Alroy
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Benjamin Disraeli >> Alroy
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'I am what I am. I worship the Lord of Hosts. Perhaps, in His mercy, He
will accept the days of Nishapur and the Tigris as a compensation for
some slight relaxation in the ritual of the baker and the bath.'
'And mark my words: it was by the ritual of the baker and the bath that
Alroy rose, and without it he will fall. The genius of the people, which
he shared, raised him; and that genius has been formed by the law of
Moses. Based on that law, he might indeed have handed down an empire
to his long posterity; and now, though the tree of his fortunes seems
springing up by the water-side, fed by a thousand springs, and its
branches covered with dew, there is a gangrene in the sap, and to-morrow
he may shrink like a shrivelled gourd. Alas! alas! for Israel! We
have long fed on mallows; but to lose the vintage in the very day of
fruition, 'tis very bitter. Ah! when I raised thy exhausted form in
the cavern of Genthesma, and the star of David beamed brightly in the
glowing heavens upon thy high fulfilment, who could have dreamed of a
night like this? Farewell, sire.'
'Stop, Jabaster! earliest, dearest friend, prythee, prythee stop!'
The priest slowly turned, the prince hesitated.
'Part not in anger, good Jabaster.'
'In sorrow, sire, only in sorrow; but deep and terrible.'
'Israel is Lord of Asia, my Jabaster. Why should we fear?'
'Solomon built Tadmor in the wilderness, and his fleet brought gold from
Ophir; and yet Alroy was born a slave.'
'But did not die one. The sultans of the world have fallen before me.
I have no fear. Nay, do not go. At least you will give some credence to
the stars, my learned Cabalist. See, my planet shines as brightly as
my fortunes.' Alroy withdrew the curtain, and with Jabaster stepped out
upon the terrace. A beautiful star glittered on high. As they gazed, its
colour changed, and a blood-red meteor burst from its circle, and fell
into space. The conqueror and the priest looked at each other at the
same time. Their countenances were pale, enquiring, and agitated.
'Sire,' said Jabaster, 'march to Judah.'
'It portends war,' replied Alroy, endeavouring to recover himself.
'Perchance some troubles in Persia.'
'Troubles at home, no other. The danger is nigh. Look to thyself.'
A wild scream was heard in the gardens. It sounded thrice.
'What is this?' exclaimed Alroy, really agitated. 'Rouse the guard,
Jabaster, search the gardens.'
''Tis useless and may do harm. It was a spirit that shrieked.'
'What said it?'
'_Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin!_'
'The old story, the priest against the king,' said Honain to Alroy,
when at his morrow's interview, he had listened to the events of the
preceding night. 'My pious brother wishes to lead you back to the
Theocracy, and is fearful that, if he prays at Bagdad instead of Zion,
he may chance to become only the head of an inferior sect, instead of
revelling in the universal tithes of a whole nation. As for the meteor,
Scherirah must have crossed the river about the same time, and the
Sultan of Roum may explain the bloody portent. For the shriek, as I
really have no acquaintance with spirits, I must leave the miraculous
communication to the favoured ears and initiated intelligences of your
highness and my brother. It seems that it differed from "the Daughter
of the Voice" in more respects than one, since it was not only extremely
noisy, but, as it would appear, quite unintelligible except to the
individual who had an interest in the interpretation, an ingenious
one, I confess. When I enter upon my functions as your highness's
chamberlain, I will at least guarantee that your slumbers shall not be
disturbed either by spirits or more unwelcome visitors.'
'Enter upon them at once, good Honain. How fares my Persian rose to-day,
my sweet Schirene?'
'Feeding on your image in your absence. She spares no word to me, I do
assure your highness.'
'Nay, nay, we know you are a general favourite with the sex, Honain.
I'faith I'm jealous.'
'I would your highness had cause,' said Honain, demurely.
The approaching marriage between the King of the Hebrews and the
Princess of Bagdad was published throughout Asia. Preparations were made
on the plain of the Tigris for the great rejoicing. Whole forests
were felled to provide materials for the buildings and fuel for the
banqueting. All the governors of provinces and cities, all the chief
officers and nobility of both nations, were specially invited, and daily
arrived in state at Bagdad. Among them the Viceroy of the Medes and
Persians, and his recent bride, the Princess Miriam, were conspicuous,
followed by a train of nearly ten thousand persons.
A throne, ascended by one hundred steps covered with crimson cloth, and
crowned by a golden canopy, was raised in the middle of the plain; on
each side was a throne less elevated, but equally gorgeous. In the front
of these thrones an immense circus was described, formed by one
hundred chartaks or amphitheatres, ample room for the admittance of the
multitude being left between the buildings. These chartaks were covered
with bright brocades and showy carpets; on each was hoisted a brilliant
banner. In some of them were bands of choice musicians, in others
companies of jugglers, buffoons, and storiers. Five chartaks on each
side of the thrones were allotted for the convenience of the court;
the rest were filled by the different trades of the city. In one the
fruiterers had formed a beautiful garden, glowing with pomegranates and
gourds and watermelons, oranges, almonds, and pistachio-nuts; in another
the butchers exhibited their meats carved in fanciful shapes, and the
skins of animals formed into ludicrous figures. Here assembled the
furriers, all dressed in masquerade, like leopards, lions, tigers and
foxes; and in another booth mustered the upholsterers, proud of a camel
made of wood, and reeds, and cord, and painted linen, a camel which
walked about as if alive, though ever and anon a curtain drawn aside
discovered to the marvelling multitude the workman within, performing in
his own piece. Further on might be perceived the cotton manufacturers,
whose chartak was full of birds of all shapes and plumage, formed
nevertheless of their curious plant; and, in the centre rose a lofty
minaret, constructed of the same material, with the help of reeds,
although every one imagined it to be built with bricks and mortar. It
was covered with embroidered work, and on the top was placed a stork, so
cunningly devised that the children pelted it with pistachio-nuts. The
saddlers showed their skill in two litters, open at top, each carried on
a dromedary, and in each a beautiful woman, who diverted the spectators
with light balls of gilt leather, throwing them up both with their
hands and feet. Nor were the mat-makers backward in the proof of their
dexterity, since, instead of a common banner, they exhibited a large
standard of reeds worked with two lines of writing in Kufic, proclaiming
the happy names of Alroy and Schirene.
But indeed in every chartak might be seen some wondrous specimens of the
wealth of Bagdad, and of the ingenuity of its unrivalled artisans.
Around this mighty circus, on every side for the space of many miles,
the plain was studded with innumerable pavilions. At measured intervals
were tables furnished with every species of provision, and attended by
appointed servants; flagons of wine and jars of sherbets, mingled
with infinite baskets of delicious fruits and trays of refreshing
confectionery. Although open to all comers, so great and rapid was the
supply, that these banqueting tables seemed ever laden; and that the
joys of the people might be complete, they were allowed to pursue
whatever pleasures they thought fit without any restraint, by
proclamation, in these terms.
'_This is the time of feasting, pleasure, and rejoicing. Let no person
reprimand or complain of another: let not the rich insult the poor, or
the strong the weak: let no one ask another, "why have you done this
_?"'
Millions of people were collected in this Paradise. They rejoiced, they
feasted, they frolicked, they danced, they sang. They listened to the
tales of the Arabian story-teller, at once enchanted and enchanting,
or melted to the strain of the Persian poet as he painted the moon-lit
forehead of his heroine and the wasting and shadowy form of his
love-sick hero; they beheld with amazement the feats of the juggler of
the Ganges, or giggled at the practised wit and the practical buffoonery
of the Syrian mime. And the most delighted could still spare a
fascinating glance to the inviting gestures and the voluptuous grace of
the dancing girls of Egypt.[68] Everywhere reigned melody and merriment,
rarity and beauty. For once mankind forgot their cares, and delivered
themselves up to infinite enjoyment.
'I grow courteous,' said Kisloch the Kourd, assisting a party into one
of the shows.
'And I humane,' said Calidas the Indian. 'Fellow, how dare you violate
the proclamation, by thrashing that child?' He turned to one of the
stewards of the table, who was belabouring the unfortunate driver of a
camel which had stumbled and in its fall had shivered its burden, two
panniers of porcelain.
'Mind your own business, fellow,' replied the steward, 'and be thankful
that for once in your life you can dine.'
'Is this the way to speak to an officer?' said Calidas the Indian; 'I
have half a mind to cut your tongue out.'
'Never mind, little fellow,' said the Guebre, 'here is a dirhem for you.
Run away and be merry.'
'A miracle!' grinned the Negro; 'he giveth alms.'
'And you are witty,' rejoined the Guebre. ''Tis a wondrous day.'
'What shall we do?' said Kisloch.
'Let us dine,' proposed the Negro.
'Ay! under this plane-tree,' said Calidas. ''Tis pleasant to be alone. I
hate everybody but ourselves.'
'Here stop, you rascal,' said the Guebre. 'What's your name?'
'I am a Hadgee,' said our old friend Abdallah, the servant of the
charitable merchant Ali, and who was this day one of the officiating
stewards.
'Are you a Jew, you scoundrel?' said the Guebre, 'that is the only thing
worth being. Bring some wine, you accursed Giaour!'
'Instantly,' said Kisloch, 'and a pilau.' 'And a gazelle stuffed with
almonds,' said Calidas. 'And some sugar-plums,' said the Negro. 'Quick,
you infernal Gentile, or I'll send this javelin in your back,' hallooed
the Guebre.
The servile Abdallah hastened away, and soon bustled back, bearing two
flagons of wine, and followed by four servants, each with a tray covered
with dainties.
'Where are you going, you accursed scoundrels?' grumbled Kisloch; 'wait
upon the true believers.' 'We shall be more free alone,' whispered
Calidas. 'Away, then, dogs,' growled Kisloch. Abdallah and his
attendants hurried off, but were soon summoned back.
'Why did you not bring Schiraz wine?' asked Calidas, with an eye of
fire.
'The pilau is overdone,' thundered Kisloch. 'You have brought a lamb
stuffed with pistachio-nuts, instead of a gazelle with almonds,' said
the Guebre.
'Not half sugar-plums enough,' said the Negro. 'Everything is wrong,'
said Kisloch. 'Go, and get us a kabob.'
In time, however, even this unmanageable crew were satisfied; and,
seated under their plane-tree, and stuffing themselves with all the
dainties of the East, they became more amiable as their appetites
decreased. 'A bumper, Calidas, and a song,' said Kisloch. ''Tis rare
stuff,' said the Guebre; 'come, Cally, it should inspire you.'
'Here goes, then; mind the chorus.'
Drink, drink, deeply drink,
Never feel, and never think;
What's love? what's fame? a sigh, a smile.
Friendship? but a hollow wile.
If you've any thought or woe,
Drown them in the goblet's flow.
Yes! dash them in this brimming cup;
Dash them in, and drink them up.
Drink, drink, deeply drink,
Never feel, and never think.
'Hark, the trumpets! The King and Queen! 'The procession is coming.
Let's away.'
'Again! they must be near. Hurry, hurry, for good places.'
'Break all the cups and dishes. Come along!'
The multitude from all quarters hurried to the great circus, amid the
clash of ten thousand cymbals and the blast of innumerable trumpets.
In the distance, issuing from the gates of Bagdad, might be discerned a
brilliant crowd, the advance company of the bridal procession.
There came five hundred maidens crowned with flowers, and beauteous as
the buds that girt their hair. Their flowing robes were whiter than the
swan, and each within her hand a palm-branch held. Followed these a
band of bright musicians, clothed in golden robes, and sounding silver
trumpets.
Then five hundred youths, brilliant as stars, clad in jackets of
white-fox skin, and alternately bearing baskets of fruit or flowers.
Followed these a band of bright musicians, clothed in silver robes, and
sounding golden trumpets.
Six choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by an Arab
groom.[69]
The household of Medad, in robes of crimson, lined with sable.
The standard of Medad.
Medad, on a coal-black Arab, followed by three hundred officers of his
division, all mounted on steeds of pure race.
Slaves, bearing the bridal present of Medad; six Damascus sabres of
unrivalled temper.[70]
Twelve choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by an Anatolian
groom.
The household of Ithamar, in robes of violet, lined with ermine.
The standard of Ithamar.
Ithamar, on a snow-white Anatolian charger, followed by six hundred
officers of his division, all mounted on steeds of pure race.
Slaves bearing the marriage present of Ithamar; a golden vase of rubies
borne on a violet throne.
One hundred Negroes, their noses bored, and hung with rings of
brilliants, playing upon wind instruments and kettle-drums.
The standard of the City of Bagdad.
The deputation from the citizens of Bagdad.
Two hundred mules, with caparisons of satin, embroidered with gold,
and adorned with small golden bells. These bore the sumptuous wardrobe,
presented by the city to their princess. Each mule was attended by a
girl, dressed like a Peri, with starry wings, and a man, masked as a
hideous Dive.
The standard of Egypt.
The deputation from the Hebrews of Egypt, mounted on dromedaries, with
silver furniture.
Fifty slaves, bearing their present to the princess, with golden cords,
a mighty bath of jasper, beautifully carved, the sarcophagus of some
ancient temple, and purchased for an immense sum.
The standard of Syria.
The deputation from the Hebrews of the Holy Land, headed by Rabbi Zimri
himself, each carrying in his hand his offering to the nuptial pair, a
precious vase, containing earth from the Mount of Zion.
The standard of Hamadan.
The deputation from the citizens of Hamadan, headed by the venerable
Bostenay himself, whose sumptuous charger was led by Caleb.
The present of the city of Hamadan to David Al-roy, offered at his own
suggestion; the cup in which the Prince of the Captivity carried his
tribute, now borne full of sand.
Fifty choice steeds, sumptuously caparisoned, each led by a Median or
Persian groom.
The household of Abner and Miriam, in number twelve hundred, clad in
chain armour of ivory and gold.
The standard of the Medes and Persians.
Two white elephants, with golden litters, bearing the Viceroy and his
Princess.
The offering of Abner to Alroy; twelve elephants of state, with
furniture embroidered with jewels, each tended by an Indian clad in
chain armour of ivory and gold.
The offering of Miriam to Schirene; fifty plants of roses from
Rocnabad;[71] a white shawl of Cachemire fifty feet in length, which
folded into the handle of a fan; fifty screens, each made of a feather
of the roc;[72] and fifty vases of crystal full of exquisite perfumes,
and each sealed with a talisman of precious stones.
After these followed the eunuch guard.
Then came the band of the serail, consisting of three hundred dwarfs,
hideous indeed to behold, but the most complete musicians in the world.
The steeds of Solomon, in number one hundred, each with a natural star
upon its front, uncaparisoned, and led only by a bridle of diamonds.
The household of Alroy and Schirene. Foremost, the Lord Honain riding
upon a chestnut charger, shod with silver; the dress of the rider, pink
with silver stars. From his rosy turban depended a tremulous aigrette of
brilliants,73 blazing with a thousand shifting tints.
Two hundred pages followed him; and then servants of both sexes,
gorgeously habited, amounting to nearly two thousand, carrying rich
vases, magnificent caskets, and costly robes. The treasurer and two
hundred of his underlings came next, showering golden dirhems on all
sides.
The sceptre of Solomon borne by Asriel himself.
A magnificent and lofty car, formed of blue enamel with golden wheels,
and axletrees of turquoises and brilliants, and drawn by twelve
snow-white and sacred horses, four abreast; in the car Alroy and
Schirene.
Five thousand of the Sacred Guard closed the procession.
Amid the exclamations of the people, this gorgeous procession crossed
the plain, and moved around the mighty circus. The conqueror and his
bride ascended their throne; its steps were covered by the youths and
maidens. On the throne upon their right sat the venerable Bostenay; on
the left, the gallant Viceroy and his Princess. The chartaks on each
side were crowded with the court.
The deputations made their offerings, the chiefs and captains paid their
homage, the trades of the city moved before the throne in order, and
exhibited their various ingenuity. Thrice was the proclamation made,
amid the sound of trumpets, and then began the games.
A thousand horsemen dashed into the arena and threw the jerreed. They
galloped at full speed; they arrested their fiery charges in mid course,
and flung their long javelins at the minute but sparkling target, the
imitative form of a rare and brilliant bird. The conquerors received
their prizes from the hand of the princess herself, bright shawls, and
jewelled daggers, and rosaries of gems. Sometimes the trumpets announced
a prize from the vice-queen, sometimes from the venerable Bostenay,
sometimes from the victorious generals, or the loyal deputations,
sometimes from the united trades, sometimes from the City of Bagdad,
sometimes from the City of Hamadan. The hours flew away in gorgeous and
ceaseless variety.
'I would we were alone, my own Schirene,' said Alroy to his bride.
'I would so too; and yet I love to see all Asia prostrate at the feet of
Alroy.'
'Will the sun never set? Give me thy hand to play with.'
'Hush! See, Miriam smiles.'
'Lovest thou my sister, my own Schirene?'
'None dearer but thyself.'
'Talk not of my sister, but ourselves. Thinkest thou the sun is nearer
setting, love?'
'I cannot see; thine eyes they dazzle me, they are so brilliant, sweet!'
'Oh, my soul! I could pour out my passion on thy breast.'
'Thou art very serious.'
'Love is ever so.'
'Nay, sweet! It makes me wild and fanciful. Now I could do such things,
but what I know not. I would we had wings, and then we would fly away.'
'See, I must salute this victor in the games. Must I unloose thy hand!
Dear hand, farewell! Think of me while I speak, my precious life. 'Tis
done. Give back thy hand, or else methinks I shall die. What's this?'
A horseman, in no holiday dress, but covered with dust, rushed into the
circus, bearing in his hand a tall lance, on which was fixed a scroll.
The marshals of the games endeavoured to prevent his advance, but he
would not be stayed. His message was to the king alone. A rumour of news
from the army circulated throughout the crowd. And news from the army it
was. Another victory! Scherirah had defeated the Sultan of Roum, who was
now a suppliant for peace and alliance. Sooth to say, the intelligence
had arrived at dawn of day, but the courtly Honain had contrived that it
should be communicated at a later and more effective moment.
There scarcely needed this additional excitement to this glorious day.
But the people cheered, the golden dirhems were scattered with renewed
profusion, and the intelligence was received by all parties as a solemn
ratification by Jehovah, or by Allah, of the morning ceremony.
The sun set, the court rose, and returned in the same pomp to the
serail. The twilight died away, a beacon fired on a distant eminence
announced the entrance of Alroy and Schirene into the nuptial chamber,
and suddenly, as by magic, the mighty city, every mosque, and minaret,
and tower, and terrace, and the universal plain, and the numberless
pavilions, and the immense circus, and the vast and winding river,
blazed with light. From every spot a lamp, a torch, a lantern, tinted
with every hue, burst forth; enormous cressets of silver radiancy beamed
on the top of each chartak, and huge bonfires of ruddy flame started up
along the whole horizon.
For seven days and seven nights this unparalleled scene of rejoicing,
though ever various, never ceased. Long, long was remembered the bridal
feast of the Hebrew prince and the caliph's daughter; long, long did the
peasantry on the plains of Tigris sit down by the side of that starry
river, and tell the wondrous tale to their marvelling posterity.
Now what a glorious man was David Alroy, lord of the mightiest empire
in the world, and wedded to the most beautiful princess, surrounded by
a prosperous and obedient people, guarded by invincible armies, one on
whom Earth showered all its fortune, and Heaven all its favour; and all
by the power of his own genius!
CHAPTER IX.
_The Death of Jabaster_
'TWAS midnight, and the storm still raged; 'mid the roar of the thunder
and the shrieks of the wind, the floods of forky lightning each instant
revealed the broad and billowy breast of the troubled Tigris. Jabaster
stood gazing upon the wild scene from the gallery of his palace. His
countenance was solemn, but disquieted.
'I would that he were here!' exclaimed the high priest. 'Yet why should
I desire his presence, who heralds only gloom? Yet in his absence am I
gay? I am nothing. This Bagdad weighs upon me like a cloak of lead: my
spirit is dull and broken.'
'They say Alroy gives a grand banquet in the serail to-night, and toasts
his harlot 'mid the thunderbolts. Is there no hand to write upon the
wall? He is found wanting, he is weighed, and is indeed found wanting.
The parting of his kingdom soon will come, and then, I could weep, oh!
I could weep, and down these stern and seldom yielding cheeks pour the
wild anguish of my desperate woe. So young, so great, so favoured! But
one more step a God, and now a foul Belshazzar!
'Was it for this his gentle youth was passed in musing solitude and
mystic studies? Was it for this the holy messenger summoned his most
religious spirit? Was it for this he crossed the fiery desert, and
communed with his fathers in their tombs? Is this the end of all his
victories and all his vast achievements? To banquet with a wanton!
'A year ago, this very night, it was the eve of battle, I stood within
his tent to wait his final word. He mused awhile, and then he said,
"Good night, Jabaster!" I believed myself the nearest to his heart, as
he has ever been nearest to mine, but that's all over. He never says,
"Good night, Jabaster," now. Why, what's all this? Methinks I am a
child.
'The Lord's anointed is a prisoner now in the light grating of a bright
kiosk, and never gazes on the world he conquered. Egypt and Syria, even
farthest Ind, send forth their messengers to greet Alroy, the great, the
proud, the invincible. And where is he? In a soft Paradise of girls and
eunuchs, crowned with flowers, listening to melting lays, and the wild
trilling of the amorous lute. He spares no hours to council; all is left
to his prime favourites, of whom the leader is that juggling fiend I
sometime called my brother.
'Why rest I here? Whither should I fly? Methinks my presence is still a
link to decency. Should I tear off the ephod, I scarcely fancy 'twould
blaze upon another's breast. He goes not to the sacrifice; they say he
keeps no fast, observes no ritual, and that their festive fantasies will
not be balked, even by the Sabbath. I have not seen him thrice since
the marriage. Honain has told her I did oppose it, and she bears to me
a hatred that only women feel. Our strong passions break into a thousand
purposes: women have one. Their love is dangerous, but their hate is
fatal.
'See! a boat bounding on the waters. On such a night, but one would dare
to venture.'
Now visible, now in darkness, a single lantern at the prow, Jabaster
watched with some anxiety the slight bark buffeting the waves. A flash
of lightning illumined the whole river, and tipped with a spectral light
even the distant piles of building. The boat and the toiling figure
of the single rower were distinctly perceptible. Now all again was
darkness; the wind suddenly subsided; in a few minutes the plash of the
oars was audible, and the boat apparently stopped beneath the palace.
There was a knocking at the private portal.
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