An open and disinterested7 heart, instead of procuring8 him love and esteem9, often carried him to the brink10 of ruin; for those with whom he mingled11, were artful and treacherous12 hypocrites, a set of vermin that infest13 every court. Though he wished to hate no man, yet he could not love those who were every day privately14 seeking his destruction.
These ungenerous attempts were so often repeated, that Kalan, fearing he should acquire a habit of despising human beings, resolved to retire from the noise and bustle15 of a court. He was strengthened in this resolution by a review of his affairs, which were so much deranged16 by his unbounded charity and benevolence17, that he found it impossible any longer to support such expences.
Kalan, before he retired18 to enjoy a peaceful and tranquil19 life, left the following lines engraven on his door:
"The man who no ingratitude20 has found,
Has never trod on courtiers' slipp'ry ground."
The calif, having one day heard these lines repeated, desired to know who was the author of them. At this time Kalan was supposed to be dead, and therefore the courtiers had nothing to fear, and no reason to conceal21 the name of the author. Those people who had formerly22 returned all his favours with ingratitude, now launched into high encomiums on his merit. In all this there is nothing astonishing. With respect to the arts and sciences, we see how different is the treatment the professors of them receive during their lives, and after they are no more. While living, he could perhaps hardly support his miserable23 existence; when dead, sumptuous24 and costly25 monuments are erected26 to his memory.
Kalan, having accidentally heard how much Mahmoud was pleased with the inscription27 on his door, quitted his retreat, and again appeared at Ispahan, to the astonishment28 of his friends, and the invidious regret of the courtiers. The calif received him kindly29, and made him ample amends30 for all the neglect of his friends. Kalan was put into an office which enabled him to gratify all his beneficent wishes.
As the nettle31 and the rose thrive together on the same soil, so was the bosom32 of Kalan not without a weed. His too strong attachment33 to women sometimes led him astray, and made him unmindful of his duty. The calif was not ignorant of this fault in Kalan, for the courtiers that surrounded him took care that this error should not remain concealed34. Mahmoud, though he pitied his weakness, did not esteem him the less on that account. "True it is," said the calif, "that an unbounded passion for women is much to be censured35; but this folly36 will in time forsake37 him; while ambition, cruelty, and avarice38, had any such vices39 got possession of him, would grow stronger as he advanced in age."
The calif's courtiers extolled40 the sublimity41 of this observation; but no sooner had he turned his back on them, than they ridiculed42 such a paltry43 idea. How much are courtiers to be pitied, who take so much pains to render themselves contemptible44!
Some little time afterwards, the calif gave Kalan a commission to the furthest part of Persia, and fixed45 even the day and hour when he should expect him back. Kalan immediately set out on his journey, discharged his duty with the strictest punctuality, and returned a day before the time allowed. He received the applause due to his diligence, and was told, that every hour he gained on the stipulated46 time was of the utmost service to his country.
Kalan was the more pleased with these marks of the calif's approbation47, as he received it in the presence of many courtiers, who all showed him the highest marks of applause, while in their hearts they hated and detested48 him, and envied the honours paid him by the calif.
The next day, however, one of these courtiers, deputed by the rest, approached Mahmoud, and, after bowing to the earth, thus addressed him:—"Most noble and glorious sovereign of the faithful, though I know not the nature of Kalan's late commission, yet I judge it was of the highest importance. Pardon then my zeal49 if, notwithstanding the transcendent light in which I behold4 him, I am under the disagreeable necessity of informing your highness, that he presumed to pass five days of that time so precious to the state, in the enjoyment50 of the pleasures of love."
The calif, astonished at this declaration, told the malevolent51 informer, that he hoped he could prove what he had asserted. "Dread52 sovereign," answered he, "his own slave will prove to you, that, at Gauri, nearly a hundred miles from this capital, he loitered in the lap of pleasure. The daughter of a caravanserist had influence over him sufficient to induce him to neglect, for five days, the confidence you had reposed53 in him, and the most important concerns of the state. If time should prove that I have accused him falsely, let me be the victim of your resentment54."
Mahmoud thanked him for his vigilant55 information, which he presumed could arise from no other motive56 than his great attachment to his glory; and he assured him, that he would nicely search into the truth of what he had informed him. "Neither will I be forgetful," said the calif, "of the greatness of your soul, which has induced you to sacrifice to my interest the man, you say, you so much admire and revere57."
The courtier then bowed his head to the earth, and retired, not much pleased, however, with the last words of the calif, who, he had from thence reason to believe, was not greatly satisfied with the accusation58, and who might let fallthat vengeance59 on this head, which he was endeavouring to prepare for another.
Mahmoud presently afterwards sent for Kalan; which being known to the courtiers, they secretly triumphed in the idea, that the hour was hastily approaching, in which they hoped to find their revenge and hatred60 amply gratified.
As soon as Kalan appeared before the calif, "I will not," said the latter, "ask you any artful questions, such as may lead you inadvertently to criminate yourself; and, in the course of this business I will be your judge and counsellor, and will afford you every opportunity of clearing yourself of the charge laid against you. You cannot forget how precious I told you was the time I allowed you for the completion of your embassy; yet it has been reported to me, that you stopped five days on the road, to enjoy yourself in the lap of pleasure, without blushing at the praises you received for that one day, which I supposed your zeal and attachment to my interest had procured61 me. Say, are these things true?"
"My dread sovereign," replied Kalan, "had I a soul mean enough of having recourse to a falsehood to cover a crime, I should perhaps answer in the negative; but, sorry I am to say, that the charge is true. I really did saunter away in idleness five whole days at Gauri. I was intoxicated62; yes, commander of the faithful, I was intoxicated with a passion that destroyed all my other faculties63. I know I have merited death; but it is not the fear of death that terrifies me, but the hateful recollection of having displeased64 my friend and sovereign. Having completed the business of my embassy, and being arrived, on my return, at Gauri, wanting horses, and my slave too being harassed65 with the journey, I resolved to stop one night, which was the first I had indulged myself in from the time of my leaving the palace.
"Having taken a little refreshment66, and being seated near a window, I suddenly heard a voice in the adjoining chamber67 strike forth68 in such melodious69 notes, that nothing could equal it. I listened with eager attention, and could plainly distinguish they were the lamentations of love. I was in great doubt to determine which were the more excellent, the music or the words. As soon as she had finished, I enquired70 who she was, and found it was the daughter of my host; that her voice was not her only merit, since the words were of her own composition, and besides, she was said to be as lovely as Venus, and as chaste71 as Diana.
"No wonder if this description excited my desire to see her; and I begged the caravanserist would gratify my wish. He for some time objected; but I persisted in my request, and at last, his great respect for the ambassador of131 Mahmoud made him yield to my entreaties72. The moment she appeared I was enamoured with her beauty; but, when I heard her play upon her harp73, O powerful love! my embassy, my duty as a subject, and the punishment to which my delay might expose me, every thing of this sort was totally forgotten.
"All my thoughts were absorbed at this time in one wish only, that of being beloved by Zada. I offered my hand in marriage, but during two days she made many trifling74 excuses. On the third day she confessed, that if ever she could love any man, it probably would be me. The fourth day she received my addresses, and on the fifth gave me every thing to hope for. On the arrival of the evening of this day, she happened to mention your name, when, recollecting75 myself, I became fully76 sensible of my guilt77. She perceived my confusion, and begged to know the cause of it. As soon as I told her, she insisted on my setting out that night—that very night on which I promised myself so much felicity.
"Sensible I am that I merit death, for having thus shamefully78 neglected my duty; but one thing I have to beg, that my sufferings may not be long."
All was silent for a few moments. After which said the calif—"Your punishment shall be the slowest that human ingenuity79 can possibly invent. Imprisonment80 shall be your fate as long132 as life shall be able to support it. Take him hence, soldiers, and let his treatment henceforward be the severest man can endure."
The soldiers conducted Kalan to his place of confinement81, and the courtiers followed him with their eyes, which seemed to be moistened with tears, while their hearts rejoiced in his disgrace.
In about an hour or two after this event, it was reported, that the calif had dispatched a messenger; but no one could tell whither, or on what account. In the course of the five following days, the name of Kalan was forgotten; but on the sixth, to the astonishment of every one, the calif ordered him again to be brought before him.
As soon as Kalan appeared, the calif, after asking him some taunting82 questions, "Yes," said he, "a song on some voluptuous83 subject, and a harp in that fair damsel's hand you saw upon your journey, made you negligent84 of what you knew your duty. I am, therefore, resolved both to punish and remind you of the fault you have committed, by decreeing, that in future you shall listen to such songs as are descriptive of complaining lovers. Let the Egyptian take her harp and play upon it."
Instantly was heard a voice so sweet, that Mahmoud's courtiers scarce dared to breathe, for fear of interrupting so much harmony. As soon as it began, the prisoner gave a cry, fell down, and beat the ground with his forehead.
"Rise, Kalan," said the calif, "and hear your sentence. You that at present surround my throne," speaking to his courtiers, "who so often stand in need of indulgence, tell me, which among you, being in Kalan's place, on the point of having all his wishes accomplished85, and after having passed five days in the pursuit of it, would not have presumed to hazard a sixth day?" (Here a pause ensued.) "No answer?—Kalan, since even envy thus keeps silence, you find favour with your king. Take your Zada, therefore, and be happy for the time to come; she is now yours."
Kalan, after having thrown himself at the feet of the calif, was no sooner risen up than he flew into the arms of his beloved Zada. They retired in mutual86 embraces; and the courtiers with hearts full of envy and fell malignity87.
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收听单词发音
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1
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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artifices
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| n.灵巧( artifice的名词复数 )；诡计；巧妙办法；虚伪行为 | |
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7
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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11
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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12
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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infest
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| v.大批出没于；侵扰；寄生于 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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15
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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deranged
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| adj.疯狂的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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26
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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28
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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nettle
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| n.荨麻；v.烦忧，激恼 | |
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32
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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42
ridiculed
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| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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44
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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45
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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46
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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48
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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50
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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51
malevolent
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| adj.有恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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52
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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53
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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55
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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57
revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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58
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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59
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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60
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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61
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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62
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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66
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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67
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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68
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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70
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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71
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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72
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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73
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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74
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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75
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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76
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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77
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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78
shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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79
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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80
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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81
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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82
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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83
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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84
negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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85
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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86
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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