to G h idé with a l engthy cerem onial She

, ,
aza
partook of the s e daintie s very qu ickly s o as the s ooner

, .
to be qu it of her e u n u ch s and sl ave girls They retired

,
at l ast and to su ch a di stance that they co ul d only

.
;
have com e to the help of their yo u ng m i stre ss if sm u
m on e d in very l o u d tone s
I went forward on tiptoe I wari l y rai s ed t e c u rtai s
.
1] h n
and entered into thi s paradi s e of delights G hidé l ay

,
a za
at full l ength on the too happy divan and my greedy

.
eye s feas ted their full on her fair proportion s and

,
del icate l im b s M y e m otion wa s su ch that I co ul d

s carcely s tand I had thrown m ys elf on the gro u nd not
.
far fro m the princess when rai s ing hers elf su ddenly
.
s p u t her l ittl e white hand s together and cried

, , ,
h e
Oh Jinn mighty J inn who hast s hown thy precio us

,
gems to my dwarf refus e not I pray to grant the s am e

, , ,
favo u r u nto m e
, , ,
Scarce l y had s u ttered the s e word s when I p l aced

.
1] h e
on the gro u nd a carb u ncl e who s e ray s wo ul d have p u t

,
to s ham e the rays of the su n G h idé ssu rpri s e wa s aza

’
s great that fearing l e s t s s ho ul d cry al ou d I

.
o , h e ,
1 09
whi s pered Ad m ire in s il ence what i s l e ss beau tiful
:
“
than yo u rs elf
She sm i l ed and e m bo l dened by m y flattering word s
.
1]
advanced precipitately to take hol d of the carb u nc l e
, , ,
which I a s rapid ly withdrew

, , ,
1] Oh heaven s cried s he I did not m ean to s teal it

.
, ,
I onl y wanted to hol d it in m y hand s for an in stant Yo u

, ,
s peak pass ionate word s to m e b u t ah yo u are cru el !

.
N Qu een of Bea u ty I rep l ied I a m far fro m

,
“ ” “
1] 0
desiring to give yo u pain ; b u t yo u can only to u ch

, , ,
the s e precio us s tone s on one condition —and that I wi ll

tell yo u aft er I have pl aced the m all and all together
before yo u r eye s L ie down again therefore on yo u r
, ,
divan and have patience for a few m o m ents

.
, ,
”
obeyed m e with an air of re s pect and even

.
,
1] G h
a za id é
of fear Then I arranged the j ewels in a squ are pl acing
,
t he m in su ch juxtapo s ition that each s ho ul d add to

.
,
each a new lus tre and thi s I did hiding the m the ;
whil e with t h e s kirt of my robe sthat all might be
!
u ncovered at once
,
I had every rea s on to repent of the e ect of the

.
1 ] ff
s pectacl e th us pre s ented to the am iabl e G h idé She aza
wa s sdazzl ed and bewi ldered that s h fe ll backward

.
o e
on her divan and l ooked a s if l ife its el f had flown

Frightened in t u rn I ran toward s her first taking the
.
,
precaution to repl ace m y treasu re s in the s erpent s kin

, ,
bag which I attached to m y belt I fo u nd her pal e

with her eye s c lo s ed and deprived of all power of
.
, ,
m otion B t how l ovel y s he was in that s tate ! I opened

,
her dre ss to give her air I wa s qu ite bes id e

.
m ys el f when reviving fro m her trance s cried

.
h e
:
W h has dared to to u ch m e
, , ,
o ?
It isthe J inn F k who has co m e to yo u r a ru r ou z,
hel p I rep lied

Ah l s rej oined in s ofter accent s yo u r na m e
, .
“ ” “
1] h e
i s not sfair syo u r j ewels ! B u t where are they Tell

, ,
o a ?
m e what I must do to obtain l eave to hol d the m in m y

110
1] Thi s threat m ade m e tre m b l e M y invi s ibi l ity wa s
not like that of the Peri who s e body becam e not only
.
invi s ibl e b u t i mpalpab l e s that no ob stacl e co ul d

,
arre s t its m ove m ent s I co ul d be i mpri s oned and in

,
vario us way s m ade to peri s h D uring a few m o m ent s

.
,
I re m ained thou ghtful and si l ent b u t the danger in

.
;
which I s tood and the l ove s ti ll b u rning within m e
s harpened m y wits and I cried O daughter of the
, ,
king 0 faire s t of earth ly wo m en ! I s it i s now ti m e

,
ee
to reveal the glory and happine ss to which yo u are

,
de stined Be reassu red and l i sten to m e Yo u wi ll then

do m e justice and beco m e m ore kind ly and s weet than
.
, .
the L eiki who s e grace and s en s ibi lity yo u po ss e ss

,
Speak s aid s he eager l y I wi ll give yo u a ll m y

, .
”
1] ;
attention B u t s eat yo u rs el f at the other end of the
,
divan and above all don t to u ch m e

.
Then with s m arve ll o us s to y s ti fre s h

, , , .
1] H l
l
’
’
m i o a ou n a r
in m y m em ory I began the foll owing recital of m y

,
own i maginary adventu re s

,
1] Yo
“
u have do u bt l e ss heard te ll of the great
As f d m d m onarch of S h d k
en ar o and s overeign a u an ,
over all the Peri s J inn s and Dive s who have e x i sted
,
either before or after the P reada m ite ki ngs Well

,
I a m hi s s on hi s favo urite s in who m he had pl aced

.
, , ,
on ,
hi s full confidence He gave into m y charge two of m y

,
s i s ters who are a s fl igh ty as the b ul b ul and u nrul y

.
a s the z ebra and directed m e never to l o s e s ight of

,
the m In order to facil itate m y tas k he had re m oved

,
their wings and s h u t the m u p in a tower— f w h ich

.
,
o
I s afely hel d the key A friendly J inn took it into hi s
,
head to del iver the m and st to work for that p u rpo s e

.
with con s iderabl e c u nning W had been he and I on

,
terms of great friend ship for a l ong ti m e and were

.
, ,
acc usto m ed to s pend whol e day s together For hal f

,
m oon he kept away fro m m e and when I

.
a re
c
-
hi m on the occa s ion of o u r fir s t m eeting

,
p roa h d e
he onl y an s wered my reproache s with a deep s igh

, ,
112
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
M y friend s hip took al arm I pre ss ed hi m to open his ;
heart
Ah cried he at l a s t on l y a P eri nay on l y the
.
1]
s of A s f d m d hi ms el f i s worthy of her I a m
, , , ,
on en ar o
m ad to have l o st s mu ch ti m e in contempl ating her

, .
charms ! Y sdear F k e contin u ed he the

aru r ou z ,
’
‘
P rince ss G h idé on l y dau ghter to the King of

, ,
aza
Daghestan ought to belong to yo u and to none other

,
I swher e m erging fro m her b ath l ike the su n ri s ing

, .
fro m the bo s o m of the s a portion of her hair p u re ea ;

gol d and l ike to rays of bl inding l ight s till floated in the
,
tran sparent waters whil e the re m aining lock s enriched

,
her ivory forehead her eye s of a tint more l ively and

,
;
brilliant than the azu re of the fi m m t were agree r a en
ab l y S haded by the tiny thread s of bl ack s il k that went

,
to form her del icate eyebrow s and l ong eyel as he s ;

her nos e su ited well the l ittl e portals of suppl e coral
that neighbou red it — littl e portals that enc lo s ed the
l ovel ie s t pearls of the Sea of Gol conda A s to the
re m ainder of her charms do not e xpect m e to des cribe
.
the m I swnaught becaus e I s aw too mu ch I only

,
: a
kno wthat that perfect S hape s ee m ed to have co m e

.
s traight fro m the s tu dio of the cel ebrated M ani who

had not forgotten to add the l ovely h u e s of life to
,
a form whiter than s now ’
1] Thi s portrait which a s I have s ince di s covered wa s

.
in no wi s e flattering inflam ed m e to su ch a point that

, , ,
I cried Ah ! ceas e to torm ent m e my cru el friend !

,
yo u know that I cannot abandon the care of my s i sters

,
wh at every m o m ent ask m e for s o m e new thing

,
W herefore then inflam e m e th us Y sI b u rn to s

.
? e ee
hid é b u t al a s how can I
, , ,
G a za
Go m y dear s aid the J inn in tone s of

,
1] F k a ru r o u z,
affection go and s ati sfy a de s ire that i s snatu ral I wi ll

, ,
rem ain in the tower and do the behe s ts of the daughters

.
of As f d m d who wi ll never know that yo u have

,
en ar o
l eft the m u nder m y care Give m e the key s and go

,
’
. .
,
H 1 13
1] M adcap that I wa s I accepted the o ffer of the fa ls e
and m al icious Jinn I took my flight hither What he
,
had tol d m e of you r charms wa s s o tru e that I never

. .
entertained a suspicion of hi s treachery and th us he

had full l ei su re to e s cape with m y s i s ters before I
,
thought of retu rni g to S h d k I was l ooking atn a u an
yo u I was foll owing yo u r s tep s I wa s al together for

.
; ;
getting my own e x i stence when su ddenly the whir l ;
wind s that e x ec u te m y father s co mm and s s eiz ed u pon
, ,
’
m e bore m e hence and pl aced m e at the foot of hi s

throne A s f d m d heaped u pon m e the reproache s
, ,
en ar o
I de s erved and in the firs t fu ry of hi s indignation con

.
d m e to re m ain a h u ndred year s a m ong m en in

, , ,
d m
e ne
the s hape yo u now behol d— b u t witho u t depriving m e

of my invi sibi l ity M ore affl icted becaus e I had offended
hi m than becaus e of the p u ni s h m ent to which I wa s
.
conde mned I e m braced hi s knee s and watered the m

with m y tears He read in m y heart and wa s tou ched
, ,
by my fi l ial affection Unhappy F k he s aid I

.
,
’
a ru ro u z,
cannot revoke m y s entence b u t I will m ake thy l ot

,
m ore end u rabl e A s G h idé i s the caus e of thy

,
aza
di sgrace ss hall s h be it s con s o l ation Go go to her

.
o e
once m ore ; gain her l ove m arry her and tell her
.
, ,
; ;
that for wedding gift I all ow her to retain u nimpaired
her beau ty and her yo u th d u ring the h u ndred year s
, , , ,
s h wi ll l ive with thee

,
1] A ft er s peaking the s e word s he gave m e the j ewe l s

yo u have s een pro mi s ed m e hi s help on d u e occas ion
,
and caus ed m e to be borne hither The fear of al arm ing

, ,
yo u by a too su dden apparition sugge sted the thought

.
of firs t awaking yo u r dwarf s c u rio s ity and se x citing ’

o
yo u r own I su cceeded and s houl d now be altogethe

,
s ati sfied if onl y yo u had l oved m e enough to take m e

.
,
a s you r h us band before l earning m y hi story

,
é had l i s tened to thi s rhap s ody of m ine with

.
1] G hi
a za d
su ch m ark s of cred ul ity and ad miration as afforded m e
the l ivel ie s t pl easure She cam e nearer when I fini shed
.
114
T h e E pi s o de s of Vat h ek
uttered I perceived that he coul d be eas i ly g ull ed He
l i stened to m y story and con s idered m y carb u ncl e
, .
with large as toni s hed eye s and a m o uth widely opened

,
Then he cried Oh s of As f d m d ! genero us

.
: on en ar o
appear ! appear ! S u ffer m e to pay yo u

,
F a ru k r o u z,
su ch hono u rs and give yo u su ch thank s as are

justl y d u e Thi s very day yo u s hall be the h us band of
hid é and to m orrow I wi ll abdicate in yo u r favo u r
.
G aza -
I as k for no greater boon than to s ee m y dau ghter

.
,
alway s fair you ng and happy— u nl e ss i d d y s ho ul d n ee ou
be wi lli g to add to yo u r favo ur s by prol onging my

, , ,
day s s that I m ay behol d the l ovely children to be

o
born of yo u r u nion ”
The s ight of m e did not in any way di m ini s h the

.
1]
good m onarch s predi lection in my favou r M y attire
’
was not indeed m agnificent bu t the precio us gems

.
m ade u p for any deficiency in that re spect I offered

,
the m as a wedding gift for hi s dau ghter bu t he refus ed

.
;
s aying that the carb u ncl e— which he wo ul d keep for
,
the l ove of m e—was of greater valu e than all the

wo m en in the world— s tatem ent that caus ed G hidé a a za
to po u t her lip s very prettily

a ll ret u rned to the pa l ace The e u n u ch s on
.
1] We
s eeing m e i ssu e fro m the tent were filled with fear and
.
,
gri m aced hideo usly ; the sl ave girls too were s o m ewhat
,
s cared b u t s oon reassu red A s to C al il i whether fro m

, ,
avers ion or s o m e pre s enti m ent of evi l he always l ooked

.
, ,
at m e a skance
, ,
After having been bathed perf um ed and c l ad in

.
1]
garm ents of great m agnificence I wa s m arried to
,
, ,
h id é p u tting the whi l e a vei l u pon the

,
Gaza t ex r a v a
gance of m y j oy s o as to m aintain an air of dignity

,
conform abl e to the s pl endo u r of my su ppo s ed origin

The re mainder of the day was s pent in regal e s dance s
.
and concerts which a mus ed m e not at all and in which

, ,
m y prince ss s ee m ed to take b u t l ittl e pl easu re It was

, ,
otherwi s e with the king Hi s s ati s faction was h uge He

.
. .
116
pl ayed like a chil d with the page s and sl ave girls and
m ade the vault s of the cham ber echo to the s ho uts of
,
re -
his laughter
When he bade us good night he again to l d m e that
.
1] -
on the m orrow he wo ul d re sign to m e h iscrown b u t

, ,
I asked hi m to defer the honou r and to suffer that I

,
s ho ul d spend three day s in the harem al together de

,
voted to my dear G h idé and enj oying the pl easu re s

,
a za
of hi s royal co mpany and thi s he conceded very

,
;
gracio usly and even with thank s I had m y reas on for
,
preferring the re qu e st I was m adl y in l ove and wi shed

.
,
to enj oy m y happine ss witho u t interru ption d u ring the

.
,
three day s in qu es tion not do u bting that H m i

, ,
’
o a ou n a
wo ul d co m e d di stu rb it s o s oon as s h knew of m y

,
an e
—
adventu re s adventu re s s contrary to what s h had
o e
hers elf inte ded B u t who can be qu ite happy whil e

n
hau nted with the fear of what he ha s only too rich ly

.
de s erved I ws
? sei zed with terrors in the very m id st
a
of m y del ights At the slighte st noi s e I wa s on the

point of snatching m ys elf fro m the arms of G hidé
.
a za
—fearing to be su rpri s ed by the incen s ed P eri In fine
tho s e three days— which are yet the on ly day s in my
.
,
whol e life that rem ain dear to m y m e mory— pass ed in

alternate tran sports of l ove d paro x ysms of terror an
1] The fo u rth m orning had s carce begu n to s how on the

.
horiz on when whol e fil e s of e u n u ch s cam e to condu ct

m e to the divan M y heart beat I was fill ed with the
m o s t dire pre s enti m ent b u t coul d find no pl ausibl e
. .
e x c us e for fu rther del ay N or wo ul d the ki g have

,
brooked it He had with infinite tro u bl e com po s ed d

.
an
l earned by heart a harangu e in which m y story wa s st

.
, ,
o u t and greatly amplified and wo ul d have been afraid

to trust hi s m em ory fu rther He del ivered hi s addre ss
, ,
accordingl y to the am azem ent of hi s hearers who never

.
ceas ed looking at m e all the tim e he wa s speaking He

, ,
was at l as t abo u t to affi x the royal plum e to my tu rban

.
when an aged m i whom I knew very well approached

,
e r ,v , ,
117
and s poke s o m e word s in hisear The good m onarch
changed colo u r s aid that he did not feel well and
.
broke u p the a ss e mbly and I wa s e s corted back to

, ,
;
the hare m
few m in u te s afterward s wa s summ oned
.
1] A G h id é a za
to her father s apartm ent She ca m e back all in tears

’
Ah ! m y bel oved h usband s aid s he a s trange

. .
“ ” “
acc us ation i s being made again s t yo u ! The E m ir

, ,
M h b d s ay s that yo u are the s on of the fi s her m an

o a e
O m s
r o s f that yo u us ed to co m e and s ell yo u r fi s h
ou
at hi s ho us e and that he has spoken to yo u a h u ndred

,
ti m e s syo u pass ed along the s treets He decl are s that

,
yo u r s tory i s b u t a fabl e and that yo u r precious s tone s

.
are all fals e and on ly s ee m to be gen u ine by m agic

,
art—and in a word that yo u are an i mpo s tor and

,
u phel d by s o m e wicked Dive M y father i s not l

, , ,
together convinced b u t he do u bt s and he tre m bl es

.
;
m oreover at the m ere m ention of O m s s f who m he
, ,
r o ou
knows to have a better right than hi ms elf to the throne

, ,
of Daghe stan—and who m for that reas on he hold s in

e x ecration He wa s abo u t to s end to the good fi s herm an
, ,
and have hi m arre sted together with all hi s fami ly and

.
to su bj ect the m to a m o st rigoro us e x am ination b u t I

, ,
be s o ught hi m to del ay thi s order u nti l to m orrow I

,
repre s ented that if yo u really were F k yo u

.
a ru r o u z,
wo ul d never forgive su ch an o utrage that he wo ul d

,
draw upon hi ms elf the vengeance of As f d m d and

,
en ar o
m ake m e m i s erabl e for the re m ainder of m y day s I

,
ended by assu ring hi m that yo u loved m e we ll eno ugh

.
to give m e yo u r entire confidence and that whatever

confe ss ion yo u m ight m ake to m e wo uld be fully im
,
parted to hi m Te ll m e then the whol e tru th witho u t

he sitation and p l ace entire rel iance both on m y heart
.
, , ,
and m y troth If yo u really are B ki kh the s of

,
ar aro on
O m s s f I l ove yo u none the l e ss and I do not

.
,
r o ou
despair of s arranging m atters that we m ay yet be

, ,
happy ~
118
T h e E pi s o d e s of Vat h e k
a m ore circ umstanti l acco u nt of my hi story b u t had a
deferred doing s till a ti m e when I co ul d fram e it in

,
su ch a m anner as to further m y de sign s Shortl y after

we were in bed I began m y s tory b u t m ade it sab su rd
.
sl ong and s o tire s o m e that a s m y intention wa s I

, ,
s ent her to sl eep and s ho ul d have gone to sl eep m ys el f

, , , ,
b u t dark p lots are ever wakeful

,
The night wa s far advanced when af er p l acing the

.
1] t
ring on my l eft hand I took m y way to the ki ng s
,
’
apartm ent which I knew as he had before condu cted

,
m e thither C ali l i the dwarf and G hidé sother

, ,
’
a za
e u n u ch s sl ept in her antechamber Tho s e who g arded

.
,
the king hi ms elf watched in row s on either s ide of the

.
,
entrance to hi s sl eeping roo m which wsc lo s ed by a -

a
c u rtain only I pass ed noi s el e ssly between the e u n u ch s

,
and fou nd the venerab l e m onarch plunged in the deepe s t

.
,
slum ber By the li ght of the tapers illum inating the

roo m I appl ied a c ushion to hi s co u ntenance and s tifled
.
hi m s adroitly that he never even e x hal ed a s ingl e

, ,
s igh I then arranged the body with the head drooping

over the side of the bed in su ch a way that any c lot s of
.
blood fo und u pon hi m m ight s ee m d u e to s o m e natu ral

,
accident d retraced m y s tep s trem bl ing I wss

an a o
di s tracted that l o sing m y way I travers ed two or three

, , .
u nknown corridors At l as t however I su cceeded in

, ,
di s covering where I was and had co m e to G h idé s

.
, ,
’
a za
door when m aking a fals e s tep I fell at full l ength

,
u pon the floor Agha s t at m y fall to which I attrib uted

, , ,
a su pernatural caus e I whi spered in l ow and fearful

.
,
tone s Oh cru el H m do not ss oon su bj ect m e

,
o ai o u n a , o
to you r too terri b l e infl u ence l et m e at l east for a littl e

,
whi l e enj oy the fru its of m y crim e I su ffered however

,
on that occas ion fro m nothing wors e than fright I

, , ,
picked my s elf u p qu ickly and went to l ie down again

.
,
by the prince ss onl y keeping a s far fro m her a s

,
po ssibl e for fear l e s t s he s ho ul d wake and perceive that

,
I m ys el f was not asl eep

, ,
1 20
T h e S tory o f P rinc e Bar kia ro kh
1] I had had s o m e fear that I m ight be tro u b l ed by
rem ors e b ut su ch was s far fro m being the cas e that
; o
I began to find e x c us e s for my horribl e deed was it

not right to defend my own l ife And then I c g t
-
? on ra u
l ated m ys el f on po ss e ssing the l ove of the heiress to the

throne and sbeing su re of the throne its elf
o
A m id the s e reflection s I s w the day dawn witho u t

, .
1] a
an x iety and wsin no wi s e al arm ed by the crie s that

,
s oon re s ou nded thro ugh t h harem G hid é woke with

,
e a za
a s tart half ro s e and then fell back u pon the bed

.
s en s el e ss on hearing of the su dden death of the king

, , ,
her father Her Sl ave girls her e u n u ch s u tterly di s

,
ran hither and thither in the pal ace C alil i al one

.
, ,
tra u
g h t
rem ained near her and helped m e to try to bring her
, .
back to con s cio us ne ss For a l ong ti m e o u r efforts

,
proved vain at l as t s he opened upon m e her beautiful

.
;
eye s as if to as k for my pity ! I stretched o u t to her
m y p fi di sarms b ut before I co ul d cl as p her to m y
,
er ou ;
brea s t I received on m y l eft s ide which was uncovered
,
a terribl e b l ow fro m the fatal wa d It s tru ck m e pro s

, , ,
trate and ro lli g on the grou nd I cried l ike a m ad

.
creatu re Cu rs ed be thy e x i s tence O infamous Barki

, , ,
kh ! Cu r s ed be thy perver s ity thy hypocri s y thy

,
a ro
ingratitu de to H m i and thy wicked p fidy

, ,
’
o a ou n a , er
toward s the innocent G h idé ! Cu rs ed above all be thy a za
ring which by m aking thee invis i b l e ha s favo u red the

perpetration of thi s thy l as t cri m e M ay the earth open
, , ,
to s wallow u p the mu rderer of hi s sl eeping s overeign of

the venerabl e ol d m an who had adopted thee as hi s s
,
on
Ah l et m e at l east with my teeth tear in piece s the s e

horribl e hand s by which he wa s done to death and
, , ,
th us avenge o u traged N atu re

,
1] Shrieking o u t the s e fu rio us i mprecation s I h it m y

arms I beat m y head u pon the floor and m y bl ood
,
flowed freel y whil e G h idé as if tu rned to s tone

, ,
a za
l ooked u pon m e not hindering

, , ,
1] After abo u t hal f h u r th us spent in agony the

, .
-
an - o ,
1 21
terribl e overm astering infl u ence ceas ed to perate and O
m y evi l natu re reass erted its elf I swI wa s l o s t unle ss

,
I had reco u rs e to s om e new stratage m and with a deep

.
drawn s igh I s aid Heaven be thanked ! thi s fit of

,
“
:
m adne ss i s over be assu red m y dear wife it wi ll not

;
rec u r for a l ong whil e Thi s i s only the s econd fit I have
, ,
had in my life
.
1] Saying the s e word s I tried to drag m y s elf toward s

.
her bed when the dwarf hi s eye s a b laz e with anger

,
threw hi ms el f between us crying Don t co m e near

, , ,
’
m y prince ss dete s tabl e m on ster ! Vainly wo ul d s t tho u

,
attrib ute to a m o m entary aberration the confe ss ion of

,
the m on s tro us act of which tho u art reall y gu ilty I

heard thee my s el f thi s very night retu rn fro m the
.
king s apartm ent Tho u did s t fall down at fo u r pace s

, ,
’ ’
di s tance fro m my co u ch and did s t there entreat that

.
very H m who m tho u has t jus t nam ed once

,
o a i ou n a ,
m ore to su ffer thee to enj oy the fru its of thy cri m e I

tho ught I had only dreamt s o m e evil dream b u t I had
.
,
heard the tru th only too well ! If tho u d s t to co m e

,
ar e
forward one s ingl e s tep I will with the s e nai ls of m ine

tear ff the re m ain s of fle s h which thi s supernat u ral fit
, ,
of re mors e has l eft u pon thy bones !

1] Tho u gh m y recent attack had l eft m e in a s tate of e x
tre m e weakne ss rage at being th us convicted of what I
s o ught to deny su pp l ied m e with sufficient s trength to
,
ri s e to s eiz e C al ili and to h u rl hi m into the s which

,
ea ,
on that s ide bathed the walls of the pal ace U f t

, , ,
n or u n
ately for m e in stead of drowning he s wam ff with a

.
,
surpri sing agil ity

, ,
I then s tood confo u nded and fe ll back into

.
1] G h id é aza
a s woon when suddenly an infinite n um ber of voice s

,
rang through the pal ace V engeance ! Vengeance L et

, , ,
all doors be c l o s ed l et every s word be drawn ! Barki

k h ha s ki ll ed o u r king l et us not su ffer the wretch
,
a ro
to es cape
,
1] At thi s fearful t umul t I tre m b l ed for m y l ife like a , ,
1 22
prayers wit h great fervou r and repeating m y nam e
over and over again in hi s ori s on s I knew not what
,
to m ake of su ch a vi sion I l ooked on in s i l ence for

.
a l ong ti m e and at l as t tho ught I mus t be in the

.
region s of the dead Mu ch su rpri s ed at m y favo u rabl e

,
treatm ent there I co ul d not help e x cl ai ming Ah

.
“ !
:
l ittl e have I de s erved to receive su ch m ercie s ! The s e

,
word s caus ed the d isto tu rn rou nd He m ade ha ste er v e
to co m e to m e and I recogni s ed Alsl m i M y s

.
“
a a on
s aid he I l ike to hear the s e firs t ej ac ul ation s of

, .
,
“
a contrite heart Heaven be prai s ed ! Yo u wi ll not die

,
in a state of i mpenitence
.
1] A m I s ti ll in the l and of the l iving I in qu ired ?

”
Ye s he replied thank s to the benevol ence of

.
“
, ;
H m i
’
o a oun a
If m y l ife had depended on that cru el P eri I

.
rej ined I s ho ul d l ong s ince have ceas ed to breathe

,
s h ha s done everything for m y d e s tr u ction !

,
”
e
1]
“
N o no ! ret u rned A
”
ls l m i ; s he ha s on l y done a a
“
what s he o ught to have done It wo ul d not have

,
beco m e a pu re Intelligence su ch a s s he i s to suffer yo u

.
to to u ch G h idé with hand s s ti ll reeking of the

, ,
a za
breath of which yo u had jus t deprived her father She

m ade yo u feel her form idable power not in order to
.
divulge you r cri m e b u t s that yo u m ight not add to

,
that cri m e an el e m ent of su ch atrocity N everthel e ss

,
when s h s aw yo u sus pended to the s ycam ore— for yo u

.
,
co ul d not m ake yo u rs elf invi s ibl e to her eye s— s h took e
pity u pon yo u He mus t be s aved s aid s he and have ’
ti m e given hi m for repentance I mm ediately s he took

.
, ,
’
flight s ought o u t the brave m en who l ive am ong the

.
m ou ntain s and indu ced the m to take arms for yo u r

,
rel eas e U nder her l eaders hip they van qu i shed yo u r

,
enem ie s broke open the gate s of the pal ace and after
.
,
S he had m ade yo u vi s ibl e by re m oving the fatal ring

, , ,
to another finger took yo u down fro m the tree Then

s h gave yo u su ch care a s yo u r condition de m anded
.
,
e ;
1 24
T h e S tory o f P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
and now l eaving m e here to watch the effect of her
res torative s i s gone to complete the work of a ssu ri g
,
the throne to yo u r fami ly Yo u m ight eas ily have

,
as cended that throne witho u t a cri m e 0 B ki kh B u t

.
ar a ro
now the step s thereto mus t be fas hioned o u t of yo u r

,
repentance Daou d was a mu rderer even l ike you rs elf

b u t he becam e the bes t of kings
.
,
Thi s con s o l atory and pio us di s co u r s e which I dee m ed

.
1]
to be in the l as t degree d ull and comm onpl ace m ade
,
m e feel that if ever hypocri sy co ul d be of us e to m e

,
it wa s now I began therefore to beat my breas t with

,
no great violence indeed b u t with an air of well feigned

.
, , ,
co mp u nction I acc us ed my s elf I conde mned what

,
I had done in no m easu red terms and bes ought the

.
,
is to intercede for m e At l a s t after s eeing the

,
d er v e
holy m an bathed in tears I s aid A las ! what has

.
,
“
:
beco m e of the innocent princess who m I have caus ed

,
to be an orphan ? ”
She i s in thi s palace he replied and very i ll “
in the bed where yo u l eft her B ut H m i s taking

, , ,
o a lo u n a
care of her and wi ll I have no d ou bt re s tore her to

.
l ife and health The P eri has als o appeas ed the friend s
, , ,
of the dead king Tho ugh s h ha s been s trictl y careful

.
to tell no l ie s they are beginning to do u bt whether yo u

.
are really gu ilty of the cri m e C alili alone i mp u te s to

yo u for G h idé hers elf has never opened her lip s on
a za
the su bj ect s he ha s never even u ttered you r nam e

;
”
hat have they done with that acc u r s ed dwarf

.
1] W ?
cried I pass ionately

eace peace m y s s aid the s Yo u us t
.
1] P d i on m er v e
yo u rs el f forgive if yo u wi s h A ll ah to forgive yo u The

.
, , ,
dwarf ha s fled and h snot been p u r su ed

, .
”
a
M ay heaven be hi s g u ide s aid I with an air of

.
,
“
1] !
co mp u nction W h indeed can be as wicked sI
,
“ ?
o a
B u t may I s my father and te stify m y gratitu de to

.
ee ,
H mo a i ou n a
1] O rm oss f he
ou rep l
, ied govern s the kingdo m ,
“
,
1 25
tho ugh he ha s not yet assum ed the titl e of king He
i s too b usy at the pre s ent m o m ent to s ee yo u and
.
to tell yo u the tr uth he doe s not s ee m to have any

, , , ,
great wi s h to do s o A s to the P eri yo u will no do u bt

,
s ee her a s su ch i s yo u r de sire B u t now keep quiet

.
,
Too mu ch e x cite m ent m ight be h u rtful Saying the s e

. .
,
”
word s he retu r ed to the oratory

.
I a s ked for nothing better than to be l eft to m y own

, .
1]
reflection s I had to think o u t s o m e pl an for obtaining
po ss e ss ion of the crown which I s ho uld m ainl y valu e
.
sa m ean s of pacifying G hid é or at l eas t of su bd u ing

,
a a za
her to m y end s for that too charm ing princess wa s

,
ever pre s ent to m y tho ught s B u t my fate for the

pres ent depended on H m i and it was not s
.
o a ou n a , o
eas y to caj ol e her a s the d is E x aggerated pro er v e
te station s all u ntoward gri m acing and S how woul d

.
have been l o s t upon her I ind ulged in neither I l eft

, ,
it to m y l ook s and action s to convince her not only

. .
of my repentance b ut als o of a retu rn of tenderne ss

,
toward s hers el f N otwith standing her previo us p i

,
ex er
emee s H m wa s not suspicio us ; and s h l oved

.
o a lo u n a e
m e Alsl m i spoke s trongl y in m y favo u r and

a a
O m s s f hi ms el f wanted to retu rn to ob s c u rity and

.
,
r o ou
qu iet So they decided am ong the m that I s houl d be

procl ai m ed King of Daghe s tan N or did I think it
.
wi s e to feign relu ctance I m erely s aid to the P eri

.
I can onl y repeat the word s which the Qu een of

.
Ch c s poke to yo u on a s i m il ar occas ion A ll

ou an
‘
the b urden of kings hip will fall on yo u m y dear

,
H m
’
o ai ou n a
Thi s u tterance af orded great s ati s faction to m y

.
1] f
active spous e and in my own intere s t s I thoro ugh ly
;
acted u p to it d u ring the firs t days of m y reign I
,
all owed her to m ake all the arrangem ent s s h l iked

.
e ;
and even to appoint Alsl m i a s my Grand Vizier a a
tho ugh to my s elf in tru th su ch a choice s eem ed

,
s om ewhat ridic ul o us What I wanted wsto gain the

, , ,
. a
1 26
1] I pretended not to hear the s e l a s t word s and s ti ll l e ss
the deep sigh s with which Alsl m i acco mpanied the m
,
a a ;
and in stantly m ade m y way toward s G hidé sapart a za
’
m ent
1] The e u n u ch s and the prince ss s sl ave girls were
.
tran sfi x ed with terror at m y approach and at the inti

m ation of m y de s ire to s ee their m i stre ss b u t I ordered
,
the m on pain of death to keep s il ence and forbade the m

to foll ow m e I entered nois el e ssl y b ut for fear of
,
al arm ing G h id é witho u t m aking my s elfinvi s ibl e and

.
, ,
a za
l ooked at her for s o m e ti m e u nperceived Seated on a

, ,
pil e of c us hion s her back was nearly tu rned to the door

.
Her flowing hair l ooked l ike gol den e mbroidery on the

.
,
s i m ar in which s h wa s c l othed With her head bent

e
over her knee s s he bedewed with tears the carb u nc l e

.
which I had pre s ented to her father— and which he had

,
given her to keep I went ro nd behind her on tiptoe u
and throwing mys el f at her feet c l asped m y arms

.
,
ro u nd her and held her tight for fear s h s ho ul d

, ,
e eu
to es cape
, ,
d eav o u r
s notwith s tanding a ll m y hardihood I co ul d not

.
1] A
witho ut s trong e motion s ee and to u ch a wo m an for who m
, , ,
I entertained su ch a viol ent pass ion and who m I had

,
sdeep l y wronged I wa s s carcel y abl e to s tamm er a

,
few word s of e x c us e b u t s h at once interr u pted the m

,
by a heartrending cry and fell back in a fainting fit

that s ee m ed to be accom panied by every s y mpto m of
,
death
So di e an accident o u ght to have been a s a c u rb to
.
1] r
m y passion ; on the contrary it acted a s a s p u r

A s hamed and de s pairing I i ssu ed fro m the apartm ent
.
,
hiding my head with the skirt of my robe and ordering

, ,
the e unu ch s and the girl sl ave s to go to the help of their

,
m i stre ss
1 ] I s tood at that m o m ent in no need of s troke s fro m
.
the fatal wand my heart was already sufficiently tor

;
tu re d b u t rather with de s pite and rage than re m or s e
, .
1 28
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Barkiaro kh
Thi s firs t vi s it wa s foll owed by s everal others of a
s i mil ar kind The wo m an I s ou ght to e m brace was alway s
inert and s ee mingly dead and I alway s qu itted her
.
with horror Often after issu ing fro m G h idé sapart

,
’
a za
m ent I rus hed away to the M o squ e and there beat my

.
,
breas t with su ch viol ence that the spectators were l o s t

, ,
in ad miration at s eeing a king a s z eal o us a s mu ch a

m artyr in the caus e of penitence sthe m o st th s
,
i a en u
as ti of fakirs
,
A ll thi s ti m e who co ul d not have been

.
1] H m o aI Ou n a ,
ignorant of my fatal vi sits to G h idé never s poke of a za
the m to m e and s he acted wi s e ly for I regarded her a s

,
the firs t caus e of the u n speakabl e mi sfortu ne that had

,
befallen m e and s ho uld have l o s t all patience with her

Als l m i did indeed vent u re to u tter a hal ting word of
, .
a a
re m on strance b ut I red u ced hi m to s il ence in tone s

that froz e the very bl ood in hi s vein s He took to hi s
,
bed and re m ained there ti ll he died It was the P eri

.
who cam e to tell m e of hi s death and to propo s e another

.
vi zier in hi s s tead I was too em bittered again st her to

,
comply I reproached her with having u tterly over

.
b u rdened a poor reclus e who fro m hi s yo u th u p had

.
been acc us to m ed to live a qu iet life and had natu rally

, ,
su cc u m bed beneath the weight of the d utie s s h had

,
ab su rdl y i mpo s ed u pon hi m and I gave her to ;

thoro gh ly u nderstand that henceforward I s hould
u
choo s e my own Grand V i zier

I u nder s tand cried s and her air wa s rather s
.
”
1] h e, d a
and pitiful than angry yo u wi ll on ly give you r c fi

,
; on
dence to one who flatters the inordinate and unruly

pass ion by which yo 2 5 now tOT:rii t d — pass on "
t h t m k es
u 1 2 en e a i
bywor of o u r hare m Ah u n l e ss
,
”
th d y
'
y Ofi
‘ '
a a e
Heaven intervenes yo u are abo u t to beco m e the wicked

.
king with whos e advent the fatal parch m ent threate s

,
m ankind ”
She retired after s aying the s e word s and I wa s

.
1]
tempted to m ake her repent having u ttered the m by
,
I 1 29
beating her to the gro u nd for I knew by what s h had e
tol d m e of her hi story that tho ugh it wa s not po ss ibl e

to ki ll her it was po ss ibl e to inflict upon her the m o s t
,
cr u el and e x cru ciating torm ent s Only fear l e s t S he

,
s ho ul d find m ean s of depriving m e altogether of m y

.
princess re strained m e b u t al as I s oon lo s t thi s rea s on

;
for re maining with her on decent terms
I wa s s carce l y awake on the fo ll owing m orning when I
.
1]
heard terribl e s o u nd s of l am entation co ming fro m Gaza
,
hid e s apart ments I got u p in al arm I ran thither her

’
;
e u nu ch s her sl ave girls pro strated the ms el ves to the
.
,
gro u nd before m e vociferating hideo usly A ltogether

, ,
be s ide mys e lf I s tepped over the m I entered into the

, .
princess cham ber There on her divan I fo u nd m y

, ,
’
carb u ncl e and a paper containing the s e terribl e word s

.
, ,
Take back thy acc urs ed carb u ncl e dete stabl e Barki
,
kh ! The s ea i s abo u t to receive thi s m i s erab l e body

,
a ro
of mine and will never give it u p again into thine

ar ms W o ul d to heaven that the water s had engulfed
,
it ere that firs t fatal ho u r when it was profaned by thee !

.
1] L ike a S ick m an who tho u gh con sum ed by pre s ent

evils think s of a l ong life and feels the su dden dart of
, ,
the Angel of Death s wa s I smitten to the heart by

, ,
the lo ss ofher who was m y dai ly torm ent I threw mys elf
,
do wn on the divan and re m ained there heed l e ss of

.
o u tward things for hal f the day At l ast I regained the

, ,
power of con s ec utive tho ught and m y firs t us e of it wa s

.
,
to acc us e the P eri She it i s s aid I to my s el f who

,
with that wretched l ittl e fi s h of hers caus ed m e to

.
, , ,
ac qu ire the fatal ring and with it to take u pon my s el f

,
m y father s go ut She it i s who in her spite and j eal o us y

,
’
compelled m e to confe ss my cri m e before G h idé

.
, ,
a za
and pl aced m e in e x trem e peril She it i s do u btl e ss who

,
threw the prince ss into tho s e deathl ike s woon s which

.
, ,
prevented her fro m l istening to m e for had the princess

been in a condition to hear m y e x cus es s h ws far too
,
e a
gentl e and l oved m e far too mu ch not to have forgiven

,
, ,
1 30
the su rface of the waters She mus t have s ought to res t
for ever b u ried beneath the waves
.
1] Yo u think then s aid I l ooking fi x ed l y at Ho m a

.
”
i
o u na that the am iabl e G hidé has peri s hed irre

, , ,
“
, aza
t i
r ev a b ly
1] Do I be l ieve it rep l ied s he
? I be l ieve it on l y too
a ssu redly And yo u yo u rs elf can yo u s ti ll have any
.
do u bt s Ah dear B ki kh ceas e to entertain vi s ion

.
,
? ar a ro
ary hope s that wo ul d ne u trali s e yo u r good intention s

,
Seek a refuge fro m yo u r s orrow rather in su ch p l easu re s

.
a s are l awf l If yo u are happy witho u t s ham e and with

u
o u t cri m e m y u tm o s t de s ire s will be acco mpl i s hed !

.
,
”
Thi s a ectionate s peech in s tead of to u ching m e on l y

,
1] ff
s erved to fu rther e x asperate m e again s t the P eri I knew
, ,
her to be incapabl e of fals ehood and was assu red there

.
;
fore that s he had not actu all y rem oved G hidé b u t
,
a za ;
s till I regarded her a s the pri m e caus e of G h idé sl o ss
,
’
a za
I becam e m ore than ever deter mined to e x ec u te m y

.
cr u el des ign s for her p u ni sh m ent and carried o u t tho s e

des igns to the full after giving her for three day s s
,
a s to allay her suspicion s every m ark of affection and

, , ,
confidence
,
The wicked ea s i l y recogni s e wickedne ss in other s I

.
1]
had di s covered that O l g chief of m y e u nu ch s wa s
.
o ou ,
a thoro ugh s co u ndrel and jus t su ch an in s trum ent a s I

,
re qu ired I ordered hi m to find among h isfell ow s two

,
or three c u t throats fit for any act of viol ence He

.
brought m e two and s aid he coul d an s wer for them

.
M y friend s s aid I by a fatal m i s chance I am

.
,
”
m arried to a m agician who firs t pres ented hers el f to m e

, ,
a s a s i mp l e and innocent creature Shortl y after o u r

,
wedding s h did indeed perfor m at m y e x pen s e two

.
or three of the trick s of her trade b u t a s thes e were

, , ,
;
of no great m alignity I pass ed the m over in s il ence
,
Afterward s s he pass ed to deed s of atrocity In order

.
,
that I might reign or rather in order that s h m ight

.
hers el fe x erci s e s overeign power s h s tifled the l ate king

,
, e ,
1 32
T h e S tory of P rinc e Barkiaro kh
and in her j eal ous y has jus t thrown the princess into
the s I am bo u nd to p u ni s h cri m e s s o e x ecrabl e the
, ,
ea
tro u bl e i s to find the m ean s She can dis appear at pl ea

.
su re and at pl easu re m ove abo u t fro m p l ace to pl ace

.
It wo ul d be us el e ss therefore to give her u p to p u blic

, .
justice Onl y by su rpri sing her asl eep can s be

, ,
h e
p u ni s hed as s h de s erve s
.
Sire interr u pted I have l ong been aware

.
1] O l g o ou ,
of the wickedne ss and hypocri sy of H m i if yo u

,
'
o a ou n a ;
s order we wi ll thi s very night enter fully ar m ed
o
into her chamber and ru n her throu gh and thro ugh

, , , , ,
before s h can wake to con s cio us ne ss

,
e
I a m perfect l y agreeab l e I rep l ied the act wi ll
.
“ “
1] ;
be an act of justice and not go u nrewarded
,
Thi s new cri m e of m ine wa s e x ec u ted to m y entire

.
,
1]
s ati sfaction The P eri woul d have died a thous and
death s if S he co ul d have died at all Her body was one
.
great wou nd when by the e x erci s e of her su pernatu ral

.
powers it di s appeared fro m before the eye s of her cru el

, ,
a ss ai l ants who by m y orders p u b li shed the cri m e s of

,
which I acc us ed her and the m agician s trick by which

, , ,
’
S he had elu ded the full p u ni s h m ent I m editated

,
The veneration in which I wa s he l d and the n um ber

.
1]
of m y witness e s caus ed the s e l ies to be generall y
,
believed M en pitied m e The parti s an s of the mu rd ered

,
king and of the drowned prince ss thanked m e for the

. .
justice I had wi shed to e x ec u te and su gge sted that I

,
s houl d forbid any of m y su bj ects on pain of death to

,
afford help or shelter to H m i O m s s f al one

, ,
’
o a ou n a r o ou
co ul d have thrown l ight on thi s m ystery of ini qu ity

.
, ,
;
b u t he wa s natu rally indol ent and no longer su pported
by h isfriend the d is sthat he caus ed m e b u t l ittl e
,
er v e, o
an x iety as a m atter of fact he gave m e no tro u bl e

;
whatever
,
N othing co ul d e qu a l m y j oy at the tho u ght that the

.
1]
P eri wo ul d now be full y occ u pied in getting heal ed of
her wo u nd s and mus t perforce l eave m e al one for s om e
,
1 33
ti m e I re s ol ved to take advantage of the s e m o m ent s
of respite and to drown in debau chery my too poignant
.
m e m orie s of G h idé The tran qu i l p l easu re s of the

,
a za
hare m were too in sipid for su ch a p u rpo s e M y ring

.
co ul d proc u re m e delights of a m ore p u ngent natu re

.
and witho u t the l o ss of my rep utation for s anctity I

,
i mparted m y de sign to O l g and he brought m e a li s t

.
o ou ,
of the m o st beau tiful wom en of B d k A m ong the s e er ou a
was the favo u rite of M h b d the E mir who had s

.
o a e o
u n s eas onabl y recogni s ed m e a s B ki kh at the very

,
ar ar o
m o m ent when I was abo u t to be m ade king u nder the

nam e of F k ar o u r ou z
It wa s with gen u ine de l ight that I began m y

.
1] d a v en
tu re s with thi s l ady In order to effect m y p u rpo s e I

s ent O l g at the point of day to the E m ir summ on
.
,
o ou ,
ing hi m at once to attend the Divan I entered her

, ,
apartm ent invi s ib ly at the s a m e ti m e as m y m e ss enger

.
and squ atted down in a corner There I l istened to t

, ,
good ol d m an s co mic co mpl aint s Must I l eave th e

.
L ight of my E ye s he s aid to hi s wife That foo l of a

.
,
k h who i s mu ch m ore fit to be a fi s herm an than

.
B ki
ar ar o
a king want s to m ake m en m ove abo u t by starl ight a s

,
he us ed to propel hi s boat hither and thither in the ol d

,
day s M oreover he has l o st two wive s and doe s not

wa t to take to hi ms elf any m ore and i s re s tl ess at
.
, ,
nights He doe s not bear in mind that h us band s m ore

,
fortu nate than hi ms elf do not l ike to ri s e s early in

.
the m orning
Ah ! s peak no evi l of that pio us m onarch cried a
.
s oft and s i l very voice he i s sgood and s o b fi ct

,
o en e en
tha t all the worl d sho uld l ove hi m G — don t keep hi m
,
’
o
waiting I Shall rem ain patiently in bed till yo u retu rn

.
1] The E m ir mu r mu red a few word s m ore m ade hi s

.
,
adieus and departed

1 ] Hi s back wa s no s ooner t u rned than the l ady cried
, .
o ut in indignant tone s Go odio us ol d bag of bone s

and m ay yo u never co m e back ! Al as ! why do I not
,
1 34
years m y fi tsof go u t becam e m ore frequ ent and the
hypocri s y which I contin u ed to practi s e becam e i
,
supportabl e O l g who had m ade hi ms elf m aster of

, ,
o ou ,
all m y s ecrets often j ou rneyed to divers parts of the

.
worl d to find for m e yo u ng beautie s who m he had

,
afterward s the m tificti of s eeing m e de s pi s e I did

,
or a on
nothing b u t talk to hi m abo u t G h idé who s e charms

.
a za
now that I was m ore than s atiated with chance am o u rs

, ,
assumed in m y m e m ory even brighter h u e s than before

,
At l ast the wretched sl ave wa s at hi s wit s end and knew

.
not what to do when an accident occ u rred very

,
u n ex
c that woke m e fro m m y l ethargy
, ,
p e t d l
ey
One day when I wa s giving a u dience to the peop l e
, .
1]
two wo m en veil ed pres ented the ms el ve s at the foot of
, ,
the throne d with ti m id and su ppl iant voice s be s o ught

, ,
an
m e to hear the m in private W itho u t knowing why I

, , ,
fel t m oved by their accents and had the m cond u cted

. ,
into m y hare m whither I s hortly followed W hat wa s

,
m y surpri s e on s eeing m y two si s ters — i l aw a s pretty

, .
n -
and a s fre s h as in the day s when they had first e x cited

,
m y ad miration W ive s of m y brothers I s aid h “ “

e
a ss red of m y good wi ll b u t l et us po stpone to

.
, ,
u -
s o m e futu re ti m e whatever communication yo u m ay

,
de s ire to m ake to m e In m y hare m p l easu re i s the

firs t b us ine ss of a ll and to that b usine ss every other
.
i s po stponed
,
I devoted therefore s o m e day s a ss id u o usl y to their

.
1]
entertain m ent Afterward s I rem inded the m that they
, ,
had s o m ething to s ay to m e
.
Oh ! we had forgotten o u r ol d h us band s cried the

.
you nger and no wonder s eeing what wretched crea

,
“
tu re s they are and how u tterly incapabl e of work or of

, ,
doing anything for us W have wandered from city to

, ,
city l iving by the alms of the faithful ever s ince the

day when O m s s f drove us fro m hi s door The faithful
, ,
r o ou
gave us bread b u t no co mfort The Afrite of the M iry

.
De s ert al one s ee m ed to enter into o ur tro u ble s ; b u t

, .
1 36
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Ba rkiaro kh
yo u r brothers were afraid to avai l thems el ve s of the
re medy he propo s ed
M y S i s ter l aw b lus hed a s s u ttered the s e word s
.
1] i -
n- h e
and was s il ent

,
C onc lu de s aid I s harp l y Yo u have e x cited m y

.
“ “
1]
c u rio s ity I des ire to know the whol e of thi s adventu re
.
,
. .
ST RY Y U R S I ST R W
’
O OF K
BA R K I AR O H S O NGE E -
IN LA
-
1]
“
W e ll yo u s ha ll know it s h re j oined b u t yo u e ;
“
will be even m ore frightened than yo u r brothers Thi s

, ,
it i s a good wo m an to whom we had tol d the story of

.
the l ittl e fi s h and of the m i s fort u ne s it had bro u ght

,
u pon us cam e one day in great haste to the hovel into

,
which we retired at night ti m e M y children s he s aid

, , ,
’
-
I have just been tol d s o m ething that may be of us e to

.
, ,
yo u and I have los t no ti m e in co ming to i mpart it

It isconfidently ass erted that at thirty m o untain s
.
,
’
di stance fro m here isto be fo u nd the M iry Des ert

inhabited by an Afrite who i s very obliging and never
,
refus e s advice or help provided only tha t the applicant

, ,
doe s not go co u nter to any of hi s singul ar fancie s and

, ,
a s yo u are good folk easy and obliging becaus e yo u are

poor yo u will dou btl ess be wel co m e Tru e the di stance
,
i s s om ewhat great b u t as yo u are always on the m ove

, .
,
begging hither and thither di s tance in you r cas e mus t

, , ,
be a slight m atter I think it wi ll be to you r advantage

,
to u ndertake the j o u rney and if you gain nothing why

.
;
yo u wi ll l o s e nothing s eeing that yo u have nothing to
, ,
l o s e Thi s conc lus ion was u nass ail abl e W thanked the
,
’
e
good ol d wo m an and in stantly st o u t

. .
We trave ll ed no great di s tance day by day o u r

.
,
“
1]
h us band s being feebl e and u nabl e to walk l ong at a
,
ti m e A sto my s i ster and m ys elf we were b u oyed u p

by the hope that the poor ol d things m ight recover their
.
,
yo u th and s trength and were a s light of foot a s two

doe s p u rsu ed by a h u nter N or Should we fail to acknow
,
1 37
l edge what we owe to the good Mussulm an s who inhabit
that great s tretch of co u ntry and all owed us to want
for nothing Tru e we never told the m the end and
,
obj ect of o u r pilgri m age for fear of s candal i s ing the m

.
,
—the Af it sbeing no friend s to the Ho ly P rophet in

,
r e
who s e nam e the alms were be stowed u pon us

At l a s t we reached the M iry De s ert B u t there o u r
.
1 ]
heart s fail ed ss o evi l and horrib l e wa s the p lace
.
Pictu re to yo u rs el f an i mm en s e tract of l and covered

.
,
with thick bl ack mu d— neither pathways nor tree s nor

any beas ts s ave certain s wine that wallowed in the fil th
, ,
and added to it s horror We perceived afar ff the

,
caverned rock the dwelling of the Afrite b u t we were

.
, ,
fearful of being s wall owed u p in the sl i m e or torn to

,
piece s by the porkers before we co ul d reach it A s to

,
the odio us bru te s we had no m ean s of attacking or

, .
repelling them and fro m their n um ber s it wa s evident

,
their m as ter greatly l iked their co m pany

,
L et us retrace o u r s tep s cried you r two brothers

.
1]
’
N othing can be m ore u nend u rabl e than thi s At the s e

.
,
word s my si s ter and I l o s t all patience We u pbraided

the m shotl y both for their wretchedne ss and o u r own
.
that after mu ch weeping they su ffered us to drag the m

, ,
into the sl ou gh Here we u phe ld the m a s be s t we co uld

, ,
notwith standing the diffic ulty we e xperienced in t i

.
,
ex r
cating o u rs el ve s The su n darted u pon us its fierce s t ray s

and thi s s ee m ed greatly to en liven the pigs which with
.
,
o u t appearing to notice us ind ulged at o u r side s in a

, ,
tho us and gam bols and t umbl ings sp l as hing us in su ch

,
a m anner a s to m ake us frightful and filthy to behol d

, ,
N everthel e ss what with s wi mm ing and wading and

.
falling and getting u p again we at l ast su cceeded in

, , ,
reaching the foot of the rock which was s itu ated in the
, ,
m id s t of the M iry De s ert and surro u nded by dry m o ss

,
—the l atter very co m forting

,
We fo u nd the Afrite s eated at the entrance of a

.
1]
S pacio us cavern and envel oped in a robe of tiger s kin s
, ,
1 38
the dirty waters su rro u nding us and the s e changed im
m ediately into a stream flowing with red wine who s e
,
sm ell wa s a del ight and al ong the stream grew fru it

,
tree s The swine had dis appeared In their stead an

,
i mm en s e n umber of gracious and graceful littl e chil dren

. .
pl ayed abo u t the s tream and pre s ented to sgreat u
vas e s of cry stal full of the s parkling wine which we

,
reli s hed with tran s port s of delight For a whol e hou r

,
we had only opened o u r lip s to drink when you r elder

.
brother qu ite hilario us cried Ah ! how happy yo u

,
‘
:
are m y L ord Afrite and how happy s houl d we be

, ,
in t urn if yo u wo ul d con s ent to keep us with yo u

, ,
here ! ’
1] P oor foo l rep l ied the Afrite poor foo

’
l who l ike
the re s t of m ankind do s t ju dge of happine ss by o u tward
, ,
appearance s See if I am happy Speaking th us he l ifted

,
’
u p h isrobe and we swthat hi s two l egs were fi x ed into

.
the gro u nd as far a s the knee s At thi s strange Spectacl e

,
terror and co m passion were depicted u pon o u r c t

.
,
ou n e
nance s He swit and re sum ed with a m ore tran qu i l

a
air Do not b too s orry for m e m y frie d s Tho gh

.
, ,
‘
: e n u
the Power who hold s m e ha lf b u ried here m ay cheat

, .
the eye s of thos e who co m e to vi s it m e by m aking that

,
appear a filthy sl o ugh which i s indeed a del ightful water

,
cou rs e yet he cannot prevent my ulti m ate deliverance

—which i s perhap s not far di stant However that m ay
,
be I cannot retain yo u here Go l eave m e with tho s e

.
fair chil dren whom yo u m i stook for swine and of whom

, .
,
very happily I have not been deprived ; b u t before we

, ,
s eparate l et m e tell yo u thi s the i mpru dent wi s h by

,
which yo u bro ught upon yo u rs el ve s age and it s i

,
fi m it i s
r can only ceas e to have effect with the death of
e
yo u r father It i s for yo u to con s id er how far yo u are

prepared to wait for that event— which in the ordinary
.
cou rs e of natu re m ay s till be far di s tant— to hasten

,
or
its approach A s for m I know very well that if I had a

,
e,
h u ndred fathers I S houl d not s pare a s ingl e one of them
.
1 40
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Bar kia ro kh
in order to p u t an end to m i s ery su ch as yo u rs and that
of you r am iabl e con s orts ’
By o u r con sternation by o u r s il ence the Afrite

.
perceived that h issu gge s tion failed to m eet with o u r

, ,
approval Thi s appeared to di s concert hi m and su dden ly

changing hi s m anner he s aid ru del y Go and pu rsu e
.
‘
:
yo ur reflection s els ewhere I am mi s taken in yo u

,
I thought we might m eet again to o u r co mm on

. .
advantage b u t yo u are no better than coward s Go

;
thi s m in ute I di spen s e with all cere mony and farewells
.
were too frightened to wait for a repetition of

. .
1] W e
thi s co mm and W ro s e witho u t s aying a word b u t e ;

O heaven s ! the beautiful s tream which it wo ul d have
.
,
been a j oy to travers e had beco m e once again a slo ugh

,
fo ul and infam o us And now o u r h us band s who were

, ,
even more indignant again st the Afrite than o u rs el ve s

.
,
s howed us the way They threw thems el ve s withou t

,
he sitation into the mu ck heap s and we foll owed dol e

.
,
fully The horribl e pass age proved far m ore diffic ul t

, ,
than before W were u p to o ur neck s in fi lth and the

.
s wine m ol es ted sin a tho us and ways Vainl y did we

.
,
sy one to another that we were wading in c l ear wine

.
and su rro u nded by pretty children The l ie was too

,
palpabl e
.
eary to death we e m erged at l a s t fro m the M iry

.
1] W
Des ert and reached dry land I mm ediatel y you r el der
,
brother cried Cu rs ed for ever be that chi l d of E bli s

.
,
who dared advi s e us to co mmit parricide ’
Cu r s ed s aid yo u r s econd brother be the infa m o us

.
1]
breath that u ttered the i mpious word s c u rs ed I sy be
.
,
he who spoke them c u rs ed fro m hi s pu rp l e l ock s to the

, ,
s ol e s of hi s feet—if indeed he has any feet a s he

,
pretended
, , ,
’
m y s i s ter be everything that be l ong s

.
1]
‘
or has belonged to that mon s ter s ave only hi s c l ear

, ,
wine and the good cl othes we are carrying away with

, ,
1 41
1] After the s e jus t i m precation s we s t down u nder a a
big tree to res t for the night which wa s approaching

,
with great s tride s O u r feebl e h us band s thorou gh l y

,
worn o ut sl ept profou ndly whil e m y S ister and I kept

.
,
awake con sul ting as to what was to be done In the

, ,
m orning I m ade the two ol d m en ac qu ainted with the

.
conclus ion s at which we had arrived Bel ieve m e ‘ ’
s aid I bani s h all fals e s ham e and the fears that have
.
,
hitherto prevented yo u fro m appealing to the King

, ,
yo u r brother B ki kh i s too good too full of piety

,
ar a ro
to b lus h at o u r poverty or to bear in m ind o u r ancient

.
, ,
qu arrels L et sgo and throw o u rs el ve s at h isfeet and

,
tell hi m all that has befall en us He will help us if on ly

.
,
to spite the Afrite for he ha s sufficiently proved by the

.
bani s h m ent of H m that he has no l ove for su ch

, ,
o a lo u n a ,
m ali gn s pirit s Thi s advice wa s approved of by yo u r

’
brothers W s et forth once m ore and after a long and

.
tiring j o u rney at l as t reached B d k —where o u r

.
, ,
er ou a
h us band s are awaiting yo u r rep ly

,
EN D OF TH E S T RY O OF BA R KI A R O KH S
’
YU O NGE R
SIS T E R -
I N L AW-
1] I had tre m b l ed with j oy on l earning in the co u r s e of

thi s narrative that I m ight hope one day to be de
,
l ivered fro m m y fatal gou t The m ea s by which the

,
happy ho u r co ul d be has tened had at firs t s o m ewhat

.
s tartl ed m e b u t m y heart in it s u tter depravity s oon

grew reconcil ed to the horrib l e thou ght The onl y
, , ,
qu es tion was how to co mm it su ch an odio us cri m e

.
withou t e x citing suspicion and to this point I had ;

addre ssed my thou ght s d u ring the l atter portion of m y
s i ster i l aw s s tory
-
n -
’
1 ] She had to l d it in su ch a way a s to m ake m e u nder

.
s tand even if I had not known it al ready what kind of

wo m an I was dealing with So when s h had done
, ,
speaking I s aid to her in a tone of contem pt Hence

.
,
‘
, , : ,
1 42
with them I caus ed their wretched h us band s to be
su rpri s ed at the very m o m ent when they had c sm
,
on u
m ated their abhorred mu rder Ol g to who m I had o ou ,
given orders to that effect had their head s c u t ff

.
on the S pot and brought their wive s to my hare m

,
I was alone with the two wretche s and cold ly l i stening

, .
to the recital of their acc urs ed cri m e when the P eri s

,
’
wand s tr u ck m e with su ch force that I fell down a s

,
if kill ed A m o m ent after I ro s e fro m the gro und in

an inconceivabl e fu ry and having s eiz ed m y two
.
acco m pl ice s I pierced the m through and thro ugh again

,
and again with my dagger and cas t their bodie s into

,
the s To thi s involu ntary act of justice su cceeded new

,
ea
tran sports of de s pair I yell ed i mprecation s again s t m y

.
s el f ti ll m y voice fail ed and I fell into a s woon

.
had s een a ll thro u gh the oor c u rtain s b u t

, , .
1] O l og ou d
had taken good care not to co m e near d u ring m y fren zy
,
He entered when he s aw the paro xy sm was over and

.
taking m e in hi s arms witho ut call ing for ass i stance

, ,
dre ss ed the wo u nd s I had infli cted on my s elf and

, ,
bro ught m e back to my s en s e s I asked him with a

,
feeb l e voice if there had been any dangero us witne ss e s

.
,
to the s cene jus t enacted He reassu red m e on thi s

,
point b u t wa s as terrified a s mys elf by thi s evidence

.
that the P eri had not forgotten m e We grew calm er by

,
degree s and determ ined by a condu ct above reproach

.
to keep c l ear of the fatal wand for the futu re

, , ,
fi s h m ight m ore ea s i l y l ive on the ape x of a rock

.
1] A
than a m an acc usto m ed to cri m e l ive a l ife of virtu e
V ainl y did the e u n u ch invent day by day new and
.
innocent amus e m ents —I was dying of rage and enn ui

Ah ! I wo ul d brave H m i I us ed to sy if
.
“ “
’
o a ou n a , a
only I were su re s h wo ul d not p u ni s h m e in p u b l ic

,
The convuls ion s of re m ors e that s h per s i s t s in inflicting

.
u pon m e wo ul d onl y take the pl ace of the attack s of

go ut fro m which I a m now del ivered— b u t I ri sk ll if a
ever s h e x po s e s m e p u b l ic l y in the eye s of m y su bj ect s

,
e .
1 44
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Bar kia ro kh
1] The s trictne ss I wa s co m pe ll ed to i m po s e u pon m y
own cond u ct m ade m e shard and hars h in m y dealings o
with others that I was on the point of bei g hated by

,
my peop l e as mu ch as I had form erl y been bel oved

when one day Ol g cam e to tell m e with an air of
,
'
o ou
tri umph that he had fou nd a s overeign re m edy for m y

, , ,
woes Yo u have do u btl e ss heard he contin u ed of

,
“
Babek H m i su rnam ed the I mpio us becaus e he b

. , ,
orr e e
d in no re l igion at all and preached a u niver s a l su b

, ,
liev e
s i cto enj oy m ent and to every conceivabl e kind

,
erv en e
of pl easu re Yo u know als o with what eas e he perverted

,
all P ers ia and the adj acent provinces and how being
.
followed by a prodigio us n umber of hi s adherents he

, ,
m ade head again s t the troop s s ent for hi s de stru ction by

,
the C al ifs M amo u n and M t s sm and how finall y he o a e
wa s captu red by the l atter through the treachery of a

, ,
dog the s of a dog Well thi s great m an has not alto

on
gether peri shed N d hisconfidant and mini s ter s

, .
,
a ou ur
vive s hi m He es caped fro m the pri s on s of Sam arah and

.
, ,
after wandering fro m l and to l and d uring s everal years

.
, ,
has at l ast co m e hither I m et hi m thi s morning in the

,
neighbo urhood of B d k and greeted hi m as he

, , .
er ou a,
des erve s He had been m y m as ter in old days s o I knew

hi m well and ventu red to ac qu aint hi m with yo u r
.
,
s orrows He pitied you and offers yo u hi s s ervice s Take

,
hi m as yo u r Grand Vi zier he isthe m an yo u want The

.
.
,
;
pres ent hol der ofthe offi ce isb u t a fool wh carrie s o u t to
.
the l etter su ch orders a s yo u m ay deign to give h im The

,
i ngenio us N d wi ll do mu ch m ore — h wi ll know how

.
a ou e
to pres erve yo u fro m H m s wand which he in no o a lo u n a

’
wi s e fears sfar as he hi ms elf i s concerned M eanwhi l e

,
d l itt l e by l itt l e he wi ll e s tab l i s h the H m it ics ect

.
,
an orr e
in Daghestan sthat if yo u s ho ul d throw ff the m a sk

,
o o
of piety which yo u have sfar assum ed you r su bj ect s

,
will be rather rej oiced than s candal i s ed

, ,
I eager l y s ei z ed u pon thi s hope I s w and

.
1] N d a a ou
m ade no do u bt that with h isgift s of s ed u ction he

.
,
, ,
K 1 45
wo ul d s oon rel ieve m e fro m all an x iety We conferred
together s everal ti m e s At l as t we s ettl ed the day on
.
which I s ho ul d in full divan decl are hi m m y Grand

.
V i z ier I wa s th us h u rrying to m y r u in witho u t a

, ,
tho ught that to es tab l i s h i mpiety in my s tate s wo ul d

. ,
be the m o st u npardonabl e of m y cri m e s In a very few

m o m ent s I was to perceive m y error b u t too l ate
.
d c l othed in m agnificent attire wa s at m y right

, .
N aou ;
I pointed hi m o ut with my hand to the e m irs and
, ,
g andee s of the kingdo m who waited res pectfully t

,
r o
hear my co mm and s Here s aid I i s the m an of

,
“ “
who m I m ake choice to help m e in governing yo u and

.
, ,
m aking yo u happy I wa s abo u t to enl arge on the

,
s co u ndrel s i m aginary good qu al itie s when the fatal

.
wand witho u t s triking m e to the earth or trou bl ing m e

,
in its acc us tom ed m anner co mpell ed m e to change m y

, ,
tone He i s I contin u ed with the e x ception of

,
“ “
:
m ys elf the m o st infam o us of m en he i s the i mpio us

, ,
friend and di s cipl e of the i mp ure Babek H m i ; he

, ,
orre
ha s u ndertaken to corrupt yo u all to m ake y abandon ou
the religion of M ahom et and to ad opt in stead the

,
wor s hip of u nbrid l ed enj oym ent and i ll icit pl easu re he

,
i s well worthy to be the vi zier of a m on ster who ha s

mu rdered yo u r king so u traged yo ur princess that she
,
was forced to throw hers el f into the deep caus ed the

,
P eri who protected hi m to be pierced with a tho us and

,
wo u nd s taken advantage of all yo u r wive s and finally

i mpell ed h isbrothers to ass ass inate hi s and their father
, ,
Here i s the ring that ha s favou red my cri m e s It i s thi s

.
ring that m ade m e invi s ibl e when yo u the I m an of t h

.
Great M o squ e s aid d ti gly to y ou r wife that s h wa s

,
oa n e
a l ittl e m o us e who m the Ange l Gabriel had l et fall int

,
the room of the prophet it i s thi s ring that enab l ed m e ;

to li s ten whi l e yo u M h b d on being summ oned to o a e
the Divan s aid I wa s m ore fit to be a fi s herm an than a
, ,
king b u t I forgave yo u becaus e I in stantly took yo u r

,
;
pl ace in you r harem A power su pernatu ral irres i stibl e
,
.
, , ,
1 46
a prey for the evi l beasts of the fore st if even th y do e
not di s dain to devo u r thee ! Oh H m i well art
,
’
o a ou n a ,
tho u avenged tri umph in my m i s erie s I am not worthy

,
to e x cite thy pity

1] I had jus t done u ttering the s e word s when tho us and s
of raven s and crows began croaking fro m the top s of the
tree s and what they croaked was R epent repent :
Ah cried I i s there s ti ll roo m for repentance

.
, ,
“
1]
Ye s I m y dare to hope s and will do penance
,
a o, re
ig d ly I s ha ll wait for the ret u rn of day l ight in the

,
S ne
p l ace where I now am and then s etting forth once

.
m ore will m ake haste to l eave Daghe stan Fortu natel y

, ,
the precio us s tone s are s till in m y po ss e ss ion I will s ell

.
,
them and di strib ute the m oney as alms among the poor
.
Then I wi ll retire into s o m e de s ert and brows e on the

.
,
grass of the fiel d and drink the water of heaven I have

,
been the abo m inab l e king foretol d in the parch m ent

.
,
b u t I m ay yet beco m e a holy herm it

,
”
A m id the s e good re s o lu tion s which s o m ewhat qu ieted

.
1]
m y spirit— and being m oreover over whelm ed with
,
fatigu e—I fell asl eep on m y co u ch of briars and thorn s

, ,
and S l ept a s profo u ndl y a s if I had l ain on a divan with

,
vel vet c us hions The s was al ready u p when l am enta un
tions proceeding fro m no great di stance awoke m e with a

.
s tart A s oft and chi ldi s h voice wa s crying Oh L eil ah

, ,
u nhappy L eil ah s hal t tho u l eave thy m other s body to

.
, ,
’
the v ul tu re s or s halt tho u s till contin u e to drive the m

,
away notwith standing the h u nger pinching thee s o s ore

,
Al as m y death i s su re if I re m ain here The s e raveno us

,
bird s will devo u r us all and m y m other wi ll never be

.
b uried according to her pass ionate wi s h in the s am e

,
earth a s her father who was mu rdered sinh um anly

, ,
Oh why i s C al il i dead als o He wo ul d have helped m e

.
,
to hono ur the l as t wi s he s of hi s dear prince ss B ki kh ar a ro
cr el B ki kh I wi ll not c u rs e thee for tho u art m y

.
,
u ar a ro
father and G h id é forbade it b u t I c u rs e the day

,
a za
that I owe to thee

, ,
”
.
1 48
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e Ba rkiaro kh
1] S u rpri s ed and u tter l y bewi l dered by su ch an a m a z ing
adventu re I wa s on the point of u ttering a piercing cry
in ans wer to my daughter s compl aints b u t I refrained
,
’
s o as not to frighten her perhap s to death and rem e m

,
bering that I was invi s ibl e I advanced witho u t noi s e

, ,
to the place where s h s ti ll s obbed o u t her heart A

, , ,
pali s ade bri stl ing with spike s as s harp a s j avelin s barred
.
m y way I l ooked through and s aw the innocent L eil ah

, ,
l ying on the grass before a l ittl e hous e m ade of palm

.
,
branche s intertwined in reed s Her lovel y eye s were

tu rned toward s the gate of the pali s ade thou gh tho s e
.
;
eye s were tear bedi mm ed they s eem ed to s hoot at m e
'
their full ray s and tho s e rays pierced m y heart— heart

,
which they reached indeed throu gh acc usto med ways

,
for their light was the s am e a s G h id eye s had s

,
a za e 5 o
often darted u pon m e I was carried back to the fatal

m o m ent when m y prince ss caus ed her tent to be st
.
u p over the spot where the dwarf firs t swm y precious a
s tone s L ei l ah wa s of abou t the s am e age as her m other

at that ti m e —her featu re s her hair her figu re her
.
entrancing beau ty all were al ike Startl ed be side mys elf

, , ,
I did not know what to do Cl early it wa s i mperative

, .
, ,
that I shoul d hide m y nam e b u t su ppo sing anyone had

.
given m y daughter a faithful de s cription of m y pers on

how wo ul d it then be po ss ibl e to e s cape recognition
,
Still s om ething had to be done I coul d not leave the

l ovel y chil d withou t help I rem oved the ring therefore
.
fro m my l ittl e finger and knocking at the gate of the

.
, ,
pali s ade s aid with a l am entab l e voice W ho s oever

,
“
:
yo u m ay be that inhabit thi s dwelling of cane s and palm

,
l eave s I pray yo u to afford yo u r ho s pital ity to a poor

wretch who m the i mpio us B ki kh h sred u ced to
,
ar aro a
u tter m i s ery
N ow A ll ah and hi s prophet b prai s ed for the he l p
.
1] e
they have s ent m e cried L eil ah ri sing hastily and
l eaping at one bou nd to the gate of the pal i s ade which
, , ,
s h opened C o m e contin u ed s he dear s tranger

,
“
e .
, , ,
1 49
who m B ki kh pers ec u te s yo u wi ll here behol d other
ar a ro
victi ms of hi s cru elty and help m e to b u ry m y m other

and her dwarf s that the v ultu re s m ay not devo u r
,
the m
,
”
A s s s aid the s e word s s invited m e to enter

.
1] h e h e
1] C on s idering how contrite I had been onl y a few ho u r s

.
before who wo uld not have thought that the s ight of

h id é s body even m ore e ffective than the P eri s
,
G
’ ’
a za
wand wo ul d overwhelm m e with re m ors e B u t ah !

,
the horribl e effect of habitu al ind ulgence in cri m e ! I

, ,
e x perienced at that terrib l e m o m ent nothing b u t wil d

u ngovernabl e pass ion and vowed that m y daughter m y
, , ,
own daughter s ho uld ere l ong beco m e m y prey I call ed

, ,
on E bli s to give m e su cce ss in thi s my S ini ster de sign

,
and i mm ediatel y s et to work to carry o u t L ei lah s fi lial ’
wi s h with regard to the interm ent of her m other s body ’
s o a s th us to gain her confidence and ulti m atel y bring

,
her into my arms

,
1 ] I d u g a l arge pit in which we depo s ited the corp s e

of G h idé and that of the dwarf— who m in m y
a za ou
in mo s t heart I s howered a tho us and c u rs e s Then

, ,
taking L ei lah by the hand I s aid Dry yo u r tears

, .
,
L et m e l ead yo u to s o m e place where we can obtain the

, .
a ss i stance of which yo u stand s greatly in need o
kh s wickedne ss ha s driven m e o u t into thi s

.
’
B ki
ar a ro
fore st I fancied I swa l ong way ff s o m e peas ant s a o

’
cottage s l et us go in that direction Yo u have done yo u r

.
, ,
d u ty to yo u r m other It isnow tim e to think of yo u r

.
s el f
.
I wi ll fo ll ow yo u anywhere s he rep l ied for su re l y

.
1]
Heaven ha s s ent yo u to be my protector Be a father to
,
m e s ince m y own father i s a m onster who m both yo u

.
and I have every reas on to detes t

, ,
”
1] L ei l ah had m ore co u rage than s trength She co ul d

.
s carcel y s tand I took her in m y arms and bore the

.
l ovel y b u rden thro ugh the fore s t— not withou t tre m bl ing
.
,
l e st I s ho ul d m eet s o m eone who knew m e for I dared ,
1 50
T h e E pi s od e s Of Vat h e k
1] The nece ss ary preparation s for o u r j o u rney to the
M iry De s ert re qu ired ti m e I had no des ire to rem ain
whol e m onth s on the way l ike m y brothers and m y
.
s i ster s i l aw One quiet evening after a very s tor m y

,
-
n -
day I a sked L eil ah to tell m e her m other s s tory

.
,
’
;
which s i mm ediately did with ready su b m i ss ion
,
h e
That s tory I al ready knew onl y too well u p to the ti m e

, .
when I thought G h id é had thrown hers el f into the a za
s and I paid l ittl e heed to what L ei l ah wa s s aying

ea ,
till S he reached thi s point
,
ST R Y L I AH AU HT R ’
TH E O K K OF E L , BA R I AR O H S D G E
M y m other only recovered fro m the s woon s of

which the u nworthy B ki kh took su ch infam o us ar ar o
advantage to abandon hers elf to the m o s t terrib l e ~
de s pair N either her sl ave s nor even the good H

,
co ul d co mfort her She pined away vi s ibl y

.
,
m i
'
a oun a ,
and must ere l ong have died b ut one night when s he

.
,
had ri s en fro m her co u ch and wa s a s usu al weeping

, , , ,
over the acc u rs ed carb u nc l e s heard thro u gh the

, , ,
h e
windo wthe voice of C alil i s aying Open to m e dear

, ,
m i stre ss open to m e I have ri sked all to s ave yo u

, ,
’
And indeed the faithful dwarf had at the peri l of hi s

.
,
1]
life cl i mbed a gigantic fig tree which ri s ing fro m the
,
,
border of the s covered with it sbranche s the walls of

, , ,
ea ,
hid é scha m ber By the he l p of a s i l ken l adder

’
G a za
which he attached to thi s tree m y m other e s caped with

.
,
great co u rage after l eaving on the dai s a writing

, ,
intended to throw B ki kh ff the s cent The dwarf

,
ar aro o
aft er detaching the ladder sl id down and m ade the

.
,
prince ss enter into a l ittl e boat—b y which he hi ms elf

, ,
had co m e to the pl ace— and then for he rowed qu ite s a
well a s he s wa m he h ugged the shore and ul tim ately

,
reached the fore st and the dwelling in which yo u

, ,
fo u nd m e That dwell ing bel o ged to a holy wom an

,
call ed K i who had retired thither to pray and

.
a ou n ,
1 52
T h e S tory o f P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
m editate She had given s hel ter to C al i l i and hearing
fro m hi m of B ki kh scri m e s and the s orrow s of
.
, ,
’
ar a ro
h id é had not he s itated to s econd that z eal o us

,
G a za
s ervant in hi s enterpri s e The poor prince ss wa s re

,
ci d with mu ch re s pect and kindne ss by thi s pio us

.
e ve
recl s e s o that s he never ceas ed to thank heaven for

u
the refuge s had fo nd and when C al il i wi shed

,
h e u ;
afterward s to pers ade her to qu it Daghe stan s he u
refus ed to l i sten to hi s advice prote sting that s h wo ul d

,
end her day s with K i and be b u ried in the earth of

,
a ou n
the s am e l and that hel d the bone s of her father A

,
k h m ade no atte m pt to find the fu gitive the

.
B kiar ar o
dwarf becam e m ore eas y in hi s mind and m y m other

,
;
wa s beginning to find co mfort and peace when a new
m i sfortu ne befell her s h fo u nd h wa s with chi l d
,
: e S e
Oh heaven s ! s aid s he mus t I bear a chil d to that

.
’ ‘
dete s tabl e m on s ter ! Ah m ay it not be l ike hi m

, ,
’
1] It wa s then with tear s and ang u i s h in the m o s t

.
m ortal an x iety that at l ast s he brought m e into the

, ,
worl d I did not want either for care or good in stru ction
, , ,
d u ring my infancy— m y m other K i C al ili all had

.
, ,
a ou n ,
no tho ught b u t for m e I was grateful and su b m i ssive

, ,
and I m ay sy happier than I s hall ever be again

.
,
I s om eti me s went to the neighbou ring town with the

.
, ,
charitabl e K i She had bo ught a suppl y of s andal

a ou n
wood with which we m ade little bo x e s very neat that

.
we s ol d at con s iderabl e profit It was not nece ss ary to

, , ,
enj oin s il ence u pon m e with regard to the pl ace of o u r

.
retreat for my m other had told m e her s tory and

;
I feared even m ore than s h did to fa ll into the hand s
.
,
of B ki kh who m I hated with all m y s oul

ar a ro
So the year s pa ss ed p l ea s ant l y and peacefull y

.
,
1] W e
regarded the s avage spot in which Heaven had pl aced s

.
a s a real paradi s e when su ddenly the hand of pro

,
;
i d cthat sfar had been o u r s tay cea s ed to give us
, ,
v en e, o
its su pport M y m other fell s ick of a sl ow fever and we

,
were greatly al arm ed C alil i and I never left her for a

.
,
1 53
s ingl e m o m ent K i alone went to th e town to a ou n
p u rchas e su ch nece ss arie s a s we re qu ired She al way s

.
re mained away a s s hort a ti m e a s po ss ibl e b u t at l ast

.
a day cam e when s h went and never ret u rned We

,
pa ss ed the ne x t two days in an inde s cribab l e torm ent

.
of an x iety At l as t C al i li s eeing that hi s dear m i s tre ss

wa s getting wors e for want of the nece ss ary food and
.
,
co mforts res ol ed to brave all chance of di s covery He

v
repeated witho u t ceas ing I a m the caus e of all that

, .
has happened it i s all d u e to m y idiotic ad miration for

,
the acc u rs ed j ewels of the thrice acc urs ed B ki kh ;

,
-
ar a ro
it i s for m e to do whatever can be done to re m edy the

irre m ediabl e ’
M y m other suffered hi m to depart o ut of pity

.
for m e B ut s eeing that he did not retu rn any m ore

than K i and fearing that he had been recogni s ed
.
, ,
a oun
and delivered over to B ki kh s h l o s t a ll h ope and

,
ar a ro e
had not the co u rage to su gge s t any re m edy to o u r

, ,
des perate circ umstance s Indeed we had nothing l eft

for o u r su pport s ave the water of t h e ci stern and
.
s h her s e l f wa s far too weak to go o u t s ide o u r retreat

,
even had I dared to l et her do s o I already fel t the

,
pangs of h u nger m o s t poignantly and thou gh I took

.
great pain s to hide thi s fro m G hidé s he perceived

,
a za
m y agonie s all too s oon and they added terrib ly to her

,
own di stre ss She was dying l ike a l am p in which the

,
oil ise xha us ted I swit I m o u rned by her s ide in

.
s i l ence She l o s t con s cio us ne ss to m y ine xpre ss ibl e

. .
angu i s h and then co m ing to hers el f again took m e in

.
,
her arms and s aid Daughter m o s t bel oved and m o s t

, , ,
:
u nfortu nate I reco mm end thy innocence to the pro
, , ,
t c of Allah M ay he keep thee fro m falling into

,
e tion
the hand s of B ki kh nay take thy life with m ine

.
ar a ro
if su ch be hi s wi ll N ever c u rs e thy father b u t flee

, , ,
;
fro m hi m a s tho u wo ul d s t flee fro m the fiery m o uth of
.
a dragon ! If tho u do s t su rvive m e if C al ili does not

retu rn depart hence s eek o u t s o m e charitabl e pers on
,
, ;
1 54
At l as t yo u cam e to s ave m e Yo u helped m e to b u ry
m y dear m other and her faithful dwarf W hat a debt of
.
gratitu de i s mine B ut gratitu de i s not the on ly feeling

.
I entertain for yo u Yo u in spire in m e an affection akin

to that I fel t for G hidé I S ho ul d be happy with yo u
.
a za
anywhere provided yo u were s afe fro m the pu rsu it of

.
kh who a s yo u te ll m e i s ever on the watch to

,
B ki
ar aro
take yo ur l ife L et us m ake haste therefore to go to the

, , ,
friend of who m yo u have spoken and who a s yo u hope

.
, ,
will be abl e to S how us the way to s o m e pl ace of retreat

, , ,
where the nam e of that cr u e l prince i s detes ted N o

fatigu e s dau nt m e I a m far m ore afraid for yo u than for
.
my s el f And be assu red that I s hall be gu i lty of no indi s

,
cretion I was not my s elf when in the fore st I u ttered

.
thos e com pl aints which might have caus ed m e to fall into

.
, ,
the hand s of B ki kh Fortu nately they were po u red

ar a ro
into the ears of hi s enemy— hi s enemy who i s for ever to

.
be the friend of the u nhappy L eil ah

L L A H S ST RY
’
EN D OF EI O
1] A narrative s to u ching s hooul d have c u t m e to the

heart a confidence sm i s p l aced s ho ul d have brou ght a
; o
b lus h to m y cheek s B u t borne away a s I wa s by an m u
bridl ed pass ion nothing gave m e paus e I had been mu ch

.
m ore attentive to the s i mpl icity and grace with which

, .
L ei l ah e x press ed hers elf than to the h wi g s cene s orr o n
sh had p l aced before m y eye s In her innocence s

,
e h e
m i sunderstood the caus e of m y agitation She thanked

.
m e for the intere st I had s hown in her m other s m i s

.
fort ne s and in her own and retu rned to her apart m ent
u
calling down bl e ssings u pon m y head B u t it wa s not

, , ,
k h that s h m eant to b l e ss nor did any b l e ss ing

.
B ki
ar a ro e
co m e to hi m On the contrary the m o m ent was i mm inent
,
which wo ul d s hi m for ever accu rs ed

.
,
ee
At l a s t we s tarted for the M iry De s ert — m dau ghter

.
1] y
and I in a pal an qu in the two wo m en Sl ave s on a cam el, ,
1 56
T h e S tory o f P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
and twel ve e u nu ch s on hors eback a s an e s cort O u r
j ou rney l asted only three week s b u t the s e s ee m ed as
, .
;
l ong sthree centu rie s becaus e ofthe war I had to wage
a
continu ally between my cri minal de s ires and my fear

,
of the fatal wand I l eft L eil ah with the two wom en

,
and the twel ve e u n u ch s in a caravan s erai at a l ittl e di s

.
,
tance fro m the M iry Des ert— which I wsin a h urry to

,
reach The sl ough the s wine nothing stopped m e I

cam e in a few m om ents to the Afrite who m I fo u nd a s
. , , .
I had been tol d s eated at the entrance of hi s cave He

, ,
inc lined hi s head with civi l ity and asked m e what I

, .
wanted So I tol d hi m my s tory withou t the l east di s

, ,
gui s e and finall y be s ought hi m to Show m e the way

.
,
to s o m e p l ace whither the P eri wo ul d be u nab l e to

,
foll ow m e
The Afrite in s tead ofrep l ying c l apped hi s hand s with
.
1]
d cried in a voice that m ade the very rock s
, , ,
an
trem b l e N ow E bli s be prai s ed Here i s a m an who i s
,
m ore vil e and wicked than I

1] The co m p l i m ent wa s s carce l y flattering N everthe l e ss I
sm il ed and asked the Afrite to e xp l ain hi ms elf
.
,
Be it known to yo u s aid he that yo u r redo u btab l e

.
,
”
1]
father i l aw As f d m d who i s a s full of s tor ms a s
, ,
-
n -
en ar o
the winter m onth to which he ha s given h isnam e con

, ,
d m e abo u t forty year s ago to re m ain here with

,
d m
e ne
m y l egs b u ried and fi x ed in the gro u nd s aying He

, , ,
‘
al one who s e cri me s su rpass thine own s hall have power

, ,
to deliver thee I have waited l ong I have been ’
prodigal of evi l and pernicio us advice to all who cam e to

.
con sult m e b u t in vain I wa s Speaking to littl e m en

;
to m en altogether devoid of res olution The glory of
, ,
being m y l iberator was re s erved to thee O u nconqu er

.
abl e B ki kh ! and tho u s halt have thy reward I

,
ar ar o ;
will convey thee and thy dau ghter to the P al ace of
S u bterranean Fire where are gathered together all
, ,
the riche s of Sol ei m an and the Preadam ite Kings

,
and into that pl ace H m i can never enter R ely o

’
a oun a .
1 57
T h e E pi s od e s o f Vat h ek
u pon m y word and l ean both thy hand s pon m y u
knee s
,
N o l e ss p l ea s ed than the Afrite hi ms e l f I m ade ha s te

.
1]
to do a s he wi shed and i mm ediately hi s l ong l egs beca m e
,
dis engaged fro m the earth He ros e and walked thrice

,
ro u nd the rock crying with all h ism ight L et all here

.
,
retu rn to it s acc usto m ed order At thes e word s a pal ace

,
adorned with a h u ndred s hining c upol as took the pl ace

,
of the rock the qu agmire becam e a cl ear and rapid

,
;
s tream and the su r o u nding de s ert a garden s tretching r
to the hori z on The chi l dren e m erged fro m the s wine

,
and re sum ed their native beau ty and grace They all

.
,
flocked rou nd m e and after care ss ing m e in a tho us and

.
way s l ed m e to the bath There I wa s ru bbed and per

, ,
fum ed by powerful e u nu ch s who afterward s cl othed m e

.
,
in rich garm ent s and l ed m e back to the Afrite

,
He wa s waiting for m e in a pavi l ion where u nder a

, .
1]
dai s ornam ented with pricel e ss pearls a spl endid ban qu et
, ,
awaited us I am no l onger red u ced to cl ear thin wine

,
and fru it for my s ol e sus tenance s aid he I a m going

.
, ,
”
to feed thee right well B u t contin u ed he tho u do s t

, ,
” “
not s ee m happy Ha Ha I had forgotten N othing

.
, ,
pl eas e s u nl e ss thy dau ghter i s near Go and fetch her

. .
Indeed it i s nece ss ary that s he sho uld grow acc usto m ed

. .
to the s ight of m e other wi s e s he might not con s ent to

travel in my arms to the su bterranean palace —and that
,
pal ace none enter s s ave volu ntaril y She wi ll pl ay with

m y chi l dren whil e we are at tab l e ; and when night
.
co m e s we wi ll s tart for I s
,
”
t kh a ar
I m ade s hort work of ret u rning to the caravan s erai

.
,
1]
thro ugh all ey s now s trewn with flowers and s oon cam e
back again with L ei lah who opened l arge and aston
,
is h d eye s at the s ight of a ll that su rro u nded her

,
1] W here are we s aid s h at l a s t I thi s the dwe ll

.
? e S
ing yo u r friend has cho s en for us

.
”
?
1] N o no I rep l ied It i s not here here we s ho ul d ;

ha e no peace for the pl ace i s known to B ki kh
, , .
v , ar a ro .
1 58
j o u rney far a s i s the di stance wi ll s oon be aeco m
s
, ,
”
p l i h d
e
obeyed L ei l ah tre m b l ed s o m ewhat b u t I

.
1] W e ;
u phel d and reassu red her p utting one of m y arms
.
ro u nd her sl ender wai s t

,
The night wa s s dark that we co ul d di s ting u i s h

.
1] o
nothing in the va s t s pace s through which we flew I

was all the m ore s tru ck by the vivid l ight e m anating
.
fro m the su bterranean vault on who s e brink the Afrite

depo sited us crying Oh oh ! the vault has opened :
of its elf ! Do u btl e ss they e xpected yo u down bel ow

, ,
and knew who m they are abo u t to receive

,
Scarce l y did I give any heed to thi s e x c l m ation

.
1] a
which o u ght to have m ade m e he s itate for I was too
,
occ upied in e x a mining the m agnificent flight of s tairs

,
that s wept do wnward s before m y eye s It was very eas y

of de s cent b u t there wa s a l ong s pace between the
.
pl ane on which we s tood and the fi s t of the step s To

,
help L eil ah I s prang down to thi s firs t s tep and hel d

.
o u t m y arms into which s h wa s abo u t to s pring when

, ,
the wicked Afrite call ed o ut l aughing Good bye

, ,
: -
kh I s ha ll co m e s hort l y to in qu ire how yo u

, ,
B ki
ar a ro
fare in yo u r new abode with yo u r too cred ulo us

.
dau ghter !
,
”
1] At the s e m a l icio us word s L ei l ah u ttered a great c y r
and threw hers e lf backward s o su ddenly that it wa s

, ,
i mpo ssibl e for m e to catch ho l d of her I tried to l eap

u p again b u t an invi s ibl e hand hel d m e down par ly s ed
.
and m otionl e ss At the s a m e m o m ent I heard my s el f

, ,
call ed by a voice fro m the u pper air a voice I knew

.
only too well I rais ed m y head and swH m

,
a o a i ou n a ,
gl orio us t s d and s eated on a lum ino us c l o u d

.
fig ra n ure
Wretched s he s aid tho u ha s t

.
, ,
“
1] B ki kh ar a ro ;
nothing more to fear fro m the W and of R emors e
,
In stead of profiting by it s s troke s tho u hast s ought to

.
evade them Henceforward the rod that wi ll beat u pon

,
thy heart i s the rod of De spair and thy heart hardened

.
, ,
1 60
T h e S t o ry of P rinc e Bar kiaro kh
a s it i s wi ll be broken and crus hed thro ugho u t every
m om ent of a frightful eternity I have done all that
,
was po ss ibl e to s ave thee fro m the aby ss into which

.
thou has t now fallen Thy cri me s have m erited their

p uni s h m ent only too fully b u t Heaven woul d not
.
;
suffer thy innocent chi l d to foll ow thee in thy fall E ven
if the Afrite had not treated thee as the wicked alway s
.
treat one another the s am e Power that now ho ld s thee

back paraly s ed wo ul d have prevented L eil ah fro m
,
following thy downward path I bear away with m e

, ,
that dear chil d sworthy of a different father I shall

.
p l ace her on the throne f Daghe stan where with the

.
,
'
aid and co u n s els of the pio us K i s h wi ll ca us e the

, ,
a ou n e
horrors of thy reign to be forgotten Then I S hall my s el f

,
retu rn to my own happy l and I am recall ed thither by

.
my father who con s ider s that by the i lls suffered at thy

.
hand I have fulfill ed the m easure of my own p u ni s h

,
m ent He all ows m e henceforward to dwell with m y

s i ster G ig l I am abo ut in that l oved companion
.
an u
s hip to forget the intere st I took in the h um an race

.
,
and to l eave all to the care of A llah who suffer s indeed

, ,
the ephe meral pro sperity of the wicked b u t chasti s e s

,
thos e who m He regard s as worthy of hi s ultim ate

,
forgivene ss
Having s poken the s e word s the P eri ca m e down to
.
1]
the earth gathered u p L eil ah in her arms and di s
,
appeared
, ,
I u ttered a fearful ye ll when I s w m y prey th us

.
1] a
s natched away fro m m e and word s of horribl e ;

bla sphemy were s till upon my l ip s when I wa s h u rl ed
down into the crowd of the dam ned with who m I am
—
de stined like you rs el ve s O my wretched companion s
to be wh irled abo u t for ever bearing in my heart th
, , ,
e
fearful furnace of flame which I have my s elf prepared
,
an d ignited .
1 61
TH E STO R Y OF TH E P R I NC E SS Z U L KA I S
A N D TH E PR I NC E KA L I L A R
Y father lord can s carcel y be u nknown
to yo u inasmu ch as the C alif M otas
, ,
sm had entr usted to hi s care the

,
fertil e province of M a sre N or wo ul d

he have been u nworthy of hi s e x al ted
.
pos ition if in V iew of m an s ignorance ’
and weakne ss an inordinate de s ire t

,
control the fu tu re were not to be

,
ao
co nted u npardonabl e error

u an
1] The E m ir Abo u Taher Ach m ed however for su ch

.
—
wa s my father s nam e—wa s very far fro m recog i s ing
,
’
n
thi s truth Only too often did he s eek to fore s tall P rovi
dence and to direct the cou rs e of events in de spite of
.
the decree s of Heaven Ah ! terribl e indeed are thos e

,
decree s Sooner or l ater their accomp l i sh m ent i s su re

.
V ain ly do we s eek to ppo s e the m

O
1] D u ring a l ong co u r s e of year s everything flo u ri s hed

u nder m y father s rul e and am ong the E m irs who have
,
’
su cce ssfully ad m ini stered that beau tiful province Abo u

,
Taher Ach m ed will not be forgotten Foll owing hi s

,
s pec ul ative bent he enl i sted the s ervice s of certain e x

.
c Nu bian s born near the s o u rce s of the N i l e

,
p i
er e n ed
who had s tu died the stream thro u gho u t it s co u rs e and
, ,
knew all its characteri stic s and the propertie s of it s

,
water s and with their aid he carried o u t hi s i mpious

,
;
de s ign of regul ating the overflow of the river Th us he
, ,
covered the cou ntry with a too luxu riant vegetation

.
which l eft it afterward s e x hausted The peopl e alway s

sl ave s to o utward appearance s appl au ded hi s enterpri s e s
.
,
worked indefatigab l y at the u nnumbered canals with

, ,
which he inters ected the l and and b linded by hi s sc , , u
1 65
ce ss e s pass ed l ightl y over any u nfortu nate ci c um r
s tance s acco mpanying the m I f o u t of every ten s hip s

,
that he s ent forth to traffic according to hi s fancy a

.
,
singl e s hip cam e back rich l y freighted after a su cce ssful

, ,
voyage the wreck of the other nine was co u nted for

,
nothing M oreover as owing to hi s care a d V igil ance

,
co mm erce pro spered u nder hi s rul e he was hi ms elf de

.
, , ,
ci d a s to hi s l o ss e s and took to hi ms el f all the gl ory

,
e ve
of hi s gain s
,
Soon Abo u Taher Ach m ed ca m e to be convinced that

.
1]
if he co ul d recover the arts and s cience s of the ancient
E gyptians hi s power wo ul d be u nbo u nded He believed
that in the re m ote age s of anti qu ity m en had appropri
.
,
ated to their own us e s o m e ray s of the divine wi s do m

, ,
and th us been enab l ed to work m arvels and he did not

,
de spair of bringing back once again that glorio us ti m e

,
For thi s p u rpo s e he caus ed s earch to be m ade a m ong

.
the r u in s abo u nding in the co u ntry for the my s terio us

,
tab l et s which according to the report of the Sage s who

,
s war m ed in hi s co u rt wo ul d S how how the art s and

,
s cience s in qu e s tion were to be c qu ired and als o i

,
a n
dic the m ean s of di s covering hidden trea su re s and

,
a et
su bd u ing the Intelligences by wh ic h t h strea su re s are
,
~
o e
gu arded N ever before hi s ti m e had any Mussulm an

p uzzl ed hi s brains over hierogl yphic s N OW however
.
s earch was m ade on hi s behalf for h ieroglyphic s of

.
, ,
every kind in all qu arters in the re mote s t province s

, , ,
the s trange s y mbols being faithfully copied on l inen

, , ,
cl oth s I have s een the s e cloth s a tho us and ti m es

s tretched o u t on the roofs of o u r pal ace N o co ul d bee s
.
,
be m ore b us y and ass id u ous abo u t a bed of flowers than

.
were the Sage s abou t the s e painted s heets B ut a s each

Sage entertained a different opinion a s to the m eaning
.
,
of what was there depicted argum ents were frequ ent

and qu arrels en su ed N ot onl y did the Sage s s pend the ,
,
ho u rs of daylight in pro s ec uting their re s earche s b u t

.
the m oon often S hed its beams u pon the m whil e s o

,
1 66
than all you r a strol ogers for it i s I who have di s covered
thi s l ovely s tar B u t do not i m agine that s i s yet
,
h e
within yo u r reach ; her father the holy and venerabl e

.
I m an Ab d d wi ll never con s ent to m ake yo u

,
zen ero u
happy in the po ss ess ion of her charms u nl e ss yo u perform

,
yo u r ablution s with greater regul arity and give the g o
by to Sage s and their hieroglyphic s

,
M y father witho u t rep l ying to Shaban ran to s natch

.
1]
away the vei l that hid the co untenance of G h l di
, ,
u en
Begum —for su ch was the nam e of A b d d s ze n er o u

’
dau ghter and he did s with su ch Viol ence that he

-
o
nearly crus hed two peacock s and overtu rned s everal

baskets of flowers To thi s su dden heat su cceeded a kind
,
of ec static stupor At l as t he cried How beau tiful s he

.
i s how divine ! Go fetch at once the I m an of S s sf

.
ou ou
—l et the n u ptial cha m ber be got ready and ll nece ss ary
, ,
prep r tion s for o u r m arriage be co mpl ete within one

,
a a
hou r ! ”
1] B t l ord s aid Shaban in cons

u ternation yo u have
forgotten that G h l di B gum cannot m arry yo u with
, , , ,
u en e
o ut the con s ent f her father who m ake s it a condition

o
that yo u s houl d abandon

,
1] W
“
hat non s en s e are yo u ta l king interr u pted the ?
vizier Do yo u think I am foo l eno ugh not to prefer

“
thi s yo ung virgin fre s h a s the dew of the m orning to

.
cartl oad s of hieroglyphic s m oul dy and of the col o u r of

, ,
dead as he s A s to Ab d d go and fetch hi m if

,
? zen er o u
yo u l ike—b u t quickl y for I S hall certainl y not wait a

,
m o m ent l onger than I pl ea s e

,
Ha sten Shaban s aid G h l di Begum m ode stly

.
u en
hasten ; yo u s that I am not here in cas e to m ake

, , ,
ee
any very effectu al re s i s tance ”
s m y fa ul t mum b l ed the e u n u ch a s he departed

.
1]
’
I t
b u t I s hall do what I can to rectify m y error
, , ,
”
1] Accordingl y he flew to find Ab d B u t that

.
d zen er ou
faithful s ervant of A ll ah had gone fro m hom e very early

.
in the m orning and s o ught the open fiel d s in order to

,
1 68
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc es s Z u lka is
p ursu e hi s pio us inve stigation s into the growth of pl ant s
and the l ife of in s ect s A death l ike pall or overs pread -
hi s co u ntenance when he s aw Shaban s wooping u pon

.
hi m l ike a raven of evi l o m en and heard hi m tell in

broken accents how the E m ir had pro mi s ed nothing
, ,
and how he hi ms elf might well arrive too l ate to e x act

, ,
the pious condition s he had s o deep ly pondered N ever

th l s sthe I m an did not l o s e co u rage and reached m y
.
e e
father s palace in a very few m o m ents b u t u nfortu nately

, ,
’
;
he was by thi s tim e s o o u t of breath that he s ank on to
a s ofa and re m ained for over an ho u r panting and
s pe e chl e ss
,
hi l e a ll the e u n u ch s were doing their be s t to revive

.
1] W
the hol y m an Shaban had qu ickly gone u p to the
apartm ent ass igned to Abo u Taher Ach med s p l easure s
,
’
b u t hi s z eal suffered s o m e di min u tion when he swthe a
door gu arded by two bl ack e u n u ch s who brandi s hing

their s abre s inform ed hi m that if he ventu red to take
, ,
one m ore step forward hishead wo ul d roll at hi s own

,
feet Therefore had he nothing better to do than to

,
retu rn to Ab d d who s e ga spings he regarded

.
zen ero u
with wil d and tro u bl ed eye s l am enting the whil e over hi s

,
own i mpru dence in bringing G h l di Begum within

,
u en
the E m ir s power ’
1] N otwith s tanding the care m y father wa s taking for

.
the entertain m ent of the new sultana he had heard

s o m ething of the di sp u te between the bl ack e u nu ch s
,
and Shaban and had a fair notion of what was going on

A s s oon therefore as he ju dged it convenient he cam e
, .
to find A b d d in the Hall of Golden Trelli s e s

, , ,
z en er o u
and pre s enting G h l di Begum to the holy m an

,
u en
a ssu red hi m that whil e awaiting hi s arrival he the

E mir had m ade her hi s wife , , ,
the s e word s the I m an u ttered a l a m entab l e and

, .
1] A t
piercing cry which rel ieved the pre ssu re on hi s che s t ;
,
and rolling hi s eye s in a fearful m anner he s aid to the

,
new sultana W retched wo m an dos t tho u not know

, ,
1 69
T h e E pi s o d e s of Vat h ek
that ra s h and i ll con sidered acts l ead ever to a -
m i s erabl e end Thy father wo ul d have m ade thy l ot

?
s ec u re ; b u t tho u ha s t not awaited the re sul t of hi s

e fforts or rather it i s Heaven its elf that m ock s all h um an
previ sion s I a sk nothing m ore of the E mir l et hi m deal
,
with thee and with hi s hieroglyphic s a s he dee ms be s t !

.
I fores ee u ntold evi ls in the f tu re b u t I S hall not be

, ,
u ;
there to witne ss the m R ejoice for a whil e into x icated
with thy pl ea su re s A s for m e I call to m y aid the Ange l
.
,
of Death and hope within three days to re st in peace

.
,
in the bo s o m of o u r great Prophet

, , ,
1] After s aying t h e s e word s he ro s e to hi s feet tottering

Hi s dau ghter s trove in vain to hol d hi m back He tore
.
, ,
hi s robe fro m her tre mb ling hand s She fell fainting to

.
the gro u nd and whil e the di s tracted E mir wa s s triving

.
to bring her back to her s en s e s the ob s tinate Ab

,
z en
d went m ttering fro m the roo m

,
dero u u
At fir s t it wa s tho u ght that the ho l y m an wo ul d not

.
1]
keep hi s vow qu ite l iterally and woul d suffer hi ms elf to
be co mforted b u t su ch was not the ca s e On reaching
,
hi s own ho us e he began by s topping hi s ears with cotton

.
wool sas not to hear the c l am o u r and adju ration s of

,
h is friend s ; and then having s eated hi ms el f on the

,
m ats in hi s ce ll with hi s l egs cro ss ed and hi s head in

,
hi s hand s he rem ained in that po st u re s peech l e ss and

, ,
taking no food and finall y at the end of three day s

, ,
;
e x pired according to hi s prayer He wa s b u ried m g ifi
, ,
a n
ct ly and d u ring the ob s e qu ie s Shaban did t fai l to

.
en no
m anife s t hi s grief by sl as hing hi s own fle s h witho u t

,
m ercy and s oaking the earth with l ittl e riv ul et s of h is

b l ood after which having ca us ed balm to be appl ied
,
;
to hi s wou nd s he retu rned to the d u tie s of hi s office
,
M eanwhi l e the E m ir had no sm a ll diffic ul ty in s s

.
,
1] g a ua
ing the de spair of G h l di Begum and often c u rs ed

,
u en
the hierogl yphic s which had been it s firs t effi cient caus e
,
At l as t hi s attention s to u ched the heart of the sultana

.
She regained her ordinary e qu abi l ity of s pirits and

.
1 70
u nti m el y end A tho us and ti m e s s h wo uld interru pt e
the choir of s ingers crying Fate ha s decreed m y

.
“
:
r u in ! Heaven will not vo u ch s afe m e a s and m y
,
on
h us band will bani s h m e fro m hi s sight The torm ent

,
of her mind inten s ified the pain and di s co mfort attendant

on her condition M y father thereu pon wa s s greatly o
pertu rbed that for the firs t ti m e in hi s l ife he m ade

.
, ,
appeal to Heaven and ordered prayers to be offered u p

, ,
in every m o squ e N or did he o m it the giving of alms

,
for b caus ed it to be p u b lic ly anno u nced that all beggars

.
,
were to ass e m b l e in the l arge s t co u rt of the pal ace and

wo ul d there be s erved with rice each according to hi s
,
individ u al appetite There foll owed su ch a crus h every

,
m orning at the pal ace gates that the incom ers were nearl y
.
suffocated M endicants s warm ed in from all part s by

l and and by the river W hol e vill age s wo ul d co m e
.
,
down the s tream on rafts And the appetite s of all were

.
,
enorm o us for the b u il di gs which my father had

.
; n
erected hi s co s tl y p u rsu it of hieroglyphic s and the

m aintenance of hi s Sages had caus ed s o m e s carcity
, ,
thro ugho u t the l and

,
A m ong tho s e who ca m e fro m a very far di s tance wa s

.
1]
a m an of an e xtre m e age and great s ingul arity by nam e
Abo u G b d ll G h m the hermit of the Great
, ,
a o e ue a an ,
Sandy De s ert He wa s eight feet high s o ill propor

d and of a l eanne ss se x tre m e that he l ooked l ike
. ,
tion e o
a s kel eton and hideo us to behol d N everthel e ss thi s

, ,
lu gu brio us and forbidding piece of h um an m echani sm

,
.
,
en s hrined the m o s t benevol ent and religio us s pirit in

the u nivers e W ith a voice of th u nder he procl ai m ed the
will of the P rophet and s aid openly it wsa pity that
.
a prince who di strib uted rice to the poor and in su ch

,
great profusion sho ul d be a determined l over of hiero

,
c
s P eop l e crowded ro u nd hi m — the I m an s
,
l
g yp h i
the Mullah s the M i sdid nothing b u t s ing hi s
. ,
u ez n
prai s e s Hi s feet tho ugh ingrained with the s and of

, ,
hi s native de s ert were freely ki ss ed N ay the very

.
,
, .
,
1 72
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e ss Z u lka is
grain s of the s and fro m hi s feet were gathered u p and
treasu red in caskets of amber
,
One day he proc l ai m ed the tr u th and the horror of

.
1]
the s cience s of evi l in a voice sl ou d and re s onant that o
the great s tandard s st before the pal ace tre mbl ed The
,
terribl e s o u nd penetrated into the interior of the hare m

.
The wo men and the e u n u ch s fainted away in the Hall

.
of the Gol den T llissthe dancers stood with one foot

re e
arres ted in the air the mumm ers had not the co u rage to
;
p ursu e their antic s the mus ician s suffered their i s t n ru
m ent s to fall to the gro und and G h l di Begum u en
thought to die of fright a s h l ay on her dai s S e
Abo u Taher Ach m ed s tood a s to u nded Hi s con s cience

.
1]
sm ote hi m for hi s idol atro us proc l ivitie s and d uring a
.
few rem ors eful m o m ents he thought that the Avenging

,
Ange l had co m e to tu rn h im into stone— and not hi ms elf

onl y b u t the peopl e co mmitted to hi s charge
fter s tanding for s o m e ti m e u pright with ar ms
.
1] A
u pl ifted in the Gall ery of the Dai s es he called Shaban
, ,
to hi m and s aid Th su n ha s not lo s t its brightne ss

, ,
the N il e flows peacefull y in its bed what m ean s then

, ,
thi s supernatu ral cry that h sjus t res ou nded thro ugh
,
m y pal ace ?
1]
“
L ord an s wered”
the pio us e u n u ch thi s voice i s “
the voice of Tru th and it i s spoken to yo u thro ugh the

, ,
m ou th of the venerabl e Abo u G b d ll G h m the

,
a o e ue a an
Hermit of the Sandy De s ert the m o st faithful the mo st

,
z eal o us of the s ervants of the P rophet who has in

, ,
nine days j o u rneyed three h u ndred l eagu e s to m ake

, , ,
proof of yo ur ho spitality and to impart to yo u the know

,
l edge with which he i s in spired Do not negl ect the

,
teachings of a m an who in wi s do m in piety and in

.
statu re surpass e s the m o s t enl ightened the m o s t devo u t

, ,
and the mo s t gigantic of the inhabitant s of the earth

, , ,
All you r peopl e are in an ec sta s y Trade i s at a s tand

.
s till The inhabitant s f the city hasten to hear hi m

.
negl ecting their wonted ass em blie s in the p u blic garden s

.
,
1 73
The storytell ers are witho u t hearers at the m argin s of
the p u bl ic fo u ntain s J s s f hi ms el f wa s not wi s er than
u ou
he and had no greater kno wl edge of the futu re

.
At the s e l a s t word s the m ir wa s su dden l y sm itten

, .
1] E
with the de s ire of consulting Abo u G b d ll with
,
a o e
regard to hi s fa mily affairs and partic ul arl y with regard

to the great proj ect s he entertained for the fu tu re
,
advantage of hi s on s who were not yet born He dee m ed

hims elf happy in being th us abl e to con sul t a living
, .
prophet for sfar it was o ly in the form of mumm ie s

; o n
that he had been brou ght into rel ation with the s e
, ,
in s pired pers onage s He re s ol ved therefore to summ on

into hi s pre s ence nay into hi s very harem the e xtra
.
, ,
ordinary being now i qu e stion Would not the Pharaoh s

, , ,
have sdealt with the necro m ancers of their ti m e and

.
was not he determined in all circ umstance s to fo ll ow

,
the Pharaoh s e x amp l e He therefore gracio usl y directed

, ,
’
?
Shaban to go and fetch the hol y m an

Shaban tran s ported with j oy ha s tened to co m
.
1]
ic t thi s invitation to the her m it who however
, ,
m un a e
did not appear to be as mu ch charm ed by the summ on s

, , ,
a s were the peopl e t l arge Thes e l atter fi lled the air

a
with their accl am ation s whil e Abo u G b d ll stood

.
a o e
s ti ll with hi s hand s c l asped and hi s eye s u plifted to

,
heaven in a p ph tictrance Fro m ti m e to tim e he

, ,
rO e
u ttered the deepe st s igh s and after rem aining l ong

.
,
rapt in holy conte m pl ation s ho u ted o u t in hi s voice

, ,
ofth u nder All ah s will be done I a m b u t hi s creatu re

, ,
’
:
E u n u ch I a m ready to fo ll ow thee B u t l et the door s

.
of the pal ace be broken down It i s not m eet for the

.
,
s ervant s of the M o st High to bend their head s

.
The peop l e needed no s econd co mm and They a ll s

.
1] t e
hand s to the work with a will and in an in s tant the

.
gateway a piece of the m o s t ad mirabl e workm ans hip

,
wa s u tterly ru ined
, ,
1] At the s o u nd of the breaking in of the d oor s piercing

.
crie s aro s e within the hare m Abo u Taher Ach med began
,
1 74
s kirt of hi s garm ent l ed hi m with mu ch cere m ony to
the dai s of the gall ery which looked o u t u pon the N i le
, , ,
Basin s of cm fi tsand orthodo x l i qu ors were at once

.
s erved b u t tho u gh Abo u G b d ll G h m s eem ed a o e ue a an
to be dying of h u nger he refus ed to partake of the s e

refres h ments s aying that for ninety years he had dru nk
,
nothing b u t the dew of heaven and eaten only the

,
l oc us ts of the de s ert The E m ir who regarded thi s

,
dietary as conform abl e to what might properly be

.
,
e xpected of a prophet did not pre ss hi m fu rther bu t at

once entered into the qu es tion he had at heart s aying
, ,
how mu ch it grieved hi m to be witho u t an heir m al e

,
notwith standing all the prayers offered u p to that effect

,
and the flattering hope s which the I m an s had given

,
hi m B u t now he contin u ed I a m assu red that thi s

”
happine ss wi ll at l a s t be m ine The Sage s the m ediciners

.
, ,
predict it and m y own ob s ervation s confirm their

.
, ,
progno s tication s It i s not therefore for the p u rpo s e

,
of con sul ting yo u with regard to the fu tu re that I have

.
, ,
caus ed yo u to be summ oned It i s for the p u rpos e of

obtaining yo u r ad ice u pon the ed u cation I s ho ul d give
.
to the s on whos e birth I a m e x pecting— rather to the or
two s on s for witho u t do u bt heaven in recognition of

m y alms wi ll accord to the S ultana G h l di Begum a
, , , ,
u en
do u b l e m easu re of ferti lity s eeing that s h i s twice

,
a s l arge a s wo m en usu ally are on su ch occas ion s

,
itho u t an s wering a word the her m it m o u rnful y

.
1] W l
S hook hi s head three ti m e s
,
M y father great l y a s toni s hed a s ked if hi s anticipated

.
1]
good fortune wa s in any wi s e di s pl eas ing to the hol y
, ,
m an
Ah too b l ind prince rep l ied the her m it u ttering
.
1] !
a caverno us s igh that s ee m ed to i ssu e fro m the grave
, ,
its elf why i mportu ne heaven with ras h prayers

“ ?
R e s pect it s decree s ! It kno w s what i s bes t for all m en

,
better than they do the ms el ve s W be to you and oe
woe be to the s who m yo u will do u btl e ss co mpel

. ,
on
1 76
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e ss Z u lka is
to follow in the pervers e way s of yo u r own beliefs
in stead of su b mitting hi ms elf h um bly to the gu idance
,
of Providence If the great of thi s worl d could onl y

fores ee all the m i s fortu ne s they bring u pon thems el ve s
.
they wo uld tre m bl e in the mid s t of their splendou r

,
P haraoh recogni s ed thi s tr u th b u t too l ate He p u r

.
su ed the children f M o uss a in de spite of the divine

, .
decree s and died the death of the wicked What can

alms avai l when the heart i s in rebellion In stead of
, .
as king the P rophet for an heir to be l ed by yo u into

the path s of de stru ction tho s e who have yo u r welfare at
,
heart s houl d i mpl ore hi m to ca us e G h l di Begum to

,
u en
die—ye s to die before s h bring s into the worl d pre e
sum ptu o us creatu res who m yo u r cond u ct wi ll pre

, ,
c ipit t into the aby ss ! Once again I ca ll u pon yo u to

,
a e
su b m it If A ll ah s angel threaten s to c ut s hor t the day s

’
of the sultana do not m ake appeal to yo u r m agician s

.
to ward ff the fat al b low l et it fall l et her die !

,
o :
Tre mbl e not with wrath E mir harden not you r heart !
,
;
once again call to mind the fate of Pharaoh and the
,
waters th at swallowed hi m u p
1] C a ll the m to m ind yo u r s e l f ! cried m y father
foaming with rage and springing fro m the dai s to ru n
,
to the help of the sultana who having heard all had

,
fainted away behind the c urtain s R e m em ber that the

, , ,
N il e flows beneath the s e windows and that tho u has t

.
well de s erved that thy odious carcass s ho ul d be h u rl ed

,
into it s waters
1] I fear not cried the ”
gigantic her m it in t u rn the ;
prophet of All ah fears naught b ut hi ms el f and he
,
”
ro s e on the tip s of hi s toe s and to u ched with hi s hand s

,
the su pports of the dom e of the apartm ent

,
Ha ha tho u feare s t nothing cried a ll the wo m en

.
1]
and eu n u ch s i ssu ing l ike tigers o u t of their den A
,
“
o
c u rs ed ass ass in tho u hast just brou ght o u r beloved

, .
m i stre ss to death s door and yet feare st nothing ! Go

,
’
d beco m e food for the m on s ter s of the river !

, ,
”
an
M 1 77
Screaming o u t the s e word s they threw the ms el ve s all
at once on Abo u G b d ll G h m bore hi m down
,
a o e ue a an
s trangl ed hi m witho u t pity and cas t hi s body thro ugh

, , .
a dark grating into the N i l e which there lo s t its elf

,
ob s c u rel y am ong piers of iron

,
The E m ir a s toni s hed by an act at once s su dden and

.
1] o
satrocio us re m ained with hi s eye s fi x ed on the waters

,
b u t the body did not again co m e to the su rface and

,
;
Shaban who now appeared upon the s cene bewi ldered
hi m with hi s crie s At l ast he tu rned to l ook u pon the
, ,
perpetrators of the cri m e b ut they had s cattered in

.
;
every direction and hidden behind the c u tain s of the r
gallery each avoiding the other they were over

,
;
whelm ed with the tho u ght of what they had done
,
who had on l y co m e to her s e l f in ti m e

.
1] G h
u enl d i
to witne ss thi s s cene of horror wsnow in m ortal
,
angu i s h Her convuls ion s her agoni s ing crie s drew the
,
E mir to her s ide He bedewed her hand with tears She

.
, ,
opened her eye s wi ld ly and cried O A ll ah ! A ll ah !

. .
p ut an end to a wretched creatu re who has al ready lived

,
only too l ong s ince s he ha s been the ca us e of sterribl e o

an o utrage and suffer not that s h s ho ul d bring into the
,
worl d Stop s top interrupted the E mir holding

,
her hand s which s h wa s abo u t to t u rn again s t her s elf

, , ,
tho u s halt not die and m y chil dren s hall yet l ive
,
to give the l ie to that de m ented s kel eton worthy onl y

,
of conte mpt L et m y Sage s be summoned in stantly

,
L et the m us e all their art to keep thy s o ul fro m flitting

. .
hence and to s ave fro m harm the fru it of thy body

The Sage s were convened according l y They de m anded
.
1]
that one of the co u rt s in the pal ace s ho ul d be pl aced
.
ent irely at their dispo s al and there began their peration s O
kind li ng a fire who s e light penetrated into the gallery

, ,
The sultana ro s e fro m her co u ch notwith standing ll

.
the e fforts m ade to re s train her and ran to the bal cony
,
overlooking the N il e The V iew fro m thence wslonel y

,
and drear N ot a S ingl e boat showed u pon the su rface

.
1 78
fu rrow of blu e ligh t which had not yet faded fro m the
s ky She rai s ed her ar ms and pointing o u t to the E m ir
~
with her finger that dread portent was s eized with the
.
, ,
pain s of chi ldbirth and in the paro xy sm of an u n speak

,
abl e angu i s h bro ught into the world a s and a

, ,
on
daughter the two wretched beings yo u s ee before yo u

,
h ere
The E m r j oy in the po ss e ss ion of a m a l e chi l d wa s
.
1] i 5
greatly das hed when he swmy mother die before hi s a
eyes Notwith standing hi s e x cess ive grief however he

did not l o s e hi s head and at once handed us over to the
.
, ,
care of hi s Sage s The n urs e s who had been engaged in

,
great n umber wi s hed to ppo s e thi s arrangem ent b u t

.
,
O ;
the ancient m en all mu tter ng incantat on s s i multane
,
i i
sly co m pell ed the m to s i l ence The cabal i s tic l aver s

,
ou
in which we were to be i mm ers ed s tood all ready

, .
prepared ; the m i xtu re of herb s e x haled a vapo u r that

fill ed the whol e p l cS h b who s e very s to m ach a a e
’
a an
wa s tu rned by the u n speakabl e odo u r of the s e infernal

,
drugs had all the tro u bl e in the worl d to re strai n
hi ms elf fro m summoning the I m an s and doctors of the

,
l win order to oppo s e the i m pio us rite s now in con

,
W o ul d to heaven he had had the co u rage

,
t m pl t i
e a on
to do s iAh how terribl e has been the infl u ence u pon

.
us of the pernicio us i mm ers ion s to which we were then

.
,
su bj ected ! In s hort l ord we were p lu nged both

su cce ss ivel y and together into a hell broth which wa s
, , ,
intended to i mpart to us a s trength and intelligence

,
m ore than h um an b ut has onl y in sti ll ed into ou r vein s

the ardent el i x ir of a too e xqu i site s en s ibility and the
,
poi s on of an in s atiabl e de s ire

,
1] It wa s to the s o u nd of bra z en wand s beating again s t

.
the m etal s ide s of the l avers it was in the m id s t of thick

fum es I ssu ng from heap s of b u rning herb s that I nvoca
,
tion s were addre ss ed to the J I nn s and s pecially to tho s e

,
who pres ide over the pyramid s I n order that we might

be endowed with m arvello us gifts After thi s we were
,
1 80
del ivered over to the n u rs e s who s carcely co ul d hol d us
in their arms su ch wso u r livel iness and vivacity The
,
good wo m en s hed tears when they swhow o u r you ng

, .
b lood boil ed within us and strove in vain to cool its

efferve s cence and to calm us by cl ean sing ou r bodie s
,
fro m the reeking m e ss with which they were s till

,
covered b ut al as ! the har m wsal ready done ! Nay if a
even as s om eti m es happened in after days we wi shed to

, ,
fall into the ordinary way s of chil dhood my father who

, ,
wa s determined at all hazard s to po ss e ss chi ldren of an

, ,
e xtraordinary nature would bri sk us u p with heating

, ,
drugs and the m ilk of negress e s

,
th us beca m e u nend u rab l y head s trong and m ett l e

.
1] W e
s om e At the age of s even we co ul d not bear contra

diction At the slighte s t re straint we uttered crie s of
.
,
rage and bit tho s e who had sin charge till the blood
.
,
flowed Shaban cam e in for a l arge share of o u r attention s

,
in thi s kind sighing over showever in s i lence for

.
; u
the E mir only regarded o u r spitefulne ss as giving

, , ,
evidence of a geni us e qu al to that of S id and aur
Ch b é Ah ! how l itt l e did anyone sus pect the rea l

a ro
caus e of o u r frowardne ss ! Tho s e who look too long

.
into the light are s oone s t afflicted with bl indness M y

father had not yet rem arked that we were never
.
arrogant and overbearing toward s one another that

each was ready to yiel d to the other s wi s he s that
,
’
K lil h m y brother wsnever at peace s ave in m y

,
a a a
arms and that as for m e my only happine ss l ay in

, ,
overwhelming hi m with caress e s

, , ,
to thi s ti m e we had in a ll thing s been ed u cated

.
1] pU
together the s am e book was alway s pl aced before the
,
:
eye s of both each turned over the l eave s alternately
Thou gh my brother was su bj ected to a cou rs e of stu dy
, .
rigoro us and above hi s years I in s i sted on s haring it

with hi m Abo u Taher Ach m ed who cared for nothing
, ,
s ave the aggrandi s e m ent of hi s s on ga e direction s

.
,
that in thi s I Sho ul d be h umou red becaus e he sw

,
, a
1 81
that hi s s woul d onl y fully e x ert hi ms elf when at
on
m y s ide
We were ta ght not on l y the hi s tory of the m o s t
.
1] u
re mote age s of antiqu ity b u t als o the geography of

di stant l and s The Sage s never ceas ed to indoctrinate us
,
with the ab str us e and ideal m oral code which as they

.
pretended lu rked hidden in the hieroglyphic s They

, ,
fi ll ed o u r ears with a m agnificent verbiage abo u t wi s do m

, .
and foreknowl edge and the trea su re ho us e s of the P har

hs who m s o m eti m e s they co mpared to ant s and s o m e
,
ao
ti me s to el ephants They in spired us with a m o st ardent

, ,
c u rio s ity a s to tho s e mo u ntain s of hewn stone beneath

.
which the E gyptian kings l ie s ep ul chred They co m

us to l earn by heart the l ong cata l og u e of archi
.
p e ll ed
te ts and m as on s who had l abou red at the b u ilding of
e
the m They m ade us cal c ul ate the qu antity of provi sion s

that wo ul d be requ ired by the workm en e mpl oyed and
.
how m any thread s went to every ell of s il k with which

,
S ultan S id had covered hi s pyramid Together with

aur
all thi s r u bbi s h the s e m o s t weariful ol d dotard s b

.
wi ldered o u r brain s with a piti l e ss gramm ar of the

,
l ang u age s poken of ol d by the prie sts in their sb t u er
r an e a n l abyrinth s
The chi l di s h ga m e s in which we were a ll owed to
.
1]
ind ulge d u ring o u r pl ayti m e had no charms for us
u nl e ss we pl ayed the m al one together The princess e s
, ,
o u r s i sters wearied us to death Vainly did they e m

.
,
broider for m y brother the m o s t S pl endid ve sts K lil h

.
,
a a
di sdained their gifts and wo ul d only con s ent to bind hi s

l ovely hair with the muslin that had floated over the
,
breas t of hi s bel oved Z lk isSo m eti m e s they invited u a

’
us to V is it the m in the twel ve pavi l ion s which m y father

.
no l onger hoping to have that n um ber of s on s had

,
—
abandoned to their s erecting another and of greater
,
u e
m agnificence for m y brother and for mys el f Thi s

,
l atter b u il ding crowned by five do m e s and situ ated in

.
, ,
a thick grove was every night the s cene of the m o s t

, ,
, , ,
1 82
hors e trainers training the hors e s which are to bear yo u
-
into battl e Mus t the s as it ri s e s nd s ets s you

? un , a ee
only bl oo m and fade like a weak narci ssus flower

,
V ain l y do the Sages try to m ove yo u by the m o s t el o

qu ent di s co u rs e s and u nvei l before you r eye s the l earned
m ys terie s of an ol der ti m e vainl y do t hey te ll yo u of
,
;
warl ike and m agnani mo us deed s Yo u are now nearly
thi teen and never have yo u evinced the sm all es t m
.
r a
bitiou to di stingui s h you rs el f a m ong yo u r fellow m en

,
It i s not in the lu rki ng hau nt s of effe minacy that great

.
characters are form ed it i s not by reading l ove poe ms

that m en are m ade fit to govern nation s Prince s mus t
act they mus t s how thems el ve s to the world Awake !
;
C eas e to abus e m y patience which has too l ong all owed
.
yo u to was te yo u r ho urs by the s ide of Z lk s u ai
L et her tender creatu re that s he i s contin u e to pl ay

.
a m ong her flowers b u t do yo u ceas e to hau nt her

, ,
co mpany fro m dawn till eve I s well eno ugh that it

,
ee
i s s he who i s perverting yo u
.
Having s poken the s e word s which he e m pha s i s ed by

.
1]
angry and threatening ge stu re s Abo u Taher Ach m ed
,
took my brother by the arm and l eft m e in a very abyss

,
of bitterne ss An icy n um bne ss overcam e m e Thou gh

,
the su n s till S hed it s full e s t ray s u pon the water I fel t

. .
a s if it had di s appe red bel ow the horiz on Stretched at

,
l ength u pon the grou nd I did nothing b u t ki ss the

.
s pray s of orange flower that K lil h had gathered M y

,
a a
s ight fell u pon the drawings he had traced and m y tears

.
fell in greater ab u ndance Al as s aid I all i s over

,
O u r bl i ss ful mo ments will retu rn no m ore W h y acc us e

.
.
,
m e of perverting K lil h What harm can I do hi m

.
a a ? 2
How can o u r happine ss offend my father If it was a ?
cri m e to be happy the Sage s wo ul d su rely have given

us w m g
,
a rn
1 ] My n u rs e Sh m l h fo u nd m e in thi s condition of
.
a e a
l ang uor and dej ection To di ssipate m y grief s h im e
m ediatel y l ed m e to the grove where the yo ung girls of

.
_
1 84
T h e S tory o f P rinc es s Z u lkais
the hare m were pl aying at hide and s eek amid the - -
golden aviarie s of which the p l ace wa s full I derived

s o m e l ittl e s ol ace fro m the s on g of the bird s and the
.
murmu r of the rill ets of cl e r water that trickl ed ro u nd

,
a
the root s of the tree s b u t when the ho u r cam e at which
K lil h wa s wont to appear the s e s o u nd s did b u t add
,
a a
to my sufferings
noticed the heaving s of m y brea s t s drew
.
1] S h
a m l h e a h e
m e as ide p l aced her hand upon m y heart and ob s erved

m e attenti ely I b lus hed I turned pal e and that very
, ,
v
vi s ib ly I s very well s aid s that it i s you r
.
, ,
“ “
ee h e,
brother s abs ence that su p s ets yo u Thi s i s the fru it of

.
,
’
o
the s trange ed u cation to which yo u have been su bj ected

.
The ho ly reading of the Koran the d u e ob s ervance of

.
the Prophet s l aw s confidence in the known m ercie s of

,
’
A llah the s e are sm ilk to coo l the fever heat of h um an

,
pass ion Yo u k ow not the s oft delight of lifting u p

,
yo u r s o ul to heaven and su b m itting witho u t a mu rmu r

.
to it s decree s The E mir al as woul d fore stall the

,
fu tu re whi l e on the contrary the futu re s hould be

.
,
;
pa ssively awaited Dry you r tears perchance K lil h i s
, ,
a a
not u nhappy tho ugh di stant fro m yo u r s ide

.
,
Ah I cried interr u pting her with a s ini s ter l ook

.
”
1] !
if I were not fully convinced that he i s u nhappy I
, ,
s houl d mys elf be far m ore mi s erabl e

,
tre m b l ed at hearing m e s peak th us She

.
1] S h
a m l h e a
cried W o ul d to heaven that they had l i stened to m y

.
yo u over to the capric

advice and the advice of Shaban and in stead of handing
io s teaching of the Sage s had
, ,
l eft you l ike tru e bel ievers at peace in the arms of

,
a bli ssful and qu iet ignorance The ardo ur of yo u r

, ,
feelings al arms m e in the very highe s t degree N ay it

.
e x cite s my indignation Be m ore calm abandon you r

.
,
;
s o ul to the innocent p l ea su re s that su rrou nd yo u and
.
do swithou t tro u bl ing you rs elf whether K lil h s hare s

,
o a a
in tho s e pl easu re s or not Hi s s ism ade for toi l and ex
m anl y hard s hip How s ho ul d yo u be ab l e to foll ow hi m

.
1 85
in the chas e to hand l e a bow and to dart reed s in the
Arab gam e He must l ook for com panion s m anly and
, ,
worthy of hi ms el f and ceas e to fritter away hi s bes t

days here at yo u r s ide amid bowers and aviarie s
,
”
Thi s s er m on far fro m prod u cing it s de s ired e ect

.
1] f
f
m ade m e al together bes ide m ys elf I tre m bl ed with rage
, ,
and ri s ing to my feet l ike one bereft of reas on I rent

. ,
m y vei l into ten tho us and piece s and tearing m y

, ,
brea s t cried with a l o u d voice that my n u rs e h d mi s

, ,
hand l ed m e
,
The ga m e s cea s ed E veryone crowded abo u t m e and

.
1]
though the prince ss e s did not l ove m e overmu ch becaus e
.
I wsK lil h sfavo u rite s i s ter yet my tears and the

,
’
a a a
b l ood that flowed fro m my s el f i fl ic t d wo u nd s e x cited

, ,
-
n e
their indignation agains t S h m l h Unfortu nately for

,
a e a
the poor wo m an s he had just awarded a s evere p u ni sh

.
m ent to two yo u ng S l ave s who had been gu ilty of

,
s teal ing po m egranate s and thes e two l ittl e vipers in ;

order to be revenged bore te s ti m ony again s t her and
,
confirm ed all I s aid They ran and retailed their l ie s to

, ,
m y father who t having Shaban at hi s s ide and

.
,
no
being m oreover in a good te mper becaus e my brother

, , ,
had jus t thrown a j avelin into a crocodil e s eye ordered

, ,
’
S h m l h to be tied to a tree and whipped witho u t

,
a e a
m ercy
,
Her crie s pierced m y heart She cried witho u t cea s ing

.
1]
O yo u who m I have carried in m y arms who m I have
.
fed fro m m y breas t how can yo u caus e m e to su ffer

, ,
th us Justify m e Decl are the tr u th It i s only becaus e

,
I tried to s ave yo u fro m the bl ack abyss into which

yo ur wil d and u nruly des ire s c nnot fai l to precipitate
,
yo u in the end that yo u are th us caus ing thi s body of

m ine to be torn to s hred s
,
I wa s abo u t to a s k that s he s ho ul d be re l ea s ed and

.
1]
s pared further p u ni s h m ent when s o m e de m on p u t into
m y m ind the tho ught that it was s h who conj oint l y
,
e
with S h aban had in s pired my father with the de sire of
,
1 86
crowd A l ively pre s entim ent m ade my heart h t The ea
foot step s cam e nearer and by the l ight of a faint and

. .
;
dol eful gli mm er su ch as prevails in the p l ace where we
,
now are I swK lil h appear before m e

,
a a a
Dear s cried he inter m ing l ing word s and

.
,
“ ”
1] Z lk i u a
ki ss e s I have pass ed an age witho u t s eeing yo u b u t I

, ,
have s pent it in carrying o u t my father s wi s he s I have

, ,
’
fo u ght with one of the m o s t formidabl e mon sters of the

.
river B u t what wo uld I not do when for reco mpen s e

I a m offered the bl i ss of s pending a whol e eveni g with
.
, ,
yo u alone C o m e ! L et us enj oy the ti m e to the full

?
L et us b u ry o u rs el ve s am ong thes e trees L et us fro m

.
o u r retreat l i sten di s dainful to the t umul tu o us s o u nd

.
,
of mus ic and dance s I wi ll caus e s herbet and cake s to

, , ,
be s erved on the m o ss that borders the l ittl e porphyry

.
fo u ntain There I s hall enj oy yo u r s weet l ook s and

charming convers e till the first dawn of the new day
.
,
The ala s ! I must p lunge once m ore into the worl d s

.
,
’
n
vorte x dart acc u rs ed reed s and u ndergo the interroga

,
torie s of S e s
, ,
”
a
s aid all thi s with su ch volu bil ity that I wa s

.
1] K l
ail h a
u nab l e to p u t in a word He drew m e after hi m s carce

re s i s ting W m ade o u r way thro ugh the l eafage to the
.
,
fo u ntain The m em ory of what S h m l h had s aid con

.
a e a
cerning m y e x ce ss ive tenderness for my brother had in

.
m y w des pite prod u ced a s trong i mpress ion u pon

, ,
o n
m e I was abo u t to withdraw m y hand fro m hi s when

,
by the light of the l ittl e l amp s that had been l it on the

.
, ,
m argin of the fo u ntain I s aw hi s charm ing face reflected

in the waters I swhi s l arge eye s dewy with love I felt
,
hi s l ook s pierce to the very botto m of m y heart All my

, ,
proj ects of reform all m y agony of re m ors e m ade way

.
for a ferm ent of very different feelings I dropped on to

, ,
the gro u nd by K lil h ss ide and l eaning hi s head u pon

.
’
a a
m y breast gave a free co u rs e to m y tears K lil h when

, ,
a a
he s aw m e th us crying pass ionately eagerly asked m e

, . ,
why I wept I tol d hi m all that had pa ss ed between

,
1 88
m y s el f and S h m l h witho u t o m itting a s ingl e
a e a
partic ular H isheart wa s at firs t mu ch m oved by the

,
pictu re I drew ofher su fferings b ut a m om ent after he

.
cried L et the ffi c i s sl ave peri s h Mus t the heart s

, ,
’
o ou
s oft yearnings ever m eet with oppos ition How s ho ul d

we not l ove one another Z lk i s N atu re caus ed sto u a u
be born together Ha s not natu re too i mp l anted in us

,
the s am e taste s and a kindred ardou r Have not m y

.
, ,
father and hi s Sage s m ade us partakers in the s am e

,
m agic bath s Who co ul d bl am e a s ympathy all ha s

?
cons pired to create N o Z lk sShaban and ou r su per ? u al
s t it iO s u r s e m ay s what they p l ea s e There i s no

, ,
a
u n y
cri m e in o u r l oving one another The cri m e wo ul d
.
rather be if we allowed o u rs el ves l ike coward s to be

.
s eparated L et us s wear not by the Prophet of who m

, ,
—
we have b u t littl e knowl edge b u t by the el em ent s that
.
,
sustain m an s e x i stence—l et us s wear that rather than

,
’
con s ent to l ive the one witho u t the other we wi ll take

,
into o u r vein s the s oft di sti llation of the flowers of the

,
stream which the Sage s have s often vaunted in ou r o
hearing That e ss ence wi ll lull us painle ssly to sl eep in

,
each other s arms and sbear o u r s ouls im perceptibly

.
’
o
into the peace of another e x i stence

,
1] The s e word s qu ieted m e I re sum ed m y ordinary

gaiety and we sported and pl ayed together I s hall be
.
very val iant to m orrow K lil h wo ul d sy s o as to

.
,
“
-
a a a
p u rchas e su ch mo ments as thes e for it i s only by the

, ,
pro mi s e of su ch a pri z e that m y father can ind u ce m e

,
to su b mit to hi s fantastic injunction s ,
Ha ha cried Abo u Taher Ach m ed i ssu ing fro m

.
”
1] !
behind s om e b ushes where he had been li stening i s
, ,
“
that yo u r re sol ve We will s if yo u keep to it Yo u are

, ,
ee
already full y paid thi s evening for the l ittl e yo u have

done d u ring the day Hence ! And as to you Z lk s u ai
go and weep over th terribl e o utrage you have co m

.
, ,
m itt d again s t Sh m l h
”
e a e a
In the greate s t con s ternation we threw o u r s e l ve s at

.
1]
1 89
hi s feet b u t tu rning hi s back u pon us he ordered the
e u n u ch s to c nd u ct us to o u r s eparate apartm ents
, ,
o
It wa s no s cr u p l e with regard to kind and qu a l ity
.
1] t
h e
of o u r l ove that e x erci s ed the E m i LH iss ol e end wa s to n
s ee hi s s beco m e a great warrior and a potent prince

on
and with regard to the character of the m ean s by which

, ,
that end wa s to be obtained he cared not one tittl e A s

for m e he regarded m e only a s an in strum ent that
, .
m ight have its us e nor wo ul d he have fe lt any s cr pl e s

,
; u
concerning the danger of i fl m i g o u r pass ion by the n a n
alternation of ob s tacl e s and conce ss ion s On the other

hand he fores aw that indol ence and p l easu re too con
.
s tly ind ul ged in mus t nece ss ari l y interfere with hi s

, ,
t
an
design s He dee m ed it nece ss ary therefore to adopt

,
with us a hars her and m ore decided l ine of cond u ct than

.
, ,
he had hitherto done and in an u nhappy m o m ent he;

carried that re s olu tion into effect A l as witho u t hi s
precau tion s hi s proj ects hi s acc u rs ed fore s ight we
.
s ho ul d have re m ained in innocence and ne r been

, , ,
brou ght to the horror of thi s p l ace of torm ent

,
1] The E m ir having retired to hi s apart m en t s ca us ed

Shaban to be summ oned and i m parted to hi m hi s fi x ed
, ,
res ol ve to s eparate us d u ring a certain ti m e The pru de t

,
e u nu ch pro strated hi ms e lf i mm ediatel y with hi s face to

.
the gro und and then ri s ing to hi s feet s aid L et m y

,
l ord forgive hi s sl ave if he ventu re s to be of different

, , ,
opinion Do not l et l oos e u pon thi s nas cent flam e the

wind s of oppo s ition and ab s ence l e s t the fina l c
.
( fl g on a ra
tion s ho ul d be su ch a s yo u are u nab l e to m aster Yo u

,
k now the prince s i m pet u o us di s po s ition ; h is s i ster has

.
to day given proofs onl y too signal of hers S u ffer the m

-
to re main together witho u t contradiction l eave the m to

, , .
their chil di s h propen s itie s They will s oon grow tired

of one another and K lil h di sgusted with the
.
a a
m onotony of the hare m wi ll beg yo u on hisknees to

,
rem ove hi m fro m its precincts

,
1] Have yo u done tal king yo u r non s en s e I nterr pted ? u
1 90
opinion of the Palm tree cl i m ber He was hims el f a
- -
faithful Mussulm an and hel d the Sage s and all their

.
work s in abo mination

,
verything wa s m ade ready a ll too s oon The agita

.
1] E
tion of the previo us day had greatly fatigu ed m e s o
.
that I sl ept very heavil y I was taken fro m m y bed s

,
qu ietl y and carried with su ch ski ll that I never woke

.
till I was at a di stance of fo u r l eagu e s fro m C airo Then

, ,
the noi s e of the water g urgling ro u nd the boat began to

.
al ar m m e It fill ed my ears strangely and I hal f fancied

I had dru nk of the beverage s poken of by K lil h and
.
,
a a
been borne beyond the confine s of o u r pl anet I l ay th us

,
bewildered with s trange i m aginings and did not dare to

.
,
pen m y eye s b u t s tretched o u t my arms to feel for

,
K lil h I tho u ght he wsby m y s ide Ju dge of the

,
a a a
feel ings of hateful surpri s e to which I wa s doo m ed

. .
when in stead of to u ching hi s delicate li m b s I s eiz ed

,
hol d of the horny hand of the e u n u ch who wa s s teering

, ,
the boat and was even ol der and m ore grote squ el y
ugl y than Shaban hi ms el f I s at u p and uttered piercing
, ,
crie s I opened m y eye s and s aw before m e a was te

, .
s tretch of s ky and of water bou nded by blu i s h bank s

.
,
The su n wa s S hining in its fu lne ss The azu re heaven s

, .
caus ed all nature to rej oice A tho us and river bird s

.
pl ayed aro u nd a mid the water lilie s which the boat Shore
.
through at every m o m ent their l arge yell ow flowers

,
s hi ning l ike gol d and e xhal ing a s weet perfum e B u t all

,
thes e obj ect s of delight were l o s t u pon m e and in s tead

, .
rej oicing my heart fill ed m e with a s o m bre m el an

, ,
fly
o
c
,
]o
1] L ooking abo u t m e I s aw m y sl ave s in a s tate of

.
de s ol ation and Shaban who with an air at once of

,
di s content and a uthority was m aking the m keep

, ,
Sil ence The na m e of K lil h cam e at every m o m ent to

,
a a
the tip of my tongu e At l as t I s poke it alou d with

.
tears in m y eye s and asked where he was and what

.
,
they intended to do with m e Shaban in stead of rep ly

, ,
.
,
1 92
T h e S t o ry of P rinc es s Z u lkais
ing ordered hi s e u n u ch s to redo u bl e their e x ertion s
and to strike u p an E gyptian s ong and Sing in ti m e to
, ,
the cadence of their oars Their acc urs ed chor s rang

,
o u t s o potently that it bro ught an even wors e bewilder

.
m ent in my brain W s hot thro ugh the water l ike an e

arrow It was in vain that I begged the rower s to s top
.
or at l eas t to tell m e where I was going The barbarous

.
,
wretche s were deaf to my entreatie s The m ore in s i s tent

.
I was the l ou der did they roar o ut their detes tab l e s ong
.
s o a s to drown m y crie s Shaban with hi s cracked voice

,
m ade m ore nois e than the re st

.
, ,
1] N othing can e x pre ss the tor m ent s I end u red and the
.
horror I felt at findi g mys elf s o far fro m K lil h and

,
n a a
on the waters of the fearful N i l e M y terrors increa s ed

,
with nightfall I swwith an ine xpressibl e angu i s h the

.
s go l o s ing its elf in the waters — it s l ight in a tho us and

.
, ,
un
rays tre mbling u pon their su rface I brought to m ind

,
the qu iet m o m ents which at that s am e hou r I had

, .
pass ed with K lil h and hiding my head in m y vei l

, ,
a a
I gave m ys elf up to my despair

, , ,
Soon a s oft r s t l ing beca m e a u dib l e O u r boat wa s

.
1] u
S hearing it s way thro u gh bank s of reed s A great

.
s i l ence su cceeded to the s ong of the rowers for Shaban

.
had landed He cam e back in a few mo m ents and

,
carried m e to a tent erected a few pace s from the

.
,
river s bank I fo u nd there l ights m attre ss es stretched

,
’
on the gro u nd a tabl e covered with vario us kind s of

.
,
food and an i mm en s e copy of the Koran u nfolded

,
I hated the holy book The Sage s o u r in stru ctors had

.
, ,
often t urned it into ridic ul e and I had never read it

.
, ,
with K lil h So I threw it contem ptu o usly to the

,
a a
gro u nd Shaban took u pon hi ms elf to s col d m e b u t I

.
;
flew at hi m and endeavo u red to red u ce hi m to sil ence
.
In thi s I pro ed su cce ssful and the s am e treatm ent

.
,
retained it s effi cacy d uring the whol e cou rs e of the long

,
e xpedition O u r su b s e qu ent e p i cswere s i mil ar to er en e
tho s e of the firs t day E nd l e ssly did we pa ss bank s of

.
1 93
water l ilie s and flock s of bird s and an infinite n um ber
-
of sm all boats that cam e and went with m erchandi s e

, ,
At l as t we began to l eave behind us the p l ain co u ntry

.
1]
L ike all who are u nhappy and th us l ed to l ook forward
.
I kept my eye s contin u ally fi x ed on the hori zon

,
ahead of us and one evening I swri s ing there great a
m ass e s of mu ch greater height and of a form infinitel y

, , ,
m ore varied than the pyram id s The s e m ass e s proved

,
to be mo u ntain s Their aspect in spired m e with fear

.
,
The terrib l e thou ght occ u rred to m e that m y father

. .
was s ending m e to the woeful l and of the N egro king

s o that I m ight be o ffered u p as a s acrifice to the idols
,
who as the Sage s pretended were greedy of prince ss e s

,
Shaban perceived my increas ing di stress and at l as t took

, , .
pity upon m e He reveal ed o u r ulti m ate de stination ;

,
adding that tho ugh m y father wi s hed to s eparate m e

.
fro m K lil h it wa s not for ever and that in the m ean

a a
whil e I s ho ul d m ake the ac qu aintance f a m arvell o us

, , ,
pers onage call ed the Palm tree c li mber who wa s the

,
- -
be s t s tory tell er in the u nivers e

, ,
Thi s infor m ation qu ieted m e to s o m e e x tent The

.
1]
hope however di stant of s eeing K lil h again pou red
.
a a
balm into m y s o ul and I wa s not s orry to hear that I

, , ,
s ho ul d have storie s to m y l iking M oreover the idea of a

,
realm of s ol itu de su ch a s the O strich I sl e flattered m y

.
,
ro mantic s pirit If I mus t be s eparated fro m hi m who m I

, ,
cheri s hed m ore than life its elf I preferred to u ndergo

.
m y fate rather in s o m e s avage spot than a mid the gl itter

,
and chatter of a hare m Far fro m all su ch i m pertinent

frivol itie s I p urpo s ed to abandon my whol e s o ul to the
.
s weet m em orie s of the pas t and give a free cou rs e to

,
the l angu oro us reverie s in which I co ul d s again the

,
ee
l oved i m age of m y K lil h a a
1] F ull y occ u pied with the s e proj ect s it wa s w ith heedl e ss

.
eye s that I s aw o u r boat approaching nearer and nearer

,
to the l and of m o u ntain s The rocks encroached m ore

and m ore u pon the borders of the s tream and s ee m ed
.
1 94
Shaban ran to pre s ent m y father s l etters to the m an ’
of wi s dom In order to do thi s he was co mpell ed to

attach the mi ss ive s to the end of a l ong pol e a s the
.
Cl i mber was at the top of a palm tree fi fty c u bits

,
high and refus ed to co m e down withou t k owi g why

,
n n
he was summ oned So s oon a s he had perus ed the

,
l eave s of the roll he carried the m re s pectfull y to hi s

.
forehead and slipped down like a m eteor ; and indeed

,
he had s o m ewhat the appearance of a m eteor for hi s

,
eye s were of flam e and hi s no s e was a beau tiful b l ood

,
red
,
Shaban a m a z ed by the rapidity of the o l d m an s

.
1]
’
de s cent u ninju red fro m the tree was s om ewhat ou t

,
raged when as ked to take hi m on hi s back b u t the

, , ,
;
Cli mber decl ared that he never sfar conde s cended a s to o
wal k The e u n u ch who l oved neither Sage s nor their

caprice s and regarded both a s the pl agu e s of the E mir s
.
,
’
fam ily he s itated for a m o m ent ; b u t bearing in mind

,
the po s itive order b had received he con qu ered hi s

, ,
avers ion and took the P alm tree cl i mber on hi s

,
- -
s ho ul ders s aying A l as the good herm it Abo u

,
“
:
wo ul d not have behaved after thi s

, , ,
G b d ll G
a o h m e ue a an
m anner and wo ul d m oreover have been mu ch m ore

,
worthy of my ass i stance The Cl i mber heard the s e word s

, , ,
”
in high d u dgeon for he had aforeti m e had pio us

.
squ abbl e s w i th the herm it of t h e Sandy De s ert ; s he

,
ad mini s tered a mighty kick on to the sm all of Shaban s ’
back and thr us t a fiery no s e into the m iddl e of hi s

co u ntenance Shaban on thi s s t um bl ed b u t p u rsu ed
,
hi s way witho u t uttering a syll abl e

.
, , ,
I wa s s ti l a sl eep Shaban ca m e u p to m y co u ch and

.
1] l
throwing hi s b u rden at m y feet s aid and hi s voice had
.
, ,
a certain ring in it s o that it awoke m e witho u t diffi

, ,
c ulty Here i s the C l i mber ! Mu ch good m ay he do

:
yo u !
1] At the s ight of su ch an ob j ect I wa s qu ite u nab l e not
with standing all my s wst help b u rs ting ou t into a fit
, ,
orr o , o
1 96
T h e S t o ry o f P rinc e s s Z u lkais
of u ncontroll abl e l aughter The ol d m an did not change
co untenance notwith s tanding he j ingled hi s key s with
.
;
an air of i mportance and s aid to Shaban in grave
,
tones Take m e again upon yo u r back l et us go to

, ,
“
: ;
the pal ace and I will pen it s doors which have never O
hitherto ad mitted any m e mber of the fem al e s e x s ave
, , ,
m y great egg l ayer the qu een of the o striche s

,
I fo ll owed It wa s l ate The great bird s were co m ing

.
,
1]
down fro m the hills and su rrou nded sin flock s peck
. .
u
ing at the grass and at the trees The noi s e they m ade
, ,
with their beak s wa s su ch that I s eem ed to be l i steni g

.
to the feet of an army on the m arch At l as t I fou nd

m ys el f be fore the s hining walls of the pal ace Thou gh I
.
knew the trick of them my own di storted figu re terrified

.
m e as als o the figure of the Cl i m ber on the s ho ulder s of

,
Shaban
,
entered into a va ul ted apart m ent l ined with b l ack

.
1] W e
m arbl e s tarred with gol den s tars which in spired a

,
certain feel ing of awe— feeling to which however the

,
ol d m an s grote squ e and amusing gri m ace s afforded

, ,
’
s o m e rel ief The air wa s s tifling and nearly m ade m e

s ick The Cl i m ber perceiving thi s ca us ed a great fire
.
,
to be l it and threw into it a sm all arom atic ball which

.
, ,
he drew fro m hi s bo s om I mm ediately a vapou r rather

,
pl eas ant to the sm ell b u t very penetrating diffus ed

.
,
its elf thro ugh the roo m The e u n u ch fled s neezing A

, ,
for m e I drew near to the fire and s ad ly s tirri g the

.
. ,
a s hes began to form in the m the cipher of K lil h

, ,
a a
1] The Cl i m ber did not interfere He prai s ed the ed u ca

.
,
tion I had received and approved greatly of o u r i mm er

.
s ion s just after birth by the Sage s adding m al iciousl y

,
that nothing ss harpened the wits a s a passion s om ewhat

, , ,
o u t of the co mm on I s ee c l ly h contin u ed that e ar

”
e
yo u are ab s orbed in reflection s of an intere sting natu re

.
, ,
and I am well pl eas ed that it should be s I m y s elf had o
five s i sters we m ade very l ight of M ahom et s teaching

.
and l oved one another with s om e fervou r I still after

,
.
,
1 97
the lap s e of a h u ndred years bear thi s in m y m e m ory
with p leasu re for we s carcely ever forget early i mpre s
,
s ion s Thi s m y con stancy has greatl y co mm ended m e to

,
the J inn s who s e favo u rite I am If yo u are abl e like

.
my s el f to pers evere in yo u r pre s ent s enti m ents they

.
,
wi ll probably do s o mething for yo u In the m eanwhil e

, ,
p l ace yo u r confidence in m e I s hall not prove surly or

.
,
u n sy mpathetic a s a gu ardian and keeper Don t get it

.
into you r head that I am dependent on the caprice of

.
you r father who has a li m ited o utl ook and prefer s

a mbition to p l easu re I a m happier amid m y palms and
, ,
m y o s triche s and in the enj oym ent of the del ights of

.
,
m editation than he in h isdivan and in all hi s grandeu r

,
I don t m ean to s ay that yo u yo u rs el f cannot add to the

, , .
p leasu re s of my life The m ore gracious yo u are to m e

the m ore s hall I S how civi l ity to yo u and m ake yo u the
.
,
partaker in things of beauty If yo u s ee m to be happy

,
in thi s pl ace of s ol itu de yo u will ac qu ire a great rep ta

.
ti n for wi s do m and I know by my own e xperience

,
o
that u nder the c l oak of a great rep u tation it i s po ss ibl e
, , ,
to hide whol e treasu re s of folly Yo u r father in hi s l etters

ha s tol d m e all yo ur story W hil e peopl e think that yo u
.
are giving heed to m y in stru ction s yo u can tal k to m e

.
abo u t yo u r K lil h a s mu ch a s yo u l ike and withou t

,
a a
o ffending m e in any way On the contrary nothing

, ,
afford s m e greater pl easu re than to ob s erve the m ove

.
,
m ent s of a heart abandoning its el fto its yo uthful incl ina

tion s and I s hall be gl ad to s ee the bright col o u rs of a
fi r s t l ove m antl ing on yo u ng cheek s
,
hi l e l i s tening to thi s s trange di s co u r s e I kept m y

.
1] W
eye s on the gro u nd b u t the bird of hope fl uttered in
,
;
m y bo s o m At l as t I l ooked at the Sage and hi s great
red nos e that s hone l ike a lum ino us point in that roo m
.
,
of bl ack m arbl e s eem ed to m e l e ss di s greeabl e The

,
smil e accom panying m y gl ance wa s of su ch significance

.
,
that the Climber ea si ly perceived I had swallowed hi s

bait Thi s pl eas ed hi m s o mighti ly that he forgot hi s
.
1 98
assu red m e wa s well worthy of e x citing m y c u rio s ity
I tol d hi m I wa s qu ite ready to take hi s word for it t
, .
that partic ul ar ti m e the sm ell of the e x cell ent viand s

whic h had preceded hi m having very agreeabl y whetted
,
my appetite Thes e viand s cons i sted chiefly of slice s of

,
deer spiced with fragrant herb s of eggs prepared after

.
divers recipe s and of cake s m ore dainty and del icate

,
than the petals of a white ro s e There was be s ide s a

,
ru ddy l i qu or m ade of date juice and s erved in s trange

.
tran slu cent s he lls and s parkling l ike the eye s of the
, ,
Cli m ber hi ms el f
,
l ay down to o u r m ea l together in very friend l y

.
1] W e
fashion M y a mazing keeper greatly prai s ed the qu ali ty

of hi s wine and m ade very good us e of it to the inten s e
.
su rpri s e of M k who h u ddl ed u p in a corner

, ,
o u za a,
ind ulged in indes cribabl e ge stu re s which the poli s hed

, ,
m arb l e reflected on all s ide s The fire b u rnt gai ly

,
throwing o u t s park s which a s they darkened e x hal ed

.
,
an e xqu i s ite perfum e The torche s gave a brilliant l ight

, , ,
the braziers s hone brightly and the s oft warmth that

.
,
reigned in the apartm ent inclined to a voluptu o us

,
indol ence
The s it u ation in which I fo u nd m y s e l f wa s s o s ing ul ar
.
1]
the ki nd of pri s on in which I was confined wss
,
a o
different fro m anything I co ul d have i m agined and the
way s of m y keeper were s o grote squ e that fro m ti m e to
,
ti m e I ru bbed m y eye s to m ake su re that the whol e

,
thing was not a dream I s ho ul d even have derived

amus em ent fro m my su rro u ndings if the tho ught that
.
I wa s s o far fro m K lil h had l eft m e for a s ingl e

,
a a
m o m ent The Cli m ber to di stract m y thou ghts began

the m arvell o us s tory of the Giant G b i and the artful
.
, ,
e r
dé b u t I interr u pted hi m and a s ked hi m to l i s ten

,
Ch aro
to the recital of m y own real s orrows prom i s ing that

, ,
afterward s I s houl d give ear to hi s tal e s A l as I never

, ,
kept th at prom is e V ain ly at repeated intervals did he

, .
,
try to e x cite m y c u rios ity I had none s ave with regard

.
, ,
200
T h e S tory o f P rinc e s s Z u lka is
to K lil h and did not ceas e to repeat W here i s he
a a :
W hat i s he doing W hen s hall I s hi m again

,
ee ?
1] The o l d m an s eeing m e s head s trong in m y pa ss ion o
and s well re s ol ved to brave all rem ors e becam e con

, ,
i c d that I wa s a fit obj ect for hi s nefario us p u rpo s e s

,
v n e
for as m y hearers will dou btl e ss have already u nder

,
stood he was s ervant of the m onarch who reign s in

,
thi s pl ace of torm ent In the pervers ity of h iss oul

,
and that fatal blindne ss which m ake s m en de s ire to

. ,
find an entrance here he had vowed to ind u ce twenty

wr tches to s erve E bl i s and he e x actly wanted my
,
e
brother and mys el f to com pl ete the n umber Far indeed
,
wa s he therefore fro m really trying to stifle the yearn

.
ing s of my heart and tho ugh in order to fan the flam e

, ,
;
that con sumed m e he s eem ed from ti m e to ti m e to be
,
de siro us of te ll ing m e s torie s yet in reality hi s head

, , ,
was fi ll ed with qu ite other thou ght s

, , ,
1] I s pent a great part of the night in m aking m y

.
cri minal avowals Toward s m orning I fe ll a sl eep The

Cl i m ber did the s am e at a few pace s di stance havi g
. .
’
n
fi st withou t cere mony applied to my foreh ead a ki ss

, ,
that b u rned m e like a red hot iron M y dreams were of

, , ,
the s adde s t They l eft b u t a confus ed i mpre ss ion on my

.
m ind b u t s far I can recoll ect they conveyed the

.
; o
war ings of heaven which still de s ired to open before

, ,
m e a door of e s cape and of s afety

,
So s oon a s the su n had ri s en the Cl i m ber l ed m e into

.
1]
hi s wood s introd u ced m e to hi s o striches and gave m e
,
an e x hibition of hi s supernatu ral agility N ot on ly did

, ,
he c l i m b to the tre mulo us top s of the tall e s t and m o st

.
sl ender palms bending the m beneath hi s feet l ike ears

of corn b u t he wo ul d dart like an arrow fro m one tree
,
to another After the displ ay of s everal of the s e

,
gy mnastic feat s he s ettl ed on a branch tol d m e he wa s

.
abo u t to ind ulge in hi s dail y m editation s and advi s ed

, ,
m e to go with M k and bathe by the border of the

,
o u za a
s tream on the other side of the hi ll

, .
201
1] The heat wa s e x ce ss ive I fo u nd the c l ear water s coo l
and del icio us Bathing pools lined with precious m arbl e s
.
had been hollowed o u t in the m idd l e of a l ittl e l evel

.
, ,
m ead over which high rock s cas t their s hadow Pal e nar
ci ssus e s and gl adiolus es grew on the m argin and l eaning
.
toward s the water waved over m y head I l oved the s e

, ,
l anguid flower s they s ee m ed an e m b l e m of m y for

, .
tu nes and for s everal ho u rs I allowed their perfum e

,
to into x icate m y s oul

,
1] On ret u rning to the pal ace I fo u nd that the Cl i m ber

.
h d m ade great preparation s for m y entertain m ent The

,
evening pass ed l ike the evening before and fro m day

.
;
to day pretty nearl y after the s am e m anner I s pent
fo u r m onth s N or can I s ay that the ti m e pass ed
, ,
un
happil y The ro m antic s olitu de the ol d m an s patient

.
attention and the co m pl acency with which he li stened

.
,
to l ove s fool i s h repetition s all s ee m ed to u nite in

,
’
s oothing m y pain I s ho ul d perhap s have s pent whol e

,
years in m erely n u rs ing tho s e s weet illus ion s that are

.
s rarel y real i s ed have s een the ardo u r of m y pa ss ion

o
grad u ally dwind l e and die have beco m e no m ore than

,
the tender s i s ter and friend of K lil h if my father had

,
a a
t in p u rsu it of hi s wi l d s che m e s de l ivered m e over

,
no
to the i m pio us s co ndre l who s at dai ly watching at m y

, ,
s ide to m ake m e hi s prey Ah ! Shaban ah S h m l h a e a
yo u my real friend s why wa s I torn fro m you r arms

.
, ,
Wh y did yo u not fro m the very fir s t perceive the

, ,
germs of a too pass ionate tenderness e x i s ting in o u r

, ,
heart s germs which o u ght then and there to have been

e xtirpated since the day woul d co m e when not fire and
,
s teel wo ul d be of any avai l

,
1] One m orning when I wa s s teeped in sd tho u ght s and a
e xpressing in even m ore viol ent l angu age than usu al my

,
des pair at being s eparated fro m K lil h the ol d m an a a
fi x ed upon m e hi s piercing eye s and addre ss ed m e in

,
thes e word s Prince ss yo u who have been taught by

,
the m o s t enlightened of Sage s cannot dou btl ess be

, ,
202
hi m with c las ped hand s not to defer my happine ss b u t
to cond u ct m e at whatever haz ard to the s anctu ary of
, , ,
lt k s
, ,
Om ou a o
1] The crafty o l d s co u ndre l wa s well p l ea s ed and sw

.
with a m alicious eye into what a s tate of deliri um he

,
had thrown m e Hi s onl y thou ght wa s how to fan the

flam e th us kindl ed For thi s pu rpo s e he re sum ed a col d
.
and re s erved aspect and s aid in tone s ofgreat s ol e mnity

.
Be it known to you Z lk sthat I have m y do u bts

, ,
u al
and cannot help he s itating in a m atter of su ch i mport

, , ,
ance great a s i s m y de sire to s erve yo u Y evidently

,
ou
do not know h wdangero us i s the s tep yo u propo s e to
, .
take or at l eas t yo u do not fully appreciate its e x tre m e

rashness I cannot tell how far yo u wi ll be abl e to end u re
, ,
the fearful s ol itu de of the i mm easu rab l e vault s that yo u

.
must travers e and the s trange m agnificence of the pl ace

to which I mus t cond u ct yo u N either can I tell in what
,
s hape the J inn wi ll appear I have oft en s een hi m in a

.
form s fearful that m y s en s es have l ong re m ained

.
n um bed at other ti m e s he has s hown hims elf u nder an

as pect s o grote squ e that I have been s carcely abl e to
refrain fro m choking l aughter for nothing can be m ore
capricio us than beings of that nature O m lt k s
,
ou a o
m ayhap wi ll s pare yo u r weakne ss ; b ut it i s right to

. ,
warn yo u that the adventu re on which you are bo u nd i s

,
peri lo us that the m o m ent of the J inn s apparition i s ’
u ncertain that whil e yo u are waiting in e xpectation yo u

,
mus t S how neither fear nor horror nor i m patience and

,
that at the sight of hi m yo u mus t be very su re not to

, , ,
l au gh and not to cry Ob s erve m oreover that yo u mus t

, ,
wait in s il ence and the s ti ll ne ss of death and with yo u r

.
, , ,
hand s cro ss ed over you r brea s t u nti l he s peak s to yo u for

, ,
a ges tu re a smi l e a groan wo ul d invol ve t only yo u r

, ,
no
own destru ction b u t als o that of K lil h and my own

, , ,
a a
A ll that yo u te ll m e I rep l ied carrie s terror i to

.
, ,
”
1] n
m y bo s o m b u t i m pell ed by su ch a fatal l ove a s m ine

, ,
what wo ul d one not ventu re

, ,
204
T h e S t o ry of P rinc ess Z u lka is
1] I congrat ul ate yo u on yo u r su b l i m e per s everance
rej oined the Cl i m ber with a smi l e of which I did not
,
then appreciate the full s ignificance and wickedne ss

,
Prepare yo u rs elf A s s oon as darkne ss covers the earth

.
I will go and suspend M k fro m the top of one of

.
,
o u za a
m y highe s t palm tree s s that s

-
h m ay not be in o u r
o e
way I will then l ead you to the door of the gall ery that
,
l ead s to the retreat of O m lt k sThere I s hall l eave

.
ou a o
yo u and my s e lf according to m y c usto m go and

.
m editate at the top of one of the tree s and m ake vows

, , ,
for the su cce ss of you r enterpri s e

,
I s pent the interva l in an x iety and trepidation I

.
1]
wandered ai mle ssly am id the vall ey s and hillock s on the
.
i sl and I gaz ed fi x ed ly into the depth s of the waters I

watched the ray s of the s dec lining over their su rface
. .
un
and l ooked forward half in fear and half in hope to the

,
m o m ent when the l ight s ho ul d abandon ou r hemi sphere

, , ,
The holy calm of a s erene night at l as t overspread the

.
world
s aw the Cl i m ber detach hi ms e l f fro m a flock of
.
1] I
o striche s that were gravely m arching to drink at the
river He ca m e to m e with m easu red s tep s Putti g hi s n
finger to hi s l ip s he s aid Foll ow m e in s i lence I

. .
“
:
obeyed He opened a door and m ade m e enter with

.
,
hi m into a narrow pass age not m ore than fo u r feet

.
, ,
high s o that I was co mpell ed to walk half do u b led u p

, ,
The air I breathed was damp and s tifling At every step

.
,
I caught m y feet in vi s co us pl ant s that i ssu ed fro m

.
certain crack s and crevice s in the gall ery Throu gh

thes e crack s the feebl e l ight of the m oon s ray s fo u nd
.
an entrance s hedding l ight every here and there u pon

l ittl e wells that had been d ug to right and l eft of o u r
, , ,
path Thro ugh the b l ack waters in the s e wells I s eem ed

to s reptile s with h um an faces I tu rned away m y eye s
.
ee
in horror I b u rned with desire to ask the Cli mber what
.
all thi s might m ean b u t the gloo m and s ol e mnity of hi s

.
l ook s m ade m e keep s il ence He appeared to progre ss

,
205
painfully and to be p us hing a s ide with hi s hand s s o m e
thing to m e invi s ib l e Soon I was no l onger abl e to s
,
ee
hi m at all W were going a s it s ee m ed rou nd and

.
ro u nd in co mpl ete darkne ss and sas not to lo s e hi m

.
, ,
altogether in that frightful l abyrinth I wa s co mpell ed

,
to l ay hol d upon hi s robe At l as t we reached a pl ace

,
where I began to breathe a freer and fres her air A

.
s ol itary taper of enorm o us s iz e fi xed u pright in a bl ock

.
of m arbl e l ighted u p a vas t hall and di s covered to my

,
eye s five s taircas e s whos e bani sters m ade of different

, ,
m etals faded u pward s into the darkness There we

, ,
stopped and the o l d m an broke the s il ence s aying

.
,
C hoo s e between the s e s taircas es One onl y l ead s to

, ,
the treasu ry of O m lt k sFro m the others which go

.
ou a o
l os ing the ms el ve s in caverno us depth s yo u wo ul d never

.
,
retu rn W here they l ead y wo ul d find nothing b u t

,
ou
h u nger and the bone s of tho s e who m fa m ine ha s

.
aforeti m e des troyed Having s aid the s e word s he

,
”
di s appeared and I heard a door cl o sing behind hi m

.
,
Ju dge of m y terror yo u who have heard the ebony

, .
1]
p rtals which confine us for ever in thi s p l ace oftorm ent
,
o
grind u pon their hinge s ! Indeed I dare to sy that m y
, ,
po sition was if po ss ibl e even m ore terribl e than yo u rs

for I wa s alone I fell to the earth at the bas e of the block
, , ,
of m arbl e A sl eep su ch a s that which end s o u r m ortal

.
e x i stence overcam e m y s en s e s S u ddenly a voice c l ear

.
,
s weet i s in u ating l ike the voice of K lil h flattered m y

.
, , ,
n a a
ears I s ee m ed a s in a dream to s hi m on the s taircas e

, ,
ee
of which the bani s ters were of brass A m aj e s tic

.
, ,
warrior who s e pal e front bore a diadem held hi m by

.
the hand Z lk i s s aid K lil h with an afflicted air

, ,
“
u a a a
All ah forbid s o u r u nion B u t E bli s who m you s

.
, , ,
“
ee
here e x tend s to us hi s protection I mpl ore hi s aid

.
,
and fo ll ow the path to which he points yo u

, .
,
1] I awoke in a tran s port of co u rage and re s olu tion

.
s ei zed the taper and began witho u t he s itation to

,
as cend the s tairway with the brazen bani s ter The

, , ,
206
L ES EP I S O D ES DE VATH EK
P AR
WI LL I AM BE C KF O RD
L e s E pi s od es d e Vath ek
pers pective de s boi s tou us qu i
r e ver
j all ois s ou vent ff m
’
e n v i ron n oi en t , e t 0 1)
j our su r l a m o uss e j c sss j e u ne dai m qu i

.
1] U é te n d u oi
s apprivoi sé avec m oi j s gal op pe u é l oigné d u n cheval

'
n
qu e a re nu
é to i t
’
e n t en d i le
’
et vi s caval ier qu i
b i e n t Ot pa roit re n u in conn u s on habill e ,
'
m é to i t
,
m ent étrange s contenance féroce s ei l hagard m ai s

é t oit et
;
ne pa s sm on attention U ne fig u re ang é i qu e s o us
,
a , on o ;
il fi xa lo n g t e m l
l habit d u n j e u ne garc on attira to us m e s regard s c ,
.
’ ' ’
L in t e n oi t
cet s i gracie ux s i dél icat étroitem ent s erré contre s s ein , . on n u
é tr e ,
c de crier I rrité de c
et
s vo ul oir cqu e j prenoi s

on
s
, , ,
’
pa roi oi t l e m pé h e r
pou r u ne vi l ence j m e l e ve j cou pe che min l e tranger en
. e
le
'
a
ai s ant bri ll er m on s abre ssye ux lui crie Arrete s
o , e , e
f a et m i era b le !
O s e s t u co m ettre te l attentat l a v u e roi de K
e , , ,
m a du h a rez m e ?
1] A peine sj pron nc é ce s m ot s qu e ce lu i qu i j l e s
-
nu
a vo i s a a v oi
adressés s e j ette terre s an s l cher s précie us e charge m e

-
e o , e
a a
s aluant d u n air re s pect u e ux m e dit Prince A s c e s t v us qu e ,
a
,
et
“
la i ,
’ ’
cherche po u r v us dont rien pri x

: o
c
,
on fie r d epOt
’
j é ga le le
s wroi de S hirvan l a m i inti m e roi votre p ere s e tr u ve
e ,
o un n .
Tila n h a
’
du
réd uit a ux se x tr ém it és S e s suj et s rebe ll e s tiennent
, , ,
o
d e r n i er e le
a ss ég é dan s s citadell e de Le s trou pe s Cal ife V
.
i S a m a kh i é du a th e k
l e s s o utiennent dan s l e u r r é v l te i ls ont ju ré l a perte de l e u r s
a .
ra n s ws o us crit co u rage us e m ent décret de l a de s tine e

o ; ou v e
Tila n h a
'
i
pou r c qu i lu i regarde lu i m em e m ai s voul ant s i l e s t poss ibl e
. au
’
s au ver s on su niqu e enfant qu e vo us voyez m a ordonné

e -
, , , ,
’
fil l a i m a b le il
’
de re m ettre entre vo s m ai s Cachez cette perl e inco m parabl e

le
, ,
dans votre s ein qu on ignore l a nacre e ll e a é t é form ée j s—

n .
’ ’
ou a
cqu e l a révolu tion de s te n s a m e ne j o u r de s Adie u j
; u
q u
c ure té
crain s po u rsuivi prince v us fera s avoir to us l e s
r t nu .
, e
le Fir o u z
’
d é tr e
d é tai ls qu e vo us pou rrez dés irer ,
-
o
”
s pendant c di s co u r s tend u l e s bra s s

.
1] J a Fi r o u z ; i l é
’
a voi t oi t
précipité no us nous tenion s e mbrassés avec u ne tendre ss e qui par u t y

e
com b l er de j oie s condu cteu r l e qu el re m onta cheval s

;
a et
’
é loi gn a
de no us en in s tant
on ,
Ote z m oi d ici m e dit a l or s c e s t qu e j

un
s
.
“ ” “ ’
1] F i ro uz ; a pr e
’
t
crain s de to m ber dan s l e s m ain s de m e s pers éc uteu rs Qu oi ils m e
-
,
en e
!
s de l am i qu e cie l m a choi si vers qu i m on c u r
.
’
le
’
é pa r e r oi e n t et
t u t entier c , oe
’
é la n
1] N on ai m ab l e enfant m c j rien pou rra vo us arracher
o S e
e ri a i
sde m oi m e s tr és ors m e s arm ée s to u t s era e m pl oy é po u r

, ,
-
e, ne
’
d re
votre cons ervation M ai s po rqu oi cacher votre nai ss ance dan s s

au
p ; , ,
! me
é tats pers nne pe u t vous n u ire
u
ou me P
Si fau t m on gé n é re ux d é fen s e u r ré pondit les
, o
“
i l le F iro u z ;
ennem i s de m on p e re ont juré
,
srace i ls craindront
,
d
'
e xt e r m i n e r
,
point l a m ort pou r acc m pl ir l e u r s erm ent i ls m e poignarderont s

a ; ne
a
yeux sj sui s conn u L e m age qu i m a cond u it ici qu i a pri s s oi
o ; vo
’
i
de m on enfance rien po u r l e u r persuader qu e j
e et n
s
.
,
’
li era e n e xi
'
, n ou b te
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Alas i
plus S u ppo s ez — n i m porte qu i to u te m a g l ire s era de
m oi pé r e Il
’
vous ai er de m eriter d tre aim é de vo us

.
-
un ; o
m et
o u t en par l ant ain s i n us l encl os de t i l e s peinte s qu i

e
s
, .
T
’
1] a r r iv am e a
m on pavi ll on persan j ss ervir s css s
o o
e n v i r on n oi t ou fi de r a fr a i hi
sg u e re s
em e n
dont no us l u n l au tre L e s de v ix l e s ,
e
’ ’
gou tam e ui i
dis c u rs l e s regard s de F s u ne i m pre ss ion su r m on u r
ne n . on o ,
i r o u z fa i oi e n t
qu i c m a rais on parol e s rares entre cou pé es

o od e
s
,
s c dé s ordre de m on e s prit
o n fon d oi t e t r en d o i t me et
pou r di ssiper qu itta , .
du
’
Il r ut e t, le il
s air attendri l angu i ss ant qu i l e u j s spou r prendre l a
e
’
a
p ’
,
’
,
et a v oi t u a lor
gaieté l a vivacité enfantine de s age car parai ssait pas av ir

u
, q ,
et i ln e
plus de trei z e an s
on , o
H é qu oi m e dit vous ici qu e de s l ivre s point

.
’
! i l,
sde mus i qu e
-
n a v ez
s
c
’
d i n tru m e n
1] J s o u ri s s apporter lu th F en j ou a en m aitre de l art
et fi i r ou z
’
chanta en sc avec tant tant de gr ce

nu ;
c s s
, .
’
d
’
il om
pa gn a n t , ion et a
qu i l m e j eta dans u ne no u ve ll e extas e dont prit encore s oin de m e
ex
a
pr e ,
il
’
retirer par s e s j eux innocen s ,
L a n u it qu i su rvint n us s épara qu oi qu e Qu o de l de
.
1] h eu r e u x a
cqu e j scr u p u voir l e tre j l avoi s s j s s be s oin
o i u au
q
-
.
’ ’
a u r oi de 1 rée to i le
de avec m oi m em e Ce l a m e fu t pas facil e mes
e o , e e en
’
d a b ord,
’
m e n t re t e n i r
pens ée s s i confus e s sm e rendre co m pte de s

-
. ne
é t oi en t ! Je o u v oi
agitati n s qu e j séprou vées di s j cie l a e xa cé m es

ne
p
En fin ,
’
a voi le
sp lus chers cet am i de c u r qu e j
o -
e, u
s
.
’ ’
v m ux le il m e n v oi e n a u r oi
j ama s tro u vé l mmaecour qui ms eront

u i e m e u v en
i e
t
a avec ce s charm e s de cc
rem pl acé s dan s
’
a
;
et
; il
plus par
’
l e n v oi e
oe
age
’
l in n o e n
m ur
e
l e s qu alités qu i rendent l am iti e bien suprem e de l homm e su rtou t

nu
q ,
’
lo
’
et
d u n roi qu i d it g u e re s s attendre
’ ’ "
,
f i s pro l ongé te ms qu en g é néra l y

ne o
s s s
.
s s
,
j j
’
J a v o i d é aplu i e u r le d e t in oi
’
1]
m a s ol itude sd u ré e s i co u rte pou r m oi ss l ongu e s
o e
a aro i oi t a me
pe u pl e s reto u rner Qu elqu e s j ou rs avant p
; a , ,
i l fa llo i t a Z er b en d m on
d é part j svenir berger vois inage lui ordonnai
; .
’
fi du d Fi ro u z
pou r s s lu i enj oigni s s ecret s u speine de l a m ort Cette
e nu , av ou er
fil et le
paru t contenter celu i qu i en redo u b l a
on o
c
.
,
j
’
e a u t i on é toi t l o b et il
po u r m oi de s oin s pou r m e pl aire ;
r
p
c
d a t ta h e m e n t
’
1] L a m iti
p lai sirs s ss s
e ’
po u r
et
ain sm
le
i dire ’
apprivoi
a v oi t, s é
d iv e rt i
j
s s di s tin u er ad m irer
s
,
p lus
em e n
et
l e s
F i r ou z
,
'
fai oi t
; e
.
ne fuyoi
Partageant
sw
Tila n h a
l a b nne opini n qu e l e s gr ce s
fait f us s
o
pe u surpris de voir
sde o
.
y
a ,
’
g
l a m é n i t é d u fil
, .
j
a v o i en t n a i tre , le
j ou r d u n air furieux égaré Roi de K me p
e ne a
m a b or d er h a r e zm e ,
’ ’
et
dit p u rqu oi v us trom pé S i vo us pou viez pas m aim er

un .
’ ’
il, m ?
u niqu em ent pa s c c po u r am i R envoye z m oi che z
o -
av ez -
o ne
’
il fa lloi t m pt e r
m on m age pu isqu e l a prince ss e qu n attend tou t heu re
, ne a e .
-
’
R on d a b a h ,
’
a
ici s de tou t votre c u r
,
o
’
e m parer
1] C ette ,
é trange
va
s ai ll ie m e par u t s i d é p l acée qu e prenant ton Se v e re

oe .
j r é pondi s Qu e ll e ex travagance sceci prince de Shirvan Qu e , un ,
t
vous i m porte m on u nion avec Qu a de commu n c
e : e ,
’
R on da b a h ? l a ffe ti on
’
L es E pi s od e s d e Vat h ek
qu e j dev ai m on é pous e avec ce ll e qu e vol ontairem ent j m e su i s
21
engagé tou te m a pou r vous
e r e
”
d
’
a VOI r v ie P
1] Oh
“
beau cou p repartit
! i l m i m port e beau cou p il, “
i l m i m po rt e
’
qu e vous trou vie z pa s u ne am iti é s ol ide dan s u ne fe mm e aim abl e

-
,
dit pa s qu e l a prince ss e de hi lan ré u nit l a ferm eté d m e l a

ne .
Ne G
’
a
val e u r d u n homm e aux charm e s de s se x e Q vous
-
ou ,
’ ’
? d on e a
désirer avec ell e qu e deviendrai j alors V us croire z pe u t ,
on u a u re z -
? et ? é tr e
vous acquitter envers m oi en m e ré tabl i ssant dan s m e s é tats m ai s j
-
e o -
vous sd avance qu e sv us m ettie z l e m pire m onde spied s

e
’
di
'
i du a me
en dédomm agem ent de v tre plus tendre am iti é j ne svous
o
ou rr o i
r egarder qu e comm e m on plus m orte l ennem

o , e p
1] F’
m e c
i ro u z
m é pr o u va i t a
ss
pl ai sir
m ie ux qu e j
on n o i m e c
s s s co mm ander s
ss s oit m e m e
d
’
a i lle u r il
e ne
a v oi t
i .
on n o i oi m oi -
’
i n v i t e r,
; il
s c s s s e l on qu i l j convenab l e paru t donc ; e ,

’
le
’
ef
fa Il
’
a n n a i er,
ge oi t
al rs scalm er reprit s h um e u r enj o ué e
er , u .
et
Qu oi qu e s o us no m d u n berger roi de hirv n droit

o e on
s
.
,
1] le S ’
le fi l d u a v oi t
tous m e s é gard s j sm ie ux qu on c cs d u ne fantai s ie

, a
’ ' ’ ’
a et a i m oi m at
ridicul e qu e m anqu er c qu artier plus agréabl e de
a u
c
,
’
dy Il poi t le le
t u t m on pal ai s s lu i choi s i ssdom es tiqu e s o u tre l e s
. o u
il é to it
’
m ém e
deux e u n uqu e s qu e m age lu i envoyés d e s j ou r de s on
o -
e ,
le a v oi t le
arrivée m on pavill on pers an J e
1 sdonné de s m aitre s lui a v oi
pou r s en tou te s s ortes de s cience s—qu i l s enrager de ,

.
fa i oi t
’
l i n t ru i r e
’
su perbe s chevaux qu i l de s e s cl ave s qu il ’

t u oi t ,
’
,
m a ltr a i t o i t i m pi t oy
m ai s on m e cc to u t cel sfaveu r s an s borne s s
de m oi dont on c c murmu rer
ab le m e n t h oit a re
c qu on
a a au
p
pé h oi t
’
om m en oi t a em ne
ccs
, ,
la at
’
1]
lu i
u
U n m o ulla h
e xpli
vénérab
.
l e tr e s con s idér é po u
l a s ai e m oral e Koran lu i en s l ire apprendre
u oi t
r s s avoir s p et e, et
du fa i
on
oi t et
et a i ,
par c u r svers ets s acrés c ici cqu i s p lus

n
q ,
d é pla i le
’
le ; et é t oi t oi t a
m on j e u ne am i m ai s j scet él oigne m ent to u t au tre m otif
oe e
’
a tt r i b u o i a
s’
a caus e n avois garde d I m aginer qu e s on e s prit
v eri ta b le
;
Je
’
q
d ej i m bibé sO pinion s splus contraire s s s
u a .
a l I la m i m e
’
a v oi t a de le
s pa ssé s s s s an s voir m on ai m ab l e p u pi ll e
.
j plu i e u r h e ur e
’
1] jUn a v oi
j fus chercher trou vai dan s une rande sall e dan s ant au tou r
our
q ue ,
le et le
d une étrange figu re a fub lé e d u ne peau d ne qu il s sau ter avec g
e , ,
fa i
’ ’
f
’ ’
a oit
lu i Ah m on cher prince m e dit en c u rant m oi sbras

“
!
,
i l,
,
a le
u verts voici l a plus m erveill e us e chos e m onde M est
.
,
-
o
du m o u lla h
tran sf rm é en C e s t roi de s scar parl e encore comm e
o ,
on
il il
’
an e le fin e
au paravant
o .
,
a r lo i t
1 ] Qu e vo ul e z vo us dire c j Qu e s t c cqu e c j eu
p
c
.
’ ’
? m é r ia i - ?
cn e s t pas j e u m e r épondit en agit nt deux
-
e. -
“
1] C le m o ulla h
’
oreill e s p sti ch e s d u ne grandeu r dém e su rée j cherche par com

nu ,
a
’
“
pl ai sance de cqu e j paroi s j su ppl ie votre m aj e s té de

o ; e
c a r o i tr e et
p int tr u ver m au vai s

e e
p ”
,
le
A ce s par l o s de m e u rai confond u do u t i l a voi x
ne o o
s c
.
1] du
’
j j i é to i t
qu e j r s presqu e qu e c
o e e a
m ou lla h s e c v e n oi d
’
e n t en d r e, et u
’
é toi t um
6
L es E pi s od es d e Vat h ek
1] J ai “
e x éc u
’
té vo s ordre s reprit j l e s ai pri s l a l ettre i] ; “
a
a ssu ré m ent l a perte d u n e tre s vau t svo s regret s Adie u j ,
-
e , et
’
i Vil
vai s pl e u rer m on i m pru dence pe u de s ol idit é de votre a ecti n
ne
pa .
, e
et le ff
qu e m oindre petit é v éne m ent , o ,
’
le m e n lev e
s ortir no us s ervit s s p l atea ux ém a ll e s

.
j
’
1] 1 1 a llo i t l a r ré t a i ; de
l e s m ets l e s plus e xqu i s no us no us m im e s collationner j e us
, e on ur i
a et
encore l a foibl e ss e de rire de to u te s l e s fo lie s qu i l m e dit s s ;

’
,
an e
pendant repas
ur on
le
p u b l ic prit pa s s l a m ort on s
.
1] Le i lé g er e m e n t d u m o u lla h ; di oit
qu e F en d é ri s ion de l a de s s donn é bre u vage

n e
i r ou z, fo i fid ele a v oi t
cet homm e pie ux qu i fait devenir fol on s acte , un
l a v oi t
’
d e t e to i t
'
a
satroce cs d u ne foibl e ss e ine x c usabl e po u r enfant
: nu
c
,
' ’
i m u oi t a
qu i u ne Vi l e nai ss ance d nn é de vi l es incl ination s La rei e m a
,
on a nu
a v o it
m ere s e cr ut obl igé e de ce s mu rmu re s e ll e m en parl a

o . n
’
ppr e n d r e
’
m
s ans d é to u r devant F p u r dom pter s il s s a rogance
a
’
i r o u z, u v o i t,
no us fit tous deux de s r épri m ande s s en sé e s a ect u e u ses d nt j

o e o
, p on r ,
et a et ff
s enti s l a jus tice m ai s qu e m on am i lu i pardonna j am ais
o e
me
su rt u t o u tr é mé pri s qu
,
e lu i qu e no u s
.
1] du l o r igi n e
’
I l é t oi t a t t i ro i t
lu i avion s su pposé e m e dit qu i l ab s olum ent d é clarer qu i

o
’
et fa lloi t il
é to i t J e lu i repres entai danger de faire dont ,
lu i m e m e
le le il m
’
a v a it
e ray é priai qu e de s ss squ e senvoy és

-
.
,
’
ff Je le d dre
'
em i a ir e
a tt e n
3 a v oi
en S hirvan f ss ent revenus m ai s n en e u t pas l a patience im agina
.
il et
p ur m e s atis faire m yen qu e j n avois pr évoir

u ,
’
m atin a l er l a cha ss e prince de hirvan qu i

o un o e
pu
s
.
1] Un j
q u e e d ev o i S l a , le
’
cc
m y a o m pa gn oi t o t uj ou rs avec plai sir fit se m bl ant d e tre m al ade j ’
,
sre s ter avec lu i m e pre s s a de partir en ss ; e
s
,
’
v ou lo i , il
’
m t qu re
pe u de repos s en é tat s ir de partager avec m oi de s ,

a u ra n a
p
i l e r oi t le
s squ i m e de l a fatigu e j ou r
nu o
a m u em en d é la ss e r oi e n t da et u Il
i m a gin e ri o t lu i
m ém e
, q
1] En e fet j tro u vai m on reto u r u ne su perbe co ll ation s ervie dan s

-
.
f a
petit bois de m on j ardin q i l rn é i llum in é de sfacon
, e ,
’
a v oi t o et
c e s dire avec go t plus N o us é tion s s o us u ne s orte de

un u a ,
u le ffi n é
’
t a le
dai s qu e de s branche s entrelac é e s de grenadiers de
- -
,
ra .
fo rm oi e n t et
l au riers ros e s N us repo sio s spied s s stapi s d u n m ill ier de ’
l é pa i
’
se e u i llé e s dont parfum l m e de s vas esde cri s tal

. o n no ur
fl e ur
’
ff le e n i v ro i t a
s an sn m bre re m pl i s de fruit sam brés su r l a neige cs et fl o tta n t
;
ré fl é hi
,
s oient l a lum i e re de s cierge s en m iniat u re s fleu r d eau s s

o , ,
u r le
’
e a
bord s d une s érie de fontaine s de s ch u rs de j e une s musicien s
ra n
’
g
p l acés u ne jus te dis tance c orei ll es san s interrom pre no s

oe
a s h a r m oi e n t
entretien s J am ai s s oirée ne fu t plus d él icieus e j am ai s
no
’
Fi ro u z n a v o it
é t é plus ai abl e plus gai ss ss ai ll ie s encore

.
,
’
gr e a b le m im oien t
’
m
plu squ e qu i l m e s g and s fl ts Quand s s
e a an
,
de s ws cqu e m a sc
le e fil
'
le Vi n v e r oit a
m it geno u en
r o . ru
Ti la n ha
’
é h a u ffoi t , i l
’
ut té te
terre prenant m e s de ux m ains dan s l e s s ienne s M on cher A s
a er nu
p
"
e t, la i,
m e dit j so u bl i é de vo us dem ander l a gr ce d u n s qu i
, :
’
i l,
’
a v oi a m i era b le
a m érité l a m ort
-
.
1]
D
P ar l
’
e lu
sj m e
i
a i lle u r
s j t u s ai s qu e t
s te tro u ver ce u r c m pati s
, re
p u
l
pe ux
on d i
a i ro i
to u t obtenir
-
sant
e de ;
a
m oi .
V ici de qu oi e s t qu e s tion reprit a uj o u rd h u i

e un
p o o
s
, .
”
“ il Fi ro u z
’
1] J é to i
’
dan s m on apparte m ent entou r é de s squ i m e déte stent

o , .
fl a tt e u r
herchent m e pl aire qu and berger qu e vous su pp sé p u r
vo et
c
, ,
le
’
a m
p ere e s t ven u l e s bras u verts pou r s Dan s c
a v ez o o
s
, ,
’
a m oi m em b ra
m m ent sang de s ws es t rév l té dan s m on c Retire
,
o er . e
le F i la n h a
’
m ur
toi rustre ai j dit berger ét u fer te s m ag t s savec
o o
’
f d e n fa n
’
te s l ou rde s care ss e s de s ou tenir qu e j su i s

-
e au ; va o o
s
, ,
’
a u r oi t n l e ffron t er i e t on
s V o us s ave z bien qu e doi s répond u ave cferm et é
; -
e
’ ’
fil ? le t il
s u tiendrai per l de m a C ette rép n e te ll e je a - -
;
s
,
’
‘
jet le o v ie é t oit
qu e ll e m ai s cu rie ux de voir j s qu e l p int n us
e au i . o
d e v oi t é t r e
’ ’
qu a
p u von s com pter su r ce ux qu i nous c sno s s ecretsj ai ord nné , u o o
on fi on
’
a
qu on l a bastonnade c homm e en apparence srés olu
o ,
o
don n fit
’
a et i il n e
l a pas s o u tenu e
’
s a t u t avo ué apre s votre défen s e

lon gt e m il
e xpress e sm enaces e s t digne de m rt ai s j v us suppl ie , o
et il ; m
de lu i pardonner
vo ,
o e o
pe u forte sj Qu oi tu s era s touj o u rs cr e l

.
di
’
1] L é pr e u v e é to i t u n
Q el pou voir ss m e force C e n e st assurém ent ,
-
e . u
’
i r r e i t i b le
’
t il a t ai m er ?
pas l a sym pathie dan s sin cl ination s
u - -
e s t vrai répl iqu a qu e j n ai sau tant de patience qu e

no
” ’
1] Il t i l,
v us avec l es homm e s l es tro uv carnassierscmm e de s l ou ps pa
,
- -
e
Je et
fa ux comm e l e s renard s dan s l e s fabl e sde L qm an svol ages dan s
o .
e o
i
l e u rs s sS i fragi l e s dan s l e u rs pr m e ss e s qu il m e st im possibl e
o
’ ’
ti m e n
de l e s pa s tenir en abhorrence Qu e s omm es s tous l e s de ux
en ,
o ,
s e uls m onde La terre al ors l ie u s i s érab l e s

n e n e -
n ou
s ’
d h a b i t a n pe rfid e et m
svanter de porter de ux a m i s s he u re ux
au , au ,
po ur r oi t fid ele e t
C e fu t par ce s é l an s e x a l té s ro m anti qu e s qu e
e
1] s s d
’
th o u ia m et Firou z
m e fit tol érer cet e no u vell e pre u ve de l a c c de s on c u r
en e
m e han
'
t e té
ssd e s l ende m ain qu i l pas t u t dit qu e c lu i

oe .
’ ’ ’
Je le m a v oi t é toi t
qu i fait venir berger qu i par s e s rdres on ins inu é de
u n e o ,
a v oi t le a a voit
comm e fait J appri s qu e pau vre rus tiqu e e u , ,

o ,
’
l a b o r d er i l l a v oi t le
’ ’
a v oit
cou rage de s l aiss er frapper pre squ e j s l a m ort avant qu e

.
’
le qu a
m on comm andem ent J env yai u ne s omm e d argent c
e u
d e n fre i n d re
’
c ’ ’
a
m al he u re ux ne sde reproches m em e de s état
. o
’
fi a m oi
C o mm e cette s c e ne indigné
et
to u t qu n en q u on
-
, .
j Z e r b e n d,
’
1] a v oi t et u ge o i t
de m a ere faire encore plus de tort qu i l

o
j
’
a Fi rou z
'
m a m e r i t oi t,
décl arai s ol ennell em ent s naissance l e s rai son s qu on de
n e e
’
et a v oi t
cacher J e ne m an qu ai en suite de d u ne pom pe royal e

a en
’ ’
la l e n v i ron n e r
ne fus pas peu su rpri s de voir qu e ceux qu i paru l e s plus ,
.
et a v oi e n t
acharn és contre lu i avec em pre ss em ent b ri gu o i e n t de l h on n eu r
’
le
s erv r J entrai de s sus en q elqu e cs l e u rs inte tion s m ai s
i
’
la
,
d é fia n
p ince de Shirvan m e rassu ra N e prenez point de fauss e s al arm es
.
-
u e ur n :
le
m e dit en riant vo us pou ve z c la garde de m a pers onne ce s
r .
,
il on fi e r a
gen s ci auss i bien a point de trahi s on dan s l eu r
;
-
s ’
a d
’
a u tr e ; il
’
fait i ls s eul em ent c de c eu r qu and j ai cha gé de nai ssance

u
q n
y
-
h a n ge
’
; ou t o n .
9
L e s E pi s od e s d e Vat h e k
A s j su i s pl s cpetit berger m al in cru e l qu i par s e s
re en t et
e s pi eg lerie s ne m anqu er de sfaire renvoyer dan s s c bane

p e ne u e
pou v oi t
su is grand pr nce bon h um ain dont on pe u t attendre m i ll e
e a a .
Je i
bienfait s parie qu e j po urrai sfaire cou per l a inq s
un
c
, , ,
Je té te a ix
d entre e ux p u r en j u er l a boul e qu e sa u tre s c
. e ou
’
a et le t in u e ro i e n t
chanter m e s l ou angesen s p lus squ e l e u r s
o o , on
a fl a t ta n t d é tr e fo rt un e
’
c m pagn ns
e
De s e m b l ab l e s di s co u r s dont qu e trop l a s o l idit é

o o
c ss s
.
1] j on n o i oi
in s en s i l em ent m on cc C e s t grand tont m al

e ne
cs s
, ,
e n d ur b
’
i oi e n t
l e s h mm e s d u n trop cl air yant on croit vivre avec

e u r. un
d ll
’ ’
e xa m in er
de s sfér ce s on devient s m em e
o (E vo
b é te et le oi -
craigni s qu e dan s rang prince de

o
s
.
,
1] d b or d le
’
Je on t r o u v o i t le
S hirvan encore plus l ibrem ent ssincl i ation s per
a e
s
,
il n e li v rat a
vers e s m ai s j m e tro m pai scndu ite fu t nobl e s en s ée ss
e e n
s
,
m a n i er e
ob ligeante s envers grand s petit s ;
l es
e a o e
c
, , ,
et fin i l ef
fa a e n t i er e m e n t
m au vai s e s i m press ion s qu i l donnee s de lu i ; en
’
a v oi t
1] C
dan s
e s j o u r s de ca l
l a ppa r t e m e n t
’
e
de
jusqu
s
a l arr
m
vint
v e e de d ur ere n t J
c qu e cette
Fi r o u z lor q u
s ’
’
i
.
m
’
R o n da b a h . e toi
prince ss e avec u ne e s corte digne d ell e p lus qu elqu e s

on a n n on er
’ ’ ’
é t oi t a
pa r a s sde an
,
I nterdit de cette nou vell e s an s s avoir

Z e rb e n d
pou rqu oi j t u rnai m e s regard s su r m on am i J e trem bl e en core
ge .
,
n
q
,
u
s ou venir de l e tat j s U ne m ortell e c s on

, e o . au
le
’
o iI vi ! paleu r o u vr oi t
vi s age fu t s ai si de onv ls ifs tomba

e
b i en tOt i l sc m o u v e m en e t e n fin il
par terre privé de s entim ent J all oi s p rter m oi m em e su r s l it
u ,
’
le
qu and l e s de ux e u n uqu e s qu e m age lu i envoyés m e l en
. o -
on ,
le
’
a v oi t
le v er en t , en m e di sant Lai ss ez ss oin s S eigne u r daigne z le a et
vo us retirer s i en rou vrant l es yeux vous sde lu i

,
-
no , ,
; il vo
yo i t au
pr e il
s
,
’ ”
m o u rr oi t a l i n ta n t
1] C e s paro l e s ton avec l e qu el ell e s fu rent prononcé e s m e s aisirent
.
le
point peine j pus m e trainer j s dehors de s porti ere s
’
a
,
’
,
re m pl i ssine x pri m ab l e s j s déno u em ent de l a

qu e n ;
e u
au
q u
la, s d
’
goi e
’
a t t en d oi le
s c ene l rsqu de s e u n uqu e s vint m e prier de rentrer
an ,
e n fin , u n Fi ro u z,
’
app uyé s l e s bras de l a tre e u n uqu e c d u n pa s chancel a t

,
o ,
.
t a h oi t ,
’ ’
de venir m a rencontre J c de sss s divan

ur u , n ,
’
l o b li gea i le
’ ’
a e oi r et m é ta n t
mis sde lu i A m i de m on lu i sj l e s s s
. a ur ,
“ “
pr e am e, di e n tim e n
étrange s de sc eurs snt l a fau te de l a de s tin é e Vo us e te s contre

au : -
e,
to u te rai s on tou te com pré hen sibil ité j al oux de m oi

no o o .
,
R on d a b a h ; et
m al gré m a foi qu e sam bassade urs lu i ont donn é e j sui s pr e t tou t

,
me
,
a
,
ri squ er qu e de vo us p l onger dan s u ne m er de peine s

, , e
plu tOt
A ll on s voir cette redo u tab l e m e rép ndit
.
“ ”
1] h é rom e Fi r ou z
Pserm ettez qu e j vo us su ive dan s cette pre m re vi site A m on on
ign i fie rien svo us m e l ai ss e z ici j m ou rrai
e
i avant ’
,
ie
’
.
o
d i n q ui é t u d e
age
.
v tre reto ur
ne
"
; , y
J e n av i rien r é p l i qu er ce l a ne qu e c n s entir t u t
o
s s
.
1]
’
ja a o uv o i a
cqu e s d u ne ine x p l i ab l e qu e m a
e o
c
o ; o
p
c d é i r oi t l o b
j
’
c et c ’
r ed ile tio n om
pl ai s nce rani m a qu i m e s pendant to u t chem in Ah j

a , et
p
d i oi t le
,
,
“
! e
1 0
L es E pi s od es d e Vat h e k
u ne fig u re dont l e s trait s ss
l h a b i lle m e n t e t
’
ce ux A
e m b loi e n t a d m ru,
’
sde m on vi z ir a ll a ss de l a grotte pe u
re
le fil s
; il
’
eoi r a l e n d roi t
’
ou un
de cl arté c de lu i di s m ot
a
d on n oi t, e t l e m pé h oi t
’
c m a pe r e v o ir Je n e
’
m ai s fus spe u étonné de voir au tre pers onnage mys térie ux ,

.
qu i m e ss e tre chef de s e u n uqu e s de s rtir co mm e

ne
pa nu ,
a r oi oi t le R on da b a h ,
s ein de s t en ebre s C ette figure aborda l au tre
p
m e s e mbl a
o
du
’
et 11
dire Fi l s sc Am ru qu e votre e u r s
.
,
’
l en t e n d r e d llb a r
’
h a rrn a n t m
réj ou iss e aura c cqu i l d és ire m a m aitress e srendra ici
: , ,
e
il ; R on d a b a h ,
’
cette n uit Vous y recevre z s e s pre m iers s s roi de K

, , e
e rm e n ; le h a r e zm e
n au ra dem ain qu e ss econd s A mr u bai s a l a terre en s igne de
.
”
le
’
s o um i ss ion mu rmu ra qu elqu e s parol e s voi x bass e qu e rés onne

.
et a le
m ent de s eaux rendit inintell igibl e s i ls sortirent tous de ux
, ,
1] J e fus su r p int de l e s su ivre de l aver dan s l e u r s ang

.
’
le et l a ffr on t
qu i fait m ai s m om ent de r e flection arr eta c prem ier m ou ve
o
c
,
’
m é t oi t
m ent n avoi s point d am ou r pou r ;
ssqu e
nu
’
Je j R o n da b a h , l é po u
’ ’
oi
po u r de s rais on s d e tat par pitié po u r ell e plus qu e s tion

. e ne
’ ’
Il n
'
et e to i t
de m e rendre m al he ure ux po r de tels m otifs j n avois faire

.
,
’ ’
qu a
é clater crim e de l a prince ss e j sdébarrass é d e ll e j ;
u e
de
’
lo e rfi
’
é toi et
c savec honne u r m a l iberté o u te s ce s pen s ée s ssc
p e
c
, ,
ou vr o i T é d er e n t
rapidem ent dan s m on e s prit j b éni s m on é toi l e qu i am ené
re . e u
a v o it a
tern s cette i m portante déc u verte j co u rus en faire pa t F ; e
et a i rou z
Qu e devin s j en entrant dan s s apparte m ent J e trou ve entre l e s
o , e r .
? le
bra s de ssde ux e u n uqu e s favoris qu i ssm ain s par force
-
e on
re t en oi en t
en pl e u rant criant O notre cher m aitre vous fait de vo s
e , e ,
’
et
bell e s tress e s de cheve ux P ou rqu oi l e s ave z vous i m pitoyabl em ent

u a v e z-
, , q
?
co u pée s vous vou driez encore cicatri s er votre front d ivoire m ai s
-
?
’
et
n us m ou rron s qu e de perm ettre lu t Ot le

"
1] A cette v u e j n e us pa s l a force de proférer s e ul m ot m a do ul e u r

o
p ’
.
mu ette paru t faire revenir m on am i lu i

e un
s c ss a m ém e ; il
’
ha a
e u n uqu es cou rant l e s bra s o u vert s Calm e z vo us gé nére ux
-
a rra e
e t, a m oi
A s m e dit en s sc e s t vous m e voye z ,
s
,
” ’
l é ta t
’
la i, i l, ou
’
m e m b ra t i
qu i vo us a lige vo us deviez vous y attendre n en s oye z pa s tém oin
-
an
’
ff !
Mal gré ce s l ar m e squ e j répand s ce s cheve ux qu e j ai s to u t
, ;
b r u lé
’
et
dé s e s poir s o u haite qu e vo us s oye z he u re ux avec

e , ,
le j
’
ui m gi to i t ,
I m porte s i l m en co te l a
e
q a
’ ’
R on da b a h ; q u u v ie
1] Ah c
m é r ia i j qu e’
m i ll e e uss ent péri po u r épargner R on da b a h
vos nerfs tr p m bil e s l a qu i l e s dévore qu and m e m e ell e s
-
e,
a fi ev r e
e uss ent été tou te s au ss i squ e l a
o o
s
,
fid ele Otre t perfid e
1] Qu “
oi s e ria s’
on to u r ai j bien
de l a prince ss e de hil an qu e vo us parl e z De gr ce ex pl iqu e z
o entend
Fi rou z, a
G
u s cc ,
n
-
e
e
? a
! e ro i t -
vo us ! ”
,
1] Al r s j lu i contai c cqu i s pass é dan s l a grotte l a rés olu tion e to i t et
sde rendre p u b l i qu e de appr u va

o e ,
ou
j é to i l i n fa m i e R on d a b a h Il
’ ’
beau cou p m on proj et m e cacha pas l a j oie qu e lu i cs c

. o
et a u oi t et
événe m ent d nt m e c en aj u t nt voi x bass e m en a , ne

’
1] fé li i t oi t , a Il
c mes c heveux m ai s vo us l ave z échappé be ll e
, o o a ,
of
ité
’
.
,
1 2
H i s toir e d u P rinc e Alas i
1] N o us s s de s rév él er
r é olfim e notre
avant l heu re nous vo ul ion s l a m ener avec n us pou r surprendre
’
s ecret
ou
l a reine m a
ne m e re
pa
o
a
R on d a b a h
L a reine par u t p lus su rpr s e qu and no us lu i di m e s c qu i
.
’
a flli
1] i gé e
nous s tard che z e ll e l a m iti e qu e ll e
qu ’ ’
e
a m en o i t i
’
a v oi t d a b ord
tém ig ée s refr idie m esu re qu e j

a R on d a b a h s ss ’
é toi t a
pa ro i oi
cette prince ss e cependant comm e e ll e

o n o e
m c ’
h er
a t ta a
’
n a v o it
s c de s
’
em é h e ll e s e ss sen nous su ivant de ’
l e t i m e r,
;
la oi t
, pu
faire des ex cl am ati n s s cette avent ure dont pou r plus

ne
p e r
pa , ,
Fi r o u z ri oi t
d u ne rai s on
o ur ,
’
1] N o us sc s dan s de j ardin
en e m buscade vint no us dire qu e l e s c u pab l e s
e
.
s c l ave
en d i m e qu e j s p
dan s l a grotte
l a c é
le : nu fi dele ,
é t oi e n t
a v oi
depu i s qu elqu es s no us y avec de s

o
sA s s
,
m om e n i t ot t ram e fl a m b e a u x,
ass ez de m onde po u r faire m ou rir de honte ce ux qu e n us surprenion s
. u en
et
ai s i m ai s i ls s cc null e m ent J e tire m on s abre avec

o
dé e r t er e n t
f reu r j croi s d u n s e ul c u p faire tom ber par terre l a t ete de s de ux
n ; ne e on .
m i s érabl e s m ai s j frappe qu e l air i ls s ss sye ux

u , e o
’
d i pa ro i en t ano
1 ] Dan s cm o m ent de confus ion crie La princesse de hi l an a
,
e ne .
G
f rcé l a garde qu i de l a rotte n us l a voyon s
e ,
on :
d é fen d o it l e n tre e
’
Et
R oi de K m e dit ell e d u n ton m ode s te ai s g
o o
“
h a re zm e ,
’
a ro it re . m
a ssure on m a avertie qu i l s ici u ne tra m e cntre m on
re
p
-
s ’ ’ ’
S ou r d i oi t
honneu r j su i s ven u e confondre m e s ennem is De qu oi s agit

,
o
’
et il
F u i s m a l he u re us e s ceria l a re ne o u m on redo u b l er
e -
s
.
,
1] fil le
cu p qu e ta m agie a fait m an qu er
, ,
i , va
J e crain s pa s l a m ort répondit s an s d é concer er

o
1] s ”
R on d a b a h t
A sn a j a m ai s attent é m a vie S i qu e lqu e pre s tige v us j ette to us
ne ,
e .
’
la i a
dan s apprenez m oi de qu ell e natu re e s t J e c mpte ass e z s
. o
il
’
l e rr e u r,
s eco u rs qu e cie l accorde c cpo u r m e flatter de vo us
-
. o ur
’
le le a l in n o
désabus er
en e
L air nob l e de s e s regard s s sm e con

.
1] fier R on d a b a h ,
’
et i m po
spre squ e de c cqu e entend u qu and
an
s
,
fon d o i en t j d o u toi oi et
sc Oh fau t avou er qu e l a princess e de hil an sde

e 3 a v vu ,
il G
’
F ir o u z é ri a : t
bien co u rte m ém oire N o us l a trou von s ici dan s sbras de s on cher
e
le
Am ru e ll e s avec s favori quand dan s s m em e
.
’
d i pa r oi t et l i n ta n t il
lu i pl ait de revenir s l a s cene e ll e a tou t o u bl i é
,
on , , ,
ce s par l e s hangea de o ul e u r s on teint ani mé dev nt

ur
c c
,
1] A R on da b a h i
d u ne m ortell e ell e tou rna s sye ux re m p l i s de l arm e s
;
o ,
m oi d e
’
pale u r
O prince infort u n é m e dit ell e e voi s s to u te l a
,
ur .
a p re en t
prof ndeu r de l ab m e qu i e s t entr u vert s ous s sL e m ons tre qu i 1

-
,
’
!
’
i te
m an qu era pas s proie C e s t lu i qu i a l e s e s prit s de s
a
’
o o
’
p
t ra i n e
t en ebre s s e s rdres j ne puiste s au ver
t y
s ss an s fré m ir
en ne a .
a et a u r oi
ton s ort m e cou v es ta perte e s t l a

o ; e , ne
! Tu d in fa m i e,
’ ’
ab an d on n e r a et
s eul e ang i ss e de m on e u r Apre s avoir parl é ain si

t
se
r
m Ro n da b a h
retira d u n pas m aj e s tu eux san s pers onne s s oppos er
o .
,
’
at
’
N o us co mm e no us regarder l e s
ue o
q y
s s s
,
s s
.
1] tam e pé tri fié a fixe m en t le

a u tre s s an s pou voir ou rir l a bou che Qu e nous s omm e s ins ens é s
re un
,
v .
13
sci l a reine Qu oi l a hardie ss e d u ne indigne m agicien e
r a e n fin
’
no us ell e dé m entir no s ye ux soreil e s Qu ell e parte qu ell e

e . n ,
’
fer o it l
’
et n o
nous d él iv e j am ai s de s Odie us e s cc est m ie ux qu i pu i ss e

-
’
a re e n le
no us arriver J convin s F qu i ss confus alarm é
r
’
on
p e,
et ir ou z, a roi oit et
fut assu ré m ent pa s d u n a u tre avi s N o us repri m e s chac u n che min

en ;
’
p ,
le
de nos
ne
s
.
c
a rt e m e n
J dan s u ne pp
grande conf us ion de pen sé e s qu e
a
s s s
.
j
’ ’
1] é to i i m
point qu e F s m e s pas J e p us m e d éfendre d u n m u ve
e ne a
per u
’
i ro u z u i voit
m ent en m e voyant s eul avec lu i ss squ e cie l

. ne o
Pre le
’
d h orr e u r e n tim e n
no us env ie vous ete s san s c s sc c scorrom p us

.
fl et le !
j ette i m p é t u e us e m ent m e s geno ux m e dit en s ng l ot
o ur e ur
s
,
1] Fi ro u z a et
tant O po urqu o R oi de K vous donn é asil e

e a
“ ’
i, h a re zm e, m a v e z ?
Qu e m e l aiss iez vous p é rir avec F s w J s enfant al ors
: -
nu
i la n h a ?
’
é t oi
pers onne dire qu e j sm agicien C e s t don cdan s votre
ne -
nu
’ ’ ’
n a u r oi t é toi
cou r sc squ e appri s conju rer l e s Dive s pu
la
.
a Ot é ai a ! R o n da b a h ,
mé chante vous l a pre squ e s dira e ll e
vo
, , j ’
R on d a b a h , pe r u a d e ; t
pas auss i qu e j ai e m p l oyé qu elqu e charm e po u r acqué rir votre
ne - -
am iti é H el as vo us s avez bien qu e to u te l a cdont j m e su i s s ervi

? m a gi
cette fin n a é té qu e de vous ch é rir m oi m em e cent foi s p lus qu e
e
’
a
ma
-
v ie
1] M ai s po u r qu oi app u yer s
déno u e m ent C omm e Cal ife V j sentendu l a voi x
u ne
?
s c e ne dont vo us prévoye z
le
to us ur
a th e k ,
’
a v oi d
’
le
bienfai sant genie comm e lu i j csm on co u r contre s

un
’
e n du r
’
et i
i m pulsi n s alu taire l e s parol e s de furent o u bl iée s j c
, e on
R on da b a h
’
é a r ta i
do u te confus qu e ll e s donn é prince de S hir an m e

o :
; le
’ ’
le m a v oi e n t
dev nt plus cher qu e j am ais C e m om ent fu t l a cri s e qu i déterm ina m a
v
i
per e
. .
t
N o us s l ende m ain qu e partie dan s l a n u it
.
1] rim e le R on da b a h é t oi t
avec to u te ssu ite j en sfaire de s r éj ou i ssance s pu bliqu e s
a
pp ’
fi
1] Qu e lqu e s j
voye z bien R oi de K
o u r s apr e s m e
a
dit devant l a ,
reine
et
m
qu e vous a ll e z avoir l a g erre contre
a m e re,
V o us
F ir o u z
h a r e zm e ,
.
le
roi de hil an vo u dra venger s qu i m anqu era pas
, u
G il fille,
cspo persu ader de s innocence pré vene z l eve z u ne
a ne
a rt i fi e le le ;
’
d
armé e entron s da s hil an ravageon s c es t vous qu i s
ur on -
le,
’
,
n le G ,
-
é te
”
o u t ra ge
1] L a reine f u t de l
.
avi s de j y s
s regret faire l e s pr é paratifs de cette g u erre j l a c sjus te
oi a
us crivi s ’
C ependant j Fi r ou z, et o .
oi
e
pou rtant en s comm e s ell e point ét é

e ro
vo
y y ,
t ro u b le
’
é t oi i l a v oit
sp lus d u ne foi s pr s e s su r m on e x tr em e
et
sl e s al ar m e s qu e j
ne
’
3 ’ ’
d a i lle u r a v oi i
attache m ent pou r F ,
de force de j ou r en j ou r L e
i r ou z r e d o u b lo i e n t 61 8
de F s w tr p bien appri s l ire dan s m on c pou r aj o u ter
.
i la n h a a v oi t a
a ux pré te xte s qu e j s m e s agitation s invol ontaire s ai s
o a zu r
fo i d on n o i a m il
s s e m bl ant de m e c roire en cs de chercher s an s
e
c
,
fa i lo
’
oi t et r e n oi t io n
ce ss e qu elqu e s no u veaux m oyen s de m e dis traire
a
, p
m atin qu e n u s a ll ion s partir po u r u ne grande cha ss e no us

.
1] Un
dan s l a c u r de m on pal ai s homm e c d une pe s ante
o
s
,
’
t ro u v am e o nu ,
h a rge
1 4
L e s E pi s o d e s d e Vath ek
tou t fait te s cheve ux j
a squ e c c l e s fuss ent m ai s ce ux
et e v o u d ro i oi
ont pri sl a coul e u r cam phre comm e l e s tien s cell e mus c ; -

,
du du
Eh qu oi m e dit en riant vo us vo us po u r
.
,
”
“ “
1] Fi ro uz e n fl a m m ez
u ne fade peintu re vo us qu i ave z rési s te a ux charm e s
,
sde
,
fl a m b oya n
R on da b ah M ai s calm e z vo us cher A s contin u a en prenant
,
la i, t il
air s érie ux sde F s wv us appe ll era s sj vai s lu i
-
,
- -
un
’
l é po u i la n h a o n fil
renvoyer s j oai ll ier lu i é crire qu e ll e c c l e s s ecou rs

e o e
c
,
’
d au
’ ’
et e pt e
prince de l a terre qu e c es t m on bienfaiteu r m on am i qu i s era

on , n a un
’
et le
venge u r qu e ll e cherche M ai s b tons no us de p u nir l a prince ss e de
’
,
a
, ,
hi lan de qu e ll e vous a fait prévenon s ssfu re u rs comm ent

-
.
l a ffro n t
’
G
p urrie z vous recon qué rir m on r yaum e qu and V tre s en ;
e
le o er oi t
danger
o -
o
"
?
1] D u m m ent qu e j cr us p lus re ss entir pa ss ion inte ll igib l e ’
l a pai x revint dan s c eu r s rani m a j donnai de s ordre s

o e ne u un e
q ,
m on ; il
pos itifs pou r accél érer notre entrepris e nous nou sm im e s en
o e ; e
e t b i e n t Ot
m arche avec u ne n mbre us e armé e ,
L e s hi l an no us
o
s s s s
.
fr on t ier e du G é toi e n t d e ga r n i e ; le
'
1] i me
s an s piti é M ai s l e s f rce s de pas s cou rage
r a v a ge z
F i r o u z n e r é pon d o i en t a
les s ri squ e de donner te ms de s
. o on .
’ ’
Je m é n a ge o i a l e n n e m i le a rm e r .
j o u r qu e j sfait faire hal te dan s u ne vall ée cou verte d u ne

,
au
’ ’
1]Un a v oi
m ous se fraiche arros ée d u n ru i ss eau l i m pide no us vim e s pass er pe u

et
’
l oin de nou su ne biche plus blanche qu e l a neige A ss

, ,
i té t F i ro u z
de s décoche u ne fl e che cette innocente b ete
u
s
.
il
’
em o n a re , e t a
ell e tom be no us co u ron s e ll e pays an qu i nous
ara
p
Un
’
l a t t e in t , a yo i t ,
no us crie Ah vous fait V ous ave z t u é l a biche de l a s ainte
, .
,
vo
’
! qu
fe mm e Cette e xcl am ation réj u it m ai s n e u t pas
a v e z-
s
,
Fi ro u z, il lon gtem
’
de qu oi rire chien énorm e com pagnon de l a biche s aute su r lu i

o
terrass e lu i tient l a gorge s err é e avec ssf rte s patte s s em b l e

; un , , ,
le et
attendre l e s rdre s de pou r J e ss crier
, e o ,
’ ’ ’
u el u u n l é tra n gle r n o oi ui i
atta qu er chien de peu r de j ne se ss ayer de lu i
n
o
q q ’
.
le l a n im er ; pou v o i
co u per l a d u n s e ul co u p trop bien coll é s s proie po u r
, e
i l é t oi t
’
t é te
hazarder spr e t e x pirer de terre u r qu and j
ur a
s
,
j
’
le fin é to i a vi
accou rir u ne fe mm e voil ée qu i obl igea chien quitter pri s e qu i

en , e
le a et
en su ite s to urnant ver s m e dit J e c spa s de m o i, y oi

,
Ro i
vo us retro u ver dan s l ie j sven u e s
e ,
ne ro ,
,
K
’
ev eli r
’
h a r e zm e , ou é t oi m
tou te vivante J e vien s de rendre s e l on précepte divin bien po u r
un u en
le le
m al en sa u vant l a vie rende z pas m al pou r bien en , ,
.
le a Fi r ou z ; le le
d é trui sant ce s pe upl e s qu i l oin de chercher m e venger ignorent
,
ne
a
m em e j qu i m a ét é faite
l in
’ ’
, ,
”
,
1] En a c hevant
m aj es tu eux de
ce s m ot s e ll
ur e
e l e
s
ve s voi l e no us d é co u vre
de nous d un spr é cipit é
R on d a b a h ,
, vi age
s
e t,
.
’
e loi gn a n t
on ,
’
le
n us l ai ss e dan s é tonne m ent ine xprim abl e pa ,
1] F sre m it pre m ier Eh bien m e dit do u terez vous

o un .
i r ou z le il, a
s de en m agie de Qu e fer n s nous p u r
e .
- -
R o n da b a h ?
’
re en t l h a b i le t é
nous garantir de ss c s J e voi s qu nn s e ul m oyen
o o
p
-
’ ’
em b u he ?
su rpren ns l a cette n u it all on s avec détachem ent de no s s ol dat s
e n
y
o -
; ,
nu
1 6
l e s plus d é vo u é s l a br l er to u te Vive dan s s retraite qu e nous nous u
feron s adroite m ent en s eigner o u rés ol von s nous e tre m i s en pi e ce s
,
a ,
a
par sA squ i l a s ervent s o us l a form e
-
,
”
d
’
le fri t e an i m a u x
Qu e ll e h rre u r m c qu i no us c sain s i
.
1] j ri a i - e ! on n oi tr i on le
s ervice qu ell e vient de nous rendre Qu ell e qu e ll e s oit e ll e vient de ;
o e o re
’ ’
vo us dél ivrer d une m ort cru ell e ’ ”

,
Ah p ince créd ul e r é pondit v e z vo us pa s qu e

.
“
1] S ‘
! Fi r ou z ,
sc n a fait qu e di férer s vengeance qu e ll e a craint
r , ne oy -
’
l i n fam e f
’ ’
i er e
q en l a e ll e s s en perdre fr uit M ai s qu e dis j
or a ,
’
le
’
h ata n t ex
po e roi t 5 ? e P
C e n e s t m oi qu ell e en ve ut j con s en s j os e es pérer
u 1 -
’ ’
a
’
s et
’ ’ ’
pr é
m a m ort e ll e vo us épargnera s contentera de vous rendre s on
q y
u , qu a
et
e s cl ave , e
C e di s co u r s e u t to u t qu e en n s p lus
.
’ '
1] j l efl et F i r ou z a tt e n d oi t e t oi
m em e squ i l m e s entrevoir m oindre danger pou r lu i ; e

dé le
’
a m oi fa i oi t
J e fus auss i ardent qu i l d és irer dan s c de s
-
.
po u v oi t le
’
l e xé
’
u ti o n
n ir a fre ux com pl ot L e s flamm e s qu i cs

on
f
’
et um er en t l h a b i tat i on
r us tiqu e de furent allumé e s par m e s m ain s ain s i qu e par l e s
o . on
R on d a b a h
s iennes m al gré l e s paysan s et qu i nous donnion s l a m ort ’
d a le n t ou r, a
pou r pr x de l e ur com passion nous
i
;
scl ie u qu e qu and q u i tt am e
nous c s ens eve l ie s ous m onceau de cendres , ne e
r fim e R on da b a h
1 ] Qu e lqu e s j o u r s apr e sj vo ulus faire avancer m on ar m ée dan s
nu .
pay s m ai s m e trou vai arre t e par l e s trou pe s

, e
l i n t é ri e u r d u
’
b i en t ot
enne m ie s l a t e te esqu ell es a roi de hi lan s on s
,
d é t o i e n t le G et fil
fallu t donner batai ll e F vo ulu t m al gré m oi com battre m e s
, .
Il i r ou z a
c s j n en fus pa s p lus vai ll ant po u r cel a j s sm oin s
.
, ,
Ot é geo i a
attaqu er a parer l e s co u ps qu on lu i se j devant
: e , e on
’
or t oi t il e toi t a u -
de ce ux qu i adre ssés nous ne nous perdion s pas de l un
q u
’
p ’
m é t oi e n t
l au tre on d u ter qu e chacu n de nous d éfendit spropre ; vue
’
pouv oi t
vie dan s cell e de s on am i ; n e o ne a
L e prince de h l an cherché parto u t m e j oignit

.
1] G ; 11 e n fin , e t,
’
i m a v oi t
fondant su r m oi sabre l ev é R oi de K , le m e dit t u va s h a r e zm e , i] ,

payer de ta atroce qu e t u as faite m a s u r s i j l avoi s
-
j
’ ’
vie l in a m
s p lus sé t é te chercher j s ton pal ai s m al gré l e s
ur e ; e
j
’ ’
t ot , a u r oi
noirs e s prit s qu i q
u u u en ,
l h a b ite n t
’
peine a c hev é ce s m ot s qu e m ain qu i fer

.
venge ur dont m e ctom ba

1] Il a v oi t a la t e n o i t lo
par
il terre d u nm rever s s abre deoi t
,
’
du
L e roi de hilan accou rt— é cum e de rage— nous p rte
en a
Firo u z G il il
deux fu rie ux c u p s j celu i qu i adre ssé m on am i s
. o
’ ’
é v it e m é toi t t
atteint é paul e par l au tre j voi s chance l er Faire vol er en l air
o , e
’ ’ ’
a le
l a t ete vie—ux roi prendre su r m on cheval
e .
’
du F i rou z et m é loi gn er a
to u te bride tou t cel a fu t in s tant ,
l a ffa i r e d
’ ’
,
L e de F perd u conn i s ance j n s sen

un
s s w
.
1] fil i la n h a s a v oi t e t oi
gu é r e
m ei ll e u r é tat A u l ieu de reprendre chem in de m on c m p j ;
o e
c
le
dan s une épaiss e s om bre j ne ssqu e
. a ,
e
to u rnoyer comm e s s H eure us em ent c nous c

en fon for é t fa i
’
m ai et , ou e oi
in en é b fi h er on r ut
s c de no us en m on cheval m e dit S i vous

un un e ;
. a
p
il
’
ha a rr é t a n t
“
a
pp ro e t, , ,
B 1 7
L e s E pi s od es d e Vat h ek
’
pas to u t fait perd u l a rai s on s i vo us voul e z pas qu e c
a
j e u ne homm e e xpire dan s vo s bras suivez m oi j s l a cabane de m on
n a v ez ,
ne e
’
a
p e re vous y s erez s eco u rus q
,
-
u u
J e m e l aiss e cond u ire vieill ard no us cavec bienve ll ance

; .
1] ; le r e oi t ; il
fait m ettre su r l it cou rt chercher lu i fait
i
Fi r ou z eli xi r q u I l
aval er p u i s m e dit m om ent plus tard cj e u ne homm e
nu , nu
“
Un é t oi t
m ort a presqu e perd u to u t s s ang
;
ré parer cette
: e
; il ; i l fa llo i t d
’
a b or d
perte A s no us e xam ineron s sbl e ssure tandi squ e m on s
on
re e n t ; et, fil
d n s l a fore t chercher une herbe fraiche dont j ai bes oin vous
p
. a
’
d és habill er votre
va a ,
’
m a i d ere z a am i.
1] J ss s
’
m achinai l e m ent d
oi u ne m ain tre m b l ante m ai sj revin s et
’
bien vite m oi o u vrant l a ve s te de

a ; e
g
s a m é m e lor qu e n
j s ’
Fi r ou z vi
s ein qu e l e s ho uri s env é Ah c e s t une fe mm e dit

-
e
!
’
a u roi e n t i le
vieill ard
nu .
en s oit l o u é c dan s d él ire de su rpri s e de

.
”
A j
’
lla h
’
1] Q m é r iai et
j oie m ais qu e dite s v us de sbl essu re
u ,
-
e, nu
“
1] Q e ll e n e s t pa s m orte ll e m e dit bonhomm e en

-
o a
’ ’ ’
le l e xa m i n a n t,
qu e qu and j band é sp laie ell e reviendra l a Calm ez
u ,
’
et a u ra i a v ie
v us donc j e u ne homm e contin u a surtou t mé nagez rep s

a .
”
t i l, et le
de ce ll e qu e j vois bien qu e vo us ai m e z pass ionn ém ent u ne
o , ,
- -
o
em o ti o n
viol ente l a e xpirer syeux
e ;
fe roi t a
1] L e tran s port d a m u r de j oie qu i s em paré de céda

vo .
’ ’
et é to i t m o n am e
l a pl ace l a crainte qu e m e c s l e s par l e s a l arm ante s
o
a ér e n t du
iei ll ard j en s i l ence faire s o ce p ui s ayant envel—opp é
au o
’
l a id a i a ffi
dan s de s cou vert u res de peau de — l a défai ll ante
;
v e on ;
c leopa r d Fi ro u zk a h
c cette prince ss e e l e m em e j sdan s sangoi ss e s
ar
’ ’
é t oi t l a t ten di de
m orte ll e s q e ll e ro uvrit ssye ux l a lumi ere
-
’
a
L e s poir qu e viei ll ard donn é t rda pa s
u e
c
.
fi rm é ;
’
le
’
1] m a v oit a é t re
m a bien ai mé e fit s ou pir tou rna s e s ye ux s ss m oi
ne a on
s la n gu i et
me s omm e s no us m on am i l a bataill e s ell e perd u e

-
un ,
an ur ,
d it : on -
,
? e ro i t - ,
et
non interrom pis j en lu i m ett nt l a m ain s l a bou che
N on ,
”
to u t sgagné p u isqu e votre pré cie us e vie e s t s m ai s tene z v us

,
-
e a ur ,
’
t
tranqui ll e vo us s au rie z croire tou t m al qu i l en arr ver s
e a uve e - o
,
’
le po urr o i t i i
vous parl ie z trop ,
ne
”
co m prit tou t s en s de csm ots e ll e st u t la

.
1] Fi r o uzk a h le et b i en tOt
f ibl ess e ell e l a j eta dan s profond s omm ei l
e e ,
o il é t o it
1] L e iei ll ard d u n il content tandi s qu e m a re s pirat on
o un
s
.
’ ’
l ob e rv oit
l es sde s s ein él as ti qu e s l e qu e l j
v oe i
s
,
ré é t i t m ou v e m e n a v oi
dou ce m ent posé l a m ain E ll e dorm it ain s i pendant deux he u res

p o on ,
ur
et me
sr é vei ll a qu e l rsqu e c entra brusqu e m ent dan s l a cabane
. ,
le b fi h e ron
point l herbe qu e s on pere lu i dem and é e j lu i
e o .
’
Il n
’
pport oi t a v oi t et
en sm a su rpri s e m ai s qu e repos ra i mé e
a ,
e
t é m oi gn oi Fi ro u zka h , le a v oi t
m noI nterro m pant a s m o n s lu i dit e ll e qu e lqu e s no u ve ll e s

n ,
“ ” “
Tu du i
us conter
: ,
-
, ,
a ?
1] Oh o u i o u i r é pondit de tre s bonnes
, ,
”
de s -
i] , et . L
’
a rm é e
1 8
g u érie to u t vous s era dan s pe u éc airci Cependant l eve z l a t e te
et l et
regarde z au o u r de vous
, .
, ,
t
s crus e t e s o us nou veau s s
.
1] J ob é i fir m a m e n t pa r
’
d é toi le
' ’
et em e
m ill e foi s plus brill ante s plus rapproch é e s de nous qu ell es ne
, r un
le
'
et
s ont dan s l e u r cou rs nat ure l j tou rnai l a de to us c s m e Ot é e t il
paru t qu e j sdan s u ne vas te pl aine environn é e de n uage s tran s ; e v ue ,

’
é t oi
parents qu i avec nou sl e s plus bell e s l e s p lus
r e n fe rm oi e n t , et
d élicie us e s prod u ction s de l a terre Ah di s j s m om ent de ,
e , a pr é
su rpri s e en e m brassant qu e qu e nous ayon s

.
-
un
F i ro u zk a h ,
’
et m i m port e
é té tran s ort és dan s ,
s L e vrai séj o u r bonhe u r

le C h e h eri ta n ! du
e s t dan s te s bras p
C e n e s t po nt ici s m e r é pondit l a de
.
“
1] le C h eh e ri ta n ,
’
i fille
sw c
F i la n h a cn e s t qu e l a caverne M age dont no m bre ’
du i n fin i
ssu p é rie u r s notre e s p e ce sp l ai s ent changer l e s c
; , un
’
d é t re a s a d e ora t i o n
M ai s te l qu e pu i ss e s e trou ver c cl e qu e ls qu e s oient ce ux qu i
e .
i u , et
’
l h a b i t e n t, tou t y pré iend a sd és irs N e s t pas vrai m on p ere ’
il
contin ua e l e en haussant l a voi x
v r vo .
-
,
t l
O ui s an s dou te ré pondit M age en ss su bite m ent
- -
.
m e s ye ux s c vers m oi d u n air riant

le paroi t a
prince A s
, , , an
’ ’
et an t le la i
s era traité ici comm e a trait é m a ch e re F de plus
,
a van ,
il i r o u zk ah et
il poss édera s i l ve u t j am ai s cette perl e pré cie us e qu e j lu i s

’
a a v oi
A ll on s q on s erve s ban qu et de noce qu e tou t

e
c
, ,
’
fié e a l i n ta n t le
’
po u r ccgrand é v é nem ent

on u et
s
.
, ,
’ ”
n e u t pa s p lus
ge
prononcé ce s paro l e s qu e l a caverne changea
a rra n .
1] Il
’
t6t
d
’
s cprit u ne for m e oval e born é e

pe t, paru t to u te incrus tée de et et
p l e s s aphirs S u r divan en de m i cercl e s e rangés

a ,
a t ro u v é r e n t
de s musiciens de s musicienne s qu i c nos oreill e s par
. nu -
et h a r m ere n t
concert mél odie ux tandi s qu e de l e urs s envir nn é es de t é te
rayon s no us recevion s u ne l m i e re plus pu re plus do u ce qu e
nu , , o
et
nous donnée m ill ier de

,
u
a u r oi e n t fl a m b ea u x
A u to u r d u ne tab l e co u verte m et s de n s e xqu i s
nu
c s
.
1]
’
V d
’
ex e lle n t et i ou
no us e tion s csc '
de to us c sdes j e u ne s garc on s pers an s

la e , o u r oi e n t
,
6té
,
et de s petite s s squ i s
p
s s
fille ge orgi e n n e nous s erv r Tous ’
em oi e n t a i
auss i bl anc s auss i gracie ux qu e j asm in qui c leu r pr e .
é t oi e n t et le o u r o n n oi t
bl ond s cheve ux chac u n de l e urs s sr be s de ga z e qu i

; a m ou v em e n le
l es c de m i sp lus su ave s parfums A
o
’
ou vr o i e n t a e xh a loi e n t le d ra b i e la
bienheu re us e ,
1] A s repa s qu i fu t fort gai pendant l e qu e l qu i

.
pr é le et Fi ro u zk a h ,
s o u bl ier de fit mi ll e agréabl e s niche s aux
, ,
ne
p ou v o i t i t ot le r Ole Fi rou z,
e n fa n squ i no us s boire Mage ordonna profond s il ence oi e n t a le
s m oi Vo us ss an s do u te su rpri s de K
v er un
s s
, ,
’
e t, a dre an t a é te R oi h a r e zm e ,
c pou voir qu e j ai j m e su i s donn é l a peine d all er che z vous
,
’ ’ ’
le
r é cl am er votre protection pou r trés or qu on
q
c Vo us
u ave , e
’ ’
le m a v oi t o n fié
com prenez pa s m ie ux l a rais on d é gu i s e m ent de

. ne
du Fi r o u zk a h , et
pou rqu oi on vous a l ai ssé s sen proie d élire qu e vous i lon gt e m a um
ne com prenie z gu e re s qu i sai s ém ent expl i qué , et pou v oi t i é tre .
20
1] S ache z don c qu e l e s s de to us te ms mu tin s c s
S h i rv a n ie n et mé o n te n
de l e u rsmaitre s c c l eu rs mu rmu re s su r c qu e
a v o i en t om m en e
, ,
p int s m ai s qu and l a reine s e

sw
,
d
’ ’
Fi la n h a n a vo i t fa n fin
é pous e devi t gross e i ls n en qu e plu shau t plus ;
o en en on
’
pa r ler e n t et in
fau t qu ell e ait s c au tou r de l a citadell e
n
s s
,
’
o le m m e n t Il n u fil r i er e n t i l
royal e nous voul on s pas d u ne princess e qu i n us s o us

-
.
’
‘
m e t t ro i t
j ou g d u n prince é tranger fau t abs ol m ent qu e ll e ait s
; ne o
Il
’ ’
le fil
La pau vre reine bien asse z de s s an s de tell e s
. u un
“ a v oit m al
alarm e s e ll e c F s wvint m e con sul ter
on
s s c d é pé ri oi t a d
’
il ila n h a
fa u t trom per ce s in s en sés lu i sj c e s t encore plus s
: vue . .
’ ’
di
’
Il q u il
m éritent S i l a reine accou che d u ne fai e s l a pass er pou r ,
-
e ; ne
fille ,
’
garcon po u r ne pa s s en de s nou rrice s envoyez l a ici m a

. t -
nu
fier a
’
et
femm e avec u ne tendre ss e cm e re q and en ;

-
, ,
’
S o u d a b é l e lev e ra d il
’
et
s er te n s j lui é pargnerai pa s m es s oin s Cet rendit l a , u

’
a e xped i e n t
reine l a vie naqu it l a nomm a s ous c

r e ne .
a Fi r ou zk a h Fi r o u z ; n om
snai ss ance fu t c élé br é e par de s s csp u b l i qu e s

; on e
s
.
r e ou i et Souda b é ,
qu i l a re c u t de s m ain s dan s m a caver e e ll e
a e an
j’
du l a ppor ta
’
r o i, d ou
de te ms en ssm ontrer l a cou r

n ,
a lloi t t e rn a
N ou slu i sl a do u bl e c tou t
e
c
.
don n am e ed u a ti on qu I l on v e n oi t a
hazard de lu i donner
E ll e c l es in s tru ction s de l e s m ienne s avec u ne
.
e v oit S o u da b é e t
é gal e avidité pu i s s e d élass er de qu ell e no us
re
’ ’
et a lloi t l a t t e n t ion a v oi t
pr é t é e avec l e s Dive s qu i hantent m a caverne s ous tou te s s orte s

,
de f rm es
C es e s prits actifs attach és qu e l e
o .
’
a F i r o u zk a h
’
é t oi e n t Si l n a v oi t
au cu n caprice sne fuss ent s c ntenter Le s u n s lu i s qu i l

’
pr é t a ei
l e s divers e x ercice s convenabl e s aux deux s ex e s

o en
s
.
gn oi e n t d a u tr e
s par de s j e ux agr é ab l e s de s conte s m er eill eux ;

l a m u oie n t
’
et
grand nom bre d entre e ux c m onde pou r lu i chercher de s

v ; un
t le
’
ou r oi e n
cu riosit és rares des n u ve ll e s int éress a te s Ell e et j am ais ’

n a v oi t lo
tems de s avec de s tran sports de j oie m a caverne
o n .
’
e nn u y e r , e t r e v e n o i t a
apres avoir ét é oblig é e de pass er qu elqu e s j u rs a Sa m a k h i é
L a princess e de Shirvan omm enc é s qu atorzi em e ann é e
o
c
.
a v oi t
l orsqu e Dive lu i apporta m al icieus em ent votre p rtrait

a
le G h u lfa qu a i r
D e s l rs ell e perdit sgaiet é nat urell e fit qu e r e ver s ou pirer
o .
et et
nous j eta dansu ne inqu iet u de ai sé e concevoir ell e nous cc

o a ,
ne ,
h o it
'
a
s oigneus em ent sujet de spein Dive s bien de nous
: a
le et le ga r do i t
sass e z ccu p é su ivre vo s pa s po u r lu i
a e : e
l a ppre n d r e ; i l é to i t d
’ ’
a i lle u r a
rendre com pte de to u t ccqu e v us faisie z farou che qu i l
o
L h um eu r
’ ’
vo us l a pass i n de votre am ante ell e

o
s
.
fa i
’
a tt r i b u oi t oit i r ri te r
de vous appriv i s er l a su ite de s
ne u o ;
q
fi
b r loi t d
’
en v ie s et b i e n t Ot é v é n em en
lu i en fit l es poir La r é vol te o u verte de s sl a pr ere
o ,
S h i rva n i e n
’
n a i tr e
qu e m e fit s wde point ex pos er s l a fu reu r s

.
,
i
Fi la n h a fille a de
rebell e s d en dis pos er comm e j j s propos enhardirent
ne a
’
et le roi a
m e parl er l ibre m ent
, e u
ge ,
F i ro u zk a h a
O vous qu i m e tenez l ie u de p e re m e dit e l e vous qu i
.
1] l
’
,
-
, m a v ez
21
en s ei n é point avoir honte de s pass ion s qu e l a natu re nous donne
ane
s achez qu e j ai m e prince s de
g
qu e j ve ux
le Ala i , r oi Kh a r e zm e ,
c d en e tre ai mé e qu e lqu e
et
c qu e c
el a s oit n e s t plus
e
i h er
' ’
tz d i ffi i le Il
qu es tion de cacher m on s e x e pou r régner s peu pl e des tru cteu r de , .
to u te m a fam i ll e qu e j au rai j sen horre u r m ai s j croi s devoir

ur u n
et a am ai
contin u er m on d égu i s em ent po u r s dan s c eu r qu e ve ux ;

, e
je
’
m in i n u e r le
poss éder A sn égl ige l e s fe mm e s c est s ous nom d am i qu e doi s
o
’
la i je
’
le
lu i faire s entir l e u r p u voir Daigne z cond uire m e s pas vers lu i ;
.
de m ande—z protection pou r c mm e é tant— s roi de ;

o .
m oi le fi l da
S hir an str p g é n é re ux p u r v us l a refus er vo us devrai
53. o
il e t j et
bonheu r s an sl e qu e l l a m e s era odie us e

v o o o e
’
v ie
fus point su rpri s di co u r s de e ll e fe mm e

un
s
.
1] Je du Fi ro uzk ah é t oi t
é poux rien snat u re j m e cntentai d nc de
ne ,
] ; e
’
v o ulo i t é toi t i
l a qu es ti nner s l a m ani ere dont e ll e vo us conn u ll e m e conta
et nu ,
n o o
a v oi t E
tou t m e parl a de vo us d u n ton qu i m e fit ju ger qu e l a contradicti n
o ur .
qu e l a rendre m al he u re us e A l ors j lu i di s J e vo us m e nerai

, et o
fer oi t
roi de K s us no m de pa ce qu e j com pte su r
n e . e
h a r e zm e le Fi ro u z,
votre pru dence l a ferm et é d e qu e j vous c sVo us aure z
au o r e
’
et am o n n oi
be soin de l u n de l au tre car j ai d é cou vert par m e s

e
s
.
’ ’ ’
et lu m I e r e
a strol giqu e s qu e vo us a urez u ne rival e redo utab l e dont l he u re de ;
’
triom phe s cell e de v tre d és es poir é ternel A u s sj am ai s

o ,
e r oi t t e, i
vo us avez be s oin d u n s ecou rs su rnat rel heve ux m e s
o re
sc
.
b r file z et
Dive s iront s recevoir srdres Vo us s avez res te Roi de

u vo ,
a l i n ta n t
’
le
M age réus si pou r
vo o
c
.
,
K h a r ezm e , t i n u a le F ir o u z b i en F i ro u zk a h il
a sé d it votre c eu r par s e s amusante s f l ie s d it fi x er par s
on . a
elle le
am o u r l a s age ss e d nt e ll e s es t j am ai s c dan s des
u o o o on
et s ’
a rt é e m om e n
dont pe u de fe mm e s su rm ont é danger
o ne e
a uro i e n t le
1] Oh j ai co u r u grand ri squ e de perdre c cc eu r qu i m a tant cl
.
’ ’
i té ,
sceria l a prince ss e de S hirvan j en e uss e perd u m oin s u ne
o o
’
et
partie s an s l e s Dives c qu e m on s ecours d é pen s ,

au
fi
of ie u x ppela i a
de m a bell e chevelu re qu i s
et Kal i qu en dite s vous A s ’
S i bien , et A m ru
la i ?
r e r é e n té r e n t
p
j a
R on d a b a h ,
au
Qu e j ch é rirai j am ai s m otif de cette injustice ré pondi s j

-
,
a le
pe u
e ,
-
e,
t r ou b le
dit M age c e s t su r votre s ou pc on de l I ncon s tance de
un .
1] M
’
fille, le
s c eu r qu e to m be j scqu e prince A svient de
a ,
’
le m o t d i n ti le la i
car s ign rer qu e chaqu e e tre a droit
on o u e
’
pr ofe r er il n e le d e m ploy e r
’
a u r oi t
tou te s s orte s de m oyen s pou r c de lu i ccqu i lu i n u it o u pe u t lu i

o
'
a rter
n u ire qu e l e s de col ere o u de crainte qu i nous y pouss ent

e
et s m o u v e m en
s nt c sen n us par l m e
,
ex ite con s ervatrice de l a natu re ’

a v i v i fia n te et
Mai s l e s he u re s sc e s t te n s qu e vous rec u ei ll e z fru it de

o o .
ou le n t ; il le
’
é
speine sr é c iproqu es R eceve z R oi de K l a prince ss e
r
h a r e zm e ,
de m a m ain e m porte z l a dan s l a cham bre n u ptial e
vo .
,
F i ro u zk a h et
pu i ssie z vous y e tre e m brasés d u ne abondante portion fe u qu e l a ; ;

-
du
’
terre renferm e dan ss s ein vont tou te s l e s n uit s s rallum er

-
e t on
de s cieux
on e
s
,
”
le fl a m b ea u x .
22
e cl at qu equl eis cye ux
b le ufitr e
s ou tenir
rendre l e s obj ets qu i nous
e ll e j u ne lu e u r
ne
tri b u o i t a
p
plus
o u v oi e n t , ta n t é t e to i t
t o u r oi en t
hideux encore s en e et Le gri llage d u n ardent airain
on en
’ ’
i l me l é toi e n t ff
’
qu i no us s de c die u e ayant ne me
u
q .
é pa r o i t ffr o u vo i t e n t i er e m e n t
rassu rer ous é tion s de te n s en te ms co u vert s de tou rbill on s
e , p
N
c sdont M age s pou r fort honoré m ai s dont j
. r
le
’
d é t in elle t e n oi t
m e s spassé tre s vol ontiers Dans l a partie tem pl e nous étion s
, e , e
e r oi du
l e s mu ra ll e s t pi ssé e s de cheve ux de tou te s l es co ul e urs qu e
.
i é to i en t
de di s tance en di s ta ce de s pyram ide s de cr ne s h um ain s
a , ,
r ele v oi e n t a
qu on ssdan s de l or de A to u t ceci
n
cs
,
j oint u ne Odeu r de s ou fre de bitum e qu i s c cervea u

’ '
hfi l é b en e
’
a v oi t en é et . é to i t
et t r a n pe r oi t le et
é t oi tl a res piration J e trembl is m e s j am be s s d é rober s o us

,
a lloi e n t
m oi F m e s o u tint S orton s lu i sj to u t bas m oi de
. o ; e
”
ir o u zk a h di Ot e
l a s cde ton die u l a tienne a s e ul e m e l a faire su pporter
.
,
-
e ;
r e en
in s tant ; pu
e nu
p ”
J s be s oi po u r m e refaire air qu e l e s Dive s o us

.
parvenir en c j ou r l a vo te de l a c verne da s l ie u no us
1] du b on fir e n t
’
a v oi n , , n
t a u le
‘
avion s s ou p é l a vei ll e d u ne m ani ere nou vell e

p e r an a n O II
s c et
’
il dé or é r e n t
’
s an s o ubl ier repas e xqu i s qu i m e m it en état c M age , qu

d é
’
ou t e r le
avec plus de patience ou t c cqu e m e dit cet redo u t b l e s s
nu
T h Ot e
re l igion pas no u veau spe u m ai s s
. a ur a
’
j y fi d a t t e n t i on ;
’
m é t oi t et
m oral e m e plu t parce qu e ll e l es pass ions l es

n e , a
’
fl a t toi t e t é t e ign oi t
re m ord s nous vanta beau cou p s Pyre e nous apprit qu e l e s Dive s

Il
,
c n s tru it m ai s qu e c lu i m e m e qu i orné hazard

. on ,
l a v oi e n t l a v oi t
’ ’
e t oi t
de s lui de m andai au cu ne e x pl ication s cpoint j

o ,
-
au
v ie Je
qu i l m e l a do n t spen s er cs
a ne ur e ; e
c s
.
’
ra i i m ém e Je n e pou v oi
a a
t ete s de m ort s ce s cheve ux qu il ss an s fr ém ir
n o ne n e
g ’
.
a ppe loi t o r n em e n
scraint to u te s cho s e s en c cl ie u S i j s pa s é t é a uss i
a
s
, , , ,
j
’ ’
a u ro i S ur
qu e j s e u r de
e n eu e
l é t oi d u
’
m Fi rou zk a h
1] H e u re us e m ent c f i s par j ou r qu e j sobl igé
e
c
.
’ ’ ’
é t oi t q u é t oi
s l a conver s ation M age re s te te ms e m pl oyé
n nn e o
d s ’
du ; le du é t oi t
en t u tes s orte s s s de p l ai s ir s L e s Dive s no us en
e er
u
y
d
’
a m u e m en et
s pa s m an qu er l es l eur s s s el on
o ne
s
.
la i oi e n t et Fi r ou zk a h fa i oi t d i v er i fi e r
m e s go t s S e s s oin s e m pre ss é s stendress e ingé nie us e
u
;
r é an d o i e n t
u ne tell e volu pt é su r tous s squ e j sg u e re s en é tat

.
,
a
’
p
m m o m en é t oi
de l e s com pter
qu i l ’
pr és ent S i bien fait ou bl ier
e n fin ,
pas u ne s e ul e foi s de m e ress ou venir de m on royaum e

m
’
a rri v a
; less
e
m
’
a v oi t
, e n
le pa e,
L e M age fit qu e trop cet e sp e ce de d él ire j o u r j ou r

ne .
t ot fi n i r Um
m al he u re ux nous dit N o us all on s nous sé parer schers s
ne .
,
il me e n fa n
l heu re bonheu r apre s l e qu el j s ou pire depu i s tant

:
s
,
’ ’
du d an n ée
s c j su i s attend u dan s P al ai s Fe u S o u terrain j vai s
e
’
he le du ou e
nager dans de s j ie s possé der de s trés ors qu e de

a
pp ro e
’
,
et l i m a gi n a t i on
l homm e s s représ enter H él as qu e n e s t cette he u re
o ,
' ’
a ur o i t !
propice arrivé e plus m ort pas ravi m a ch é re
n e e .
' ’
t ot l i n e xo ra b le m a u roi t
ell e dont scharm e s j am ai s é pro u v é pou voir

ne
S ou d a b é , le le
’
n a v oi e n t
rigo ure ux te s Nous au rion s part g é en s e m b l e cette fél icité
du rn . a
24
parfaite qu e l e s accidents l a viciss itu de de s chos e s de l a vie
ui ui
sa ur oi e n altérer l ie u
t va s ou e
, , ne
Ah s c séj o u r divin m cerisi j l on dan s

au i
j .
ou ?
’
t ou v it
d u ne te dress e mu tu ell e Lai ss e z nous vous y

e e -
e,
l h eu r eu
’
s é t em i t é
’
su ivre
e n -
!
1] V o u s p u rre z S
lei vo us adore z m on die u
vous rende z h mm age aux pu issance s qu i s ervent S i vous mérite z s
o répondit M age S i
le
, le ,
fave u r par l e s s acrifice s qu i l dem ande "

o , a
’
J adorerai qu e l d e u qu e ccs oit dis j s c c de vivre

.
’ ” “ ’ ’
i il m or d e
j am ai s avec F a ranchi de de voir l a p l e m al adie ou ,

-
e, a
i ro u zka h , ff l h or re u r
’
a a
le fer m eu rtr er attaqu er ssbeaux j o u rs Qu e fau t faire de plus il ?
fau t ré pl i qu a M age faire recevoir l a re ligion de

i e -
s
.
1] Il le Zor oa t re
dan s sé tat s abattre l e s m osqué e s él ever de s
,
s l e u r pl ace
,
Pyr é e a et
c s an s piti é to us ce ux qu e vous po u ve z convertir

vo , , ,
e n fin Sa r ifier a la
vraie foi C e s t cc j ai fait m oi m e m e qu oi qu e j n aie agir
ne
’
la
’ ’
auss i ou vertem ent qu e v us po uve z faire — t ém oin s to us ce s cheve ux

ue
q e p
u
-
.
,
le
dont smu rs de Pyr e e s ont converts chers t ém oin s qu i vont
o ,
le m on !
m e fai e o uvrir sporte s de l a s eul e dem e u re on j ou it d u ne
le
'
félicit é perm anente

r
1] A ll on s donc bien vite faire co u per

n us faire trés or de cheveux Vous conviendre z cher A squ e
de s t
.
e te s dit F
!
, ir ou zk a
la i,
h, “
et
le
s acrifice de s in s en sés qu i vo u dront pas ous croire sbien pe u de
o nu ,
chos e pou r obtenir bien su prem e de nous ai m er é terne ll em ent

ne n e t
”
le
C e s paro l e s s s de F fu rent su ivie s de m on p l ein
.
1] fl a tt e u i r ou zk a h
con s entem ent tou t M age cm bl e de s e s v ux reprit
e
a et le
J e s fort he ure ux R oi de K de vous avoir con
; ,
au o oe ,
h a r e z m e,
’
m tim e e n fin
vainc u de l a V érit é de m a croyance j en splusie u rs foi s d és es pé ré

e ,
’
a v oi
s spas pri s tant de peine avec vo us s i vo us pas é té ,
j
’ ’
et n a v i ez
de l a de s w m on am i m on dis cipl e Qu els

e n eu e
’
l é po u x fille F ila n h a et
honne u rs votre convers ion ell e pas dan s Pal ai s

.
,
’
t m a t t ir e r le du
Fe u S ou terrain Parte z donc d e s cette he u re vous tro u vere z
n e va - -
! m ém e
vaiss eau to ut équip é s cette rive Vo us s erez rec u avec acc l am ation
nu
dan s votre royaum e faite s tou t bien qu e vous pourre z s ou vene z

ur .
le et
vo us qu e de d é tru ire ce ux qu i s ont obs tin és dan s ;

e s t com pt e
y
-
,
’
l e rr e u r
pou r grand bien par die u s e v e re qu e vous ave z prom i s de le
s ervir Qu and vo us ju gerez avoir mé rit é votre ré com pen s e rendez vous
un
su r l a errass e de s Phare s l e s chevelure s de tous

-
s
.
,
a I ta k h a r , et b r file z y T
ce ux qu e vous au rez fait p é rir dan s u ne S i bon e caus e de s
-
L o d o ra t
’
Dive s s era frapp é de cette agré abl e s ente u r svous décou vriront
n .
; il
l es cal ier rapide vo us o u vriront portai l d e hene j vous recevrai
’
le
’
dan s m e s bras vous ferai rendre l e s homm ages qu i v us s ont s ;

, e
et du
1] C e fu t ain s i qu e j c é dai l a derni e re Mage me
o
c
, .
a S ed u t i on d u Je
s erais m oqué de sss erm on s m a s m on c eu r trop int éressé dan s
e .
é to it
ssprom e ss e s po u r po u voir y re s ter J e us m om ent l a pens ée
e , i o
’
qu e ll e s
e
’
po u v oi e n t
d ev oi t é tr e h a za rd é
epotreu rtrombienpe us e s m ai s
prom i s j décidai
le
qu e to u t
51
;
.
.
b i en tOt
nu
25
L e s E pi s od e s d e Vat h ek
1] S an s do u te M age e xcit é par l a convoiti s e fit
m em e cc s tro u va ccomm e s ont to us sm al he u re ux
le le
’
,
l a m b i t i on et ,
a l ul, e t le
’
dé le
qu i Viennent ici y u,
L e fanati qu e adorate u r fe u vo ulu t no us voir e m bar qu er no us

.
1] du ; il
e mbrass a a ect u eus e m ent s rivage nous recomm anda de garder
ff le et
sde no us co mm e s s erviteu rs to u te é pre u ve sVingt n e re s

ur ,
re de a le
qu i faire l a de notre vaiss eau A peine avion s nous g
au
p , ,
d e v oi en t m a n aeu v r e
m i s l a v il e qu e no us s fraca s é po u vantab l e co mm e
-
.
a t en d im e
celu i qu e fait tonnerre quand frappe l e s m ontagne s comb l e l e s
o en un ,
le il et
vall ée s de l e u r d é c mbre s N o us vim e s r cher qu e nous venion s de le o

quitter sc dan s l a m er N ous sl e s c de j oie dont l e s
o .
é r o u le r e n t e n d im e ri S
Dive s s retentir l air no us j squ e M age d ej

.
fa i
’
o ie n t et fim le a v oit a
pri s l a ro u te s
u e e
, g
d I ta kh a r
’
1] N o s Vingt n e gre s
qu e nous sa u rion s pri s p u r
s
le
bon s navigate u r
é toie n ts s i adroit s S
c rt ege su rnatu rel M age s i ls
i a l erte
.
s i
é t re d u o
,
du
,
’
,
no us dit e ux m em es s S im pl e m ent l e s h um bl e s
o ,
’
a vo i e n q u il é t oi e n t
s tr e s
t
adorate u rs fe u Comm e l e u r chef no mm é
n e -
du s Z o u lo u lou , pa r m oi t
initi é dan s l e s m y s t ere s de l a caverne j lu i de m andai c ,

.
e t oi e n t
deven us l e s page s l e s petite s squ e no us avi n s pri s en

, e e qu
et G e or gi e n n e
a m itié m e ré pondit qu e l e s I ntell igences qu i l e s am en és
o
1] a v o ie n t
M age en s s s an s d u te po u r m ie ux qu on
, au
’
a v oie n t d i po e, le et po u v oi t
bien S en rapporter ell e s
o ,
’
a
M e s suj et s c m on reto u r m ariage par tran s
.
1] é lé b rer e n t et m on d eS
port s de j oie m e rou gir de s intention s j scontre e ux
ui fi re n t
’
a v oi
I lsshabits detr usv é s ex e Mai mmabelree isulsrtout ccF de caredivine

le
a v o ie n t
q
o F ir o u z s ous
ss e s m ai s ; t r o u v er e n t
la
’
ab
qu e
i rou zk a h
la
.
e ll e changea de ton qu and nous squ e M otal eb f

;
on . a , ,
i elle v e n o i t
’
t r ou v am e
s pre m ier m ini s tre m i s d és ordre dan s t u te s l e s , q
d é t a b li r
’
a vo i t le
a faire s do t charg é E ll e pri s en fantai sie ccviz ir
on ,
o
f i l é t oi t a v oi t
ignorant tro u vait fort m au vai s qu e nous fuss ion s en col ere contre
n .
et
lu i qu i s ss tre s pe u de cqu e ll e s me
,
’ ’
Fi rou zk a h , e m b ar ra oi t oi t ,
s to u t ba s M otal eb a u ne bonne provi s ion de cheve ux fai s on s

e e n
.
p
di oi t
lui cou per l a t e te J e m e contentai de d é pos er J e m i s spl ace

,
le a
foib l e viei llard qu i s s rien qu i m anqua pas de
. . a
’
oi t a et
faire d ém olir l a rande M osqué e d é s qu e j lu i en e us

un ne o o ne
pp
s
,
G Z e rb e n d i t Ot
d nné
au e
’
l or d re
1] C e co u p d e tat é ton a to u t m onde L a reine m a m e re accou ru t
o .
le
’
po u r m e de m ander c qu e j spar u ne te ll e i m piét é

n .
r é t e n d oi
plus parl er de v tre Mah m et de ssr e veries lu i

e e
p .
’ ”
N t e n dr e et
r é pondit tranqu i ll e m ent é tabl ir dan s K la

en o o e ,
Fi ro u zk a h , et le h a r e zm e
rel igion de s co mm e l a s e ul e digne
Z o r oa tre cru e A cette ’
d é tr e
r é pon s e l a b nne prince ss e p u t plus scontenir e ll e c c
.
a b la
’
m
j s fit contre no us si m pr e cation s qu i qu e trop e u
o ne e ; a
d in
’ ’
et de n on t
l e u r e fet J c c s an s re ss entim ent m ai s pré valu t s

ur e ,
f le Fi r ou zk a h
’ '
o u ta i
de l a faire cnd u ire dan s sto u r ell e s dan s

.
; ur
m oi o n b i e n t Ot fin i t a v ie
sregret s de m i s m onde
o a ,
’
l a m er tu m e le
’
et m a v oi r au .
26
ell m oi de ux chevaux arabe s auss i su perbe s a uss i vél oce s qu e
et
ari z l e s mém orabl e s co urs iers de Khos o l e s V ngt
e , ,
S h e b d id et B i
n egres c s chacu n cham eau dont di x chargés de
, t u ;
on d ui o i e n t é t oi e n t
cheve ux
un ,
1] Qu i qu e no us fuss ion s fort e m pre ssés term e de notre

.
’
d a rr i v e r
voyage no us nous pas trop s an s do u te par pre ss enti

o au
s h ati on
’
C é to i t ,
m ent qu e no us pou vion s pas nous rés ou dre sp l ai s ir s
, ne .
,
d don n e r le
’
ab an
s sp u r ce ux qu e no us no us pro m ettion s dan s l avenir N o us

ne
’
ré en
cam pion s tous l e s s oirs nous nous

p
sde s j o u r s entiers dan s
o .
et a rr é ti on
l e s l e ux de d él ice s qu e notre ro u te nous s Depu i su ne de m i

i
,
ré en to i t
lu ne nous j oui ss ons de s bea u té s de l a vall ée de M l orsqu p .
a r a v a n a h a r,
’
u ne n u it j m en surs au t agité par s onge conf sém ent

i
e v e i lla i
horribl e m ai s qu e de ins j en tro u vant pas F m on c

e , nu u
i rou zka h 1 Ot é ?
m e l evai tou t hors de m oi m e m e s orti s de m a tente po u r l a
v -
e ne
Je et
chercher qu and j l a rencontrai tou te é perd u e qu i m oi

-
,
v en oi t a
S a u von s no us m on cher A s m e dit e ll e m ontons cheval
,
e .
“ la i, “
a a
s gagnon s s qu i s de s sd ici
-
;
-
,
le d e
’
l in ta n t , a pe n
’
e r t, t
en c l e s d é tou rs nous m ettra l abri danger qu i
e
’
pa ra a n ge
Z ou lou lou o n n oi t et a du
no us m enace ”
,
J e crain s rien m a bien ai m ée lu i répondi s p u i squ e te

.
1] j j
retro u ve m ai s j te su ivrai partou t t u vou dras all er
ne , ,
-
e, e
ou
1] A u point
rayon s s ol ei l
du
j o u r no us dus dan s boi s
e
S i
y p é n étrer A snous m e dit
to u fu a
o u v o i en t
pe e l e s
en t ram e un
“
rr é to n
f
.
q u
i CI ,
in
F qu e j vo us conte l e trange aventu re qu i m e s t arrivée

p
-
.
’ ’
i ro u zk a h , et
J e d rm oi s sde vo us l orsqu e en m e avec
e .
pr e Z ou lou lou , r e v ei lla n t
m e st ven u dire qu e n cent

o au
pr e c a u t i on ,
’
a l or e i lle
’
R on da b a h e t oit
qu a
’
pas de no us qu ell e s pe u él oign é e de

’
qu e ll e c s
’
é to i t u n l a rm é e
’ ’
o n d ui oit
en K qu ell e
h a r e zm e ,
,
s e repos er s ous pavill on s an s au tre

et
’
é t oi t a
su ite petit nom bre de garde s qu elqu e s fe mm e s qu i tous
nu ,
’
et
profond ém ent A ce s parol e s j ai été sai sie de crainte de
u un
q ’
,
d o r m oi e n t et
fure u r j m e su s s u ven u e de l a c M age bien

.
t i on d u
’
r ed i e t, m é ta n t
Vite habi llé e s i m on s abre bien tranchant Q pré
, e i o
p ,
t at é é t oi t ‘
tende z vous faire m a dit m od é re z cctran s port

, j ai . ue
’ ’
l e u n u qu e ; et
apprene z qu e vous po u ve z rien su r l a de L e M age

-
,
vi e R on d a b a h
m a ordonn é de vo us en avertir s c de vo us
ne
cs s
.
’ ’
i lo i on S e n pr é e n t oi t,
’
et
assu rer qu e vous péririe z vous dan s s car u ne p u i ss ance

,
a
l e n te r pri e,
’
m ém e
l aqu ell e rien pe u t s s prot ege l a princess e de hil an m ai s
-
’
a G Si
v us vo ul ez vo us calm er su i re m on avi s nous lu i feron s plus de m al

ne o
ppo er
et
s i n us lu i co u pion s l a t e te To u t en parl ant ain s i no us no us étion s

o v ,
’
qu e
sde votre tente parven us l ie u nous adre ssions
o .
e loi gn é et e n fin ou
spas voyant qu e j gardoi s profond s il ence m a dit ,

au
’
Z o u lo u lo u ,
Vous faite s bien de vo us en m oi j vai s faire re s pirer tous cs
no . e un , ,
fier a a
gen s ci u ne O de u r qu i l e s c de srévei ll er de qu elqu e tems
e e
e m pé h e ra
nous p é n é treron s san s peine j s pavi ll on avec u ne po mm ade ;
-
e
’
et
qu e voil qu i a l a vertu de rendre a re ux plus beau vi sage nous

u u au
q ,
a, et ff le
barbou i ll eron s pl ais ir celu i de votre enne m ie a
,
28
1] o u t s e
T s t pa ssé co mm ’
e m ai s dont
Z ou lou lo u l e n t e n d oi t
’
R on da b a h ,
nous avion s l aissé s omm eil cou rsde l a natu re m a presqu e le
’
c de m on la sS i f rte m ent qu e ll e
au ,
pé h é e fin ir era t i on Je fro t t oi
’
em
se s t r é vei llé e en fai s ant cri de do ul e u r m e sui s b te e

o
p . o
’
e t d ef froi Je
’ '
a
pu i sayant d é t ch é m iroir qu i la
nu
c
.
’
h e v e r l o u v ra ge ;
’
d pe n d oi t a
ceintu re d u ne de s e s fe mm es lu i ayant prés ent é j lui ai dit
a , a un
le
’
et
Avou ez m aj e s t u e us e princess e qu e cpetit m ons tre de est , ,

e ,
F i rou z
bien gal ant s e flatte qu e cfard qu i l vient de vous appl i qu er vous
, , e
’
et
fera s ou venir de lui J e ne s ai s s m l e cou rage de a é té

,
e , ,
i le R on da b a h
’
a
vainc u par qu e lui a caus é m a s c par d és e sp ir de
.
l e ffr oi
’
re en le
s e trou ver j plus hideux m onde m ai s e ll e s es t évanou ie p e, o n o
l ob e t le du
’ ’
et
nous l avon s l ai ssé e reprendre s e s s en s l ois ir

’
a
,
L e p l ai s ir c c c trio m phe de m a riva l e qu e M age

.
1] d a v o i r e m pé h é le
m a pré dit a
’
fait pl ace l a crainte qu e no us fuss ion s
b i e n t ot a
,
pou rsu ivi s dan s pe u m ai s nous voi l en s repo s on s nous ici

,
ne
firete
’
a
M on s ein enc re pal pitant de s j us te s a l arm e s qu e j ai e u vo us s ervira; : -
.
H él a s F j am ai s é t é cru e ls qu e
,
o ,
Fi rou zk a h
’
d or e i lle r !
’
ni i i r ou z n on t
qu and on l e u r a di sp u t é votre c eu r
. n
!
1] L e to u r sé d u i s ant qu e F donna sco u rte narration m e
o
i ro u zk a h a
fit pas prendre change su r c rim e qu e ll e
a n e
le cc c ’
l a t ro i t é e t l i n d é
’
du
’
de c mm ettre c c u r ten re
en e
v e n oi t s ’
m é t on n oi
’
d et
s en sibl e cspou r e ll e fu t capabl e de s c sl e s p lus

; je qu a v e
o nu oe
’
a l ex e m oi h a r n e m en
f é néti qu e s de s c sl e s p lus horribl es m ai s plus qu e tou t
a
et r u a u te
frappé de qu e lu i dit po u r de ;
r
j
’ '
s
e t oi cc c Z ou lo ulou a v oit l e m pé h er
’
pouss er l a tt en ta t plus l oin La p u i ss ance qu i prot ege l a Vie de

’
m e ssj aim e s an s do u te l e s bon s car est

.
”
R on da b a h , di oi R on da b a h
bonne C e n es t donc pas cette p u re su pre m e p u i ssance qu i
-
e, ,
’
! et
recev ir dan s son palais m eehan s te ls qu e no us M ai s sell e e s t

va
d eS i
su p é ieu re tou tes l es au tres sno us devenir O M aho m et O
o .
’
a u a llo n ? !
pr ph e te chéri Créate u r m onde t u d i s abandon é
r
q
-
,
’
du du ! m a v oi r
s an s re ss ou rce m e re s te s qu e che z te s ennem i s
o o n
’
il n e d a i le
1] C ette pen s ée de dé s e s p irfu t l a conc lus ion dernier de s re m ord s du me
l a prince ss e de hi l an qu i l es c touj ou rs m ai s en vain
o .
G
’
C é t oit i t oi t
dans m on c eu r
ex , ,
J a i d a i a Fi ro u zk a h a
1]
’
m e tirer
srappe l er passé —probab l e m ent j
le
o
de l a
.
r e verie qu i
s spa s vo ulu —
j
l eu
’
l m q ui é toi t ; e ne
il
pou v oi
me s m e j eter l e s yeux ferm é s l abim e de l avenir , e ne e
’ ’ ’
me t o it qu a d an S
1] U ne d u ce p lu ie de tendre s bai s er s fit s cn u age m ai s
re , , .
d i pa roi tre
en d am ou r l a crainte qu e j sde
o e ;
r e d o u b lo i t
’ ’
F i ro u zk ah ,
’
m e n i v ra n t a v oi
l a perdre par qu elq e év é nem ent auss i im prévu qu e celu i qu i ,
v en o i t
de s c ell e srassu rer su r l a l aide ur

u
’
d a r ri v er Ot é , pou v o i t m ém e
de e le tems qu e n us avion s perd u dan s
; on ne e
c
R o n da b a h l r e gr e t t oi t le le
chemin qui c cqu ell e c qu e j sde croire
: o
’ ’
a yoi t, et m ef
fo r oi
s vrai séj ou r bonhe u r Ain s d u n commu n accord
ro e
s
, ,
du
’
a b ou ti oi t a u et a
l a rande j oie de no s Vingt eu nuqu e s n gre s nous sl a p lus
. i ,
fi m e
e xtr e m e dil igence pou r arriver a s
e
g ,
I ta k h a r .
29
1] de j
Il é t oi t n u
nous l a c savec u ne s rte
it l or squ e no
a us
o u r um e
s s l a erra ss e s P
m algré tou t cqu e no us
hare s m o n tam e
’
d h orr e ur,
ur T de ;
nous di s ion s de tendre

pa r
Le point
o e
c et d
’
an t. fi rm a m e n t n o ffroi t
’
ye ux l a dou ce lu e ur de l a lu ne sé toi l e s s eul e s y m ai s

en o u ra e
g
an o s le b ri lloi e n t ;
l e u r vacill ante c l art é s qu e redou bl er l a s m bre grandeu r de s fa i o it
obj et s qu i notre N ous regretti n s au cu ne de s

n e o
fra ppoi e n t
bea u tés de s riche ss es de l a s ph ere qu e nou sall ion s qu itter nous
v ue . n e o
s ongi n s pas non plu s cell e s dont n us pou vion s all er j uir no us
,
ou , ;
a
soc c u pé—
s qu e de l e s poir l ie u nous s erion s
ne o o o ;
’
d h a b it e r
’
ou
’
é ti o n
j am ai s sé parés cependant de s l ien s invi sib l e s s encore
n nu n e
et em b loi en t
nous retenir s l a terre
1] N o
a v oi e n
us p m e s no
achev é de f rm er
t
ne u s u
ur
c de fré m ir en voyant qu e
.
eml
pil e de cheve ux D u ne m ain
e s n e re s
pé h er
’
l é n orm e
’
g
tre m bl ante nous c sl e s torche s qu i l e s allum er

o .
ppr o h am e d e v oi en t et
s sm o u rir de fraye u r qu and l a terre devant no us

a ,
’
am e S o u v ri t
en m i l e é cl at s ép u vantabl e s A l a de l e s cal ier dont l a descente

pe n
l
’
i faci l e ce ll e scierge s qu i c nous f m e s pe u

o . v ue
l é la i r o i e n t ,
’
é to i t a de u
rassu rés n us n us s savec tran s port no us prenant par
S un
s
,
e m b ra am e e t,
l a m ain nous co mm encion s des cendre avec c qu and l e s

; o o ,
a r e a u t i on ,
V ngti
t
sa uxqu e ls no us
n
,
é gr e
i m p é u e us em ent s nous qu e nous ,
s o gion s p lus s c
sdon er de l a contre
S i ne n
a llam e
p
, e pr é i pi t er en t
té t e le
por ail d e hene
ur n
’
t
vous décrirai— point l a terrib l e i m pre ssion qu e fit s no us
.
1] Je
s cde cl ie u to us ce ux qu i s ont ici en épro u vé u ne
n e ur
'
l a pe t s t em
—ai s obj et de te re u r qu i nous fu t particul ier fu t l a
e ,
on
b la b le, m
rencontre M age s e avec l a m ain droite s s c ur
nu r
parm i l a foul e lu gu bre errante no us —c—l e s flamm e s qu i

du . Il p r om e n o i t ur on oe
et ; il oi t
s c eu r s ortent par s e s ye ux no us darde regard

a
pe r
d é v o r oi e n t il
e froyabl e s de no us avec c m o m ent apr e s ;
on o nu
é loi gn e Un
’
f et pre i pit a ti o n
m échant Dive accos ta lu i dit a recou vré
.
,
“ “
Fi ro u z h : R on d a b a h ,
k i] ,
s bea u té e ll e vient de m onter s tr ne de K l he u re
nu a -
h a r e zm
’
u r le o
de s on tri m phe scell e de votre dés e s poir é ternel ;
a ; e
”
t
Eb l i s no us d é c l ara to u te de notre s o t Qu e l die u
o e .
1] E n fin l h orr e u r
nous avon s s ervi Qu el é pou vantabl e no us a pron n cé Qu oi
r .
! a r ré t il ! !
nous dev n s no us ha r nous qu i nous s omm e s tant ai més qu i é tion s
o
ven us cpou r ne j am ai s cess er de nous ai m er nous ha r é ternell e

o 1 , ,
i i
m en O fu ne ste e x e crabl e pen s ée qu i an éantit notre e tre dan s cet ,
1
t!
i n s tant !
,
1] En s ang l ot nt a l ternative m ent ce s m ot s A s s la i et F ir ou zk a h

dan s l e s bras l u n de l a u tre m orne s il ence r égna
a ,
e
j
’ ’
e t eren t et
sparm i cette m al he u re us e c om pagnie ,

un
lon gt e m
rom pit en dem andant troi si em e prince de conter
.
1]
E n fin V a th e k le
s hi s t ire sc u rio s it é point encore é teinte car é tait ré servé ,
au
il
’
é t oi t
pou r dernier su ppl ice dan s ce s c scri m i e ls tou te s l e s
on o a n ,
le
’
d é t o u ffe r mur
pass ion s e xcept é cell e s de l a haine d és e s poir
n
, et du .
30
HISTOI R E D U PR I N C E BA R KI AR O KH
P E I E PA T I E
R M ER R
E S cri m e s s ont encore plus grand s qu e ce ux du

Cal ife V Le s con s eils im pies té mé ra re s a t h ek et i
c c pas m a perte comm e ils ont fait l a
.
’
é lé r er e n t
s ienne C e n a ét é qu e pou r m e d é rober aux
n a
’
s alu taire s avi s d u ne am ie l a plus qu e j e

.
’
v er i t a b le
m e su i s pré cipit é dan s cs ej ou r e d h orr e u r !
’
1] J e su i s n é s l e s bord s de l a m er s ur Ca pi en n e ,
dan s Daghes tan a ux environ s de l a vi ll e de le
J s trois i em e sd u n péche u r
,
’
Be r d o uk a le fil
’
é t oi
homm e de bien qu i pais ibl em ent comm od ém ent fru it de
.
,
v i v oi t et du
s l abe u r N o us snotre m e re l orsqu e nous é tion s trop j e u ne s
,
p er dim e
encore pou r l a regretter m ai s nous voyion s pl eu rer notre nous
on .
é et
pl e u rion s aussi N ous é tion s m e s freres fort ind us trieux tre s

; re ,
p
et m o i,
s o um i s point to ut fait s derviche a m i de m on p e re
.
, ,
et a i gn ora n Un
no us ,
en s eig é l ire form er divers caract ere s , ,

.
a v oi t a et a il v en oi t
s ou vent pass er l a s oiré e avec nous tandi s qu e nous em pl oyion s c ;

n
et
tems faire des paniers de j onc no us de dis cou rs pie ux , e
a il e n t r e t e n oi t
et nous Koran A s c
e xpli qu oi t le nom derviche ,
l a lu m i,
’
é t oi t le du
,
v ai m ent homm e de pai x comm e s s on nom

.
,
é t oi t r le d é i gn oi t ; il
c c tous no s petit s so u l e s avec u ne dou ceu r
nu ,
r é on i li o i t d i ffé r e n r é v en o it
et u ne a ection qu i nous s ch é rir Quand ssm ax im es ss

ff le fa i o i t
, p
et
s entence s nous trop série ux suj et par s

. e e
d oi e n t i l é gayo it le de
contes no us n en recevion s qu e m ieux l e s principes qu i l
r en ,
’
v o uloi t
’
et
inculqu er ,
1] Una ss e z grand j ardin

.
qu e no us avion s p l ant é s o us l a direction du

derv che lu i
i ss no u veau m oyen de nous occu per de nous
fou rn i oi t u n
,
et
in s tru ire no us s l e s vertus splante s l art de l e s

,
Il e i gn oi t de et
’
c ul tiver nous all ion s avec lu i cu ei ll ir l e s fle urs dont l a is till ation e s t

. en
d
s alu taire o u agréabl e nous étion s tran sportés de j oie qu and
;
et
no s ye ux cl e u r s changer de natu re sactif

ou ,
fa i oi t
’
l a la m b i J e t oi
’ '
a
e m press é de s avoir ccqu i s A s m e avec u ne
.
,
’
fa i oi t q u l a lu m i t ra it o it
d i s tinction s fave u r fl a t t eu ss m ai s j c su ne
,
Sa
’
m e n or gu e i lli oi t ; af fe t oi
’
g ande m odes tie devant lui d nt j m e spar m on

e .
d é dom m a ge oi
rrogance l orsqu pas prés ent dan s squ ere ll e s qu i
r ,
o e
I n e to i t ; et le
ent e m e s f e res m oi j stouj ou rs l art de m ettre
a I
ss ’
e n u i v oi e n t r r et
’
a v oi
’
le
0 33
L e s E pi s o d es d e Vat h e k
tort de l e u r c P ar profit de no s eaux di s tillé es de nos paniers de
6té le
j onc de notre p é che no us vivi n s dan s u ne s ort c De ux
,
.
’
et d a fllu e n
e s cl aves noire s n tre m ais on cham p e tre d u e propret é qu i en

, , o e .
’
t e n oi e n t
l e s agre m en s l e s m et s qu e lle s n us
o n
’
gm en t oi t et ppr é t oi en t é to i en t
s im pl e s m ai s s ain s de bon de s bain s c mm ode s ache ;
au o a
et o fit fin ,
voient de nous donner bien e tre qu e f rt pe u de gen s de notre con ; en o
, g
dition au raient avoir

nu -
o
1] A u m i l ie u de
m on m au vai s natu re
t u te s ce s ai ance
s s pp
u vant
u
tous sj ou rs sc
o m ener u ne S i do u ce
M on p e re
]
.
, et
le
o
’
la da n t
Vi e ,
ga gn oi t
une arm oire dan s mu r d u ne de s cham bre s hau te s de l a m ais on
en .
le
’
a v oi t
il
’
j am aisdevant nous s s o uvent en s
l o uv roit et di oi t
qu 1 1
;
r é é rv oit
l a cl ef pou r ce lu i de sstr i s squ i s plus digne d u ne

ne ,
fil d roi t le
’
tell e fave u r C ette pr m ess e s ou vent ré ité rée qu elqu e s propos

e o e r en
et
va u e s derv che qu i s entendre qu e nous spa s s

. o , ,
fa i
’
du i oi e n t é tio n é
po u r l e tat obs cu r n us nous trou vion s nous fait i magi er
n n
g ’
,
ou a v oi e n
renferm e dan s cette arm oire M e s

t
qu e qu elqu e grand trés or
o , n
é to i t
frere s c s ansdou te m ai s ss sde p u rsu ivre
.
le o n v oi t oi en t la i oi en t
parm i svoi sin s l e s s sde l eu r age pou r m oi j

ne a o
p
sss
, ,
a m u em e n la n gu i oi ,
j s c
é h ois l
no
a m ai s on
a n avoi s en t e te
,
qu e l or l e s pierrerie
eh s qu e ’ ’
et
, e
j s ssdan s l a fata l e ar m oire dont j sde devenir

e ,
oi b r ulo i le
m aitre M assidu it é com ptée p u r beau cou p p e re
e u e
ppo ’ '
,
m e t o it ; m on et
s am i s s s pa s de vanter m a s age ss e Q s l oin de

. on o
’
la ere n t i l é to i e n t
l ire dan s m on c eu r
on ne e . u
1] Un m atin m on p e re n us dit
der iche Vous voi l m e s s s l ge l ho m e doit s
o
to us s troi s
a,
en pr és ence de o
e n fan
a
a rr i v e
le
a
’
a ou
,
’
m
choi s ir u ne com pagne qu i lu i aidera su pporter sm aux de l a
v : , u
a le Vi e ;
m ais j veux svous diriger dan s cchoi x On m e l ai ssa l ibre j et e
fus he ure ux avec votre j ve ux e s p é rer qu e c hacu n de v us

e ne pa e .
,
m é re ;
tro u vera bonne fe mm e A ll ez l a chercher J e vous donne m oi s
e o
po u r l a trou ver V il de l argent pour vo uss ou tenir pendant c

un e . . nu
’
et a
tems S i vo us revenie z d e s auj ourd h u i v us m e su rprendriez agréabl e
; o e
’
m ent car j sui s vie ux d ésire p ssionn ém ent de voir

. o
’
et l a u gm e n ta t i o n
de m a fam i ll e avant m a m ort
, e , a
”
1] M s fr e re s ss l a t e te
b ai
d u n air e m pressé qu i m e fit com prendre s
’
e en s igne de s o um
er e n t i s sion s ortirent
sbea u co u p
.
’
il
’
n a u r oi e n t pa
, et
de c s surm onter pou r contenter p e re q u
d i ffi u lt é a m on
1] J e fus o u tr e en pen s ant qu e cel a l eu r s m oi

.
d on n e r oi t
’
a l a v an ta ge
J e ssu ivis tou t hasard ss rendirent che z l e urs am i sde s
ur .
le a Il
envir n s m oi qu i m en sfait au cu n j pri s chem in de l a
. e
’
et é toi le
vil prochaine o u t en parco u rant sru e s de ssen
o ; ,
n e , e
le T j le Be rd ou k a , d i oi
m oi m e m e va s j Comm ent tr u ver u ne fe mm e n en
. e
’
O II ? ? Je
‘
c spoint I ra ab rder l a pre m i e re ven u e E ll e sm o qu era de

-
: i -
e o
o n n oi ?
de m a f l ie s j m ois p u r m e retourner m ai s
e
i
je o
-
.
’
m o i, et Il v ra i , ai n u
sfr e re s m nt bien l air d e tre s contenter m on p e re s

o . e t o ;
dé
’ ’ '
me ré t a
auj ourd h ui donnera sc l ef celu i sde ux qu i au ra fait ch i x p
o
’
il a de le
p lus s gré cbeau trés or ccher trés or qu i m a co te tant de
a un o
u
’
a on . Et e , e ,
34
chargeai s sé paul es me l a m i s terre a notre port M s et a
fre re s l e u r de ux femm e s savant m oi m ai s
ur ne
qu e e
s
, .
et é toi e n t a rr i v e lon gt e m le
derviche touj o u rs m on am i vo ulu qu n j s la a v o it m
’ ’
a t te n di t qu a
’
n t po u r faire l a c é rém onie de trois m ariage s en tems M s

, ,
o u
ui m ém e
fu t u re s bell es s u rs donc encore voi lé e s cependant com
, . e
m é to i e n t
paroi s l eu r ravi ss nte taill e avec cell e H de ; Je
-
j ss s d
’
om a i o u n a , e t ro u gi oi
honte C e fu t bien squ a d apre s l a foi ré cipro qu em ent donnée

a e
pi il
m e fallu t l ever voi l e m a femm e m a m ain tenté
n
s
.
, ,
’
le j a t r e m b lo i t, é to i
de détou rner l a v u e j s tro u ver petit m on s tre Qu e ll em
’
a t t en do i a !
con s ol a te su rpri s e po u r m oi H pas d u ne beau t é
, e un
’ ’
! om a i ou n a é t oi t
su p érie u re co mm e sfemm e s de m e s fre re s m ai s e ll e de s trait s
’
n n
le a v oi t
r ég ul iers u ne phy s ion m ie s piritu e ll e

,
air de cande u r ne abl e ,
qu i l a rendait inté ressante A s qu i s c ssm al in s de m e s

,
o , et un i ff
'
l a la m i , ut de ri
frere s m e dit tou t ba s s qu e j sfait m ei ll e u r choi x

pe r
. a
I l é t oi t ur avoi le
et qu e j s m e fel iciter de m on part ge
,
a u ro i a
’
qu ,
L a fata l e ar m ire dan s l a cha m bre qu i qu e

a
c c s
.
1] j é t oi t j ou h oi ; et
fuss e pa s s an s e m press em ent pou r m a femm e j pus

o e ou o e
c m
’
e m pé h er
de s ou pirer c mm e j sst uj o u rs en regardant c e u b l e
ne , e ne
le fa i oi m
mys t é rieux E s t cqu e j s m a heu r de vous m e dit
,
o e o , e
’
a u r oi le l d é pla i re P
tendre m ent H
.
-
e
om a i ou n a
N on a ssu ré m ent lu i r é pondi s en ss m ai s po u r ter

.
j
’
1] l e m b ra an t o
toute in qu i é tu de sachez qu e cette ar oire contient trés or dont
, ,
-
e ,
m
m on p ere a pr m i s de donner l a cl ef ce lu i de s e s troi s ils en
, nu
a f ui
plus digne n e s t pas auss i pressé de s e décider qu e nous

o
q
se r oi t le Il
’
le
s omm e s de possé der trés or
.
”
le
1] V otre p e re e s t s ge reprit m a fe mm e craint de strom per
.
”
il
C e s t votre cond u ite de m ettre fin ssdou te s ;
a e
s
, .
C e pen dan t ,
’
a a
vous qu e j doi s nat u rell em ent vous porter
e . o u v en e z
H
’
m l
p le om a1 ou n a, e t
bonhe u r
e a e
p
1] L air a ectionné g acie ux avec l e qu e l ce s paro l e s fu rent pr noncée s

.
ff
’
et
m e fit o u bl ier po u r cette nu it l e s richess e s d nt m on

r o
t i er e m e n t la
i m agination rem p ie sj n avois pas é té plus in s en sé de
en -
o
’
é t oi t l et i le
tous l es homm e s j m en s sj am ai s ress o u ven u p u i squ e j ; e
’
e ro i
s s p lus grand plus ines ti m ab l e strés ors u ne vraie

e ne e
s
, ,
é do i le le de
am ie J e tardai pas m e convaincre qu e hasard
po
aplus fait
,
le av oit
,
po u r m oi qu e l a pré voyance pou r m e s fre re s L e urs fe mm e s

. ne
é toi en t
pare ss eus e s rem pl ie s de van t é e ll es s s an s cess e l u ne
.
’
u e r e lloi e n t
l au tre sn a m a ss ent point H dont l a m ode s tie
e
,
’
i
q
q u oi qu e lle
’
et o m a 1 o un a ,
l a Vigilance s s rou gir ell e s l a touj ou rs pou r

i
et le fa i oi en t r en o i e n t
arbitre de l e u rs scar e ll e s
d i ffé r e n , s c de l a
,
po u v oi e n t
p
e m pé h e r
’
re specter M p e re tou t s m ot m ai s j ssss

ne
yoi t et d i oi t e li o i
pen sé esdan s ssregard s derviche qu i s point

. on vo , ne ; e
é t l u oi t
hau te m ent m a fe mm e
e au n e e n an o
, , g ,
j ou r m ayant tiré part m e dit j u ne qu e s tion

.
1] Un
’ ’
a il Ba rk ia r okh , ai
a vous faire l aqu ell e fau t qu e vous ré pondiez sc

,
a c c es t
il
, ,
i n é r e m e n t, a r
’
votre propre qu i m e l a dicte avez vo us conn u H

,
i n té ré t ou - om a i oun a P
36
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
1] J h és itai m o m ent lu i ré pondre de s avoir m otif
’
fi n l e n vi e
'
a le
de scu rios it é lu i parl er s an s d égu is em ent
un ; en
’
m a
V oi l u ne avent u re bien e ll e m e
a e n ga ge a
s c c
.
1] i n gu li er e !
’
a é r ia t il on fi rm e
da s u ne idée qu e sob s ervati n s ont fait Avez vous
S - -
me n a i tr e
re m arqué m on squ e quand votre fe mm e vient dans j ardi

n o .
-
fil v a et le
l e s sdont e ll e s c prennent de s coul eu rs plus vive s u ne
fl eur
, ,
’
ppr o h e
n ,
Ode u r plus su ave qu e l es p l ante s l e s s qu e ll e to u c he

a
s
,
a rb ri
’
croi ss ent vu e c qu e dan s ssm ain s s s em bl e t uj ou rs , eu x ,
d e il
’ ’
a et l a rr o oi r
dispen s er l a rosé e bri llante fé conde de l a fin sJ ai
e o
d u pri n t e m
’
et P
vo s paniers de j nc devenir d u n lust e d u ne finess e leur
vu
’ ’
et i
s ont p int ordinaire s qu and ell e l e s arrange s cham eau qu i doit
o r q u ne
le
l e s p rter m arch é Deux foi s ell e a pré paré vos s ce s de ux
o ur
file t et
f i s v us avez fait u ne p éche d u ne ab ndance prodigie us e Oh ell e
o au .
la
’
e s t assrém ent protég é e par qu e lqu e pui ss ante inn ain s i ch é ri ss e z

o -
o o .
G
l a respectez l a co mm e devant l a s u rce de votre b nheu r
u ,
”
é tr e
qu e j spa s de peine su ivre s av s
-
o o
1] s s As
, .
l a la m i
’ ’
Ja u ra i n a u ra i a i
pui squ e personne c ss m ie ux qu e m oi s val eu r de
e on ,
’
o n n oi oi t l i n e t i m a b le
m a fe mm e m e retirai ensu ite tre s pressé de faire m e s reflexion s s
ne
Je
cqu e S i l svrai c mm e y a to u te appa
ur
s
.
,
j e v e n o i d e n t en d r e
’ ’
t il
rence ssj en s oit assist é e dan s to u t
e . e ,
o
d i oi H
’
m o i m é m e, o m a 1 ou n a
cqu e ll e fait par p u voir su rnat u re p u rqu oi e ll e

e
qu
c
- -
,
l,
’ ’
m
p ere m en
o u v re - t -
pas m in s d é cide ell e pas

nu o o ne
’
l a r m oi re , du
’
t m on a
d nner l a cl ef Ell e pens e point s an s dou te Lu i en ferai j l a pro
ou o ne - -
P
p sition Ah co m ent l os er S es s age s dis c u rsssregard s c él es te s
o n
y e
-
.
P m P
m en i m pos ent Concentron s dan s m on c csde m a
o o e
w
,
’
plu t Ot l ex e
’
c nv iti s e S i ell e m e c ss bien ell e m e de

ur
s
.
o n n oi oi t m é pri e ro i t li e n
m aider dan s m e s m auvai s s incl ination s V il er ssvice s aux ye ux s
o o au
’
de
gen s de bien c e s t t u t ccqu i re s te faire qu and on s pas
e . o e
’ ’
a gle
s oi m e m e C ain s i qu e j m e c sdan s d une
,
o ne av e u
”
fir m o i l h a b i tu d e
’ ’
e t oi t
hyp cri sie qu i p ur te m ps m a qu e tr p réuss i

-
. e on
’
1 ] C ependant t u t bien ass e z tran qu ill e m ent dan s n tre petite

o ,
o un ne o .
a lloi t
fam ill e s s ir qu e nous revenion s sfre re s m oi de vendre

o et o
’
lor qu me
terrib l e acce s de
et
notre p é che n us s dan s

un o
s s
, , ,
t r ou v am e O rm o ou f
g u tte al adie l aqu ell e suj et dep uis qu elqu e tem sm ai s qu i l

,
o un
i l é toi t
’
m a
j am ai s é pr u v é e Si vi l ente s n us pr m e s
o
sA s
, ,
’ ’
n a v oi t a lor i té t i
air c n s tern é n us étant s ge oux qu elqu e distance de lu i
o o
qu . u o nu
et , mi a a
ous s sdan s m rne Sil ence L e erv che l e s deux es cl aves
o ,
o n ,
t am e d i et
noires s tandi s qu e femm e s ss lu i d nner

n Te nu o .
le
’
o u t e n oi e n t, ma em oit a
tous ss spo ss ib l e s Qu ant m e s bell e s s eu rs e ll e s
re
p o
le ou la ge m e n a
retiré e s dan s l e urs cham bres s ous pré texte qu ell e s
.
-
o ,
’ ’ ’
é to ien t n a v oi en t
pas l a f rce d etre t ém oin s d u n i cru el s pectacl e

S ,
’ ’
L e s d ul e u r s aig u e s A l or s to u rnant
o S
s s s
.
’
d O rm o
’
ou f S a fin
1] pa i er e n t
l es ye ux su r nous M schers s nous dit j sai s j voi s
o en .
,
“
i l, “
”
fil
dou te pas qu e qu oi qu e fatigu e s vous
et
com bien vous

: e ,
-
e e
j
’
m a i m e z, e t
vous em pressie z s atis faire u ne fant i sie qu i m e v ent en c cm om ent

e ne , ,
ne
a i
n ai pa s m angé j j ai envie m on s ou per
a .
d
’
a u ou r d h u i,
’ ’ ’ ’
Je et d a v oi r a
37
L e s E pi s o d e s d e Vath e k
qu e lqu e s poi ss onsrare s de bon go t prenez V O S s all e z et u ; file t et
ssayer c cqu e vo us po u ve z faire pou r m oi m ai s s

é pare z spris e s et
qu e chacun de vo us fass e par sfe mm e cell e qu i au ra faite
e vo ,
’
ppr é te i l
C ependant j ete z s s f i s J e vo us ain s i car
a a .
file t q u u n e
’
l o r d on n e
’
e s t tard qu elqu e accident vous arriver J e sui s pas en etat

, ne vo o .
,
il po u rro i t
de su pporter ;
qu e vous m e caus erie z en re s tant
ne
s
.
l i n q u i é tu d e
’
lo n gt e m
N o us no us s ss é tant entr és dan s notre bar qu e qu i
.
1] le v fim e a u i t é t , e t,
c pre squ e l a porte de notre m ai s on nous n us s

,
hee é lo ign fim e
’
é to i t a tta a
qu elqu e dis tance p u r atteindre l a m er plus fé conde ,
o
’
a l e n droit o h é t oi t
nous j s s schacu n de n us fai s ant to u t bas sc
o .
L a, file t de
pour s propre su cce s contre c
e t am e
e lu i de s au tre s La n uit ob s cu re
no ,
o v e ux
et é t oi t
no us é t é i m p ssibl e notre captu re no us retou r
on , .
;
d
’
il a u r oi t e xa m i n e r
n m e s donc l ogi ss an sen rien s avoir m ais dan s cco u rt traj et m e s

o ;
a
fre res e u rent to u tesl e s tran s e s de en m e voyant su ccm ber ;
au e
’
l en v i e
s us poid s de s standi s s sl e u r s tr e s l e g e re
o
’
le me file t i l p or to i e n t le
m ent Qu e l triom phe su cc éda pas c cpetit c hagrin s tr u va qu
o ,
a ! Il
qu e chacu n d e ux pris é n rm e p iss on d u ne e spe ce rare
. ne e o
’ ’
a v oi t
p iss on S i petit d u ne coul eu r

et
c uvert de sé cai ll e s
nu o o ,
m a gn i fiqu e
’
et m oi
Shabitant
i bru ne S i u nie qu i l ss
o
et
de l a m er n avoi s pas bes oin de s é cl at s de rire de m e s

,
Je
repti l e a
’
’
re
,
em
un
b lo i t plu té t a
o
un
,
q u un
bell es s urs de l e u rs m ari s po u r e tre c nfond u d é pité j j etai

.
m et et
par terre m on s poi ss on j all oi s foul er a ux pieds qu and

-
o e
m i era b le et le
m a femm e l ayant ram ass e m e dit ’
P rene z cou rage m on
’
,
’
a l o r e i lle ,
,
cher j va s cpetit poi ss on qu i vous chagrine

, , ,
Bark i a ro kh ppr é t e r e
tant vo us verre z s era m eill e u r strois stant de
e i a
”
Il
’
et le de J a v oi
c cen e ll e qu e ce s parol e s l e s poir dan s m on c
, q u
’
.
o n fia n firen t n a i t re
m e rendirent m em e
e a au r,
et a m oi
p u t c de s o u rire en voyant cet at m e de
-
ss s
.
ou f n e
pé h e r
’
1] O rm o em
poi ss on qu n p l ac é m il ie u de s de ux au tre s qu i s u ne
o
f
’
a v oit et ai oit
bien tri s te figu re A qu i appartient ceci dit

o au
, , y
P il
1] A m on m ari r é pondit H c es t m orcea u exqui s qu oi

-
. .
” ’
om a I Ou n a
qu on n en pu iss e faire qu e de ux bo u ch é es aignez donc m anger ;

, un ,
le
’
; d
’
to u t de su ite vous s e ul P uiss e vo us faire tou t bien qu e j

et a t il le
s p u i ss ent to us l e s su hait s qu on faire pou r vous
, .
- -
e
’
de ir e pou rr oi t
m o ent vo us m angerez
o
sc ’
c om
plir le m on le
pr és enter a u c u n m et s qu e ta bonne gr ce rende
a au
1]
“
Tu s s a u ro i a
d él icieux ré pondit bon viei ll ard j vai s te s ati s faire ch e re
ne ne
” “
le ma
En disant ce s m ots m it m orceau poiss on dan s s ;
, e ,
”
fille il du
b u che
.
, un a
1] A l
5 Il n e
o
r s moon fr e
.
re pi qu é de cette co m p l ai
a in é ,s ance
fau t qu e de s s u haits pou r p l aire ici qu i peu t en faire de plus
s e ria Ah ,
’
o ,
“ !
s squ e m oi qu i sp u voir é changer m on contre

o
s
,
i n tére dro i ag e
celu i de pe re lu i donner m a f rce prendre sfoibl e sse
an ,
v ou o
m on et
1] J en sa u t nt interro m pit m on s econd de bien bon

,
o a
“ ’
di a fr é r e, et
c
,
m ur !
1] Oh j vo us c pas en tendre ss e
e ne le m c j m on
éde filia le , e ri a i -
e a
38
1] Oh c e s t toi toi s e ul qu i par ta p et e il al e m érite l a cl ef de
!
'
et f
l a fatal e arm oire c ss La voi l c ntin ua en m e l a , , , i i ,
” ’
é ri a O rm o ouf a, t il
prés entant l e s pro m e ss e s faite s m a race vont sc en toi
S o
c
- -
, .
“ ’
a om
plir
p e re verra ton bonhe u r avec tran s port
; a ;
”
t on
J e n en j o uirai qu en faisant di s e d un air c ss
.
1] j
’ ’ ’
le v 6 t re , r e on n oi an t
m ai s j s ou fre l heu re qu i l es t repos s era m on u niqu e bien

-
’ ' ”
f et a le
s on m e por a dan s l a cham bre
e
1] A s s
, .
j b r uloi d é tre ,
'
ou
’
i t6 t t et n
tro uvant s e ul avec m a fe mm e e ll e m e dit Voici baum e s alu taire
u e
, y
qu e j vai s appl iqu er l a pl ante de spied s vous s oul agera , : un

”
a il
Oh vo us s ave z qu oi vous en tenir lu i di s j en l a regardant
e vo .
a
e i l s om bre car vo us bien l air de rien ignorer
, ,
-
e
’ ’ ’ ”
d m
ne fit pa s s e m b l ant de de m a m a u vai s e
un o av ez
c
, .
H
’
] om a 1 o u n a e v o ir
’
h um eu r E l e appl i qua s baum e sdo ul e u r s s s Ce

S a
l pe r
l
’
et me pa i er en t
s ervice m e raccomm oda pe u avec e ll e j s en pa ss ant
on a
s
.
, .
’
l e m b ra ai
co u rus J en tou rnai l a cl ef en tre mbl ant d av dite j

un , e ,
’ ’ ’
a l a rm o i re i
s e tre éb l o u i par c de l or de s pierrerie s qu e
et .
; e
’ ’
m a tt e n d oi a l é la t
’
et
s ssM ai s ppo o i l ie u de cctrés or j trou vai tre s petite ’ ’

j y
boite de fer dan s l aqu ell e u ne bagu e de pl om b m orceau

au e n
u .
, , y qu un e
é t oi t et
de parchem in bien p l i é cachet é A cette vu e j dem eu rai confond u
un
et
de tou t cqu i l cqu e j

e
c s
.
’ ’
d
’
l id é e m o ut é ob a rd o i
’
a v ai t t e n ir
qu e comm e de p u re s fadais e s m e caus a s ai si ss em ent de c eu r qu i
e e e ne re
g
l a re spiration
nu o
’
m fi toi t
N e vo us d é co u rage z pa s s m e dit m a fe mm e su rto u t
.
1] i t Ot , et
vous repentez pas de c pie us e qu e vo us ave z faite Li s ez , ne

’ ”
l a ti on
s c c m e c s m ai s non s an s ro u gir de c c
. .
H e i lloi t,
’
1] Je fi o m a I o un a
'
qu ell e pénétré dan s m a pen s ée j stou t hau t ce s m ot s

on
qu
lu
’
a v oi t et
é crit s en beaux caract e res P rend s cette bagu e e ll e te rendra , e
invi s ibl e en l a m ettant petit doigt de ta m ain gau che par c ,
m oyen t u regagneras royaum e de te s c s r égnera s comm e

au ; e
le é tr e et
m ei ll eu r ou pluss ce l erat de tous l e s roi s

an ,
”
le le
A ce s dernier s m ot s ,
s ria d u ne voi x forte S i , .
c
H o m a IO un a
’
1] Si et
qu e l a cham bre nous é tion s en fu t é bran lé e O All ah

eo
te ou
A ll ah l aiss e pas choi x de cette al ternative

per
qu e t u m as
an :
’ ’
! le a l é p ou x
donné F rce bien l ai ss e m oi pou r touj u rs dan s l a condition
ne
le et
d une s i m pl e m ortell e j con s en s j am ais revoir m on he u re us e

o -
au ,
-
o
’
a
patrie pas ser m e s j ou rs dan s l e xi l j su i s pou rvu qu e m on cher ; e ne
’
a
devienne bon roi qu e cet é crit annonce
,
e ,
Ba rk i a r o k h le
1] A ce s paro l e s a ux rayon s qu i s de s yeux H s
.
d
’
o rt oi e n t om a I o u n a , a
‘
figu re tou te lum ine us e j tom bai s e s pied s l a face contre terre
,
a
a e t,
apre s qu elqu e s sde s i l ence c m on to u r O vo us qu e

, e ,
’
m om e n m é r ia i a
j n o s e envi s ager daigne z cond u ire m e s pa s dan s l a ro u te qu i m e s t
, : ,
’ ’
erte p u iss e votre gé nére ux s ou hait acc m pl i

e ,
of
f et é tre
1] L e su pr e m e d é cret Ciel s era m e dit ell e en m e rel evant
,
o
“
du le
d u n air d ux attendri C ependant é co u te de tou te s te s oreill es
-
, ,
’
et et
pu iss ent sparol e s s e graver su r l a tabl ette de ton c te

o .
,
me Je
cacherai rien de c cqu i m e regarde de cqu e t u s faire pui s
a eu r . ne
,
ui e a a et
40
H i s toir e d u P rinc e Bar kiaro kh
j m e s o um ettrai m on s rt C e di s ant e ll e s o u pira profond ém ent
c
a
c
e
om m en s r é cit ade l a monani e re su ivante

o .
, ,
et
HI S TOI R H E D
’
O MAI O UN A
1] J e s ai s s s s qu e
fil d Orm o v us ’
derviche A s o u f, et le l a la m i m
’
cru protégé e par u ne I ntell igence cél e ste m ai s qu e vous encore

, o a v ez
e t ie z
l oin de deviner m a gl orie us e origine J e sui s l a propre grand !

;
fille d u
As fe n d a r m od , le plusrenommé plus p uissant h él as plus le et, ! le
s e ve re de tous sP é ris C e fu t dan s l a su perbe vill e de
le !
, ,
G ia n h a r,
capital e d él icie ux pay s de
du qu e j vin s m onde en S h a d uk a n ,
com pagnie d u ne qu on nomm a N ous f m e s é l ev é e s
e au ,
’ ’
G a n i gu l u
ens e m b l e cqu i au gm enta l a tendre ss e mu tu ell e qu i no us ss
S te u r .
un i oi t
m algré l a cqu i s dan s no s inc l inati n s M a s r

, e
d i ffer e n t ro u v o i t mu
dou ce l ang u reus e pais ib l e—ell e c c qu e charm e
e e o .
é toit h e r h oi t le
d u n p é ti qu e repo s j sVive agi ssante j stouj u r s faire
, o , ne
’
; e v o u lo i
’
é t oi
qu elqu e chos e su rtou t bien qu and j en ;
o o
sc cs
,
du t rou v o i l o
’
et i on
1] M p e re qu e no us j am ai s s qu en trem bl ant qu i
a
s
, .
’ ’
n a v i on e n v i a ge et
pas paru faire grande attention a nous n us fit j u r venir

on , ,
’
n a v oit
pied de s tr ne re s pl endi ssant H v us nous ,

o un o au
’
o om a 1 o u n a , e t G a n igu l,
dit j vous ai ob servées j ai qu e l a beau t é qu i e s t de
on . o ,
l a ppa n a ge
’ ’
i] ,
tou tes l e s Peri s e s e st s sm e m e s trait s en vo us de ux m ai s
-
e vu ,
m ar qu ee de
j ai a uss i qu e s c s s e re ss e m bl ent p int Cette divers it é
’
,
p en h a n
de caract e re exi s te doit s ell e concou rt bien gén é ral
vu vo n e o .
et e xi té e ;
Vo us s l on pe u t con sul ter s c u r s choi sir l a
au .
’
a l é ge
’
é te et
m ani e re de pass er s Parl e z qu e pui s j faire pou r sS ouverain

on oe , e
a vi e . P
d une c ntré e l a plus m erveill eus e s el on qu e s

-
e v ou
’
s d u G i n n i ta n , et
nom d ésir pl ai sir aill e u rs s ou vent sé paré ss nt

o on
l e xpr i m e , le le
’
et Si
presqu e touj ou r s réu ni s vo us a dem ander vous s ere z , ,

o
’
satis faite s Parl e z prem re H

et
, n a v ez
qu
1a om a 1 0 u n a !
1] M on p e re r é pondi
.
s j j ai m e ’
agir
faire des he u re ux Ord nne z qu on m e ssu ne tou r d j pu i ss e
,
s e c u rir l e s m i sé
-
rab l e
ie
s e,
,
’
’
a
b at i
,
a o
’
o ti
, a
voir tou te l a terre s avoir dan s qu e ls lieux av ir bes oin

. o e e
et ou r r oi t
de m on assis ta ce
on o
,
’
p
F aire s an s ce ss e bien a ux ho mm e s vo l age s ingrat s

n
s
.
1] da et t
t che plus p énibl e qu e vous pens ez dit As vous
e une
fe n d a rm o d Et
’
a
continu a en s m a s u r qu e d és ire z v us
ne
s
, .
,
’ ’ ’
G a n i gu l, t i l, S a dr e an t a m P
Rien qu e do ux rep s rép ndit e ll e S i j ai u ne retraite l a

- -
,
-
o
“ ’
le oh
’
‘ ‘
natu re dépl o s e s charm e s splus s s s l art envie ux l e s

o ,
o -
.
’ ’
le é du i d
‘
ie et
pas sion s tu rbul ente s s ient bannies l a volu pt é dou ce l a m oll e ss e

an , o rI
oh
attrayante habitent j s erai cntente b énirai tous l e s j ou rs

o , ,
e o et
c
, ,
’
l i n d u lge n a t e m e lle
’
J e vo us accorde s o u hait no us dit vo us po u ve z

e p
s s s
.
A fe n d a r m o d
’
1]
partir s m e m e po u r sre s pective s habitati n s A cou p
vo ,
’
a l i n ta n t
qu e j ai donn é aux I nte ll igence s qu i s to u t a é t é
vo o nu
s
.
’ ’
oei l ob éi
’
d m en t ,
paré pou r votre c All ez nous no us rever on s tiendra a re e

pt i o n .
; r . Iln e
pr e
q u
41
L es E pi s od e s d e Vath ek
v us de venir ici qu elqu ef i s de vous vi siter l u ne l au tre Cependant et
’ ’
s ngez qu e qu and on a pri s pa ti dan s sc e s t po u r

o o ,
.
,
le S h a d uk a
’
touj ou rs l a race cél e s te dont no us s omm e s doit sc les d é

o , un r ,
on n o i t r e
irs in quiet s encore m oin s qu i to u rm entent l e s f ibl e s h um ain s

ne
p a
s ’
l en v ie
’
1] Apr e s ce s m ot s m on p e re no us fit s igne de s ortir s j me

,
o .
et a l i n ta n t
trou vai dan s u ne tou r s s mm et de l a m ontagne de Caf
, , e
b é t ie le o
dan s l e s mu rs de l aqu ell e ss sm ir irs s an s
ur
cs
,
et é t oi e n t ha é de
nombre qu i css qu oiqu e avec vapore ux d u n s onge m ill e
en o
ré flé le
’
hi oi e n
s ce ne s divers e s qu i s e ss en r éal ité su r l a terre La p uissan ce

, t, ,
o i en t
As an éanti sdi s tance s rapproch é non s e ul e m ent
pa .
fe n da r m od le
’
d a v oit et
l a m ai s l e s s n s sparol e s de s sani més su r l esqu e ls on et le é tr e

regard
v u e, o
fi xoi t le
La pre m i ere s c ene qui attira par has ard attention
.
’
m on m of
fri t
s pectacl e qu i m e rem plit d u ne jus te col ere u ne m ar tre ’ '
C é t oi t a
i m pie qu i c de persuader par de s caresse sfeinte s sdi s c urs
nu .
t fi h oi t de
s on f ibl e é p ux de d nner s en m ariage n egre
et o
c
,
a r ti fi i e u x, a fille a
di orm e qui s ell e sé du it s on innocence La j e u ne v erg
o o o a nu
ff di oi t - a v oi t i
tell e l i s qu e l a s erpe a j entamé c sbell e t e te
, , . e,
dé a n h oi t
’
qu un
a tt e n d o i t
m
en p l i ss ant s ort qu e ll e
a
’
le
d e t in o i t ,
S i pe u tandi s qu e
, pe
m é ri t o i t
on s tre qu on lu i s avec de s ye ux de basil ic de s s ou pirs de et
;
a
’
et
le
crocodi l e d e m a n d oi t pardon de s qu i l
l o ffen e pas faite l a
n a v o it
’ ’ ’
a
,
fi lle, e t r en fe rm oi t dan s s c u r a uss i noir qu e s on vi s age l e s

cri m e s qu i l c mm is avec l a bell e m e re Dan s cl in d si l
on oe , ,
’ ’
a v o it
jrapidit
aperc us tou t cel a s l e urs vi s age s m e tran s portai avec l a
o un u
-
.
et
é de l a lum i ere s l e s l ieux l a s ce ne s e ss J e to u chai

ur ,
oh oit.
de m on invi sibl e bag u ette ( s s concentration de l a p u i ss an ce

ur
pa
m y tén
cél e s te qu i di s tingu e su per e u r de s P éri s) l a mé chante fe mm e
eu e
l o r dre
’
s on A s ils c de s e
i
et Vi l r o te
ge l m t an t h a n ger e n t ton , ga r d ere n t
avec fu re u r sc cs r é cipro qu e m ent en d rent tant qu e
re
p ’
.
er en t et i le
m ari tran sport é de rage l e r cou pa l a t e te tous l e s deux I fit en su ite
, a u ,
a !
approcher s tre mbl ante l a m ou i ll a de l arm e s de tendre ss e
, , u .
fille et
p u i s ayant env y é chercher j e une homm e beau comm e e ll e lu i

a , ,
le
fit é po us er s cham p
,
o nu ,
le
1] J e m e retirai dan s m a to u r tr e s s ati s faite d u ne action de jus tice
ur .
’
et
d é qu i t é
’
qu i c s bonhe u r de de ux
a v oi t sai m abl e s pa ss ai
e le
,
etr e et
u ne n u it c s
au ,
d e li i e u
1] A u point j o u r j cou rus m e s m iroirs C e lu i j m arretai m e
e.
’
du
‘
a
prés enta hare m d un sul tan des I nde s J sdan s j ardin
e . O II e
’
le
’
vi
su perbe u ne fe mm e fort bell e d u ne tai ll e m aj e st u e us e d u ne m ine

un
’
.
y ,
’
hau te ,
et qu i ss e tre dan s u ne ex tre m e agitation E ll e s

fi er e , a ro i oi t
, ,
grand s pas s u ne terras se de tous c te s avec

e
p .
r om e n o i t a e t r e ga r d o i t e
p
in qu i é tu de qu i fu t calmé e qu e s e u nuqu e noir vint
ur ,
’
lo r q u a
ell e—d u n air fort e m pressé Vo s ordre s s ont obéis reine m onde lu i
un e ne un
’
da
dit en S I nclinant s enfer mé e , ,
.
il j
profon dé m e n t ; l i m pr ud e n t e N o u r é h a n e t
’
dan s l a grotte noire L e sul tan l ira pas chercher ccs oir e ll e la ; e t
’
j am ai s d i ci avec m archand sc s qu i j ai p rlé

ne
s
.
é loign e ra a
' ’ ’
le d e la v e a
’
a .
42
J e lai ssai faire c cretou rnai tou te confus e cpen sive dans m a
le t m
’
t
tou r , n
Ah s sj en m oi m e m e As qu e trop rais on
.
d i oi e
’
1] fe n da rm od n a v oit
quand qu e c c ccp énibl e cf ire bien aux

- -
,
i l pr é t e n d o it
’
é t oi t u n ta h d du
homm e s m ai s dire qu on cs s s
a
i l d e v o i t plu tet
’ ’
av o i t lo r qu
faire ccbien S i cc ;
s m a l J ai c u ne
n
pa on
c om pt o i t
’
é toi t pa
’
em é hé
vengeance l aqu ell e l a j al ous ie qu i in s piré e pas l ai ss e c

n nu
’
.
p
l a v oi t
’
a n a v oi t d
m ettre de s borne s cpar jcsu i s l a caus e forfait d u nc fu rie qu i t la du
’
s l a foi de c cqu ell e c s onge a commi s horr bl e attent t

, ,
’
ro y o i t n u
Qu e ls spervers s ont ccscreatu re s d argil e qu i j d é vo ué m e s

ur , nu i a .
’
é tre a
s oin s N e pa s m ie ux de l e s l aiss er faire l e u r proie l e s
ai
! d r oi t i l
de s a u tre s vivre comm e m a sc c en j o u i ss ant bonhe u r
vau un S
c
-
et du he
u ne natu re a uss i parfaite qu e l a tre M ai s qu e sjc Pu i s jc
,
u r, a t ta
a me ? di ?
hois ir M p e re cm a pas dit qu e cparti qu e j ai pri s s
-
c
-
’
t il l
’
?
rre vocabl e Qu e ferai jcJ c réuss irai pas touj ou rs l ire dan s s
on n - -
e t
i ? P a le
c eu rs par l e s s vi sage J cd é co u vrirai l e s grande s
-
ne
m o u v e m en du
passion s l eu rs tran s port s inv l ontaire s m ai s l a m al ice prémédit é e S e
o .
a
d é robera sregard s e s t v ai qu e m on in lu ence m y st érieus e ;
o
a me Il f
e x cite l e s rem rd s fait confe ss er scri m es m ai s ss ont j comm i s
. r
le il dé a
al ors Ell e pe u t d é co u vrir l e s noire s intentio s sm ienne s
;
o ,
e t le
to ute s p u re s qu e ll e s s ont pou rront caus er m ill e s m aux

. ne n ; ,
’ ’
C e s pen sé e s n u i c j o u r c s s inactive dan s, .
“
1] j
m e t o u r m e n t oi e n t t t t oi
m a to u r cvain l e s obj et s qu i s e s ma c c ma
; re
pr é e n t o i en t a i t oi t
com passion o u m on z e l e l eu r i m p ulsion c
v ue ex
;
l a crainte de
n n
é d oit a
co mm ettre qu e lqu e erre u r S i j s grand vi z ir form er c vi l e s e v oy o i d
cabal e s p u r perdre celu i qu i csu ppl anter e m pl oyer contre
. un
uv o i t l
lu i l e s cscl a cal om nie j c spre te prendre m on e ss or pou r
o
po ;
’
fl a tt u r
’
t t oi a
faire c s on de ss ein m ai s j
'
h ou e r sto u t co u rt en con s id é rant

,
m
’
a rr é toi
qu e s c pe u t e tre encore plus m échant qu e lui qu l

e e
’ ’
om e ti t eu r é to i t i
bien O pprim er l e s pe u pl e s en core davantage cqu e ccs
on p
-
,
po ur roi t t e roi t
m ex pos er entendre grand j ou r ju ge m ent de s m ill iers cvoi x

a du
,
d
Sde scchocontre
e ri er
se s
All ah vengez n us s csqu e cou rs
m o i,
qu e j s sattentivem ent j s c
a m en o i t,
au
et
’
ob
-
o
e rv oi
.
’
Le é v é n em n le
t i fio i nt
pre squ e touj ou rs m a pré voyance , u
1]
vi sdan s c
j u r
Un ayant arr e t e m e s ye ux s l a s
s Vi ll
m ais on tre s propre u ne femm e dont l a beau té m ode s te
o ,
e c C hira z j c
.
ur fl ori an te d ,
cl a bo ne gr ce c Ell e s qu e c cdan s c
, un ,
’
t a me h a r m er e n t fa i oi t d tr
chambre fort ornée c y petit ratoire qu and e ll e
n . ne n r un
t O II i l
‘
a v oi t
sregard s m i s c geno ux e ll e avec c

un o
s s
, ,
’ '
a tt i ra me La, é ta n t a ri o i t
ferve u r cl orsqu e s on m ari ayant enf nc é s o u daine m ent l a p rte

un
.
, p
é di fia n t
qu ell e fermé e en dedan s l a prit par l e s cheveux tira fou et ,
o o ,
'
a v oi t
ccorde sde de ss o us s robe clu i en do na m i ll e co u p s A cette

, , nu
d t
fu t i m poss ibl e de c ntenir j m e b t i d all er
a n
c
.
,
’
b a r b a ri il m e me aa
ec ur r cette infor u n é e cj au pre s c m om ent ;
o e
s i
’
a rri v a i d
’
lle
’
é tern u em e t tre s s csfit entendre dan s cabinet qu e cc

o t , t au qu u n
a h oi t
u ne natte sI nde s Le m ari cou ru t bru it ctira cc ré d it obs c u r

n on or e nu
de c . au , t d u
44
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
faqu ir hide ux voir S es cheve ux cré pus cs al e s sbarbe a é to i e n t
ro uss e cd ego tante s teint
t
ch u i l e ux s corp s pre squ e
nu .
, a
u o li v atre t
n u cco u vert ccicatrices Le fu rieux P ersan cfu t sm oin s
t ,
on , on
d
c nfond u qu e m oi l a d une tell e figu re I l a contem pl a qu elqu e s
t . n
pa
’
a !
ss an s rien dire sc C e s t d n c infam e bea u
o v ue .
’
E n fin i l
’
m om en é ria : la, le
gal ant qu e v us m e pré fé rez J cs avai s bien qu i l y ici homm e
. o
,
’
a voit
renferm e avec v us m aisj s s y tr u ver parei l

o . nu
’
m a tt e n d o i a
m on stre toi contin ua en s ss faqu ir comm ent stu
o e n e p a o un
a dr e
’
t il
’
Et t ‘
c cvenir ici
an au a
c
- - -
.
, ,
l i m pu d e n d
’
P
su i s ven u r é pondit s an s déconcerter po u r faire
u e
1] Jy
’
c s l h ypo
’
ri t e ,
qu e vous faites m ie ux qu e m oi La s ceu vre mé rit ire

e
c c
, ,
fl a ge lla ti o n t un
c m ac e re corp s cc on séqu e mm ent e l e ve cvers cie l
. e o o ;
’
lle le t l am le Je
sl a donner votre fe mm e qu i c csspetite s s
, .
v e n oi a me fi i n fi rm i t é
s piritu ll e s A cet e et j sapporté s de p enitence qu e , on e
l i n tr u m e n t
’
e ff a v oi
voici M ais vo us c c c e ll e en a ass ez pou r auj ou rd h u i ains i

.
’
d
’
m é
j m e retire En di s ant ce s m ot s tira d u ne s orte cceintu re qu i
. av z van
’ ’
il d
c s to u t s habi ll e m ent u ne l ong u e di s cip l i e bien noircie c
e .
, ,
om po o i t t
fit qu elqu e s pas vers l a porte
on , n , ,
1]
Sa
m ari l arr e ta m achina l e
fe mm e s en cs e j eta ss sspied s Ah m on
Le m ent car ’
to u t conf us’
c incertai
ut
.
,
i l é t oi t
i t ot a
t
‘
!
n .
cher é poux sc e ll e achevez cm e faire expirer s o us sco ps

a pe r au e
qu 1 .
r ia t ‘
d
m ais vous perde z pas vo us m e m e en vo us atta qu ant cet h mm e c
, e - -
, vo u ,
a d
bien sl am i cnotre s aint Proph e te Craignez oh craigne z l a
ne -
o
’
d
’
; il
m alé diction qu i tomber s v tre t e te vous
e t
c
.
,
l o u t ra g
’
Si
1] Q e s t c cqu
cpre squ e convainc u c cc
e
u to
’
u t ceci s -
dit pa u v e P er s
cde sfe mm e on m e fait pa s
a
va
to u t é bran lé
d l in n o
’
ur
i gn i fie P
o
le r n ,
z
peu r S i aisém ent Laiss ez vos e x cl am ation s cdite s m oi comm ent c

t en a ; ne
c la t
pré tend s aint e s t parven u jusqu a vous cdep ui s quand vous c
-
.
,
t l
roirai avec pl ai s ir qu e vous n e te s pas auss i cou pab l e
u
c s c c
,
on n o i s Je
’
q il par u m ai s j ve ux s scsu rtou t de l a

z .
l a d a b or d de d eta il
’ ’
u me ; e t
sc
,
i n é ri t e
n en c qu e trop c comm e dan s c cm o m ent j tou chai de m a
.
1] Il
bagu ette s épou se e ll e s e rel eva t u te hors cm em e en
u ,
ar, e
’
p er fid e d e ll
dis ant ton cvoix fort él evé O u i j ai m e c c séd u cte r l a

a ,
o -
,
’
d Vi l
’
d a
fol ie cplus qu e j t ai j am ai s ai mé tyrant de sj ou rs j ai
,
un : , u
’ ’
t o me !
cent foi s baisé s e s ye ux chassieux sb u che l iv de en m ot j lu i
,
e ne ,
et i
ai l iv é ctes riche ss es m a pers onne De s c m a appri s
a o nu , e
’
et Ot é i l a
de s on P roph e te profé rer l e s plus inf m e s
t
m e m qu er A
r . on
d lla h
’
et a a
b l as ph em e s j ou er de tou t c cqu i l y a de p lus sacré J c s squ e
o ,
’
ame av oi
tu sfait é pier j sm i s e en pri e re s p u r ci m po s er

, .
’ ’ ’
m a v oi et m é to i t
pas s accident qu i e s t Voil scri m e s i ls ,
e o n ,
da n t
’
m a t te n ot a r r i v e. am e
m e font horreu r j m e s en s forcé e de te sr é vél er Qu e m on compl ice
ne au ;
le
nie l e s s ien s s l os e
e .
’ ’
il
L e fa qu ir qu oi qu e to u t interdit l a c c po u r r é pondre
.
1] o u vr o i t b ou h
J c sais c cqu i l dire car jc ,
spa s donn é e l a peine

, .
’ ’
a u ro i t m é t oi
d cs
ne
sj’
la m on infl u ence m ai s
u eti r a P ersan clui donna pas p u
;
,
’
l e n ra gé
ne
n le
45
L e s E pi s od es d e Vat h e k
te ms cprononcer u ne sy llabe cs ai sit par cm i l ie u corps c
d 11 1 l du 1
pré cipita d en ha u t d u n bal con fit prendre s fe mm e m em e
.
,
’ ’
et a le
che m in I ls d u nc tres grande dan s ccou r pav é e , a
’
t o m b er e n t eleva t i on
de pierre s pointu es cfu rent m i s en pi e ce s
. un
t
J c s pen s ive m ent che z m oi l or squ e c s cri s l a m entab l e s qu i
.
1] r e v en oi d
d u ne é pai ss e f r e t
a rt oi e n t
’
c m e s orei ll e s J acco u r s c s fra pper
,
t
’
vi
s s epti e m e cie l qu i s
t
j e u ne homm e plus beau qu e l e s c
o n u
p .
,
du
contre trois n e gre s dont c ss abre s c slu i
an
un , g , e
d é fe n doi t l é tin e la n a v oi e n t
dej fait plusie u rs bl es su res qu i lu i c s an s ce ss e
a svotre et ri o i e n t O ue t
fr er e P Q vous fait cvotre fre re
’
d
,
P
,
arbare s r é pond t e s t h él a s vo us vo ul e z V o us
u a v ez -
i i ] , il
’
1] B m
l ave z assassin é s c e s t m ont u r
, ,
-
e n v oy e r .
c
’ ’
; e t a pr e e n t a
’
paro l e s m e l air ce lu i qu i qu oi qu e
o
s c c s
.
t o u h er en t ; d
’
1] Ce le pro n on o i t,
e aréff
’
S i int é re ssant qu e j cr us devoir prendre s parti
é t oi t
J all oi s cc ssennem is qu i c c u n d ésarmé s
,
l en l
’
a
e
’
l a v oi t h
on
lor q u
’
.
a utre j e u ne homm e to u t s angl ant par u t m e s ye ux en strainant avec

v r e , n , un
a
peine de derri e re qu elqu e s br uss ai ll e s M e s am i s dit d u nc voi x , , e
’ ’
il
f ibl e aux n egres qu i co uru rent lu i portez m oi s dan s
o .
,
-
’
a ‘
a l i n tan t le
pal ai s de m a ch e re Adna qu e m on dernier regard s e s e ll e c
o ,
-
fi xe t
p uisse Ciel c c a ss e z de te n s po u r lu i engager m a foi V o us
ur
o r d er
’
le m
cs a u rie z m ie ux m e venger de m on frere qu i m a a ss a ssin é pou r
a r .
cm ariage cavoir m on bien J cvoi s qu e vous ave z s m ai s

n
ccc
,
e m pé h t
trop tard s atroce de ss ein qu e vous ave z c c l en pu nir
r . u,
’
et om m en e a
c c sLai ss on s s s ang co ul er dan s c cl ie u é cart é no us
,
on , .
h ev
’
N
s omm e s di s pen s e s clu i donner de s s ecou rs
on ;
a z
p a .
d
1]
e t en
L e s n e gre s ob é irent i ls c c l e
s l a p l ace p l e hagard co mm e s pectre s orti cl enfer
du
u r m a tre
a
cri
, m ine
et
l csem
p ort r n t
.
i le
d
’
r ta
n ull e m ent tent é e lu i accorder m on ass i s tance

ur un ;
s c
, ,
et j fu d
de ux avent u re s de m e convaincre co m bien l e s acte s
e ne
s c c
.
1] Ce h ev er nt
de m a bienfai sance c e tre s o u vent m al csJ crés olus c

a
l d
’
o u r r oi t a e
appel er l a jus tice As s change m ent qu e de te ls

p
n n
p .
fen da rm od
’
a d le
op é ré dan s m on c u r
ur
c s
é v é n m en a v oi e n t
1] C ependant co mm e j c ss ,
s
s erait m ieux pou r m oi d e tre sc cpar m a s o u r ain si j
s e x tr e m e sé v é rit é’
j ecr us o n n oi
ma on d é
oi
oe
on
.
’
,
a b an
e
don a i
q u Il
tou r cpri s m on e ss or vers e ll e

e e ,
1]
,
’
qu e
L h a b i ta t i on
parfaitem ent sss o uhaits a
de m and
cpetite c
é e m on p e re
G a n igu l a v oi t
riv e re trans
C é t oi t u n
’
.
1
i l qu
’
ré
i
po n d oi t
parente bord é e d epine s fle rie s c s ept fois Da s c

e nn e
sc
.
’
et t ou r o i t l
qu e ss entre e ux chac u n de cscercl e s l herbe sfraiche
pa
n n . n e
’
la i oi t é to i t i
qu e spoiss n s s ouvent cargent é e p u r venir sj
e ,
’ ’
le q u i t t oi en t l on d
Diverse s s rte s s dan s cs sém ai llés
o u er
o o
y
s s
.
d an i m a u x b r ou t an pa i o i en t re
ccsC haqu e e s p e ce s he u re us e dans sl im ite s qu i lu i

e
o p
d fl e t ro u v o i t S i le
c assign é e squ e ll e garde d en franchir l es b rne s L il e
ur .
’ ’ ’ ’
é ta i n t n a v oit
tout l a foi s parterre c verger s qu e

o .
e n t i er e é t o i t a t ; il em b loi t
l e s arb us tes se uss ent pri s en a m iti é sarbre s fru itier s t nt
un un
d o r i fé ra n le
i ls S f rtem ent ccsdan s l e u rs branche s sfle u rs plus
o , a
e to i e n t o en t r la é . Le
46
L es E pi s od e s d e Vath ek
d en partager l e s d él ice s C ependant j vous con s eill e ss encore
’
! d
’
pe u ctems genre de qu e vous avez pri s o u vo us y ,

e e a
y er
d du v ie
tro u vere z de s s atis faction s auxqu e ll e s vo us vous attende z pas o u

nu ;
vo us au rez cno vell e s rai s on s allégu er s e ve re As

ne ,
d a fe n da r m od
p u r vo us en dis pen s er Q uant m om ent de v tre él ignon s
u au
d epa r t,
tant qu e nous pou rron s j ou iss ez ici de m on am iti é cde to u t c
o au o o
c
.
le t
qu i m
’
L art s e xc lus de chez
e n t ou r e m ai s l a natu re
’
t
;
m oi ,
,
m y
’
pr digu e s e s don s j poss ede tou t ccqu e ss ou haite cm e m e

. e
a v oi t
de l car j n avoi s a ucune id é e he u re ux has ard
; j
o e
s
,
’
d u pr e
’
a, en t
m a f it
un
au
’ ’
e qu
Vous voul ez s an s dou te parl er de votre oi s ea u bien ai mé sj

a .
1] P di
to te ému e Comm ent donc l ave z v us c , ,
- -
e
’ ’
u P
Oh v us en c nterai v l ontier s répondit ell e j y

u -
o
s
.
’
l h i t oi r e , m e
’
1] j
p n s touj ou rs avec nou veau plai s ir J sass is e l om bre de cc
e o o o -
,
’
é t oi
’
a
grand l il as dont l e s sré pandent u ne Odeu r Si agréabl e qu and
e e un .
fl eu r
s o daine ent cie l S es t par e ccoul e u r s plus vive s plu s sc
m
,
le squ e ’
d
,
é
e ll e s cl a plus brill ante au rore U ne lum i e re dont cs
u ro
c
,
’
d l in t it é
s d é crire rép ndit parto u t u ne j oie ontentem ent
n ne
c
.
,
s it et in
sE ll e s venir en l igne droite co mm e d u ne e s p e ce de
a u ro e a nu
s
,
’
ef
fa b le a ro i oi t
sanct uaire— tr ne m em e S i j s dire de l a su pre m e p uiss ance

p
.
du o le
En m
— S on s
e m e te
s
ms
ss
l e s accord s d u ne div ne css ont fait entendre
squ i s c c dan s cvag u e de s airs
,
'
o e
i h ar m on i
,
e
.
ra v i i n d efin i p r do i n t l
U ne d ois eaux pre squ e i m perceptibl e travers a tou t
an e
c
, , .
n u ee le fi rm a m n t.
C et oi t le
’
murmu re de l e u rs inno mbrabl e s ail es m e l e s celu i cl eu r a d
chant qu i j eté e en e x tas e P endant qu e m on était absorbée
m
’
a v oi t
,
am e
dan s l a j ou i ssance cce s m ervei ll e s oi s eau s es t detach e gro u pe
.
,
’
d du
cto m ba co mm e e x t é n u é spied s J e ram as s ai avec tendre ss e , un ,
t a me le
tin s dan s m on s ein po u r récha u er c
.
,
j le j le ff l en
’
o u ra g e a i a
prendre s e ss or m ai s vo ulu t pas qu itter
e , e re
il me Il r ev e n o i t
touj u rs m oi c ss désirer to u t devoir m e s s oins form e

on ; ne .
a t pa ro i oi t a Sa
co m e vo us voye z e s t cell e d u n l ei i m ais s e s qu al ités int érie u re s
o , .
,
’
m k ;
c cell e s de s sl e s plus favori sés U ne in s piration cél e s te
,
é ga l nt etre pa r oi t
diriger sschants s on l angage e s t celu i de les
.
’
l e m pi ré e, et
su bl i m e s sc c re ss e m b l ent ce ll e s qu e l e s bienhe u re us e s
e
s
,
oé i u 1 1 re i te a
I nteoutlligence
T
s font entendre s ein de l a gl oire cde
p q
m ervei ll e ux qu i l e s t dan s pays m em e o u tou t sprodige ’

au t l i m m ort a li t é
’
t
.
su it m e s ert comm e l e s cl ave plus s oum i s j su i s j de , nu e ,

’ ’
11 m e il le l ob et
s plus tendre reconnoi ss ance sde m on ad m iration de m e s

; e
c
,
’
il l t et
s in s Ah a bon droit e s t nommé l i s eau cl am u r

a ,
’ ’
il d
1] C e s sparo l e s m e cs tro u bl e qu e j e us bien de l a
o o
qu o
c
.
,
d e m i er er e n t
peine cacher de m on S an s do u te j en
au un
a L
’
e n vi e s ’
S e m pa ra am e
’
a v oi
pri sl a cnta ion che z l e s homm es car cette avil i ssante passion
. .
a v oi t
sé t é inc n u e par m i no us To u t chagr n j

o
g
j s ss
,
u a lo r
’
ai
gr i oit m on i
c c s e tre s e ul e c sm e s o u frir m oi m e m e J c
u e
q o n
s s
.
,
h e r h oi a t u v oi f or t oi
l a n uit berceau t uj u rs flenri de m a s e u r po r errer hasard

n e
po -
.
,
du
dan s c sabi e s de fe u i ll age A l or s l a bri ll ante i llum ination qu e
o o o , u au
d m .
,
48
H i s toir e d u P rinc e Barkiaro kh
p s
rod u i oi e n t csm i ll ier s de vers lu i s ant s
vol ontiersé cras é ce s in s ectes dont j sau paravant
d j s
a v oi
m i m pa t i e n toi t ;
’
a uro i
a d m ir e l é t o n n a n t
’
a ss embl age l a m erveill e us e vert u et s c qu i l

,
C é t oi t l ob u r i t é
’
fa lloi t a
’ ’
shonte us e s r e verie s O ss j qu e v us e te s he u re us e
.
me G a n igu l d i oi e ,
qu e j sui s s Qu ell e com parai s on entre cette il e pai sibl e
. o -
,
et m i era b le !
m a t ur entre sd ux l oisirs cm on agitation contin u ell e entre cs et
e
t
obj et s to uj o u rs riants ce s anim aux innocen s squ i vo us environ
o vo o
c
, , e
et fid el
nent ccette terre in égal e ce s ho mm e s pervers ingrats qu e j ai
t
,
et
’
t uj ours s o us l e s ye ux Ah votre ai m ab l e oi s ea u m e s t p lus n é cessaire

,
!
,
’
vous Vo us ave z am ie s e m pre ssé e s vo us pl aire no mbre

o
deS
’
a ! a
de creat u res qu i vous amus ent pou rqu oi m oins
u
q nu
s jc
,
i n fin i da
’
n a u r oi
pas cc ci qu i m e l ie u de to u t o u i j c vo us
-
, ,
lle t i e n d r oi t l a u r a i,
’
?
j
c car vo us refus erie z s a s do u te J cc ave c
-
, , e
m e le
’
l e n lev
m oi cvous m an qu ere z sde con s ol ation dan s c
’
ra i l m por t e ra i
ccharm ant
; , n .
; t ne
p a
1]
m y
Qu oi qu e j re j eta ss e avec horre
acc u t um ai in s en s ibl em ent n e us trop l a fu ne s te
’
e u r l d e c d u n te l cri m e j d
’
a b or d
et
’
i
’
t ot
, e
ccasi n c comm ettre j ou r qu e j ss e ul e dan s petit boi s q ue

o ,
’
d le Un é t oi
cj asm n s de grenadiers L ei i y vint chercher de s fle u rs
o o . nu
d i et le k Je
vola m oi ss lu i l iant l e s pied s l e s ail e s avec , .
’
l a ppe lla i , i l a i tet,
u ne tige l eg ere j cachai dans m on s ein Co mm e j s ; au et
le
’
a llo i
’
m e n fu i r
vec m on vol j sl a voi x de m a s u r qu i c A l ors
,
e .
e n t e n di
’ ’
m a pp loi t
tre mb l em ent u nivers el s aisit j p u i s faire s eul pas Q
a ,
oe .
me
v ul ez vo us c j d u n ton chagrin
nu e ne nu .
’ ’
me P m e ria i
Ah po u r qu oi dit tendre m ent en s e

o e,
c
- -
.
’
G a n i gu l, h ata n t d
’
1] ppro h e r,
pou rqu oi cherchez vous ain si l a s ol itu de A u nom de notre am iti é , a
‘
?
l ai ss ez m oi partager speines
-
N on reparti s e to u te tro u b lé e en s errant forte m ent contre m on

-
vo .
1] j
’
et
s cin s qu e j e s cc ccrier j c
-
s s
, , ,
l oi a i llo i t, e t v ou loi h d
’
ui tre em e ‘
vous e mbarrass erai pas d avantage par m a s c Adie u j pars

ea u, r ;
q ’
p n on ,
pr e en
A peine prononcé ce s m ot s n u age noir é pai s v i l a
ne e e
s
. .
1] j a v oi et le
cd é co l ora l a bri ll ante qu i tandi s
e qu u n o
-
’
fir m a m e n t t v e et a t ion m e n t o u ro i t,
l e s s sd u ne tem p e te s retentir l air i flle m e n
’
m on g
fa i oi e n t En fin
’
p ere par u t port e su r dont l a terribl e

ue
q
c
.
m é t é or r ev er b er a t i on r e n d oi t
o us l es obj et s c ul eu r de flamm e Arr ete m alhe reus e m e cria

,
un
t il,
arr e te voi s l c victim e qu e tu vien s
t
barbare
o .
, u - -
’
et m te d i m m o le r S ta
nv e , no en
J regarde O horre u r d cet oi s ea u m e vei ll e ux

e i
c s
.
e t ou f
fe r
1] j e v e n oi Si r
cc
.
,
Si h ri
1] A s m e s ye ux’
l i n ta n ts c
s c j chance l ai to m bai par terre ’
ob i re n t , et
c mm e priv é e de
ur e ,
v ie
Qu and l a voi x retentiss ante As m e u t rend u cs enti

o .
fen da r m o d
’ ’
d l
m ent j sp lus m a s eu r ssam ies s on fatal e l ei i
vi i ui ui k ;
s e ul e avec m on i e x orab l e ju ge
e ne n o e
s
, ,
j
’
é t oi
dit i l va su rcetteterre A ll ah
n
c c c c sc
.
’
ri m in e ll
1] Fi lle ra m ul
‘
‘
m pe u t
iriger l es scdont t u n a s rappor é qu e c vices E xamine
r
p
-
s
, ,
’
d e v é n em en ,
t t d .
D 49
l e s ho mm e s l oisir avant qu e de pré tendre l e s protéger con s ervera s
a Tu
parm i e ux qu e lqu e s u n s sprivi l ege s cs ton e tre m ai s t u
.
de a tta he a
s eras ex pos e e plusie u rs cl e u rs p—lus cru ell e s s ou cs s s
-
,
a d ffr a n E t v ou t
my s t é rie ux p uiss ance s invi sibl e s exé cu te u rs de sordre s portez l a
e .
,
v en ,
me
séj u r t én é bre ux c h um ain s Pui ss e e ll e par spatience
-
j s s
,
d
’
t et
ss age ss e regagner s e s droits no s slum ine us e s

u au o
u
q a
- -
.
,
a re
gi on
1] A cet arr e t fo u droyant jc m e j etai tou te é perd e genoux c c
a ,
a t,
pou vant parl er j sm e s m ain s su ppl iante s vers m on p ere quand
u ,
n
’
ele v o i
tou t cou p tou rbill n pal pabl e c
a cm ayant c
,
m
’
n vi r on n a , t,
’
en l v é
,
du
,
l ie u j c sm e fit en to urnoyant roul er en bas pendant s ept j u r s

,
un o
’
ou t oi
cs ept n u it s A u bo u t de c cterm e j fus po s ée su r d m e d u n pal ai s
,
o
’
t le o
qu i c u ne vi ll e i mm ens e J cconn us qu e j sarrivé e m a
. e
de s tination j c sc ch umb l e m ent s ort qu e j smé rit e

’
om m a n d oi t . é to i a
’
et uie ai bi a v oi
m e m i s en su ite e x a m iner qu i fu t
n
a
q au
c c c
, .
’ '
1] Je a m e n t ou r o i t, t d b or d
frappé e de clu g u bre qu i par t u te l a vill e h mm es
a
'
l a ppa ren ré
gn oi t
femm es sviei ll ard s to us m i s de s cendre s su r l e u r s
e o ; o ,
c
e n fa n , a v oie n t
t e te s c c ,
t d u n air e m pressé P e u
ou r oi e n t i ls a et
,
la
’
a pe n
dan s l a p lace qu i devant palais c ss
.
,
é t oi t le
’
S a tt r o u per e n t t pa r oi oi e n t
e tre danspas s S re ccon
’
é t oi
qu e lqu e é v é ne m ent ex traordinaire Co mm e j
l a t te n t e d
’
s erv e don cm e tran s porter v l nt é en

u d a v oi r
’
le d
,
a
. e
to us l ie ux j s ou haitai en tre mbl ant c cm el er parm i cette fo ul e

n o o
d et
tro u vai pl acée c te d u n grand e u n uqu e noir qu i

e In
s j
, ,
’ ’ ’
a l in tan t m y a e
c cm aintenir c frappant avec s c nne droite
e
’
ta h oi t d l o rd r e a et a
gau che M al gré s air ré barbatif sphy s ionom ie plu t j dés irai
n a a
me
d e tre vu e de lu i m e vit
. on , a ; e
il
’
et
faite s vo us ici j e u ne m e dit d u n ton m,
oiti é
.
fi lle P
’
1] Q il gro n d e u r
cm oiti é a m ical Qu oi s an s voi l e c mm e cé cerve lé e C ependant
ue -
,
t !
vo us avez l air m odes te s i votre m ne m e trom pe pas S u ive z
. o un
’
i m oi
s dan s pal ai s v us cpo u ve z m an qu er d e tre i nsul té e , ne .
-
le
’ ’
a l i n ta n t
parm i cette mul titu de ai ll e u rs j aim e l e s aventu res cvous ; o n
’
B
’
t me
c ontere z l e s s
.
, ,
v et r e
1] J c
sr be jc
bai ss ai l a t e te en
m e m i s en devoir c
s igne cs o um i ss ion c prenant c
sfit faire p l ace force c
.
c d
d l ob é ir I l e
’
, t, l
’
un u
a
qu pa r
d
ou ps A ssordre s l e s garde s s pass er c m e c ond ui s it
a o
c s
.
,
m e la i er e n t t il
dan s s apparte m ent qu i é ait cl a derni e re c A ss eye z vous
. e ,
t d té
m e dit vous deve z e tre fatig ué e n ai pas en ccm om ent
ro
on p p r -
, .
,
'
il ; Je le
l oi sir c cl ngu e hi s toire dite s m oi s eul em ent en peu
-
.
de
’
d é et
m t s qu i vo us e te s comm ent vous vous e tes trou vé e m oiti é des

ou t e r u n o ; -
,
et a
habillé e m il ieu de cette popul ace cc m a paru to u te s eul e
o , ,
’
e t, a u Il
1] J c su is r é pondi s j d u n pr nce tre s p u iss ant qu i q

, au , .
l i n for tu n é e fi lle
’ ’
i et
dem eu re bien l oin d i ci J ai é t é enl evée sclu i j s ai s par

,
-
e,
’ ’
d a u pr e d
’
m a fait v yager pendant plus ieu rs j ou rs s i rapidem ent qu e j

. e ne
’
c de l a ro u te qu e j on m a l ai s se ici
ui e
q on o
pu m
’
s e v oir t e n oi ; e n fin
’
dan s l etat pri s e vous m e voye z m oin s m al heu reus e

1 1 ai a e
'
p r
’
e
on on m a v oi t et
qu e j c sl e tre j — svotre hau te protection— yo i

’
Si
’
ob
,
ti e n
,
1 ] En e fet reprit nom de c qu e vou s

e n e ro
c c c c
.
f G e h a n gu z
’
é t oi t l l
’
, u n u q ue
50
d cl I L e roi qu i y
’
de y a qu elqu e s j ou rs Vingt au tre s ré oi t , il a v oit
roi s po u r vassaux de s ss an s nom bre c strés rs qu on c

n n
.
g ,
eleph a n t d
’
é valu er u ne mul titude csuj ets ind us trie ux cs um is m ais , ,

o n
po uv o i t d t
avec tou t cel a a bien fallu qu i l s cmm e a u tre ho mm e
;
, o ,
il
’ ’
e n d or m it
On l a m i s ccm atin dan s s l it de l ng rep scc e s t pou r cel a qu e
, o nu .
’ ’
t
vo us avez to u t peu pl e en deu il
on o o ,
le
s dire interrom pi s jcqu e c cgrand m narqu e e s t m ort c
vu
1] c
.
’
C t a t
qu on vient c ,
-
, o ,
’ ’
d l e n t e rr e r P
1] Pidonc sc cd u n air rechign é comm ent s e z vous
!
’
é ri a l e u n u q u
’ ’
prononcer csm ots sd ésag éabl e s i ls s ont bann s ,

o -
’
d i a l o r e i lle ; i du
c S oye z su r sgarde s l a de ssus v us d ém entire z to u t c
r
Cho u c
qu e j sdire de votre nai ss ance c c c c qu ell e
an . vo -
, ou o
t d
’
l ed u
’
el v é e
'
p ré t e n a t i on
fait su ppo s er
e
N e craigne z rien reparti s c en s o u riant s a u rai m e confor m er

.
1] j j anu
usage sd el icat ,
-
,
e
i
1 ] Eh bien po u r su ivit d u n radou ci vo us sau re z qu e notre bon roi
.
! il t on
j am ai s e u squ e de ux c sjum e ll e s c be ll e s c
-
,
e n fa n fill
’
d e ga le m
’ '
n a v oi t t t
aim abl e s s oit qu i l fu t c ss de faire ch i x entre ell e s s oit
n
m b a r ra
’
é
qu i l c de s rais on s po u r cfaire au c un n a j am ai s de s fait
; un o ,
’
ii
’ ’
ut v ie
entendre qu i de s de ux ss sco uronne Cependant qu elqu e

n n , a
a i l la i e r oi t
terns avant s dernier s omm eil fit venir qu atre vieill ard s dont
a .
il
l a profonde s agess e s j am a s cpendant cin qu ante an s
on ,
dé m en ti
’
é toi t i
é t é s e s vi irs cl e r rem it parche m in sacre qu i
ne
’
s il a v o ie n t t le
svol onté s bien cachet é de s vingt s cea ux
u z u
q
c ss
,
t e n oi t d e rn i er e
cl em pire On l a o u ve t a qu e qu elqu e s scrien n e s t
on e ,
-
nu
’
il n y
’ ’ ’
d r m om en t
c
.
,
d e id e
C o mm ent s n a pa s no mm é s su cce ss ion
.
1] j di il a ?
N on r é p ndit a s e ul e m e t l ai ss e e,
prob l e m e
a
-
s s s
,
1] G eh a n gu z, i l a fi lle
rés ou re qui ccqu on m a ss stre s e m barra ssant avec or re
, o n e un
’ ’
a d a u r e, e t d
qu e cell e qu i s en tirera m ieux s el on s e s id é e s dont l e s
a
c
, , ,
le
’
q u a tr
vi z rs s ont auss i dépositaires s era déclarée reine ab s olu e
i cc
,
d u Ch o u t
de ssd é endance s J scqu elqu e connoiss ance de s intention , an
’
a v oi
par u ne de s sul tane s favorite s qu i m a to uj u rs encore plus po ur

u
e p .
’
on
prot e ge,
z el e qu e par égard pou r m a charge cchef se u nuqu es m ai s
o
m on d de
co mm e e ll e s pas ell e m e e l a qu es tion propo sé e ell e n a a v oit m
;
’
m e l a dire S i l on en juge par l a contenance c sprince ss e s qu i

n e -
,
d
'
a
s eul e s l e s qu atre vi irs l ont c
pu
fau t qu ell e s oit fort ,
.
m u n iq u e e, il
’ ' ’
om
es ortir
pine us e Ell e s ss pl ongé es dan s u ne profonde r everie par oi
divan On l e s a m e m e entend u e s s e dire to u t bas l u ne l au tre
du
.
z
oie n t
’
a
’
au
qu ell e s c strop de s qu arante j ou r s qu on l e u r c c

.
’ ’
o rd oi t
’
n a v oi
pou r re ver l a r épon s e qu ell e s d ivent faire Voil l e tat s nt

nt a a
p ’ ’
a a ou
l e s ch s es cntin u a cvoici m on proj et jcvous m ettrai

o . o
G eh a n gu z, t
au pre s sde ux princess es qu i vivent en s em bl e dan s u ne parf ite ;
o , o
de
u ni n en apparence e ll e s vous recevront avec pl ai s ir car ell es ai m ent ,
a
l a nou veau té s ont enn uy é e s cl eu rs ses cl aves V ous vous

o ; ,
et d fille
in sin u ere z dan s l eu rs bonne s r ce s c partagere z sattention s
, .
g a ,
t vo
52
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
entre ell es de cqu e l a qu e ll e c sde ux qu i s oit reine vo u s
m a n i er d
cons erve s bienveill ance V u sl e u r cc s ou vent cm oi pa rl d et
d é truirez a u tant qu i l vo us s era p ssibl e t u t ccqu e spetites

a . o r z ,
’
le
é tourdie s qu i l e s entou rent pe u vent dire m on désavantage S i vous
o o
3
en trou vez une plus inclin é e en m a faveu r qu e l au tre vous
1
c
.
’ ’
l a id e re z d
vos c ns ei ls cj j oindrai l e s m ien s en csqu e ll e vous c l a t
’ ’
,
on fi e
grande qu e s tion l aqu e ll e e ll e doit répondre A tou t hasard vo us

o a
, y
a
prendrez m on parti su pre s de tou te s l e s de ux L e pe u de parol e s qu e
.
vous dite s m arqu ent qu e vous ave z de c sye ux

.
’
l i n t e llige n
’
m
en prom ettent encore davantage vous s era facil e de prendre
a v ez e ; vo
il d on e
su r l e s princess e s sc qu e l e s gen s d e sprit prennent natu rell e la
’
da n t
’
m ent s ce ux qu i n en ont sa u tant ai s i vous m e con s e vere z

en
’
dan s m on pos te vous s ere z l a favorite d u e grande reine c cqu i

ur r
pa ,
’
n
et
n es t s d édaigner A u res te c cn e s t s encore m in s

n ,
’ ’ ’
pa a l a m b i t i on ,
qu i cc tou t ceci c e s t cd ésir cvoir c ntin u er dans
o
’
.
, pa
l in t é r et ,
’ ’
m x i te a l d
hare m ad mirab l e qu e j ai s s erai d és es p ir qu e ; o
’
le
’
l o rd r e mi Je
qu e lqu e t e te de travers vint detru ire o u vrage qu i m a c t nt de
au o
y .
’
o u té
peine qu on s V us verre z vous m em e c de

nu a
’ ’ ’
a u r oit l i m a gin e r l ffe t
m es sin s j dou te pas qu e vous s ervie z par s entim ent
ne . o -
et me
de jus tice m ai s cel a di spen sera sde ce lui de l a reconnoiss ance
o , e ne n e un
me
attentive m ent écou t e ssye ux
ne
pa
s s
.
1]
’
J a v oi G e h a n gu z ; j a v oi e xa m in e e
pou r voir s point certa n petit n uage
’
il
’
squ i a v o it i
’
d e m b a rr a
c l e s m au vai s de ss ein s c j sd é co u vert
n
y
d e ele
'
c t
’
a v oi
’
am e
ardente facil e csinc e re Cependant jcrés olus d e tre exacte dan s l e s qu
e n un
, y ’
t
ob s ervation s qu i l m ettre p rté e cfaire c c cs erv r
.
, ,
’ ’
m llo i t a d t d 1 i
qu i l
a o , ne
’ ’
a u ta n t le m é ri t e roi t
qu
1] D
R e zi e
s
e le j u r m e m e c m e pr és enta a
en l e u r fai sant u ne éloge de m oi tell e qu i l
o ux prince ss e
, l
s ulz ara
l a faire
un u u e
q
’
.
’
a uro i t
G et
’
il
m e t conn u e po u r ccqu e j sA tou t c cqu i l de m on pu S
’ ’ ’
u é to i i n v e n t oi t
e s prit de m e s tal e s j s c c cs u rire en lu i
.
d
’
et pu m m pe h e r
donnant cou p c c qu i s ai s j e us piti é clu i c
u e ne o
s
,
’
l e m b a r ra d
’
d il ; m t
cra ssu rai par a u tre regard qu i lu i fit s entir qu e j tiendrai to u t c
un a
c
,
l
qu i l
un e
’
pro m e tt o i t
1] M e voi l donc de s u veraine dan s c deven u e e s cl ave
.
a l S h a d uk a n
c V oi l m a c él e s te bea u t é c hangé e en cfig re fort
o
-
a Ch o u a
rdinaire m a j e u ness e ss en peu attrayant cj
a un u
s
.
fl o ri te age t d ev oi
dem e u rer dan scet e xi l cs o us cette f rm e pendant tems san s
o , an nu e
t
l i m ite suj ette des m aux qu e jccc sss sp int
o un
a o n n oi oi ui n e rév o oi
encore La ch u te terribl e m ai s j m e sattiré e cjc

o
, n
’
p y
é toit l é t oi t
mu rmurai pas
.
; e , ne
1] M e s no u ve ll e s c sss e prirent d une Vive am it e pou r

.
s m a itr d
’
a b or d
’
m oi j l eu r ssdes c onte s qu i l e s sc e ll e s
e i
sfa i o i d iv e r ti oi t é t oi e n t
transport é e s de pl ais ir qu and j c sc c sm a voi x
e n :
c
-
h a n toi t om
pa gn o i
mél odie us e s lu th S i jcl e u r squ e lqu e o u ve ll e par u re
e ,
a
le i n v en t oi
e ll es en plus be ll e s l es cssc s j l e u r
ur n
ss
,
.
ra fra i hi
pa ro i o ien t m en
u ne s aveu r touj u rs s c agré abl e A tou t ; qu e e
p ré s p a ro i a v oi e n t o d iv er i fié et ,
53
cel a cpa u vre l cgrand s ye ux cs s c
G e h a n guz o u v r oi t d t
’
e xta i oi t d
su rpri s e c cj oie t d
lzara m e s beau cou p plus qu e s s m ai s s c s
.
1] Gu lai oi t mu t a v oi d
bonne s rais on s p u r cm ou ve m ent inv l ontaire qu i nous
a
p : j
cc m e d é fie r d
attire vers obj et l a p lu part te ms n us trom pe J c cfus pa s
o o
et du
c quand l e s de ux princes s e s sm irent s e di spu ter qu i
nu o . n
fa h é e
’
a a m a u ro i t
plus sou vent en partic ul ier m e d nner c cs de l e s

e
le
’ ’
C é toi t 1 a lo io n
m ie ux e xam iner j en fus c nvainc u e qu e cette
o a
c
.
profita i , t b i e n t ot
foi s i cl ination bien irigé e ;
ous l e s dehors d u ne
o ,
m on s ’
m a v oit d R ezie
'
a abi l ité s éd u is ante cc coeu r mé chant en

n
ss
, .
ff a h oi t u n et a u ro i t i m po é i
s e s pass ion s viol ente s ssc pa s qu elqu efoi s m port é e hor s
n e l eu nt
'
,
d e ll e m e m e Quand svanit é lui c s qu e j l a

e
’
s ut
pe r u a d e pr é fé ro i a
ulz ara ell e sl ivra m e r év él a l a qu e s tion
a e
cc
-
.
G e n t i er m n t a m o i , e t du
roi s p e re ains i qu e l a ré p ns e qu ell e y cJ c savec
, e
’
a v oi t
pre pa re vi
pl ais ir qu ell e s erait pas reine e ll e

ssproj et s
on
’
,
S i pe u c c ous
injus te s envers speu pl es cpl ein s cm al ice contre
é toie n t
ne
o
le
m é r i to i t
t d
d l etr ! T
.
ss oeu r ulz ara p l s s c pa s ai s é m ent scon

e
G cc c ré rv é ne m a
’
or d a Si
fall t par de s attention s c c sa ss id u it és qu i

a u a
c
.
, ,
fia u ; il m e t d
’
l ob t e n i r
me c rien parce qu e j s spo u voir lu i e tre
e u ne
o fitoie n t s ’
l a i m o i e t d é i r oi
e ll e de ccton sim pl e vrai qu i persuade qu e ll e
e
c
,
’ ’
u ti l E n fin m et
n ull e a bition s o uhaiter d e tre reine qu e pou r

. a v oua
’ ’
n a v o it m et n e u rroi t
faire bien m ais cet é gard e ll e cs su r ss c

o
’
p
du
’
oi t
qu a t
s pa s s e ul e m ent donnée l a peine c pen s er l a qu es ti n pr po s ée
S en r
’
, po a aeu r , ne
é to it d a
par roi s p e re o u t ccqu ell e m e s l a s trou ver
o o
le T fa i
’
di oi t me oit Si
digne de r égner qu e j m e crus obl ig é e de lui c s qu e ll e

on .
ré e n te r
aspirer tr ne cs e s um ettre aux svol ont és roi

p
e r
d e v oi t o t d ern i er e du
m ai s j lu i persuadai slu i av ir e x p l i qué
au o
ss ’
re l e m b a rr a
’
ant
probl e m e d u ne cdont e ll e paru t s s ati sfaite

e ne u a
’
q p o
m a n i er in guli er e m e n t
1] L e j o u r qu e c ette grande a aire s c l a vi ll e retentit
.
ff d ev o i t d e i d er,
de s sen usage dan s pay s —l e s pe u pl e s
e
ss
b ru ya n i n tr um e n le
’
S a tt rou .
p e rc u t cn u vea u en bo u rdonnant co mm e c
d se ss ai ms cs d d
’
b ille
e arou chée s c m e tirant part m e dem anda Si j s s
o a
ff t G e h a n gu z, a a v oi
qu elqu e chos e de c cqu i spass er

; ,
e
a llo i t
1 ] ran qu i ll i s e z vo us lu i di s jcto u t ira bien vo us s ere z c n s erv e dan s

e .
T
votre pos te car j su i s convainc u e qu e vous cd és irez par bon
- -
,
o
, ,
1
m otif , e nu
1] A ce s m ot s sm it s a u ter co mm e chevre uil ccou ru t o uvrir

.
il a t 1a
porte divan aux prince ss es qu e j s s
e nu ,
du u i v oi
1] On y d ej a s
é t oi te
s m b l e s
fond d une sall e i mm en s e cmy s t é rieus e s
’
pectac l ea de s p lus
tr ne d u n
s Au , et
,
le
e
’
.
é to i t
é lev oi t o
fra ppa n
’
.
em a il
bl eu s e m e d u ne infinit e cph s phore s en gui s e
t
sl e squ el e s
nu
d é t o ile l
’ ’
d
u ne cl art é encore m oin s Vive qu e terribl e Qu atre col onne s
o ,
r e n d oie n t
dont deux cj as pe s ang u in cde ux plus pu r ,
.
é to i e n t d t du a lb fit r e ,
so u te n o i e n tc ctr nc sy m bol i qu e J cvi s

e qu e c d
’
a b or d é t oi t la l ou v ra ge
’ ’
s inn s —j c m pri s qu e scl onne s r u ge s s l a sé vé rit é .
de G le i gn i fioi e n t
l e s bl anche s l a c c c l e s é toil e s cette lu i e re i p sante qu i
e o o o ,
lé m e n ,
et m m o
54
H e u re ux ce ux qu i ont perd u o u qu elqu e m em bre dan s ce s ( n il
casion s L e ur fa m ill e sal ors regard é e c mm e

un
c ! cc v e r i ta b l m n t z é le e
'
o u r bien de l e tat s squ i voient csm arqu e s honorabl es

o e t o
le
’
le e n fa n
et
s l e u r s p e re s s en g e n e ration A u re s te
p ; e
c ’
glor i fie n t d gen era ti o n

eci s cu tum e tre s c s car pe u p l e e s t S i vo l age qu i l
ur en
c c
,
s
.
t né a ir e , le
u bl ie tou t s i prend garde
e un e o
’ '
l on
C ependant qu atre v ir s m ontr é to u t divan l erit
o n
y
s c
.
1] le iz a v oi e n a le du
roi qui qu e ul ara
On l a plac a s ctr nc aux pied s d uqu e l
,
’
bien r épond u c
pr o uv o i t e tre rei e
lu i vi t faire homm age
l e
G z a v oi t
t
R e zi e
t d e v oi t n .
avec s ou r re qu i paru t s c to us l e s ye ux m ai s a ux
ur n
s
,
’
i d ppla u d i em t a
iens s eul e m ent d—épit m asqu e La nou vell e reine assu ra ss eu r
un a n ,
m
ctou te stendre ss e p u i s él evant troi s f i s sm ain droite de s sus
un . a o
d
de st e te pou r demander c ell e dit V scon s eill ers
a o a a u-
c d
’
l a tt e n ti on , é n é ra b l
de m on pe re j c j am ai s rien s an s dem ander
a
d im por ta n t
’
n d ra i
’
t r e pr
votre avi s m ais qu i vous commu ni qu era m e s i tention s Qu i c
, e n en
? t rera
avec m oi dan s s s c s bien de J csu is vierge
: n n
c ssc le d eta i l é a ir l é ta t ?
’
c pr m i s de ctouj o u rs De s entretien s j ou rnal iers ave c

n au ,
l é tr
'
t j ai
homm e s eraient n ull e m ent convenabl e s J cd eclare donc H

o . nu
om a 1 0 un a ,
dont j c s capacité prem ier v ir j ve ux qu e ll e s oit

n e .
1a
’
on n oi m on iz et
tou t pou voir c cette charge squ atre viei lards
e e
c
, ,
re v é tu e d le a tt a hea Le l
l e s V gt ambassadeu rs sgrand s royaum e to us u nanim em ent
.
,
in le du
c s cc u ie d és ir de l a reine
er t m e vint prendre en ,
G eh a n gu z
,
fri ss onnant cj ie m e plac a s l a pre m i ere marche cl es trade

q
a n au .
d
’
et d
royal e chacu n s dem i voi x m on él oge cpa s d e ux m e
o , ur
fa i
’
oi t a t
s Al rs p u vant plus s contenir de manda l a
; un ne
c s
,
o n n oi oi t . R ezi e,
perm ission de s e retirer cm e dit tou t sen passant Voici encore
o n e o e ,
t ba
u ne no u veau té cta fac on mé chante e s cl ave m ais t u payeras cher ta
d
,
prés om ption cton i s ol ence J c spas s em bl an t entend u ,
fi t d
’
a v oi r
cette insul t nte m enace bien r és olu e de l a cacher ulzara qu i en

n . ne
aG
été a ligé e c n qui e te car j sp é n étré e po ur
a , ,
d a d m i ra t ion
’
ff
’ '
a u r o it t i e t oi
cette aim abl e prince ss e n ull em ent attend u e ,
m é t an t
’
a l e n ga ge
’
m ent gé n é re ux qu ell e pri s ,

ne
’
a v oi t
1] P o u r qu oi m a s o u veraine lu i sj qu and no us f m e s s e ul e s
.
di u
pou rqu i ave z vous pr m i s c point vous m ar er s s
, ,
-
e,
Il
’
d i ? uf
fi oi t d a v oi r
ré p nd u conform ém ent aux id é e s roi votre pe re

o -
o ne
du
sacrifice n e s t sS i grand qu e t—u pen s e s m a ch ere H
o .
1] Ce le
’
om a 1 0 u n a
m ai s j p ui s te dire davantage s sc la ;
a
p ,
de d eta il n v én i m e ro i e n t
b l es su re encore s angl ante cm on c u r cnous devon s nous occu per
e ne
d t
csobj et s J cs en s qu i l a qu e lqu e chos e c su rnat u re l en toi
oe
d
'
d
’
a u tr
c es s qu e t m ber tou t cpoid s de l a royau t é C omm ande y ;

.
t toi l
dan s e m pire sj te sui s ch e re fai s qu e s csde
ur va o .
m on i le an n al m on
regne s oient cel ebre s par
e t,
de m on go uvernem ent L e spoir c

e ,
d
’
l é qu i t é
’
vivre ave cgl oire dan s l a mém oire des homm es m e con s ol era
.
’
d a v oir
ve e m al he u re us e parm i e ux
’
1] J c res pect i secret c ulzara cre m pl i s s c s ou hait

n .
le d G gé n é r
c csse s p e rance s o u te
t
retentit de s no m l a pros périt é
a on ux au
c
,
d la d T l In d
’
e . on ;
56
H i s toir e d u P rinc e Ba r kia ro kh
d cs e m pire cs c cto us sroi s s
a u oit l a d m ira t ion
’
t
’
l e n v ie d le Le
Vingt princes ssvassaux v ulu rent abslum ent lu i payer d u bl e
on .
trib u t l a plupart en pers onne S u r sbell e sterrass s

e o o nu o
’
et l a pporto i en t le
qu i s de t its aux pal ai s c sgrand s con
e
c
.
e rv o ien t d d u C h ou é to ie n t
c plac é e s sbande s de mu sicien s— y c
o an
t i n u e ll m e n t de s h a n t o i t le
l ouange s de l a reine y j sfanfare s po u r faire dan s er
ou
o u o it de le
peupl e u t cel a ulzara plus gaie Quant
, on
To do i t G l o rd i n a ir e
’
a
sde j oie c s an s cess e l heu re
r en u a
q
s s s s s
. .
G e h a n guz, i l n e e po é d oi t pa t b én i
’
oi t
o n 1 1 m a v oi t rencontr é e ’
,
1] y de j a cin q squ e m a b nne cond u ite s tous cs

.
11 a v oi t r odu i o it
bien s—j m e c s fait tant

an o e
p
fé li i t oi d s ’
a v oir e n fin d h e ure u x,
’
lo r qu
’
m atin z el e e u nuqu e entra dan s m on appartem ent d u n air e ar é

e un
’
le ff
m e dit vene z bien vite chez l a reine—e ll e sdeven u e
.
H om a 1 0 u n a , i l, t
f ll e e ll e rit cpl e ure en m e m e te ms pass e d u n tran sp rt cj oie
-
e
d
’
t a
acce s cdése spoir c m ontre tous sSigne s d u ne d ém ence
o , ,
o
d
’
t le
c m pl ete Ah no us s mm es perd us v u dra go u verner La
nu ,
! ! R e zi e '
grande fabri qu e de b nhe u r qu e vous avez él evé e dan s

o o o
cc
.
le Ch ou
m on petit chef d eu vre dan s charem v nt e tre
t
c d é tru it s
o an
’
l ega le m nt
J o u r inf rtu n é j ou r ray é cnoir qu e su is j m o t avant c

-
o o .
o ! d ! n e -
e r d
’
t a v o ir v u l
1] J c pri s pa s l a peine crép ndre a ux e x c l a m ation s de d G e h a n gu z
m e b tai de su ivre ulz ara v nt devant avec de s
ne o
j a c
le G i d m oi
ye ux égarés m—ayant f rtem ent s err é l a m ain
-
e au-
s
.
et ,
’
— Il t a rr i v e il
n es t pa s m rt sc sbea ux s u rci ls s c uls ont é t é
o : e
s ss
,
’
! b rfilé et
cheve ux ro uss i s M ai s tou t cel a lu i sreven u aus si qu e

o o e
! t m a gn i fi qu e
j am ais dem ande m e voir Qu el bonheu r im pré vu Ah non
e
et il a ! ! !
qu e l m al he u r accabl ant continu a ell e en slaissant tom ber s
,
! t
,
s opha en vers ant t rrent cl arm e s j ai renonc é lu i po u r

- -
, e ur nu
’
et d a
j am ais H el as j l ai pas fait par m an qu e d am ou r c e s t
nu o ;
’ ’ ’
!
parce qu e j trop Qu e vais j devenir Donnez m oi scon s ei ls ;
e ne
s
.
’
l a im o i
J c ssuivrai pe t etre s e c auss i qu e j vous s
e -
e -
vo ,
H om a 1 0 u n a ! le il ut di
racierai p u r m e l e s avoir d nn é s
n -
p e
g
C a lm e z vo us reine lu i e x p l i qu e z vo us J
o o
s c s
.
1]
’
j m di e, e t ten d i
cqu e v us vo ul e z dire de qu i vou sparl e z
a n en n
c
- - -
, , .
ui
1]
l
Oh
cprince
t u a s rai s on reprit e
o
ll e j t ai j a m ai s cont
neve u de m ere—lui qu e j ai ch é ri sm a—plus
Togra I , le
,
e m on hi s toire avec -
,
ma
e ne
’
.
de
tendre enfance cqu i cto u t s on t m a tendre ss e lu i
ré d o it d am e a
qu on s avoir p r dan s e m bras em ent qu i revient qu and
on
’
, p
di oit et
sm e m ire j pr m i s c p int m arier Q dira

e i un ,
fi d ele a d me t il ?
1] s era s an sdo u te p é n é tr é de reconn i ss ance qu and s a u ra qu e c
a o ai o ne o ue
c
- -
, .
II il
grand s acrifi ce qu on vanta part u t comm e acte de gén é r sit é
o
’
i n oui e
V o us
n a é t é fait qu e p u r lu i c
en par l e z c
’
grand s ang froid s age H

S sdigne de vo us
r é p l i
o
qu a l a ,
o
’
t l a ppla u d i ra
un
1 1 e t
o
1] d o m a 1 ou n a ,
reine c de m e s s s s s ou rir cclangage gl ac é

’
l a rd e n t im en
,
a u r oi t ff
R etirez vous cvous introd ui s ez prince T
ur ne
-
; t G e h a n g u z, le o
g ra i a
s
,
l i n ta n t
’
.
51
1] J m e condam nant m oi m e m e enc re plus qu e ulzara
’
ob eI S G
s po u r avoir v ulu tenir t e te u ne pass ion S i pl eine de d él ire
-
en -
o ne
le fa i oi t a
pa s pe u c s prem ier m u ve m ent
o
ct
’
n a v o ir ed e a on
endant troi s he u re s p lus cr u e ll e s qu e p ssé e s dep u i s
un o
s c ss
.
1] P le j
’
m on
e xil squ e pou r m on ai m abl e prince ss e
, u e a
du S h a d u k a n , je n e fi fllig e r
’
m
cd é pl orai s de s b nheu r qu e j c savoir é t bl i s
a ,
’
l in ta b i li té oi
sin é bran l ab l e s C e fu t e ll e m e m e qu i
t
de s tira cm a
on o e ro a ur
, y
fo n d e m e n me d
r everie Ell e vint m oi l e s brasou verts c
-
.
m e n qa par m i n on d e r
’
a et om
cssl arm e s s pe u calmé e ell e dit J ai repri s

.
’ ’
d E n fin , é ta n t me
m a rais on ch e re H m ai s m—a doul eu—r prof nde sdi ss ipera
e . nu , :
o m a1 0 u n a ,
pas auss i s qu e m a fol ie é cou te frém is— pl ain s m oi

,
o ne e
a i e m en t
L e prince Togra a paru m e s ye ux te l qu i l e tre en venant
et -
.
’
a a ur o i t
de sbaigner l a s u rce i m orte ll e des eaux prophete Kedder pu

1
a m du
cbeau t é cj e u ne s se c c cqu i l m a s e m bl e d am o u r
e o
’
d
’ ’
i l b ri llo i t d t, a
il S est j et é sgen ux po u r bais er pan de m a robe—j ai
tend l a mam
’
a me
sj croi s e m brassé S i l a
,
s c de
l a uro i
o
,
le
,
e lui
et pr e
m a v oit
’
u
j
G eh a n gu z, a q u i a v o i sordonn é de stenir u ne cer aine di s tance
reten u e a dan s m e s ye ux s
I l In
,
s de m on c c
, e
e
,
a
le m o u v e m e n
,
t
en e
e u r, e t ,
,
ne
l ie u de m e t ém igner cette—reconn issance dont vo us m e parl ie z

.
ta u t t a é cl até en reproche s j lu i ai pardonn e s e m porte m ent

au o o
e ii
j ai c c s—j ai é t é jusqu— lu i o r r de s cl a
,
e on
’ ’ ’ ’
i hé
ta d l a pa i e r e ff i ré ign r
co uronne de c pou r m u nir lu i j lu i ai prote s té cc
Ch o u a n
’
a S in er m en t
clu i j c c s s tr ne a uqu e l jcdevo s renoncer
e
’
ro i e
gr e t t
d e s qu e j senfreindre c s ol enne l qu e spri s
e n re nu
q u a ve pa ’
r
v o u lo i l m t a v oi
en c En e et aj u tai j comm ent c sj m e s peu pl e s

e n e e n
g a
g j
c la
’
e pta n t ff h é ri ro i
comm e u ne tendre m ere l orsqu e m on obj et de
o -
e, -
e
s
.
,
’
l u n i qu e
'
e po u x e ro i t
m on a e ction de m e s pen sé e s L a gl oire qu e j ai ac qui s—e

ff et
’ ’
é to it
s o ulage m ent l a do ul e u r qu e m e cs v tre c j v us
. n
’
a a u oit rt e
retr u ve j pu i s m en pass er s en s cont n u a l a reine to u te l a p

u un o e o
q
Je
’
et i
honte d u ne tell e foibl — ess e m ai s cr iriez vo us H
o e .
, ,
le l i n gra t
’ ’
om a 1 0 un a P
a o s é en ab us er n a pas craint de m e d évoi l er s c eur plus ; o -

,
’
To gra i il
noir qu e cvi sage d u n é thiopien Qu e parl ez vous crenoncer
on o
’
l d a
l em pire de c s e s t c prince e s t ccbien l a
-
.
’ ’
Ch o u e r i é l a rr oga n t
’
? ?
reine ulzara qu i tient tel dis co u rs o u qu i s e pl it d é biter
an -
G plu t Ot a a
u ne raps odie digne de s herm ite s de s ert H j Lai ss on s l a tou t
un ,
du
’
d ?
cbadinage cparl on s sé rie us e m ent S i vo us ave z g ém i de m on e x i l
e az
c t
svo us ave z p l e u r e m a pr é tend u e m ort S i vo us cc u n co m e
.
, ,
’
i m a im h m
vo us m e dite s —faite s ince ss amm ent m onter s ctr ne b l e u ,
z
le m oi l o
c cpho s phore s L e rad tage de votre pere n a rien faire avec
-
ur
’
e la i re d a
sdr it s l a c ou ronne enc re m oin s avec l a poss e ssion assu ré e
. o
a Je
s ou tiendrai l e s u n s cj a erm irai l au tre m a val e u r de s ru i ss eaux
vo o ,
o .
ff
’
t
csang c o ul er nt avant qu e m oindre reproche d ésagré abl e pui ss e pa r
d le
parvenir sorei ll e s o us ce ux qu i vo us appr cheront vo us
o
a T
re s pecteront ain s i qu e m oi Qu i ccu pe si ege royal c s l i é par
vo . o
le
'
t
a u cu ne prom e ss e C ependant comm en ce z par vous défaire d u ne
. o n
’
c e tai e cre ature qui vo us avez ridic ul e m ent donn é l a place cvotre
.
,
r n a d
58
prem ier e u nuqu e de m anda cspart u ne au dience s d Je v ou oi l me
retirer l a reine m e retint m essager fu t introd u it cparl a ain s i
a .
; le t
“
La princess e ;
dont v il l anneau ccréance s pros terne
R e zi e, a
'
d
devant sau gus te s pieds qu e votre al tess e a par
o e
c
,
et on n oi t
sjus te m ent acqu i s tr e a uqu e l e ll e s E ll e o s e

vo re
ss
,
lu m ier e le on a v oi t a
pir e
ependant vous su ppl ier clu i accorder en d édomm agem ent l a per
e
c
, .
d
m iss ion s prince T ’
d é po u e r le qu i c sani mé qu e par l e s rayon s ’
t
de s s c qui de s c a be s oin de qu e lqu escon sol ation s
o ra i , n
g
r e e n e, e t Ot é
dan s cm al he u r qu i l a e u de perdre sbonne s csde sgl orie us e
a
p on
l ’
le fi
su veraine sm a prince ss e s votre ré pon s e l a
r e a
g
c c
L i n e rt i t u d e
’
ou t
retient dan s de s cru e ll e s angoi ss e s c cprince n s c devant
o . ur
’
t l a ro i t r e
vous s an s csob s t cl e s ss venus t us l e s de ux v us dem ander p

,
o
il e r oi e n t
genoux c s c commu n d és ir cl e u r s c s
e a o o
a c s la
’
om
pli e m t du d
1] A l a qu i r é pand u e s vis age culz ara a ux pal pita
n aeu r .
l le d
'
a S é t oit G
ti n s de s s e n j squ ell e t m ber en cJ cdi s
e ur ur
p
c
,
lloi t
’
i e vi d é fa i lla n
fata l e un uqu e de s ortir cd all er attendre dan s l a prochaine gal erie
o on ,
a o . au
’
t
u ne rép n s e s on m e ssage a qu i ain s i qu e m oi pri s G eh a n gu z, a v o it ,
m it ss dehors c revint juste m ent tern s p u r

o .
,
l a la rm e , le
’
i t et t a
m aider s ou tenir l a reine qu i s évan u ie dan s m e s bras Comm e
au ,
o
’
a e t oi t
no us voul ion s pa s faire trio m pher ssennem i s nous lu i

o
s
, .
d on n é m e
de s s ecou rs s a s appel er pers onne L e sync pe fu t l ong Ell e ou vrit
ne e ,
en n l e s ye ux qu e ll e tou rna l angu i ss amm ent su r m oi apresqu elqu e s

n . o .
fi ’
et,
sde s i l ence m e dit d u n air a ss e z tran qu i ll e Qu e ferai j

, ,
’
m om e n ,
: -
e,
H om a 1 0 un a ?
1] C e qu e l a g é n é r s it é de votre u r vous dicte rép ndi s j

1] M ai s m a s oeu r repr t e ll e c e tre he u re us e avec homm e
o od e o e.
-
s
,
i a u r oi t
Séli oign
m échant m e s pe u pl e s s j o u r j ou r qu i n e s t pa s
n nu
-
, ,
’
et e roi e n t
é tre s s csN e sj pa s ss a u ver to us qu and j

, un ,
m i é ra b l d evroi le le
pu i s encore en fai s ant s tran cher l a t ete T J cfrém i s
, .
-
e e
a l i n ta n t
’
a gr a i ?
d tre réd u ite cette c m ai s ici j croi s l a cr au t é m al
,
o
'
a xt r e m i t é ;
s qu en dite s v us H
e u nu
c
e
c s
,
’
é a ire om a 1 0 u n a ?
s A ll ah s c ul r égl er pr e s ent su r l avenir voit san s
n ; o
1] c
-
,
u Il
’ ’
C t a a le
n u age repartis jc !
, q
1] V o us vo ul e z d nc qu e j donne m on con s ente m ent cette odie us e

-
,
a
u nion dit ell e d u ne v i x al té rée Eh bien fai s on s n us encore cette
o e
!
’
viol ence c cs era cco u p m orte l A ll e z all ez porter u ne

,
-
o ,
-
o
l G e h a n gu z ;
ré pon s e favorabl e désir cm a sc cde s on
;
E ll e cc ,
.
d t
’
h
pas pouss a cri c creto m ba s an s s enti m ent s s on l it
au e ur n a va
do u le u r t
1] A l or s no us c p m e s plus dissimul er sdouz e c csen faction
, un u x, ur .
; le m ed
’
u in
fu rent appelés i ls tous l a fois pouls c s s
n
fi
t t er e n t a le d lin ib le
ulzara dan s l es endr it s o u s cplus J spl ongé e dan s
en
G
’
il t l m a r qu e é t oi
splu sd é chirante s incertit u de s l or squ e ce s oi s eaux de m a u vai s a gu re
o e .
le
r u e l sm ot s E ll e d rt ell e dort pou r j am ai s I ls
u
cs s csc er e n t
dit qu e tr p vrai ulzara
ro a e : o .
,
’
n a v oien d e xpi r e r
’
t G v e n oi t
m e t i possibl e cvous peindre c qu e m e caus a cettes

o
s
.
1] Il
'
d l a ffi i t i on
’
m
fu ne s te catastrophe e ll e plus grande qu e jcc ; é toi t d
’
a u t an t ro
y oi
60
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Bar kiaro kh
m
’
a v oi r reprocher l a m ort prémat uré e c c ulzara I u con
a d l a im a b l G
’
Sprince
idé ré e qu e j suis ssj en m oi m em e j ai ex cit e cette g én é re us e
ss e faire e f rt de ssus cssforce s j ai par avanc e l a
a
e ,
d i oi
fo
-
e -
d
;
’
’
la
:
tri ste p éri de cssu til e s j o urs j c sen cre l a viol ence
un au -
e ;
d o n n oi i
de s pass i ns sh umain s p u v ir de l e u r foibl e ;
o e e ne o n
’
de i l é te n d u e et le
rai s on j ve ux l e s gouverner D ure e x perience qu i m a fait perdre
o ,
n o o
!
’
u ne am ie presqu e auss i ch ere m on cu r qu e

et
s fata l
,
e
a G a n igu l et
ois eau m ai s sj l a l aiss er s e s o uill er s ang d u n prince qu i

oe on
d e v oi du
’
a
on repr cher am bition dont A ll ah
;
-
e
’
il n e t e n oi t q u a
’
ou v o i t
de n dissiper sdess ein s comm e vent dissipe l a poussi e re D sj

o u un e
ne p q
le le P
’
e v oi
s ou rir qu e s sc cs d u ne bass e j al o us ie l a v ir
e
c
-
’ ’
ff ut l ? et
h umil i é e aux ye ux cs e s suj et s O bell e radie us e cqu i cs

o ur a u er
a
p o
d ? et im oi a
cette he u re l a c sde l a vertu dan s l a com pagnie scél e s te s
a ,
re
re om de
Idanntesllligence s pardonne m on z el e t u viv as ai s i qu e t u l a s s
a mém oire de s h mm es j am ais dan s c
,
p e n
3
s i e cl e s ta
1
e
et
; r ,
’
lét
n
i t é d eS
’
d e ire ,
dou ce i mage ce ss era d e tre prés ente m on s u venir

o rn
sc
s
, , ,
’
in tére an t a
Ab s orb é e dan s ce s pen sé e s gen ux devant l it r ya l qu e
o
s
, .
j
’
1] é t oi a le
l ar e s de m ayant
o o
s c s s
, ,
’
d ler qu e l e u n u qu e
’
j m ou i llo i me m R e zi e,
ru de m ent frapp é e s dit Qu e faites vous ici trop c
e ,
l é pa u le ,
’
me h a rd i
P o urqu oi ainsi qu e scom pagne s v us e tes vous s
ur : -
,
H om a 1 0 u n a ?
dan s votre appa e m ent C es t ici l a r egl e de renferm er c

vo ne o
pa
-
, ,
’
r e ti r ee rt ? l S
e s cl ave s de l a reine endormie j s m om ent on l a porte dan s s ’
pl ace de l ng repos Allon s su ivez m oi vous ave z cess e d e tre grand

u au
u
q ’
a
vizir v us n ete s plus Vi l e cdangereu se e s cl ave Jcm e l evai

o .
,
-
,
’ ’
t
su ivi s c s an s répondre s e ul m e fit
u un e
o q
ss
.
’
i t Ot , et l m ot ; il
apporter m anger pou r trois j ours m e dit encore qu e lqu e s
un u
au qu e nu
a im
pert nences cprit grand s oin de sss de m a p rte
i t s ’
,
’
J a u roi
aisém ent braver c c de ssm ain s m ai s j sc cscde
a u rer
,
’
o .
pu
t m é h a ppe r
’
le é toi u ri
s avoir c cqu e faire de m oi sauss i a ss i s ter

,
e ; u
R e zi e v o u d r o i t Je v ou loi
pu bl i qu em ent convoi fu n ebre de ulzara c sl e s l a m enta

.
G t, d l
’
a i l eu r
tions qu e j t us c ss c m a doul e u r
au ;
sc
,
e n t e n d oi d et é ou la g o i e n t
Ell e sendorm e notre b nne rein c u ne mul titu de de
o .
r i o i en t
peu pl e s ell e cs c j amais C ell e qu i notre m ere dort c
e t i o e,
e re v e ill ra é to i t t
pe u t e tre H qu i nous a fait tant de bien c aussi
,
n .
,
’
om a 1 0 u n a , n dorm i r
stri s te s parol e s s an s ce ss e sa u to u r palai s cs ortirent

-
, va S .
Ce p et é e du
pas de s rei ll es pendant troi s j ours A u m atin ,
re , n
m d u qu a tri em e
m e m e e unuqu e qu i renfermé e vint u ne l ongu e
e o .
’ ’
le m a v oi t m
robe de s ie rouge ray é e de noir ave c voil e épais sm e m e s ppor t e r
a
de
coul eu rs m en ayant lui m e m e m e dit c s c de u i l
o , un
il t i i le
’ ’
et r e v et u e C
es cl aves qu i s l a pers onne de ulzara On v us fait
'
:
c c
-
s
,
G l h on n
’
d er v oi e n t
cvous m ettre l a t e te sfe mm e s cond u ira l e s
. o ur
d a de G eh a n gu z
e u nuqu es sde ux bandes s eront pl acé es l u ne droite cl au tre
et le
;
’
a t
’
a gau che de ,
qu i cond u ire l a reine endorm ie l a plaine

’
l é qu i pa ge
,
a
tran qu ll e S uivez m oi
va
i
N us nous sdan s l a grande co u r pal ais m il ie u
-
. .
r e n dim e du
de l aqu ell e u ne l iti ere de bois cs andal atte l ée a qu atre l icorne s
o au
é toi t d ,
61
noires A u s aigu cm ill e s slugu bre s caux cri s encore d i n tru m e n t
p lus per ans des c s corps de ulzara fu t sdan s cette
. on ,
C h ou a n ie n le G mi
l iti ere s l aqu ell e on étendit grand t pis ctoil e d argent
e ,
d
’
en l aissant d é cou vert gracie ux vi sage de cette bell e princess e qu i

,
ur nu a ,
a le
en e et ff s s c
ar oi oi t
’
d orm i
,
1] P lus ie u r
des cs cs ceptre s
s per s onnage
ne
s p
cheva l
cbl anche l a m ain
d
c s
q u en
s a portant
c d
’
,
.
Sin
g u li er e m e n t o tu m e , et
pe ga t a ger
l a cort e ge en ins tant on sm it en m arche m ai s sta s cfle r s
eS e a ,
a rra n nt
le d
qu on s che m in qu e l e s pe u p l e s c s de j eter
;
un e u
cs
,
le
’
t ro u v o it et oi e n t a
pl ein s paniers s qu on avancer cu ne
ur n e
c
,
’
fa i
’
oi e n
po u v o it
e x tre m e l ente u r Nous l a pl aine Si l encieus e c
t ne
q u av
sc
,
a rv in m e n fin a t
s ol itaire o u par ordre de su ccess ion sl e s tom bea ux de s
p
.
é t oi en t ra n ge
roi s c sreine s d c dep ui s u ne infinit e cS i e c l e s sc
d u Ch o u c d ; la p
’
en é trange cfrappant on cv yait cce s e difice s qu e cd m e

et an t
é to it t d l o
en cpierre noire tre s lu i s ante travers l aqu ell e on fait ; n o
d a a v oi t
pass er u ne prodigie us e qu antit é de t uyaux d or ou t re s te ,

’
T le é t oi t
dan s s ou ter ain dont peine on apercevoir sl i m ite s c
.
a ou v o i t le t
l on sc par u ne pente ai sé e C mm e n m bre p
nu r ,
de d oi t i n fin i
’
ou
c c de cire parfumé e c s om bre l a c l art é

en o un o
c
.
d fl a m b a ux r e n d oi t a li e u
du j ou r c c s syeux de tous c sl e s porte s de s tom beaux
h er h oi de Ot é
dont j s, je
l e s d m e s en dehor s ais j n en sau cu ne

Jc c
’
a v oi a d m ir e e m yoi
sc qu e ll e s mu rée s c par c sgrande s
e vo
s
, .
’
n fin d
’
m a pe r u é to i en t t m a r qu ee
p l aqu e s d or s l e squ ell e s on ’
ce s m ots I ci dort te l a v oi t ra v e
roi a régn é tant squ e n ul n o s e to u cher c cmu r

ur
,
’
g ’
nu
ii d an n ée , a
trou bl er s s omm eil renomm e e s e ul e s l a m erci peu pl e
, et
Sa e t a du
a ll er bien l oin avant qu e c to m bea u
on
c s
. .
I ] fa lloi t d a rr i v r a u d
’
1] tin é a
G ulzara nous en r m e s s an s d eranger
ou f a convoi par l o r dr e d a
'
l em brasu re d u ne tre s l arge p rte qu on

’
,
’
d ter L e s mu rs y
,
’
v e n oi t
’
o
,
en dedan s sde l a m e m e pierre noire qu on en

o .
’
r e v é tu
é toi e n t yoi t
dehors m ai s l a qu antit é cpetite s l am pe s d or sus pend u e s s
vo
’
d a
d me ;
cette tri s te coul e u r u ne odeu r c
on
o é ga yoi t e t r epa n d oi t i n fi n im nt
agr é bl e
1] On po
a
s a l a l iti e re
.
m i l ie u de cc va s te
am bass adeu rs l e s grand s cl e tat y V rent l u n apres l au tre s
et
endr it —
au c s vi z ir s l e s Vingt
d
’
in
o
’
l ,
’
pros terner devant l a reine endor ie clu i s he u re ux

, e
m t ou h a i t er e n t
repos l lui m em e o sa rem pl ir c cdevoir m ai s
, un
To gra i , m di gn e To gr a i il
s e prés enta cdernier c d un air hagard c ;
-
s
.
,
t r ou b le, b
’
1 t, t
cm pl i m ent J cfr ém i s en c v yant cj stent é e de pu ir de s on
e
, ga y a on
le
’
l t é t oi
hardiess e qu and vieillard p l e cd é charn é dont regard s inistre
o . o , n
a t le
s l a terre u r s m it cr er d u ne voi x gl api ss ante H
,
nu , ,
’
i n pi ro i t a i om a 1 0 u n a ,
cvous apprene z qu e l e s s age s vizirsqu i cc , e ;

t G e h a n gu z, go u v m t le
c dan s c cco u rt ont c qu e comm e vous é tie z
,
n
Ch ou i n t e rr egn e d e id e
sde ux e s cl ave s fav ri s c ulz ara vous deve z l a tenir com pagnie
an ,
le d G
S oye z c qu on vo us fait c cm an qu e z pa s
o
c s ss c
.
,
’ ’
on n oi d l h on n e u r t
de re spect votre reine
r an n
,
a
C eci dit tirant s s on s l a m entab l e s d u ne tro m pette
.
1] d il
’
,
e t, de a ir a i n ,
62
1] J cfus stou ch é e ss s c i c calm e s acré qu i
de e n tim e n d G eh a n guz, t du
ré s s vi s age dan s
n o it m om ent ste ribl e tou t s eco u rs i
‘
h um ain ss an éanti qu e recu eill ant en m em e j c

ur on nu r
g O II
ss
,
’
a r oi oit me m oi a dr ai
f nd de m on p
cette pri e re As S o u verain c
-
, , ,
du am e a fe n da r m od d
l heu reux vous qu i en re com pen s e de votre z el e p u r l a
o :
S h a du k a n ,
’
foi saint P roph ete ave z rec u don c ceux de ssuj et s , o
du le d
’
en t dre
qu i vous i m pl orent dan s qu elqu e par ie m onde ss oient
n vo
t du qu I l
acc rde z votre m al he u reus e cpou voir csau ver cet e tre h nn e te
a
,
fi lle l d
,
cg e n e re ux J crec nnai s qu e j ai perd u ce lu i cr e m édier au tre m ent

o o
’
t d
par scon s eils m es s oin s aux acciden s qu i concernent pas
. o
me et
propre pers onne m ai s i vo us voul e z p é rira pas

ue ne
q
m le G e h a n gu z
d une m ort cru e ll e ;
a , S ,
ne
’
1] C o mm e s j m e s enti s re
a l i n ta n tm p
’
t j ou r s heu re ux su cc es aux sde notre es p e ce j

l ie de cette c
.
c qu
e i pr e s
c
age
et r e
on fia n e
’
m ppr o h a i
prenant par l a m ain lu i s V otre s
ou nu e a
c
,
le di
’
d l e u n u qu e , r e i n a t ion
pie us e cs ereine e tre c sc enez vo us ferm e m oi

e t, :
, g
t om é ; t a et
au cu ne crainte
va re
pe n
-
,
’
A peine ce s par l e s qu e d m e entr o u vert

n a ye z
c s s
.
le
’
j
’
1] h e voi j o é ta n t
pri sm on ess or cs el on ss ou haits m e trou vai avec c aux
a -
e o , , e
l
’
t, me
port s de l a vill e V us voil c c lu i sjcs ou venez
un u
,
’
, qu e
d O rm u z a S ur té , di
v s de l a Feri s e H s oyez t uj ou rs bienfai s ant juste
e . o n -
;
om a 1 0 u n a, e t et
de de m e r é pondre roi s
ou o
c c c c c
.
G e h a n gu z l m pé h a
’
j
’
1] L é t on n e m n t t
qu e j s j bien l oin qu and c l a force l a bo uche J c , e
d
’
il u t
’
é t oi d é a o u v r ir
repri s m on—vo l vers —cj ssavoir c cqu e deviendraient

.
Ch ou a e v ou lo i R e zi e
ct To gra I jc s m ai s sbien avant da s l a n u it dit m a
v o u lo i il e t
f m e en c —j vous c c m on hi s toire qu and no us
n ,
a h ev
’
m i n t rr o m pa n t ra i
a u ron s plus de l oisir fau t parl er cvos propre s a aire s prendre

e S e
il d ff
su ite qu e lqu e repos Qu i l vous s s pre sent cs avoir qu e
et en
c
,
’
u ffi e a d R eZ I e t
s point m ai s qu a u contraire sen Vin ent s
.
Togr a i
’ ’
u n i ren t il a
scmu t u ell e m ent csd é tru i s irent l u n l a u tre J cs s qu itt és
ne , , , r e
’ ’
d é te t t le av oi
depui s s parco u ru p lus ie u r s pay s e x posé e m i ll e m a ux

r e .
lon gte m et a
a u u el s jc
n é toi s pas des tinée l orsqu e apres av ir Vi s it e s
’
c s le m on ta gn
Daghes tan j vo us rencontrai—dan s sru e s c V ous m e
o
q , ,
du le d Be rd ou k a
sm al gr é votre air é gar é s enti m ent qu i inconn u
e
c
.
,
’
plfi t m é toi t
de m on c u r—vo us save z cres te csj vous ai ten u ccqu e
un
sc
'
l t i
jc vo
m pa ra
us
s u vent s c
pr m i s a l or s C ependant
sde s inn s s
o c o mm e dan s c
s qu e vo us
a n n al
oe
j
sde l a fata l e
. s
G
,
, e
l S h a du k a n a v oi
lu le i tOt pa rlfit e
arm oire jcssccqu ell e c —m ai s jc au cu n jus te
o ,
au
’
on t en oi t m a gi n a i
m oyen pou r c votre pere en votre faveu r qu and petit p i ss n
u n i
d e id er le
vous prite s m en fou rnit S ous cette Vi l e form e pui ssant , o o
’
é toi t
inn A c — ainsi pu ni de sscri m es
ue un
q nu
cc
.
G S a d é li v ra n
’
Sf n da r m o d a v oit
c f rt qu e poiss on pr s ccqu i
qu e
c
.
’
t o it d i ffi i le i l fa lloi t d a b or d le fut i
sai sé spetite ss e cs pe s ante u r qu i c s to uj ou rs
o ,
’
é t o i t pa t 1 fa i oi t
gl i sser travers s so u sr m pre ensu ite q au de

n vu a a ,
,
I l fa llo i t
’
a le file t le li e n
tu er c cpoi s sn pr ss t cm ani ere en faire s ortir cs s an s
o . u
’
le a d a l pri t
lu i nu ire Sachant t u t cel a jcrendi s inn l a l ibert é co mm e
o on e
. o ,
au G ; et ii
64
a v oi tjuré c c tous l e s s o u haits qu on
d
’
om en faveu r cce lu i
li
’
fe ro i t d
qu i c petit poiss on apre s qu i l heu re us em ent qu itte
a r
p ’ ’
m an g ro i t le l a u ro i t
j pre ssai ss c m anger vous e x citai t us l e s troi s faire
,
O rm o ou f d le et a
de s v ux pou r lui qu e vous s eul c pas r é v qué Par vous
e o
’
la
ave z m érit e cm onter s qu nn de s c s perd u
oe n av z o .
d le t r On e et r e a v oit
po ur pas suivi l es con s eils d u n P eri qu i c qu i pou r
ur vo an
’
l pr o t é g e o i t e t
’
n a v oir
le con s ol er lu i d nna cette bag e pres tigie us e renfermé e dan s l a c b oi t

cpl o m b en lu i di s ant qu e celu i de s e s s c squ i la
o u
d de en d a n o u v ri r o i t
boite poss ess ion tr ne Daghe s tan La tradition de

,
d r oi t du o du
cette prom e ss e a ss cp ere en sdepui s plusie u r s
re re n
p
s
.
e d fil gen era t i o n ,
m ai s l a boite a touj ou rs r és i s t e aux e orts qu on a fait s po u r pa
ff
’
l ou v r i r
’
votre p ere qu i inu ti l em ent tente cette é pre u ve a voulu par

.
E n fin a v oi t
le con s ei l A s l a scc ce lu i css squ i s s

d
’
,
l a la m i ré a d fil
,
d i tin gu e ro i t
cp lus p s
rv r e e
l pi et é filia le
1]
c
V oi l contin u a
a, l a F e
ar
ri
cqu i l vo us fa u dra faire—d e s
s e c
cqu e vo us
a
devie
ss
z s avoir voici s
derviche s eront
.
,
’
ouf et
,
-
,
a pr e en t
qu O r m o le
’
l evés vo us l eu r apprendre z sproj et s l e s priere z de sb énir et le

en su ite v us vous ache m inere z vers avec votre bagu e
,
vo ,
Be rd o u k a
doigt gau che Vo us entrere z ain si s an s e tre cpers onne dan s
o au
d le
j ardin roi f nd d uqu el vous verre z tronc d u n gro s arbre qu on
.
,
vu ,
’
le
’
du
n a j am ai s d étruire vous tou chere z de votre bag e s
,
au o
’ ’
le il o u v ri ra
s cvo us y tro u vere z sc cpea u de s erpent qu e vo us

; u
p u
s
,
it Ot , t d
prendrez contient ass ortim ent de s p lus é bl u i ssantes pierrerie s
au nu a
il
v us m e l e s apporterez j m e tran s porterai pou r l e s
, nu o
d u S h a du k a n , et
vendre d n s l e s vi ll e s on peu t m ieux en payer l a val e u r

o , e
on le
1] Avec cet argent no us gagneron s s a s peine l e s m ontagnard s
a .
du
Daghes tan qu i css ont encore csvotre fam ill e c ssc
n
l he a t h ai
’
d a il a tta t
’
s c ain s i vo us viendre z s e l on qu i l c nvient prince

, ur n
’ ’
I at a
prendre poss essi n de votre royaum e l a t e te d u ne armé e
u ur ur, o un
p ,
’
,
o a .
F I N DE H D H MA A L
’
I S TO I R E
’
O I OU N
1] I ci H e
c ss a de par l
om a 1 0 u n a
de s m erveill e s qu ell e
er m oi to u t c nf nd u to u
raconté e s j m e rem is ssgenoux en
’
t c
m
’
a v oi t
, et ,
o o
a
, ffra y é
s d u n re s pect i ll i m it é cd u ne ob é i ss ance s an s bor e s C eci

e e
s
,
la
’ ’ ’
paru t lu i d é l aire ell e m e dem anda l e s l arm e s aux yeux S i ccqu e j

u ra n t t n .
s sd e ll e lu i fait perdre m a tendre ss e al rs j

p ; e
s
s
, ,
’ ’
a v oi a v oi t l e m b ra ai
nous no us cc cscjcss em bl ant de dor ir pour pouv ir s an s ; o e ;

h éi m t fi m
interru ption cc cde l a s itu ati n j m e s e ll e
ou ,
o
’
m on t ro uv oi é t oi t
a ssurém ent m eill eure qu e j sscs s cependa t j s
o u r o e ;
p
é l e pé r e r,
’ ’
et et oi
d és e s poir A qu i ssj en m oi m e m e m e s ervira d e tre
e n eu o n
” “ ’
di oi t il
c es t cette redou tabl e Feris e qu i g u vernera m on royaum e
au . o ,
-
e -
,
- -
’
r oi et
qu i voudra m e traiter comm e e ll e a fait l a reine

;
c qu i
o ,
du Ch ou a n !
prétendra m e pl ier tou te s s es vol ontés m en c l a a d ut i l
’
o fit e r v ie '
Qu e cc cbien p u bl ic dont e ll e parl e tant C e s t m on bien

-
,
’ ’
m i m por t ?
65
eEncore
tre partic ul ier qu i m e tient c cj
s i e ll e sc
sj am ai s avec e ll e
aux con s eils aux repr che s j m en’
t e n o it
au m u r, t e ne
et
’
l a u roi
’
.
s m ai s ait parlé m odes tem ent cccqu i lu i re s te

,
n o , e
’
m o qu e r oi ; uo i e lle d
de s on pou voir su rnatu rel e ll e peu t trom p e comm e j l a
q qu
m
’
a v oi r
trom pe ell e pe u t avoir enc re sterribl e bagu ette svrai qu e ll e , , e
il e t
’
n en a pas fait m ention dan s s culzara m ai s e ll e cl a s

; o a
’
l h i toir e d G
’ ’
achev é e faudra qu e j en entende l a fin pou r é c laircir c cdo u te cr u el

n
, pa
Il
’
Ah m ie ux cs to u te m a dan s m a pau vre condition

. .
! i l v a ud r o i t te r v ie
cp e che u r qu e es cl ave s tr ne
r
d é tr e le
’
d ur o
EM P A R I E 2 I E T
1] L e s agitati n s de c c perver s n c c point encore

m on ca lm ée s t oi nt
qu and j ou r par t j fus s point de m au dire cj css

o o ur
le le le
’
t l
fait propos s é cl aira l es pre m iers squ i m e m irent dan s l a
u ; e ur ; e u e
’
a pu i qu i l
rou te de l abi m e no us s omm e s
a
’
, p
ou
J e m p l oyai to u te m on hypocri s ie cacher m on tro u b l e m a fe mm e

.
1] a a
derviche m on p e re cj l e s l ai ss ai faisant pou r m oi de s v e ux
et a t
,
qu e j ai pri s s oin de rendre vai s

au , , e , o
’
C mm e en a ll ant rencontrai p lus ie u r s per s onne s qu i

n .
1] j a Berd ou k a
qu e pas c paru t m a
o e
me c s s on n o i c oi e n t pa rt i u li er e m e n t , et
’
percevoir j c c prendre en m a bagu e u ne c cqu e j

un ne
om m e n ai a fia n e
n avoi s gu e re s au paravant J entrai ass ez hardim ent dan s cj ardin
, e on e
’ ’
l du
roi cou rus l arbre H indi qué j tou chai
.
’ ’ ’
et a o m a i ou n a m a v oi t ; e le
il S
,
’
j pri
o uv ri t , e t s s c de pea u de s erpent J s tr p i mpatient
le
qu ’
é t oi
,
cvoir l e s pierre s inc m parab l e s qu e prod uite s po u r

e a . o
d le Sh a d uk a n a v oi t
m e donner tern s de s ortir j ardin J c stirai scl u ne apre s

o
du le du
’
le
l au tre cqu oi qu e j fuss e de m i ave ugl e par —l e u r e c l at j l e s
. a ,
’ '
t a
e xaminai plusieu rs repris e s y en s eiz e qu atre
; e e
s
,
a ; il a v o it d ia m a n
qu atre es carbo u cl e s quatre c scqu atre r u bi s chac u ne c la é m er a u d t d
,
gross e u r d u ne orange de Khoten ’

, , ,
C o mm e po u r l e s m ie ux conte m p l er s s s s ga z on d u ne
.
j
’
1] le oi le
allé e sol itaire j cde
e po ur
s c ss ’
m é to i r e t ir e, t m
'
e xt a io i d
’
a d m i ra t i o n t
j ie nain qu i s perch é s arbre qu e j n avoi s
, e
’
t rou v o i t et
point apercu spré cipita vers J cn e us qu e tems de renferm er

o ,
un e ur nu , e
’
m oi le
trés or dan s sc de tandi s qu e nain fort agité
, e .
’
m on le et m elo i gn e r le
ctou te s part s s ous l herbe l a terre avec ss
a , , ,
d oi t d
’
et ra t t o i t
ongl es c c H el as l a re spl endiss ante V s ion a dis aru

re ar
g e
g ’
; il S é r ia fin ! i
m ai s ell e reviendra peu t All on s chercher m a be ll e prince ss e S i p ;
n :
é t re !
ce s t c cqu elqu e inn refus era sde lu i en donner
-
’
i i le j e u d G 1 1 me le
Slépectac l e En di s ant ceci prit scours e vers pal ais d u n pied i
ger peine s pl ier l herbe l e s fle urs su r l esqu ell e s
u
’
.
a fa i oi t i]
,
il
’
a
et
pa
le ,
’
S
il
q
-
ss oit.
pa
co pris aisém ent qu e srend u spierreries visibl e s en s
se ray é csu ite s qu e
1] Je m a voi le le
c s ain s avoir m on j
Ota n t d me m et fu ff ou v oit
i m pru dence c us qu e m ei ll e u r parti qu e j ss prendre

. Je r
,
le
’
eu
p
e a é t oi t
66
L es E pi s o d es d e Vat h ek
l a c c J cc sd u n ei l c m pl ai sant c divan
dé oroi n t. i
’ ’
l a m ple on
ssu rprendre l a cr éd ul it é de l a j e u ne prince ss e car e ll e

n vo o
y o o
q u
j c om
ptoi
e
di s qu e ll e
’
oi t
n a v oi t
e tre l ai ssé e s e ul e cpar l e s ordre s roi qui
fait qu e rire cson caprice on
'
v o u lo it
l a satis faire en tou t d

, t
d e v oi t
du
;
,
N o us é tion s vers m i lie u d u n beau j o u r d e t e m ai s l a chal c u r , .
’ ’
le é t oi t
te m péré e de s arbres tou fus qu i cs ec nde tente c f form o i e n t
,
t
par l a gaz e c srideaux qu i c s
pa r
s pa ss er c srayon s s o l ei l qu e
un o ,
d la i oi t d du
cqu l en pou r donner u ne c l art é do u ce voluptu e us e
n
c ’
i fa lloi t et
1] J e us’
encore
G a za h i d é
e ssu yer l e s c é
de s j atte s d un e xcell ents
r ém onie s ave cl
cc
e
a squ e ll e s
sbot s cc
s ’
c s orb e t , t d
on
d
pré
.
en to i t a
fit u r
ginge mbre ell e cm angea bien vite pou r sd é ivrer plus de ss
on
c
l t ot
e un uqu e s c cs e s c se s cl ave s qu i
;
c
au n e e
t d s fill fin ,
’
é loign t a
dis tance i ls c venir s ecou rs cl e u r m aitress e , , en re n un
’
d ou pou vo i en t d a
m oin s qu ell e cc bien fort
n au
c
’
ri at
su r l a pointe pied s s o ul evai adroite m ent l e s

n
cs
.
1] j d
’
Je m ai
rideau cc dan s c cparadi s c c é tendu e

a va n e
cs
,
t n t ra i d d é li G az a h i d é é toi t
s l he u re ux divan c sye ux avide s cperdirent pa s c s eul e
x, .
’
t me
des proportion s de s e s m e m bre s d él icat s M on ém otion te ll e qu e
ur , n un
é t oit
cpo u vant s ou tenir jc sj et é par terre qu elqu e s scl a
.
,
’
me m é to i a d
prince ss e qu and tou t co u p s cs s on séant ccsc
n
pa
s
,
’ ’
a é ta n t m i ll é ri a
en j oignant s e s petite s m a n s bl anche s inn p uiss ant inn qu i

, , ur ,
i O G G
avez étal é spierrerie s devant m on nain cm e refus ez pas l a m em e , ,
fave u r
vo , n
”
peine e ll e prononcé ce s m ot s qu e po s ai terre c

.
1] A a v oi t -
j a
e s carbou cl e dont l e s rayon s faire honte ce ux s ol eil
e un
a u r oi e n t pu a du
en paru t si ém ervei llé e qu e craignant qu ell e cri t j lu i
.
G aza h i dé
’
a
di s d u ne voi x bass e Adm irez cs il ence ccqu i e s t m oin s beau qu e , n o , e
'
vous ,
n
”
1] E ll e s o u rit cs e s enta t enhardie ce s pa ol es csc se ll e

.
s c
t, fl a tt
précipitamm ent pou r ss ais ir c sc ccqu e jcrepri s
,
n pa r r u ,
d le
’
a r b ou l
’
plus vite
ava n a e ,
au
c s c c c s s l a vo l er s s
.
“ “
j j lle, d é iroi
’
O Ci l ! v ou lo i
1] é ri a t
s eul e m ent l a tenir n s tant dan s sm ain s Vo us cdite s c
- -
e n
p a e
s
,
i me m d
chos es passionn é es vo us ete s cru el
un .
”
et
N on rei e cbeau t é ré pondis j jcsu i s bien l oin cvoul oir

.
,
”
d d
vo us c m ai s vous po u vez tou cher ce s pierre s pré cieus e s qu e
, n ,
-
e,
a fili
s ous ccondition qu e jcvous dirai apre s savoir tou te s en s em bl e

r ; ne
g
le
é talé e s syeux R em ettez vous su r votre divan ccontene z vous
un ,
a t
pou qu elqu e s
vo - -
s
.
,
m om e n
d u n air intim idé cre s pectu e ux A l ors jcm e m i s
r .
1] G a za h i d é m
’
ob é it t
f rm er carré c spierrerie s en c s cm ani e re
.
a um d me l e n tr e m é lan t d
qu ell e s puss ent mu tu ell em ent s pre ter céc l at cen l e s
o ,
’
l t
cachant pan de m a robe pou r l es d é cou vrir t u te s l a foi s
e un n ou v ,
du a
1] J e us bien cm e repentir voulu donner ccspe ct cl e
o .
’ ’
li e u d d a v oir a
c fu t frapp é d u n sgrand é b l o u i s s em ent qu e ll e
a
’
l a i m a b le G a za h id é
’ ’
lle i
tomba l a renvers e s s divan cparu t comm e privée de
a ur on t v ie .
68
'
E fl ra yé 5 m on tou r j cou rus ell e s an s av ir au paravant rem i s a

m on trésor dan s scde peau cs erpent qu e attachai m a ceintu re , e ,
n on o
le d a
J e l a betrolluevaidanps lcet
é t oi t
e l es ye ux fermés cs an s m o u vem ent m ai s qu ell e
état
a
ssr be pou r lu i d nner cl air c
,
a
! J ou v r i
’
,
t
J
;
d
’
’
.
t,
l ayant trouv é e froide cinanimé e j l a cou vris c csarden s bais ers
a o o ,
d
’
t m
pou r l a c J shors c quand revenant de stran s e , e
d
' '
ré h a u fier é toi m oi
ccsc Qu i a o sé m e cc
.
, a ,
”
h ?
’
ll é ri a : t ou
C e t inn qu i vo us a s eco u r u e lu i
r
1] s ’
le G s c
Fa ru k rou z,
j di
Ah reprit e ll e d u n ton rado u ci vo us ave z qu i
-
, .
“ ’
la
1] u m n om
c spa s sbea u qu e vo s pierrerie s M ai s s ont e ll e s dite s m oi c c

-
, ,
! ou
’
t i ?
qu i l fau t qu e jcfass e pou r avoir l a perm issi n cc stenir an s c
n - -
s
m ain s c c
l
’
d d m
sl au tre csu rto u t c m e l e s m ontre z pa s t u te s
o
’ ’
l un t
ens em bl e cpe u r c ;
a pr n o
c
,
d i de n t
’
, d
fa u t p u r chac u e d e l e s m e donner bai s er r é pond s

a .
1] j
'
Il l i
d une voi x al t ér é e par l a crainte cl e s poir
o n un ,
-
e,
’ ’
t
Qu i c c c s qu e ce l a dit e ll e Oh c ve ux bien c bai s er
.
”
1] j l
’
! t ! ! ; l
d un esprit s era comm e cs c vent qu e l e t i l e s oir fait l ever
o n ,
-
e
s scc m on c u r
’
‘
l ou fll du du
’
o
c
,
i l r a fra i h ira m e lé v r e t ou i ra
J m e pa s rép é ter de ux foi s u ne per m i s ion ravi ss ante m on

oe
1] c s me fi s s i
bai s er fu t l ong ell e s cc cs orte im patience c
le ou flri t a v
’
d a gr é a b le
;
t
s e pl aindre d u ne ardeu r laqu e ll e ell e s c s c qu and ; un ,
’ ’
a llo i t a a tt n d oit i p
j lu i s dan s l a m ain r bi s dont l a ré verbération sconfondit avec
u,
mi
la charm ante rou geu r d nt j sc l oré ssj csEll e t u rna
e nu u e
’
a v oi le
cret u rna d u n air di s trait cen r ndant Donnez m oi dit
o o e ou . o
’
t, m e le
m em e pr x
t
c s u ne c
o , e ,
-
,
e ll a pr e t ém ra u d e du
1a fi
Jstraccoessmaipagnai
,
’
s econd bai s er d u n s i é troit e m brass em ent qu e j
llir E ll e dit d u ne voi x c
en
le
p u i squ e
me
’
’
ému
i .
“
Fa ru k r o u z ,
e
vous e te s pal pab l e vo us po uve z vous rendre v s ibl e Ah j ai m e m ie ux

. :
’
i !
vous voir qu e spierrerie s
.
1]
cc
J t
s
cj ou r j
tr
’
p bonne
av oi pinion de m a fig u re
vo
c craindre
shabi llé d u ne m ani e re tr e s propre J tai donc
la
0
m é t oi
’
c l a m ontrer o
’
d d
’
6
,
l anneau de m on petit doigt gau che ccomm e j squ e cpremier

-
e .
l
’
t e vi
cou p c c c d
’
il d favorabl e jcl a repri s ss dan s
G a za h i d é m é t o i t
’
,
it ot
m e s bras D ell e m e rendit scare ss e s de b nne gr ce quand ,
au
’
a b ord me a
to u t c u p ell e sd é barrass a cm oi avec viol ence en sc tou t
. o ,
’
a d é ria n t
en c A ll ez vous e te s mé chant inn abus ant cm on
o e ,
olé r e : G i d
inn cence c cm a s im pl icit é vou drie z devenir m on m ari s an s
u
, un , q ,
t d le
con s entem ent de m on p ere ret rez vous j ve ux plus enten re
o ,
i d
parl er cvos pierrerie s vous ave z ccjcvai s
; e ne
cc
-
,
d h
’
l a u da d
’
m
rier ctou te s sf rce s pp
Sl e a ro r
c d me
Cette m enace fit trem bl er m on invi sibi lit é pas comm e
o .
’
me é t o it
ccc e ri s e d nt corp s i m pal pab l e s ou hait
; n
c ll d la F le a t ro u voi t n ul
obs tacl e qu i on cc c faire p é rir de

,
o ne
’
l a rr e t at ; n f rm e r
’
o u v oi t m t me
plus ieu rs sP endant qu e lqu e s sjcdem e u rai r e ve u r
p
c m an iér m om en et
en sil ence m ai s cdanger j scl am ou r qu i

.
c fl a m m oi t
’ ’
l ou
’
é toi , t m
encore c m on invention O ccroi
; en
s ,
ai
gui cr nt . Je m é
’
ria i :
“
fill d ! 6
69
L es E pi s od es d e Vath ek
vous l a plus bell e c sfe mm e s terre s tre s j voi s bien d e s t tems de qu 1 1
vous révél er l a gl oire bonhe u r qu i vous s ont de s tin és apais e
, e
et le
vous écou tez m oi vous m e rendre z jus tice cdeviendrez plus dou ce ; z
t
qu e Lei i d nt vous avez l a s en sibi lit é l e s gr ce s
; ;
-
le k et a
P arl ez dit ell e d un air e m pre ssé j vo us
,
attention mais ass eyez vous l au tre bou t divan csu rtou t
,
o
-
’
tou te m on
a
’
;
“
e
du
( lon n e ra i
.
t
m e tou che z point ; -
,
ne
”
A l or s l a mém oire to u te fraiche de s m ervei ll e s

.
H
racnt é e sj c cm on his t ire su pposé e de l a m ani e re su i ante
1]
’ ’
o m a i ou n a m a v o it
, q u
om m en ai
V o us ave z s an s do u te entend u p r l er grand

o e o v
s
,
1]
“
A da fe n da r m od ,
so u verain de tous l es Pé ri s inn s Dive s qu i ont
, ,
a
d u Sha duka n , et , G et
e xi s t é avant apres l e s r i s pré adam ite s eh bien j sui s s on ss

et
,
fil
sch é ri en qu i m i s t u te sc c m e d nna garder
o , e , on
fil i l a v oi t fia n 11 a
deux cm e s s urs qu i vol age s c mm e cul bul
o a on e o
cc s
.
,
d é t oi e n t 1 b e t rev é h
comm e me c de j amais l e s perdre cv u e
oe ,
o
le z é b r e, e t r e o m m e n da d
P ou r mrenfer
a voi t
e rendre l a chos e sfaci l e l eu r
mé e s dan s une to u r dont j gardois s oigne us e m ent l a cl e
l e u rs ail es s
plu ,
il
ne
a v oi t é té , et le
f
.
1] Un G inn c l e u r s a m i s s m it
d dan s l a t e
fort adroite m ent N ous é tion s lu i m oi en l iai s n intim e depu i s
te de l e s d él ivrer s prit
e
et
e
, et
’
y
.
s cacco u t més pas s er de s j o urs entiers en s em bl e

.
, ,
o
lo n gt e m t a Il
dem eu ra pendant cdem i lune él oign é cm oi aux reproche s qu e
,
u .
d et
j lu i en fit en revoyant rép ndit qu e par profond s ou pir

un -
,
le il n e !
M on am iti é prit pre ssai de
e o un
'
l a la r m e , e le j m o u v r i r on s c c ’
fil ds Asc
Ah sc
! é r ia t i l e n fin ,
f n da r m o d,
’
’
il n y
’
a
qu i s oit digne d e ll e j su i s ins ensé
qu u n
-
,
P-
é ri m e m e qu e
et
e ur
d
’
’
’
.
’
a v oir
le
perd u tant cte ns contem pl er o u i cher ; e

continu a
nu
Fa r u k rou z,
’
d a la t i l,
princess e u niqu e roi de Daghes tan doit e tre
;
r ,
- -
1a G a za h id é , fille du
u a
’
vo us J cl ai vu e s é l ev e r d u bain tell e qu e s ol ei l s rt
’
l
, n e
’
du
s ein cl onde u ne partie csscheveux d or p u r c mm e au tant c
e
q . o
’
d d
’
d
rayon s encore l eau trans parente tandi s qu e
; e o
s s ss
,
’
é b lo u i a n , i llon n o i e n t
l au tre m iti é ccss s front d iv ire ssye ux d u ne n uance plus
’
n hz i oit o n
’
,
’ ’
vive plus brill ante qu e l azu r agré bl e m ent

o o e ,
d u fi rm a m e n t, é to i e n t
'
et
o mbrag és par l e s sde s oie noire qu i c s s es m en us s ourci ls

a
se s l ong u e s css on nez

fil o m o oi e n t
et pa u pi r e
p
n e d é a roi t point l e s petites porte s
cs u p l e corai l qu i l renfermé e s splus
p
d s
a v o i i n oi t, e t e n é t oi en t
’
le
bell e s perl e s de l a m er c c qu ant re s te cssbeau tés qu i
o
d G o l on d e d
grad u ell em ent s e c m e s regard s cattendez pas l a
au e ,
’
d é ou v roi e n t a
des cripti n j srien po u r trop voir j s ai s s e ul e m ent qu i cette
,
n n
me vi
f rm e parfaite s s ortir cl ate l ier c M ani qu i

o , e ; e
’
d du é lé b r e
’
e m b loi t n a v oi t
so u bl i é de pl acer propo s s f nd plus b l anc qu e l a neige

o ,
a
l e s coul eu rs qu i donnent
un
pa ur
’
o
l a n i m a t i on
’
C e p rtrait qu i n sflatt e te l point qu e j

.
e to i t m fla m m a a u n
c Ah c ess e z de m e t u rm enter cru el am i v us s ave z qu e j e
o , pa , en e
’
m é ri a i :
s saband nner s oin c ss u rsqu i chaqu e ins tant

o ,
o
a u r oi le d me a
m e dem andent qu elqu e chos e de n u veau Pou rqu oi m e con sum er
ne o oe ,
d on e
ains i O ui j br l e de voir m ai s h él as j pu i s
o .
? e il G a za h i d é ; e ne
, .
70
p ere bonhe u r de s m erveill e s
’
s et i ma iner il a u ro i t
qu u n
ici
u ne
"
q g
l a t ten d e n t
’
Q oi s ceria nain vo us ave z qu e lqu e cho s e de p lus bea u

.
1] le
qu e c cqu e j ai m em e Oh dite s m oi ccqu e c e s t m a ch e re
u , vu
’ ’
m oi ! !
m aitre ss e dites m oi j vous en conju re j s sfaire ss i
vu - -
,
le a u roi
v us contente z m a c s
e e ne un a
p
- -
, ,
ur i o i te
C o mm e m ot s avec u ne i m port u nité enfantine
o ne
c s
.
1] i l ré pé t o i t G a za h id é
i m patient é e lu i appl i qu a de ux bon s s sccqu i fit partir svite
e ,
o u ille t le i
qu e ll e p u t sc c d en rire de bon c E ll e
’ ’
m pé h e r c ’
,
m
’
l
e su ite car j srend u inv s ibl e devant Cal il i cm ayant pri é de
ne aau r a
’
.
’
a
pp
m é to i i t,
lui c cu ne cm e s e scarbou cl e s m e dit c l a conversation
n , e ,
’
on fi d d é o u te r
qu ell e avoir avec s p ere de m e m ontrer pr po s

r ,
c
a lloi t
’ ’
et
qu a
l a v u e roi a ux pre m ier s m ot s qu i l vi s qu i l
on n e o
s
, .
A
’
1] da j
'
e ro i t
aisém ent d e c u c m on his toire con s id é ra m on e s carbo u cl e pron on

,
a, e
ll
'
o uta et
avec de grand s ye ux é tonn és l a ccbéante pu i s sc

e
s
.
,
b ou h
’
et é ri a O fil
d As
’
g é n é re ux
fe n d a rm o d, s s j vo us en su ppl ie Fa ru k r ou z, pa roi
,
p e rm ettez qu e j vous rende m e s homm ages m e s action s cgr ce s

e z, e ;
et d a
sa uj ou rd h u i vo uss ere z de de m ain jcvous
e
G a za h i d é ,
’
l é po u x
’
de et
c éderai m on tr n cj dem ande point o bonheu r qu e ce lu i c d a u t re

’
d
v ir m a touj o u rs bell e j e u ne heu reus e m oin s qu e vous ; e ne
fille et a
o ul ie z bien pr l onger m e s j ou rs po r qu e j pu iss e voir sbeaux
o , , , ne
le
squ e vo us fere z
v
o u e
”
fa n
v u e d m in u a n ull e m ent l a prévention bon m onar qu e s i
en .
1] M i du
s spierre s pr é cie us es
a ne ;
me s s s
h a b ille m e n n é t o i e n t pa m a gn i fiqu e , m e
’
su plé oi e n t J c slui spo u r l a dot de s m ai s l e s refusa en

le o fl ri a fille
’
il
y
di s ant qu e sc c qu i l
p
pou r l am ou r de m oi m ie x
.
,
’ ’
l e a rb ou le , a rd oi t v a lo i t
’
qu e tou te s l e s fe mm e s m onde c g
qu i fit faire u ne j ol ie petite m o u e
u
c
,
du , a
G a za h i dé
N us s to us pa l ai s l e s e n uqu e s en m e voyant s ortir de
.
1] re v i n m e
l a tente chide us e s gri m ace s de pe u r l e s se s c l ave s furent

o au ; u ,
fi re n t d fille
auss i pe u ,
c sm ai s s s
e fl a r ou h é e
'
s c qu ant Cal il i u r er t b i e n t ot a
s it avers ion s oit press enti m ent m e regarda touj ou rs de travers
un , e ra n ,
il
1] Apr
o
e
s
s avoir é t é baign é,
parf umé
en cachant csde m a j ie pou r con s erver air
s su perbe s
,
,
,
et r e v é tu d h ab it
'
.
j
’
G a za h i d é ,
’
é po u ai l ex é
de dignité convenabl e qu e j c sdonnée L e res te
o nu
’
du
’ ’
a l or igi n e m t oi
j ou r spass a en fes tin s dan s e s cconcert s s gu e re s
e .
’
t q ui m am u er en t
ca uxqu els m a prince ss e s e m bl a prendre pe u cpart cfu t pa s de
e , , ,
ne ,
d
’
t II n
m em e roi s contentem ent tel qu i l j comm e enfant
. n
’
du é t oi t o u oi t
ave cl e s pages l e s ses cl aves c s retentir l e s vo tes css

; on nu
et fille t fa i oi t u d
é c lat s de rire , e
1 ] En no us s u haitant bon s oir m e ré éta qu e l endem ain m e

.
le il le il
sco u ronne m ai s j priai de m e cet honne u r
o
p
s
,
’
ré ign ero i t le d i fi é re r et
m e l aiss er pass er trois j ou rs dan s harem tout entier m a ch e re ;

a e ,
de le a
cdan s pl ai s ir de sroyal e com pag ie c cqu i l c c
,
G a za h i dé ,
’ ’
t le m orda
en m e faisant cgrand s s srai s on s po u r faire

a n a
c s
,
'
d re m er i m en J a v oi me
cette dem ande séperd um ent a m o u re ux sj o u ir c
.
J é toi j , et e v ou loi d
72
m on bonheu r s an s inter u ption d urant ces troi s j o urs doutant point
vint trou bl er squ e ll e m on avent u re
r , ne
H
'
dé
’
o m a i ou n a n e le d ro i t
q
s i contraire sspr j ets M ais qu e l s l homm e qu i puiss e e tre
a r en
u
’
pp
a t
heu re ux en craig ant s an s cess e c c n a qu e trop mé rit é J s
e o . e
’
1
’
é to i
s a s i de terre u r s ein m e m e spl aisirs m oindre bru it qu e q
n u 1
de
s point de sbra s c
i au ; au
s do i c c
J é tO iS le m
’
h er d d G a za h i d é ,
craignant d e tre surpris par l a s irrité e
n ten
cstroi s j u rs l e s
e ur a rra
J
P é ri E n fin
’
s e uls pou rtant qu i de tous ce ux de m a vie s ont chers m on s o uvenir

e . e o ,
5
fu rent pass age stran sport s d am o u r aux acce s de frayeu r
1 ,
de
’ ’
1] L e m atin peine paru su r l horizon qu e sfi l e s

ne u un
q ’
.
qu a tri em e a v oi t a de
d e u n u qu e
’
sVinrent m e prendre po u r m e cond u ire diva L e c u r

me sagit é d u n pre ss enti m ent fu ne s te m ai s
au n . oe
’ ’
j il n y
’
b a t t oi t, é toi a v oit
pas m yen cdem ander nou vea u dél ai roi

d pas entend u le
’
n a u ro i t
;
ra ll erie sharangu e m on his toire fort lu i tr p

o nu ,
i on é t oi t am
plifié e , a v oi t
com pos er apprendre par c eu r

;
de peu r de
a o
c
,
o uté a a ; i l m o u r oi t
’
’
I l a débita
l o u b li e r ]
l e n t e n dir e n t , e t
en e fet grand é tonnem ent ctous ce ux
qu i c c
.
s s
f , au
de m e regarder tou t te ms
et o
d
le
qu 1
é ren t qu 1 1
parlait s m e m ettre royal e t urban
ne
II e pré pa r o i t e n fin a l a igre t t e
’
qu and viei l ém ir qu e j c ssstre s bien vint lu i par l er a

. au
on n o i oi
L e bon m onarqu e changea de coul e u r dit qu i l strou vait m al

nu , e ,
l o rei lle
’ ’
rom pit ss j fus ra m en é harem

.
, e ,
’
la em b lé e et
1] Qu e lqu e s sapr e s c rdre de s rendre

e au .
m om e n G a za h i d é ut a
de s p ere ell e en revint tou t en l arm e s Ah cher
o e
l a ppa r t e m en t
’
é poux m e dit e ll e on fait u ne étrange accusation contre vous

on .
,
!
L e m ir M dit qu e vo us e te s s p é che u r s qu e
-
s
, ,
o u f,
’
oh a b ed le fi l d u O rm o
v us venie z vendre votre p iss on chez lui qu i l vous a cent f i s lui et
’
m e m e parlé en passant assu re qu e s cqu e vous nous ave z

o o ,
o
l h i t o ir
’
; il
faite n e s t qu nn conte qu e vos pierreries s nt fauss e s
’ ’
s s et n e a roi en t
veritab l e s qu e par s ecours de l a c qu en m ot vous e te s

o
, p
le
' ’
m a gi
i m pos te u r s u ten u par qu elqu e méchant Dive M on pe re c
et
s pa s
, un un
’
t
encore tou t fait s m ais dou te a frém i nom
o . n
a ua d e ; il et
s qu i l s ait avoir plus de droit qu e lu i tr ne de Daghe s tan

au
pe r
s
,
d Or m o
’ ’
ou f, o
qu e pou r ce l a a en horre ur envoyer chez brave pé cheu r
au ,
et il I l a lloi t le
p ur ain si qu e tou te sfam ill e l e u r faire su bir c
.
le
’
l
’
l a rr é te r , xa m e n
plus rigou re ux m ai s j l ai su ppl i e
et
j s de m ainpo u r donner
o a ,
’ ’
dr e
’
d a tte n
qu a
cet ordre J clu i ai représ ent é qu e svous fuss iez ré ell em ent
; e u
i Fa r u k r ou z
vous lu i pardonnerie z j amais te l u trage qu i l s
.
a tt ir e r oi t 1 a
’ ’
col e re As cm e m al he ureus e p u r res te de

ne un o ,
fe n d a rm od ,
’
d t re n d r o i t le
m e s j o urs J ai par ss qu e v us ass e z pou r vo us
o
la
’ ’ ’
fin i m a im e z
c c m oi cqu e j lu i rendrai com pte de tou t c cqu e vo us

. u rer o
fi a t
Dite s m oi donc l a v é rit é san s h és iter ccom pte z s m on
on r , e
’
m
c u r cs m a S i vous e tes
a v ou e r e z -
t ur
s s s j
,
.
fo i Ba rk ia r ok h , fil d O rm o ou f,
’
t
vous en ai m e pa s m oin s j d es e s p ere pas l e s cho s e s de
oe ur . e ne
’
et d a r ra n ger
m a re ccqu e nous s ayon s enc re he ureux , e ne
me a
l m e trop fauss e pou r croire qu e cc s incere j s
o
s
.
’ ’
1]
’
J a v oi a fut et é to i
bien él oign é cvoul oir m e m ettre l a m erci de m a s econde femm e
d a
,
73
le po u voir s m oi l a pre m i e re m e trop de terreu r
’
u a v oi t d on n o i t
se m barrassé ssin s tance s de l a m ani e re
q ur .
J é t oi G a z a h i dé
'
et r e n o u v e lo i t
l a p lus tendre quand to u t cou p u ne pen sé e atroce m e vint s ,

e
’
a a l e pri t,
cs o ul agea m on c eu r pervers c
t s
s
,
J
air tran qu ill e dit l a princess e en s ou riant J ad mire votre
cc
et
o
a
d
’
l o ppre ion o u il é to i t .
’
’
afi
'
ta i u n
prudence vous s ave z qu e l e s pl ai sirs qu on tient val ent m ie ux qu e

, :
’
ce ux qu on attend vous ’
;
pas vo ulu résigner ce ux j et
'
d
’
a u o u rd
’
h ui
Jpacssnionai sgarde
cc
’
cvo us en d é dire c ctiendra s m oi qu e nous
d
,
j ou r aussi agréabl em ent qu e nous avon s ss strois au tre s

n a v ez
,
t il n pa a ne
.
pa e le
A u res te st us l e s squ e j vo us ferai qu e vo us racontere z
.
i d eta il
dem ain roi votre p ere
et
ontentent pas pou rra s ve u t

o e
c
, ,
le il
’
il
con sul ter t us l e s p écheu rs de par m e dem ander
au , ne , , ,
Be r do u k a Il fi n i r a
pardon je lui ferai gr ce pou r l am ou r de vous
o .
et a
e m b l ab l e u ne ro s e qu e l a cha l e u r m idi a pre squ e fan é e s
.
,
1] S a du et
l aqu ell e n u age léger disti ll e no u veau col ori s repr t ,
ur
G a za h i dé i
m e s parol e s ssj ou e s sreco u vrirent cl a dou ce teinte c
un un ,
c d d in
’
v ie a a rn a t
qu i l e s s s e s ye ux d am u r de j j c
e e
s em b e lli oi t , b rill r en t
’
et oi e m
’
flamm ai de plus en plus pou r ell e ré p n i s avec tran sport aux

o e n
;
Je d
caress e s qu ell e m e pou r m e faire o ub l ier j qu ell e
. o
pro di gu oi t l in u r e
’ ’ ’
c yo i t m ét é faite chaqu e in s tant m e c

’
a v oi r dan s l a et on fi rm o i t
de t u t attenter pou r cpas per re cbonhe u r dont j ;

ro
s
r e olu t i on d l
ssL e s he u re s s c qu e tr p vite S u r cs oir roi
o n e
j s
ou i oi ou ler e n t l le
qu i s an s doute n pas o sé devant m oi envoya chef de s
. ne e 0 .
,
a v oi t a roi tr e le
e u nuqu e s pou r s nform er de s nou vell e s de s e ll e lu i fit dire qu e
, , p
fille
,
t ut m ie ux m onde cqu il dorm it tran qui l e

i a
’
a lloi t le du t l
n avoi s pa s o u b l i é qu e pro i s l a prince ss e r é cit de
o
s
.
,
1] j
’ ’
Je a v oi m a
m on his toire plu scircon s tanci é qu e ce lu i qu e jclu i sfait m ai s j
un
a v oi
l avois tems s ervir m on dess ein P e u

e
j s
‘ ’
d i fié r é i l pou v oi t
'
on a
apre s qu e nous f m e s c csj c c entrer en m ati ere
u
qu au .
u he o m m en ai a et
lu i su ne narration s i absu rde s i l ngu e sennuyeus e qu e s e l on

ou , e ,
fi et i
m on intention j s fus s point de c m oi , o , ,
do rm i r
’
l e n d orm i le
’
et m
m e m e mai s l e s noirs com pl ot s tiennent qu e trop é vei llé
, e ,
ur n
1] ll é toi t d ej bien avant

bag u e doigt gau che j pris che m in de
dan s l a n uait qu and apr e s avoir m i
roi
s m a
ne
le
'
,
l a ppa r te m e n t d u
.
00
au paravant cond uit lu i m e m e L e nain Cal il i l e s a u tre s

au , e , 1
’
il m a v o it et
e u nuqu e s c dan s s anticha m bre ce ux qui

-
.
,
d G a za h id é , d orm oi en t
rangés de s de ux c tés de s porte qu i ;
on
ga r d o i e n t le ro i v e i lloi en t o
fer é e qu e par une portiere passai s an s m oindre bru it
a ,
Je le
'
é to i t m
m il ie u d e ux ctro u vai cv é n é rabl e m onarqu e pl ngé dan s
n .
l
’
t
profond s o mm ei l A l a lu eu r s qu i c scham bre
an ,
o un
de fl a m b ea u x é la i ro i e n t
j pri s sbien m e s m e su re s c co ussin qu e j lu i m i s su r
. a
le
’
i um
vi sage j s an s qu il pouss er s eul s ou pir J c

e u ave e
, q ’
l a rra n ge a i
' ’
l é to u fia i
’
ut
e n su ite l a t e te pench é e hor s l it qu e s ang e xtravasé qu n
e un
, p .
du a fin le
lu i tr u verait s d u n accident natu rel c rev n s en ,
o
’ ’
em b lat l e fi e t t i
tre m bl ant s m e s sJ sstroub lé qu e c ss plus m on
o ,
’
é to i i me on n oi t
chem in j de ux o u troi s corridors qu e j c ssspas
ur re an
’
pa .
,
, en fila i e ne on n oi oi .
74
c es t en vain qu e t u
'
sattrib u er m a qu e om entané de v ou d r oi a m
rais on l ave u d u ne é nor ité dont t u sréel em ent cou pab l e t ai
nu n
’ ’
l Je
'
m
entend u m oi m e m e cette n u it revenir de roi t u
e .
l a ppa r t e m e n t d u
’
t e s l aiss e tom ber qu atre scm on l it c scj cette H ;

-
, ,
’
a d t on u r e om a 1 0 u n a ,
qu e t u vien s cnomm er enc re cte l aiss er j ou ir fr uit de ton

a a
p ,
d d du
cri m e J cc savoir fait m au vai s re ve m ais j n avoi s qu e trop
o ,
’
y oi
bien l a vé rit é S i t u os es c d u n s e ul pa s j te s au te a ux
. ro un ; e
' ’
t
e
‘
oui
ye ux j c avec m e s ongl e s sre s te s de chair qu e ton ac c s

a va n er , e
’
et t he le
su rnat u rel de re m ord s t a l aissés
, e a rra
’
Qu oi qu e s s conv uls ifs ss réd u it abatte m ent

.
'
1] me m ou v e m en m t a un
e x trem e la rage de m e voir convainc u de c cqu e j c c s d é nier
eu en
h e r h oi a
m e donna ass e z de orce pou r m e l ever m e sai sir de Cal il i l ancer
, e
f , et
le
dan s l a m er qu i de ccc te l e s mu rai ll e s pal ai s m ais o m o u i llo i t
,
du
m al heu re us e m ent pou r m oi de s c s e m it a nager avec
,
li e n il
; ,
u ne su rprenante agil ité ,

au e n oy r
s c nfond u reto m bait en défai ll ance s

.
G a za h id é
’
1] lor qu
'
J é to i et
infinite cvoi x s e entendre V engeance vengeance c

o , ,
un e
d fire n t ri o i t
qu e l e s porte s s oient fermé es qu on crois e ss abre s partou t

.
“ ’
de !
;
a notre roi l ai ss on s pas échapper ccsc
on ,
'
Ba rki a rok h é to u fi é elé ra t

A tapage épo u vantab l e tre m b l ai co mm e l che po u r m a ; ne
1] c c j um a vi e ,
l a prince ss e rend u invi s ib l e c u r us po u r

e
j
’
a b a n d on n a i
j m é ta n t
’
et
tenter de s o tir pal aism ai s tou te s l e s aven u e s en fermé es , , e o
du é to i en t
l e s fers c s c de to u te s parts Dan s c
;
cpéri l
r ,
é ti n e la n v o lt i e o i t
ex trem e j c
et
s ycom ore hau t de cinqu ante cou d é es qu i

g n
cc
.
’
m a ro h a i a u m
pl ant é m il ie u de l a grande co u r gri m pai bien vite
,
e ,
é t oi t Je le et
s m ie ux qu e j p us su r s ci m e De j savec
au .
,
m é t a b li le
'
la e v oyoi
c ine x pri ab l e l a mul titu de de gen s qu i c c m e d é tru ire
e a . un
'
fi roi m h e r h oi e n t a
sc
’
c chaqu e in s tant nain fu rie ux qu i s e ss sde l e s
roit r e a et le la oi t pa
ani m er C ette s c ene dont j s m i sé rabl e s pectate u r c
a ,
ne
t l h o rr i b le
’ ’
é t oi le
suj et d ura s an s rel che tou t j ou r l a n u it su ivante par sc
.
,
a le et e t, ro i t
de m al he u r l a pos t u re ge nante j sc sagitation s c

, ,
ur
’
i t ere n t
'
on é t oi t me
cru e l acce s de l a m au dite gou tte qu e j spri s e de m on pe re
, , ,
ex
’
a v oi
Jl a r ndes mpoaiuss
un
’
a u roi er de s cri s qu i e uss ent fait retentir l air
s l a pe u r m e retint C ependant c mm e jcs entis qu e j
p u l ie u e ’
a un e a
.
en he u re j s t rban c cl iai forte

o ; o e
sss
.
,
' ’
a fl oi b
’ ’
m li oi d h eu r e d é fi m on t m
c l arbre po u r pas tom ber su r l e s piqu e s l e s gl aive s , e u n
’
m t a et
c scm e s ennem i s
n ,
ne
t r e n h an d
1] Dan s cet é tat avec de s i m pr e cation s s bord de s s
.
le me lé v re e t le
d és es poir dan s c u r j pass ai en core j u r contem pl er
ur
s
,
c
’ ’
le oe a l a flr e u e
confusion qu i au to u r de m oi plus
e un o
j c s
,
r é n oi t E n fin om m en oi a
v ir qu e comm e travers d u n n u age plus rien entendre
e ne
g ’
.
a
dis tincte m ent presqu e cpl s c de m on e x i s tence
o au ne
,
’
a m e v oir
qu nd cgrands cou p s c cc squ on en dehors sportes

, n u a pe r ,
d de
’
d ha h d on n o i t
pal ai s m e tressaill ir perdre tou t s entim ent
a
du fi re n t et
1] Q u e ll e fu t m a s u rpri s e en reprenant l u sage cm e s s en s de m e

.
d
’
trou ver m ll e m ent étend u s s csde s oie qu e l es ode urs s

o
,
ur de m a t la
,
le
76
plus su ave s sl e s ye ux c s l a cl art é d u ne
pa r fu m oie n t ! J o u v ri
’
t vi a
’
gross e l am pe de cri stal qu e j sdan s u ne l ongu e cham bre s ’

é t oi
, ,
gr i at r e ,
a l au tre b u t cl aqu ell e s
’
d ratoire ,
der iche t ro u v oi t on
spri e re s avec u ne g ande ferve u r tou t en répé tant

o e un o
c
un v
m a r m ot t o i t d
chaqu e m ot J c s squ e pen s er d une tell e vi sion j
et
m on
r ,
’
n om a a v oi
cnte m pl ai en s i l ence pendant s l a fin m e cr s dan s l a

ne e
.
;
la lon gt e m et a
r égion de s m ort s ien é tonn é e tre traité sfav rabl e m ent j
o , u
’
B dy i
pus c de Oh j c spas tant de
o
c
.
, e ne
’
h er
’
m e m pé m é ri e r , m é r i t oi
mi séric rde Ce s m ot s retou rner derviche s h ta c
e n
fi re n t le il a d
venir m oi j reconn us A s M on s m e dit j ai m e cette
o , e
l a la m i fil , i l,
’
a et
prem i e re j c d u n cc contrit L e Cie l s oit l oué vous

, e .
-
u la t i on
’
ea
m u rrez pas dans
o ur ne
c
.
,
’
l i m pé n i t en
1] E s t c cqu e j su i s encore dan s de s vivan s dem andai j
o e
le ?
m e r é pondit gr ce a ux bont és
S C OU I
‘
e
J e
- -
”
1] H
’
O ui , i] , a d o m a i ou n a
i m a d é pend u de cette cru e ll e Feri s e reparti s j j

-
.
1] S vi e a v o i t
plus ell e a to u t fait pou r m e d é tru ire

-
e, e
s
,
”
pi r er0 1 t
1] N on non reprit A s e ll e n a fait qu e ccqu e ll e a faire
n e re ; .
’
l a la m i
’
dfi
c pas u ne pu re I ntelligence c mm e e ll e cperm ettre
, , ;
.
il on v e n o i t a d
qu e vous tou chassie z avecde s m a n s enc re im prégn é es
ne o
G a za h i d é i du
s u fle qu e vous veniez c s p e re E ll e vous a f app e de s
o
d a rra h e r a
’
f
redo u tab l e infl u ence pou r divul gu er v tre crim e m ai s qu e
o on . r a
a fin
v us aj ou tie z su ne circon s tance satroce C ependant qu and e ll e ,

n on o ,
’
i
vo us a sus pend u sycom re (car vous pou vie z v us rendre pa
o n
y .
,
in i s ibl e s e s ye ux) ell e s es t attendrie fau t cs au ver dit ell e

vu au o ne o
Il
’
1
’
a
clu i donner tems de srepentir A s s e ll e a pri s s on e ss or
v , .
,
-
’
t le i t ot
vers ce s homm e s rob us te s c squ i habitent l e s
e u
csc
.
t v a illa n m on ta gn
l es a fait s pou r vo us S us scond uite i ls ont vaincu vo s ennem i s
’
a r m er
, t
ont enfoncé l es p rte s pal ai s cvous ont des cend u de l arbre apre s
. o a
,
du
’
t
qu ell e v us a cchang é de d igt l a fat l e bag e En su ite ell e vous a
o , ,
’
donn é l e s s ecou rs qu i vo us s s m e l ai ss ant cpo u r

o u o a u
c cs
.
é t oi e n t é a ir e e t, i i
en attendre s en e s t allé e achever ss tr ne votre
n ,
' ’
l e fl e t, d
’ ’
le o a
fam ill e Vous po u viez aisém ent m onter san s crim e su r c ctr ne
a u r er
o 6
m ai s s c es t votre cqu i doit vo us s ervir
.
,
Ba r k i a rok h
’
a pre en t pen i t e n
cdegrés Dao u d fu t m e u rtrier comm e vo us m ai s mé rita s on
e
y
d il
pard n cdevint m eill e u r de s roi s
. nu ,
”
t le
C e di co u r s c n s l ant pie ux qu e t u tef i s ass ez pl at
o
s s
.
1] j et t r o u v oi
m e fit s entir qu e s cs m e tre j am ai s cc dan s
o o ,
e ,
o o , ,
’ ’
i l h ypo u t il
’
ri i e pou v o i t é t oi t
l a situ ati n j m e sJ cm e m i s donc frapper m a p itrine
,
on t rou v oi a
d uce m ent pou rtant m ai s avec air de cm p nction qu i ss
o e . o ,
roi oi t
fort nature j c c ndam nai san s ménagem ent
o nu o o a
p
cs
,
’
] m u a i, me
su ppl iai dervi che d c pou r m oi apre s avoir fait pl eu rer et
e a o
,
le m t er é d e r e n fin ,
le s ain homm e chau des l arm esj lu i s H e las qu es t deven u

t a di !
’
l nn cente princess e qu e j ai rend u e orphel ine , e ,

’
E ll e e s t dan s pa l ai s m e r é p ndit bien m a l ade dan s

i o
1] c c ”
i] , et le
l it vous l avez l aissé e m ai s H en prend soin j doute ,
o -
,
’
on om a 1 0 u n a
pas qu ell e l a rende l a vie Avec m em e z e l e Fe ri s e a apai sé ; , et e ne

’
ne a . le 1a
77
l es am i s fe u Q da s s it bien gard é e
ro i . s la
uoi
’
e lle d
’
ofl en
‘
v é rité i ls comm encent dou ter c c qu e Cali l i s eul qu e o er

cs a d la
’
u a t i on
a intenté e contre v us car

,
n a j am ai s o u vert l a cc G a za h i d é
’
b ou h
pou r s en pl aindre ell e n a sm em e pr n nc é votre ;
o
’ ’
n om
Qu a fait cm a u dit nain m c j avec c

a
p o o
c c
, .
1]
’
t d ? ri a i f
1] Pai x pai x s dit derviche fau t pardonner svo us
- -
ou e -
e u .
“ “
m on fi l le il i
vo ul ez v us pardonne L e nain s e s t enfui l on n a pas
,
’
Alla h
, , ;
’ ’ ’
cou ru apres lui q u o .

, et
Qu e cCiel cond ui s e repri s j d u n air h um il i é Qu i e s t en

.
’
l le
e et aussi mé chant qu e m oi M ai s sj svoir m on p e re
-
e, .
ff ? o u rr o i et
té m igner m a reconn issance
n e
p e p a
-
a H o m a i o un a
m e r é p ndit go u verne roya um e qu oi qu n ait
o o
1] s
O rm o s ou f,
”
c i] , l 11
’
point enc re voulu prendre titre de roi s occu p é dan s cet

o -
,
le il e t t r a p
in s tant p u r vous voir vous dire vrai sen avoir
o
, i l n e pa roi t p a
e t, a
beau c u p envie Qu ant l a scvous l a verre z san s dou te pui squ e ;
o
a P eri
vo us d és irez m ai s repos e z vous tant
o
s
.
, ,
’
le d gi ta tio n pour r oi t n u i re.
En dis ant csm ots s reto u rna s oratoire

-
,
a v ou
’
il a
1] J c
s
c
concerter
ne s
p
s
l
m ie
e
ux
d m a n doi
an qu i l
qu
m
e
e
d e tre l ai
su
ssé
ivre lep pa
u
s
r
en
m
r ee
fle x ion
rendre
s ’
on
’
fa llo i t
.
a me ;
j
’
a v oi a
poss ess e u r d u ne cou ronne qu i m e en é tat de
o
’
s m e tt oit d
’
pa i ou
c cette char ante prince ss e touj ou rs pre s ente

a er
m a i tri s e r G a za h i d é m é t oi t
m on e s prit M ai s m on s ort actu el qu i
ar
d é pe n d oi t d H o m a i ou n a,
’ ’
a é to i t
pa s sfacil e trom per qu e derviche spr te s tation s o u tré es l e s
. n
i a le Le
gri m ace s pas r éuss i avec e ll e j n en sau cu ne j l aissai
. o ,
’
fi
’
n a u r oi e n t a
sregard s s oin de l a convaincre non s e ul e m ent de m on repentir
e , e
me le
m ai s encore d u n retou r de tendress e pou r e ll e M al gré ssdivers e s
’
, ,
pas ell e
e
csH As
.
d é fia n t e ,
’ ’
e xper i e n om a 1 0 u n a n é t oi t et m a im oi t l a la m i
vivem ent en m a fave ur c ss prendre s
e .
a r lo i t t O rm o ou f v o u lo i t
retraite ains i fu t d é cid é entre e ux de m e procl am er roi

a
p ,
il du
Daghestan J c jugeai pas propos de feindre qu e j en sf ch e j
;
a
’
é t oi a
m e contentai cdire l a Fe ri s e fau t qu e j vous re p e te sm ots qu e
. n e e
“
d a Il le
l a reine c c vous dit dan s u ne s em bl abl e occasion o u t
e
d C h ou ‘
T le
fardea u de l a royau t é tom ber s vous m a ch e re H
an ,
’
om a 1 0 u n a
C e propo s fit grand p l ai s ir m on agi ss ante é p us e s o u tin s

va ur , .
1] j a et le
tr e s bien pou r m on spre m ier s j ou r s de m on r egne lu i
o , e
i n t é r é t le Je
l ai ss ai faire t us l e s sq e ll e vo ul t m em e no mm er
.
ge m e n u et
pou r m on grand v zir qu oi qu e choi x ass ez ridicul e

o a r ra n u
As
,
l a la m i i le fut a
sye ux s s s de gagner l am o u r res pect c speu pl e s ,
’
le d
’
me Il i oit et me
c es t qu oi j stous m e s s oins J ss an s cess e dan s l e s
a
’
.
g ’
,
et a mi é toi
m osqué e s j ss cgrande s sa ux pau vre s de s
e
c
.
on fa i oi d a u m on et
l ibé ral ités excess ive s aux i m an s c sjus ti ce presqu e tous l e s

, e ,
Je r n d o i
j urs en pers nne sssA s ten r qu elqu efoi s m a pl ace
.
et la i oi l a la m i i
qu e p u r pl aire H
o o , ne
a om a1 0 un a
j u r t us de ux de l a m ei ll e u re h um e u r m onde
o
s
.
1] Um
’
q u i l é t oi e n t o du
avec m oi j st mber di s cou rs su r cchapitre cl a des tin é e l e s
o
e fi le l d et
l ai s sai s com e l eu r ordinaire dan s u ne l ongu e diss e ta

, o ,
’
e m b a r u e r, m a
q ,
r
78
c u r a ss ez bourrel é m ai s c c
é t o it de dépit de rage qu e t o it plu tot
cre m ord s C ette pre m i e re tentative fu t su ivie de p lus ie u r s a u tre s qu i
oe ; et
d
tou te s e u rent m e m e su cc e s touj ou rs corp s m ort qu e
.
,
le
’
C é t o it
avec acharne m ent qu e avec horre u r o u vent
un
ss s s
.
j
’
e m b ra oi
j S et u i t t oi
s ortir de ce s sss ce ne s j m e s l a m o squé e j me

e
‘
q .
a fl r eu e r e n d oi a on
sl a poitrine avec u ne te ll e viol ence qu e l e s s pectate u r s

au e e
,
fra ppoi é toie n t

dans l a d m ira t i o n
’
de v ir roi a uss i zélé martyr de l a c en iten e
’
u a u ro i t e tre enthous ias te faquir ’
um
o nu
p
1] C ependant qu i pas ignorer m e s fu ne s te s

q p u .
Hom a 1 0 u n a, po u v o i t
vi site s m en pas ce ll e s bien car comm e
n e
fa r
’
a G a za h i d é , ar loi t t
pre i e re caus e de m on m al heu r inon
o rt
e ll e sperd u to u te
p ;
ne , ,
é toi t 1 a m J a ur oi
patience avec e ll e s o s a hasarder u ne h um b l e re m ontrance
i,
Al a la m i
m ai s j lu i staire d u n ton qu i gl aca s all a m ettre l it ;
.
’ ’
le d e fl r oi Il
' ’
fi
s ortit plusC e l a e ri s e qu i vint csm ort
e au
c
.
,
’
fu t F
’
d ou il n e m
m e propos er a u tre vi z ir de s fac n J str p aigri contre
. a n n on r a , et
’
é to i
ell e pou r lui com pl aire J clu i reprochai accablé de fatigu e s
un a o . 0
’
d a v oi r
pau vre s ol itaire qui d e s s e s j e u ne s an s accou t umé u ne vie

. un
é t o it a
tran qu i ll e cqu i natu re ll e m ent su ccom ber s o us cpoid s de l a
t d e v oi t l
charge qu ell e lu i s
,
’
donn é e s s l avenir
a v oi t a b u rdem en t et la
’
u ra i
qu a
’ ’
j choi s irai s m oi m e m e m on grand vi z ir

,
v us entend s sc ell e air plus tri s te ccom patis

e -
.
“ ” ’
1] Je r ia - t - d t
s ant vous voul e z donner votre c c celu i qu i
o , e , un
“
o n fia n
’ ’ ’
i r ri t e a
l a pass ion d és ordonn é e qu i vous to u rm ente cvous rend
n e e
q u
q u
fl a t t e ra t
l a fabl e de votre harem Ah s Cie l m et rdre vo us all e z ! i le
’
,
devenir méchant dont fatal parche m in m enace m onde

n o
.
y ,
le r oi le le
1] E ll e s e retira en achevant ce s m ot s dont j fus tent é de l a faire s e
.
repentir en ss de co u p s car j s spar l a su ite de s , e

’
la om m an t a v oi
hi s toire cc raconté e qu e s an s pou voir l a faire m ou rir ; e on

’
ll
’
m a v oi t
on lu i
o u v oi t
,
les
qu
sl e s p lus cr u e ls clu i faire s o u rir
i n fl ige r t o u rm e n
,
t ff
sdo ul e u rs l e s plus aig u s La crainte s e ul e qu e ll e
p ’
le e t ro u v at le
m oyen de m e priver de m a prince ss e m e retint m ai s hél as cette
. ne
!
rais on de l a m énager su b s is ta pas s lon gt e m !
;
A peine é vei llé l ende m ain entend s grand s cri s c t é

ne
1] c le d da o
de ’
c J
l a ppa rt e m en t d G a za h i dé cm e l e ve to u t al armé acco rs
sse u n uqu e s ss se s c l ave s s pro s ter ent l a face contre terre
fille
.
J
, J u
devant m e s pas en contin u ant l e ur s H ors cm oi

e e e n
s
,
'
h u rle m e n a fl r e u x. d
m em e j m arche su r cette vil e coh u e j entre dan s l a cham bre de l a
,
et
’
prince ss e s l e s trade j trou ve m on es carbou cl e avec papier

, e ,
La,
’
qu i c ce s terribl e s m ots R eprend s ta m au dite e s carbou cl e

. ur , e ,
un
t en oi t
d e te s tabl e La m er qu i recevoir s corp s qu e tu
on : ,
Ba r k i a ro k h le m i era b le
u trage s chaqu e j o ur te rendra j am ai s p t Cie l qu e l e s
va
le h i an
‘
, et
vagu e s ssc engl ou ti avant l he ure fa al e tu profanas pour l a

o ne
’
l eu le
’
on
prem i e re f i s
n t t
1] S e m b l ab l e m al ade qu i sflatte de vivre encore m al gré

o
a un s lo n gte m
l e s m aux qu i con sum ent qu i s e s ent frapp e s ou dainem ent par
e
le et le
gl aive cA de l a M rt j fus an éanti en perdant ce ll e qu i cs
d l
’
n
ge o
,
, e a u oi t
80
H i s t o ir e d u P rinc e Barkia ro kh
j o u r ell e m ent m e s peine s m e j etai s divan dan s é t t Je le
de s tupeu r d u ra l a m oiti é j ou r j repri s l a fac ul t é
n . ur un a
ui du E n fin
de pen s er cc cfu t pou r acc us er l a Fe ri s e C e s t e ll e ssjc qu i
e
q .
’
t di oi
vec s vi lain petit poiss on m a fait avoir l a gou tte de m on p ere l a

-
.
, , , ,
’
funes te bagu e C e s t e ll e qui par d é pit j al ux m a forcé de

a on , et
’ ’
confe ss er m on cri m e devant m a m i s dan s plus

.
,
nu o ,
G aza h i dé ,
’
et le
e x tre m e p é ri C e s t ell e s an s dou te qu i a j et é dans de s l e thargie s
]
’
su rnat urell e s u ne prince ss e qu i trop cd u ce u r ctrop d am u r

.
, ,
d
’
a v oi t t
pou r m oi pou r pa s m e pardonner sell e
o o
c
,
’
i a v oit
pu m t en d r et
qu i n a s re m ent pas vol ontaire m ent préfér é l a m ort m oi M ai s s es t

,
ne en ,
’ ’
u a
e ll e r é ell em ent j eté e dan s l a m er en croirai j é crit qu on
.
’
?
a pent etre m i s ici pou r m e d é cevoir svrai qu e na
-
e nu
; il G a za h i dé
’
t
s cc par au cu n m yen natu re l a hau te u r cssfen e tre s c
-
e
h ] ; d t
les s sincorr u ptib l e s qu e j lu i sdo n és cr é pondent
a er o e
p u
pp ’
u r v e i lla n a v oi m
m ai s qu i ss qu e l a Feri s e l a pa s enl ev é e transporté e dan s
e n n ;
’ ’
m et
qu elqu e au tre pay s e ll e pas de m and e bten u po u voir

a ure ne
’
? N a v oit et o tel
en fave u r c N e m en ell e pas en qu elqu e
-
un
’
l eu n u qu e G e h a n gu z ?
’
d a t
s rte chier Ah j c smie ux qu e s e ective

- -
m en a e ? ! a i m ra i G a za h i d é e fut ff
m ent n y é e qu e cj am ai s a utre qu e m oi Q en p u i ss e
o
’
d é tr
’
a un u oi u i ]
epotreu vo r famuet venger

, il qu e j m e venge H
o
e dqu e jcdiss i mul e p u r

om a i o u n a , e t
q ’ ’
.
1] Apr
s
e
orti
s
s
ce
de
s r
i
cet
e fle x ion
apparte
s qu
m
i
ent
f u
f
rent
u ne s
su
te
ivie
avec
s d
u
u
ne
n co m
.
p l
contenance
ot , digne
m rne
de m
m
oi
ai s
’
j
tranquill e m e retirai dan s m ien L in de refus er l a i site
e o ,
et le
tarda pas m e rendre j l a re ns d u n air recon
,
. o V
H
’ ’
om a i o u n a a
Vo us m e l aviez annoncé e lu i di s j qu e C ie l
u ne e e
q
s
,
s
cou rs de scou pabl es exec
’ ”
n oi le
s vous e te s inspiré e m ai s
an t .
,
-
e,
a r r é t e r o it ]e me
m al he ure us e m ent j vous cr i s t uj o rs tr p tard j rentre en m oi ; ;
m e m e qu oiqu e j pu i ss e m c cgém r cl a perte qu e

e o o u 0 ; e
et em
pé h e r d i d
j ai faite j l a s pporterai avec res gnation Aide z m oi de sc n s eils
,
e ne
’
continu ez go u verner m es état s tandi s qu e j vaqu erai aux e x ercice s

e u i .
-
vo o
,
a
cpiét é s c spou r s alu t de m on
e
cs sc
,
d i é a ir le am e
1]
s
“
A ll ah
t i m en
s
s s c ria l a
P roph e te
n
et s oient l
s m ai s h él a s
o ués
on de cc reto u r de
qu i en c t t
P é ri
s bon s “
.
! fa lloi t i ]
’
]
vo
on a
cette pauvre princess e J c s j svoulu m oin s
en e e ; -
’ ’
la v i e a l a i m oi et a u r oi du
lu i rendre l e s derniers devoirs Vaine e sp érance on n a retrou ver ,
!
’
s voi l e qu i s l e s vagu e s i fau t q e ll e ait pri s de s

.
’
pu
fl o tt oi t ]
c sp u r e tre am ai s en s eve l ie s us sca ux
q ue on ur ; u
re a u t io n aJ le !
V o us cr ye z donc di s en regardant
o o
p
1]
“
j c H fix m e n t o m a i ou n a ,
qu e a péri san s re ss ou rce dan s l a profonde

'
o , ,
-
e,
l a i m a b le G a za h i d é
’
m er
Si j c crois répondit ell e Ah j
1 croi s qu e trop c “
! le
p u ve z vous en d u ter vous m em e Ah t
cher cess ez
e ,
-
. e ne ;
P m on Ba r k i a r okh ,
cretenir de s id é e s chi mé ri qu e squ i feront qu e trou bl er s
o -
o -
d
onne s intention s Cherchez de s s sperm i s vous
ne vo
b plu t ot am u e m en
tes heu reux san s honte cs an s cri m e j srien dé s irer

.
; Si
’
e t , e n a u roi a .
8]
L es E pi s od e s d e Vat h e k
1] C e di s co u r s c de m e to u
afl e cher
‘
m e rendit
t u eu x, de p lus en li e n
p lus envenimé contre l a e ris e J e l a s sincapab l e de m en s o ge
au ,
F a v oi
ain s i e ll e point enl ev é m ai s ell e n en pas m oin s

. n ;
G a za h i d é ;
’ ’
n a v oi t a v oi t
causé sperte sdonc dan s m on de s

Je m s ein contre e ll e ’ '
fl e rm i
c apr e s lu i av ir donn é pendant troi s j o u rs to u te s sm arqu e s
a . a , et
’
l e xé u tai le
ctendre ss e de c cqu i é carter sss u pcon s
o
d et fia n ou v oi e n t
1] Le s m’
e ehan s s c ss
chef de m e s e u n uqu es
en co u r s corro
franc sc
m p
e us s tro
on
u vé
o n n oi
ins trum ent

e
en t
p
e ; j a v oi
elé ra t, u m
e o .
q u O lo go u, é t oi t
te l qu i m e lu i ordonnai cchoisir entre ssconfre re s , un
le fa lloi t Je d
’
l
ce ux qu i l c l e s plus capabl e s d u n c u p cm ain
e
c
.
d
’ ’
r oi ro i t 1] m
p és enta de ux dont i m e ré pondit M e s am i s l e u r di s j c
o n
c
.
“ “
]
n e s t vou squ e j ve ux po u r l heu re c m on infort u ne
r .
,
-
e,
’
on fie r
’ ’
a
fu ne s te hasard m a fait é pous er u ne m agicienne qu i s es t donnée m oi
u e
q ’ ’
; nu
a
co mm e u ne s im pl e innocente c peu apres n tre m ariage
et r ea t u r e . Un
e ll e m e fit qu elqu e s t u rs de s on mé tier qu i s sgrand
o
ign i fio i e n t pa
’
chos e qu e j passai s o us s il ence E ll e en s en suite venu e

o ne
t a
de s actions atroce s P o u r m e faire régner o u
et
po u r ré gner e ll e
,
e . e
plu t ot
m e m e ca roi c par j al ousie e ll e vient cj eter l a ,
.
'
el é tou fl é le t, d
princess e sl a m er J cd i s pu nir de s crim es s c c
,
ld a n s m ai s
, ,
i e xé ra b I
l e m barras e s t d en tro u ver cm oyen E ll e a pou voir de s
. o ;
l
’
le
’
d i pa roi t r e ,
c cs tran s porter e ll e ve u t ain s i c cs en vain qu e jcl a
.
t d ou e r oi t
c s l a jus tice p u b l i qu e C e c squ en l a su rprenant endor m i

e ;
’ ’
livr ro i a t
qu on lu i qu e ll e mé rite
n e
c
.
’ ”
i n fl i ge r le h at i m e n t
’
nt
interrom pit j m e su i s dep u i s saperc u

e
p .
“
O logo u , lon gt e m
de l a mé chancet é de svo s co m
e
cs H et l h y po
’
ri ie d
’
o m a i ou n a
‘
i le
m andez no us entreron s ccs oir tou t armés dan s scham bre nous l a ; u
et
perceron s de cou ps avant qu e ll e pu iss e sreconnoitre

,
a ,
’
ve ux bien r é pondi s s era acte d qu i

e
c c
.
”
“ “
1] Je le j qu i t é
m an qu era pas de c s ,
-
e un e ne
”
r e om
1] C e no u vea u forfait c to u t su cc
c re c u m i ll e m ort s sell e c m o u rir S on cr ps
ut
e s qu e j en s l a F e ri
p
ut
plus
i
s
e
e
n e .
le
ut pu
a tt e n d oi ;
é t oi t
’
pl aie s di s par t aux ye ux de sscru els ss squ i

. o n
c
lor qu i l a i lla n ,
’ ’
par m on ordre l e s crim e s dont j c css l a

u un e u e a
q ’
,
u b li er e n t la oi , e t m an i
d n l a vengeance qu e j en tirer é t é frus tré e
, p
e u re
t s ’
v o u loi a v oi t
1] L a v é n é ration qu on po ur m oi nom bre de m es tém oin s

o .
le
’
a v oit et
fi ren t qu e cette i m pos t u re fu t gén éral e ent cru e on m e pl aignit ,
m
,
l e s parti s an s roi de l a prince ss e noy é e m e

du é t ou fl e c ' '
et
;
r e m er i er e n t d e
;
] a jus tice qu e svo ulu faire c a v oi procl am er l a pein t m

'
e n ga ger e n t a
de m ort contre ce ux c ssuj et s qu i s ecou rs ou asil e
3 , e
d me d on n e roi e n t a
H Le s
om a 1 0 u n a s s nat u re ll e m ent p én é trer c
eu ] c
Or m o ou f d ev oi t
mys te re m ai s fort indol ent c plus s
.
’ ’
d i n i qu i t é i l é t oi t t n a v oi t on a m i
derviche p u r ain s i j c em barra ss ai g u e re s

,
le
’
l a n i m er ; m et
en e fet sp int parl er de lu i

o e ne n ,
f
’
n e n ten di
1] R ien l a j oie qu e j ss sen pen sant qu e l a s

o .
’
n é a le en t oi Pé r i e
ass ez faire p u r s gué ir cssb l e ssu re s
g e re
a u ro i t a d et l] fa u d ro i t
bien qu e ll e m e ss en repos p u r qu elqu e s tems rés olus de qu

o e r e ,
’
la i at o . Je
82
1] M ai s m e s m heu reux com pagnon s comm e ces frivol e s
6 al s d eta i l
c
,
o n v i e n d ro i e n t notre horribl e sit uation j l e s pass erai s ous

a
,
s il ence p u r en venir sfait s plus digne s de c cséj ou r

e
p n , e
a de
1] Qu oi qu e j regarda
au tant de j e ux d es prit j
o
ss e l
e ne a mul tip
s
icit
sspa s de
é de
’
s ad ul t e re s qu
de c
e co mm e
cqu e l a la i oi
l me
’
m é t on n e r
.
ell e depu is se tre

e n e
sc s sc
,
f d d e v oi t
’
P eri ai oi t i p a tt e n t i on lon gte m

g uérie de s es bl essu re s c po u rtant l e s cou ps de bagu ette
u ;
y
t
point j pen s ai qu e l e s poignard s c m es e n uqu e s , ne
v e n o i en t e n fin d
rend u e rais nnabl e ou qu ell e cherch e do m ici l e
; e u
’
l a v oi e n t
’
a v o it
aill eu rs
o , nu
1] sp l ai s irs s an s ob s tac l e s l a s ati é t é Apres qu elqu e s

.
Ce a m en eren t
années l es acc e s cm a g u tte s cs qu e j
.
d e m u lt i pli er e n t , e t l h
’
o ri i e ,
prati qu ai s to j s devint in su pportab l e i s ensibl e m ent

o
, yp e
me O ] ogou , qu i n
rend u m aitre de to us m e s s ecrets s s u vent des voyage s
n ou r
s
.
,
, f
’
é toi t ai o i t
dan s divers e s partie s m onde p u cj e u ne s bea u t és qu i l

o
’
du o r m a m en e r d
’
la c de m e vo r mé pri s er J c squ e de
,
’
a v oi t m o rt i fi a t ion i n e l e n tret e n o i
dont l es charm es s vive m ent retracés m on s o uven r

.
G a za h i d é , é to i e n t 5 i
depui s m on d e go t po u r saventu re s cm i sé rab l e e s cl ave
1
u c le fin
s plus qu e faire de m oi quand incident auqu el j m at ; en ne
’
a v oi t
spa s m it fin m a l e thargic
,
un , e ne
t e n d oi a
j ou r qu e jc sa udience pe upl e deux fe mm e s voil ées s
.
,
1] Un d o n n oi
pied de m on tr ne cd u ne voi s tim ide suppl iante
an e
s
,
’
r é e n t ere n t a u o t et
me
p
d em a n d er en t de l e s entendre en particul ier m e s entis ému ,
Je a
l e urs accents san s s avoir pou rqu oi l es scond re dan s m on hare m
.
et fi ui
on
j tardai pas m e rendre Qu e ll e fu t m a su rpri s e en voyan
,
a
, ,
t
m es de ux bell e s s c s auss i j olie s auss i csqu e dan s tems
e ne .
et fra i h e le
s s p lus convoit é e s cs c trop favorab l e po r
en t
c
-
,
’
o il
j le a v oi le ! L io n t o it
l a pa s s ais ir Fe mm e s cm e s frere s l e u r sj vous e tes
e o a u
“ “
d di
assu rée s de m a b nne vol ont é po u r vous m ai s rem ettons une au tre
ne .
,
-
e,
a
f is c cqu e vous ave z m e dire L a pre m e re de m on harem
o ,
'
a i fl a ir e
c es t pl aisir l e s au tre s Viennent
o a
s
.
,
’
le
’
pr e
E ll e s trop trop pe u d e s prit o u r qu
; ne a
c
.
’
d i n d olen
’
1] a v oi e n et é tr e
s cru pul e us e s J cpassai qu e lqu e s j ou r s l e s combl er
t e p
s a d
’
a tt e n t i on
ensu ite j l e s ss e ress o u venir qu e ll e s qu elqu e chos e m e

.
’
fi a v oi e n t a
co mmu ni qu er
e
Oh no us a ion s o u bl ié svie ux m ari s sc l a plus j e u ne

.
’
! é r ia
en vér té ce l a n e s t pas étrange ils s ont sm i sérabl e s incapab l e s

v no , ,
’
et i i
ctravai ll er de no us e tre bon l a m oindre cho s e N o us avon s erré
,
d et a
de vi ll e en v ll e l a m erci de s gen s chari ab l es dep ui s j ou r
.
le Or
’
i a t
s no us chass a de che z lu i On no us p in m ai s q u
mo s ou f d on n o i t d u
point ccons olati n A De s ert Fange ux s s e u qu i nous
. a ,
d L fri t e d u e t le ]
’
a paru entrer dan s no s peine s m ai s sfrere s n o u t pas ss s er ir

o .
’
é
rem ede qu i t ou ve ; vo o e v
c
”
da
’
] y a v oi t
1] M a be ll e s u r ro u git en ce s m ots cst u t

r .
m an t t
1] Acheve z lu i di s j vive m ent vous ave z c m a cu rio sité J c
-
pron on , e .
ex i te
veux s avoir to u te cette aventu re ;
,
-
e .
!
84
H i s toir e d u P rinc e Ba r kiaro kh
H I S TO I R E DE L A BE LLE S (E U E DE -
BAR KI AR O KH
1] Eh bien vo us l a s a u re z reprit e ll e m ai s vo us s ere z encore p lus

qu e sfrere s La voici U ne b nne fe mm e qu i nous avion s
-
, , ,
'
e fl ra é a
cont é s petit poi ss n m alheu r nous attiré
vo : o
y .
l h i to i r e d u du u ll
’
et a v o it
vint j o ur nous trou ver en grande h te dan s l a cha um i ere nous q

o
a on
nous retirion s s oir M s s dit ell e on vient de m ap

un , ,
’
le e n fa n
’
‘ ‘
m
prendre u ne cho s e qui po urra vo us e tre de qu elqu e s ervice auss i
. e , e -
,
n ai j pas perd u m om ent venir vous en faire part On assu re

’
a
;
’
a
trente m ontagnes d ici s e trou ve D s
-
e un .
q u
’ ’
le e e rt Fan ge u x q u h a b i t e
afrite tr es obl igeant qu i refus e ssc n s ei ls s e s s ecou rs
un
ui ui a
pers o ne p u rv qu on c ntrarie pa s dan s sfantais ie s étra ge s , ne e o ,
’
le de
qu i l a comm e vous e te s de bonne s gen s faci l e s ccom pl ai sante s
n ,
o u ne o n
’
t
parce qu e vous e te s pau vre s v us s erie z sbienven u e s en c
et
cl ieu
,
le Il
e s t vrai qu e chem in e s t pe u l ong d ici m ai s accou tumé e s ,
o .
la,
’
le
comm e vous e te s m archer san s ce ss e pou r m endier de to us c tés cc
un
a o
s era pe u cchos e pou r vous J ccroi s qu i l v us convient fort de faire
d
’
,
cvoyage s i vo us gagne z rien vous perdre z rien plus

o
c
.
’ ’
et
c vous crien perdre C ette conclus ion persu asive nous

n n n on
’
y ’
y ,
a é t oi t
c c sl a bonne viei ll e n us m i m e s s en ro u te
ar n av z .
;
a l in t a n t
’
m e r i am e et
N us fai sion s de petite s j ou rn é escar sm ar s pas

r , o .
i ou v o i e n t
a ll er sde su ite qu ant m a s eur l esperance qu e l e s

ne
o , no
’
p
lon gte m a et m oi ,
p u vre s m al he u reux c recou v er l e u r j e u ne ss e l e u rsforce s
; o
pou r r oi nt et
nous auss i l e s te s l e tre de ux biche s pou r

a r
’ ’
r en d o i e n t u a ur oi e n
su ivie s par chass eu r I fau t ici rendre jus tice bon s musulm an s q t pu
le ]
qu i habi ent cette grande étend u e de pays pendant sde ux m oi s
. au
t le
qu e nous s l a travers er i ls
em lo am e nous ss man qu er a
;
la i er en t
de rien e s t vrai qu e nous l e u r di sion s pas qu el bu t de
ne
p y
il é t oi t le
notre p el erinage dan s l a crainte de l es s candalis er car l es s
ne
a fr i t e
s ont sam i s s aint Proph e te nom d uqu e l on nous donnait

, ,
ne
da
l aum ne pa ,
au
’
o
nous s Dé s ert Fange ux m ai s no us s
.
E n fin a r ri v am e la m an qu am e
perdre c u r tant l ie u Figu rez vous imm en s e
au
s le é t oi t d et e ta b le
terra n cou vert d u ne fange n ire épaiss e s an s s entiers s an s arbres
oe , .
-
un
’
i et
s an s ani m aux e x cepté certain s pou rceaux qu i s s dan s

o , , ,
dé a lt é r o i e n t
cette bou e en N ous apercevion s l oin
, e
gm en t o i e n t l h orr eu r
’
et
roc c m ai s nous ri squ ions d e tre su bm erg és

au au
cA
, .
le
’
d l fri t e ;
’
a v em eu x
dan s l ord u re sen pi e ces par l e s pou rceaux avant qu e de pou v ir

’
et mi
car i pas m oyen cs c ces odie us e s , o
’ ’
l a t t e i n d re , ] d
’
a v oi t a t ta a
si cl air qu e l e u r m a tre l e s beau cou p s en
n r
y qu ’
b é t e ; ] é t oi t i a i m oi t ui il
sgrand no m bre
, p qu
ga rd oit n u i
1] R eto u rn n s s no s pa s
qu i s oit plus faci l e end urer qu e ceci
s oc vo s
urde ux fr e re
a
s i c s rien
.
,
’ ’
é r i ere n t , ] n
’
t
ce s m t s m a s r m oi perdirent patience no us l e u r repro

ne
c
“
1] A mu et
ch m e s avec tant de chal e u r l e urs m is ere s l es n tre s savoir

o ,
’
a et o , q u a pr
85
L es E pi s od es d e Vath e k
bien pl eu ré ils s ss entrainer dan s bou rbier nous s la i er e n t le on le
sm al gré l a peine qu e no us avion s no us en tirer no us m e m e s
e
s
, ,
o u t in m e a
L e s ol ei l en pl ein ssplus vifsrayon s ce l a
-
ss
, .
d a r d o it et r e ou i oi t
l e s pou rceaux qui s an s no us apercev ir s

e , j
e xt r em e m e n t pa ro it re fa i o i en
m ill e gambades m ill e cul bute s en nous é cl abouss ant de m ani e re , ,

o , t
et a
nous m ettre dan s é tat faire pe u r C ependant f rce de nager de a a
tom ber de nous rel ever nous s pied roc qu i
un .
,
o ,
et a rvi n me du é t oi t
s itué m ilieu s cento u ré d u ne m uss e s e che bien consol ante p
, ,
au
d u de
’
ert t
o u r nous
au o
p
N us s a ss i s d u ne s pacie us e caver e
.
“
A
’ ’
1] l fr i t e a l e n t ré e
’
t ro u v am e
envel oppé d u ne r be cp e aux de tigre sl ongu e csam pl e qu ell e
o n ,
d
’ ’
et i t i
de plus ie ur sco u d é e s au t u r clu i t e te pa s
o
s ’
é t e n d oi t d Sa n e r é on doit
stai ll e gigante squ e sp lus gro ss e t e te ordinaire
o
’
.
’
p
a é ta n t pa
s vi s age fort é trange I teint d u n beau j aune q
a ,
n u un e ,
] a v o i t le
’
et é t oi t et
l e s cheve ux ss ou rcils l e s s l a barbe co ul e u r de po u rpre
on .
,
le a u i er e , e t
l e s ye ux n irs comm e s l e s sd u n r u ge
,
du 1
,
l—es dents
p p
urm é , lé vr e
’
pale, et
;
m ince s bl anches ai u e s c mm e l e s ar e tes poi ss on ccqu i

o o
’
et d
for m o i t to u t en s em b l e bien plus e xtra rdinaire
, ,
accu eillit d u n air gracieux Pau re s gen s n us dit j ai ta t piti é

nu
’
g
I nous
o
o
’
un
qu
’
i] ,
a
gré a b le ’
. ]
cto u t c cqu e vo us ave z s p u r venir j s m oi qu e vous

. v ,
o -
n
'
ou fl e r t
’
d qu a
p u ve z e tre ss squ e j ferai tou t m on possib l e po u r vo us ass is ter
o u
u re
Parl ez c hardi
o
d on e
s par
m ent qu y p ur votre s ervice
ce s m ot s n
a
us lu i c s s m a l he u
e
r s
’
s plus
a - t- il o ?
’
.
1] En ge o n tam e da n le
grand cp u i s lu i ss s p nt de re m e de
o u ra ,
o no
d eta i l, t d e m a n dam e il n e
’
a v oi t oi a
notre é tat
1] O
parl eron s
u i no us répondit
.
j en s ai s tr e s faci
all ez fond de m a caverne vo us y tro u vere z une
ou i ,
t a n t ot ;
l e m ai s no us en -
i] ,
’
un ,
s o rce d eau p u re nettoye z vo us bien en su ite en t u rnant dr ite

au ,
’
a
ous verre z u ne pi l e de t u te s s rte s sprene z ce ux qu i vo us
y ;
u - -
, o o ,
d h a b it
’
conviendront apre s v us en e tre svene z rej oindre c

v o o
y
-
,
et r ev é t u m i
1] C tte no us ofl re
j oie creconnoi ss ance N o us nous

e
t
trop
'
,
propo s po u r
v en oi t pa s
o
savec d él ice s
e tre re c u e avec
f mes
a
b a ign am e
,
n e
e
u et n e
i.
pas m oins ais e s de qu itter nos vieux haill on s N ous s

,
.
r e t ro u v am e
l a m em e pl ace n us l avion s qu itt é qu i au to u r

.
A fri t e a
’ ’
l on a rra n e oi t
lu i plus ie u rs c s sde fru its cto utes s cs A ss eyez g

o
c
,
d or b e i lle rem
pli e d e pe e
vo us ici par terre sde m oi no us dit m ange z car vous

.
’
ré i] , et
deve z avoir appétit p ;

au ,
-
’
b on
1] N us l avion s en e fet a uss i de bon e u r en voyant notre
.
i]
’
f ri o it m
avidité nous dit Vo us pas l a m ine d e tre de s
;
o -
’ '
En fin i l ‘
m
musulman s s cru pul eux j pens e qu e v us b irie z avec
. : ne a v ez
et du v in
p l ai s ir sl on vous en A ll on s continu a en devinant notre

,
e o o
’ ' ’
i o fl ro i t t il a
air qu e nous de m andion s sm ie ux vous en au rez en pl eine
- -
.
,
‘
n e
pa
c
,
a b o n da n ef
1 ] En di s ant c
“
sm ot s é tendit l a m ain s l e t ng fange ux l e qu e l
e , il ur
’
a ,
1
F ar d n o ir a l sge
’
u a de f m m s e es q es tu r u .
86
é ti n s ento u ré s de j ol is petits snos s ens s recev ir e n fa n n e v o ulo i e n t
cd ém enti
o a o
p
c
H ar ssés de fatig u e no us s s s Fange ux
.
1 ] D or ti m e e n fin du e e rt et
s l e u scA s s votre frere ain e sc M a u dit s oit

a ,
’
a rv in me a i i t6 t é ri a
p
j am ais cet enfant E squ i a snouscon s eill er parricide
un e . u
d b li
'
a é
1] M a u dit s oit dit votre s econd fr e re ’
é chapper une te ll e i m pi é t é m au dit s—it sj dep ui s s cheve lu

, bo u che qu i a l ai s s é
,
o
,
l i n fam e
i] , d i
'
nu
pou rpre j s l a pl ante de sspied s s i l en a en c c mm e ; o -

e, -
a re
'
fl e t, i l le
’ ’
a
prétend
u u e o
’
q
s oit aj ou ta m a s u r tou t c cqu i lu i appartient

.
apparten u ccm ons tre e xcept é s vin cl airet l e s bon s habit s qu e

, oe , on a
a et
no us em portons ,
on
’
Apr es si mpre cation s sjus te snous no us ss ss ous grand

.
arbre pou r no us repo s er pendant l a n u it s c grand s ss

de i ,
a im e un
’
ui oi t a
l horizon N os foibl e s é po ux accablés de l assit u de s
a van ur
, q ’
p a
e n d orm i r e n t
’
pr fond ém ent tandi s qu e m a sc m oi veill ion s po u r con sul ter , ,

.
et
ens em bl e s ccqu e nous avion s faire

o ,
e ur
a
A u m atin j l e u r spart de nos idées Croyez l e u r di s j
ur .
fi m ox,
banni ss ez l a m au vai s e honte cl a crainte qu i vous ont c de
e .
- -
e,
t em pé h é
recou rir roi votre frere s trop bon trop pie ux p u r Ba rk i a ro kh t
,
r u gir de notre pau ret é pou r garder re ss ent m ent de s

au e , , o
et du i
ancienne s qu erell e s All on s nous j eter sspied s c ntons lu i tou t c
o v no
c a
qu i nous s i nousa ss is tera cqu e p u r faire d é pit
e o
c
-
.
,
t a rr i v e ; ] fut a
car i a ass ez prou v é en chassant H qu i l n ai m e s
e n e -
o
A
’ ’
l ]
’
fri t e, om a 1 0 u n a ,
cs sm al in s Ce con s ei l fu t appro u v é c sfr e re s no us nous

’
, p a
é tr e d
sen m arche apr e s l ng cfatigant voyage no us s omm e s
e vo ;
c
.
r em im et t
smari s attendent v tre rép n s e
nu o
s
,
a rr i v e a Be r douk a , on n o o o .
F I N DE H L
’
DE L A E LLE
I S TO I R E DE A K A KH B -
S (E U R B R I RO
1] J ’
s tre ss
a v oi ai ll i de j oie en appre ant qu e
qu elqu e j ou r d él iv e de m a fata l e go u tte m oyen de h ter c
j e '
s m e flatter
c
d
m om en
e tre n
le
p o u v oi
a
'
t
en su ite pe u é tonn é m ai s m on c c d é natu r é s bient t
r
’ ’
m a v o it é to i t 6
réconcil i é avec cette e royabl e idée I plus qu e s tion qu e
un ,
e ur
ff ]
’
é t o it
l a c mmi ss ion d u n forfait s dieux en s orte qu e j f ss e
. n
d
’ ’
i a
l abri ctou t s ou pc n cc e s t qu oi j spensé s l a fin de
a rra n
g er o o e u
’ ’ ’
d t a a v oi
s de m a bell e s e u r
o ur
l h i t oi r e
’
E ll e cont é e c m ani e re m e faire co m prendre

o
qu e ll e s
-
.
1] d
’
l a v oi t a a
femm es s a v oi sj ss d ej s ain s i qu and e ll e e u t
a fl a i r e,
'
i
’
l eu a
cessé de parl er j l e ur dis d u n ton m épris ant S ortez de m on p l ai s
e ne e u
j ’
fem es s an s cou rage s an s e s prit vous n e te s sdi nes s ort qu e

e a ,
du
’
m et
svo us faire Qu oi vo us persu ader sm ari s de ; pa g

je v ou loi
’
! a
recou vr e r l eu r j e u ne ss e l eu rs forces en tant l a vie m ons tre
n a v ez vo
.
pu
et 6 a nu
d énu é d
’
squ i s e s t bien d é cl ar é
t ra ille sl e u r p e re en l e s
’ ’
é t re pa
chass ant de s m ais on dan s l e tat ils s m is p u r
en ,
n
i n firm e
’ ’
on é t oi e n t
l am ou r de lui qu i a l a d u ret é sde l e s voir p rirde m is ere
a o
’ '
, et en a fl reu e é !
88
Vo us pas csu r e ux pou voir de l e s obl iger
’
sc le
’
d e n t r er e r ete m e n t
l a n u it dan su ne mais on dont ils s avent t us s s de coup r

n a v ez u
le d et o u r , e t
l a t e te cc s U ne cond u ite sju ste sé nergi qu e l in de
o e
a m i era b le ! i i
vous attirer m a col ere vous mé rit e sl uanges s ortez encore , ,
o
a u ro i t me
cfoi s qu e j plus parl er cvous ,
o ; ,
e n en t e n d e d
’
et
n en pas davantage pou r m ettre m es bell e s s eurs h r s

un ,
fa lloi t
’
Il
d e ll es m e m e s car ell es s c c sde p lu srev ir l e u r s m ari s
-
o o
fl a t té e
’
to i nt
cde de m e u rer avec m oi a uss i tou t é perd u e s e ll e s sj m es

-
,
ne o ,
t e t er e n t a
pied s s e m irent e m brass er m e s genoux de to u tes l e urs force s en ; , , e
et a
sc t u te s de ux foi s Oh pardonne z no us m on cher s eigne u r
, ,
ala
’
é r ia n t
cn e s t pa s notre fau te s sfre re s s ont spe u r és olus N ous
o
c
-
, ,
’
i i
pen si n s pas s c qu e ux m ai s qu e pou v on s n us l e ur dire
vo . ne
’
i la h em e n t i ?
I lsconnouss eil cA tué e sMnoaiussms
le
o
em es sn s
a u ro i en
d
us avi n s e xig é ssuivi ss ent
l
’
t
s n e s t p lus l e u r p e re nous
fr i te
-
dé
;
’
i o
Orm o ou f
o
’
o
q u il
’
s au ron s bien qu oi l e ur dire pr m ettez nous de nous recevoir dan s s q

. u ,
bonne s gr ces qu e nous pré fé ron s ret u r de j ss de l eu rs

o -
vo
a le u r e et
f rce s n us vo us feron s voir qu e n us avon s plus d e sprit qu e vous

,
au o eu n e
’
et
pen s ez
o ,
o o
fa u t ici m e s qu e tire voi l e l acte

ne
c s s
.
1] j
’
Il 6 am le a b om i
nabl e dont on s é co u ter ré cit s an s frém ir m em e dan s pa gn o n
, , e ur
a u r oi t le le
s u terrain E sM e s bell es s u rs r éuss irent qu e trop bien
ne ,
’
d b li m e t,
de c ncert avec ell es j ssu rprendre l eu rs s csé po ux

o .
-
n e ;
fi m i é ra b l le
m om ent ils e u rent con s mmé l e u r horribl e crim e qu i j en
o , e au
’
on O logou , a
sdonn é l e u r fit s cham p cou per l a t e te cram ena l eu r s
o .
l o rd re , le
’
a v oi
fem e s m on harem J ss e u avec ce s deux m al heu re us e s

ur ,
t
’
m a é t oi ] et
c s froide m ent de l e u r m a u dit attentat qu and l a

.
,
j le d eta i l
’
é o u t oi
bagu ette de l a s m e frappa d u ne tell e force qu e j m en crus P é ri

’
,
’
ass mmé m m ent apre s j m e rel evai ave cu ne fureu r cc

e e
Un in
sai s i de m e s de ux co pl ice s j l eu r d nnai cent co u ps
o . o e on e
’
v a b le , e t m é ta n t m
de poignard l e s j etai dan s l a m er A cet acte de jus tice invol ontaire
e o
et
sc c de n u veaux tran s portsde d és es poir J ch u rl ai de s

.
é d er e n t
m pre cation s contre m oi m em e j s ccqu e m a voi x s
u o .
’ ’
i qu a é t eign i t , et
qu e j perdiss e s enti ent

-
u
le m
1]
de
e
Olo gou
m
to u
c pendant
’
t traver s de s porti
a v oi t e re s m ai s
acce s de d él ire entra quand c
h er
i s c bien
vu gard e a
m on
.
Il
] t oi t
il l v it
s m e prenant entre ssbra s s an s appe l r pers nne pan s a l e s

a ro
pp
s
.
e, e t,
pl aie s qu e j m sfaite s cm e fit reprendre l usage de ss en s J e

a e e o
p ,
’
,
e t oi t me
dem andai d u ne voi x foibl e s i l y e u qu elqu e t ém oin dangereux
e , .
’ ’
lu i a v oit
de l a s cene qu i de spass er i m e rassu ra s c cp int m ai s

v e n oi t ] il
auss i al armé qu e m oi en voyant qu e l a s pas ;
e ur o ,
’
é t oi t Pé ri e n e m a v oi t
o u b i é N ous n us c s
l s s ctels cou p s
a lm am e fin , e t r é o lfi m e
’
d é v i ter d
par u ne cond u ite san s reproche
. o en
poi ss on p lu t t s l a ci m e d u n rocher qu nn ho mm e
.
’ ’
1] Un v i vroi t 6
accou t um é cri m e dan s u ne ré glé e bea u
ur
L
’
vi e a v o it
nventer t us sj o u rs de s s sinn ce sj sssde rage

au e un u
.
q ue
i le a m u em en
pé r i oi et
Ah j
o o n e
sH ss s j ss
,
”
d j b r a v eroi di
’ ’
en n u i . e om a 1 0 u n a , oi -
e, i é t oi ur
89
qu ell e m e c
’
pas en p u bl ic C e s conv uls ion s de re m ords

h zi ti e ra i t
’
q ell e sc m e donner c qu e rem pl acer sacces c

ne .
h a rn e a
’ ’
fe roi e n t le d
g u tte dont j sui s d él ivr e m ais j risqu e tou t sj am ai s e ll e
u a n
s i m
’
ye ux de m e s suj ets La sé vé rit é dont j sforc é d us er envers

o e ; e ex o e
’ ’
p
é to i
m oi m e m e m e rendit s i d u r envers sau tre s qu e j ss point
a ux .
le é to i u r le
e tre auvint
t nt de m on peu pl e qu e j en sé t é aimé s j o u r
-
d
’ ’
hai lo r qu u n
’
a v oi
m e dire d u n air tri m phant qu i l tro u v e

a ,
O logo u
' ’
a v o it
s o u vera n re m ede sm a ux V o us ave z s an s donte entend u

,
o ,
nu
“
a me
parl er contin u a de abe H cqu i l
i
s
.
t i l, B k é l I m pi e, pa r
’ ’
o rr e m i, u rn om m
a u c u ne re l igion sc to u t l a j ie p lais irs

e
c
- -
,
o it a et ri fio i t a e t a ux
dan s t u te s l e s varié tés c ncevabl e sV us s avez auss i avec qu ell e

n e ro a o
y ,
facil ite pervertit tou te l a P ers e sprovince s adj acente s c

o o . o
le
'
il et
su ivi d u n n bre prodigie ux de s ectate urs i tint t ete to u te s , t

’
]
’
qu é ta n t om a
strou pe s contre lui l e s Cal ife s M am ou n cM ss ,
le
’
eren t t ot a em
cdernier s en rendi m aitre par l a trahi s on d u n chien sde

u en v o
q y
c
,
’ ’
et t fil
chien Eh bien ccgrand homm e n a pas
que
p é ri Na nd ’
t i er e m e n t
s confident m ini s tre lu i su rvit sc spri s n s de
.
, en . o ,
et Il h a ppa d e
S m arah cayant e ré de pay s en pay s pendant p lus ie u r s a n é e s
on , . e o
t
s pré s ent ven u dan s ce lu i ci l ai rencontre c cm atin a ux
a , r n ,
il
’
t a Je
environ s de
e
lu i ai fait c c qu i l I fu t
-
.
Be rdou k a , la ue il
’ ’
et m é r i toi t ]
a u tref i s m on m aitre ai s i j c sass e z pou r os er lui c
.
le on n oi fie r
speine s I vo us p l aint vous sss ervice s P rene z po u r
o ,
n e on
'
] et fir e le
votre grand vizir scharge re s te C e lu i qu i occu pe cette pl ace
vo .
,
o e .
-
; il du
n es t qu nn s qu i c l a l ettre l e s ordre s qu e par décence vo us
e .
’ ’
o t, e xe u t e a
lu i donne z N a d fera bien au tre m ent s u ra vous
l h a b ile
’
il
é pargner l e s cou ps cbag u ette qu i l craint pa s p ur lu i m em e
; on , a
d
’
Cependant é tabl ira l a s ecte dans ,

ne o -
.
il a pe n h orr em i t iq u e le
Daghes tan cm ani ere qu e s m asqu e de pi é té qu e vous ave z pri s
d
pe n
i le
vient tom ber ssuj et s en s er nt plus réj ou i s qu e s candal isés
a
,
sai si s avide m ent cet espoir j sNa d c do u tai s ,

vo o .
1] Je vi t
cl art de sé d uire qu i l s bient t to u te
ne
; e on pa
s
,
’ ’ ’ ’
é d o it il m 6t t a
6
in qu iét u de No usc m e s en s em b l e plusieu r s c cs
qu ave o n e
p
u j fer e n fin
j ur j s n mm er m on grand v z ir en p l ein divan
, on e ; en e
fi xa i le d e v oi le i Je
c ois ain s i m a perte san s c qu e dess ein
o e o .
d é t a b lir l i m pi é té
'
a ré fl é h ir le
dan s sé at s cri m e p lus im pard nnabl e qu e t us ce ux qu e
on t ,
c
me t é to it
j
’
sco
a v oi
nombre us e
mm i s J c c s trop
N ao d
tard
m
de .
’
erre
c s
u r U ne a s se m blé e
m
’
t ou ro i t
un
s
p r u
r ev é t u
o
m on
d h a b ill m e n
’
.
o
m a gn i fiqu e
m a droite j m ontrai s de l a m ain a ux é m irs a ux grand s
en . n , ,
é to i t a le du
r yaum e qu i re s pectu eus em ent qu e j l e u r sss avoir s
e ,
a tt e n d o i en t fi me
v l nté s Voil l eu r di s ai s j l homm e qu e j choi si s pou r m aider
o
, e e
' ’
a,
v u sgo u verner vous rendre heu reux c es t plus
o o
J all i s
e, e
-
.
’
a le
’
et a
s l e s b nne s qu al it és qu e j ssu ppo s er c
o ; o
'
m é t en d r e cs c e v o u loi a elé ra t ,
qu and l a fatal e bagu ette s an s m e tr u bl er co e
ur o
a
’
m a t t e rr e r i m
cm e fit c hanger de l angage C es t pou rsu ivais j av e c ,
n o
l o rd i n a ir
’ ’
c plus inf m e ct us l e s homm e s apre s c e st

e
c
-
, .
,
“
v é h é m en
’
le a d m oi ;
l i m pie am i dis cipl e de abe H s est c
, o ,
h a rg e
’ ’
et l i m pu r B k orre m i ; il
90
1] Ah m cerisi j s encore tems de m e repentir O u i j e ro i t - i] ?
ve x s cfaire cavec s J attendrai reto u

e, e
-
,
l e pé r e r ,
' '
t p en i t e n e re ign a tio n le
de l a lu i ere dan s l a place su is m e rem ettant al ors en m arche
u . r
m on e
j et
je me cs ortir Daghe s t n H e u re us e m ent j ai s m oi m e s

h at e ra i d du
,
'
pierreries j l e s vendrai en di s tribu erai l argent aux pau vre s

a . ur
’
et
ensu ite j m e retirerai dan s qu elqu e s j brou terai l herbe

; ;
e ,
d e e rt , o n
’
et
boirai l eau de l a plu ie J ai é té roi qu e parchem in

, e e
’ ’
l a b om i n a b le le
'
prédit mais cel a c squ e j pui ss e devenir

.
h
’
a v oi t n em é
pie ux herm ite
e a ne nu
, p p e
1] Dan s cs s squ i m e c accabl é de l ass itu de

.
r e o lu ti on lm eren t , et
ss sronce s l e s é pine s a uss i profondé m ent qu e

e ,
a ,
j m e n d orm i le et
sj sé t é é tend u s divan co uss in s de ve l o u rs

e ur
i a v oi a
1] L e s l ei l
endroit tres proche m e
d ej
o l ev é qu and de s l a m entation
é t oi t s qu i a
en su rs au t une voi x do u ce c
d u n
ur n u
r é v e i ller e n t
.
p a r t o ie n t
’
t
enfa tine s c O L eil ah infortu n é e L eil ah qu e feras t u ri o i t, !
;
! ?
Lai sseras t u crps cta m e re en proie aux vau t u rs qu i habitent

n e -
le d
cette contin u era s t u schass er d ici m al gr é l a fai m qu i te
-
o o
a le
’
for é t ?
on sum e H e las m a m ort e s t certaine sj res te en ccl ie u C e s
ou
c
-
? ! i
oi s eaux vorace s nous m angeront tous m a m ere s era pas en s evel ie
e .
et
com e e ll e l a desire dan s l a terre qu i a re c u s p e re inh um aine m ent ,

ne ,
’
m
ass ass iné Oh po urqu oi Cal il i s m ort auss i aidé
,
on
! t i] Il m
’
? a ur o i t
re dre c cdernier devoir sprince ss e cru e l

. e -
a a Ba rk ia r o k h , Ba rkia rok h
veux pa s te m au dire parce qu e t u e s m on p e re qu e
n a .
j et G a za h i d é
m e l a d é fend u m ai s j m au di s j o u r qu e t u m as donn é
e ne , ,
le
’ ’
1 ] Dan s l a su rpri s e boul evers e m ent avent ure sprodigieus e

, e .
m e causa j fus s point de répondre par de s cri s csaux

’
leet qu un e i
u r le
pl ainte s de m a m ais j m e retin s po u r pa s l a faire ou rir pe r

, e an
c
fille ; m
c c n s id é rant qu e j sinvi s ibl e j san s bru it
e ne
’ '
d e fl r oi,
’ ’
t, é t oi m ai
vers e ll e c U ne pal iss ade h é ri ssé e c

o e a va n
s
,
le li e n on o n t i n uo i t a a n glo t te r d
pie ux p int us comm e de s j avel ine s m e barra che m in J cregardai ,
.
le a
travers l e s bran chage s s c L ei lah cou ch é e s l herbe
o , .
’ '
e t vi l in n o en t e
devant u ne petite m ais on qu e spalm ier s ccsdan s
,
ur
form oi e n t d e e n tr la é
de s canne s S e s beaux ye ux tou rn és vers l a porte de l a é to i e n t
pal iss ade re n s tous l e s rayon s m al gré l e s pl e urs qu i l e s
.
i ls m e c c eu r dont ils s qu e tr p
; j en e
ofl u s '
u oi en er e n t le a v oi e n t
chem in c c l e s m em e s qu e
t, et
tant cf i s
ne o
q pe r o ,
’
le G a za h i d é m d
’
é t oi t a v oit
l anc és m e crus reven u fatal m m ent m a princess e s

ar o
,
Je on fa i oi t
dress er s tente dan s j ardin nain m es

. au o
l e n d roi t d u le
’
ou a v oi t
pierrerie s Leil ah pre s cl ge sm e re a l or s s e s

a vu
’ ’
é t o i t a pe n d a u a v oit
traits sscheve ux s tai ll e s attrayante beau t é tou t ;

a
.
q
é to i t
s em bl abl e Eperd u hors de m oi m em e j s s qu oi m e rés oudre
, e ,
a ,
on ,
l
a v oi a
aire m on u ne c indi s pen sabl e m ai s s
.
,
-
, e ne .
T n om é to it r e a u t i on i a v oit
fait portrait de m oi m a ell e m e reconnoitre

on
p ,
um fi d ele a fille , ou v o it
l a ccss cs eco ur r cette ai m abl e enfant m e fit prendre m on p .
E n fin é i té d i
parti j tai l a bagu e de m on petit doigt gau che cfrappant l a
n
’
o t, a
p rte de l a pal is sade j sd u ne voi x l am entabl e Qui qu e vo us
o
;
, e di
’
,
92
s yez qu i habite z cette m ai s n de canne s de palm iersaccordez et
mal heu re ux qu e l i m pie a ré d u it plus

o o
s
,
’
l h o pi ta li t é a Ba r k ia r ok h
’
tri s te é tat
un au
1] Q A
ri a
u s ’
sc L ei l ah en s l evant avec c
P roph e te
lla h e t s oient l o ués on s eco u r s s
cfai s ant qu n s au t re
du
i pi t a t i o n et n
qu i l m
’
e n v oi e n
’
t
j s l a porte de l a pa l i ss ade qu e ll e o u vrit V ene z contin u a e ll

e e p ’ ”
n
’
a t
cher é tranger qu e sc vo us verre z ici
u
u
q e,
- -
, .
s
,
Ba r k ia rok h per e u t e, d
’
enterrer m a m ere s
a u tr e
victi m es de scru au t é vo us , et
m a i d ere z a
’
et
nain qui ain s i s eront smangés par l es vau tours
a on
En di s ant paro l e s e ll e m e fit s igne de l a su ivre entrai avec

ne a
p
c s
, .
1] et
e ll e dan s l a m ai s on
e , , 3
Qu i c qu e dan s l e s bonne s di s po s ition s s qu e lqu e s

.
j
’
1]
'
ro i ro i t on e t oi
he u re s au paravant c rps c m e frapper crem ord s

ne ,
le d G a za h i d é d ut d
p lus forte m ent qu e faire l a bagu ette de l a sc O
,
o ne
’
n a u ro i t P er i ?
horribl e c de '
fl et cri m e j fus agité dan s c

l h a b it u d e d a
’
cterrib l e
pu
!
m om ent qu e de ce s d ésirs squ i fait tant cf is
e ne
'
e fl ré n é
’
m a v o i en t d
o u trager cette m al he u reus e prince s se dan s é tat presqu e s em bl ab l e
o
a
elu i j l a sal ors non qu e j vouluss e faire m a proie d u n
nu
c on oi
’
cadavre m ai s j jurai qu e s p rtrait viv nt m a m a propre

e vo ; e
y
fille , fille ,
pas l a devenir J inv qu ai Eb l i s p u r csu cc e s de m on
on o
, e
’
a ,
t a r d e ro i t a ! l
de ss ein m e m is en devoir cs atisfaire l a de L ei l ah
n e o o
d
'
fl r eu x et a i et é
en su ite d e ll e de sc c p
a
c
, ,
’ ’
a fin d m em et on fia n
cre us ai u ne l arge fo ss e no
pa r er
us m i m e s corp s
a e
c
.
1] Je on le d G a za h i d é et
celu i nain qu i j donnai intérie u re m ent m ll e m alé diction s pu i s

du a i
prenant Lei lah par l a main S é che z vo s p l e u rs lu i sj l ai ss ez ;
, e
di
vous cond u ire dan s qu elqu e l on no us don era l e s s eco u rs
: ,
-
e,
li e n
’
m oi on
dont vous ave z be s oin l a mé chancet é de m a forc é d errer

n
’ ’
Ba rk i a rokh
dan s cette fore t J ai cr u apercevoir de bien l oin qu elqu e s cabane s de
’
;
p ysan s all n s de l e c Vo us avez rem pl i votre devoir enver s votre

.
6t é
m ere i fau t s onger vous m e m e
a o ur .
] a
J c vo us su iv ai parto u t m e r é pondit e ll e c C ie l
-
s
.
,
1] fi r e m e n t le
vous a s e tre m on protecte u r Adoptez m oi pou r votre
r ,
-
, ar
d e tl n e a fille ,
p u i squ e j pou r p ere qu n m ons tre qu e vous m oi devon s égal e
-
.
et
m ent d é tes ter

e 1 1 ai n
L ei l ah p lus de co u rage qu e de force s e ll e peine s e

.
1] a v oit
po u v oi t a
s ou tenir l a pri s dan s m es bras travers ai avec c
Je cc her fardeau et
;
u ne partie de l a for e t non s an s tre m bl er de re contrer qu i ,

.
’
u el u u n
m e reconn t car j ssm e s ervir de m a bagu e san s une c

n
q q
css
,
’
u, n o oi é it é
ab s lu e e ll e m e t d é ce lé m a qu i en savoir s
e n
fille ,
’
d e v oi t l h i t o ir e
’
u a
J cs sscette innocente
m
’
o
em
e rr o i
b ra
,
s qu e oi t n e
c ré at re contre m on s ein
fa i
fe u qu i
pen sé e qu i m e surv nt
oi t
u , e t le
i
.
calm a bien ite m e s inf m e s tran s ports I n s en sé qu e j su is di s j en a

”
m e m e qu oi s ongeais j H vol e au t u r cm oi c e s t
v . e ,
-
e
“
? d
’
m oi a om a 1 0 u n a
e ll e qu i hier s i fit parl er l e s corbeaux l es corneill e s de l a f re t

-
,
-
e o ;
et
C o mm e e ll e s pé n é trer dan s ell e pe u t croire qu e

au o r o .
l i n t e n t i on ,
’
a u ro i t
l a m ou r m e fait prendre s oin de Leil ah m ai s s i j m e sss

ne
a t em e l lai
’
e oi
p
93
all er m on dé l ire e ll e m e
a pas gr ce de s plus terribl es ccs fe ro i t a
‘
fi t
de sfu ne s te infl u ence al ors en c nfe ssant m e s cri m e s j m e s , ne
fe r o i
ma l e s horribl e s s c ene s qu e j ai eu es avec ;
a o e
c o n n o i tr e a fille , et
’
G a za h id é
se r e n o u v e lle roi e n Oh n e s t a u cun l ie u m onde cette red
t !
’
i] ou
tabl e Fe ri s e p u iss e pa s m e suivre s y en a A

.
-
au on
’
? Et 1] l fr i te d a
D és ert Fange ux c sm e S on con s ei l m e s
ne un ,
o u r r oi t - i ] l i n d i qu e r ?
'
a
frere s m e pr u ve ass e z s ait t u t c scapabl e de tou t j irai
n
p pa
u ll
’
t t le
consul ter j s sj m e c ntraindrai avec Leilah point de
o
o
q , e ;
u a lo r
’
et
lu i donner pas m em e bai s er

u e o
, q au ne
d
’
am i ti é
pay s an s qu i no us no us non s e ul e m ent
un
s s ss s
.
h on n é t e a dr e
1] Le a am e
n us l e s s eco u rs dont nous avion s spre s sant bes oin
d o n n er e n t i
m ai s a uss i m e vendirent bon cheval a ussi j pris Leil ah en crou pe
o un ,
m e b tai de s rtir Daghes tan

un , e ,
a du
et
1] L rsqu e j n e us p lus rien craindre

vi ll e ayant vend u m ie ux qu e j p us une cm e s c sj
o
la,
e
’
j
o
m arr e tai dan s

da
u ne grande a
.
, e
’
d ém ra u d e
sfaire de bea ux habit s L ei l ah clu i donnai de ux fe mm e s e s c l ave s

e , e
fi a t
po r l a s er ir ,
ll e co mm ent m e t ém oigner reconnai ss ance no m de

u v
s s
.
1] E a v o it le
p ere qu ell e m e l a partial t é q ell e ss en e fet pou r
ne a
’
d o n n o i t, f
’
i to i t
ssinnocentescare ss e s m e hors de m oi m e m e m ai s i
u re en
m o i, m e tt o i e n t ]
s u tenir enc re l a d u re contrainte qu e j e
e -
ss
,
’
fa lloit m i m po oi
L e s qu i po u r voyage
o o
s c c ss s s
.
1] pr epa ra t i on é t oi e n t D é a i re le du e er t
Fange ux te n s j spa s re s ter en che m in de s

n
d e m a n d oi e n t d u e n e v ou lo i
m ois entiers comm e fait sfre res cm e s bell es s e urs U ne

r
a v oi e n t me t
s iré e tran qui ll apr es u ne j o u r é e bien orage us e j priai Leil ah de m e
-
o .
conter s de s m ere ccqu ell e fit t u t de su ite

o e n e
’ ’
l h i to ir e d
’
a ir
e m pre ssé s oum i s J c s squ e trop cette his toire

a ,
o un
et a v oi d eplor a b le
m m ent cr us qu e j et é e dan s l a m er
ne
s s
.
j G a za h i d é
’
j
’
on é t o it
attention qu e qu and e ll e p ursu ivit ain s i
u au o e
u
q ’
,
et n ré ta i o
y p
H I S O I R E DE L E I L A H F I LLE DE A K A KH
T , B R I RO
1] M a
Ba r ki a ro kh
m e re de ce s s s
s qu e po u r s l ivrer p lus cru e l d és e s poir N i ss
a b u o it
ne s d nt
r e v e n oi t l ndigne é v a n ou i e m en o i
e s cl aves m e m e l a bonne H l a c n s ol er ell e

e au e
c
.
i om a 1 0 un a o u v oie n t
s vue d i v vre sdan s cet état
n
n p o ;
s
.
lo n gt e m
’
],
’
d é pé r i o i t a e t n a ur o i t i
n u it qu e ll e s l evé e c co mm e pu
aa
s s
,
t ple u ro i t
’
a l or d i n a i re
’ ’
lo r qu u n e
’
é to i t
l a m au dite e s carbou cl e e ll e entendit travers l a fen e tre l a voi x c
ur
a d
Cal il i qu i lu i s O u vrez m oi m a ch ere m aitress e j ai tou t ri squé
di oi t ,
,
’
po u r v us s au v r
-
, ,
1] En e et c c nain pé ri de s gri m p é s
o e .
ff fi d ele a v oit, a u ] a v ie, fig u i e r

gigantesqu e qu i s bord de l a m er c de sc sbranche s
ur un
e le v a n t du ou v ro i t
le
d
smu rai ll e s de l a c ham bre de ,
I
cs ie qu e m a e re de s cendit avec c u rage apre s av ir l ai s s
m
y c u ne é che ll e
é écrit
G az a h i d é . ]
,
a v o i t a t ta he
um
s l es trade p u r trom per Le nain ayant ensu ite d é tach é

o o , o
'
Ba r k i a rok h
l e che ll e s e gl i ss a en s fit entrer s princess e dan s u ne petite
ur o .
, ba ,
et a
9 4~
s u tien qu e l eau de notre citerne j '
squ itter m a m e re et pou v o i

qu i ell e m em e s l a force de s ortir de n tre retraite qu and
o , e ne ,
’
n a u ro i t
m em e ell e o sé s sd ej satteinte s de l a fai m d u ne pa

-
en o
’
l e fit Je a le
'
t oi
d é chirante m an ere qu oi qu e j pri ss e rand soin de cacher
. en
c
i et le
qu e trop quant ell e ell e s ; e
g
s
,
’
G a za h i d é ut a e te i
gn o i t
cmm e u ne l am pe qu on ce s se c Je sa uss i
ne en a
pe r '
,
d le
’
tr t e n i r oi
ss sse t e s en s i l ence E ll e
et
d u ne f ibl e ss e qu i m a
en vo
o
y
s
.
’ ’
gé m i oi a 6 r e v e n oi t
v it schor s de m oi l orsqu e m e prenant entre ssbra s e ll e m e dit

e . o
mi
Fi ll e ch érie trop infortu n é e j recomm ande innocence l a
o , e ,
‘
et t on a
protection A qu i l te s ctom ber entre l e s m ain s de , e
lla h ; d
’
d
’
pre
p ere qu il prenne ta vie avec l a m ienne sc es t svol onté N e
e rv e t on
’ ’
et i
m audi s j am ai s c c sj ou rsm ai s fu i s l oin clu i comm e t u
,
a .
d d
’
laut te
sde l a g u e ul e d u n dragon S i t u m e su rv s sCal il i
ur ,
fla m m é e
’
fe roi ! i i
revient pa s s rs d ici cherche qu e lqu e pers onne charitabl e qu i
en ,
’
t ass i s te dan s ton pre ssant be s in qu i t aide en su ite

n e ,
o ,
’ ’ ’
et am
Jlacmn eaimpae terre
s voulu qu itter Daghe s tan pou r qu e so s fuss ent dan s
’
qu e ce ux de p ere cj s squ e l e s
le
m on
o
t
me
n e v o u d r oi
e n t erre r .
vau tou rs sem portass ent ai ll e u rs O A ll ah Pr ph e te pard nne z

e
, p a
le 6 !
é té l a caus e de l a m ort d u n p e re sbon aye z pitié de
. o o
’
m oi d
’
a v o ir i et
ma fille
,
1] Apr e s c s m ot s e ll e par l a p lus j re s

a uss i m rte qu e ll e J c s ais com bien de tems j fus dan s cet é tat
e
’
tai s s s ein nepre squ e , et e ur on
n en revin s qu en s entant co ul er dan s m on go s ier u ne l i qu e u r qu e

o . ne e ,
’
j
’
Cal il i y s d u ne m ain tre mbl ante J ou vre sye ux O h rre u r

e
’
le
’
v e r o it ! !
c s pr pre s ang m e s aval er
. o
] fa i oi t
’
é t oi t
1] I nfort u née L ei
on
l ah m e dit
o
c c bre u vage
vo uss ou tiendra pe u j ai é t é po u r suivi par tigre m on agi l ité l a
to u t odie ,
ux ’
q u 1
’
s -
i] ,
.
, qu 1 1 e t,
’
c de m e s ai s r m ai s i m a rej oint u ne foi s m a enfonc é ss

un un ,
]
’ ’
em pé h é i et
sdan s c M on s ang s e s t pre squ e tou t é co ulé par cette

, , e
le
'
’
g ri fl e 6 té
é n rm e b l e ssure j vai s su iv e m a ch ere m aitress e jcvai s avec ell e
.
de mander trib unal A justice de ;

c s eco u r s
o e r ,
d lla h
’
Ba rk i a rokh t da
p u r vous
au
En achevant ce s paro l e s bon génére ux C a l i l i co u ha a ux

o
s c
.
1] le le
pied s de m a m ere e x pira , , e
et
1] M e s force s qu e j s pe u reco u vrée s s ervi

.
’ ’ ’
a v oi m a u ro i en t a
h ter l a fin de m a s i l a crainte qu e corps de
un ne
, , q u
a v i e, le G a za h i d é fut
( contre s v l ont é derni e re ) par l e s vau tou rs n e u t ré pri mé
ne
’
m an ge
m on d és es p ir l a m em e crainte c de me
a o ,
h o it
’ ’
m e m pé m é lo ign er Je
sde faire m e s p l ainte s hor s de l a m ai s on qu e ll e s
o ;
c
.
te n t oi a fin
puss ent etre entend u e s de s passants m ai s j ss o u vent po u r

on ,
’
re n t roi
arros er c s d csl arm e s

me v sage glacé de m a m ere J en
b rfi lan t le
,
i
y '
ssa u t nt Ca l i l i H e l a s c c s s ang qu e j s pe u
.
fa i oi a ! ! to i t a d e v oi le
de qu i s vo us m e s svous s enterrer
a on e
t oi t E n fi n
’
v ie m a u v at e , m a i d at e a
m a b nne m ere s nain qu ell e doit e tre m a reconnoissance Mais
e re .
et
cn s t s s e ul s enti m ent qu i c vous vo us

o on
c ’
le s m
’
a tta he a m i n pi r e z
’
u ne a fection qu i ress em bl e cell e qu e j spou r

pa
e :
f j G a za h id é ; e
’
a a v oi
96
s erai contente dans qu elqu e l ie u qu e ccs it avec vous pou rv u qu e
vous y s oye z l abri srecherche s de qu i dite s vous
o ,
’
a de Ba rk ia ro kh ,
vous pou rsu it encore H sno us donc d all er c c am i d nt vo us
-
, ,
'
’
ato n h ez et
parlé pu isqu e vous e s pé re z qu i l vous en s ignera cretraite
-
. o
’ ’
m ou
de cccru e l s era d é te s t é n ull e fatigu e

a v ez , e un
le j
’
n om m é po u v a n t e ,
tre m bl e pou r vous bien plus qu e pou r m oi m e m e A u re s te vous ; ne e
fi ez
spa s m oi m e m e qu and j ss dan sl a f re t
a
m a sc j
- -
.
,
’
di r et i o n é t oi a fa i o i
des pl aintes qu i m e faire t mber entre smain s c
; e n -
e o
a u r o i en t le d
he u reus em ent ccfu t s ennem i qu i l e s entendit ccfu t pu o
Ba r ki a r o k h
celu i qu i doit e tre j am ai s l am i de l a pau vre L eil ah
on ,
’
a
F I N DE H DE LE I LA H L
’
I S TO IR E
1] U ne narration s i to u hante
c m e percer l a m e c c c a u r oi t du on fian
s i m al pl acé e m e faire rou gir m ai s tou t fu t s an s c s

'
, un e
dfi
'
a u r oi t fl et
m oi dan s l a passion qui m e s é t é plus ; ur
j
e fl ré n
'
s ée t ra n po rt o i t ;
’
a v oi
occu p é de l a s i m pl icit é de l a gr ce avec l aqu ell e L eil ah s et a

’
e xpr i m oi t
qu e de s s c ene s d é chirante s qu e ll e s ous m e s ye ux S on inn cence ’

m e t t oi t
l a fit sméprendre l a caus e de agitation ll e m e rem ercia c
. o
a m on E d
qu e j spri s a ux m al he urs de s m ere aux s ien s cs e
e .
’
l in té r é t a v oi et
retira danss appartem ent en m e comblant cb én é dicti ns m ai s cc

a , t
d
pas qu ell e voul oir bé nir auss i fu t pas
on o
Ba rk i a r okh
’
le i]
’
é to i t
contraire c m om nt i
n
e tre m au dit j am ais

n e au
-
,
i l t ou h oi t a u on ] d ev o i t a
N o us no us m i m e s en ro u te po u r m a
e
s
.
1] e n fin D le e er t Fa n ge u x, fille
m oi dan s u ne l iti ere qu n
et
s o uvent l e s deux fem e s e s cl ave s
’
r e la
yo i t m
s cham eau do uz e e u n uqu e s cheva l p u r no us s ervir s
o
c
, ,
’
et a d o rt e .
N otre voyage d u ra qu e trois s e maine s qu i m e par urent tr i s cents

ur u n ,
o e
nn é e s caus e de s ru de s com bat s qu e j s s ou tenir entre l a fou gu e

ne , o
’
a a v oi a
scr m ine ls d és ir s l a pe u r de l a bag u ette l ai ss ai Lei lah
a
de me i et Je
vec l e s deux fe mm e s l e s douz e e u nuqu es dan s caravans e rai qu i
.
et ]
u ne tr e s petite di s tance D és ert j m e b tai
a un
s tr o u v oi t a du Fa n ge u x, on a
L e bou rbier l e s pou rceaux rien m a c u rs e j parv n s
e e
’ ’
d a r ri v e r . n a rr e t a i
pe u de qu e j tro u vai ain s i qu on m e dit
o e
s A
, , ,
’ ’ ’
m om en al fr i t e , l a v oit
ssi s de scaverne m e s alu a civil e m ent de l a t e te m e
en e , ,
’
a l e n tré e 11 et
dem anda ccqu e j sde lu i Al or s j lu i contai m on hi s toire s an s

a a .
,
e v o u lo i
m oindre d égui s em ent par prier de s endroit

e
s
.
’
le et fin i le m e i gn e r u n
la s pas m e suivre , en
l ien de ré p ndre sm it battre s

oh P é ri e n e put
m ain s en s igne
.
1] A fri t e , a u de
’
L me 5
de j oie ceria d u ne voix qu i fit tre m bl er c bl is s oit l oué
o ,
e 1
le E
’
et 5
voici homm e plussc qu e m oi

,
ro ,
”
elé ra t
1] L e co m pl i ent
l
’
A de sc
nu
fr i t e
pas
’
m
xpliq u e r
jnen s ouri s pou rtant cdis
’
é toit fl a t te u r ;
.
, t a
1] S ache
“
dit qu e ton
me redo u tab l e bea u
i] ,
to uj ou rs auss i orageux qu e m oi s d hiver auqu el i a donné s nom
,
-
p e
.
re“
As
le
’
-
]
fen da rm od,
on
G 97
m e condam na i y a en iron qu arante an s res ter ici l e s j ambe s ] a
enfoncée s dan s l a terre en m e disant Celu dont l es cri m e s s
v
“
pass eront l e s tien s pou rra s eul te d él ivrer J ai sattend u

, ,
i ur
’
lo n gt e m
j ai prodigu é sm au vai s c n s eils tous ceux qu i me
.
,
’
me a v e n oi e n t
con sul ter m ais in u til e m ent j s de s gen s s an s co u rage La
o
pa rlo i a
gl oire d e tre l ib é rate u r c c indom ptab l e
e
s
, , .
’ ’
m on t é t oi t r é rv é 6 Ba rk ia rok h !
j c c ccs ervice en te p rtant toi ta dan s ,
et on n o i t ra i et fille , le
Proialsaiprs adaemuiteS osuterrain H s nt toutes l epos riche
e
da F
r
'
ss e s cS ul e m an de s
urra j am ai s entrer C m pte
et on
, ou o
om a 1 0 u n a
o ,
d i et
s m a parol e capp u ie te s de ux m ain s s sgeno ux

e ,
ne . o
t me
m oin s co ent qu e m e de faire
ur ur
c c
.
,
A j l fr i t e , h ata i
’
1] N on t qu ll v o u lo i t,
s ssl ong u e s j a m be s f rent d é gag é e s s e l eva cfit troi s
n e
c s t it 6 t [1 t
foi s tou r roc en sc de to u te sforce Qu e tou t rentre ici
au e u .
,
’
le du é t
dan s accou t um A ce s par l e s pal ai s orn é ccent cou pol e s
ri a n a ,
l o rd r e
’
d
res pl endi ss ante s prit l a pl ace bou rbier de int u ne rivi ere
e. o nu
d u r o e, le
cl aire crapide re s te j ardin perte c L e s
v
t s et le d a d e e rt u m a d
petits s l e u r form e de pou rceaux pou r reprendre l e u r
, v ue .
e n fa n u i t t er e n t
d él icatess e l e u rs gr ce s ss e m irent t uset
q
a apre s Il a m
’
t o u r e r, et
fait m ille caress e s l as cives m e cond u i sirent bain j fus

. o en
; la
’
m a v o ir
fr tté parfumé par de rob uste s e u n uqu e s qu i en su ite m e , au e
et r e v é t ir e n t
de beaux habit s m e
o ,
A fri t e
’
et r a m e n ere n t al
dan s pavi ll on s o us dai s orn é de per l e s
.
d oi t
’
1] Il m a tt e n o n,
ine s ti m abl e s on s ervi banqu et s pl endide J cn en su i s plus

nu nu
’
a v oi t
ré d uit clairet sfru it s po u r to t al i m ent m e dit

,
nu .
”
au v in et a de j i] ;
vai s te faire u ne grande ch ere m ai s c ntin u a t u n as pas l air
, u ,
-
e
” ’
t i l,
’
cntent H a ha j s spa s te pl ai s rien l oin cta ; ,

o - -
! Tu
’
! ! on ge o i a d
l a chercher auss i bien fau t qu e ll e scc m e voir
e n ne
o .
y ’
il
’
fille , out um e a
p u r con s entir qu e j e l a porte dan s l a Pal ais S o uterrain l on ;
va -
a
’ ’
on tre
qu e vol ntairem ent ell e j ou era avec m e s standi s qu e no us
o , n en
e n fa n
tiendron s tab l e cqu and l a nu it s era ven u e nous partirons pou r ;

o
t
s
,
I ta kh a r
J e us bient t s de s a llé e s j onch é e s de s re in s avec
.
1] t ra v e r e fl eur
'
6 et
L eil ah qu i cgrand s ye ux é tonn és s to u t c cqu i

,
v
d
’
o u v r oi t l e n t ou roi t
s o mm e s nous m e dit e ll e cici l a de m e u re qu e
ur
c
.
,
”
Ou ? fin S er o i t
votre a m i vous a choi sie
- -
en .
-
1]
“
non
N on , r é pondi s j cc l e s t pa s no us s erion s pa s “ ’ ’
tran qui ll e s car ell e sconn u e c c e s t cell e géant

e, ne ; n
y
-
d Ba rk i a rok h ;
’
t du
qu i m ai m e qu i nous tran s portera cette n uit dan s endroit plus
,
e
’
et
beau encore qu e celui ci ,

un
V tre a m i e s t donc g é ant de m anda e ll e

-
.
1] P t
O ui reparti s j en au re z vo us pe u r
o un - -
”
?
J c crain s rien avec vo us e x cept é

e,
dit e ll e avec u ne
- -
,
1] Ba rk ia rokh ,
innocente a ection qu i m e d é concerta
ne ,
-
,
ff
1] H e u re us e m ent no u sf m e s interr m p us par l e s attrayante s petite s
.
u
s l e s j ol i s page s qu i vinren notre re contre en s au tant
o
fi lle e t t a et
L i lah strou va sf rt s gré qu e su ivant

n
fo l tra n t
a
. e le s i o a on ,
l i m pu l ion
’
98
frapper ton c l e qu el to u t end u rci e s t en s era bri sé chaqu e u ll a
in s t nt d u e é p u vant bl e J ai fait to u t c cqu e j ai po u r
aeu r,
’
, q ’
,
’
é t e m i té
te s au ver de l abim e te voil n e s t qu e tr p te s crim e s m a s
n a
a
’
o .
pu
dfi a
’
on a il
Cei l pas qu e ton innocente su ivit S i ;
0 i
fille t y
’
le r m e t t oi t
en te trahi ss ant p
pas trait é comm e tous l e s sc s
ne e .
A
l fr it e é lé r é t
’ ’
t a v oi t
s e traitent sun s sa u tre s l a m e m e pu issance qu i l a fac ul t é de

ne
le le
’
t ot e
te m ou voir c Leil ah de te j oindre J c avec m oi
,
pé h é
’
a u ro i t e m m m én e
cette enfant digne d u n au tre pere j vai s l a pl acer s tr ne
.
le
’
6
Daghe s tan par l e s con s ei ls de l a pieus e K e ll e fera ; e ur
da o n,
u bl ier l e s horreurs de ton r e gne retou rnerai en suite dan s m on

,
a i ou n ,
Je
he u re us e patrie J su i s rappe lé e par p e re qu i trou ve m e su re
o .
’
m on Ia
de m on c co mblé e par l e s m a x qu e t u m as fait s
y
me
.
,
h ati m e n t o u fl ri r 1 ]
’ '
perm et cvivre ave cm a s eu r

ch e re o u bl ier
d J c vai s dan s u ne com pagnie s
qu e j prenoi s genre h umain m en
’
l i n té ré t
o G a n ig u l
u
.
,
.
’
i
perm et l a pro s pé rit é ss de s m e ehan s

et
re m ettre All ah
e au
, ,
a q ui ger e
qu e pou r c ceux qu i l juge digne de m i sé r corde
ne
,
’
pa a
h at i er i
En achevant c s m ot s l a s s ss vers l a terre e m por a
.
1] P é ri a b ai t
Leil ah disparu t
e e a ,
1] J c
et
po ussai h u rl e m ent en m e voyant enl ever m a proie

.
,
'
um e fl r o ya b le
c bl as ph e m e qu i s de m a bo u che m i lie u de l a
t fi n i t l h o rr i b le
’
or t o i t
,
f u e m au dite jcfus pré cipité cavec l aqu ell e j vai s bient t ain s i , ,
au
l on t 6
qu e vous sm al he u re ux co m pagnon s to u rnoyer s an s ce ss e
o , e ,
6 me !
en portant dan s m on c,
cur bra sier qu e j y ai m oi m em e ’ '
l a fl r eu x
allumé
o -
1 00
H I S TO I RE D E L A P RI N C ES SE Z UL KAI S
E T DU P RI N C E KALI L AH
de déco u vrir l e s tr és ors de su bju gu er l e s ntelligence s qu i l e s et
gardent J am ais avant lui a u c un musu m an s ca ssé la t e te pou r , i
l e toi t
de s hi é roglyphe s On lu i en tou te es pe ce de s province s l es

n e
c
.
, ,
or t o it d
plus rec ulé e s Ce s bizarre s sy m bol e s copi és s pp

. a
é to i en t fid elem en t
des toil e s de l in J cm e s uvien s de l e s av ir vus m i ll e foi s é tend us s
. ur
l e s toits de notre pal ai s J am ai s abeill e s fu rent plus ardente s au to u r

. o o ur
s squ e no s s age s apre s ce s peint u re s m ai s co mm e sen

. n e
de fl eu r il a v oi en t
chac u n c opini n l e u rs s '
difl é r e n t e en s ;
a r u m en d é g é n e r o i en t di
pu te s Non s e ul e m ent ils ss sj o urs cette ccu pation l a lu ne
un o , g
o i en t le a
m e m e c s ou vent l eu rs recherche s I ls s sallum er de s ;
a o
.
p ’
e la iro it n o oi en t pa
fana ux s ste rass e s de pe u r l es smusulm an s qu i
.
c
'
u r le d a la r m e r fi d ele
bl m er cette v e n e rati n p u r u ne antiquit é idol tre
r
c
, ,
om
m en oi e n t a a a
qu i cssy m bol e s csfigu re s s h rre u r
o o ,
et a fa i oien t
1] C ependant qu i c garde de n é gl iger l e s m oindre s

e ,
e o .
’ ’
l E m i r, n a u roi t
a fairespou r csé trange s c pas se xact dan s c cqu i

u
f s é tud
’
é t oi t i
l e s O bs ervancesrel igieus e s I s o u vent de faire l e s
e ,
n
r e ga r d o i t ] ou b li oi t
ab lu tion s ordonn é e spar l a l oi L e s femm e s de s hare m s en
.
bien m ais s rien dire car e ll e s perd u

on
c
.
r e v oi e n t n o oi e n t a v oi e n t
beau cou p de l e u r infl u ence s lu i j o u r S haban chef de ss

a e
p , ,
Um le
e u n uqu e s viei llard tre s pieux s prés ent devant lu i avec u ne
ur .
, e
aigu i e re bassin d or dan s l e s ain s en lu i di sant Le s eaux

, , e a ,
da
’
e t un m
Ni l no us ont é t é donn e e s pou r l aver to u tes s o ui llu re s l e u rs s ou rce s , :
s nt dan s l es n uage s c e ll e s d é coul ent pas de s pal ai s d

’
l e m pyr é e ,
;
de s idol e s s ervez vous car vo us en avez bes oin

o n e
fr ppe de c dis cou rs cS haban s rendit s

: - -
en , .
1] L E m i r,
’
l a t i on da d
’
et a
juste rem ontrance c l ie u cd é paqu eter grand ball ot de toil e s
a , e a
t, d um
peintes qu i de lu i arriver de bien l oin pas sa dan s ,

au
’
v e n oi t il l in t é ri e u r
de s harem ordonna S haban de faire s ervir l a coll ation dan s l a
,
et a
,
S all e rei llage rass em bl er to u te s sse s cl ave s tous ss

on ,
T
’ ’
d O r, et dy et
oi s eaux u ne infinit e de squ e ls i ls dan s c sde boi s

au e e
s ga r doi en t d v oli er e
de s andal ,
1] A s s pal ai s retentit s de s s s on arriver

.
i t 6 t le du i n tr u m e n et vi t
de s fi l e s sc sdan s l e u rs p lus attrayante s paru res qu i to te s

u on ,
d
’
la v e
en l ess e paon plus b l anc qu e l a neige U ne s e ul e d entre
e , u
’
m e n oi e n t um
ell e s dont l a taill e fine gracie us e c la point

.
et h a r m oi t n a v oi t
d i s eau s on voil e bai ssé Qu e s cette e cl ips e dit

, v u e,
’
“
et t e n oi t i gn i fie ?
S haban
o , .
l Em i r a
’
S eigne u r répondit d u n air j oye ux j va ux m ie ux qu e to us

.
’
“
i] ,
sas trol og u e s car c e s t m oi qu i ai déco u vert cette bell e é toi l e m ai s
,
-
, e
’
n m agine z pa s qu ell e s it enc re s ous votre p ui ssance s p e re

vo ;
,
le
’
v en rabl e s aint I an A con s entira j am ai s qu e ll e

i o o ; on ,
’ '
et m b z e n der o u d,
fass e v tre bonhe u r m oin s qu e vous fass ie z sablution s avec plus
e ne
a
de rég ul arit é c ss age s vo s hi é rog lyphe s
o ne vo
,
’
t n a b an d on n i e z
1] M on p e re s an s r é pondre
et
S haban co u ru t arracher voi l e

, vo .
a le a
G h u le n d i B égu (c
m nom de l a
,
A )
’
m it
é t o i t le
,
fille d
’
b zen d ero u d et
t nt s c cpre m ier m o u ve m ent qu i l m an qu a cs de ux

,
d i m pé t u o i t é 21
’ ’ ’
a d é ra er
1 04
H i s toir e d e la P rinc es s e Z u lkais
paon s c renvers a en e et plusie u rs corbeill e s c csA cett
t ff d fl
brusqu e vivacit é su ccéda u ne s orte i sc Qu ell e
ur e
s
, .
d
’ ’
En fi n ]
’
e xt a e é ria :
sbe ll e qu e ll e sc él e s te A ll n s qu on ai ll e m e c hercher
.
!
’
! l Im a n
’
t t
de l a M osqué e c ss — pare l a cham bre n u ptial e qu e
e e o ,
d S ou ouf et
t u t ceci s oit dansu ne heu re qu on ,
fin i
M ais S eigne u r dit S haban d u n air con s tern é vous s nge z
o .
squ e vo us é pou ser s an s c n s nte ent

ne o
s
, , , ,
G h u le n d i Beg u m n e a u ro i t le
de s on p ere qu i ve u t
m
pa
v us c
o e
’
u a u a ra v a n t ie a
Qu e vas t u radoter encore interro pit M e croi s t u
r en on
, q p o
l Em i r
’
? m
ass z s p u r pa s pr éfé rer cette j eu ne vierge fraiche c mm e l a
- -
.
ot
rosé e m atin de s hié roglyphe s m i si s coul e u r ccendre Qu ant

e o ne , o
da a et d ?
chercher bien vite st u ve ux c j

, o
A b z e n d e rou d , le
’
a i e n a tt e n d ra i
m e pl aira
va , , ar
”
qu 1 ]
’
au tan t
qu
H te z vo us haban dit m ode s te m ent h te z
.
1] a S G h u le n d i Begu m , a
vous vous voye z qu e p u i s faire ici c ss c
-
, ,
’
u n e m ed i o re r e i ta n e
C e s t m a fa u te m ar m otta en a ll ant je
l a qu
ne
s
.
1] j
’ ’
l e u n u qu e et
r é parera p u s , en , e
En vo l a che z
je
m ai s s ervite u r
i 51 i
c cc
.
1] A A
' ’
fl et il b z e n d e ro u d fid ele d lla h
’
e to i ts orti de chez lu i s grand m atin pou r all er dan s l a cam pagne d e le

faire s e s pie us e s analy s e s s l a sp l ante s
,
la vie de s ve
geta t io n d e
,
et
in s ecte s vis age sc uvrit d u ne m ortell e en voyant S haban

ur
’
S on p le u r
a
f ndre su r lu i comm e corbea u de m au vai s presage en apprenant
. e o
et
par ssparol e s entrecou p é es qu e E rien prom i s cqu i l

o un , ,
’ ’
I
’
m ir n a v oit t
bien arriver tr p tard pou r e xiger ss ainte s condition s
e , ,
po u r r oi t le u ll
prof nd ém ent perdit pou r ant point c u rage q

o
a vo i t s m é d it e e
’
ll n e t
atteignit pal ai s de m on p e re danspe u c sm aisi
o . o , et
le d m om e n ; ] é t oi t
m al he ure us em nt s ss de s co u rs e rapide qu e s e l ai ssant i ffl é
to m ber s s pha i fut plus d une he ure s ansp v ir reprendre
e e ou a ,
’
]
hal eine
ur nu o ,
ou o
andi s qu e t us l e s e u n uqu e s s ss s eco u rir s aint

.
T le
’
1] em oi e n t a
pers onnage Shaban m onta bien vite de s pl aisirs pr e
o
’
a l a ppa r t e m e n t
d A
’
aher Ach ed m ais s z el e s ral entit en voyant qu e l a

b T
,
m
p rte en gard é e par deux e u n uqu e s noirs qui bra diss ant l eu rs ;
ou on e
é to it
s abres lu i s qu a s eul pas de plus qu il s en
o , ,
n
’
i gn i fi er e n t ha a r d e ro i t
avant s t e te sspied s S haban n e u t donc rien de

,
un
’
t o m b e r oi t a e
m ie ux faire qu e de reto u rner s A dont i regarda
,
a .
’
a pr e d b ze n d er ou d, ]
l e s s c sd u n égaré tou t en sl am ntant de
au
uflo
'
a t io n
’
oei ] c l i m pr u d e n
’
qu i l cmm i s e en m ettant pou voir d , e e e

’
a v oit o G h u le n di Begu m au
l E m ir
’
1] M al gr é qu e m on p e re de sno uvell e
.
a l e n t re t ie n
’ ’
l a t t e n ti on d on n o i t
sul tane ente d u qu elqu e chos e de l a di s pu te de s n egresavec
a
i l a v oi t
S haban c cm pri s de qu i qu es tion aus si l orsqu
,
n
t a v o it i l é to i t ] le
jugea pr p si vint trou ver A dan s l a Sall e reillage
,
o o ; 1
a ] b z e n d er ou d T
lu i prés entant s s qu i l en fait sfemm e en
o o au
s
,
’ ’
d O r , e t, fille, l a u ra
’
a a v o it a
c
l a tt e n d a n t
’
A c paro l e s j eta cri lu g u bre qu i lu i d é gagea

.
1] s e l Im a n
’
nu et p e r an t,
1 05
l a re sp ration roul ant l e s ye ux d une m ani c
i e t, M al ’
r e e fl ra
’
te “
heu re us e dit l a S ul tane s ai s tu qu e l e s action s pré cipitées

-
”
, y an :
! i] a “
j amais u ne he u re us e i ssu e p ere assu rer s ort t u

- -
,
? To n
’
t v o u lo i t t on
n as pas attend u csss oin s o u c es t Cie l qu i s e rit de
n on ;
'
l e fl et d
’ ’ ’
plut ot le
l a pru dence h um aine de m ande plus rien E qu i l fass e
e ,
’ ’
Je a l m ir :
cqu i l vo u dra de de sshi é roglyphe s squ nn
ne
c
.
’ ’ ’
to i et Je n e n tr e v oi
avenir f ne s te m ai s j n en s erai stém oin J ou i s de l a cou rte
e .
vre ss e spl ais irs po u r m oi j vai s chercher A de l a M ort c

u e a
, p .
de
’
l t
s qu e dan s troi s j o u rs j m e repo s erai en pai x dan s s cin
i ; ,
e n
ge
e le
de notre grand Proph e te
e re e
j p
1]
le
En achevant ce s m ot s s l e ve en chan ce
retenir arrache s r be cssm ain s tre mbl ante s e ll e tom be
il
l ant s ve u t en vain
.
il e
d
; a fille
dan s te ms qu e E é perd u t che de l a rendre l a

,
a o e ;
I
’
e va n o u i e ; e t, le m ir a a
v ie s A ’
l ob t i n é s ort en murmu rant
b z e n de rou d
On cr u t qu e l ho mm e pie ux pa s e x acte m ent
.
,
d a b or d t i e n d ro i t
’ ’
1]
parol e qu i s e ss con s ol er m ai s on s e trom pa En entrant
ne
che z lu i c cpar s e bou cher l e s oreill e s avec coton p u r

’
,
et ] la i eroi t ; .
il om m en du
s oll icitation s cl am e u rs p ui s s assi s s l e s natte s
a ,
o
’
n e n t e n dr e n é ta n t
’
i ui
de scellul e l e s j am be s croi sé e s l a t e te dan s s e s m ains re s ta dan s ; ,

ur
et il
cette pos tu re s an s parl er san sprendre de no u rritu re ex pira
a , ,
et e t en fin
bo u t de troi s j ou rs ain s i q i l promi s On lui fit de s ’ ’
l a v oit
,
m a gn ifiqu e
s sdan s l e squ e ll e s S haban cm an qu a pas de faire é c l ater s
au ,
u .
ob equ e
do ul e u r en s e d é chi qu etant l a pea u s an s m i sé ricorde en arros ant l a
, n a
et
terre de ru iss eaux de s ang apre s qu oi ayant fait m ettre baum e ,
du a
ssbl e ssu re s i reto u rna re m pl ir l e s devoirs de scharge
; ,
]
1] C ependant pas pe u cpeine calm er d és e s poir de
e , a .
l Em i r n a v o i t le
’ ’
d a
G h u le n di Beg um ; il m a u di o i t ss s o u vent l e s hiérogl yphe s qu i en
é t oi e n t l a prem re caus e E n fin e ssattenti n s c c c c de t o u h er t le
,
l a S ul tane e ll e reprit stran qui llité devint gross e cto u t rentra dan s
ie . o n e ur
t
accou t umé , a , ,
l o r d re
’
1] L ayant to uj ou rs s rem pl i de l a m agnificence sanc en s

.
de
’ ’
m i r, l e pri t
Pharaon s rem plirl ebient
r é te n
u r i m itation pal ai s avec douz e pavill n s
,
d oi t t
b at i t , a
de s m ai s par m al heu r s e s 6 d
’
a u ta n
, nu
t fil ;
o ,
i
qu 1 ]
fe mm e s
p
s qu e s sA chaqu e nai ss ance
, ,
c
fa i oi e n t d e fille i l gro m m elo i t,
de s dents ccs M ahom et d u n c
ne
ss c
.
i fa h e u x, e t
’
rin oi t u oi t on t r e te m
s deven u t u t fait in su pportab l e s

a
g
c
,
i G h u le n d i Begu m l a v o it
'
eroi t a
sado u ci E ll e to us l e s s ir s dan s s appartem ent
o n
l a t ti roi t
’
o n,
par m ill e invention s c u rie us e s ell e s ecret l air

a o on
p .
,
d
’ ’
tro u v o i t le a tt i r e r
qu and on aill e u r s P endant sgro ss e ss e m on p e re qu itt it

é to u fl o i t
'
,
point l e s trade su r l aqu ell e ell e cou ch é e dan s u ne vas te

. a ,
ne a
' ’
é t oit C é t oi t
l ongu e gal erie qu i su r cN il de m ani e re qu e qu and on s e
.
c
et d on n o i t 1
l su r l e s s scc
oi t s s nivea u conh y fl e u v e pa ro i
,
oi t a t
,
po u v o it
j eter l e s grain s de s grenade s qu on
p
L e s m eill eu res
a o a
p ,
’
,
m a n ge oi t
dan s e us es l e s pl s e x ce ll ente s mus icienne s j am ais cc
.
q u i ttoi e n t
l ie u agré abl e On y s tous l e s s oirs de s pant m im e s l a
, u n e
ré e n t oi t a
lum i ere de mill e l am pes d or qu on s s pl ancher pou r faire
re o
.
p ’ ’
,
, p o oi t ur le
1 06
L e s E pi s o d es d e Vat h e k
es
s go at s idol atre s et pendant q u elq u e i n ta n s s sde re m ord s i l cru t qu e
l An ge
’
V enge u r ,
v e n oi t le é i fi t lu i l e s pe u pl es cfié sa s
charge p t r e r, e on a
1] Apr e s e tre re s te qu e lqu e te s debo u t m il ie u cl a gal erie aux

.
d
’
e strade s avec sbras é tendus en l air appe l a S haban lu i dit

rn ,
au
le il
’
et
L e s ol ei l perd pas s é clat N il re s te pai s ibl e qu e s donc

,
le
, ,
i gn i fie
,
ccri su rnat u re l dont pal ai s vient de retentir

ne on
c
,
m on
S eigne u r r é pondit pie ux e u n uqu e cette v i x scell e de l a le t
v é rit é qu i v us parl e par l a b u che v e nerab l e Abo u
, ,
o e
du G a b d olle
'
herm ite d és ert s abl nneux plus plus zélé

, o o
G ueh a m an , du le fi d ele, le
de s s ervite u rs Pr ph e te qu i en neu f j ou rs a fait trois centsie u e s
o ,
da l
pou r é pr uver votre hospital ité vous faire part de ssin s piration s
o ,
et
N e n égl ige z pas l e s cn s ei l sd u n hom e qu i su rpass e en sen
o e .
,
lu m iere
’
m
pi é t é en taill e sh mm es l e s plus é cl airés l e s plus d é vots l e s
o ,
et le et
p lus gigante squ e s u t votre peu pl e e s t en ex tas e on fait plus de

, o , ,
To
cmm erc e dan s l a vi ll e on n é gl ige pou r prom enade s ; ne
s
.
l e n t e n d re le
’
du
s ir dan s l e s j ardin s l e s fai s e u rs cconte s res tent abandonn és s l es
o ;
d
b rd s de s fontaine s J ss pas plus s age
o ur
c s s s ou f n
’
é toi t et n e on n oi oi t
m ie ux l avenir qu e lu i pa
o . u ,
’ ”
1] A cs derniers m ot s fu t frapp e to u t d u n cou p de dée c

.
d
’ ’
l E m ir
c n sul te z Abo u s l e tat de sfam ill e su r l e s
e i
s
,
G a b d olle u r m a g n i fiq u e
’
et
proj et s qu i en t ete pou r l es squ i lu i sencore

o a ,
’
] a v oi t fil é t o i en t pa
n és s e tre s he u re ux proph e te vivant
ne
1]
’
d a fl a ir e
’
t r o u v oi t a v oi r a
J ss ssaussi réconn
et
u
.
q
i n pi r e
’
u a lo r u qu e l e s m om ie s de cspers onnage s fam e ux
il n
’
a v oit
s olu t de sfaire am ener l homm e ex tra rdinaire

il
e
’
un .
m e m e dans de s hare m l e s P hara n s en s de l a

, e o
l i n t é r i e ur
’
u o i en t
s orte avec l e u r n é crom ancien s c touj ou rs si m iter I dit

on : o
t il v ou lo i t le ]
d nc gracieus em ent de l all e chercher
.
,
a l e u n u qu e
’ ’
1] S haban tran s port é de j ie co u r u t bien vite porter cette invitation

o t .
l herm ite qu i n en paru t pa s aussi charmé qu e pe u pl e C eux ci

, o ,
’
le
’
a
s l air c spendant A
-
s c s
.
,
l b o u G a b d olle
’ ’ ’
r em i oi e n t d la m a t i on toi t
sm ain s j ointe s l e s ye ux l ev és vers ciel dan s u ne tran s e pro
u re
p a , q
le et le
h é t i j de te ms en te ms de profond s s ou pirs apre s
Il
,
e t o it e t,
p
l ong recu eill em ent sc
qu e
avec s voi x tonnante L es ,
.
fin
’
é ri a
vol ont és A doivent sc jc su i s qu e s c

un en a :
c
,
d lla h !
’
o m li r ; r ea t u r e
’
un uqu e j su i s pre t te su ivre mai s qu n abatte l e s por e s

ne a
a p
E da
’
a t
pal ai s l e s s ervite u rs re s H au t doivent pas scou rber
, e ; o
du T
1] L e pe u p l e s fit pa s dire de ux foi s sm irent to us l a m ain
; n e e .
le ; il a
c cdan s in s tant on dét u i s it de s o u vrage s d u n travai
ne e
lo l le
’ ’
t
plu sad mirab l e
u v re , un r
bru it sporte s qu i avec fracas de s cri s cs

.
A
1]
dan s harem Abo u aher Ach m ed c c s
u de t om b oi e n t p er a n t
s
,
é le v ere n t
’
le T om m en oi t a
repentir de scu ri sit é m ai s ordonna qu oiqu e contre c qu on
. e
’
il a m u r,
rendit l e s passages harem acce ss ibl e s cccol ss e cpi ét é dans l a
a o ,
-
du a d
crainte qu e l e s entho usiaste s pé n é tras sent dan s l e s appartem ents
o ,
c c ssfe mm e s sstré s ors C e s a larm e s

ne
qu c’
o u
poi n t e , et 0 1) on
g ar do i t e .
1 08
H i s toir e d e la P rinc e s s e Z u lka is
é t oi en t po urtant bien vainc s s aint homm e c ss ; le a v oit
ge d i é
dévot s adm irate u rs On m a ss qu e s to us agen u i llés p u r
on e
’ ’
ur e é ta n t
recevoir s c l eu r dit avec u ne lugu bre em phase Retire z
. a , o o
b en ed i ti o n , i l
vous re s te z en paix dan s sde m e u re s s ache z qu e arrive
a ,
’
et
q u o i qu il
Abo u sto uj o u r s P u i s stou rnant vers
vo
; ,
”
G a b dolle G u e h a m a n t pr epa r e
pal ai s O d m e s é bl ou i ss ant s sc recevez qu e
e . e
“ ’
“
le o é r ia t i l, m o i,
cqu i s s terni ss e pa s vo s s pl ende u rs
: et
c
- - -
,
’
u i vr e n e !
C ependant on to u t dan s hare m l e s
va en
’
1] a v oit
ge l i n té r ie ur d u
s ssen bon ordre sporti e re s tir é e s
a rra n
;
s é t o i e n t d i po e le é toi e n t
sridea ux l e s e strade s de l a l ng e gal erie qu i
ar a v e n
p , ,
d a m ple
’
e n t ou r o i e n t
au tou r de c cc l e s S ul tane s l e s princess e s

o u
l é di fi
’
r é n oi t e, e t h oi e n t et
l eurs s
a
g
fille
ant s ca usé u ne fer m entation g é n é ra l e L a c u ri s it é
.
T d a ppré t
’
1] a v oi e n t
dan s to u te s vigu e u r qu and l her ite f ulant aux pied s l e s
. o
’
é t oi t m
d é com bre s de s portes entra m aj est u e us e m ent dan s l a S all e reillage
a ,
o
T
La m agnificence de c cl ie u sm em e s e s regard s s
, au
’ ’
d Or n a t t i ra ; il
p én étra j s l a grande
‘
pa
ss
.
é t o i e n t m or n em en t fi xé le pa v e En fin
’
il a
gal erie de s fe mm es Cell es ci qu i p int tou t accu tumé e s
ur u u
’
.
q
é t oi e n t du
de s obj et s sgigante squ e s sd é charn és s sha u t s cr s
-
n o o
s
,
.
a i et i er e n t le i
de s e ss ence s de s cordiaux p u r smu nir c u r
ou
, p ,
et d em a n d eren t et le
contre fu ne ste e et de d u n parei l fant m e
o e oe
ff
’ ’
le l a ppa r i t ion o
1] L her m ite fit sl a m oindre attention vacarm e
.
q u 1 ] e n t e n d oi t
’
cto us c s c gravem ent s chem in qu and vint

ne pa au
’
d 6té Il t in u oi t l Em i r
devant de lui prenant par pan de srobe cond uis it avec
. on on ,
e t, le le le
beau co u p de c érém onie l e s trade cl a gal erie qu i s N il
a u- ,
a ,
’
a d e n v i a ge oi t le
On s ervit abord sbass in s de c s de s l iqu e rs orthodox es
.
de on fi t u r e et
m ais qu oi qu e Ab u l air de m ou rir cfai m ;

u
G a b d olle G u e h a m a n
’
a v o it d
i refus a de tou cher ce s css sen di sant qu e dep ui s qu atre
o ,
] a r a fra i h i em en
vi gt di x ann é e s b u qu e de l a ro sé e ciel c
il n a v oi t
’
qu e ,
du t m a n ge
de s l oc us te s de s e s s abl e s L mir qu i tr u va c s el on
n
c
-
press a pas davantage c c entrer en

’ ’
re i
g me l é t iq u e t t e
de s
o
s
.
,
h e le et om m en a
m ati e re avec lui en lu i parl ant chagrin qu i l
t
de svoir s an s
ro e ne a
p p , ,
’
du a v oi t
h éritier m l e m al gré tou te s l e s pri ere s qu n faites pou r en

,
e
’
a a v oit
obtenir tou te s l e s squ e sI m an s lu i

o
ss s c c
,
fl a tteu e é le a v oi e n t
donn e es M—ai s ce s t s contin u a
et
qu e j suis s
,
e p ra n
“
ur d
’
t i l,
’
a pr e e n t, a v oi r
cbonhe u r l e s s age sl e s mé decin s m e spropre s

e
c c
- -
.
’
l an n on t, et m
ob s ervati n s c a uss i c cn e s t pa s po u r s avoir c cqu i en
, en e
’
le on fi r m e n t,
squ e j ai vo ulu vo us v ir C e s t po u r vo us de m ander de s con s ei ls s
o
’ ’
t
c qu e j donnerai c c so u p lu t t csde ux squ i m e
e o . ur
l é du fil , fil
’
a t i on 5 6 a
vont car s an s do u te C iel en rec nn i ss ance de m e s
e e
n a i tr e , s le a um on e
accorde u ne d u bl e fertil it é l a S ul ta e égum s , ,
o o ,
,
’
a G h u len d i B pu i qu e lle
sde ux foi s p lus gro ss e

o n ,
’ ’
a l o r d i n a ir e
1] S an s rien r é p ndre l her m ite bran l a troi s foi s l a t e te

e t qu .
1] M p e re fort é tonn é de m anda s

o
c f
Ah ! prince aveu gl e lu i ré pondit en po uss ant s ou pir qu i
on ,
ch e de
,
s on bonhe , u r
lu i
’
il
i] ,
t oi t a
.
venir d u n tom beau pou rqu oi i mport u ner Cie l par de s

-
un
s
,
“
le
’
e m b loi t ,
1 09
c té m éraire s ; re s pecte z ssd é crets ; il s ait m ie ux qu e l shomm e s
v eu x
cqu i l e u r s
t convenab l e M a l he u r a vo us qu e vo us forcere z
e e
c t fils
s an s do u te dans sentier de spervers es pinion s l ie u de
e .
, e au ,
le le
s o um ettre h um bl e m ent l a direction de l a Providence S i l es pui s
, vo o ,
au
a
s an s de l a terre s to ute s l e s infort une s sdoivent s
.
q u il
’ ’
a v oi e n t a t t i r er,
i ls t r e m b le ro i en t m il ie u cl e urs s pl endeu rsP haraon a s enti cette d

vé it é m ai s tr p tard i po u rsu ivit s sde M o s e en d épit de s
au .
] le fa n
vol ont és divine s c m o r u t de l a m ort si m pie s A qu oi s ervent
r , 0 ; en i
t il de
l es squ and c e u r srebell e C e ux qu i doivent prier po u r
,
u .
aum 6n e le t ?
vous l ie u de de mander P roph e te qu e vous m ettre z
o e
'
l h é r it i e r
dan s che m in de l a de s tru ction po u r qu e
, au au
le d ev r oi en t l i m plor er
’
G h u le n di Begu m e xpire o u i qu ell e e xpire avant qu e ’

,
d e m et tre
m onde de s c sprés om ptu eus e s qu e v tre cond uite pré cipitera
-
, ,
au
r ea t u r e
dan s l abim e Encore u ne f i s j vo us s mm e de v us s um ettre S i

o
!
’
l ange A m enace sj u rs de l a S ul tane sreco u r s vo s

o e o o o .
’
lla h le
’
d
’
a
m agicienspo u r sus pendre co u p fatal—l ai ss ez frapper—qu e ll e
o n a ez
, y p a
le le
’
m e u re N e frém i ss e z pas cs s pa s votre c c encore

-
dur i
’
! m ir
u ne foi s s ou vene z vo us cPharaon de s caux qu i l ont engl ou ti ,
n en ez o ur ;
”
d
’
et
o u vie s toi toi m e m e c m on p e re en é c um ant de rage

-
s
.
1] S ’
é ri a et
sl evant de l e s trade po u r co u rir s ecou rs de l a S ul tane ayant

n - -
,
’
ui ,
to u t entend u s é vano uie derri e re l e s cou rt ne s s ou vien s toi qu e

au
e
’
, q
é t oi t i
Ni l ss ous ce s fen e tre s qu e ton dieus e carcass e mérite bien ; -
,
le t et
dy
’
eJ c
tre j et é e
te
e
crain s pa s proph e te A craint

.
qu e Lu i s c
,
’
o
”
; le d lla h
’
1] é ri a
s on to u r l herm ite gigantesqu e en s e l evant su r l a pointe de s pied s

ne ne ,
’
a
et tou chant de sm ain l e s app u s d m e ,
du 6
H a ha t u crain s rien sc to u te s l e s femm e s l e s
a i .
’
! ! é r i er e n t et
e u n uqu es en s ortant c mm e stigre s de l e urs s E xé crab l e

n e ,
de ta n i er e
m e u rtrier t u v en s de m ettre notre ch e re m aitress e tu
,
o .
! i a l a gon i e , et
ve ux pas craindre Va s ers p t ure a ux m on stre s de a d u fl eu v e

En h u rl ant ce s m ots i ls sj t us l a fois su r Abou ;
ne
et er e n t a G a b d olle
tom ber sans m isé ricorde , e o
’
G u eh a m a n , le fi r e n t é tra n gler e n t e t le
c
ré dan s
i pi t er en t Ni se parm i cnoirs o u fir e
’
,
o u le ] r d oi t d
,
gri llage s
un p e
p g
é tonn é acte satroce csbrusqu e res ta l es ye ux fi x e s

.
1] d
’
L Em i r , i t i
s l e s ea ux m ai s corp s c ss plus l e u r su rface
un ,
le pa r o i oi t a et
S haban qu i s qu e de su rvenir s de s e s cri s

ur ; ne r
s
,
’
fa i oi t l é t ou rd i oi t E n fin
sreto u rna po u r envi s ager l e s co u pab l e s i ls tous s ss
,
ne , .
il é t oi en t d i per e ,
envel ppés dan s l e s rideaux de l a gal erie c s l es u ns l e s
e :
’
t, é v i ta n t
a u tres s s accablés de l e u r cri m e
o
il to i e n t
qu i c revenu e ell e m e m e qu e pou r voir cette s ce ne
, re .
1]G h u len d i,
’
a
’
to i t
dans des tran s e s m o tell es ssconvulsions sscri s
n -
d h orr e u r, é t oi t
’
sd e ll e I inonde sm ain de
r ; e e
ss
,
E ]
’ ’
a on i a n a tt i r er e n t e n fin l m ir re
ssl ar e s e ll e o u vre de s ye ux é gar és sc O A ll ah A ll ah

a
g au
p .
’
“
m et é ri e , ! !
d é trui s u ne c qu i n a qu e trop v é cu s e s t l a caus e d u n s i
e ; ,
’ ’
e lle
’
r ea t u r e
pu i qu
é norm e forfait perm et s pas qu e j m ette m onde ne A e
,
au rr é t e ,
”
1 10
L e s E pi s od e s d e Vat h e k
sage s Le s nou rrice s qu on reten u e s en grand nom bre voulu rent ’
a v oit
s ppo s er m ai s l e s ieill ard s qu i tou s l a foi sl e u r

,
.
,
’
m u rm u roi e n t a
sl e u r s s i l ence L e s c u ve s cabal i s ti qu e s dan s
o ; v
y
c
,
h an te m en i m po er e n t
l e squ e ll e s on no us bai ner d ej to u te s rang é e s l a
en , .
d e v oi t é toi e n t a
m ix tion s u ne vapeu r dont to u t pal ai s
d h e r b e e xh a loi t
’
rem pl i g
le é toi t
;
S haban qu i inconcevabl e de csdrogu e s infernal e s

.
l o de u r
’
a d o n n oi t
cu r to u tes speine s m onde de s c
,
e
le du
’
h er
’
a v oi t e m pé d a ppele r
l e s I m an s l e s docte u rs de l a l oi pou r s s ce s c
au oe
s
,
’
et
ppo e r a er em on i e
i pie sPlu t cie l qu i l en c c co urage Ah com bien csbain s
o
’
m ut le !
fu ne s te s ils pas s no us S eigne u r no us
. au u e
in fl ué En fi n ,
’
t !
pl ongea su ccess ivem ent en sem b l e dan s csc m po sition s qu i
n on -
ur , on
et d e v oi e n t
no us don er u ne f rce u ne intell igence plus m ai s qu i
e o ,
q u h u m a i n e,
’
et
fait qu e ré pandre dan snos veine s une s en s ibi l it é trop exqu i s e

n o
’
n on t
p i s n d u ne volu pt é in s atiabl e ,
et
’
le
bag u ette s qu i mé ta ux
o o
s s s
.
1]
’
C é to i t a n de s d
’
a i ra i n fra ppo i e n t le
m il ie u csfum igation s é pai ss e s qu i s sm ncea ux
on ur
c c
,
d t d
’
et o i t a u or t o i en
squ on l e s inn s ce ux qu i
o
d h e rb e ,
’ ’
c i n v o qu o i t G et a r ti u li er e m e n
m erveill e ux Apre s
t
s a ux p ra m ide s po u r no us do u er de
p
s
,
r e i de n t ta le n
p
c ette on nous l ivra a ux no u rrice s qu i peine y , .
era t i on , a
no us contenir dan s l e u r s bras tant notre vivacit é
o
p ,
o u v oi e n t é to i t
p é ti ll ante sbonne s fe mm e s s
p
Ce sl ar m e s en voyant v e r oi en t
,
de le
bo ill onne m ent de notre sang c en vain de s en
.
t a h er e n t l a ppa i
’
et
nettoyant no s m em bre s des squ i s c s m ai s

u , er
’
y é t oi e n t a tta h e ;
h él as m al fait S i m e m e no us rentrion s qu elqu efoi s dan s
o n gu e n ,
le é to i t ! le
neant de notre
'
,
p ere qu i tou t pri x avoir de s s

age , m o n v o u loi t, a e n fa n
e xtraordinaire s no us s avec u ne ,
é m ou tilloi t cs i m p l e s r e a ra ti on
,
d
s de l ait de n e gre s ses p p
c
,
'
é h au flan et
N o us devenion s ain s i d u ne arde u r d u ne fo u g u e in s o u tenab l e s A

.
,
’ ’
1] et
s ept an s on plu sno us contredire l a m oindre re s treinte

.
o u v oi t ; a
no us fai s ion s de s cri s enragés m ordion s nos survei ll ante s j s
ne
p ’
et
s ang S haban qu i sbonne part de no s é gratign ure s ss en

u
, qu au
a v oi t
gé m i oi t
il ence c m ir dan s nos vivacités qu e sél an s d u n

,
a ,
s
.
le
’
1
’
y ti gen i e
qu i no us é gaux la
,
ar n e vo o
r e n doi t a Sa u ri d et a C h a r ob e C om b i e n o n i gn o r oi t
cau se de ce s si m p é t u e ux C e ux qu i ve ul ent trop
.
v er i ta b le m ou v e m e n !
envi s ager l a lum ere de iennent l e s plus ave ugl e s M on p e re
pa s encore qu e notre c j am ai s ex erc é e
i v . ne
’
fi l un
' ’
rem a r u oi t r te é to i t
c ntre l au tre qu e nous nous c édion s mu t u ell e m ent qu e K m on
n
q
a li la h ,
’
frere calm e qu e dan sm e s bras pou r m oi j con

o , ,
t r o u vo i t le e t,
ss bonhe u r qu en c c de care ss e s
ne e ne
s
, , ,
’
a b lan
’
n oi le oi la t
1] s son no us to u t en s eign é en s embl e cm em e l iv e
.
Ju q u a lor ; l
’
a v oi t
sdevant no s ye ux no us en to u rnion sa l ternative m ent l e s

r
é toi t e xpo e et
fe u ill et sQ c de m on fr e re de s é tu de s rigou re us e s
,
’
u oi e xi g at et
prématu ré e s j sl e s partager avec lu i Abo u aher Ach ed qu i

u on
.
q
e v o u lo i T m
cu r qu e s de s s qu on m e
.
s
, ,
’ ’
l a g ra n di fil o rd o n n o i t
’
n a voit a em en t
p int parce qu i l travai ll er
oe on ne
sc s
,
r e b u tz
’
it u 1 ] n e v ou lo i t 6 té
’
oi t ame
1] On no us in str u i it
s é ga
o
l e m ent dan s ,
s de s s i e cl e s l e s p lu s
vo
y q
l h i to i r e
’
q u .
1 1 2
H i s toir e d e la P rinc e ss e Z u lkais
reculés dan s l a et cde s c l i m at sl e s plus l ointain s L e s s age s
eo gra ph i
s j am ai s de no us inc ulqu er l a m oral e ab s trus e id éal e

g
cs
.
oi e n t
n e
’
s
e
e
no s orei ll e s d u n verbiage
q u tre cach é e s o us l e s hi éroglyphe s I ls
i l pr é t e n d oi e n t
’
s l a s age ss e l a pr é voyance
ss
m a gn i fi qu e
. re m
et
pli o i en t
l e s m agas in s des Pharaon s qu elqu efoi s i ls l e s c c de s

ur , , et
s I ls no us s
om
pa roi t a
f u rmi s qu elqu efoi s de s a l a plus
;
eleph a n t in pi r oi e n t
n
ardente cu riosit é s ce s m ontagne s de pierres s ous l e squ ell e s csroi s

o ,
.
s ont en s eveli s ils nous c par cu r l ong

ur e
’
fo r er e n t d ppr e n d r e le
catal ogu e de s architectes de s o u riers qu i y travaillé nous
; a oe
et a v oi e n t
l a t che de cal c ul er com bien i fallu cprovision s
v
s
,
i m po oi e n t a ] a v oi t d
pou r t nt s co m bien i y
d h om m e
’
c sdan s cha qu e au ne
et ] a v oi t d fil
cl a s ie dont S ul tan cou vert spyramide P ar dessus
a ,
d le S a ur id a v oi t
to u t c fatras ce s sviei ll ard s no us cs s l a t e te avec u ne

o a
c
-
.
fa ti gu a n oi e n t
im pitoyabl e gramm aire de l a l angu e qu e l e s ancien s pre tre s

,
a
parloi en t
dan s l e urs labyrinthe s s ou terrain s
L e s j e ux c qu on no us dan s no s he u re s de
.
’
e n fa n
’
1] d e r m e t t oi t
nous s qu e l rsqu e nous é tion s s e uls en s em b l e p

e
c
r e r ea t i on pla i oi e n t
L es prince ss e s no s s urs nous m orte ll em ent E ll e s
ne o .
oi e n t
beau broder sve s te s s pl endide s pou r m on f ere K
oe en n u
y .
a v oi e n t de a lila h
les sbe ll e cheve lu re qu e de s m o uss e l ine s

r ;
d é da i gn oit, c et n e e i gn oi t
flott e su r s ein de sch ere sC e s prince ss e s no us

a
q ui a v oi e n t le Z u lk a i
qu elqu efoi s s us sdo uz e pavill on s qu ell e s c
a
c
.
le
’
i n v it oi e n t oi e n
car m on p ere d és e s p érant

t;
a u tant de s c ncentrant toute
o o u
p
d fil
’
a v oi r et
s a ection dan s c e lu i qu i l l es l eur abandonnés en

, , o
’
ff a v o i t, a v oi t
fait con s truire plus su perbe p u m on f ere pou r m oi C et

on , et
a v oi t et
ccou ronn e de c inq d m c s cs it ué dan s bosqu et é pais

un o r r .
é di fi 6 t é t oi t
to us l e s s oirs l a s c e ne de s pl ai s irs l e s p lus tumul tu e u hare m M on
e, , nu ,
du
p e re y avec cort ege cs e s plus be l e s e s claves chacu e y
x .
v e n oi t d l
s tenant l a m ain cierge b lanc dan s de
un ; n
aroi s oi t a fl am b
Com bien de foi s de ce s s traver s de s
un un ea u
p ’
fi ligra n e l a ppa ri t i on lu m i er e a
arbre s n a e ll e pas fait battre sco urs ou t ccqu i notre
.
T
’
r om
t poi t
s l it ude nous s ou verain degré N ous cacher parm i l e s
- -
no e
s d é pla i oi t
fe u i ll e s entendre l e urs mu rmure s en no us e mbrassant nous s

o an .
et em b loi t
plus doux qu e s on de s luth s sch eu rs smus icien e s Ce s
le et le de
m oll e s r e verie s m on p e re i nous par force
o n
s
.
d é pla i oi en t a ; ] e n t ra i n o i t
dan s l e s s al on s cou pol e s nous a de prendre part et o b li eo i t

g a ux
s s
,
a m u e m en
C ha qu e année p lus rigo u re ux s s

.
Il n
’
l Em i r d e v en oi t
’
1] o oi t en t i e r e
m ent nous séparer ccrainte de d és e sp érer son sm ais pour retirer pa

.
d fil ; le
cs e s l ango u re ux p l ai s irs i t cha de j eter d n s l a c om pagnie de s
,
d ] a le
j e une s garc on s de s Le j e u de canne s s fam eux parm i l e s
a
age i
Arabe s fut introd t dan s l e s c urs pal ai s K y
on .
,
ui du a li la h m e tt oi t
beaucou p c m ais cc qu e pou r term iner plus v te
,
o .
’
d h a rn em en t, é t oi t
’
i le
c m bat revo l er sde m oi cm ei ll e ure he ure A l or s no us
a n
re d
l i sion s en s em bl e l e s am ours de J ss de el ica o u qu elqu e au tre
et au
o , p .
ou f et Z
am ou re ux al ors nous sde ce s sde l iber é pou r
u ,
ro fit i on
po em e ; p m om en t
H 1 1 3
L e s E pi s o de s d e Vat h ek
errer dan s l abyrinthe de s corridors qui le s N i l to uj ou r s d on n o i e n t le
sbra s to uj o u r s no s ye ux c sl u n s l a u tre
ur
ss
,
’
t r e la a tt a h e
’
t Il
pre squ e i m p ss ibl e de nous su rprendre dan s ce s
en an no ur
s
, .
é toi t d etou r et
qu e nous d nnion s s sd él i c es
o
,
fa i
’
l in q u i é t u d e
’
oi t gm e n t e r
s oir qu e no u é tion s dan s d él ire de tendre ss e qu e no us
ne
o
qu au no
s c c
.
1] Un et
co u rions en s e m bl e avec u ne agil it é enfantine p e re paru t s m on

,
am
ye ux frém it P o u rqu i dit K n e tes v us pas dan s l a , e
”
il a h,
’
et a li la
grande pl ace tirer cl arc o u dan s on dom pte l e s chevaux

, . o ,
- -
o
d le li e n
’
a on
uidoivent vo us porter c m bat au t qu e s ol ei l sl e ve s ,
? F il le et
c u che en vous voyant comm e foibl e narci ss e C e s t en vain

au o e e
q
-
fl é t ri r
’
?
qu e ss age s v us font sdisc urs s sd é voil ent
o un
le de s é lo qu en
’
il a
ye ux l e s my s te re s de l a docte antiqu t é on v us raconte in u til em ent
o u
o , q vo
i
l e s faits gu erriers m agnani m e s Vo us tou che z v tre s ; o
et ! a t re i i em e
a mé e vous pas en core tém oign é l a m o ndre am bition de
o
’
et i
v us dis tingu er parm i l e s homm es C e n e s t pa s dan s l e s ré d uits de l a
r ,
n a vez
’
m oll ess e qu e sform ent l e s grand s caract ere s c cc spoint en l is ant

o .
’
t
de s sa m o u re u qu on srend capab l e de g u verner spe u pl e s
e ; n
’
o em e x le
Le s p ince s doivent agir i ls doivent s m ontrer Ré veill e z vous
e o
p .
cess ez s de m on ind ul gence qu i vo us a l ai ss e s i

r e -
;
s
, .
’
d a b u er lon gtem
con sum er vos he u res avec s qu e ll e sj o u e par m i l e s csl a Z u lk a i ;
,
’
fl ur ,
tendre cdou ce c m ais l a fréqu entez plus dep u i s l au be
e
’
t r ea t ure ,
cré pus cul e j voi s bien qu e c e s t e ll e qu i vous pervertit

ne
j s
c c
’ ’ ”
m ot s avec de s ge s te s ;
Abo u aher
e
u
qu a u
c s s
.
1] E n pr o n on t T m en a
Ach m ed prit m on fre re par bras m e l ai ss a dan s l ab m e de
an e an ,
froid c m e sai sit Qu oi qu e s ol ei l

le
’
et i
ss
,
l a m e rt u m e Un gla le d a r d at
’
t
ayon s su r l e s eaux avec ferve u r m e s qu i l di s par
. an . e
’
il em b loi t a v oi t
par terre j ssqu e bai s er sbran c he s

u
r , .
fa i le
’
E t en d u e oi d
fle ri qu e K c u eill i l e s de ssin s qu i l trac és s
e ne or a n
,
’
ge r
lila h a v o it
’
o fl ri r e n t
’
a v oit
ma vue c m e s pl eu rs H e l as ssjc c en s ;
n a
“ “
t r e d o u b ler e n t
’
a di oi t
fait no s he u res fort un é e s reviendront plus P u rqu i c
e
cs cc
-
, .
, ,
’
! m d
pervertir K Qu e l m al p ui s j lu i faire sc cqu e notre
; ne o o a u r
a lila h ! ? E t
b nhe u r m on p e re S i c crim e d e tre he u re ux l e s
-
e -
’ ’
a flli roit ? é t oi t um
sage s n s en avertis
o
ge ,
a u r o i en t
M a no u rrice m e tro u va dan s cet é tat l ang u e u r
ou
c c
.
1] S h a m e la h d t
d c
’
c
dans b squ et
a a
le
P u r dissiper m on chagrin e ll e
b lem e n t
sj e u ne s ss s
. o
on
tou t de s ite
s e cacher s
le fille
’
a m u oi e n
,
m
’
t a
e m m en a
et
u
a
pou rsuivre su nc s l e s au tres parm i l e s sdoré e s dont c
e
c
o
le v oli er e
lie u rem pl i m e s enti s pe u s oul agé e par chant de s

é t oi t Je
,
le
ois eaux mu rmu re de s cl airs sd eau qui s tronc de s . un
file t
’
et le oi e n t le
arbres m ai s qu and l he u re fu t venu e K c cde

a rro
’
ou a lila h a v oi t ou tu m
cssn s m e s s cs
;
p a roi tr e , e s fa i o i en t qu
’
gm e n t e r o u fl ra n
'
ob s erva pa l pitation s de m on s ein e ll e m e tira

o ne au e
s c
.
1] S h a m e la h
’
le alé a rt ,
m it l a m ain su r m on c e u r m e regarda s ssj et fi xe m e n t Je r o u gi oi
d wil cvoi s bien dit— ell e qu e c e s t s c cde

o e
sss
, .
,
“
pali
’
l ab
’ ’
oi a J
v tre fre re v us agite ain si C es t fruit ccet é trange
vu e .
, , en
’
q ui la le d
éd u cation qu on vous a donnée La s ainte l ect u re Koran s
o o .
l ob
’
. du ,
e rv a
1 14
j s c c qu e ll e l ave u de s cri m e C ette horribl e s c ene —fu t
’
a
’
fi t
’
e n fin
term inée par l e s te—
n e bre s On d é tacha l a victi m e S e s am i s ce ll e
u u on
q .
t
en beau cou p c cferm er ssb l essu re s i ls m e de
. .
a v oi t ta h er e n t d
geno x baum e s u verain qu e j s qu e l e s s age s ;
e
m a n d ere n t a a voi et
c s J e l e u r refus ai fu t sc m e s ye ux s
u un o ,
a v o ien t om
po e le S h a m e la h mi a
brancard on l arr e ta e x pre s devant m oi Ce s ein s l equ e l s
. . ur
j a v oi
’ ’
i s o u vent dorm i ss cs ang A cet bj et s o u venir de s

nu ; ur
s
.
r ui e lo i t d
tendre s s oi—s qu e ll e pri s de m on enfance j s entis m e s entraill e s
. o ,
au
’
a v oi t
j fon i s en l ar m e s j m e j etai par terre j bai s ai l a

n e
s
,
d
’
é m ou v o i r
m ain qu ell e vers m onstre qu ell e no u rri
e , e , e
t e n d oi t foi b le m e n t le
’ ’
a v oi t
j co u r us chercher baum e j m oi m em e en l a su ppliant

le
’
l a ppliqu a i
,
de m e pard nner en dec l arant o uverte m ent qu e ll e innocente

e ,
e -
’
et é t oi t
m oi cou pabl e
o ,
et
C et ave u fit fri ss onner to us ce ux qu i a u to u r de no us On
.
1] é toi e n t
c chaqu e e x cl am ation qu e j ss
.
qu iqu e dem i m o te s en c
fa i S h a m ela h ,
’
u lo i t d h o r r eu r a oi
c savec
re e
ss s s
.
é t ou fia
’
a r u t, e t
gé m i m en le
pan de s robe po ur pas aug enter m on d és e s poir ssc s
o -
r , a
p e e
en m e c de s
'
m et fl et
fune s te s m ai s ell e e u t beau faire to us s
a ne e
’
e n fu i r e n t la n ant
regard s farou che s ; ,
On e m porta brancard m e tro u vai s e ul e L a n u it pro

.
1] j le et é t oi t
f nd em ent ob s cure ss on s pl aintifs s s ortir de s cypre s , e .
de em b lo i en t
dont c cl ie u o mbragé S ai sie parm i
o ;
j d é po u v a n t e ,
’ ’
é t oi t m é ga ra i le
noir fe uill age en proie plus cs sre m ord s d él ire entier
. e
ui a n
de m e s s en s l a terre ss s devant m e s s j
au ; un
s
,
’ ’
ou v r ir
em pa r oi oi t
pa , e t e
crus tom ber dan s
pa ra
qu i point cf nd M on ,
o u fl re
' ’
n a v oi t d am e é t oi t
ains i bo ul eversé e quand travers l e s branches j vi s lu ire l e s
un
g o .
a
cortege de m on p ere j s qu on s , , ,
e
du
’ ’ ’
fl a m b ea u x ob e r va i a rr é t oi t .
Q u e l u un s e d é ta cha de l a foul e
’
pre ss entim ent agita m on Un
;
v if
c u r spas s s
q
l a fave ur d u ne m orne lu e u r
.
in er e n t ;
’
Le a voi a
s em bl abl e cell e regne ici j vi s K
e t,
devant m oi
oe .
a a li a
l h pa roit r e
Ch ere dan s sbai s ers qu i l
qu 1 e
s sc c
.
,
j ai passé sc
’
Z u lka i r i a - t - i l, l i n t e rva lle d
’ ’
é me
c s an s vo us voir m ai s j l ai e m pl oyé
,
“ ’ ’
d on n oi t, i le a
su ivre l e s vol ont és de m on p ere J ai com battu sm on s tre s l e s
nu , e
de
’
plus formidab l e s m ai s qu e j pa s qu and on m e

un
s
.
d a fl eu v e ; fer oi
propos e pou r c s bonhe u r cpass er une s oiré e u ni qu e m ent
ne -
e
r e om
pen e le d
avec vous All on s m etton s c ! cte m p s profit en s evel i ss n s no us dan s a
cb i s de notre retraite entendon s avec mé pri s t umul te de l e u rs
o
c
-
,
le
s de l e u rs dan s e s J c ferai s ervir s orbet l e s g teaux
o
s
i n tr u m e n et le et a
s l a m o uss e qu i borde l a petite fontaine de porphyre j j o u irai de
.
la
sregard s de votre entretien j s l a pointe j ou r Al ors
ur e
du
’
et a
h él as j d is m e repl nger dan s vacarm e m onde darder l e s
vo u u
q .
,
! le du
m au dite s cannes su bir l e s interrogatoire s des s ages
e o o ,
et
dit to u t ceci avec u ne s i grande ,
rapidit é qu e s
.
K
cm e l ai ssai entra ner no us c sdan s l a fe u llé e
1] lila h m j
’
a
l i n t e rr o m pr eJ e
i am e
e ne
i
pu
j s l a f ntaine L e s o u venir de c cqu e dit s m a ; e r

’
.
p ’
a S h a m ela h m a v oi t
endress e e xtrem e pou r m on frere

q
en d épit cm oi m e m e fait
u u o . ur
t a v oi t, d -
,
1 1 6
H i s toir e d e la P rinc es s e Z u lkais
u ne gra de i m press ion su r m oi spr e te retirer m a m ain de J é to i
’
a
cell e de K qu and l a lu e u r des l am pion s qu on allum é s s
n .
a li la h ,
’
a a v oi t
l a m arge de l a fontaine j vi s s char m ant vi s age c dan s l e s

, ur
réflé hi
eaux—j ss es grand s ye ux m ite s ctendre ss e s enti s ssregard s , e on
e vi d et
ond de m on c u r o us m e s proj et s de ré form e to ute agonie

o , e
f T m on
cre m ord s place u ne ferm entation bien m e
au oe .
,
d fi re n t j d ifl é r en t e
’
a
l ai ss ai all er par terre sde K appuyant m a t e te s s e
re a lila h , e t,
s ein donnai l ibre cours m e s l arm es K voyant sé pl oré ep

au ur on
a a lila h , me i
m e dem anda vive m ent l a caus e J clu i racontai to u t c cqu i s passé
,
un .
,
’
é t oi t
entre m oi s an s om ettre l a m oindre circon s tance
.
et S h a m ela h , S on am e
fu t ému e par l a peintu re qu e j lu i ssde sss ou france s
.
d fa i oi
’
a b or d f
m om ent apres sc Qu ell e p ériss e c se s cl ave Faut
e e
’
il
’ ’
é ri a l o fli i e u e il
touj ou rs qu on s oppos e aux plus do u ce s incl ination s c eur Comm ent
nu ,
-
’ ’
du
pourrion s no us pas nous ai m er s La nat ure qu i no us a fait
o
Z u lka i
en s em bl e nou s ell e pas donn é sm em e s g ts l a m em e
n e , ,
n a itre a - t- le ou
ardeu r dan s l e s s en s ati n s M on p ere sssage s nous ont ils pas

, ne ,
fait partager l a vert u de s m e m e s bain s Qu i p u r a bl m er u ne

o et e ne -
a
sy m pathie qu e tou t a enco u ragé e N on sS haban notre su per
o r
Z u lk a i et
s sno u rrice ont beau dire c cn e s t point cr m e de no us aim er

, ,
’
t it e u i
cri m e s —s nous s s c d e tre sépar és de
e : un ;
la h em e n t
' ’ ’
le er o i t i o u fl r i on l un
l au tre Juron s non par cProph e te qu e nous c ss sgu e re s
m ai s par sc
’
! l o n n oi
l em en s qu i s ou tiennent s ch umaine ju ron s qu e , ne on ,
le l e xi t en
' ’
qu e de con s entir vivre l u n s an s l a tre nous feron s coul er

e ,
’
l
’
u t ot a
dan s sveine s ccdo ux bre uvage de fle urs aqu ati qu e s d nt l e s s age s
u
p ,
nous ont parlé Cette l iqu e u r qu i doit nous ass u pir s an s peine dan s
no o
sbra s l u n de l a u tre l ivrera i m perceptibl e m ent no s m e s l a pai x

.
,
o
’ ’
le a a
d u ne au tre ex istence
’
,
”
1]
nous
C e s paro l e s m
folatr am e
e c j e repri
sen s e m b l e J cs erai bien vai ll ant dem a n
s maa gaiet
.
é
lm er e n t
s
e n t i er e m e n t o r d m a ir e
di oit
po u r avoir encore de tels scar c cn e s t a c cpri x

. i
K “ ’
a lila h , m om e n
p ere pe u t m e s oum ettre ssfantaisie s q
, u
”
q u e m on a
1] Ah ah s c Abo u aher
de s bu isson s i nous écou t és c es t donc votre s
,
Ach
on
m ed ’
ené s ortant
]
ria de derri e re
a v oi t
T
e
’
,
.
1a r e o u t i on l
un
!
N us verr n s svous l a tiendre z Vous e te s ass ez ré com pen sé c
,
i cs oir
,
du
pe u qu e vous avez fait auj ourd h u i R etirez vous vous
o o
s
.
Et Z ulk a i
’
all e z pl urer l a fau te é norm e qu e vous avez comm i s e contre

-
. .
,
S h a m ela h
o u t c n s tern és no us no us pied s m ai s no us to u rnant
e
s s s
.
1]T j et am e a
si ord nna a ux e u n uqu e s de no us c nd u ire chac u n dan s notre
o ,
e ; ,
le d o ]
apparte m ent ,
o o
c c s cr u p ul e s l a vivacit é de notre tendre ss e qu e

.
1]C n é t oi t d
’
agit é s e u b u t—c de voir s s

au un ur
fil
’
]
’ ’
l Em i r é toi t Il é toi t
’
n a v oi t
devenir form idabl e gu errier pui ssant prince l es m oyen s

u un on
.
q
et un
lu i de rien I qu e j slu i s ervir

un ne
é t oi en t s
] oi t
pou v oi
’
d i n tru m e n t ;
danger s notre passion par s c s scom pl ai sances
vo e
.
y
d d e d i fli u lt é de
’
le a tt i e r et
a l ter atives pas m ais ces ’
l a r r é t oi t sde d és eu vre m ent de m om en et
volu pt é tr p qu e d érou ter ssde ss ein s

n ne o
s o fré qu en n e pouv oi en t e . Il fa lloi t

1 17
prendre parti plus viol ent plus c m al heu reus e m ent et d e id e ; et i l le
prit H el as san s tou te s cs c ss an s tous ce s pr j ets s an s
un
! re a u t i o n
t u tes ce s pré voyances no us s erion s res tés dan s c c nous

e
.
p ,
o ,
l i n n o en
’
e, e t
sj am ai s de ccl ie u de su ppl ice

o ,
’ ’
n a u r io n l h orr e u r !
é tant rentre chez lu i appel er S haban fit part de l a
vu
1] L Em ir, e t lu i
’
fit
s qu i l
r e o lu t i o n pri s e de nous sé arer pendant certain tems
’
a v oit
, ,
Le pru dent e unuqu e spros terna ss l a face contre terre p ui s s

un
p .
i t6 t
re l evant Qu e m on s eigne u r m e pardonne lu i dit ss e s cl ave
e au , e
”
i] , i
spoint de s avi s d é tache z ss cette fla mm e naissante
: on
c
-
,
’
t le
vent de s c o u ell e s en de s tou rbill on s qu e v us
n on ; ne a ur
’ ’
p
l ab é lé v e ra
pou rrez vaincre V us c ss c caract e re prince s
en e, o ne
’
on n oi e z l i m pé t u ux du
s u r n a qu e tr p auj ou rd h u i donn é spreu ves s ien Lai ssez l e s
. o a
de da
' ’
m
ens em bl e s ans contradiction abandonnez l e s l e u r penchant enfantin
0 .
-
a
i ls sl ass eront bient t l u n de l a u tre K de l a m ono
-
’
a li la h ,
’
6 et d é gou t é
cd u n harem vo us de m andera gen ux cl en tirer
e ,
d
’ ’
ton i a
1 ] As cdébiter te s s otti s e s interrom pit i m patiemm ent
,
o .
“ ”
tu fin i d ?
Ah qu e t u c speu génie de K l ai bien
-
E “
h
’
l ! le a li la Je
'
m ir on n oi
é tu di é m oi j ai qu e l e s sm y s t é rie us e s de m e s s age s
. .
’
era t i o n t
pas é t é vaines peu t d nc rien faire avec c Si j
n on
,
vu o
p
Il i n d i ffer e n le
l aiss e avec dan s l a m oll ess e s i j cd e ll e
n e o e e
s s
. .
’ ’ ’
Z u lk a i il é a n ti ra l é lo ign
qu e de l a revoir s oit pri x sgrande s chos es qu e j de
,
an e ,
’
et le de e xi ge ra i
lu i , i l n c srien dont ’
s oi capab l e Q m porte radotage de s
t il n e t le
d cteu rs de notre l oi s sccqu e j ve ux qu i l s oit Sache
u i
s
.
’
il e t d a i lle u r ,
’ ’
e u n uqu e qu e quand u ne foi s a ura go te scharm e s de

o e
de
’
il u l a m b i ti on ,
l ide cc ssdissipera co mm e u ne l eg ere vape u r dans l e s rayon s
’
d
,
Z u lka i
s ol ei l de l a gl ire A ussi entre dem ain m atin dan s l a cham bre c
e
du d
sprévien s s r é vei l enve l oppe l a bien dan s ss robes trans
o .
,
Z u lka i et
p rte l a avec sse s cl aves tou t cc s cc l agrem ent

on -
e
ss
,
' '
et t é aire a
de l a vie s u ne barqu e qu i s era prete te recevoir s N i l S u is l a qu i
o -
, e ,
e n
a le
navigation de c c pendant vingt ne u f j ou rs vous
, ur ur .
fl eu v e ; le t re n t i em e
d é barqu erez dan s c sA u tru ches L ge l a prince ss e dan s pal ai s
-
l Il d e le
’
qu e j ai fait b tir pou r l es s age s qu i errent dan s ce s s sparm i de

. o
’
a de er t
savante s ru ines s en tro u vera qu i s ll rim peu r des
’ '
ll le G
PCaelmluiiers saitparceunequinfinite
la
i l fait ssconte m pl ation s ha u t de ce s arbre s
,
.
s sc a u ra s oin cd és enn uyer

’
y
’
e
d h i to i r e , t i l
’
un a
pp e
da
e
d
.
sc j s ai s bien e ll e sfo ll e de contes

-
Z u lk a i sK ’
u a pr e a lila h t
”
1] S haban c s s tr p bien s m aitre po u r o s er s s plus

ar e e
q ’
.
on n o i oi t
s ssvol ont és a ll a donner ssordre s en s eco u ant l a t e te

o on o
ppo er
lo n gt e m a Il
cfai s ant de gro s s ou pirs p int to ut ccvoyage
e . e ,
t ll n e go fit oi t du a
sA u tru che s c s form é u ne idée pe u fav rabl e
. o
l I le d e
’
du
’
é t oi t
rism peu r sPalmiers car en
t
musulm an en antipathie ,
o
G de fidele i l a v oi t
le s age s cl eu rs prou ess e s de t u t genre
t
; , ,
1] u t fu t qu e trop vite pré paré sagitation s de l a veill e

o .
To Le
sf rt fatig ué e qu e j dorm oi s prof nd ém ent On m e tira s
ne .
’
m a vo ien t i i
dou cem ent l it m e transp rta avec tant s qu e j
o e o
s
.
du
’
d d re
qu atre l ieu e s C aire D bru it scaux au ou r
, on o a e, e ne
’
m é v e i lla i qu a
'
a b ord le de t
'
du .
1 1 8
perdit ss cc pendant to u te m a —l ongu e navigation dont l a
o n e fli ité
m arche fu t s em bl abl e cell e prem ier j ou r s ans cess e de s nén u phars
a
p a ,
a du
des oi s eaux u ne infinit e de chal ou pes et c avec i a lloi e n t t v e n oie n t
,
sm archandi s e s
u
, q
c
de
no us c s abandon er p l at pay s C o mm e ai s i
.
1]En fin om m e n am e a le
qu e l e s m al he ure ux qu i cherchent touj o u rs qu elqu e chos e j s
n .
, n
’
a v oi
c c l es ye ux fi x e s s l h ri z on s oir j ss él ever ,
on t in u e ll
’ '
m en t e vi
c sm a ss e s bea u co u p p lus hau te s d u ne form e bea u co u p p lus vari é e

ur o nu
, y
d
’
et
qu e l e s pyramides de s m ontagne s Le u r as pect ci m posa

C é t oi t
’
,
m
’
,
la pen sé e m e vint dan s s qu e m on p ere ;

. . n
t e rr i fia n t e
'
l e pri t v o ulo i t
m
’
tri s te pay s roi de s n egre s pou r aux idol es qu e du m
’
of
fri r
l e s sages
s cde c
’
e n v oye r a u
e tre tre s friands de princess e s S haban qu i
pr é t e n d o i e n t
credo u b l e m ent eut piti é de m oi d
’
fin
.
,
,
ut gi t a t i o n ,
de m a des t nation aj o u ta qu e qu oi qu on v ul t m e
er a en
a
p ,
; il
’ ’
et m i n fo rm a i u
séparer de K cc spo u r to uj o u rs qu en attendant j
, o
’
a lila h ,
’
é t o i t pa et
sc noi ss ance avec homm e m ervei ll e ux qu on

n , e
’
fe r oi ppeloi t le
ri m peu r de s Palmiers qu i m ei ll e u r conteu r de
on un a
G s et é toi t le
’
l un iv e r
C e s no u ve ll e s c pe u L e s p e rance qu oiqu e é l oigné e , .
a lm
’
1] m ere n t
crevoir K baum e dan s m on s ang j spa s
e nu
s
.
, ,
a lila h du
’
d v e r oi t et é to i
qu e j sdes contes pl ai sir D sl d é e
e n
c
,
r en d r e
’ ’
fa h é e d a u r oi a a i lle u r
d u n endroit a uss i s l itaire qu e de s A utru che s m on e s prit

a
pp ’
.
,
i
l Ile fl a t to i t
’
rom ane squ e S i j se tre él oignée de ce lu i qu e j c s ssp lus

o
d e v oi h é ri oi
qu e l a j sm ie ux subir c cs rt dan s de s l ie ux s a u vage s qu e

. e e
’
v ie, a im o i
dan s c tintam arre d u n harem L in de ce s

o
l é la t
’
et le c
c sj ’
i m pert i n e n
c sl ivrer to u te m on a ux doux ss s ss donner , o , e
om
pt o i am e o u v en i r d u pa e, et
l ibre cou rs aux l angou re us e s re verie s qu i m e c l i m age

re
’
r e t ra e roi e n t
de m on K
un
a li la h .
1] Occ u pée de ce s proj et s j snonchal a mm ent (approcher) notre e v oyo i
barqu e n tre barqu s c de plus en plus d ul e pay s de s m ontagne s ’

,
ppr o h e r
Le s r chers de s de ux c ss me
o a
s
.
ga gn oi en t 6t é le fl e u v e , et em b loi en t
devo r bient t priver de l a vu e ciel J cvi s de s arbre s d u ne hau te u r
o ur
’
i 6 du
d ém e suré e d nt l es racine s entortillé e s en s em bl e dan s N il
.
pe n d o i e n t le
Jquentendi
’
ell e s
s bru it de s ca aractes ,
le s c de s gro s bo u i ll on s
o
rem pl ir l air d u n bro uill ard d él i é comm e u ne gaz e

t , et vi lé
’
um e
.
d argent A travers cette es p e ce de v i l e j c

’ ’ ’
form o i en t
’
s u ne petite i l e ’
fin
verte de s au tru che s s gravem ent En allant t uj ou rs
o a u
.
pe r en
ou r o m e n oi e n t
cen c s s coll ine to u te c o uverte cnid s
e o
p
c s
, .
,
je dé ou v r i é d ifi d6 m do é au n e d
C e pal ais l air to u t fait étrange auss i é té b ti par
un e a .
a v o i t- i ] a
’
a v oi t a
fam e ux cabal is te S es mu rai ll e s d u n m arbre j s comm e
un
at re , lu i
’
oi e n t
mé tal pol i c css sobj ets en l e u r u ne grande u r

.
,
a un
du t réfl é h i oi e n t le r é ta n t
gigantesqu e J cfri ss onnai en voyant l a figu re qu e s ,
s
p
fa i o ie n t la le
au t u ches Le urs cols s sperdre dan s l e s n u e s cl e u rs ye ux
.
em b loi e n t t
c c mm e sbo ul et s r u gi s dan s l a M es
r . e ,
b r i lloi flam m e
'
nt d é n or m e
craintes fu rent ob s ervé e s par S haban qu i m e fit com prendre l a vertu
o o .
des mu raill e s ss qu e qu and m e m e soi s eaux

,
pli fia n te
’
am et m le
en e fet auss i m ons tr eux sm e
a u ra
s ss j s
, ,
f le par oi
’
e r oi e n t il o i en t, e ou v oi
u
q u p
1 20
H i s toir e d e la P rinc es s e Z u lka is
c om pter s l eu rs bonne s m ani e e s c rim pe u r sPalm iers le G de
depui s pres ccent an s srendre d u ne dou ce u r
ur t ,
ar
d a le
’
t ra v a illoit e xe m
pl aire A peine donn é cette inform ation qu e j spied

m
’
a v oi t - i l mi
ter e s gazon frai s verd yant Mi ll e fleu rs inc nn u es m ill e
. e
a et
coqu ill es bizarre s m ill e l im ac n s baro qu e s rivage

r ur n u o . o ,
pa ro i en t le L
’
a rde u r
s l ei l tem péré e par l a r sé e perp é tu ell e qu i

o
s
, .
du é to i t pr o v e n o i t d e
ch u te s d eaux dont bru it m onotone c s mm ei l
o o
’
le m i n li n o i t
’
1] M e s entant appe s antie j qu on j eta au vent s

au o
s
, .
or d o n n a i
’ ’
um ( le
palmiers d nt ccl ieu rem pl i car grand ri m peu r qu i , ur u n
é to i t le G or t o i t
touj ou rs sceintu re l e s cl efs pal ai s faire ss

o , p
s
, ,
a du é t oit a m ed i t a t io n
l au tre bou t de l il e
a , e
’ ’
a
1] P endant
couru t s
do ux a ss o u pi ss e
’
m ent s
s age l e s l ettre s de m on pe re On fu t
q u un de
.
s s en s S haban
de
’
e m pa ra me
ob
,
li ge
pr e en ter au
l es attacher u ne l ongu e perche car s omm et d u n palm ier

.
i l é t oi t
’
a
hau t de cin quante co u d é e s n en pas de s cendre s ans savoir ,
au
v ou lo i t
’
et
p u rqu oi A ss qu i l c parcou ru csfe uill e s l es porta i t6t

’
,
ut il
re spectu eus em ent s on front sgl iss a en bas cmm e mé té ore
o . u e ,
a et
Auss i bien en l a m ine car ssye ux

e o un
s s
, .
a v oi t - i ] é toi en t fl a m b oya n et
ne z d u n beau rou ge sangu in , e , on

’
1] S haban tou t c de c ette v él ocité de voir v eill ard

.
'
fu t e fl a ro u hé le i a
terre s ain sau f su rtou t de et lu i dem ander de charger
et l en t e n dr e
’
,
le
s s sparce qu e s i s ss j am ai s m archer
,
’
do d i oi t i ] , ] n e ab ai oit a
qu i ss age s l e u rs caprice s qu i s
ur on , ,
-
.
n a i m o i t n i le le
’ ’
L ni et
comm e fl eau de l a fam ill e cE h é sita m om ent

e u n u qu e , ,
d l m ir,
’
gar d oi t le
m ai s css s l e s ordre s positifs qu n lui donn és
re nu ,
’
r efl é h i il
'
a v oi t
prit s ssé paul es en di sant H e l as

an t
vain quit sré pu gnance

,
ur o ,
le et !
bon herm ite Ab u n en e u t pas sain s i i
a ur
, e , ,
’
le G a b dolle G u eh a m a n e et ]
en m ie ux valu l a peine L e ri peu r indign e de csm ts

o u ,
a u ro i t ! G m
ci e u de s spie ux avec H D s de S ab l e
, e o ,
l erm i t e du
’
] a v oi t d é m é lé e er t
lu i l an c a grand cu p de pied dan s s lu i f u rra s ne z

ar ,
le d o , e t
m i l ie u visage S haban br ncha m ais conti u a s
un o o on
b r fi la n t du
chem in s an s profé rer u ne sy llabe
au o , . n on
s to uj u r end r m ie i s c de m a c u che j etant

.
1] J é t oi
’
s ]
’
ha e t,
s charge spied s dit d u ne v i x qu i n e u sde peine

ro o
o o ; a
pp
’ ’
,
a me m t pa
V il rim peu r qu e grand bien vous en
a e ,
o
,
“
m é v e i lle r le G
’
a a
fass e ;
o
1] A l a d u ne te ll e fig u re j
’
s m a l gr é m a tri s te ss e
c de faire é c l at crire L e viei ll ard perdit p u rtant
e ne u
vue p , ,
h d
’
m em é um
point contenan ce fit r és nner sscl efs d u n airi m portant dit d u n

e r ne o
p .
’ ’
il et
ton grave S haban R epren z m oi s votre sall on s pal ais qu e

o e ,
a do ;
de s p r e s qu i j a m ai s ad m i s de fe m e ll e s qu e m a grande
e -
ur an ,
’
j
’
t n on t
ponde us e reine de s au tru che s

ou v r e o
su ivi s tard C
,
e s grand s oi s ea ux s c s c o ll ine s
.
1] Je ; i l é toi t de doien t de
nous entou rant par trou pes c gaz n l e s arbres L e
. en ,
e t, b u e t o i e n t le et
bru it qu e s l eu rs be cs tel qu e j crus entendre l e s pied s

e
, q o .
fa i o i en t é toi t
de tou te u ne armé e m e tro u vai devant mu raill e s lu i santes
e
j . s En fin e le .
1 21
Qu oi qu e j connuss e l e u r artifice l a vu e de m a fig ure ain si ’
m é po u v a n ta ,
qu e ce ll e ri m peu r s l e s é a ul e s de S haban
e ,
du G
o us l an s l ie u vo te dont l e s l amb i s de m arbre noir
ur
p
s c
.
1] N tram e u
s e mé sd or s u ne s rte de terre u r qu e l es pl ais ante s
en un , r
d é to ile
’ ’
i n pi ro i e n t
gri m ace s vieillard css pe u J c s s air
o ,
c
du
’
a d ou i o i en t i r oi é to u fl é
qu i m e donna cc c L e ri m pe u r s en i fit allum er
un . re
p un
pe r u t ; ]
’
G
grand fe u y j eta dedan s u ne petite boul e squ i l tira de
au u r. a nu
’
d a r om a t e
’
et
s s ein A s s u ne vape u r a ss e z agré abl e qu oi qu e bien pén é trante

,
it 6 t
s e r é pandit de tous c s en é tern uant quant
on u
s
.
, ,
’ ’
6 té L e n fu i t a
m oi j c fe u tri s te m ent l a brai s e j m e mi s
. eu n u qu e ;
’
ppr o h a i d u m e t , r e m ua n t
y form er l e s c sde K
, e a , , e
h
’
a h ifl re a li la
1] L e ri m pe u r s faire
s c qu e j sre c u e
.
i l lou oi t l é d u
’
G m e la i oit a tio n a v oi
f rt sbain s qu n
e t a p ro u v o it o l donn és aj ou tant m al icieus e ’
m
’
a v oi t
,
m ent qu il a rien qu i aigu is e s a u tant passion pe u

e o
p ’ ’ ’
,
’
l e pr i t
e xtraordi aire J voi s bien contin u a qu e vo us e tes ab s orbé e
un e
n
y ”
qu nu
t i l,
dan s de s re flexi n s inté ressante s Ce l a m e p l ait J scin q sc
n e -
cs
-
.
,
’
a v oi
nous nous m oqu ion s cM ahom et en nous ai m ant avec ass e z cvivacit é
o . . ur ;
d d
J cm en gs ouuereviens lse sencore
’
n o ub
’
li e
avec pl aisir bo u t de cent an s car on
pre m ere s im pression s C ette con s tance m a fort
au ,
’
.
recomm and e aux inn s dont j su i s favori S i vo us s ave z ain s i qu e

i .
G le
m oi persé vé rer dan s ss sils pou rront bien faire qu elqu e
e .
,
e n ti m e n
chos e pou r vo u sEn attendant c vous m oi j s erai s

, vo ,
fie z a
gardien farou che i maginer qu e j dépende de s fantai sie s de ;
on e ne un
pa
-
s
.
,
a lle z
’
N
v tre p e re qu i ayant de s v u e s born é e s prefe re pl ai s ir J c
a e
.
p
l a m b i ti o n
’
sui s pl s he u re ux avec m e s palm iersm e s au tr uche s m e s do u ce s

o , , ,
au .
et
squ e lu i m i l ie u de s on divan de sgrande u r J c

u , ,
m ed i ta t i o n et
di s pas qu e vous p u iss ie z au gm enter sagre m en s de m a vie plus

au a . ne
le
vo us s ere z co m plai s ante enver s plus j s erai pol i envers vo us
ne ;
m oi , et
plus j vo us apprendrai de be ll e s chos e s S i vous ss vous pl aire

e ,
a ro i
dan s cette s ol itu de vo us vo us fere z u ne grande de s agess e

e ez
.
p
r e u ta t i on
j s ai s par m oi m e m e c u vert d u n grand no m on pe u t

, p ;
’ ’
et a
cacher tré sor c V otre p e re m a é crit to u te votre
e -
q u o
’
d e xt ra v a ga n
’
hi s t ire pendant qu on vous croira attentive m e s instru ction s vous

un e .
’
a
de votre K t nt qu e vous vou drez s an s qu e j
o ,
’
m e n t r et ie n d r e z a lila h
m en f che contraire n e s t rien qu i m e fass e plus de plaisir qu e
a e
’ ’
a il
s les sd u n c c qu i sl ivre ssj e u ne s inc l ina
; au
c
,
’ ’
d ob m ou v e m e n a
tion s de voir col ori s d u n prem ier am u r s ré pandre s l e s
e r v er ur e e
’
et le v if
j o uAescet é trange dis cou rs

,
sl e s ye ux bai ss é s m ai s l oi s ea u de
o e ur
1] j
’
t e n oi
l e spe ran ce dan s m on c u r s m on sage
e
j
’ ’
v olt i oit En fin e n vi a eai et
s grand ne z lui s ant qu i comm e point lum ine ux m il ie u

ge oe .
g ;
b r i llo i t
de t u t ccm arbre noir m e paru t plus s i d ésagréabl e C e regard fu t
on ,
un au
me
accom pagn é d u n s o u rire s i s c qu e rim pe u r bien qu e
o .
,
i gn i fi a ti f le G
’
v it
j
’
ss ai s
a v oi i cqu i l prés entée en c u ne tell e j oie
’
l a m or
’
m
’
a voi t 11 ut
qu e o ubl iant ss avante paress e cou ru t lu i m em e repas

e .
il pr epa rer
dont j sgrand be s oin
, a ,
-
nu ,
’
a v oi .
1 22
l ai ss ée en repos s eul ins tant Le ri m peu r pou r m e di ss iper
c
G
s m ervei ll e us e géant de
un
c cs
.
, ,
l h i t oi r e
’
du l a r ti fi i e u
’
om m en G é b ir e t
mai s j sen priant c ré cit de m e s
a e
Ch a ro d e ;
' ’
e l i n t e r r o m pi le d e ou te r le
'
m alhe u rs ré els lu i prom i s qu en su ite j donnerai s m on attention

et
’
a
s es contes H e l a s j lu i ai j am ai s ten u parol e i c beau
, e
! ] ut a
p lus ie u rs repri s es t cher c m a c u riosit é j n en squ e pou r
‘
. e ne : ,
’
d
’
a ex i t er a v oi
ssde r é p é ter s qu e fait qu and

e
jc c s
, ,
K a li la h , e t oi On t i] ? il? le
reverrai j
ne e , e - -
”
P
v ei ll ard voyant
e
qu e j décidée dan s m a pa ss ion qu e

-
1] Le i s s é to i i et
j
'
ssbien
a v oi i tous rem ord s fu t convainc u qu e j s obj et
,
b ra v e
’ '
e to i
,
propre rem pl ir ssv u e s car sau diteu rs com p ennent s an s dou te , un
a me
qu i l s ervite u r s o uverain de ccl ie u csu ppl ice Dan s l a ;
e r , ,
’
é t oi t le du d
pervers ité de s cdan s c cfata l aveu gl e ent qu i fait d és irer
.
am e , t m
u ne pl ace ici voué de c nd uire Eb lis Vingt
on
il
’
d ob t en i r a v o it a
m al he u re ux lu i pré cisém ent fre re m oi pou r com plé ter , o
et fa llo i t
il m on et
c cno m bre bien él oign é cu rs de s é panche

,
’
Il é to i t d on e d a r ré t e r le
m ens de m on c eu r qu oi qu e pou r atti s er fe u qu i m e
. o
et le d é v o ro it , i l
s e m bl a de tems en tems avoir envie de faire s e s conte s i ;
bien
o ,
] a v oi t
a u tre chos e en t ete ,
U ne grande par ie de l a n u it s c dan s ce s ave ux cri m ine ls V er s

.
1] t e ou la
m— atin j c sL e rim pe u r en fit au tant qu elq es sde

.
’
le m d o rm i G a
m oi apre s s an s cérém onie bai s er s front pa
e n . u
’
m a v o i r, li ue le
qu i m e br l a comm e fer chau d M e s r e ve s fu rent tre s lu gu bres j
a nu ur
, pp q ,
u
n en ai id é e confus e m ai s au tant qu e j p ui s m e l e s rappe l er
nu .
; e
’ ’
de s ss s Cie l encore l aporte

q u un e e
s
, ,
’
du u i y ou loi t
’
i l é toi e n t a v e rt i em en m ou v r i r
du s alu t , q
peine s o l ei l fu t l ev é qu e ri m pe u r m e m ena dan s s s boi s

.
1] A le i] le G
m e fit faire connoissance avec sau tru che s m e donna en su te
-
e ,
le et i le
s pectacl e de s agil ité su rnatu rell e Non s e ul e m ent j s
,
i l m on t o i t
’
s omm et tre mbl ant de s palm iers l e s plus hau ts splus m en us

on u u au
.
q
et le et
s
le pli oi t s ous sspied s comm e sépi s m ai s encore s de il d a r d oi t
,
en arbre co m e u ne c Apre s plusie u rs de ce s tou rs c

e , e
fle he d
’
d a rb r e m
s ou pl e ss e s s u ne branche m e dit qu i l faire ss
.
’
il fixa a llo i t
s m e con s ei ll a d a ll er avec M m e baigner dan s de s

,
e ur , e
’
m edi ta ti on et ou za k a
bassin s qu e j ss bord
,
t r ou v e roi de l au tre c de l a le du fl e u v e,
’
6 té
coll ine
e ur
1] L a chal e u r e x ce ssive j tro u vai cscl aire s eaux c s

.
é to i t fra i h e et
d él icie us e s L e u r s d u n m arbre précie ux cre us é ; e e
’
re e r v oi r , r e v é t u é t oi t
m il ie u d u n petit pré s l e qu e l de hau ts rochers j l eu r om bre
.
, au
’
e t oi e n t
de p l e s narci ss es de s s s cette m arge h um ide

;
ur
sc s
,
c gla i e u l
a et roi oien t
spenchant c de l onde s s m a t e te J
ur
s
,
’
du b a la n o i e n t
’
e t, 6 té a i m oi
ce s sl angu iss ante s e ll e s de m on é tat j

e e ur .
,
fl eu r
’
é toi e n t l e m b lem e et
laissai pendant plusie urs he u re s l eu r parfum enivrer me ; ; e
m o n ti
1] De reto u r pal ai s j tro u vai qu e rim peu r fait de grand s
.
le G a v oi t
spo u r m e r é ga l er L a s iré e spa ss a comm e ce ll e de l a vei ll e

au , e
ppr é t et
ains i pre s sc quatre m oi s s sappe l er c

;
a
c
. o e
a pe n o u ler e n
’
é t . Je ne a u roi
1 24
H i s t o ir e d e la P rinc ess e Z u lka is
tems bien m al heu re ux Cette s ol itu de rom anesqu e l a com pl aisante
attention qu e m on vieill ard d élire perp étu el l a
.
,
don n o i t a m on
patience avec l aqu ell e csf ll e s squ e l a m ou r i l e n t e n d oi t e re et i t i
et
dicte tou t s sréu nir p u r s oulager speines spent

o on
p
b loi t
’
em me l a u ro i
el atreréalitéssdes annc
,
p a ées
e sdan s ce s do u ce s illusions cl m e dont
qu e rare m ent j spent etre s
’
he
e
en ti er e
o
’
a u ro i
.
le a
’
’
,
de m a passion j s speu t e tre deven u e s eul e m ent l a tendre

n a p pro ; -
vu a m or t i r
l a r d eu r
’
e roi
s eu r l am ie de K s s sproj et s de m on p e re
e ,
-
,
a li la h, i le
’
et e xt ra v a
pas l iv é l im pie sc qu i m e comm e sproie ga n

o ne
’
elé r a t
’
m a v oi e n t a u e t toit
Ah S haban ah S ah m e s v e ritabl es am is p urqu i

r
g a .
fus j arrach é e cvos bras P o urqu oi vo us csvous sd e s

! ! ! h a m e la h ! ! ! o o
d ? fit e
comm encem ent de c cgerm e ctendre ss e tr p vive qu i dan s
e ne a e r
p pa
- -
le d é t oi t
nos c u rs qu i l al ors j ou r on
0
c et — s ’
fa lloi t é tou fl er
’
ui
’
d e v oi t
em pl oyer fer feu pou r
o u un
, p q
le le l e xti rpe r
’
et ?
1] Un m atin qu e j s
savec p lus de viol ence a
dan s m e s tri s te s r e flection
’
s
é t oi
m on d és es p ir d e tre
qu e ab im é e , et
j l o rdi n a i r e
’ ’ ’
e xpr im o i
sé paré e de K vieillard s m oi ssy ux per an s

q u o
a li la h , le fi xa n t
s ce s m ot s P rince ss e vo us qu i ave z é t é in s tru ite par l e s
ur e e
e
s
, ,
dr e
’
m
s age s l e s plus illum nes vous n gnorez pas san s dou te qu i l e xis te de s
a a : ,
’
I ntepelluigence
et
s su per eu res notre es p ece qu i s e
vent nous tirer des pas l es plus c sM qu i v us parl e ai
de s s
i
i
,
a
i
d i fli i le
,
m ele n t
oi
,
no
'
a fl a ir e ,
fait plus d u ne fois cde l e u r po u voir j sde s droit s

. o
’ ’ ’
l e xpé ri e n av oi a
l eu r assi stance car comm e vous m e m it en nai ssant s ous l e ur
e ;
pr tection vois vous pou vez plus vivre sé paré e de votre

, , ,
on
Je le
sdon ctems de vous adre ss er ce s e s prit s s ecou rabl e s
o .
,
ne
K a li a h l ; il e t a
m ais au rez vous ass e z cferm et é ass ez ccourage pou r s ou tenir d d
;
d u n de ces ss sde l ho mm e s ai s qu e l e u r
-
, ,
’
i d ifl éren
’ ’ ’
l a b or d é tr e ? Je
appr che prod u it s sin é vitabl e s— tress ai ll em ent sentraill e s de eflet
’
le de
la s ang qu i rem onte c ntre s cou rs ordinaire m ai s j
o ,
r ev olu t i on du
sai s auss i qu e cette terreu r ces sconvuls ifs to u t p é nib l e s
o on ; e
m ou v e m en
ss ont doivent pe u de chos e qu i a conn u l e s m ortell e s , ,
’
il a ro i t r e a
l angu e urs qu e fait éprou ver l a privati n d u n obj et u ni qu em nt ch éri
u
q , p ’
S i vo us vo us r és o l ve z invo qu er v tre aide l a de l a grande

o e .
a a G in n e
pyram ide qu e j e s ai s avoir prés id é votre naiss ance svous vo ul e z vous
o
a i
l rer sss oins j puis d e s ccs oir vous faire parl er s fre re qu i
iv a
,
a
sp lus v tre voi s in qu e vo us pen s e z C et e tre sreno mmé parm i no s
e , e , , on ,
t i
s ages snom e s gardien tr és or
e o n e
s s s
.
,
’
m O m ou lt a k o i l e t a pr e en t l e pr i t du
qu e l es ancien s roi s cabal i stes ont cdan s c cd és ert A u m oyen de s
, e
la e
au tres esprits qu i comm ande entretient u ne inti m e corresp ndance p .
’
] il
avec ss e ur qu e par parenth es e i a ai m ée en s tems comm e vous , o
]
aim e z actu ell e m ent K entrera donc auss i v vem ent qu i dan s
a o , , , on
a lila h . Il i m oi
vo s s c c s j
ou fl ra n
'
d u te point qu i fass e tou t pou r v us

et
’
]
1] A cs parol e s l a pal pitati n de cc c fu t ine x pri m abl e
; e ne o ne o
cs
.
d e r n i er m on
s ai s i s l a po ss ibi l it é de revoir avec tran s port qu i m e fit
e o ur
j K lila h
l ever brusqu em ent de m a pl ace cou rir comm e u ne forcen é e par l a
e a nu
et
cham bre pu is revenant viei ll ard j c ss

; , m on p ere au , e
’
l m b ra a i,
’
l a ppela i ,
1 25
m e j et i ssgeno ux a su ppl iai l e s m ain s j ointe s de pas et le
m on bonhe u r de m e cond uire qu elqu e hasard qu e cc
a e , , , ne
’
d i fl er e r et a ut
e treL e s s anctu aire
sc
, au
d u n
s
c m a l in
elé ra t content
’
d
,
d O m ou lta k o
él ire i ’
.
il
,
le
p
1] e oi t et ]on
porter s com b l e A cet

ru vo o
y
m
’
s
a v o itc s mi et n e on ge oit q u a le
’
a efl et il
’
prit to ut d u n cou p air froid re serve m e dit d u n s ol enne l

,
on .
’ ’
et et ton
S ache z squ e j ai m e s do u te s c p u i s
un
c s
,
Z u lka i h r d h é i t er
' ’
t m em é
dan s u ne si m portante qu e lqu e envie qu e j aie de vo us s erv r
ne e
,
’
, , p
a fl a i re
'
i i
Vo us ignorez com bien l a d ém arche qu e vous e te s sem pressé e de faire
.
,
i
e s t cou m oin s vous n en concevez pas ass e z t u te l a t émé rité
h a r di du
’
Jfac s ai s co mm ent vous pou rrez su pporter

u dra qu e vo us v us trou vie z s ous c
ne
,
svo te s i mm en s e s c
s ol itu de i
d u
’
l e fir oya b le
’
o
]
t l a ppa r e il
’
on
.
étrange l ie u j doi s vous cond uire J c s ai s pas non plus dan s

o ,
du on
qu ell e form e inn vous

sé po u vantabl e qu e m e s s en s en
i
J
été
cl ai s o u vent s o us as pect
le G
e
sengo u rdi s d a u tre s

a
pp a ro i tra .
t
.
lo n gt e m
vu
ne
un
foi s s es t m ontr é s o us de s apparence s s i bizarre s qu e

on ;
'
il m a n qu e
crire car rien c sscapricie ux qu e ce s s orte s
ai
j
e tou fie r
' ’
d s ’
t i d é t re
’
Celu i ci ménagera pe t e tre votre f ibl ess e m ai s i fau t vous aver ir qu e

,
n .
] t
ce s t tre s p é ri ll e us e qu e te ms de sincertain
-
n -
o
le l a ppa ri ti on
’ ’
l é pr eu v t
qu en vo us fau dra té m oigner horre u r , e ,
l a tt en da n t i l mi e fl ro i,
’ ’
ni ui
i m patience vous garder bien s ou de rire o u de pl eu rer

ne ,
et a
O s erve z encore qu e vous devez attendre dan s s il ence c
,
a vu e .
’
b le t l i m m ob i li t é
de l a m ort l e s m ain s croi sé e s s l a poitrine qu i l vous parl e
et
’
le
prem ier car ges te s ourire gém i ss em ent cs non
,
ur ,
um a u e r oi e n t
s e ul e m ent votre perte m ai s auss i cell e cK

;
l a m ienne
un , ,
ou un
”
d a li la h et
o u t cc qu e vo us m e dite s r é pondi s porte dan s m on
.
,
”
“
j
'
T l e flr o i
’
1]
m ai s de qu oi n e s t pas capabl e qu and am ou r sfata l qu e ,
-
e,
le
’
am e ; i
m ien no us e x cite
-
ou nu
”
?
1] J c vo us fél icite de votre su b l i m e s
avec s ou rire dont j com pri s pas al ors to u te l a mé chanceté
c reprit ri m pe u r p e r ev era n e, le G ,
P ré pare z vo us A ss qu e l e s t en e bre s au ront cou vert l a terre

js oitrai sussdan
pendre M
un ,
de m e s hau ts palm iers qu ell e

-
. u
o u za k a
i t6 t
e
a
ne
a fin
’
.
s notre chem i en su ite j vous condu irai l a porte de l a

i un , ne
a
gal erie qu i m ene ré d uit sj vo us y l ai ss erai irai
a n ; e
p
d O m ou lta k o
’
et
s el on m a c c é diter s l a c m e de sarbres faire sc
au e
c
, ,
ou t u m m me et de ux
pou r su cc e s de votre entrepri s e ,

ur i ,
v
le
1] J cpa ss ai tems dan s tre m b l em ent conti u e
.
l i n t e rv a lle d u ] ;
’
ha s ard dan s l e s va ll on s su r l e s petite s co ll ine s de l i l e

un n
j
’
s
e rro i et
’
sm e s ye ux s prof nd de s eaux j sl e s rayon s

au ;
j fi xoi le e v oy oi du
s ol eil s su r l e u r su rface en d ésirant redo u t nt égal em ent ;
e ur o
’
a fl oi b
’
li r et
qu i l di spar t de notre h e mi s ph e re L e calm e s acré d u ne s oiré e s ereine

a
’ ’
u
sr é pandit partou t
.
e n fin
s ri m pe u r s détacher trou peau de s e s au tru che s qu i

e .
1] Je v i le G du
gravem ent pou r boire dan s i m—oi
e
sc
,
a h e m in oien t
’
le fl e u v e ; ] v en o i t a a
pas com ptés cm ettant doigt s l a ccm e dit S u ive m oi t, le b ou h ,
en s il ence J ob é is ou vrit u ne porte m e fit c avec lui dan s
, ur : z
’
. . Il , et n t r er
1 26
TH E L F E A N D L E T T E R S I
WI LL I AM BE C KF O R D O F F O N T HI LL
T hi s pec uliarl y fas cinating boo —A c k . then eum .
( Th e biography ) u ndo u bted l y fi lls a gap in o u r l iterary hi s tory .
S ta n da rd .
T hi s biography sthe only one that pretend s to fairness and com

i
ple t e n e ss and we are grateful for — it .

"
N a tion .
At l as t we have a biography which i s at once ju dicious in tone

and brightly written and i s enriched by no fewer than two h u ndred
l etters ec ford —M F in T
,
of B k .
”
Tr .s T BETTAN Y
. h e S un day im e .
M r M el vill e s boo i s ex cell entl y done and i s adm irably i llustrated

’
k
I t shoul d find m any readers and s end m any to V —M
, .
h ek
’
at
WA L O R D D
r
in T
, .
F . G R E EN h e B ookm a n .
Th e volum e i s one that ec ford hims el f in hi s s aner m om ent s B k

m ight have del ighted in attractive b u t s im pl e s incerel y and m ode s tl y
, ,
written and very happi ly i llus trated — w T s

, ,
, . Ne York im e .
M r M e l vi ll e has no rival in hi s del ineation of the com pl ete m an

and hi s boo hand s o m e ly prod u ced and appropriately i llustrated
,
k,
m ay be recomm ended a s an e xce ll ent pres ent for s tu dents of eorgian
,
G
l iteratu re —M W H C H ESS O in T D l
. r . . c N he a i y Ch ron i le .
U nti l M r M el vill e s e x ce ll ent biography appeared there was no

’
s atis factory acc u nt the a uth r of V o and l egend and tra

of o a th e k,
’
dition u ninform ed e xaggerated u nreal too the pl ace of the pro s aic k
tr uth M r M el vi ll e has s ou ght cl ear away the fictitious fro m the
, , , ,
to
tru e and sfor the firs t tim e given san acco u nt which can be
.
ha u
call ed trus tworthy and ade qu ate — cs

,
. S ot ma n .
M r L ewi s M el vill e has given us nothing better and m ore

wc
el om e a b
( ind ul ge
le in a to c word coinage ) than thi s Be kfo r d e a n
biography of the m an who i s chiefly re m em bered sthe au thor of a
‘
Va t h ek and as the eccentric of Fonthill
’
M r M e l vill e has
than s to the co u te sy of the D u e of H am il ton been abl e
.
,
k r k
to draw p n the m a s sof ecford s c rresponden ce pre s er ed at
,
’
u o B k
H ami l ton Pal ace and sto give us at n ce a full er and m ore au thentic
o v
o o
nowl edge of the m an than we have had —D l T

,
”
k ai ele ra h
.
y g p .
BOO KS TH AT C O MP E L
H IS TO R Y A N D P H I L O S O P H Y
B R I wT I ShHC l TT
it
L
ed Maps cp BA K S E H IL
Cl h A I
BO O
F a
R LL O C
lea he I ll sa ed
.
8v o
By
ot
E
1 5 n et
BE .
t
u tr t
6d
o our . . .
, .
; r, 2 5 . .
n e t.
I T O RY AR AR W
Tphe aicisih sa le wShe iicehswilli ic
Br t B tt
s h s i s a
p
H S
sh ave k e pa
r b e
IN
g a ph
a
on
c hs t
F
of
E
n um r of m on o r
bcl le edwillabpesi ll sst abjivece a sepave ee b sdeklsecblledsa ed wiex h

u
a tt
on
th e u
Br t
t of
t on in
troo
ra t oo
ta n
t i u tr t
rt E
t
.
g
o our
e
dew hiaic
to t he
m
wi
lhsled c
r t
,
hu
ar a
r t
l
n um g e
of t h e m o
r of n mb
m nt
e
e c
o
h l
c
ni
ri
a ee
th e u
s
a p
i n th e t t,
s
ps h l i wi
i c a g
l ci sc
c sa c
c e ss ivees
t
u p to
of th e a ti on
;
tt
t , th e
b a
In a
l e wi n ll
th e
t on i n d eta I l
b
; n
I
eo t
e x p l ai
it laWslAyT R L OOaci TOU R C O I La e L v lu IMeswi llMde l
to th e t , th e ta
B EN H E
ed
r um t n
; 2
a n
AL
e
.
x sge sl e d i g
. .
wiValhe CcieecyesVii ie siaC T l ausTe al averasF

P L AQU E T ; 3
t r ,
E
Po t r ,
; 4
o run n ,
NG .
,
t r o m
lo d den ,
t tor
i
a
of The S ege
. .
R I LLI IMM YR UDe yI TA Lc Yl h I llCHsARaL ed ice

n nn , , ou o .
T PO AN D O NG By LAP WOR I H and

‘ ‘
. ES
HE
A b
EN
yI sliae a pici ac
n et
s
. kc
Z
i e oo iE
T a
i l
p i
N
l
of
i
.
p
e ped i c
ie m
n t rn a t on T
w h i i ss fi s
8v o ,
e f
ot
m
.
or ta n
u tr t
.
. Pr
i th e
1 05 . 6d
r
.
vi e w w h i h s b ee p bl i s hed pe
t m t o un t of th e x t tt r om th e
c
r o on r n
I al y sc a e a g ai sT k ey sf ll y sa ed a e a i
ta n o nt of ha ye t n u in Eu ro
s
.
Tciipcsli swhichbi asycscaplyicibeescisep epseaciedy b y bi pssed x t on o f

’
t n t ur i u t t ,
an d th e nn
r o ,
ha on t an t n m r r nt a
I a l ia v e e l iv e l y h w v e b ee
ti tr d t of ra t th e art
cc
r a an ar r an r ou a on
s s s
ih vpee hea ivei l yp als
o f th e
m
t
r isiic
tasedl ecesasiu yh Tshe hiheghei sask h di i ewis g I l y
n
o
Go
t
rn m
n
n t, i
t .
on u
t
o
ut
n to h a
or t in
n an
ta
r eliavblde i c
a
c
ac
i g
ar t
I al y f
a i oun e h i syt
y
o f th e
t
f a l s e aTc cs
i p
th e
a
nn l i
i e ped
sw h ic
r i
t
i h h
or
v e
in t r
tor o f t h e
ta
r o
of
x
ra
t
n
on a n d
up a
bI eali l evelliedeaMg i i isse herswTellhe sM Mh iveisbeeer suFb iei ged s

of
en
in t n t
a n t
rom
.
th e m an
SS a
u
n
t on
m tt to t h e
a
Tphhe bg akphssill Lsibayaed wi h p ai s lead g I alia s wi h

t
o to
an
oo
Pr m
i
of
u
n
tr
t
t
r a
t
a
or tr
th e
t of
n t
in
of
t
or
n
n
an d
AlI a I r
t
.
YMH L v lYs A WeachYS T M sed LY C

r
AR T U R
.
sdy F d a
PS C O OG , NE S E OF . By H N H,
e P
willwligh c
m ant
.
c e s
l P ro
a fio rd
se
2
s '
o
H
.
r
M
t
i d
1 0 5 6d
o i th e
in
.
iwilleriab e h ewga d i esve ycep si i K sCsycehg l geys T he p .
r
c i p l ese sabl is
u m an
r
n et
hed
to
. Ba
n .
r
on
o
th e
r in
t on
tu
in P
of
t
un
o o .
Spe c ec sHed i s c sLaw f d i Ma he

Ne for
'
t t ro n , n ta n ,
on an t at o ri ,
sM e y As i i x e l i y Wi ll F ee l i g
’
m , F e h n er of
’
th e a t on t
sc
n r on , ou n
m a ti
Re sn
Effor t Br ai , L c
,
a l i s a i n s fi a ll y
m or
o
,
o
t v
one i
a t on
a,
bl e
an d
,
e E t
n
rn a
on
t ,
th e
,
r
th e
t n a tu r
n of
of
I TR D U T I M TA H Y S I S H RI R
a o .
AN
S ON
N
s
.T a s l a
T ed
he
O
b y
r
I
nT d
C
ci
H l e Fc
t
O N TO
M
ma p s c
. Ec l
s a l h g h the
.h E
i cue P
.
C .
.
By
8v o ,
EN
ot .
BE
Pr
G
h es si p a s sw i g s
“
a 6d n et n tro u t on to e ta ph y n t ou
s s
. . .
,
ly p i des b esi t duci sh gh s s

t, i o f th e m o t m or t n t of Berg It
’
ort on e on t in
r .
n o t on ro v th e t n ro t on to hi t ou t, b u t i al o
S P H E N S W I F A N D C O L I M I ED
TE T T
K I N S R EE C V E ARD E N
.
I 6 G T T O NT G
L ND N O O
STO R Y AN D P H I L OSO P H Y
HI
a b kecwoo
e s
ce e h s
sy e a d
e fa
ln h i l ia
he wi
de v
v h
e l pe
n e s t sw rk wi ll
s g ea e l e g h
o m r t the r t of hi o
is g
fin d n
e
e hded
in r a t e bde
y l h
w de l s e
r
iw he
ar
i ei t ai e
to
x ar
t
vc g i fic
e y e p a
an
si ce ,
w h
e a
fo r
g he
s
in i t
r . th e
"
o
t Si
at
n
r
n
t r
of
n t an d
t
n t
i
Me a phy s
ha hen
i c
f
s cs
d t
i de e c
aess
bl
r to
ea y
th e
l e g thq
oun
ye e
t
or
bI
k
it d ci
“
s eve r
n
n tu t on
r
.
to
E
uo t
r
“
x o
An
t or
n tr o
Of
u
B
t on to
r on
b ef e bee avail bl e glish

t at on
i n En
r n , th e oo ha n
I TR DU TI T
or n a
R S H UL
.
s
AN
B e sidessgsvph gl sgphy
N
i in a e e l e p sh i sd scbs
n ra
O ON C
x o i t on o f th e
By E
esede k sw eplae s
tt r n o n
ME 7 6 d
O N TO BE
rt o f
g h
G . . . . . .
s sT he y w c p ve a y pe p l e
Berg o n th e a u t o r h a
'
i o o ,
i u at om n t
si e es g par sw h l e ph l sphy l h u g h
o f Ar t
“ ”
ln h m ay ro
'
Berg o u or to m n o th e
ss
,
far b ee i wg ice eb yve y li g leeat n b e sa seepai ae e hideisbsk s

m o t n t r ti n
n
t of h i
r tt n a o u t r tt
o i o o
At th e
,
a t o
m t m t
it h a
oo i
o
.
h se de av u ed b y sb d i a i g eve y hi g
n o run n n o m m n t ar on a r um r of r t a ; th e
d lii eda ip gcce c

aut
om n
or
ep i s ls
ha
t n e syvs e e D eia deg slai sd feawc
n
on
o
t on ,
r
lyee alys
to a
u
in th e r
or
r m
n t n
'
r t
n
n to
ar
on e
a h sb ee abl e d s s a y p i s di f cl y wi h
of Ber g
’
ou t i tu r t m th e t
cs
n on ur n . r
th e
M r e gs hi sel f
.
u t or ha
B r on m
n
.
to i u m n o n t of fi u t t
SO C I AL AN D P O LITI CAL S ER I E S
F R CM wT H ATclR h sMU S I HThiLL
O E E TO W R
sb k sei her h i sry
C- A . By . . TI TTER TON .
da rae pa aac ci icl sdy w e ll k w p l ay w g h s I t s

ro n 8 vo, ot .
3 . 6d . n et . oo i n t a. to of
th e
an
m n or
cu
desich all gl d despeexpalaie ec
t t m t to w e ak e ei go
r
u
t
d a
si p a c
nt aa
i c
es e se
fo r th e
tu of
n n
-
no
of
n
th e r m t
ri t .
n
i
in
m o r n En
mu
m ea slikpe lypu larexec
n of
-
,
o
an
and e s si ,
y th e
and
ai ai
xipe egssei at agTeehe ehe i esg e f wapp dsiti nbol d ir
g
to
it sa r
on
t
.
n
n
th e
t
n o rm o
t
or
of
pu t
m
m
nt
or
o rt n
n n
r a re
o f th e
a
an d ar e to t r r m n t an d r at o o o
D I deaTlsR CHA RHL I SS WWRITK Y WMi Dh aCHi ab As De si y

.
TH E
T
an d
i u
OC
ph V u lg ri y
O
.
Mak e s M
By
AN D
A S dy Hu
u h
E
" “
r
J .
O
H
.
B ,
t
. .
"“
an t
n t of h i
.
, t o
tn
of
I i ia ive
m
r ant
cC w
b ki dica edh r sisg s
n t t , et
a
ro
t ,
eviewaed wsec
n 8v o , clot h
r of an ,
xi is
. Pr i c e tu of
il gigcapl si i which hed c

35 6 d n et
ma n
In t i h s . . . .
oo
an d n
th e a u t o h a r
t
u on to
n
t ne
ne
th e
bpe fecasllsied ps apccepscswised ia p ere fu ci sga ised

th e of o
an d
o o
t n o t on o f t h e
er a in
m o r tan t n t on
o to r
i
Th e
w ll .
i
ro
c pe a g
s h
o n h a in t h e
u n t ; t a t o f th e f g
a t
u tu red wi
on
ll t
b e of
a
Sae
dm
i sci
in p l T ed
he
rm
Da
m ob o f u n or n
of
cr
y e
rt x pe s
s
W k
o o
or
-
”
r t
o in t o f
i
m ay
n
b e de
for th e
It
scb ed sa s a y
o o
psi al eavidee w appea ls l ess l ay h a

ri a
o f th e
n ot
t
um m r
.
t
to th e
“
o f th e m o
t
o to
rn m
n to th e
de
a n d Hi
oi
a ed i
pr e scl
.
I RI S H H M RUL T he La s t h a e
ou r r
s s
.
S
C w ro n s
O
8v o
E
.
3 .
E
6d .
.
n et .
P . By . G . Hoa o u.
S E P H E S W I F A N D C O L I M I ED
T N T T
K I N S R EE C V E N ARD E N
.
1 6 G T T O T G
L ND N O O
LL E S L E TT R E S
BE
heI pesia lis

i i pitae isg whi lshee h s
in m dssh aeppyecs sse i esiw
t n th e m t
ll C e l
s i g
i c o an d ff t of th e ne t or
m
T he S
r
i in h i m o
s e At
he s s del e wsp aper wi h sva i sa si g fea es

ort o f i c l e
o
sh at de
t ;
P ro
n
o s e w
rt
t
i e sw i e s t
i
t
a
mo
it
rn
r ou
in hi
Pr
mu
-
r
r
n
t r
u
r
tu r
tra t
t
n
H A D WS R WD R IC HA R D C U R L
.
S
Cciwus cro
O
lpsyc
n hh l gicTl kihisdb Sk ce s
8 v o,
OUT
ot .
OF
idesasl wi hwe lveWssieIsdi na
65 .
TH E C
oo
O
on
.
t
By
of t tor of
E .
S u h A e i c r pi c ss e wi L d s e wi h
ur o an d o o a n . om t th e et n a
Sc
an
o
afa alisl a
d
phe
t d e
o
si p es
n ,
wit
t
siv he
an d
m
h A
he f
e
on e
r
i c a an
T he a
sab u a ll ss i e s
h t
sss
o
S ou t e , om
r .
th on
ut
on ,
or
'
om
en
t
Of
si cs p i i R i s T hey h ave b e w i e ve
tm o r i m r an d t r i o t hi tor th e
s s
,
pe i ad deepsei vs
t t
r o ei gahl yei sc
of
e r
r
a h
t
r
dews
s i
of
g s ac
th e
l
cp i s feve ed i a gi a i
ar s e,sdy
u
and S e han
d o
.
n of o
e n
tu
r tt
of m
n o
t
r a
o
an d
an d ra t he
All a re t h e w k a
glish ypew i n
or
En
p w et
r
of
n to
t
a r i t
s
t er
t in
of a e o
ri t
,
on
a n d of a n
of r
rt
m
of a
n t
r r
on .
H L TAL O T C w l
r uh
L D W D WS T h
-
.
c
i sl i l e v lu e M i s sT a lb w sa w e ll
ON ON IN O . By E E B . ro n 8v o , ot .
kpicwesL gd f ed si gaery ds
25
no
. 6d .
n
n et
an d
In th
i t
.
y uS hege chsirw hegl aesdf sp e s

n
tt
in t h e
o m
o n r o of
o t,
En
ho i
n
’
o t ,
c i s tylp tiffeall wi hs haay c

t ur
’
on
aa ptiisusla iL nd sseeeel ygaric
on i n
t ou t t
m n
t
e via
m oo
lg w h i
sd i d
tc h s
.
t on
ha
to th e m
on
r
t m
tu
ro m th e
i
g ey dsaywell sspeagf ic
th e
r ,
i
a arc le resp alld i g Aallppewa wlhivceh l iesL hed se
of
a
o
m
m n
an d
r t
ur n
o
.
on i
ho
n
o the
n ,
or
on on
,
of
vi g p ig a t ve ses
to mu t r o on to th e l in t
-
mo an d
HU R R A S OM
n o n n r
L D AR T w
.
H MI A
BO
c l h I llusa ed
E
ot
IN
tr t
ON ON
2 3 n et.
. By N E . C ro n 8v o,
S M AS T T H K R AY L I M LV ILL
. . .
S
De y sa l i e a y sdy b k i ce s
O E PEC OF AC E . By EW S E E .
ib iellriaestt ca yasiddedsal i eerai y ge siuasfuT hehere revel aadi i ablay

n
m
t
8v o
, an d
. 1 28
om m
. 6 d n et.
n
. A
t t n t on
t
a
r r tu
rt
th e oo
t on
n
of
i t
wTitthaeck e c
r
hayap sersA ist T haTcheac

n an d m
akye asn
a R ea de i
t r
c
n r ar e m r
-
.
y sC u t y Th ac k e a y
“
r n t on k r a r an d C r ti
s
,
ll s T h ac sI l sa rs r types
"
a a k ra
”
d e y
’ '
r a an rt ,
r o n r , r
" "
Thackeray sCh ac e s cThe v lu e sfullWy i ll sa ed

B ,
'
t
an d
"
et
hi l u tr to
m i
,
“
P o to
tr t
of
LI S H LI T RA TU R l
ar o
a r a r
r u
e de f e
.
, .
EN G
Kegliedy
By I M .K sw e
D Y De y
.
fi
E
sh isry
EN N E c l h .
dy a i
E.
c ve e
m M r 1
M
880
8v o ,
-
1 90 5
ot
.
.
P t
7S . 6d
,
. n et
i
.
, an d
. J .
t .
achaspkeerc
En
nn
s h l i e ra
hs Wral ea iacesu e b e w
ha
t ee t
r i tt n
r
c l
t
s i i T he
th e
n 1 880 an d 1 90 5
s c s
w k b
c i eswi h
or e gr
in swi h
t to o f th e
.
n m mo m nt in
t
r ar Wi l de w he i d i e e
t of om n t i m an d m , a n d on t n u t
c
a
s
waysexi e ecis ed sg e a i e e vari u sp ets s a y i
t t r P t an d O h o , in t ff t
c
on r r n
s ss
,
of the
,
all wh
t m
r
deal wi h
o
of
r t an n fl u n
o m are t
on
t
o o an d e t
LY D S LI F A R O C w
.
,
ON
l he a sThiwsifssscedi i g wau hk rwsswi gi glillsyh pe bldeisihedg
A By B TAUEE
’
OG E VON 8v o ,
c
. N . ro n
ot 55 n et . . . a nat n or a or na u
in G rm n , a n d i
'
no u i n th e t o o n En r n r n .
S E P H E N S W I F T AN D C O L I M I
T D TE
K I S R EE C VE N ARD E N
.
1 6 NG T T O T G
L ND N O O
L L E S L E TT R E S
BE
I t sb ee sfav u abl y rec e iv ed e a y A S ib e i

d w h e i e wsa w l f s sw s y The b k
ha n mo t o r in G rm n r an
s s
.
f cc
h ou n
a
h
t, isa ve y c
c h
,
l e vpe
o
i qsaar i c
ey fr
r
h a a
a
sc i g f
r et a
r s a o
onr
t e
he w h,
i c h g
tell
h
um i s
hi
n n
o
tu r
n
,
tor
ti
. oo
a n
, in
mu
m t aserful se lf espec g h d ar m a n d
ti n
u n om i t om n ro m m ou t of a
LI S H W R TH I T s Re adi g
ou n
a
r
h
-
.
SO M
G or
an d
e gi e r duc
E O LD E N G
3 Gr
nt o
n,
t on
eei Rb yge DO Rc
. F iar
OTHY S IO R Medi o srh Ba d i ed
O
on , wi h c lh re s
ES
EN
Ru
.
.
.
om
E
um
t
of
8v o ,
t n ot
ot
n ,
1 0 5 6 d n et
DMAI UVD R KAITH SM S I LCLAAI RO R TY RRfessLL AC HI MHAT R O RO D

. . .
BY E S P . By E E N E , NN E HES N,
R V ILL MA C D O A L D C C C O TT R ILL w di i n
E P . NG , AY N , P ro or . . E F ,
D
C wdesciptivcl e h gil meds
an d
r
ro
. G
n
E
8v o ,
E
A v
N
l
i a ive essaysi erspe sed wi h verse
ot ,
an d
t . e
3
,
. na
t t
an d
u
6 d n et a l
. sdi es
.
.
.
o um
nt
E
of
. Ne
t r
t
E
tu
t o .
D Fc A TA
r
R C r w
r
M R O U
.
IN E
8v o,
m
l r
h
EN C E OF
s
Afre qe eicy p ai de b y iepewrese aepivlyes ci ic
ot
an
. T h i
5
o n t of v
sv ery re a kabl e b k g v es
.
A
n e t.
E ICA
issll Thecleau h
in r
. By B
m
to r t
r
N
m of
VON
oo
“
BE
Un
.
Sam
o
th e
n
aS Ra es s e a w ss a cive ye a s U i ed
“
u n tl m
pe
sd awsu p ab u h i y p p l a i di c e sa g ai s
u o- G rm n, y r
ho h a
nt t
nt m an
of Jo h n Bu
t
.
r in t h e n
t or,
t
Cveriye s
t t
it z
i g in U
a
,
l c l er
of Sa sea l
d i sp a ss i
n
e wa y d
e i
x s
hc
o
m
iub
'
s
i s e
t t
she
g
r
l a
rt
m,
g e l e
a g
“
han d
o
a u r n tm n t
t m at n
n
t
t th e
in
G e h a Ucc
rm
or
nil eical ac e geh her will hwi ll ch e ica b sh kewd ess
n
r t
and
um n to
on a t
t
,
t mu
ti n
Am
a
r
r
n
m o un t
r n
of
ia i s he i s v r l a a cerisic w
”
pp e e e h fe
“ ” “
Bo t S a m an d Jo Bu fi n d in th e gen era l
c c
n n oo
s
a
val able sggesi s
r t on of t
t
r a r t t an d not a
I HT LU M UR
on
u i
u u
L e
.
A N G
bWiu hg p efaceR MY appe dix by A hCurr Rwa s e cl Mh Re y de
o r )
I N TH E
By E .
! E BO
DE G OU R MO N I
G Un e N t a u
o n 8v o , ot
ux m
55 n et
( ‘ ‘
.
.
. . .
t spe h p s g e a es c e p y F e c h w i e
t r an d n rt n om m
s
. .
sb ksare r s l a ed a ll l a g a g e i
G o u rm on i , r a th e r t t of on t m orar r n r t r
s s
, .
L x e b rg s fi s t sw k s a ppe gl i h
Hi oo t an t in to n u b u t ou r Un e N u t
s
.
wi ll b e f ll w ed b y he s wi ll c e tai l y a u e csde
”
au u m ou i th e r of h i or to ar in En
s
,
aablpue rdliysces
an d
e
u
a
o o
on
ti
isthe ceIt i ves reade wi h s e hi g e h
smo
m o t on
ot r
th e
It
r t
r n
om t
.
ro
n
on i
m or t a n
r
.
.
FI C TIO N
C w ro n 8v o , Cl h ot . O seac
. h .
L ADFY T h ss a l
E R MY N TR U DE AN D TH E P
i a e f a si c
a l U
M BE
a
s i i a
c l R ye
By P E R C Y L .
sq i h u sa i s i g f ch a a R adic a l ia l i
E N DAL L i t n ta t an d t r f th e a r 1 9 2 0 ,
S c
, o
s
.
it
vew e t esap ss
ua n t um o r
G o rn m n h a
an d om an t o
a
rn
r
ed
n
a livi g
a n A t o f P ar
n a n d to
l
o u t of th e a t t
c ia et
e q i i
live hei ea i gs The e
m nt r u r n
on t r rn n
g e
o
r v e y
m an
r
t -
E P H E N SW I F A N D C O L I M I ED
ST T T
.
1 6 G T T O T G
L ND N O O
FI C TIO N
are y
t of t
a d m ri a bl e s k es wit d is
lpeeasi ed hese b ekie g hescheds ule der cha Wgeskw h c
m an pe sed
n
h c
g h
h sckipegleds
tro
th e
of
u of
r
r
t rou
i
ou t, n o t
th e n
th e
i
toe r livi g
rm tt
a n a
to m a
n
, for a l o, n th e or A t, i om l
LL T M Y S T R Y sRU LL The
.
s
AN
s c e ea dpe isg fIarehel a r d wiA hp a fras
E! C E
n o n
EN
in cm tahei g ch lad s nW ll
lfi sh e l det Wi s
E
s i se
p .
in t
By C o uN TE
n i , i -
SSE
o
’
-
th e -
.
dh sbea d as eiac
an d
ri v h er to
ot n
gcee wic hi ch sy spa hesicd f evdea icwa Tdlhey
t
m ar r
. oo
ha
o
no
r and
ou n
e
o un t on
r
.
t r
W ll Wi s p s fc e a e de a g e wi h
u n t u rn d
ou t n o r n tr , un m t t ,
an .
ec e a i gesseThei swi h hecl p p f bli ee ds he h d

'
i o th e -
h a to a
- at
-
t n r an d t n o exper i
s
s w g od s e e
n th e m o t r ou a n d d ifli u lt ro m o f ex, m o t r oo
s
ehsc
an d
pedes
e
a n d m rr a
a i n
bl
t th e
s T h isf r s cc
t rm i n t on , an d th e n e
of r n
s s
.
i bl
or e e d iv
, h er o
of
n
cl aw Scla d s
l
ot
o
s i
n ,
n
he
an a l ss
t i lli g a ive
a
r
h er trou e
n n ar r
o m th e on u on of
t
rt e b ut
.
HU A D L V R WA LT R RI DD h i sb k
.
sg ive a d i s e r i g sdy a e pera e T he a h r

SB N AN D O E By In t
c
E AL L oo
s
. .
ak
i
e
ii p elsecs
t nav e
sdes
a
n
g e
ir
an a i si c
s i e s h u g h ts de r spre e
r l ai d
n n
b a ert t sfee l i gs
tu of t m
m an an d
m nt
r hi
ut o
n
ha
an d
.
e s Fra k es ss k ey e w k s h
m u ,
hi e a n d n n rm o t t o un th e u m
wall bee ecgei ihesed blb y sheevesy ap wl gisfesces he f cs sw

n flu n of ex n n i th e n o t o f th e or i t t ru t
-
.
i r o n r on e ho a th e a t o f h i o n
n tur an d n t r u n or o o for t m
LU K H I SO T he C s
.
TH E C O N
L c k SI DI
sp i a i l y a s y
By H
U
NE
NK
i A
N
He s
on n C
gl i.
s h i
g di i l e
s
. . .
l vesaelfairawide h Iwish sa ca c
i r m r to r of th e n on of a r t , an En
h a ce b we
’
c c
u r
o
th e
I s h
ff
e vi
m
t an r
e
m an -
m n a n d th e on fli t o f
w h i h
h o i t h e h rm n
c he ro n
d i ar
g
sh i s
he
t r et
e l i
f e
t r a n d th e
en
sfa he
T he w i e
,
c
’
rr llllic
ri
o i kcki wig ehl e e b es sC sidi aie Lackdels

n r on m n t i n
t th e t, an d th e
fin
on n
m
u i n ot
r t r an
i
i t ou t i t
ca e w h se ri s
s
.
p e ic sry wi h ss
n
al p acic
lov e to ,
m nt
t it e i g
Bu t i t i in t h e m n
g
a l pe pl e g who M Hi ksn ss
tt n in th e r n ee
ou n r ,Iris
t an d.
h c ty a g
ou
m on th e
o t
h
t oro u
, un r
at gh l y
h e
t
om
o am o n m r n o i o .
S U R MA L ITC I L D WO OD h
.
I
ssb jec a e cf sa s h i p h ss ar si g c
A PE - N IN Bo t in
BE N G . By HF E S .
wa hek ssthe b i g uphsic

it
or
u t m tt r a n d r a t m n
It i n o t , in th e
. u aal lsep s
n , eesea se y l ve fess i ges
t i i an
to r o f o
re t n pi e e o f
an d m arr a .
w sl s seyes i g h w s k w tsde
R t r, i t i o ra r n tm n t o f P r o or S n a gg ,
w l d sa di s g is hed h i si T he e v e l a i
ho h a o t i t, b u t h o i y e t n o n to t h e o u i
fe s sh e l i fe sc c p lis hed wi h a l i e y ki l
or a tin u tor a n r t on o f t h e
s s
.
hsgpehes ki d h wi g i a om
b e a c bi a i spe
o f th e
’
P ro or om t t ra r
s
u
i
r
t
v
n
l Asex cah di a yd si aia i acc
dee lleic o n
n ot o m u
-
h im to
,
,
in th e om n o f
om
i cs—
n t on of u
s
r m an an d
t o n a i n t h e om n
p bld e ai
-
pe sc
y hi l gly ise ses
o f in t
o o
t
nt n
n
l yi i elle eecsui lg si de readesslved sby hcs

tr o r n r
nt r t n
. tu t on o u r
to th e
a
r n ot o m u
ro m in
on it h supe s ,
d i i ellec
m o t on a a on i t
m a n i n th e om a n of n t
nt t a
t
, a
nd i o t i r
S T E P H E N S W I FT A N D C O L I M I T ED
K I N S R EE C VE N G ARD E N
.
1 6 G T T O T
L ND N
O O
U N CLASSI F I ED
O H, MY
l
U n
L NC W T I M OU T H SHO R au th r
Ta kifr gliMcafsaie y ale ssse cve Cserswsa ire c sedy fa cc
t r,
E !
”
By
D Or
'
a y,
. E GN
et W
T he
. o n 8v o .
E,
3 . 6d
o
. n et
of
.
“
i t,
cs a uc
fun ,
i m;
c
o
eto
,
ai l y hs h is y
e c h r
of
t
c a a w
,
h i
f ch
ai
, c
l y
an a
n on en
b e t b e
alla C
u l a s
des
r i fi d
pod rida
r ,
t , om
n no
,
r e, r i ti
e .
It
ac
hedes diibge fici deas
rt
n
n
t on
tor , y et
l
i
n n ot
e
r
l i
n ot
s
swi h w e ll k w f l k
i t i n o t r a m , ye t ta lei m
pu t n
oe n o t u f air
th e
y s d s f ll y
s a
a shce wi ahgai k ey c s a l ve sry he e sl ve
r it ; i t t no n o , y et it i n ot -
"
ro m n
w l v l a gh e
i t in ort,
t a
n , it
; i t i n ot
n not
o
a
it s
It i b
to , y et t
e c
oo l
r i
aes
o
s
eilfi
in
for t o e
y ed
f iv l usa b k
s de al swi h
h s .
ho o e
hU c
th e l i
dl e wg
u
of h ts l i fe wi h sa uc
t r , ye t
, t
h
i n ot m r
ju t
i gto no
r o o
and
Msa fe l
It
y
a n of
bhe
t
at
s
w ag i
ai d — is s l e ye s
de l i ce
.
S a o
Daddy wi ll ak e a y fri e ds
On e t n m ay Bu E and -
.
n m m n n .
TH E M OST BR I LLIA N T OF
TH E W E E K L I E S
WI T SS d i ed b y H IL A I R LLO Wee k l y
Q
u a
TH E E Y E -
s sgl a c
e
rtr l y s Hal f ye a l y s Ye l y sp sf ee T he
e , 7 .
NE
;
b e h i
.
-
E
svi g r u sp d ci
r
t
,
1 4
s t ; ar
E BE
28 ,
C .
o t r .
,
“
6d .
cvi c e h a a wi de a sc e i exise c e s far s

i gh e t n a t an y n um r of t o o ro u t on mu
hagaee s
t
on
wi
t i p n
s
h si bl e o
p
on e
e ci se e v e ry
t
e e ph
t
pea
N ot h
i a pne
sat pr es
cu l k his wwee k l y
e v e y
on fe w ha
, wi ll r
om n to
nt
t n , o
r ,
a
revivileew l y O pp hesede wi ll sbpe lvic

r
;
t th e
b ut t eyy w
r
r
fe w wievell a a dgsi hh atse Thes
an d m
r
t
,
o t oo o f t
n m on
ne
t t o mo t
Wit e s s sa ase l y pr d c i — sW y
o nt o to i t o , ho n ot m t t ‘
"
TP
’
Ey e i
’
- n m t r o u t on eekl
F A w ee k l y F e i i s R evi e w d i ed b y
. . . . .
R W O M AN
DO R A e MAl y R D Six hs
TH E EE
Mon t
MARY YeA rlTy ORsp sWfeeeek y
S EN , B A , a n d
.
. .
m n t
G W H PE .
. E
l
t
, 3d ; .
Q ua r t r , 35 6 d ;
. .
, 75 . a 1 4 , o t r .
R E V I EW
TH E O! F RD esidesc aiA i gRI Dicl es Rge VeI lWli e aa y i ehel yst

O AN D C MB GE E E , m on t .
beyliwgiell sk w pwlii ic
25 . 6d . n et
-
no
.
erasl
B
fn Re vi
a ecs
r w t dee a
rva l swi h ve e ssc
on t
iv,
e th e
n n
i sl a
i
art
l of
t
n ra
mo
t
m
r
nt
r
,
nt r
o a ,
p si viDewi se Ad s
r
o n t of
ou an d
w e aedy t
i m nt n
. pp o
Ds i i i t
se b e e
s ai ai ed
to th e Di e ta b
t
. r om
o
C h o ss
c ht
on
on
t ,
b ut n ot a n n u r,
gl
Cp h g c
En
ur
a
Ii h m en t,
d
n , an d
n o m n
a
or
o to a n y
. o
l s
h Te he Revi epw l id ic
not
m m
n t
de v
rm n t o f th e
e lur
p of
e
easl pa byi bduit sel f sefvellryw eblsiisdl yce
o m n t of m o
to o o
rn m in t h e
n th e
de i s
S c
o
s s
ia
ro ra m m
l s
i m an d
of a n y
er v a ti m a n d
o tr n
ro r
o t
d
p g ess
r ci ai e R a diclis
rt ,
a
Offer
m , a n d tan
r
for
t an
n
to
C on
.
s ds s a e
S EP H E N SWI F
T C O L I MI ED T AN D T
.
1 6 G T T O T G
L ND N O O
E VALLEY
S HADO WS
FR ANCI S G R E R SO I N
Demy 6 s . n et
M EM OR IE S OF L I N C OL N S
’
C OUN TR Y
In this boo k M G iers on e clls i v i id m e o ies

r r r a n v m r
the wonde ful ro n c e f islife i Lin c

r o ln s c
ma o unt y o h n
’
r
befo e the w Th V lly f h Sh d w isnot a

r ar . e a e o t e a o :
n ovel s y s M W L C o u tney i the D ily T l

,
”
a r . . r n a e e
p
gr a h y,
“
the g ph c
etpo tr
in i t u e f s p i it u l
ra d i r a r o r a an
intellec tu l ove ents i possesses tt c

a m m tion den ied t an a ra
to all b h ost sign ficnt kind f f c

ut t e m tion i a o i .
W ith w onder ul to u c
a h M G rierson dep cf ts s cene r i
afte s cren d win g the si ple n tive c
e, ra hrc ters wth m ,
a a a i
bold im p ess ve st o es
,
r i r k .
“T he e h pte s s ys P c
r are h
C i the boo k
a r , a un ,
“ n
‘
T C
he p Me t n g is ex ple one nd
am e i
’
an am of ki ,
T L g Ho us e
he f nother—th t h u nt one fte
o o a a a a r
wrds l ke re e bered us c like p ss ges i the

a i m m m i or a a n
prose of P te
,
a r.
P A R I S I AN
P O R T R AI T S
F R AN C I S G R I ER SO N
F
’
c
p 8
a 00 . a s6d
. . mt
AN J P P R E CI ATI ON OF F R E N C H G EN I US
T hese pro o u ndly s g co us st udies d finely

f a a i an
d w ra n portr its f g e test inte est not only

a are o the r a r ,
i v irt u e of the u thor s nt i te knowledge f P is ’

n a i ma o ar
an d P r is n l fe (d in g f o
a ia i b ut ls o
at r m a
be cse M G ie s on isone f the f w l v in g

au r r r o e i
E n gl s h en w
i h thoro u gh l y u n de s t nd
m o d ppre c i te r a an a a
th F ren c
e h G enius T book will be end u in g . he an r
de l ght to ll l ove s f fi
i a lite tu re r o ne ra .
M r R I ARD CH says M r Francis

LE G ALLI EN N E :
G riers o csmop lite an d sub il e c i ic

n, o o ar s sone t r t of th e t i
h os e su de new acquaintanc e s h at assum e imme ia e
,
of t d n t d t
im or a c
p e in o e sworld o f houg ht
t n
’
verywhere wi h t E t
rema kable re cu e p erc ep ion M r ri e rsn pu shis

n .
tit d of t G o t
finger real p ower an d is alwaysspiri al

r ,
”
on th e ,
it tu .
The S pc s ays M r rierson has a right sp a

e i a tor G to e k,
for h e es wi h suc
s u cess onet m sdif cu t o f li erary of th e o t fi l t
for s e ssy
m , th e a .
TH E R EC TO R
O F ST JAC O B S
SE N E! R U STI CAN U S
Cr o wB n oo . 6 s
.
A PR ODI G Y OF AG E
T hi s nove l p ossesses phenome al in erest in h t it is

fre sh wor o f one w will s h or l y en e r his ye r I n
k ho
n t
8o th
t a th e
Spipei rcin
t e hi s a va ced a ge au h or s mental i sion salmost
of
g d n , th e
l y accura e and his mind h ou g h s ored wi h the
t
t
’
t
v i
a .
mem ries well nig h a cen ury con rovers ies i s eenl y
t , , t t t
of t of k
responsive to thou g ht m vemen s to
t
I de e he
o -
,
th e t of da y d,
m ment a cons an reviewer ph ilos oph ic
-
o -
. n
i s a t th e of a l an d
reli ious boo s one grea es Reviews

o t t
g k for of th e t t .
But th e boo is onl y a ro i age it is a

k d gy of
”
s earch in s u y houg ht motive and ac ion th e pes

n ot p ,
d of t an d
ch arac er svivi l y depic e are in our mi st d ay

g t , , t , ty
of t o d t d d to
-
.
T he main in erest
between th e sacred associa ion s
t s tory centres roun the s ggle
of th e
p as rati l of th e t a n d th e
d nu
scor s cie ifi c conc l presen going on in

t
us ions
on a
i ti of th e th e
m n and li e Re inal T wy ord Rec r St acob s
nt t
’
i d f of d f of J
s all own ss M to
th e m
g
uch
of F o action b orough
,
of th e
,
b y leadi g inh abi an s his d ec

t
scarri e d ay i
n ea r .
i th e of
cou ry own an d particularl y b y a youn lady wi h h ere ical

on n t t t ng
hyg ienic ideas

nt t , g t t
an d .
The book sa living document of unique interest

i .

TheEpisodesofVathek 10251065

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TheEpisodesofVathek 10251065

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

TheEpisodesofVathek 10251065

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

C o n t en t s

of P rince sand the Prince ss

sand the Pri n cK lil h

I n the o i inal cof W M

H i s toire Prince s de l a P rince ss e

fortu nate a s to obtain perm i ss ion fro m

the D uke of Ham ilton a collateral

s erved at Ham i lton P alace In th e

e x am ined by any literary m an ) I fo und bes ide s mu ch

b u ndl e s of m anus cript s Thes e manus cripts written in

French were the u np u b li s hed E pi s ode s of Beckford s

fa mo us Oriental tal e V th k which were su pp s ed

or rather recovery of t he m wa s pec uliarl y intere sting ;

and I regarded my s elf a s fortunate when the D u ke

of Hami lton genero usl y acceded to m y requ e s t to be

E pi s ode s appear in an E ngl i s h tran sl ation by Sir Frank

! IW ithin the co m pa ss of a brief Intr d u ction it i s not o

mus t be conﬁned strictly to the co m pos ition and

p u blication of the hi s tory of V th k and the a e

E pi s ode s Thi s for the m o s t part can be s t be s et o u t

and Henl ey M any of tho s e l etters are in the m agniﬁcent

A lf ed M orri s on and now in the poss e ss ion of hi s

widow the re s t are pre s erved am ong the Beckford

M sGert ru de Town s hend M ayer ha s all owed m e to

reprint s o m e Beckford l etters which appeared in her

m aster at Harrow and had in hi s charge two of the

yo ung Hamilton s co us in s of th e fu tu re au thor Henley

wsan enth us ia s tic s tu dent of Arabian and P ers ian

l iterature Beckford sa boy had s oaked h i ms el f in

Oriental l ore and had th us perhap s ﬁ ed an alway s

vivid i magination it was a convers ation between the m

that gave the l ad of one and twenty the idea of writing

The s pirit has m oved m e thi s E ve and s h u t u p

to fancies and inspiration s W hat will be the co us e

c ofthi s m ood I not bo l d eno u gh to deter m ine

A s a ll the wor l d know s

s tory I was of full age when I ﬁrs t co mm itted

V th k to paper Beckford wrote to Cl arke the

books ell er half centu ry after and the s ce e s which

preceded and followed the m agniﬁcent cel ebration of

m y and twentieth bi thday— the E gyptian halls and

va ulted chambers of Fonthill peopl ed with the proto

for three con s ec u tive day s and night s by the gl ow of

and he in s i sted rightl y eno u gh upon itsoriginal ity

Yo u co ul d s carcely ﬁnd anything l ike the Hall of

E bli s in the E astern writings for that wa s my own ”

he tol d Cyrus R edding O ld Fonthi ll had a very

ampl e l oft y l o u d echoing hall one of the larges t in

the kingdom Num ero us doors l ed fro m it into the

vario us part s of the hous e thro ugh dim winding

idea of the Hall of E bli s being generated from my own

M y i m agination m agniﬁed it and col ou red it with the

E astern character The author went on to sy that ”

the wom en in the s tory were drawn fro m thos e in the

do m es tic e s tab li s h m ent of Fonthill their fancied

— h m ight have added that N

to hi m by hi s cousin L o u i s a M rs P eter Beckford with

to el evate e x aggerate and orientali s e everything he

e xpl ained I wa s s oaring on the Arabian bird roc