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Updated: June 26, 2025
"Mustapha," said the pacha, "I feel as the caliph Haroun Alraschid, in the tale of Yussuf, related by Menouni, full of care; my soul is weary my heart is burnt as roast meat." Mustapha, who had wit enough to perceive that he was to act the part of Giaffar, the vizier, immediately replied, "O pacha! great and manifold are the cares of state.
"Such, O pacha, is the history of Yussuf, the water-carrier." "Yes, and a very good story too. Have you not another, Menouni?" "Your highness," replied Mustapha, "the caravan will depart at break of day, and Menouni has but three hours to prepare. It can no longer be detained without the chief making a report to the authorities, which would not be well received."
"No, by our beard," rejoined the pacha; "it is for you to tell your story and for me to make remarks when it is over." "I stand in the presence of wisdom," said Menouni, who bowed low and proceeded.
"No, by our beard," rejoined the pacha; "it is for you to tell your story, and for me to make remarks when it is over." "I stand in the presence of wisdom," said Menouni, who bowed low and proceeded.
"Such, O pacha, is the history of Yussuf, the water-carrier." "Yes, and a very good story too. Have you not another, Menouni?" "Your highness," replied Mustapha, "the caravan will depart at break of day, and Menouni has but three hours to prepare. It can no longer be detained without the chief making a report to the authorities, which would not be well received."
"I am less than dust, and am ready to cover my head with ashes, not to feel my soul in the seventh heaven at the condescension of his highness; yet would I fain do his bidding and depart, for a vow to the prophet is sacred, and it is written in the Koran " "Never mind the Koran just now, good Menouni; we ask of thee a proof of thy art. Tell me a story." "Most proud shall I be of the honour.
"Be it so," replied the pacha; "let Menouni be rewarded, and we will try to find some other story-teller, until his return from his pilgrimage." Can I say more?" "Allah acbar! God is great! and it is well said. But why a book, when nobody can read it?" "These are great words, and spiced with wisdom.
Civilisation, as Menou hath said, must extend both far and wide before other nations will be so polished as to imitate us in the splendour, the security, and the happiness of our harems; and when I further remark to your highness "Proceed, good Menouni," interrupted Mustapha, "his highness is not fond of remarks."
Here Menouni stopped, and made his salaam. "May it please your highness to permit your slave to retire for the night, for the tale of Yussuf, the water-carrier, cannot be imparted to your highness in one evening." The pacha, although much amused, was also a little tired. "Be it so, good Menouni, but recollect, Mustapha, that the caravan must not depart until I hear the end of this story."
"Mashallah! but he swims well," said the pacha, breaking up the audience. Menouni was well content to remain, as the liberality of the pacha was not to be fallen in with every day, and the next evening he was again ushered into the sublime presence. "Khosh amedeid! you are welcome," said the pacha, as Menouni made his low obeisance, "Now let us have another story.
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