X. THE YOUNG SHEPHERD—Continued.

1. Alibeg, after a long absence, revisited his native village. Here he gazed with fondness on those places where he had formerly danced, sung, and tuned his pipe with his fellow-swains.[78]He made presents to all his friends and relations; but advised them, as they valued their peace of mind, never to resign their rural pleasures, never to expose themselves to the anxieties and misfortunes of a court. Alibeg felt the weight of those misfortunes, soon after the death of his good master Sha-Abbas.

2. Sha-Sephi succeeded his father. Some envious, artful courtiers[79]found means to prejudice the young prince against him. “He has,” said they, “betrayed the trust reposed in him by the late king. He has hoarded up immense treasures, and embezzled[80]valuable effects.”

3. Sha-Sephi was young, and a monarch; which was more than sufficient to make him credulous[81]and inconsiderate. He had, besides, the vanity to think himself qualified to reform his fathers acts, and to judge of things better than the latter had done. To have some plea for removing Alibeg from his post, he commanded him to produce the cimeter,[82]set with diamonds of an immense value, which his royal grandsire used to wear in battle. Sha-Abbas had formerly ordered these to be taken off; and Alibeg brought witnesses to prove that they were so removed long before his promotion.

4. When Alibeg’s enemies found this scheme too weak to effect his ruin, they prevailed on Sha-Sephi to give him strict orders to produce an exact inventory[83]of all the rich furniture intrusted to his care. Alibeg opened the doors, and showed every thing committed to his charge. No one article was missing: each was in its proper place, and preserved with great care.

5. The king, surprised to see such order every where observed, began to entertain a favorable opinion of Alibeg, till he espied, at the end of a long gallery, an iron door, with three strong locks. “There it is,” whispered the envious courtiers in his ear, “that Alibeg has concealed all the valuable effects which he has purloined.”[84]The king now angrily exclaimed, “I will see what is in that room. What have you concealed there? Show it me.” Alibeg fell prostrate at his feet, beseeching him not to take from him all that he now held valuable upon earth.

6. Sha-Sephi now took it for granted that Alibeg’s ill-gotten treasure lay concealed within. He commanded the door to be opened. Alibeg, who had the keys in his pocket, unlocked the door. Nothing, however, was found there, but his crook, his pipe, and the shepherd’s dress which he wore in his youth.

7. “Behold great sir,” said he, “the remains of my former felicity,[85]which neither fortune nor your majesty have taken from me. Behold my treasure, which I reserve to make me rich, when you shall think proper to make me poor. Take back every thing besides; but leave me these dear pledges of my rural[86]station. These are my substantial riches which will never fail me.

8. “These, O king! are the precious, yet innocent possessions of those who can live contented with the necessaries of life, without tormenting themselves about superfluous[87]enjoyments. These are riches whichare possessed with liberty and safety; riches which never give me one moment’s disquiet. Oh, ye dear implements of a plain, but happy life! I value none but you; with you I will live, and with you die. I here resign, great sir, the many favors which your royal bounty[88]has bestowed upon me.”

9. The king, convinced of Alibeg’s innocence, instantly banished his accusers from court. Alibeg became his prime minister, and was intrusted with the most important secrets. He visited, however, every day, his crook, his pipe, and rural habit, that he might remember them, should fickle fortune deprive him of a monarchˊs favor. He died in a good old age, without wishing to have his enemies punished, or to increase his possessions; and left his relations no more than what would maintain them in the station of shepherds, which he always thought the safest and most happy.

[78]Swains, peasants; shepherds.[79]Courtˊ-iers, those who frequent courts.[80]Em-bezˊ-zled, purloined; robbed; stolen.[81]Credˊ-u-lous, easy of belief; unsuspecting.[82]Cimˊ-e-ter, a short Turkish sword.[83]Inˊ-ven-to-ry, catalogue; account.[84]Pur-loinˊ-ed, stolen.[85]Fe-licˊ-i-ty, happiness.[86]Ruˊ-ral, pertaining to the country.[87]Su-perˊ-flu-ous, more than is necessary.[88]Bounˊ-ty, generosity; liberality.

[78]Swains, peasants; shepherds.

[79]Courtˊ-iers, those who frequent courts.

[80]Em-bezˊ-zled, purloined; robbed; stolen.

[81]Credˊ-u-lous, easy of belief; unsuspecting.

[82]Cimˊ-e-ter, a short Turkish sword.

[83]Inˊ-ven-to-ry, catalogue; account.

[84]Pur-loinˊ-ed, stolen.

[85]Fe-licˊ-i-ty, happiness.

[86]Ruˊ-ral, pertaining to the country.

[87]Su-perˊ-flu-ous, more than is necessary.

[88]Bounˊ-ty, generosity; liberality.

Back to Index Next