The Transmigrations of the Mandarin Fum Hoam Chinese Tales

ut, how-. ever, oblige me thus far, my dear Banu-Razid, not to carry the casket to Muza-Kazim till after I am dead. I left the wazir, continued the mandarin, after having taken charge of the casket; but scarce had I set my foot out of the chamber when, falling into new fits of madness, he was attacked with such violent convulsions that in spite of my assistance he was suffocated in a few moments. CONTINUATION OF THE ADVENTURES OF THE PHYSICIAN BANU-RAZID Never was surprise equal to that of the sultan upon reading the wazir's memorial which I presented him. He wept exceedingly, and bewailed the unfortunate Alaku ; and having summoned his privy council to communicate to them the news I had brought him, it was consulted whether that memorial should be made public, and possession taken of all the effects the wazir had bequeathed to Muza-Kazim, for the care of an only daughter he had left behind him, whose name was Simache. As I was charged with this commission, I caused all the rich furniture of the wazir to be brought into the seraglio, andconducted his daughter thither. She was scarce sixteen ; but, madam, what charms were in her face, and how did her tears affect me! I then attributed that to compassion which I soon found was the effect of a more violent affection, not imagining this beautiful young creature had made so strong an impression on my heart. Afterwards I presented her to the sultan Muza-Kazim ; and I did riot well understand my true sentiments till I pe...