The Pacha of Many Tales

tainly, during its continuance many had been relieved of their worldly goods, and one

met those sons of Shitan-Ali and Hussan, who received the punishment merited by their enormous crimes? Have we not also the manuscript of the Spanish slave, now tra

ls," interrupted the pacha-"where is he? No Kesse

ship, and brings wealth to the hazneh of your sublime highness. He consulted th

ed. Let the slave approach, and we will listen to his sto

" replied Mustapha. "What are the words of Hafiz-'Every moment that you e

ted by Allah;" or in other words, that he was a madman. Nevertheless, Mustapha-who was afraid to release a man (or rather, a story) without the consent of the pacha,

se you, but to please myself, because I am fond of a good story: which I take it for gran

he misfortune of those who not aware-of the excitement which-as I before stated to your highness-exceeds in alt

ha; "I cannot understand a word that you say. Do you

tered my abode from the unkind north-east wind: the leaves of the vines that hung in festoons on the trellis before my cottage, which, but a minute before, pierced by his glorious rays, had appeared so brilliant and transparent, had now assumed a browner shade, and, as far as the eye could reach, a thin blue va

ted the pacha,

my Etana, who was seated near me with her infant in her arms, and watching the little one's impatience, as it would demand a more rapid flow of milk from that snowy breast, and the fond smile of the de

ond or two

the grapes not to throw in the stalks, that the wine will, as I before stated to your highness, only increase the extreme difficulty of ascertaining how far a man co

ord of all this!" exclaimed the pacha

to comprehend that which is conceal

," replied

will be necessary that you wait until I have finished the story, when it will

ou would begin at the end of your story,

d-the expanding graces of the budding maiden-the blushing, smiling, yet trembling bride, all lose in the comparison with woman in her beauty fulfilling her destiny on earth; he

his Prophet, you do indeed

weapons were pointed to my breast-when the mother shrieked as they tore away the infant as a useless encumbrance, and dashed it to the ground-when I caught it up, and the pistol of the savage Turk put an end to its existence? I see it now, as I k

u shall do me justice. This is he who stole my wife; this is he who murdered my child; this is he who keeps her from my arms: and thus I beard him in your presence:"-an

awkward position in which he was placed by his own imp

ho was aware that the common people consider idiots and madmen to be under the special protection of heaven, and that such an act would be sufficient to

as soon as the maniac had been carried away. "I'm gl

reated. He has almost ruined the beard of your slave,"

in to accept an offer. I'm convinced t

dal, nor diamonds to be found glittering in the rays of the sun. If we would obtain them, we must search and labour

he pacha, not in the

ce and made his salutation,

IPT OF

SCOVERY OF THE I

yielding to fatal passion, embittered the remainder of his own days, and shortened those of the adored partner of his guilt. Let my confession be public, that warning may be taken from

usly with the extreme of love, and which has been riven with the excess of woe, will shortly pant no more. The mind which has been borne down by the irresistible force of passion,-which has attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain, and, since the rage of it has passed away, has been left like the once fertile valley which has been overflown, a waste of barrenness and desolation,-will shortly cease from its wearied action. In a few brief days I

I have a dreaming memory of my mother-a faint recollection of one at whose knees I used, each

ged any feeling to be working in my mind in preference to repose, which was hateful. To such excess did it arrive as I grew up, that difficulty and danger, even pain and remorse, were preferable to that calm sunshine of the breast which others consider so enviable. I could exist but by strong sensations: remove them, and I felt as does the habitual drunkard in the morning, until his nerves have been again stimulated by a repetition of his draughts. My pursuits were of the same te

dreams, still I could fly before the wings of the wind, and, as in my aerial excursions when asleep, leave no track behind. As soon as I had arrived at the age which allowed me to take possession of my property, I sought the element so congenial to my disposition. For some years I continued the profession, and was fortunate in my spec

d the solemnity was to be conducted with the greatest splendour, I consented. The magnificent decorations of the church, the harmony of the singing, the solemn pealing of the organ, the splendid robes of the priests in contrast with the sombre humility of the friars and nuns, the tossing of the censers, the ascending clouds of frankincense, and, above all, the extreme beauty of the fair devotee,-produced feelings of interest which I had not imagined could have been raised from any description of pageantry. When the ceremony was over, I quitted th

to her relative, who had taken me to witness the ceremony, a

re I quitted Cadiz, which my engagements rendered imperative, I obtained from her a reciprocal acknowledgment. And as there were still nine months to pass away previous to her decision upon a monastic life, before that period had elapsed, I faithfully promised to return, and claim her as my own. As we professed the same faith, and she had only been sacrificed that the possessions of her brother might not be diminished by the fortune which her marriage would require, I did not anticipate any objections from her parents. I required no dower, having more than sufficient to supply her

f the court. Fired at the insult, and, as usual, acting upon the first impulse, I struck him in the face, and drew my sword-forgetting, at the time that I was in the precincts of the Palace. I was seized and imprisoned: my offence was capital; my adversary a relation of the king's. I offered a large sum for my release; but when they found out that I was wealthy, they rejected, as I increased, my offers, until I was compelled to sacrifice one half of my worldly possessions to escape from the severity of the Star Chamber. But the loss of property was nothing; I had still more than enough: it was the d

*

rophet, this tires me,

you are d

lave bowed