:

The name of my fifth brother (said the barber) was Alnaschar, who, while he lived with my father, was excessively idle instead of working for his bread he was not ashamed of demanding sufficient for his support every evening, and would live upon it the next day. Our father at last died at a very advanced time of life, and all he left us consisted of seven hundred drachms of silver. We divided it equally among us, and each took one hundred for his share. Alnaschar determined to lay out his portion in the purchase of glasses, bottles, and other glass articles, which he went to get at a large wholesale merchant's. He put the whole of his stock into an open basket, and fixed upon a very small shop, where he sat down with the basket before him; and, leaning his back against the wall, waited for customers to buy his merchandise.

While he was remaining in this attitude, with his eyes fixed upon his basket, he began to meditate; and in the midst of his reflections he gave vent to the fol

lowing speech, sufficiently loud for a tailor, who was his neighbour, to hear him.

"This basket," said he, "cost me one hundred drachms, and this is all I am worth in the world. In selling its contents by retail, I shall do well if I make two hundred drachms; and of these two hundred, which I shall

invest again in glassware, I shall make four hundred drachms. By continuing this traffic, I shall in process of time amass the sum of four thousand drachms. With these four thousand I shall easily make eight. And as soon as I am worth ten thousand, I will leave off selling glassware, and turn jeweller. I will then deal in diamonds, pearls, and all sorts of precious stones. Nor will I remain satisfied till I have made one hundred thousand drachms. And when I have become thus rich, I shall think myself equal to a prince; and I will send and demand the daughter of the Grand Vizier in mar

riage. If the Vizier should be so ill-bred as to refuse me his daughter, though I know that will not be the case, I will go and take her away before his face, and bring her home in spite of him.

"As soon as I shall have married the Grand Vizier's daughter, I will dress myself like a prince, and will parade through the town mounted on a fine horse, the saddle of which shall be of pure gold, and the caparisons of gold stuff relieved with diamonds and pearls. I will be accompanied by slaves, and will thus proceed to the palace of the Vizier. When I shall have dismounted at the Grand Vizier's, he, in receiving me for his son-in-law, shall give me his place, and seat himself before me, in order to show me the more respect.

"I will then return home with the same pomp. My wife will send some officer to compliment me on my visit to her father. I will bestow a beautiful robe of honour on the officer, and send him back with a rich present. If in turn she shall wish to make me a present, I will refuse it, and dismiss the person who brings it. I will not, moreover, permit her to leave her apartments upon any account whatever, without first consulting me; and whenever I wish to go to her, it shall always be in a way that shall impress her with the greatest respect for me. In short, no house shall be so well regulated as mine. I will always appear magnificently dressed; and whenever I wish to pass the evening with her, I will sit in the most honourable seat, where I will affect a grave and solemn air, nor will I turn my head to the right or left. I will speak but little; and while my wife, beautiful as the moon at the full, presents herself before me in all her splendour, I will pretend not to see her. I will thus begin, on the very first day of my marriage, to teach her how she may expect to be treated during the remainder of her life.

"The next day she will not fail to complain to her

mother, the lady of the Grand Vizier, of my pride and neglect, and this will very much delight me. Her mother will then come to see me, and out of respect, take and kiss my hands, and say to me. My lord, I entreat you not to despise my child in such a manner, nor keep her at such a distance; I assure you she will always endeavour to please you, and I know her whole heart is devoted to you.' Although my mother-in-law shall address me so respectfully and kindly, I will not answer her a word, but remain as grave and solemn as ever. My mother-in-law will then take a glass of wine, and putting it into my wife's hand, will say, 'Go and present him this glass of wine yourself; he will not, perhaps, have the cruelty to refuse it from so beautiful a hand.' My wife will then take the glass, and stand up before me, trembling all the time. When she

observes that I do not incline myself towards her, and that I persist in taking not the least notice of her, she will address me, with her eyes bathed in tears, in these words: My heart, my dear soul, my amiable lord, I conjure you to take this glass of wine from the hand of the humblest of your slaves.' I shall however, take care neither to look at, nor speak to her. My charming husband,' will she continue to say, 'I will not cease entreating you till I obtain the favour of your drinking it.' At last, worn out with her prayers, I shall throw a most terrible glance at her, and pushing her violently from me with my foot, she will fall down on the floor."

My brother was so entirely absorbed in these chimerical visions, that he represented the action with his foot, as if it were a reality, and he unfortunately struck his basket of glassware so violently, that he sent it from one end of the shop into the street, where it was all broken to pieces.

XXII.

HARMOSAN.

1. Now the third and fatal conflict for the Persian throne was done,

And the Moslem's fiery valour had the crowning victory won.

2. Harmosan, the last and boldest the invader to defy, Captive, overborne by numbers, they were bringing

forth to die.

3. Then exclaimed that noble captive-"Lo! I perish in my thirst,

Give me but one drink of water, and let then arrive the worst."

4. In his hand he took the goblet, but awhile the draught forbore,

Seeming doubtfully the purpose of the foemen to explore.

5. Well might then have paused the bravest, for around him angry foes

With a hedge of naked weapons did that lonely man enclose.

6. "But what fear'st thou?" cried the Caliph; "is it, friend, a secret blow?

Fear it not; our gallant Moslem no such treacherous dealing know.

7. "Thou may'st quench thy thirst securely, for thou shalt not die before

Thou hast drunk that cup of water; this reprieve is thine-no more."