256 ALI BABA AND

to express his satisfaction at what he saw pleased
his host.

As soon as Abdoollah saw that Ali Baba and
Khaujeh Houssain had done talking, he began
to play on the tabor, and.accompanied it with
an air; to which Morgiana, who was an excellent
performer, danced in such a manner as would
have created admiration in any other company
besides that before which she now exhibited,
among whom, perhaps, none but the false Khaujeh
Houssain was in the least attentive to her, the
rest having seen her so frequently.

After she had danced several dances with equal .
propriety and grace, she drew the poniard, and
holding it in her hand, began a dance, in which
she outdid herself, by the many different figures,
light movements, and the surprising leaps and
wonderful exertions with which she accompanied
it. Sometimes she presented the poniard to one’s
breast, sometimes to another’s, and oftentimes
seeming to strike her own. At last, as if she
was out of breath, she snatched the tabor from
Abdoollah with her left hand, and holding the
dagger in her right, presented the other side of
the tabor, after the manner of those who get a
livelihood by dancing, and solicit the liberality
of the spectators.