Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 5.djvu/47

IN the Reign of the Califf Haroun Alraſchid, here was at Bagdad, a Druggiſt, called Albouſſan Ebn Thaher, a very rich and handſome Man, He had more of Wit and Politeneſs than thoſe of his Profeſſion ordinarily have: His Integrity, Sincerity, and jovial Humour, made him to be loved and ſought after by all People. The Calif, who knew his Merit, had an intire Confidence in him. He had ſo great an Eſteem for him, that he entruſted him with the Care to provide the Ladies, his Favourites, with all Things they ſtood in Need of. He choſe for them their Cloaths, Furniture and Jewels, with admirable Judgment,

His good Qualities, and the Fayour of the Calif, made the Sons of Emirs, and other Officers of the firſt Rank, to be always about him: His Houſe was the Rendezyous of that went daily to viſit him, there was one whom he took more Notice of than the reſt, and with whom he contracted a particular Friendſhip, called Aboulhafſan Ali Ebn Becar, originally of an ancient Royal Family of Perſia. This Family continu’d at Bagdad; ever ſince the Muſſelmen made a Conqueſt of that Kingdom. Nature ſeem’d to have taken Pleaſure to endue this young Prince with many of the rareſt Qualities of Body and Mind: His Face was ſo very beautiful, his Shape ſo fine, and his Phyſiognomy ſo engaging, that none could ſee him without loving him immediately. When he ſpoke, he expreſſed himſelf always in Terms proper and well choſen, with a new and agreeable Turn, and his Voice charm’d all that heard him; with this he had ſo much Wit and Judgment, that he thought and ſpoke of all Subjects with admirable Exactneſs. He was ſo reſerved and modeſt, that he advanced nothing ’till after he had taken all poſſible Precautions, to avoid giving any ground of Suſpicion, that he preferr’d his own Opinion to that of others.