of all the graces that contribute to adorn the human mind, there are perhaps none, more estimable than generosity and gratitude. to define the exact boundary between generosity and profusion, is not perhaps easy, since every one will explain it by the ideas they have of their own motives for action; yet how far soever avarice may have deprived some men of every spark of generosity, yet those very men fail not to expect it from others, and are sure to complain bitterly of those who do not display it in all their actions.
nothing can equal the pleasure arising from the glow of a generous heart, which is prompted to a noble action solely from the love of virtue, and who wishes not to make of it a worldly parade. fame is often purchased by generous donations, which would never have been given, had not popular idolatry been the motive; while others, like the generous man in the following tale, consult only the approbation of their own honest feelings.
one of the califs of egypt, being in the field of battle, was unexpectedly surrounded by a great number of rebels, who were preparing to give that fatal blow, which would at once have finished his life and put an end to his mortal career. fortunately for him an arab happened to be near the spot with other soldiers of his party, who, seeing the situation of the calif, rushed upon the rebels, and soon put them to flight.
the name of this arab was nadir, who had for some months lived a wandering life in the most retired and unfrequented places, in order to escape the vengeance of the calif, against whom he had joined the people in a late insurrection.
this generous conduct of nadir was so much admired by all the arabians, that the sires still tell it their children among their evening tales. this adventure had the happy effect of perfectly reconciling nadir to the calif, who, charmed with the generosity of a man who had saved his life, at the very instant he might have destroyed it, promised to place in him an implicit confidence.106 "but," said the calif, "let me hear how you have passed your time, during your banishment."
"i have been a wandering fugitive," replied nadir, "ever since your family were elevated to the throne of this empire; conscious that the sword of vengeance was at all times hanging over my head, it became natural for me to seek security in retirement. i found refuge for some time in the house of a friend at basra; but fearing that my stay in that city might be dangerous, i one night quitted it under the favour of a disguise, and pursued my journey towards the desert.
"i had escaped the vigilance of the guards, and thought myself out of all danger, when a man of a suspicious countenance seized my camel's bridle, and expressed his suspicions that i was the man the calif was in search of, and for the apprehension of whom a very considerable reward had been promised.
"i answered, that i was not the man he was in quest of."—"is not your name nadir?" said he. "this disconcerted me, and i could no longer deny myself to be the object of his pursuit. i put my hand into my bosom, and pulling out a jewel of some value, 'receive,' said i, 'this trifling token of my gratitude, for the important service i hope you will now do me, in keeping silence, and favouring my escape. should fortune again smile on me, i will share my prosperity with you.'
"he took my diamond, and examined it very attentively, 'before i put this diamond into my turban, as your gift,' said he, 'i would wish you to answer me one question honestly. i have heard you have been a liberal man, and always ready to assist the poor and necessitous; but did you ever give away one half of your wealth at one time?' i answered in the negative; and he renewed his questions till he came down to one-tenth; when i replied, that i believed i had, at one time, given away more than one-tenth of my whole fortune.
"'if that be the case,' said the man, as soon as i had made him that reply, 'that you may know there is at least one person in the realm more bountiful than yourself, i, who am nothing better than a private soldier, and receive only two dollars per month, return you your jewel, which must certainly be worth three thousand times that money.' having thus said, he threw me back my diamond, and pursued his journey.
"astonished at so benevolent and generous an action, i rode after him, and begged him to return. 'generous friend,' said i to him, 'i would rather be discovered, and forfeit my head, than be thus vanquished in point of generosity. magnanimous stranger, either i must follow you all day or you must accept this tribute of my gratitude.'
"he then, turning about, said to me, 'were i to take from you your diamond, i should consider myself as a robber on the highway, since you receive108 no value from it. let me advise you to lose no time, but set off for your proposed retreat.' he continued inflexible, and we parted."
the calif knew not which to admire most, the generosity of nadir or the soldier. a proclamation was published, ordering the generous soldier to appear at the calif's court, that he might receive the reward of his virtues; but all was to no effect, as no one came forward to claim the glorious reward. however, about a twelvemonth afterwards, when nadir attended the calif at a general review, a private soldier received a blow from his officer, for holding down his head as the calif passed. this drew the attention of nadir, who, after looking stedfastly in the face of the offending soldier, leaped from his horse, and caught him in his arms. to conclude, this proved to be the man who had so generously treated nadir, and had endeavoured to shun the reward of his virtues. the calif paid him singular honours; and at last raised him to the highest rank in his army.
