Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/15

The Vizier’s Orders were immediately executed. The Detachment, conducted by the black Eunuch, went with Expedition to Bedreddin’s Houſe, and broke in pieces the Plates, Kettles, Copper-Pans, Tables, and all the other Moveables and Utenſils they met with, and drowned the Sherbet-Shop with Cream and Comfits. Bedreddin, aſtoniſh’d at the ſight, ſaid with a pitiful Tone, “Pray, good People, why do you ſerve me ſo? What’s the Matter? What have I done?” “Was it not you, ſaid they) that ſold this Eunuch the Cream Tart?” Yes, (replied he) I am the Man: And who ſays any thing againſt it? I defy any one to make a better.” Inſtead of giving him an Anſwer, they continued to break all round them, and the Oven it ſelf was not ſpared.

In the mean time the Neighbours took the Alarm, and ſurprized to ſee fifty armed Men commit ſuch a Diſorder, asked the Reaſon of ſuch Violence; and Bedreddin ſaid once more to the Actors of it, Pray tell me what Crime I am guilty of, to have deſerved this Uſage?” “Was it not you, (replied they) that made the Cream Tart you ſold to the Ennuch?” “Yes, yes, it is I, (replied he) I maintain it is a good one, I do not deſerve ſuch Uſage as you give me.” However, without liſtening to him, they ſeized his Perſon, and, ſnatching the Cloath off his Turban, tied his Hands with it behind his Back, and, after dragging him by Force out of his Shop, marched off.

The Mob gathering, and taking Compaſſion of Bedreddin, took bis Part, and offered Oppoſition to Schemſeddin’s Men; but that very Minute up came ſome Officers from the Governor of the City who diſperſed the People, and favoured the carrying off of Bedreddin; for Schemſeddin Mohammed had in the mean time gone to the Governor’s Houſe, to acquaint him with what Orders he had given, and to demand the Interpofition of Force to favour the Execution; and the Governor, who commanded all Syria in the Name of the Sultan of Egypt, was loth to refuſe any thing to his Maſter’s Vizier. So Bedreddin was carried off after all his Cries and Tears.

Day appearing, Scheherazade, could proceed no farther, till next Morning that ſhe went on as follows.