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| IN former days there lived in a town of
Persia two brothers, one named Kasim, and the other ‘Ali Baba. Their
father divided a small inheritance equally between them. Kasim married a
rich wife, and became a wealthy merchant. ‘Ali Baba married a woman as
poor as himself, and lived by cutting wood and bringing it upon three
asses into the town to sell. | 1 |
| One day, when ‘Ali Baba was in the forest, and had just cut
wood enough to load his asses, he saw at a distance a great cloud of
dust approaching him. He observed it with attention, and distinguished
soon after a body of horsemen, whom he suspected to be robbers. He
determined to leave his asses in order to save himself; so climbed up a
large tree, planted on a high rock, the branches of which were thick
enough to conceal him, and yet enabled him to see all that passed
without being discovered. | 2 |
| The troop, to the number of forty, well mounted and armed,
came to the foot of the rock on which the tree stood, and there
dismounted. Every man unbridled his horse, tied him to some shrub, and
hung about his neck a bag of corn which they carried behind them. Then
each took off his saddle-bag, which from its weight seemed to ‘Ali Baba
to be full of gold and silver. One, whom he took to be their captain,
came under the tree in which he was concealed, and making his way
through some shrubs, pronounced the words: “Open, Simsim!” 1
A door opened in the rock; and after he had made all his troop enter
before him, he followed them, when the door shut again of itself. | 3 |
| The robbers stayed some time within the rock, during which ‘Ali Baba, fearful of being caught, remained in the tree. | 4 |
| At last the door opened again, and as the captain went in
last, so he came out first, and stood to see them all pass by him; when
‘Ali Baba heard him make the door close by pronouncing the words: “Shut,
Simsim!” Every man at once went and bridled his horse, fastened his
wallet, and mounted again; and when the captain saw them all ready, he
put himself at their head, and returned the way they had come. | 5 |
| ‘Ali Baba followed them with his eyes as far as he could see
them, and afterward waited a long time before he descended. Remembering
the words the captain of the robbers used to cause the door to open and
shut, he wished to try if his pronouncing them would have the same
effect. Accordingly he went among the shrubs, and, receiving the door
concealed behind them, stood before it, and said, “Open, Simsim”
Whereupon the door instantly flew wide open. | 6 |
| Now ‘Ali Baba expected a dark, dismal cavern, but was
surprised to see a well-lighted and spacious chamber, lighted from an
opening at the top of the rock, and filled with all sorts of provisions,
rich bales of silk, embroideries, and valuable tissues, piled upon one
another, gold and silver ingots in great heaps, and money in bags. The
sight of all these riches made him suppose that this cave must have been
occupied for ages by robbers, who had succeeded one another. | 7 |
| ‘Ali Baba went boldly into the cave, and collected as much of
the gold coin, which was in bags, as his three asses could carry. When
he had loaded them with the bags, he laid wood over them so that they
could not be seen. Then he stood before the door, and pronouncing the
words, “Shut, Simsim!” the door closed of itself; and he made the best
of his way to the town. | 8 |
| When he got home, he drove his asses into a little yard, shut
the gates carefully, threw off the wood that covered the panniers,
carried the bags into his house, and ranged them in order before his
wife. He then emptied the bags, which raised such a heap of gold as
dazzled his wife’s eyes, and then he told her the whole adventure from
beginning to end, and, above all, recommended her to keep it secret. | 9 |
| The wife rejoiced greatly at their good fortune, and would
count all the gold piece by piece. “Wifey,” replied ‘Ali Baba, “you do
not know what you undertake, when you pretend to count the money; you
will never have done. I will dig a hole, and bury it. There is no time
to be lost.” “You are in the right, husband,” replied she, “but let us
know, as nigh as possible, how much we have. I will borrow a small
measure, and measure it, while you dig the hole.” | 10 |
| So the wife ran to her brother-in-law Kasim, who lived hard
by, and addressing herself to his wife desired her to lend her a measure
for a little while. The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew ‘Ali
Baba’s poverty, she was curious to know what sort of grain his wife
wanted to measure, and artfully put some suet at the bottom of the
measure. | 11 |
| ‘Ali Baba’s wife went home, set the measure upon the heap of
gold, filled it, and emptied it often upon the divan, till she had done,
when she was very well satisfied to find the number of measures
amounted to so many as they did, and went to tell her husband, who had
almost finished digging hole. While ‘Ali Baba was burying the gold, his
wife carried the measure back again to her sister-in-law, but without
taking notice that a piece of gold had stuck to the bottom. “Sister,”
said she, giving it to her again, “you see that I have not kept your
measure long. I am obliged to you for it, and return it with thanks.” | 12 |
| As soon as she was gone, Kasim’s wife looked at the bottom of
the measure, and was amazed to find a piece of gold sticking to it. Envy
immediately possessed her breast. “What!” Said she, “has ‘Ali Baba gold
so plentiful as to measure it? Whence has he all this wealth?” | 13 |
| Kasim, her husband, was at his shop. When he came home, his
wife said to him: “Kasim, I know you think yourself rich, but ‘Ali Baba
is infinitely richer than you. He does not count his money, he measures
it.” Then she told him the stratagem she had used to make the discovery,
and shewed him the piece of money, which was so old that they could not
tell in what prince’s reign it was coined. | 14 |
| Now Kasim, after he had married the rich widow, had never
treated ‘Ali Baba as a brother, but neglected him; and now, instead of
being pleased, he conceived a base envy at his brother’s prosperity. He
could not sleep all that night, and went to him in the morning before
sunrise. “‘Ali Baba,” said he, “I am surprised at you; you pretend to be
miserably poor, and yet you measure gold. My wife found this at the
bottom of the measure you borrowed yesterday.” | 15 |
| By this discourse, ‘Ali Baba perceived that Kasim and his
wife, through his own wife’s folly, knew what they had so much reason to
conceal; but what was done could not be undone. Therefore, without
showing the least surprise or trouble, he confessed all, and offered his
brother part of his treasure to keep the secret. | 16 |
| Kasim rose the next morning long before the sun, and set out
for the forest with ten mules bearing great chests, which he intended to
fill, and followed the road which ‘Ali Baba had indicated. He was not
long before he reached the rock, and found the place, by the tree and
other marks which his brother had given him. When he reached the
entrance of the cavern, he pronounced the words, “Open Simsim!” The door
immediately opened, and when he was in, closed upon him. In examining
the cave, he was rejoiced to find much more riches than he had expected.
He quickly laid as many bags of gold as he could carry at the door of
the cavern; but his thoughts were so full of the great riches he should
possess, that he could not think of the word to make it open, but
instead of “Simsim,” said, “Open, Barley!” and was much amazed to find
that the door remained fast shut. He named several sorts of grain, but
still the door would not open, and the more he endeavoured to remember
the word “Simsim,” the more his memory was confounded, and he had as
much forgotten it as if he had never heard it mentioned. He threw down
the bags he had loaded himself with, and walked distractedly up and down
the cave, without having any regard to the riches around him. | 17 |
| About noon the robbers visited their cave. At some distance
they saw Kasim’s mules straggling about the rock, with great chests on
their backs. Alarmed at this, they galloped full speed to the cave. They
drove away the mules, who strayed through the forest so far, that they
were soon out of sight, and then, with naked sabres in their hands, they
approached the door, which, on their captain pronouncing the proper
words, immediately opened. | 18 |
| Kasim, who heard the noise of the horses’ feet, at once
guessed the arrival of the robbers, and resolved to make one effort for
his life. He rushed to the door, and no sooner saw the door open, than
he ran out and threw the leader down; but he could not escape the other
robbers, who, with their scimitars, soon deprived him of life. | 19 |
| The first care of the robbers after this was to examine the
cave. They found all the bags which Kasim had brought to the door, to be
ready to load his mules, and carried them back to their places, but
they did not miss what ‘Ali Baba had taken away before. Then holding a
council, and deliberating upon this occurrence, they guessed that Kasim,
why he was in, could not get out again, but could not imagine how he
had learned the secret words by which alone he could enter. So to
terrify any person who should attempt the same thing, they cut Kasim’s
body into four quarters and hung two on one side, and two on the other,
within the door of the cave. Then they mounted their horses, and went to
beat the roads again, and to attack the caravans they might meet. | 20 |
| In the meantime, Kasim’s wife was very uneasy, when night
came, and her husband was not returned. She ran to ‘Ali Baba in great
alarm, and said: “I believe, brother-in-law, that you know Kasim is gone
to the forest, and upon what account; it is now night, and he has not
returned; I am afraid some misfortune has happened to him.” So after
midnight, ‘Ali Baba departed with his three asses, and went to the
forest, and when he came near the rock, having seen neither his brother
nor the mules in his way, was alarmed at finding some blood spilt near
the door, which he took for an ill omen; but when he had pronounced the
word, and the door had opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal
sight of his brother’s body. He went into the cave, however, to find
something to enshroud the remains; and having loaded one of his assess
with them, covered them over with wood. The other two asses he loaded
with bags of gold, covering them with wood also as before; and then
bidding the door shut came away. When he came home, he drove the two
asses loaded with gold into his yard, and left the care of unloading
them to his wife, while he led the other to his sister-in-law’s house. | 21 |
| There he knocked at the door, which was opened by Marjaneh, a
clever slave-girl, who was fruitful in inventions to meet the most
difficult circumstances. When he came into the court, he unloaded the
ass, and taking Marjaneh aside, said to her: “You must observe an
inviolable secrecy. Your master’s body is contained in these two
panniers. We must bury him as if he had died a natural death. Go now and
tell your mistress. I leave the matter to your wit and skilful
devices.” | 22 |
| Marjaneh went out early the next morning to a druggist, and
asked for a sort of lozenge which was considered efficacious in the most
dangerous disorders. The apothecary inquired who was ill. She replied,
with a sigh: “Her good master Kasim himself; and that he could neither
eat nor speak.” In the evening Marjaneh went to the same druggist’s
again, and with tears in her eyes, asked for an essence which they used
to give to sick people only when at the last extremity. “Alas!” said
she, taking it from the apothecary, “I am afraid that this remedy will
have no better effect than the lozenges, and that I shall lose my good
master.” | 23 |
| All that day ‘Ali Baba and his wife were seen going between
Kasim’s and their own house, and nobody was surprised in the evening to
hear the lamentable shrieks and cries of Kasim’s wife and Marjaneh, who
gave out everywhere that her master was dead. The next morning, at
daybreak, Marjaneh went to an old cobbler whom she knew to be always
early at his stall, and bidding him goodmorrow, put a piece of gold into
his hand, saying: “Baba Mustafa, you must bring with you your sewing
tackle, and come with me; but I must tell you, I shall blindfold you
when you come to such a place.” | 24 |
| Baba Mustafa seemed to hesitate a little at these words. “Oh!
oh!” replied he, “you would have me do something against my conscience
or against my honour?” “God forbid!” said Marjaneh, putting another
piece of gold into his hand, “that I should ask anything that is
contrary to your honour! only come along with me and fear nothing.” | 25 |
| Baba Mustafa went with Marjaneh, who, after she had bound his
eyes with a handkerchief at the place she had mentioned, conveyed him to
her deceased master’s house, and never uncovered his eyes till he had
entered the room where she had put the corpse together. “Baba Mustafa,”
said she, “you must make haste and sew the parts of this body together;
and when you have done, I will give you another piece of gold.” | 26 |
| After Baba Mustafa had finished his task, she blindfolded him
again, gave him the third piece of gold as she had promised, and
recommending secrecy to him, carried him back to the place where she
first bound his eyes, pulled off the bandage, and let him go home, but
watched him that he returned towards his stall, till he was quite out of
sight, for fear he should have the curiosity to return and follow her.
She then went home, and, on her return, warmed some water to wash the
body, and at the same time ‘Ali Baba perfumed it with incense, and
wrapped it in the grave-clothes with the accustomed ceremonies. Not long
after, they brought the bier, and the Imam and the other ministers of
the mosque arrived. Four neighbours carried the corpse to the
burying-ground, following the Imam, who recited the prayers. ‘Ali Baba
came after, and Marjaneh followed in the procession, weeping, beating
her breast, and tearing her hair. Kasim’s wife stayed at home mourning,
uttering lamentable cries with the women of the neighbourhood, who came,
according to custom, during the funeral, and, joining their
lamentations with hers, filled the quarter far and near with sounds of
grief. | 27 |
| Three or four days after the funeral, ‘Ali Baba removed his
few goods openly to his sister-in-law’s house, in which he would in
future live; but the money he had taken from the robbers he conveyed
thither by night. As for Kasim’s shop, he intrusted it entirely to the
management of his eldest son. | 28 |
| While these things were being done, the forty robbers again
visited their retreat in the forest. Great, then, was their surprise to
find Kasim’s body taken away, with some of their bags of gold. “We are
certainly discovered,” said the captain. “The removal of the body, and
the loss of some of the money, plainly shews that the man whom we killed
had an accomplice; and for our own lives’ sake we must try and find
him. What say you, my sons?” | 29 |
| All the robbers unanimously approved of the captain’s proposal. | 30 |
| “Well,” said the captain, “one of you, the boldest and most
skilful among you, must go into the town, disguised as a traveller and a
stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the man whom we have
killed, and endeavour to find out who he was, and where he lived. This
is a matter of the first importance, and for fear of any treachery, I
propose that whoever undertakes this business without success, even
though the failure arises only from an error of judgment, shall suffer
death.” | 31 |
| Without waiting for the sentiments of his companions, one of
the robbers started up, and said: “I submit to this condition, and deem
it an honour to expose my life to serve the troop.” He then disguised
himself and went into the town just at daybreak, and walked up and down,
till accidentally he came to Baba Mustafa’s stall, which was always
open before any of the shops. Baba Mustafa was seated with an awl in his
hand, just going to work. The robber gave him good-morrow, and
perceiving that he was old, said: “O Uncle, you begin to work very
early. Is it possible that one of your age can see so well? I question,
even if it were somewhat lighter, whether you could see to stitch.” | 32 |
| “You do not know me,” replied Baba Mustafa; “for old as I am, I
have extraordinary good eyes; and you will not doubt it when I tell you
that I sewed the body of a dead man together in a place where I had not
so much light as I have now.” | 33 |
| “A dead body!” exclaimed the robber, with affected amazement.
“Yes, yes,” answered Baba Mustafa, “I see you want to have me speak out,
but you shall know no more.” | 34 |
| The robber felt sure that he had discovered what he sought. He
pulled out a piece of gold, and putting it into Baba Mustafa’s hand,
said to him: “I do not want to learn your secret, though you might
safely trust me with it. The only thing I desire of you is to shew me
the house where you stitched up the dead body.” | 35 |
| “If I were disposed to do you that favour,” replied Baba
Mustafa, “I could not. I was taken to a certain place, whence I was led
blindfold to the house, and afterwards brought back again in the same
manner; it is therefore impossible for me again to do what you wish.” | 36 |
| “Perhaps,” said the robber, “you may remember a little of the
way that you were led blindfold. Come, let me blind your eyes at the
same place. We will walk together: perhaps you may recognize some part;
and as everybody ought to be paid for their trouble, there is another
piece of gold for you; gratify me in what I ask you.” So saying, he put
another piece of gold into his hand. | 37 |
| “I cannot promise,” said Baba Mustafa, “that I can remember
the way exactly; but since you wish it, I will try what I can do.” At
these words he arose, to the great joy of the robber, and led him to the
place where Marjaneh had bound his eyes. “It was here,” said Baba
Mustafa, “I was blindfolded; and I turned this way.” The robber tied his
handkerchief over his eyes, and walked by him till he stopped at
Kasim’s house, where ‘Ali Baba then lived. The thief, before he pulled
off the band, marked the door with a piece of chalk which he had ready
in his hand, and then asked him if he knew whose house that was; to
which Baba Mustafa replied, that as he did not live in that
neighbourhood, he could not tell. The robber thanked him for the trouble
he had taken, and left him to go back to his stall, while he returned
to the forest. | 38 |
| A little after the robber and Baba Mustafa had parted,
Marjaneh went out of ‘Ali Baba’s house upon an errand, and upon her
return, seeing the mark the robber had made, stopped to observe it.
“What can be the meaning of this mark?” she said to herself; “somebody
intends my master no good; however, with whatever intention it was done,
it is advisable to guard against the worst.” Accordingly, she fetched a
piece of chalk, and marked two or three doors on each side, in the same
manner, without saying a word to her master or mistress. | 39 |
| In the meantime, the robber rejoined his troop in the forest,
and recounted to them his success; expatiating upon his good fortune in
meeting so soon with the only person who could inform him of what he
wanted to know. All the robbers listened to him with the utmost
satisfaction, when the captain, after commending his diligence,
addressing himself to them all, said: “Comrades, we have no time to
lose; let us set off well armed, without its appearing who we are; but
that we may not excite any suspicion, let only one or two go into the
town together, and join at our rendezvous, which shall be the great
square. In the meantime, our comrade who brought us the good news and I
will go and find out the house, that we may consult what had best be
done.” | 40 |
| This was approved by all, and they filed off in parties of two
each, after some interval of time, and got into the town without being
suspected. The captain and he who had visited the town in the morning as
spy came in the last. He led the captain into the street where he had
marked ‘Ali Baba’s residence; and when they came to the first of the
houses which Marjaneh had marked, he pointed it out. But the Captain
observed that the next door was chalked in the same manner, and in the
same place; and shewing it to his guide, asked him what house it was,
that, or the first. The guide was so confounded, that he knew not what
answer to make, but still more puzzled, when he and the captain saw five
or six houses similarly marked. He assured the captain, with an oath,
that he had marked but one, and could not tell who had chalked the rest,
so that he could not distinguish the house which the cobbler had
stopped at. | 41 |
| The captain, finding that their design had proved abortive,
went directly to the place of rendezvous, and told his followers that
they had lost their labour and must return to the cave. So they all
returned as they had come. | 42 |
| When the troop was all got together, the captain told them the
reason of their returning; and presently the conductor was declared by
all worthy of death. But as the safety of the troop required the
discovery of the second intruder into the cave, another of the gang, who
promised himself that he should succeed better, came forward, and his
offer being accepted, he went and corrupted Baba Mustafa, as the other
had done; and being shewn the house, marked it in a place more remote
from sight, with red chalk. Not long after, Marjaneh, whose eyes nothing
could escape, went out, and seeing the red chalk, and arguing with
herself as she had done before, marked the other neighbours’ houses in
the same place and manner. Accordingly, when the robber and his captain
came to the street, they found the same difficulty; at which the captain
was enraged, and the robber in as great confusion as his predecessor.
Thus the captain and his troop were forced to retire a second time, and
much more dissatisfied; while the robber, who had been the author of the
mistake, underwent the same punishment. | 43 |
| The captain, having lost two brave fellows of his troop, was
afraid of diminishing it too much by pursuing this plan to get
information of the residence of their plunderer; and therefore resolved
to take upon himself the important commission. Accordingly, he addressed
himself to Baba Mustafa, who did him the same service he had done to
the other robbers. He had not set any particular mark on the house, but
examined and observed it so carefully, by passing often by it, that it
was impossible for him to mistake it. Well satisfied with his attempt,
and informed of what he wanted to know, he returned to the forest; and
when he came into the cave, where the troop waited for him, said: “Now,
comrades, nothing can prevent our full revenge, as I am certain of the
house; and in my way hither I have thought how to put it into execution;
but if any one can form a better expedient, let him communicate it.” He
then told them his contrivance; and as they approved of it, ordered
them to go into the villages about, and buy nineteen mules, with
thirty-eight large leather jars, one full of oil, and the others empty. | 44 |
| In two or three days’ time the robbers had purchased the mules
and jars, and as the mouths of the jars were rather too narrow for his
purpose, the captain caused them to be widened; and after having put one
of his men into each, with the weapons which he thought fit, leaving
open the seam which had been undone to leave them room to breathe, he
rubbed the jars on the outside with oil from the full vessel. | 45 |
| When the nineteen mules were loaded with thirty-seven robbers
in jars, and the jar of oil, the captain set out with them, and reached
the town by the dusk of the evening. He led them through the streets
till he came to ‘Ali Baba’s door where he was sitting after supper to
take the air. He stopped his mules, addressed himself to him, and said:
“I have brought some oil a great way, to sell at tomorrow’s market; and
it is now so late that I do not know where to lodge. If I should not be
troublesome to you, do me the favour to let me pass the night with you. | 46 |
| Though ‘Ali Baba had seen the captain of the robbers in the
forest, and had heard him speak, it was impossible to know him in the
disguise of an oil-merchant. He told him he should be welcome, and
immediately opened his gates for the mules to go into the yard. At the
same time he called to a slave, and ordered him, when the mules were
unloaded, to put them into the stable, and to feed them; and then went
to Marjaneh, to bid her make a good supper for his guest. After they had
finished supper, ‘Ali Baba, charging Marjaneh afresh to take care of
his guest, said to her: “to-morrow morning I am going to the bath before
daybreak; take care my bathing linen be ready, give them to ‘Abd-Allah,
and make me some good broth against I return.” | 47 |
| After this he went to bed. | 48 |
| In the meantime the captain of the robbers went into the yard,
and took off the lid of each jar, and gave his people orders what to
do. Beginning at the first jar, and so on to the last, he said to each
man: “As soon as I throw some stones out of the chamber window where I
sleep, do not fail to come out, and I will immediately join you.” After
this he returned into the house, when Marjaneh, taking up a light,
conducted him to his chamber. | 49 |
| Marjaneh, remembering ‘Ali Baba’s orders, got his bathing
linen ready, and ordered ‘Abd-Allah to set on the pot for the broth; but
while it was preparing the lamp went out, and there was no more oil in
the house. So she took the oil-pot, and went into the yard; when as she
came nigh the first jar, the robber within said softly, “Is it time?”
Without showing her amazement, she answered, “Not yet, but presently.”
She went quietly in this manner to all the jars, giving the same answer,
till she came to the jar of oil. | 50 |
| By this means Marjaneh found that her master ‘Ali Baba had
admitted thirty-eight robbers into his house, and that this pretended
oil-merchant was their captain. She made what haste she could to fill
her oil-pot, and returned into her kitchen, where, as soon as she had
lighted her lamp, she took a great kettle, went again to the oil-jar,
filled the kettle, set it on a large wood fire, and as soon as it
boiled, went and poured enough into every jar to stifle and destroy the
robber within. When she had done this, she returned into the kitchen;
and having put out the great fire she had made to boil the oil, and
leaving just enough to make the broth, put out the lamp also, and
remained silent, resolving not to go to rest till she had observed what
might follow through a window of the kitchen, which opened into the
yard. She had not waited long before the captain of the robbers got up,
opened the window, and finding no light, and hearing no noise, or anyone
stirring in the house, gave the appointed signal, by throwing little
stones at the jars. He then listened, but not hearing or perceiving
anything, he began to grow uneasy, threw stones again a second and also a
third time, and could not comprehend the reason that none of them
should answer his signal. Much alarmed, he went softly down into the
yard, and going to the first jar, whilst asking the robber, whom he
thought alive, if he was in readiness, smelt the hot boiled oil, which
sent forth a steam out of the jar. Hence he suspected that his plot to
murder ‘Ali Baba, and plunder his house, was discovered. Examining all
the jars, one after another, he found that all his gang were dead; and,
enraged to despair at having failed in his design, he forced the lock of
a door that led from the yard to the garden, and climbing over the
walls, made his escape. | 51 |
| When Marjaneh saw him depart, she went to bed, satisfied and
pleased to have succeeded so well in saving her master and family. | 52 |
| ‘Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by his slave, went to
the bath, entirely ignorant of the important event which had happened
at home. When he returned he was much surprised to see the oil-jars, and
that the merchant was not gone with the mules, and asked Marjaneh the
reason of it. “O my master,” answered she, “God preserve you and your
family. You will be better informed of what you wish to know when you
have seen what I have to shew you, if you will follow me. Then she bade
him look into the first jar, and see if there was any oil.” ‘Ali Baba
did so, and seeing a man, started back in alarm, and cried out, “Be not
afraid,” said Marjaneh, “the man you see there can neither do you nor
any one else any harm. He is dead.” “O Marjaneh,” said ‘Ali Baba, “what
is it you shew me?” “Moderate your astonishment,” replied Marjaneh, “and
do not excite the curiosity of the neighbours; for it is of great
importance to keep this affair secret. Look into all the other jars.” | 53 |
| ‘Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one after another; and
when he came to that which had the oil in, found it prodigiously sunk,
and stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking at the jars, and
sometimes at Marjaneh, without saying a word, so great was his surprise.
Marjaneh then told him all she had done, from the first observing the
mark upon the house, to the destruction of the robbers, and the flight
of their captain. | 54 |
| On hearing of these brave deeds from the lips of Marjaneh,
‘Ali Baba said to her: “God, by your means, has delivered me from the
snares these robbers laid for my destruction. I owe my life to you; and,
for the first token of my acknowledgment, give you your liberty from
this moment, till I can complete your recompense as I intend.” | 55 |
| ‘Ali Baba’s garden was very long, and shaded at the further
end by a great number of large trees. Near these he and the slave
‘Abd-Allah dug a trench, long and wide enough to hold the bodies of the
robbers; and as the earth was light, they were not long in doing it.
When this was done, ‘Ali Baba hid the jars and weapons; and as he had no
occasion for the mules, he sent them at different times to be sold in
the market by his slave. | 56 |
| Meanwhile the captain returned to the forest with
inconceivable mortification. He did not stay long; the loneliness of the
gloomy cavern became frightful to him. He determined, however, to
avenge the fate of his companions, and to accomplish the death of ‘Ali
Baba. For this purpose he returned to the town, and took a lodging in a
Khan, and disguised himself as a merchant in silks. Under this assumed
character he gradually conveyed a great many sorts of rich stuffs and
fine linen to his lodging from the cavern, with all necessary precaution
to conceal the place whence he brought them. In order to dispose of the
merchandise, when he had thus amassed them together, he took a
warehouse, which happened to be opposite to Kasim’s, which ‘Ali Baba’s
son had occupied since the death of his uncle. | 57 |
| He took the name of Khoja Hoseyn, and, as a new-comer, was,
according to custom, extremely civil and complaisant to all the
merchants his neighbours. ‘Ali Baba’s son was, from his vicinity, one of
the first to converse with Khoja Hoseyn, who strove to cultivate his
friendship more particularly. Two or three days after he was settled,
‘Ali Baba came to see his son, and the captain of the robbers recognised
him at once, and soon learned from his son who he was. After this he
increased his assiduities, caressed him in the most engaging manner,
made him some small presents, and often asked him to dine and sup with
him. | 58 |
| One day ‘Ali Baba’s son and Khoja Hoseyn met by appointment,
took their walk, and as they returned, ‘Ali Baba’s son led Khoja Hoseyn
through the street where his father lived, and when they came to the
house, stopped and knocked at the door. “This,” said he, “is my father’s
house, who, from the account I have given him of your friendship,
charged me to procure him the honour of your acquaintance; and I desire
you to add this pleasure to those for which I am already indebted to
you.” | 59 |
| Though it was the sole aim of Khoja Hoseyn to introduce
himself into ‘Ali Baba’s house, that he might kill him, yet he excused
himself, and offered to take his leave; but a slave having opened the
door, ‘Ali Baba’s son took him by the hand and led him in. ‘Ali Baba
received Khoja Hoseyn with a smiling countenance, and in the most
obliging manner he could wish. He thanked him for all the favours he had
done his son; adding withal, the obligation was the greater as he was a
young man, not much acquainted with the world, and that he might
contribute to his information. After a little more conversation, he
offered again to take his leave, when ‘Ali Baba, stopping him, said:
“Where are you going in so much haste? I beg you would do me the honour
to sup with me; though my entertainment may not be worthy your
acceptance, such as it is, I heartily offer it.” “O my master,” replied
Khoja Hoseyn, “I am thoroughly persuaded of your good-will; but the
truth is, I can eat no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore
judge how I should feel at your table.” “If that is the only reason,”
said ‘Ali Baba, “it ought not to deprive me of the honour of your
company; for there is no salt ever put into my bread, and as to the meat
we shall have to-night, I promise you there shall be none in that.
Therefore do me the favour to stay.” | 60 |
| Then ‘Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Marjaneh to
put no salt to the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make
quickly two or three dishes besides what he had ordered, but to be sure
to put no salt in them. Now Marjaneh, who was always ready to obey her
master, could not help being surprised at this order. “Who is this
strange man,” said she, “who eats no salt with his meat? Your supper
will be spoiled if I keep it back so long.” “Do not be angry, Marjaneh,”
replied ‘Ali Baba. “He is an honest man; therefore do as I bid you.” | 61 |
| Marjaneh obeyed, though with no little reluctance, and had a
curiosity to see this man who ate no salt. To this end, when she had
finished what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped ‘Abd-Allah to
carry up the dishes; and, looking at Khoja Hoseyn, knew him at first
sight, notwithstanding his disguise, to be the captain of the robbers,
and examining him very carefully, perceived that he had a dagger under
his garment. “I am not in the least amazed,” said she to herself, “that
this wicked man, who is my master’s greatest enemy, would eat no salt
with him, since he intends to assassinate him; but I will prevent him.” | 62 |
| When ‘Abd-Allah had put the service of fruit with the wine
before ‘Ali Baba, Marjaneh retired, dressed herself neatly, with a
suitable head-dress, like a dancer, girded her waist with a silver-gilt
girdle, to which were hung a poniard with a hilt and guard of the same
metal, and put a handsome veil on her face. When she had thus attired
herself, she said to ‘Abd-Allah: “Take your tabor, and let us go and
divert our master and his son’s friend, as we do sometimes when he is
alone.” | 63 |
| ‘Abd-Allah took his tabor and played all the way into the hall
before Marjaneh, who, when she came to the door, made a low obeisance
by way of asking leave to exhibit her skill. “Come in, Marjaneh,” said
‘Ali-Baba, “and let Khoja Hoseyn see what you can do, that he may tell
us what he thinks of your performance.” | 64 |
| After she had danced several dances with much grace, she drew
the poniard and, holding it in her hand, began a dance, in which she
outdid herself, by the many different figures, light movements, and the
surprising leaps and wonderful exertions with which she accompanied it.
Sometimes she presented the poniard to one breast, sometimes to another,
and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At last, she snatched the
tabor from ‘Abd-Allah with her left hand, and holding the dagger in her
right, presented the other side of the tabor, after the manner of those
who get a livelihood by dancing, and solicit the liberality of the
spectators. | 65 |
| ‘Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his
son; and Khoja Hoseyn, seeing that she was coming to him, had pulled his
purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was putting
his hand into it, Marjaneh plunged the poniard into his heart. | 66 |
| ‘Ali Baba and his son, shocked at this action, cried out
aloud. “Ill-omened woman!” exclaimed ‘Ali Baba, “what have you done to
ruin me and my family?” “It was to preserve, not to ruin you,” answered
Marjaneh; “for see here,” continued she, opening the pretended Khoja
Hoseyn’s garment, and shewing the dagger, “what an enemy you had
entertained! Look well at him, and you will find him to be both the
pretended oil-merchant and the captain of the gang of forty robbers.
Remember, too, that he would eat no salt with you; and what would you
have more to persuade you of his wicked design? Before I saw him, I
suspected him as soon as you told me you had such a guest. I knew him,
and you now find that my suspicion was not groundless.” | 67 |
| Then ‘Ali Baba, seeing that Marjaneh had saved his life a
second time, embraced her. “O Marjaneh,” said he, “I gave you your
liberty, and then promised you that my gratitude should not stop there,
but that I would soon give you higher proofs of its sincerity; which I
now do by making you my daughter-in-law.” Then addressing himself to his
son, he said: “I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you
will not refuse Marjaneh for your wife. You see that Khoja Hoseyn sought
your friendship with a treacherous design to take away my life: and if
he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he would have sacrificed you
also to his revenge. Consider that by marrying Marjaneh you marry the
preserver of our family.” | 68 |
| A few days afterwards, ‘Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of
his son and Marjaneh with great solemnity, a sumptuous feast, and the
usual dancing and spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see that his
friends and neighbours, whom he invited, had no knowledge of the true
motives of the marriage; but that those who were not unacquainted with
Marjaneh’s good qualities commended his generosity and goodness of
heart. ‘Ali Baba did not visit the robber’s cave for a whole year, as he
supposed the other two, whom he could get no account of, might be
alive. | 69 |
| At the year’s end, when he found they had not made any attempt
to disturb him, he resolved to make another journey. He mounted his
horse, and when he came to the cave he alighted, tied his horse to a
tree, then approaching the entrance, pronounced the words, “Open,
Simsim!” whereupon the door opened. He entered the cavern, and by the
condition he found things in, judged that nobody had been there since
the captain had fetched the goods for his shop. From this time he
believed he was the only person in the world who had the secret of
opening the cave, and that all the treasure was at his sole disposal. He
put as much gold into his saddle-bags as his horses would carry, and
returned to the town. Some years later he carried his son to the cave
and taught him the secret, which he handed down to his posterity, who,
using their good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and
splendour till they were visited by the terminator of delights and the
separator of companions. | 70 |
a
merchant. After the death of their father, the greedy Cassim marries a
wealthy woman and becomes well-to-do, building on their father's
business - but Ali Baba marries a poor woman and settles into the trade
of a woodcutter.
mules
loaded with thirty-eight oil jars, one filled with oil, the other
thirty-seven hiding the other remaining thieves. Once Ali Baba is
asleep, the thieves plan to kill him. Again, Morgiana