The Thousand and One Days

dull and meaningless looks he conjectured that they were under the influence of haschich[2]. After looking at them attentively, the bey saluted them, and was pur

hem; they raised their arms, vied with each other who should cry the loudest, and made the strangest possible grimaces; but owing to the distance at which he stood, he wa

icating drug

m, "What were you disputing about

g about which of us it was to whom the salutation belonged that your

moment's reflection, "him among you who did the greatest n

rd," they all at

e haschich, and the honour of my greeting shall be his who shall have committed the

ST STOR

in two or three hours my head began to buzz. I went out again and walked about the streets. In front of a coffee-house I noticed some men collected round an improvisatore, who was singing and accompanying himself on the timbrel. I sat down in the circle and asked for coffee. I lighted my pipe and commenced listening. The improvis

who figure in A

day's story. He now told how paladins and padishahs disputed for the possession of my adorable Haridée, and how she disdained their love and refused their offers. I beca

e was in love with a certain worthless fellow. At this it was impossible to tell what I felt; the hydra of jealousy devoured my heart and poured a maddening poison through my veins. I became as one deprived

om the height of bliss into the depths of misery. My fortunes fell with me, and I soon became totally destitute. But my thoughts were otherwise taken up than with eating or drinking; my love for Haridée had become the only source to me of life

ed?' I asked, dra

ridée!' h

r? What has taken p

dead!' he

ollowed on my path with the coffin of Haridée, and the frightful groans and cries burst forth louder and louder on my ears. At length, worn out, and sore all over, I fell down in a state of complete unconsciousness, and when I came to myself, I perceived that I was at the threshold of my own home. I arose, and endeavoured to recal past events, which as they woke up in my memory caused me to feel the utmost surpr

t do not too hastily take to yourself the honour of my

ND STORY

e room, which they made ring again with their shrill voices. At length, my brain becoming overpowered by the vapours of the haschich, the thickening fancies began to chase each other in quick succession, and my imagination at length became morbidly excited. The cries of my children seemed insupportable to me. I ordered them several times to be quiet, but the brats, wild with their games and noise, paid no attention to me. At last I lost patience, laid hold of my stick, and rapped angrily on the floor, ordering them sternly to be quiet. In the midst of this fit of anger, I stopped short,

rm of pronouncing a divo

eath. She threw aside her

r husband? What has happened

ten this moment to leave th

cause of complaint? We have now lived together twelve years in perfect pea

grouches[5]. Go to your room, and take of the furniture a

the value of eighteenpence of our money. It is p

t her wearing apparel, uttering mournful cries and lamen

with satisfaction, 'n

t the first meeting of haschich-eaters, you will disclose your discovery to all the world. Put yourself to the proof beforehand, by

ose, and taking from my chest the sum of five hun

ublic exe

of my feet five hundred blows with a leathern thong, and, while lay

ople about him said that my body was my own, and that I was at liberty to dispose of it a

estion I had suggested was asked, and I replied in the negative. This system of question and answer went on till the last blow. Fairly exhausted with the pain, I fell down the

you now in a fit state to resist all attempts to make you disclose your secret? Submit to another trial, my good fellow!' This suggestion was all-powerful, and I submitted forthwith. I drew from my strong-box one thousand grouches, and went to the aga of the Janissaries. 'Take this money,' I said to him, 'and give me in excha

ed its odours there, like a fresh-opening flower, my hand, from the strength of habit, sought for the tin box that lay under my pillow, and drew from it a white particle, which I placed in my mouth, as if to mock all the weak efforts of my will. In fact, while my mind was occupied in planning a final rupture with the perfidious hempen-seed, my enemy stole in on me like a midnight robber by night, imposed his yoke, and overthrew completely all my good intentions. Unwittingly I found myself again in the power of the enemy. 'Well, Abou-Kalif,' he said, 'arise. The precautions you have taken are sufficiently severe; it is time to set to work, and not allow the favourable moment to escape, otherwise you may repent it.' In this manner spake the delusive poison working within me, and I was wholly in its power, incapable of resistance. I rose from my b

change his conduct with regard to me, as I cannot reproach myself with any thing; I will therefore go and see what has happened to him.' 'Well, my child, you may go,' replied her father; 'I shall not seek to hinder you.' She went, and knocked at the door, but no one replied. She then inquired of the neighbours if Abou-Kalif was at home; they said they had not seen him leave the house for the last week. On being told this, she had the door burst open, and, followed by a cr

"your story is also a very good one, but before I award to you the honour

RD STOR

money, and a wife who was a miracle of beauty. One day this charming better half of myself, after having passed all the day in the bath, returned from it looking so clean, fresh, and rosy, that my head, where the haschich which I had been takin

well as my wife, 'how captivating you are to-day

of a first union. No sooner said than done; I pronounced the prescribed phrase, and the next day I celebrated a new marriage with her[7

ack the woman whom they had divorced, but

to me when we were alone, '

m, clothed in silk, wearing a shawl and a dagger set with diamonds, and am I t

am I to go and shut the court-yard door? No, indeed, it is you who have become crazy, and not I. C

pass by, and seeing the door open, entered and laid hold of whatever came to their hand. We heard footsteps in the house, but opened not our mouths; the robbers came even into our room, and saw us seated, motionless and indifferent to all that took place. They continued

our door opened, walked in. Having searched all the rooms and found no one, he entered the apartment where we were seated, and inquired the meaning of what he saw. Neither my wife nor I would condes

and clapping my hands, 'you have l

oulders and went away, leaving us in a truly dismal plight. Immediately after

o die with laughter, exclaimed, "This time it is you who