Thousand & One Nights: 144th Night: Lame Young Man & Baghdad Barber -6

The barber put his hand in his leather bag, took out an astrolabe with seven plates inlaid with silver, went to the courtyard, held it towards sunrays, and, after some time said, "O my lord, eight degrees and six minutes have elapsed of this day, which is Friday, the eighteenth of Safar, in the six hundred and fifty third year of Hijra and Seven thousand three hundred and twentieth year of the Alexander era and the planet now in the ascendant, according to mathematical calculations on the astrolabe, is Mars, which is in conjunction with Mercury, a conjunction that is favourable for hair cutting. I can also see that you intend to meet another person and for that the time is inauspicious and ill-advised."

I said, "By God, fellow, you are pestering me and wearing me with your wretched auguries. I have not brought you here to read stars, but to shave my head. Proceed at once whith that job or get out, and let me call another man."

"By God, my Lord, even if you had cooked it in milk, it wouldn't have turned better. You have asked for a barber, and God has sent you a barber who is also an astrologer and a physician, versed in the art of alchemy, astrology, grammar, lexicography, logic, scholastic disputation, rhetoric, arithmetic, algebra, and history as well as the traditions of the prophet, according to Muslim and al-Bukhari. I have read many books and digested them, I have had experience of affairs and understood them, and I have studied all sciences and crafts and mastered them. In fact I have tried and mastered everything. It behooves you to give thanks to Almighty God for what He has sent you and to praise him for what he has bestowed on you. Follow my advice today, and obey the stars. I offer it to you free of charge, for it is nothing, considering my affection and esteem for you. Your father loved me because of my discretion; therefore my service is obligatory to you." 

"You will surely be the death of me today," said I.

Morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence 




Notes:-
1. Astrolabe: Ancient astronomical instrument used for knowing position of stars, widely used in navigation, astronomy and astrology. It was originated in Greece, and later developed in Golden Islamic age. In some ancient cultures barbers had various roles other than cutting hair.
2. Alexander era: BCE 336 - BCE323 The period under the reign of Alexander of Macedonia.

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