Chapter

  1   Int|           forth in Stambul against Sultan Achmed III., whose cowardly
  2   Int|          amazingly successful. The Sultan, after vainly sacrificing
  3   Int|            and Mahmud I. appointed Sultan in his stead. For the next
  4     I|            the still more peaceful Sultan who, it must be admitted,
  5     I|            host.~ ~I'll wager that Sultan Achmed, poor fellow! felt
  6     I|         Janaki began to shout that Sultan Achmed could not be better
  7     I|            mention the name of the Sultan quite so frequently and
  8     I|      riding past him the Padishah, Sultan Achmed III., accompanied
  9     I|       Pelivan, who went before the Sultan with a drawn broadsword,
 10    II|           harem of his Majesty the Sultan, an odalisk, who is to be
 11    II|     expelled from the harem of the Sultan. Anyone daring to do such
 12    II|         pick up a flower which the Sultan had thrown away in order
 13    II|           he, "how was it that the Sultan had you offered for sale
 14   III|                     CHAPTER III.~ ~SULTAN ACHMED.~ ~The sun is shining
 15   III|          to come and pray with the Sultan have withdrawn, and the
 16   III|         the Chobodar who hands the Sultan his first garment, the Dülbendar
 17   III|          cushions beneath him, the Sultan jocosely tapped the red
 18   III|        recently in Stambul."~ ~The Sultan continued to play with his
 19   III|          kauk from the head of the Sultan - "thou hast laid the command
 20   III|            the two humblest of the Sultan's servants, Abdullah, the
 21   III|        honour of the Empire.~ ~The Sultan had not yet given an answer
 22   III|          passing in and out of the Sultan's harem at all hours of
 23   III|          appear on the lips of the Sultan.~ ~What pressing request
 24   III|        heart upon obtaining?~ ~The Sultan, taking her by the hand,
 25   III|          They bowed low before the Sultan, kissed the hem of his garment,
 26   III|         counsellors?" inquired the Sultan.~ ~As was meet and right,
 27   III|           and that right soon.'"~ ~Sultan Achmed continued all the
 28   III|           never grown grey!"~ ~But Sultan Achmed, accompanied by the
 29    IV|          that she was taken to the Sultan's Seraglio."~ ~"You will
 30    IV|            and agree to depose the Sultan."~ ~"Who would even dare
 31    IV|        long ago. Who can tell what Sultan was reigning then? Why,
 32    IV|      actually cast an eye into the Sultan's harem, and 'twere best
 33    IV|            can even say under what Sultan it took place?[Pg 86]...
 34    IV|           Every day she beheld the Sultan, whose gentle face inspired
 35    IV|          her soul with horror. The Sultan spent the greater part of
 36    IV|           conceal their joy at the Sultan's favours, and therefore
 37    IV|       thunders. In the evening the Sultan came to the Seraglio weary
 38    IV|           before him. But when the Sultan seized her hand to draw
 39    IV|            resumed her story. "The Sultan commanded that Irene should
 40    IV|            the chief barber of the Sultan!"~ ~"Yes, I rather fancy
 41    IV|        with tremulous terror. "The Sultan is sure to send and make
 42     V|          flourish of trumpets that Sultan Achmed III. has declared
 43     V|        awaiting the arrival of the Sultan to take ship at once - the
 44     V|    satisfaction by loud salvoes.~ ~Sultan Achmed, meanwhile, is engaged
 45     V|            him there and hands the Sultan a signet-ring.~ ~"Most glorious
 46     V|        water, and will die."~ ~The Sultan had all at once become very
 47     V|         these words?" repeated the Sultan.~ ~"May my tongue curse
 48     V|         alive."~ ~For a moment the Sultan reflected, then he asked
 49     V|       stammered the tender-hearted Sultan, pressing his gentle darling
 50     V|         the plains of Scutari, but Sultan Achmed is far too happy
 51     V|           he, "you have killed the Sultan's Berber-Bashi."~ ~At this
 52     V|           if they do not bring the Sultan and the banner of the Prophet
 53     V|   shameless ones whom the gracious Sultan has driven together from
 54     V|           him to deliver it to the Sultan.~ ~"The Army," said he, "
 55     V|            with the message.~ ~The Sultan broke open the box in the
 56     V|             however desperate. The Sultan had made up his mind that
 57     V|       consolation with him.~ ~"The Sultan did not yield to my arguments,"
 58     V|      assembled in council with the Sultan who had just ordered the
 59     V|         Chief Mufti brought to the Sultan, and gave into his hands
 60     V|          such a lot of time.~ ~The Sultan opened the book at the last
 61     V|        plans.~ ~"Go and remind the Sultan," said Adsalis, "that he
 62     V|            Ibrahim hastened to the Sultan to press him to embark as
 63     V|           Seraglio where stood the Sultan's chargers which were to
 64     V|           to the ground before the Sultan, and grasping his horse'
 65     V|            scarce waiting till the Sultan had remounted the steps,
 66     V|            continued to detain the Sultan in the Divan, or council-chamber.~ ~
 67     V|       presented himself before the Sultan all covered with dust and
 68     V|           sent to his predecessor, Sultan Mustafa, who would not quit
 69     V|  remembered what had followed. The Sultan had been made to abdicate
 70     V|         salvoes announced that the Sultan with the banner of the Prophet
 71    VI|       towards the evening that the Sultan arrived at Scutari, and
 72    VI|           heard the arrival of the Sultan and the sacred banner everywhere
 73    VI|          If, in consequence of the Sultan's procrastination, we were
 74    VI|           were none other than the Sultan's own Ministers.~ ~"This
 75    VI|          twelve months before, the Sultan's eleven-year-old son had
 76    VI|           the loose women whom the Sultan had been graciously pleased
 77   VII|          the very evening when the Sultan arrived at Scutari, one
 78   VII|          would not do for him, the Sultan's birthday gave him the
 79   VII|            all these tulips to the Sultan, for which he would no doubt
 80   VII|           through the canal to the Sultan's palace at Scutari, while
 81   VII|         Janissary Aga, the[Pg 147] Sultan had called together the
 82   VII|         that the army, leaving the Sultan behind at Brusa, should
 83   VII|          At this last proposal the Sultan nodded his head approvingly.
 84   VII|        Sultana insinuated that the Sultan should appease the rebels
 85   VII|        very different thing.~ ~The Sultan thought the counsel of the
 86   VII|                Then he saluted the Sultan, and in obedience to a gesture
 87   VII|            his peace.~ ~It was the Sultan who broke the silence.~ ~"
 88   VII|           teach them obedience."~ ~Sultan Achmed shook his head.~ ~"
 89   VII|        Pasha kissed the hem of the Sultan's robe, and then remained
 90   VII|    resembling a sob:~ ~"Poor, poor Sultan!"~ ~Then they all four accompanied
 91  VIII|           ship arrived bearing the Sultan, the princes, the magnates,
 92  VIII| unnecessary trouble, most glorious Sultan," said Abdi Pasha bitterly. "
 93  VIII|        Kiaja. Surrender us then, O Sultan! yet surrender us not alive!
 94  VIII|          has been well fed."~ ~The Sultan pretended not to hear these
 95  VIII|      Patrona in my name," said the Sultan, "and tell him that I will
 96  VIII|        guard informed him that the Sultan's Chaszeki Aga had arrived
 97  VIII|        doubt whether it be thou or Sultan Achmed who is now Lord of
 98  VIII|           thou dost require of the Sultan, and if thy demands be lawful
 99  VIII|             Sulali returned to the Sultan and his ministers who were
100  VIII|            properly. Long live the Sultan!"~ ~And with that he quitted
101  VIII|         Mufti," said Sulali.~ ~The Sultan, full of horror, rose from
102  VIII|         two grey beards kissed the Sultan's hand. If this manly burst
103  VIII|           very different record of Sultan Achmed.~ ~The Banner of
104  VIII|         barracks of the bostanjis. Sultan Achmed did not lie down
105  VIII|        himself indeed, but for the Sultan. At last even the Kapudan
106  VIII|          Kapudan was sorry for the Sultan who was so much distressed
107  VIII|           cannot be otherwise. The Sultan must be saved, and saved
108  VIII|           late, I fear me that the Sultan is lost anyhow. The Banner
109  VIII|          the secret message of the Sultan from the Kizlar-Aga and
110  VIII|                Pg 167]~ ~Meanwhile Sultan Achmed was sitting in the
111  VIII|          thrown her arms round the Sultan's neck, and was kissing
112  VIII|           they require?" asked the Sultan softly, withdrawing, as
113  VIII|        handed over to them."~ ~The Sultan cut off one of the tulips
114  VIII|          the Kapudan Pasha."~ ~The Sultan cut off the handsomest of
115  VIII|            the Chief Mufti."~ ~The Sultan tore up the third tulip
116  VIII|        back the signet-ring to the Sultan.~ ~The Grand Vizier, meanwhile,
117  VIII|         the document signed by the Sultan, handed it to him.~ ~Damad
118  VIII|         been," said he. "Greet the Sultan from me once more. And as
119  VIII|       alive!"~ ~"No, no," said the Sultan, "we will not have them
120  VIII|         once more stood before the Sultan.~ ~"Master, the day is breaking."~ ~"
121  VIII|           weeping as he kissed the Sultan's feet.[Pg 172]~ ~"Because
122  VIII|        with the insurgents."~ ~The Sultan almost collapsed with horror.~ ~"
123  VIII|         with rebels or not!"~ ~The Sultan signified that they might
124  VIII|    circuitous way.~ ~Meanwhile the Sultan was counting the moments
125  VIII|       tidings back."[Pg 173]~ ~The Sultan was in despair.~ ~"Hasten,
126  VIII|       mosque of Zuleima, where the Sultan's envoys were already waiting
127  VIII|          the mosque.[Pg 178]~ ~The Sultan's ambassadors were awaiting
128    IX|          lying in the streets when Sultan Achmed summoned the Ulemas
129    IX|        replied to the words of the Sultan.~ ~"Answer, I say! What
130    IX|        curtness did he address the Sultan!~ ~"Achmed! 'tis the wish
131    IX|           throne and give it up to Sultan Mahmud...."~ ~Achmed sat
132    IX|      assembly collapsed before the Sultan's throne, crawled to his
133    IX|       Sulali had compassion on the Sultan.~ ~"I will go to them,"
134    IX|          to endure the gaze of the Sultan till Sulali should return.
135    IX|       delivered the message of the Sultan.~ ~But he did not deliver
136    IX|       before me in the name of the Sultan. Those who would slay him
137    IX|          him. Sulali is right. The Sultan is capable of great deeds.
138    IX|            to do no harm either to Sultan Achmed, or his sons, or
139    IX|            enthronement of the new Sultan.~ ~Meanwhile Achmed had
140    IX|            them. He laid it at the Sultan's feet.~ ~"Live for ever,
141    IX|        feet.~ ~"Live for ever, oh, Sultan!" he cried, "and may thy
142    IX|            sent the Kizlar-Aga for Sultan Mahmud, surnamed "the White
143    IX|            favour of Mahmud.~ ~The Sultan arose, hastened towards
144    IX|          thy father's children."~ ~Sultan Mahmud did obeisance to
145    IX|           to the turban of the new Sultan, and placing his hand upon
146    IX|            of a dungeon. A deposed Sultan has nought whatever to do
147    IX|         heads to the ground before Sultan Mahmud and did him homage.[
148    IX|            and knee before the new Sultan, and the chief officers
149    IX|        rebels, informing them that Sultan Achmed had been deposed
150    IX|        Achmed had been deposed and Sultan Mahmud was reigning in his
151    IX|        open bent low while the new Sultan passed through.~ ~Only three
152    IX|          who smiled upon the young Sultan as he entered the room,
153    IX|   tremulously happy and enraptured Sultan hastened full of tender
154    IX|          Seraglio to greet the new Sultan. It was only the leaders
155    IX|           the Cupola Chamber where Sultan Mahmud received those who
156    IX|         seen on the day when a new Sultan has ascended the throne.
157    IX|           advanced in front of the Sultan, and placing his muscular,
158    IX|          his head, and greeted the Sultan in a strong sonorous voice:~ ~"
159    IX|  invulnerable, immortal.~ ~But the Sultan immediately commanded the
160    IX|          to ancient custom."~ ~The Sultan thereupon caused it to be
161    IX|           salvo announced that the Sultan had arrived at the Ejub
162    IX|        that he might bless the new Sultan, and Halil had granted his
163    IX|      whispered everywhere that the Sultan was doing everything which
164     X|      huckster rules the realm, and Sultan Mahmud has nothing to think
165     X|           sooner subsided than the Sultan ordered the Halwet Festival
166     X|         then when the harem of the Sultan proudly paces forth! Half
167     X|     bayaderes of the streets, whom Sultan Achmed had once collected
168     X|         herself at the feet of the Sultan, and told him of the disgrace
169    XI|            of the palace which the Sultan and the favour of the people
170    XI|          Up, up, Silihdar Aga, the Sultan's Sword-bearer! Up, up,
171    XI|            up, Rechenbtar Aga, the Sultan's Stirrup-holder; up, up,
172    XI|     Stambul."~ ~"We must go to the Sultan about it," said the dervish
173    XI|           list, and take it to the Sultan. Woe betide the nation of
174    XI|        would go off at once to the Sultan and tell him, Kabakulak
175    XI|             allowed to provide the Sultan's kitchen with the flesh
176    XI|         and distinguished man. The Sultan cannot go back from his
177    XI|        Giaour and another?"~ ~"The Sultan has so ordered it, and without
178    XI|               Very well, go to the Sultan then and get him to undo
179    XI|          also will I report to the Sultan."~ ~"Look sharp about it
180    XI|           Patrona's demands to the Sultan.~ ~Mahmud granted everything
181    XI|      destroying the kiosks did the Sultan venture to make a suggestion.
182   XII|            special messages to the Sultan's favourite wives when they
183   XII|           It was by the command of Sultan Mahmud that the Sultana
184   XII|        friends and colleagues, the Sultan himself was under obligations
185   XII|        which he was to fall.~ ~The Sultan who could not endure the
186   XII|        ruin him.~ ~ ~ ~One day the Sultan distributed thirty wagon-loads
187   XII|         who wished to persuade the Sultan to declare war against Russia,
188   XII|       without the knowledge of the Sultan. To-morrow, therefore, let
189   XII|         generally reserved for the Sultan's use, which is supposed
190   XII|    reflected for an instant.~ ~The Sultan indeed had always been gracious
191   XII|          gratify his ambition. The Sultan really had a kindly heart
192   XII|           first of all to kiss the Sultan's hand."~ ~Halil with a
193   XII|          for none may approach the Sultan with a sword by him - only,
194   XII|          traditional custom of the Sultan to listen privately to the
195   XII|       advanced to the steps of the Sultan's throne, knelt down there,
196   XII|          and kissed the hem of the Sultan's garment.~ ~Mahmud was
197   XII|         and therefore not even the Sultan was free to slay them.~ ~