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النشر الإلكتروني

THE

WORDS OF STRENGTH

HERE are three lessons I would write;
Three words as with a burning pen,

In tracings of eternal light

Upon the hearts of men.

Have hope! Though clouds environ now,
And gladness hides her face in scorn,
Put thou the shadow from thy brow,
No night but hath its morn.

Have faith! Where'er thy bark is driven-
The calm's disport, the tempest's mirth;-
Know this-God rules the hosts of heaven,
The inhabitants of earth.

Have love! Not love alone for one,

But, man as man thy brother call,

And scatter, like the circling sun,

Thy charities on all.

Thus grave these lessons on thy soul

Hope, Faith, and Love-and thou shalt find

Strength when life's surges rudest roll,

Light when thou else wert blind.

-Johann C. F. Schiller a

THE BARMECIDE* FEAST

(This story is taken from the Arabian Nights Entertainments, one of the world's famous books. Though widely read in many lands and languages, no one knows who wrote the book. Early in the eighteenth century a learned Frenchman, traveling in the East, found an old manuscript written in Arabic. He was so charmed with the stories it contained that he translated them into French and published them. They proved highly popular at once, and their popularity still remains. Perhaps the story of Aladdin is as widely known throughout the world as any story ever told.)

A

CERTAIN man, Shacabac* by name, was reduced, by reverse of fortune, to the necessity of begging his bread. In this occupation he acquitted himself with great address.° His chief aim was to procure admission, by bribing the officers and domestics, into the houses of the great, and, by having access to their persons, to excite their compassion.

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By this means he one day gained admission to a magnificent building, in which, luxuriously reclining on a sofa in a room richly furnished, he found the master, a Barmecide, who, in the most obliging manner, thus addressed him: "Welcome to my house. What dost thou wish, my friend?"

"I am in great want. I suffer from hunger, and have nothing to eat," said the intruder.

The Barmecide was much astonished at this answer. "What!" he cried, "What! nothing to eat! Am I in the city, and thou in it hungry? It is a thing I cannot endure. Thou shalt be happy as heart can wish. Thou must stay and partake of my salt. Whatever I have is thine.”

"O my master! I have not patience to wait, for I am in a state of extreme hunger. I have eaten nothing this day.'

"What is it true that even at this late hour thou hast not broken thy fast? Alas! poor man, he will die with hunger. Halloo, there, boy! bring us instantly a basin of water, that we may wash our hands."

Although no boy appeared, and Shacabac observed neither basin nor water, the Barmecide nevertheless began to rub his

hands, as if some one held the water for him; and while he was doing this he urged Shacabac to do the same. Shacabac by this supposed that the Barmecide was fond of fun; and, as he liked a jest himself, he approached, and pretended to wash his hands, and afterwards to wipe them with a napkin held by the attendant.

"Now bring us something to eat," said the Barmecide, "and take care not to keep us waiting. Set the table here. Now lay the dishes on it.-Come, friend, sit down at the table here. Eat, and be not ashamed; for thou art hungry, and I know how thou art suffering from the violence of thy hunger." Saying these words, although nothing had been brought to eat, he began as if he had taken something on his plate, and pretended to put it in his mouth and chew it, adding, "Eat, I beg of thee; for a hungry man, thou seemest to have but a poor appetite. What thinkest thou of this bread?"

Shacabac said to himself, "Verily this is a man that loveth to jest with others;" then to the Barmecide: "O my master, never in my life have I seen bread more beautifully white than this, or of a sweeter taste. Where didst thou procure it?”

"This," said the host, "was made by a slave of mine whom I purchased for five hundred pieces of gold. Boy! bring to us the dish the like of which is not found among the viands of kings.-Eat, O my guest! for thou art hungry-violently soand in absolute want of food."

Shacabac twisted his mouth about as if eating heartily, and said, "Verily this is a dish worthy the table of the great Solo'mon.'

"Eat on, my friend," replied the Barmecide.- "Boy! place before us the lamb fattened with almonds.-Now, this is a dish never found but at my table, and I wish thee to eat thy fill of it." As he said this, he pretended to take a piece in his hand, and put it to Shacabac's mouth. Shacabac held his head forward, opened his mouth, pretended to take the piece, and to chew and swallow it with the greatest delight, saying, "O my

master! verily this dish hath not its equal in sweetness of flavor.'

"Do justice to it, I pray, and eat more of it," said his host. "The goose, too, is very fat. Try only a leg and a wing.-Ho there, boy! bring us a fresh supply." At which, Shacabac protested, "O no, my lord! for in truth, I cannot eat any

more.

"Let the dessert, then, be served," said the Barmecide, "and the fruit be brought. Taste these dates: they are just gathered, and very good. Here, too, are some fine walnuts, and here some delicious raisins. Eat, and be not ashamed." Shacabac's jaws were by this time weary of chewing nothing. "I assure thee," said he, "I am so full that I cannot eat another morsel of this cheer."

"Well, then," said the joker, "we will now have the wine.— Boy, bring us the wine!-Here, my friend, take this cup: it will delight thee. Come, drink my health, and tell me if thou thinkest the wine good." But the wine, like the dinner and dessert, did not appear. However, he pretended to pour some out, and drank the first glass, after which he poured out another for his guest.

Shacabac took the imaginary glass, and, first holding it up to the light to see if it was of a good, bright color, he put it to his nose to inhale its perfume; then, making a profound reverence to the Barmecide, he drank it off with every mark of keen appreciation. The Barmecide continued to pour out one bumper after another so frequently, that Shacabac, pretending that the wine had got into his head, feigned to be tipsy. This being the case, he raised his fist, and gave his host such a violent blow that he knocked him down. Whereupon the Barmecide shouted: "What, thou vilest of creation! Art thou mad?"

"O my master!" said Shacabac, "thou hast fed me with thy provisions, and regaled me with old wine; and I have become intoxicated, and committed an outrage upon thee. But thou

art of too exalted dignity to be angry with me for my ignorance!"

At which the Barmecide burst into laughter. "Come,' said he, "I have long been looking for a man of thy character. Let us be friends. Thou hast kept up the jest in pretending to eat now thou shalt make my house thy home, and eat in it in earnest."

Having said this, he clapped his hands. Several slaves instantly appeared, whom he ordered to set out the table and serve the dinner. His commands were quickly obeyed, and Shacabac now enjoyed in reality the good things of which he had before partaken only in dumb show.

-Arabian Nights

Words: acquitted himself-performed his part; address-dexterity, skill; access-admission; Barmecide-The Barmecides were a wealthy Persian family which furnished counsellors to the caliphs, or rulers, of Bagdad; reverence-bow.

Questions: What, then, is meant when one speaks today of "a Barmecide feast"? Can you suggest a reason why this story is so well liked? Have you read the story of Aladdin?

Pleasure Reading:

Clarke's Stories from the Arabian Nights

Wiggin and Smith's The Arabian Nights

Hale's Arabian Nights

Lane's Arabian Nights Entertainment

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