" Yussuf then stated how he had gained his money, much to their
amusement. "Now," continued he, "I will no longer be a water-carrier,
but an attendant at the bath will I live and die. May all evil fall upon
the cold-blooded caliph; but thanks to Allah, it never will enter his
head to shut up the baths."
"But," observed Giaffar, "suppose the caliph were to-morrow morning to
take it into his head to shut up the baths."
"Now, may all the ghouls seize thee when thou visitest thy father's
tomb," cried Yussuf, jumping up in a fury, "thou bear-whiskered rascal!
Did not I caution thee against evil predictions--and did you not swear
that you would deal no more in surmises? The devil must attend you, and
waft your supposes into the ear of the caliph, upon which to frame out
his stupid fetvas."
"I heartily ask your forgiveness, and I am dumb," replied Giaffar.
"Then you are wise for once; prove yourself still wise, and hasten away
before I reach my cudgel."
Perceiving that Yussuf's eyes twinkled with anger, they thought it right
to follow his advice. "We shall see you again, good Yussuf," said the
caliph, as they descended.
"To the devil with you all three, and never let me see your ugly faces
again," replied the water-carrier, slamming the door after they were
out. The caliph went away much amused, and with his attendants, entered
the private gate of the seraglio.
The next morning the caliph held a solemn divan, at which all the
mollahs, as well as all the chief officers, were present, and he issued
a decree, that every bath throughout Bagdad should be shut for three
days, on pain of impalement.
Pages:
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400