Opening, part 34 Opening, part 34 of «The Arabian Nights Entertainments» by Andrew Lang: the whole text, 108 sentences and 2592 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 3 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model.
1 The dervish took the box I had extended to him, and, bidding me shut my left eye, touched it gently with the ointment. 2 When I opened it again I saw spread out, as it were before me, treasures of every kind and without number. 3 But as all this time I had been obliged to keep my right eye closed, which was very fatiguing, I begged the dervish to apply the ointment to that eye also. 4 "If you insist upon it I will do it," answered the dervish, "but you must remember what I told you just now--that if it touches your right eye you will become blind on the spot." 5 Unluckily, in spite of my having proved the truth of the dervish's words in so many instances, I was firmly convinced that he was now keeping concealed from me some hidden and precious virtue of the ointment. 6 So I turned a deaf ear to all he said. 7 "My brother," I replied smiling, "I see you are joking. 8 It is not natural that the same ointment should have two such exactly opposite effects." 9 "It is true all the same," answered the dervish, "and it would be well for you if you believed my word." 10 But I would not believe, and, dazzled by the greed of avarice, I thought that if one eye could show me riches, the other might teach me how to get possession of them. 11 And I continued to press the dervish to anoint my right eye, but this he resolutely declined to do. 12 "After having conferred such benefits on you," said he, "I am loth indeed to work you such evil. 13 Think what it is to be blind, and do not force me to do what you will repent as long as you live." 14 It was of no use. " 15 My brother," I said firmly, "pray say no more, but do what I ask. 16 You have most generously responded to my wishes up to this time, do not spoil my recollection of you for a thing of such little consequence. 17 Let what will happen I take it on my own head, and will never reproach you." 18 "Since you are determined upon it," he answered with a sigh, "there is no use talking," and taking the ointment he laid some on my right eye, which was tight shut. 19 When I tried to open it heavy clouds of darkness floated before me. 20 I was as blind as you see me now! 21 "Miserable dervish!" 22 I shrieked, "so it is true after all! 23 Into what a bottomless pit has my lust after gold plunged me. 24 Ah, now that my eyes are closed they are really opened. 25 I know that all my sufferings are caused by myself alone! 26 But, good brother, you, who are so kind and charitable, and know the secrets of such vast learning, have you nothing that will give me back my sight?" 27 "Unhappy man," replied the dervish, "it is not my fault that this has befallen you, but it is a just chastisement. 28 The blindness of your heart has wrought the blindness of your body. 29 Yes, I have secrets; that you have seen in the short time that we have known each other. 30 But I have none that will give you back your sight. 31 You have proved yourself unworthy of the riches that were given you. 32 Now they have passed into my hands, whence they will flow into the hands of others less greedy and ungrateful than you." 33 The dervish said no more and left me, speechless with shame and confusion, and so wretched that I stood rooted to the spot, while he collected the eighty camels and proceeded on his way to Balsora. 34 It was in vain that I entreated him not to leave me, but at least to take me within reach of the first passing caravan. 35 He was deaf to my prayers and cries, and I should soon have been dead of hunger and misery if some merchants had not come along the track the following day and kindly brought me back to Bagdad. 36 From a rich man I had in one moment become a beggar; and up to this time I have lived solely on the alms that have been bestowed on me. 37 But, in order to expiate the sin of avarice, which was my undoing, I oblige each passer-by to give me a blow. 38 This, Commander of the Faithful, is my story. 39 When the blind man had ended the Caliph addressed him: "Baba-Abdalla, truly your sin is great, but you have suffered enough. 40 Henceforth repent in private, for I will see that enough money is given you day by day for all your wants." 41 At these words Baba-Abdalla flung himself at the Caliph's feet, and prayed that honour and happiness might be his portion for ever. 42 The Story of Sidi-Nouman 43 The Caliph, Haroun-al-Raschid, was much pleased with the tale of the blind man and the dervish, and when it was finished he turned to the young man who had ill-treated his horse, and inquired his name also. 44 The young man replied that he was called Sidi-Nouman. checked by a teacher 45 "Sidi-Nouman," observed the Caliph, "I have seen horses broken all my life long, and have even broken them myself, but I have never seen any horse broken in such a barbarous manner as by you yesterday. 46 Every one who looked on was indignant, and blamed you loudly. 47 As for myself, I was so angry that I was very nearly disclosing who I was, and putting a stop to it at once. 48 Still, you have not the air of a cruel man, and I would gladly believe that you did not act in this way without some reason. 49 As I am told that it was not the first time, and indeed that every day you are to be seen flogging and spurring your horse, I wish to come to the bottom of the matter. 50 But tell me the whole truth, and conceal nothing." 51 Sidi-Nouman changed colour as he heard these words, and his manner grew confused; but he saw plainly that there was no help for it. 52 So he prostrated himself before the throne of the Caliph and tried to obey, but the words stuck in his throat, and he remained silent. 53 The Caliph, accustomed though he was to instant obedience, guessed something of what was passing in the young man's mind, and sought to put him at his ease. " 54 Sidi-Nouman," he said, "do not think of me as the Caliph, but merely as a friend who would like to hear your story. 55 If there is anything in it that you are afraid may offend me, take courage, for I pardon you beforehand. 56 Speak then openly and without fear, as to one who knows and loves you." 57 Reassured by the kindness of the Caliph, Sidi-Nouman at length began his tale. 58 "Commander of the Faithful," said he, "dazzled though I am by the lustre of your Highness' presence, I will do my best to satisfy your wishes. 59 I am by no means perfect, but I am not naturally cruel, neither do I take pleasure in breaking the law. 60 I admit that the treatment of my horse is calculated to give your Highness a bad opinion of me, and to set an evil example to others; yet I have not chastised it without reason, and I have hopes that I shall be judged more worthy of pity than punishment." 61 Commander of the Faithful, I will not trouble to describe my birth; it is not of sufficient distinction to deserve your Highness' attention. 62 My ancestors were careful people, and I inherited enough money to enable me to live comfortably, though without show. 63 Having therefore a modest fortune, the only thing wanting to my happiness was a wife who could return my affection, but this blessing I was not destined to get; for on the very day after my marriage, my bride began to try my patience in every way that was most hard to bear. 64 Now, seeing that the customs of our land oblige us to marry without ever beholding the person with whom we are to pass our lives, a man has of course no right to complain as long as his wife is not absolutely repulsive, or is not positively deformed. 65 And whatever defects her body may have, pleasant ways and good behaviour will go far to remedy them. 66 The first time I saw my wife unveiled, when she had been brought to my house with the usual ceremonies, I was enchanted to find that I had not been deceived in regard to the account that had been given me of her beauty. 67 I began my married life in high spirits, and the best hopes of happiness. 68 The following day a grand dinner was served to us but as my wife did not appear, I ordered a servant to call her. 69 Still she did not come, and I waited impatiently for some time. 70 At last she entered the room, and she took our places at the table, and plates of rice were set before us. 71 I ate mine, as was natural, with a spoon, but great was my surprise to notice that my wife, instead of doing the same, drew from her pocket a little case, from which she selected a long pin, and by the help of this pin conveyed her rice grain by grain to her mouth. 72 "Amina," I exclaimed in astonishment, "is that the way you eat rice at home? 73 And did you do it because your appetite was so small, or did you wish to count the grains so that you might never eat more than a certain number? 74 If it was from economy, and you are anxious to teach me not to be wasteful, you have no cause for alarm. 75 We shall never ruin ourselves in that way! 76 Our fortune is large enough for all our needs, therefore, dear Amina, do not seek to check yourself, but eat as much as you desire, as I do!" 77 In reply to my affectionate words, I expected a cheerful answer; yet Amina said nothing at all, but continued to pick her rice as before, only at longer and longer intervals. 78 And, instead of trying the other dishes, all she did was to put every now and then a crumb, of bread into her mouth, that would not have made a meal for a sparrow. 79 I felt provoked by her obstinacy, but to excuse her to myself as far as I could, I suggested that perhaps she had never been used to eat in the company of men, and that her family might have taught her that she ought to behave prudently and discreetly in the presence of her husband. 80 Likewise that she might either have dined already or intend to do so in her own apartments. 81 So I took no further notice, and when I had finished left the room, secretly much vexed at her strange conduct. 82 The same thing occurred at supper, and all through the next day, whenever we ate together. 83 It was quite clear that no woman could live upon two or three bread-crumbs and a few grains of rice, and I determined to find out how and when she got food. 84 I pretended not to pay attention to anything she did, in the hope that little by little she would get accustomed to me, and become more friendly; but I soon saw that my expectations were quite vain. 85 One night I was lying with my eyes closed, and to, all appearance sound asleep, when Amina arose softly, and dressed herself without making the slightest sound. 86 I could not imagine what she was going to do, and as my curiosity was great I made up my mind to follow her. checked by a teacher 87 When she was fully dressed, she stole quietly from the room. 88 The instant she had let the curtain fall behind her, I flung a garment on my shoulders and a pair of slippers on my feet. 89 Looking from a lattice which opened into the court, I saw her in the act of passing through the street door, which she carefully left open. 90 It was bright moonlight, so I easily managed to keep her in sight, till she entered a cemetery not far from the house. checked by a teacher 91 There I hid myself under the shadow of the wall, and crouched down cautiously; and hardly was I concealed, when I saw my wife approaching in company with a ghoul--one of those demons which, as your Highness is aware, wander about the country making their lairs in deserted buildings and springing out upon unwary travellers whose flesh they eat. 92 If no live being goes their way, they then betake themselves to the cemeteries, and feed upon the dead bodies. 93 I was nearly struck dumb with horror on seeing my wife with this hideous female ghoul. 94 They passed by me without noticing me, began to dig up a corpse which had been buried that day, and then sat down on the edge of the grave, to enjoy their frightful repast, talking quietly and cheerfully all the while, though I was too far off to hear what they said. 95 When they had finished, they threw back the body into the grave, and heaped back the earth upon it. 96 I made no effort to disturb them, and returned quickly to the house, when I took care to leave the door open, as I had previously found it. 97 Then I got back into bed, and pretended to sleep soundly. 98 A short time after Amina entered as quietly as she had gone out. 99 She undressed and stole into bed, congratulating herself apparently on the cleverness with which she had managed her expedition. 100 As may be guessed, after such a scene it was long before I could close my eyes, and at the first sound which called the faithful to prayer, I put on my clothes and went to the mosque. ← previous Opening, part 33next → Opening, part 35↑ back to The Arabian Nights Entertainments This page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/34/