Die Nilbraut. English Read online

  CHAPTER II.

  The caravansary into which Haschim and his following now turned offstood on a plot of rising ground surrounded by palm-trees. Before thedestruction of the heathen sanctuaries it had been a temple of Imhotep,the Egyptian Esculapius, the beneficient god of healing, who had hadhis places of special worship even in the city of the dead. It was halfrelined, half buried in desert sand when an enterprising inn-keeper hadbought the elegant structure with the adjacent grove for a very moderatesum. Since then it had passed to various owners, a large wooden buildingfor the accommodation of travellers had been added to the massiveedifice, and among the palm-trees, which extended as far as theill-repaired quay, stables were erected and plots of ground fenced infor beasts of all kinds. The whole place looked like a cattle-fair, andindeed it was a great resort of the butchers and horse-dealers of thetown, who came there to purchase. The palm-grove, being one of thefew remaining close to the city, also served the Memphites as apleasure-ground where they could "sniff fresh air" and treat themselvesin a pleasant shade. 'Tables and seats had been set out close to theriver, and there were boats on hire in mine host's little creek; andthose who took their pleasure in coming thither by water were glad toput in and refresh themselves under the palms of Nesptah.

  Two rows of houses had formerly divided this rendezvous for the soberand the reckless from the highroad, but they had long since been pulleddown and laid level with the ground by successive landlords. Even nowsome hundreds of laborers might be seen, in spite of the scorching heat,toiling under Arab overseers to demolish a vast ruin of the date of thePtolemies and transporting the huge blocks of limestone and marble, andthe numberless columns which once had supported the roof of the templeof Zeus, to the eastern shore of the Nile-loading them on to trucksdrawn by oxen which hauled them down to the quay to cross the river inflat-bottomed boats.

  Amru, the Khaliff's general and representative, was there building hisnew capital. For this the temples of the old gods were used as quarries,and they supplied not only finely-squared blocks of the most durablestone, but also myriads of Greek columns of every order, which had onlyto be ferried over and set up again on the other shore; for the Arabsdisdained nothing in the way of materials, and made indiscriminate useof blocks and pillars in their own sanctuaries, whether they took themfrom heathen temples or Christian churches.

  The walls of the temple of Imhotep had originally been completelycovered with pictures of the gods, and hieroglyphic inscriptions; butthe smoke of reeking hearths had long since blackened them, fanaticalhands had never been wanting to deface them, and in many places they hadbeen lime-washed and scrawled with Christian symbols or very unchristianmottoes, in Greek and the spoken dialect of the Egyptians. The Araband his men took their meal in what had been the great hall of thetemple--none of them drinking wine excepting the captain of the caravan,who was no Moslem but belonged to the Parsee sect of the Masdakites.

  When the old merchant, sitting at a table by himself, had satisfied hishunger, he called this chief and desired him to load the bale containingthe hanging on a litter between the two largest baggage camels, and tofasten it securely but so that it could easily be removed.

  "It is done," replied the Persian, as he wiped his thick moustache--hewas a magnificent man as tall and stalwart as an oak, with light flowinghair like a lion's mane.

  "So much the better," said Haschim. "Then come out with me." And he ledthe way to the palmgrove.

  The sun had sunk to rest behind the pyramids, the Necropolis, and theLibyan hills; the eastern sky, and the bare limestone rock of Babylon onthe opposite shore were shining with hues of indescribable diversity andbeauty. It seemed as though every variety of rose reared by the skilledgardeners of Arsinoe or Naukratis had yielded its hues, from golden buffto crimson and the deepest wine-tinted violet, to shed their magic glowon the plains, the peaks and gorges of the hills, with the swiftness ofthought.

  The old man's heart beat high as he gazed at the scene; he drew a deepbreath, and laying his slender hand on the Persian's mighty arm he said:"Your prophet, Masdak, taught that it was God's will that no one shouldthink himself more or less chosen than another, and that there should beneither rich nor poor on earth, but that every possession should belongto all in common. Well, look around you here as I do. The man who hasnot seen this has seen nothing. There is no fairer scene here below andto whom does it belong? To poor simple Salech yonder, whom we allowed totramp half naked at our camels' heels out of pity.--It is his as muchas it is yours or mine or the Khaliff's. God has given us all an equalshare in the glory of his works, as your prophet would have it. How muchbeauty is the common possession of our race! Let us be thankful for it,Rustem, for indeed it is no small matter.--But as to property, such asman may win or lose, that is quite a different matter. We all start onthe same race-course, and what you Masdakites ask is that lead shouldbe tied to the feet of the swift so that no one should outstrip another;but that would be.... Well, well! Let us feast our eyes now on themarvellous beauty before us. Look: What just now was the purple of thisflower is now deep ruby red; what before was a violet gleam now is therichest amethyst. Do you see the golden fringe to those clouds? It islike a setting.--And all this is ours--is yours and mine--so long as wehave eyes and heart to enjoy and be uplifted by it!"

  The Masdakite laughed, a fresh, sonorous laugh, and said: "Yes, Master,for those who see as you see. The colors are bright no doubt over thesky and the hills, and we do not often see such a red as that at home inmy country; but of what use is all that magic show? You see rubies andamethysts--but as for me! The gems in your hanging stand for somethingmore than that shining show. I mean no harm, Master, but I would giveall the sunsets that ever glowed on earth for your bales and neverrepent of the bargain!" He laughed more heartily than before and added:"But you, worthy Father, would think twice before you signed it.--As towhat we Masdakites hope for, our time is not yet come."

  "And suppose it were, and that the hanging were yours?"

  "I should sell it and add the price to my savings, and go home and buysome land, and take a pretty wife, and breed camels and horses."

  "And next day would come the poorer men who had laid nothing by, andhad made no bargain over hangings and sunsets; and they would ask fora share of your land, and a camel and a foal each, and you would notbe able ever to see a sunset again but must wander about the world, andyour pretty wife with you to help you share everything with others.--Letus abide by the old order, my Rustem, and may the Most High preserve youyour good heart, for you have but a foolish and crotchety head."

  The big man bent over his master and gratefully kissed his arm; at thismoment the guide rejoined them, but with a long face for he had promisedmore than he could perform. The Mukaukas George had set out--a quiteunheard of event--for an excursion on the river in his barge, withhis son and the ladies of the house just as he was hoping to secure anaudience for the Arab. Orion's return--the steward had explained--hadmade the old man quite young again. Haschim must now wait till themorrow, and he, the guide, would counsel him to pass the night in thecity at an inn kept by one Moschion, where he would be well cared for.

  But the merchant preferred to remain where he was. He did not careabout the delay, more particularly as he wished to consult an Egyptianphysician with regard to an old standing complaint he suffered from,and there was no more skilful or learned leech in the whole land, theEgyptian guide assured him, than the famous Philip of Memphis. Thesituation here, outside the town, was very pleasant, and from theriver's bank he might observe the comet which had been visible for somenights past--a portent of evil no doubt. The natives of the cityhad been paralysed with terror; that indeed was evident even here inNesptah's caravansary, for usually as the evening grew cool, the tablesand benches under the palms were crowded with guests; but who would careto think of enjoyment in those days of dread?

  So he remounted his ass to fetch the physician, while old Haschim,leaning on the Masdakite's arm, betook himself to a bench by the river.There h
e sat gazing thoughtfully at the starry sky, and his companiondreamed of home and of buying a meadow, even without the price of thegorgeous hanging, of building a house, and of choosing a pretty littlewife to manage it. Should she be fair or dark? He would rather sheshould be fair.

  But his castle in the air was shattered at this point, for an object wasapproaching across the Nile which attracted his attention, and which hepointed out to his chief. The stream lay before them like a broad beltof black and silver brocade. The waxing moon was mirrored in the almostunruffled surface and where a ripple curled it the tiny crest glitteredlike white flame. Bats swooped to and fro in the gloom from the city ofthe dead to the river, and flitted above it like shadows blown about bythe wind. A few lateen sails moved like pale, gigantic birds over thedark waters; but now from the north--and from the city--a larger masscame towards the palm-grove with bright, gleaming eyes of light.

  "A fine boat,--the governor's no doubt," said the merchant, as it slowlycame towards the grove from the middle of the stream. At the sametime the clatter of hoofs became audible from the road behind the inn.Haschim turned round and was aware of torchbearers running ahead of achariot.

  "The sick man has come so far by water," said the Arab, "and now, he isto be driven home.--Strange! this is the second time to-day that I havemet his much-talked-of son!"

  The governor's pleasure-barge was nearing the palm-grove. It was a largeand handsome boat, built of cedar-wood and richly gilt, with an imageof John, the patron-saint of the family, for a figure-head. The nimbusround the head was a crown of lamps, and large lanterns shone both atthe bows and stern of the vessel. The Mukaukas George was recliningunder an awning, his wife Neforis by his side. Opposite to them sattheir son and a tall young girl, at whose feet a child of ten sat on theground, leaning her pretty head against her knees. An older Greek woman,the child's governess, had a place by the side of a very tall man, on anottoman beyond the verge of the awning. This man was Philip the leech.The cheerful sound of the lute accompanied the barge, and the performerwas the returned wanderer Orion, who touched the strings with skill anddeep feeling.

  It was altogether a pleasing scene--a fair picture of a wealthy andunited family. But who was the damsel sitting by Orion's side? He wasdevoting his whole attention to her; as he struck the strings withdeeper emphasis his eyes sought hers, and it seemed as though he wereplaying for her alone. Nor did she appear unworthy of such homage, forwhen the barge ran into the little haven and Haschim could distinguishher features he was startled by her noble and purely Greek beauty.

  A few handsomely-dressed slaves, who must have come with the vehicle bythe road, now went on board the boat to carry their invalid lord to hischariot; and it then became apparent that the seat in which he reclinedwas provided with arms by which it could be lifted and moved. A burlynegro took this at the back, but just as another was stooping to lift itin front Orion pushed him away and took his place, raised the couch withhis father on it, and carried him across the landing-stage between thedeck and the shore, past Haschim to the chariot. The young man did thework of bearer with cheerful ease, and looked affectionately at hisfather while he shouted to the ladies--for only his mother and thephysician accompanied the invalid after carefully wrapping him inshawls--to get out of the barge and wait for him. Then he went forward,lighted by the torches which were carried before them.

  "Poor man!" thought the merchant as he looked after the Mukaukas. "Butto a man who has such a son to carry him the saddest and hardest lotfloats by like a cloud before the wind."

  He was now ready to forgive Orion even the rejected flowers; and whenthe young girl stepped on shore, the child clinging fondly to her arm,he confessed to himself that Dame Susannah's little daughter would findit hard indeed to hold her own by the side of this tall and royal visionof beauty. What a form was this maiden's, and what princely bearing;and how sweet and engaging the voice in which she named some of theconstellations to her little companion, and pointed out the comet whichwas just rising!

  Haschim was sitting in shadow; he could see without being seen, andnote all that took place on the bench, which was lighted by one of thebarge's lanterns. The unexpected entertainment gave him pleasure, foreverything that affected the governor's son roused his sympathy andinterest. The idea of forming an opinion of this remarkable young mansmiled on his fancy, and the sight of the beautiful girl who sat on thebench yonder warmed his old heart. The child must certainly be Mary, thegovernor's granddaughter.

  Then the chariot started off, clattering away down the road, and in afew minutes Orion came back to the rest of the party.

  Alas! Poor little heiress of Susannah's wealth! How different was hisdemeanor to this beautiful damsel from his treatment of that littlething! His eyes rested on her face in rapture, his speech failed him nowand again as he addressed her, and what he said must be sometimes graveand captivating and sometimes witty, for not she alone but the littlemaid's governess listened to him eagerly, and when the fair one laughedit was in particularly sweet, clear tones. There was something solofty in her mien that this frank expression of contentment was almoststartling; like a breath of perfume from some gorgeous flower whichseems created to rejoice the eye only. And she, to whom all that Orionhad to say was addressed, listened to him not only with deep attention,but in a way which showed the merchant that she cared even more forthe speaker than for what he was so eager in expressing. If this maidenwedded the governor's son, they would indeed be a pair! Taus, theinnkeeper's wife, now came out, a buxom and vigorous Egyptian woman ofmiddle age, carrying some of the puffs for which she was famous, andwhich she had just made with her own hands. She also served them withmilk, grapes and other fruit, her eyes sparkling with delight andgratified ambition; for the son of the great Mukaukas, the pride of thecity, who in former years had often been her visitor, and not only forthe sake of her cakes, in water parties with his gay companions--mostlyGreek officers who now were all dead and gone or exiles from thecountry--now did her the honor to come here so soon after his return.Her facile tongue knew no pause as she told him that she and her husbandhad gone forth with the rest to welcome him at the triumphal arch nearMenes' Gate, and Emau with them, and the little one. Yes, Emau wasmarried now, and had called her first child Orion. And when the youngman asked Dame Taus whether Emau was as charming as ever and as like hermother as she used to be, she shook her finger at him and asked in herturn, as she pointed towards the young lady, whether the fickle bird atwhose departure so many had sighed, was to be caged at last, and whetheryon fair lady....

  But Orion cut her short, saying that he was still his own master thoughhe already felt the noose round his neck; and the fair lady blushed evenmore deeply than at the good woman's first question. He however soongot over his awkwardness and gaily declared that the worthy Taus' littledaughter was one of the prettiest girls in Memphis, and had had quite asmany admirers as her excellent mother's puff-pastry. Taus was to greether kindly from him.

  The landlady departed, much touched and flattered; Orion took up hislute, and while the ladies refreshed themselves he did the maiden'sbidding and sang the song by Alcaeus which she asked for, in a richthough subdued voice to the lute, playing it like a master. The younggirl's eyes were fixed on his lips, and again, he seemed to be makingmusic for her alone. When it was time to start homewards, and the ladiesreturned to the barge, he went up to the inn to pay the reckoning. Ashe presently returned alone the Arab saw him pick up a handkerchief thatthe young lady had left on the table, and hastily press it to his lipsas he went towards the barge.

  The gorgeous red blossoms had fared worse in the morning. The youngman's heart was given to that maiden on the water. She could not be hissister; what then was the connection between them?

  The merchant soon gained this information, for the guide on his returncould give it him. She was Paula, the daughter of Thomas, the famousGreek general who had defended the city of Damascus so long and sobravely against the armies of Islam. She was Mukaukas George's niece,but her for
tune was small; she was a poor relation of the family, andafter her father's disappearance--for his body had never beenfound--she had been received into the governor's house out of pityand charity--she, a Melchite! The interpreter had little to say in herfavor, by reason of her sect; and though he could find no flaw inher beauty, he insisted on it that she was proud and ungracious, andincapable of winning any man's love; only the child, little Mary--she,to be sure, was very fond of her. It was no secret that even her uncle'swife, worthy Neforis, did not care for her haughty niece and onlysuffered her to please the invalid. And what business had a Melchiteat Memphis, under the roof of a good Jacobite? Every word the dragomanspoke breathed the scorn which a mean and narrow-minded man is alwaysready to heap on those who share the kindness of his own benefactors.

  But this beautiful and lofty-looking daughter of a great man hadconquered the merchant's old heart, and his opinion of her was quiteunmoved by the Memphite's strictures. It was ere long confirmed indeed,for Philip, the leech whom the guide had been to find, and whosedignified personality inspired the Arab with confidence, was a dailyvisitor to the governor, and he spoke of Paula as one of the mostperfect creatures that Heaven had ever formed in a happy hour. But theAlmighty seemed to have forgotten to care for his own masterpiece; foryears her life had been indeed a sad one.

  The physician could promise the old man some mitigation of hissufferings, and they liked each other so well that they parted the bestof friends, and not till a late hour.