"
"Sultan, I will not deny the truth. I will, if you command me, hold my
tongue."
"Your slave has been honoured with my lord's attentions, and denies the
assertion as a calumny," observed my rival.
"Peace, wretch! thou hast proved thyself unworthy of the honour, by thy
lying tongue."
"I tell thee, Zara, silence! or you shall feel my indignation."
But I was now too angry, and I replied, "My lord, you well know that I
once held my tongue for eighteen months, I therefore can be silent when
I choose; but I can also speak when I choose, and now I do choose to
speak. I have said it, and I will not retract my words."
The sultan was white with rage; my life hung upon a thread; when the
Circassian maliciously observed, "The bastinado might induce her to
retract."
"And shall," exclaimed the sultan, clapping his hands.
The Kislar Aga appeared, in obedience to the sultan's orders; the
executioner of the harem, and two slaves stretched me on the floor,--I
made no resistance or complaint; my jewelled slippers were taken off,
and all was ready for the disgraceful punishment.
"Now, Zara, will you retract?" said the sultan, solemnly.
"No, my lord, I will not. I repeat that you have a wen under your left
arm."
"Strike!" cried the sultan, in a paroxysm of rage. The bamboos fell, and
I received a dozen blows. I bore them without a cry,--I was too much
choked by my feelings.
"Now, Zara, will you retract?" exclaimed the sultan, in a subdued tone.
Pages:
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470