Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 2.djvu/9

This Night the Calif went out pretty early on his Rambles, accompanied with Giafar his Grand Viſier, and, Meſrour the Chief of the Eunuchs of his Palace, all diſguiſed in Merchants Habit; and paſſing through the Street where the three Ladies dwell, he heard the Sound of the Muſick, and great Fits of Laughter: Upon which he commanded the Viſier to knock, becauſe he would go in to know the Reaſon of that Jollity. The Viſier told him in vain that it was ſome Women a Merry-making, that without Queſtion their Heads were warm with Wine, and that it would not be proper he ſhould expoſe himſelf to be affronted, by them: Beſides, it was not yet an unlawful Hour, and therefore he ought not to diſturb them in their Mirth. No matter, ſaid the Calif, I command you to knock. So it was the Grand Viſier Giafar that knock’d at the Ladies Gate, by the Califf’s Order, becauſe he himſelf would not be known. Safie open’d the Gate, and the Viſier perceiving by the Light that ſhe held in her Hand, that ſhe was an incomparable Beauty, he acted his Part very well, and with a very low Bow and reſpectful Behaviour, told her, Madam, we are three Merchants of Mouſſol, that arrived about ten Days ago with rich Merchandize, which we have in a Warehouſe at a Khan [or Inn] where we have alſo our Lodging, We happen’d this Day to be with a Merchant of this City, who invited us to a Treat at his Houſe, where we had a ſplendid Entertainment; and the Wine having put us in Humour, he ſent for a Company of Dancers: Night being come on, and the Muſick and Dancers making a great Noiſe, the Watch came by in the mean time, cauſed the Gate to be opened, and ſome of the Company to be taken up; but we had the good Fortune to eſcape, by getting, aver a Wall. Now, ſaith the Viſier, being Strangers and ſomewhat overcome with Wine, we are afraid of meeting another, or perhaps the ſame Watch, before we get home to our Khan, which lies a good Way from hence. Beſides, when we come there, the Gates will be ſhut, and not open’d till Morning: Wherefore, Madam, hearing as we paſt this Way, the Sound of Muſick, we ſuppoſed you were not yet going to Reſt, and made bold to knock at your Gate, to beg the Favour of lodging ourſelves in this Houſe till Mor-