DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5504#0079
In 1817 and 1818. 167
promise, and is sensible of the full value of his independence.
The Bedouin passes without longing through the bazars of
Cairo and of rich Damascus: he is not to be seen, under any
circumstances, straggling against his destiny. Civilized man
expects from life what it can never bestow on him : in his in-
quietude, he makes the most strenuous efforts to remount the
current of a rapid river, which the Bedouin Arab descends
with resignation. All those we met with on our route ac-
costed us with the most confident benevolence: with the right
hand laid on the breast, they tendered to us their pious wishes:
God is great, lie will protect your journey and ours, was their
usual formula in addressing us. Alia kerym and In chd Allah
terminated the conversation which had commenced by multi-
plied salons, the salutations of peace.
In the evening my people laid out our repast beneath the
tent. We were not long in taking- it; for it was our custom to
refresh ourselves with sleep, at eight, or nine o'clock at the
latest, to be enabled to set out at three in the morning.
The heat which prevailed during the day, was augmented by
the powerful action of the reverberation of the sun's rays on
the plains of salt: the temperature could not be more aptly
compared than to that of a very hot day, in the month of Au-
gust, in the South of France. The humidity of the nights
produces a sensation of the most piercing cold: these dews
were occasionally so abundant, that it became very difficult to
kindle a fire: our tent was as wet in the morning as if it had
dipped in water. To seek relief from the awkward gait of my
dromedary, I frequently mounted a small Arabian mare, aged
three years, fleet, gentle, and a perfect model of beauty : she
was so caressing and tame, that in the evening she frequently
placed her fine nostrils on my shoulder, and partook of the
supper.
After their repast, our Arabs drew up in a circle, and each iu
his turn told a story: by the physiognomies of those who
listened to him, it was easy to judge of the interest of the
recital.
One evening they appeared to be more attentive, and to feel
a greater emotion, than usual: I wished to know the cause of
this, and procured from Abou Doaud, our interpreter, tho
translation of a tale which must have been much more
pathetic from the lips of Ibrahym cl-Arish. " My Lord," said
the drogoman to me, " I have heard it repeated several times
" by a Monk of Jaffa: I am almost certain that I can tell it aa
" well as he did."
promise, and is sensible of the full value of his independence.
The Bedouin passes without longing through the bazars of
Cairo and of rich Damascus: he is not to be seen, under any
circumstances, straggling against his destiny. Civilized man
expects from life what it can never bestow on him : in his in-
quietude, he makes the most strenuous efforts to remount the
current of a rapid river, which the Bedouin Arab descends
with resignation. All those we met with on our route ac-
costed us with the most confident benevolence: with the right
hand laid on the breast, they tendered to us their pious wishes:
God is great, lie will protect your journey and ours, was their
usual formula in addressing us. Alia kerym and In chd Allah
terminated the conversation which had commenced by multi-
plied salons, the salutations of peace.
In the evening my people laid out our repast beneath the
tent. We were not long in taking- it; for it was our custom to
refresh ourselves with sleep, at eight, or nine o'clock at the
latest, to be enabled to set out at three in the morning.
The heat which prevailed during the day, was augmented by
the powerful action of the reverberation of the sun's rays on
the plains of salt: the temperature could not be more aptly
compared than to that of a very hot day, in the month of Au-
gust, in the South of France. The humidity of the nights
produces a sensation of the most piercing cold: these dews
were occasionally so abundant, that it became very difficult to
kindle a fire: our tent was as wet in the morning as if it had
dipped in water. To seek relief from the awkward gait of my
dromedary, I frequently mounted a small Arabian mare, aged
three years, fleet, gentle, and a perfect model of beauty : she
was so caressing and tame, that in the evening she frequently
placed her fine nostrils on my shoulder, and partook of the
supper.
After their repast, our Arabs drew up in a circle, and each iu
his turn told a story: by the physiognomies of those who
listened to him, it was easy to judge of the interest of the
recital.
One evening they appeared to be more attentive, and to feel
a greater emotion, than usual: I wished to know the cause of
this, and procured from Abou Doaud, our interpreter, tho
translation of a tale which must have been much more
pathetic from the lips of Ibrahym cl-Arish. " My Lord," said
the drogoman to me, " I have heard it repeated several times
" by a Monk of Jaffa: I am almost certain that I can tell it aa
" well as he did."