by Edgar Allan Poe

Truth is stranger than fiction

OLD SAYING

HAVING had occasion, lately, course of some Oriental investigations, to consult the Tellmenow Isitsoornot, work which (like the Zohar of Simeon Jochaides) is scarcely known at all, even in Europe; and never been quoted, to my knowledge, by any American -- except, perhaps, the author "Curiosities of American Literature"; -- having had occasion, , over some pages first -- mentioned very remarkable work, not little astonished to discover literary world has hitherto been strangely in error respecting the fate vizier's daughter, Scheherazade, fate is depicted "Arabian Nights"; and denouement there given, altogether inaccurate, as far as it goes, is to blame in not having gone farther

For full information interesting topic, refer the inquisitive reader "Isitsoornot" itself, but meantime, pardoned for giving summary of what I there discovered

remembered, that, usual version tales, certain monarch having good cause jealous queen, puts her to death, but makes vow, by his beard prophet, to espouse each night the most beautiful maiden dominions, next morning to deliver her executioner

Having fulfilled this vow for many years letter, and with religious punctuality and method that conferred great credit upon him as man of devout feeling and excellent sense, interrupted one afternoon ( at his prayers) by visit grand vizier, to whose daughter, it appears, there had occurred an idea

Her name was Scheherazade, and her idea was, that either redeem the land depopulating tax upon its beauty, or perish, approved fashion of all heroines, attempt

Accordingly, and although find it leap-year (which makes the sacrifice more meritorious), she deputes her father, the grand vizier, an offer king of her hand This hand the king eagerly accepts -- (he had intended it at all events, and had put off the matter from day to day, only through fear vizier), -- but, in accepting it now, all parties very distinctly to understand, that, grand vizier or no grand vizier, he the slightest design of giving up one iota vow or privileges When, therefore, the fair Scheherazade insisted upon marrying the king, and did actually marry him despite her father's excellent advice not any thing kind -- when and did marry him, , will I, nill I, with her beautiful black eyes as thoroughly open nature case would allow

It seems, however, politic damsel (who reading Machiavelli, beyond doubt), had very ingenious little plot in her mind night wedding, she contrived, upon I forget what specious pretence, her sister occupy couch sufficiently near that royal pair to admit of easy conversation from bed to bed; and, little before cock-crowing, she took care to awaken the good monarch, her husband (who bore her none the worse will because he intended to wring her neck morrow), -- she managed to awaken him, , (although on account of capital conscience and an easy digestion, he slept well) profound interest of story (about rat and black cat, ) which she was narrating (all in an undertone, ) to her sister day broke, it so happened history was not altogether finished, Scheherazade, nature of things finish it just then, since high time for her up and be bowstrung -- thing very little more pleasant than hanging, only trifle more genteel

The king's curiosity, however, prevailing, sorry , even over his sound religious principles, induced him once to postpone the fulfilment vow until next morning, and hope of hearing that night how it fared end black cat (a black cat, ) rat

The night having arrived, however, the lady Scheherazade put the finishing stroke black cat rat (the rat was blue) but before she well knew what she was about, found herself deep intricacies of narration, having reference (if not altogether mistaken) to pink horse (with green wings) that went, in violent manner, by clockwork, and was wound up with an indigo key history the king was even more profoundly interested than other -- and, day broke before its conclusion (notwithstanding all the queen's endeavors through with it bowstringing), again no resource but to postpone that ceremony as before, for twenty-four hours The next night there happened similar accident with similar result; and then the next -- and then again the next; , end, the good monarch, having been unavoidably deprived of all opportunity his vow during period of no one thousand and one nights, either forgets it altogether expiration of , or gets himself absolved of it regular way, or ( more probable) breaks it outright, head father confessor At all events, Scheherazade, who, being lineally descended from Eve, fell heir, perhaps, whole seven baskets of talk, which the latter lady, we all know, picked up from under the trees garden of Eden-Scheherazade, , finally triumphed, tariff upon beauty was repealed

Now, this conclusion ( that story as it upon record) is, , excessively proper and pleasant -- but alas ! like pleasant things, is more pleasant than true, and indebted altogether "Isitsoornot" means of correcting the error "Le mieux," says French proverb, "est l'ennemi du bien," and, in mentioning that Scheherazade had inherited the seven baskets of talk, added that she put them out at compound interest until they amounted to seventy-seven

"My dear sister," said she, thousand-and-second night, (I quote the language "Isitsoornot" point, verbatim) "my dear sister," said she, "now that all this little difficulty bowstring has blown over, and odious tax is so happily repealed, that guilty of great indiscretion in withholding king (who sorry , snores -- thing no gentleman would do) the full conclusion of Sinbad the sailor This person went through numerous other and more interesting adventures than those which I related; but the truth is, sleepy particular night narration, and so was seduced into cutting them short -- grievous piece of misconduct, I only trust that Allah will forgive me But even yet too late to remedy my great neglect -- and the king pinch or two to wake him up that stop making that horrible noise, forthwith entertain you (and him if he pleases) sequel very remarkable story

Hereupon the sister of Scheherazade, as it "Isitsoornot," expressed no very particular intensity of gratification; but the king, having been sufficiently pinched, ceased snoring, and finally said, "hum ! " and then "hoo ! " queen, understanding these words (which are Arabic) to signify that all attention, and would do his best not to snore any more -- the queen, , having arranged these matters to her satisfaction, re-entered thus, at once, history of Sinbad the sailor:

"' , in my old age, [these are the words of Sinbad himself, as retailed by Scheherazade] -- ' , in my old age, and after enjoying many years of tranquillity at home, I became once more possessed of desire of visiting foreign countries; and one day, without acquainting any family with my design, I packed up some bundles merchandise as was most precious and least bulky, and, engaged porter to carry them, went down sea-shore, to await the arrival of any chance vessel that might convey me kingdom into some region which I explored

"'Having deposited the packages sands, we sat down beneath some trees, and looked out ocean hope of perceiving ship, but during several hours we saw none whatever I fancied that hear singular buzzing or humming sound; porter, after listening awhile, declared that he also could distinguish it Presently it grew louder, and then still louder, object which caused approaching us , edge horizon, we discovered black speck, which rapidly increased in size until it out vast monster, swimming with great part body above the surface sea It came toward us with inconceivable swiftness, throwing up huge waves of foam around its breast, and illuminating all that part sea through which it passed, with long line of fire that extended far off distance

"' thing drew near we saw it very distinctly Its length was equal of three loftiest trees that grow, and as wide great hall of audience in your palace, O most sublime and munificent Caliphs Its body, unlike that of ordinary fishes, was as solid as rock, and of jetty blackness throughout all that portion of it which floated above the water, exception of narrow blood-red streak that completely begirdled it The belly, which floated beneath the surface, and get only glimpse monster rose and fell billows, was entirely covered with metallic scales, of color like that moon in misty weather The back was flat and nearly white, and there extended upwards of six spines, about half the length whole body

"'The horrible creature had no mouth that perceive, but, up deficiency, provided with four score of eyes, that protruded from their sockets like those green dragon-fly, and were arranged all around the body in two rows, one above the other, and parallel blood-red streak, which seemed to answer the purpose of an eyebrow dreadful eyes were much larger others, and had the appearance of solid gold

"'Although this beast approached us, as before said, greatest rapidity, it must moved altogether by necromancy- had neither fins like fish nor web-feet like duck, nor wings like the seashell blown along manner of vessel; nor yet did it writhe itself forward as eels Its head and its tail were shaped precisely alike, only, not far latter, were two small holes that served for nostrils, and through which the monster puffed out its thick breath with prodigious violence, and with shrieking, disagreeable noise